British Airways(LONDON) -- To honor Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex, British Airways marked their wedding day with a tribute flight.



The airline celebrated the wedding by staffing Saturday's Flight BA93 from London to Toronto with a crew made up entirely of Meghans and Harrys. The 10-person crew featured two Harrys, seven Megans and one Meghan.



Megan Horsley, a British Airways customer service manager who led the "Royal Crew," had never flown with so many other Megans before.



"I've flown with another Megan once or twice before, but never seven -- so we might have to all call each other by our surnames during this very special flight," she said in a press release before the flight.



The airline said the flight to Toronto was selected because it's the city where the relationship between Harry and Markle took off. Toronto is also the city where the couple made their first official public appearance.



"Harry and Meghan's relationship started across the Atlantic, so it seemed fitting for all of us to take off to Toronto on their special day," Horsley added in a press release.



The flight departed at 1:10 p.m., just an hour after the couple said "I do" at Windsor Castle, just 7 miles from Heathrow Airport.



At the airport, British Airways gave a special treat to any passenger named Harry, Meghan or Megan and their travel companions departing from Terminal 5. They were allowed to use the airline's first-class lounge.



The airline also handed out lemon and elderflower Victoria sponge cake -- the same flavor as Harry and Meghan's wedding cake -- to customers departing from Heathrow.



The airline also added extra champagne onto Flight BA93 to celebrate the wedding, and gave every passenger on board "a personal bottle of Castelnau Blanc de Blanc to enjoy alongside their individual celebratory wedding cake," the airline said.



Passengers were able to watch the royal wedding on the flight. British Airways passengers on long-haul flights throughout the month of May can watch episodes of the Toronto-shot TV series Suits, starring Markle, and enjoy documentaries and podcasts about how Harry and Markle met and the history of Windsor Castle.



Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
The Head of Assets Management and Investments at Egypt's biggest investment bank EFG Hermes Karim Moussa said the group is willing to investment $300 million in basic education in Egypt in cooperation with UAE GEMS Education in the upcoming five years.

" In the upcoming two months, Hermes will launch its first investments platform in education sector in Egypt with a plan to obtain four or five schools by the end of September 2018", Moussa told Reuters on Sunday.

The announcement comes as Hermes said it has signed an exclusive cooperation with UAE GEMS education to launch the largest investment platform targeting Egypt's basic education sector.

Hermes is aiming to establish a portfolio of international and language schools in major Egyptian cities in the upcoming five years starting from kindergarten and until 12th grade.

"The group will obtain already existing schools in addition to establishing new schools, initially in Cairo and Alexandria governorates" Moussa added.

Established in 1959, GEMS UAE is one of the largest schools management groups in the Middle East and North Africa.

Hermes is currently active in a number of markets around the Middle East in Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman Pakistan as well as Kenya in Africa and the United States.

Egypt, the Arab worlds biggest education market and most populous nation exceeding 90 million, is becoming attractive to investors as the country has been undertaking a promising economic reform program to attract foreign investors who left in the wake of the 2011 political uprising and following political turbulences.



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Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry will head on Monday to the Algerian capital of Algiers to participate in a meeting of the tripartite initiative of Arab states neighboring Libya, which includes Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, Egyptian foreign ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid said in statement

"The meeting comes in the framework of regular meetings of the tripartite initiative held continuously between the three states to discuss the latest developments in Libya and how to support the Libyan brothers on the political and security levels to achieve a national consensus and political solution to the crisis in the country," the statement said.

Abu Zeid added that the meeting comes amid intensified international efforts to break the stalemate in the country, and to complete the Libyan political roadmap through holding parliamentary and presidential elections.

"Egypt's participation in the meeting comes in the framework of Cairo's special interest in supporting a political resolution to the Libyan crisis as well as efforts to counter terrorism and unite the Libyan military institution," the statement added.

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This morning Britain is under attack from Russia. As we remove the bunting and fold away our Union Jacks, Putin's army is mobilising. Every household in every street of every town is a potential target. But our senior politicians remain impotent. Among both the Left and the Right, winning the New Culture War is taking precedence over prevailing in the Second Cold War.

On Monday, MI5 chief Andrew Parker described how the Russian government was now 'the chief protagonist' in a campaign aimed at undermining Western democracy.

He explained how we are now under assault from a 'well-practised doctrine of blending media manipulation, social media disinformation and distortion with new and old forms of espionage, and high levels of cyber attacks, military force and criminal thuggery'.

As we remove the bunting and fold away our Union Jacks, Putin's army is mobilising

His words were an echo of the warning issued last month by national security adviser Mark Sedwill, who told MPs that Russia was now 'the primary strategic threat to the United Kingdom'.

Those MPs listened intently. And then did nothing. No urgent questions were tabled in the Commons. No Minister appeared to explain how the Government intended to task our armed forces, intelligence and security services with responding to this real and present danger from a nuclear-armed foreign power. As the Russian bear padded closer, Britain's political class continued its slumber.

There are several reasons for our lethargy. One is a lingering complacency from our victory in the First Cold War. As the Berlin Wall fell, so our guard was lowered.

Another is the legacy of 9/11. Even as the Twin Towers crumbled, our defence and intelligence services were pivoting to focus on the new threats posed by Al Qaeda, and then IS.

There is also the changing nature of covert warfare. As Parker identified, the traditional gathering of intelligence has become secondary to the dissemination of propaganda. The agent with the keyhole camera has been usurped by the hacker in a St Petersburg basement.

But there is another, more important, factor. Part by chance and part by design, Russia is targeting the fault line where the competing ideologies of the hard Left and hard Right intersect. With the result that both factions are now providing unwitting cover for Putin's campaign of disinformation, disruption and political sabotage.

Last week there was a further twist in the ongoing saga of New Zealand businessman Christopher Chandler and his Brexit-facilitating think-tank Legatum.

At business questions, Labour MP Liam Byrne said: 'I understand that Mr Christopher Chandler has threatened six Select Committee chairs with proceedings in the European Court of Human Rights if they dare to probe his links with President Putin.' This followed the revelation earlier this month from Conservative MP Bob Seely that he was in possession of documents that revealed 'Mr Chandler is described as having been 'an object of interest to the DST [a French intelligence agency] since 2002 on suspicion of working for Russian intelligence services.' '

Chandler has consistently and passionately rejected an allegation of wrongdoing. He has mounted various defences, including malicious smears by a former FBI intelligence officer, a misinformation campaign by Kremlin officials, and a case of mistaken identity.

All or some of these explanations may well be true. But it's almost impossible to judge their validity because the Chandler case has been immediately pounced upon by supporters of Brexit, and twisted into what they claim is evidence of an attempt by Remain campaigners to undermine the referendum result.

On Monday, MI5 chief Andrew Parker described how the Russian government was now 'the chief protagonist' in a campaign aimed at undermining Western democracy. Pictured: Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

'When Mrs May bungled the General Election last year, Remainers revived their drooping spirits. They began to deploy whatever means they could think of to stop Brexit,' one leading pro-Brexit commentator raged last week, adding that 'the more Remainiac Remainers decided to use dirty tricks'.

Sorry, that's not what happened. A cross-party group of backbench MPs  with diligence that put to shame their senior colleagues  came into possession of documents showing an influential foreign national, with interest in the UK, had a connection with a foreign intelligence service. Brexit or no Brexit, these are precisely the sort of issues Parliament should be examining.

But it's not just those on the pro-Brexit Right who are wary of proper scrutiny of Russian interference. The Corbynite Left are equally shy of paddling too deeply in these murky waters.

Two weeks ago it emerged that researchers at Swansea University had discovered more than 6,000 Russian Twitter accounts had attempted to rally support behind the Labour Party in the run-up to last year's election.

Patterns of activity were deemed similar to those used to mobilise support behind Donald Trump in the US presidential election.

Again, there may be an entirely innocent explanation for these tweets. But again, it is hard to judge because no sooner was the research made public than an army of Corbynite supporters, cyber-warriors and surrogates swarmed on to social media to attack the findings, dismissing them as a 'smear'. They were not a smear. Speak to British intelligence sources and they will confirm a number of simple facts.

One is that the Russians have tried to influence Brexit. There is no evidence it had a material impact on the outcome of the referendum, or invalidates the result, but Russia sees Brexit as a useful tool for disrupting existing Western European political and defensive alliances.

IT also sees Brexit as assisting in a second Russian objective  Scottish independence. That's because this would lead to the closure of the Trident nuclear base at Faslane, and disrupt the UK's capacity to monitor and defend the strategically important Greenland/Iceland/UK gap.

Jeremy Hunt was travelling back to London by train after a constituency visit when he had an awkward encounter

Another is that Russia is stepping up attempts to infiltrate the Labour Party. Partly this is because they welcome the leadership's stance on issues such as Nato membership and its wider geo-political world view. But also because they see Labour's unofficial social media network as a useful tool for the dissemination of the Kremlin's own propaganda, especially in areas such as Syria. And the election result has made Moscow reassess the credibility of a Corbyn government.

But at the moment it is impossible to effectively counteract these threats. And that is because it's impossible to construct a political consensus for action. Theresa May has no desire to offend her hard-core Brexiteers; Jeremy Corbyn has no desire to offend the hard-core Stop The War contingent among his activist base.

So responding to the primary strategic threat to the UK is left to a handful of brave backbenchers and Select Committee chairmen.

Meanwhile, the bear pads closer. And as it does, the British political class remains soundly, and conveniently, asleep.
After a breathtaking ceremony at St George's Chapel in Windsor, newlyweds Meghan Markle and Prince Harry danced the night away at their Frogmore House reception.

The stunning bride wowed in a lily white evening dress designed by Stella McCartney - the bespoke silk crepe piece featuring a high neck and a flared skirt - and a pair of pastel blue Aquazurra shoes.

But for Australian brides who are looking for a more budget-friendly party dress for their wedding reception, The Iconic has rounded up the five best-selling white dresses for 2018 - and they are all under $350.

Meghan Markle wowed in a lily white evening dress designed by Stella McCartney as she attended her wedding reception with Prince Harry at Frogmore House

1. BRIDGETTE MIDI DRESS, $300

This ivory piece by Australian label Bec + Bridge is famed for its clean lines, modern square neckline and edgy block straps.

Perfect for the contemporary bride, the dress features a balconette bodice and is a favourite for its effortlessly elegant midi length.

Textured with stretch and semi-sheer under light, this classic staple is also one that can be re-purposed and worn for parties and occasions beyond the wedding day.

This ivory piece by Australian label Bec + Bridge is famed for its clean lines, modern square neckline and edgy block straps

2. KARINA COCKTAIL WRAP DRESS, $340

Designed by Shona Joy, this dress is the epitome of modern style.

The casual yet party-ready get-up features an adjustable wrap fit and is made with lightweight chiffon.

Available in a light neutral sand shade (known as bone and black), this dress also features a gold lurex stripe accent with black polka dots and a V-neckline.

Paired with black or neutral pumps, it's the perfect addition to any bride's party wardrobe.

The casual yet party-ready get-up features an adjustable wrap fit and is made with lightweight chiffon

What are the top five party dress trends for 2018? Wrap Dresses These are still one of our most popular shapes because it looks great on all body types - it's also perfectly appropriate for all sorts of wedding occasions from day to night, cocktail or formal, wrap dresses are perfect for guest attire. Midi Dresses These great as we move into the winter months, plus they bring an elegant feel for any wedding occasion. Lace You can't go wrong with a lace dress for a wedding - it's the combination of classic fabrication modernised with great cutwork that makes it a perfect option for weddings. Asymmetric We love an asymmetric hem or strapline for wedding season! Fun, flirty and a great addition to any wardrobe. Fringing Her Majesty might not approve, but we're all for bringing a bit of movement to your wedding look with fringing! Pair with an asymmetrical hem for extra 'wow'! Advertisement

3. DANICA MIDI DRESS, $119.95

An affordable alternative to a high-end gown, this chic look by Atmos + Here is made with airy chiffon and detailed with a subtle grid pattern and lace inserts.

The flattering dress is designed to suit all body shapes, with cinched waist, tie sash and handkerchief hem that billows with each step.

The intricate lace detailing adds the bridal feel and is the ideal pick for event held int the summer months.

An affordable alternative to a high-end gown, this chic look by Atmos + Here is made with airy chiffon and detailed with a subtle grid pattern and lace inserts

4. SACRIFICES MIDI DRESS, $229.95

For the bride who wants to shake things up and show off a little more skin at their wedding reception, this off-the-shoulder creation by C/meo Collective is an excellent choice.

With draping over the arms and a drawstring gathering at the right thigh, the little details keep the dress interesting and modern while maintain an elegant, classic feel.

The dress is crafted from a blend of textured ramie and cotton and is designed with a bodice that moulds the body shape while the high-low flared hem brings the glamour that many a wedding reception demands.

For the bride who wants to shake things up and show off a little more skin at their wedding reception, this off-the-shoulder creation by C/meo Collective is an excellent choice

5. PURSUE MINI DRESS, $299

This dress by Talulah screams bridal, with the mini cut from pretty scalloped lace and featuring an A-line skirt with lashings of layered frills.

Timeless yet right on trend, the sheer lace fabric and white hue is flattering for all body shapes and the V-neckline allows brides to show off a little more skin on the dance floor.

Other features include a ladder-trimmed waistband, invisible back zip and a gorgeous sheer back.
She was an actress for 15 years before she tied the knot with Prince Harry on Saturday.

However, details of Meghan Markle's career have been down-played on the Duchess of Sussex's new page on the royal family's official website.

The profile for the 36-year-old on www.royal.uk, which is run by Buckingham Palace, was updated after the royal wedding on Saturday at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The info for Meghan, who appeared in Suits, the hit show show that made her famous, as well as 14 films, focuses on her philanthropic, volunteer and charity work

The profile for the 36-year-old on www.royal.uk, which is run by Buckingham Palace, was updated after the royal wedding on Saturday at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle

However, the info for Meghan, who appeared in Suits, the hit show show that made her famous, as well as 14 films, focuses on her philanthropic, volunteer and charity work.

It's not until readers click on to a secondary 'Biography' page and scroll further down do they find references of Meghan's 'superficial' acting career, which she gave up so she could take up full royal commitments in Britain after marrying Prince Harry.

Her 'About The Duchess of Sussex' page reads: 'From a young age, The Duchess had a keen awareness of social issues and actively participated in charitable work.

It's not until readers click on to a secondary 'Biography' page and scroll further down do they find references of Meghan's acting career

Meghan gave up her acting career so she could take up full royal commitments in Britain

It also highlights her work as the UN Women's Advocate for Women's Political Participation and Leadership, as well as her role with World Vision

'Aged 11 she successfully campaigned for a company to alter their television advert that had used sexist language to sell washing-up liquid.

'Her Royal Highness also volunteered at a soup kitchen in Skid Row, Los Angeles from the age of 13-17.

'She continued to volunteer at the soup kitchen when she would return home to Los Angeles until the age of 22.'

It also highlights her work as the UN Women's Advocate for Women's Political Participation and Leadership, as well as her role with World Vision.

The only mention of her acting career on the first page of her official page is a reference to her 'filming in Toronto'.

Once on her Biography page, readers have to scroll down past Meghan's education before reaching details of her acting career - summed up in just a few paragraphs.

The only mention of her acting past on the first page of her official page is a reference to Meghan 'filming in Toronto', where she starred in Suits, pictured, which was set in New York

It reads: 'After university Her Royal Highness worked as an actress, appearing in film and television. She most notably played the role of Rachel Zane on the series Suits for seven seasons, completing over 100 episodes.

'Whilst working on Suits, The Duchess moved to Toronto, Canada where the show was filmed; she feels very connected to Canada, as it became a second home to her.'

William Hanson, royal expert, said: 'The Duchess of Sussexs role is now the endless and tireless charity work and patronages.

'It is not that remarkable that the royal household have chosen to focus on this rather than the rather superficial and ephemeral former career that Meghan had.

'The household are by no means trying to make us forget that - they know we have more nouse than that - but they are simply focusing on one of the major functions of a modern monarchy.'

It comes as Kensington Palace updated its Twitter profile picture to include Meghan Markle.

The bio now reads: 'The official account of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their Royal Foundation, based at Kensington Palace'

The profile picture now shows the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge along with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at their first joint engagement together in February - after which they were called the 'Fab Four'

The image now shows the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge along with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at their first joint engagement together in February - after which they were called the 'Fab Four'.

It was changed from a photo of Prince William, Kate and Harry at an event for their Heads Together mental health charity in 2016.

The bio now reads: 'The official account of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their Royal Foundation, based at Kensington Palace.'

The account has more than 1.46 million followers. The royal family's Instagram profile image has also been updated.

Before it was changed, royal fan Arieh Miller tweeted: 'At the #royalwedding party, surely the most important conversation is about the new @KensingtonRoyal twitter picture? #AddMegan.'

While another added: 'I'm waiting for @KensingtonRoyal to change their Twitter and insta bio - will there be a new photo too?'

Fans were pleased after the profile photo was updated, with Rosemary adding: 'Great to see @KensingtonRoyal has promptly edited its Twitter bio for the new couple.'

The profile photo was changed from a photo of Prince William, Kate and Harry at an event for their Heads Together mental health charity in 2016

More than six million people tweeted about Meghan and Harry's big day - pictured, the profile photo Kensington Palace used on its Twitter feed

Harry looked emotional at points in the service as a composed Meghan smiled across at him

A sight to bring a man to tears: Meghan arrives at St George's Chapel flanked by two pageboys

Meghan and Harry tied the knot at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in front of a star-studded guestlist yesterday.

More than six million people tweeted about the big day - more than three times the number during William and Kate's wedding, social media monitoring firm Visibrain said.

Between 10pm on Friday and 11pm on Saturday, 6,604,498 tweets were posted worldwide on the royal nuptials, of which 5.2 million bore the hashtag #RoyalWedding.

That compared with 1,821,669 tweets across a similar timeframe for Prince William when he married Kate Middleton back on April 29, 2011.

The most picked up post was by Lucy Sempey and was retweeted nearly 105,000 times. It was a photograph of Meghan outside Buckingham Palace as a teen with the message: 'One day you're 15 and posing outside Buckingham palace and 22 years later you're marrying the Prince. Unreal.'
While celebrities were out in force at the royal wedding yesterday, a few surprise names didn't make the guest list - including some members of the royal family.

Those not invited included Made in Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh, who Meghan was said to have become close with during her visits to the UK, and Lady Amelia Windsor, who was once dubbed Britain's most beautiful royal.

Other famous names who didn't make the cut included Spice Girls Emma Bunton and Mel B - who had previously set tongues wagging that she had secured herself an invite.

While many of Meghan's showbiz friends were at yesterday's wedding, her former agent Gina Nelthorpe-Cowne did not make the guest list - but was invited to be a commentator for Sky News instead.

And while Harry's exes Chelsea Davy and Cressida Bonas both did attend the wedding, Caroline Flack - who once described herself as the prince's 'bit of rough' - and rumoured former flame Natalie Pinkham were not invited.

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Emma Bunton wore a bridal dress and veil as she attended a royal wedding house party

Made In Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh watched the royal wedding at home with her pug

Millie (pictured with her pug today) had widely been expected to attend the wedding, after reportedly becoming close with Meghan during her visits to the UK

Millie Mackintosh had widely been believed to be attending the royal wedding, after enjoying a stay at Soho Farmhouse together back in 2016.

In fact, insiders had suggested that the former reality star, 28, had been closely involved in helping Meghan plan her wedding - with some tipping her to be chosen as a bridesmaid.

However, it appears that Millie had to make do with watching the wedding at home with everyone else - sharing a picture of her pug wearing a bridal-themed collar on Instagram.

Harry and Meghan also caused a stir with their guest list after failing to invite junior members of the royal family, including the children and grandchildren of the Queen's cousins.

Lady Amelia Windsor meanwhile shared holiday snaps from Italy yesterday, as the wedding was taking place in Windsor

The granddaughter of the Duke of Kent was among several junior royals left off the guest list

Caroline Flack, who once described herself as Prince Harry's 'bit of rough', enjoyed a BBQ with her new fiance Andrew Brady

Mel B, who had previously suggested that she was going to the royal wedding, shared a clip of herself chasing a goat around her back yard

These included Lady Amelia Windsor, who has escaped the royal wedding fever by going to Italy.

The granddaughter of the Duke of Kent, who attended Kate and William's wedding back in 2011, has shared several snaps of herself in Rome over the past few days, including a scenic snap yesterday.

While Victoria Beckham was invited to the wedding yesterday, the other members of the Spice Girls were not, despite suggestions they might be performing at the reception.

Sky Sports presenter Natalie Pinkham (centre) - who has been linked to Harry in the past - shared a snap of herself at a charity event yesterday

Meghan's former agent Gina Nelthorpe-Cowne (left) did not make the guest list - but was invited to be a commentator for Sky News along with fashion designer Amanda Wakely

Princess Diana's bridesmaid India Hicks was also in Windsor, appearing as a guest on ITV and E! news

Instead, Emma Bunton dressed up in a bridal dress and veil for a wedding house party, while Mel B shared a clip of herself chasing a goat around in her back yard.

Harry's former flame Caroline Flack meanwhile enjoyed a BBQ with her new fiance Andrew Brady, while Natalie Pinkham - who has been linked to Harry in the past - shared a snap of herself at a charity event.

Despite not being invited to the big day, Meghan's former agent Gina Nelthorpe-Cowne - who previously spoke of how the former actress had told her about her first date with Harry - did go to Windsor, appearing as a guest on Sky News.

Meanwhile, Princess Diana's bridesmaid India Hicks also appeared as a guest on ITV and E! news.

A host of celebrity guests were invited to Harry and Meghan's wedding, including David and Victoria Beckham and George and Amal Clooney
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The designer of Meghan's 200,000 wedding dress said Prince Harry thanked her for making his new wife look 'absolutely stunning' on their big day.

Birmingham-born Clare Waight Keller, who made history as the first female artistic director at French fashion house Givenchy, was revealed as the designer of the eagerly awaited wedding dress on Saturday morning.

The designer, 47, said Harry spoke to her after the ceremony at St George's Chapel: 'He came straight up to me and he said "oh my God, thank you, she looks absolutely stunning".

The designer, 47, said Harry spoke to her after the ceremony at St George's Chapel: 'He came straight up to me and he said "oh my God, thank you, she looks absolutely stunning"

Kensington Palace has tweeted sketches of Meghan's wedding dress. The bridal gown was simple in a classic white, but the elaborate veil was embroidered with flowers from each of the 53 Commonwealth nations

Those working on Meghan's dress spent hundreds of hours meticulously sewing and washing their hands every thirty minutes to keep the tulle and threads pristine

Ms Waight Keller said Meghan and Harry are just 'so in love', adding: 'They were just radiant at that time.

'Well I think everybody saw on television - he was absolutely in awe I think. She looked just incredible and it showed.'

Ms Waight Keller also said she thinks Meghan may have admired her role as a successful working mother.

I think she really admired the fact that I was a woman designer and the many companies I've worked for - British companies and international companies, she added.

'And the fact that I'm a working mother maybe played into that as well, so that was maybe part of her story.

Ms Waight Keller said she is giving her final design sketches to Meghan as a keepsake.

The designer's comments come as Kensington Palace tweeted sketches of Meghan's dress.

It said: 'The Duchess and Ms. Waight Keller worked closely together on the design, epitomising a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic House of Givenchy.'

The bridal gown was simple in a classic white, but the elaborate five-metre veil, which was held in place by Queen Mary's diamond tiara, was embroidered with flowers from each of the 53 Commonwealth nations, as well as her native California.

Those working on it spent hundreds of hours meticulously sewing and washing their hands every 30 minutes to keep the tulle and threads pristine.

Talking about the big day, Ms Waight Keller said of Meghan and Harry: 'They were just radiant at that time. Well I think everybody saw on television - he was absolutely in awe I think'

Meghan Markle arrived at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for her wedding to Prince Harry wearing a dress and veil made by Givenchy

Meghan wore a 200K creation by Givenchy to marry Prince Harry. The bride-to-be reportedly commissioned Givenchy's Clare Waight Keller after viewing sketches with her best friend Jessica Mulroney

The glowing bride chose an Audrey Hepburn-style gown in a classic style as opposed to the beaded number she was predicted to wear

The identity of Meghan's dress designer was top secret, and remained under wraps until Saturday morning - not even the designer's husband and children knew

How much did Meghan's wedding dress cost? Celebrity stylist Lucas Armitage told Femail that a dress like Meghan's is likely to cost in the region of 200,000. 'A whole team would be dedicated to every detail of the dress, the fabric, the pattern, the toiles all working in tandem to create the effortlessly chic piece,' he xplained. 'Don't underestimate its understated veneer, every stitch and every seam will have been meticulously planned to perfection to give it the perfect regal aesthetic. 'I predict it will have cost around the 200K mark for such a couture approach to bridal.' Bespoke fabric from a Parisian mill: 60,000 Multiple fittings: 35,000 Seamstress and toile making: 74,000 Designing and pattern cutting: 25,000 Additional alterations pre-wedding day: 4000 TOTAL: 198,000 Celebrity stylist Lucas Armitage told Femail that a dress like Meghan's is likely to cost in the region of 200,000 Advertisement

Talking about how that became a feature of the look, Ms Waight Keller said: 'Well there was a conversation early on about the story that we were going to tell through this wedding.

'And so part of what I wanted to do was talk to her about what those type of stories could be.

'And the fact that both her and Prince Harry will be actually working a lot within the Commonwealth was something I thought was really intriguing and something built on to be part of the day.

'So over a period of time, we had different conversations back and forth and I came up with the idea of maybe representing each of the countries - the 53 countries of the Commonwealth - through their flora and fauna.

'And we both love the story of that and it also meant that every single one of those countries also journeyed up the aisle with her, which I thought was a really poetic moment.'

The identity of Meghan's dress designer was top secret, and remained under wraps until Saturday morning - not even the designer's husband and children knew.

Talking about when her family finally became aware, she said: 'Literally on the morning. It was really a secret.'

She heard her husband Philip Keller, an American architect, was proud of her and of course watched the wedding on TV when he head the big news.

Ms Waight Keller appeared on the steps of St George's Chapel when Meghan arrived to ensure her veil and train looked pristine, and helped to arrange it before the couple made their exit as husband and wife - a role often performed by the maid of honour.

The timeless gown managed to balance drama with simplicity, thanks to a beautifully embellished veil

Meghan surprised everyone by choosing a timeless gown from Givenchy's Clare Waight Keller, who was on hand to assist the bride with her train as she stepped out of her car at St George's Chapel

The dress that made Harry cry: The emotional prince told Meghan, 'you look amazing' as she arrived at the altar in her bespoke Givenchy gown

The bride stunned in a classic pure white Givenchy silk wedding gown as made her way down the aisle at St George's Chapel to marry Prince Harry

There was no maid of honour as Meghan did not want to choose just one person out of her close group of friends.

Ms Waight Keller said she did not think about the fact the world would be watching.

'I didn't really think about it. I was actually just thinking about the dress and the veil.

'I wanted just for her to feel and look amazing. It was just an important moment to get all of that right and I thought she just looked spectacular,' she said.

Asked if she put much thought into her own outfit, she said: 'Of course as a designer you always consider how you look.

'But I also wanted to make sure that I was somewhat invisible as well, that it was her moment, and that's what was really key.

'But I wanted her to feel that I was there if she needed me.'

Ms Waight Keller said it was confirmed to her in early January that she was the chosen designer.

Meghan's designer Clare Waight Keller was on hand to assist the bride throughout the ceremony, as she did not have adult bridesmaids for her big day

The beaming bride opted for classic simplicity for her dress design, which has been widely praised by other bridal designers and fashion experts

Royal wave: Meghan waves gracefully as her husband smiles as the procession weaves its way through the streets of Windsor

'It was an extraordinary moment when she told me. Of course it's an incredible thing to be part of such a historic moment,' she said.

Ms Waight Keller said the process was collaborative, adding: 'I think she had very much seen my work and knew what I did.

'I think she loved the fact that I was a British designer, and working in a house such as Givenchy which has its roots in a very classical, beautiful style.'

Ms Waight Keller said over time they quickly got to a point where Meghan felt she knew exactly what she wanted after various meetings and trials.

This meant that the designer got to know Meghan, and she said of the new Duchess of Sussex: 'She's exactly what you see on TV.

'She's just so genuine and warm and radiant. She's just glowing.

Outside St George's Chapel up to 100,000 fevered well-wishers have gathered in glorious British sunshine and cheered the couple as they started their new married life in the grand Ascot Landau carriage

The bride and groom turned to check on their guests as they made their way out of the church ahead of Prince Charles, The Duchess of Cornwall and Meghan's mother Doria Ragland

Meghan Markle was said to have chosen the Givenchy designer after being impressed by her classic aesthetic and down-to-earth attitude

'She's a strong woman. She knows what she wants, and it was really an absolute joy working with her.'

Asked about the moment Meghan was able to look at herself fully dressed and ready in the mirror on Saturday morning, Ms Waight Keller said: 'She was just glowing. There's so much emotion on a day like that anyway.

'But I think particularly when it all comes together, I think it is tremendous. She was absolutely radiant.

'I think it was such a special moment for the two of them.

'They're so in love, and I was just thrilled to be part of the whole thing,' she said.

Asked if there was any tears from Meghan, she said: 'No, she was incredibly composed. It was really quite extraordinary.

'She's just the most beautiful person.'

Asked about what Meghan's mother Doria Ragland thought of her daughter, Ms Waight Keller said: 'As she went into her car, her mother was already sitting in the car and you just could see there was so much love between them.'
The easiest way to tell a womans true age? Her hands. Certainly thats true of mine, which, as I look down at them right now tapping away at my keyboard, suddenly look so  what is the word? Rural?

Years of sun exposure, slightly obsessive handwashing, hand dryers, doing the washing up with holey rubber gloves, and generally treating my hands as second-class citizens in comparison with the rest of me have obviously taken their toll.

As with Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicole Kidman and so many other female celebrities, my hand age is at least ten years older than the rest of my 57-year-old self. Madonnas hands, in particular, are in strong contrast to her shockingly line-free face and Barbie-doll hair.

Its funny how much well spend on plumping, smoothing and tightening every other inch of our bodies, yet somehow we forget about our hands. Ill happily put my hand up here: Ive had fillers, Botox, skin tightening, CoolSculpting fat removal, you name it.

Margaret Dabbs (pictured) is owner of the fist clinic in Britain to offer the Laser Rejuvenation Hand Lift. Christa D'Souza , 57, tried the treatment which promises youthful results

Given that they are always on view, not just to others but to ourselves, every moment of the day, would it not be sensible to make them a priority?

Margaret Dabbs certainly thinks so.

A podiatrist by training, Dabbs is known primarily as the person to see for beautiful feet. She opened her first foot clinic in Harley Street in 1998. But now the fifty-something blonde is turning her attention to hands.

She is the first in Britain to offer the Laser Rejuvenation Hand Lift, a new treatment which, she says, has been clinically proven to stimulate and regrow new healthy skin cells from the hypodermis, which will tighten and illuminate the skin, visibly minimise the effects of ageing and successfully regenerate lost collagen.

In other words, it is a face-lift for the hands and is going to make my wrinkles, especially the deep creases round my knuckles, disappear, not just for a day but, with enough treatments, indefinitely.

The laser reactivates production of collagen, the protein that keeps our skin elastic and smooth when were in our 20s but gradually diminishes as we grow older. Stimulating the cells in our bodies to keep producing it really is the Holy Grail of anti-ageing.

Strangely, I am quite proud of my wrinkly old mitts. Maybe Madonna is proud of hers, too. Lady of leisure hands are no badge of honour in the 21st century  Ive earned these workers hands and its not as if I ever entertained fantasies of becoming a hand model.

But at the same time Im cross with them for giving me away. My hands used to be a canvas for expressing my creativity through crazy nail polish and cocktail rings.

Christa D'Souza (pictured before left and after right) claims to have a problem with weak skin elasticity, especially around her knuckles

But I cant remember the last time I wore my rings, and pockets have become an obsession when it comes to buying new clothes. So a non-invasive, relatively wince-free handlift? Bring it on!

First, though, the gel nail varnish has to go, a laborious process which takes at least an hour. Gels, according to Dabbs, are terrible for nails, as the acetone bath needed to scrape them off makes the nails weak, dry and flaky in a way they would never be with normal nail polish remover.

Think of what your teeth are like under veneers, is Dabbss chilling analogy. Then there is the UVA light used to harden the liquid gel polish, which research shows damages skin cells in much the same way as sunbeds.

Such a shame, given that Ive only recently discovered gels and have been extolling their virtues to others ever since. After making me promise never to have them again, Dabbs gets me in her treatment chair and immediately starts poring over the backs of my hands.

My biggest problem, apparently, is weak skin elasticity and wrinkling, especially round the knuckles (not a good look under rings at all). The skin is very thin, too, which is why my veins look so gnarly.

Christa (pictured right) benefited from having thin skin during the treatment as the laser could easily reach the hypodermis

This thinness, it turns out, is a benefit in terms of the treatment because it means the laser can more easily reach the hypodermis  the area of fatty connective tissue that attaches the skin to underlying bone and muscle.

It is here that the laser will stimulate the regrowth of healthy skin cells, producing collagen and thereby thickening and plumping the skin to make it look younger and smoother (look at your childrens hands compared with yours and youll see what I mean).

Our hands reveal a story that sometimes the rest of us doesnt, Dabbs says. Her own hands are remarkably smooth and youthful-looking, despite being tanned from a recent trip to Barbados. Its like when you put a suit on a farmer. You can always tell theyre a farmer, cant you?

First, Dabbs draws a matrix on the back of each hand with a white wax pencil. Then, with a laser pen, she targets each tiny square with a 20-second pulse of light.

Christa claims the treatment (pictured) felt like an elastic-band pinging sensation intensified

Does it hurt? Not at all on my first visit (the course, which costs 750, consists of six 50-minute treatments performed at monthly intervals). Theres just a suffusion of mild heat and a slight intermittent stinging on the second session. Theres no downtime needed, either, although Dabbs recommends no perfume on the hands, no fake tan, no sun exposure and no strenuous exercise for 24 hours because of the effect the heat can have on the capillaries, the smallest of the bodys blood vessels.

It hurt more the second time because Dabbs turned the frequency up a notch, having seen that I didnt react badly to it. When I say hurt, what I mean is that the elastic-band pinging sensation intensified.

The big surprise is that you can see the skin getting smoother almost immediately. Well I could, especially on my right hand, which is the one I dont write with and is therefore less gnarly and wrinkled.

The smoothness may also have something to do with them being slathered in Dabbss signature anti-ageing hand serum, followed by her hand lotion, before finishing with some of her nail and cuticle serum for those dry bits around the edges of my thumbnails.

Christa (pictured) began looking after her hands religiously after the treatment, using pots of Margaret Dabbss serum and hand lotion

The products are all part of Dabbss Home Care Kit (100, available at margaretdabbs.co.uk) and contain emu oil, which doesnt just give the skin a lovely sheen, but also helps with age spots.

Leaving the salon after my second treatment, I cant stop looking at my hands, rather in the way a child might eye a new pair of shoes. I also become more conscious of other womens hands, especially at the dinner table.

Nail polish is one thing. Anyone can buy that. But nice, dewy, smooth hands are quite another  and how few of my admirably well-preserved contemporaries have them.

My rings have started to make a reappearance and Ive become as religious about my hands as I am about my face, with pots of Margaret Dabbss serum and hand lotion beside my bed.

Is my hand age coming closer to my belly-button age? Do you know, I think it is.

Christa (pictured after second treatment) became obsessed with wearing rings as a result of the treatment

From now on, I have sworn to Dabbs, I will be using her sunscreen on my hands on holiday and maybe even in Britain, which I dont even bother with for my face. But Dabbs is adamant about the suns damage to hands: The sun dehydrates the skin and causes brown skin pigmentation as we get older.

No more gels now, just old-fashioned varnish, which has to be replaced every week. Ive bought extra rubber gloves for the kitchen sink (for when holes start appearing in existing ones), and Im seriously thinking of investing in a pair of those mitts you wear overnight to let cream sink in while you sleep. Not very romantic, I know, but then nor are wrinkled knuckles.

My mother was always obsessed with her hands when we were growing up, forever applying hand cream. At the age of 70-something, she has far younger hands than mine, and it makes me rue the fact Ive only just started looking after my own.

I have another two sessions with Dabbs and am excited to see the magical transformation. But Im going to have to be religious about the serum, cuticle and hand cream.

In the interim, I have become obsessed with rings by a designer called Irene Neuwirth  and one in particular, a mint-green one edged with tiny diamonds. Way too expensive for the likes of me but, then again, a cocktail ring with my new hands really feels like the way forward.
H ealth workers in Democratic Republic of Congo will begin a vaccination campaign on Monday aimed at containing an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, a spokeswoman for the health ministry said.

Jessica Ilunga said 4,000 doses of vaccine were shipped on Saturday to Mbandaka, which last week registered the first cases in an urban area since the latest flare-up of the disease was announced earlier this month.

Cases in Mbandaka, a port city on the Congo river, have raised concerns that the virus could spread downstream to the capital Kinshasa, which has a population of 10 million.

The outbreak is Congo's ninth since the disease made its first known appearance near the vast central African country's northern Ebola river in the 1970s. An Ebola epidemic killed more than 11,300 people in West Africa in 2013 to 2016.

"I don't know how to protect myself against Ebola. God alone can protect me from this illness," said Lusya Mbangu, who was selling fish at Mbandaka's bustling floating market on Sunday.

According to Congolese health ministry data released late on Saturday, there have been four cases of Ebola confirmed through testing in Mbandaka's Wangata neighbourhood and another two suspected cases.

One patient has died there, the figures showed.

Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres has established an isolation ward at a hospital in Wangata, where health personnel could be seen being sprayed with disinfectant before entering the facility on Sunday.

"The building does not conform to international regulations but we have reorganised it ... to make sure there is no contamination," Dr Hilaire Mazibu told Reuters.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday that Ebola -- which causes hemorrhagic fever, vomiting and diarrhoea and is spread through direct contact with body fluids from an infected person -- had killed 25 people since early April.

Confirmation of the disease in Mbandaka, a city of about 1.5 million people, prompted the WHO last week to declare a "very high" public health risk for the country and a "high" risk for the region. But it said the outbreak could be brought under control and was not yet an international public health emergency.

"Previous outbreaks have demonstrated the importance of a rapid and well-resourced response in order to save lives, but also prevent an exponential increase in the economic cost of a response," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said on Sunday.

The U.N. health body was heavily criticised as too slow to declare an international emergency during the 2013-2016 epidemic that spread through Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia and infected nearly 30,000 people.

Jasarevic said the WHO was seeking $26 million to fund the Ebola response in Congo.

The WHO is sending 7,540 doses of the vaccine developed by Merck to Congo. It is also in talks about a second vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson.

More than 30 health workers with experience administering Ebola vaccines are being deployed from Guinea to help with the campaign in Congo. Logistical difficulties remain, especially the need to keep the vaccine 80 degrees Celsius below freezing in a humid region where daytime temperatures hover around 30 and power supplies are erratic.

A government spokesman said late on Saturday that Congo's partners had promised to make available 300,000 doses of vaccine.

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It wasn't just the sparkling tiara atop her head that Meghan Markle borrowed from the Queen for her wedding day look.

The blushing bride's understated make-up look has already been praised online for showing off her natural beauty, but not everyone noticed that this minimal beauty look also extended to the new Duchess' manicure.

Passing on the French tips or acrylic extensions many brides might opt for, Meghan has appeared to instead show off just a touch of delicate pink on her neatly trimmed nails.

Keeping it simple: Meghan Markle has appeared to have used Queen Elizabeth's favorite nail polish for her wedding day manicure

Pulling focus: The new Duchess went for a muted nude-pink instead of the acrylic extensions or French tips of many brides

But, most notably, the shade appears to be polish brand Essie's color Ballet Slippers, which has been reported to be the only color that Queen Elizabeth is said to wear.

According to the brand's website, it was back in 1989 that the Queen's hairdresser reached out to the company's founder Essie Weingarten, asking for bottles of the color.

Despite that incredible endorsement, the polish is an affordable drug store brand, with bottles of the color on sale on Amazon for just $7.69.

It has also previously been reported that the royals view colored or fake nails as 'vulgar', which is why the women of the family often opt for muted pinky beige shades.

Picking it up: The color is said to be Ballet Slippers, a $7.69 shade from the brand Essie

Taking a tip from the top: The brand has reported that the Queen named the color as her favorite shade back in 1989

In line: It has previously been reported that the royal family considers bright color polish and fake nails to be 'vulgar'

Essie has had quite the luck with royal weddings, as Kate Middleton also opted for a subtle shade from the brand for her own nuptials in 2011, decking her nails in the pink-nude shade Allure.

In line with the modest make-up and nail look, Meghan received some backlash online after her messy bun was criticized for coming 'undone' during the ceremony.

Social media users had slammed the bride's 'unruly' hair, commenting on the 'stray strands' that came loose.

However, others have jumped to Meghan's defense, saying her simple hairstyle looked 'stunning'.

It comes as the new Duchess of Sussex's hairdresser Serge Normant, who is based in New York, revealed today it took him just 45 minutes to style her hair yesterday  using grips you can pick up in the supermarket for only a few dollars.

All beauty: Royal fans have defended Meghan's 'gorgeous' wedding hair after her messy bun was criticised for coming 'undone'

Simple style: Meghan wore her brunette locks in an up-do, which her hairdresser described as a 'messy bun'

Describing how long it took him to style Meghan's hair, tge French-born hair stylist, 52, explained: 'You know not that long, believe it or not.

'We had to blow dry it from wet, I would say 45 minutes to an hour. Then they did the make-up and then you fiddle around with it a little bit. But it's not that long.

'I always tend to try and go as fast as I can at these events. Nobody wants to sit around.'

The hairdresser described the look as a 'messy bun', a style that Meghan has frequently sported in the past.

Quick job: Meghan Markle's hairdresser revealed today that it took him just 45 minutes to style her hair yesterday

Turning up: Royal fans jumped to Meghan's defence after some criticised her wedding up-do, describing her hair as 'stunning'

'It's a messy bun, we call it. Messy in a controlled way,' he said. 'Making sure it doesn't become a whole mess after a few hours! I don't overload the hair with products in general and certainly not on this day.'

However, not everyone was impressed with Meghan's hair at her wedding ceremony, with some describing it as 'unruly'.

One Twitter user wrote: 'Who did Meghans hair?? Those strands are annoying her. YOU HAD ONE JOB.'

Another added: 'Meghan Markles hair is coming undone and I want to jump into the tv screen and fix it. I cant focus on anything else'

On her way: The bride's up-do has been hailed as 'stunning' by some royal fans, who said they liked the simple hairstyle

Waving off: He said that he style Meghan's 'messy bun' using grips that you can get from the supermarket

However, others jumped to the defence of the bride, saying they loved the simplicity of her up-do.

One wrote 'I love how Meghan's hair is a little messy', while another added: 'Meghan was stunning with that swept back whispy hair'.

Meanwhile, one Twitter user added: 'I thought her dress hair makeup - everything was GORGEOUS'.

Serge described Meghan as being a joy to work with and said she and Prince Harry are 'a beautiful couple.'

Other social media users had criticised Meghan's hair, commenting on the stray strands

The celebrity hairdresser was introduced to Meghan last year by mutual friends and said it had always been a dream of his to style her hair.

He said being at Windsor was a 'gorgeous, fairytale', adding 'One of those moments, right?'

Serge also described Meghan as being 'calm and chatty' on the morning of her big day, explaining how she was 'very excited'.

Speaking at Kensington Palace shortly after arriving back from Windsor, he admitted: 'I am still pinching myself this morning. It's just one of those moments you dream of. I am very excited about it.'

The brains: Speaking at Kensington Palace shortly after arriving back from Windsor, he admitted he was still 'pinching himself'

Serge said that Meghan appeared relaxed as he styled her glossy locks on the morning of her wedding.

'On the day she was calm and chatty. She was very happy, it was a beautiful morning, the perfect morning to get married,' she said.

'We woke up early, had a little coffee and then just went on. It was all smiles, it was just one of those dreamy moments to be honest.'

Asked if there were any signs of nerves, he added: 'No I don't think so, she was just very happy, very happy, very excited.'

Nice and kind: Serge said he was put at ease by Meghan when handling the Diamond Bandeau tiara she wore

Serge explained how he had first met Meghan through friends, but only met her a handful of times before her big day.

He said: 'I met her through friends last year. I knew of her anyway, in America. I just always loved the way she looked and her hair...

'I always thought it would maybe be exciting to get the chance to work with her. She's just so easy on that level. Her kind of style is so easy and not contrived.

'We had met previously but the real work started a few days ago.'

Star power: Serge said that he wanted to create a timeless look for Meghan when it came to her hair on her big day

Describing working with Meghan, Serge said: 'She had a pretty good input. We came around with boards and tried to figure out what would be the easiest thing to do.

'I didn't know at first what would be on her head but I knew that it would be a tiara.'

Serge said he wanted to make sure he kept to Meghan's usual style, while also taking inspiration from Audrey Hepburn and the 1960s.

'I thought something working around the usual angle she has. I wasn't about reinvention,' he said.

'I wanted to go with something on who she, she has a beautiful head of hair and is gorgeous, so it was just easy.

Getting on with it: The celebrity hairdresser described Meghan as being 'calm and chatty' on the morning of her big day, adding that she was 'very excited'

Analysis: Serge explained how he wanted to keep to Meghan's usual style when it came to her wedding day hair

'We worked really closely together but there was nothing contrived about it. We knew what we wanted to do. We wanted something that wasn't effortless and really timeless. As long as it didn't look contrived.'

Serge said he was put at ease by Meghan's relaxed nature, particularly when handling the Diamond Bandeau tiara, which had been loaned to the bride by the Queen.

He said: 'You just have to kind of separate the two things because otherwise I would shake. I didn't want to shake with the history in that tiara.

'The thing is working with Meghan, she makes everything so light and easy that you don't think about these things in that dramatic way.'

He added that he would like to work with Meghan in future, saying: 'They know where to find me'.
Anna Wintour's daughter Bee Shaffer's undoubtedly lavish wedding is fast approaching this summer, which can only mean one thing: it's time to party.

The 30-year-old shared a photo from Hotel Esencia, a resort in Tulum, Mexico, on Sunday showing herself sporting a tiara sitting among nine of her friends, all wearing matching black onesies.

'Real Housewives of Milan,' Bee joked in the caption for the image.

Great group: Bee Shaffer, 30, (pictured front, center, in tiara) is celebrating her last days as a bachelorette with friends in Mexico this weekend

Got the look: The daughter of Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour seems to be having a whale of a time, according to social media posts by her friends

According to Page Six, Bee and her fiance, photographer Francesco Carrozzini, are to be wed on July 7 at mom Anna's estate in Mastic, Long Island.

Now in preparation for the nuptials, the gorgeous brunette appears to be having a blast of a bachelorette party in the sun, with her friends sharing a number of fun moments from the weekend on their on Instagram pages.

Molly Howard, CEO of La Ligne, shared a number of posts from the beachy location, including one of bride-to-be Bee wearing a joke veil topped with a penis-shaped bauble.

Selby Drummond, Vogue's accessories and special projects director, posted a racy photo of Bee in a white string bikini, showing off her form on a stylish red couch.

Joking around: One friend shared this image of the bride-to-be sporting a joke veil with a penis bauble on top

Lounging around: The group are enjoying the sun at the Hotel Esencia, a resort in Tulum, Mexico

Coupled up: Bee is due to wed photographer Francesco Carrozzini (pictured earlier this month) on July 7

Star power: A post from the trip shows Glee actress Dianna Agron looking ecstatic to have caught herself a fish

Both ladies tagged Bee's husband-to-be Francesco in their posts, with Selby joking that Bee was 'almost exclusively your problem.'

Also in attendance is Glee actress Dianna Agron, who is seen squealing with happiness in one of Selby's Instagram Stories taken on a moving boat as she catches a massive fish.

Hill House Home CEO Nell Diamond, W Magazine Style Director Sara Moonves and Late Night With Seth Myers producer Sarah Jenks-Daly are also at the resort with Bee to celebrate her last days as a single lady.

Bee and Francesco, whose mother is the late Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani, first revealed their engagement in March last year.

Paradise: A number of friends celebrating with Bee couldn't help but share photos from the gorgeous beachy location

Making mom proud: Bee's wedding is reported to be taking place at mom Anna's Mastic, Long Island estate

The same cloth: Bee and Francesco, who is the son of late Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani, revealed their engagement last year

Big moves: Bee recently joined her mother on the red carpet for the 2018 Met Gala, which was rumored to be Anna's last

Despite being the children of two prominent fashion icons, the twosome has managed to keep their relationship relatively private, with rumors that they were together first popping up in October 2016 when Bee attended a screening for 34-year-old Francesco's film.

The documentary was all about Francesco's mother Franca, who died shortly after in December.

It is likely that the pair had met at long before the screening, given that their mothers were friends and held similar jobs, and it has been reported that they began dating long before their relationship became public knowledge.

As has become a tradition, Bee was recently seen on the red carpet for the Met Gala alongside her mother, who is rumored to be leaving Vogue this year.

The 68-year-old Vogue editor donned a custom Chanel frock featuring a halter neck and intricate beading, while 30-year-old Shaffer modeled a red scalloped Valentino haute couture gown by Pierpaolo Piccioli.
French brand Tara Jarmon is all about giving classic feminine pieces a modern twist. Co-founded by Paris-based Canadian Tara and her businessman husband, David, the collections are full of playful colours and exclusive prints, all drawn and developed in-house.

Inspired by Parisian womens style, 60 slogan tees are effortlessly styled with a 400 tailored trench coat.

The average piece is 200, but the impeccable cut and high-quality fabric mean theyre worth it. Having remained a well-kept fashion secret since its launch more than 20 years ago, its simply too good not to share!
NHS bosses have launched a crackdown on health tourism, just weeks after The Mail on Sunday exposed the vast sums being lost to foreign patients who fail to pay up.

Hit squads are being sent into trusts to help them recoup as much money as possible, while hospital bosses are also now being told to demand payment up front, except in cases of emergency.

The NHS has for the first time revealed a price list of treatments, with charges of up to 144,000, to be presented to overseas patients.

Hit squads are being sent into trusts to help them recoup as much money as possible, while hospital bosses are also now being told to demand payment up front, except in cases of emergency

Women who fly in to Britain from outside Europe to give birth on the NHS will now be handed a 7,000 bill before treatment begins.

Patients who are not entitled to free NHS care will also be charged up to 16,400 if they need cardiac surgery and 2,607 for each day in intensive care under the new Overseas Patient Up Front Price List, detailing hundreds of treatments.

Patients from inside the European Economic Area will face charges a third lower, although in practice most should be covered by the European Health Insurance Card and other reciprocal schemes, at least until Brexit.

A month ago, this newspaper revealed that NHS hospitals across England had failed to collect at least 140 million from overseas visitors they had billed over the past five years. Hospitals are thought to have lost more money still by failing to identify many health tourists in the first place.

One trust, University Hospitals Birmingham, managed to recoup just ten per cent of the 4.8 million it billed between April 2013 and last December.

Now NHS Improvement, the body responsible for controlling costs, has announced it is to send hit squads into 50 trusts to help them get more cash back, expecting to recover 43.7 million.

It has set them the target of recovering 95 per cent of the total bills. That will be a huge task as Mail on Sunday analysis found trusts got back an average of just 1 for every 3 they invoiced in 2016/17.

NHS bosses have launched a crackdown on health tourism, just weeks after The Mail on Sunday exposed the vast sums being lost to foreign patients who fail to pay up

Last October, rules came into force making it legally binding for hospitals to invoice overseas patients  and ensure the bill is paid where possible  before treatment starts.

But enforcement has only been rolled out slowly so far, in pilot schemes in 18 trusts. There, patients have been charged if unable to show ID and proof of UK address. NHS Improvement estimates hospitals should be collecting 167 million a year from overseas visitors, but are now only recovering 113 million, a 54 million shortfall.

Dr Kathy McLean, medical director of NHS Improvement, said: With NHS finances coming under increasing pressure, it is vital that hospitals are properly supported to recover income they are entitled to.

Labour wards have been at the forefront of health tourism concerns: two years ago St Georges Hospital in South London admitted a fifth of its deliveries  up to 900 births  were to women who flew in from outside Europe.

In future, such women will be presented with an up-front bill of 2,099 for antenatal care, 4,303 for the delivery itself, and 592 for postnatal care  totalling 6,994.

NHS Improvement emphasised that overseas patients will not be charged for GP care, nor emergency care in A&E. Certain vulnerable groups such as refugees and asylum seekers are also exempt, as are immigrants who have paid the recently introduced health surcharge of 150 to 200 a year.
BMW M5

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Life has been an emotional rollercoaster over the past few weeks, and I have been particularly prone to lachrymose outbursts, but after we finally laid Mum to rest on Monday, I thought I was holding things together pretty well. Then the following happened.

A beaten-up caravan has been fly-tipped in the lane down from where we live, causing a temporary bottleneck. Not so much of a problem for me, as I love letting people through. I cant get enough of it. I think I may actually be the first ever let-people-through/in addict.

Put simply, this is an awesome bit of kit. Im even beginning to get my head around the fact it might actually be worth the 102k the invoice for our test car topped out at

So there I was, approaching the sad carcass of someones former pride and joy, when I spied three oncoming cars. I could easily have nipped by first but I literally couldnt wait to stop and flash the convoy through. All fine then, all good. Except after a hat-trick of grateful thank yous, a nod, a wave and a smile, in that order, I spontaneously burst into floods of tears.

What a plonker. I can only conclude this spontaneous exchange of good will served as yet another emotional trigger, a metaphor if you like, for all the love and support my family and I have received since Mum passed away. Everyone has been so damn nice. I mean, extraordinarily nice.

Sobbing like a baby, however, is not exactly the textbook look for a poser behind the wheel of the balls-out new BMW M5 killing machine. Which is the very vehicle I happened to be in at the time. Oops.

M-agnificent! M-azing! M-ammoth! M-ega! M-believable! Thats five Ms for starters. In fact, lets dispense with any cod nonsense and declare this car an absolute superstar from the get-go. In which case, the 5 in M5 can also now refer to the number of stars at the top of the page. Put simply, this is an awesome bit of kit. Im even beginning to get my head around the fact it might actually be worth the 102k the invoice for our test car topped out at. What follows, therefore, is a celebration of what is, as opposed to a desperate exercise in nit-picking as to what isnt.

When it comes to agility  and dont forget were talking about a sizeable lump here  it handles way better than almost anything similar. Albeit via a palpably firm ride

The first thing I liked about this majestic weapon is the fact that it doesnt feel the need to be quite as lairy as the M2, M3 or M4. Dont get me wrong, its no shrinking violet. Maybe it just looks less flashy than it really is because of the understated Marina Bay Blue paint job, which was absolutely stunning. But often, less is more when it comes to the battle of the power bulges and I cant help thinking that is whats going on here. The overall look is one that purrs subtlety and sleekness rather than anarchy street fighter, yet with enough passive aggression to suggest potential menace and mayhem. I particularly like the fact that the bonnet sculpting has been pared down to just two sharp-edged fins instead of the usual verbose signature M series love handles. The more simple, the more confident. The more you have to shout about, the less you have to shout.

That said, firing up the monster 4.4-litre 600hp V8 any time before sunrise is a surefire way of finding out how much your neighbours love you. This is not a quiet car, in any of its four driving modes, but Sport or Sport+ is where the roars are at their most offensive rawest. Add to this dramatic spitting, popping and crackling on deceleration and that should be more than enough to test the resolve of even the most tolerant of innocent bystanders.

Once youve made it out of your local postcode, if you do happen to find a road thats long enough and desolate enough to unleash even half of the M5s potential fury, you will not be disappointed. Except, that is, if you lose concentration and the revs hit the limiter, which is a) very easy to do b) really embarrassing and c) really quite uncomfortable. In fact, this M5 is actually smoother (and more fun) to drive in automatic mode rather than paddle-shift. Not that this is a cop-out. Its still ludicrously stimulating, guaranteed to make your brain fizz and your bum tingle.

Firing up the monster 4.4-litre 600hp V8 any time before sunrise is a surefire way of finding out how much your neighbours love you

With such power, then, how much do we need to fear stacking it into the nearest ditch? Answer: not a lot, unless youre really low on talent. The xDrive four-wheel-drive system simply wont allow such shenanigans. A tanker of superglue couldnt provide more adhesion.

What goes up must come down, of course, so with a 0-60mph time of 3.4 seconds and a kerb weight of nearly two tons, the optional (gold!) carbon ceramic brakes are a very sensible extra. Yes, they cost more than a brand new Dacia Duster, but if you can afford the 7.5k youll need to stump up, why wouldnt you? Its probably a lot less than a potential bill for recovering your ex-M5 from a lamppost.

When it comes to agility  and dont forget were talking about a sizeable lump here  it handles way better than almost anything similar. Albeit via a palpably firm ride.

TECH SPEC Price 101,900 Engine 4.4-litre V8 petrol Gearbox 8-speed automatic Power 600hp 0-60mph 3.4 seconds Fuel economy 26.9mpg First year road tax 1,750 Advertisement

Now, about that price tag.

This car reminds me of the Mercedes-AMG GT R Coupe I completely fell in love with last year, all 150k+ of it. Entirely reasonable, a relative bargain compared with the stratospheric prices of Ferraris, Bentleys and the rest, I seem to remember squawking.

Well here we have a similar experience on offer, plus the added practicality of a huge boot, three extremely comfortable rear seats, loads of head and leg room, all the infotainment tech any car could warrant, and the whole package clad in leather and Alcantara. All for 50k less than the Merc.

At which point my old How can anyone seriously consider shelling out that much money for a BMW? question vanishes into thin air. Cant really fault the car. Can no longer even begin to fault the price.

BMWs new ad campaign screams: Book a 24-hour test drive.

I wonder if that applies to this beast?

Website crash alert.
Victim: Mother-of-four Katrina Miles, 35, was killing in Australia's worst mass shooting since Tasmania's 1996 Port Arthur massacre

From neighbours' donations to plans for a 'public celebration of their lives', preparations are underway for a memorial to the Margaret River massacre victims.

The small community at the southern tip of Western Australia has been reeling since farmer and grandfather Peter Miles, 61, allegedly murdered his family and killed himself.

Lost in the early hours of last Friday morning were Peter's wife, Cynda, 58, daughter, Katrina, 35, granddaughter Taye, 13, and grandsons Rylan, 12, Kaydn, 10, and Ayre, eight.

Daily Mail Australia understands the funeral date is yet to be set, with locals postponing a proposed public memorial that had been penciled in for Monday.

But what led the accused killer to carry out his warped actions?

Detectives and friends shed some light on the murder-suicide this past week - but it will be some time until the community has answers.

'The investigation will go on for several months and we will prepare a report for the state coroner,' West Australian police commissioner Chris Dawson told Perth radio station 6PR on Thursday.

Police will firm up the motive behind the murder suicide, Mr Dawson said.

'It is a homicide, a number of homicides, so motive always forms an element (of an investigation).'

Investigators no doubt already have leads  with friends, family and, possibly, a 000 emergency call painting a troubling picture of what was going on in Peter Miles's life.

Grandfather Peter Miles (left photo) is believed to have killed his wife (right), daughter (red dress) as well as her four autistic children. Three guns, all his, were found on his estate

Peter's depression

At the centre of the police investigation is a 5.15am two minute call to emergency services that a man, believed to be Peter, made to 000 from the property.

Two officers were immediately dispatched from the nearby tourist hotspot of Margaret River to the Miles-Cockman family's 'Forever Dreaming' farm at Osmington.

The bloody scene was unimaginable, but Mr Dawson said the two cops were 'doing really well' and had done a 'very, very professional job'.

Forensics officers soon swarmed the family's 30 acre property.

Police only handed the property back to relatives on Wednesday, the commissioner said.

Killed: Family patriarch Peter is believed to have wiped out his entire family - including his wife Cynda, daughter Katrina, and her children

Peter with his family years before the tragedy... pictured are Rylan, 12, Kadyn, 8, Ayre,10, Cynda, 58, Peter, 61, Taye, 13, and mother Katrina

Friend Bee Winfield told Daily Mail Australia this week that Peter was quiet and tended to 'fade into the background' in social settings.

A close group of neighbours and mates were aware that he had been seeking treatment for depression.

Cynda had confided to friends that Peter's condition was 'getting worse and worse', Ms Winfield said, and another local who borrowed a tool thought he was 'really bad'.

Felicity Haynes, who lives next door, told the ABC's 7.30 program: 'I knew he had been depressed for some time.

'He's had a difficult life and there have been deaths in the family that have really upset him'.

Relationship pressures and medical troubles

Peter's daughter Katrina had a difficult relationship with the father of her four children, Aaron Cockman.

The bitter dispute  which was both personal and financial  is one factor that caused stress in the Miles family.

In an extraordinary press conference last Sunday, Mr Cockman said he had been 'so angry' at the family.

'That was due to Peter and Cynda making sure I was cut off from my kids,' the distraught father told reporters.

Aaron Cockman claimed he had been 'cut off' from his kids by Peter and Cynda Miles

The family massacre has devastated the local community - with flowers piling up in town and preparations under way for memorial services

'The anger towards them now is completely gone. I don't feel angry. I feel tremendous sadness for my kids.

'I don't want anyone to feel angry. I know the situation Pete and Cynda are in.'

'I hadn't talked to them since they cut me off from the kids, but anger will destroy you.'

Mr Cockman said Peter would have been stressed by medical issues his son, Neil, was suffering.

Another of Peter and Cynda's sons died by suicide years ago, he said.

Mr Cockman said: '(I thought) there is no way possible he can lose another son, he'll kill himself.

'But then I thought, 'No, he won't do that either because there is no way he would leave'.

'He was so close to my kids that he would not leave the kids upset for the rest of their lives.'

So, Mr Cockman hypothesised, he killed them.

Financial and drought issues

The family moved from town to a small farm in the quiet rural area of Osmington in 2014.

Ms Miles homeschooled her children at the property. She and her kids lived in a renovated shed that sat close to her parents' home. All four children were autistic.

Peter, Cynda and Katrina were hoping to live off the land and create a 'sustainable food source' with their farm, neighbours said.

But it was not all easy going.

The drought took its toll. Crops did not always grow as planned. The dam Peter dug was completely empty last week, Dr Haynes pointed out.

There have also been some suggestions that the family was under financial pressure.

Only last week, Peter put out an advertisement seeking 'farming and vineyard work' on the classifieds website Gumtree.

The drought took its toll on the farm - with the dam Peter dug completely empty last week

Police forensics officers on the family's 30 acre property this week

'I have over 30 years faming experience and over 12 years vineyard experience,' Peter wrote.

'I enjoy a variety of jobs and willing to do one off small jobs as well as your larger contracts.'

But neighbour Richard Dossor told reporters Peter did not seem particularly excited about the prospect of new work opportunities.

Mr Dossor was one of the last people in town to speak to him.

'(Peter was) just not someone who I would have thought was keen to find a new client or customer,' he recalled.

'He didn't seem enthusiastic, if you know what I mean?'

For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14
Weapons such as knives and guns have passed through Adelaide Airport security because of failures, whistleblowers claim.

Security at the airport is managed by private firm ISS.

There were four major security breaches in five days in 2017, according to the Sunday Mail.

Weapons such as knives and guns have passed through Adelaide Airport (pictured) security because of failures, whistleblowers claim (stock image)

This included a dissembled rifle and trigger arriving in Heathrow Airport in London, which was traced back to Adelaide airport by Interpol.

Whistleblowers also claimed that someone with a fake ID was also found in a restricted area of the airport.

Another person was allegedly unchallenged when they walked through the mains security exit - a move that is supposed to begin an evacuation.

A box of bullets and a hand gun was also allowed through luggage check, it was claimed.

Suzie, 51, a security officer at the airport who went on paid stress leave due to a workplace dispute, told the publication: 'I want change, it is currently dangerous. Training is appalling. How can anyone detect anything dangerous if they dont get the proper training? I have tried to raise this but have been ignored.'

She is not the only one speaking out over concerns.

Adelaide Airport released a statement regarding the claims of whistlerblowers.

In it they say they will not comment on specific incidents, the 'safety and security of our customers is of utmost importance'.

There were four major security breaches in five days in 2017, according to the Sunday Mail (stock image)

'Security processes and procedures are regularly audited and tested. Where matters raised have required further investigation, further training is undertaken and improvements made.

'Aviation security is an active and ever-changing discipline, and we respond every day to the prevailing security environment in close co-operation with relevant regulatory agencies.

'We are committed to ensuring the robustness of our procedures and regulatory framework for the continued safety and security of our customers.'

This included a dissembled rifle arriving in Heathrow Airport in London, which was traced back to Adelaide airport by Interpol (stock image)

An ISS spokesperson told the publication that all baggage that passed through the airport was screened in line with national aviation requirements and government laws.

The spokesperson said that security worked to 'provide the highest level of compliance'.

Security was subject to ongoing training and assessment.

The spokesperson said: 'ISS understands the extremely important role we have in providing a safe and secure airport  and we are committed to providing the highest quality of service.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted ISS for comment.
Residents of a Sydney apartment building have been left in an uproar after being charged a non-refundable cost, allowing them to own pets.

A NSW Fair Trading investigation is currently underway as tenants complain over North Sydney's Meriton and their pet licensing fee.

Pet owner Anita Milford-Chivers has announced her anger at a non-refundable cost of $2200 to house her two cats, forcing her to look for housing elsewhere.

Pet owner Anita Milford-Chilvers (pictured above) refused to rent out a Meriton one bedroom apartment in North Sydney after being told she has to pay a pet licensing fee of $2200

In an email between a potential tenant, Meriton have stated that the building does allow pets up to 15kgs, however owners have to pay a non-refundable pet licensing fee for a cost of $1000 + GST per pet.

Last October, the one bedroom apartment was listed as pet friendly, yet neglected to mention the fees involved.

Pet owner Anita Milford-Chivers has announced her anger towards the accommodation company stating 'I am disgusted that a company like Meriton would prey on desperate tenants that already find it difficult to obtain accommodation allowing them to have an animal', telling The Daily Telegraph.

Since charging a fee for owners to house a pet, four complaints have been made to Meriton, where NSW Fair Trading have had seven complaints lodged against the company.

Meriton apartment complex in North Sydney have charged their tenants a non-refundable pet licensing fee of $1000 + GST per pet

NSW Tenants Union have called upon NSW Fair Trading to assess the practice, claiming that the non-refundable fee is illegal under The Residential Tenancies Act 2010. They state that landlords are within their right to offer a pet bond and are kept to account for maintenance.

Under the NSW Strata By-laws 16- Keeping of animals 'an owner or occupier of a lot must not without the approval in writing of the owners corporation, keep any animal on the lot or the common property'.

Meriton have fought back at complaints stating 'if tenants would like to keep a pet on their premises, they can apply to enter into a licence agreement which does not form part of the Residential Tenancy Agreement.

The incident occurs after a reported 62% of Australian households own pets with an estimated 24 million pets nationwide, according to the RSCPA.

Australia's pet friendly company Pet Positives have launched a campaign led by Dr Chris Brown to make it easier for pet-owners to find housing without restrictions on pet policies.
A new row over Jeremy Corbyns alleged IRA sympathies erupted last night over plans to make his first visit to Northern Ireland as Labour leader.

Mr Corbyn is this week expected to exploit Tory divisions over Brexit by travelling to Belfast and visiting the border with the Republic.

But the Opposition leader, whose links with the IRA as a backbench MP were monitored by the intelligence services, sparked Tory fury over a planned event during his visit.

Jeremy Corbyn (right) listens as the late Martin McGuinness, a former IRA commander speaks at a news conference in the House of Commons in 1995

Labour insiders said that the party leader was expected to speak at Queens University, Belfast, where the IRA shot dead a lecturer at the height of the Troubles.

Tory Party deputy chairman James Cleverly accused Mr Corbyn of a callousness and deep lack of respect, while Democratic Unionist MP Ian Paisley Jnr challenged him to condemn all IRA violence.

Mr Corbyns visit comes as Theresa May struggles to reach agreement with her Cabinet over a post-Brexit customs agreement that would avoid a hard border in Ireland.

Brexiteers, led by Environment Secretary Michael Gove and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, reluctantly agreed last week to an extension of the UKs membership of the EU customs union beyond the end of the transition period in December 2020 to escape having to erect a physical border.

During his 30-year backbench career, Mr Corbyn campaigned for a united Ireland and shared platforms with convicted terrorists.

Prison officers eject McDonnell over IRA links Jeremy Corbyn's right-hand man was forced to abandon a planned speech to prison officers last week when they objected to his support for the IRA. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell was minutes away from making his keynote address to the Prison Officers Associations annual conference on Wednesday when a Northern Irish delegate intervened, saying that he should not be given a platform because of his links to the IRA. McDonnell has claimed Republican terrorists should be honoured for their bombs and bullets and sacrifice, and is said to have a plaque commemorating hunger-strike martyrs in his office. John McDonnell with Gerry Adams and Jeremy Corbyn in the House of Commons But 28 prison officers lost their lives during the Troubles of 1968 to 1998. The attempt to stop the speech was rejected by association chairman Mark Fairhurst. But when Mr McDonnell, who was waiting outside the venue in Southport, heard what happened, he cancelled his speech. A source said: The Northern Ireland delegation were upset as many of them lost good friends to IRA violence. ;They felt McDonnell was an apologist for the IRA and that it was an insult for him to be speaking. There was real anger he had been invited. McDonnell sent a message to delegates saying he didnt want to ruin the event and offered to meet Northern Ireland prison officers to address misconceptions about his links to the Republican movement. Advertisement

In 1987 he handed a petition to then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher demanding better visiting conditions for IRA terrorist Hugh Doherty.

Sources have indicated that Mr Corbyns activity led to MI5 keeping a file on him in the 1990s.

Edgar Graham, a 29-year-old Unionist law lecturer, was shot dead by the IRA as he was walking down Queens University Square in 1983. Sinn Feins Gerry Adams refused to condemn the killing at the time.

James Cleverly said it was 'concerning' that Corbyn was going to visit Northern Ireland

Mr Cleverly told The Mail on Sunday: Its deeply concerning that Jeremy Corbyn is considering showing up where Edgar Graham was killed by the IRA.

'It shows a callousness and deep lack of respect. Corbyn gave cover to the IRA while they were bombing and shooting our citizens.

DUP MP Mr Paisley said: I hope he sees this as an opportunity to condemn all IRA violence.

Mr Corbyns office last night refused to discuss details of the visit, but a spokesman said it was nonsense to accuse him of a lack of respect in choice of venues.

He added: Jeremy campaigned for peace in Northern Ireland. To do so, he campaigned for the rights of all to be respected and spoke to people on all sides of the conflict.
Gilbert Caetano (pictured) was killed in an alleged domestic violence incident

The daughter of a man killed in an alleged domestic violence incident overnight says her father 'did not deserve this'.

Gilbert Caetano died in the early hours of Sunday morning at a home in Brighton-Le-Sands, a beachside suburb in Sydney's south-east.

Police were called to the home at 1.10am where they found Mr Caetano, 51, unconscious and unsuccessfully attempted to revive him.

His heartbroken daughter Jessica told media outside the home on Sunday that the father-of-one 'was a kid at heart' and her family was shattered by his death.

'The best way to describe him is probably a kid at heart... a fun, loving and caring person,' Jessica said, with her mother and Mr Caetano's ex-wife by her side.

'I don't think he deserved this at all.'

Mr Caetano's heartbroken daughter Jessica (left, pictured with her mother and Mr Caetano's ex-wife) told media outside the Brighton-Le-Sands home where he was killed that her father 'did not deserve this'

A 31-year-old woman, believed to have been Mr Caetano's girlfriend, was arrested and taken in for questioning. (Pictured: The beachside home where Mr Caetano died about 1am on Sunday)

A 31-year-old woman, believed to have been his girlfriend, was arrested and taken in for questioning.

Neighbours claimed they heard a woman yelling followed by a 'loud bang'.

'I don't really know the full story but she's been around for a while,' Ms Caetano said.

Mr Caetano's father, who is understood to own the home, was celebrating his 80th birthday on Sunday.

A homicide investigation into the man's death has been launched, but charges have not yet been laid.
A war monitor said buses evacuated Islamic State fighters from an enclave south of Damascus on Sunday in a withdrawal deal, though state media denied the report and said the Syrian army was fighting to finish off the insurgents.

The recovery of the enclave south of Damascus will mark another milestone in President Bashar al-Assad's war effort, crushing the last besieged rebel enclave in western Syria.

Swathes of territory at the borders with Iraq, Turkey and Jordan, however, remain outside state control.

Syrian government forces and their allies have been battling to recover the enclave south of Damascus since defeating rebels in eastern Ghouta, also near the capital, in April.

The area is centred around the al-Hajar al-Aswad district and the adjoining Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk.

In a live broadcast, a reporter with Syrian state TV said the Syrian army operations in the Hajar al-Aswad area were nearing their end and insurgent lines were collapsing as columns of smoke rose from the area behind him.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights earlier said buses had entered the enclave after midnight to take out fighters and their families.

They had left towards the Syrian Badia, a sparsely populated expanse of territory east of the capital that extends to the border with Jordan and Iraq, it said.

Islamic State militants had torched their offices in the Yarmouk enclave, the Observatory said.

Negotiated withdrawals have been a common feature of the Syrian war in recent years as the government, aided by the Russian military and Iran-backed forces, has steadily clawed back territory.

The rebels have mostly been given safe passage to northwestern Syria. In the last two months alone, the United Nations says 110,000 people have been evacuated to northwestern Syria and rebel-held areas north of Aleppo.

The opposition has called it a policy of forced displacement amounting to demographic change to drive out Assad's opponents. The Syrian government has said nobody is forced to leave and those who stay must accept state rule.

While Assad has vowed to win back "every inch" of Syria, the map of the conflict suggests a more complicated time ahead from now on.

The US military is in much of the east and northeast, which is controlled by Kurdish groups that want autonomy from Damascus. It has used force to defend the territory from pro-Assad forces.

Turkey has sent forces into the northwest to counter those same Kurdish groups, carving out a buffer zone where anti-Assad rebels have regrouped.

In the southwest, where rebels hold territory at the Israeli and Jordanian border, Assad faces the risk of conflict with Israel, which wants his Iranian-backed allies kept well away from the frontier and has mounted air strikes in Syria.

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As Britains newest and most dazzling Duchess was taking her final non-royal steps along the aisle of St Georges Chapel yesterday, her route passed over the tomb of King George III (1760-1820), the last King of North America. What would he have made, one wonders, of this fresh young American recruit to his centuries-old dynasty?

The chapel, the trumpets, the oaths and the rituals, the clip-clopping horses and the cheering crowds: on the surface, the trademarks of British monarchy have changed very little in the 250 years since Mad King George came to the throne.

The pomp and circumstance, along with the veneer of royal names, titles and palaces, look largely the same  from the outside. But from the inside, things have changed profoundly. It is one of the cunning survival devices of our ever-adaptable Royal Family.

Every modern royal marriage is hailed as a moment when the nation re-defines itself, updating our current vision of whats modern and what matters  and yesterdays marriage of Meghan and Harry is the latest example of that

The trick is to stay looking modern. An institution that once embodied unquestioned, sacred authority, is now a matter of largely secular, democratic choice. The crown that reigned supreme now survives at the peoples pleasure  and it must keep pleasing the people if it wants to stay in business.

Every modern royal marriage is hailed as a moment when the nation re-defines itself, updating our current vision of whats modern and what matters  and yesterdays marriage of Meghan and Harry is the latest example of that.

The qualities that would once have disqualified Meghan from any respectable royal contact, let alone marriage, are now seen as brilliant new assets and priorities that make her perfect for the job.

Many ancient traditions were, at one point, radical new departures.

Take Queen Victorias wedding to Prince Albert in 1840, for example. Until then, it was customary for brides to wear bright and colourful dresses that could be recycled on later occasions.

The wedding of our present Queen to the Duke of Edinburgh was semi-televised in 1947. The BBC outside broadcasting unit mounted its largest operation to date between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. But the Dean of Westminster would allow no cameras inside, so viewers had to switch on the wireless to listen to the service itself

But Victoria chose to wear white on the day because it highlighted the delicate lace of her gown so beautifully  and, hey presto, brides of every class and purchasing power started wearing white in imitation. The all-white bridal gown soon came to seem mandatory.

Royal weddings went more public 18 years later when that Queens eldest daughter, Princess Victoria, married Frederick, the future King of Prussia and German Emperor. The wedding party went out to salute the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, and the balcony scene became a staple of royal weddings thereafter  except when held at Windsor.

There are battlements a-plenty around Windsor castle, but no plaza exists where the crowds can safely gather. Hence yesterdays very earliest royal post-marital kiss on record, as we all watched on television  straight after the service on the steps outside the chapel.

The wedding of our present Queen to the Duke of Edinburgh was semi-televised in 1947. The BBC outside broadcasting unit mounted its largest operation to date between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.

But the Dean of Westminster would allow no cameras inside, so viewers had to switch on the wireless to listen to the service itself.

That union, of course, was a controversial marriage to an extrovert and free-thinking foreigner, distrusted by the Establishment. Sound familiar? How those courtiers muttered, but look how it turned out

The world had to wait another 13 years for the first fully televised Royal wedding when Princess Margaret married Anthony Armstrong-Jones in May 1960  an experience shared by 300 million viewers around the globe. But even at the start of the swinging Sixties, the couple did not kiss.

Cue Charles and Diana in 1981 after their return from St Pauls Cathedral.

The world had to wait another 13 years for the first fully televised Royal wedding when Princess Margaret married Anthony Armstrong-Jones in May 1960  an experience shared by 300 million viewers around the globe. But even at the start of the swinging Sixties, the couple did not kiss

Shall we? the lip-readers in the crowd saw them mouth to each other, and the custom of the Balcony Kiss was born.

Andrew and Fergie kept the tradition enthusiastically alive in 1986  as did William and Kate in 2011.

Few people realised as Harry escorted his elder brother down the aisle that day that he was the first ever best man at a Royal wedding. Until then brothers and other attendant males were officially described as supporters  Charles and Andrew had served as Edwards supporters at his 1999 wedding to Sophie Rhys-Jones.

Then the 2005 marriage  or more properly the marital blessing  of Charles and Camilla in Windsor saw innovation of a more profound nature. Both bride and groom were divorcees, an unthinkable possibility in 1956 when Group Captain Peter Townsend and Princess Margaret foreswore their love because the Group Captain was divorced, albeit not the guilty party.

Yesterdays pictures of Doria Ragland, Meghans African-American mother, escorting her daughter to the church, wrote another page of history, with Meghan choosing to walk herself alone half-way to the altar, before meeting her future father-in-law, Prince Charles, as an independent woman  given away by nobody.

This is what can happen, it seems, when an adventurous soul like Prince Harry steps outside the magic circle and marries a girl from a non-privileged background who has formed her own values from the grind of real life.

Cue Charles and Diana in 1981 after their return from St Pauls Cathedral. Shall we? the lip-readers in the crowd saw them mouth to each other, and the custom of the Balcony Kiss was born. Andrew and Fergie kept the tradition enthusiastically alive in 1986  as did William and Kate in 2011

But what about Meghans painful family embarrassments of the previous days, events which at times have seemed to be drawn from the plot of a soap opera? In congratulating ourselves on our progress since 1936, when it was impossible for a divorced American woman to marry King Edward VIII, we have forgotten that the last Royal couple to celebrate a marriage in St Georges Chapel  Charles and Camilla  were in fact both divorcees.

The real innovation of yesterdays union was that both bride and groom were the victims of divorce, having come from broken homes  and this can serve as our starting point in trying to imagine what lies ahead.

On Harrys side, the sadness of his parents divorce, compounded by the tragic death of Diana, has had the happy consequence of bringing him remarkably close to his elder brother.

Never has the House of Windsor seen two princes who worked so warmly and intimately together. Their jointly-operated charity, the Royal Foundation, is a particular example of that, taking its theme from the brothers own experience. The Duchess of Cambridge has provided a third member of the partnership, and now, it seems, the circle will be completed by Meghan.

The 2005 marriage  or more properly the marital blessing  of Charles and Camilla in Windsor saw innovation of a more profound nature. Both bride and groom were divorcees, an unthinkable possibility in 1956 when Group Captain Peter Townsend and Princess Margaret foreswore their love because the Group Captain was divorced, albeit not the guilty party

But mention of Kate does indicate the dramatic difference in the family support systems of the new Royal sisters-in-law.

The striving, self-made, and above all unified Middleton clan have provided Kate with an ongoing family fallback structure which, as we have seen, the former Meghan Markle conspicuously lacks.

It is interesting that she invited Prince Charles to walk her down the last part of the aisle yesterday as her father-substitute.

So might he possibly prove, in some way, able to develop this mentoring role further  as, in fairness, he has proved a rather better mentor to his motherless sons than his critics give him credit for?

Meghan will have to be sure not to upstage Kate. The new arrival is a gifted and extrovert campaigner with all the panache of her mother country, but she must not campaign too much.

It is interesting that Meghan invited Prince Charles to walk her down the last part of the aisle yesterday as her father-substitute. So might he possibly prove, in some way, able to develop this mentoring role further  as, in fairness, he has proved a rather better mentor to his motherless sons than his critics give him credit for?

Kate is a future Queen and is sailing majestically towards that destination.

As the latest and most junior member of the new royal quartet, the glamorous soap opera star must take care to dial it back.

The Sussexes proposed role as Commonwealth ambassadors, with a special emphasis on children, would seem the ideal way to set the precedence right.

The Queen can no longer visit the Commonwealth, while Charles will have other priorities if he becomes King.

How lucky we are, as we step into Brexit, to have 52 countries around the world  including Canada, India, Pakistan, Australia and some of Africas leading nations  who are happy to be counted among our friends.

Meghan will have to be sure not to upstage Kate. The new arrival is a gifted and extrovert campaigner with all the panache of her mother country, but she must not campaign too much

Long before she met Harry, and as she first realised the power that her fame as an actress gave her, Meghan flew to Africa to campaign for clean water. If a social engineer was setting out to design the perfect ambassador couple for 21st century Britain, it would surely be these two.

Shared emotional intelligence was the striking feature of Harry and Meghans interview on their engagement day last November. Confined by the paparazzi to their cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace, they had spent their months of enforced seclusion roasting chicken and getting to know each other with an intensity that few new couples have the opportunity to enjoy.

Barring misfortune, multi-racial princes and princesses seem a certainty  and that in itself will make the face of the Royal Family more like that of the nations it represents. Monarchy is only ever as good as the people doing the job, and the British Monarchy is currently, clearly, on a high.

But how might it look in a few years time with King Charles III on the throne? What if there is to be an avowedly anti-monarchist occupant of No 10? Popular moods can change suddenly, sometimes dangerously.

The Fab Four will require all their resources to meet the challenge of the future, and the genial unity that was on display between them yesterday in Windsor augurs very well for that.

How marvellous it is that in the British system of constitutional monarchy, pomp is kept out of the hands of the politicians, and that from time to time we do clear the front page (and a good many other pages as well) to welcome the birth of a baby  or celebrate, as we did yesterday, a young couples declaration and commitment of their love.
A hospital car-park that has sat empty for nearly two years has cost taxpayers more than $15 million.

The 300-bay car-park at the new Perth Children's Hospital costs the government at least $700,000 a month even if people are not using it.

The Perth Children's Hospital will not be fully open until June, despite the facility welcoming its first patients at the official opening on May 14.

A hospital car-park that sat empty for nearly two years has cost taxpayers more than $15 million

The 300-bay car-park at the new Perth Children's Hospital (pictured) costs the Government at least $700,000 a month even if people are not using it

A contract signed between the previous government and Capella Parking requires penalties to be paid to compensate for the empty car parks.

A spokesperson for the Western Australian government told the ABC the opening of the hospital has not stopped the penalties being charged.

The contract requires more beds to open before the cost can be dropped.

WA Medical Association President Omar Khorshid told the publication he was disappointed tax-payers are still continuing to pay for the car-park.

'It is so disappointing that we are still forking out hundreds of thousands of dollars,' Dr Khorshid said.

The hospital is being opened in stages and will welcome its first emergency patients on June 10

Health Minister Roger Cook described Monday's opening of the hospital as a 'historic day'.

'As the staged opening of Perth Children's Hospital progresses over the next four weeks, Western Australian families will experience a new era of healthcare with world-leading technology, patient focused design and exemplary clinical care,' he said.

The hospital is being opened in stages and will welcome its first emergency patients on June 10.
Actress Jessica Alba is cashing on on the royal wedding, touting her Honest Company's chief color consultant for his role doing Meghan's makeup.

Alba's guru Daniel Martin, Meghan's friend since they met in 2011 at the New York City Upfronts for Suits, helped the bride prepare her bold brows, smoky eye, and pink lips for the event.

'Congrats to this beautiful princess and my... @honest_beauty Chief Color Consultant @danielmartin for making this beautiful iconic look!' Alba gushed on Instagram. 'She's an #honestbeauty.'

Alba founded Honest Company in 2011, and the consumer goods company most recently saw its valuation slashed in half, to under one billion, in a funding round last fall.

Alba gushed on Instagram that her color guru had done Meghan's makeup for the wedding

Jessica Alba (left) founded Honest Company in 2011. Daniel Martin (right) is the company's chief color consultant, and a friend of Meghan's since they met in New York in 2011

Celebrity makeup artist Martin told ABC's 20/20 that he found out Meghan was dating Prince Harry through a newspaper article while on vacation in Greece.

When he asked her for details, she just sent back a winking emoji, he said.

He said he was blown away to get the invitation to Saturday's wedding in Windsor, England.

'I was really flattered to know that I was going to be a guest at the wedding and to be able to share this incredible moment with her,' Martin said. 'I didn't assume anything, [so] when I got the invitation, of course, I was flattered and so stoked.'

Meghan walked down the aisle in her usual understated makeup, allowing her freckles to show through her foundation as she typically prefers.

Meghan walked down the aisle in her usual understated makeup, allowing her freckles to show through her foundation as she typically prefers

The new Dutchess of Sussex wore a subtle peachy-pink lipstick with a satin finish

The new Dutchess of Sussex wore a subtle peachy-pink lipstick with a satin finish.

Her eyes were the highlight, however, framed by a smoky gray eyeshadow and bold, filled-in eyebrows.

It's unclear what brands the makeup wizard Martin used to create Meghan's signature look, although in addition to Honest Company he also works closely with Dior.

'Meghan's personal style is very chic, very sophisticated, but still very understated,' Martin told 20/20.

'I think her style will translate to her wedding day, [it] will be very sophisticated, modern.'
The law firm that represents Michael Cohen was paid $200,000 by Qatar for lobbying, newly released government documents show.

President Trump's attorney Cohen, hired former prosecutor Stephen Ryan in June 2017 to help him navigate Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into foreign meddling in the US election.

One month later Ryan and his law firm McDermott Will & Emery, were hired by Qatar to lobby the US government, according to disclosures by the firm to the US Department of Justice.

A law firm representing Michael Cohen was paid $200,000 by Qatar for lobbying

Cohen hired the firm, McDermott Will & Emery, in June 2017 to help him navigate the Mueller (pictured) investigation into foreign meddling in the US election

The firm was commissioned by the Qatari government in a $40,000-per-month contract to lobby for the Gulf state.

Cohens lawyer was named along with two other partners in the firm as lobbyists for Qatar.

Documents show the firm was paid $200,000 up to December last year. The forms, filed by McDermott, say that the law firm was commissioned to provide lobbying services and media strategy to the State of Qatar.

The disclosure raises further questions about the relationship between the Gulf state, Cohen and his associates, after DailyMail.com revealed allegations last week that Trumps lawyer solicited a bribe from a Qatari official.

The head of a $100bn Qatari investment fund, Ahmed Al-Rumaihi, claims that Cohen asked him for $1million in a meeting in December 2016, which he says he refused. Cohen denies the claims.

The two were caught on camera two days later attending a meeting with the Qatari foreign minister and Trumps disgraced former National Security Advisor, General Michael Flynn, at Trump Tower.

The McDermott documents show that Ryans partner, the former congressman James Moran, also lobbied a congressman and a senator to meet with the Qatari foreign minister, Mohammed Al Thani, in September 2017, as part of the firms services for Qatar.

McDermotts lobbying also included discussions of a $30million gift from Qatar for flood relief with four House Representatives.

Between July 2017 and January this year, the firm lobbied 22 US officials and politicians including officials in Senator Dianne Feinsteins office, Rep. Eliot Engel, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Dana Rohrabacher.

One of the documents, filed with the Department of Justice on July 27 2017, states: McDermott plans to advise the State of Qatar regarding their interests with Executive & Legislative branches. McDermott plans to advocate on behalf of the State of Qatar before members of the US Congress on public policy issues impacting Qatars interests.

McDermott plans to meet with Members of Congress and their staffs, as well as the Departments of State and Defense, to advocate on the State of Qatars behalf.

The documents were filed with the DoJ under the requirements of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which forces lobbyists to disclose any foreign clients.

A copy of the firms contract with Qatar, dated June 30 2017, was included with one of the filings.

It stated the firms lobbying will involve advising and assisting the State of Qatar in establishing and conducting liaison with Executive Branch officials and Members of Congress and the Senate and their staff who are responsible in law and policy areas that affect the economy, security and policy interests of the State of Qatar.

Cohen, who is president Trump's (pictured) personal attorney, was also accused of meeting with Qatar's minister of economy and commerce days before Cohen's home and office were raided by the FBI

The lobbying contract was signed by a representative for the Qatari Embassy in Washington DC on behalf of the Qatari US ambassador, Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani (pictured)

The contracts says that Ryan and Moran were principally responsible for services provided to the State of Qatar.

The lobbying contract involved meeting, sending out letters and emails, and giving speeches to public officials, legislators and government agencies, according to the filing.

The contract was signed by a representative for the Qatari Embassy in Washington DC on July 13, on behalf of the Qatari US ambassador, Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani, a member of the Qatari royal family.

Another document submitted in September says that Ryan ended the relationship with Qatar on August 30 2017, though his law firm continued its contract with the Gulf state.

Cohen has also continued to meet with Qatari officials, according to a report by Foreign Policy magazine.

The publication reported last week that Trumps lawyer met with Qatars minister of economy and commerce, Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, at a conference in Florida last month. The meeting occurred just days before the FBI raided Cohens home and office, as part of an investigation into the lawyers alleged bank fraud and campaign finance violations. A Qatari government spokesman told the magazine that Cohen requested the meeting, but would not confirm if it took place. The State of Qatar has never been a client of Mr. Cohen, the spokesman said.

Last week DailyMail.com revealed that Al Thani was caught on a C-SPAN camera at the controversial December 2016 meeting at Trump Tower with Cohen, Flynn and Al-Rumaihi.

Despite allegations of bribery offers surrounding the meeting, a Qatari government spokesman said: 'At no point did Qatar speak with officials on the transition team, nor those affiliated with it, about private commercial services or contracts. All economic discussions were related to the bilateral relationship.'

McDermott was one of six Washington lobbying firms hired by Qatar after five Middle East countries launched a blockade on the Gulf state in June last year.

The blockade, led by Saudi Arabia, was over allegations that Qatar had been sponsoring terrorism, though critics of the move regarded it as a power play to put pressure on Saudi Arabias rival neighbour.

In response to the diplomatic crisis, Qatar ramped up its political persuasion efforts in Washington, spending at least $1.7 million per month on lobbyists.

Trump supported the Saudi-led blockade from May last year, but had reversed his position by September  though it is unclear whether this was due to intense Qatari lobbying efforts.

McDermott and Ryan were contacted for comment Saturday but had not responded at the time of publication.
A town in Virginia is morning the loss of a nine-year-old boy after he was crushed to death by an automated divider at his school .

Fairfax County police said that Wesley Lipicky sustained critical injuries after getting trapped in a motorized room partition while attending an after school program at Franconia Elementary.

Authorities say that Lipicky and a teacher simultaneously pushed a button that opened a large, motorized room partition, leading the device to malfunction according to Fox broadcast affiliate Channel 5.

Fairfax County police said that Wesley Lipicky sustained critical injuries from a motorized room partition Friday afternoon at Franconia Elementary School (pictured)

That's when investigators say Lipicky got caught between the partition and a wall, suffering serious injuries to his head.

The incident occurred around 4.45pm inside the school's gym, according to Channel 5.

The boy was rushed to a nearby hospital by emergency medical units. Doctors pounced Lipicky dead late Friday evening.

An autopsy report found that Lipicky's cause of death was 'accidental' and no charges are expected to be filed in the case.

Manufacturers say that motorized room partitions are an ideal tool for sectioning off large spaces to hold simultaneous activities without interference or distraction.

Franconia Elementary Principal Terri Edmunds-Heard released a letter following the announcement of Lipicky's death, saying she was deeply saddened by the incident and remembered the 4th grader as a special student.

Franconia Elementary Principal Terri Edmunds-Heard released a letter expressing sorrow over Lipicky's death

'He was an endearing child whose bright smile and enthusiasm for school inspired the love of all who knew him,' Edmunds-Heard wrote.

The school said that it will be providing support staff to students and faculty members that need help processing the situation in the days ahead.

'The team will help our classroom teachers talk with students and handle their questions and reactions.'

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand also released a statement, expressing his sorrow over the incident and offered condolences to the family.

'I am deeply saddened by this tragic accident. Our first priority is supporting the family, students and staff as they cope with this sudden loss. Our crisis counselors will be onsite Monday to assist the school,' wrote Brabrand.

'We are working closely with law enforcement and County officials to review this accident and to review safety protocols and procedures,' he added.
The mother of a teen girl who committed suicide says she doesn't know if she'll ever be able to forgive the bullies who drove her daughter to her breaking point.

Monday marks three years since Breannah Piva, just 16, tragically took her own life after years of relentless bullying took their toll.

The pain has not gotten easier for her mother Joanne, who will spend the anniversary spreading the word about suicide, bullying and mental health on a 200 kilometre bike ride in honour of Breannah's memory.

Monday will mark three years since Breannah Piva (pictured), 16, took her own life after years of relentless bullying

Joanne Piva (pictured right with Breannah) set off on a 200 kilometre bike ride from Ayr on Sunday and will arrive in Airlie Beach on Monday - the anniversary of her daughter's death

The 16-year-old (pictured far left with her mother) was reportedly bullied for more than nine years

'She was a beautiful girl who loved nature, art and children,' Mrs Piva told Daily Mail Australia.

'Her dream in life was to become a special needs teacher. She had her heart set on it and I have no doubt she would have gone down that path. Breannah was very humourous and loved making funny noises and silly faces. She was also into musicals, gymnastics and modelling. I think of Breannah every day as life hasn't been the same without her here.'

In March, Mrs Piva filed a lawsuit against Breannah's school and the Queensland Department of Education, claiming they failed to protect their daughter from ongoing abuse.

Almost 30 bullying incidents within four years were outlined in the set of court documents obtained by Daily Mail Australia.

'Breannah (pictured left) was very humorous and loved making funny noises and silly faces,' her mother said

The Pivas are petitioning to change laws to include tougher penalties for bullies following the death of their daughter Breannah in 2015

'The bullying went on for nine years so it was nothing new,' Mrs Piva said.

'We had many meetings with the school, police...Breannah was engaging in the help but as it turned out, she wasn't engaged in the right way. She had self-harmed in the past but I always thought we had a good bond.'

According to court documents, Breannah was pushed in front of a car, chased home from school, told she was 'too fat' to model and physically assaulted.

Documents allege she had a bottle of iced coffee thrown at her before marshmallow was rubbed over her face and uniform.

In another alleged incident, Breannah was chased while walking home and forced to hide in a supermarket after a group of five students said they were going to 'bash and kill' her.

Joanne Piva described Breannah as a beautiful girl who loved nature, art and children

'A lot of people say it's the only way to move on but I still find it hard to forgive when they've done what they done and Breannah's no longer with us,' Mrs Piva told Daily Mail Australia.

'I hope when they have children, they don't go through the extent of what we've been through.'

Earlier this month, Mrs Piva and husband Michael filed documents in Townsville District Court seeking permission to take legal action against the State of Queensland outside the normal three year legal timeframe as the coroner's findings from Breannah's death are yet to be handed down.

Breannah was just six months from finishing her HSC when she took her own life.

'She got decent grades at school, so I have no doubt she'd be going to uni if she was still here today,' Mrs Piva said.

'She would have been travelling and having fun, realising that what she went though as a teenager was all behind her. If I had a chance to have one last conversation, I would tell her that life will get better.'

Three years have passed since Breannah's death but the pain hasn't eased for her parents and sisters. 'It's changed our lives completely,' her mum Joanne told Daily Mail Australia

The Pivas have established the Do It For Bree foundation to help young people to deal with bullying and depression.

The foundation's goal is to implement its 'Words Can Hurt' anti-bullying program in schools across Queensland and eventually nationwide.

The Pivas are also petitioning to change laws to include tougher penalties for bullies.

'We want to make bullying a criminal and punishable offence,' Mrs Piva said.

'We don't want other families experience what we've been through. It breaks my heart every time I hear another child has been driven to death. It's something that needs to stop and as a nation, we need to do something about it before it gets worse.'

Breannah =(pictured) would be going to university, travelling and having fun like any other young woman if she was still alive today, according to her mum Joanne

Prior to setting off on the 200 kilometre bike ride on Sunday morning, Mrs Piva took to social media to pay tribute to her 'angel'.

'Thank you for always being such a wonderful, vibrant, loving and caring, funny, beautiful daughter, there is not one second of any day I would not do anything I can to have you back here, she posted on the Do It for Bree Facebook page.

'This world is less of a place now you have left. I love you more than words can express and miss you so much. My heart breaks a million times a day.'

Mrs Piva had this message for young people out there being bullied and on the brink of despair.

'The first step is to reach out and find that one person who has your back,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'It can't just be someone who will listen, it needs to be someone you can trust and has you back, even if they're from Kids Helpline or Beyond Blue. You are not alone, all you need to do is ask for help, because it is out there.

Readers seeking confidential support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
A Kansas City father-of-two got the surprise of a lifetime when his kids gifted him with a rare 1966 car to celebrate his retiring.

The touching moment was captured on video by the man's son.

According to the brother and sister, their father always talked about a 1966 Pontiac LeMans Sprint 6 he had when he was the younger. It's not clear what happened to the car but the father always told his kids it was 'the car that got away'.

The siblings started off the surprise by giving their father a framed magazine ad of a red 1966 Pontiac LeMans Sprint 6

The brother and sister then told their dad that the car is very hard to find and he should go outside and look in his driveway

The 1966 Pontiac LeMans Sprint 6 was sitting in the father's driveway waiting for him to hop behind the wheel and take it for a spin

To celebrate the father retiring and starting a new chapter in his life, his children decided to track down a Pontiac LeMans Sprint 6 and give it to their father as a gift.

After a long search, the kids found the vehicle, put in an offer and then went and picked up the rare gem and transported it back to Kansas City. A Sprint 6 in similar condition and age was recently on the market for $35,000.

To try and trick their dad a little bit, the brother and sister handed their father a framed magazine ad of the car so he would think that was his gift.

The kids also handed him a note.

'For as long as we can remember, you've been our hero... You've worked incredibly hard your entire life not only for yourself but to make an amazing life for us. Mission accomplished, and now you're retiring.

'For many, retirement seems like an end. Five decades of work and routine are coming to a close, but as we thought about what to get you, we chose to think of it as a beginning,' the message read. 'This is the opportunity to explore the amazing life you've created for yourself... You often talked about the car that got away, your 1966 Pontiac LeMans Sprint 6.'

Beaming, the man told his kids that he had 'a lot of fun' in that car.

The dad couldn't stop smiling as he checked out the car and then hoped behind the wheel

After gushing about how beautiful the car is, the father took it for a drive in his neighborhood

The siblings said their dad always talked about the car saying it was 'the car that got away'

'That's the first one we drove without having licenses,' the father said, as his kids laughed.

The father was then handed a second note explaining how hard it is to find the 1966 car and was told to go check his driveway.

'You're kidding!' the father says, jumping up from his chair to go look outside.

'Are you serious?' he asks as he walks up to the car. 'Wow. Oh wow!

With a big smile on his face, the father hops into the driver's seat before taking the red beauty for a spin.

'This is gorgeous,' he says.

The 1966 LeMans Sprint evolved in a rather unusual way, according to BarnFinds, a site dedicated to antique items.

John DeLorean, then head of Pontiac, had an idea to inject a sophisticated European feel into their Tempest/LeMans line and thats how the Sprint was born.

Because the car didnt have a V8 engine, which was popular in the mid-to-late '60s, the car never really caught on. The last year it was made was in 1969.
A P-plater remains in custody after leading police on a high-speed chase on the Pacific Highway, just north of Port Macquarie.

A 19 year old driver was accelerating along the highway when officers from the Mid North Coast Police District spotted the teen allegedly travelling 132km/h in a 100km/h zone.

The silver Mitsubishi Lancer zoomed across the A1 at Cooperabung around 7.30pm last night before it lost control and collided into several vehicles.

Mid North Coast Police District spotted the speeding teen at Cooperabung allegedly travelling 132km/h in a 100km/h zone

The collision left six people with minor injuries, including young children aged 9 and 11. The driver was uninjured and taken in for testing.

The driver was arrested and held at Kempsey police station, facing multiple charges including police pursuit - not stop - drive at speed, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, and P1 driver exceed speed more than 45km/h, according to Mid North Coast Police District

Current NSW driving laws restricts P-platers from reaching the maximum speed of 110km/h on the NSW coastal highway.

The P1 driver was allegedly driving 200km/h which is over double the speed limit of the 90km/h restriction

P1 drivers are restricted to the speed limit of 90km/h whereas P2 drivers have a maximum speed restriction of 100km/h. The young driver allegedly reached double the speed restriction.

The incident occurs as in the past twelve months, Australia has seen a 2.5 per cent increase in lives lost on our roads with a total of 1253 road deaths, according to Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics.

The out of control driver was refused bail and is currently being held in custody and is set to face several charges at Port Macquarie Local Court later today.
John Ibrahim's girlfriend Sarah Budge (above) could face 14 years in jail on gun charges

The girlfriend of nightclub identity John Ibrahim could face as many as 14 years in jail if convicted on gun possession charges when her trial gets underway this week.

When NSW police raided the Sydney apartment of Sarah Budge, 28, last August, they allegedly found a loaded Glock handgun stored in a wooden box in her bedroom.

The former model who began dating Kings Cross nightclub owner Ibrahim in 2014, is facing three firearms-related charges - which were initially set to be heard in a Local Court at Sydney's Downing Centre.

But in February prosecutors pushed for the case to be heard before the District Court, a move which sees the maximum jail sentence increase from five to 14 years if Ms Budge is convicted at trial.

Ms Budge (left) and Mr Ibrahim (right) reportedly began dating in 2014 after being introduced through friends

Police allegedly found a loaded Glock handgun stored in a wooden box in Ms Budge's bedroom when they raided her Double Bay apartment last August

Ms Budge, who owns a bar in Potts Point, initially faced six charges but that number was reduced to three after a deal was agreed between the prosecution and defence.

Fronting the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, Ms Budge's lawyer waived her right to a pre-trial committal hearing, The Daily Telegraph reports.

As his client sat in the courtroom next to her father, her lawyer Greg Goold told the court his client wished to proceed straight to trial.

By the time the mention hearing gets underway this Friday it will be more than nine months since she was arrested.

Ms Budge's apartment in the exclusive suburb of Double Bay was searched as part of raids connected to a suspected drug syndicate allegedly involving Ibrahim's family.

Ibrahim's brothers Michael, 39, and son Daniel Taylor, 27, were allegedly involved in the syndicate.

Ms Budge last week fronted the Downing Centre Local Court where her lawyer announced she wanted to take her case straight to trial

Ms Budge's home was searched as part of raids relating to an alleged international drug and tobacco syndicate, but her case is unrelated alleged smuggling rings

His other brother, Fadi Ibrahim, 43, also stands accused of being involved in illegal tobacco dealings.

Ms Budge's case is unrelated to the alleged drugs and tobacco smuggling rings.

Her boyfriend Mr Ibrahim - the nightclub tycoon with a $52 million property portfolio - has not been charged with any criminal offences.

Neither are suggested to be connected with the alleged syndicate which reportedly had a network spanning across Europe, the Middle East and Australia.
The Wonthaggi desalination plant is causing concerns once again as it revealed that the operation of the plant could cost taxpayers $649million next year.

According to the Sunday Herald Sun State Budget papers show that the cost of running the plant could rise more than $30million this year.

The plant has cost $3.3billion since it was built in 2012.

The Wonthaggi desalination plant (pictured) is causing concerns once again as it revealed that the operation of the plant could cost taxpayers $649million next year

The Minister for Water has placed a 'minimum' order for 15 billion litres from the Victorian Desalination Plant, to be delivered over the course of this year and next year

Annual service payments rise every year, even if no water is ordered.

If water is ordered it could be an increase between five and 20 per cent.

The Minister for Water has placed a 'minimum' order for 15 billion litres from the Victorian Desalination Plant, to be delivered over the course of this year and next year.

The Melbourne Water website states: 'This is at no extra charge to consumers, and supports water security, better plant management and steadier prices.'

Steph Ryan, the opposition water spokeswoman, told the publication that: 'Labor will go to any lengths to justify its desal white elephant, even if it means charging Melbourne water customers twice just to keep the plant operational.'

But the Water Minister disputes this.

Lisa Neville told the publication: 'The desal plant has already provided water to Melbourne, Geelong, and western Victorian customers over the last two years to ensure their water supplies do not drop into critical levels, with no additional cost to customers.'

Melbourne's water supply system consists of ten major reservoirs and catchments.

Victorian Minister for Water Lisa Neville (pictured) said: ''The desal plant has already provided water to Melbourne, Geelong, and western Victorian customers over the last two years to ensure their water supplies do not drop into critical levels'

The total storage system of the major reservoirs and catchments is 1,812 gigalitres.

This four times Melbourne's current annual water demand.

The Wonthaggi desalination plant was announced in 2007 during the Millennium Drought.

The entire plant can deliver a third of Melbourne's water needs, which is estimated to be 150 billion litres.

Water storages current sit at 58.8 per cent full, which is 4.9 per cent less than last year.

About 3.4 per cent of the water in storage is from desalination plants.
Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is investigating 10 more of its local offices after the former head of its Bremen office was suspected of wrongly granting asylum to more than a thousand people, media reported on Sunday.

More than 1.6 million migrants, many from the Middle East, have arrived in Germany since 2014, prompting concerns about social cohesion and security, and boosting support for the far-right Alternative for Germany, which entered the national parliament for the first time in last year's election.

In April, prosecutors said they were investigating the former head of BAMF's Bremen office, who is suspected of granting asylum to some 1,200 people who did not qualify for it, the majority of them members of the Yazidi ethnic group.

Several German media on Sunday said the BAMF was now reviewing 10 out of its 70 outposts and cited an Interior Ministry spokeswoman as saying 8,500 asylum decisions from 2017 were being checked.

Bild am Sonntag (BamS) newspaper said, without citing its sources, that 13 outposts were being reviewed.

Neither the BAMF nor Interior Ministry were immediately available for comment.

Deputy Interior Minister Stephan Mayer has said certificates of recognition will be annulled where necessary if legally possible.

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A proposed cull of wild brumbies in Kosciuszko National Park has been scrapped after the plan sparked outrage.

Opinion is divided after New South Wales Deputy Premier and NWS Nationals leader John Barilaro announced that he and Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton will introduce a 'brumbies bill' into parliament next week.

It gives legal protection to the the iconic horses made famous in the legendary Banjo Paterson poem 'The Man from Snowy River'.

Its estimated 6,000 brumbies call Kosciuszko National Park home, the largest national park in NSW and one of the largest conservation reserves in Australia.

A proposed plan to cull brumbies in Kosciuszko National Park by up 90 per cent to has been scrapped by the New South Wale Government

Its estimated 6,000 brumbies live in Kosciuszko National Park in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains

A 2016 draft Wild Horse Management Plan for the NSW Government recommended reducing horses in the park by 90 per cent over 20 years, primarily through culling, which would have left 600 horses within the park.

Instead, the government will protect the iconic horses under a new bill, which will require all future Kosciuszko National Park plans to consider their cultural significance.

'The heritage management plan will specifically prohibit lethal culling of the brumby, aerial or otherwise, and will identify those areas in the park where brumbies can roam without causing significant environmental harm,' Mr Barilaro told The Sunday Telegraph.

'I have always opposed cruel forms of culling and have advocated for nonlethal ways of managing brumby numbers  Kosciuszko National Park exists to protect the unique environment of the Snowy Mountains, and that unique environment includes wild brumbies.'

The iconic horses were made famous in the legendary Banjo Paterson poem 'The Man from Snowy River'

New South Wales Deputy Premier John Barilaro (pictured) recognises the cultural significance of the iconic horses and will introduce a 'brumbies bill' in parliament

The government also announced it will establish a community advisory panel, create a research and monitoring program, conduct a new count to gain a more accurate assessment of brumby numbers and launch a campaign to promote rehoming and adoption of brumbies that need to be removed from the park.

There was mixed reaction to the announcement on social media.

'A nice change of attitude to what's previously been an uncaring ignorance and intolerance towards our natural occurring Australian Heritage...The magnificent wild brumbies of Kosciuszko,' one woman tweeted.

Not everyone welcomed the move.

'Feral horses - don't call them 'brumbies'- are national icons in exactly the same way cane toads and rabbits are. Cull the b******s and save our alpine habitats,' one man tweeted.

Another added: 'In direct contradiction of expert opinion, native wildlife be damned. Wild horses are an introduced feral pest and a key threatening process.'

The decision to scrap a proposed cull of brumbies has divided opinion

Dr Graeme Worboys from the ANU's Fenner School of Environment and Society told the ABC that brumbies do not belong in the national park in their current numbers.

'Wild horses are introduced stock animals,' he said.

'Too many are trashing Kosciuszko's wetlands, streams and catchments across the entire park. It only takes a couple of horses and time to trash a wetland.'
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday that the United States and China are stepping back from a possible trade war after two days of talks that produced 'meaningful progress.'

Despite not getting China to agree to trim its overall trade surplus with America by a specific amount, Mnuchin said the U.S. team did get a number of commitments on a framework for reducing the deficit over time, including big increases in purchases of farm products and a doubling of purchases of U.S. energy products.

'We are putting the trade war on hold,' Mnuchin said on 'Fox News Sunday.'

Because of the progress made in negotiations, Mnuchin said the Trump administration has agreed to put on hold punitive tariffs on up to $150 billion in Chinese products. China had promised to retaliate in a move that threatened a tit-for-tat trade war.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Fox News Sunday the U.S. trade war with China is 'on hold' after 'meaningful progress' was made.

Chinese President Xi Jinping responded with $50 billion in tariffs against U.S. products after the United States threatened $150 billion in tariffs on Chinese products.

Both Mnuchin and Larry Kudlow, head of the president's National Economic Council, said that while China did not agree to meet the $200 billion deficit reduction goal that President Donald Trump has discussed, the Chinese did agree to steps that could ultimately mean big cuts in the trade gap between the two nations.

Mnuchin said the actions China has agreed to take as part of the framework the two countries have reached will result in boosting sales of U.S. farm products to China by 35 to 40 percent in this year alone. He said the agreement could result in doubling sales of U.S. energy products, which Mnuchin said could mean an increase in sales of U.S. energy products by $50 billion to $60 billion over the next three to five years.

Mnuchin said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross would soon be traveling to China to follow up on the discussions held Thursday and Friday in Washington.

On Saturday, the White House issued a joint statement from world's two biggest economic powers in which the U.S. and China pledged to take measures to 'substantially reduce' America's massive trade deficit.

In the statement, Beijing committed to 'significantly increase' its purchases of American goods and services, saying that the increase would 'meet the growing consumption needs of the Chinese people and the need for high-quality economic development.' The two countries also agreed on 'meaningful increases' of U.S. agriculture and energy exports and greater efforts to increase trade in manufactured goods and services. The U.S. said it would send a team to China to work out the details.

The statement, however, provided no dollar amounts on how much China might boost its purchases of American products. Kudlow, appearing Sunday on ABC, said that the $200 billion reduction target 'interests the president a lot' and that both U.S. and Chinese negotiators have used that figure in the discussions 'as a rough ballpark estimate.'

Last year, the U.S. had a record deficit with China in merchandise trade of $375 billion, the largest with any nation.

Trade analysts said it was highly unlikely that China would ever agree to a numerical target for cutting the trade gap, but they said the talks likely were more successful in de-escalating trade tensions.

'It is likely that this agreement, weak and vague though it is, will serve as grounds to at least delay the imposition of tariffs,' said Eswar Prasad, an economist and trade expert at Cornell University.

'The Trump administration seems eager to engineer at minimum a temporary peace with China to ensure a smooth run-up to the Kim-Trump summit in June,' Prasad said, referring to the June 12 meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump campaigned in 2016 on a pledge to get tough on China and other U.S. trading partners. He views the massive U.S. trade deficit with China as evidence that Beijing is engaged in abusive trading practices and has outmaneuvered previous U.S. administrations.

Last August, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer began an investigation into Beijing's strong-arm tactics to challenge U.S. technological dominance. These include outright cybertheft of U.S. companies' trade secrets and China's demands that American corporations hand over technology in exchange for access to the Chinese markets.

Last month, the administration proposed tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese imports to protest the forced technology transfers. Trump later ordered Lighthizer to seek up to an additional $100 billion in Chinese products to tax.

China responded by targeting $50 billion in U.S. products, including soybeans - a shot at Trump supporters in America's heartland. The prospect of an escalating trade war has shaken financial markets and alarmed business leaders.

In a separate controversy, the Commerce Department last month blocked China's ZTE Corp. from importing American components for seven years, accusing the telecommunications company of misleading U.S. regulators after it settled charges last year of violating sanctions against Iran and North Korea.

The ban amounted to a death sentence for ZTE, which relies heavily on U.S. parts, and the company announced that it was halting operations. A week ago, Trump tweeted that he was working with Chinese President Xi Jinping to put ZTE 'back in business, fast.' Media reports suggested that the U.S. was offering to swap a ZTE rescue for an end to proposed Chinese tariffs on U.S. farm products.
One of the teen girls killed in the Texas school shooting rejected and publicly humiliated the accused shooter, the girl's mother has said.

Shana Fisher, who turned 16 just days before she died in the attack, had been fending off advances from Dimitrios Pagourtzis for months, the teen girl's mother Sadie Rodriguez said on Saturday.

'He continued to get more aggressive,' Rodriguez said in an interview aired on ABC 7 . 'She finally stood up to him and embarrassed him.'

It is the first indication of a motive in the Friday attack on Santa Fe High School, which killed ten, though the theory has yet to be confirmed by either prosecutors or lawyers for 17-year-old Pagourtzis.

Shana Fisher, (left) who turned 16 just days before she died in the attack, 'had 4 months of problems from this boy' Dimitrios Pagourtzis, (right) the teen girl's mother said

Shana's mother, Sadie Rodriguez, broke down in tears recounting how her 16-year-old daughter died

Shana's mom says Pagourtzis pursued the girl for months before the shooting

'He kept making advances on her and she repeatedly told him no,' said Shana's (above) mom

Pagourtzis, whose family describes him as 'quiet' and 'sweet', continued to become more aggressive with Shana until finally she rejected him publicly in class, the mother said.

The alleged romantic rejection took place just a week before the attack.

Nicholas Poehl, a lawyer for the Pagourtzis's family, said he hadn't heard about any such interaction between Pagourtzis and any of the victims and therefore couldn't comment. He cautioned that he'd spent much of the day disputing false rumors about the teen's personal life.

Santa Fe High School students gather at a mekeshift memorial during a community dinner put on by volunteers to help residents begin healing on Saturday

According to charging documents, Pagourtzis confessed to the shooting and told investigators he had left students he liked alive so he could 'have his story told'.

A junior at Santa Fe High, Pagourtzis hid a shotgun and a handgun under his trenchcoat before opening fire in a first-period art class on Friday, according to an affidavit filed by police.

The shooting unfolded over the course of about 30 minutes in a warren of interconnected classrooms, according to new witness accounts.

Pagourtzis (left and right) was romantically rejected by one of the teen girls killed in the shooting, the girl's mother says in a possible indication of motive in the case

Law enforcement officers are seen responding to Santa Fe High School following the shooting

Witnesses said the ordeal began with a shotgun blast through an art classroom door, shattering a glass pane and sending panicked students to the entryway to block him from getting inside, witnesses said.

Junior Breanna Quintanilla was in art class when she heard the shots and someone say, 'If you all move, I'm going to shoot you all.'

The 17-year-old Pagourtzis walked in, pointed at one person and declared, 'I'm going to kill you.' Then he fired.

'He then said that if the rest of us moved, he was going to shoot us,' Quintanilla said.

When Quintanilla tried to run out a back door, she realized Pagourtzis was aiming at her. He fired in her direction.

'He missed me,' she said. 'But it went ahead and ricocheted and hit me in my right leg.' She was treated at a hospital and spoke with a brown bandage wrapped around her wound.

'It was a very scary thing,' Quintanilla said. 'I was worried that I wasn't going to be able to make it back to my family.'

Students are seen evacuating the Texas high school after shots rang out during first period on Friday morning

Warning signs: On his now-deleted Facebook page, Pagourtzis on April 30 shared a photo of a black T-shirt with the words 'Born to Kill' printed across the front (left). Other photos shared on Pagourtzis's page the same day in April depicted a dark-colored trenchcoat festooned with various insignia, including the Nazi Iron Cross (right) and Communist hammer and sickle

A photo showing a handgun and a knife appeared on an Instagram account associated with Pagourtzis in late April

Witnesses said a teacher who heard the shooting pulled the school's fire alarm to alert the student body.

In a sickening new account, mother Deedra Van Ness says her daughter Isabelle hid while the shooter left the art classroom, then reentered to taunt the victims.

'The gunman then comes back into their room and they hear him saying....are you dead? Then more shots are fired,' she wrote in an essay.

Isabelle survived by lying motionless for half an hour on the floor of a barricaded closet next to the bodies of her deceased classmates, her mother said.

'By this time, cell phones all over the classroom are ringing and he's taunting the kids in the closet asking them....do you think it's for you? do you want to come answer it? Then he proceeds to fire more bullets into the closet and tries to get in,' the mother wrote.

Finally, cops arrived and rescued Isabelle and her classmates - though not all of them survived. And the reaction from some of Isabelle's friends was not what she would have expected.

'Unbelievably, other students are bullying her on social media. Blaming her for not trying to do more to save her classmates, calling her a liar about what happened, etc,' Van Ness wrote.

A member of the FBI walks with evidence outside a trailer owned by Pagourtzis' parents near Santa Fe High School following a mass shooting on Friday

Pagourtzis appeared in court via video link on Friday evening but kept his head bowed and barely said a word except to request a court-appointed attorney

Pagourtzis had planned to kill himself, officials said, but instead collapsed in cowardly fear when confronted by police.

'He sort of fell to the ground and surrendered,' said Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), head of the House Homeland Security Committee.

Investigators who reviewed Pagourtzis's computer and cellphone found evidence the teen had been planning to kill himself after the shooting.

In a statement through their lawyer, Pagourtzis' family said they had no warning of the tragedy and were cooperating with authorities.

'We are as shocked and confused as anyone else by these events that occurred. We are gratified by the public comments made by other Santa Fe High School students that show Dimitri as we know him: a smart, quiet, sweet boy,' the family said.

'While we remain mostly in the dark about the specifics of yesterday's tragedy, what we have learned from media reports seems incompatible with the boy we love.'

Pagourtzis is now being held without bond on charges of capital murder and aggravated assault of a public servant.

He barely spoke during the brief court appearance on Friday evening, except to request a court-appointed lawyer.
A female driver has been caught on camera reversing into a car before driving away without leaving a note.

The shocking moment was captured on dashcam in a cul-de-sac near a New South Wales primary school in early May.

Despite plenty of room behind her, the driver reverses too far and hits the parked vehicle behind her.

Scroll down for video

A mother with a young child (pictured left) watches on in shock as a Subaru Outback motorist reverses back too far and hits a parked vehicle near a school

The driver gets out to inspect the damage to the two vehicles

The woman gets out of her Subaru Outback to check for any damage, and after a quick inspection and a sheepish smile, gets back into her vehicle and drives off.

A mother walking down a nearby footpath with a young child in tow can be seen watching on.

The footage was shared to the Dash Cam Owners Australia Facebook page and has attracted hundreds of reactions and comments.

Many commenters expressed their shock at the driver's actions.

'Isn't that a hit and run? People like this deserve to pay the full price the law has to offer,' one man commented.

Another added: 'Absolutely pathetic that she checked her car pretty well then drove off!'

Others were quick to point out the accident could have been much worse had it occurred during drop off or pick up time.

'There is one child running two metres away from her! She could have easily killed a group of children through this reckless act..... She should be charged with negligent driving, endangering the public, hit and run and not using mirrors,' one man commented.

Unfazed by any damage caused, the woman gives a sheepish smile before driving off

Another added: 'At that speed and lack of awareness of her surrounds, imagine if children were around, it is a school zone after all.'

Leaving the scene of an accident is against the law in every state and can be considered a hit and run.

The NSW Police website advises people to call police if details can't be exchanged at a crash site for any reason, regardless if any damage was caused.
A Dutch backpacker raped in an alleyway in Sydney's Surry Hills was threatened with the words 'I'm going to rape you, and I'm going to kill you'.

Jeremy Mundine, 23, grabbed the woman, then 19, when she was walking to her apartment on March 30, 2017, a court heard.

The woman presented her victim impact statement in Sydney's Downing Centre District Court on Thursday.

Jeremy Mundine, 23 (pictured), pleaded guilt to sexual intercourse without consent in a Sydney Court on Thursday

Just metres from home, the then 19-year-old realised she was being followed by a man who asked what she was doing and if she had a boyfriend, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

When she replied 'yes' and continued walking, the man grabbed her by the throat and said: 'I'm going to rape you, and I'm going to kill you,' she said in court.

The woman escaped after the man grabbed her neck and threw her to the ground after forcing oral sex, the court heard.

Just metres from home, the 19-year-old realised she was being followed by a man who asked what she was doing and if she had a boyfriend, the court heard

Mundine's defence lawyer argued his client's drug use from the age of 10 may have led to the attack, the SMH reported.

His lawyer pleaded for the court to consider he be given a chance to get his life back on track during the sentencing.

Mundine pleaded guilty to sexual intercourse without consent and will face sentencing next week.
Saturday Night Live has parodied The Sopranos' iconic last scene for its season finale, bringing back Alec Baldwin to play President Donald Trump.

The new episode's cold open begins with Baldwin's Trump picking a song from the jukebox at Holsten's in Bloomfield, New Jersey - just as Tony Soprano did in the mafia drama's 2007 series finale.

Journey's Don't Stop Believin' blares through the diner as the bell above the door jingles, and in walks Rudy Giuliani, played by Kate McKinnon.

Baldwin's Trump asks if he's been on Fox News lately to which he answers 'twenty times last night', adding 'I even confessed to crimes you didn't do  what are they gonna do, arrest the President? I dare ya!'

Saturday Night Live has parodied The Sopranos' iconic last scene for its season finale, bringing back Alec Baldwin (left) to play President Donald Trump

The scene takes place at Holsten's in Bloomfield, New Jersey, just like the final scene of The Sopranos (above). Baldwin's Trump plays a parody of mob boss Tony Soprano

Kate McKinnon (left) plays Rudy Giuliani and Ben Stiller (right) returns as Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen, played again by Ben Stiller, is the next to enter, joining the other two at the booth table.

Stiller's Cohen mopes, fretting that things are 'really bad, mostly just preparing for jail and stuff. They say I'll get 20 years in jail if I don't give you up.'

'You gotta focus on the good times! Isn't that what you once told me?' Cohen reminds himself, echoing AJ's line from the Sopranos scene. 'That's why you told me to keep a copy of the Russian pee tape.'

Next Don Jr enters the diner, played by Mikey Day. But brother Eric, played by Alex Moffat, is stuck parking outside.

The scene cuts to Moffat's Alex scrambling on a plastic big wheel tricycle to get flush with the curb, mimicking Meadow's painful parallel parking scene in The Sopranos.

Don Jr enters the diner, played by Mikey Day (left) and joins the group at the booth table

Brother Eric, played by Alex Moffat, is stuck parking outside on a plastic big wheel tricycle, mimicking Meadow's painful parallel parking scene in The Sopranos

As the assembled characters celebrate the one-year anniversary of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, the door bell jingles again

As the assembled characters celebrate the one-year anniversary of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, the door bell jingles again.

In walks guest star Robert De Niro, portraying Muller. But Baldwin's Trump is the only one who seems to notice him, as the rest of his coterie peppers him with inane legal advice.

In a moment layered with multiple film references, the Mueller character gets up and walks slowly to the bathroom as the Journey song continues to blare.

He pauses and turns to Baldwin's Trump, pointing two fingers at his own eyes and then at Baldwin, the 'I see you' gesture De Niro's character did in Meet The Parents.

Nobody but Baldwin's Trump seems to notice that Mueller, played by Robert De Niro, has entered the diner. Above, De Niro is seen lurking in the background

In a moment layered with multiple film references, De Niro (left) gets up and walks slowly to the bathroom, then pauses and turns to Baldwin's Trump, pointing two fingers at his own eyes

The scene then cuts to black, just as the final scene of the Sopranos did to much controversy.

Though fan theories on the Sopranos finale differ, many believe that Tony Soprano was killed by a hitman, who was seen walking into the diner's bathroom shortly before the scene cuts to black.

Show creator David Chase has admitted that the shot of the man walking in the bathroom is a reference to the Godfather scene, in which Michael Corleone kills Sollozzo and McCluskey.

The cold open was a departure from last week, when SNL took a conscious break from politics in honor of mother's day, devoting only three minutes of Weekend Update to the Trump administration.


It's no secret that the Australian property market's a tough nut to crack - particularly for those looking to buy within stone's throw of a CBD.

With a starting budget of $500,000, how close to the action could one actually get? And which city is offering the most affordable convenience?

A report released by Core Logic has answered those questions, revealing the proximity half a million dollars will get home-buyers to the centre of Australia's capital cities.

And the differences between them is staggering.

For a budget of half a million dollars you could get a house in Glendalough in Perth's north western suburbs

In Brisbane the suburb of Rocklea, just 8.8 kilometres from the CBD, is your best bet for a beginner budget

Sydney is the most expensive market in the country, unsurprisingly, with a beginner's budget landing buyers a full 50 kilometers from the city in far out suburbs such as Bar Point and Spencer.

Melbourne, Australia's second most expensive city, is significantly more accessible in terms of proximity to the CBD.

Half-a-million dollars can get Melburnian buyers a house some 16 kilometres from the city centre in the suburbs of Dallas or Coolaroo.

But the cheapest and most central properties in the country are located in Hobart and Adelaide, where buyers can snap up a house or unit just three kilometres out of town for less than $500,000.

Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Darwin all reflect their position in the middle of the market with house hunters needing to look between five and twelve kilometres from the CBD.

CoreLogic's chief analyst Cameron Kusher reflected on the report saying it was getting increasingly hard for buyers to pick up properties under half a million and still expect a reasonable commute to a state's CBD.

Melbourne is the second most expensive property market with the closest suburb you could get for half a million being Dallas, 16.1 kilometres from the centre of town

Sydney buyers would need to venture out to Bar Point almost 50 kilometers out of the city
Practitioners of gay conversion therapy in Victoria could potentially face legal prosecution.

The practice of gay conversion is a type of therapy occurring nationwide, that attempts to cure homosexuality as though it is a disorder with a basis on 'spiritual guidance'.

The inquiry comes as Health Minister Jill Hennessy has called upon Victoria's Health Complaints Commissioner to launch an investigation into those claiming that homosexuality can be fixed.

Hennessy's letter to Health Complaints Commissioner Karen Cusack urges the expulsion on unregistered practitioners performing what they deem to believe is gay conversion.

An inquiry is investigating the use of unregistered practices of gay conversion therapy, which could potentially see its practitioners prosecuted

The minister lodged a letter released last week to Cusack stating 'gay conversion therapy has been proven to be ineffective and highly damaging as victims of the practice have displayed poor mental and physical health outcomes, with some tragically lost their lives to suicide'.

Despite the vast majority in support for the LGBTI+ community, there are still practices happening throughout the country, in the form of faith based counselling, online courses and hidden clinical settings, according to Fairfax Media.

Last year, the same sex marriage postal vote revealed that 62% of participating Australian's were in favour of allowing same sex couples to wed, as 12.69 millions contributed their say.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy (pictured above) has called upon Victoria's Health Complaints Commissioner in allowing the prosecution of this practice

The investigation sparks grave concern for Australia's LGBTI+ communities mental health, as according to National LGBTI Health Alliance, 'lesbian, gay and bisexual people aged 16 and over are six times more likely to have thoughts of suicide'.

The commission is currently inviting those with experience in gay conversion therapy to get in contact on 1300 582 113 or hcc@hcc.vic.gov.au

For more information on suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Gilbert Caetano (pictured) was killed in an alleged domestic violence incident

A woman has been charged with manslaughter following the death of her boyfriend overnight.

Gilbert Caetano died in the early hours of Sunday morning at a home in Brighton-Le-Sands, a beachside suburb in Sydney's south-east.

On Sunday afternoon police charged a 31-year-old woman with manslaughter and aggravated entry into the home of a person she knew.

Police were called to the home at 1.10am where they allegedly found Mr Caetano, 51, unconscious and attempted to revive him, but were unsuccessful.

Earlier on Sunday, Mr Caetano's heartbroken daughter Jessica told media outside the home on Sunday that the father-of-one 'was a kid at heart' and her family was shattered by his death.

Mr Caetano's heartbroken daughter Jessica (left, pictured with her mother and Mr Caetano's ex-wife) told media outside the Brighton-Le-Sands home where he was killed that her father 'did not deserve this'

A 31-year-old woman, believed to have been Mr Caetano's girlfriend, was arrested and taken in for questioning. (Pictured: The beachside home where Mr Caetano died about 1am on Sunday)

'The best way to describe him is probably a kid at heart... a fun, loving and caring person,' Jessica said, with her mother and Mr Caetano's ex-wife by her side.

'I don't think he deserved this at all.'

Neighbours claimed they heard a woman yelling followed by a 'loud bang'.

'I don't really know the full story but she's been around for a while,' Ms Caetano said.

Mr Caetano's father, who is understood to own the home, was celebrating his 80th birthday on Sunday.

The 31-year-old woman was refused bail and will appear at Sutherland Local Court on Monday.
Two police officers have been rushed to hospital with head and throat injuries after they were allegedly attacked after stopping a couple for a random breath test.

A 33-year-old man and 30-year-old woman, both from Wagin, a three-hour drive south-east of Perth, became aggressive on Saturday during the traffic stop, police allege.

A male Sergeant and a female Senior Constable stopped the vehicle about 11pm at the intersection of Wendell Street and Johnston Street.

Two police officers have been rushed to hospital with head and throat injuries after they were allegedly attacked after stopping a couple for a random breath test in Wagin, south-east of Perth

A 33-year-old man and 30-year-old woman, both from Wagin a three-hour drive south-east of Perth, became aggressive during the random traffic stop, police will allege

The female Senior Constable was allegedly attacked 'to the head and throat' as the officers were speaking to the man, the West Australian reported.

The woman allegedly 'continued the assault by further kicking and striking the officer,' a police spokeswoman said.

'The male Sergeant intervened and was allegedly wrestled to the ground by the 33-year-old man.

'The Sergeant then attempted to assist the female officer but was further assaulted by both the woman and the man.'

A male Sergeant and a female Senior Constable stopped the vehicle about 11pm on Saturday at the intersection of Wendell Street and Johnston Street (Google Map view pictured)

After using capsicum spray, the officers later called for help where additional officers and an ambulance came to the scene.

'Both officers were conveyed to Wagin Hospital where they were treated for lacerations and bruising injuries,' the police spokeswoman said.

The male and female occupants of the vehicle have been charged with assault of a public officer and are due to appear in the Narrogin Magistrates Court on Monday.

The officers involved have been released from hospital.
Trumps decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal has widened the rift between the US and Europe to unprecedented levels

The United States renewed this week its threat to impose sanctions on European companies that do business with Iran, as the remaining participants in the Iran nuclear accord stiffened their resolve to keep that agreement operational.

White House National Security Adviser John Bolton said US sanctions on European companies that maintain business dealings with Iran were possible, but Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he remained hopeful Washington and its allies could strike a new nuclear deal with Tehran.

Bolton struck a more hawkish tone with his comments in an interview with CNNs State of the Union programme than Pompeo did when he was interviewed on Fox News Sunday.

US President Donald Trump on 8 May announced that the United States would pull out of a 2015 deal negotiated by the Obama administration.

So far, China, France, Russia, Britain, the European Union and Iran remain in the accord, which placed controls on Irans nuclear programme and led to a relaxation of US economic sanctions against Iran and companies doing business there.

Despite the US exit, Britain and Iran on Sunday expressed their commitment to ensuring that the accord is upheld, according to a statement released by the office of British Prime Minister Theresa May.

And Germany said it will spend the next few months trying to persuade Washington to change its mind.

When asked whether the United States might impose sanctions on European companies that continue to do business with Iran, Bolton told CNN: Its possible. It depends on the conduct of other governments.

Pompeo said he was hopeful in the days and weeks ahead we can come up with a deal that really works, that really protects the world from Iranian bad behaviour, not just their nuclear programme, but their missiles and their malign behaviour as well.

The US withdrawal from the Iran deal has upset Washingtons European allies, cast uncertainty over global oil supplies and raised the risk of conflict in the Middle East.

Germanys Minister for Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier, said Sunday that Berlin will try to persuade the US government to change its behaviour.

In an interview with ZDF public television, Altmaier noted the United States has set a 90-day deadline for foreign firms to comply with the return of sanctions and that this period can be used to convince Washington to change course.

Israel and Iran engaged in an extensive military exchange on the heels of Trumps decision to leave the deal. On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron told Trump in a telephone call that he was worried about stability in the Middle East, according to Macrons office.

As a private citizen, Bolton in the past has suggested that the United States push for a change in Irans government. However, in an interview aired on the ABCs This Week, Bolton refused to confirm his personal views.

Thats not the policy of the administration, he said. The policy of the administration is to make sure that Iran never gets close to deliverable nuclear weapons.

In the CNN interview, Bolton did not respond directly when asked whether Trump might seek regime change in Iran, or whether the US military would be ordered to make a pre-emptive strike against any Iranian nuclear facility.

Im not the national security decision-maker, Bolton said, adding that Trump makes the decision and the advice that I give him is between us.

When pressed by CNN on whether the Trump administration would sanction European firms that continue to do business with Iran, Bolton said: I think the Europeans will see that its in their interest ultimately to come along with us.

Bolton said Europe was still digesting Trumps 8 May move. I think at the moment theres some feeling in Europe  theyre really surprised we got out of it, really surprised at the re-imposition of strict sanctions. I think that will sink in. Well see what happens then, Bolton said.

However, the French were the most outspoken in criticising the US move, considering that many French companies have already started doing business in Iran worth billions after the nuclear deal was concluded in 2015.

On Friday, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire suggested Trumps proposals to corral Europe into joining US foreign policy on Iran may lead to a severe backlash by EU firms and politicians, especially advocates of a stronger independent European foreign policy.

We have to work among ourselves in Europe to defend our European economic sovereignty, Le Maire said, adding that Europe could use the same instruments as the US to defend its interests. Speaking on Europe1 he added: Do we want to be a vassal that obeys and jumps to attention?

Le Maire put forward three main proposals starting with an EU-wide blocking statute similar to an EU regulation passed in 1996 designed to nullify any US sanctions imposed on EU firms.

The statute permitted European companies to ignore the US sanctions and said that any decisions by foreign courts based on such sanctions would not be upheld in Europe. The US backed down before any sanctions were implemented.

He added: The second avenue is looking at Europes financial independence  what can we do to give Europe more financial tools allowing it to be independent from the United States? One proposal is to set up a purely European finance house to oversee euro-denominated transactions with Iran.

He also proposed a European agency capable of following the activities of foreign companies. Le Maire said he would meet with German and British finance ministers at the end of the month to discuss these proposals.

The UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, also met his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, in London Monday to discuss the Iran crisis. Le Drian has already described the US extraterritorial sanctions as unacceptable, saying European business should not be required to pay for US foreign policy decisions.

On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohamed Javad Zarif met his counterparts from France, Germany and Britain in Brussels. The Iranian government said in a statement that Europe needed to move from giving pledges to taking practical steps without any preconditions.

In Italy, Nathalie Tocci, an adviser to EU external affairs chief Federica Mogherini, said Trumps decision to pull out of the Iran deal was an utter and unjustified betrayal of Europe. She called for proportionate reprisals if necessary.

The EU and US combined to impose sanctions against Iran between 2012 and 2015. After the Iran deal was struck in 2015, the Obama administration worked with European banks to reassure them that some US sanctions that remained in force did not restrict the rights of European business.

The former US ambassador to Italy, David Thorne, said Trumps decision had the potential to cause the biggest rift between the US and mainland Europe since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Ellie Geranmayeh, an Iran expert with the European Council on Foreign Relations, said Europe needed to produce a counter-package against the US, including penalties against assets of US companies based in Europe, to allow for a clawback of illegal fines imposed.

The UK is not as heavily involved in Iranian trade as France, Germany and Italy, partly because UK finance houses are so strongly intertwined with the US, and therefore vulnerable to fines if they are deemed to have breached sanctions.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 17 May 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly with headline: Atlantic tremors

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Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, said ministers have failed to deal with Vladimir Putin's cronies stashing their money in Britain (file pic)

A senior Tory MP has torn into the Government for failing to tackle the dirty money flowing through London.

Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, said ministers have failed to deal with Vladimir Putin's cronies stashing their money in Britain.

He warned that London's markets are 'enabling' the Kremlin to spread its influence across the West by letting Russians trade and buy luxury property in the capital.

And the Government's 'lethargic response' to tackling the money laundering and organised crime has left some Russians feeling like they 'own Britain', he added.

Mr Tugendhat's stark warning comes a day before the release of a major report - Moscow's Gold: Russian Corruption in the UK - by his committee.

The report is expected to be damning in its verdict of the failure of Theresa May's Govenmrent to crack down ojn Russian corruption in the UK.

It comes amid growing alarm at the growing threat posed by the Kremlin, which is believed to have been behind the Salisbury poison outrfage.

Ex spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were both left fighting for their lives after being poisoned by the nerve agent Novichok. They have both been released from hospital now.

Writing for The Sunday Times, Mr Tugendhat - tipped as a possible future Tory leader - said the regime of Mr Putin had been emboldened by the UK's inaction.

He said: 'Our lethargic response . . . is taken as proof that we don't dare stop them. This is no longer just a financial problem.

'Over the years Moscow has turned from being a corrupt state to an exporter of instability. London's markets are enabling the Kremlin's efforts.'

He said there is a link between the wealth of Russian oligarchs in London and the power of the Kremlin.

He added: 'Russian corruption and influence has become a matter of national security.'

Lax commercial controls have allowed companies run by Russian oligarchs with close links to Mr Putin to continue to trade in London - despite international sanctions, he warned.

And he called for far tougher regulation to stop this in future.

The regime of Vladimir Putin (pictured on Friday in Russia) had been emboldened by the UK's failure to tackle the corrupt money his cronies are stashing in London, Tom Tugendhat warned

The MP pointed out that the Russian energy giant Gazprom was able to 'trade bonds in London days after the attempted murders'.

And he voiced concerns about the British business interests by Oleg Deripaska, one of Russia's wealthiest men who is closely linked to Putin.

EN+, an energy company controlled by Mr Deripaska, was floated on the London Stock Exchamge despite concerns voiced by the Foreign Office that it sold metals to the Russian defence industry.

Mr Deripaska has now stepped down form the board after he was hit by US sanctions.

Mr Tugendhat said: 'Oligarchs, who depend on Putin no matter how rich they are, have been encouraged to invest in everything from real estate to pharmaceuticals, providing Russia with leverage.

'It isn't just about theft through tax evasion but enabling entire nations to be robbed of their democratic rights.'
Pierce Brosnan said art helped him cope with the death of his first wife as he auctioned off his painting of music legend Bob Dylan for 1million.

The James Bond star, 65, gave an emotional speech at the exclusive AmfAR Gala on the French Riviera, describing how he turned to painting to heal his pain.

Brosnan lost his 43-year-old wife of 11 years Cassandra Harris to ovarian cancer in 1991. In 2013 his daughter Charlotte died of the same disease aged 42.

Pierce Brosnan stands beside his painting of music legend Bob Dylan at a charity gala near Cannes, where it was sold for 1million

The actor was left speechless when the final bid was made on May 17 at the charity gala near Cannes to support AIDS research.

But before the bidding war began he said: 'I started painting in 1987 when my late wife had cancer.

'I had been painting out of pain and now the pain sometimes comes through in colour.'

Celebrities including Lewis Hamilton, Nicole Scherzinger, Sting, Grace Jones and Ellie Goulding cheered as Brosnan's painting was auctioned off.

And he has even promised to fly to wherever in the world the winner lives and take them out for dinner.

Brosnan with his first wife Cassandra Harris and their children Charlotte and Christopher. Harris died of ovarian cancer in 1991 aged just 43 and Charlotte died of the same disease in 2013 aged 42

Brosnan with his second and current wife Keely Shaye Smith arriving at the gala on the French Riviera

The star said he wouldn't give up his day job as an actor but was 'proud and humbled' to be surrounded by 'such great artists' at the evening event.

He also praised his second wife Keely Shaye Smith, 54, for 'directing' his life for 25 years.

The couple have two children - Dylan, 21, and Paris, 17.
Now that her big day is out of the way Meghan Markle's priority will be having a baby, according to Royal biographer Andrew Morton.

Mr Morton, who got to know about the Duchess of Sussex's life while writing a book about her, said he expected Harry and Meghan to bring a baby into the world soon.

'I think that even before Meghan has learned how to spell Leicester and Torquay she'll be starting a family,' Mr Morton told the Daily Star Sunday.

Royal biographer Andrew Morton thinks the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex will have a baby very soon

Harry and Meghan kissed after the emerged into the sunshine from St Georges Chapels West Door yesterday

'She's not really going to be available for working for the Royal Family on a full-time basis until she's 40, I'm sure.'

The biographer, 65, who was rushed to hospital last week after suffering a mini stroke, thinks Harry, 33, is keen to start a family after playing uncle to his brother's three children.

Mr Morton told the paper the royal couple won't waste any time starting a family because they're both from 'broken homes'.

Princess Charlotte waved vigorously as the newly weds went off on their procession through Windsor - while Prince George hid behind his father (left)

With the young Royals taking the starring roles in yesterdays big day, Mr Morton expects Harry and Meghan to add to the brood very soon

Princess Charlotte and Prince George stole some of the limelight yesterday when they waved the couple off on their carriage procession through Windsor.

Confident Charlotte, three, stuck her tongue out and waved cameras while shy George, four, hid behind his father.

Last week Mr Morton suffered a mini stroke while he was giving a speech in central London.

The writer (left) got to know Meghan's character while researching his new book Meghan: A Hollywood Princess

The 65-year-old gave an update on his condition on Tuesday night after he collapsed into his chair while he was five minutes into a speech in central London

The writer was giving a talk at Simpson's In The Strand when he fell ill.

After telling the audience he couldn't go on, he quickly left the room and an ambulance was called to the scene.

He was due to help present ABC's coverage of the royal wedding this weekend.
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Celebrations were happening in abundance yesterday for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's - now Duke and Duchess of Sussex's - wedding in Windsor.

While a stunning Oprah Winfrey, a radiant Amal and George Clooney, and a glorious Serena Williams turned out for the royal couple's nuptials, they weren't the only ones to enjoy the occasion.

Royal well-wishers from across the UK joined in with the wedding fever on Saturday night along with those celebrating the FA Cup final.

Revellers took advantage of the two grand occasions as well as the hot summer weather and had a right royal knees-up in British cities and towns.

In Birmingham several royal fans looked worse for wear as they stumbled along the city's streets, many being aided by others.

West Midlands Police were on hand to watch over the night which had no apparent trouble, with the region's Ambulance service warning revellers to safe during their night out.

Writing on Twitter West Midlands Ambulance said: 'If youre going out celebrating the #RoyalWedding make sure you look after yourself and your mates so you all get home safe.'

While royal enthusiasts might have spent the night with cheap booze and fancy dress, with many wearing wedding dresses, the newly married couple had a 'drinks of the world' themed bar.

Harry and Meghan's dinner party at Frogmore House in Windsor Great Park featured the Prince's favourite House tracks 'curated' by DJ Sam Totolee, who also performed at Pippa Middleton's wedding.

The menu featured candyfloss and 'dirty burgers' as midnight snacks, while one source reported a cocktail featuring ginger and rum was on the menu as a cheeky nod to Harry's red hair, named 'When Harry Met Meghan'.

The best Meghan Markle lookalike? Some royal fans opted for fancy dress (right) while enjoying their Saturday night as others were just happy to be there with friends (left)

Not the only wedding! Stag and Hen parties in Birmingham were out in force to celebrate not just the royal couple's nuptials but their impending ones too

Is that you, Harry? Helen Wright, 37, wore a Duke of Sussex mask and played a blow up guitar at the end of a fun night out on Birmingham's Broad Street

King for the night: One reveller decided to one-up the newly married couple and become a supreme royal with his fancy dress costume (left). Others weren't doing so well by the end of the night and needed help (right)

Here comes the bride: This pair went for a flower and cream heels ensemble to celebrate the royal nuptials in Blackpool while also enjoying the woman's hen do

Royal hangover: These nightclub-goers might be waking up with a sore head this morning after partying the night away in the seaside town of Blackpool

Hank Marvin, Starvin': These woman seemed to prefer a tasty snack rather than staying out any longer in Blackpool

Regrets: One woman (far right) seems to already be re-thinking her hectic evening in the North West town while her friend checks a mobile phone

Shoes are a girl's best friend: This reveller came prepared for her long evening ahead by apparently bringing a spare set of flats for when her heels became too painful to wear

Stumbling: A woman (right) is helped to her lodgings by two strangers who leave her in the hands of hotel staff on Broad Street in Birmingham as revellers (left) enjoy continued royal wedding and FA Cup Final celebrations

Police officers were on hand in Blackpool to ensure everyone enjoyed a safe night out celebrating the royal wedding and the FA Cup Final

Best of a British queue: Revellers waited for nearly half an hour to get into Zara's night club on Birmingham's Broad Street on Saturday night

West Midlands Police were on hand to watch over the night which had no apparent trouble, with the region's Ambulance service warning revellers to safe during their night out

Worse for wear: These stumbling revellers celebrating the Royal Wedding and FA Cup Final might wake up with a hangover
Two Jewish siblings in religious dress were last night assaulted in the street in a shocking unprovoked attack.

A woman, 25, and her 22-year-old brother were set upon in Caulfield North, Melbourne at about 7.30pm.

The attacker hit the man on the head and then cut the woman's shoulder and cheek with an unknown object.

Two Jewish siblings in religious dress were last night stabbed in the street in an unprovoked attack (stock image)

The man was treated at the scene while the woman was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Police are investigating if the attack was racially motivated.

Anti-Defamation Commission Chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich told The Herald Sun: 'If this assault, which is shocking on many levels, was in fact driven by anti-Semitism, it should be investigated as a hate-crime.

'We condemn in the strongest possible terms this ugly and violent attack on individuals who were visibly identifiable as Jews, and our thoughts are with the victims.'
Private school students have been handed sleep-inducing drugs by their teachers during an overseas excursion.

The teachers at Freeman Catholic College, in Sydney's west, have come under fire after they gave three students over-the-counter antihistamine tablets Phenergan.

The students were handed the pills for a 'range of anxiety-related issues' during a school excursion to Italy, Courier Mail reported.

Teachers at Freeman Catholic College (pictured), in Sydney's west, are under fire after they gave three students over-the-counter antihistamine tablets Phenergan during a school excursion to Italy

The school insisted to the publication that written parental permission was given for the students to receive appropriate medical treatment during the trip.

It also insisted that handing out the drug did not breach any guidelines or policies.

But one parent said the teachers should have resorted to other measures to relax the students instead of handing out medication.

'Teachers should be calming students down by talking to them, addressing their fears, not teaching them to resort to medication,' the parent, who wished to remain anonymous, told the publication.

Another parent believed the students had been given 'sleeping pills', before learning it was Phenergan.

A school spokesperson told the publication Phenergan was handed out as 'medical assistance' for a 'range of anxiety-related issues'.

Sydney Catholic Schools executive director Dan White insisted the teachers acted appropriately, adding that he was disappointed parents didn't raise their concerns directly with the school.

'This is especially disappointing when teachers go over and above to ensure that students are given the opportunity to access the curriculum in such an enriching way through an overseas excursion,' he told the publication.

A school spokesperson said the drug (stock image) was handed out to the students as 'medical assistance' for a 'range of anxiety-related issues'

'Our teachers are committed to the wellbeing of our students and take their responsibilities of acting in loco parentis very seriously.'

Phenergan is primarily used to counter allergic reactions, although it can be used as a short-term solution for sedation.

The drug is commonly kept by some schools as part of first aid kits in case of allergic reactions, according to the publication.

Eight teachers accompanied Year 10 history and Year 12 Italian students on the 15-day trip to Italy.
Serial killer Denis Nilsen has revealed his secret relationship with a fellow prisoner in secret letters he wrote in jail.

According to an article by the Mirror, Nilsen, who died last week aged 72, penned newly-uncovered letters about his romance with a man named 'Jimmy'.

Nilsen, who killed up to 16 men in North London, enjoyed a fling at maximum security HMP Whitemoor, Cambs.

The depraved murderer complained that the Home Office stopped Jimmy returning to visit him after being freed.

Nilsen, who died last week aged 72, penned newly-uncovered letters about his romance with a man named 'Jimmy'

Nilsen, who killed up to 16 men in North London, enjoyed a fling at maximum security HMP Whitemoor, Cambs (pictured being interviewed at the Albany Prison, Isle-of-Wight)

Nilson, who cut up and cooked victims, also revealed that 200 love letters from his homosexual friend disappeared in what he labelled as a homophobic plot against him.

He wrote: 'My affair was called Jimmy. We were companions.

'The Home Office banned him from visiting me for the rest of our lives. They don't like ex-cons and they like ex-con p***s even less.

'The prison dept is run by a load of s***s. Prior to Jimmy's release they confronted [stole] all 200 of my letters to him. That's the sort of trash they are when dealing with people's most private property.

'I too am not promiscuous and I've come to terms, in many ways, with the isolation and homphobia one feels in prison.

'Yes, there is a distinct pecking order in prison. There are gangs but I keep to myself because I find the tastes in the subculture extremely boring.

'The average con is as thick as two short planks (all mouth and trousers).

'However on a social level most of them can be quite friendly whilst keeping their distance.

'Nobody likes to be seen associating with a known gay.

'I am the only man in this s***hole who admits openly to being gay  there are others who are firmly locked inside the closet of their heads.'

Last week Nilsen was rushed to hospital with stomach pains. He died of complications from an emergency abdominal op.

He confessed to murdering either '15 or 16' young men, only putting him behind Harold Shipman as the UK's most prolific murderer.

The murderer's sick fantasies started his killing spree from 1978 to 1983 which saw him dismember his victims and perform sex acts over their corpses.

Nilsen wrote: 'I did a sex offender treatment course in 1994 lasting six months. It did me no good by their reckoning because after it they wrote that I was still very dangerous.

'They keep my level of dangerousness artificially high and the same to justify the Home Secretary's political decision in making me a 'whole life' prisoner.'

Nilson, who cut up and cooked victims, revealed that 200 love letters from his homosexual friend disappeared in what he labelled as a homophobic plot against him

One of Britain's most notorious serial killers leaves the Highgate Court in north London after being heard by the investigating judge

After neighbours complained to the landlord about the horrific stench from the drains at their flats in Muswell Hill, North London, Nilsen was arrested.

A plumber found the pipes were full of human remains. Nilsen was jailed for life in 1983, with a recommendation he serve at least 25 years.

He was convicted of six counts of murder after dismembering many of his victims, with the majority of them being homeless young gay men.

While imprisoned he bragged that he would not conform to prison rules and said serving in the Armed Forces was much tougher than jail.

Nilsen wrote: 'I am my own man and lead a life marginalised from official machinations.

'It was much rougher serving in the British Army in the 60s and early 70s.

'Imprisonment is a state of mind, not a physical thing.

'Standing up to the power and adversity of prison has greatly strengthened my soul.'
This is the bizarre moment a koala manned a fishing rod on the banks of a river.

The animal clutched the rod with both paws at the Murray River in northern Victoria.

The video was captured by Lorraine Johns who was having a picnic while fishing with her family when the koala grabbed the rod.

In the video, she can be heard joking: 'Catch anything today, mate?'

Ms Johns told 9NEWS: 'We just turned around and there it was holding onto the fishing pole!'

She said the koala was around them for about half an hour before moving on.
Two separate Air New Zealand flights were forced to land for safety checks after being truck by lightning.

The flights, heading from Wellington and Auckland to Queenstown, diverted to Christchurch Airport to undergo safety checks.

Passengers on flight NZ605 from Wellington said the A320 plane shook from violent turbulence and rose sharply in altitude before they noticed a burning smell, the NZ Herald reported.

Two separate Air New Zealand flights have been struck by lightning as they made the routine flight to Queenstown (stock image)

The flights, one from Wellington and the other from Auckland, were forced to divert to Christchurch Airport to undergo safety checks on Sunday afternoon (stock image)

'Flight NZ605 from Wellington to Queenstown and flight NZ621 from Auckland to Queenstown diverted to Christchurch after encountering lightning this afternoon,' an Air New Zealand spokesperson said.

'Customers have been accommodated on alternative services and by road.

'The A320 aircraft are undergoing standard engineering checks in Christchurch.

'There was a really loud bang. The whole plane shook and the skies outside the plane were brightly lit up,' Ben Taylor, a passenger on the flight, told the NZ Herald.

'Afterwards, there was an acrid, burning smell for a few seconds.'

Another passenger on the same flight described witnessing a lot of turbulence and the plane quickly gaining altitude.

'There was a loud sound and a flash of light that went through the plane, then a burnt smell for a few minutes,' Jason Epps-Eades explained.

'Flight NZ605 from Wellington to Queenstown and flight NZ621 from Auckland to Queenstown diverted to Christchurch after encountering lightning this afternoon,' an Air New Zealand spokesperson said (Christchurch airport pictured)

'You know its been a roller coaster descent when there are not one, but two rounds of applause when your plane finally touches down,' another passenger wrote on Twitter.

On Sunday night, Air New Zealand was continuing to experience flight disruptions.

'The team are receiving a high number of calls at the moment due to a number of flight disruptions,' the airline's Twitter account posted.

'Lightning strikes are not uncommon. Pilots were trained for such scenarios while aircraft are designed to cope with lightning strikes and our pilots train for this scenario,' an Air New Zealand spokesperson said.

Passengers from the flights were 'accommodated on alternative services' following the landing and the A320 aircraft was taken for engineering checks.
A teenage boy is dead and another is fighting for life after a horrific two vehicle crash in Queensland.

Police said a sedan and ute travelling in opposite directions along Tamborine Oxenford Road collided at around 3.30pm at Oxenford, north of the Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon.

A teenage boy, 15, who was a rear drivers side passenger in the sedan, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The fatal collision occurred on the Tamborine Oxenford Road north of the Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon (pictured)

'The driver of the sedan was transported to the Gold Coast University Hospital with critical injuries,' a Queensland Police statement said.

Two other passengers in the sedan and all three occupants of the ute suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the collision.

A Queensland Ambulance spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that three were taken to hospital by paramedics while two others made their own way to hospital.

Tamborine Oxenford Road remained closed between Michigan Drive (pictured) and the roundabout five hours after the crash

The Forensic Crash Unit remains at the scene.

As of Sunday night, Tamborine Oxenford Road remains closed between Michigan Drive and the roundabout while police conduct investigations.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that no further information was available.

'I drive that road every day, it is a dangerous bend especially with that quarry entrance right on the bend,' one man commented on the Queensland Police Facebook page.
Two prominent leaders with backgrounds in education, international relations and social entrepreneurship have recently joined the Board of Trustees of the American University in Cairo (AUC). The new additions to the board, Nora Abousteit 00, founder and CEO of social-crafting business CraftJam Inc, and Kristin Lord, president and CEO of the global development and education nonprofit IREX, bring diverse sets of skills to the board.

As an AUC alumna, Abousteit returns to her roots with her new position. German-born, fluent in German, Arabic and English, Abousteit graduated from AUC with a bachelors degree in Middle East studies and a minor in philosophy. She went on to pioneer the idea of social crafting. A social entrepreneur, she has previously founded online crafting communities with users numbering in the millions, including the worlds largest sewing network. She is the founder of Kollabora, an online community for DIY [Do It Yourself] projects and makers.

Nora Abousteit is an enterprising young alumna whose business background and creativity will bring freshness and vitality to her work with the board, said Richard Bartlett, chairman of AUCs Board of Trustees.

Abousteit talks frequently about entrepreneurship, and her writing about life as a company founder has been featured in a number of publications. Abousteit is a member of the board of directors of The Door, which provides youth development services.

My time at AUC was one of the most formative in my life, said Abousteit. It nurtured a great love of the institution and the people there, as well as a strong belief in the mission of AUC and my responsibility to help carry it forward.

Kristin Lord, who received her MA and PhD in government from Georgetown University and her BA in international studies from the American University, Washington DC, previously served as acting president and executive vice president of the United States Institute of Peace, where she headed the launch of an online education platform, the creation of PeaceTech Lab and the expansion of programmes on Africa and South/Central Asia.

In her four-year stint as executive vice president and the director of studies at the Centre for a New American Security (CNAS), Lord served as editor-in-chief of more than 100 CNAS publications and wrote significant studies on topics such as diplomacy and development, cyber security and US global engagement. As a fellow at the Brookings Institution, she directed the science and technology initiative of the Project on US Relations with the Islamic World and authored studies on human development in the Arab world and US public diplomacy.

Kristin Lords extensive experience working in development, with young people and directly with governmental leaders, makes her an excellent addition to the board, said Bartlett. Her background in education and her familiarity with the region will provide useful perspectives as the university charts its next 100 years.

Lord has been in higher education before, with two associate dean positions at George Washington Universitys Elliott School of International Affairs. With an international affairs fellowship from the Council on Foreign Relations, Lord also served as special adviser to the undersecretary of state for democracy and global affairs from 2005 to 2006. She has also served as co-chair of the Alliance for International Youth Development, is a member of the board of directors for the US Global Leadership Coalition and a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

I am truly honoured to join the Board of Trustees of AUC  an institution devoted to preparing young people to contribute to an even brighter, more prosperous future for the people of Egypt, the region and the world, Lord said.

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Social media firms could be fined over 1billion if they fail to take down terror material under a new internet crackdown, ministers today announced.

The hefty fines can also be dished out to firms which fail to ensure young children are not on their sites and or fail to tackle bullying and harassment.

Culture Secretary Matt Hancock today said he is determined to tackle the 'Wild West' of online.

And he revealed he was driven to launch the new crackdown after 10 out of 14 internet firms snubbed his invite to discuss how to tackle the issued.

Speaking on the Andrew Marr show today, Mr Hancock said that under new laws working their way through Parliament firms can be fined 4 per cent of their global turnover.

He said: 'In the case of some of the biggest companies that is over 1billion.'

Culture Secretary Matt Hancock (pictured on the Andrew Marr show with stand in host Emma Barrnett) today said he is determined to tackle the 'Wild West' of online

He added: 'I hope we get to aposition whre everybody has to have their age verified before they are allowed on these sites.'

However, quizzed over how many children would have to be on the site for it to be slapped with the maximum fine, he was unable to give a figure.

Mr Hancock said he held a meeting to talk with tech giants about how to collaborate to tackle the scourge of abuse and terror material online.

But only four firms turned up - fuelling his desire to impose fresh laws to force them to act.

He said: 'That is one the reasons we are legislating. The fact only four companies turned up out of the 14 invited gave me a big impetus to drive these proposals for legislation through.'

Matt Hancock said he held a meeting to talk with tech giants about how to collaborate to tackle the scourge of abuse and terror material online

In a separate statement, he said: 'Digital technology is overwhelmingly a force for good across the world and we must always champion innovation and change for the better.

'At the same time I have been clear that we have to address the wild west elements of the internet through legislation, in a way that supports innovation.

'We strongly support technology companies to start up and grow, and we want to work with them to keep our citizens safe.

'People increasingly live their lives through online platforms so it's more important than ever that people are safe and parents can have confidence they can keep their children from harm.

'The measures we're taking forward today will help make sure children are protected online and balance the need for safety with the great freedoms the internet brings just as we have to strike this balance offline.'
A fatal stabbing on the streets of London has brought the capital's 2018 murder toll to 65 people.

The victim, named by police as 28-year-old Arunesh Thangarajah, was stabbed to death in a senseless and frenzied attack in the early hours of Sunday in Mitcham, south-west London.

Police arrested a 44-year-old man on suspicion of murder at the scene and he remains in custody.

Arunesh Thangarajah (pictured) has been named as the young man who was stabbed to death in Mitcham

Police were at the scene throughout Sunday as they investigate the death of the latest victim

This graphic shows the deaths that have blighted the capital so far this year as shootings and stabbings caused the homicide rate to rise higher than New York's

Police launched a murder investigation after officers were called at 3.29am to the Upper Green East area.

Local residents took pictures of a bodybag at the scene in Mitcham as police carried out their investigation.

Concerned local resident Shelly, 48, from neighbouring Montrose Gardens, said: 'It's another death, another young boy - we've had enough of it quite frankly.

'He was attacked over at the Co-op and he stumbled over here and across the road, looking for help.

'There's young kids taking photos of the scene and putting them online, they all think it's normal now.'

Local shopworker Milan, 26, said: 'This is terrible - I am scared for the safety of my child now.'

London mayor Sadiq Khan said: 'The homicide team is investigating and they will do everything they can to bring the perpetrator to justice. My thoughts are with the victim's family.'

He urged anyone with information to contact the police and said he has contacted the Metropolitan Police, the local MP and local council leader about the killing.

Police have arrested a 44-year-old man after the victim was stabbed to death on the streets of south London

The victim died of stab wounds in the early hours of Sunday morning in Mitcham (pictured)

It marks the 65th murder this year in London, where the homicide rate overtook New York's for the first time since records began.

It comes just days after a trainee bricklayer was stabbed to death outside his home in Barking, East London.

The 24-year-old, named locally as Mani, ran away from his attackers wearing his slippers as he tried to escape them close to midnight.

Yesterday a 16-year-old boy from Hillingdon was charged with the murder of 20-year-old Osman Shidane in Ruislip.

Mr Shidane was killed on Wednesday and the teenager will face Hillingdon Magistrates Court tomorrow.

A 15-year-old girl who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on police bail.

Officers have arrested a 44-year-old man on suspicion of murder as the victim becomes the 65th to be killed in London this year

Friends of the homeless victim have said that he was a kind person who would give people his last penny

Forensics officers are scouring the scene after this year's 65th murder

Police are pictured in Barking, East London, here a young bricklayer became the capital's 64th murder victim on Thursday

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating after Osman died in hospital following the stabbing.

In the first three months of this year 45 murders were recorded, compared to the first quarter of 2017 when there were 23.

There were two stabbings in just half an hour last month, when on April 15 young father Raul Nicolaie was knifed to death aged 26 in north London. In Brixton in the south of the capital, a woman lost her life to knife crime.

An urgent investigation into the violent crime wave in the capital was launched by the Police and Crime Committee of the London Assembly - and Mayor Sadiq Khan has been urged to 'take hold of the situation'.
Queen Elizabeth II this morning left Windsor Castle for church without her husband Prince Philip, one day after her grandson Prince Harry married Meghan Markle.

The monarch, who regularly attends the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor Great Park, was seen travelling in a Range Rover past the entrance of Windsor Farm shop.

The Queen was later spotted being driven back to the castle soon after the morning service had finished, with her car sweeping into a side entrance onto the estate.

The Queen leaves Windsor Castle this morning, one day after her grandson Harry's wedding

The monarch was pictured in a car in Berkshire this morning, following the royal wedding

She had attended the royal wedding with the 96-year-old Duke of Edinburgh yesterday, just six weeks after he had a planned hip replacement operation.

Philip's attendance for the royal nuptials had initially been in doubt following the operation on April 4, and he spent six weeks on a rehabilitation programme.

But royal enthusiasts were relieved at his appearance yesterday, and he waved enthusiastically to the crowd as he left St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

He had made his first public appearance since the operation last week at the Royal Windsor Horse show, and was later spotted driving himself around in a Land Rover.

The Queen was seen travelling in a Range Rover past the entrance of Windsor Farm shop today

The Queen was later spotted being driven back to the castle soon after the service had ended

In Windsor this morning, normality was returning with relatively few signs remaining of the festivities, pomp and pageantry that went into staging the royal wedding.

However there were innumerable Union Jacks still adorning the Berkshire town today, where an estimated 100,000 people turned out to see the couple.

Newlyweds Harry and Meghan begin their first day as a married couple today after tying the knot during an emotional wedding ceremony that captivated the nation.

They sealed their union with a kiss, processed through Windsor in a carriage and had a moving wedding reception speech in their honour from Prince Charles.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh leave St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle yesterday

The senior royals are pictured after the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry yesterday

Now they are expected to travel home to take up royal duties, after exchanging vows in front of 600 guests including the Queen and more than 30 royals.

Famous faces like US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey, tennis champion Serena Williams, actor George Clooney and his barrister wife Amal Clooney also attended.

Sir Elton John, who sang at the funeral service for Harry's mother, Diana, performed at the lunchtime reception - while David and Victoria Beckham were also there.
Tory MPs are preparing for another snap election maid fears the Brexit talks will collapse and Theresa May will be ousted from office this autumn.

Some have spoken to their local party associations and asked to be kept on as parliamentary candidates in case of another election, it has been reported.

The move comes amid growing fears that Mrs May leadership will collapse as she cannot reconcile the Brexiteer and Remainer wings of her party.

Brexit negotiations reach their crunch verdict in autumn when EU leaders are due to meet and decided whether or not to sign off on the deal.

But the PM's plans for a future partnership with the Brussels block has hit the buffers again amid a row over customs arrangements.

There are growing fears that Theresa May (pictured going to church with her husband Philip today) will be ousted as she she cannot reconcile the Brexiteer and Remainer wings of her party.

Mrs May has put forward two pans - her preferred option of a customs partnership which would see the UK collect tariffs for the bloc - and a max fac option of using technology to facilitate trade.

But Brexit backing Cabinet ministers have publicly rubbished the customs partnership model.

Boris Johnson branded the idea 'crazy' and Michael Gove has also spoken out against it.

The back-bench MPs acted after meeting the PM last week for a private Brexit briefing as she tried to stem the row over customs.

But far from reassuring her backbenchers, they left convinced another election could be around the corner, according to The Sunday Times.

One Tory Brexiteer told the newspaper: 'It's becoming clear there's no compromise that will keep remainers such as Nicky Morgan, Anna Soubry and Dominic Grieve happy as well as the likes of myself and Jacob Rees-Mogg.

'The numbers are against us and if we face repeated defeats when the withdrawal bill returns to the Commons, the only alternative will be to kick over the table and trigger a vote of no confidence in the prime minister, which will likely lead to another General Election.

'After speaking with likeminded colleagues, I have raised this with my association chairman and asked them to get on with readopting me as the candidate in my seat in anticipation that we could go to the polls as early as the autumn.

'I am even preparing my first leaflet drop for the summer.'

Backbenchers say they believe that Theresa May will not be able to bring the Brexiteers - left by Jacob Rees-Mogg (pictured left) and the Remainers - led by Anna Soubry (pictured right) together to sign off on her Brexit deal

Labour MPs are also discussing the prospect of an October election after news of the Tory plans found their way to the opposition's office.

A Labour Party insider said: 'I heard two separate reports from MPs who said they had heard Conservative MPs planning for an early election.'

But Tory MP and leading Remainer Sarah Wollaston today hit out at her colleagues for maneuvering.

She told ITV's Peston on Sunday: 'It is very unlkely we are heading for a General Election 0 it owuld be very destrabilising.

'There is no majority in Parliament for a had Brexit....those of my colleagues who want to push this into being a leadership question are doing a great disservice to the party.'
Senseless vandals destroyed 16 gravestones in a shocking night-time attack.

Kaye Wesley went to visit her brother's grave at her family cemetery in Napier, New Zealand on Saturday morning.

She was shocked to find the headstone destroyed along with 15 of her ancestors' graves and filmed the damage on her phone.

'It's like we've got to bury our family again,' Ms Wesley told Stuff.

'We're all just emotionally drained. I was up at 4am today, and it's just not nice. I am just lost for words.'

She said thought the vandals deliberately targeted her family and that the graves would cost between $5,000 and $10,000 each to replace.

A fundraising page has been set up to help Ms Wesley fix the gravestones.

It reads: 'Kaye Wesely was on her way to a funeral and decided to drop into her family urupa in Raupunga to pay respects to her brother.

'When she arrived she was shocked and saddened to find destruction everywhere. Someone had gone through and systemically broken and destroyed most of the headstones in the cemetery.

'This act is unthinkable to many people out there and after the video going viral many people offered their heartfelt condolences and were wanting a way to help restore the headstones to support the Waihape family.

'As I'm sure you'll understand this is a very difficult time for the family involved. It is our goal to fix this as soon as possible so the family can heal the hurt created and fix what was broken.'
Peter Mandelson today said he was so moved by the Royal wedding that he is considering popping the question to his partner of 20 years.

The Labour peer said people across the UK will be 'inspired' by the moving display of love they witnessed between Prince Harry and his wife Meghan.

Lord Mandelson has previously shrugged off questions over whether he would walk down the aisle with Reinaldo Avila da Silva.

He told ITV One's Peston on Sunday: 'People all over the country are going to feel inspired, they are all going to want to run out and get married now.

'Even I am now wondering whether I should finally tie the knot with my partner after 20 years of living together.

Peter Mandelson today said he was so moved by the Royal wedding that he is considering popping the question to his partner of 20 years

'I'm now thinking about it. We need a discussion about this.'

Lord Mandelson later suggested he had 'almost gone further' than he should have done and insisted it was not a 'unilateral decision'.

Culture Secretary Matt Hancock urged the peer to look into the camera and make a proposal on live television.

But Lord Mandelson suggested it was time to press on with interviewing the Cabinet minister.

Lord Mandelson said the wedding showed the princes were 'well brought up boys' and they had 'married well'.

The Labour peer said people across the UK will be 'inspired' by the moving display of love they witnessed between Prince Harry and his wife Meghan (pictured together after exchanging their vows)

Over 1 billion people around the world tuned in to watch Prince Harry as he tied the knot with his partner (pictured, sharing their first kiss as a married couple)

Peter Mandelson (pictured with his partner Reinaldo Da Silva at the Millennium Dome opening in 2000) suggested they may be hearing wedding bells soon

He said: 'The whole thing was completely sparkling. It was brilliant.

'I think that Harry and Meghan, but also William and Kate, are a complete credit to their family and to the job they are doing.

'And, I think they have probably secured the royal family and the monarchy for a long time to come.'

Over 1 billion people around the world tuned in to watch Prince Harry as he tied the knot with his partner.

Pundits hailed it as the most modern royal wedding ever and said the fact a royal can wed a mixed raced divorcee American shows how far the country has moved on.
The BBC won the battle for the royal wedding viewing figures racking up more than four times as many viewers as ITV and nearly ten times as many as Sky.

In total, about one in four people in the UK watched Prince Harry's wedding live on TV.

More than 17 million Brits saw the sixth-in-line to the throne marry US former actress Meghan Markle, with the BBC taking 64 per cent of the total TV share between 9am and 2pm.

The peak: More than 13 million people tuned into BBC1 to watch Harry and Meghan's procession through Windsor

ITV's audience peaked with 3.6 million viewers figures peaked at the moment the couple came onto the steps of the chapel to kiss

Sky One's viewing figures peaked early at around 11:30am when Meghan was first spotted in her Givenchy dress

A further 3.5 million people tuned into BBC2 in the evening to watch the highlight's of the wedding.

Despite being the most watched event of the year, it didn't rival the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, or Charles and Diana's 1981 wedding which saw 26 million and 28 million British viewers tune in respectively.

Prince William tied the knot of a bank holiday, whereas Harry's wedding was a 'normal' Friday, which coincided with the FA Cup final.

But, it is not yet clear how many watched livestreams of the wedding online.

The BBC was the winner of the day, with more than 13 million viewers tuning in to watch coverage led by Kirsty Young, Huw Edwards and Dermot O'Leary.

The public broadcast peaked at 13.1 million viewers just after 1pm, when the couple left St. George's Chapel and began the procession through Windsor in the Ascot Landau carriage.

Dermot O' Leary and Kirsty Young were chosen to host one of the BBC programmes

Julie Etchingham and Phillip Schofield anchored ITV's coverage live from a specially constructed studio on The Long Walk in Windsor

Over on Sky News, Kay Burley's performance saw less than a million viewers and was slammed by critics

The five-minute audience peak on BBC1 is the biggest across all channels this year.

On average 8.7 million viewers tuned in to the BBC's coverage, nearly ten times that of Sky One, which saw averaged just 880 thousand viewers.

Fronted by Kay Burley, Sky One's figures peaked when 1.35 million people tuned in at 11:30 - shortly after viewers got the first peak of the Duchess of Sussex's Givenchy dress.

ITV's audience peaked with 3.6 million viewers, at a different time to the BBC and Sky, just after 2pm when the newlyweds kissed on the West Steps of St George's Chapel.

ITV's coverage led by Phillip Schofield and Julie Etchingham - averaged 2.5 million viewers and a 18.6 per cent share between 9.25am and 3pm.

Dermot O'Leary and Kirsty Young fronted the BBC's coverage of the royal wedding

Far more at home with more formal state occasions the BBC's coverage was narrated sombrely by Huw Edwards

More than four million tuned into ITV later than evening to watch Britian's Got Talent, nearly twice as many as watched the channel's coverage of the royal nuptials.

On BBC1, the FA Cup final averaged 6.7 million viewers and peaked at 8.7 million.

Charlotte Moore, director of BBC content, said: 'BBC1 brought the nation together in their millions for a super Saturday to remember, combining the royal wedding with a peak audience of 13.1 million viewers and the FA Cup Final.'

Global figures for the wedding aren't yet available. Before the wedding, it was predicted more than three billion people would tune in to watch the wedding globally, including those watching online. Forecasters are now predicting a final figure of around 1.9billion - about the same that watched William wed Kate seven years ago.

The last time a royal wedding took place on a Saturday was on April 9, 2005, when Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles.

Kay Burley was criticised on social media for her chaotic coverage of the event

TV cameras were not allowed into Windsor Guildhall to broadcast the ceremony, but a televised service of blessing in St George's Chapel was broadcast on BBC1 and attracted an audience of 7.4 million.

When Prince Edward married Sophie Rhys-Jones on Saturday, June 19 in 1999, both BBC1 and ITV broadcast the ceremony at St George's Chapel.

The wedding pulled in a combined audience of 14.8 million.

The wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson on Wednesday, July 23, 1986 was watched by an average of 12.5 million on BBC1 - roughly double the number (6.2 million) that chose ITV.

When Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer on Wednesday, July 29, 1981 the country was given the day off.

An estimated 19.4 million people watched the wedding on BBC1, compared with 9.0 million in ITV - although these figures were calculated under a different ratings system to the one used for subsequent royal weddings.
An orphan from Lesotho, Africa, was apparently one of the first guests to greet the royal newlyweds after Prince Harry flew the 18-year-old over for the royal wedding.

Mutsu Potsane met the newly titled Duke of Sussex when he was four years old during the Prince's gap-year stay in the southern African nation.

They quickly struck up a close friendship and stayed in touch over the years - with Harry returning to the kingdom in 2016 to continue his charity work for the nation.

Mutsu, whose proper first name is Relebohile, was among one of ten representatives from Harry's charity Sentebale.

Heartwarming photos show Prince Harry sharing an emotional reunion with African orphan Mutsu in 2016

Mutsu was apparently one of the first guests to greet the royal newlyweds after Prince Harry flew the 18-year-old over for the royal wedding

He co-founded the charity Sentebale  meaning 'forget me not'  with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 to improve prospects for the thousands of children and young people affected by HIV/Aids in the landlocked African country.

Prince Seeiso, 52, who attended the wedding with his wife, Princess Mabereng, said: 'The young Harry who first arrived in Lesotho in 2004 is now a grown man getting married.

'Ive come here with all the wishes of Lesotho, Im not here on my own behalf Im here representing the entire nation who are so happy.'

A total of 200 representatives from different charities were among the 2,460 members of the public with an invitation to celebrate the wedding inside the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Sentebale chairman Johnny Hornby said 18-year-old Mutsu was among the first group to greet the newlyweds after they left St George's Chapel following their nuptials, the Daily Express report.

Mutsu met the newly titled Duke of Sussex when he was four years old (right). They quickly struck up a close friendship and stayed in touch over the years - with Harry returning to the kingdom in 2016 (left) to continue his charity work for the nation

Mutsu, whose proper first name is Relebohile, was among one of ten representatives from Harry's charity Sentebale

The friends were reunited when Harry returned to Lesotho two years ago for an ITV documentary. The 33-year-old scooped the then 15-year-old off the ground for a giant hug after the pair first noticed each other and the two chatted about their time apart

He added: 'He's a bit shy now, but he's doing really well. He's just finishing school.'

Sentebale shared a photo of some of its members enjoying the celebrations, tweeting: Congratulations to the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex, from everyone at Sentebale.

'We were delighted that some of our Lesotho team were able to join in the very special celebrations in Windsor today!

Mutsu, who was just a toddler when he first met Harry, was introduced to the royal at the Mants'ase Children's Home for orphans near Mohale's Hoek, outside Lesotho's capital Maseru.

Sentebale shared a photo of some of its members enjoying the celebrations

The newly married Prince went to the home to help children stricken by the HIV and Aids crisis.

He even gifted Mutsu with a pair of bright blue wellington boots, which apparently he cherished for many years.

The friends were reunited when Harry returned to Lesotho two years ago for an ITV documentary.

The 33-year-old scooped the then 15-year-old off the ground for a giant hug after the pair first noticed each other and the two chatted about their time apart.

Harry co-founded the charity Sentebale  meaning 'forget me not'  with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006

A total of 200 representatives from different charities were among the 2,460 members of the public with an invitation to celebrate the wedding inside the grounds of Windsor Castle

The newly married Prince previously went to Africa to help children stricken by the HIV and Aids crisis

Harry later said: 'It's great to see that he is so happy. Our tree has survived, it's grown up. The fence that we built is still there.

'Obviously, I would prefer it in a weird way for him not to have been there, and for us to not know where he was.

'Because then we know that he's happy with a family member, but sadly for him that's not the case.'

Prince Harry mentioned fatherhood in the documentary and while reflecting on his aid work, he mused: 'For me I have this love of Africa that will never disappear... and I hope that it carries on with my children as well.'

Harry also received praise in the documentary from Sir Elton John, who urged people to go to see the work being done by Sentebale.

He said: 'If his mother was alive, she'd still be doing the work she set out to be doing, and he's carrying it on in the best possible way.'
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a group of Islamic State fighters had been evacuated from the last insurgent enclave near Damascus on Sunday in a withdrawal that will restore state control over the area.

Syrian state media made no mention of a deal to allow the militants to leave the enclave centred around the Palestinian Yarmouk refugee camp.

On Saturday, a Syrian military source denied that any agreement had been reached, state media said.

With the recovery of the Yarmouk enclave, the Syrian government will have crushed the last besieged rebel enclave in western Syria, though swathes of territory at the borders with Turkey, Iraq and Jordan remain outside its control.

Syrian state media made no mention of a deal to allow the militants to leave the enclave centred around the Palestinian Yarmouk refugee camp

The Observatory said buses had entered the enclave after midnight to take out fighters and their families.

They had departed in the direction of the Syrian badia, a sparsely populated area to east of the capital. (Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Mark Potter)

The regime of President Bashar al-Assad last month launched a wide-scale offensive'A ceasefire came into effect at midday today, ostensibly for five hours,' the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP late Saturday that the truce, which may be a prelude to the evacuation of IS fighters from the area, was still in effect.

He said the ceasefire had been negotiated by regime ally Russia and pro-government Palestinian factions.

Syria's state-run Sana news agency however quoted a military source as denying the agreement.

Loyalist forces launched a ferocious assault in southern Damascus after capturing the Eastern Ghouta rebel stronghold near the capital in April.

They have already retaken the Qadam neighbourhood, but the jihadists retain control of around 70 percent of Yarmuk.

According to Observatory, fighting in southern Damascus has killed 484 IS members and more than 250 pro-regime fighters as well as 56 civilians.

Once a thriving district home to some 160,000 Palestinians and Syrians, Yarmuk's population has fallen to just a few hundred people.

Syria's war has left more than 350,000 people dead since it started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests, before spiralling into a complex conflict involving world powers and jihadists.
Critically-acclaimed Elvis impersonator Shawn Klush. He had been performing at a Dorset venue before violence broke out

Elvis Presley fans clashed with theatre-goers after a late night brawl erupted in a bar at one of the South West's biggest venues.

Audiences at the Poole Lighthouse in Dorset had been watching a King of Rock and Roll tribute act and the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie.

The Elvis impersonator was singing in the building's 1,500-seat concert hall while the star-studded musical was being held in the 669-seat theatre.

But after the shows ended on Thursday, violence broke in the bar area at about 10.40pm.

A fleet of police cars descended on the venue and a 56-year-old man was taken to hospital by paramedics after suffering cuts to his face.

Two women, aged 19 and 52, were arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.

A 19-year-old from Bournemouth was arrested on suspicion of affray and assaulting a police officer, and a 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault.

Hundreds of people had gathered to watch critically-acclaimed Elvis impersonator Shawn Klush, who is currently on his Elvis World Tour in the UK and US.

The first floor bar at the Poole Lighthouse venue where violence broke out among two audiences

A stone's throw away, theatre fans enjoyed Thoroughly Modern Millie, which is based on the Academy Award-winning film starring Julie Andrews.

Coronation Street and Emmerdale star Hayley Tammadon took the lead role in the production, which is set at the height of the Jazz Age in New York City.

Susie Carver, a spokesman for Poole Lighthouse Theatre, said: 'A small isolated incident broke out at the end of the evening between visitors to the theatre.

'Security was on hand and our staff dealt with things swiftly and efficiently, administering first aid where required and calling police and ambulance to the scene.

The Poole Lighthouse in Dorset, which has a 1,500-seat concert hall and a 669-seat theatre

Posters advertising Elvis impersonator Shawn Klush's world tour (left) and the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie (right)

'Nobody else was involved in the incident and this morning we are helping police officers with their investigation and examining our CCTV footage.

'Fortunately incidents of this nature are extremely rare at the Lighthouse.'

Police cars gathered outside the Poole Lighthouse in Dorset after violence erupted in the bar area. Officers arrested four people following the incident
Oriental music, Sufi chanting, folk dancing, handicraft workshops as well as exhibitions, plays and concerts are among some of the cultural events to expect in the holy month of Ramadan

To celebrate Ramadan this year, the Ministry of Antiquities and three Culture Ministry divisions  the Cultural Development Fund (CDF), the Cultural Palaces and the Creativity Centres  have organised intensive programmes, most of them free of charge. According to CDF head Fathi Abdel-Wahab, outdoor events are more forthcoming because May, during which the lunar month occurs, is not as hot as June. Under the slogan Creativity Brings Us Together, he said, Creativity will play a big role in gathering all kinds of people under the umbrella of culture.

Highlights include the famous operetta Al-Leila Al-Kebira (with lyrics by Salah Jahine and music by Sayed Mekkawi, two great figures of the 1960s) at the Talaat Harb Creativity Centre; religious chanting and Samaa group performances featuring star sheikhs Mahmoud Al-Tuhami and Amer Al-Tuni as well as Tanoura Whirling Dervishes performances at the Al-Ghouri complex, directed by Intisar Abdel Fatah; and a performance by the Busairi Burda group, founded in honour of the great Sufi poem in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (written by the 13th-century Shadhili dervish whom the Prophet cured of paralysis in a dream) at Beit Al-Suheimy in Al-Azhar.

At the Childrens Creativity Centre, under the title Nourak Ya Ramadan (or Your Light, Ramadan), ceramic, puppet and fanoos Ramadan making workshops will take place, as well as puppet and shadow puppet performances, concerts and storytelling. The House of Egyptian Architecture will host a series of cultural salons discussing art, music and architecture topics, while the Centre for Artistic Creativity on the Opera House grounds, directed by Khaled Galal, will present Galals latest play, Sallem Nafsak (or Surrender), a tragicomedy performed by centre trainees. Harpist Manal Mohi Al-Din will be among the virtuosos to perform in Alexandria.

According to Head of the Culture Palaces Ahmed Awwad, a programme of plays organised in collaboration with the Theatre Art House will focus on such topics as terrorism and unemployment; the Palaces will also present poetry readings and exhibitions.

For his part Cairo Opera House Chairman Magdi Al-Ansari says there will be 42 events to emphasise the role of the Cairo Opera House as a beacon of soft power in the course of Ramadan. These include folk music and dance from Indonesia, Tunisia, Palestine, Sudan, Bosnia and Herzegovina  Islamic countries  at the Small Hall and Open-air Theatre, as well as a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Armenian independence and 16 Arabic music concerts featuring, among others, pop star Medhat Saleh, Syrian Sufi group of Abu Sheir Brothers and marimba player Nesma Abdel Aziz.

As for the Ministry of Antiquities, it is organising a special show on the history of the fanoos or lantern at the Egyptian Museum pergola. Museum director Sabah Abdel-Razek explained that the show will go back to ancient times, presenting arts and crafts techniques through the ages. The Museum of Islamic Art too is organising workshops lead by artist Marwa Abul-Dahab.

This article was first published in Al Ahram Weekly

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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A pregnant mother has walked free from jail after stealing 29 air conditioners and selling them on Facebook to pay her drug dealer for ice.

Briennah Tenielle Boughton was 18 and addicted to the drug when she stole the units from a miners camp in Moranbah, 200km south-west of Mackay, in 2016.

She was sentenced on Friday to 18-months' jail - with immediate release on parole - for stealing the units and selling them online for between $500 and $1,400 each, Sunshine Coast Daily reported.

Briennah Tenielle Boughton (pictured) has walked free from jail after stealing 29 air conditioners from a miners' camp in Moranbah, 200km south-west of Mackay, in 2016 to pay her drug dealer

Boughton (pictured) was sentenced on Friday to 18-months' jail - with immediate release on parole - for stealing the units and selling them online for between $500 and $1,400 each

The court heard she broke into the camp - which was owned by BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) - three times to steal the units and remotes.

Prosecutor Jess King told the court that BMA estimate the units and damage caused to the property cost the company $40,000.

Boughton sold the air conditioners on a Facebook buy, swap and sell page, although only 10 per cent of the money was kept for herself while the rest went to her drug dealer, court heard.

The then teenager was using illicit drugs at the time after losing her job, while battling mental health issues, according to the publication.

She had been in a violent relationship with the man who introduced her to ice, which she has previously been sentenced to possessing two grams of.

He was sentenced to jail for drug trafficking, which led to a period of sobriety for Boughton while he was in jail.

Boughton sold the air conditioners (stock image) on a Facebook buy, swap and sell page, although only 10 per cent of the money was kept for herself while the rest went to her drug dealer, court heard

The then teenager was using illicit drugs (stock image) at the time after losing her job while battling mental health issues

But when he was released from prison, he tracked Boughton down and beat her for co-operating with police.

Boughton later returned to drug use and co-operated with her co-accused dealer to steal almost 30 air conditioning units.

She also pleaded guilty to breaching bail conditions after the Supreme Court sentenced her for possessing meth.

Her defence lawyer Joanne Madden told the court Boughton misunderstood her bail conditions and thought she was no longer required to report.

She also told the court of her client's drug and offending rehabilitation efforts.

Boughton was handed by Magistrate Cameron Press restitution orders totalling $1036.30, along with a $250 fine for other offences. Pictured: Rockhampton Court House

'I don't think I've ever seen, in all the years I've been representing people with drug addictions, seen one address their issues to the extent Boughton has,' Ms Madden said, according to Sunshine Coast Daily.

'Most people only go off to do one course. She has done everything that is possible for her to do to get off drugs and understand her triggers for mental health.'

Boughton has been in a stable relationship for the last 18 months with a new boyfriend, who is the father of her four-month-old child.

She is currently pregnant with a second child.

Boughton was handed by Magistrate Cameron Press restitution orders totalling $1036.30, along with a $250 fine for other offences.
Alaska Airlines made history last week with its first all-female, African-American flight crew.

Captain Tara Wright and First Officer Mallory Cave were at the helm of Alaskan Flight #361 last Sunday heading from San Francisco to Portland, Oregon.

In a Facebook video, the two women stand at the front of the cabin seemingly preparing to address the passengers in a typical summary of the upcoming flight

Alaska Airlines made history last week when Flight #361 last Sunday heading from San Francisco to Portland, Oregon, was the first of the carrier's flights to be piloted by two African-American women: Captain Tara Wright (in cap) and First Officer Mallory Cave

The passengers burst into applause at the announcement and one of the passengers asked the women to pose for a photo before they returned to the cockpit (Pictured, Wright, left, and Cave)

'Today is a fun day. We have Mother's Day, and I'm sure there are plenty of mothers on board this morning,' Wright began in her address to the cabin.

She also mentioned that it was her father's 80th birthday which he was spending by 'roaming the countryside in Spain this morning'.

Finally, Wright launches into the main reason why that Sunday is such a special day.

'And finally...you're sharing a pretty interesting piece of Alaska Airlines history this morning,' she said. 'You'll be piloted by two African-American female pilots, for the first time in Alaska Airlines history.'

The passengers burst into applause as Wright joked: 'You're making [history] this morning, whether you're awake or not.'

One of the passengers then asks the women to pose for a photo before they return to the cockpit.

The video was first uploaded to Wright's Facebook page before Alaska Airlines shared it on its social media page.

'History in the flying,' the airline captioned the post, also referencing Bessie Coleman, the first black woman to earn a pilot's license and fly a public flight.

'What Bessie Coleman started in 1921, we continue here,' the airline wrote.

So far, the video has been viewed more than 1.2 million times with more than 23,000 reactions and more than 20,000 shares.

The video was first uploaded to Wright's Facebook page before Alaska Airlines shared it on its social media page. So far, the video has been viewed more than 1.2 million times with more than 23,000 reactions and more than 20,000 shares (Pictured, Wright, left, and Cave, right)

According to the Institute for Women of Aviation Worldwide, 4.36 percent of airline pilots in the US are women, and Sisters of the Skies claims that there are less than 150 black female pilots in the US with licenses

This is not the first time a US commercial flight had been commanded by an African-American female crew.

In February 2009, an Atlantic Southeast Airlines (now ExpressJet) flight from Nashville to Atlanta became the first to be manned by an all-female, all-African-American crew with Captain Rachelle Jones Kerr, First Officer Stephanie Grant, and flight attendants Diana Galloway and Robin Rogers.

According to the Institute for Women of Aviation Worldwide, 4.36 percent of airline pilots in the US are women.

And Sisters of the Skies, a nonprofit organization that helps promote women in the airline industry, claims that there are less than 150 black female pilots in the US who hold airline transport pilot, commercial, military, and/or certified flight instructor licenses.
The construction of a $3 million two-storey mosque is expected to pass a court appeal after years of protest and division in an Adelaide community.

The controversial development by the Shia community of South Australia is set to begin on the corner of Bridge Road and Research Road in Pooraka, 15km north-east of Adelaide.

Since council approval in March last year, there have been four hearings in the Environment, Resources and Development Court concerning the specific conditions of the development.

The construction of a $3 million two-storey mosque is expected to pass a court appeal after years of protest and division in an Adelaide community

The controversial development is set to begin on the corner of Bridge Road and Research Road in Pooraka, 15km north-east of Adelaide (Google map view pictured)

'The court intends to approve the development but the determination is not yet finalised as the court has requested submissions from all parties on the conditions to be applied,' a report from Salisbury Council development committee read.

Minor issues including stormwater management and fencing were raised during a routine hearing last week, the Adelaide Advertiser reported.

The Concerned Citizens of South Australia (CCSA), a group opposed to the mosque and 1000-plot cemetery project since its inception, lodged an appeal in the ERD Court last year.

The group formed in 2015 to protest the approval of another mosque in the area and argued the new development would create traffic and parking issues in the neighbourhood.

The Concerned Citizens of South Australia (CCSA), a group which formed in 2015 to protest the approval of another mosque in the area, lodged an appeal in the ERD Court last year

The Shia Community (pictured in prayer at another Adelaide mosque) bought the land for $1.4m in 2016 and construction is expected to begin once court proceedings are completed

A GoFundMe campaign was created to support the appeal and raised $8,000 to cover legal costs to fight the mosque.

A 200-signature petition opposing the development was submitted to the council in February.

The Shia Community bought the land for $1.4million in 2016 and construction is expected to begin once court proceedings are completed.

Initial plans included a 500-person capacity building on a 1.38ha block comprised of prayer halls, meeting rooms, a cemetery, a playground and a 150-space car park.
A teenager who invaded a family home in the night and beat up the owner before stealing his car has been jailed for three years and ten months.

Ajok Mayen, 19, raided the home in Hoppers Crossing, Melbourne with five other African youths in April last year.

They woke up the owner, pinned him down and bashed him while his frightened wife and children were in the house.

A teenager who invaded a family home in the night and beat up the owner before stealing his car has been jailed for three years and ten months. Pictured: Victoria County Court

The teenagers then stole his Mazda, which Mayen was found driving recklessly the next day, forcing other motorists off the road with his 'crazy manoeuvres'.

Mayen pleaded guilty to the home invasion, assault, theft, and reckless driving placing persons in danger of serious injury.

Sentencing at Victoria County Court, Judge Tinney described the crime as a 'terrifying home invasion.'

He said a youth sentence would be inadequate because the maximum jail term is three years, reported The Herald Sun.

The judge added: 'This court must send a loud and clear message as to the seriousness with which this type of offending will be viewed.'
Emma Barnett made a triumphant return to TV today just three months after having a baby to stand in for Andrew Marr while he is being treated for cancer.

The radio show host used her trademark tough interviewing tactics to give Labour shadow minister Barry Gardiner a tough grilling.

She shadow international trade secretary was left squirming in his seat when she played him back leaked audio in which he rubbished Labour's Brexit policy.

And she also challenged him over other leaked comments where he claimed risks to the Good Friday Agreement from Brexit were being 'played up' for political reasons.

Her fans urged the BBC to give Ms Barnett her own show after she left MPs floundering under her fierce questioning.

Mr Gardiner, a Corbyn ally was left struggling to answer as Ms Barnett asked him directly 'do you only tell the truth in private?'

She added: 'Which Barry Gardiner is the truth? The one that speaks in private or the one that is on television now?'

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Emma Barnett (pictured today) made a triumphant return to TV today after having a baby to stand in for Andrew Marr while he is being treated for cancer.

Instead he desperately tried to claim he had not rubbished Labour's 'six Brexit tests' and scrambled to try to defend his Irish borer comments.

In an interview branded a 'car crash' by viewers, Mr Gardiner said: 'Sometimes you have conversations in private, and the reason they are held in private is because you can advance thinking and you can actually then try and, if all you ever do is stick by the given line, you'd never actually advance it because you'd never discuss anything with people - that's the reason for holding things in private. '

Viewers of the BBC's flagship politics show hailed her performance a tour de force as she shunned cosy chats to give the politicians a real grilling.

Rick Lopez wrote on Twitter: ' Emma Barnett is a great political presenter, give her more shows BBC.'

Stewart wrote: 'Have to say, Emma Barnett was wonderfully brutal during the interviews as the guest presenter on Marr. Very Refreshing.

'Definitely would watch a Emma Barnett Sunday politics show if Andrew Marr ever hangs up his boots.'

Alan Costa wrote: 'So the bar has been set a bit higher for Andrew Marr when he returns after Emma Barnett and her tough questioning this morning filling in.

Andrew Marr, who had a stroke a few years ago, announced on air a fortnight ago that he was heading into hospital this week to have a malignant tumour removed from his kidney.

'Not the normal easy Sunday the politicians have been getting.'

John Topping wrote: 'Emma Barnett., absolutely brilliant in questioning the slippery, self centered MPs who avoid questions. Marr show.

Another viewer called Brett wrote: 'Lots of respect for Andrew Marr and we certainly wish him well.

However, his interviews had become cosychats.

'There's no way he would have skewered a politican as the brillian Emma Barnett did today.

'It is time for a new look to Sunday morning politics.'

Ms Barnett was standing in for Mr Marr on the show while he is away getting treatment for kidney cancer.

Mr Marr, who had a stroke a few years ago, announced on air a fortnight ago that he was heading into hospital this week to have a malignant tumour removed from his kidney.

Ms Barnett is seen as one of Britain's best political interviewers having done many memorable interviews during the election cmapaign.

She managed to get Theresa May - who is famously reserved - confide that she 'shed a tear' after losing her overall majority in the General Election.

Ms Barnett has spoken movingly about how her life 'fell apart' when she was 23 and was told her father was gong to prison for running a string of massage parlours in Manchester

Viewers flocked to Twitter to praise Emma Barnett's stint on The Andrew Marr Show

Another viewer also hailed her performance and said that she was not afraid to ask the tough questions

Another viewer said the presenter is 'formidable' and gave the politicians a tough grilling

Another viewer said she was 'absolutely brilliant' in taking down the politicians who had hoped for a cosy chat

Another viewer said Emma Barnett should e given the job of presenting the flagship politics show full time if Andrew Marr ever hangs his boots up

Another viewer also heaped praise on her interview technique and called for a new look to the Sunday morning political show

Writing in the Daily Mail in 2016 she said: 'I was angry. My God I was. Angry at him. Angry at the world.

'For a long time, during these visits to Strangeways and the ones that followed in other prisons, normal conversations with my father simply didn't happen.

'Instead, we just barked at each other about everything.'

She said the experience left her feeling ashamed, but more determinedto make a success of her life.

She added: 'But I'd changed. Irrevocably. And surprisingly for the better. By seeing a side of life very few people get to experience, I developed an empathy and humility beyond my years.

'And I wanted to hear and tell other people's stories more than ever  now I had a greater understanding of the human condition far from the chocolate-box existence I'd grown up in.'
Dashcam footage has been released that shows the moment five officers shot at an armed robbery suspect when he pulled out a gun in the middle of the street.

The video shows the officers in Jackson, Michigan repeatedly telling Kenneth Townley, 47, to drop his gun before eventually opening fire after he refused.

No charges will be filed against the five officers after a Jackson County prosecutor determined that the shooting was justified.

The harrowing footage begins when the officers pull up and see Townley, who matched the description of a man who robbed a nearby Dollar General store just minutes earlier.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

Dashcam footage has been released that shows the moment five officers shot at an armed robbery suspect when he pulled out a gun in the middle of the street in Jackson, Michigan

The footage shows the moment the suspect, Kenneth Townley, put one of his hands in his sweatshirt pocket - alarming the officers

The officers repeatedly told Towley to put the gun down, but opened fire when he pointed the gun directly at them (pictured)

Townley allegedly stole $371 from the store at 2.24pm on March 11. He was spotted by police at 2.39pm, according to MLive.

He had been released from jail only a day before and allegedly stole an Airsoft pistol and attempted a car jacking before the afternoon robbery.

In the footage, an officer can be heard screaming 'Sir, show your hands!' to Townley as he walks away from the police car.

'Head back towards me right now,' the officer orders.

Townley begins to walk to the cop car with his hands up and in front of him as the officer says, 'put your hands on top of your head, what's your name?'

But Townley doesn't comply. The officer pleads: 'Sir, we can work this out, put your hands on top of your head, put your hands on top of your head!'

Townley, who had five gunshot wounds, was rushed to a hospital and died during surgery

No charges will be filed against the five officers after a Jackson County prosecutor determined that the shooting was justified

Townley once again does not follow the order and instead puts one of his hands in his pocket.

The officer begins to scream over and over, 'get your hands outside of your pocket! Drop the gun! Sir, drop the gun! Just drop your gun, we can work this out!'

Townley, 47, (pictured) allegedly robbed a Dollar General store with an Airsoft pistol just minutes before the fatal shooting

Then Townley takes the gun out of his sweatshirt pocket and multiple officers scream 'Drop your gun! Drop your gun!'

'We can work this out, it's not that big of a deal,' one of the officers pleads with Townley.

Then Townley points the gun right at one of the officers and the cops immediately open fire, sending him to the ground.

Townley, who had five gunshot wounds, was rushed to a nearby hospital and died during surgery.

The officers involved in the shooting were identified as Blackman-Leoni Township public safety officers Chandler Fryt and James Prus, Jackson County Sheriff's Deputy Archie Wickham, and Jackson police officers David Renteria and Peter Postma.

All five officers were placed on paid administrative leave after the shooting. They had returned to work by Thursday following the prosecutor's decision.

'It is evident that from the perspective of the police officers, they honestly and reasonably believed that Kenneth Townley posed a threat to each of them,' Jackson County Prosecutor Jerry Jarzynka wrote in his opinion.
A suspected gas bottle explosion in a backyard shed has put two men in hospital with serious burns.

Paramedics were called to the property on Old Bruce Highway in Tuchekoi, about 30 kilometres south of Gympie, Queensland, just before 5pm on Sunday.

The Queensland Ambulance Service tweeted that the patients' injuries were caused by a gas bottle explosion and a fire in a shed.

A suspected gas bottle explosion in a backyard shed has put two men in hospital with serious burns

The Queensland Ambulance Service tweeted that the patients' injuries were caused by a gas bottle explosion and a fire in a shed, while spokeswoman for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said the cause of the incident was a steel container filled with tar

A spokeswoman for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, however, said the cause was a steel container filled with tar.

Fire crews arrived at the property to assist paramedics with extinguishing the blaze and providing first aid to the victims.

Paramedics were called to the property on Old Bruce Highway in Tuchekoi, about 30 kilometres south of Gympie, Queensland, just before 5pm on Sunday

Ambulance staff confirmed that two male patients were being treated for burns to their torso.

One was reportedly airlifted to the Royal Brisbane Hospital, while the other was taken to a hospital on the Sunshine Coast.

The initial cause of the explosion and fire is as yet unconfirmed.
Dramatic video shows the moment lightning strikes a Florida home.

Thunder storms rumbled throughout the state on May 15, striking a home in Daytona Beach.

The shocking moment was captured on a security camera of a home across the street.

Calm before the storm: Lightning hit a home in Daytona Beach on Tuesday during an electrical storm that hit central Florida and it was all caught on camera from a home across the street

At 5:45:49 the skies looked menacing. A second later the neighborhood was lit up in a flash of white as lightning struck the home across the street from the above security camera view

The lightning bolt hit the home with such force that it left smoke in its wake, shook homes in the neighborhood, and caused residents in the area to lose phone and internet service

The clip begins with a deafening roar of thunder, followed by a dramatic flash in the sky, illuminating the neighborhood in white.

Then a lightning bolt appears from the dark sky, striking the roof of the Daytona Beach home.

Sparks of the electrical bolt are seen moments after the strike, cascading to the ground.

After a moment the lightning is gone and a plume of smoke rises from the tiled roof.

The entire strike lasted just three seconds.

Electrical sparks could be seen after the lightning bolt violently struck the Florida home

The last sparks of the bolt are pictured above, the strike last a total of just three seconds

After the lightning strike plumes of smoke rose from the home, causing residents to call the Fire Department

Cindy Holt, the neighbor who found the video on her surveillance footage.

She said when she heard the lightning strike, she thought it was her boyfriend crashing into the driveway.

'It was huge, it shook the house I mean, cause when he come in, I thought he had actually hit the garage door,' Holt said to WESH2.

After they realized it was a lightning strike they looked at the house and ran over, alarmed with the smoke billowing from the roof.

One of the residents of the area alerted the people who lived in the home and the Fire Department arrived to the scene.

The residents were not home at the time of the strike.

Firefighters believed that the home's electrical system is fried.

The bolt left its mark on the home, as scorch spots can be seen on the home's eaves and near a light near the garage door.

Nearby residents also lost phone and internet service as a result of the powerful hit.

The residents of the home are returning to their home to learn of the extent of the damage.
Ethan Bramble is striking to look at.

His eyes are dyed jet black, his face is covered in tattoos and his tongue is split in two.

In just 10 years, the Newcastle bodymod artist has had over 40 operations to change his appearance.

Now, at age 21, Bramble or Modboy as he is also known, claims to be 'the most modified youth' in the world - a title no one seems to be debating.

'Ive always been into different stuff to all the other kids, from a young age Ive had full black out tattoos, scarification, eye balls tattooed, ears chopped off, tongue split, naval removal,' he tells Daily Mail Australia.

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Ethan Bramble, 21, from Newcastle is known as 'the worlds most modified youth'

Part of Bramble's (pictured right) modification has been covering his face in tattoos done by renowned abstract tattooist Ran Maclurkin (pictured left)

Ran's work (pictured) is renowned as he was the first tattooist to start doing abstract work in Australia

Ran knows his work is not for everyone but he says that it's okay, because it is about the person getting it done

'My belly button nullification was a really different experience, halfway through the procedure I sat up to look at my belly button and could see my insides kind of poking through the open hole.'

He adds that he wasn't freaked out by the experience, instead says it was 'pretty cool to see something like that.'

Bramble works at Tribal Urge, a Newcastle tattooing parlour and has more than 150 tattoos over his body. The ones that stand out the most are the lines across his face.

Bramble's eyes are dyed jet black, his face is covered in tattoos and his tongue is split in two

Behind a lot of his unique look is tattooist Ran Maclurkin, who works out of Victoria.

Ran is a pioneer of abstract tattooing and has been inking bold lines across bodies for 13 years.

The pair are part of a small but growing movement that embrace abstract aesthetics and designs in tattooing.

They work together on Ethan's body. His skin is the canvas and Ran is the artist, painting his face, his cheeks, his forehead.

Bramble has more than 150 tattoos but his latest ones are the abstract work on his face

Ran travels around the country inking bold lines across peoples bodies

'Abstract tattooing, I suppose is much like abstract art in all mediums, not everyone will like it or get it, but that's okay,' Ran tells Daily Mail Australia.

'Some people think its childlike, that a kid did it. I still get told someones kid could draw better than i can.'

'In Australia, until recently, I was the only tattooist pushing abstract art, for so long that was the case, the last few years that has changed, I feel fortunate to have inspired others to step outside the box.'

Ran knows his work is outside the mainstream, but that's what he loves about it.

While he started his practice 13 years ago, it wasn't until he said he branched out that he really found his niche in abstract art.

Ran has been tattooing for over 13 years but it wasn't till after he started that he found his niche, and then following, in the abstract world

'I learnt basically like everyone else does, well did 13 years ago, I worked at a studio that was full of violence and anything not with in the parameters of what tattooing should be was frowned upon.'

He eventually found a studio that embraced his creativity 'and allowed me to explore modern art on the skin.'

He says the responses to his work are always extreme.

'I enjoy the reactions, not that I am searching for them. I get from extreme hateful anger to intense visceral love. I rarely get a meh response from what I do.'

He says he explores modern art on the skin and has pioneered abstract tattooing in Australia

Here Ran is pictured inking his signature style of bold lines onto one of his customers

'It's not for you, it's for the person getting it, that's important to remember.'

He says for many of his clients, especially the women that come to get work done, embracing abstract ink is about taking back control and feeling free in their own skin.

'I do tattoo a lot of women, I get a feeling it's at times about taking back control, abstract tattooing is not seen as beautiful by mainstream, many men I meet hate it, they think it ruins a woman.'

Bramble, who is also known as Modboy, simply says his transformation is about expressing himself

'I think it's awesome women are fighting back, and being who they want to be. As we all should be able to do.'

For Bramble, the bold aesthetic is just about embracing who he is.

'Personally its just a different form of art and self-expression,' he says simply.
Tymere Moore, 18, was arrested Friday at Middletown High School in Delaware

A Delaware high school student has been arrested for pulling a gun on a fellow classmate.

Tymere Moore, 18, aimed the handgun at another male student Friday morning in the bathroom of Middletown High School.

Police said the incident began when Moore got into a verbal altercation with a female student.

It escalated when the teen threw a bottle at her.

Another male student then confronted Moore in the hallway and the men took the altercation to the bathroom.

It was there that Moore pulled the 9mm handgun from his book bag and pointed it at the student.

No shots were fired and both of the students exited the bathroom without any injury.

Soon after, the school's administrators learned Moore had the gun and they quickly located him and attempted to escort the 18-year-old to a secure area.

However, Moore refused which led to the student striking one of the administrators.

He was taken into custody by Troopers where they learned Moore had stolen the gun from a car earlier that day before he came to school.

The teen has been slapped with six charges altogether, including possession of a weapon in a school zone, carrying a concealed deadly weapon and theft of a firearm.

Moore was held on $29,250 bail.
Egyptian fashion designer Fayza Ahmed discusses combining casual wear with a touch of the Arab Orient

Five years ago, young Egyptian fashion designer Fayza Ahmed launched Fayroza in what is now a thriving Cairo fashion scene.

Combining casual wear with an oriental touch, Fayroza's inspiration is multi-faceted.

The collections are influenced by ancient Egyptian designs and motifs, modern contemporary arts and culture as well as Islamic art and architecture.

To that the young designer adds traditional Malawian arts, arabesque, geometrical patterns, calligraphy, letter embroidery shapes and drawings.

Ahmed, who exports abroad to Dubai, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, says that she was also influenced by the cultural heritage of India, Afghanistan and Turkey.

I love anything handmade and anything made with love. I always like to wear outfits that look different and unique in style [by] mixing and matching clothes together with different colors into one look, Ahmed explained.

She does not depart too far from contemporary mode. I follow the outline in the latest womens latest trends in styles, colors, textiles, fabrics and cuts, Ahmed said.

Ahmed presented her latest collection, the seventh so far in her career, just in time for Ramadan 2018.

In this collection, she used handmade, printed, and embroidered fabrics made of cotton, viscose, satin crepe, voile, gabardine and chiffon.

Her collection opts for cool hues such as light canary yellow, baby blue, purple and variations of olive from light to dark.

She also implements bright, vivid colors such as fuchsia, hot pink, deep red and magenta.

Ahmeds collection features a chiffon cape abaya, an open-front abaya, poncho abaya, vest, cardigan, blouses and a maxi dress with long sleeves.

The designer readily implements Egyptian cultural heritage into her costumes, including the traditional garb of the Egyptian peasant farmer, known in Arabic as "falah," and oriental styles of Ramadan decor, including colorful Al-Khayamina fabrics, the likenessess of mosque minarets, the crescent moon and traditional lanterns.

Ahmed made many of her designs by Schnitt stitch, "a certain kind of embroidery machine with multiple threads. The stitches form beautiful cashmere floral, square, and circle motifs on the fabrics, she explained.

The young designer also incorporates the Etamin stitching style of the Bedouin in Sinai, as well as Egyptian tally, a handmade embroidery style native to a small village in Egypt's Sohag.

[Tally] is needlework. Women sew thin string or thread of silver on tally textile," Ahmed said, adding, "When finished, it is like an artistic painting.

She also uses Al-Malas Al-Saidi, a black fabric traditionally used by the women of Upper Egypt, in her casual designs in modern way.

Different dressstyles and shapes are very trendy as the feminine look comes back strongly this summer season.

According to Ahmed, The wide-cut is dominant this year, [including] multi-layered and -tiered, long pleated, flared skirts, blouses, sleeves, and dresses. There is misconception that the color white makes you look fuller."

"On the contrary, it depends mainly on the choice of dress cut for your body shape, she concluded.

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Winnie-the-Pooh books, Barbie dolls, and superhero play are among things children could be banned from after a radical study on 'gender stereotyping'.

A number of Victorian councils will respond to the study by Australian National University, which found educators should avoid using the terms 'boy' and 'girl' and classifying children according to gender.

The study means Melbourne schools, kindergartens and libraries could be without children's classics such as Thomas the Tank Engine, which wouldn't pass the guidelines, Herald Sun reported.

Victorian councils will respond to a study by Australian National University, which found educators should avoid terms 'boy' and 'girl' and classifying children according to gender (stock image)

The study means Melbourne schools, kindergartens and libraries could be without children's favourites such as Winnie-the-Pooh (pictured) and Barbie dolls, which wouldn't pass the guidelines

The research found 'prejudice along race and gender lines can be observed' in children as young as three-years-old.

Girls who played with 'feminised characters', such as Barbie dolls, had fewer career options, while those who engaged with Disney princess toys had more female-stereotypical views.

Meanwhile, boys who watched superhero shows were more gender stereotyped in their thinking, the study found.

Now councils across Victoria are set to review educational resources, ensuring stories and experiences go beyond 'gender stereotypical narratives'.

Teachers will also be encouraged to not select toys in gendered colours, or to use expressions such as 'boys will be boys', according to the publication.

Manningham City Council already checks books for gender modelling and diversity, while teachers are asked to refrain from calling girls 'honey' and 'sweetie'.

Girls who played with 'feminised characters', such as Barbie dolls (pictured), had fewer career options, while those who engaged with Disney princess toys had more female-stereotypical views, according to the study

Libraries in Maribyrnong City Council are asked to promote 'gender equity' and to 'challenge gender stereotypes' in their book selections.

Minister for Women and Prevention of Family Violence Natalie Hutchins told the publication that 'the change needed won't happen' without gender equality.

But Opposition youth and families spokeswoman Georgie Crozier slammed the possible decision to ban certain books.

She said: 'It's crazy. Boys should be boys and girls should be girls.

'Any funding should be focused on interventions to prevent family violence, and not radical gender-based theories.'
Tim Steiner, pictured in 2015 with his partner, 29-year-old Polish lingerie model Patrycja Pyka

Ocado boss Tim Steiner is set to receive 110m in bonuses early next year  a record payout for the boss of a UK-listed company.

Due to a surge in the online grocer's share price last week, this has teed up the payout for the 48-year-old former Goldman Sachs bond trader.

A blockbuster deal with American retail giant Kroger saw Ocado's value rocket 40% to 5.3bn, leaving it poised to break into the FTSE 100 when the index is redrawn at the end of the month.

Steiner is now on course to pocket stock options worth 32m this month. In January, he will receive more than 80m in Ocado shares under a golden handcuffs deal put in place before the company went public eight years ago.

He is already sitting on a 236m share hoard, although he pledged a chunk of his stake as collateral for a loan to fund his 2016 divorce.

Next year's payday will top the previous British bonus record set by Bart Becht. In 2010, the former boss of consumer goods giant Reckitt Benckiser took home 90m.

Steiner founded Ocado in 2000 with two former Goldman Sachs colleagues. The following year, the firm cut a distribution deal with Waitrose, which invested 46m in the business.

Since its launch, Ocado has carved out a small niche in Britain's 200bn-a-year grocery market. It accounts for just 1.2% of total sales, according to research firm Kantar.

Steiner has struggled to win over sceptics in the City.





Steiner arriving at the High Court in London with lawyer Fiona Shackleton (pictured left) for the settlement hearing in his divorce hearing with wife Belinda Steiner (right picture)

Ocado has racked up large losses over the years, and reported its first pre-tax profit only in 2015. Steiner has chosen instead to plough excess cash into developing robotic technology to slash the cost of running grocery warehouse centres. His aim has been to sell his digital tool-kit to grocery chains across the world, reaping large licensing and consulting fees. However, he has until recently failed to sign up any overseas partners.

The deal with Kroger, the world's third largest retailer, has silenced his critics.

Over the next three years, Kroger will build as many as 20 automated warehouses, using robotic technology developed by Ocado.

The tieup followed similar agreements with French giant Casino and with grocery chains in Canada and Sweden. They have been spurred into action by Amazon's takeover of Whole Foods last year, which threatens to upturn the food retailing industry.
The man who supplied the gun used in the terror killing of NSW Police accountant Curtis Cheng was once described as charming and a larrikin.

Talal Alameddine was handed a maximum sentence of 17 years in jail with a non-parole period of 13-and-a-half years last week for supplying a pistol connected with a terrorist act.

Constable Chantelle Hannah of Merrylands Police described her interactions with Alameddine as pleasant and good-natured.

Talal Alameddine (left) supplied the gun used in the terror killing of NSW Police accountant Curtis Cheng (right) was once described as charming and a larrikin

Talal Alameddine (pictured: centre)was handed a maximum sentence of 17 years in jail with a non-parole period of 13-and-a-half years for supplying a pistol connected with a terrorist act

But during a firearms search at his home in July 2015, Constable Hannah said his demeanour 'was extremely different' and 'he was no longer his charming self,' in a statement tendered to the NSW Supreme Court.

He wore traditional Islamic dress and told Constable Hannah to 'respect this' whilst pointing to his recently grown bushy beard and explaining it was 'for ISIS', the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

'The offender's past jocular approach to Constable Hannah was replaced by serious words and behaviour,' Justice Peter Johnson said.

This 'reflected a change in the offender, as if he had been influenced in his beliefs concerning Islamic State,' Justice Johnson explained in his determination of why Alameddine would play a part in an Islamic State-inspired act.

Justice Johnson said Alameddine had at least some level of sympathy for the 'fanatical' organisation.

Talal Alameddine provided Raban Alou with a pistol that was given to 15-year-old Farhad Jabar (right), who shot Mr Cheng (left) as he left work at Parramatta Police Headquarters in 2015

Alameddine refused to stand in court as Justice Johnson handed down the prison term.

The 25-year-old provided Raban Alou with a pistol that was then given to 15-year-old Farhad Jabar, who shot Mr Cheng, 58, in the back of the head as he left work at Parramatta Police Headquarters in 2015.

Mr Cheng was killed instantly and Jabar was killed in the exchange of gunfire with officers that followed.

Alameddine (pictured when he was arrested) in October 2017 pleaded guilty to recklessly possessing a thing connected with a terrorist act and supplying a pistol

Mr Cheng's son, Alpha, (left) said Alameddine's actions 'are clearly linked to the very tragic loss of a very dear man, a father and a husband'

Mr Cheng's widow Selina said she was 'utterly repulsed' by those who played any role in the murder of her gentle, humble and beloved husband.

'I felt total darkness completely envelope me. I was completely devastated and all sense of security and hope was lost,' Selina Cheng said after Alameddine's sentence hearing.

Mr Cheng's son, Alpha, said Alameddine's actions 'are clearly linked to the very tragic loss of a very dear man, a father and a husband.'

Alameddine was said to display no remorse and had a criminal history at the time which included a conviction for assaulting a police officer.

'I am not persuaded the offender has good prospects for rehabilitation,' Justice Johnson said.
Joseph John Musso, 63, was arrested on Thursday after he was found naked in a Gulf Breeze, Florida neighborhood

A man romping around a Florida neighborhood while naked was tasered after he resisted police arrest.

Joseph John Musso, 63, was arrested on Thursday evening and charged with loitering and prowling, lewd and lascivious behavior, resisting an officer without violence and exposure of sexual organs.

Alarm was raised around 8:30pm in the Woodlawn Way neighborhood of Gulf Breeze when Musso was caught on a resident's security camera walking around naked.

Musso was pictured walking near the front door of the home, where two children and a babysitter were inside, according to the Pensacola News Journal.

The police report says the three did not see him.

As police reported to the home of the first call, they received another call from a local in the neighborhood who said he saw a naked man with an erection on his front porch.

A deputy on the scene then walked into the neighborhood to find Musso standing in the driveway of a home standing completely in the nude with an erection, according to the police report.

He was standing near a red pickup truck holding a plastic bottle of cooking oil, which he later told police that he liked to rub on his legs.

When police pursued he tried to run around the truck to avoid the deputy.

Alarm was raised after a security camera of a home in the area captured video of Musso walking near the front door in the nude while two children and a babysitter were inside

Despite his attempts to escape, the deputy caught him and took away the cooking oil bottle.

However Musso managed to run away when the deputy tried to arrest him as they stood outside in heavy rainfall. Musso allegedly slipped then sprinted away, causing the deputy to chase him then use his taser on him.

Musso fell on the ground on his back after the taser was fired.

He was handcuffed and later booked into Santa Rosa County Jail.

He has been released since.

Musso lived in the Woodlawn Way neighborhood where he was found.

He told deputies that he receives sexual gratification from being naked in public, police said.

He said he left his home that night to go for a walk near a track at Woodlawn Beach Middle School and through his neighborhood.

He reportedly told police he was not aroused by any person that he passed, but was aroused by being naked in the rain.

This wasn't Musso's first naked stroll in the neighborhood, he told police, claiming he did it once before and likes to walk naked at Pensacola and Navarre Beach.
President Donald Trump demanded to know Sunday when special counsel Robert Mueller was going to 'STOP!' probing into alleged Russian influence on the presidential election and turn his investigative power onto Hillary Clinton.

In a long, bitter Twitter rant the president railed against the cost of the investigation, calling it a '$20,000,000 Witch Hunt' that has found 'no Collussion with Russia, No Obstruction, but they aren't looking at the corruption in the Hillary Clinton Campaign.'

Trump's words of rage echoed the remarks of his private attorney Rudy Giuliani, who also said the investigation was a waste of $20 million during an interview with CNN on Friday, a sign the White House is working on a new coordinated attack against Mueller.

President Trump went on a prolonged Twitter attack on Sunday that raged about the New York Times, special counsel Robert Mueller, and Hillary Clinton

The president's twitter attacked followed an explosive report from the New York Times that revealed other countries besides Russia were interested in influencing the 2016 election.

Trump's twitter attack followed a New York Times report that Donald Trump Jr. met with an emissary from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, who told Trump Jr. the crown princes of those nations wanted to help Trump win.

The president also slammed the makeup of Mueller's team and a couple of wealthy, well-connected Democrats who have helped the Clintons throughout their career -- former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and lobbyist/art collector Tony Podesta.

Trump's seething tweets echoed some of his past attacks on the investigation -- claiming it's a witch hunt and led by Democrats -- but the cost showcases a new argument that administration officials will likely pick up on and repeat in the coming days.

As to the cost, the president's own budget this year contained $10 million for the Mueller investigation to continue.

It seems a relatively cheap bargain compared to Ken Starr's investigation of the Clintons in the 1990s, which took six years and cost more than $70 million.

The president charged the Robert Mueller investigation wasn't able to prove anything with Russia so investigators were looking at other countries in an attempt to hurt Republicans in the 2018 election.

President Trump asked why Robert Mueller wasn't investigating Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee.

The president also attacked to wealthy, well-connected Democrats, Terry McAuliffe and Tony Podesta, who also faced investigations.

Mueller, a registered Republican who was appointed by Republican deputy attorney general Rob Rosenstein to investigate Russia's actions in the presidential election. Of the 17 team members, 13 are registered Democrats, according to reports.

Since the investigation began, Mueller has built a criminal case against Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort while former Trump deputy Rick Gates struck a plea deal in March in addition to agreeing to testify.

The investigative team has issued indictments that have covered 19 people and three businesses. Additionally, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos pled guilty to making false statements about their contacts with Russians to investigators.

The prolonged Twitter attack from the president on Sunday followed a bombshell report from the New York Times on Saturday that revealed countries other than Russia sought to influence the 2016 presidential election.

It also named Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., whose name has come up repeatedly as taking meetings during the campaign with people who had ties to Russia.

The Times report charged that Trump Jr. met with George Nader, an emissary for the crown princes of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, during the 2016 campaign. Nader told him the crown princes of both countries were willing to help Trump win the election.

Also in the meeting was social media specialist Joel Zamel, whose firm had prepared a multimillion-dollar proposal for what the Times called a 'social media manipulation effort' to help elect Trump.

Mueller is investigating the meeting, the paper reported. A spokesman for Trump Jr. said Trump's son recalled meeting with the group. 'They pitched Mr. Trump Jr. on a social media platform or marketing strategy. He was not interested and that was the end of it,' he said.

Trump raged that the investigation turned to other nations after it couldn't find anything on Russia.

'The Failing and Crooked (but not as Crooked as Hillary Clinton) has done a long & boring story indicating that the World's most expensive Witch Hunt has found nothing on Russia & me so now they are looking at the rest of the World!,' he tweeted.

And it's about the 2018 election, the president charged, alleging the Times article was designed to hurt the Republican Party when voters go to the polls in November.

'Now that the Witch Hunt has given up on Russia and is looking at the rest of the World, they should easily be able to take it into the Mid-Term Elections where they can put some hurt on the Republican Party,' he wrote.

President Trump's twitter rant on Sunday morning asked why Hillary Clinton also wasn't a target of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.

Republicans are expected to suffer heavy losses in November with several of them being kicked out of office. Polls show voters favor Democrats in the upcoming midterm election with Democrats to retake control of the House of Representatives. And Speaker Paul Ryan announced earlier this year he was quitting instead of running for reelection.

Trump also specifically targeted two colorful characters in the Democratic Party who have long ties to the Clintons and have faced federal investigations into similar matters.

The uber wealthy Terry McAuliffe broke fundraising records for the Democrats before he became governor of Virginia. He led the party as chairman of the Democratic National Committee when Bill Clinton was president, overseeing a posh new headquarters as he raised $578 million for the beleaguered committee and got it out of debt for the first time in its history.

McAuliffe, a larger-than-life presence on both the political and social scene who loved to slap backs and kiss cheeks, co-chaired Bill Clinton's 1996 presidential campaign and chaired Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign. And he personally guaranteed the Clintons' $1.35 million mortgage for their home in Chappaqua.

In 2016, the FBI investigated McAuliffe's gubernatorial campaign to examine whether it took improper campaign donations, including one from Chinese businessman Wang Wenliang.

Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, pictured here speaking at an August funeral, is a prolific fundraiser for the Democrats and has close ties to Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Washington Lobbyist Tony Podesta, pictured here a DC summer party, left his firm after special counsel Robert Mueller indicted former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

Tony Podesta, whose brother John Podesta served as Bill Clinton's and Barack Obama's chief of staff in addition to having his emails hacked when he served as Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, is a wealthy Washington D.C. lobbyist with a valuable modern art collection.

Known for his designer suits and fancy shoes, Podesta left his firm after Mueller indicted Manafort for his work with the Ukraine. In 2012, Manafort and an associate hired the Podesta Group and another firm to lobby on behalf of the nonprofit European Centre for a Modern Ukraine, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Justice Department looked into that work and Podesta's resignation from the firm was a seen as a way to get ahead of a potential indictment from Mueller.

Trump called Podesta's resignation 'the biggest story' to come out of the Mueller investigation. Podesta's firm was reorganized under a new name that would not be legally liable for any actions taken by the old firm.

'Why hasn't the Podesta brother been charged and arrested, like others, after being forced to close down his very large and successful firm? Is it because he is a VERY well connected Democrat working in the Swamp of Washington, D.C.?,' the president tweeted on Sunday.

Podesta and his then-wife Heather founded side-by-side powerhouse lobbying firms and dominated the Washington social scene.

They went through a contentious divorce in 2014 with disputes over the lobbying shops plus their art collection, which includes famous paintings and lithographs. The 1,300-piece art collection was valued at $25 million. The couple donated Shepard Fairey's original 'Hope' portrait of Barack Obama to the National Portrait Gallery.
Pictured: Irina Aizina was found dead on Wednesday

A bar owner who lied about an Asian sex mob running riot in his German club has been arrested for murdering a woman who helped him carry out the hoax.

The body of Irina Aizina was found dumped in a field by a dog walker on Wednesday.

Frankfurt businessman Jan Mai, 50, was arrested on Friday for her murder, with him expecting to appear before a local judge this week.

Last year Mai hit the headlines when he falsely claimed Muslim refugees stormed his venue the First In and groped female revellers.

At the time Irina echoed the false claims, appearing in a number of German news outlets describing how she was pinned down and sexually assaulted by the mob.

After the publicity plan backfired, Mai closed the bar which Estonian national Irina reportedly invested in, according to the Daily Beast.

Local media reports say Irina agreed to meet Mai this week to discuss money.

The mother-of-one who originally is from Estonia was found in a field on the outskirts of Frankfurt

Tributes have been paid to the mother and businesswoman following the tragic news

Arrested: Frankfurt businessman Jan Mai has been taken into custody on suspicion of murder

Last year Mai hit the headlines when he falsely claimed Muslim refugees stormed his venue the First In and groped female revellers.

At the time Irina echoed the false claims, appearing in a number of German news outlets describing how she was pinned down and sexually assaulted by the mob.

After the publicity plan backfired, Mai closed the bar which Estonian national Irina reportedly invested in, according to the Daily Beast.

Local media reports say Irina agreed to meet Mai this week to discuss money.

Fake news: Last year Jan Mai and Irina claimed an Asian mob groped revellers at Mai's club

Police say the 29-year-old mother was left 'unrecognisable' after being stabbed multiple times in the face and body.

They told local press they were investigating and had made one arrest.

The victim was wearing black dungarees, a black top and studded trainers when was murdered. Her white Mercedes SUV was found in a car park nearby.

The victim was wearing black dungarees, a black top and studded trainers when was murdered. Her white Mercedes SUV was found in a car park nearby
Jake Hartley, 19, mowed down two pensioners and a woman in her 30s with his car

This is the horrific moment a teenager ploughed into pedestrians with his car after a row with his girlfriend.

The shocking act sparked a terrorism scare in Blackpool where revellers were enjoying a Saturday night out.

CCTV footage has been released after Jake Hartley, 19, was sentenced to five years in a young offenders institution.

Hartley, from Todmorden in West Yorkshire, mowed down two pensioners aged 73 and 80 and a woman in her 30s as he drove through crowds of people in a silver Skoda he stole from work.

Hartley went on his rampage just before midnight on April 14 after becoming enraged by an argument with his partner Nadia Mullin.

He removed the number plates on the vehicle before launching his calculated attack.

In the footage, brave pedestrians can be seen kicking and chasing after the car in an attempt to stop it.

The Skoda was later found in the Norbreck Castle hotel car park on the Promenade of Blackpool, Lancashire, and Hartley was arrested nearby by armed police.

He later admitted two counts of causing actual bodily harm, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, dangerous driving, common assault, aggravated vehicle taking, drink driving, possession of a prohibited weapon (a stun gun was found during a later raid of his home), and having no insurance or licence.

Sentencing him to five years in a juvenile prison, Judge Mark Brown said: 'You have pleaded guilty to offences arising out of a very serious incident in Blackpool town centre.

The teenager stole a car from his work and ploughed into crowds of people in Blackpool. Pictured: Hartley hits a council worker who is sent flying to the ground

Brave revellers chase after the car kicking it in an attempt to bring his spree to an end

'If the sentence I'm about to impose is ever reviewed by a higher court, it is important the judges should view the CCTV that is available.

'In my judgement this case highlights the obvious dangers created by a motor vehicle being in the wrong hands and it is understandable that initially there was a serious concern a terrorist incident had taken place.

'You drove around the streets of Blackpool covering a distance of about two miles with total disregard for the safety of pedestrians and other road users.

Hartley, from Todmorden in West Yorkshire, was sentenced to five years in a young offenders institution

Hartley went on his rampage after becoming enraged by an argument with his partner

He stripped the number plates off the car before launching his attack on innocent pedestrians

'You were swerving towards people and many of them had to jump out of the way fearing as they did for their own safety.

'When you were travelling along The Strand, a particularly narrow street, you were literally almost ploughing into people.

'One victim has described the profound psychological impact of the event upon her.'
President Barack Obama's former education secretary has advocated that parents and children should boycott school until Congress passes stricter gun control laws.

Arne Duncan tweeted his support for the idea, which was first proposed by Obama's former assistant secretary of education, Peter Cunningham.

'Maybe it's time for America's 50 million school parents to simply pull their kids out of school until we have better gun laws,' Cunningham tweeted on Friday, hours after 10 people were killed at Santa Fe High School by a teen mass shooter.

Duncan retweeted Cunningham, calling the boycott idea both 'brilliant' and 'tragically necessary'.

President Barack Obama's former education secretary Arne Duncan has advocated that parents and children should boycott school until Congress passes stricter gun control laws

Duncan tweeted his support for the idea, which was first proposed by Obama's former Assistant Secretary of Education Peter Cunningham

'What if no children went to school until gun laws changed to keep them safe?' he added.

'My family is all in if we can do this at scale. Parents, will you join us?'

The post received more than a thousand retweets and hundreds of replies from parents who pledged their support for the idea.

Duncan, who now works to curb gun violence in Chicago, noted that while a school boycott would be 'wildly impractical and difficult', an aggressive approach was necessary to make change.

'I think it's wildly impractical and difficult that kids are shot when they are sent to school,' he told the Washington Post.

Duncan's post received more than a thousand retweets and hundreds of replies from parents who pledged their support for the idea. Duncan is pictured here with Obama in 2014

'I'm open to other ideas, I'm open to different ideas, but I'm not open to doing nothing.'

'We will see whether this gains traction, or something does, but we have to think radically,' he added.

'What we have lacked is political courage, and we need to create the tension that allows us to break through on this issue.'

The idea found plenty of support from educators, including Teach for America founder Wendy Kopp and New York superintendent Jim Manly.

Peter Cunningham (pictured) also received support when he posted the original idea on Twitter just hours after 10 were killed in Santa Fe High School in Texas on Friday

'I'm in - let's pick a date and start a movement no politician can ignore,' Manly tweeted to Duncan.

'As a Superintendent of schools I have to say I dont like the idea of kids missing school but the images from Texas mean those 10 kids - and thousands like them - never go to school again. #buybacktheguns'

Eight students and two teachers were killed when 17-year-old Dimitrios 'Dimitri' Pagourtzis burst into an art classroom at his school and opened fire on Friday.

Pagourtzis is now being held without bond on charges of capital murder and aggravated assault of a public servant.

Nine students and one teacher were killed when 17-year-old Dimitrios 'Dimitri' Pagourtzis burst into an art classroom at his school and opened fire

The mother of one of the teen girls who was killed in the shooting revealed that Pagourtzis had been aggressively pursuing her daughter.

Shana Fisher, who turned 16 just days before she died in the attack, had been fending off advances from Pagourtzis for months, Sadie Rodriguez said on Saturday.

'He continued to get more aggressive,' Rodriguez said in an interview conducted via Facebook. 'She finally stood up to him and embarrassed him.'

It is the first indication of a motive in the attack, though the theory has yet to be confirmed by either prosecutors or lawyers for 17-year-old Pagourtzis.
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Several days of rain turned the Preakness Stakes into a soggy affair but racegoers made the most of their time at the horse track on Saturday afternoon.

Nearly 135,000 people gathered at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, for the 143rd annual Preakness Stakes as Kentucky Derby winner Justify earned a second jewel in his pursuit of the coveted Triple Crown.

Spectators donning classic spring-worthy pastels and florals topped off their outfits with rain gear and wellies to suit the soggy weather.

The total attendance was down 4.2 percent from last years record - when more pleasant weather welcomed more than 140,000 racegoers - but was still the third largest in the events history.

Heavy foot traffic created extensive puddles of thin terracotta mud throughout the sodden park grounds that coated spectator's shoes and splashed up onto their legs.

However, even the wet weather and slippery conditions couldn't put a damper on the festivities as photographs show fans letting their hair down and making the most of the dirty day at the track.

This year's Preakness Stakes horse race in Baltimore, Maryland, was a particularly soggy affair after several days of heavy rain

Despite less-than-idea weather conditions thousands of people turned out at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday afternoon

Spectators accessorized their festive spring outfits with rain gear and wellies brightening up the dull and foggy backdrop

Nearly 135,000 people turned out for the race as heavy foot traffic created a thick layer of muck on the horse park grounds

Several rowdy racegoers capitalized on the slick conditions by creating makeshift wrestling rings in the muddy puddles

A man knocks his friend backward into a massive mud puddle causing the dirty water to splash back up into his face

One man who dove headfirst into a mud pit coating his entire body including the inside of his mouth looks proudly at a camera

The same man was spotted several minutes later walking confidently through the horse park's infield before the race starts

Close-up photographs of racegoers show the start contrast between those who kept clean and those who embraced the mud

Spectator Tina Holmes donned an eccentric headpiece combining a flower crown with a lilac umbrella to shied from the rain

A man carries a woman on his back into the park as a Pimlico employee directs traffic with a sign that reads: 'Horse Crossing'

Even with the dreary weather many racegoers sported traditional sun hats for the famous event on Saturday afternoon

A man carefully wades through an expansive puddle that comes to the top of his shoes as fans prepare for the race to begin

One spectator appears to have taken the theme of the day quite literally by sporting a furry horse costume and headpiece

The race track was just as muddy as the area surrounding it, adding the same influential variable as was seen at this year's equally-wet Kentucky Derby in April.

Heavily-favored racer Justify and veteran jockey Mike Smith made the most of the sloppy conditions, coming in first by just half a length head of second place Bravazo and third place Tenfold.

Now only a victory at the Belmont Stakes next month remains in order for the three-year-old American Thoroughbred to become the 13th horse to sweep the coveted Triple Crown.

He was trained by seven-time Preakness winner Bob Baffert, who was also the trainer for the last Triple Crown winner American Pharaoh, who scored the title in 2015.

When the starting gate opened the field of eight horses took off onto the messy track, kicking up the mud with their hooves

Justify and veteran jockey Mike Smith capitalized on the sloppy track and took first place in the race everyone came to see

Justify and Smith are shown right alongside second place Bravazo, second from right, and third place Tenfold, left
This is the moment a sailor was filmed marching totally out of step at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Footage of the serviceman struggling to fall in line during the otherwise impeccably choreographed Royal Wedding has sparked hilarity online.

The video - posted by soldier Shane Rogers on Facebook - shows the sailor marching through Windsor with a gun slung over his shoulder.

What did I just watch! Posted by Shane Rogers on Saturday, May 19, 2018

The sailor is pictured furrowing his brow as he falls out of step and struggles to regain composure in the clip

But after falling out of rhythm with his comrades, he is forced to hop as his limp arm hangs awkwardly while he tries to catch up.

More than 300,000 people have viewed the bizarre clip online, after it was uploaded under the title: 'What did I just watch!'

But some viewers were less than amused with the slip-up, as Lauren Wardle wrote: 'Oh ffs, get in time and stop tick tocking. Someone please escort this man to the back of the squad please.'

Jo Roberts wrote 'he is gonna get so much of a ribbing for this' as Joe Klos branded the clip 'priceless'.

The sailor was dubbed a 'joker' while and American user said he was the reason Britain relied on military assistance in World War Two.

The otherwise slick operation yesterday saw Prince Harry's regiment the Blues and Royals parade along with the Household Cavalry, Irish Guards and Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving.

Harry needed permission to sport a beard while wearing military uniform, which was granted by the Queen

Prince Harry sports a beard as the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex ride in an Ascot Landau after their wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle

The Royal Marines, Royal Gurkha Rifles and the 3 Regiment Army Air Corps also marched to celebrate the occasion.

Prince Harry - who served in Afghanistan - was given special permission by the Queen ahead of the ceremony to wear a beard with his military uniform.
In coordination with the governorate of Giza, the US Embassy in Cairo is launching the first community center for women and girls in the lower-middle class neighborhood of Imbaba, a statement by the embassy read on Sunday.

The opening of the center is a part of the Safe Cities project, a joint program in partnership with UN Women which aims to strengthen the capacity of public institutions and community service organizations to provide safe spaces for women and girls, in addition to victim services such as shelters and legal support, according to the statement.

One step at a time, we are working in partnership to create an Egypt that says no to sexual harassment  and yes to safe cities," said US Deputy Chief of Mission Dorothy Shea, who joined Giza Governor Mohamed Kamal El-Daly to inaugurate the community hub.

The diplomat said in the statement that the US is committed "to supporting the government of Egypts efforts to ensure that women and girls are socially, economically, and politically empowered in public spaces.

The Safe Cities program is part of the $30 billion that the American people have invested in Egypt through USAID since 1978.

"In order to change perceptions of violence against women, the project supports advocacy efforts and uses innovative awareness-raising tools such as interactive community theater, storytelling, and art to promote a culture of zero-tolerance for violence against women  and a culture of responsibility towards the survivors of this abuse," the statement read.

According to a UN Women study, 99.3% of surveyed Egyptian women said that they had experienced sexual harassment in their lifetimes.

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A woman has been left horrified after finding a kangaroo joey decapitated while she was out walking.

Police are now hunting for the person responsible for the disturbing case of animal cruelty after Halls Head resident Jenny brown found the dead animal.

Ms Brown told 7News she found the joey in a patch off bush in the suburb of Mandurah.

The older kangaroo (pictured) stood near the body of the joey until rangers took it away

She said she found the 'sad and very disturbing' sight of the little animals body laying with its head cut off, while she was walking down her street.

Ms Brown could not bring herself to take a photograph of the scene but did get a picture of an adult kangaroo standing near the body.

She said the other roo refused to move away from the joey's body until rangers came to take it away.

'If there's someone going around, killing our wildlife, we need to do something about it,' she said.

Ms brown (pictured) found the body of the joey in the bush near her home

Ms brown and the rangers who attended the scene searched through the bush for the joey's head but it was no where to be seen.

Whoever cut the animals head off is believed to have taken it with them.

There has been a string of animal cruelty complaints in the area, with Armadale and Midlands recording 29 incidents this year alone, followed by 28 in Baldivis, 25 in Balga and 21 in Ellenbrook.

A conviction for animal cruelty can result in up to five years in jail.
A desperate search is under way for a grandfather of ten with dementia who hasn't been seen for 24 hours.

Ian Collett, 65, left his home in Canning Vale, Perth, around midday on Saturday.

His panicked wife Deborah believes he went for a walk but got disorientated.

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Ian Collett, 65, has been missing from home in Canning Vale, Perth since midday on Saturday

Three hours later, the father-of-four was picked up by security cameras at a 7/11 sipping a MacDonald's drink and wearing a coat that wasn't his.

Nobody knows how he got to the convenience store more than 20km from home.

He spent last night in 5C temperatures and was not seen on Sunday.

Mrs Collett, who went for a walk to find her husband with no luck, said he is a fit man who walks two or three times a day.

But she fears his feet will be very sore and said he struggles to express pain.

Police are urging people in Byford, where Mr Collett was least seen on Saturday at 4.30pm, to check their properties and their sheds to see if he is resting there.

Mrs Collett (centre), who went for a walk to find her husband with no luck, said he is a fit man who walks two or three times a day
ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi may not be dead as rumors suggest but is in hiding, US intelligence believes.

Despite his unwillingness to be photographed and having only spoken in public on few occasions, US counter-terrorism officials believe Baghadi he is trying to come up with a strategy for the decreasing number of ISIS fighters, according to The Washington Post.

Among these strategies is a rebuilding of the ideological foundations of the caliphate by developing a program to indoctrinate schoolchildren.

ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (pictured, July 2014) may not be dead as rumors suggest but is in hiding, US intelligence believes

The officials believe Baghdadi (picttured) is trying to create new strategies for the decreasing presence of the caliphate - among them is to develop a program to indoctrinate schoolchildren

One officer, known as Abu Zaid al-Iraqi, said that Baghdadi gathered his top aides near the city of Deir al-Zour in Syria in mid-2017 for a meeting last year as Raqqa, the group's capital in Iraq, fell and its footing was being lost in Syria.

'Several top leaders were present, as well as the curricula committee, which I headed,' al-Iraqi said in a videotaped statement aired on Iraqi television.

It is one of a few reported appearances by the terrorist leader who has managed to avoid the spotlight.

His one confirmed public appearance took place in July 2014 when he spoke at a mosque in Mosul declaring the establishment of the Islamic State.

His elusiveness has led to a number of false reports saying he is dead or on the brink of death.

Media reports of three different aerial bombings, carried out by Russia or the US, stated Baghadid was dead. He was also reported as having been arrested in Syria and poisoned by would-be assassins.

Baghdadi's one confirmed public appearance took place in July 2014 when he spoke at a mosque in Mosul declaring the establishment of the Islamic State (pictured)

Some say Baghdadi's absence is to take the emphasis away from leaders and place it on spreading the group's ideology (Pictured, members of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service cheer as they carry upside-down a black flag of the Islamic State group in July 2017)

In 2016, a bounty for Baghdadi's capture was raised from $10 million to $25 million.

Several reports came in sightings, but few were credible about his movements, an anonymous counter-terrorism official told the Post.

But US intelligence, through detainee interrogations, intercepts and writings from ISIS operatives, say Baghdadi is alive and well.

'We think he's still coordinating, still helping to run the organization,' the official said.

'Our best guess is that he is still in Syria, in one of the remaining parts of the country still controlled by ISIS.'

Some say Baghdadi's absence is to take the emphasis away from leaders and place it on spreading the group's ideology.

However, Baghdadi's elusiveness has drawn complaints of the organization's members and supporters, claiming he has 'removed himself from the field of battle' and he is unable to bring his forces together (Pictured, members of the Iraqi forces gather whereBaghdadi gave his first sermon as leader of the Islamic State, Jult 2017)

One self-proclaimed Islamic State operative said Baghdadi wants to prioritize indoctrinating children and recruits (Pictured, members of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service gather outside the destroyed gate of the Al-Nuri Mosque, July 2017)

However, it has drawn complaints of the organization's members and supporters, claiming he has 'removed himself from the field of battle' and he is unable to bring his forces together.

One self-proclaimed Islamic State operative, who contacted The Washington Post via an encrypted messaging service, said Baghdadi wants to prioritize indoctrinating children and recruits.

'The leadership is convinced that, even if the State has disappeared, as long as they can influence the next generation through education, the idea of the caliphate will endure,' said the operative, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Nicholas Rasmussen, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, told the Post that it may also buy Baghdadi time to prepare for the future in what looks to be the inevitable defeat of the caliphate.

'They knew this was happening - it wasn't as though they had a theory of victory where they were going to hold Mosul and Raqqa forever,' Rasmussen told the paper. 'The project may not be tied to the Syria conflict, but it's not going to go away just because ISIS is defeated on the battlefield.'
The Ebola death toll in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to 26, with eight neighbouring countries also at risk as the deadly disease plagues the region.

The country's health ministry announced another death this morning, with four new cases of the deadly disease confirmed.

The World Health Organisation declared the risk of the disease spreading within the Congo as 'very high', after 46 cases of hemorrhagic fever were confirmed, 21 confirmed as Ebola, 21 probable and four suspected.

It has not yet branded the outbreak a world health emergency, but Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and the Central African Republic are all in danger of catching it.

A Congolese health worker is pictured washing residents' hands as a preventive measure against Ebola in the north west city of Mbandaka

A health worker is pictured spraying someone's foot with chlorine at Mbandaka General Hospital after the 26th Ebola death was confirmed on Sunday

There are currently no restrictions on international travel or trade and the UK is not being considered at risk.

But the disease has also spread to the Congolese city of Mbandaka, which has a population of over a million, sparking fears of it spreading quicker in dense urban areas.

Ebola is most feared because of how easily it spreads and how it can cause internal and external bleeding in victims.

The current outbreak in Congo is the ninth on record, after it first broke out in the 1970s, taking its name from the Ebola River.

It hit headlines in the UK when Glasgow-based nurse Pauline Cafferkey contracted the virus in Sierra Leone and risked bringing it to Britain when she travelled home.

President Joseph Kabila and his cabinet agreed yesterday to increase funds for the Ebola emergency response which now amounts to more than 3million.

Congo's health ministry confirmed four more cases of Ebola on Sunday after the 26th death was confirmed. Pictured: Thermometer that checks for high fever caused by disease

More residents are pictured washing their hands after the ninth outbreak of Ebola plagued Congo

A cordon is put up at the isolation facility at Mbandaka General Hospital in Congo where the Ebola crisis has spread to, sparking fears of more deaths

WHAT IS EBOLA AND HOW DEADLY IS IT? Ebola, a haemorrhagic fever, killed at least 11,000 across the world after it decimated West Africa and spread rapidly over the space of two years. That epidemic was officially declared over back in January 2016, when Liberia was announced to be Ebola-free by the WHO. The country, rocked by back-to-back civil wars that ended in 2003, was hit the hardest by the fever, with 40 per cent of the deaths having occurred there. Sierra Leone reported the highest number of Ebola cases, with nearly of all those infected having been residents of the nation. WHERE DID IT BEGIN? An analysis, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found the outbreak began in Guinea - which neighbours Liberia and Sierra Leone. A team of international researchers were able to trace the epidemic back to a two-year-old boy in Meliandou - about 400 miles (650km) from the capital, Conakry. Emile Ouamouno, known more commonly as Patient Zero, may have contracted the deadly virus by playing with bats in a hollow tree, a study suggested. HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE STRUCK DOWN? WHICH COUNTRIES WERE STRUCK DOWN BY EBOLA DURING THE 2014-16 EPIDEMIC? (CDC figures) COUNTRY CASES DEATHS DEATH RATE (%) GUINEA 3,814 2,544 66.7% SIERRA LEONE 14,124 3,956 28.0% LIBERIA 10,678 4,810 45.0% NIGERIA 20 8 40.0% SENEGAL 1 0 N/A SPAIN 1 0 N/A US 4 1 25.0% MALI 8 6 75.0% UK 1 0 N/A ITALY 1 0 N/A Figures show nearly 29,000 people were infected from Ebola - meaning the virus killed around 40 per cent of those it struck. Cases and deaths were also reported in Nigeria, Mali and the US - but on a much smaller scale, with 15 fatalities between the three nations. Health officials in Guinea reported a mysterious bug in the south-eastern regions of the country before the WHO confirmed it was Ebola. Ebola was first identified by scientists in 1976, but the most recent outbreak dwarfed all other ones recorded in history, figures show. HOW DID HUMANS CONTRACT THE VIRUS? Scientists believe Ebola is most often passed to humans by fruit bats, but antelope, porcupines, gorillas and chimpanzees could also be to blame. It can be transmitted between humans through blood, secretions and other bodily fluids of people - and surfaces - that have been infected. IS THERE A TREATMENT? The WHO warns that there is 'no proven treatment' for Ebola - but dozens of drugs and jabs are being tested in case of a similarly devastating outbreak. Hope exists though, after an experimental vaccine, called rVSV-ZEBOV, protected nearly 6,000 people. The results were published in The Lancet journal. Advertisement

His Government has agreed to provide free treatment in affected areas and specialist care to Ebola victims and their relatives.

A new experimental Ebola vaccine will be used to try to contain the outbreak.

The vaccine is still in the test stages, but it was effective in the West Africa outbreak a few years ago.

Vaccinations are expected to start early in the week, with more than 4,000 doses already in DR Congo and more on the way.

The UK Public Health Rapid Support Team has been deployed to the Congo to help the country contain the virus.

This deployment included two experts in tracking outbreaks and a data scientist who are expected to remain in the country for about six weeks.

Medecins Sans Frontieres health volunteers are pictured speaking to healthcare professionals in Mbandaka, Congo

World Health Organisation medical supplies are delivered to Mbandaka, Congo this weekend

Congolese medical officials are pictured handling WHO health supplies in Kinshasa, Congo

The ninth Ebola break out is not currently a global health emergency, but risk is 'very high'

Senior WHO official Peter Salama warned of an 'explosive increase' in cases calling the spread to a city 'a major development in the outbreak.'

Adding to concerns is the city's location on the banks of the Congo River, a major thoroughfare for trade and transport into the capital, Kinshasa. The Congo Republic is on the other side of the river.

'We are entering a new phase of the Ebola outbreak that is now affecting three health zones, including an urban health zone,' Health Minister Oly Ilunga Kalenga said in a statement.

'Since the announcement of the alert in Mbandaka, our epidemiologists are working in the field to identify people who have been in contact with suspected cases.'

Health officials are pictured checking people with thermometers to see if they show symptoms of the deadly fever when they arrive off a plane in Congo

Health registers are being strictly kept to after 26 Ebola deaths were confirmed in Congo

He said authorities would intensify population tracing at all air, river and road routes out of the city.

Before the latest confirmed case, Salama said the current number of suspected, probable or confirmed cases stood at 42, with 23 deaths attributed to the outbreak. He said another 4,000-vaccine batch was expected soon.

Health workers have recorded confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Ebola in three health zones of Congo's Equateur province, and have identified 432 people who may have had contact with the disease, the WHO said.

Supplies sent to Congo included more than 300 body bags for safe burials in affected communities. The vaccine will be reserved for people suspected of coming into contact with the disease, as well as health workers.

The vaccine requires storage at a temperature between -60 and -80 degrees C, tricky in a country with unreliable electricity.

'We are now tracing more than 4,000 contacts of patients and they have spread out all over the region of northwest Congo, so they have to be followed up and the only way to reach them is motorcycles,' Salama said.
William Thompson, who was inhaling laughing gas from balloons behind the wheel of his three-tonne van when he crashed into another car and killed two pensioners

A teenager who killed two pensioners after ploughing his van into their car while high on 'hippy crack' has been jailed for nearly 10 years.

William Thompson, 18, was driving at speeds of up to 100mph when he smashed his van into the Nissan Micra on the A41 near Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire.

He had been inhaling nitrous oxide - also known as hippy crack or laughing gas - from a balloon seconds before the horrific crash shortly before 11.30pm on May 7 last year.

Jean Malone, 76, and Mary Davis, 66, were being driven home late at night from the bingo club they ran together in Hendon, north London, by Ms Malone's son Mark.

Thompson's vehicle crashed into the back of their car, sending it hurtling off the road and and into a tree, before it rolled back into the carriageway.

Ms Malone, who was in the front passenger seat, and Ms Davis, in the back, were thrown from their seats and died instantly. Mr Malone miraculously escaped with minor injuries.

The impact was so strong that Thompson's new silver Peugeot Expert Pro van spun onto its roof and slid 134 metres away down the carriageway.

Just before the crash, a motorist saw Thompson, then 17, drive past with his van's interior light on.

He was holding a large inflated balloon in one hand and steering his 3.1-tonne van with the other.

The speed limit for this weight of vehicle is 60mph.

When his car flipped, 50 small silver cannisters containing nitrous oxide gas were scattered along the road, as well as colourful balloons he was using to inhale it.

The scene of the crash on the A41 near Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire

Police also found a 'cracker' on the dashboard which transfers gas into the balloons when they examined the vehicle, said prosecutor Timothy Godfrey.

'He was not in proper control of the vehicle and that was because he was taking nitrous oxide while at the wheel of his van,' said Mr Godfrey.

'He had a large inflated balloon in one hand and the the steering wheel in the other.

'The cause of the collision was his loss of control of the vehicle because he was preoccupied with inflating a balloon with nitrous oxide found in the van.'

Jean Malone, 76, (right) and Mary Davis, 66, (left) were being driven home late at night from the bingo club they ran together in Hendon, north London, by Ms Malone's son Mark

On May 18 the reckless teenager was jailed for nine years and 10 months at Luton Crown Court after admitting two charges of causing death by dangerous driving.

Passing sentence, Judge Foster told Thompson: 'This is one of the worst cases of dangerous driving there can ever be.

'Those who drive owe a high duty of care to fellow road users.

'You failed miserably in that duty by your decision to drive as you did and take nitrous oxide as you did and inhaling it at the time of the accident.'

Thompson outside Luton Crown Court. He admitted causing death by dangerous driving

Ms Malone's son was planning to drop off Ms Davis at her home in Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire, before taking his mother back to their home in Hemel Hempstead.

Other motorists saw Thompson's van veering across the two lanes of the dual carriageway the night of the fatal accident.

He claimed a deer had run out in front of him and he had swerved to miss it, clipping the rear of the Micra, said the prosecutor.

But the van's electronic system showed the driver's foot had been on the accelerator and not the brake at the time of the collision.

It indicated Thompson was driving in excess of 78mph when his van struck the Micra.

Officers also found photos on his phone showing him with balloons held to his mouth and a picture of a speedometer showing the dial at 110mph.

Luton Crown Court, where Thompson was jailed for nine years and 10 months

Nitrous oxide affects the central nervous system, slowing reactions and causing euphoria, dizziness, drowsiness and loss of muscle control.

Donal Lawler, defending Thompson, said: 'He did not intend this to happen, but he has had to live with and deal with the consequences of his utterly reckless actions.'

Mr Malone has suffered from anxiety and feelings of guilt since the accident.

In a victim impact statement, he said: 'I can't help but feel it would have been better for everyone if I had not survived.'

Thompson, of Weston Turville, Buckinghamshire, was jailed for nine years and 10 months and banned from driving for six-and-a-half years.
Jeremy Corbyn was spotted wheeling his bicycle uphill today - after his chances of becoming PM hit the skids with a leadership poll showing he was beaten by 'don't know'.

The Labour leader is a keen cyclist and he made the most of today's sunshine to take his bike out for a ride.

He was spotted wheeling it it up Archway Road near his north London constituency of Islington North today.

But as Mr Corbyn battled the heat to steer his bicycle up the large hill he has another battle on his hands - to get elected.

Jeremy Corbyn was spotted wheeling his bicycle uphill today - after his chances of becoming PM hit the skids with a leadership poll showing he was beaten by 'don't know'

The Labour leader is a keen cyclist and he made the most of today's sunshine to take his bike out for a ride.

Jeremy Corbyn, Labour MP for Islington North, is a keen cyclist and last year enjoyed a bicycle trip in Croatia

Mr Corbyn has seen his popularity ratings slide since the results of last year's June snap General Election.

And the latest YouGov poll on who would make the best Prime Minister puts Mr Corbyn on 25 per cent - behind 'don't know' which is on 35 per cent.

Theresa May has pulled out ahead with 40 per cent of those asked backing her to be PM, according to the poll which was released on Friday.

The YouGov tracker chart, which tracks voter intention week by week, suggests that Labour's popularity has seriously declined.

On July 6 last year, just after Mrs May's General Election disaster, the poll put Labour on 46 per cent - eight points ahead of the Tories who were on 38.

The latest YouGov poll on who would make the best Prime Minister puts Mr Corbyn on 25 per cent - behind 'don't know' which is on 35 per cent.

But the poll has seen Labour's numbers slide and reverse over ten months since.

In the latest survey, Labour were on 38 points - behind the Tories on 43.

Mr Corbyn has faced criticism and stormy headlines over claims he has failed to do enough to tackle nati-Semiism among his supporters.

While some accused him of being soft on Russia in the aftermath of the Salisbury poison outrage after he initially refused to point the finger of blame at the Kremlin.

Mr Corbyn is a keen cyclist and last year enjoyed a bicycle trip in Croatia.
Tom Dupre, the 23-year-old co-leader of the anti-immigration group Generation Identity, works as a City banker for Standard Chartered

A new brand of young, well-organised and tech-savvy extremists are giving the far right a 'more respectable' appearance, an anti-fascist group has warned.

Tom Dupre, the 23-year-old co-leader of the extreme anti-immigration group Generation Identity, works as a City banker for Standard Chartered.

The British branch of GI, which spans across 13 countries, has become the 'most active far-right group in Britain', a report from the group Hope Not Hate has said.

The right-wing activists 'consciously seek to portray an image of normality and respectability' but support a policy of 'remigration' for ethnic minorities, the report said.

Hope Not Hate's 28-page report on GI, entitled 'A New Threat', said the far right had tried to distance itself from previous anti-migrant groups such as the English Defence League.

The activists had dropped balaclavas and masks and instead produced 'professional' campaign materials online, helping it to attract younger activists such as Dupre and his colleagues, the report said.

But 'the core beliefs of GI, such as "ethnopluralism" and "remigration", are far more extreme and race-based' than the EDL's, it said.

Dupre is described as a 'proficient clarinet player' and the son of an insurance broker, who went to grammar school in Kent and now works in the City after studying at Bristol.

In a video posted on YouTube from a GI conference, Dupre said: 'I don't think anything we've said thus far is particularly controversial.

Generation Identity's Tom Dupre speaks (centre) at Hyde Park during a demonstration in support of Austrian far-right ally Martin Sellner who was denied entry to the country

At a Generation Identity conference Dupre spoke of a 'replacement' of populations in Europe by ethnic minorities, a term which Hope Not Hate said was aimed at Muslim migrants

Martin Sellner (pictured) and his girlfriend were denied entry to Britain after planning to address a Generation Identity rally at Speaker's Corner, Hyde Park

'It's slightly bizarre that we're getting this reaction compared to the reality of what we are.'

He spoke of a 'replacement' of populations in Europe by ethnic minorities, a term which Hope Not Hate said was aimed at Muslim migrants.

GI assumes that 'Muslim migrants intrinsically pose a threat to their ethnic and cultural heritage', the lengthy report said.

Far-right ally Martin Sellner has spoken of the Great Replacement as the process by which the indigenous European population is replaced by non-European migrants.'

Sellner, a leading GI member from Austria, was denied entry to Britain last month after he had tried to address a far-right rally at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park.

Sellner said in a video posted on Twitter that he and his American girlfriend Brittany Pettibone were detained for three days and then deported.

Last year the group staged a bizarre stunt in which an activist dressed as Sadiq Khan went to London landmarks asking people to sign a petition to ban Christmas.
A man has died after falling into the sea while his friend desperately clung to rocks while trying to save him.

A rescue mission was sparked following reports that a fisherman had fallen down a cliff and that his companion had become stranded on rocks trying to help.

Police, lifeboat volunteers and HM Coastguard crews were called to Pigeons Cave on the Great Orme headland in Llandudno, North Wales at about 7.30am.

A rescue mission was sparked following reports that a fisherman had fallen down a cliff and that his companion had become stranded on rocks trying to help

A crew from RNLI Llandudno rescued the man from the water and took him to shore where a helicopter was waiting, but he later died in hospital.

The second man was rescued from the rocks and treated by paramedics after becoming 'extremely cold.'

An RNLI spokeswoman said: 'Llandudno lifeboat recovered a male casualty clinging to rocks on Great Orme's Head and a second male casualty was found and recovered in the water.'
From a black preacher to a gospel choir, Meghan Markle made sure her African-American identity was reflected during her wedding on Saturday.

And while the Duchess of Sussex is helping usher in a new era to the British monarchy, she has also become an important figure to black women at home.

Women young and old have been inspired to see not only a biracial princess, but one who is incredibly proud of both sides of her heritage.

Mikki Taylor, the editor-at-large for Essence Magazine, has found that Meghan is 'very clear about the magnificent truth of who she is'.

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Meghan Markle has become a positive role model for young black girls, including a group who excitedly celebrated the royal wedding with a high tea in New Jersey

Mikki Taylor, the editor-at-large at Essence Magazine, has found that Meghan is 'very clear about the magnificent truth of who she is'

'I think that Meghan Markle says to young women in this country that you are unprecedented,' she told CBS.

'That you must be your authentic self and thrive in it.'

And Meghan has become a positive role model for young black girls, including a group who excitedly celebrated the royal wedding with a high tea in New Jersey.

Jada, one of the guests, said that Meghan has proven to her that she can do whatever she wants, no matter 'your race, ethnicity, what you look like'.

And, like Taylor, the girls love that Meghan embraces her biracial identity.

'That fact that she does identify as biracial and she doesn't try and hide it or anything, she's very proud of it,' said a girl named Natalie.

Another girl, Chloe, says she looks up to Meghan and sees herself in the new duchess.

The girls said they love that Meghan embraces her biracial identity and 'doesn't try and hide it'

The girls say they look up to Meghan and see themselves in the new Duchess of Sussex

Jada said that Meghan has proven to her that she can do whatever she wants, no matter 'your race, ethnicity, what you look like'

'I do see hope for the future,' she said. 'And so I hope that one day I can do something that will allow people to have hope in me and to believe in what I can do.'

Tyler Newman, 16, said Meghan has become a 'face for women of color'.

'Just seeing how she dresses herself, how she conducts herself and puts herself out in the world,' she said.

'She's not just representing herself, but she's representing all of black women and what we have to bring.'

Joy Reid, who also hosted a segment on MSNBC about the royal wedding felt 'personal' for African Americans because of Meghan

Joy Reid, who also hosted a segment on MSNBC about the royal wedding, said that the day was especially special for African Americans.

'It feels personal because of Meghan,' she added.

'It feels extremely personal,' Lola Ogunnaike, an anchor for PeopleTV, agreed with Reid.

'She's such an unlikely princess,' she added. 'She's biracial, she's a divorcee, she's an American, she's an actress, she's 36 so she's a few years older than him.'

'All these confluence of facts about this woman would make her the most unlikely person to be in this position, and yet we're all here celebrating Meghan Markle.'
Food Network host Josh Denny, 34, stirred controversy on Twitter on Friday

Comedian and Food Network host Josh Denny stirred controversy online after claiming that 'straight white male' has become society's new n-word.

Denny, who hosts the show Ginormous Food, took to Twitter on Friday to share his thoughts with his 117,000 followers.

'"Straight White Male" has become this centurys N-Word. Its used to offend and diminish the recipient based on assumption and bias. No difference in the usage,' the 34-year-old tweeted.

However the tweet quickly blew up with 11,000 comments, many firing back at the comedian accusing him of being tone-deaf.

'Comparing "SWM" with the N-word is outrageously tone-deaf, inane, and wildly false. I don't care how "persecuted" by "racism" you feel as a white dude, if you think use of the term is equivalent to a slur arising from centuries of SLAVERY AND SEGREGATION, you're crazy,' Twitter user Mark Hughes tweeted in reply.

The Ginormous food host tweeted on Friday that the phrase 'straight white male' has become this century's n-word, sparking outrage online

He claimed that the phrase causes others to see him through a negative lens, as 'straight white male' has negative stereotypes associated with it

However many were quick to criticize the host for his bold statement, such as this man who wrote 'From one straight white male to another: F*** You'

Actor Don Cheadle tweeted a curt but powerful response to the Food Network host

Even Dictionary.com weighed in on the controversy saying the n-word is the most offensive word in the English language

Screenwriter Mark Hughes also commented on the matter, explaining that Denny's statement was 'tone-deaf, inane, and wildly false'

'A massacre happens in country where white males w/guns overwhelmingly commit attacks amid rising white nationalism & gun ownership, & you react by finger-wagging that talking a/b white male privilege & aggression is = to racial slurs against oppressed minorities? GTFO of here', he added.

Denny justified his statement saying the term 'straight white male' devalues his experience as it labels him a certain way.

He added that shooters have often been described as straight white male, adding a negative connotation to the phrase.

'You don't think SWM is being used the same way? Twitter search it. All shootings, all oppression; everything is blamed on SWM's... But not all SWM's are responsible for the actions of few,' he tweeted in response to one user.

'We will only eliminate racism, bigotry, and discrimination when we stop thinking of people and discussing society in those terms. Saying "this person cant think this because theyre this" is why we are a nation divided,' he added.

However Twitter users fired back saying the the n-word is a derogatory term that carries the weight of slavery and segregation with it - a stark difference from 'straight white male' which simply describes one's identity.

'I understand what you are trying to say, but woof. Straight white male might be used to discuss your personal opinion, but the N -word is used to dismiss people as humans. Not equivalent. Not even close,' one user explained.

'Seeing how youve never been called the n word, I dont think you have the right to compare to anything as benign as SWM,' another user wrote.

Even Dictionary.com weighed in on the controversy.

'The n-word is considered the most offensive word in the English language. "Straight white male" is ... not,' the website tweeted.

One user urged angry users to ignore him and prevent him from getting more online publicity

Others did their best to understand and explain why his point of view was problematic

Call him out: One user said Denny shouldn't speak on experiences he does not understand

Just saying: Another said he disproved his point in his own tweet by not writing out the n-word

One user explained that the n-word in a derogatory term that was designed to reinforce racism

She continued to say that the identifiers straight, white, and male do not carry a negative connotation and are therefore not nearly as offensive

One user pointed out that it was white straight males that used the n-word in the first place

He responded saying he had nothing to do with slavery, not acknowledging the Twitter user's other points

Many were simply floored with Denny's bold statement.

'From one straight white male to another: F***. Yooooooouuuuuu,' one user wrote.

'Josh, bud, if it dont apply let it fly. The defense youre playing right now makes u seem so guilty,' one person wrote.

'I think Josh Denny is looking for a come up so he decided to piss off the African Americans. Ignore him. You won't get a Netflix special out of us, bro,' another added.

One user wrote: '"Straight White Male" is as offensive as the "n-word", then why did you not type out the actual "n-word."'

Several users took time to give lengthy explanations that refuted Denny's statement.

'I'm sorry, but that reasoning is seriously flawed. The "n-word" is negative by dictionary definition, hence the reason why it was the word of choice to define a group of ppl who were looked upon as lesser beings. 1 It was a control mechanism, designed to continually reinforce racism. The definitions of "straight", "white" and "male" are not negative in connotation in any way. To make the comparison is oversimplification of the highest order,' another user schooled.

Not the same thing! This Twitter user discounted Denny's argument saying 'straight white male' is not synonymous with a disgraceful history of abuse and hate

Sharp Twitter users combed through Denny's tweets and found shocking offensive posts

In one shocking tweet he says he would buy all free slaves back if he won the lottery

In another he says: 'Are black people just the holocaust Jews that survived all of it?'

'But isn't that what you are a straight white & male?And you equate that with Racial epithet. That carries over 400 years of murder, rape, stolen, lives sold children. As a Woman of African descent I don't know if purposely went there. But really. StraightWhiteMales used that word,' another Twitter user added.

In response Denny said: '400 years of activities I had nothing to do with'.

As many spewed angry comments at the comedian, he replied to many in what he called a 'healthy debate and dialogue'.

Curious followers went through the host's tweets and unearthed several controversial posts with racist and misogynist tones.

In a tweet from August 2012 he wrote: Hey Chinese girl at the pool: please close your legs. No one wants to see your slanty p****.'

Months later in December he wrote: 'Are black people just the holocaust Jews that survived all of it?'

In January 2016 he wrote: 'First things first, I'm gonna buy back all the freed slaves! #WorstPowerBallWinners'.

In March 2014 he wrote a disturbing tweet that said: 'You ever hate a b****'s guts so much that you want her to get gang-raped in holes that don't exist yet? #ithinkitwouldmakeherabetterperson.

Outraged Twitter users have tweeted The Food Network fervently to get him booted off the channel.

Food Network has not responded to the public outrage.
A 12-year-old schoolboy received death threats after he killed a pregnant meerkat which bit him as it tried to protect its family in a Hungarian zoo.

The boy ignored warning signs about petting the animals and stuck his arm through the fence before being bitten on the finger by the meerkat who is known as Zara.

It is believed that after she bit him he swung the 18-month-old meerkat animal on to the ground and both mother and baby died immediately, reports the Independent.

Kecskemeti Zoo director Tamas Tokovics made an emotional statement on Facebook, saying: 'Whose fault it is? That today's youth are becoming less and less respectful of nature, life, or that the escort teachers are becoming less and less aware of the students entrusted to them, or to the parents.

'They have less and less time for a conversation where they draw attention to their children in respect of each other and respect for nature.'

A 12-year-old boy has received death threats after killing a pregnant meerkat called Zara (pictured) which bit him at the Kecskemeti Zoo in Hungary

Mr Tokovics revealed that Zara had become a favourite at the zoo, and had even spent time at his house while her new home was being built and became friendly with his pet spaniel.

He added: 'I'm sure many of you remember that she became a media star a year and a half ago when she came to us. With her bustle, her curiosity, her shirking, she stole herself into everyone's heart.'

The announcement of the death has led to an outpouring of anger, with some calling for the child to be severely punished for his actions.

One wrote on Facebook: 'Animal cruelty is punishable by law!'

Another said the boy 'should be smashed to the ground so hard he doesn't get up again'.

Despite the reaction from social media users, Mr Tokovics called for restraint.

He wrote: 'Everyone, let's not start looking for a scapegoat, because we can't make the tragedy happen anymore, but let's start with small steps to build a world where things like this can't happen where we're watching nature.

'To each other and the harmony between us.'

The announcement of the death has led to an outpouring of anger, with some calling for the child to be severely punished for his actions
Boris Johnson today laid a wreath at a memorial to the Argentines who died in the Falklands War as he sought to reset diplomatic relations with the South American country.

The Foreign Secretary said the former foes had come a long way as he embarked on a three-day mission to revive trade links more than three decades on from the 1982 conflict.

In a sign of thawed tensions, Mr Johnson and his Argentine counterpart Jorge Faurie took part in an unprecedented joint ceremony in the capital Buenos Aires.

They laid wreaths together at Monumento a los caidos en Malvinas - the Monument to the Fallen In the Falklands.

In a sign of thawed tensions, Mr Johnson and his Argentine counterpart Jorge Faurie took part in an unprecedented joint ceremony in the capital Buenos Aires

The Foreign Secretary said the former foes had come a long way as he embarked on a three-day mission to revive trade links more than three decades on from the 1982 conflict

The Falklands are still claimed by Argentina, but since his election as president in 2015, Mauricio Macri has significantly dialled down rhetoric on the issue. Pictured: Boris with Jorge Faurie today

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Argentine Foreign Secretary Jorge Faurie arrive to the Monument of the Fallen Soldiers in honor of soldiers who died in the Falklands War

The Prime Minister is due to visit Argentina later this year for a G20 summit. Pictured: Boris and his counterpart next to the memorial today

The memorial honours the 649 Argentine troops who died in the two-month-long war, but does not mention the 255 British personnel who lost their lives while liberating the islands.

Argentina's chief of the cabinet of ministers Marcos Pena will next month lay a wreath in St Paul's Cathedral in London to reciprocate the gesture.

Mr Johnson, who is the first British foreign secretary to visit Argentina in 22 years, said: The relationship between the UK and Argentina has come a long way over the past few years and this visit will be an opportunity to build on and enhance ever closer co-operation on trade, investment, cultural ties, tackling corruption and organised crime, and increasing links in science and technology.

As the UK leaves the European Union, my message is that the UK is open for business. I look forward to a new chapter in our relationship, and booming trade prospects, after the UK leaves the European Union.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson disembarks a navy patrol boat on the Amazon river near Iquitos in Peru with members of the Peruvian armed forces who are trying to prevent the illegal wildlife trade yesterday

Boris dances with infant class teacher Adriana Pinedo during a visit to the village school in Santa Marta, on the bank of the Amazon near Iquitos in Peru, during his tour yesterday

The Falklands are still claimed by Argentina, but since his election as president in 2015, Mauricio Macri has significantly dialled down rhetoric on the issue.

Anglo-Argentine relations were thrust into the deep freeze for more than a decade by the bellicose approach of Mr Macri's predecessors Nestor Kirchner and Cristina Kirchner, who used the islands as a distraction from Argentina's economic woes.

The two sides have been increasingly working together, including on a joint project earlier this year that saw the identification of the remains of 90 Argentine troops in unmarked graves on the Falklands.

Around 1,000 British troops are still stationed on the islands, which has a population of 2,560.

In 1990, Argentina and the UK restored diplomatic relations, however, the situation remained tense.

Five years ago, in 2013, the islanders voted to remain a British overseas territory.

The memorial honours the 649 Argentine troops who died in the two-month-long war, but does not mention the 255 British personnel who lost their lives while liberating the islands. Pictured: British troops guarding captured Argentine soldiers

The two sides have been increasingly working together, including on a joint project earlier this year that saw the identification of the remains of 90 Argentine troops in unmarked graves on the Falklands. Pictured: Argentine soldiers during the war in 1982

Around 1,000 British troops are still stationed on the islands, which has a population of 2,560. Pictured: Argentine prisoners being marched from Goose Green in the Falkland Islands after their surrender

Mr Johnson tomorrow morning will represent the UK at a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in Buenos Aires, before continuing his tour of South America in Chile.

The Prime Minister is due to visit Argentina later this year for a G20 summit.

Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, became the first minister to visit in 16 years last summer.
Daytime host Wendy Williams, 53, said she believes Kanye West is suffering from serious mental health problems during an event at Vulture Festival this weekend

TV personality Wendy Williams has spoken out about Kanye West's recent bizarre behavior by saying he is 'in the throes' and 'not well'.

In one particularly eventful week at the end of April and beginning of May the rapper made a series of controversial comments on Twitter and in a TMZ interview - including calling slavery a 'choice' and professing his love for Donald Trump.

Wendy responded to the events on her daytime talk show saying: 'Kanye West has really lost his mind'.

She then launched into a longwinded rant about the rapper's 'irresponsible' decisions and his physical appearance, which was criticized by many as being cruel and unnecessary.

This weekend the TV host appeared at a Vulture Festival event called 'Ask Wendy Williams' in which she said she feels 'very, very bad' for Kanye, who she believes is suffering from serious mental health problems.

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Wendy was asked about Kanye by Las Culturistas hosts Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang (left and center) during a game of 'How She Doin', in which she shared thoughts on popular celebrities

During the set at the festival by New York Magazine, Las Culturistas hosts Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang asked Wendy to play a game called 'How She Doin', in which she shared her thoughts on popular celebrities including Meghan Markle and Mariah Carey.

When asked about Kanye, Williams got serious, saying the rapper is 'in the throes'.

'I think that mental illness is something that is so real,' she said.

'As long as I'm here and you're listening, I will tell you I feel very, very bad for Kanye West. His father is nowhere in the picture, his mom passed away trying to beautify herself to be a stage mom.

'I'm not going to talk about his wife, his family, or anything like that. But what I will tell you is that he's not well.

'That is the very foundation of everything he says. He's not well. I wish him well.'

Wendy got very serious when speaking about the rapper's recent behavior saying: 'As long as I'm here and you're listening, I will tell you I feel very, very bad for Kanye West'

She also commented on Kanye's recent statements about being hospitalized due to an opioid addiction in 2016 - a particularly sensitive topic for Wendy, who has struggled with addiction herself.

'The war on drugs is very, very real, and the war on helping people with mental illness is very, very real,' she said.

'People think: "Oh, cocaine, heroin, weed, and stuff." No - people popping those pills, that's affecting millions of Americans.'

In the TMZ interview on May 1 Kanye detailed how he got hooked on opioids after having plastic surgery in 2016.

'I didn't want y'all to call me fat, so I got liposuction, and they gave me opioids. I started taking two of them and then driving to work on the opioids.'

He was hospitalized in November of that year after having a meltdown on stage, which he revealed was a result of his opioid addiction.

'So the reason why I denounced, why I dropped those tweets and everything, because I was drugged the f*** out, bro. And I am not drugged out.'

Last month the rapper made a series of controversial comments on Twitter and in a TMZ interview - including calling slavery a 'choice' and professing his love for Donald Trump

In the same tumultuous interview West explained his recent tweets in support of Trump by explaining that his opinion of the president had nothing to do with politics.

'My righteous point of view is freedom of thought. I don't have extremely strong political opinions. You can talk to John Legend if you want opinions,' said Kanye.

'I have never been into politics. I just love Trump. That is my boy.'

He also responded to the widespread outrage that had followed his comment referring to Trump as his 'brother' earlier in the week.

'I said wow, this is really like the Malcolm X movie. They are really going to send some black people out to me,' he said.

'You can live through an a** whipping. Probably the idea is to beat sense into me. But when you hear about slavery for 400 years. For 400 years? That sounds like a choice.'

'You were there for 400 years, and it is all of y'all? It is like we are mentally imprisoned. I like the word prison because slavery goes too direct to the idea of blacks. It is like slavery, holocaust. Holocaust, is Jews, and slavery is blacks.

'So prison is something that unites us as one race. Black and whites, one race. It is like we are one with the human race, we are human beings and stuff.'

The interview quickly went viral on social media.
President Donald Trump is demanding his Justice Department examine whether his 2016 presidential campaign was 'infiltrated or surveilled' by the FBI or the department itself, he announced on Sunday, and to see if President Barack Obama was behind the effort.

The tweet came after multiple reports the FBI dispatched a confidential source to speak with some of his campaign advisers about the campaign's possible ties to Russia.

Trump has been on a twitter firestorm about the issue, charging the FBI planted 'at least one' spy in his campaign in order to derail his White House aspirations by ginning up a phony reason to criminally investigate him.

The president has long charged the Obama administration with spying on his presidential efforts but offered no proof to the claim.

President Trump is demanding the Justice Department investigate whether the FBI or the department 'infiltrated' his presidential campaign for 'political purposes.'

His numerous and loud allegations have led to questions about why he hasn't ordered an investigation into the matter.

Trump answered that in his tweet on Sunday, saying he would demand they do just that.

'I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes - and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!' he wrote.

His demand, however, raises additional questions about whether he's started a political witch hunt within the government and whether this is the start of a rolling call for additional probes into the 2016 campaign.

Former Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor said Trump crossed a 'massive red line' with his demand.

'This is crossing a massive red line. Trump is forcing DOJ to conduct a politicized investigation - something he himself conceded he shouldn't do. Someone in the Republican Party needs to stand up to this bullshit right now,' Vietor tweeted on Sunday.

Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on CBS' Face the Nation that he had not seen any evidence to suggest there was an informant inside the Trump campaign. He added that any effort to reveal the identity of a secret FBI source would be illegal and should be prosecuted.

'The first thing you learn when you get involved with the intelligence community is that you need to protect sources and methods and that if you were to out or to burn such an agent, that person's life could be in jeopardy,' he said. 'And I find it outrageous that the president's allies are in effect playing fast and loose with confidential information.'

Trump was on a twitter bender on Sunday, spending the morning tweeting rants about special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into alleged Russian influence in the 2016 election and about a bombshell New York Times article that revealed Russia may not have been the only country interested in influencing the presidential contest.

But his demand for an investigation comes after reports that an American academic who met with Trump's advisers in 2016 could have been an FBI informant for its probe into the campaign's alleged collusion with Russian.

Both the New York Times and Washington Post have reported the FBI made use of a U.S.-born academic working in the UK as an informant, and that he met with Carter Page and George Papadopoulos, two Trump aides suspected of dealing with the Russians.

This came after the Daily Caller reported that both Page and Papadopoulos met in 2016 with an American professor at Cambridge University, which it named as Stefan Halper. He asked several questions about Russia which prompted suspicions.

Following the reports and naming of the professor, Trump tweeted: 'If the FBI or DOJ was infiltrating a campaign for the benefit of another campaign, that is a really big deal.

'Only the release or review of documents that the House Intelligence Committee (also, Senate Judiciary) is asking for can give the conclusive answers. Drain the Swamp!'

Stefan Halper is a Cambridge Academic and has been named in several reports as an FBI informant on the Trump campaign. He is pictured in an undated image speaking at the Oxford Union debating society

Talk of an alleged informant has angered President Trump, who is pictured speaking at a round table event in Washington on May 16

Following the reports and naming of the professor, Trump tweeted: 'If the FBI or DOJ was infiltrating a campaign for the benefit of another campaign, that is a really big deal'

Papadopoulos revealed in a plea agreement to having been told by an apparent Russian agent that the Putin government had access to a raft of hacked Hillary Clinton emails before this was made public. He has since pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.

Page, meanwhile, was under surveillance by the FBI at the time he met with Professor Halper, who had links to both the CIA and MI6.

Papadopoulos first met Halper after the academic invited him to England in September 2016 to discuss energy issues, two sources familiar with his account told NBC News.

The Trump aide found Halper's behavior during these meetings suspicious, the sources said, and also noticed that the academic's young assistant appeared to flirt with him both during and after the exchanges.

Papadopoulos said Halper, who is now retired, randomly brought up Russians and Clinton's emails, adding to his suspicions.

Page told the Daily Caller he met with Halper several times, including on the academic's farm in Virginia. However, Page told NBC he did not find these encounters concerning.

Halper also met with a third Trump campaign official, to whom he reportedly expressed interest in helping the president's campaign.

There is no public evidence that Halper was an FBI informant, and official sources have refused to comment on the subject. Halper has not given any comment on the issue.

Trump's attorney, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, admitted on CNN Friday that there's no proof the Obama administration had a mole inside the Trump campaign during the president's 2016 run.

'First of all, I don't know for sure  nor does the president  if there really was one,' Giuliani said. 'For a long time we've been told that there was some kind of infiltration. At one time the president thought it was a wiretap. ... but we've never been notified that he was on a tap or an intercept.'

George Papadopoulos was one of three Trump aides that met with Professor Halper during 2016

Carter Page, a Trump adviser who was under FBI surveillance before the 2016 election. He is pictured on December 12, 2016, in Moscow

The academic has long-established connections to both British and American intelligence services.

He worked closely with former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove at the Cambridge Security Initiative, an intelligence consulting group.

Meanwhile, his father-in-law was Ray Cline, who served as director of the CIA's bureau of intelligence and research. Halper also worked with a team of former CIA officials on George H.W. Bush's failed presidential bid.

Allegations that the FBI planted an informant in the Trump campaign have angered the President.

In a series of late night calls to allies, including Fox News anchor Sean Hannity, Trump has used the reports as evidence that the so-called deep state of career government officials has been working against him.

The President thrust the issue into the limelight with a tweet on Friday.

He quoted Fox News anchor David Asman, who said: 'Apparently the DOJ put a Spy in the Trump Campaign. This has never been done before and [is not] by any means necessary, they are out to frame Donald Trump for crimes he didn't commit'.

Trump has frequently fumed about the Russia probe even while in White House meetings this week about other topics, according to a White House official.

Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, told CNN on Friday neither he or Trump actually knew for sure if there was an informant or not

Trump tweeted a quote from Fox News anchor David Asman, claiming the DOJ would 'frame him for crimes he didn't commit'

Talk of the reported FBI source has rocketed through the conservative media, with several people putting forward Halper as the likely suspect.

Hannity discussed the issue on his show Wednesday - and was a centerpiece of Giuliani's attacks on the probe Friday.

'I want to know because I believe, if there was an embedded person, that person cleared us because the FBI cleared us.

'I wonder what the heck is the legitimacy of the Mueller investigation in the first place,' Giuliani told CNN.

Trump allies have increasingly pushed for ways to paint Mueller and his investigators as political actors in an effort to discredit his findings or justify his possible dismissal.

They have painted the informant as a 'spy', although this suggests an agent permanently embedded within the campaign, an impression the FBI would refute.

A number of Trump outside advisers - including former chief strategist Stephen Bannon - have stepped up their attacks on the Department of Justice, calling for it to release more documents to the White House while saying a confidential source has worked against Trump.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder after a man was stabbed to death outside an Asda in West London.

Osman Shidane, 20, was attacked in Victoria road in South Ruislip on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed.

The victim, West Drayton, Hillingdon, was rushed to hospital and remained in a critical condition for several days. Tragically, he died on Friday at about 5pm.

Osman Shidane, 20 (pictured), died on Friday after being repeatedly stabbed on Tuesday night

A boy, just 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with Shidane's murder yesterday and is being held in custody

Blood covered the pavement where the 20-year-old was repeatedly stabbed

A post-mortem examination held yesterday gave the cause of death as multiple stab wounds.

The 16-year-old boy charged with Shidane's murder is from Hillingdon but cannot be named for legal reasons.

He was arrested on Wednesday at about 12.30pm in The Fairway, a residential street in Ruislip, on suspicion of attempted murder.

He was charged with Osman's murder yesterday.

A 15-year-old girl was also arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of assisting an offender - but has since been released without investigation.

Earlier this week relatives of Osman asked friend and family to pray for the boy's recovery.

His aunt posted to Facebook: 'Please make dua for my nephew who is fighting for his life in hospital after a stabbing. Keep him in your prayers this Ramadan.'

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating the incident and continue to make enquiries.

Osman attended Harlington School, a mixed secondary school and sixth form located in the London Borough of Hillingdon.

Osman Shidane (pictured) hailed from West Drayton, Hillingdon, and attended Harlington School, a mixed secondary school and sixth form located in the London Borough of Hillingdon

Osman, London's 66th murder victim this year, was found in Victoria Road (pictured)

In the first three months of this year 45 murders were recorded, compared to the first quarter of 2017 when there were 23.

There were two stabbings in just half an hour last month, when on April 15 young father Raul Nicolaie was knifed to death aged 26 in north London. In Brixton in the south of the capital, a woman lost her life to knife crime.

An urgent investigation into the violent crime wave in the capital was launched by the Police and Crime Committee of the London Assembly - and Mayor Sadiq Khan has been urged to 'take hold of the situation'.
They looked more like zombies than New Yorkers as they slumped against buildings and lay down on the sidewalks.

Police say they all had taken a bad batch of drugs known to induce paranoia, vomiting and hallucinations.

At least 25 people were hospitalized in New York City after a possible overdose of synthetic marijuana known as 'K2'.

Police responded to an intersection in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood on Saturday and loaded dazed and confused users onto stretchers and into ambulances.

It is believed that this is the same location where 33 people overdosed on K2 in 2016.

At least 25 people were hospitalized in New York City after a possible overdose of synthetic marijuana known as 'K2'

Police responded to an intersection in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood on Saturday and loaded dazed and confused people onto stretchers and into ambulances

It is believed that this is the same location where 33 people overdosed on K2 in 2016

Authorities received a call around 7.30pm of people found unresponsive on the corner of Broadway and Myrtle Avenue

Those hospitalized were taken to Interfaith Medical Center, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center and Woodhull Medical Center, and all are expected to live

Witnesses at the scene said the drug users looked like zombies and could barely keep their bodies upright

On Saturday night, NBC 4 New York reported that the number of those who overdosed was believed to be 16 before those figures were corrected on Sunday.

Authorities received a call around 7.30pm of people found unresponsive on the corner of Broadway and Myrtle Avenue.

Those hospitalized were taken to Interfaith Medical Center, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center and Woodhull Medical Center, and all are expected to live.

Witnesses at the scene said the drug users looked like zombies and could barely keep their bodies upright.

'We call them The Walking Dead,' Israel P told The New York Daily News.

The 23-year-old, who works at his family's nearby restaurant, said he saw three people get taken away in ambulances.

This man tried to escape from paramedics and was stumbling and tripping overs cars to do so (left and right)

He eventually was recovered by emergency personnel and was loaded into an ambulance

Witnesses describe users of the drug as having trouble breathing and 'looking like zombies'

Two search warrants were executed at Big Boy Deli at 930 Broadway (left) and the Star Deli and Grill at 943 Broadway (right), according to police

Another man, who declined to give his name told The News: 'One of them, a guy, was upside down. His body up, his head down...Another one was lying down flat.'

Police arrested Tyquan Holley, 41, on Saturday night for criminal possession of a controlled substance after he was found with synthetic marijuana on Myrtle Avenue near Broadway.

Holley has a lengthy rap sheet with 18 prior arrests on charges ranging from patronizing a prostitute, robbery and grand larceny, police said.

WHAT IS SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA? Synthetic marijuana, also known as K2, contains man-made chemicals that act on the same cell receptors in the brain as THC does in natural marijuana. Researchers have found instances in which chemicals in synthetic marijuana can bind much more strongly to cell receptors than THC does in marijuana that is grown. This can produce stronger effects, such as an elevated mood or feeling of relaxation. But synthetic marijuana is also known to have psychotic effects on some users. These can include extreme anxiety, confusion, paranoia and even hallucinations. It is often packaged under names such as Spice, AK-47, Green Giant Scooby Snax, Smacked, iBlown and Dank. Source: National Institute of Drug Abuse Advertisement

Additionally, two search warrants were executed at Big Boy Deli at 930 Broadway and the Star Deli and Grill at 943 Broadway, according to police.

Authorities have called Big Boy Deli the 'sole distributor' of K2 in the area, according to DNAinfo.com

Three other men were arrested for selling untaxed cigarettes including Raddwan Alsaidi, 24; Marcial Cortez, 26; and Ashraf Rayshani, 22.

Cortez was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon, a knife, reported The New York Times.

Two people were taken into custody at the Deli and Grill on charges related to selling untaxed cigarettes, police said.

K2 contains man-made chemicals that act on the same cell receptors in the brain that THC does in natural marijuana. It is dirt cheap, often sold for one to five dollars for a stick or package.

Researchers have found instances in which chemicals in synthetic marijuana can bind much more strongly to cell receptors than THC, producing stronger effects.

Because the chemicals vary from packet to packet, the effects of K2 are unpredictable and can change from use to use, according to the New York City Health Department.

Packaged under names like Spice, AK-47, Smacked, Green Giant Scooby Snax, iBlown and Dank, K2 can lead to seizures, psychosis, dependence and death.

The products can also cause a rapid increase in heart, paranoia, confusion, vomiting and hallucinations.

Richard Rojas, who plowed into a crowd of pedestrian in Times Square in May 2017 - killing an 18-year-old girl, was reportedly high on K2 at the time, reported ABC 7.

More than 6,000 people have been sent to the emergency room in New York because of K2 since 2015 and there have been two confirmed deaths caused by the drug.

Packaged under names like Spice, AK-47, Smacked, and Dank, K2 can lead to seizures, psychosis, dependence and death

More than 6,000 people have been sent to the emergency room in New York because of K2 since 2015 and there have been two confirmed deaths caused by the drug

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a bill in October that made it illegal to sell or produce K2, making it a crime punishable by up to a year in jail and fines of more than $100,000

Police arrested Tyquan Holley, 41, on Saturday night for criminal possession of a controlled substance. Two people were taken into custody at the Deli and Grill on charges related to selling untaxed cigarettes, police said

Councilman Robert Cornegy Jr (in blue shirt) and Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright, whose districts includes Bedford-Stuyvesant, asked for extra law enforcement outside Big Boy Deli

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a bill in October that made it illegal to sell or produce K2, making it a crime punishable by up to a year in jail and fines of more than $100,000.

In May 2016, he announced that there had been an 85 percent decline in K2-related emergency visits in the last 10 months.

Councilman Robert Cornegy Jr and Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright, whose districts includes Beford-Stuyvesant, held a press conference on Sunday during which they asked for extra law enforcement outside Big Boy Deli.

'Right now we are talking about step up enforcements in the local area to make sure that this doesn't happen again,' Cornegy told reporters.

Shops that are caught selling the drug lose their license to sell cigarettes. But Cornegy said many area shops have found ways to get around the law. [rewrite[

'Some of the local shop owners are now using what's called runners. So, not selling it absolutely out of the store, but having people who are working outside of the store who are loosely associated with the stores doing their business for them,' the councilman told New York 1.

'So we have to escalate our efforts in an effort to stop this scourge in our community.'
Just hours after his sermon stole the show at the royal wedding, bishop Michael Curry got his own sketch on Saturday Night Live.

The enthusiastic preacher was parodied on SNL's Weekend Update, with Kenan Thompson playing Curry as he was interviewed by Michael Che.

In the skit, Che introduces Curry as the 'unexpected star' of the royal wedding, adding that he delivered a sermon British journalists called 'unconventional'.

Scroll down for video

Bishop Michael Curry was parodied on SNL's Weekend Update, with Kenan Thompson playing the American preacher who stole the show at the royal wedding on Saturday

The Most Reverend Michael Curry mentioned slavery, the Old Testament and quoted the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in a fiery speech that made headlines across the world

'Wassup Michael!' Thompson bellows. 'Thank the lord above, it is good to be around black folks again!'

Che laughs and then asks the Chicago preacher how the wedding went.

'Did you see it?' Thompson responds. 'Oh it was tough man, real tough.'

'I preached and I testified, and I yelled while 500 stuffy English people looked at me like I was a fart in an elevator!'

'It felt like somebody opened a chicken and waffles kiosk in the middle of a Pottery Barn!'

In the skit, Che introduces Curry as the 'unexpected star' of the royal wedding, adding that he delivered a sermon British journalists called 'unconventional'

'I preached and I testified, and I yelled while 500 stuffy English people looked at me like I was a fart in an elevator!' Thompson joked

Thompson as Curry continues, saying he was 'working it' up on the stage and giving his 'all'.

'And a sea of white faces is just looking back at me and I thought, lord help me, this must be what it's like to be Darius Rucker!' he said, referencing the black country star.

'I take it you've never done a royal wedding before?' Che asks.

'Oh, of course I have Michael,' Thompson responds sarcastically. 'I'm a black preacher from Chicago!'

'The biggest wedding I ever did was for Scotty Pippin,' he adds, name-dropping the famous former Chicago Bulls star.

'It felt like somebody opened a chicken and waffles kiosk in the middle of a Potter Barn!' Thompson said in another zinger

Thompson also joked about the length of Curry's speech, saying he was told he had five minutes 'but the good lord multiplied it to a cool 16!'

'Despite the crowd your sermon got great reviews,' Che reminds him.

'That's because it was all about love!' Thompson proclaims. 'Love is great, love is redemptive. Love can change the world.'

'And love is what makes a Subaru, and Subaru! Subaruuuuu!' he sings as he lays back in his chair.

'I thought you did great, but some people said it went on too long,' Che tells him.

'That's nonsense!' Thompson replies. 'They told me I had five minutes but the good lord multiplied it to a cool 16!'

Prince William seemed to be desperately trying to hold back a fit of giggles as Rev Curry talked about how 'fire made it possible to text and tweet'

And Camilla and Kate shared a look of bemusement as the reverend continued his sermon

Che then once again praises the bishop, telling him 'the whole world knows your name now'.

'Yeah I'm really excited,' Thompson responds.

'When you're a black preacher who becomes famous, you either get your phone tapped by the FBI or audited by the IRS', referencing Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

Rev Curry found plenty of praise on social media for his fiery address at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, and a few funny faces in Windsor Castle.

Prince William seemed to be desperately trying to hold back a fit of laughter as Curry talked about how 'fire made it possible to text and tweet'.

Camilla and Kate shared a look of bemusement as the reverend continued his sermon.

The passionate preacher provoked a few chuckles in the chapel - and even Harry and Meghan couldn't help but snigger at one point

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall smiled as they listened

'We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love, and when we do that, we will make of this old world, a new world,' he quoted Dr. King.

'Don't under estimate it,' he announced.

Meghan, holding hands with Prince Harry, smiled as she listened to Curry talk about how: 'Two young people fell in love, and we showed up.'

Curry even mentioned slavery in his wedding speech.

'I'm talking about some power, real power, power to change the world,' he said of the 'power of love.'

'If you don't believe me there were some old slaves in America's south who explained the power of love.

'They sang a spiritual even in the midst of their captivity. It's the one that says there's a balm in Gilead, a healing balm...to make the wounded whole.'
The parents of an Indian dentist who died in Ireland after she was refused a termination have called for a vote to relax abortion laws in next week's referendum.

Savita Halappanavar suffered septic shock after she was denied the procedure in 2012 during a miscarriage because a foetal heartbeat was present, sparking a change in the law to allow abortion where a woman's life was endangered.

Her father Andanappa Yalagi said he strongly felt 'that the younger daughters of Ireland should not have the fate of Savita'.

Irish voters will go to the polls on Friday to decide whether parliament can change abortion laws, with draft legislation set to make abortion freely available up to 12 weeks and in exceptional cases up to 24.

Mahadevi (left) and Andanappa Yalagi hold the portrait of their daughter Savita Halappanavar. Her father said young women in Ireland 'should not have the fate of Savita'

The question on the ballot paper asks whether the eighth amendment of the Irish constitution, which decrees that the life of baby and mother is equal, should be repealed.

The polling average has narrowed since the start of the year, with many voters still saying they are undecided, although the Yes camp has retained a healthy lead in recent surveys.

Mr Yalagi said: 'I hope that people in Ireland will remember the fate of our daughter Savita on the day of the referendum and vote Yes so that what happened to us won't happen to any families.

'And by doing this you will be paying a great debt to the departed soul.

'No family in future should have to undergo what we have gone through - the worry and sorrow that's still persistent in our hearts even after some six years.

'The life that Savita had, she had a very long life to lead, but it was cut down mercilessly, dead.'

Mrs Halappanavar, who was 31, was 17 weeks pregnant when she was admitted to hospital in October 2012.

Savita Halappanavar (left, and with her husband Praveen Halappanavar, right) was 17 weeks pregnant when she was admitted to hospital in October 2012 and was refused an abortion

Ttwo major reports found medics in the Galway hospital missed several early opportunities to terminate her pregnancy on health grounds.

The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 allows for abortion when there is a real and substantial risk to a woman's life, but prohibits it in cases of rape, incest, inevitable miscarriage and fatal foetal abnormality.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who supports repeal, has said it is only a matter of time before a woman dies in Ireland as a result of using abortion pills bought online.

Mr Varadkar said women were increasingly importing pills online because of the current laws and they were being used unsafely.

Draft laws set to be enacted if the eighth amendment is repealed mean abortion would be freely available up to 12 weeks and in exceptional cases between 12 and 24.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who supports repeal, has said it is only a matter of time before a woman dies in Ireland as a result of using abortion pills bought online

In the average of three polls conducted this month, Yes (to repeal) has held a 23-point lead, but 18 per cent say they are undecided.

But some repeal supporters have expressed fears of a backlash from a 'silent majority' of voters, worrying that an upset similar to Brexit could be on the cards with many still apparently undecided.

Two polls recently have had the Yes lead as low as 11 and 12 per cent, although the average lead remains at 23 per cent in three polls taken this month.

Nonetheless the lead for repeal is lower than the average of 34 per cent from three polls in December and January.

Emer Toibin, from a campaign opposing repeal, said: 'So much of the country has been fed one side of the story,' the Guardian reports.

It comes three years after a referendum in which Ireland voted by a landslide to legalise same-sex marriage.
Incoming National Rifle Association President Oliver North blamed 'drugged' and over-medicated youth suffering from ADHD as the reason behind school shootings.

'We are trying like the dickens to treat the symptoms, not the disease,' he said Sunday in an interview on Fox News Sunday. 'The disease isn't the Second Amendment. The disease is youngsters who are steeped in a culture of violence, they've been drugged in many cases.'

Ten students died Friday after Dimitrios 'Dimitri' Pagourtzis, 17, was named by police as the student gunman who entered an art class at Santa Fe High School and yelled 'Surprise!' before opening fire.

It is unknown if he was on any prescription medication.

Incoming National Rifle Association President Oliver North said prescription drugs like Ritalin are behind the school shootings throughout the U.S.

Friends and family attend a vigil held at the First Bank in Santa Fe, Texas, for the victims of Friday's mass shooting that left 10 students dead.

17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis has been identified as the suspect in the Santa Fe shooting

Pagourtzis, who was wearing a 'born to kill' t-shirt, stole a shotgun and .38 revolver from his father to pull off the mass shooting in Texas.

An additional 10 students were injured in the attack, which was the 16th school shooting this year.

'Nearly all of these perpetrators are male,' North said.

He also blamed bloody and savage movies for contributing to a 'culture of violence.'

'They've come through a culture where violence is common place. All we need to do is turn on a TV or go to a movie. If you look at what has happened to young people, many of these young boys have been on Ritalin since they've been in kindergarten. I'm certainly not a doctor -- I'm a marine but I can see those kinds of things happening.'

North offered no evidence to back up his claim. But the NRA provided DailyMail.com with several articles that discuss a possible link between psychiatric medications and violence.

There's a one-in-seven chance a boy will be diagnosed with ADHD, Esquire reported in 2014, and that the stimulates prescribed for treatment are associated with 'new or worse aggressive behavior or hostility.'

But a 2014 study from the Treatment Advocacy Center argues differently, concluding that 'a small number of individuals with serious mental illnesses commit acts of violence, including 5 - 10 per cent of all homicides. Almost all of these acts of violence are committed by individuals who are not being treated, and many such individuals are also abusing alcohol or drugs.'

NRA presidents serve on a one-year rotating basis while the real power within the organization stays in executive vice president Wayne LaPierre's hands. The president is largely a figure-head role requiring the office holder to go on TV and defend the pro-gun group and the second amendment.

Past presidents include actor Charlton Heston and conservative activist David Keene.

David Hogg, the outspoken survivor of the February 14 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, lashed out on Twitter at politicians for failing to do anything to rein in gun violence in the U.S.

'Get ready for two weeks of media coverage of politicians acting like they give a s--- when in reality they just want to boost their approval ratings before midterms,' he wrote on Friday.

Retired Marine Oliver North became famous for the arms-for-hostages IranContra affair and this 1986 photo of him being sworn in to testify before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Asked about the criticism from Hogg and other Parkland High School students, who lost 17 classmates in the mass shooting at their school, North said it wasn't the kids' fault.

He charged they are being used by billionaire businessmen like Michael Bloomberg and George Soros, who have funded gun control groups, to try and ax the second amendment.

'These kids aren't the problem,' he said on Fox News Sunday. 'They are being used by forces far bigger than they are to make sure the second amendment goes away.'

North is a retired United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, who was convicted in the IranContra affair of the late 1980s. Those convictions were vacated and reversed, and all charges against him dismissed in 1991.

The enduring image of North remains him standing before a congressional committee, in his uniform, hand held up, to be sworn in to testify on the arms-for-hostages affair. He was photographed from below, which made the picture of him looking commanding and larger-than-life.

He hosted War Stories with Oliver North on Fox News from 2001 to 2016.

Students described the chaotic scene inside the Santa Fe High School when Friday's shooting began.

A student, left, reacts after retrieving her belongings inside Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, on Saturday. Students and teachers were allowed to return to parts of the school to gather their belongings after Friday's shooting left 10 students dead.

Ten roses are left in memory of the victims killed in a shooting at the Santa Fe High School.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott greets worshippers as they attend a Sunday mass at Arcadia First Baptist Church in memory of the Santa Fe High School shooting victims.

Shana Fisher, who turned 16 this month, was also in art class when the shooting began.Her mother, Sadie Rodriguez, said Fisher had rejected the shooter's romantic advances a week before the attack."She finally stood up to him and embarrassed him" in class, she said.

'My friend said he saw some kid walking down the hallway with a gun so he pulled the firearm and ran out,' a senior called Tyler Turner told KTRK-TV.

'The teachers told everybody to run after three shots were heard so we all took off and ran into the trees.'

A report on Saturday hinted that the boy was seeking revenge against a teenage girl who rejected his advances.

Shana Fisher, who turned 16 just days before she died in Friday's attack, had been fending off advances from Pagourtzis for months, her mother Sadie Rodriguez said on Saturday.

'He continued to get more aggressive,' Rodriguez said in an interview aired on ABC 7. 'She finally stood up to him and embarrassed him.'

It was the first indication of a motive in the mass shooting although the theory has yet to be confirmed by either prosecutors or lawyers for Pagourtzis.

He allegedly played a Japanese World War II military anthem, yelled 'Woo-hoo!' and sang the Queen hit 'Another One Bites The Dust' in his rampage, the New York Post reported.

Trump weighed in on the massacre as he delivered remarks during the Prison Reform Summit at the White House on Friday, expressing his 'sadness and heartbreak' and saying that his administration is closely monitoring the situation.

'This has been going on too long in our country  too many years, too many decades now,' he said. 'We grieve for the terrible loss of life and send our support and love to everyone affected by this absolutely horrific attack to the students, families, teachers and personnel at Santa Fe High.

'We're with you in this tragic hour and we will be with you forever. My administration is determined to do everything in our power to protect our students, secure our schools, and to keep weapons out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves and to others.

'Everyone must work together at every level of government to keep our children safe. May God heal the injured, and may God comfort the wounded, and may God be with the victims and with the victims' families. Very sad day. Very, very sad.'

According to charging documents, Pagourtzis confessed to the shooting and told investigators he had left students he liked alive so he could 'have his story told'.

A junior at Santa Fe High, Pagourtzis hid a shotgun and a handgun under his trenchcoat before opening fire in a first-period art class on Friday, according to an affidavit filed by police.

The shooting unfolded over the course of about 30 minutes in a warren of interconnected classrooms, according to new witness accounts.
A 12-year-old girl is still missing two weeks after disappearing from Melbourne's CBD.

According to a statement released by the Victoria police, Ritia Rikita was last seen in the city centre on May 9.

Due to her age, both police and family members are fearing for her safety.

The young girl, who is local to Melbourne's Inner West, is described as being 160cm tall with short black hair.

Ritia Rikita (pictured) is described as being 160cm tall with short black hair

Rikita would often spend time in the Werribee, Point Cook and CBD areas and anyone who has information about her current location, or disappearance is urged to contact Westgate Proactive Police Unit on (03) 9742 9497.
A 21-year-old has been arrested after posting a photo of himself holding a pistol next to a police car on social media.

The threatening photo shows a man believed to be Bronx resident Kevin Rodriguez, 21, posing with a pistol in his right hand as another man peers into the passenger window of the NYPD patrol car.

An officer came across the photo on social media Friday, sparking a manhunt in the New York City neighborhood of the Bronx, the Daily News reported.

A threatening photo shows a man believed to be Bronx resident Kevin Rodriguez, 21, posing with a pistol in his right hand as another man peers into the passenger window of the NYPD patrol car. An officer came across the photo on social media Friday, sparking a manhunt

The photo was shared among the police community on social media by a concerned cop.

It was caption: 'Allegedly taken today. Stay on your f***ing toes. Always be cognizant of your surroundings. Our safety glass and ballistic panels are an illusion. SHARE IT.'

Police said they found the man, who they believe to be Rodriguez, holding the gun in the photo in Parkchester at around 2am on Sunday.

He was reportedly wearing the same sagging orange pants as in the photo.

Rodriguez was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon and making terroristic threats.

Police are still searching for the second man in the photo.
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A church service was held today to remember the eight students and two teachers who were gunned down Friday morning at Santa Fe High School.

Just down the road from the school, members of Arcadia First Baptist Church honored the 10 victims as Texas Governor Greg Abbott offered words of comfort before the start of Sunday's service.

The services were led by prayer and commemorated the 10 lives lost and 13 injured in what Governor Abbott described as 'one of the most heinous attacks that we've ever seen in the history of Texas schools.'

Meanwhile, the first funeral service was being held 35 miles away in Stafford for Sabika Sheikh, 17, the Pakistani exchange student who was killed during the tragic shooting.

A church service was held at Arcadia First Baptist Church near Santa Fe High School on Sunday to honor the lives lost

The service remembered the 10 people gunned down and 13 injured during the Santa Fe High School shooting Friday

Texas Governor Greg Abbott greeted members of Arcadia First Baptist Church just down the road from Santa Fe High School

Among the those killed were Ann Perkins, 64, a substitute teacher and grandmother and art teacher Cynthia Tisdale

Graduating seniors wore their caps and gowns as they were recognized during Sunday's service at the church in Santa Fe

Texas Governor Greg Abbott attended the service and spoke to members of the community who voiced their concerns

Governor Abbott consoled members of the community as they mourned the loss of teachers and students

Substitute teacher Ann Perkins, 64, art teacher Cynthia Tisdale and students Sabika Sheikh, Chris Stone, 17, Kim Vaughan, Angelique Ramirez, Aaron Kyle McLeod, Christian Garcia, Jared Black and Shana Fisher are the victims killed in the shooting.

'I'm here to comfort my fellow Texans,' Abbott said before the mass.

Ted Elmore, of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention said during the mass: 'One of the things you can expect is the hurt goes deep and it stays around a long time.'

Elmore said that this was a lesson he learned while ministering to people in Sutherland Springs last year after a gunman opened fire in a church, killing 26.

Meanwhile, 35 miles away, the first funeral service for one of the victims was held in Stafford at the Brand Lane Islamic Center.

Exchange student Sabika Sheikh, 17, was part of the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, funded by the US State Department, which provides scholarships for students from Muslim countries to spend one academic year in the US.

Her body is to be returned to her family in Karachi, Pakistan.

Sabika's father, Abdul Aziz Sheikh, described his daughter as a hard-working and accomplished student who aspired to work in civil service.

'We are still in a state of denial. It is like a nightmare,' Sheikh's father, Abdul Aziz, told AFP at the family home in the southern Pakistani city.

He said he became aware of the shooting while watching TV and, after sending his daughter messages, only learned of her death after calling the exchange program.

The young woman, described by her family as an excellent student, had dreamed of working for Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Ministry.

She was due to return to Karachi in three weeks just in time for Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

The Islamic Society, in its statement, called the shooting 'an act of terror' and said such events 'remind us as to what world we live in, where sanctity of life is not valued.'

It said it had offered to help with the funeral and the transportation of Sheikh's body back to Pakistan.

The first funeral service was held in Stafford, Texas, for Sabika Sheikh, 17, the Pakistani exchange student who was killed during the tragic shooting

The hearse with the casket of Santa Fe High School shooting victim Sabika Sheikh is seen leaving the funeral service

People are seen praying for Sheikh, who was part of the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, funded by the US State Department

Sheikh's body will be shipped back to her family in Pakistan. She was due to go home in three weeks' time

Nasir Shenwari (C), holding daughter Aunza, grieves at the casket of the Pakistani teen

At the mass, Governor Abbott spoke with people of the community who voiced their concerns about gun violence and safety in schools.

Monica Bracknell, 18, told Abbott the shooting was 'not a gun-law issue' but instead a 'door issue'.

'It's not a political issue, it's not a gun-law issue,' said said. 'It's a, this-kid-was-able-to-get-into-the-school-very-easily, issue.'

The governor said Friday in response to the shooting: 'We need to do more than just pray for the victims and their families. It's time in Texas that we take action to step up and make sure this tragedy is never repeated ever again in the history of the state of Texas.'

He said 'beginning immediately' he will work with Texas legislatures and the community to discuss 'swift solutions' to prevent this type of tragedy.

Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a 17-year-old high school junior, allegedly burst into an art classroom at his school yelling 'Surprise!' while brandishing his father's shotgun and pistol, before opening fire and gunning down students and teachers.

According to a charging document, Pagourtzis picked his victims, choosing not to shoot students he liked so he could have his story told.

The teen has been charged with capital murder after he went on the shooting spree shortly before 8am local time on Friday.

Pagourtzis' family has said they are 'as shocked as anyone else' by the horrific shooting, and are cooperating with authorities in the investigation.

'While we remain mostly in the dark about the specifics of [Friday's] tragedy, what we have learned from media reports seems incompatible with the boy we love,' the family said in a statement.

Investigators are still working to determine the teen's motive for targeting the art class.

Flowers are left in front of Santa Fe High School on Sunday to commemorate those killed and still recovering

Governor Greg Abbott visits Santa Fe High School with his wife Cecilia to lay flowers at a small memorial on Sunday
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have arrived home to Kensington Palace following the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Windsor on Saturday.

Both were spotted wearing sunglasses inside the Land Rover Discovery that William was driving with his wife Kate in the passenger seat.

The vehicle had tinted windows and onlookers were unable to see if there were any rear seat passengers.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (pictured) have arrived home to Kensington Palace

Prince William (pictured here with Prince Charles) is said to have given a 'naughty' best man's speech at the evening reception last night

It is unknown where Prince William and Kate stayed last night, but before the wedding the couple stayed at Windsor Castle with Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Prince William acted as best man for his brother and is said to have delivered a 'naughty' speech during the evening reception at Frogmore House yesterday.

The Duke of Cambridge arrived with Prince Harry as the wedding began and was sat next to him before Ms Markle arrived.

He and the new Duchess of Sussex appeared to be stifling laughter during the ceremony after Most Reverend Michael Curry delivered a passionate speech.

Bishop Michael Curry mentioned slavery, the Old Testament and quoted the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in the unusual speech in St George's Chapel, and spoke about how 'fire made it possible to text and tweet'.

The Duchess of Cambridge was tasked with escorting the four page boys and six bridesmaids, including their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

While the confident Princess Charlotte captured the hearts of the nation by waving enthusiastically at crowds gathered outside, her four-year-old brother cowered behind his father's legs on the steps in front of the church.

Kate was given the task of escorting the four page boys and six bridesmaids up the stairs for the wedding ceremony yesterday
A woman has taken a heartbreaking photo of a mother kangaroo standing over the body of her decapitated joey.

Jenny Brown was returning from the beach at Halls Head in Mandurah, Western Australia, on Friday when she saw the grieving marsupial.

Noticing the female kangaroo had not moved in 45 minutes, Ms Brown approached it and found a dead joey which had been beheaded.

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This is the heartbreaking photo of a mother kangaroo standing over the body of her decapitated joey taken by a Mandurah woman on Friday

I walked closer to see if it was okay, only to find that it had been decapitated with a very sharp blade and very recently,' Ms Brown told Community News.

'I am guessing the mummy roo didn't want to leave her baby.'

Mr Brown left shaken by the gruesome discovery, telling Seven News she found it 'sad and very disturbing.

Jenny Brown was returning from the beach in Halls Head in Mandurah, Western Australia, on Friday when she saw the grieving marsupial

'I couldn't bring myself to take a picture of it [ the dead joey],' she said, but took one of the mother standing over it.

The joey's head has not been found, despite a thorough search of the area by Ms Brown and local rangers.

Ms Brown reported the incident to Mandurah Council and the body of the joey was removed.

The case of animal cruelty is one of 21 reported to the RSPCA in Mandurah this year alone, the sixth highest in the state.

Animal cruelty is a criminal offence punishable by up to five year's imprisonment.
Special counsel Robert Mueller will finish his probe into whether President Donald Trump obstructed the Russia election inquiry by September 1, vowed Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani.

His announcement puts heavy public pressure on the special counsel's office to meet that deadline as Trump spent Sunday in a tweet storm that was full of rants and raves about Mueller's handling of the investigation into Russia's role in the presidential election.

The former New York City mayor said waiting any longer would risk influencing voters in November's midterm election, which could hurt the Republican Party at the polls.

Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani said Special counsel Robert Mueller will finish his probe into whether President Donald Trump obstructed the Russia election inquiry by September 1.

Rudy Giuliani portrayed that aspect of Robert Mueller's investigation as a contest of President Donald Trump vs. former FBI director James Comey as to who has more credibility.

Giuliani told the New York Times Mueller's office shared its timeline about two weeks ago during negotiations over whether Trump will be questioned by the investigative team. A spokesman for the special counsel's office did not respond to the Times inquiry on the matter.

'You don't want another repeat of the 2016 election where you get contrary reports at the end and you don't know how it affected the election,' Giuliani told the newspaper.

Giuliani used Hillary Clinton as a cautionary tell to support his argument. He noted that former FBI director James Comey reopened the investigation into her email server in the last days of the 2016 presidential race -- a move Democrats blamed for costing her the election. The FBI ultimately found no evidence wrongdoing.

Simply closing one aspect of his probe doesn't mean Mueller would finished with his complete examination of Russia's actions in the 2016 contest. It is one piece in the large puzzle Mueller and his team are untangling.

This part of the probe was sparked by Trump's request to Comey, as relayed by the former FBI director, for the agency to end its investigation into his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn.

Mueller is examining that allegation to determine whether Trump had criminal intent to obstruct the Russia investigation.

Giuliani portrayed that part of the probe as a contest of Trump vs. Comey as to who has more credibility -- the sitting president of the United States or the top former domestic intelligence chief.

'We want the concentration of this to be on Comey versus the president's credibility, and I think we win that and people get that,' Giuliani told the Times.

Mueller should investigate Comey for perjury and for his role in having information leaked to the Times about memos he wrote on his meetings with Trump -- memos that ultimately led to Mueller's appointment as special counsel, Giuliani argued.

The administration claims Comey lied under oath to the Senate Judiciary Committee last May when the then-FBI director said he'd never served as an anonymous source. Comey also said at the hearing that he'd never authorized anyone else to be an anonymous source.

That was days before Trump fired him.

Comey later acknowledged that he instructed a friend to disseminates copies of the memos he kept on his meetings with on Trump. But the act was after Trump dismissed him.

Trump has hammered Comey a liar who illegally leaked classified information. Comey has denied that charge and claimed his memos were retroactively classified.

As to a Trump and Mueller sit down, Giuliani said he and Mueller's team were hammering out the terms of an interview. He portrayed the president as a willing interview subject, saying that in Trump's view, no evidence exists that his associates coordinated with Russia's election interference.

However, Giuliani argued, an interview wouldn't be able to take place until after Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at their June 12 in Singapore. Preparation for the special counsel would take too much of the president's time and distraction him, Giuliani argued.

He predicted Trump could be questioned around the Fourth of July.

Rudy Giuliani's announcement that special counsel Robert Mueller will finish his probe by September 1 is seen as a way to put public pressure on Mueller to meet that deadline.

Trump, meanwhile, demanded to know Sunday when Mueller was going to 'STOP!' probing into alleged Russian influence on the presidential election and turn his investigative power onto Hillary Clinton.

In a long, bitter Twitter rant the president railed against the cost of the investigation, calling it a '$20,000,000 Witch Hunt' that has found 'no Collussion with Russia, No Obstruction, but they aren't looking at the corruption in the Hillary Clinton Campaign.'

His prolonged Twitter attack followed a bombshell report from the New York Times on Saturday that revealed countries other than Russia sought to influence the 2016 presidential election.

Since his overall investigation began, Mueller has built a criminal case against Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort while former Trump deputy Rick Gates struck a plea deal in March in addition to agreeing to testify.

The investigative team has issued indictments that have covered 19 people and three businesses. Additionally, Flynn and Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos pled guilty to making false statements about their contacts with Russians to investigators.

Like his attorney, Trump also frettedd Republicans could be hurt in the 2018 election.

'Now that the Witch Hunt has given up on Russia and is looking at the rest of the World, they should easily be able to take it into the Mid-Term Elections where they can put some hurt on the Republican Party,' he on Twitter.

Republicans are expected to suffer heavy losses in November with several of them being kicked out of office. Polls show voters favor Democrats in the upcoming midterm election with Democrats to retake control of the House of Representatives. And Speaker Paul Ryan announced earlier this year he was quitting instead of running for reelection.
Two peoples hands reaching for the other, and a warm smile. And from the way that Doria Raglands face lit up, she suddenly felt safe, no longer lonely in St Georges Chapel.

The hand that grasped hers was that of the Prince of Wales. They were going through to the chantry to sign the marriage register.

For a moment, as the group moved towards the door, it was clear Meghans mother, the only member of the brides family in the chapel, had been momentarily uncertain. She shuffled in her seat.

Doria had faced the massed ranks of the royal family across the quire with a quiet dignity. Her poise and her calm were a model of control in utterly strange and difficult circumstances.

Prince Charles and Doria Ragland, mother of the bride, during the wedding ceremony of Harry and Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel in Windsor as Archbishop Welby looks on

You can certainly see where Meghan gets her star quality from. And yet Dorias loneliness on the brides side was brutally obvious.

And there was her hand, fluttering, for one uncertain moment, towards Prince Charles. Immediately, his hand reached out towards hers and, in a gesture that seemed to symbolise the joining of two very different families, she held on to it firmly as he gently pulled her into the group.

No face in the chapel on Saturday glowed with pleasure as hers did at that moment, even more than when it was turned towards the Most Rev Michael Curry, drinking in his fervent and unexpectedly lengthy message of love.

For her, there were tears, too, moments before her daughter entered through the West Door to make her solitary progress halfway down the aisle to the top of the nave. Quickly, Doria controlled her emotions. Not easy for her. Indeed, nothing was easy for her last week.

As she flew alone to Heathrow on an 11-hour flight from Los Angeles on Wednesday, family discord threatened to overshadow her daughters big day. Although, of course, it was her ex-husbands side of the family and did not directly affect her.

Meghans personal assistant, Amy Pickerill, was at the airport to greet her and take her to Kensington Palace. After that came 48 dazzling hours when Meghans sole family representative had tea with Prince Charles and Camilla at Clarence House and then with the Queen and Prince Philip at Windsor Castle.

With Charles and Camilla, she felt comfortable and welcomed. What made it so much easier was that Meghan was there with Harry, with his jokes and easy manner. At least she had met Harry before, at the Invictus Games in Toronto.

With the Queen, though, it was not quite so easy as they talked over tea (a blend of Darjeeling and Assam) and fruit cake in the Oak Room, where Her Majesty has tea every day in her private apartment in the castle.

Charles and Doria pictured in St George's Chapel at the wedding of Harry and Meghan Markle

Although the Queen has a lifetime of experience making uneasy guests feel at home, Doria was nervous at first. However, by the time she was saying her goodbyes 40 minutes later, she was much more relaxed.

At 61, Doria Ragland had suddenly been elevated into the social stratosphere. But why should we be surprised that she rose so superbly to the occasion? Those who know Meghans family have always noted that the actress gets her brains and her fluency from her mother.

Dorias start in life was as the bright, only child of a single mother whose parents were the bell-boy and lift-girl in a hotel in Cleveland, Ohio  a five-star establishment for white guests only. She was in the top academic stream at school but, money being short, didnt go to university and instead began training as a make-up artist.

It was on the set of ABCs popular TV series General Hospital that she met the shows lighting director Tom Markle, a divorced man with two children, and married him.

Meghan was their only child before they in turn divorced, though amicably, even continuing to go on holidays together. One can only wonder what her ex-husband, apparently unable to be at the wedding because of a recent operation, felt as he watched Doria on the arm of the Prince of Wales.

The truth is that Doria has conducted herself with extraordinary dignity since it emerged that her only daughter was marrying the Queens grandson.

Never an attention-grabber, her work in Los Angeles as a yoga instructor and social worker, particularly among the elderly, has not allowed the excitement or the sudden spotlight to change anything about the way she goes about her life. Never for her the staged paparazzi pictures her ex-husband so foolishly allowed himself to do. No interviews. No efforts to profit from her daughters happiness.

Doria Ragland, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall walk down the steps of the chapel

That said, her daughter becoming the Duchess of Sussex changes things. Being an in-law to the royal family hasnt meant too much to the parents of sons or daughters who have married into the Firm.

Traditionally, they would be welcomed by the royal family, share the wedding and then summarily be forgotten. For example, the mother of Mark Phillips, Princess Annes first husband, complained that she and her husband were virtually ignored and never invited to anything by the palace.

That attitude changed with the arrival of Kate Middleton.

Even before she and Prince William married, her parents, Michael and Carole, were regularly extended invitations to royal homes. They have stayed as guests at Balmoral and Sandringham.

William has insisted they are included in royal gatherings  theyve been guests of the Queen at Royal Ascot, participating in the carriage drive down the course.

Harry will want to go the same way, and for royal doors to be as open to Meghans mum Doria as they are to the Middletons.

For now, at least, Meghans mother will continue to live 5,500 miles away in LA and go to work as normal, so her participation in royal life is hardly likely to be as frequent as Mike and Carole Middleton.

But judging by the way she linked arms with Prince Charles on the steps of the chapel, when those embossed invitations come shell certainly be able to handle it.
Boris Johnson yesterday urged MPs to give Theresa May the time and space to deliver on her Brexit promises.

The Foreign Secretary said he believed Brexiteers fears of a betrayal were unfounded.

But in a warning shot over a backstop plan that could keep Britain tied to the EUs customs union beyond Brexit, Mr Johnson stressed that ministers should not be planning to fail.

He said the Prime Minister must deliver a final deal that leaves Britain unhindered to strike new trade deals across the world.

Mr Johnsons plea for Eurosceptics to give Mrs May the chance to negotiate will raise eyebrows as it comes just a fortnight after he dismissed her preferred plan for a customs partnership as crazy.

Boris Johnson urged MPs to give Theresa May the time and space to deliver on her Brexit promises during a five-day trip to South America (pictured: dancing with a teacher in Peru)

The backstop was agreed by her Brexit war cabinet last week, despite reservations from Brexiteers including Mr Johnson and Michael Gove.

Speaking from Buenos Aires during a five-day trip to South America, Mr Johnson said last night that countries across the world were very keen to get on with striking trade deals. He said: Brexiteers fearing betrayal over the customs backstop must understand that the Prime Minister has been very clear that it is not an outcome we desire  we want a deal with the EU and she will deliver it.

Im convinced the Prime Minister will be true to her promises of a Brexit deal that sees Britain come out of the customs union and single market, have borders as frictionless as possible, reject European Court of Justice interference, control immigration and free to conduct unhindered free trade deals across the world.

We must now give the Prime Minister time and space to negotiate this Brexit vision.

Mr Johnson arrived in Argentina yesterday after spending the weekend in Peru, where he visited the remote village of Santa Marta and danced with local teachers and pupils.

Already during my time in South America Ive been bowled over by the optimism and excitement from nations keen to forge deeper ties and new trading relationship with the UK, he said.

Mr Johnsons remarks come after Jacob Rees-Mogg warned the latest customs union plans would leave the country in limbo. The MP said last week: People voted to leave, they did not vote for a perpetual purgatory.

Mrs Mays backstop will see the UK temporarily stick to EU tariffs if new customs technology needed to prevent the creation of a hard border in Ireland is not ready by the end of the Brexit transition in December 2020.

The proposal raised fears the UK could become permanently shackled to the customs union, limiting the ability to strike new trade deals. But sources insisted ministers were discussing a possible extension lasting months rather than years.
The luxury hotel where Meghan and her mother stayed the night before the wedding has awarded compensation to other guests for disruption caused by its round-the-clock security.

The bride and her mother Doria Ragland rented a wing at five-star Cliveden House Hotel in Berkshire.

But other guests at the property, made famous by the Profumo scandal of the 1960s, said they were given no warning they would be banned from parts of the hotel during their stay.

The guests, some of whom paid more than 700 a night, were given a note on arrival which said access to the grounds would be restricted on Friday and Saturday.

The bride and her mother Doria Ragland rented a wing at five-star Cliveden House Hotel in Berkshire (pictured) but guests were not told parts of the hotel would be off limits

However, they were not warned about the police patrolling the grounds of the Grade I-listed stately home and questioning guests in their cars when they arrived.

Members of staff were not told about their high-profile guests until last Wednesday, giving them little time to prepare.

A Canadian woman, who had booked a suite with her husband and two children at a cost of 750 a night, said it took almost half an hour for her family to drive from the gates to the hotels car park because police questioned them so thoroughly.

It was crazy, I was so angry, she said. We had to show them ID, then they would call ahead and wave us through, only for us to be stopped again by another group of police.

Meghan Markle and her mother Doria Ragland arrive at the Cliveden House Hotel on Friday

There were sniffer dogs and hundreds of cops all over the grounds, checking every last detail. We had just flown in so were exhausted and jet-lagged and just needed to get to our rooms. It was brutal.

The hotel notice said: Access to the main drive in front of the house is completely restricted between 10.30am-11.30am on Saturday. But the woman said: I was out here at 6am with jetlag and the cops said, This is on lockdown, you cant be out here any more. I couldnt believe it.

She said that after complaining to the duty manager she was offered very fair, very generous compensation and that the everyday staff including managers have been wonderful. A Londoner who paid more than 1,600 for a weekend stay with his partner was also seeking compensation. We were completely restricted and we should have been alerted beforehand, he said.

Cliveden House Hotel has been contacted for comment.
Many senior Australians are rushing to get a second flu shot amid fears the over 65s vaccine doesn't protect from a deadly strain of the virus.

The Federal Government's 2018 over-65s flu shot does not cover the Brisbane B strain, which is included in the jab designed for younger Australians.

Of the 1100 influenza-associated deaths recorded last year, 90 per cent were in the elderly.

Queensland General Practitioner Dr Wade Wilson told The Courier Mail he is giving his older patients the option to get both injections.

'It's my responsibility to keep my patients alive. I just don't understand why the Brisbane B would not be included in the vaccination for this age group,' he said.

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Senior Australians are rushing to get a second flu shot amid fears the over 65s vaccine doesn't protect from a deadly strain of the virus (stock image)

While many older people are going against Queensland Health recommendations and opting for both injections, experts argue it is unnecessary.

Robert Booy, head of clinical research at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, described the over-65s jab as a 'super vaccine'.

'What people don't understand is this vaccine will offer cross-protection for the Brisbane B strain, and it is the A that is more common in older people,' he said.

Earlier this month, Queensland Health said the over 65s vaccine remains the best protection for older Australians.

Of the 1100 influenza-associated deaths recorded last year, 90 per cent were in the elderly (stock)

'Queensland Health does not recommend obtaining the two vaccines as it is not necessary,' said Dr Alun Richards, Medical Director of the Immunisation Program.

'Additionally, the use of multiple types of vaccines in one season has not yet been studied.

'While not recommended, administration of both vaccine types to an individual is not contraindicated, so if anyone has already received both vaccines, there are no serious safety concerns.'

Dr Richards encouraged anyone aged 65 years and older who hasn't received their flu vaccination to book an appointment with their GP.
Brussels was on alert last night as a populist coalition in Italy threatens to tear up EU rules on immigration and the economy.

The countrys president Sergio Mattarella will today be asked to approve the formation of the coalition, whose manifesto includes deporting half a million illegal immigrants, scrapping eurozone rules and forging links with Russia.

The Five Star Movement and Lega parties have been in talks since an election in March.

Their success has sparked alarm in the EU, as both stood on fiercely Eurosceptic platforms.

Italys president Sergio Mattarella will today be asked to approve the formation of the coalition, whose manifesto includes deporting half a million illegal immigrants, scrapping eurozone rules and forging links with Russia

Last week the parties said they would renegotiate EU rules that require migrants to be dealt with by the first country they arrive in. They also pledged to build more detention centres and review the policy of rescuing migrants whose boats capsize. Italy has been on the front line of the EUs migrant crisis, with hundreds of thousands making the journey across the Mediterranean from North Africa.

Lega leader Matteo Salvini has said an estimated 500,000 undocumented migrants in Italy must be deported as a priority. He told supporters he would rid the country of delinquents. The parties have also warned they will ignore Brussels rules on spending designed to prevent another eurozone crisis. They reject what they call the EUs austerity measures and want to renegotiate Italys debts.

Luigi Di Maio, the Five Star leader, said money to fund tax cuts would be found through investments and upcoming negotiations on the EU budget.
The North Carolina woman has died after being trapped by mud outside her home following a mudslide.

Authorities said Saturday morning that rescue workers were unsuccessful in their attempts to help the Polk County, North Carolina woman who had been trapped by the mud since Friday night.

It was estimated that about eight feet of mud stood between the rescue workers and the spot where they believed the woman, who has not yet been named, was trapped, WLOS reported.

A North Carolina woman has died after being trapped by mud following a flash flood

Rescue workers said that they were unable to reach the woman, who had been trapped by eight feet of mud on Friday night, after trying to escape the flooding

The woman reportedly had a bad back and other health problems. Her husband had managed to get her out of the house to the garage before they were separated by the flood and mud

The woman's husband reported Friday night that he had gotten separated from her while they were attempting to escape the flash flood, which had been caused by heavy overnight rains.

A neighbor told WLOS that the woman who died had a bad back and health problems, and that her husband had managed to get her out of the house and into the garage area.

When he left her to go get help, he was swept away by the rushing water and the woman was trapped by mud from the mudslide.

By the time rescue workers arrived on the scene, there was so much mud in the way that it was not possible for them to reach her in time to save her life.

Rescue workers, who used an infrared-equipped drone in their search, found the woman dead outside her home at 11am on Saturday, WYFF reported.

They had not heard from her for the 12 hours prior to finding her body.
Hillary Clinton served as the keynote speaker Sunday at Yale University's commencement, where she celebrated accomplished students and faculty and spoke about her own tribulations that turned to successes which she credits her alma mater for.

The former first lady and 1973 Yale Law School graduate kicked off the anticipated address by happily congratulating the class of 2018 and cracking several jokes.

'I am thrilled for all of you... even the three of you who live in Michigan and didn't request your absentee ballots in time,' Clinton told the cheering crowd.

In between her celebratory lines, Clinton admitted she still hasn't moved on from her 2016 presidential loss, and expressed concern over the state of the nation.

The former secretary of state said: 'I'm not over it. I still regret the mistakes I made. Today, as a person, I'm OK. As an American, I'm concerned.'

Former Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton holds up a Russian fur hat with a Soviet era hammer and sickle emblem, to the Yale College class of 2018 during her Class Day address Sunday

Clinton poses for a photo with Yale senior and political science major Ryan Liu of California after her Class Day address at Yale

The former first lady and 1973 Yale Law School graduate kicked off the anticipated address by happily congratulating the class of 2018 and cracking several jokes

She added: 'This is a moment to reach across divides of race, class, and politics to try to see the world through the eyes of people very different from ourselves and to return to rational debate.'

Clinton, at one point, took out a Russian fur hat, a ushanka, as part of the college's headdress tradition and a reference to the country's 2016 election meddling.

Clinton said: 'I see looking out at you that you are following the tradition of over-the-top hats, so I brought a hat too.'

Thousands of students don headdresses as part of the school's centuries-old tradition.

YaleNews explained in a 2012 'A guide to graduation fashion' article that the tradition dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries - when students wore cleric-like clothing including headwear to keep warm when classrooms were not heated.

'A Russian hat... I mean, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!,' Clinton added.

The Theodore Dwight Woolsey statue is seen in front of Dwight Hall on the Old Campus at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut on November 28, 2012

Buildings stand on the Yale University campus on June 12, 2015. Yale is an educational institute that offers undergraduate degree programs in art, law, engineering, medicine, and nursing as well as graduate level programs

The Democratic politician first visited Yale in the fall of 1969 as an incoming law student.

Clinton was one of 27 women out of a 235 total to be enrolled in the prestigious college during its first year women were admitted.

Clinton spoke about how she battled between Harvard and Yale Law School - and the shocking experience that helped her make the final decision.

'I had some trouble making up my mind between Yale and Harvard Law Schools. One day, during that period of decision making, I was invited to a cocktail party at Harvard for potential incoming law students, where I met a famous law professor,' she said.

'A friend of mine, a male law student, introduced me to this famous law professor. I mean truly big, three-piece suit, watch chain.'

She went on to explain how the professor informed her that the school didn't need anymore women - and that Harvard didn't have any competitors.

Hillary met Bill during her second year at Yale - which she described as her most significant experience there.

'I was cutting through what was then the student lounge with some friends and I saw this tall, handsome guy with a beard who looked like a Viking.

'I said to my friend, "well who is that?" and she said, "well that's Bill Clinton. He's from Arkansas and that's all he ever talks about",' she joked.

Aside from meeting Bill, she said she met several other faculty and students who have changed her life and career for the better.

'Ive been honored to serve over the last year or two working with some of the Yale Law School faculty.

'Yale grads, many of whom are also here today, have worked for me in the United States Senate, the State Department... on my presidential campaigns. I have been so well served.

'Over the years, Yale has been a home away from home for me. A place I've returned to time and again.'

Yale did not specify whether Bill Clinton was in attendance to the ceremony Sunday.
Video has emerged showing the accused Texas school shooter calmly performing a traditional Greek dance just days before the massacre that left ten dead.

The chilling images show Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 17, dancing at the Clear Lake Greek Festival, which was held just 17 miles from Santa Fe High School the weekend before the mass shooting on Friday.

Pagourtzis had been involved with traditional dancing for several years through his local Greek Orthodox church, and both church officials and his family have said that they saw no warning signs before the horror shooting.

The Clear Lake Greek Festival has taken down its website and Facebook page in the aftermath of the tragedy, and organizers could not be reached for comment.

New images show accused school shooter Dimitrios Pagourtzis (center) dancing at a Greek cultural festival the weekend before the horror shooting at Santa Fe High School

Pagourtzis had been involved in traditional Greek dancing for several years through church

Pagourtzis (circled) is seen dancing at the festival on Sunday, five days before the attack

The festival, which has been held annually for 25 years, is a celebration of Greek culture and heritage featuring traditional food, music and dancing.

Father Stelios Sitaras of Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Galveston, Texas, said he met Pagourtzis when the young man danced with a group as part of an annual festival in October.

He said the Pagourtzis family are members of a nearby parish and he saw no signs of trouble from the teen.

'He is a quiet boy,' the priest said of Pagourtzis. 'You would never think he would do anything like this.'

Pagourtzis' father was born in the Greek village of Magoulitsa, a small town of 540 residents in western Thessaly.

The guns used in the shooting, a shotgun and a .38 caliber revolver, were legally owned by the father, but an attorney for the family says the father doesn't know how Pagourtzis got hold of the weapons.

Meanwhile, a possible motive emerged in the case, after the mother of one of the teen girls slain in the shooting said the girl had rejected and publicly humiliated the accused shooter.

Shana Fisher, who turned 16 just days before she died in the attack, had been fending off advances from Dimitrios Pagourtzis for months, the teen girl's parents said.

Shana Fisher, (left and right) who turned 16 just days before she died in the attack, 'had 4 months of problems from this boy' the teen girl's mother said

Santa Fe High School students gather at a mekeshift memorial during a community dinner put on by volunteers to help residents begin healing on Saturday

Shana's grief-stricken dad Timothy Thomas, 41, told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview that his daughter actually predicted that the trench coat-wearing loner was going to harm her after she spurned his advances.

'Shana told her mother two weeks ago he was going to come and kill her,' Thomas, a dad of five, said.

'Shana said that if he came into the school with a gun and killed her she would haunt him for the rest of his life. She was really scared.'

It is the first indication of a motive in the Friday attack on Santa Fe High School, which killed ten, though the theory has yet to be confirmed by either prosecutors or lawyers for 17-year-old Pagourtzis.

Pagourtzis, whose family describes him as 'quiet' and 'sweet', continued to become more aggressive with Shana until finally she rejected him publicly in class, the mother said.

The alleged romantic rejection took place just a week before the attack.

Nicholas Poehl, a lawyer for the Pagourtzis family, said he hadn't heard about any such interaction between Pagourtzis and any of the victims and therefore couldn't comment.

He cautioned that he'd spent much of the day disputing false rumors about the teen's personal life.

According to charging documents, Pagourtzis confessed to the shooting and told investigators he had left students he liked alive so he could 'have his story told'.

Pagourtzis (left and right) was romantically rejected by one of the teen girls killed in the shooting, the girl's mother says in a possible indication of motive in the case

Law enforcement officers are seen responding to Santa Fe High School following the shooting

A junior at Santa Fe High, Pagourtzis hid a shotgun and a handgun under his trenchcoat before opening fire in a first-period art class on Friday, according to an affidavit filed by police.

The shooting unfolded over the course of about 30 minutes in a warren of interconnected classrooms, according to new witness accounts.

Witnesses said the ordeal began with a shotgun blast through an art classroom door, shattering a glass pane and sending panicked students to the entryway to block him from getting inside, witnesses said.

Junior Breanna Quintanilla was in art class when she heard the shots and someone say, 'If you all move, I'm going to shoot you all.'

The 17-year-old Pagourtzis walked in, pointed at one person and declared, 'I'm going to kill you.' Then he fired.

'He then said that if the rest of us moved, he was going to shoot us,' Quintanilla said.

When Quintanilla tried to run out a back door, she realized Pagourtzis was aiming at her. He fired in her direction.

'He missed me,' she said. 'But it went ahead and ricocheted and hit me in my right leg.' She was treated at a hospital and spoke with a brown bandage wrapped around her wound.

'It was a very scary thing,' Quintanilla said. 'I was worried that I wasn't going to be able to make it back to my family.'

Students are seen evacuating the Texas high school after shots rang out during first period on Friday morning

Warning signs: On his now-deleted Facebook page, Pagourtzis on April 30 shared a photo of a black T-shirt with the words 'Born to Kill' printed across the front (left). Other photos shared on Pagourtzis's page the same day in April depicted a dark-colored trenchcoat festooned with various insignia, including the Nazi Iron Cross (right) and Communist hammer and sickle

A photo showing a handgun and a knife appeared on an Instagram account associated with Pagourtzis in late April

Witnesses said a teacher who heard the shooting pulled the school's fire alarm to alert the student body.

In a sickening new account, mother Deedra Van Ness says her daughter Isabelle hid while the shooter left the art classroom, then reentered to taunt the victims.

'The gunman then comes back into their room and they hear him saying....are you dead? Then more shots are fired,' she wrote in an essay.

Isabelle survived by lying motionless for half an hour on the floor of a barricaded closet next to the bodies of her deceased classmates, her mother said.

'By this time, cell phones all over the classroom are ringing and he's taunting the kids in the closet asking them....do you think it's for you? do you want to come answer it? Then he proceeds to fire more bullets into the closet and tries to get in,' the mother wrote.

Finally, cops arrived and rescued Isabelle and her classmates - though not all of them survived. And the reaction from some of Isabelle's friends was not what she would have expected.

'Unbelievably, other students are bullying her on social media. Blaming her for not trying to do more to save her classmates, calling her a liar about what happened, etc,' Van Ness wrote.

A member of the FBI walks with evidence outside a trailer owned by Pagourtzis' parents near Santa Fe High School following a mass shooting on Friday

Pagourtzis appeared in court via video link on Friday evening but kept his head bowed and barely said a word except to request a court-appointed attorney

Pagourtzis had planned to kill himself, officials said, but instead collapsed in cowardly fear when confronted by police.

'He sort of fell to the ground and surrendered,' said Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), head of the House Homeland Security Committee.

Investigators who reviewed Pagourtzis's computer and cellphone found evidence the teen had been planning to kill himself after the shooting.

In a statement through their lawyer, Pagourtzis' family said they had no warning of the tragedy and were cooperating with authorities.

'We are as shocked and confused as anyone else by these events that occurred. We are gratified by the public comments made by other Santa Fe High School students that show Dimitri as we know him: a smart, quiet, sweet boy,' the family said.

'While we remain mostly in the dark about the specifics of yesterday's tragedy, what we have learned from media reports seems incompatible with the boy we love.'

Pagourtzis is now being held without bond on charges of capital murder and aggravated assault of a public servant.

He barely spoke during the brief court appearance on Friday evening, except to request a court-appointed lawyer.

Due to Supreme Court rulings, his age will make him ineligible for the death penalty, and might even mean Pagourtzis could be paroled after 40 years if convicted.
Two men have been arrested after authorities discovered more than $90million worth of crystal methamphetamine in a fuel tank of a semi-truck in North Carolina.

Raul Topete, 49, and 48-year-old Aquileo Perez Pineda, were both arrested on Saturday after officers from the Harnett County Sheriff's Office made the discovery.

Police said they seized a 2009 Peterbilt semi-truck that was driven by Topete, a Hispanic male from California, in Linden, North Carolina.

Raul Topete (left), 49, and 48-year-old Aquileo Perez Pineda (right), were both arrested on Saturday after North Carolina officers discovered more than $90million worth of meth in a fuel tank of a semi-truck

It led to the discovery of 120 gallons of liquid meth that was stored in the drivers side fuel tank on the semi-truck.

When converted to kilograms, the crystal meth would have a street value of $90.8million.

Both suspects were placed in the Harnett County Detention Center under a $3million bond.

An immigration detainer has been issued for Pineda. ICE is looking into immigration status of Arreola. The investigation is still ongoing.

The discovery was made as part of a joint investigation that took place over the course of several months.

According to a police statement, officers in Harnett County, Wake County and the North Carolina Bureau Investigation had been conducting the investigation into the transportation and trafficking of meth.
Ksenija Lukich has been a regular at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week shows in Sydney over the past few days.

So it's little surprise that the 28-year-old, who is the face of E! Australia, was invited to a private party to celebrate Christian Louboutin's latest store openings in Australia.

Ksenija looked polished to perfection in an eye-catching blue dress, which showed off her trim pins and slimline physique.

If you've got it! Ksenija Lukich put on a leggy display in a thigh-skimming bodycon dress while rubbing shoulders with stars at the Christian Louboutin party in Sydney

The figure-hugging dress featured semi-sheer puff sleeves, a thigh-skimming hemline and a large teardrop-shaped cut-out to flash a hint of cleavage.

The brunette beauty slicked her long locks back off her face and accessorised with a statement pair of diamond earrings.

Choosing to wear a striking pair of Christian Louboutin shoes for the footwear fiesta, Ksenija modelled a pair of lavender stilettos with paisley-printed silk ties at the ankle.

Blues the hue! The face of E! Australia flaunted her toned legs and slimline physique in the colourful number

Bright red: Christian Louboutin's trademark is scarlet-coloured soles - and Ksenija modelled a pair of lavender stilettos with paisley-printed silk ties at the event

Taking to social media to share a snap from the star-studded bash, Ksenija cosied up to Christian, 55, in a sweet snap.

Gushing about meeting the revered French fashion designer behind the iconic label, she said: 'Monsieur Louboutin. What an absolute delight you are @louboutinworld #ChristianLouboutin.'

Meanwhile former Destiny's Child crooner Kelly Rowland, 37, also posed up a storm at the lavish bash, which took place at the Queen Victoria Building.

'What an absolute delight you are': Ksenija cosied up to French footwear designer Christian Louboutin, 55, at the lavish bash

Kelly showcased her killer abs in a racy eighties-style mini dress, which featured a flirty tiered skirt and puffball shoulders.

She topped off her look with show-stopping thigh-high boots, featuring jazzy graffiti-style scrawled patterns.

Fellow fashion fans such as model Victoria Lee, blogger Elle Ferguson, The Vampire Diaries star Nathalie Kelly and editor Christine Centenera also attend the chic event.

Christian was celebrating opening two new stores - one in Westfield Sydney and the other in Chadstone Melbourne.
They've been inseparable since finally making their relationship official in February.

And Gemma Atkinson appeared more loved up than ever as she gushed about boyfriend Gorka Marquez via Instagram on Saturday.

The Strictly Come Dancing alum, 33, shared an adorable snap of the couple snuggled up as she shared how she 'can't live without' the Spanish choreographer, 27.

Smitten: Gemma Atkinson, 33, posted a sweet Instagram tribute to Strictly pro boyfriend Gorka Marquez and said 'she can't live without him'

For the loving snap, Gemma wrapped her around around the Strictly pro as the pair cracked a sweet smile for the selfie.

In the lengthy caption, the soap star revealed how she's counting down the days until she see's Gorka again after 19 days apart, having only spent five days away from each other since August.

Gemma wrote: 'Cheesy post alert!!!!! A week today and Im reunited with @gorka_marquez. Itll be 19 days weve had apart in total which is nothing looking at the bigger picture, but since we met last Aug weve never had more than 5 days apart so for us its a big deal.'

Loved up: The showbiz couple have been revelling in the honeymoon phase of their romance after ending months of speculation by going public on Valentine's Day

'I've always been good on my own but Im Great when hes around so Im counting down the days like I did as a kid at Christmas.

Gemma continued her gushing sentiment, adding: 'I feel so lucky to have someone who I miss when were apart and someone who makes me feel so excited about seeing them again.

'They always say the right one isnt the one you can live with, its the one you cant live without..'

The showbiz couple have been revelling in the honeymoon phase of their romance after ending months of speculation by going public on Valentine's Day.

Opening up: Despite waiting until the romantic holiday to go public with their romance, Gemma recently admitted that she was never hiding her relationship with the dancing hunk

Despite waiting until the romantic holiday to go public with their romance, Gemma recently admitted that she was never hiding her relationship with dancing hunk Gorka, but dished to The Sun: 'It's nice to be able to say he's my boyfriend.'

'We had that awkward stage where you're dating but you haven't had "the conversation,"' she said. 'You never want to say to a guy after three coffees: "So what are we?"'

Gemma also revealed: 'We'd go for coffee together on the Sunday after the show, but had never really spent more than two hours together. So it was a gradual thing. There was no lightning-bolt moment, unfortunately. Not like in the movies.'

Getting serious: Gorka recently opened up about his relationship with Gemma, revealing he is in love with the talented actress and hopes for marriage and kids in the future

The ex-Emmerdale star finally confirmed their relationship with a sweet Valentine's Day post on Instagram - showing off their relationship for the first time in a sweet snap with Gemma's head resting sweetly on Gorka's shoulder.

Gorka recently opened up about his relationship with Gemma, revealing he is in love with the talented actress and hopes for marriage and kids in the future.

Speaking to New! Magazine, the Spanish professional dancer spoke candidly about his blossoming romance with the blonde beauty.

Unexpected: The twinkle-toed hunk said he had never expected to fall for Gemma as he had been focused on being the best dance partner to Alexandra Burke during the competition

He said: 'I would love to have my own family. I love kids. Hopefully one day I'll become a husband and a dad.'

Gushing about his partner, the twinkle-toed hunk said he had never expected to fall for Gemma as he had been focused on being the best dance partner to Alexandra Burke during the competition.

He said: 'I never went into the show thinking I was going to find my partner. It happened after. You can't help who you fall in love with.'

Gorka said one of the things he loves most about Gemma was her love for fitness, which he shares, saying: 'It's not something I look for but obviously it's more fun as I can train with Gemma.'
Love Island Australia finally unveiled its genetically-blessed cast members over the weekend.

And one of the soon-to-be reality star's already capturing attention is stunning beauty queen Tayla Damir.

The 21-year-old is a former Miss Universe WA finalist and amateur boxer who has admitted to sending naked photos of herself to an ex-boyfriend.

From the pageant to the island! Former Miss Universe WA finalist Taylor Damir is set to get pulses racing on the first season of Love Island Australia

'I would by lying if I said I hadnt sent (naked) pics to my (ex) boyfriend,' she told the Daily Telegraph.

Tayla, who is half Lebanese, works as a model and as a radio host on Triple Z FM.

In her official Triple Z bio, the brunette beauty lists her interests as 'shopping, coffee, the Kardashians, keeping fit, and modelling.'

Working girl! Tayla, who is half Lebanese, works as a model and as a radio host on Triple Z FM

In a separate interview with GC mag, the 21-year-old admits that she can't live without a hair straightener or mirrors, and confesses to having a fear of being alone.

Despite the competitive nature of Love Island, Tayla insists that she's passionate about empowering other women and being unique.

'I want to show Australia that we as a woman shouldnt be comparing ourselves, we should be embracing our differences, our culture, our bodies and our brains,' she said.

Keeping Up With Tayla? The 21-year-old admits to being obsessed with the Kardashians

'I want to show Australia that we as a woman shouldnt be comparing ourselves, we should be embracing our differences, our culture, our bodies and our brains,' she said

'We need to be unique in order to grow, and most importantly we need to build each others differences up to allow the people around you to grow.'

The studious stunner has completed a degree in Communication majoring in journalism and broadcasting, proving that she's more than just a pretty face.

More than 7000 young Aussies applied to be on the first season of Love Island Australia.

Not just a pretty face! The studious stunner has completed a degree in Communication majoring in journalism and broadcasting

The show's host, Sophie Monk, recently told Triple M that the X-rated series is 'a really sexy version of Big Brother without body fat.'

'It's unapologetically stunning. Everyone's hot as balls. Just out of control,' Sophie said of the young cast of singles.

The blonde Bachelorette also promised that there would be a lot of sex on the series.

Love Island Australia premiere on 9now on May 27.
She recently revealed she has felt more comfortable with leaving her four-year-old daughter Sophia at home to go on nights out with her husband, or sister, Petra.

And Tamara Ecclestone enjoyed a rare night off mummy duties as she left Annabel's club in Mayfair on Saturday night.

The Formula One heiress, 33, put on a leggy display in a black knitted mini dress which clung to her incredible figure.

Letting her hair down: Tamara Ecclestone enjoyed a rare night off mummy duties as she left Annabel's club in Mayfair on Saturday night

The dress, which featured cut-outs on the elbows and peplum sleeves, showcased Tamara's tanned pins and hourglass curves.

She complemented the look with black strappy sandals and a simple clutch bag.

Styling her brunette tresses in soft curls, the socialite looked effortlessly glamorous, accentuating her glowing complexion with bronzed eye shadow and a glossy pink lip.

Hourglass curves: The Formula One heiress, 33, put on a leggy display in a black knitted mini dress which clung to her incredible figure

Leggy display: The dress, which featured cut-outs on the elbows and peplum sleeves, showcased Tamara's tanned pins and hourglass curves

Tamara's henna design was also visible as she made her way down the steps and into an awaiting taxi.

She showcased her pretty foot inking on Instagram last week.

Sharing a snap of the ornate design, which adorns her feet and ankles, Tamara wrote: 'Obsessed not with the rank cuts on my feet but the amazing @girly.henna.'

While many fans commended the star on her intricate markings, many also warned Tamara of the dangers of certain types of henna, and insisted she think twice about ever letting her daughter have the semi-permanent tattoos.

Bronzed beauty: Styling her brunette tresses in soft curls, the socialite looked effortlessly glamorous, accentuating her glowing complexion with bronzed eyeshadow and a glossy pink lip

Her night out comes after the doting mum admitted that she is so attached to her daughter that she didn't spent a night away from the tot for the first three years of her life.

Speaking on This Morning last month, she said: 'No one can care for your child as well as you can, if I was to leave Fifi I would leave her with my sister, I do have a trust issue, but I like to be there.

'I still breastfeed her in the night, I've talked openly about that, it's a personal decision.

She continued: 'I really don't have a desire to [go away], I go out for dinner with my husband, but I come back to her and I like to make sure she's ready in the morning.'

The brunette beauty's night out comes after she jetted to Dubai with Sophia and husband Jay Rutland earlier this month on their eighth holiday this year.

They enjoyed a magical trip to Disneyland Paris in March, which followed up their envy-inducing getaways to Mexico and the Bahamas. Tamara started the year right by heading to sunny Los Angeles with her daughter Fifi and sister Petra.
She's the former model who has gone on to pay it forward, helping fund the research into diagnosing children with rare conditions at the world-renowned Murdoch Children's Research Institute.

And Sarah Murdoch, 45, has spoken about how visiting the Institute changed her forever.

Speaking to Stellar, the mother-of-three revealed: 'My first visit to MCRI was life-changing. I saw newborn babies fighting for their lives, children who could not have exposure to the outside world for long periods of time, or children heading into surgery or desperately [trying to] recover from illness,' she shared.

'There are many stories, devastatingly sad stories': Former model Sarah Murdoch has revealed how visiting the Murdoch Children's Research Institute changed her life forever (Sarah Murdoch pictured with her mother Carol O'Hare)

Continuing, the British-born star went on to describe how deeply proud she is of Australian scientists and their ability to speedily diagnose and cure previously unknown diseases.

'There are many stories, devastatingly sad stories. But also stories of hope, of cure, of children getting well. They all motivate me to do what I can.'

As a mother herself, Sarah revealed the stories of hope, cures and of children getting well is what motivates her to continue her dedicated work.

Pay it forward: The British-born star went on to describe how deeply proud she is of Australian scientists and their ability to speedily diagnose and cure previously unknown diseases

Sarah also pinpointed a specific instance that inspired her desire to fund research pertaining to children's illnesses.

Describing a five-year-old boy named Louis, Sarah explained to the publication that the young child had been diagnosed with a terminal metabolic condition that severely impacted his muscle and brain development.

After months of research, the gene causing Louis' illness was isolated and found treatable.

Dedication! Sarah revealed the stories of hope, cures and of children getting well is what motivates her to continue her dedicated work

Being close to her own mother, Sarah also expressed the importance surrounding children with family across all generations.

Explaining her busy lifestyle, the So You Think You Can Dance star said she's grateful to have her mother around to care for her three children.

She also explained that she is grateful that her children are being raised 'intergenerationally'.
Toni Collette is an actress of her time.

And the 45-year-old Muriel's Wedding star has revealed what she really thinks of one of this generation's biggest social movements, #MeToo.

'There's a way to go, but by God we have made strides since the '50s and that's not a very long time,' the Hollywood star told Stellar Magazine this Sunday.

'There's a long way to go': Hollywood actress Toni Collette has revealed what she thinks of the women's equality movement, #MeToo

'So many things have changed over the last couple of years, it's almost fast-tracked. And by necessity. Absolutely.'

The actress, who gained a legion of fans in The United States of Tara and The Sixth Sense, said while she doesn't have any #MeToo stories of her own, she's dedicated to supporting those who do.

'I'm absolutely behind fairness and equality in the workplace,' adding, 'It takes a lot of guts' to share the harrowing and painful experiences.

It's necessary! 'So many things have changed over the last couple of years, it's almost fast-tracked. And by necessity. Absolutely,' she said

In the wide-ranging interview, the Sydney-born actress, who is married to musician Dave Galafassi, admitted she still homesick for Australia.

She confessed that, while she has lived in Los Angeles for the past three-and-a-half years, her tribe is still based Down Under.

In late 2014, the actress and her husband sold their home for $5.75 million, before heading stateside but said she's like to 'return.'

Missing home! In a wide-ranging interview with Stellar Magazine on Sunday, the critically acclaimed LA-based actress said she felt homesick for her native Australia

She also spoke of setting up her production company Vocab Films, in order to generate more meaty roles for herself.

More recently, Toni has been generating significant Oscar buzz starring in the film Hereditary which is billed as a modern Exorcist.

In the film, she stars as Annie Graham, who discovers chilling secrets about her ancestry and must try to change her terrifying fate.
They were spotted sharing a steamy smooch at the glitzy amfAR gala.

And Lara Stone put on another cosy display with her new flame David Grievson at the Alacran Pictures party in Cannes on Saturday.

The model, 34, turned heads in a glittering sequined mini dress which skimmed her toned thighs as she partied the night away.

New love: Lara Stone put on another cosy display with her new flame David Grievson at the Alacran Pictures party in Cannes on Saturday

Lara's sparkling number hugged her enviable frame as she placed an affectionate hand on her beau's chest, while they posed for pictures.

The ex-wife of David Walliams wore her golden tresses swept back off her face in an effortless ponytail style.

The look drew attention to her naturally beautiful features, which were covered in minimal make-up for the event.

Shimmer: The model, 34, turned heads in a glittering sequined mini dress which skimmed her toned thighs as she partied the night away

Glam factor: The ex-wife of David Walliams wore her golden tresses swept back off her face in an effortless ponytail style

Shinning stunner: The look drew attention to her naturally beautiful features, which were covered in minimal make-up for the event

Looking just as fetching, David cut a dashing figure in a shiny black suit, teamed with a crisp white shirt.

Earlier this week the Dutch supermodel couldn't keep her hands off her businessman beau and the couple were in a world of their own as they locked lips at the amfAR gala.

Lara met London based Grievson through friends in January and was then seen with London-based David at Chanels Paris Fashion Week presentation in March.

Cosy: The pair happily posed for photos at the bash

Stepping out: Sting (L) and Stella Skarsgard attended the party

Dazzling: Olga Kurylenko dazzled in a striking strapless gown

Suit you: Jordi Molla (L) and Oscar Jaenada looked suave in their suits

Dapper: Johnathan Pryce stopped by the bash

The blonde, who divorced her ex-husband three years ago, barely left her new beau's side during the fun night, sharing cosy conversation before at one point the besotted model flashed a heart sign at her man.

A source told The Sun: Lara and David are really in love, their relationship has moved faster than expected but they seem completely besotted.'

Lara has previously been linked with Australian model Jordan Barrett and actor Andrew Gray, but her new romance with Grievson is thought to be her first serious relationship since splitting with Walliams.

Party people: Film producer Sebastien Delloye was seen at the event
She's became one of Australia's most eligible singles after failing to find love on Matty Johnson's season of The Bachelor.

And reality star Jen Hawke has revealed she may have finally found her prince charming thanks to a new dating app.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia this week, the brunette bombshell revealed that she connected with her new flame on We-Date- a mobile app that coordinates dates for couples to remove the stress of planning.

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'I'm super happy': The Bachelor's Jen Hawke has revealed she may have finally found her prince charming thanks to a new dating app

'I'm super happy, he is an absolute babe and an absolute gentleman,' she cooed.

'It's not 'Netflix and chill' with him, it's wining and dining and I have to admit he is great to sit across from at a restaurant.'

Jen has previously dated the likes of Bachelorette stars Jake Ellis and Blake Colman- both of whom starred on the recent debut season of Bachelor In Paradise.

'It's not 'Netflix and chill' with him, it's wining and dining and I have to admit he is great to sit across from at a restaurant': Jen gushed about her mystery man

While the starlet won't be returning to the Bachelor franchise any time soon, she is set to gift her fans with a rare insight into her reality TV experience by penning a semi-fictional novel inspired by The Bachelor.

'I'm writing a book! It's a juicy cautionary tale for anybody thinking about diving into the reality TV family,' she exclusively told Daily Mail Australia earlier this year.

'I see it as a tell-all without telling all and sometimes telling too much,' she teased.

Keeping it in the reality TV family! Jen has previously dated the likes of Bachelorette stars Jake Ellis and Blake Colman- both of whom starred on the recent debut season of Bachelor In Paradise

Jen explained that the story will be told from a contestant's perspective and that several of her fellow contestants would be represented in the form of fictional characters.

'The fun part for those who read it will be trying to guess who is was character,' she mused.

Meanwhile, fans are gearing up for the upcoming season of The Bachelor, starring Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins.
She is a busy mom with a newborn daughter.

But on Saturday, Kylie Jenner was able to take a quick break from parenting duties to head to lunch in Malibu.

The reality star headed to Soho House with mom Kris Jenner's boyfriend, Corey Gamble, and a pal.

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Meal time: On Saturday, Kylie Jenner, 20, was able to take a quick break from parenting duties to head to lunch in Malibu

Quick freedom: The working mom earned herself some me time, as she was seen without daughter Stormi Webster, three months

The raven-haired beauty layered a white tube top underneath a cream denim jacket.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star paired her oversize outwear with a matching, light-colored skirt.

Kylie completed her undoubtedly Kanye-approved '90s ensemble with a set of socks and white sneakers.

Her look: The raven-haired beauty layered a white tube top underneath a cream denim jacket. The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star paired her oversize outwear with a matching, light-colored skirt

Effortless: Kylie wore her long hair down and in soft waves

Joining the star was Corey Gamble, the boyfriend of mom Kris Jenner.

The former tour manager of Justin Bieber was casually dressed in an Adidas tracksuit.

Also along for the outing was an unidentified pal, who wore a simple black tank top and cargo pants.

Chaperone: Joining the star was Corey Gamble, the boyfriend of mom Kris Jenner

Gal pal support: Also along for the outing was an unidentified friend, who wore a simple black tank top and cargo pants

What's so funny? The girls fell into a fit of giggles while Corey's attention was busy elsewhere

Not seen with the lipkit mogul was her newborn daughter, Stormi Webster, three months.

The Los Angeles native gave birth to her first child with boyfriend Travis Scott, 26.

The couple first began dating in April of last year, one month after Kylie broke-up with ex-boyfriend Travis Scott, whom she began dating when she was 16.

Relaxed weekend attire: The former tour manager of Justin Bieber was casually dressed in an Adidas tracksuit

Such great trust! Kylie allowed her pal to take over the driver's set of her orange Lamborghini

A treat to herself: At one point, Kylie eyed her expensive vehicle that could have been bought with her lipkit earnings
She recently announced her shock split with fellow Married At First Sight star Sean Thomsen.

But Tracey Jewel has now revealed that she still believes in love in the wake of her recent heartbreak.

Taking to Instagram, the 35-year-old posted a quote by American Bishop Michael Curry who spoke during the history-making Royal Wedding on Saturday night.

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'We must rediscover love!' MAFS' Tracey Jewel has weighed in on the Royal Wedding following her shock split from Sean Thomsen

Citing his speech, she posted the words: 'Dr. King was right: We must discover love, the redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will make of this old world a new world.'

Captioning the post, the reality star shared her thoughts, writing: 'One of my favourite pats of the royal wedding.'

Adding: 'And now one of my favourite quotes.'

Royal words of wisdom! Captioning the post, the reality star shared her thoughts, writing: 'One of my favourite pats of the royal wedding'

Fans were quick to agree with her newfound life mantra, with one writing: 'It sure was a powerful message!'

It's not the first time Tracey has spoken about her commitment to finding love after announcing her split last Monday.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Sunday, the brunette beauty said: 'Regardless of breakups I still believe in love.'

Love wins: Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Sunday, the brunette beauty said: 'Regardless of breakups I still believe in love'

On watching the Royal Wedding, she said: 'Im a lover of love and just loved watching the wedding!'

'It was a beautiful example of two different worlds coming together.'

Taking to Instagram to announce the split, after revealing the split in an interview with New Idea, the star posted a picture of herself and Sean.

Lover of love! On watching the Royal wedding, she added: 'Im a lover of love and just loved watching the wedding!'

Taking to her social platform, Tracey explained: 'Im sad to say Sean and I have gone our separate ways. Sometimes futures just dont align.'

'Sean you are an amazing person and Im thankful for the time we have spent together.. Ill always remember it as a special time in my life.'

Breaking silence on the split, Sean took to Instagram on Friday to share an update with his fans and thanked them for their support as he adjusts to single life.

Split: Of her split with Sean, Tracey explained: 'Im sad to say Sean and I have gone our separate ways. Sometimes futures just dont align'

In the video, Sean said: 'G'day guys, how are you? First of all, I just want to say thanks to everyone, anyone, who sent a message or, y'know, is just asking how I am.

'Second of all, I just want to say that I'm kind of laying low for now, just reassessing future goals and moving forward. Just keeping it on the down-low.'

He continues: 'It's kind of good being back at work and just getting away from it all for a little bit.

'So thanks for your support and, yeah, I'll let you know soon what I'm doing.'
Ellen DeGeneres is known for her wacky games.

And the sassy TV host has announced she's gracing Australian shores with the arrival of her own quiz show, Game Of Games.

Reported in TV Tonight on Sunday, the Ellen host announced that the Down Under version of the US hit show will have a distinctly Australian twist.

'I'm thrilled that Game of Games is making its way to Australia': Popular talk show host Ellen DeGeneres' hit game-show is set to hit Australian screens

'I'm thrilled that Game of Games is making its way to Australia,' she told the publicaqtion.

'In the US we drop contestants into vats of mashed potatoes, but in Australia, its gonna be 100 per cent Vegemite.'

The show is based off a segment from Ellen's talk show, and includes a variety of light-hearted games, including blindfolded musical chairs and Dizzy Dash.

Hosting duties! Fans could be disappointed as Ellen won't be hosting the Australian version, with Channel Ten producing a local version of the show

Fans of Ellen, however, might be disappointed as she's the Channel Ten version will have an Australian host rather than the feisty blonde herself.

Meanwhile, the NBC-produced US version attracts eight million viewers per week.

Ellen famously has an Australian wife, Melbourne-born Portia de Rossi, with the couple first marrying in August of 2008.

Spin off! The game show was initially one of her games on the wildly successful eponymous talk show

Last year, Woman's Day magazine reported the pair could have a second wedding in Australia after the country legalised same-sex marriage.

The ceremony will mark their tenth anniversary together as a couple,

'They're recreating the beautiful wedding they had in 2008 with a few new twists,' an 'insider' told the magazine.

Game of Games is expected to air later this year
They welcomed their daughter Mia into the world on February 22.

On Saturday, Robin Thicke and April Love Geary strolled through Malibu with their little bundle of joy in tow.

The 23-year-old model battled the Southern California chill in a grey sweater while Thicke donned a white long-sleeve shirt.

Out and about: On Saturday, Robin Thicke and April Love Geary strolled through Malibu with their little bundle of joy in tow

Little angel: April and Robin welcomed their daughter Mia into the world on February 22

April recently celebrated her first Mother's Day.

And Robin made sure to show his two ladies some love.

'Thank you my @aprillovegeary for bringing me so much joy in so many ways!' he said. 'Thank you for Mia. Happy hot Mama day. I love you.'

Geary responded: 'Thanks for making me a mommy, it's the best thing that's ever happened.'

New mom: April recently celebrated her first Mother's Day. 'Thanks for making me a mommy, it's the best thing that's ever happened,' she wrote to Thicke on Instagram

'Thank you my @aprillovegeary for bringing me so much joy in so many ways!' Thicke captioned his Mother's Day post. 'Thank you for Mia. Happy hot Mama day. I love you'

April was only 19-years-old when she began dating the 41-year-old Canadian crooner (who was 37 at the time).

The couple got together a mere nine months after Robin legally separated from his ex-wife Paula Patton.

Thicke and Patton finalized their divorce in 2015. And together they share their eight-year-old son Julian whom Geary has come to call her own.
MAFS groom Sean Thomsen has revealed he will give his side of the story following the split from his co-star girlfriend, Tracey Jewel.

The FIFO worker, who recently uploaded a video saying he was 'lying low' since the break-up, announced he will address rumours surrounding his former relationship in this Monday's edition of Woman's Day.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Sean uploaded a snap of himself on a date with Tracey, along with the caption: 'This is the night Tracey allegedly sent texts to Dean asking to get back together. Woman's Day... Tomorrow'.

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'Tracey allegedly sent texts to Dean asking to get back with him': MAFS star Sean Thomsen has revealed he'll break his silence about his break-up with co-star Tracey Jewel

The snap, which was taken in April when the couple were on a date at Speakeasy Kitchen Bar in Melbourne, show them lovingly looking at the camera.

In the picture, mother-of-one Tracey locks arms with her blond reality star beau, while Sean gives the camera a cheeky smile.

It comes after Perth-based Tracey admitted this week she dumped the former playboy in a 'brutal' way after picking him up from the airport while on his break.

Laying low! Earlier this week, FIFO worker Sean appeared a little off when he uploaded a video to his Instagram account saying how he's feeling

'Because he works away and I've been away a lot, I had to wait until when I picked him up from the airport and I just told him straight away,' she confessed last Monday.

'I couldn't even wait for him to get into the frigging car.'

The single mother explained that Sean's FIFO work schedule meant that she had 'no stability', adding she was relieved their plans to move to Melbourne didn't work out.

'It was brutal': Tracey told announced the pair had split on Monday, saying she did it after one of his stints at work

On Thursday, Sean, 35, responded by taking to Instagram to share his gratitude for the support of fans and to make comment on how he's adjusting to the single life.

In the video, Sean says: 'G'day guys, how are ya? First of all, I just want to say thanks to everyone, anyone, who sent a message or, y'know, is just asking how I am.

'That's really nice, so thank you.

'Second of all, I just want to say that I'm kind of laying low for now, just reassessing future goals and moving forward. Just keeping it on the down-low.

It's over! The pair got together after both appearing on the Channel Nine reality dating show, Married At First Sight

Weighing in on the spectacle, Dean Wells came out to defend Tracey, saying that she's did nothing wrong in her relationship.

On Friday, Dean said in a statement that he and Tracey had not reconciled.

Earlier this week, leaked text messages between Dean and Tracey showed that she had possibly tried unsuccessfully to reconnect with her ex on April 18th.

At the time the messages were sent, Tracey was still publicly dating Sean and there were even rumours they were secretly engaged.
Gisele Bundchen was confronted with an overzealous fan at the airport in Brazil on Saturday night.

The 37-year-old supermodel covered her face up with a pillow as she was confronted by an aggressive female fan.

One of her bodyguards was forced to get in between the two women as they made their way through Sao Paulo Airport.

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Melee: Gisele Bundchen was confronted with an overzealous fan at the airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Saturday night

Gisele seemed uncomfortable as she tucked her head into her pillow as the mustachioed hero sprung into action.

No doubt it was quite the scene as it seemed like several others intervened in the situation.

The wife of Tom Brady seemed very grateful to the man as she gave him a hug goodbye before boarding the plane.

Awkward: The 37-year-old supermodel covered her face up with a pillow as she was confronted by an aggressive female fan

Her knight in shining armor: The wife of Tom Brady seemed very grateful to the man as she gave him a hug goodbye before boarding the plane

This comes just a day after she was in attendance at an event in her home country to plug her new book titled Drawdown.

The Victoria's Secret beauty looked quite excited to be on stage for the unveiling.

On top, the mother-of-two opted for a white linen shirt with three-quarter sleeves and a collar.

All smiles! Just a day before Gisele decided to lend her considerable star power to the release of a new book titled Drawdown

Her legendary long legs were hidden by a pair of extremely baggy beige trousers which appeared to be flared at the bottom.

Tan strappy heels completed her simple but elegant outfit.

Accessories included a pair of classic gold hoop earrings, several rings, a chain necklace and a very thin brown leather belt.

Airy: On top, the mother-of-two opted for a white linen shirt with three-quarter sleeves and a collar

Different look: Her legendary long legs were hidden by a pair of extremely baggy beige trousers which appeared to be flared at the bottom

Stunner! Light blush, subtle eye make-up and peach lipstick ensured the Brazil native glowed on stage

Her mixed tresses were messily parted on the left and fell in waves down past her shoulders.

Light blush, subtle eye make-up and peach lipstick ensured the Brazil native glowed on stage.

Apparently Gisele was quite happy with her look, as she posted a snap of herself on Instagram while flashing the peace sign.

Perfectly coiffed: Her mixed tresses were messily parted on the left and fell in waves down past her shoulders

A favorite? Apparently Gisele was quite happy with her look, as she posted a snap of herself on Instagram while flashing the peace sign

Her caption, which was written in Portuguese, read: 'Ready for the launch of Drawdown - 100 Powerful Initiatives to Solve the Climate Crisis book. Paul Hawken has done an incredible job showing creative and effective solutions to take care of our environment. And guess who's the key to all this change? Us! So let's go!!!!!'

The event was to promote the release of the new book Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming edited by Paul Hawken.

According to Amazon, the tome contains 'the 100 most substantive solutions to reverse global warming, based on meticulous research by leading scientists and policymakers around the world.'
She may be 14-years-old, but she is styled well beyond her years.

On Saturday, Millie Bobby Brown attended the Netflix's FYSEE Stranger things Season 2 Panel in Los Angeles.

The actress was joined by show co-star Noah Schnapp, 13, but seemed to have bigger names on her mind when she launched a humorous appeal to Leonardo DiCaprio to join them on the show.

Supporting her show! On Saturday, Millie Bobby Brown, 14, attended the Netflix's FYSEE Stranger things Season 2 Panel in Los Angeles

'Leonardo is Eleven's long-lost brother. I have already made a story line,' she told Press Association.

'Leo, if you want to be in Stranger Things, here's the contract.'

The young actress made quite the impact at the event, where she was styled in a black suit and white top.

The teenage star added a pair of bright, yellow shoes to contrast her dark, chic look.

The talented beauty played up her make-up minimally with a soft, smokey eye.

Growing up quickly: She may just a teen, but she is styled well beyond her years. Millie was styled in a black suit and white top

Launching an appeal: Millie humorously revealed that she had mapped out a possible storyline for actor Leonardo DiCaprio to join Stranger Things

Looking stylish: Meanwhile, Noah Schnapp , 13, was trendy in shades of blue and gray

Sharp: The New York City native, who plays Will Byers in the hit Netflix show, layered a striped button-up underneath a blue, corduroy jacket

Meanwhile, Noah was trendy in shades of blue and gray.

The New York City native, who plays Will Byers in the hit Netflix show, layered a striped button-up underneath a blue, corduroy jacket.

The teen's look was completed with gray skinny jeans and printed loafer-style shoes.

Wrapping up his outfit: The teen's look was completed with gray skinny jeans and printed loafer-style shoes

True friends: While on the red carpet, the young stars playfully danced with each other

Enjoying their youth: Millie and Noah allowed themselves to have a carefree time

Millie and Noah hit international stardom with their roles as Eleven and Will on Stranger Things.

The show, which premiered in 2016, tells of a 'young boy disappears, his mother, a police chief, and his friends, must confront terrifying forces in order to get him back,' according to IMDB.

The show has been on the air for two seasons, and season three is expected to release in 2019.
Ross Butler tackles a number of the big issues on 13 Reasons Why.

And the 28-year-old isn't shy of sharing his opinion off-screen as well, revealing his thoughts on the #MeToo movement.

Speaking to website Popsugar on Saturday, the Singapore-born actor said he thought 'we need to change the way we raise boys.'

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'We need to change the way we raise boys': 13 Reasons Why star Ross Butler, 28, has revealed his thoughts on the #MeToo movement

Playing a high school student on the hit Netflix show, he said it gave him an insight into the culture of American teenager.

Ross said that feedback from young fans have helped inform his opinion.

'Hearing stories from fans on Instagram that have reached out and sent me stories, I've learnt a lot of how we need to change the culture - especially how we raise boys,' he said.

' I've learnt a lot of how we need to change the culture' The actor, who plays Zach Dempsey on the hit Netflix show, said hearing from fans of the series helped shape his views

The global #MeToo movement, which is currently garnering support from high-profile stars in Hollywood - is tackling sexual and workplace harassment against women.

And the Asian American star, who has spoken before about the important of diversity and other cultural critiques, added the #MeToo movement opened his eyes.

'It showed me how prevalent and widespread it is and how before the #MeToo movement we weren't doing much about it,' he explained.

'It showed me how prevalent and widespread it is and how before the #MeToo movement we weren't doing much about it': The actor explained his thoughts on the movement

13 Reasons Why is somewhat a cultural phenomenon itself, as the show deals with a range of social issues affecting young people, including teen suicide.

While the series has been controversial for its take on the issue, it has been lauded for the cultural diversity.

In a wide-ranging interview with Popsugar, Ross who plays Zach Dempsey on the show, added that he wanted to break stereotypes of Asian-Americans men on screen.

'My mission is just to be an Asian-American leading man who doesn't need to be a martial artist or anything like that,' he told the online publication.
Wayne Brady is one of America's most beloved television stars, having first appeared on Whose Line Is It Anyway? way back in 1998.

And while the 45-year-old usually keeps things light on the improvisational comedy show, he tackled a tough issue during a candid interview with Stellar magazine this week.

The American actor discussed racism and prejudice in the hard-hitting piece, published on Sunday.

'I've known for years that racism is everywhere': TV funnyman Wayne Brady spoke with Stellar about racism in a candid chat, published on Sunday

While Wayne - who was born in 1972 - says he feels fortunate for the Civil Rights campaigners, he believes that full equality has not yet been achieved.

He told Stellar: 'I have felt the sting of racism, whether it's been in an elevator with a person who clutches their purse tightly to their chest, or maybe talking to someone who, before they've gotten to know me and if I'm not dressed in a suit, has assumed I am a thug or of lesser intelligence'.

The star also believes that increased diversity in the media is one way to keep combating the problem of discrimination.

'I have felt the sting of racism': Wayne believes that full equality has not yet been achieved

'Anywhere there is a lack of representation, be it onscreen or in life, is a problem. And I'm aware that Australia has a problem, too,' Wayne told the magazine.

The veteran comedian has spent much time Down Under, and is set to return for a national tour in June.

The star will travel across the country, playing at venues from Perth to the Gold Coast.

Coming back Down Under: Wayne is set to return to Australia for a national tour in June

And while the star believes there is still a way to go to eradicate racism, he feels his tour is evidence that things are slowly heading in the right direction.

'On the positive side, I'm a black man who can travel the world and spread comedy in a place where a couple of decades ago, people would have said it would not be possible for me to do that,' he stated.

Not one to shy away from serious issues, Wayne has also previously spoken about his battle with clinical depression, revealing he suffered a mental breakdown on his 42nd birthday in 2014.

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Model Ellie Gonsalves has a social media following of 1.6 million people.

But that didn't stop the Brisbane-born model from hitting out at social media influencers.

Speaking in Stellar magazine on Sunday, the 27-year-old took a swipe at social media stars accusing them of only showing their 'highlight reel.'

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'We don't share the hard times as much as we should': Model Ellie Gonsalves, 27, has hit out at social media influencers, accusing them of only showing the 'highlight reel'

The outspoken bikini model, who is known for her washboard abs and sensational curvaceous body, was candid in her remarks.

'I got sick of it,' Ellie said. 'People think we live these perfect lives and nothing ever goes wrong.

She continued: 'They think we get to travel to all of these amazing places, and get paid all of this money and get given all of this stuff, but that's not it.'

'People think we live these perfect lives and nothing ever goes wrong,' Ellie candidly said things aren't always what they seem

Ellie claimed influencers don't always share an authentic version of their life, which prompted her to speak out.

She claimed influencers 'don't share the hard times as much as they should.

It's not the first time Ellie has been candid about issues that she feels strongly about.

The model fearlessly uploaded a video about her father's suicide in 2017 on R U OK Day ?, which had occurred two years prior.

She said: 'This is a day which really hits close to home for me because I lost my dad to suicide two years ago - and we didn't really think he was capable of doing what he did,' Ellie said while holding back tears.

'It really did hit us out of nowhere and it really did destroy my life for a really, really long time and not a day goes by where I don't think about him and wish that I could just call him.'

Challenges: In 2017, Ellie spoke about her father's suicide on R U OK Day in a heartbreaking video

More recently, Ellie spoke to Daily Mail Australia earlier this month, saying she had learnt to accept her insecurities, which has given her more confidence.

'We all have our own insecurities over time, but sometimes they're played out in our head bigger than what they actually are...I love boobs now,' she said.

Ellie recalled how mortified she was to have a shop assistant quiz her on where she had breasts done while trying on her first bikini at the age of 12.
Jennifer Hawkins and Jake Wall have been together for 14 years - but the pair seemed as loved-up as ever in her latest Instagram offering.

The 34-year-old former Miss Universe took to social media to show off her fun-filled beach trip on Sunday.

Posting on her Instagram Story, the stunning blonde share a snap of her 35-year-old model husband clutching a surfboard under his arm.

Still going strong! Jennifer Hawkins shared an adorable loved-up selfie with husband Jake Wall as the pair enjoyed a sunny day at the beach ahead of their five-year wedding anniversary next month

Making for the waves with a towel slung over his board, Jake cut a casual yet cool figure in a black hoodie, khaki shorts, peak cap and dark sunglasses.

Not content at leaving it there, Jennifer also shared an intimate selfie showing her kissing Jake's neck as the pair enjoyed their sunny Sunday at the coast.

The Australia's Next Top Model host met Jake at a bar when she was just 20-years-old.

Sunday funday! The genetically-blessed couple have been together for 14 years, since meeting at a bar when Jennifer was just 20

'It was one of those nights I didnt intend [on] going out, and then I went out and I met this guy and slowly, we started a relationship,' she told Stellar previously.

However, the sentimental starlet believes that meeting Jake was written in the stars.

She added: 'I dont know whether that sounds all spiritual, but sometimes youve just got to believe that, because its just too strange how weve maintained this relationship and it feels so completely different to anything else in my life.'

Red carpet couple! The model pair tied the knot in Bali back in June 2013 after Jake proposed to Jennifer during a romantic holiday to New Zealand in December 2010

They married in June 2013 in front of a reported 50 guests in Bali at Uluwatu's luxury Semara resort - and are due to celebrate five years of marriage this year.

The gorgeous couple first met prior to Jennifer being crowned Miss Universe in 2004 and dated for eight years before tying the knot.

Jake, who runs his property development company with his wife, proposed during a romantic holiday to New Zealand in December 2010.

The duo have kept coy about their plans to start a family, telling Daily Mail Australia last November: 'It's kinda just between Jake and I, but everyone keeps asking!'
They struck up a friendship after they were introduced by mutual friends, going on to spend time with each other at the celebrity haunt Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire.

Yet Millie Mackintosh showed she had no hard feelings about being snubbed an invite to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Royal Wedding on Saturday.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 28, took to her Instagram account of 1.3 million followers to break her silence about the star-studded event over the weekend.

Awkward: Millie Mackintosh showed she had no hard feelings about being snubbed an invite to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Royal Wedding on Saturday

Millie shared a photograph of her black pug, who was wearing a white jewel crown around its neck, staring at a TV screen showing the Royal Wedding.

In the next update, the reality star showed off her toned figure in a yellow bikini and a black silk cover-up with a green cactus pattern on it.

Cuddling her pug, she captioned it with: 'The best hugs are pug hugs,' followed by a heart emoji.

Fun in the sun: The former Made In Chelsea star, 28, took to her Instagram account of 1.3 million followers to break her silence about the star-studded event over the weekend

'Bridesmaid': The Royal Wedding invite snub comes after Millie was reportedly considered to be a bridesmaid at Meghan's nuptials to Prince Harry (both pictured on Saturday)

The Royal Wedding invite snub comes after Millie was reportedly considered to be a bridesmaid at Meghan's nuptials to Prince Harry.

A royal insider previously told the Daily Mail: 'Some very knowledgeable people are saying she is actually being considered as a bridesmaid.

'While I would personally find that surprising, as members of the Royal Family tend to choose the children of their closest friends and relatives, Millie couldnt have been more hands-on with helping Meghan organise the wedding so far.

Pals: They struck up a friendship after they were introduced by mutual friends, going on to spend time with each other at the celebrity haunt Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire

Wow: And despite Millie being absent from the wedding of the year, there was a huge celebrity turn out for the star-studded nuptials, with up to 800 guests believed to have attended

Power couple: George and Amal Clooney attended the ceremony at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, England, on Saturday

'They have a really close relationship and Millie has been a real source of support to Meghan during her move from Toronto and her new life in London.'

And despite Millie being absent from the wedding of the year, there was a huge celebrity turn out for the star-studded nuptials, with up to 800 guests believed to have attended.

George and Amal Clooney attended the ceremony at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, England, on Saturday.

And the couple were joined by the likes of Victoria and David Beckham, Serena Williams, Elton John, Oprah Winfrey, James Corden, Idris Elba and James Blunt - to name a few.



Star-studded: Victoria and David Beckham were invited to the Royal Wedding (both pictured outside Windsor Castle on Saturday)
It's been a busy few weeks for Georgia Fowler, who opened the Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week in Sydney before jetting to France for the 71st Cannes Film Festival.

So the 25-year-old stunner enjoyed a bit of down time by taking a dip in the pool at the Eden Roc Hotel in Cap d'Antibes on Saturday.

Accompanied by her model pal Megan Williams, 24, Georgia flaunted her gym-honed physique in a skimpy coral-coloured bikini.

Time off: Georgia Fowler took a well-deserved break from her strict work schedule as she took a dip in the pool in Cannes

The Victoria's Secret Angel showcased her washboard abs and leggy pins in a sizzling two-piece as she larked around with the British blonde catwalk star.

The brunette bombshell commanded attention in her bright swimwear choice, which featured a trendy one-shoulder bralet, teamed with high-rise bottoms.

Showing off her radiant complexion, the statuesque star wore minimal make-up and swept her tresses into a sleek bun.

Striking: The Victoria's Secret Angel, 25, showcased her washboard abs and leggy pins in a sizzling coral-coloured bikini while relaxing at the Eden Roc Hotel

Insta-famous: Georgia took to social media to showcase her slimline physique in a stream of bikini-clad shots

Georgia accessorised with a vintage-inspired pair of thick-rimmed sunglasses and wore a few delicate silver rings.

The New Zealand-born beauty took to social media to show off her figure and share clips of her attempting to take a dive.

Posting a stream of bikini snaps, the IMG model admitted that she'd been 'caught hanging'.

BFFs: Guess star Megan, 24, looked typically stunning in bright yellow swim attire, which showcased her slender physique

Meanwhile Guess star Megan looked typically stunning in bright yellow swim attire, which made the most of her slender physique.

The blonde beauty scraped her sun-kissed locks away from her face and topped off her poolside look with cat-eye sunglasses.

Georgia recently lit up the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week runway in Sydney, while opening Camilla and Marc's stylish show earlier this month.

Wow-factor! The blonde beauty scraped her drenched locks away from her face, and accessorised with cat-eye sunglasses

Diving in! The brunette bombshell put on a daring display as she took a leap into the large body of water

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, the model revealed why she loves being back in Australia, as she gushed about getting that 'warm, fuzzy feeling' from being in a familiar place.

The lingerie star said: 'It is always amazing to come home it is like a big reunion, seeing old designers, stylists and friends which are back here. It is always special.'

After enjoying an illustrious modelling career since the age of 12, gracing the cover of numerous glossy magazines - it's safe to say that Georgia has lived a jet-setting lifestyle.

Making a splash! The brunette bombshell commanded attention in her bright swimwear choice, which featured a trendy one-shoulder bralet, teamed with high-rise bottoms

Bikini babe: The catwalk queen also flashed a hint of her pert posterior while 'hanging' in Cannes

But the New York-based model revealed that Australia stands out from the crowd for one very particular reason.

Georgia said: 'People really support each other here compared to other cities.'

Besides walking for major fashion brands, Georgia is also known for her rumoured fling with Harry Styles in 2015.

Refreshing! Georgia lapped up the sun and then cooled off with a dip in the water

Risking a wardrobe malfunction! The statuesque star made sure her bikini top was firmly in place while enjoying a swim

During an interview with The Morning Show in November, Georgia addressed speculation that Harry's song Kiwi was about their relationship.

'I don't really know anything about it...definitely don't have a baby... that's what the song is all about [so] I think it's highly unlikely.'

Whispers of a romance between Georgia and the former One Direction star, 24, began in October 2015 after she posted Snapchat videos of them together.

Slurp! The beauty enjoyed a cooling beverage during her down-time at the pool
She shared an amusing video of her one-year-old son Forest Sage falling asleep on her lap during the Royal Wedding live broadcast on Saturday.

Fast forward 24 hours and Teresa Palmer and her bubbly boy appeared to enjoy every waking minute of their stroll through Adelaide airport.

As the mother-and-son made their way back to Melbourne, the 32-year-old Hollywood starlet beamed as she held Forest in a front-facing baby carrier.

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Mummy duty! Teresa Palmer beams as she steps out with her bubbly one-year-old son Forest Sage at Adelaide airport

Theresa and her youngest son put on a happy display for onlookers as they sauntered through the well-lit terminal grinning from ear-to-ear.

The yummy mummy opted for an off-duty chic ensemble consisting of a lamb-skin collared dark denim jacket and a pair of light wash jeans.

The figure-hugging jeans perfectly accentuated her tiny waist and ultra lean legs.

Working mum: Teresa, who is reportedly heading back to Melbourne to work on her Michelle Payne biopic, Ride Like A Girl, went for casual-chic attire

Teresa, who is reportedly heading back to Melbourne to work on her Michelle Payne biopic, Ride Like A Girl, completed her jet-setter look by donning a pair of white sneakers.

The actress looked like the ultimate Hollywood starlet as she sashayed around the airport wearing a pair of tinted sunglasses.

Meanwhile, her blond boy looked every inch the happy youngster as he bounced around in the carrier.

Multi-tasking: The mother-of-two wheeled a compact black suitcase through the busy airport, as she held her bubbly son in a baby carrier

Teresa had dressed him warmly for the occasion in a maroon and blue striped jumper and a pair of pint-sized blue track suit pants.

The mother-of-two appeared to master the art of packing light as she wheeled a compact black suitcase through the busy airport.

On Saturday evening, Teresa tuned in to watch Meghan Markle walk down the aisle to marry Prince Harry at Windsor Castle.

Teresa took to Instagram to share a cute video of her one-year-old sleeping sweetly on her lap while she tuned in to the action with her family.

'Some are less riveted than others!' Teresa Palmer shares adorable video of her one-year-old son Forest Sage falling asleep while watching the Royal Wedding on TV

With the church's hymns ringing out in the background, Teresa zoomed in on her little boy taking a snooze on her legs.

Then she panned the camera back to the TV to show an emotional-looking Elton John in the pews.

The Hacksaw Ridge star hilariously captioned the video: 'Some less riveted than others #royalwedding.'
Faye Brookes appeared in high spirits as she attended the Simplyhealth 10k run in Manchester on Sunday morning.

The Coronation Street star, 30, was joined by an array of well-known faces, including Denise Welch, Katie McGlynn, and Manchester Arena survivor Freya Lewis, as they took on the challenging race.

Displaying her gym-honed frame, the soap actress slipped into form-fitting gym attire, which featured glossy biker shorts - showing off her toned pins.

Set to run! Faye Brookes appeared in high spirits as she attended the Simplyhealth 10k run in Manchester on Sunday morning

Faye went for sporty chic as teamed her outfit with a grey vest and box-fresh running trainers.

Ensuring nothing got in her way, the stage actress swept her tresses into Dutch braids, and opted for minimal make-up.

Meanwhile, Denise, 59, put on a giddy display as she joined her husband Lincoln Townley for the charity run.

Sporty: Displaying her gym-honed frame, the soap actress, 30, slipped into form-fitting gym attire, which featured glossy biker shorts - showing off her toned pins

Ready: The Coronation Street star went for sporty chic as teamed her outfit with a grey vest and box-fresh running trainers

The event appeared to be particularly important for Freya, 15, who lost her best friend during the tragic Manchester bombing last year.

The teenager recently received the Young Fund Raiser Award at the NHS Heroes event, after she raised 27,000 for the hospital that helped her recover following the attack.

The bombing - which took place during an Ariana Grande concert - saw a death toll of 23 and left 512 individuals with non-fatal injuries.

Faye's co-star Katie McGlynn beamed with delight at the event, as she posed for a snap with distance runner Mo Farah and fellow soap star Samia Ghadie.

Beaming: Meanwhile, Denise Welch, 59, put on a giddy display as she joined her husband Lincoln Townley for the charity run

Excited: The Waterloo Road actress flashed a wide grin and thumbs up sign as she prepared to embark on the race

Impressive: The event appeared to be particularly important for Freya, 15, who lost her best friend during the tragic Manchester bombing last year

This year's Simplyhealth's Great Manchester Run marks the sixteenth annual event and is the largest 10K run in Europe.

Participants run from Portland Street towards Old Trafford, before heading back down Deansgate.

The brunette's character Kate Connor, who is loved-up with Brooke Vincent's Sophie Webster, is swept up in a secret love affair with Bhavna Limbachias Rana Nazir.

Faye narrowly missed out on a British Soap Award nomination for her role in the intense love affair earlier this month, while co-star Bhavna picked up a nod.

Commendable: The teenager recently received the Young Fund Raiser Award at the NHS Heroes event, after she raised 27,000 for the hospital that helped her recover following the attack

The soap star confessed to the Evening Standard it is really important to be 'comfortable' with both of her co-stars as she has to kiss them 'a lot'.

She explained: 'We have to kiss a lot so to be comfortable with her is really important and I cant take that for granted.'

Faye, who has been a Corrie regular since 2015, divulged she is really proud they are telling 'real stories' on the cobbles.

She added: 'We are giving those people a voice, were telling a real story that is so relatable and its a game changer. I do think were doing something thats quite historical for Coronation Street.'

Star-studded: Faye's co-star Katie McGlynn beamed with delight at the event, as she posed for a snap with distance runner Mo Farah and fellow soap star Samia Ghadie
She hilariously revealed that she accidentally flashed her boob on stage during the opening night of Taylor Swift's monumental Reputation Tour.

And Charli XCX made sure the awkward wardrobe malfunction didn't happen again as she slipped into a fashion forward sheer PVC two-piece ensemble as she performed at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on Saturday night.

The 25-year-old hitmaker flashed her taut stomach in the head-turning stage attire which featured a cropped jumper that boasted an iridescent hue.

Sheer bliss: Charli XCX made sure the awkward wardrobe malfunction didn't happen again as she slipped into a fashion forward sheer PVC two-piece ensemble as she performed at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on Saturday night

The Boys songstress' abs-flashing garment was layered over a white torso-hugging crop top while she gave a high-octane performance to the American crowd.

Complementing her see-through look, she donned a pair of high-waisted matching sheer joggers that showcased her white underwear and accentuated her pert posterior.

The British beauty kept to her athleisure theme as she donned a pair of white trainers for the stage performance and accessorised with statement earrings.

She worked her brunette locks into a sleek bob and sported her trademark feline flick while warming up the crowd with infectious pop hits such as Boom Clap and Boys.

Top of the crops: The 25-year-old hitmaker flashed her taut stomach in the head-turning stage attire which featured a cropped jumper that boasted an iridescent hue

Having fun: The Boys songstress' abs-flashing garment was layered over a white torso-hugging crop top while she gave a high-octane performance to the American crowd

Her appearance comes after she was left rather red-faced when she admitted suffering a raunchy wardrobe malfunction just minutes into the show at Arizona's University of Phoenix Stadium earlier this month.

But she seemingly took her energetic performance a little too far when she admitted to accidentally falling out of her crop top just seconds into her first song.

Making the embarrassing revelation on Instagram, Charli apologised to fans who may have seen more than they bargained for.

Writing on her Instagram story, she confessed: 'Omg my boob fell out song 1 can you believe it!!!! I think i saved it but I'm so so sorry if I flashed anyone I really didn't mean to I promise!!!!'

Hitting the right notes: Complementing her see-through look, she donned a pair of high-waisted matching sheer joggers that showcased her white underwear and accentuated her pert posterior

All in the details: The British beauty kept to her athleisure theme as she donned a pair of white trainers for the stage performance and accessorised with statement earrings

Over the next seven months, Taylor Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour is set to play 51 concerts.

The first leg of her tour, which begins Wednesday night, will come to an end on June 2 in Chicago.

From there the concert series will head to Europe for six shows in England and Ireland before returning Stateside.

There are few blank spaces in the trio's calendar over the coming months, until the show finally reaches its End Game with an Oceania leg, and comes to a close on November 9 in New Zealand.

Girls! Charli later joined Camila Cabello (centre) and Taylor Swift on stage
While MasterChef is supposed to be about spotting the rising star among amateur cooks, it seems that fans are more preoccupied with watching the judges eat.

Sunday night's episode of the cookery competition kicked off 'Nigella week' - which will see the cookbook author guest starring alongside George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston.

But viewers took to Twitter to mock how Nigella Lawson, 58, was tasting the dishes during the evening's intense cook-off.

'Watching Nigella Lawson eat is really gross': MasterChef fans took to Twitter to mock the guest judge's 'awkward' table manners

Social media users critiqued the British domestic goddess' table manners - with the commentary ranging from praise to confusion and disgust.

One said: 'The way Nigella pushes food into her mouth is so relatable because I, too, often cannot eat as much in one mouthful as I would like.'

'Omg I love seeing Nigella shovel the food into her mouth with her palm... makes me feel like it's normal when I do it,' another added.

'So relatable': Some social media users praised the 58-year-old for the way she 'pushes' and 'shovels' food into her mouth

Someone else simply called the mother-of-two an 'awkward eater'.

While a TV fan mused: 'Nigella eats like someone who's been starved 66 days and handed a 40cm diameter chocolate cake on a platter with only 12 seconds to finish it,' before adding: 'It's arousing.'

And one wrote: 'Omg watching Nigella eat is really gross. It's embarrassing.'

'Watching Nigella eat is really gross': Other MasterChef fans slammed the British star's table manners

During the episode, Nigella could be seen licking her fingers and talking with her mouth full - but she admitted that she is a 'messy eater at the best of times'.

Meanwhile, earlier this month MasterChef viewers slammed the show, claiming that it is 'literally just a compilation of the judges eating'.

During an episode which was described as a 'blind taste test', the judges aimed to give honest opinions on the dishes rather than critiquing the contestants.

Uproar: Twitter users didn't hold back on tearing into Nigella for her eating mannerisms

But TV fans ended up thinking that half the show was made up of close-ups of Matt, George and Gary eating.

'The judges are eating like it's feeding time at the zoo,' one fumed on Twitter.

'We watch MasterChef to see food critiqued. If I wanted to watch people eat mute Id sit miserably in a food court,' a disgruntled viewer added.
In March, Matt Damon and wife Luciana Barroso returned to Australia for the second time this year to hang out with the Hemsworth clan in Byron Bay.

And over the weekend, the Jason Bourne star and his brood traded the idyllic NSW coastal town for the bright lights of Brisvegas.

According to News.com.au on Sunday, the 47-year-old actor stepped out with his wife and daughters to watch a 'long-term' friend perform in Aladdin The Musical at Brisbane's QPAC.

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'I cooked dinner for Matt Damon last night!' Hollywood A-lister spotted in Brisbane after his wife Luciana Barroso confirm the couple won't be moving to Australia

Matt is believed to have struck up a friendship with 'Melbourne performer Adam Jon Fiorentino,' who stars in the stage production.

According to the publication, the pair met during Matt's sun-drenched sojourn in Byron Bay.

Shortly after the performance Matt, Adam and their respective families dined at Ristorante La Famiglia in South Bank.

'They are friends from way back, which is why (Damon) was at Aladdin. It was a good chance for the families to catch up,' a restaurant spokeswoman revealed to News.com.au

Brisbane sighting: Over the weekend, the Jason Bourne star and his brood traded the idyllic NSW coastal town for the bright lights of Brisvegas

'He was a lovely, down-to-earth guy. You couldnt say a bad word about him,' she added.

The restaurateur took to Instagram to share a happy snap of the Hollywood A-lister beaming in the Italian restaurant.

'Just a usual Saturday night at La Famiglia. Such a great night hosting some of the cast from Aladdin and their great friend Matt Damon,' the restaurateur wrote alongside the photo.

'Just a usual Saturday night at La Famiglia': The restaurateur took to Instagram to share a happy snap of the Hollywood A-lister beaming in the Italian restaurant

Chef Cody Thomas also took to the photo-sharing app to reveal his celebrity encounter in the River City.

'I cooked dinner for Matt Damon last night!' Cody wrote alongside a snap of Matt.

He accompanied the caption with the hashtags: 'chef' and 'Brisbane.'

Matt's wife recently revealed the pair won't be moving to Australia after months of speculation the couple may relocate to Byron Bay.



Debunked: Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Luciana Barroso said she and husband Matt Damon loved the country but there were not yet any plans to make their stay permanent

'There are no plans to live here long term': Matt Damon's wife Luciana Barroso (pictured right, with Elsa Pataky) confirmed the couple won't be moving to Australia... after rumours they were looking to buy property in Byron Bay

During her appearance at Sydney's Fashion Week, Luciana dispelled rumours that the two had any plans to move to Australia.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, she revealed: 'We love coming to visit the country but there are no plans to live here long term.'

'I love the people in Australia,' she said. 'Everyone I have met has been so warm and welcoming. It just makes it so easy to fall in love with this country.'

Luciana and Matt are close friends with Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky, who relocated to Byron Bay with their brood a few years ago.

Matt shares three daughters with his wife: Isabella, 11, Gia, nine, and Stella, seven as well as an adult step-daughter, Alexia Barroso, from Luciana's previous relationship.
Married At First Sight's Ryan Gallagher has revealed that he was asked to leave the show after being caught in bed with another contestant.

And it was not his TV wife, Davina Rankin, with whom he was bed hopping.

In a surprising twist, Ryan found himself cuddled up with co-star Telv Williams after a night out drinking, according to The Herald-Sun, and it led to Telv's TV wife Sarah Roza accusing her 'husband' Telv of cheating of her.

It wasn't her! Married At First Sight's Ryan Gallagher has revealed that he was asked to leave the show after being caught in bed with another contestant who was not his TV wife Davina

Bromance: In a surprising twist, Ryan found himself cuddled up with co-star Telv Williams after a night out drinking

The pair's clandestine bed sharing was uncovered when Ryan ordered Uber Eats for himself and Telv, and it was brought to Sarah's room by accident.

Sarah noticed Telv had someone sleeping in his room and assumed he was cheating with another woman, but it was Ryan all along.

The comedian tells The Herald-Sun: '(I) broke curfew with Telv. We got home at 9am. I went back to the unit and I slept in the same bed as him and I was not meant to be there.'

Of course, the pair were just sleeping off a big night with nothing untoward going on, but before their mates date was uncovered, Sarah thought infidelity was afoot.

'She rang the producers crying saying "I think he has another girl in the room.'" Ryan told the paper.

Nope not cheating! Sarah Roza accused her 'husband' Telv of cheating of her when she realised someone was in Telv's room

Banned! Because he had already left the show at that stage, Ryan was not meant to be on the premises with other contestants. Producers then made him promise not to return to the units

Because he had already left the show at that stage, Ryan was not meant to be on the premises with other contestants.

Producers then made him promise not to return to the units, in effect 'kicking him off the show' he explained.

While Telv and Ryan are chums, one man who is not fond of Ryan, nor having a boy's night any time soon, is Nasser Sultan.

Not friends: While Telv and Ryan are chums, one man who is not fond of Ryan, nor having a boy's night any time soon, is Nasser Sultan

Poor taste: Nasser slammed his former co-star after the budding comedian referred to his 'ex-wife' Davina Rankin as a 'pig' in his stand-up comedy routine

Nasser slammed his former co-star after the budding comedian referred to his 'ex-wife' Davina Rankin as a 'pig' in his stand-up comedy routine.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday, Nasser called Ryan a 'clacker' and added that Ryan's nice-guy image 'isn't going to last.'

'Calling Davina a pig, to me, that upset me personally,' Nasser said. 'He's a clacker, put it that way.'
She is set to give birth to her first child - a son - any day now.

But that has not been slowing down Eva Longoria as she and her husband Jose Baston went out for dinner with friends in Malibu on Saturday.

The heavily pregnant 43-year-old displayed her growing baby bump in a black dress as she chatted with her companions before leaving the restaurant.

Food and friends: Eva Longoria and her husband Jose Baston got dinner with friends in Malibu on Saturday

The Desperate Housewives alum went with an all-black ensemble pulling a black jacket around her shoulders in an effort to keep warm during the cool California night.

Throwing a small black purse across her body, Eva let her long dark and brunette locks fall free as she tied the top half off in a loose bun.

She opted for a pair of simple sandals and seemed to be in a pleasant mood as she smiled for the cameras.

Sporting a rosy make-up look, Eva drew attention to her radiant complexion as she left the restaurant - proving to be truly glowing in pregnancy.

Chit chat: The heavily pregnant 43-year-old displayed her growing baby bump in a black dress as she chatted with friends before leaving the restaurant

Any day now: The Desperate Housewives alum went with an all-black ensemble pulling a black jacket around her shoulders in an effort to keep warm during the cool California night

The beauty accessorized with simple diamond studs and a touch of easy sophistication to the straightforward look.

Her always well-groomed husband looked casual yet chic in a brown jacket with well manicured stubble.

He went with light trousers and paired them with equally fresh sneakers.

His medium-length, dark waves were combed back and he used sunglasses to keep the hair off his face.

Hug it out: Throwing a small black purse across her body, Eva let her long dark and gold locks fall free as she tied the top half off in a loose bun

Simple: She opted for a pair of simple sandals and seemed to be in a pleasant mood as she smiled for the cameras

The couple met on a blind date in Mexico City and after dating for two-and-a-half years, Baston proposed to Eva during a December trip to Dubai in 2015.

The pair wed in a Mexican celebration in May 2016 before confirming at the end of last year that they were expecting their first child, a baby boy.

Eva is expected to give birth this month.
Their romance has been going from strength to strength.

And Sofia Richie, 19, and Scott Disick, 34, looked head over heels as they smiled lovingly at each other after a dinner date at Nobu Malibu Saturday.

The couple looked smitten as they pulled out of the parking lot in a white Ferrari underneath the lamp lights.

Let's get this show on the road! Sofia Richie and Scott Disick enjoyed a date night at Nobu Malibu on Saturday

Sofia opted for casual attire as she threw a grey hoodie over a low-cut top.

She accessorized with simple diamond studs and looked to be happy as a clam as the couple left the restaurant.

Love blushed across their faces as they glowed at one another, smiling with affection.

Scott wore a red and white racing jacket with the Eye of Providence emblazoned on the left breast.

So in love: The couple pulled out of the parking lot in a white Ferrari and smiled at one another underneath the lamp lights

All-seeing: Scott wore a red and white racing jacket with the Eye of Providence emblazoned on the left breast

Matching a black t-shirt with baggy cargo pants, he left his beard unmaintained and looked particularly scruffy.

His medium-length hair was combed straight back, giving a retro air to the entrepreneur's look.

The duo were first linked May 2017 after they were seen cuddling on a yacht in Cannes then seen spending time together in the summer.

By September 2017, their friend Alec Monopoly confirmed their relationship after sharing a photo of Scott kissing the teen in Miami.

In October, Sofia posted their first Instagram picture together while on holiday together in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Flying high: The loved-up couple were first romantically linked a year ago (pictured May 2018)

On Sunday, Sofia strolled through Los Angeles, in a new outfit.

Showing off a touch of her toned torso, she paired a baggie black sweater with a pair of high-waisted jeans.

She added grey sneakers and carried a black purse to complete her look.

Morning after: On Sunday, Sofia strolled through Los Angeles, in a new outfit

Changing it up: Showing off a touch of her toned torso, she paired a baggie black sweater with a pair of high-waisted jeans
They recently flew to Australia to film their upcoming series for Geordie Shore.

And following their trip to the other side of the world, Sam Gowland and his girlfriend Chloe Ferry have come on-board with the bizarre theory that the world is flat.

The loved-up couple, both 22, say scientists are conning people into thinking the earth is round.

Bizarre theory: Sam Gowland and his girlfriend Chloe Ferry revealed they believe the world is flat and say scientists are conning people into thinking the earth is round following their trip to Oz

'They say the world is a circle but I think it's flat, for instance, when has anyone ever walked or flew and suddenly gone down?' Sam told The Daily Star.

'Even when you go to Australia you go straight along.'

Chloe, who confused NASA with car manufacture Nissan, added: 'I think the scientists are lying, the world is not round.'

Conspiracy: The couple, who were shocked to learn the earth rotates, say scientists are conning people into thinking the earth is round

The Ancient Greeks first discovered the world was round in at least 200BC, if not 300 years earlier, with the Renaissance astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus delivering solid mathematical proof in 1543.

However, the two reality stars insist this isn't the case and after Sam learnt the earth constantly moved, the former Love Island contestant said he felt relieved to know the reason why he always 'felt dizzy'.

Their theory comes as the pair have been enjoying a romantic getaway in Dubai.

Loved-up: Their theory comes as the pair have been enjoying a romantic getaway in Dubai.

During their trip, Chloe has been flaunting her eye-popping surgically enhanced figure with a slew of scantily-clad selfies.

On Saturday the Geordie Shore star, 22, looked sensational in a skimpy black tie thong bikini, with her voluptuous behind on full display.

Chloe has been enjoying a romantic getaway with Geordie Shore beau, Sam Gowland, 22, in Dubai.

Chloe's raunchy outing comes after her latest and second chest enlargement, was cruelly ridiculed by trolls who claim it's 'wonky' after she shared a photograph of herself to Instagram on Wednesday.

Bountiful beauty: Chloe flaunted her extremely peachy posterior as she enjoyed the sunshine in Dubai...after showing off the results of her recent plastic surgery

It was previously revealed that Chloe has spent 50,000 on cosmetic surgery to perfect her figure, with her recent double nose and boob job believed to have cost another 15,000.

Despite being told that she looks 'beautiful' by her loyal fans, some cruel trolls decided to ridicule her chest enlargement and claimed it looked 'wonky'.

One person said: 'Why is your left boob square and the other one is round ???'

A different user put: 'Very odd boobs.'

The blonde beauty also took to her Instagram stories to show off her healing scars, which could be visibly seen, from her new second boob job as she took a relaxing bath.

Sadly, it looks like trolling is a regular occurrence for the reality star, as just days ago the reality star hit out at her cruel trolls on Twitter.

Tweeting to her 728K followers on Saturday, she said: 'Some of the nasty comments I get on my social media photos are disgusting from other girls! No wonder people are so insecure these days!!!!'
She has been at the centre of numerous hard-hitting storylines, from the stillbirth of her baby boy Ruari to discovering her son Ryan bore no blood relation.

And it appears Coronation Street's Kym Marsh won't be walking away from the cobbles anytime soon, after revealing she has signed onto the ITV soap for another year.

Speaking to OK! magazine the 41-year-old revealed fans will still be seeing Michelle Connor working at the Bistro for many months to come, 12 years after first making her debut on the legendary Manchester street.

Coming back: Coronation Street star Kym Marsh has confirmed she will sticking around on the soap for another year, in a candid interview

Announcing she would be sticking around on Corrie Kim said: 'It's great to know that I'll be there for another 12 months doing what I love doing and being with my friends.'

Recent storylines have seen Michelle battle with seeing her biological son Alex 'Ali' Neeson (played by James Burrows) back on the Street after landing a job as a GP at the medical centre.

To make matters worse she severed all ties with best friend Carla Connor (Alison King) after discovering she had been having a relationship with Ali.

Delighted: The 41-year-old soap star told the publication she felt 'great' knowing she would be sticking around the soap, as Michelle is at the centre of numerous dramatic storylines

But things will be looking up again soon as Michelle is set to tie the knot with fiance Robert Preston, with spoilers hinting they could hold an intimate family gathering following Aidan Connor's suicide.

As in any soap the big day is not expected to run smoothly, as sources have reported that Michelle will find herself in the crossfire after Pat Phelan (Connor McIntyre) fires a gun at the ceremony in gruesome post-watershed scenes.

In the interview Kym also candidly spoke her own battle with anxiety and panic attacks, after co-star Samia Longchambon (who plays Maria Connor) spoke about her own struggles.

Dramatic: Kym also spoke about her own battles with anxiety and panic attacks, saying she views them now as 'an old friend'

Out now: Read the full story in this week's OK! Magazine - out today

She said: 'Its great that more people in the public eye are talking about their experiences of dealing with mental health issues as it makes people realise theyre not on their own.

'I used to suffer from panic attacks but I dont any more as I manage my symptoms now. Its taken a long time to get to this point  I still get the occasional feeling of anxiety, which is a totally normal feeling to experience, but now I treat it like an old friend.

'I used to panic and think, I cant breathe, Im going to die, whereas now I tell myself that Ill be alright and I sit with the feelings and Im able to talk myself around.'

Read the full story in this week's OK! Magazine - out today
Female fans squealed with delight as Justin Theroux flaunted the progress of his large back tattoo and explained its origins during day two of the Vulture Festival in Manhattan on Sunday.

'I'll show you part of it. I can't get the whole thing out,' the 46-year-old SAG Award nominee said onstage Milk Studios.

The Star Wars: The Last Jedi actor revealed his body art was a tribute to two of his beloved Pit Bull rescue dogs one of which was eight-year-old Pooma, who died in 2016.

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Take it off! Female fans squealed with delight as Justin Theroux flaunted the progress of his large back tattoo and explained its origins during day two of the Vulture Festival in Manhattan on Sunday

'I got it for this dog [Pooma]. I've gotten more tattoos for that dog,' Justin said during the Getting Curious With Jonathan Van Ness Live panel.

'So I had two dogs. Both rescues, Pit Bull and Pit Bull mix, and when they died I dedicated half my back to one and half my back to the other. So it's a picture of a rat - because my dog used to kill rats in Washington Square Park, which was no fun it was horrible she was really good at it - and then a New York pigeon.'

Theroux - who legally separated from wife Jennifer Aniston on February 15 - wore a black Palace jean jacket with grey jeans and black shoes for the appearance.

The Mute star and his moderator - Queer Eye's grooming expert Jonathan Van Ness - were joined on the red carpet by his castmates food and wine expert Antoni Porowski and fashion expert Tan France.

The 46-year-old SAG Award nominee said onstage Milk Studios: 'I'll show you part of it. I can't get the whole thing out'

'Kiko, Lou Lou, Dolly, Sophie, Clyde, Pooma, and Norman': The Star Wars: The Last Jedi actor revealed his body art was a tribute to two of his beloved Pit Bull rescue dogs one of which was eight-year-old Pooma, who died in 2016 (pictured in 2016)

Justin said: 'I had two dogs. Both rescues, Pit Bull and Pit Bull mix, and when they died I dedicated half my back to one and half my back to the other. So it's a picture of a rat - because my dog used to kill rats in Washington Square Park - and then a New York pigeon'

Casual: Theroux - who legally separated from wife Jennifer Aniston on February 15 - wore a black Palace jean jacket with grey jeans and black shoes for the appearance

The Lego Ninjago Movie star - who boasts 548K Instagram followers - later shared a snap of himself presenting the Netflix trio captioned: '(Rainbow emoji) guyzzz #magic.'

Justin will next play James Mantleray in the first episode of Netflix's 10-episode reboot of the the 2014 Norwegian series Maniac - streaming later this year - with Emma Stone and Jonah Hill.

Meanwhile, Theroux's latest rumored flame Selena Gomez was last spotted Saturday night boarding a limo bus with friends following her performance at Taylor Swift's Rose Bowl concert in Pasadena.

LGBTQ supporter: The Mute star and his moderator - Queer Eye's grooming expert Jonathan Van Ness (2-L) - were joined on the red carpet by his castmates food and wine expert Antoni Porowski (L) and fashion expert Tan France (R)

The Lego Ninjago Movie star - who boasts 548K Instagram followers - later shared a snap of himself presenting the Netflix trio captioned: '(Rainbow emoji) guyzzz #magic'

Streaming later this year! Justin will next play James Mantleray in the first episode of Netflix's 10-episode reboot of the the 2014 Norwegian series Maniac with Emma Stone and Jonah Hill

At 25, the pop starlet is 21 years older than the Leftovers heartthrob, and she was dressed down in green dragon-print T-shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers.

Life & Style originally claimed that the former Nickelodeon starlet's friendship with Justin 'turned into something more' and they were 'falling for each other.'

Gossip Cop officially confirmed the story was a fabrication on Saturday with Theroux's spokesperson.

Dressed down: Meanwhile, Theroux's latest rumored flame Selena Gomez was last spotted Saturday night boarding a limo bus with friends following her performance at Taylor Swift's Rose Bowl concert in Pasadena

Afterparty: At 25, the pop starlet is 21 years older than the Leftovers heartthrob, and she was dressed down in green dragon-print T-shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers

Gossip: Life & Style originally claimed that the former Nickelodeon starlet's friendship with Justin 'turned into something more' and they were 'falling for each other'

Selena and Justin - who share manager Aleen Keshishian - likely met in 2014 when they both appeared on the Chelsea Lately finale.

Gomez just dropped a new single Back to You for the second season of 13 Reasons Why - streaming Friday on Netflix - and while her mother Mandy Teefy remained on as executive producer, she did not.

The ex-girlfriend of The Weeknd and Justin Bieber will next compete for the top dance/electronic song trophy for her track It Ain't Me with Kygo at the Billboard Music Awards, which air Sunday night on NBC.

The 'Texican' beauty will face off against Cheat Codes, Clean Bandit, The Chainsmokers& Coldplay, as well as Zedd & Alessia Cara when the live ceremony is broadcast from the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

Fake news: Gossip Cop officially confirmed the story was a fabrication on Saturday with Theroux's spokesperson (pictured with Paul Rudd in 2015)
Claire Danes is not filming Homeland at the moment.

But that doesn't mean the pregnant star has slowed down her pace at all.

On Sunday, the 39-year-old actress turned up at Milk Studios in NYC for Day Two of the Vulture Festival to talk up her new movie, A Kid Like Jake.

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Now you see it: Claire Danes showed off her growing baby bump when she arrived at Milk Studios in NYC to talk up her new movie, A Kid Like Jake, for Day Two of the Vulture Festival

She showed off her baby bump in a beautiful floral frock in orange and pink tones with a belt that she tied above her waist.

The strawberry blonde left her tresses to cascade over her shoulders and she wore subtle make-up and a big smile that she highlighted with of peach lipstick.

Claire was joined by co-star Jim Parsons, 45, writer Daniel Pearle, 33, and director Silas Howard for a Q & A at the festival, described as a two-day 'pop culture extravaganza' hosted by Vulture magazine.

Now you don't: The 39-year-old actress's burgeoning baby bump was almost impossible to see in the beautiful floral frock in orange and pink tones when seen from the front

Taking a break: The Homeland star chatted on the phone as she rested her arm on her tummy

In the drama, Claire and Jim play married couple Alex and Greg Wheeler who live in Brooklyn, New York, with their four-year-old son who is more interested in fairy tale princesses than toy cars.

When his preschool director points out that the lad's non-conforming gender role play may be more than a phase, the mom and dad are forced to rethink their roles as parents and spouses.

Meanwhile, Claire is expecting her second child with her actor husband of nearly a decade, Hugh Dancy, 42. They already share five-year-old son, Cyrus.

Pleased to see them: Claire smiled as she chatted with A Kid Like Jake's writer Daniel Pearle, 33, center, and director Silas Howard

In the hot seats: Vulture's Stacey Wilson Hunt hosted a Q&A with, from left, Silas, Daniel, Claire and co-star Jim Parsons

The couple met on the set of Evening in 2006 and announced their engagement in February 2009.

They tied-the-knot in the same year in a secret ceremony in France.

A Kid Like Jake debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, in January and is due out on June 1.
He is a loving father of three as well as a dedicated churchgoer.

And Ben Affleck was seen taking two of his kids, Seraphina and Samuel, to Sunday services in Pacific Palisades.

Looking happy and healthy, the 45-year-old actor was seen kissing his nine-year-old daughter on the head as the family left church.

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Sunday school: Ben Affleck was seen taking two of his kids, Seraphina and Samuel, to Sunday services in Pacific Palisades

Dad's day: It looked to be solo parenting trip for the Batman actor since the children's mother, Jennifer Garner, was not in attendance

Ben wore a relaxed version of his Sunday best as he paired a blue button-up shirt with jeans.

He added well-worn grey sneakers and was seen placing his arms around his children's shoulders and guiding them towards the church.

His beard appeared thick, but well-maintained and his salt-and-pepper locks looked recently trimmed.

It looked to be solo parenting trip for the Batman actor since the children's mother, Jennifer Garner, was not in attendance.

Family time: 45-year-old actor was seen kissing his 9-year-old daughter on the head as the family left church

Church-wear: Ben wore a relaxed version of his Sunday best as he paired a blue button-up shirt with jeans

Ben was particularly affectionate to his youngest daughter on their way to the car as he gave her a kiss on the head.

Ben and Jennifer had been married for 10 years before announcing their intention to divorce in June 2015 a day after their 10th wedding anniversary.

It was followed by the actual filing of documents in April 2017.

Months later the Suicide Squad actor made his first public appearance with Lindsay in London in July 2017.

Pumped up kicks: He added well-worn grey sneakers and was seen placing his arms around his children's shoulders and guiding them towards the church

Affection: Ben looked was particularly affectionate to his youngest daughter on their way to the car as he gave her a kiss on the head

Ben and Jen had went public with their separation amid allegations that the Pearl Harbor actor had reportedly been cheating on his wife with the family's nanny, Christine Ouzounian.

The Gone Girl star has yet to finalize his divorce from Garner, with whom he has three children: Violet, Seraphina and Samuel.
First there was Tracey Jewel and Sean Thomsen, and now another controversial Married At First Sight wife-swap couple appear to be on the outs, according to reports.

Two different publications have claimed Carly Bowyer and Troy Delmege are 'set to split'.

NW magazine allege that the formerly hot and heavy pair will announce their breakup imminently.

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They're all falling apart! Now Carly Bowyer and Troy Delmege are set to split with reports IT manager is driving her 'crazy' following his move to Melbourne

They claim Troy is driving the brunette beauty 'crazy' as he continues to be out of work following his move to Melbourne to be with her.

Troy still hasn't found a new gig in Melbourne and is reportedly 'suffocating' Carly by endlessly messaging her while she is at work.

'Carly is going crazy having Troy around 24/7 and can't see their relationship lasting much longer. He's been out of work for eight weeks now and just spends all day, ever day messaging her while she's in the office,' a 'source' allegedly told the publication.

Is Carly feeling suffocated? Troy, who gave up his job in Sydney several weeks ago, still hasn't found a new gig in Melbourne and is reportedly 'suffocating' Carly by endlessly messaging her while she is at work

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Troy and Carly for a comment.

Meanwhile, Woman's Day have made similar accusations, claiming Carly is feeling the 'pressure of living together'.

Despite these reports, the couple looked loved-up while attending the St Kilda Film Festival 2018 Opening Night.

They cuddled as they posed up on the red carpet.

The night before they also put on typically amorous display as they attended the Rebel Blue VIP launch event on Chapel Street.

Carly and Troy found love after being 'expertly' paired with different people on romance experiment, Married At First Sight,

Carly attempted to find love with soft serve millionaire Justin Fischer while Troy was coupled with Ashley Irvin.
She's best known as the Cash Me Ousside girl.

Danielle Bregolistage name Bhad Bhabiewas nominated for top female rap artist at the Billboard Awards on Sunday in Las Vegas.

But the 15-year-old performer lost the title to Cardi B.

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Nominee: Danielle Bregolistage name Bhad Bhabiewas nominated for top female rap artist at the Billboard Awards on Sunday in Las Vegas

Better luck next time: Both Bregoli and Nicki Minaj lost the title of top rap artist to Cardi B, left

Despite this, Danielle looked smart and stylish as she walked the red carpet in a nude dress that was adorned with a sparkling, gold geometric pattern.

She teamed the floor-length gown with strappy pumps and a set of bright yellow acrylic nails.

Bregoli's glam for the event included a sleek ponytail and extra-long false eyelashes.

Strike a pose: Danielle walked the red carpet in a plunging nude dress that was adorned with a sparkling, gold geometric pattern

Dressed to impress: She teamed the floor-length gown with strappy pumps and a set of bright yellow acrylic nails

Bhad Bhabie is currently on a 32-stop North American tour that is quickly selling out.

Her latest hits include Gucci Flip Flops featuring Lil Yachty and Both Of Em.

The Florida native signed with Atlantic Records after she took social media by storm with her outburst on Dr. Phil back in 2016.

On the road: Bhad Bhabie is currently on a 32-stop North American tour that is quickly selling out. Her latest hits include Gucci Flip Flops featuring Lil Yachty and Both Of Em

On Saturday night, Bergoli made a surprise appearance at EDC Las Vegas.

She performed on the main stage alongside Yellow Claw.

'In Vegas I occasionally pop up n perform for 100,000 people,' she said on Instagram.

Crowd of 100,000: On Saturday night, Bergoli made a surprise appearance at EDC Las Vegas. She performed on the main stage alongside Yellow Claw
Prince Harry's lavish wedding to Meghan Markle attracted a staggering 5.5 million Australian viewers.

The red-headed royal's emotional ceremony with the former Suits actress in front of 600 guests in England was aired by Seven, Nine, ABC and SBS on Saturday night.

Despite drawing in a huge audience, Harry and Meghan's big day didn't quite trump his brother William's 2011 nuptials to Kate Middleton, which scored 6 million viewers.

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A royal winner! Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding drew in a staggering 5.5million Australian viewers on Saturday night

Channel Seven, which sent Melissa Doyle and Michael Usher to present its coverage, drew in an average audience of just under 2 million viewers across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Combined with the network's regional affiliate, Prime Media, the ceremony attracted an average audience of 2.6 million.

'The royal wedding numbers clearly show TV can, and does, still deliver huge reach and massive, engaged audiences,' Seven West Media chief revenue officer Kurt Burnette told the Financial Review.

'And when big moments happen, Australians vote with their remotes and turn to Seven.'

Not quite! Despite drawing in a huge audience, Harry and Meghan's big day didn't quite trump his brother William's 2011 nuptials to Kate Middleton - which scored six million viewers

Meanwhile, Channel Nine - which sent its Today breakfast show hosts Georgie Gardner and Karl Stefanovic to the UK - came runner-up with 1.5 million viewers.

ABC's coverage, hosted by Annabel Crabb and Jeremy Fernandez, drew in 506,000 viewers while SBS presenters Myf Warhurst, Joel Creasey and Ray Martin averaged 129,000 with their Royal Wedding special.

Nine, including its regional affiliate Southern Cross Austereo, scooped 1.9 million viewers for the big day, while ABC and SBS had national averages of 813,000 and 191,000.

Lavish affair: The red-headed royal's emotional ceremony with the former Suits actress in front of 600 guests in England was aired by Seven, Nine, ABC and SBS on Saturday night

'We are pleased with the audience who tuned in to Nine News' coverage of the Royal Wedding,' a Nine spokesman said.

Network Ten chose not to air the wedding and instead screened the second episode of Ambulance, which began at 8.45pm and averaged 130,000 viewers.

Harry, 33, and Meghan, 36, tied the knot in a star-studded ceremony attended by a slew of A-listers including Oprah Winfrey, the Beckhams, the Clooneys and Sir Elton John.

All the senior British royals were also there to support the couple including Her Majesty the Queen, Prince Philip, Harry's best man Prince William and his wife Kate, who brought George and Charlotte but left baby Louis with the nanny.

And it seems their efforts were reflected in the figures - which show that thousands of Australians stayed in to watch the wedding on Saturday night, while Prince William and Kate Middleton's big day was on a Friday night.

Stellar guest list! Harry, 33, and Meghan, 36, tied the knot in a star-studded ceremony attended by a slew of A-listers including Oprah Winfrey
CASES OF NRL INTERCHANGE BUNGLES

* Round 11, 2018 - Two Manly players re-enter the field almost two minutes early from the sin-bin after a possible time-keeping error in their 24-4 win over Melbourne. The Sea Eagles held out a Storm attacking raid after they went the length of the field in that time with the score at 10-4. An angry Melbourne reportedly contacted the NRL, who say they will investigate, over the matter.

* Round 4, 2016 - Gold Coast fined $5,000 for briefly having 14 player on the field in their win over Canberra. NRL said there were mitigating factors, when it appeared an NRL interchange official played a role in the bungle.

* Round 1, 2011 - South Sydney fined $15,000 for breach in loss to the Sydney Roosters. Rabbitohs players reportedly told interchange official they were a player short after two changes were made at same time. Instead 14 players stayed on the field for four tackles.

* Round 2, 2009 - Canterbury lost two points after Andrew Ryan came onto the field with three minutes to play while Michael Ennis was down injured. The Bulldogs went on to score a 28-26 win but the breach ultimately costs them the minor premiership.

* Round 17, 2008 - Manly are fined $5000 for having a 14th player on the field for a matter of seconds when the wrong player was interchanged off. He returned to the field while another left the ground behind the dead-ball line.

* Round 15, 2007 - North Queensland fined $25,000 after after a 28-24 win over Canberra for having 14 players on the field for 20 seconds. The Cowboys said their player had been incorrectly handed the interchange card by an official.

* Round 3, 2004 - Brisbane fined $75,000 when Corey Parker entered the field too early after a Shane Webcke concussion in a 32-24 win over Wests Tigers. The Broncos were originally stripped of two points after it emerged Parker had been told not to enter the field by a sideline official but had the points reinstated after an appeal.

* Round 4, 2000 - North Queensland stripped of two points after they fielded 14 players for three minutes during their 26-18 win over Parramatta. In that time, the Cowboys defended their line.
A convenience store attendant has fought off three masked armed robbers in Melbourne, using a small pole to chase the trio out of his shop.

The three men entered the Dandenong store about 8pm on Saturday night with their faces covered and one of them aggressively struck a metal pole on the counter, police say.

But the 47-year-old shop attendant grabbed a pole of his own, one used to operate window shutters, and hit back at the trio, who fled with some chocolates and cigarettes.
The Turnbull government's seven-year personal income tax cut plan will be up for debate when parliament resumes this week.

The draft laws - the centrepiece of this month's budget - are listed for debate on Tuesday and are expected to pass the lower house but the government may be forced to split the package to get it through the Senate in June, something it is adamant it won't do.

Labor supports the first part of the tax cut plan which starts with a reduction of up to $530 under a low and middle-income tax offset.

But it won't back the second and third steps, which make changes to certain tax brackets at various stages, until at least the government provides more information on their cost.

The Greens won't support any income tax cuts.

Labor is hopeful of getting the costing details from government officials during Senate estimates hearings, which start on Monday.

The opposition will also seek updated figures on the cost of the coalition's 10-year corporate tax plan, most of which it would dump if elected to government to pay for other priorities.

Weighing on the minds of Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten - and feeding into vigorous debate in question time - will be five by-elections, two of which won't be contested by the Liberals.

The date of the by-elections in the WA seats of Perth and Fremantle, Longman in Queensland, Braddon in Tasmania and Mayo in South Australia have yet to be set but are expected in July.

Senior bureaucrats and ministers will face a post-budget grilling during a fortnight of Senate estimates hearings.

Border Force boss Mike Outram will be grilled on the prospects of South African farmers getting refugee visas and a new health contractor for Manus Island.

Officials will also face questions over Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton's decision to allow two au pairs to stay in Australia despite arriving on tourist visas.

Environment bureaucrats will be asked about funding for the Great Barrier Reef, the national energy guarantee and the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project.

The government will also face scrutiny over changes to the work for the dole program in indigenous communities on Friday.

The government will introduce to the lower house tough new penalties, including jail time for dodgy live sheep exports, but the trade will be allowed to continue under new animal welfare conditions.

The sheep exports issue may also emerge in Senate estimates discussions with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

Legislation to implement the national redress scheme for victims of institutional sex abuse is on the cards, along with an amendment to crackdown on illegal tobacco importation.

The controversial drug testing for welfare bill is also listed for debate.
Newcastle's halves problems have deepened with Brock Lamb to miss up to a month with a fractured cheekbone.

To make matters worse for Nathan Brown's out-of-sorts NRL side, prop Jacob Saifiti will miss the next three months with a fractured shoulder.

The Knights' 33-26 loss to the Gold Coast - their third-straight defeat - was compounded on Sunday with Lamb and Saifiti diagnosed with serious injuries.

With playmaker and skipper Mitchell Pearce (pectoral) still at least six weeks away from a return, Lamb's injury leaves Brown running short on options.

Jack Cogger is likely to return to first-grade to partner Connor Watson in the halves for next Sunday's clash with Cronulla.
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has labelled his government the "underdogs" in the Darling Range by-election, triggered by the resignation of disgraced Labor-turned-independent MP Barry Urban.

Mr Urban quit parliament moments after an inquiry made the unprecedented recommendation he be expelled for committing a "gross and aggravated contempt of parliament" by lying about his education and work history, even providing a forged university degree.

"It will be a tough fight and we're not taking anything for granted, and I think we're the underdogs in this battle," Mr McGowan told reporters on Sunday.
Letting thousands of brumbies roam wild through the Snowy Mountains and abandoning plans for controlled culling is "madness" and "disaster" for the nation's natural heritage, says a leading professor.

Deputy NSW Premier John Barilaro has backflipped on the state government's proposed culling plan in Kosciuszko National Park, citing the cultural significance of the brumby.

"Wild brumbies have been roaming the Australian Alps for almost 200 years and are part of the cultural fabric and folklore of the high country," he said in a statement on Sunday.

Leading scientists from around Australia have long supported plans to cull the brumby population from 6000 to 600 over 20 years, arguing it's needed to protect the delicate Alpine environment.

Professor Don Driscoll, from Deakin University, says Sunday's decision will affect natural species, natural fauna and water supply, which could also affect the Snowy 2.0 scheme.

"It's a disaster to our national heritage," he said.

"(It's) a slap in the face for wild horses, it's a slap in the face to the people who care about Australia's natural heritage and a slap in the face for the state's threatened species."

Prof Driscoll warned it could even do the horses more harm than good.

"It's also cruel to thousands of horses because of the escalating population that will starve to death due to the decline in food resources," he told AAP.

"Kosciuszko national park not only contains the nation's highest mountain but rare animal and fauna species that evolved in the region over tens of thousands of years."

For Mr Barilaro to sacrifice those things for feral horses introduced in 1820 is "madness", he added.

Prof Driscoll is part of a group of 41 scientists from 16 universities who wrote to former NSW Premier Mike Baird in 2016 saying the only way to save the unique ecosystem was to cull 90 per cent of the brumby population.

Brumbies in Kosciuszko have degraded 48 per cent of the national park.

The brumby population increased from 4200 in 2009 to 6000, despite 450 being removed each year, Prof Driscroll said.

But Mr Barilaro said that if the brumby population climbed too high in highly-sensitive alpine areas then resources would be allocated towards their relocation and re-homing.

"Kosciuszko National Park exists to protect the unique environment of the Snowy Mountains, and that unique environment includes wild brumbies," he said.

Environment Minister Gabriell Upton is expected to introduce a so-called "Brumbies Bill" to parliament next week prohibiting lethal culling of the animal.
Two West Australian police officers have allegedly been assaulted by a man and woman during a random breath test.

A 30-year-old woman allegedly attacked the female senior constable's head and throat, kicking and striking at her, after the officers stopped a car in Wagin about 11pm on Saturday.

The male sergeant intervened but he was allegedly wrestled to the ground by a 33-year-old man and attacked by the pair when he tried to help his colleague.

The officers were treated in hospital for cuts and bruises while their alleged attackers have each been charged with assaulting a public officer.
Victoria's police association and ambulance union will push for "ironclad assurances" from Premier Daniel Andrews at a meeting to ensure that those who assault emergency service officers will go to jail.

The Police Association and Ambulance Employees Australia Victoria wrote to Mr Andrews on Friday, on behalf of 20,000 police, paramedics and protective service officers, requesting the meeting.

The letter states emergency service workers are "justifiably angry and disgusted" after a County Court decision last week which let two women avoid serving jail terms after assaulting a paramedic.

"This manifestly unjust outcome has occurred despite Victoria's Sentencing Act 1991 mandating a custodial sentence for people convicted of assaulting an emergency services worker," the letter reads.

"We are seeking this urgent meeting with you, so that our collective members can obtain ironclad assurances by you, on behalf of the government, that you will act with urgency to guarantee that jail will mean jail for those who choose to assault an emergency services worker - no excuses."

The unions said any legal changes must be effective and the courts should reflect the intention of legislators.

"They must not remain open to being bypassed or ignored. We therefore expect that in closing loopholes that they be watertight and bolted shut," the unions said.

A spokeswoman for Mr Andrews told AAP a meeting had been scheduled for Monday.
Money for a study determining the cost of a second M1 highway should be included in the Queensland budget, according to the state's peak infrastructure group.

The Palaszczuk government won't prioritise the project despite increasing its infrastructure spend in next month's budget to $45 billion over four years, the highest level since the 2011 flood recovery.

It has instead put its focus on the Cross River Rail project and a long-awaited upgrade to the Pacific Motorway. The state opposition has promised to forge ahead with the second M1 if elected.

Both major parties have contrasting views about its cost, with Labor valuing it at more than $2 billion but the Liberal Nations are confident it can be delivered for around $1 billion.

Steve Abson, of the Infrastructure Association of Queensland, says an accurate figure for the road between Staplyton and Nerang must be established via a study funded in the budget.

"That would be a really prudent step," he told AAP.

"Rather than guess whether it's anywhere between a billion and $2.4 billion, which is obviously a wide range, we need to invest in a business case to properly assess what the cost benefit really is.

"Then both sides of the House can make informed decisions."

Mr Abson said failure to do so would see the project incomplete in the next five years, which is contrary to Infrastructure Australia's recommendations.

State Treasurer Jackie Trad also revealed on Sunday no money in the budget would be put toward the Sunshine Coast rail duplication despite the promise of federal funds in the next five years.

"If they're saying they don't want to match it, it would be disappointing because that particular project has a very strong business case. It does stack up," Mr Abson said.
The door is open for Ben Barba to return to Cronulla with Shane Flanagan declaring they have room in their roster even with Josh Dugan and Valentine Holmes.

Barba is reportedly seeking an early release from the final year of his English Super League contract with St Helens and a return to Australia because of homesickness.

The livewire No.1 has been electric for St Helens this year, guiding them to the top of the ladder however they could consider letting him go after signing Kevin Naiqama for 2019.

Barba was sacked by the Sharks after returning a second positive drugs test following the club's 2016 premiership win celebrations.

The club has consistently said they would welcome back Barba - even though the Sharks have a wealth of fullback options to choose from in Valentine Holmes, Josh Dugan and Matt Moylan.

However Flanagan revealed centre Ricky Leutele had signed with the Toronto Wolfpack for next year, meaning he had places to fill in his backline.

With Dugan and Holmes capable of playing elsewhere, he said fitting in Barba wouldn't be a problem.

"He's a premiership-winning player for this club and if he wants to come back to Australia, we'll look at it," Barba said.

"We've lost Ricky Leutele, he's off to the Toronto Wolfpack next year and Jesse (Ramien) is off to Newcastle.

"(Josh Dugan) is quite happy to play in the centres, at the moment he's playing fullback.

"We'll weigh up all of those things in due time. We've got to concentrate on the present at the moment."

Flanagan said Barba was still well regarded despite putting the club in a difficult position two years ago.

Barba scored a crucial try in the Sharks' 14-12 grand final win over Melbourne and Flanagan said he occupied a special place in the hearts and minds of the club and its supporters.

"No issues mate," Flanagan said.

"He made some bad decisions.

"We love Benny."
There's something effortless about Xavier Rudd's music.

It's been six years since he released a solo studio album, because he waits patiently for those songs. A few years ago, while taking part in a ritual in the Amazon rainforest, a song just came to him.

"It sort of happens to me all the time. Songs just turn up when they're ready. I've never been someone who's sat down and tried to write a song, they just seem to come along when they're meant to," Rudd told AAP.

Storm Boy is his ninth studio album - a perfect companion to his previous work, praising the environment and calling for people to work together.

It opens with the anthemic Walk Away, encouraging people to let go of the things that are holding them back.

Protecting the environment, something Rudd feels passionate about, is also a running theme throughout all his music.

"I love the natural world. I grew up outside, I wasn't an indoors kid," he said.

"I love our earth and I have a real passion for it, so naturally I write a lot about that, it's what fuels me."

But on this album he's also praising humanity. He respects movements, such as #MeToo, where he can see people are bringing about change.

"I believe in those movements. I believe in people standing tall and wanting to make change and making that effort. I respect that because sometimes people feel like they can't but they can. People can do a lot," he said.

On the track Keep It Simple he urges people to walk together, hand in hand, because he believes in people power.

"We can get so much done together and be open, even in the environmental world, if all the various little groups that are doing great things in the planet linked arms and worked together you can make huge changes."

His ideas and songs may be idealistic, but it comes from a strong belief in what people can achieve, coming from his two decades spent touring the globe.

"I've spent the last nearly 20 years travelling around playing music and I've seen a lot and done a lot, and I guess I reflected," he says.

"Music is my journal so I don't have any preconceived ideas of what I want it to be. I just let it be what it is and it comes out the way it comes out."

*Xavier Rudd's album Storm Boy is out on May 25 and he will tour the country in August.
A former federal minister has compared her push to ban live sheep exports to attempts to secure same-sex marriage through parliament.

Liberal MP Sussan Ley will on Monday introduce legislation to ban the sheep trade to the Middle East and is confident her private bill already has the support of two government colleagues.

"I, in some ways, compare this to the gay marriage debate, where several private member's bills were tabled over the years and they didn't provide the immediate response, but they were all part of building the case," Ms Ley told ABC radio on Monday.

"This has been really a trade marked by disaster-following-debacle and that's gone on for 33 years."

Labor's agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon will be recommending to his shadow cabinet that the opposition support the bill.

"I have no doubt the bill reflects the view of the broader Labor Party," he said.

He is hopeful, if Labor can restore its numbers to 69 in the lower house following a series of by-elections, and with the support of Liberal MP Sarah Henderson who has broken ranks, the bill will get 71 votes.

Then, only five more are needed to secure an absolute majority and three of those could be found on the crossbench, Mr Fitzgibbon said.

The Australian Greens also believe there could be the numbers to pass the legislation.

The government has rejected Ms Ley's bill, but will introduce its own this week to slap harsh new penalties on exporters doing the wrong thing, including jail sentences of up to 10 years.

It followed a review into the live sheep trade prompted by footage of sheep dying in their own filth in horrific conditions during Middle-East bound voyages.
A 14-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl have been arrested in relation to a series of armed robberies in Melbourne.

A 43-year-old Balwyn North woman returning to her car at a Box Hill car park about 9.45pm on Sunday was threatened by one of three teenagers who demanded her car keys before the group stole her car, police said.

It's alleged the same offenders then held up a service station in Glen Waverley about 12.45am and Ringwood North, just before 1am on Monday.

Detectives found the vehicle in Healesville, and two teenage offenders who were arrested about 2.30am are assisting police.
Convicted cult leader William "Little Pebble" Kamm is selling the "sacred" property on the NSW South Coast where he claims the Virgin Mary told him to repopulate the Earth with two 15-year-old girls.

Kamm, who now calls himself William Costellia, founded the Order of Saint Charbel near Nowra in the 1980s and preached a doomsday Christian message.

His followers handed over wives and daughters to help him rebuild humanity after the apocalypse and he has reportedly fathered more than 20 children.

He spent nine years in jail for having sex with two teenage girls before being paroled in November 2014.

On his website, which he actively updates with reams of legal documents and preachings, he announced he would "let the Holy Sacred Grounds go" after it hosted thousands of miracles, cures and conversions.

"I had to purchase the land to save and protect it, but now we are unable to continue with paying the mortgage, which was very high, due to the lack of support," he wrote on April 19.

He previously said his followers had chipped in to help make repayments after he was imprisoned in 2002 but that financial aid has since dried up.

"I wish to thank all our dear faithful followers who have been such a strong support over so many years, helping me maintain the mortgage payments and those who have worked so hard looking after the Holy Grounds," he said.

"It is God's property first and foremost - even if we should lose it."

Kamm is suing the NSW Government in the Supreme Court so he can return to Facebook and Twitter, he said on his website in March.

He blamed the "authorities and media", along with his extended detention orders, for forcing him to sell the property.

The self-proclaimed seer's high-profile lawyer Omar Juweinat told AAP the sale was the "sad reality of long-term litigation".

"Unfortunately, given the frequency and complexity of Mr Kamm's matters currently before the court, it has meant that he has been compelled to dispose of an asset," he said.

The 2.44 hectare bush property, located 10 kilometres from Nowra, is dotted with religious structures including shrines, a holy water spring, Stations of the Cross, a large work shed and a burned-out house.

Kamm wants $800,000 for the property.
Allegations that prison officers at a NSW jail bashed an inmate before lying about finding drugs in his cell and deleting CCTV footage, will be investigated at a corruption inquiry.

The public hearings, which begin in Sydney on Monday, will examine events that occurred at the Lithgow Correctional Centre, near the Blue Mountains, in February 2014.

It's alleged the officers assaulted an inmate and used force "which was unwarranted and inappropriate in the circumstances", according to the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

They're further accused of colluding to provide false accounts of the assault in official incident reports and destroying CCTV footage from outside the cell.

The officers allegedly lied about finding 0.2 grams of buprenorphine (a methadone-like drug) in the prisoner's personal belongings during a search of the cell.

The inquiry, before Commissioner Stephen Rushton SC, is set down for two weeks.

A former corrective services officer will be the first witness called to give evidence on Monday.
Australia's Marc Leishman has a big fight on his hands as he attempts to claim a wire-to-wire victory in the US PGA Tour's Byron Nelson tournament in Texas.

World No.16 Leishman has picked up three shots on the front nine of his closing round to get to 20 under.

However, 21-year-old joint overnight leader Aaron Wise has covered the front nine in five under, with five birdies in his past six holes, to lead by two shots from Leishman.

It appears to be a back-nine shootout between the pair, with Americans J.J. Spaun and Keith Mitchell a further three shots back in a tie for third.

Leishman is seeking his fourth US tour victory, while South African-born rookie Wise is chasing his first win after finishing second to Jason Day in his previous start.
Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-Eda poses after he was awarded with the Palme d'Or for the film "Shoplifters (Manbiki Kazoku)"

Hirokazu Kore-eda -- who won the top prize at the Cannes film festival Saturday -- is Japan's answer to Ken Loach, a director whose stories about struggling ordinary people never fail to touch.

His gentle slices of ordinary life have been praised for their humanism, with "Shoplifters", about a group of Tokyo misfits and crooks who form a kind of alternative family, called a "modern day 'Oliver Twist'".

Variety said its "protagonists' rough-and-ready lifestyle demonstrate that people can find comfort even in the worst economic conditions".

Critics said that the film also exposes how the "state fails its neediest individuals".

Kore-eda -- who won the third prize at Cannes in 2013 -- told reporters that the film was perhaps his most socially conscious to date.

But he said he was hopeful that we can make the world a better and kinder place.

"Maybe because of the cinema, the people who usually fight each other, the countries that are fighting each other, may be able to come together," he said.

"Still, the point of entry to the story is the family," he added. "I kind of ask if people who are not related by blood can build a family by spending time together -- can they make ties that are just as strong."

Kore-eda, 55, scored a big international arthouse hit with his baby-swap tale "Like Father, Like Son", which won the jury prize at Cannes five years ago.

It tells the story of a workaholic father called Ryota and his neglected wife who pours her energy into their six-year-old boy Keita.

But one day their lives are turned upside-down by a phone call from the hospital where he was born saying that a nurse had switched him with another infant.

The other couple, a fun-loving shopkeeper and his adoring wife, are pinched financially but raising a happy brood of three kids.

- Cinematic clan -

Lawyers get involved and Ryota insists that he should raise his biological child instead of the sweet-natured but directionless Keita, who only knows him as a father.

Critics praised it as a beautifully worked take on the nature-versus-nurture debate.

Born in Tokyo, Kore-eda set out to be a novelist but then began working in television. His first film "Maborosi" won prizes at both the Venice and Chicago film festivals.

He first made the shortlist for the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2001 with "Distance", his examination of the devastating effect a cult massacre has on the families of its victims.

But it was not until three years later with "Nobody Knows" that Kore-eda really had his breakthrough outside Japan.

Like many of his films, it was inspired by a real-life event -- four young brothers and sisters abandoned in an apartment by their mother.

Most of his movies since have been shown at Cannes.

His sensitive, melancholic style has been compared to that of the legendary Japanese master, Yasujiro Ozu, who made the classic "Tokyo Story" in 1953.

Like in his Cannes film "Shoplifters", Kore-eda has constructed his own cinematic family of actors who appear in many of his films, including Hiroshi Abe and Kirin Kiki, who often plays nasty grandmother figures.

"We are all about the same generation, and we have made a film together in our forties and fifties and maybe we will do another in our sixties," he said.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai says the internet group's upgraded news app is aimed at breaking "filter bubbles" and curbing misinformation

For its updated news application, Google is doubling down on the use of artificial intelligence as part of an effort to weed our disinformation and help users get viewpoints beyond their own "filter bubble."

Google chief Sundar Pichai, who unveiled the updated Google News earlier this month, said the app now "surfaces the news you care about from trusted sources while still giving you a full range of perspectives on events."

It marks Google's latest effort to be at the center of online news and includes a new push to help publishers get paid subscribers through the tech giant's platform.

According to product chief Trystan Upstill, the news app "uses the best of artificial intelligence to find the best of human intelligence -- the great reporting done by journalists around the globe."

While the app will enable users to get "personalized" news, it will also include top stories for all readers, aiming to break the so-called filter bubble of information designed to reinforce people's biases.

"Having a productive conversation or debate requires everyone to have access to the same information," Upstill said.

He said the "full coverage" feed would be the same for everyone -- "an unpersonalized view of events from a range of trusted news sources."

Some journalism industry veterans were skeptical about the effort to replace human editors with machine curators.

"There's been a fantasy of (algorithmic) personalized news for a log time," said New York University journalism professor Meredith Broussard.

"Nobody has ever gotten it right. I think that news designers and home page editors do a good job of curating already."

Google and Facebook have also been criticized for scooping up most online ad revenues and for enabling false information to spread.

Recently, News Corp. CEO Robert Thomson called for an "algorithm review board" that would "oversee these historically influential digital platforms and ensure that there is no algorithmic abuse or censorship."

- Changing news ecosystem -

Google's latest news application relies on artificial intelligence to deliver personalized feeds as well as top stories for all readers

In the new app, Google's "newsstand" addresses some concerns by allowing users to sign up for subscriptions using their Google accounts, and will enable publishers to connect with readers directly.

Dan Kennedy, a Northeastern University journalism professor, said the revamped news app appears to be positive for the news ecosystem.

"For many years, Google refused to share ad revenues with news organizations on the grounds that Google was driving traffic to them, and that it was up to those organizations to figure out how to monetize that traffic," Kennedy said.

"Now, with more than 90 percent of all new digital ad revenues going to Google and Facebook, Google is finally acknowledging that it's time to try something else."

Nicholas Diakopoulos, a Northwestern University professor specializing in computational and data journalism, said the impact of Google's changes remain to be seen.

Diakopoulos said algorithmic and personalized news can be positive for "engagement" but may only benefit a handful of news organizations.

His research found that "Google concentrates its attention on a relatively small number of publishers, it's quite concentrated."

Google's effort to identify and prioritize "trusted" news sources may also be problematic, according to Diakopoulos.

"Maybe it's good for the big guys, or the (publishers) who have figured out how to game the algorithm," he said. "But what about the local news sites, what about the new news sites that don't have a long track record?"

Diakopoulos said that while AI can offer some advantages in news curation, "you still need people involved in many different ways. you need to reflect human values, editorial values... you can't quantify every aspect that might be important to an editorial decision."

The growing importance of the platforms raise the questions of whether Google and Facebook are "media" companies and not simply technology firms, a moniker both have resisted.

Diakopoulos said Google "is becoming more and more like a media company," although that is sometimes difficult to define.

"Yahoo started as a tech company and became a media company, and maybe Google is headed in that direction," he said.
Jurors are weighing the price to put on patented iPhone design features copied by Samsung in a legal case dating back seven years

Jurors return to a Silicon Valley courtroom Monday to put a price on patented iPhone design features copied by Samsung in a legal case dating back seven years.

Apple is seeking slightly more than a billion dollars in damages, while Samsung wants a figure closer to $28 million.

The jury has been asked to determine whether design features at issue in the case are worth all profit made from Samsung smartphones that copied them or whether those features are worth just a fraction because they are components.

"Samsung isn't saying it isn't required to pay profits," Samsung attorney John Quinn said during closing arguments on Friday.

"It is just saying it isn't required to pay profits on the whole phone."

The three design patents in the case apply to the shape of the iPhone's black screen with rounded edges and a bezel, and the rows of colorful icons displayed.

Samsung no longer sells the smartphone models at issue in the case.

Two utility patents also involved apply to "bounce-back" and "tap-to-zoom" functions.

"This is a case that is focused on design, and the application of design to smartphones," Apple attorney Joseph Mueller said in closing arguments.

When one company copies a rival's design, that "is not a level playing field, and that is just not right," he contended.

Apple argued in court that the iPhone was a "bet-the-company" project at Apple and that design is as much the "article of manufacture" as the device itself.

Apple attorney Bill Lee equated the notion to a carmaker copying the look of the Volkswagen Beetle and coming to market with a competing model.

Determining whether the design features qualify as the "article of manufacture" will be key to whether jurors award the profit from all the Samsung phones involved, according to legal standards presented by the court.

The case dates back seven years. An original trial finding that Samsung violated Apple patents was followed by lengthy appellate dueling over whether design features such as rounded edges are worth all the money made from a phone.

- Technology vs Style -

Samsung, which had been ordered to pay $400 million, challenged the legal precedent that requires the forfeiture of all profits from a product even if only a single design patent has been infringed.

The US Supreme Court in 2016 overturned the $400 million patent infringement penalty imposed on the South Korean consumer electronics giant.

Justices ruled that Samsung should not be required to forfeit the entire profits from its smartphones for infringement on design components, sending the case back to a lower court.

The ruling found that the penalty -- one element of a major patent infringement case -- was inappropriate because it represented "Samsung's entire profit from the sale of its infringing smartphones" for copying the iPhone's "rectangular front face with rounded edges and a grid of colorful icons on a black screen."

The key question of the value of design patents rallied Samsung supporters in the tech sector, and Apple backers in the creative and design communities.

Samsung won the backing of major Silicon Valley and other IT sector giants, including Google, Facebook, Dell and Hewlett-Packard, claiming a strict ruling on design infringement could lead to a surge in litigation.

Apple was supported by big names in fashion and manufacturing. Design professionals, researchers and academics, citing precedents like Coca-Cola's iconic soda bottle.

The Supreme Court stopped short of delving into details of how the lower court should determine how much phone design components are worth when it comes to patent infringement violations.

Presiding US District Court Judge Lucy Koh gave jurors in her San Jose courtroom a four-factor test to determine an "article of manufacture," but it is up to the panel to decide how the evidence fits that framework.

The case is one element of a $548 million penalty -- knocked down from an original $1 billion jury award -- Samsung was ordered to pay for copying iPhone patents.
alaysia's sizeable youth vote is thought to have swung behind 92-year-old former autocrat Mahathir Mohamad, but many say they did so because he offered an alternative to the corrupt regime of Najib Razak

Like many young Malaysians, Daniel Mizan Qayyum yearned for change in a country that has been under one party's corrosive thumb for six decades, so he naturally had misgivings about voting for a 92-year-old former autocrat.

But Malaysia's rambunctious politics often creates unlikely allies, and Daniel is one of millions who catapulted the elderly Mahathir Mohamad to a shock victory in the May 9 elections over the corruption-plagued political machine that he once led.

They had no choice.

"We were revolted," Daniel, a 27-year-old law student, said of Mahathir's late conversion into a reformist.

"This guy was the one who strong-armed all the draconian laws," he said, referring to Mahathir's tough stance toward dissent in his 1981-2003 tenure.

But Daniel and other young voters held their noses and voted, convinced that anything was better than the long-ruling former regime.

The untested Pakatan Harapan (Pact of Hope) coalition now faces the challenge of delivering on rising expectations for a new era, even while conservative attitudes and vested interests remain strong in the Muslim-majority country.

And above it all looms Mahathir and his track record of crushing opponents. He now claims to be a changed man and says he plans to step aside within two years.

- Managing expectations -

"For any new government it is very important to manage expectations. You must be seen to be starting the processes of reform and doing things like reducing cost burdens," said Wong Chin Huat, a political analyst with the Penang Institute.

Mahathir Mohamad came out of retirement at age 92 to lead the eviction of his former ally Najib Razak, whose regime was reviled by many Malaysians

"I think enough can be done to keep young voters happy, but expecting wholesale changes in the next two years is unrealistic."

Many young Malaysians are merely enjoying the honeymoon period following Prime Minister Najib Razak's fall.

His Barisan Nasional (BN) government had become increasingly corrupt and repressive, stifling expression and stoking racial divisions for political gain.

It dismayed a younger generation raised on free-wheeling social media and deeply concerned about job prospects and the country's direction.

More than six million of Malaysia's 14.9 million registered voters are between 21 and 39 years old.

Detailed figures on how they voted have not been released, but analysts believe the demographic was decisive in ousting BN.

For some, their demands are clear.

Daniel, a student leader at Universiti Malaya, is one of many calling for Mahathir's government to quickly fulfil a pledge to replace a decades-old law restricting political activity on campuses which has stifled a generation of students.

"The real struggle is to make sure that any new law erected by the current government limits their own powers in universities," he said.

Anis Syafiqah, who works for a leading civil-society group that has led past student protests demanding Najib's arrest, also wants education revitalised and academic freedom ensured.

"Youths and students were afraid to speak out before," said Anis, 26.

"We want to come back to academic freedom. It may take a long time."

Others may also seek greater space or attention, from the LGBT community to Chinese and Indian minorities that have spent decades under Malay political domination, to economically disadvantaged groups.

Travel consultant Tan Jin Jie, 24, said he almost didn't vote because of Mahathir, and believes Malaysians should temper their expectations for now.

"How practical would it be, or how long would it take, for the new government to set Malaysia back onto the right path?" he said.

"These are uncertainties but we hold onto hope that this will come to pass."

"It goes back to what we Malaysians actually want. To continue struggling under the incumbent regime or vote for hope," said Tan, who wants to see steps to ease living and housing costs.

- Just do it -

Much depends on whether Mahathir will be able to work with Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar was Mahathir's deputy prime minister until a spectacular falling out saw the premier oust and jail his protege in 1998.

Later, Anwar united the opposition against BN, until Najib's government jailed him in 2015.

What is Malaysia's 1MDB scandal?

But Mahathir engineered Anwar's release last week and has indicated he will eventually give way to him, a pledge that no doubt enticed many young voters to back Mahathir in the polls.

But Anwar himself is now 70, and admitted after his release that he'll need to learn how to use a smartphone.

So young Malaysians shouldn't just sit and wait for change, said Fahmi Reza, a graphic artist and activist.

With his signature shoulder-length hair and black beret, Fahmi became a public hero with his viral images depicting Najib as a sinister clown, which earned him a criminal conviction for violating multimedia laws.

"Don't wait for change. You be the change," he said.

"Whatever change you want... do it now."
Pyongyang claims the women were kidnapped from a North Korean restaurant in China, while Seoul insists they defected of their own free will

North Korea has demanded Seoul repatriate a dozen waitresses who fled to the South two years ago, just days after abruptly calling off a planned inter-Korean meeting following weeks of tentative rapprochement.

The issue has long been controversial, with Pyongyang claiming the women were kidnapped from a North Korean state-run restaurant in China while Seoul insists they defected of their own free will.

But the restaurant's manager said in a recent interview he had lied to the women and blackmailed them into following him under the orders of the South's spy agency.

The fate of the women could jeopardise relations between the two countries, said a statement from the North's Red Cross carried by the official KCNA news agency late Saturday.

"The South Korean authorities should... send our women citizens to their families without delay and thus show the will to improve North-South ties," the statement said.

At a landmark summit last month in the Demilitarised Zone that divides the peninsula, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the South's President Moon Jae-in pledged to pursue denuclearisation and a peace treaty.

A rapid thaw in tensions earlier this year saw Pyongyang release three US detainees and invite foreign media to witness the closing of its nuclear test site ahead of a planned summit between Kim and President Donald Trump in Singpore next month.

But Pyongyang "indefinitely" postponed a high-level meeting with the South last week in protest of joint military exercises between Seoul and Washington and also has threatened to cancel the Singapore summit.
Asma Nawab spent two decades in jail after she was wrongfully accused of the murder of her family

Asma Nawab spent two decades in jail, wrongfully accused of murdering her family. Finally acquitted, she is seeking a new life, free from whispers and memories, as her plight draws fresh questions over Pakistan's woeful justice system.

Nawab was just 16 years old when someone slit the throats of her parents and only brother during an attempted robbery at their home in Pakistan's chaotic port city of Karachi in 1998.

With the killings dominating headlines, prosecutors pushed for swift justice in a 12-day trial that ended with a death sentence handed to Nawab and her then-fiance.

The next 20 years were "very painful", Nawab, now 36, says tearfully.

At first the other inmates were sceptical at her protests of innocence, but eventually she formed a new "family" of women -- some convicted of kidnappings, others of murders.

They supported one another when progress on their cases was poor, or family neglected them.

"We would cry on Eid and other festivals... It was very painful. I would feel it intensely" when relatives failed to visit, she said through sobs. "Only once my uncle came to see me."

Though her trial was speedy, her appeal moved at a glacial speed through Pakistan's creaky justice system.

Nawab meets her former neighbours as she returns to her childhood home in Karachi after her release from prison

It was not until 2015 that her lawyers petitioned the Supreme Court, which -- after a three-year hearing -- ordered Nawab released due to lack of evidence last month.

"The verdict of this case was given in 12 days but it took 19 and a half years to dispose of the appeals," her lawyer Javed Chatari told AFP.

Nawab said the acquittal left her stunned. "I really couldn't believe it," she told AFP.

The verdict left her "perplexed", she said, and she struggled to understand what would come next. "How would I face the world after living so long in jail?"

- Judicial woes -

Stories like Nawab's are common in Pakistan, where the judiciary lacks the capacity to cope with the country's surging population and an expanding case load, resulting in a mammoth backlog.

In 2017 alone, there were more than than 38,000 cases pending in Pakistan's Supreme Court in addition to hundreds of thousands awaiting trial across the judiciary, according to a Human Rights Commission Pakistan report released in April.

Rampant corruption in Pakistan's police force also means the wealthy are able to bypass the law, while deep-seated patriarchy means women in particular face an uneven playing field in the justice system.

Nawab's lawyer Javed Chatari breaks the lock at her home in Karachi, nearly 20 years after her wrongful arrest

"Unequal power structures allow for people with advantage -- money or power -- to rise above the law. For the poor, the system is sluggish and sometimes is so weak that it is safe to label it as almost non-existent," said lawyer Benazir Jaoti, who specialises in women's legal and political empowerment in Pakistan.

"Within the system, women are one of the groups of people that are significantly disadvantaged, it being a patriarchal society and a patriarchal system."

Even when the system finally comes through, as it did with Nawab's acquittal, that is usually as far as it goes, leaving those whose lives have been dismantled to repair the damage with little or no support.

- Going home again -

Nawab has had little to return to since leaving Karachi's central prison in early April.

With her loved ones dead, her family house was looted then fell into disrepair.

Any potential compensation from the state will take time to process, her lawyer admits, acknowledging there's a high chance she will receive nothing. In the meantime, she is unemployed.

During her first visit back to her humble family home she quietly wept as her lawyer broke the gate's lock with a hammer.

"(The police) left nothing behind," she said after walking through the dilapidated house covered in dust and cobwebs.

"I lost my parents and now I see none of their belongings."

Nearly two decades after being convicted, Nawab still holds the media as much as the courts responsible for her treatment, saying she was unfairly portrayed as the culprit in the murders, including in a TV drama based on the case.

Although she has been exonerated, her release has done little to change the public narrative.

Nawab says people still whisper cold remarks when she walks past and refuse to accept she was wrongfully imprisoned

Persecution persists, Nawab says, with people in the streets frequently whispering cold remarks when she walks past.

"Society will not accept the verdict," agreed Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Farooq, commenting on the case. "She cannot get rid of this stigma as far as society is concerned."

But Nawab says she must move on and has plans to finish her studies and find a job.

She has also vowed to raise awareness for other wrongly imprisoned women. Her lawyer says he will help her set up an NGO to give women like her the support she never had.

"I don't want any other woman to have to endure the ordeal that I lived through," says Nawab.

"So I will raise their voices for them."
African nations have vowed to recover billions of dollars held in off-shore accounts

Former British prime minister David Cameron two years ago was caught talking about an anti-corruption summit and calling Nigeria "fantastically corrupt".

But meanwhile his country ranks among the top destinations for stolen assets from African countries.

Nigeria and ex-British colonies in Africa hope to change that by working together to repatriate billions of dollars in offshore accounts from London and beyond.

At a regional conference held this week in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, the heads of anti-corruption agencies from around Africa met to discuss strategies to overcome bottlenecks in the recovery of stolen assets.

"Concerned about the heavy losses that Africa suffers as a result of illegal transfers of proceeds of corruption and crime out of Africa," the anti-corruption representatives vowed on Friday to "strengthen cooperation and partnership in the tracing, recovery and return of assets".

They further pledged in a joint statement to encourage African countries to commit to greater corporate transparency and called for investment in anti-corruption agencies to "trace, recover and return assets."

- 'Fight this tsunami' -

Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland said Africa is losing tens of billions of dollars annually to corruption, urging the anti-graft tsars to lead the "fight against this tsunami".

"We all know that the difference between the money we need to deliver the hopes and aspirations (of our people).... and the money we have, is the sum equivalent to that which is egregiously siphoned off by corrupt practices," Scotland said.

Nigeria, the continent's largest oil producer, is ranked among the most corrupt countries in the world by anti-graft group Transparency International.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to continue his war against corruption as part of his 2019 re-election campaign.

Buhari's anti-graft chief Ibrahim Magu claimed earlier this year that his agency has recovered over 500 billion naira ($1.3 billion) in illicit funds.

But the government's fight against corruption has been accused of being politically motivated.

- 'Mafia of leaders' -

Commonwealth adviser Roger Koranteng told AFP that leaders at the summit want a regional approach to recovery of stolen assets.

"There is strength in unity. If you go as a single country, you will have a problem because the countries outside the African countries are together," he said.

Sustaining the momentum however may be difficult. Ghana's independent prosecutor Martin Amidu said the will to tackle graft comes in ebbs and flows on the continent.

"For me, for the past decades, Africa has had a mafia of leaders who speak of corruption as if they are against it but internally didn't attempt to fight it," Amidu said.

Still, countries stand to gain huge amounts of money should they streamline asset recovery.

Nigeria announced in April it recieved over 300 million dollars from Switzerland as part of money seized from the family of ex-dictator Sani Abacha, who ruled the country from 1993 until 1998.

Buhari said the money will be spent on a welfare scheme targeting the "poorest of Nigerians", in a country where poverty is widespread and unemployment is rampant.

Yet it is difficult to trace how the repatriated money is being spent, with some critics voicing concerns that stolen money gets repatriated to Nigeria only to be looted again.

"There is a need for robust oversight mechanisms as well as continuous monitoring of the use of recovered assets to ensure that they are used properly and efficiently for development outcomes and poverty alleviation," said Marie Chene of Transparency International in a 2017 report.

- 'Global effort' -

Greater global attention on the issue is helping reforms, say anti-corruption activists.

"It took the publication of the Panama Papers to expose many government officials with offshore accounts," said Debo Adeniran of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders lobby group.

"The decision to sign mutual legal assistance with several countries is helping the (Nigerian) government in its loot recovery efforts," Adeniran said.

In January, Nigeria signed a deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on asset recovery.

Buhari's anti-corruption sweep and banking reforms are acting as a deterrent, Adeniran added.

"When you steal and cannot keep the money in the banks, you will stop stealing," he said.
A boy writes on a board at the Hori rehabilitation centre in Tal Maarouf, in Syria's northeastern Hassekeh province, on February 11, 2018

Thirteen-year-old Hassan may have committed atrocities for the Islamic State group, but instead of jailing him immediately, the Kurdish authorities in northeastern Syria enrolled him in a rehabilitation centre.

He was one of around 80 teenagers sporting trainers and tracksuits as they filled their lungs with chilly morning air in the courtyard of the Hori Centre in Tal Maarouf.

Aged 12 to 17, they had all been detained by Kurdish fighters or the US-led Western forces who supported them during the battle to destroy the jihadists' self-styled "caliphate".

Some are children of IS families, whose parents may be in jail, while others were directly recruited -- forcibly or voluntarily -- by the jihadist group.

After their capture, they were selected for "rehabilitation" in line with the "second chance policy" of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) which controls the region.

Local officials admit their prisons are full and say they are hoping a constructive approach can help mend ties with local tribes that once backed the jihadists.

It was early 2018 when Hassan checked into the Hori Centre, months after the opening of the sprawling complex of red-brick rooms and dorms framing a rectangular lawn.

As the son of a senior IS commander in the Syrian city of Raqa, once the de facto capital of the jihadists' proto-state, he regularly witnessed beheadings.

The Kurdish forces who captured him found a picture that shows him proudly holding a severed head, but whether the boy ever killed anyone himself isn't clear.

"When he arrived, like many of them, he didn't say hi, didn't shake our hands and didn't look us in the eye," said Roka Khalil, one of the centre's two directors.

- 'Easily fixed' -

Abir Khaled, co-director of the Hori centre, gives an interview on February 11, 2018

The centre is run by two secular women and its boarders are asked to shave and give up their traditional garments for Western-style clothes.

Moving there was a culture shock for Hassan.

Like other teenagers IS called the "cubs of the caliphate", he had been subjected to the group's efforts to impose its brand of violence and religious conservatism on an entire generation.

Now, some of those youngsters are housed in dormitories where they have no access to phones or the internet but where staff are available day and night, said Abir Khaled, the centre's co-director.

"We consider them as humans, as victims of the war," she said.

While most of the children are Syrian, the centre also hosts former "cubs" from countries including Turkey and Indonesia.

Their days follow a strict routine that includes a lot of sport, particularly volleyball, various chores on the compound and workshops training them to become barbers and tailors.

Also central to the rehabilitation process is a curriculum that includes history, geography, Arabic and Kurdish classes, as well as a "morality" class.

Many have experienced poverty, received very little education and grew up in tough family environments.

Four of them were dispatched by IS to carry out a suicide operation but surrendered instead, according to the centre's staff.

"It shows that their ideology is not that deep, and can be easily fixed," said Khalil.

- Music replaces 'paradise' -

A boy sits in front of a mirror where he is learning hairdressing skills at the Hori rehabilitation centre on February 11, 2018

A third of the Hori Centre's "guests" have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from six months to seven years, but Kurdish authorities believe they can be rehabilitated if they are given a supportive environment.

If their conduct is good at Hori, their sentences may be reduced and they could be released to their families within months.

Hassan is now awaiting trial and Khalil said he may be given a term of up to three years, although that could be reduced.

The Hori Centre's egalitarian and social values are directly inspired by those of the jailed leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan.

The charismatic leader, who has been imprisoned by Turkey since 1999, is the main ideological reference of the PYD, whose armed branch controls swathes of northern and eastern Syria.

Ocalan's portrait is plastered all over the region, where supporters see him as a visionary leader but his critics denounce him as a Marxist autocrat -- or even a terrorist.

A teenage boy shows prayer beads he made at the Hori rehabilitation centre, on February 11, 2018

The self-proclaimed Kurdish administration insists the Hori Centre is not designed to implant PYD ideology in the heads of its young boarders, replacing one brainwashing with another.

Yet at Qamishli's Alaya prison, which AFP was allowed to visit and where some of Hori's "patients" were previously detained, the wooden models carved by inmates were often in the image of Ocalan.

Khalil said it was too early to describe the centre's activities as a success, but stressed that results were already tangible.

"Today, lots of them come to talk to us by themselves," she said.

"Hassan doesn't insult his classmates any more when there is a dispute, he doesn't believe in paradise and the virgins any more, he even listens to music."
Wild horses, know as brumbies in Australia, are popular but cause significant environmental damage

Australia said Sunday the culling of wild horses in a unique national park would be banned despite fears the animals were threatening native species.

An estimated 6,000 feral horses, known locally as "brumbies", live in Kosciuszko National Park, a UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve some 470 kilometres (292 miles) south of Sydney that has plant species found nowhere else in the world.

Conservationists have called for the brumbies to be culled, saying the introduced animals were causing environmental damage and that their rising numbers were posing a growing threat.

In 2016 the New South Wales state government released a plan to cull 90 percent of brumbies at Kosciuszko. But they have since u-turned, deciding the horses are part of the "cultural fabric" of the region and should be protected instead.

"Wild brumbies have been roaming the Australian alps for almost 200 years and are part of the cultural fabric and folklore of the high country," NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said in a statement.

"The heritage management plan will specifically prohibit lethal culling of the brumby, aerial or otherwise, and will identify those areas in the park where brumbies can roam without causing significant environmental harm."

Brumbies found roaming in parts of the park where they could destroy native wildlife would be relocated or re-homed, Barilaro added.

The horses were introduced to Kosciuszko, which spans 6,900 square kilometres and is home to the famous Snowy River, in the 19th century.

The river is associated in many locals' minds with wild horses and celebrated in 19th century Australian poet A.B. "Banjo" Paterson's iconic poem "The Man from Snowy River" which also inspired a popular movie in the 1980s of the same name.

The new plan, to be introduced as a bill before the end of May, came just weeks after the NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee recommended that habitat loss caused by brumbies be deemed a "key threatening process".

"Too many (brumbies) are trashing Kosciuszko's wetlands, streams and catchments across the entire park," conservation specialist Graeme Worboys from the Australian National University told public broadcaster ABC Sunday.

Worboys supported the 2016 cull plan, adding that "it only takes a couple of horses and time to trash a wetland".

Millions of non-indigenous feral animals roam Australia's vast continent including horses, camels, donkeys, pigs, rabbits, foxes, cats and goats.

With few natural predators and vast sparsely-populated areas in which to live, their populations have soared, putting pressure on native species by preying on them, competing for food, destroying habitats and spreading disease.
Nuclear rivals India and Pakistan routinely accuse one another of sending spies into their countries

An Indian diplomat convicted of passing state secrets to Pakistan's intelligence services has been jailed for three years, her lawyer said Sunday.

Madhuri Gupta was found guilty in a New Delhi court on Friday of "spying and wrongful communication of information" while posted to the Indian embassy in Islamabad.

Gupta, 61, was arrested in 2010 for allegedly passing information to the ISI, the intelligence wing of India's arch-rival Pakistan.

The low-level diplomat was detained for alleged breaches of India's official secrets act and held for two years before being released on bail.

Her lawyer, Joginder Dahiya, said Gupta would appeal her sentencing in a higher court.

"She has already been in custody for about 21 months. She should have been released on the basis of the time she has already spent in jail," he told AFP.

Gupta avoided more serious jail time because the information she passed to Pakistani handlers in 2009 and 2010 was not military in nature, the Press Trust of India reported.

As a second secretary, Gupta was among the lowest ranked officials at the highly-sensitive embassy in the Pakistani capital.

She has always denied the charges and claims she was falsely implicated by embassy and foreign ministry officials with whom she had a strained relationship.

But the court determined that her actions had tarnished India's reputation and compromised its security, handing the maximum possible jail term for the offences.

The information "passed on by the accused (was) categorically sensitive information which could have been useful to the enemy country... and its secrecy was of utmost importance," PTI reported.

"Therefore, she does not deserve any leniency in punishment."

Indian police say Gupta had been under surveillance for six months before being taken into custody in 2010.

Nuclear rivals India and Pakistan routinely accuse one another of sending spies into their countries, and it is not uncommon for either nation to expel diplomats accused of espionage.
Pakistani demonstrators hold placards during a protest against Sharif's comments in Islamabad on May 16

International media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the disruption in distribution of Pakistan's oldest newspaper Dawn after it published an interview suggesting that Pakistani militants were behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The comments by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif sparked a firestorm at home and in India.

Sharif approached what is seen as a red line in the country by touching on criticism of Pakistan's armed forces, especially their alleged use of proxies in India.

RSF said distribution of the country's leading English-language newspaper had been restricted in much of the country.

"The interview, which reportedly displeased the Pakistani military, appeared in the 12 May issue and the blocking began on 15 May. According to RSF's information, distribution is being disrupted in most of Baluchistan province, in many cities in Sindh province and in all military cantonments," said a statement issued Friday.

The Press Council of Pakistan had notified Dawn's editor that the newspaper breached the ethical code by publishing content that "may bring into contempt Pakistan or its people or tends to undermine its sovereignty or integrity as an independent country", the watchdog said.

"The unwarranted blocking of the distribution of one of the main independent newspapers has yet again shown that the military are determined to maintain their grip on access to news and information in Pakistan," RSF said.

"It is clear that the military high command does not want to allow a democratic debate in the months preceding a general election. We call on the authorities to stop interfering in the dissemination of independent media and to restore distribution of Dawn throughout Pakistan."

The 2008 Mumbai attacks killed 166 people. Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba stands accused of masterminding them.

India has long said there is evidence that "official agencies" in Pakistan were involved but Islamabad denies the charge.

Since being ousted by the Supreme Court last July, Sharif and his supporters have repeatedly suggested they are the victims of a conspiracy driven by the military and the courts.

According to RSF, last month the military was said to have given unofficial instructions to cable TV operators to stop carrying the Geo TV network's channels, including Geo News, in most of the country. One reason was the airtime that it had dedicated to Sharif.
An activist attends a rally outside the presidential palace in Jakarta, demanding justice for their children's deaths

Almost every week Asih Widodo attends a vigil outside Indonesia's presidential palace, seeking justice for his son who died in an orgy of violence after the fall of dictator Suharto.

Monday marks the 20th anniversary of the former general's 1998 resignation at the height of the Asian economic crisis as Indonesia was paralysed by riots, food shortages, a plunging rupiah currency and mass unemployment.

More than 1,000 people are estimated to have been killed in riots and protests shortly before and in the months after Suharto's autocratic regime collapsed.

Widodo's son, engineering student Sigit Prasetyo, died in a hail of army gunfire aimed at protesters.

"I was at work when I got a phone call that my son was in a hospital -- I knew immediately in my heart he was gone," Widodo told AFP at a recent vigil alongside other bereaved parents demanding answers over the death of protesting students.

"My son was murdered by the army."

In the past two decades the country of 260 million has undergone what many see as a remarkable transition to democracy but Southeast Asia's biggest economy still grapples with rampant corruption and inequality.

Suharto -- who grabbed power in 1967 following the massacre in 1965-6 of hundreds of thousands of alleged communist sympathisers and ethnic Chinese -- died in 2008.

Suharto (L) announces his resignation beside his successor, Vice-President Bachararuddin Jusuf Habibie

He was never held to account for the suspected looting of billions of dollars from state coffers or rights abuses during his three-decade rule, which became a byword for corruption and cronyism.

And the violence linked to his government's collapse is another dark chapter which Indonesia has yet to address in any meaningful way.

- 'I'll keep fighting' -

Ethnic Chinese Indonesians bore the brunt of the bloodshed in the last days of Suharto, with women cowering in their homes for days as rape squads -- purportedly led by army thugs -- roamed Jakarta's streets.

Many died trapped in burning buildings as angry mobs -- resentful of their relative financial success -- ransacked Chinese-owned stores, smashed windows and set fire to cars as the government teetered on the verge of collapse.

Ayu Puspita was 30 when crowds stormed through the capital targeting Chinese-owned shops.

"It was so chaotic. Cars were being burned, motorcycles were toppled over -- it was just so scary," said Puspita at her restaurant in Glodok, known as Jakarta's Chinatown.

Subianto, a 67-year-old parking attendant who has worked in Chinatown for some five decades, said he watched in shock as parts of the city went up in flames.

"There were no police, no soldiers. People were looting everywhere. Trucks were coming to steal things," he said.

Hundreds of Chinese-owned homes and businesses were looted and razed during the unrest, which unfolded under the noses of the security forces. Their failure to intervene has fuelled suspicions of military involvement ever since.

Some buildings in Jakarta's Chinatown remain damaged even decades later.

"The sound of sirens scare me. I'm terrified every time I see a large group of people approaching," Puspita said.

"I didn't choose where I was born or what my ethnicity is."

Efforts to hold members of the then-government and military accountable for the death of ethnic Chinese and others have gone nowhere.

An armoured personnel carrier patrols a torched street in Jakarta's Chinatown after rioting in 1998

But Widodo, who rides a motorbike emblazoned with the words "My son was murdered by the army", will keep demanding answers.

"This country does not care, but I do," the 67-year-old said.

"I'll keep fighting as long as I am still alive."
A first batch of Islamic State group fighters left their final stronghold in Syria's capital under a deal struck after weeks of fierce combat, a monitor said

A first batch of Islamic State group fighters left their final stronghold in Syria's capital early Sunday under a deal struck after weeks of fierce combat, a monitor said.

"At dawn, six buses of IS fighters and their relatives left the Yarmuk Palestinian refugee camp and adjacent district of Tadamun," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Abdel Rahman said the buses headed east for Syria's vast desert, where IS still controls some territory.

He had no details on how many people were aboard the vehicles, but said a majority of them were relatives of jihadists and not armed.

The evacuations came a day after an apparent deal was reached to put an end to a ferocious month-long offensive to oust IS from its last positions in southern Damascus.

Pro-regime forces, specifically Palestinian militias, had been fighting since April 19 to recapture Yarmuk, Tadamun, and the nearby districts of Qadam and Hajar al-Aswad from IS.

The assault had killed more than 250 pro-regime forces and another 233 IS fighters, according to the Observatory.

Fighting died down around midday on Saturday amid reports that an evacuation deal could be reached.

Syrian state media on Sunday denied evacuations were taking place in Hajar al-Aswad, but did not mention departures from Yarmuk or Tadamun.

Once a thriving district home to some 160,000 Palestinians and Syrians, Yarmuk's population has fallen to just a few hundred people.
A Muslim man accused of killing a cow was beaten to death by a mob in central India, police said Sunday.

Siraj Khan, a 45-year-old tailor, was attacked in the Satna district of Madhya Pradesh state, and died at the scene.

Kahn's friend Shakeel Maqbool, who was also attacked, was admitted to hospital with critical injuries.

Murder: Siraj Khan, a 45-year-old Muslim tailor, was attacked by an angry mob accusing him of having slaughtered a cow in the Satna district of Madhya Pradesh state, India

The pair were reportedly surrounded by an angry mob early Friday morning, beaten with sticks and left to die in the street.

As details of the violent assault emerged at the weekend, 400 additional police were deployed to the district late Saturday as inquiries widened, the Press Trust of India reported.

'We have arrested four people, and they have been sent to judicial custody. We are investigating what prompted the attack,' local police official Arvind Tiwari told AFP.

He added that meat and a bovine carcass was found at the scene, but did not elaborate as investigations were ongoing.

The 45-year-old tailor had allegedly slaughtered a bull along with his friend, which is banned in most Indian states

Cows are considered sacred by Hindus, and slaughtering the animals, or possessing or consuming beef, is banned in most Indian states.

Cow slaughter in Madhya Pradesh carries a maximum seven-year jail term but many other parts of India impose life sentences for infringements.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has promised to completely outlaw cow slaughter in India.

The right-wing Hindu BJP has been accused of turning a blind eye to a rising number of vigilante attacks in the name of cow protection.

Rights groups say Hindu mobs have been emboldened under the party, who stormed to power in 2014. Many of the victims are Muslims.

In two prominent cases last year, a dairy farmer was killed on a roadside for transporting cows and a Muslim teenager accused of carrying beef was stabbed to death on a crowded train.
Bangladesh Border Guard personnel search a fishing boat during their patrol along the Naf River marking the border between Myanmar and Bangladesh. Methamphetamine is spilling into Bangladesh at record rates from Myanmar

Bangladesh police have shot dead 13 drug traffickers and arrested thousands in an aggressive campaign against the surging trade in methamphetamines and other narcotics, officers said Sunday.

Four drug dealers were killed early Sunday in separate raids, police said, while the elite Rapid Action Battalion said its forces had killed nine others since Tuesday.

Around 2,300 suspected drug traffickers and users had been arrested, the battalion said, in raids since early May. An estimated $2.5 million worth of drugs had been seized.

Authorities last week warned traffickers to surrender or face the full force of the law.

Police have vowed to stamp out drugs, most notably "yaba", a popular street pill made of caffeine and methamphetamine that is doing a roaring trade in Bangladesh.

The alleged dealers all died in what authorities described as shootouts, but parallels have been drawn to the Philippines where police have been accused of executing suspects.

"We have spoken to families of some victims. They said the victims were killed extrajudicially," said Nasiruddin Elan from local rights group Odhikar.

Authorities have been struggling to control a huge surge in yaba crossing its southeastern border from Myanmar, where the cheap pills are manufactured by the hundreds of millions.

Officials say the bulk of the drugs entering Bangladesh last year were brought by Rohingya refugees fleeing a military crackdown in Myanmar.

The drugs were being stashed on fishing boats bringing the persecuted civilians into Bangladesh. Some refugees were being used as mules, officials say.

Authorities last year seized a record 40 million yaba pills but said an estimated 250-300 million others managed to enter the market.

This year nine million yaba tablets were seized in less than three months as the refugee influx reached its peak. Nearly two million pills were discovered in a single haul.

A director at the narcotics control department predicted that $600 million worth of yaba could be sold on Bangladesh's streets this year.
The evacuation of jihadists from southern Damascus follows intense fighting with Syrian regime forces

Islamic State group fighters began evacuating their final stronghold in southern Damascus on Sunday, a monitor said, bringing Syria's government closer than ever to flushing out the last threat to the capital.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has used a combination of military pressure and evacuation deals in recent months to recapture territory around the capital from his armed opponents.

Last month, troops and allied Palestinian militia launched a fierce offensive to oust IS from a cluster of districts in southern Damascus, including the Palestinian camp of Yarmuk.

After weeks of combat and heavy casualties, an apparent deal was reached for remaining IS fighters to leave Yarmuk and the adjacent district of Tadamun, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

IS jihadists burned their headquarters in Yarmuk before boarding buses with their relatives to leave the area, said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

"The six buses left at dawn, heading east for the Syrian desert," he told AFP.

Abdel Rahman could not specify how many had left, but said a majority were relatives of jihadists and not armed. More than two dozen buses remained in Yarmuk for additional evacuations, he said.

Syrian state media and a Palestinian official have denied a deal was reached or that evacuations were taking place.

IS has had a presence in southern Damascus since 2015, expanding in recent years from Yarmuk to Tadamun and the nearby districts of Hajar al-Aswad and Qadam.

Yarmuk in particular has been devastated by Syria's conflict, suffering a crippling government siege since 2012 and ruined by years of fighting.

It was once home to 160,000 Palestinian refugees, as well as Syrians, but just a few hundred remain.

- IS 'surrendering' -

Assad has already ousted tens of thousands of rebels and civilians from areas around Damascus this year through military force and negotiated withdrawals, including the rebel bastion of Eastern Ghouta.

The regime used similar tactics to clear opposition towns northeast and south of Damascus earlier this month, leaving IS as the only armed presence in the capital.

The assault against the jihadist force has left more than 250 pro-regime forces, 233 jihadists and more than 60 civilians dead according to the Britain-based Observatory.

But the offensive died down around midday Saturday after a truce between IS on one side and pro-government Palestinian militias and regime ally Russia on the other, said the monitor, which relies on a network of sources in Syria.

"After the ceasefire on Saturday, IS withdrew from areas in the western part of Yarmuk camp, east towards the centre of the camp," Abdel Rahman said.

"Troops and Palestinian loyalist militias entered that area for sweeping operations," he told AFP.

Syrian state media on Sunday denied evacuations were taking place in Hajar al-Aswad and made no mention of any departures from Yarmuk or Tadamun.

"Army units in southern Damascus continued their operations against the remaining terrorists in a small area of Hajar al-Aswad, making further progress towards ending the terrorist presence in the area," it said.

Anwar Abdel Hadi, the head of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) also denied the evacuations but said IS appeared to be giving up.

"Daesh is surrendering in Yarmuk, Hajar al-Aswad, and Tadamun," he told AFP, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

- Artillery backs SDF -

It remains unclear exactly where Sunday's evacuees will go, or if they will be pursued by regime troops.

A similar deal reached last year by Syria's regime and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah saw IS fighters bussed out of the Lebanon-Syria border area towards Syria's east.

IS once held large parts of Syria's north and east, but offensives by rival forces have whittled down its control to less than three percent of the country.

The jihadists still hold some territory in remote parts of central Homs province and Deir Ezzor in the east, according to the Observatory.

But IS is even under attack there.

The Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters backed by Western powers, launched an assault on IS holdouts in Deir Ezzor earlier this month.

On Sunday, they were closing in on a key IS-held village, backed by close US and French ground support, the Observatory said.

"There are intense clashes around Hajjin, and the SDF is advancing thanks to American and French artillery fire," Abdel Rahman told AFP.

The SDF has already driven IS out of large parts of northern and eastern Syria, including the onetime jihadist capital of Raqa, with help from the coalition's air strikes, weapons and special forces advisors.
Former prime minister Najib Razak has been barred from leaving Malaysia as the new government investigates accusations he took part in the looting of billions of dollars from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB

Malaysia's scandal-tainted former leader Sunday denied he stole public funds and complained of the way he has been treated since he unexpectedly lost power in a stunning election defeat.

Striking a defiant tone in the face of a deepening corruption investigation, Najib Razak urged his political party to "fight on" after it was toppled in the May 9 vote by a political coalition that had focused on the allegations against him.

"I did not steal the people's money," Najib, 64, asserted during a visit to the rural home constituency he has represented for decades, where he was welcomed by crowds of supporters of his ethnic-Malay party.

"I was prepared to hand over power gracefully. But once I did that, I was not treated properly."

Najib has been barred from leaving Malaysia as the new government investigates accusations he took part in the looting of billions of dollars from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB in a vast conspiracy of fraud and money-laundering.

Police last week seized what they called a huge trove of cash, jewels and luxury items from his home and other properties.

Najib had said little since the raids other than to complain to local media about how they were conducted.

But on Sunday he returned to his home district of Pekan in an apparent bid to seize back the narrative before a visit to Malaysia's anti-graft agency, which has summoned him to appear on Tuesday.

"I am amazed that even though I am no longer the prime minister, there are so many people at this event," he said during a ceremony opening a branch office of his United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).

"I think this is the true spirit of UMNO. Even though we are in tears... (and) power is no longer in our hands, no one can kill our spirit to fight on."

- 'Gifts from friends' -

UMNO had controlled multi-ethnic Malaysia since independence in 1957, and the country became a regional economic success story under its rule.

But long-simmering resentment over its oppressive tactics and corruption sent the party to a resounding defeat at the hands of a coalition led by 92-year-old Mahathir Mohamad, a longtime UMNO leader and former prime minister.

UMNO is now in crisis following the drubbing, which prompted Najib's resignation as its leader.

Najib's denial of wrongdoing comes despite detailed evidence that has emerged in recent years indicating that he, his family, and cronies plundered 1MDB.

These include US Department of Justice civil lawsuits seeking to seize $1.7 billion in real estate, art works and other luxuries allegedly bought with money looted from the fund.

Mahathir said last week that he expected Najib to face criminal charges soon.

"There were a lot of allegations made... I was the target because I was the prime minister and party president," Najib told supporters.

Najib has complained about the overnight police searches, and said many personal items unrelated to 1MDB were improperly impounded.

He has said the money and luxury items seized -- which police said were so vast that it would take time to tally their worth -- were gifts from friends and cash donations for his election campaign.
Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas attends a joint news conference with the visiting Bulgarian president in the West Bank city of Ramallah on March 22, 2018

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas returned to hospital on Sunday with chest pain and a high fever after having undergone ear surgery last week, a source familiar with his condition said.

The source who spoke on condition of anonymity did not provide further details on the condition of the 83-year-old, who was at the Istishari Arab Hospital in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.

"The president will stay in hospital until at least tomorrow (Monday)," the source said.

It is the third time he has been in hospital in a week.

On Tuesday, Abbas underwent what was called a minor ear surgery.

Late Saturday, he returned to hospital for further tests and was released after about 30 minutes.

Official news agency WAFA said the test results had been "excellent".

Abbas was however back in hospital on Sunday around mid-morning and was still there in the afternoon, according to the source.

A statement on WAFA on Sunday afternoon, quoting the hospital director, said tests results were "good" and Abbas's health was "reassuring".

His health is the subject of regular speculation, with no clear successor identified.

In February, Abbas underwent what was then described as routine medical tests in the United States.

Abbas won a four-year term as president in 2005, but he has remained in office in the absence of elections.

His Fatah party remains deeply divided from Islamist movement Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip.
Protesters in Haifa shouted "down with the occupation, stop fascism" and denounced the arrests Friday of 19 people in the northern city during a previous rally held in solidarity with Gaza residents

Hundreds of Arab Israelis demonstrated Saturday evening in Haifa in solidarity with Gaza, where more than 60 Palestinians have died from Israeli fire in recent days, an AFP reporter said.

Protesters shouted "down with the occupation, stop fascism" and denounced the arrests Friday of 19 people in the northern city during a previous rally held in solidarity with Gaza residents.

They waved four large letters in bright red, making up the word "Gaza" and chanted slogans including "Jews and Arabs, we are not enemies".

A total of 62 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire on Monday, when thousands of Palestinians protested as the US officially moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem after recognising the disputed city as the capital of Israel.

They were among 119 Palestinians killed by Israeli troops on the border between the Gaza Strip and the Jewish State since mass demonstrations started on March 30, according to authorities in Gaza, which is run by the Islamist movement Hamas.

The Israeli army insists its actions are necessary to defend the border and prevent mass infiltrations.

It accuses Hamas of using the demonstrations to approach and damage the border fence, including laying explosive devices and attacking soldiers.

Palestinian and Israeli sources on Sunday said a Palestinian prisoner had died of a heart attack whilst in Israeli custody.

Aziz Ewisat was serving a 30-year prison sentence since 2014 and had suffered a heart attack earlier this month, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club said.

Israeli prison authorities said he had heart failure after attacking a guard, adding that Ewisat was a member of Hamas.

Israeli Arabs, the descendants of Palestinians who remained on their land when Israel was created in 1948, are around 17.5 percent of the Israeli population.
The fighting had erupted in Jebel Marra between the Sudanese government forces and the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid rebel group, said the African Union-United Nations joint peacekeeping mission in Darfur

The chief of the UN peacekeeping force in Darfur on Sunday expressed regret over recent clashes in Sudan's western war-torn region, which he said has left villages burnt and people displaced.

The latest fighting, in the Jebel Marra mountains, came despite a ceasefire unilaterally announced by Khartoum in March, applying to Darfur and another conflict in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

The fighting had erupted in Jebel Marra between the Sudanese government forces and the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid rebel group, said the African Union-United Nations joint peacekeeping mission in Darfur, also known as UNAMID.

"UNAMID appeals to all parties involved to exercise restraint and resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue and the peace process," UNAMID chief Jeremiah Mamabolo said in a statement issued after he visited the mission's temporary operating base in the town of Golo in Jebel Marra.

"We particularly regret the new displacements and the burning of villages such as Gobbo, Kawara, Kimingtong in South Darfur as well as other villages in the Rokero locality in Central Darfur."

Washington too had condemned the fighting, which it said has resulted in thousands of new displacement of civilians.

An insurgency began in Darfur in 2003, as rebels rose up against Sudan's government, accusing it of marginalisation.

Khartoum cracked down on rebels and since then insurgent groups have fragmented, with fighting punctuated by periods of relative calm.

Khartoum restricts international media access to Darfur, an area about the size of France, so it is not possible to independently verify the details of fighting there.

In recent years the level of violence has significantly dropped across Darfur, with Khartoum insisting that the conflict has ended in the region.

The UNAMID mission too is being downscaled, now standing at around 10,000 uniformed personnel from a peak of about 27,000.

The United Nations says that over the years the conflict has killed about 300,000 people and displaced more than 2.5 million, with many having set up home over the last decade and a half in sprawling semi-permanent camps.

A separate conflict erupted in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, both bordering South Sudan, in 2011.
A Malian soldier was shot at the market in Boulekessi, northern Mali, and subsequently at least 12 civilians were killed

At least 12 civilians were killed in northern Mali in an attack on a market that also involved the shooting of a Malian soldier, military sources said on Sunday.

The attack took place Saturday in the town of Boulekessi near the border with Burkina Faso.

"Malian troops under the G5 Sahel command are at the centre of this incident," a military source from the joint force of soldiers from five Sahel countries told AFP.

"One of the soldiers had been attacked by an armed man at the market in Boulekessi. Afterwards, in circumstances not yet clear, at least 12 civilians at the site were killed," the source said.

A Malian military source added that it was difficult to contact the region by phone and that an investigation was under way "to find out exactly how many civilians were killed and who shot the soldier."

Contacted by AFP, a former Malian minister, who comes from the region, said that witnesses had claimed the incident was due to military "blunders" and that "more than 15 civilians were killed".

"According to two witnesses, an armed man shot a Malian soldier who was now fighting for his life," the ex-minister said, adding that he was waiting for confirmation of the details of the incident.

Mali's defence minister Tienan Coulibaly could not been reached for comment.

The Malian army is often accused of making arbitrary arrests and carrying out extra-judicial executions in its fight against jihadists in the north of the country.

France intervened militarily in Mali in 2013 to help government forces drive Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists out of the north.

But large tracts of the country remain lawless despite a peace accord signed with ethnic Tuareg leaders in mid-2015 aimed at isolating the jihadists. The violence has also spilled over into both Burkina Faso and Niger.
Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani said the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with Trump's campaign will end September 1

Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani says the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with Trump's campaign could end by September 1.

Giuliani said the office of Robert Mueller -- the special counsel who is leading the investigation -- plans to end the investigation by then, and had shared the timeline some two weeks ago, The New York Times reported Sunday.

Fox News quoted Giuliani as saying that Mueller told Trump's legal team the investigation could be over by September 1, although the timeline was contingent upon the special counsel interviewing the president by mid-July.

Giuliani said he wants the investigation over by that time so it does not affect Republicans' chances in congressional mid-term elections in November, Fox reported.

"You don't want another repeat of the 2016 election where you get contrary reports at the end and you don't know how it affected the election," Giuliani told the Times.

Former FBI director James Comey -- fired by Trump last year -- announced that the bureau would reopen an investigation into Hillary Clinton's misuse of a private email server just 11 days before the 2016 presidential vote, a move that may have helped cost her the election.

Trump, who has repeatedly described the investigation as a "witch hunt," views it as a stain on his presidency and wants it over.

His former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, his first national security advisor Michael Flynn and an assortment of campaign aides have all been caught in Mueller's investigation, variously pleading guilty, cutting a plea deal or fighting the case in court.

But a year after the probe began, the big questions remain unanswered: Did Trump's campaign collude with the Kremlin to skew the 2016 election? What did the president know and when did he know it? Did he obstruct justice? Can a sitting president be indicted?
Nasir Shenwari (C), holding daughter Aunza, grieves as the casket of Santa Fe High School shooting victim Sabika Sheikh, 17, leaves after a funeral service in Stafford, Texas, on May, 20, 2018

Houston's Muslim community gathered to offer prayers Sunday at the funeral service for a 17-year-old Pakistani exchange student killed in a mass shooting at her southeast Texas high school.

About 1,000 people, many with Pakistani roots and wearing traditional Muslim dress, converged on an Islamic center in Stafford to honor Sabika Sheikh, whose body was brought by hearse to the somber service from Santa Fe, the nearby small rural town where a student murdered 10 people including eight students.

Among the mourners was the late teen's first cousin who lives in the United States. She said Sheikh's relatives are completely devastated.

"The family back home, we are in touch with them. They're crying every moment. Her mother is in denial right now," Shaheera al-Basid, a graduate student in the US capital Washington, told AFP at the funeral service.

"It's a shock we need our entire life to recover from," the 26-year-old added.

Men lined up in rows offered traditional mourning prayers as Sheikh's coffin, draped in the green and white flag of Pakistan, was brought into a small, cramped sanctuary.

Sheikh had been due to return home in mere weeks, in time for Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.

- 'Shock' -

Worshippers pray during the funeral service

"It's a shock, it's so sad," said realtor Ike Samad, 67, who was born in Pakistan but has lived here most of his adult life and raised his children as Americans.

"I came here just like her, as a student," he recalled. "God forbid that could have happened to me when I was here. As a parent, it is just devastating."

Samad also addressed the painful irony that a young woman from a country that many Americans associated with the war on terror in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington was killed in a country that millions around the world see as a bastion of freedom.

The attacks were a "tragedy, and tragedy sometimes teaches you life," he said. "But it also revisits, and in this case very close to here."

Several Pakistani-American youths also attended the funeral service, including Danyal Zakaria of nearby Sugar Land, Texas.

The 17-year-old said it was "truly mind-blowing" that an exchange student his age could be cut down in cold blood at a US school.

"This nation is known to be safe," he said. "If America is not safe, then where is?"
MONTE ZONCOLAN, Italy (AP) - Chris Froome responded to his critics with a fantastic ride up Monte Zoncolan to win the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday.

Nevertheless, British compatriot Simon Yates consolidated his overall lead.

Froome attacked with about four kilometers remaining of the tough 186-kilometer route from San Vito al Tagliamento. The four-time Tour de France champion gritted his teeth on the final curves of the iconic climb and managed to finish six seconds ahead of Yates.

Britain's Chris Froome celebrates after winning the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, from San Vito al Tagliamento to the Mt. Zoncolan, in San Vito al Tagliamento, Italy, Saturday, May 19, 2018. Chris Froome responded to his critics with a fantastic ride up Monte Zoncolan to win the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday. Nevertheless, British compatriot Simon Yates consolidated his overall lead. (Daniel Dal Zennaro/ANSA via AP)

Domenico Pozzovivo was third, 23 seconds behind Froome, whose chances of winning the race all but ended after a difficult opening week.

Froome, who dropped out of the top 10 earlier this week, moved up to fifth although the Team Sky rider is still more than three minutes behind Yates.

"We'll take it day by day, it's not over yet," said Froome, who is trying to become the third person to win three Grand Tours in a row.

Froome crashed in training before the opening time trial, lost time in a split on stage four and injured himself again in a second crash last Saturday.

"It was a very important attack, also for the morale," Froome said in Italian. "It was a very important moment for this Giro. A very famous climb, with a great story. For that reason it was a very strong motive for me to try to win here.

"When I fell in Jerusalem, it's always difficult to recover after a fall like that. I didn't feel normal so I'm very happy to win today."

Yates, who rides for Mitchelton-Scott, extended his lead over defending champion Tom Dumoulin to 1:24.

"I tried to go for the stage," Yates said. "I did my best to catch Chris. I just didn't have enough to get it. But as far as the Maglia Rosa is concerned, it's all good to be second here."

Pozzovivo moved up to third in the overall standings, 1:37 behind Yates.

There were four categorized climbs ahead of the finish on Monte Zoncolan, which is regarded as the hardest climb in Europe with an average 12 percent gradient and a maximum of 22 percent.

Sunday's 15th stage is another grueling leg through the Dolomite Range, with the riders almost continuously climbing and descending on the 176-kilometer route from Tolmezzo to Sappada.

Monday sees the Giro's third and final rest day, before the individual time trial, Dumoulin's speciality.

The Giro ends in Rome on May 27.

Britain's Chris Froome celebrates after winning the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, from San Vito al Tagliamento to the Mt. Zoncolan, in San Vito al Tagliamento, Italy, Saturday, May 19, 2018. Chris Froome responded to his critics with a fantastic ride up Monte Zoncolan to win the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday. Nevertheless, British compatriot Simon Yates consolidated his overall lead. (Daniel Dal Zennaro/ANSA via AP)

Britain's Simon Yates gets ready to start the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, from San Vito al Tagliamento to the Mt. Zoncolan, in San Vito al Tagliamento, Italy, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Daniel Dal Zennaro/ANSA via AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on first lady Melania Trump (all times local):

2:40 p.m.

President Donald Trump has welcomed his wife home from the hospital in a tweet that misspells her first name.

Here's what the president wrote: "Great to have our incredible First Lady back home in the White House. Melanie is feeling and doing really well. Thank you for all of your prayers and best wishes!"

A few minutes later, Trump posted a tweet that changed "Melanie" to "Melania."

The White House says Melania (meh-LAH'-nee-ah) Trump came back to the White House on Saturday after five days in the hospital, where she had a kidney procedure.

She had been at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center near Washington since having the procedure on Monday. It was for an unspecific kidney condition that the White House described as benign.

___

10:35 a.m.

Melania (meh-LAH'-nee-ah) Trump is back at the White House after an extended hospitalization for a kidney procedure.

The White House says the first lady returned to the White House on Saturday morning. She had been at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center near Washington since having an embolization procedure Monday for an unspecified kidney condition that the White House said was benign.

President Donald Trump visited his 48-year-old wife during several of the evenings that she was in the hospital.

The first lady said Wednesday on Twitter that she was "feeling great." She thanked the Walter Reed staff and her well-wishers, and added that she was looking forward to going home.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Donald Trump Jr. met during the 2016 campaign with a private military contractor and an adviser to Middle Eastern leaders, both of whom have since become a focus of investigators working for special counsel Robert Mueller, a lawyer for President Donald Trump's eldest son said Saturday.

Erik Prince, an informal adviser to the Trump campaign and former head of Blackwater, and George Nader, a veteran operative who has advised the United Arab Emirates and helped American contractors secure business in the Middle East, met with Trump Jr. at Trump Tower to discuss a social media proposal, lawyer Alan Futerfas said in a statement.

"They pitched Mr. Trump Jr. on a social media platform or marketing strategy. He was not interested and that was the end of it," Futerfas said.

Also at the meeting was Joel Zamel, the CEO of a social media company called WikiStrat. But he neither offered social media services to the Trump campaign, nor was he asked to help the campaign, his lawyer, Marc Mukasey, said.

"Joel Zamel offered nothing to the Trump campaign, received nothing from the Trump campaign, delivered nothing to the Trump campaign and was not solicited by, or asked to do anything for, the Trump campaign," Mukasey said Saturday.

Mukasey also called it "misguided" to say Zamel conducts "social media manipulation," as suggested by The New York Times, which first reported the meeting. The newspaper said the August 2016 meeting was convened primarily to offer assistance to the Trump campaign and that the outreach suggests countries other than Russia may have offered to help get Trump elected.

Mueller's investigators have been looking into a later meeting, in January 2017 in the Seychelles, that Nader and Prince held with Abu Dhabi's crown prince, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian banker with close ties to the Kremlin. Nader is a witness in Mueller's ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the election.

The Associated Press reported in March that Nader had been convicted on 10 counts of sexually assaulting a minor in the Czech Republic in 2003. Employees for Prince's previous firm, Blackwater, were implicated in the deaths of 14 civilians in Iraq in 2007.

Neither a spokesman for Prince nor a spokeswoman for Nader's lawyer immediately returned requests for comment Saturday.

Members of the House intelligence committee peppered Prince with questions about his interactions with the Trump campaign during a November 2017 interview, but Prince did not disclose the Trump Tower meeting with Trump Jr. and Nader.

Mueller has dug into various facets of the social media and digital efforts in the 2016 election as part of his expansive federal probe. In February, he filed an indictment against 13 Russians and three companies accused of running an elaborate campaign on social media to disrupt the elections.

The federal probe has also dipped into the digital side of Trump's 2016 campaign, with Mueller's team asking former campaign staff about the role of Cambridge Analytica, the voter data firm which former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon helped run.

The president and his closest aides have repeatedly said there was no collusion between his campaign and the Russians. And the Republican-led House intelligence committee found no evidence of collusion. But Senate investigators said this past week that they believed the Russian meddling was clearly meant to harm Democrat Hillary Clinton and help Trump.

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Associated Press reporter Chad Day contributed to this report.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - IndyCar will likely internally consider options on how to get popular drivers James Hinchcliffe and Pippa Mann into the field for the Indianapolis 500.

The two series stalwarts were "bumped" from the 33-car field in Saturday's qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Hinchcliffe is a popular Canadian ranked fifth in the IndyCar standings. The British Mann was to join Danica Patrick as the only females in the field. Mann is an Indy mainstay and was trying to make the race for the sixth time.

Patrick is retiring after next Sunday's race and the pioneering driver is the only woman to lead laps in the Indy 500 and Daytona 500. Only nine women have competed in the Indy 500, the first was Janet Guthrie in 1977. The others: Lyn St. James, Sarah Fisher, Patrick, Milka Duno, Ana Beatriz, Simona de Silvestro, Mann and Katherine Legge.

James Hinchcliffe, of Canada, talks with the media after he did not qualify for the IndyCar Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Mann likely doesn't have the funds to buy a seat from another driver. That is an option for Hinchcliffe, who drives for anchor team Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and is funded. The team could try to move its sponsorship to another car to get Hinchcliffe in the race.

But, IndyCar could also consider widening the field to accommodate all 35 cars.

According to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 40 cars started in the inaugural race in 1911. The Contest Board of the American Automobile Association, the sanctioning body at the time, mandated a formula for limiting the size of a starting field according to the size of the track and settled on 33 cars.

From 1912 to 1914, track president Carl Fisher mandated only 30 cars, so the 33 maximum was not adopted until 1915.

The field was not a full 33 cars numerous times between 1912 and 1928, and the allowed number was increased during the Depression years to 40 cars between 1930 and 1932, and 42 in 1933.

The maximum has been at 33 ever since 1934, "although extenuating circumstances expanded the field to 35 starters in 1979 and 1997," IMS said.

James Hinchcliffe, of Canada, is consoled by a crew member after not qualifying for the IndyCar Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Pippa Mann, of England, talks with Dale Coyne after she failed to make the field for the IndyCar Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Rob Baker)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri on Saturday defended her vote against President Donald Trump's pick for CIA director but said the specific reasons were classified.

McCaskill was one of the few Democrats facing a difficult re-election this fall to oppose the nomination of Gina Haspel, who was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday after a heated debate about her role in the CIA's torture program.

The Missouri Democrat told reporters at a Kansas City campaign event that her vote was influenced by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who had been tortured as a prisoner of war and also opposed Haspel's confirmation. But she said the most important reason for her decision came during a classified discussion with Haspel.

File-This May 15, 2018, file photo shows ranking Member Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., asking a question about separation of children from their parents at the border, of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen testifies to the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. McCaskill says that classified discussions she can't share publicly persuaded her to vote against the new CIA director. McCaskill is one of the few Democrats facing difficult re-elections to oppose President Donald Trump's nomination of Gina Haspel. She was confirmed Thursday, may 17, 2018, after a debate about her role in the CIA's torture program. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

"I cross-examined her on the classified material. And I was very uncomfortable with her answers," McCaskill said. "I wish I could explain to all my constituents the details of all that, but the law will not allow me to do so. I can tell you this, if everyone in Missouri read and listened to her answers to the questions I asked, I believe that a vast majority of Missourians would have voted the same way I did."

Earlier in the day, Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas seized on McCaskill's vote during a conference call arranged by the campaign of her Republican opponent, state Attorney General Josh Hawley.

McCaskill "proved once again that she is so liberal and so reflexively opposed to the president that she cannot represent Missouri in the Senate," Cotton charged. "She put partisan politics over national security."

McCaskill represents a state that has trended more Republican in recent years. Trump won Missouri by nearly 19 percentage points in 2016.

She sided with the majority of Democrats on Thursday to oppose Haspel's nomination. A handful of red-state Democrats up for re-election in November voted to confirm her, including West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly and North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

Acknowledging the Republican shift in her state, McCaskill said Missouri voters would need "proof of independence" to support her re-election bid.

She noted that she supported Trump's pick of Mike Pompeo to serve as secretary of state, adding that she voted with her party only about half the time.
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A man in shorts, T-shirt and flip-flops was seen on Sunday taking pictures of a sea of lava that has consumed a valley and woodland in the Puna District of Hawaii.

The volcano that is oozing, spewing and exploding on Hawaii's Big Island became more hazardous - sending rivers of molten rock pouring into the ocean as well as hydrochloric acid and volcanic glass into the air.

Kilauea volcano began erupting more than two weeks ago and has burned dozens of homes, forced thousands of people to flee and shot up ash clouds from its summit that led officials to distribute face masks.

Lava flows have picked up speed in recent days, spattering molten rock that hit a man in the leg, the first major injury to occur.

A man wearing shorts, T-shirt and flip-flops takes a picture of a sea of lava on Sunday that has consumed a valley and woodland in the Puna District of Hawaii after the volcano erupted two weeks ago

In this Sunday aerial photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, lava from the eastern channel of the Fissure 20 complex flows into a crack in the ground in Pahoa, Hawaii. Kilauea volcano began erupting more than two weeks ago and has burned dozens of homes, forced people to flee and shot up plumes of steam from its summit

Lava from the eastern channel of the Fissure 20 complex flows into a crack in the ground that opened on Sunday morning

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Chuck Anthony wears a gas mask as he stands next to a wall of lava entering the ocean near Pahoa, Hawaii on Sunday. The volcano, spewing and exploding on Hawaii's Big Island, has gotten more hazardous in recent days

Members of the media record a wall of lava entering the ocean near Pahoa, Hawaii on Sunday. Rivers of molten rock has poured into the ocean and flying lava has caused the first major injury since the Kilauea volcano began erupting

A lava flow crosses Highway 137 southeast of Pahoa on Sunday during ongoing eruptions of the volcano

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Anthony of the Hawaii National Guard measures sulfur dioxide gas levels at a lava flow on Highway 137 southeast of Pahoa on Sunday during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano

Senior Airman John Linzmeier of the Hawaii National Guard walks away from a lava flow on Highway 137 southeast of Pahoa

Lava from fissure 20 enters the ocean near Pahoa, Hawaii on Sunday. Lava that's flying through the air from cracks in the Earth can weigh as much as a refrigerator and even small pieces can be deadly, according to the authorities

Steam rises as a lava flow enters the Pacific Ocean southeast of Pahoa during ongoing eruptions of the volcano in Hawaii

He was outside his home Saturday in the remote, rural region affected by the volcano when the lava 'hit him on the shin and shattered everything from there down on his leg,' Janet Snyder, Hawaii County mayor's spokeswoman, told the Hawaii News Now TV station.

Lava that's flying through the air from cracks in the Earth can weigh as much as a refrigerator and even small pieces can be deadly, officials said.

The injury came the same day that lava began streaming across a highway and flowing into the ocean.

The interaction of lava and seawater has created a cloud of steam laced with hydrochloric acid and fine glass particles that can irrigate the skin and eyes and cause breathing problems.

The lava haze, or 'laze,' extended as far as 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of where the lava gushed into the ocean on the Big Island's southern coast.

It was just offshore and running parallel to the coast, said U.S. Geological Survey scientist Wendy Stovall.

Lava erupts inside Leilani Estates near Pahoa, Hawaii on Saturday. As lava flows have grown more vigorous in recent days, there's concern more homes may burn. The lava has spattered molten rock and hit a man in the leg on Saturday

Brittany Kimball watches as lava erupts from a fissure near Pahoa, Hawaii on Saturday. Officials have warned that lava flying through the air from cracks in the Earth can weigh as much as a refrigerator and even small pieces can be deadly

A man photographs lava erupting from from a fissure on Saturday. Two fissures that opened up in a rural Hawaii community have merged to produce faster lava. Residents in the area have been evacuated, and the highway has shut down in places

A river of pahoehoe lava flows inside Leilani Estates near Pahoa, Hawaii on Saturday. Scientists say the characteristics of lava oozing from fissures in the ground has changed significantly as new magma mixes with decades-old stored lava

Residents view lava erupting from a Kilauea volcano fissure, at a small viewing party on a neighbor's porch, on Hawaii's Big Island on Saturday. Residents can't do much but stay informed and be ready to get out of the way

Authorities warn that the plume could shift direction if the winds change. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says sulfur dioxide emissions also have tripled.

Residents in the area have been evacuated, and the highway that the lava crossed has shut down in places.

Joseph Kekedi, an orchid grower who lives and works about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from where lava is pouring into the sea, said luckily the flow didn't head his way.

At one point, it was about a mile upslope from his property in the coastal community of Kapoho.

He said residents can't do much but stay informed and be ready to get out of the way.

'Here's nature reminding us again who's boss,' Kekedi said.

He is hosting a 90-year-old who evacuated from the Leilani Estates neighborhood, where lava started spewing May 3. He also was storing belongings for other friends who had to leave their homes.

Kekedi said most of his neighbors are optimistic. He has friends who lost houses when lava smothered the town of Kalapana in the 1990s but they built again, found a good life and 'life went on.'

This Saturday aerial photo released by the U.S. Geological Survey shows lava fountains from Fissure 20 in Kilauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone in Pahoa, Hawaii. Officials have started to distribute face masks to protect against ash particles

A property is engulfed in flames on Saturday as Fissure 20 continues to flow with liquid lava in the Puna District of Hawaii

Lava flows have picked up speed in recent days, spattering molten rock that hit a man in the leg, the first major injury to occur

Lava flows from fissures near Pahoa, Hawaii on Saturday. Kilauea volcano began erupting more than two weeks ago and has burned dozens of homes, forced people to flee and shot up plumes of steam from its summit

Scientists say they don't know how long the eruption will last. The volcano has opened more than 20 vents, including four that have merged into one large crack.

It has been gushing lava high into the sky and sending a river of molten rock toward the ocean at about 300 yards (274 meters) per hour.

The flows accelerated after newer lava began emerging from the ground late last week. The fresher lava is hotter and tends to move faster than the older lava that was unleashed earlier.

Scientists say the older lava is likely from magma that Kilauea has been storing underground since the volcano last erupted in 1955.

The area affected by lava and ash is small compared with the Big Island, which is about 4,000 square miles. The volcano has spared most of the island and the rest of the Hawaiian chain.

Officials reminded tourists that flights have not been affected, even on the Big Island. There, travelers are free to do most of the usual sightseeing activities that aren't associated with the erupting volcano.
LONDON (AP) - Unwilling to kiss Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding goodbye just yet, Britain basked Sunday in the scale of the spectacle as major broadcasters kept scenes from the royal nuptials on repeat along with fresh interviews with the bride's dressmaker.

The newlyweds have not been seen in public since they left Windsor Castle in a rare 1968 Jaguar convertible for a Saturday night reception hosted by the groom's father, Prince Charles.

They were expected to return to their home at Kensington Palace in London on Sunday, but the palace did not provide updates or details. Markle's bridal bouquet was laid at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at the British capital's Westminster Abbey.

A photo illustration showing a selection of British Newspaper front pages with pictures from the wedding of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in London, Sunday, May 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

But anyone with a lingering case of royal wedding fever could join the tourists and locals soaking up the romantic mood and continued sunshine in the town of Windsor, where Saturday's wedding and post-service carriage procession were held.

Good wishes poured in from around the world. British singer Adele posted a message on Instagram Sunday along with a photo of herself wearing a veil and toasting with a glass of champagne. She wished the couple well and invoked the memory of Princess Diana, Harry's late mother.

"Congratulations Meghan and Harry," she wrote. "You're the most beautiful bride. I can't stop thinking of how happy Princess Diana is upstairs x."

Kensington Palace did not release details, but photographs showed Markle, now known formally as the Duchess of Sussex, wearing to the evening reception a large, emerald-cut aquamarine ring that Diana wore often before she died in a Paris car crash in 1997.

The wedding was the only topic of the day in Britain's newspapers and on its television networks. The tone of the press coverage was congratulatory, with publications taking pride in the evident British flair for producing memorable events with fantastic settings and split-second precision.

Former British Cabinet minister Peter Mandelson told ITV Sunday that the wedding was so moving that he is now considering proposing marriage to his longtime partner.

"People all over the country are going to feel inspired, they are all going to want to run out and get married now," he said.

The royal family, understandably thrilled by the good weather and good will, expressed gratitude to the visitors and viewers who came to Windsor or tuned in via TV.

"Thank you to everyone who came to Windsor and those who followed from around the UK, the Commonwealth, and the world," the royals said.

After the big day, Queen Elizabeth II returned to her normal routine. She was seen being driven back to Windsor Castle after attending a Sunday morning church service.

The designer of Markle's deceptively simple wedding gown and elaborate veil said Sunday that she received the special commission in early January and managed to keep it secret not only from the inquisitive British press, but from her family.

"It was an extraordinary moment when she told me," said Clare Waight Keller, a Briton who made history as the first female artistic director at French fashion house Givenchy. "Of course, it's an incredible thing to be part of such a historic moment."

She said the design process had been collaborative.

"I think she loved the fact that I was a British designer and working in a house such as Givenchy, which has its roots in a very classical, beautiful style," Waight Keller said.

Hair stylist Serge Norman, who came from New York to do Markle's hair, said she was relaxed in the hours before the ceremony.

"She was calm, yeah," he said. "Chatty, absolutely. We were definitely having exchanges, yeah for sure. She was very happy. It was a beautiful morning, just the perfect morning to get married."

Harry and Markle spent their first night as a married couple at Windsor Castle. They are breaking with tradition by delaying a honeymoon. Before the wedding, Markle said she wanted to take up royal duties immediately.

They plan to fulfill their first royal work engagement as a married couple Tuesday, when they attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace to honor Prince Charles and his charity work. Charles' 70th birthday is later this year.

Palace officials have been vague about Harry and Markle's honeymoon plans, but they are expected to take a honeymoon in the near future.

No destination has been announced, and the couple may choose a place where they can relax without being trailed by photographers. Harry took Markle on a camping trip in Botswana shortly after they met and started dating.

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For complete AP royal wedding coverage, visit https://apnews.com/tag/Royalweddings

The newly married Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, leave Windsor Castle in a convertible car after their wedding in Windsor, England, to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House, hosted by the Prince of Wales, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Steve Parsons/pool photo via AP)

This May 19, 2018 photo shows a close up of the ring worn by the newly married Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle leaving Windsor Castle with Prince Harry after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House, hosted by the Prince of Wales. The bride wore a ring which belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales. (Steve Parsons/PA via AP)

Meghan Markle's wedding bouquet is laid on the grave of the Unknown Warrior in the west nave of Westminster Abbey, London, Sunday May 20, 2018. (Victoria Jones/PA via AP)

Meghan Markle's wedding bouquet is laid on the grave of the Unknown Warrior in the west nave of Westminster Abbey, London, Sunday May 20, 2018. (Victoria Jones/PA via AP)

Well-wishers lining the streets wave and cheer as Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex after their wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Odd Andersen/pool photo via AP)

Clare Waight Keller of the French fashion house Givenchy, holds sketches during an interview at Kensington Palace in London, Sunday May 20, 2018. Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy is the master British designer behind the sleek silk boat-necked gown and long billowing veil worn by Meghan Markle as she walked down the nave of St. George's Chapel for her wedding to Prince Harry (Hannah McKay/Pool via AP)

Clare Waight Keller of the French fashion house Givenchy, holds a piece of lace during an interview at Kensington Palace in London, Sunday May 20, 2018. Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy is the master British designer behind the sleek silk boat-necked gown and long billowing veil worn by Meghan Markle as she walked down the nave of St. George's Chapel for her wedding to Prince Harry (Hannah McKay/Pool via AP)

Clare Waight Keller of the French fashion house Givenchy, speaks during an interview at Kensington Palace in London, Sunday May 20, 2018. Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy is the master British designer behind the sleek silk boat-necked gown and long billowing veil worn by Meghan Markle as she walked down the nave of St. George's Chapel for her wedding to Prince Harry (Hannah McKay/Pool via AP)

Clare Waight Keller of the French fashion house Givenchy, poses for a portrait at Kensington Palace in London, Sunday May 20, 2018. Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy is the master British designer behind the sleek silk boat-necked gown and long billowing veil worn by Meghan Markle as she walked down the nave of St. George's Chapel for her wedding to Prince Harry (Hannah McKay/Pool via AP)

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave in a carriage after their wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Yui Mok/pool photo via AP)

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wave to the crowd in a carriage after their wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Serge Normant, stylist of Meghan Markle's hair for her wedding, speaks during an interview at Kensington Palace in London, Sunday May 20, 2018. The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a global event, thanks to Harry's status as a senior British royal and Markle's celebrity after starring on the U.S. television series "Suits" for seven years. (Hannah McKay/Pool via AP)

Serge Normant, stylist of Meghan Markle's hair for her wedding, speaks during an interview at Kensington Palace in London, Sunday May 20, 2018. The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a global event, thanks to Harry's status as a senior British royal and Markle's celebrity after starring on the U.S. television series "Suits" for seven years. (Hannah McKay/Pool via AP)

Serge Normant, stylist of Meghan Markle's hair for her wedding, speaks during an interview at Kensington Palace in London, Sunday May 20, 2018. The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a global event, thanks to Harry's status as a senior British royal and Markle's celebrity after starring on the U.S. television series "Suits" for seven years. (Hannah McKay/Pool via AP)

A bin lorry makes its way down the Long Walk in Windsor, England as the clean-up continues after the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Sunday May 20, 2018. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP)

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle kiss after their wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Ben Stansall/pool photo via AP)

A photo illustration showing a selection of British Newspaper front pages with pictures from the wedding of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in London, Sunday, May 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

A council worker collecting rubbish in Windsor, England as the clean-up continues after the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Sunday May 20, 2018. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP)
CAIRO (AP) - Sudan has summoned Egypt's ambassador to complain about a TV series that it says portrays Egyptian terrorists living in the neighboring country.

Sudan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement late Saturday that the Ramadan serial, titled "Abu Omar al-Masry," is "insulting to Egyptians living in Sudan" and called on Egypt to "stop attempts at disturbing the interests of the two countries."

Khartoum appears to have been angered by the idea that Egyptian militants would find refuge in Sudan.

Osama bin Laden and other extremists, including many from Egypt, were based in Sudan in the mid-1990s. Cairo accused Sudan of involvement in a 1995 assassination attempt by Egyptian jihadis against Egypt's then-president Hosni Mubarak during a trip to Ethiopia. Sudan denied the allegations, and expelled bin Laden and other militants the following year.

The Foreign Ministry statement on Saturday said "no Egyptian living in Sudan has been involved in terrorist attacks."

ONTV, which aired the serial, denied it depicted Sudan, saying it does not contain "scenes or hints of the Sudanese state or Sudanese people." It also said the series had nothing to do with the policies of the Egyptian state.

Relations with Egypt have been strained over the past year by Khartoum's revival of a longstanding border dispute and its perceived support for Ethiopia, which is building a massive upstream dam on the Nile that Egypt fears will cut into its share of the river.
BEIRUT (AP) - A cease-fire between Syrian government forces and Islamic State militants in the southern neighborhoods of Damascus has held for 24 hours amid reports that some of the fighters were permitted to leave, a Syrian war monitoring group said Sunday.

Syria's official state news agency and government officials denied reaching a deal to allow the militants to evacuate Yarmouk and adjacent areas. State-run al-Ikhbariya TV said government forces plan to drive the militants from their remaining strongholds in the area.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said buses carrying IS fighters left the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk and the adjacent al-Tadamon neighborhood overnight. A video circulating online showed lines of buses waiting in the camp with their engines running. It was not clear who filmed the video or where the busses were set to go.

Damascus residents said the situation was calm, with no warplanes flying overhead Sunday. Al-Watan, a pro-government newspaper, said the militants are believed to have surrendered. The Observatory said IS militants began burning their posts in Yarmouk and adjacent areas. Residents said that smoke was billowing over the area.

Al-Ikhbariya TV said a new plan is underway to storm IS-held areas in Hajar al-Aswad, near Yarmouk. The channel's area correspondent said the coming hours would be "decisive" for restoring government control in Hajar al-Aswad, but didn't mention Yarmouk.

President Bashar Assad's forces launched an offensive against the militants in southern Damascus a month ago. The offensive has brought more than 70 percent of the camp under government control. The capture of these southern neighborhoods would bring the entire capital under government control for the first time since the war began in 2011.

Yarmouk began as a refugee camp for Palestinians who fled or were expelled from what is now Israel during the 1948 war. Before Syria's civil war began, it was a built-up residential area home to tens of thousands of Palestinians and Syrians.

IS has been driven from virtually all the territory it once controlled in Syria and neighboring Iraq, but is still present in remote areas along the border in Deir el-Zour province.

On Sunday, activists reported that the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by artillery from the U.S.-led coalition, have shelled Hajin, the main IS stronghold in the province on the eastern banks of the Euphrates river. In recent days, the SDF and the coalition, in cooperation with Iraqi forces across the border, have stepped up their offensive against the IS in the area, besieging the militants in Hajin and smaller villages around it.
PARIS (AP) - The Cannes Film Festival is about so much more than just movies. It's also one of the biggest celebrity events in the world - pulling in stars ranging from Marion Cotillard to Cate Blanchett, Lupita Nyong'o and Julianne Moore for 12 days of red carpet photo calls. Here are some of the 71st annual festival's most eye-catching looks:

CATE BLANCHETT

Australian actress and campaigner against sexual harassment Cate Blanchett was not only queen of the jury this year, she also reigned across the red carpet wearing a host of top designer gowns.

Jury president Cate Blanchett wears a blue floral gown by Mary Katrantzou at the premiere of "Cold War" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Capping the festival, Blanchett oozed power in an Alexander McQueen tailored coat dress at Saturday's awards ceremony with a giant red silk bow on the back. It was perhaps the best look for the "Lord of the Rings" star who has consistently set the bar high in recent days - including at the premiere of Spike Lee's "BlacKkKlansman" in a Givenchy haute couture black and red bleeding gown.

Another head-turner was showcased at the screening of "Cold War." The actress wore a sublime, blue floral gown that brought well-deserved attention to a lesser-known designer, Mary Katrantzou.

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KRISTEN STEWART

Another of the Cannes jury members, "Twilight" star and Chanel brand ambassador Kristen Stewart often got it right.

At the "BlacKkKlansman" premiere, the 28-year-old sparkled in a beautiful, silver Chanel minidress.

But Stewart won accolades for another kind of fashion statement at that event - by pointedly removed her black Louboutin heels on the red carpet. Cannes' no-flats policy sparked outrage in 2015 when some women were turned away from the screening of "Carol" because they weren't wearing heels. Stewart has spoken out against this in the past.

Fashion-wise, the jury was out, so to speak, in the look Stewart chose to close the festival - a sheer embroidered long gown with a high leg slit up the middle.

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KENDALL JENNER, IRINA SHAYK AND BELLA HADID

Look no further than models-of-the-minute Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Irina Shayk for proof that Cannes is as much about the clothes as the movies.

Shayk, 32, was certainly not sorry for turning heads at the "Sorry Angel" screening in a hot, red Atelier Versace couture dress.

Jenner, 22, stole the show at the "Girls of the Sun" premiere in white tiered tulle gown by Parisian couture house Schiaparelli. She also garnered much attention for a revealing sparkly silver sweater by Nicolas Jebran and classic black pumps at the Cannes' Fashion for Relief event.

Meanwhile, Hadid, 21, sported some of the best looks of the entire festival including a custom Julien Macdonald black embellished crop top at the annual Fashion for Relief event, and a Dior sheer gown at the house's May 12 dinner.

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LUPITA NYONG'O

Another big fashion hitter was Academy Award winner and Cannes veteran Lupita Nyong'o.

The 35-year-old star stunned at the "Sorry Angel" premiere in a dramatic white Dior Haute Couture gown, which featured a striking sheer bodice and trendy feathered maxi skirt, alongside Chopard jewelry.

The diaphanous pink Prada gown with spaghetti straps Nyong'o wore to the Chopard Secret Night Party was named the best look of the festival by some observers.

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JULIANNE MOORE

Julianne Moore had a mixed festival in the style stakes this time around.

The youthful-looking 57-year-old made the right kind of a statement in a bright red caped and feathered Givenchy Haute Couture piece for the "Everybody Knows" premiere, with some comparing it to Lupita Nyong'o's 2014 Golden Globes dress by Ralph Lauren.

But the unfitted black Sonia Rykiel suit she wore to the Chopard Secret Night Party looked square and could have better flattered her petite silhouette.

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HELEN MIRREN

"The Queen" star Helen Mirren also didn't fare so well this year. The 72-year-old turned heads for all the wrong reasons at the premiere of "Girls of the Sun" in a medieval-looking blue velvet Elie Saab gown.

Some observers said it looked more like a costume for a period drama than a red carpet dress.

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NATASHA POLY

Some named Russian model Natasha Poly the worst fashion offender at Cannes.

Poly clashed with the red carpet at the premiere of "BlacKkKlansman" in an acid violet Atelier Versace couture gown with bejeweled bodice.

The diaphanous skirt panels blew up her crotch in the French Riviera breeze and were unflattering, even on Poly's statuesque frame.

Jury member Kristen Stewart wears a silver Chanel minidress at the premiere of "BlacKkKlansman" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Monday, May 14, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Model Kendall Jenner wears a white tiered tulle Schiaparelli gown at the premiere of "Girls of The Sun" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 12, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Model Irina Shayk wears a red Atelier Versace dress at the premiere of "Sorry Angel" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Model Bella Hadid wears a Julien Macdonald gown at the Fashion For Relief 2018 event during the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 13, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Actress Lupita Nyong'o wears a Dior Haute Couture gown at the premiere of "Sorry Angel" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Actress Julianne Moore wears a Givenchy Haute Couture gown at the opening ceremony of the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Actress Helen Mirren wears a blue velvet Elie Saab gown at the premiere of "Girls of The Sun" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 12, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Model Natasha Poly wears an Atelier Versace gown at the premiere of "BlacKkKlansman" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Monday, May 14, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Actress Julianne Moore wears a Givenchy Haute Couture gown at the opening ceremony of the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Winnie Harlow wears a metallic Jean-Louis Sabaji Couture gown at the premiere of "Solo: A Star Wars Story" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Tuesday, May 15, 2018. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Model Elsa Hosk wears a pink Alberta Ferretti gown at the premiere of "Girls of The Sun" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 12, 2018. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Model Elsa Hosk wears a pink Alberta Ferretti gown at the premiere of "Girls of The Sun" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 12, 2018. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Actress Deepika Padukone wears a pink gown by Ashi Studio at the premiere of "Ash Is The Purest White" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 11, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Jury president Cate Blanchett wears a Givenchy haute couture gown at the premiere of "BlacKkKlansman" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Monday, May 14, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Jury member Kristen Stewart wears a silver Chanel minidress at the premiere of "BlacKkKlansman" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Monday, May 14, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Actress Amber Heard wears a floral Valentino gown at the premiere of "Sorry Angel" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wears a Michael Cinco butterfly gown at the premiere of "Girls of The Sun" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 12, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Actress Helen Mirren wears a blue velvet Elie Saab gown at the premiere of "Girls of The Sun" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 12, 2018. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wears a Michael Cinco butterfly gown at the premiere of "Girls of The Sun" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 12, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wears a Michael Cinco butterfly gown at the premiere of "Girls of The Sun" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 12, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Actress Deepika Padukone wears a pink gown by Ashi Studio at the premiere of "Ash Is The Purest White" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 11, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Actress Deepika Padukone wears a pink gown by Ashi Studio at the premiere of "Ash Is The Purest White" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 11, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Actress Lupita Nyong'o wears a Dior Haute Couture gown at the premiere of "Sorry Angel" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Actress Amber Heard wears a floral Valentino gown at the premiere of "Sorry Angel" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Model Bella Hadid wears a Julien Macdonald gown at the Fashion For Relief 2018 event during the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 13, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Actress Amber Heard wears a floral Valentino gown at the premiere of "Sorry Angel" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Actress Lupita Nyong'o wears a Dior Haute Couture gown at the premiere of "Sorry Angel" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wears a Michael Cinco butterfly gown at the premiere of "Girls of The Sun" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 12, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Model Bella Hadid wears a Julien Macdonald gown at the Fashion For Relief 2018 event during the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 13, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Winnie Harlow wears a metallic Jean-Louis Sabaji Couture gown at the premiere of "Solo: A Star Wars Story" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Tuesday, May 15, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)

Cate Blanchett wears a Givenchy haute couture gown at the premiere of "BlacKkKlansman" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Monday, May 14, 2018. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Jury president Cate Blanchett wears a blue floral gown by Mary Katrantzou at the premiere of "Cold War" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Jury president Cate Blanchett wears a blue floral gown by Mary Katrantzou at the premiere of "Cold War" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Model Natasha Poly wears an Atelier Versace gown at the premiere of "BlacKkKlansman" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Monday, May 14, 2018. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Model Irina Shayk wears a red Atelier Versace dress at the premiere of "Sorry Angel" at the 71st international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)
BAGHDAD (AP) - Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose coalition won the largest number of seats in Iraq's parliamentary elections, has sought to reassure Iraqis about their next government, saying it will be "inclusive" and mindful of their needs.

No single bloc won a majority in the May 12 vote, raising the prospect of weeks or even months of negotiations to agree on a government. Major political players began talks soon after the election's partial results were announced last week.

The latest round was held Sunday between al-Sadr and Hadi al-Amiri, the leader of a coalition of Shiite paramilitary forces backed by both the government and neighboring Iran.

In this photo provided by the Iraqi government, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, right, and Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr hold a press conference in the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq, early Sunday, May 20, 2018. Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose coalition won the largest number of seats in Iraq's parliamentary elections, says the next government will be "inclusive." The May 12 vote did not produce a single bloc with a majority, raising the prospect of weeks or even months of negotiations to agree on a government. (Iraqi Government via AP)

Late on Saturday night, he met Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, whose bloc made a surprisingly poor showing in the election, finishing third behind the blocs led by al-Sadr and al-Amiri.

Speaking after his talks with al-Abadi, al-Sadr said the first postelection meeting between the two "sends a clear and comforting message to the Iraqi people: Your government will take care of you and will be inclusive, we will not exclude anyone. We will work toward reform and prosperity."

He did not elaborate, or provide details about what he and al-Abadi discussed.

Al-Sadr told al-Amiri in their meeting that he wanted a government formed quickly to provide Iraqis with services and "express their legitimate aspirations," according to a statement issued by his office.

Al-Amiri, a close ally of Iran, played a key role in the two-year war to liberate Iraqi territory captured by the extremist Islamic State group in 2013 and 2014. His Badr militia is among the better armed and more disciplined paramilitary outfits. Badr was founded in exile in the 1980s during the rule of Saddam Hussein. It fought on Iran's side in a 1980-88 war against Iraq.

Al-Sadr, whose followers fought U.S. forces in Iraq after the 2003 invasion, won 54 of the chamber's 329 seats. Al-Abadi's "Victory" bloc took 42 and the coalition of paramilitary forces came in second with 47 seats.
NEWPORT, Vt. (AP) - A remote Vermont community down on its luck had looked forward in 2012 to a downtown hotel, office and retail space and a research plant that would bring hundreds of jobs. It now sees just a vacant demolished block that some residents refer to as "the hole."

The redevelopment plans fizzled when the men behind them were charged in 2014 with massive fraud.

Six years later, the small city of Newport on the Canadian border, with a population of 4,300, is left with a razed downtown block dotted with holes where building foundations once stood. One business owner called it "little Beirut."

FILE - In this April 18, 2016, file photo, a razed block is viewed in downtown Newport, Vt. Sweeping plans in 2012 for development in the economically depressed area of northern Vermont brought the promise of jobs to a region of high unemployment. But those plans fizzled in a 2014 fraud case when the men behind them, the former owner and the former president of nearby Jay Peak ski resort, were charged with fraud. Newport was left with a razed city block encircled by chain-linked fence in the heart of downtown and some renewed hopes for revitalization in 2018. (AP Photo/Lisa Rathke, File)

But some have renewed hopes for revitalization. The community on the southern tip of the long, narrow Lake Memphremagog that reaches into Quebec is now considering using the lot as a summer arts venue before more permanent plans are made.

"It's environmentally cleared. It's ready to be developed," said Bruce James, head of the state's North Country Chamber of Commerce, based in Newport. "We need to see more people in Newport."

The heart of downtown is a two-block section of mostly older brick buildings surrounded by neighborhoods of homes, some stately and historic. A short walk around the corner is the waterfront with a city dock, boardwalk and large waterfront building used for events along the lake.

The region is still recovering from the fraud case that reverberated around northern Vermont.

Four years ago, the former owner of the popular Jay Peak ski resort - about 20 miles west of Newport - and the resort's then-president were accused of misusing hundreds of millions of dollars raised from foreign investors for various developments in and around Jay Peak. The president had overseen Newport's redevelopment plans. It was a big blow to the town that has long struggled with one of the higher unemployment rates in Vermont.

Ashley Connor grew up in the area and recently returned to nearby Westfield and works at the area hospital. She's pleased the dilapidated Main Street's block that housed a jewelry store, restaurant, bookstore and cafe and apartments, was torn down.

"It was kind of an eyesore. We're happy that's it's gone. But now it's kind of like, all right, we're waiting for something to pop up and make Newport beautiful again," she said. "I mean, Main Street is wonderful, but we need more attraction."

Clothing boutique owner Thomas Perry agrees the city needs more and is a beautiful place with a prime waterfront. He's noticed that more people are getting involved in Newport's revitalization and he expects the efforts will result in more shops and attractions in the city in the next few years.

This past winter, the state held a series of meetings in Newport where residents talked about how to boost tourism and what they want for their city.

Real estate consultant David White, who has been working with the city, describes it as a wonderful community with "good bones" and an "interesting downtown."

"It's got its wonderful attributes of Lake Memphremagog and the whole surrounding area. Jay Peak certainly is important, and so there are a lot of assets there," he said.
MADRID (AP) - Spanish authorities say they have broken up an alleged drug ring that smuggled hashish from Morocco to Europe.

Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido said Sunday that Spanish police arrested 12 alleged smugglers and confiscated nearly 190,000 euros ($224,000.)

Zoido said in a Twitter post: "We have declared war on those who deal drugs."

The arrests mark the second major bust of alleged drug smugglers in the province of Cadiz in southern Spain this month. Two weeks ago, police arrested 14 suspected smugglers and confiscated drugs and boats allegedly used to run stashes across the Strait of Gibraltar.

Spain's Interior Ministry says Cadiz province, which is located 14 kilometers (8.6 miles) from the coast of North Africa, is the entry point for 40 percent of the drugs smuggled into Spain.
DETROIT (AP) - A nearly 80-year-old statue depicting a European settler with a weapon in his hand towering over a Native American that some say celebrates white supremacy has been dismantled by crews in southwestern Michigan's Kalamazoo.

And at the University of Michigan, regents have voted to strip a former school president's name from a campus science building because he lent his scientific expertise to groups that were in favor of selective reproduction, also known as eugenics.

Vestiges of racism and intolerance are slowly being moved and removed in Michigan and other northern states. In some cases, the efforts are being led by students and faculty at prestigious universities, community leaders and elected officials taking harder looks at their history and potentially divisive issues while being spurred by more widespread efforts in the South to erase the nation's slave past.

In a photo from, Friday, April 27, 2018, a statue of former Mayor Orville Hubbard, who spent decades trying to keep the city all white, is displayed in Dearborn, Mich. The statue was socked away for more than a year after leaders decided it didn't belong outside a new City Hall. Vestiges of racism and intolerance are slowly being moved and removed in Michigan and other northern states as calls continue in the South to take down such monuments. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

"I think it's very much in line with the things we're seeing happen across the country," said Josh Hasler, a recent University of Michigan graduate who worked as a student with some faculty members to have Clarence Cook Little's name scraped off the building on the school's Ann Arbor campus.

Little was the school's president from 1925 to 1929. He supported sterilization of what eugenics referred to as the "unfit" and also backed immigration restrictions and laws against the mixing of racial groups, including in marriage. He was scientific director of a tobacco research advisory board in the 1950s and was accused of sowing doubt about smoking and cancer.

The vote to take down Little's name came in March along with one by regents to remove late science professor Alexander Winchell's name from a residence hall wing. Winchell wrote a book that is cited by white supremacist groups.

"No one is trying to erase history," Hasler said. "It goes to show that remembering and commemorating aren't the same thing."

Monuments honoring Confederate soldiers have been targeted for removal from courthouses, statehouses, schools and public parks since the racially motivated killings of nine African-American parishioners in 2015 at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, and after last year's violent protests at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Charlottesville leaders have voted to remove statues of Confederate Gens. Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. Earlier this year, Tulsa Public Schools removed a monument dedicated to Lee and rescinded the school's name.

Meanwhile, the North Carolina Historical Commission is considering a formal request from late last year by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper to move three monuments from the state's Capitol grounds to a historic battlefield site.

But such statues and monuments aren't just being mothballed down South.

Last year, Helena, Montana, removed a memorial to Confederate soldiers that had been in a public park since 1916. And in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, a statue of former Mayor Orville Hubbard - who spent decades trying to keep the city all white - was socked away for more than a year after leaders decided it didn't belong outside a new City Hall. The Hubbard statue now stands beside a small museum.

Kalamazoo's Fountain of the Pioneers is expected to be stored away until officials decide on a new home for the monument. Some residents say the piece is racist toward Native Americans. Others argue that it is art and can teach people about history.

Only time will tell if calls to remove monuments will continue to grow, according to Paul Brest, professor emeritus and former law school dean at Stanford University.

"I think it has more to do with a moment in history when there is a lot of consciousness of people's conduct ... a period where people are socially conscious about this behavior in the past," Brest said. "The Civil War monuments are a particular example of that.

"The things that may seem innocuous today may - 100 years from now - seem like bad deeds. It calls for a degree of caution."

Brest chaired a committee that developed principles and procedures for renaming buildings at the northern California school. The committee was put together after some students and faculty demanded that Junipero Serra's name be removed from campus buildings and signage. Serra was the Roman Catholic founder of nine California missions, and many of the missions were built on land native to the Ohlone Indians.

Stanford says it will consider renaming buildings, streets, monuments, endowed positions and prizes when there is strong evidence that retaining the name is inconsistent with the university's integrity or is harmful to its research and teaching missions and inclusiveness.

Other schools' approaches have varied. Yale University in Connecticut said last year that it would change the name of a residential college that honors John C. Calhoun, a 19th century alumnus and former U.S. vice president, who was an ardent supporter of slavery.

However, Princeton University in New Jersey declined to remove Woodrow Wilson's names from its public policy school following calls from black students that the ex-U.S. president was a segregationist. Wilson also served as Princeton's president from 1902 to 1910.

Despite, the University of Michigan's decision to drop Clarence Cook Little's name from its Ann Arbor campus, the University of Maine has no plans to remove it from a lecture hall. Little was Maine's president from 1922 to 1925.

"You just can't do these ad hoc," Brest said. "It's really important to have some criteria, so when you consider removing a name it's not just a one-off. It's certainly safer to name (a building) after a tree or a flower than a person, but there still may be good reasons for a university to want to name something after a historical person or even a living person."

At the University of Michigan, Little's name has been replaced on the building with the location's address. The Winchell House sign will be taken down over the summer.

The school established a new review process in January 2017 about historical names in and on campus buildings.

School president, Mark Schlissel, has said the review principles include that anyone requesting changes "carry a heavy burden" to justify it.

Schlissel said that in the Little and Winchell cases he believes "that burden has been met."
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Three Iraqi natives and a Syrian woman have been enlisted as guides to share a modern cultural perspective with visitors to new Middle Eastern galleries at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia.

The guides intersperse personal stories with historic content as they lead groups through the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology's new galleries that tell tales going back 10,000 years.

"People really have trouble understanding and connecting with objects from the ancient past," said Ellen M. Owens, Penn Museum's Merle-Smith director of learning programs. "People who come from these places, even in contemporary times, can find a connection with the objects and they provide an interesting window into what it's like to walk through these magnificent ancient ziggurats or visit a marketplace where traditions go back thousands of years."

In this April 26, 2018 photo, Moumena Saradar, left, originally from Syria, guides visitors through the Middle East gallery at Penn Museum, in Philadelphia. The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is in the midst of dramatic renovations, opening new galleries to showcase previously undisplayed items, telling the stories of those artifacts in more relatable ways and adding guides native to the parts of the world being showcased. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)

On a recent tour, guide Abdulhadi Al-Karfawi pointed out cuneiform tablets used for accounting, legal text and, in one case, a school boy's recounting of an argument with his father. Using a blunt reed on a clay tablet, the boy detailed how his father had scolded him, saying "Why are you wasting time? Get to school! Apply yourself at school!"

"I read that and think of my father, who was a tough person who had 15 boys and girls but was on top of everything," said Al-Karfawi, 40, a former translator for the U.S. Army in Baghdad who settled in the U.S. with his wife and children last year. "Today, as a father, I have the same argument with my kid. I never thought it was happening thousands of years ago."

In another part of the galleries, Moumena Saradar, 41, paused in front of bronze and brass balance scales and weights dating back to the 1800s. The scales are similar to the ones used at the market near her home in Damascus. Saradar remembers when, as a teenager, her mother taught her to use the scales so she could double check the weights of the fruits and vegetables she'd purchased from a vendor.

"Because if he cheats her, everyone in the town would know," Saradar said, drawing laughter.

Rusty Baker, executive director of the non-profit advocacy group PA Museums, said programs like the Penn Museum's Global Guides provide visitors with a richer experience and could help grow audiences. At Philadelphia's Eastern State Penitentiary historic site, former prisoners and guards lead tours, he said, while some tribal museums feature Native Americans guides.

"Museums have been looking at demographics and asking, 'Who is not here and how do we do something about that?'" Baker said. "These programs are an opportunity to provide a more authentic experience as opposed to a typical tour with a docent who is knowledgeable and passionate but not culturally connected."

Penn Museum will continue to expand the Global Guides program, Owens said, as it opens two new galleries showcasing Mexico/Central America and Africa in the next year. The museum is working with two organizations that help new immigrants to find trainees.

Part of that training includes discussing provenance and how guides feel about seeing objects from their home countries on display in the U.S. Guides in the current group say they are happy to have pieces of their old homeland in their new one

"Every time I go through the gallery, I feel like this is Iraq," Al-Karfawi said. "My grandma wore a headpiece like (Queen Puabi). . The dishes are so lovely and they remind me of my sister serving food."

Saradar said she saw the exhibit as a way to build cultural understanding.

"This is the best thing I could do, being a messenger for my culture. I wouldn't be able to do that without these objects," she said. "I'm finding connections between your people and my people."

After taking Al-Karfawi's tour, Lalaine Little said she enjoyed hearing his personal story of sleeping on rooftop mattresses with his family during the hottest nights.

"There's something universal about a family camping out, looking at the stars," said Little, director of the Pauly Friedman Art Gallery at Misericordia University. "This experience felt very authentic. Sometimes you go on these tours and there are somewhat canned responses (from guides), but his were very heartfelt. He's not repeating what he learned in training. He's talking about his heritage because he's very proud of it."

In this April 26, 2018 photo, a beer account from Ur, circa 2800 BCE, hangs at the Middle East gallery in the Penn Museum in Philadelphia. The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is in the midst of dramatic renovations, opening new galleries to showcase previously undisplayed items, telling the stories of those artifacts in more relatable ways and adding guides native to the parts of the world being showcased. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)

In this April 26, 2018 photo, Abdulhadi Al-Karfawi guides visitors though the Middle East gallery in the Penn Museum, in Philadelphia. The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is in the midst of dramatic renovations, opening new galleries to showcase previously undisplayed items, telling the stories of those artifacts in more relatable ways and adding guides native to the parts of the world being showcased. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)

In this April 26, 2018 photo, the headdress and jewelry of Queen Puabi dating to some 4,500 years ago, is displayed at the Middle East gallery in the Penn Museum in Philadelphia. The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is in the midst of dramatic renovations, opening new galleries to showcase previously undisplayed items, telling the stories of those artifacts in more relatable ways and adding guides native to the parts of the world being showcased. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)

In this April 26, 2018 photo, a wall panel of glazed terra-cotta, from a Sufi monastery in Iran, circa 1400 to 1520 BCE, hangs in the Middle East Galleries at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia. The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is opening the galleries to showcase hundreds of previously undisplayed items, and is making the artifacts more relatable by adding guides native to those parts of the world. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)
CAMDEN, Mo. (AP) - Authorities allege a Kansas man was intoxicated when the boat he was operating struck a rock bluff on the Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri, killing three friends.

Hayden Frazier, 22, of Overland Park, was released from jail Sunday morning. He was arrested Saturday on three preliminary charges of boating while intoxicated involving a death of another person. It wasn't immediately clear when formal charges will be filed.

The Missouri Highway Patrol on Sunday identified says the three victims who were killed: 23-year-old Joseph LeMark, of Overland Park; 24-year-old Daniel Lewis, of Overland Park; and 21-year-old Hailey Hochanadel, of Olathe.

Authorities say 21-year-old Ashley Lamb, of Olathe, was in serious condition after being flown to a Springfield, Missouri, hospital.

The crash happened before 2 a.m. Saturday, throwing three people into the water, authorities said. All five people involved were friends who graduated from high school in Olathe.

Accident reports say Frazier, Hochanadel and LeMark were ejected into the water in the crash that happened before 2 a.m. Saturday. State Patrol Sgt. Scott White said Frazier climbed back aboard and paddled the 1991 Regal Runabout across the channel to a dock at Simmons Point.

A neighbor called to report the incident.
LONDON (AP) - Tyson Fury will launch his comeback against 39-year-old Albanian Sefer Seferi, his promoter Frank Warren announced Sunday.

The former IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion finally returns to the ring at the Manchester Arena on June 9 after an absence of more than 2 1/2 years, and in Seferi fights an opponent who is a career cruiserweight.

Seferi has lost only once, at heavyweight against Manuel Charr in September 2016, and he has been significantly more active than Fury, fighting four times since Fury defeated Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015.

He represents the type of opponent Fury and his new promoter Warren have targeted since next month's date was confirmed.

Seferi is expected to be durable without posing a significant threat, giving the 29-year-old Fury the chance to shed some of the ring-rust that will have accumulated over the course of their scheduled 10 rounds. He will also be his first opponent since working with new trainer Ben Davison following his split from uncle Peter Fury.

Tyson Fury and Warren plan for him to fight at least twice more before the conclusion of 2018, in an attempt to continue to build the stamina he has worked on since gaining and losing so much weight while he struggled with depression.
A wily 14-year-old boy who posed as a New York City police officer while snatching a legally blind man's wallet in a Manhattan subway station on pretense of helping him was arrested on Sunday.

His mother turned the baby-faced youth in to police nearly a week after authorities said he fled the subway station at 34th Street and Eighth Avenue, near Macy's, leaving his victim behind.

On May 14, police said he approached the 64-year-old man, identifying himself as an officer and offering to lead him through the station and past a turnstile to his train.

A 14-year-old teen was arrested Sunday after pretending to be a police officer so he could rob a legally blind man in the New York City subway

Surveillance video shows the man standing quietly as the teenager unzips his backpack and takes the wallet.

The boy then bolts out with the wallet, which police said contained $85 cash and several credit cards.

One card was charged $500 at a nearby store, police determined during an investigation that is ongoing.

Authorities released the video with the victim's face blurred out and several still images that led to Sunday's arrest.

Police released surveillance camera footage and pictures of the teen who robbed the man

The teen can be seen unzipping the unsuspecting man's backpack and taking items out of it

The teen's own mother turned him into police a week after the robbery occurred

The subway robbery occurred at the subway stop in midtown Manhattan near Macy's

In the video, he is wearing a dark blue shirt, black and white pants, boots and has his own backpack strapped on.

The teenager's name was not released because of his age. The victim was not named either.

The boy faces charges of grand larceny and criminal impersonation of a police officer.

It was not immediately clear if the young suspect had an attorney, or whether he has been arraigned, appearing in court to admit or deny the alleged offense.
CHERRY HILL, N.J. (AP) - The principal of a New Jersey high school has apologized for what he called "insensitive" language on tickets for the upcoming senior prom.

The Courier Post reported the Cherry Hill High School East senior prom tickets urged students to "party like it's 1776" during the event at Philadelphia's National Constitution Center.

Principal Dennis Perry said in a letter to the community posted on his Twitter account Friday that some people were offended, and he wanted to apologize "for the hurt feelings this reference caused for members of our school family."

"It was insensitive and irresponsible not to appreciate that not all communities can celebrate what life was like in 1776," Perry said.

He said he especially wanted to apologize to black students "who I have let down by not initially recognizing the inappropriateness of this wording."

Perry said prom attendees will not be asked to present the tickets and will receive commemorative tickets without the language.

Danny Elmore, vice president of the Cherry Hill African American Civic Association, told the paper that he believed the principal handled the situation well.

But Elmore also called for increased awareness of cultural diversity, noting an uproar last year when the school staged "Ragtime," a musical that included a racial slur.

"Talk about it with people before you take an action and we won't have this happen," Elmore said.

Lloyd Henderson, president of the Camden County NAACP East chapter, also praised the principal's immediate response but called the incident "another example" of a school culture in which "the African American students' needs are not considered along with the rest of the school."

The latest New Jersey School Report Card indicates that black youths represented 6.2 percent of East's student body, compared to 62.2 percent for whites, 22.4 percent for Asians and 5.9 percent share for Hispanics.

In future, Perry said, safeguards would be instituted "to ensure that a diverse group of people view all information before it is distributed from the school."

"I would like to thank members of our school community for their caring and thoughtful conversation while discussing this sensitive issue," he said.

___

Information from: Courier-Post (Cherry Hill, N.J.), http://www.courierpostonline.com/
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) - The Volvo Ocean Race has left Newport, Rhode Island, for Cardiff, Wales, on the ninth leg of its trip around the world.

Seven sailboats headed out on Narragansett Bay on Sunday for the 3,300-nautical mile journey to back Europe, where the race began in October. It is expected to take eight or nine days.

The Spanish MAPFRE and the Chinese Dongfeng boats lead in the overall race standings with three legs remaining. The Atlantic crossing is worth double points.

Held every three years, the Volvo Ocean Race is a nine-month, 45,000-mile race around the world. It began in Alicante, Spain, in October and finishes in The Hague, the Netherlands, next month.

The 13-day stopover in Newport was the only North American port of call in the race.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A North Dakota politician accused in a peeping incident at a college campus announced Sunday he is dropping out of the race for secretary of state.

Will Gardner's withdrawal from the race came two days after the Fargo Forum reported on the 2006 incident in which he was accused of peeping through a window at a North Dakota State University women's dormitory.

"In light of recent events, I have decided to withdraw from the election of secretary of state. This is the best decision for my family and me," Gardner said on his Twitter and Facebook accounts. The 41-year-old Mandan businessman did not immediately return voice or text messages from The Associated Press on Sunday.

Court records show Gardner pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in February 2006 and was given a 30-day suspended jail sentence and fined $225. The Forum reported the charge stemmed from an incident a month earlier in which Gardner, who was 29 at the time, was arrested for allegedly peeping in a women's dorm while working as a webmaster at the university's libraries.

The newspaper reported that responding officers said Gardner's pants were unzipped and the front of his shirt was pulled out.

Gardner won the GOP's endorsement for secretary of state in April over incumbent Al Jaeger, who was the longest-serving Republican official in the North Dakota Capitol.

The 74-year-old Jaeger, a former Fargo real estate salesman, has served more than two decades in the office that is best known for supervising elections. Jaeger was first elected in 1992.

Jaeger told the AP that Gardner called him Sunday "to say he was withdrawing from the race in the interest of his family." Gardner has seven children.

Jaeger said he is still interested in contesting the seat. "Obviously, I had interest in the past and now we have a new development," he said.

He said he would meet with GOP Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem on Monday "to find out what are the options going forward."

Gardner's name will still appear on the June 12 primary ballot. Fargo state Rep. Josh Boschee is the endorsed Democrat for the seat and will also appear on the ballot.

State Republican Party Chairman Rick Berg did not return phone calls on Sunday.

Any candidate may run in either party's primary by collecting petition signatures from at least 300 North Dakota voters. Jaeger elected not to do that and has missed the deadline for doing so.

Jaeger agreed that his options under state law include running as a write-in candidate in June, or as an independent candidate in November if he collects 1,000 petition signatures leading up to that election.
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump is skimming over the facts involving the investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

In a series of tweets Sunday, he repeatedly assails special counsel Robert Mueller's probe as hopelessly biased, insisting that it is effectively controlled by Democrats. He also repeats a claim that his campaign had been cleared of collusion with Russia.

Neither statement holds up to reality.

FILE - In this Wednesday, May 16, 2018, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump waves from the White House, in Washington. In a series of tweets Sunday, May 20, 2018, Trump skims over the facts involving the investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

A look at the questionable statements:

___

TRUMP: "At what point does this soon to be $20,000,000 Witch Hunt, composed of 13 Angry and Heavily Conflicted Democrats and two people who have worked for Obama for 8 years, STOP! They have found no Collussion with Russia, No Obstruction, but they aren't looking at the corruption..."

THE FACTS: Trump's suggestion that Mueller's team is a Democratic cabal is unsupported. Mueller is a Republican and some others on his team owe their jobs largely to Republican presidents. Some have indeed given money to Democratic candidates over the years. Trump makes a false allegation that Mueller worked for President Barack Obama for eight years. Mueller was FBI chief for less than six years under Obama, leaving in September 2013. He was chosen to lead the FBI by Republican President George W. Bush in 2001 and kept on by Obama.

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TRUMP: "The Witch Hunt finds no Collusion with Russia - so now they're looking at the rest of the World. Oh' great!"

THE FACTS: There has been no definitive resolution as to whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia in the 2016 election, with government investigations still continuing. The special counsel's probe into Russian meddling has produced a number of charges and convictions, none to date alleging criminal collusion. It continues to explore whether collusion occurred and whether Trump or others may have obstructed justice.

As for Congress, the GOP-controlled House intelligence committee concluded in March there was no coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia. Its final report came over the objection of committee Democrats, who said the panel had not interviewed enough witnesses or gathered enough evidence to make a definitive assessment.

The Senate intelligence committee is expected to issue a detailed assessment on Russian interference, including the question of collusion, in the coming months.

___

TRUMP: "Now that the Witch Hunt has given up on Russia and is looking at the rest of the World, they should easily be able to take it into the Mid-Term Elections where they can put some hurt on the Republican Party. Don't worry about Dems FISA Abuse, missing Emails or Fraudulent Dossier!"

THE FACTS: Trump insists that the investigations into possible Russian interference - which he often refers to as a "witch hunt" - have given up on Russia, suggesting no meaningful evidence exists that implicates the country in his 2016 win over Democrat Hillary Clinton. In fact, the Senate intelligence committee said last week that it agrees with the U.S. intelligence agencies' assessment that Russia intervened in the presidential election to help Trump. The Senate committee is continuing to investigate whether Russia colluded with the Trump campaign.

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., chairman of the committee, said his staff spent 14 months "reviewing the sources, tradecraft and analytic work" conducted by the intelligence agencies. He said the committee uncovered no reason to dispute the conclusions of the intelligence assessment released in 2017.

___

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Prince Harry and his father, the Prince of Wales made speeches at the lunchtime reception hosted by the Queen for her grandson and his American bride.

Kensington Palace earlier mistakenly said that the bride was also due to address guests at the St Georges Hall event, but later said Meghan would be speaking at the evening reception.

The Queen and other members of the royal family after the wedding (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Harrys best man and brother, the Duke of Cambridge, acted as compere, it said in a statement.

The reception also included the cutting of the lemon and elderflower-flavoured wedding cake.

The wedding cake is to be served at the Reception. It was designed by Claire Ptak and features elderflower syrup made at The Queens residence in Sandringham from the estates own elderflower trees, as well as a light sponge cake uniquely formulated for the couple. #royalwedding pic.twitter.com/kt5lE4tEn9  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018

Details of the menu revealed that guests were due to enjoy both savoury and sweet canapes including Scottish langoustines wrapped in smoked salmon with citrus creme fraiche, croquette of confit Windsor Lamb, roasted vegetables and shallot jam, and champagne and pistachio macaroons.

Rather than a formal sit-down dinner, guests were also served a selection of bowl food including 10-hour slow roasted Windsor pork belly with apple compote and crackling.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have asked that anyone who might wish to mark the #RoyalWedding considers making a donation to charity, rather than sending a wedding gift.



Take a look at the seven charities chosen by Their Royal Highnesses: https://t.co/K9bgolanZ4 pic.twitter.com/yWtujm9V5R  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018

Guests were offered Pol Roger Brut Reserve non vintage Champagne, a selection of wines and a range of soft drinks, including an apple and elderflower mocktail, made with the same elderflower syrup used in the couples wedding cake, and Sandringham Coxs apple juice.

Around 7,500 items of food have been prepared by a team of 25 chefs, led by royal chef Mark Flanagan, the Palace said.

All the ingredients for the reception food have been sourced from Royal Warrant holding companies, the Palace said, using as much UK-based produce as possible.
The Mexican charter company whose 39-year-old plane crashed in Havana had been the subject of two serious complaints about its crews performance over the last decade, according to authorities in Guyana and a retired pilot for Cubas national airline.

Mexicos government said its National Civil Aviation Authority will carry out an operational audit of Damojh airlines to see if its current operating conditions continue meeting regulations and to help collect information for the investigation into Fridays crash in Cuba that left 110 dead.

The plane that crashed, a Boeing 737, was barred from Guyanese airspace last year after authorities discovered that its crew had been allowing dangerous overloading of luggage on flights to Cuba, Guyanese Civil Aviation Director Captain Egbert Field said.

A Cuban flag is seen flying at half-mast near a statue of national hero Jose Marti (Ramon Espinosa/AP)

The plane and crew were being rented from Mexico City-based Damojh by EasySky, a Honduras-based low-cost airline.

Cubas national carrier, Cubana de Aviacion, was also renting the plane and crew in a similar arrangement known as a wet lease before the aircraft veered on takeoff to the eastern Cuban city of Holguin and crashed into a field just after noon on Friday, according to Mexican aviation authorities.

A Damojh employee in Mexico City declined to comment, saying the company would be communicating only through written statements.

Cuban Transport Minister Adel Yzquierdo leaves after speaking to reporters on the island nations worst aviation disaster in three decades (Desmond Boylan/AP)

Mexican authorities said Damojh had permits needed to lease its aircraft and had passed a November 2017 verification of its maintenance programme.

Cuban Transportation Minister Adel Yzquierdo Rodriguez told reporters on Saturday afternoon that Cubana had been renting the plane for less than a month under an arrangement in which the Mexican company was entirely responsible for maintenance of the aircraft.

Armando Daniel Lopez, president of Cubas Institute of Civil Aviation said Cuban authorities had not received any complaints about the plane in that month. He declined to comment further.

Rescue teams search through the wreckage site of a Boeing 737 that plummeted into a field (Ramon Espinosa/AP)

Mr Yzquierdo said it was routine for Cuba to rent planes under a variety of arrangements because of what he described as the countrys inability to purchase its own aircraft due to the US trade embargo on the island.

Cuba has been able to buy planes produced in other countries, including France and Ukraine, but has pulled many from service due to maintenance problems and other issues.

Its normal for us to rent planes, he said. Why? Because its convenient and because of the problem of the blockade that we have. Sometimes we cant buy the planes that we need, and we need to rent them.

He said that with Damojh, the formula here is that they take care of the maintenance of the aircraft. Thats their responsibility.

He said Cuba did not have pilots certified to fly the Boeing, so it had hired the Mexican crew with the expectation that they were fully trained and certified by the proper authorities.

He also said the jets black box voice recorder had been recovered and that Cuban officials had granted a US request for investigators from Boeing to travel to the island.
Two friends on a morning mountain bike ride near Seattle have been attacked by a cougar, killing one of the men and leaving the second in hospital.

The cougar was later found up a tree near the dead mans body, where agents for the states Fish and Wildlife police shot and killed it hours after the Saturday attack, the Seattle Times reported.

The names of neither man were immediately released. The injured man was said to be in a satisfactory condition at a hospital.

Authorities say the cougar initially attacked him before running away. Moments later, it returned with deadly results.

Cougars are also known as pumas or mountain lions (Shepreth Wildlife Park/PA)

He jumped the first victim and attacked him, said Sgt Ryan Abbott, of the King County Sheriffs Office.

The second victim turned and started to run away. The cougar saw that and went after the second victim. The first victim saw his friend being pulled by the cougar. He got on his bike and started to bike away.

The injured man rode for about two miles before getting mobile phone coverage and calling 911.

Sgt Abbott said when rescuers arrived it took them about 30 minutes to locate the second victim, who was dead with the cougar standing on top of him.

The deputies shot at him and spooked him, and he ran off, he said.

It took several hours before authorities found the cougar up a tree 50 to 200 yards away and killed it.

While the cougar was being hunted, rescuers had to wait to retrieve the dead mans body.

Rich Beausoleil, the states bear and cougar specialist, said it was only the second fatality in the state in the last 94 years. But its one too many, he said.

Cougars, also known as mountain lions and pumas, are a protected species, the Times reported. Each year, the state allows 250 cougars to be hunted and killed in 50 designated zones.
Weakening environmental protections after Brexit would damage Britains reputation internationally, the United Nations (UN) has warned.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove must keep his promise to deliver a green exit from the European Union, senior official Erik Solheim urged.

Campaigners warned earlier this month that the environment and countryside will have less protection after Brexit under plans unveiled by the Government.

Michael Gove (Victoria Jones/PA)

We're committed to protecting our oceans & sea life & have already safeguarded 8k sq miles of our coast #BluePlanet2 https://t.co/GffvCoywXV pic.twitter.com/VICNQEpbL9  Defra UK (@DefraGovUK) November 5, 2017

Mr Solheim, executive director of the UNs environment programme, said it was incredibly important that the UK keeps the environmental standards it has had under the European Union.

In an interview with the Observer, he said: Michael Gove promised that would happen  that there would be no reduction of standards of any sort.

He even added that any change would be to better standards. There was a strong commitment to that from the government.

Some of the opponents of the government had doubts about such statements, but that is the stated position from the government and it is a very good one.

Any dilution and the UK reputation would be damaged. People in government need to make sure that does not happen. We need to make sure they have those standards or improve them, or meet the ones under the European Union.

Environmental measures from improving air and water quality to protecting endangered species are currently overseen by the European Commission and underpinned by green principles across the EU, such as the polluter pays.

Mr Gove insisted earlier this month that new legislation would ensure environmental protections are not weakened as Britain quits the EU and a new watchdog will hold Whitehall to account for looking after landscapes and nature.

Campaigners warned that the regulator must have powers to take the Government to court if it fails to deliver on green policies and raised concerns over protections for action on climate change.
The Digital minister has revealed that she has received abuse online and reported it to the police.

Margot James, appearing on Skys Ridge On Sunday, was asked whether she had ever reported online abuse to the police, and told the programme: I have.

It comes as the Government announced new laws will be introduced to tackle the internets wild west to make Britain the safest place in the world to be online.

Margot James (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Many female MPs have reported receiving abuse online, and Ms James was asked about her own experiences.

'It shouldn't be up to the taxpayer to fund removing abusive content from social media' says Digital Minister Margot James pic.twitter.com/GUiLptyLyw  Trevor Phillips on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) May 20, 2018

Ms James told the programmes host Sophy Ridge: I would like to comment just generally though, Sophy, because I conducted a roundtable of women parliamentarians earlier this year and, like you, I was completely horrified by what Ive heard.

Its not just of parliamentarians, its any woman in public life, and some of our famous broadcasters have had the most terrible abuse online which is completely unacceptable  if its not illegal it should be and I think some of it is.

I feel very strongly that it shouldnt be up to the taxpayer to fund all of the mechanisms by which this content is removed which is currently the case, it should be up to the platforms themselves.

There is sufficient artificial intelligence available for them to make a huge impression on this and the fact that most of them dont is highly irresponsible which is why we intend to bring in legislation to control it.

Shadow culture secretary Tom Watson MP said: Its embarrassing that the social media companies dont even take (Culture Secretary) Matt Hancock (seriously enough to show up to meet him.

The data protection bill was the opportunity to get tough on the tech giants and the Government has squandered that.

They voted down Labours proposal for a digital bill of rights that would have given adults and children stronger statutory protections online.
The Duchess of Sussex was a calm and chatty bride, with no signs of nerves on her wedding morning, according to her hair stylist.

Serge Normant said it was dreamy to work with Meghan, creating a bun that was messy in a controlled way.

The pair, who met through friends around a year ago, clicked immediately on the timeless style they wished her to have for her union with the Duke of Sussex on Saturday.

Just hours before she emerged onto the steps of St Georges Chapel to a worldwide audience, Meghan appeared relaxed, Mr Normant said.

She was calm, yeah. Chatty, absolutely. We were definitely having exchanges, yeah for sure, he said.

At the High Altar, The Dean of Windsor greets the congregation and reads the Preface #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/cXQBhL3g0y  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 19, 2018

Mr Normant, 52, who flew from his New York base especially to style Meghans hair, said he had spoken with the newly-married couple after the wedding, describing Meghan as thrilled and Harry as fantastic.

He said: She was thrilled, yeah she was very happy.

On Harry, he added: Hes Prince Harry, hes fantastic. A beautiful couple.

She was very happy. It was a beautiful morning, just the perfect morning to get married.

Asked if there were any signs of nerves, the Paris-born hairdresser said: No I dont think so, she was just very happy, very happy, very excited.

That morning had been just one of those dreamy moments to be quite honest, he said.

Meghans hair was described as a `messy bun (Steve Parsons/PA)

Speaking at Kensington Palace on Sunday, Mr Normant told how he had been inspired by the 1960s and icons such as Audrey Hepburn for the style, which took just an hour to put in place.

He said he would term the style a messy bun, quickly adding it just has to be messy in a controlled way.

The simple, loose do could be fairly easily recreated by anyone keen to get the look, he said.

He advised using some regular, long hair pins, not too much product, and a lot of teasing underneath.

Describing how someone could achieve the style, he said: Blow dry, a few products, I used a little mousse, a little texturising product, just to make it more shiny.

Hair stylist Serge Normant (Hannah McKay/PA)

He added: Its not such a big process, you know its a part in the middle, you want to keep it a little loose. The key is not making it too tight.

He said he wanted Meghan to be able to simply tuck away any flyaway strands throughout the day.

Mr Normant said he was put at ease by Meghans relaxed nature, particularly when handling the Diamond Bandeau tiara, which had been loaned to the bride by the Queen.

He said: You just have to kind of separate the two things because otherwise I would shake. I didnt want to shake with the history in that tiara.

The thing is working with Meghan, she makes everything so light and easy that you dont think about these things in that dramatic way.

He added that he would like to work with Meghan in future, saying: They know where to find me.
Prince Harry has thanked his wifes wedding dress designer for transforming Meghan into an absolutely stunning bride as details of the all-night royal partying emerged.

The touching revelation came as reports revealed guests celebrated the couple tying the knot by downing themed cocktails, eating up-market fast food, watching a spectacular fireworks display and dancing to a celebrity DJ.

Actor Idris Elba tried his hand at DJing during the evening, the Daily Telegraph reported, and there was no first dance tune for the couple, rather the Whitney Houston track I Wanna Dance With Somebody was played, where everybody took to the dance floor.

But the fun did not stop when Frogmore House  the famous royal home loved by Queen Victoria  closed it doors, as some guests are said to have staged an after party at top London hot spot Chiltern Firehouse.

Following the exploits of Saturday night, Harry and Meghan left Windsor Castle during Sunday afternoon after being hosted by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh over their wedding weekend.

British designer Clare Waight Keller, who was spotted arranging the Duchess of Sussexs veil and train just before she processed into St Georges Chapel, said soon after the ceremony Harry rushed up to praise her efforts.

She said: He came straight up to me and he said oh my God, thank you, she looks absolutely stunning.

Clare Waight Keller designed Meghans wedding dress (Hannah McKay/PA)

Asked about the moment Meghan was able to look at herself dressed and ready in the mirror on Saturday morning, Ms Waight Keller said: She was just glowing, adding She was absolutely radiant.

Meghans hair stylist Serge Normant said it was dreamy to work with Meghan, creating a bun that was messy, in a controlled way.

Just hours before she emerged onto the steps of St Georges Chapel to worldwide audience, Meghan appeared relaxed, Mr Normant said.

Hair stylist Serge Normant (Hannah McKay/PA)

She was calm, yeah. Chatty, absolutely. We were definitely having exchanges, yeah for sure, he said.

She was very happy. It was a beautiful morning, just the perfect morning to get married.

Tonight The Prince of Wales is hosting a private reception at Frogmore House to celebrate the marriage of The Duke & Duchess of Sussex. #royalwedding pic.twitter.com/nKTgMkbP9l  The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) May 19, 2018

The Prince of Wales staged the black-tie evening dinner for his son Harry and new daughter-in-law Meghan, who arrived in a environmentally-friendly 1968 Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero that ran on electric power.

Guests dined on posh burgers among other dishes, with candyfloss on offer for those with a sweet tooth  and there was reportedly a cocktail on offer named When Harry Met Meghan, a reference to the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal.

Wedding guest Serena Williams uploaded a number of pictures of herself in her evening dinner dress to her Instagram account and joked about a little trick that ensures she has comfortable feet.

The tennis star, who became close friends with Meghan when the pair met at a celebrity football game back in 2014, wrote: Little known fact: I often wear sneakers under my evening gown.

In a touching symbol of their marriage a special information booklet for the evening event had the initials M&H at the top.

Professional polo player Nacho Figueras, an ambassador for Harrys Sentebale charity, posted an image of the programme on a social media account.

While the 200 dinner guests were enjoying the Saturday celebration at Frogmore House some of the cast of Suits  the hit show Meghan starred in  staged their own event: a karaoke evening.

Rachel Renna, the make-up artist for Meghans fashion stylist Jessica Mulroney, posted a video on the internet of some of the actors crooning to songs.
A man has been injured after being hit by flying lava from a volcano on Hawaiis Big Island.

Kilauea volcano began erupting more than two weeks ago and has burned dozens of homes and forced people to flee.

Plumes of steam have been shot from its summit and forced officials to distribute face masks to protect against ash particles.

The volcano has burned dozens of homes (Jamm Aquino/AP)

Lava flows have grown more vigorous in past days, spattering molten rock that hit the victim in the leg.

Fissure 20 around ~2 PM today; Kilauea Volcano Lower East Rift Zone updates available at https://t.co/myaCFO0BDf pic.twitter.com/E7iVKGwqdW  USGS Volcanoes (@USGSVolcanoes) May 20, 2018

He was outside his home on Saturday in the remote, rural region affected by the volcano when the lava hit him on the shin, and shattered everything from there down on his leg, Janet Snyder, Hawaii County mayors spokeswoman, said.

Lava that is flying through the air from cracks in the Earth can weigh as much as a refrigerator and even small pieces can be lethal, officials said.

The injury came the same day that lava streamed across a highway and flowed into the ocean.

The phenomenon sends hydrochloric acid and steam with glass particles into the air and can lead to lung, eye and skin irritation, another danger for residents as the plume can shift with the wind, the Hawaii County Civil Defence agency said.

Fissure 20 pahoehoe lava flow moves downslope. Update at https://t.co/xanbuP4Za2 pic.twitter.com/7HCLLn2gwV  USGS Volcanoes (@USGSVolcanoes) May 20, 2018

The highway has been closed in some places and residents in the area have been evacuated.

With the problems adding up, scientists cannot say whether lava flows from nearly two dozen fissures will keep advancing or stop.

We have no way of knowing whether this is really the beginning or toward the end of this eruption, said Tom Shea, a volcanologist at the University of Hawaii. Were kind of all right now in this world of uncertainty.

The area affected by lava and ash is small compared with the Big Island, which is about 4,000 square miles. The volcano has spared most of the island and the rest of the Hawaiian chain.

Officials have reminded tourists that flights, including on the Big Island, have not been affected. Even on the Big Island, most tourist activities are available and businesses are open.

As of Saturday, more than 22 fissures from the #Kilauea volcano are active on the Big Island of Hawaii. Four people were airlifted to safety on Friday as a fast-moving lava flow threatened an area in lower Puna. pic.twitter.com/SBobQBomCX  The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) May 20, 2018

Evacuation orders for two neighbourhoods with nearly 2,000 people were given after the first fissure opened on May 3. Officials have been warning neighbouring communities to be prepared to evacuate.

Lava flows have sped up as fresher magma mixes with decades-old magma, creating hotter and more fluid flows, scientists said. Two fissures had merged by Saturday, creating a wide flow moving at up to 300 yards per hour.

Edwin Montoya, who lives with his daughter on her farm near where lava crossed a road and trapped a handful of people on Friday, said the fissure opened and grew quickly.

It was just a little crack in the ground, with a little lava coming out, he said. Now its a big crater that opened up where the small little crack in the ground was.
The worlds two biggest economies have pulled back from the brink of a trade war after making progress in talks aimed at bringing down Americas massive trade deficit with China.

We are putting the trade war on hold, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.

Because of the progress made in negotiations, Mr Mnuchin said the Trump administration has agreed to put on hold punitive tariffs on up to $150 billion on Chinese products. China had promised to retaliate in a move that threatened a tit-for-tat trade war.

White House chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow speaks during a television interview outside the West Wing of the White House, in Washington, Friday, May 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Both Mr Mnuchin and Larry Kudlow, head of the presidents National Economic Council, said that while China did not agree to meet the $200 billion deficit reduction goal that President Donald Trump has discussed, the Chinese agreed to steps that could ultimately mean big cuts in the trade gap between the two nations.

Mr Mnuchin said the actions which China has agreed to take as part of the framework the two countries have reached will result in boosting sales of US farm products to China by 35 to 40% this year.

He said the agreement could result in doubling sales of US energy products, which Mr Mnuchin said could mean an increase in sales by $50 billion to $60 billion over the next three to five years.

Mr Mnuchin said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross would soon be travelling to China to follow up on the discussions held Thursday and Friday in Washington.

On Saturday, the White House issued a joint statement from the worlds two biggest economic powers in which the US and China pledged to take measures to substantially reduce Americas massive trade deficit.

In the statement, Beijing committed to significantly increase its purchases of American goods and services, saying that the increase would meet the growing consumption needs of the Chinese people and the need for high-quality economic development.

The two countries also agreed on meaningful increases of US agriculture and energy exports and greater efforts to increase trade in manufactured goods and services. The US said it would send a team to China to work out the details.

The statement, however, provided no dollar amounts on how much China might boost its purchases of American products. Mr Kudlow said that the $200 billion reduction target interests the president a lot and that both US and Chinese negotiators have used that figure in the discussions as a rough ballpark estimate.

Last year, the US had a record deficit with China in merchandise trade of $375 billion, the largest with any nation.

Trade analysts said it was highly unlikely that China would ever agree to a numerical target for cutting the trade gap, but they said the talks were probably more successful in de-escalating trade tensions.

It is likely that this agreement, weak and vague though it is, will serve as grounds to at least delay the imposition of tariffs, said Eswar Prasad, an economist and trade expert at Cornell University.

The Trump administration seems eager to engineer at minimum a temporary peace with China to ensure a smooth run-up to the Kim-Trump summit in June, Mr Prasad said, referring to the June 12 meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Mr Trump campaigned in 2016 on a pledge to get tough on China and other US trading partners. He views the massive US trade deficit with China as evidence that Beijing is engaged in abusive trading practices and has outmanoeuvered previous US administrations.
A person has been injured after a large wildfire broke out across Arthurs Seat in Edinburgh.

The alarm was raised at around 1.40pm on Sunday that grass had caught alight near the summit of the landmark.

Six appliances and around 30 crew members were called to the scene, with firefighters having to use water backpacks to tackle the flames.

Emergency services were called to the blaze at around 1.40pm on Sunday (Conor Riordan/PA)

Wildfire on Arthur's Seat. Around 30 firefighters at the scene since 1.40pm pic.twitter.com/Pr43ecAYT8  Conor Riordan (@cmriordan) May 20, 2018

Large plumes of smoke could be seen rising above the peak.

One casualty was taken into the care of paramedics with a suspected leg injury.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokesman said: The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 1.40pm on Sunday, May 20 to reports of a large area of grass on fire near Arthurs Seat, Edinburgh.

Operations Control mobilised six fire engines to the scene and firefighters are working to contain and extinguish the flames.

One casualty, suffering from a suspected leg injury, was assisted to a place of safety before they were transferred into the care of paramedics.

Crews currently remain on the scene.

A fire service spokeswoman added crews were likely to remain at the landmark through the night to make sure the blaze does not spread.

The blaze comes after firefighters warned on Saturday for members of the public to beware of such risks.

Chairman of the Scottish Wildfire Forum Bruce Farquharson called for people to heed safety advice and enjoy the weather responsibly.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has visited a Falklands War memorial in Argentine capital Buenos Aires and laid a wreath in honour of the dead on both sides of the conflict.

Mr Johnson was joined by foreign minister Jorge Faurie and defence minister Oscar Aguad to pay their respects at a ceremony at the Monumento a los Caidos en Malvinas  the Monument to the Fallen in the Falklands.

Argentinas chief of the cabinet of ministers Marcos Pena will next month lay a wreath in St Pauls Cathedral in London to reciprocate the gesture.

The move is part of an effort by the UK to reset relations with Argentina after more than a decade in the deep freeze during the presidencies of Nestor Kirchner and Cristina Kirchner, whose bellicose stance on the islands was used to distract attention from the countrys economic woes.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson lays a wreath in honour of those who died on both sides of the 1982 Falkland Islands conflict (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Argentina still claims the disputed archipelago, and some Kirchner-era restrictions on economic activity and transport links remain in place.

But since his election as president in 2015, Mauricio Macri has significantly dialled down the rhetoric.

And gestures of reconciliation have taken place, including UK support for DNA testing on remains in Darwin military cemetery which allowed families of the Argentine dead to visit in the knowledge of their loved ones last resting place.

Britain has made clear that its interest lies in ensuring the islanders rights to self-determination are respected and they are allowed to develop their economy. An additional weekly flight is to be established to link them with the South American mainland.

Mr Johnson hopes that the Falklands issue will not be a bone of contention during his two-day visit, when post-Brexit trade opportunities will be to the fore.

Speaking on arrival in Argentina, Mr Johnson said: The relationship between the UK and Argentina has come a long way over the past few years and this visit will be an opportunity to build on and enhance ever closer co-operation on trade, investment, cultural ties, tackling corruption and organised crime, and increasing links in science and technology.

As the UK leaves the European Union, my message is that the UK is open for business.

I look forward to a new chapter in our relationship, and booming trade prospects, after the UK leaves the European Union.

Engraved on the walls of the monument are the names of the 649 Argentine troops who lost their lives in the 1982 conflict following the invasion of the British territories by the military junta then in power in Buenos Aires.

But Mr Johnsons wreath was dedicated to the dead on both sides.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson talks to Argentine foreign minister Jorge Faurie (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The Prince of Wales has previously laid a wreath during a visit to Buenos Aires in 1999.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Foreign Secretary Johnson said: It is an honour to join foreign minister Faurie today, and to lay a wreath at the Monument to the Fallen, commemorating all those who died in the Falkland Islands conflict.

On Monday, Mr Johnson will attend a meeting of the foreign ministers of the G20 group of economic powers, which is chaired this year by Argentina.

In the first visit by a British Foreign Secretary to Argentina in 22 years, he will hold bilateral meetings with Mr Macri and Mr Faurie.
Ministers have been accused by MPs of risking national security by turning a blind eye to the Russian dirty money flowing through the City of London.

The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee said despite the outcry over the Salisbury nerve agent attack, President Vladimir Putin and his allies were continuing to use the City as a base for their corrupt assets.

In a hard-hitting report, the committee said the Government needed to show stronger political leadership, with further sanctions against Kremlin-connected individuals and action to close loopholes in the existing regime.

Assets stored and laundered in London, it said, were being used to support Mr Putins campaign to subvert the international-rules based order and undermine Western allies and that combating it should be a major UK foreign policy priority.

Despite the attempt assassination of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, using a Novichok nerve agent, blamed by Britain on the Kremlin, the committee said it remained business as usual in the City for wealthy Russian oligarchs.

When they had tried to press Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on what could be done to halt to flow of corrupt money into the UK, the MPs said he had appeared to suggest there was no real role for Government in this process.

Despite the strong rhetoric, President Putin and his allies have been able to continue business as usual by hiding and laundering their corrupt assets in London, the committee said.

A view of Red Square in Moscow, just outside the walls of the Kremlin (Owen Humphreys/PA)

These assets, on which the Kremlin can call at any time, both directly and indirectly support President Putins campaign to subvert the international rules-based system, undermine our allies, and erode the mutually-reinforcing international networks that support UK foreign policy.

This has clear implications for our national security. Turning a blind eye to Londons role in hiding the proceeds of Kremlin-connected corruption risks signalling that the UK is not serious about confronting the full spectrum of President Putins offensive measures.

Boris Johnson appeared to suggest there was `no real role for Government in stopping corrupt money coming to the UK (PA)

The committee called on the Government to work with US and EU allies to identify and sanction individuals and entities used by the Kremlin in carrying out its acts aggression  including disinformation campaigns, the destabilisation of neighbouring states and foreign assassinations.

It also called on ministers to investigate gaps in the sanctions regime which allowed the Russian government and individuals linked to President Putin to continue to raise funds in the City.

It pointed to the way that just two days after Britain announced the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats in response to the Salisbury attack, the Russian government was able to raise four billion dollars (3 billion) in eurobond issuances.

A day earlier the Russian energy giant Gazprom PJSC made a 750 million euro (650 million) bond sale, prompting the Russian embassy in London to tweet derisively: Business as usual?

In November 2017, the oligarch Oleg Deripaska was able to float the EN+ Group on the London Stock Exchange, reportedly raising 1.5 billion, despite his well-known links to the Kremlin and reports that both MI6 and US security officials had raised serious concerns.

Committee chairman Tom Tugendhat said there is no excuse for turning a blind eye to Kremlin funds (Victoria Jones/PA)

Committee chairman Tom Tugendhat said: There is no excuse for the UK to turn a blind eye as President Putins kleptocrats and human rights abusers use money laundered through London to corrupt our friends, weaken our alliances, and erode faith in our institutions.

The UK must be clear that the corruption stemming from the Kremlin is no longer welcome in our markets and we will act.
By Alissa de Carbonnel

TEHRAN, May 19 (Reuters) - The European Union's energy chief sought to reassure Iran on Saturday that the bloc remained committed to salvaging a nuclear deal with Tehran despite U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to exit the accord and reimpose sanctions.

Miguel Arias Canete delivered the message on a visit to Tehran and also said the 28-nation EU, once the biggest importer of Iranian oil, hoped to strengthen trade with Iran.

"We have sent a message to our Iranian friends that as long as they are sticking to the (nuclear) agreement the Europeans will... fulfill their commitment. And they said the same thing on the other side," Arias Canete, European Commissioner for energy and climate, told reporters after talks with Iran's nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi.

Salehi said it would be disastrous if EU efforts fail to preserve the 2015 deal, in which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear work in return for the lifting of most Western sanctions. "The ball is in their (EU leaders) court," Salehi said. "We hope their efforts materialise."

Since Trump's announcement of the U.S. exit on May 8, EU leaders have pledged to try to keep Iran's oil trade and investment flowing but admitted that will not be easy to do so.

Britain, France and Germany back the deal as the best way of stopping Tehran getting nuclear weapons but have called on Iran to limit its regional influence and curb the missile programme.

"The EU's adopted mechanisms ... should be enforced by August 8, when U.S. sanctions begin to take effect," Iranian TV quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, as saying.

A collapse of the accord could tip the balance of power in Iran's faction-ridden political establishment in favour of President Hassan Rouhani's hardline rivals, who have fiercely criticised the president's failure to deliver greater economic prosperity.

"ALL KINDS OF POSSIBILITIES"

Salehi said Iran had several options, including resuming its 20 percent uranium enrichment, if the European countries failed to keep the pact alive. He said the EU had only a few weeks to deliver on their promises.

"If the other side keeps itself committed to its promises we also will. ...We hope the situation will not arise to the point that we will have to go back to the worst option," Salehi told reporters in English.

"There are all kind of possibilities, we can ... start the 20 percent enrichment."

Under the 2015 deal, Iran's level of enrichment must remain at around 3.6 percent. Iran stopped producing 20 percent enriched uranium and gave up the majority of its stockpile as part of the agreement.

Uranium refined to 20 percent fissile purity is well beyond the 5 percent normally required to fuel civilian nuclear power plants, although still well short of the highly enriched, or 80 to 90 percent, purity needed for a nuclear bomb. In their diplomacy with Tehran, EU sources say Iranian government officials have warned they are under pressure from those who say Iran has traded away its nuclear sovereignty without reaping any economic benefits.

Iran has struggled to cash in on the accord, partly because of remaining unilateral U.S. sanctions that have deterred major Western investors from doing business with Tehran.

Rouhani has tried to assure ordinary Iranians, frustrated by high unemployment and stagnant living standards, that Trump's decision would have no impact on Iran's oil-reliant economy.

"Unfortunately because of the negative interferences of the U.S., we were not able to reap the fruits of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Actions) we expected," Salehi said.

"Public opinion is not as supportive as it was before and if the other side does not deliver... we will keep losing the support of our people for the JCPOA."

Iran's clerical rulers fear a revival of January's anti-government protests that underlined the establishment's vulnerability to popular anger fueled by economic hardship. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi in Ankara; Editing by Gareth Jones and Ros Russell)
BRUSSELS, May 19 (Reuters) - The European Commission said on Saturday Greece had reached a deal with its international lenders on a package of reforms.

The Commission said Greece would present the reforms at a meeting of euro zone finance ministers, known as Eurogroup, on May 24 and would implement the reforms ahead of another meeting on June 21, without giving further details.

The country is close to emerging from a sovereign debt crisis that plunged the economy into its biggest depression in decades, threatening to rupture the euro zone. It has received a record 260 billion euros in repeated bailouts since 2010. (Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; Editing by Jon Boyle)
By Ginger Gibson and David Lawder

WASHINGTON, May 19 (Reuters) - China has agreed to significantly increase its purchases of U.S. goods and services, the two countries said on Saturday, but made no mention of a $200 billion target the White House had touted earlier.

Beijing and Washington agreed they would keep talking about measures under which China would import more energy and agricultural commodities from the United States to close the $335 billion annual U.S. goods and services trade deficit with China.

A joint statement issued at the conclusion of intensive trade talks in Washington did not indicate whether the two countries would delay or drop their tariff threats on billions of dollars worth of each country's goods, which has sparked fears of a wider trade war and roiled financial markets.

"There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the United States' trade deficit in goods with China," the joint statement said.

"To meet the growing consumption needs of the Chinese people and the need for high-quality economic development, China will significantly increase purchases of United States goods and services."

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on up to $150 billion on Chinese goods to combat what his administration says is Beijing's misappropriation of U.S. intellectual property through joint venture requirements and other policies that force technology transfers.

Beijing denies such coercion and has threatened equal retaliation, including tariffs on some of its largest U.S. imports - among them aircraft, soybeans and autos.

A report by China's state-run Xinhua news agency described the statement from the two governments as "vowing not to launch a trade war against each other."

While the statement said the two sides would engage at high levels and "seek to resolve their economic and trade concerns in a proactive manner," it made no mention of tariffs.

It said there was consensus between Washington and Beijing on the need to create "favorable conditions to increase trade" in manufactured goods and services. This could be a reference to China's previous pledges to open up more economic sectors to services.

U.S. LNG EXPORTS

The United States will also send a team to China to work out the details of increased agricultural and energy exports, the countries said, without specifying timing.

A senior U.S. official said that during discussions with a member of President Xi Jinping's office, China was considering a package that relied on major purchases of U.S. liquefied natural gas, including a contract for a U.S. firm to build LNG receiving and processing facilities in China.

The package, which also would include new commitments on intellectual property protections, could be agreed by a potential mid-year visit to Washington by China's Vice President Wang Qishan, the official said.

Trump made cutting the U.S. trade deficit with China a promise in his presidential campaign.

During an initial round of talks earlier this month in Beijing, Washington demanded that China reduce its trade surplus by $200 billion - a figure most economists say is impossible to achieve because it would require a massive change in the composition of commerce between the two countries.

As of late Thursday, U.S. officials were still pressing China to agree to that size reduction.

But economists say that level would be extremely difficult to achieve, especially as U.S. tax cuts are spurring demand for more imports. The $200 billion figure is equivalent to about 90 percent of Boeing Co's annual aircraft production and is larger than all of the United States' global annual agricultural and oil exports.

Eswar Prasad, a Cornell University trade professor and former head of the International Monetary Fund's China division, said that Beijing had clearly balked at a specific quantitative commitment.

"It is a very limited and tentative agreement mainly designed to deescalate tensions," Prasad said of the joint statement.

IP VAGUENESS

The statement was vague on the Trump administration's core intellectual property complaints, saying that both countries "attach paramount importance to intellectual property protections ... China will advance relevant amendments to its laws and regulations, including the Patent Law."

There are concerns among some legislators and trade experts that Trump could give priority to a narrower trade deficit over tackling what they say is China's abuse of intellectual property rights. Any deal under which China would import more goods could easily be reversed, economists say.

The statement made no mention of whether there would be a relaxation of paralyzing restrictions on Chinese telecommunications equipment maker ZTE Corp imposed last month by the U.S. Commerce Department.

The action, related to violation of U.S. sanctions on Iran, banned American companies from selling semiconductors and other components to ZTE, causing the Shenzhen-based company to cease operations.

Earlier this week, Trump tweeted that he directed the Commerce Department to put ZTE back in business and said the company's situation was part of an overall trade deal with China. (Reporting by Ginger Gibson; editing by Steve Orlofsky and G Crosse)
President Maithripala Sirisena is seen at a war heroes memorial day observance

he end of the war anniversary this month is once again polarizing the country. The losses are again being counted along ethnic lines, reinforcing notions of war heroes and martyrs. Remembering the war and the dead in this manner is providing few lessons and avenues towards seeking a peaceful and just future.

With the changing political dispensation in the South this year, a new constitution to address the issues that underlie the conflict are no longer in sight. In side stepping the issue of a political settlement, the doors are widening again for majoritarianism and jingoism in the South.

In the North, the Chief Minister and his speech at the remembrance in Mullivaikkal last week have reiterated the problematic discourse of genocide. This narrative of genocide denies the history of ethnic co-existence in this country, including during war-time, and seeks to construct an exclusionary and separatist future.

Among the many issues we should have addressed over the last many years, here I touch on the issue of demilitarization. Indeed, we are yet to have a national debate on the role of the military after the end of the war.

" Sadly, funds and finances are far more willingly allocated for war-making than reintegration

and reconstruction "



Defence expenditure

While any country after a war should downsize its military, demilitarization is much more than that. In any event, reducing military numbers necessarily involves reintegrating the men and women in uniform with opportunities for civilian employment. But such opportunities for employment remain limited. The same goes for ex-combatants, including from the LTTE, who continue to be ostracised from local employment.

The families of the dead and disappeared have lost breadwinners. Their trauma of loss is amplified as many of them struggle to eke out a living. In this context, national efforts to rebuild their economic life, through employment and income generation have been lacking. If one takes the national budget, defence expenditure still tops the list. Why is it that we have not thought about financing programmes with a part of those funds to reintegrate soldiers through education and civilian employment? Meanwhile, not even a minuscule fraction of the Tamil diaspora funding that came during the war has been channelled for post-war development of the North and the East. Sadly, funds and finances are far more willingly allocated for war-making than reintegration

and reconstruction.



Militarised institutions

As we learned all too well during the years after 2009, militarization can take many forms, including the usurping of civilian institutions by the military. The merging of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) with the Defence Ministry characterized the institutionalization of militarized urbanization under the Rajapaksa Government. While the UDA was separated after regime change, military funded farms and pre-schools continue in the North to this day.

The security sector creeping into civilian institutions is not confined to the North. In recent weeks, steps have been taken to expand the role of the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) in the higher education sector. Pushed through or not, these efforts to bring urban, rural and educational institutions under defence are worrying signs of a militarized mind-set.



Occupied land

As in many other parts of the world, militarization in Sri Lanka is very much linked to muscular nationalism. Post-war politics continue in that nationalist vein. There has been little self-criticism and reflection about how nationalist politics polarizes and oppresses, particularly women while claiming to protect them, and pushes generations of youth towards war and destruction. In the post-war years, nationalist mobilizations in tandem with end of war remembrances and opportunistic electioneering, have kept communities insecure.

"Remembering war-time loss and destruction must go hand in hand with calls for material changes; from demilitarizing institutions to setting post-war development priorities and initiatives"



A recent report in The Hindu (18 May 2018) included data on the spread of military occupied lands in the North and the East, and is reproduced here. Much of the discussion on demilitarization, in the North in particular, has been about military occupation. Despite the swathes of land still under the military, significant areas have been released in recent times; including the Myliddy Fisheries Harbour in 2017 and 683 acres in Palaly last month. Furthermore, peoples struggles have been crucial for demanding land releases. Last month, the displaced people of Iranatheevu, an island off Kilinochchi occupied by the Navy for decades, took it upon themselves to return and reclaim their own.

The government needs to release more military occupied land, particularly in Jaffna where land is scarce. In Jaffna, close to 15,000 families, ten percent of the households in the District, are absolutely landless. However, even the release of military occupied lands is unlikely to change their situation. Indeed, these landless families displaced multiple times during the war are the most deprived in northern society, but they do not even qualify for the post-war housing grants by the Government.

The very actors who strongly advocate for the release of military occupied land, rarely talk about landlessness in the post-war North. Ironically, Tamil nationalists raise concerns about the presence of the military but ignore the predicament of the landless and the marginalized, the very people who were cannon fodder during the war. In the South and the North, territorialism and militarism are occupying the minds as well.

Remembering war-time loss and destruction must go hand in hand with calls for material changes; from demilitarizing institutions to setting post-war development priorities and initiatives. However, in these fraught times of nationalist resurgence, we have to emphasize changing the mind-set in the country towards demilitarization.

Tamils in the North remember their lost kin
To change or not to change the constitution does not fall within the ambit of Religion. All Religious dignitaries should be kept away from engaging directly in politics. Lets make Sri Lanka a secular state. If we leave all religions out of our constitution, true Buddhism would flourish again in this thrice-blessed land. Politics and religion should never be allowed to mix, for it will lead to spontaneous combustion. The astute politicians makes maximum use of this situation in order to keep themselves in power.



20th Amendment

A section of Buddhist Monks styled Maha Sangha, recently insisted on the president and prime minister not to move forward the JVP proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution calling for the abolishing of the executive presidency, arguing it was an attempt to divide the nation.

Politicians today are only concerned in holding into positions and power and will forever revere and protect the Bikkhus to show that they are with the Buddhist majority. Should religion be above the law? Buddhist monks will carry on committing all kinds of anti-Buddhist acts under the cover of the saffron robe abusing the influence of Buddhism on the political process of the country. By their actions, they are doing more harm to Buddhism and the nation.

The way Sri Lankan Bhikkhus engage in politics or political process non-Buddhists in other countries are under the impression that Buddha was a politician and Buddhism is nothing but governance.

Today a small section of the Buddhist monks seemed to be betraying the Dhamma as taught by the Enlightened One. Just a few are intelligent enough to comprehend this fact where as a significant majority are silent on the anti-Buddhist behavior by this few monks. It is the foremost duty of the Maha Nayake Theras of the four sectors, if they are unable to discipline the Buddhist monks who breach and disobey the Dhamma values and ethics, at least name them.



No person should be allowed to hold religious, political office at the same time

Religion and government can protect and encourage one another if they travel parallel tracks but not on the same. Religion and state both require to be free and independent in order to thrive. They are most successful and effective when they protect and support one another. Any religion or religion-based Parties that enters politics should lose all state privileges and be treated as a private entity. It should not be the governments business to promote any religion. There is also the practice of making religion compulsory at exams.



Teaching Religion in Schools

The kids should be taught basics of all religions at the primary level, so that they will on their own initiative make a comparative study of religious doctrines or principles without being automatically brainwashed to accept a religion imposed upon them by others. Buddha was specific on this aspect of understanding or comprehending his proclamation. They can learn a religion of parents choice at home or at Daham Pasal. Answering the Kalamas, Buddha emphasized on the importance of not accepting any teaching blindly.

To summarize the engagement: Puzzled Kalamas said to the Blessed One, There are some brahmans who expound and glorify their own doctrinesdoctrines of others they deprecate them, show contempt. Other Brahmans glorify their own doctrines, but doctrines of others, they deprecate them, this leaves us totally uncertain and in doubt: Who is speaking the truth, and who are lying?

Buddha replied, Traditions should not to be followed simply because they are traditions; Reports, historical accounts are not to be accepted simply because the basis seems reliable. Own preferences which seem rational or resonate with ones thoughts not to be accepted view or faith must be tested by putting into practice; and guarded against biases or limitations in ones understanding of results, but further checked against the experiences of wise. Even my own words, you should question and test in an appropriate way. Why not allow the children follow the Buddha word?



Who is a Sinhala Buddhist?

Our religious leaders priority should be to preach Dhamma and guide Buddhists in the right path according to Buddhas teachings.

Buddha used the term Bhikku to call Monks in Suttas. The meaning of Bhikku is one who lived by alms. In Buddhas time 25 centuries ago they had to go to cemeteries to collect cloth used to wrap dead bodies, use saffron to disinfect and dye them before stitching robes by themselves. In todays context one cannot expect the Maha Sangha to practice such austerity. However, what we call Buddhism today is nothing what Gauthama Buddha has preached.

They must not tarnish the real Buddhism by calling themselves Sinhala Buddhists, which is a nonsensical combination of terms. According to Dhamma there is no race, caste or creed. Sinhala-Buddhist is a misnomer. They confuse Buddhism with the Sinhala race, which are two different issues.



Buddhist Council--Dharma Sangayana

Time is ripe to summon Buddhist Council [Dharma Sangayana] to sort out issues mainly concerning discipline among the bikkhus. The Mahanayake Theras are either not worried or that they have no power over the young rebellious monks. This situation cannot be reversed within a short time as it is tied up with politics. During D.S. Senanayakes time, he was able to silence even the Maha Nayaka Theras.

In 1947 December, when DS and Sir Ivor Jennings were drafting the Soulbery Constitution for Independent Ceylon, they decided to drop the article introduced by the Colonial authorities on Foremost Place for Buddhism in 1815 Kandyan Convention. The two prelates of Siyam Maha Nikaya in Kandy threatened to boycott inaugural ceremony scheduled to be held in Kandy in protest. Leader of the House DS summoned the two Nayake Theras to GAs resident to discuss the matter. However, upon the Diyawadene Nilames intervention DS agreed to meet them in the Maligawa instead, where he convinced the two Prelates on the importance of treating all religions and ethnic groups on equal grounds quoting the Buddha word on equality. Being convinced, the Malwatte and Asgiriya Prelates agreed to attend the ceremony. The spineless leaders except for a few who succeeded him gave into every irrelevant demand of the Buddhist monks.

Only a few political leaders had the foresight and the spine to ask the Maha Sangha not to dip into politics; they were DS Senanayake, J R Jayewardene, and to a certain extent Mahinda Rajapaksa. The former two warned that the Maha Sangha should keep away from politics.

DS had the courage to tell the Maha Sangha, where to get off. Mahinda Rajapaksa succeeded in keeping the Mahanayake Theras at abeyance when the Mahanayake Theras quite appropriately, in this instance summoned a Sangha Council in support of Sarath Fonseka during his arrest and jailing. Prompted by MR, the Sangha who belonged to Siyam Chapter from the South threatened to leave the Nikaya en masse in case the Sangha council met.

A few radical monks have distorted the Buddha Dhamma with their hatred towards other ethnic and religious groups, yet the Nayake Theras and the guardians of law, have failed to discipline a few group of Bhikkus who unleash communal violence. The Mahanayakes announced their disagreement on appointing Vesak in April only a week before the appointed day, probably they have been busy meeting politicians, the rogues and those indirectly supporting rogues who come in procession to seek their blessings.

"Only a few political leaders had the foresight and the spine to ask the Maha Sangha not to dip into in politics; they were DS Senanayake, J R Jayewardene, and to a certain extent Mahinda Rajapaksa. The former two warned that the Maha Sangha should keep away from politics"



Governments cooperate in protecting and preserving religious autonomy and in nurturing the role of religions in the social order. Most states guarantee their citizens the right to perform their religious activities according to the order of their own moral principles.

Morality plays a vital role in preserving and promoting good governance. Genuine solution to many of the grave problems facing us are not political, but spiritual. Racism, violence, and hatred are all spiritual problems. Good governance protects all religions; and good religions support good citizenship. Good governance does not promote or favour one religion over another. Similarly, good religious leaders should not take sides with any political party.

Some governments impose a state religion. Religious belief and observance separated, though, it should be protected and defended against maltreatment. Giving one religion special rights that are deprived to others can weaken sacred pluralism. The initial reference here is to Buddhist vision of an ideal state in which members of various ethnic, religious, racial, or social groups uphold and develop their conventional culture within the confines of a general society. The principle preached by the Buddha is not one founded on Political Philosophy. It is not a doctrine that encourages men to worldly delight. It sets out a way to achieve Nibbana or in other words, its final aim is to put an end to desire. If a Buddhist monk is involved in politics, he should not misuse the religion to gain the political powers.

Monk also has to maintain his duty on behalf of the state, nation and religion. They should pay attention critically without engaging in politics completely and to become the counselors of the rulers for good governance. Buddha did not envisage setting up a Buddhist nation in any part of the globe or a Buddhist city, not even within Kimbulwatpura!
Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) to receive six brand new PT-6 Aircraft from the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) for primary training of the SLAF.

Commander of the SLAF Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy signed the acceptance of the aircraft at AVIC Hongdu in Nanchang on May 15.

The SLAF said, the Aircraft, painted in the recently introduced livery of the SLAF, were inspected and flight tested by SLAF Engineers and Pilots and were deemed to be in conformance of the specifications and ready to be inducted into the SLAF fleet.

The aircraft will be utilized at the No1 Flying Training Wing at the SLAF Academy, China Bay for the ab initio training of newly enlisted pilots.

Vice President of the CATIC, Liu Jianhai signed the deal on behalf of M/S CATIC while vice President of AVIC Hongdu, Zheng Tangjie signed as the witness.

The Director Civil Engineering of the SLAF, Air Vice Marshal MRK Samarasinghe, who also joined the Commander on the visit, held discussions with CATIC on the progress of the Aircraft Overhaul Wing Project, which is being progressed in collaboration between SLAF and CATIC.

In 2015, the National Security Council approved the request to purchase the six PT-6 aircraft at a cost of more than USD 5 million.

PT-6 has been widely used by Chinas Air Force and countries such as the United States, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

PT-6 aircraft is a single-engine, tandem seat propeller trainer capable of performing primary flight training.(Darshana Sanjeewa)
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TRIPOLI, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Libya's eastern-based army spokesman said on Saturday that the army would provide safe passage and legal treatment for all "terrorists wishing to surrender in Darna" in eastern Libya.

"Dignity Operations Chamber (of the army) announces that its units provide safe passage and legal treatment for terrorists who want to surrender and choose to spare the city of Darna the scourge of war," Army spokesman Ahmad Mismari said in a statement later on Saturday.

"The Air Force targeted and completely destroyed the operations chamber of the terrorist groups in the city of Darna," Mismari added.

"The military units tasked with clearing Darna from terrorism have not and will not target vital installations," the spokesman said, holding the militants in the city responsible for bombing and booby-trapping vital installations.

Local media published images of a bridge blown up by explosive devices. The army and the militants exchanged accusations of being responsible for the bombing.

The army is launching a military operation to take over Darna from the militants who control the coastal city.

Since 2015, Darna has been besieged by the army, which demands that the Shura Council of the Mujahideen in Darna, a coalition of Islamist militias seeking to implement Sharia law in the city, to leave. The army accused the armed group of being loyal to al-Qaida.

Humanitarian coordinator of the UN Support Mission in Libya Maria Ribeiro on Thursday called on the army to allow humanitarian aid to enter Darna.
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Pokhara, May 20

Naya Shakti Party Nepal coordinator and former Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai says the recent unification between CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre into the Nepal Communist Party is a regressive move and it also suggests dissolution of the Marxist movement in Nepal.

Bhattarai says the two parties merging without detailed discussions on ideologies and adopting the name that their predecessors ditched decades ago symbolically indicates regression in their movement.

In the way the UML had fallen down after giving up substances (of communism), Prachanda (Pushpa Kamal Dahal) pulled the Maoist movement down the same way. Now, the fallen UML and the fallen Maoists have tried to return to the old name they had in late 1940s, Bhattarai tells Onlinekhabar in an interview, Symbolically, this is a regression. I hope the history will accept is as a sad incident.

Likewise, presenting himself as one of the pioneers of Maoist movement in Nepal, Bhattarai says Nepals communist movement needed a transformation, but the two parties led themselves to corruption and ultimate dissolution of the communist movement in the country.

The unification between UML and Maoist Centre is based on lust of power and selfishness. We shall wait and watch how they will move ahead, he concludes, For now, we can do nothing except wishing all the best.
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Newspapers published from Kathmandu on Sunday, Nepali and English alike, have published stories about a host of issues on the front pages today. The unification between two communist parties into Nepal Communist Party has given birth to too many political issues for editors and reporters to write and comment about. They have published reports about management of its leaders, organisational structures at various levels and other dimensions of the context created after the historic merger.

Few other political, economic and sociocultural issues have also been published on the front pages today.

Important

Oli assures closure of Indian Embassy field office in Biratnagar

Lead stories in Kantipur, Nagarik and The Kathmandu Post have quoted Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to say that the government will soon remove the field office of Indian Embassy in Biratnagar of Morang district.

India had established the office in Biratnagar for security check of Nepalis entering India after a flood in Saptakoshi in the monsoon of 2008 created havoc in eastern Nepal. Many political parties and leaders have been demanding the closure of office after the situation has already ended.

To address their demand, the Prime Minister told the Nepal Communist Party lawmakers yesterday that the government would take initiatives to close the office soon. It was established for a specific purpose, it should have been closed after that, Kantipur quotes Oli, Now, it will not exist. It will shut down.

NCP to reorganise sister organisations

The newly unified Nepal Communist Party is planning to dissolve all sister organisations of its former constituentsCPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centreand establish new ones, according to Gorkhapatra. The party is likely to form a task force to suggest changes in sister organisations and new entities will be established accordingly, according to the report.

Many newspapers have reported that the party is preparing to complete the unification process upto the local level within next three months. Rajdhani further informs that the lower level committees will have one chairperson though the central committee has two chairpersonsKP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Meanwhile, Oli and Dahal are mulling over various options for management of its central leaders, according to Annapurna Post lead story.

Ignored

Schools closed as students leave for yarsa collection

Schools in Jumla and East Rukum have been closed after their students went to collect precious yarsagumba in the high hill regions of the district. As the Yarsa collection season has begun, even the guardians, residents, and traders outside the districts have gone to the high hill areas to collect the summer plant and winter animal, according to the anchor story of Nagarik.

The teachers in the district complained that even SEE candidates went to collect yarsa. This has been going on for decades now. Schools are closed for almost two months, adds the report.

Foreign currency reserves depleting

A story published in The Himalayan Times says that the skyrocketing imports have depleted the foreign currency reserves in the country as the remittance has plummeted and foreign fund transfer is low. The reserve till mid-April was sufficient to cover imports for 9.7 months.

However, a strong US dollar in comparison with the Nepali currency and stagnant remittance growth could pose a threat, the report informs quoting executive director of Nepal Rastra Bank, Nara Bahadur Thapa.

Conflict victims disheartened with left unity

Victims of the decade-long armed conflict have been left disheartened after the unification of the CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre. The UML earlier has ensured justice to the war victims as both UML and the Maoists had opposite stances on ways to settle conflict-era cases. After the unification, the victims families are skeptical about getting justice, according to Republica.

Private sector suggests amendments to Nepal-India trade treaty

The private sector has suggested to the government to amend the Nepal-India trade treaty in accordance with the changed context. The businesspersons have suggested that the government make special regulation on the quota system that India has been imposing on Nepals trade system and quarantine test, reports Abhiyan.

Interesting

Nepal connected to region integrated optical fibre network

The anchor story published in Gorkhapatra says that the South Asian countries including Nepal, Bangladesh, India, and Bhutann will soon be linked with the optical fibre network within current fiscal year. According to Finance Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada, all necessary works for the same has been completed and the operation will begin once the Ministry hands over the responsibility to the Nepal Telecom.

Provincial govts preparing for annual budget statements

Naya Patrika reports that the provincial governments across the country have been preparing income-expenditure expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year.

As many as five provinces- 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7have already prepared the detail. Province 1 and Province 3 have estimated the budget of approximately Rs 50 billion, Province 2 Rs 25 billion, Province 6 14.64 billion, and Province 7 Rs 19 billion. Province 5 will be preparing the detail on priority basis. Province 4, however, is still confused about the amount allocation.
Long hours are part of the productivity problem

My regular column is available to subscribers on www.thesundaytimes.co.uk This is an excerpt.

After Ben Broadbent got into hot water a few days ago for his clumsy metaphor, I am determined today not to follow the Bank of England deputy governor and use language that anybody of any sex or age will be offended by. Having said that, I must also comment on what I can only describe as a worrying droop in productivity. Whatever the opposite of a virility symbol is, we appear to have it.

Those who have been following the productivity story will know that it is not been a happy one. I was sceptical about whether an apparent rebound in the second half of last year was another false dawn and rightly so, it turns out. The latest flash estimate from the Office the National Statistics showed a drop of 0.5% in productivity, gross domestic product per hour worked, in the first quarter, leaving it just 1.5% higher than ten years ago in the spring of 2008. In 10 years Britain has achieved less growth in productivity than would have been expected in a normal year in the past.

When I talk to business people about productivity, there is often puzzlement. Most are committed to raising productivity in their organisations, and can point to successes in doing so.

Rarely a day goes by when I do not receive a report pointing to ways of raising productivity. The Federation of Small Businesses says small firms could boost productivity significantly if given help by larger businesses further up the supply chain. A study by Oxford Economics, commissioned by Ricoh, says that 37bn of productivity gains could be unlocked, if we invested in what they describe as the optimal office; a better workplace resulting in greater efficiency.

When it comes to the macro figures for productivity, as opposed to micro solutions, the calculation is a very simple one. You have GDP which, despite its faults, is still the best overall measure of economic activity. And you have the labour input, measured in hours worked, of which more in a moment.

There are many reasons for Britains poor productivity performance. Investment as a share of GDP over the period 1997-2017 was the lowest of 34 advanced economies, including Greece and Italy. Low business investment and inadequate infrastructure are bad for productivity. Levels of skills also compare badly with other countries.

Since the crisis, the normal forces of creative destruction, in which inefficient, low-productivity firms fail and new growth leaders emerge has been thwarted. Too many zombies still roam Britains economy. A service-sector dominated economy is likely to be less productive than one with a larger manufacturing base.

There is, though, another factor and it goes back to the way that productivity is calculated. We can debate whether the numerator, GDP, is under-recorded, particularly in an increasingly digital age. It may be, but probably not by enough to make a serious difference.



The denominator, however, is also of interest. Throughout modern economic history, it appeared to be a certainty that the working week would decline. So, in Britain, the average working week, 60 hours or more in the 1850s, 55 by 1900, less than 50 in the inter-war years and close to 40 in the post-war period, would fall much further. Computers and automation would reduce the need for people to be in the workplace for so long.



This was the context in which Keynes, in his Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren in 1930, speaking out against a bad attack of economic pessimism, wrote of the prospect of 15 hour working weeks becoming the norm.



It has not happened. The average working week for full-time workers in Britain in the first three months of this year was 37.1 hours. Not only is that a lot more than 15 but it has barely declined  by just over an hour  in a quarter of a century. The downward progress of the working week has been halted.

It is easy to observe examples of why this is the case. Longer opening hours in retailing  which may merely have spread the available spend over an extended time period  mean longer working weeks for employees, together with more hours of dead time, long periods when there is nobody in the store and very little productivity is being generated.

Other always on consumer and business-facing sectors, which are expected to provide a round the clock service, are in a similar situation. While some countries have begun to move towards four-day working weeks as the norm, Britain has not. Being present is either required or expected. It is more than 60 years since C. Northcote Parkinson came up with what became known as Parkinsons law, that work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion but it is arguably more accurate now than then.

How unusual is Britain? According to OECD data, hours worked by Britons in 2016, an average of 1,676 hours per person, was barely lower than the 1,700 of the year 2000. Not only did other countries have much larger falls, in the case of Germany by nearly 100 hours, but European countries that outshine Britain on productivity tend to have much shorter working hours.

On the basis of GDP per hour worked, Germany, where workers put in 300 hours less a year than their British counterparts, achieves 34.5% higher productivity. France, where average annual hours worked are 200 less than in Britain, has 28.7% higher GDP per hour worked.

You can also see this very clearly in an alternative measure of productivity, GDP per worker, where the gap closes dramatically. On this basis German productivity is a mere 9.3% higher than in Britain, while France is 13% higher.

The argument is not as perfect as it might be. America works longer hours than Britain, more than 100 extra a year on average, but also has significantly higher productivity, as much as 36% higher, however it is measured. The post-crisis productivity record for Britain on a GDP per worker basis has also been feeble.

But there is something in it. Studies suggest for every extra hour put in after a certain point there is a decline in productivity; diminishing returns. The Parkinsons law point stands. It is quite likely that in many organisations where staff attendance is not essential that working hours could be reduced without any meaningful impact on output. It is not the solution to the productivity crisis but it could be part of the solution.


EIFF Review: Holy Frit

A documentary about stained-glass artists would be interesting on its own, but a few unique twists take Holy Frit from an informative watch to an award-winning spectacle of unexpected characters, unique relationships and an unreal accomplishment redefining this beloved, traditional art form. Most popular in the holy realm, stained glass is a slowly dying craft in contemporary society. Churches are using more backdrops and interior decor to convey the stories of the Bible rather than invest in the ornately delicate and colourful glasswork. But there are still dedicated glass studios around the world and 60 of them applied for a commission to build the worlds largest stained-glass window, including Tim Carey. The L.A.-based artist was working for David Judson, the fifth-generation owner of Judson Studios, and his proposal won the commission despite Carey not actually knowing how to create the window he submitted. Italian glass maestro Narcissus Quagliata invented a technique of fusing glass  frit are the glass pieces used to accomplish this  and it was an essential part of Careys proposal. Now on the clock, 71-year-old Quagliata agrees to help Carey and Judson Studios, but he comes with his own artistic quirks. At one point in the film, Quagliata states, Nobody will be the same after this is over, and the personal shifts are a fascinating study of human nature, especially when overextended and under pressure. Rather than the result, the journey here is the heart of what makes Holy Frit so enjoyable. Holy Frit  selected as Best International Feature (Documentary) by the EIFF jury  closes out the 2021 festival. Director Justin Monroe will be in Edmonton for the Saturday screening with a Q-and-A to follow. jfeniak@postmedia.com Holy Frit 4. 5 stars out of 5
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Written by ACM





*Strasbourg/ENA/Angelo Marcopolo/- Via a Series of Timely Symbols, Both in what he said to accredited Journalists, including "Eurofora", (See Infra), and, mainly, by Choosing to Speak Today in France's most European City: Strasbourg, (Host of CoE, ECHR, and EU Parliament's weekly Plenary Sessions, Shengen and EU Citizens' Defensor/Ombudsman, etc), the Same Day that in Italy was revealed the Final Version of a New Government Plan, with much Debated Key Points on core European Issues, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, invited, in Substance, to be Careful Not to Weaken Europe, but to make necessary Profound Changes to the System, including National, as new French President Emmanuel Macron, is notoriously supporting, mutatis-mutandis, also in this Country, (See further Infra).

-------------------





Already, just one Day Earlier (on May 17), during EU Leaders' Summit in Sofia, various Explicit Comments were reportedly made on the much awaited "Draft" Plan for a New Government in Italy, agreed by the 2 main Anti-Establishment Parties of "5 Stars' Movement" and "Lega", headed by Di Maio and Salvini, respectively.

And, indeed, the full Final Version of that Key Text, Published only Today, on May 18, as "Contract for the Government of Change", containing 30 Main Points, in 57 Pages, (in Advance of its Ultimate Endorsement also by "Lega"s supporters, later during the Week-End), was, Meanwhile, reportedly, Polished up on certain "Hot" Issues, (apparently including some Erased Notes on uroArea, which might have, eventually, given way to MisUnderstandings or MisInterpretations, etc), Resulting in a somewhat "more pro-European" version, according to several informed observers, (including by urging for the creation of a European "Economic Union").

-------------------



Philippe UnExpectedly Delayed his Scheduled Official Venue at the prestigious Senior Officials for Public Administration Education/Training body, Traditionally Named "ENA", (for "National School of Administration", since its Historic Foundation by Italian Family Origin Top French Army Officer and afterwards Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte), Arriving about 45 Minutes (almost 1 Hour) Later than Expected (10h 30 instead of 9h 45), where he was Welcomed by the New ENA Director, Patrick Gerard, (See relevant Photo), While, in the MeanTime, in Rome had Just been Published, for the 1st Time, the full "Final" Version of that Political Agreement for a New Italian Government (Comp. Supra), initially in order to Start the Vote organized for the "5 Stars Movement"'s Members (32% in the Latest Italian Elections of March 2018), Earlier this Morning, at 10 a.m.



- Shortly Afterwards, speaking at a fully Packed huge Amphitheater of ENA, the French Prime Minister announced, with a Smile, his Decision to Drop a Draft Speech prepared by his "Matignon" Office, because it was "too Technical", and, Later-on Criticized those who, All the Time, "at the Morning, Noon or Night", deal only with "Technical" aspects (instead of Focusing on the Substance of what was really at Stake), as he characteristicaly said...



- He even seized an Opportunity given by ENA's new Director, Patrick Gerard, when he observed, from the outset, that Edouard Philippe was Both a Former Student of ENA, (as several other French Top Politicians), and "the 2nd Prime Minister to pay an Official Visit to ENA's Headquarters in Strasbourg, after that of (his Predecessor in 2006) Dominique de Villepin", (See "Eurofora"' co-Founder's relevant Publication then at "TCWeekly", etc), in order to Remind the Fact that, when he had been in Strasbourg as a Student at ENA, he had strived to Convince his Classmates to Adopt (according to a Traditional Custom) as the Top Emblematic Figure for their Group, that of University Professor in History, jailed, tortured ad executed Anti-NAZI Resistant, Marc Bloch, (who represented both an "intellectual" and a "Humanist", as he noted), after whom is also Named Strasbourg's Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, instead of (the famous Controversial Politician in Medieval Italy) ... "Machiavelli" !



- However, it was just "with a Tight Majority" that this Choice of Marc Bloch versus Nicollo Machiavelli was finaly made, then, by his ENA Classmates, Philippe reminded, - perhaps because of a still on-going Controversy about whether Nicollo was, indeed, what is commonly Criticized Nowadays as "Machavellian", (i.e. Cynical, full of Deceipt, even Brutal, etc), mainly Based on his Book "Prince", or, on the Contrary, a ..."Progressive" Avant-Guardist of Democratic "Enlightenment" Century, favored by Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Diderot, etc, (as "Wikipedia" a.o. remind, particularly Based on his following Book : "Discourses" )...

----------------------------------------



-



- At any case, Nowadays, everybody should be Careful, "Not to Take for Granted", Benefits such as "Democracy, Rule of Law, Human Rights, Ethics, Peace, Europe, etc", just since "they are here During a Long period of Time".



- In Fact, we must all "pay Attention, Not to Weaken them", Because, "even what pre-exists, might suddenly Collapse" and "impload, after an External Impact !", sternly but calmly, Philippe Warned.







- Significantly, this point was made just After having Described, earlier, Marc Bloch's own traumatic Experiences during the 1st and 2nd World Wars, the NAZI Occupation, etc (Comp. Supra), that the Historian had Resumed in his "Book : <<Strange Defeat>>", which Denounced the fact that some among "those who Had Governed in the Past", "Beared certain Responsibilities", for what had Happened afterwards, so that this was a kind of "Prepared Defeat", by "the Absence of - and/or Bad- Decisions".



+ Mutatis-Mutandis, it's also true that "the Meaning of the main Decisions" f.ex. of the Present, New French Government, as earlier conceived basically "by President Macron", Elected on Mid-2017, stems from "the Observation" that, in Fact, several things here are "Not Helpful" and "do Not Offer the same Opportunities, as in Other, Comparable Countries", often Because "a System pushed towards Too Many Compromises", the New French Prime Minister criticized.



=> Therefore, "we have to Profoundly Change such a System !", Philippe stressed, as a matter of Principle.



- That's why, the New President of France, Emmanuel Macron, "Proposed to Re-Build anew" the way that the Country was Governed, and Succeeded to "Gather a Majority" of Voters, even well Beyond the Traditional "Left/Right" Borderlines, "in order to Transform" the overall situation, with the "Aim to Review certain Key Issues", (including, f.ex., even the "Education and acquisition of Competences", as here, in the ENA, etc).



- In fact, this is a Long-Term process, whose "Final Effects might Not Yet become fully Visible during this 1st Term of Government" (2017-2022), but is necessary, will advance, and, sooner or later, bring Results, he vowed.



------------------------------------------------



- Citting, Selectively, certain Concrete Examples, Prime Minister Philippe stressed, in particular, the "Need to put in Order the Public (Financial) Accounts", and "Fufill our Commitments", particularly on "Controlling the Public Expenditure", (i.e., as also in several Other EU Member Countries, after the Latest Global Economic/Financial Crisis, including f.ex. Italy, etc).



>>> Because, Otherwise, there is a "Risk to Loose Control", and "Loose a Key Part of our Sovereignity", "as in the case of Greece, which has already Lost a part its own Sovereignity", Philippe Warned.



- But, concerning the core Topical Issue of "Security/Defense", the French Government has allocated "much More Funds in the Budget", since, recent events warned that we must be "Ready" to Face a Dangerous World" nowadays, he pointed out, (after a Series of many Islamist Terrorist Deadly Attacks cowardly Targetting peaceful and innocent Civilian People).

----------------------------------------





+ Moreover, speaking earlier to Journalists, including "Eurofora", the French Prime Minister, (in another, officially UnRelated, but Symbolic Coincidence with well-known Debates about EU Solidarity and/or Cohesion), strongly supported a controversial Measure (Limiting Cars' Speed to prevent accidents), which basically boils down into saying, in substance, that those who Run too Fast, should Contribute Financially to the Care due to eventual Victims, (even if they didn't provoke directly an accident, the point being that overall Fast-Track System as such)...



-------------------



=> In Fact, even withOut citting Explicitly not even once the Name of "Italy", - probably in order to avoid any risk for a Friendly Advice (between Neighbouring Countries, Both Sharing the Common Responsibilities of being among the 4 [soon 3 after the BREXIT] Biggest EU Members, and having a Long History closely often interwoven Together) to be eventually Misunderstood or MisRepresented by some as a so-called "attempt to Interfere", etc, - the French Prime Minister, nevertheless, pursued Consistently, (using a Similar Wording wioth a Strong Joint Symbolism), accross various Other concrete Issues (See Infra + Supra), almost 1 and Same Main Line of Thought :



- "Don't be Afraid to Disobey, in order to Support (necessary) Transformations", But "Transform an Organisation (as, f.ex., a Business, Education, Public Finances, the EU itself, etc) from the Inside", by "Acting inspired by an Ideal of General Interest", Philippe added, Later on, Today Afternoon, at a 2nd Speech to Young Businessmen, at nearby Nancy City, making it Clear that he Made a Reference to New French President Emmanuel MACRON, that "we (the New Government) are trying to Help Change things", as he stressed.



- Reminding anew the relevant History, f.ex. of "that Strong Movement of Ideas", which was the Christian "Social Catholicism", of "Philosophers Marc Sagnier and Emmanuel Mounier" (in France, others in Italy, etc), he referred even to a landmark Speech by "General De Gaulle"' back on 1948, (which, however, had to Wait until ...1967, in order for its Ideas to Start being Realized, as, f.ex., Workers' Part of a Business' Benefits, in Shares, at the Governing Board, etc, where Ameliorations were announced by Philippe), with 1 "Common Point" :



=> "This (f.ex., an Enterprise, a Country, the EU, etc) is Not Only a area for Confrontations", (even if "this doesn't exclude to Support your Rights, ...to make Revendications, to hold "Frank Discussions", to spare or win Money, etc), But also "an area for ... Dialogue, for Innovation,... Challenge and Emulation, Learning and Reflection", even "Experimentation", which is well "Anchored inside a Territory, a Culture, a Natural but also Legal Environment", i.e., "inside an Entity (as the EU too) which gives Rights, but also Obligations",

as Philippe locaciously Added Today Afternoon, at his Subsequent Speech at nearby Nancy, (that the "Matignon"'s Prtess Service kindly send also to "Eurofora" in Strasbourg, where we had to Cover anOther Meeting with the French Minister for Medias and Culture, Francoise Nyssen, held almost at the Same Time, in the HeadQuarters of the Franco-German/European RadioTV "ARTE", just Facing EU Parliament's Building, (See Ministe Nyssen's Topical Reply to an "Eurofora" Question at : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/frenchministerondefiningjournalismbydeontology.html , etc).





--------------------------------------

"Education + Competences"

--------------------------------------------------



Speaking, in fact, Both in Strasbourg, this Morning, and at Nancy, later this Aftertnoon, about Necessary "Transformations" and Changes mainly around (directly or indirectly) "Education and Competences", (as he stressed, at First, inside ENA's Top School for Public Administration's Senior Officers, shortly before Nancy at the National Federation of Young Businessmen), the new French prime Minister underlined the Fact that Human "Competences", that we all "Need in order to Develop our Activities", "Give to Work its Dignity, its Value, and its Meaning", and "it's what Makes us All Usefull inside a (Collective) Team", as he Characteristically said.



-----------------------------

+ In this regard, he also cited (this Morning at ENA), as anOther concret Example of necessary Changes, the well-known Problem of 60% of University Students during the First 2 Years Abandoning their Studies, which obviously results into a big "Waste", as he Denounced. Therefore, that System "must be Modified", f.ex., by Introducing a part of "Orientation" in the Choices made by the Students, (etc), he pointed out.



+ And, in Extension, Philippe also Criticized the Fact that France uses Less "Apprenteeship" than Other Countries, and pointed to the Fact that the New Government's recent Decision to affect about 13 Billions  "to Pay Apprenteeship", in order to "Prepare more Industrial Competitivity" for the Country, as he said.



- Meanwhile, at anOther side of the Wider Area concerning "Education and Competences", (which is, in general, at the Forefront of the New French Government's will to "Review" the current System), ENA's prestigious School for Public Administration's Senior Officials (Comp. Supra) still persists to be very Selective : Thus, in Average, "among about 1.000 Candidates each Year, Only 40 are Accepted" (sic !) as New Students, told "Eurofora" a Teacher of ENA in working on "Admissions".



- In order to Succeed, ENA's Candidates must have a Good Knowledge of Politics, Law and Economy, but also in European/International Issues, as well as Public Finances, even Medias, etc, the Main point being an Overall Capacity, Spreading Wider among All those Areas, Instead of any Specialisation in Only Some Among them, he also told us.



+ However, at the Same Time, it is well known that, an Augmentation of the Number of PhD-Holders in the French Universities, was provoked in France by Decisions taken Previously by "Socialist" Governments, from 1984 and 2000 up to 2016, to Stop the "Classic" Method of a Higher Quality and much Longer Time needing (often at least the Double !) "Doctorat d'Etat" (State Doctoral Thesis), which, among various Advantages, gave also a Right to Immediately postulate for a full-time, permanent Job of University Researcher/Professor, but Impose, instead, a Shorter Time needing, Smaller "PhD" Thesis. This had been allegedly done in order to Rectify some Excessive Time-Consuming "Doctorat d'Etat" cases, (which could extend even at about 15 Years for a Full-Time Student/Researcher, particularly in Human/Social Sciences), and also for the purpose to Provide Well Qualified Officials for Public and/or Private sector Organisations in a High-Level Labour Market. But it Resulted, in fact, to almost the Contrary Excess than that which had existed Previously : I.e. a relative Plethora of New (Shorter than in the Past) PhD Thesis Holders, while, at the same time, ENA appeared to Lack Well-Equiped Specialists in certain Key Areas of Growing Importance Nowadays.



=> Therefore, New French President Macron's Idea was to Create anOther, Special New Way of Access into ENA's prestigious and selective (Comp. Supra) Education/Training outlet for Public Administrations' Senior Officials, particularly made for PhD Thesis Holders (i.e. "Doctors" in Science), mainly (but not only) in certain Natural Sciences/High Tech. Sectors, etc. So, Nowadays, this matter "is still Under Discussion", and Possible Decisions are due to be Officially Announced if and when it would be Definitively Decided and well Crafted, Ready to be used immediately, ENA's well informed Sources told "Eurofora".



By one more Timely Coincidence, it's Also at the Italian "Contract for a Government of Change", agreed by Frontrunner Parties "5 Stars Movement" and "Lega", which was Published Today (Comp. Supra), that is found a Similar Trend, mutatis-mutandis, to Philippe's 2 Key References, made Today Morning and Afternoon, on "Education and Competences", as being of Central Importance to Necessary Changes, (Comp. Supra) :

Indeed, this Key Text for a New Government in Italy, in Addition to a partly Relevant, strong Chapter on "Culture", stresses also the Need to "Review" the overall Policy on "Schools", and dedicates 3 Long Pages for "Universities and (Scientific) Research", at its Conclusion, (significantly placed just After the chapter on "Europe" !), full of several New Plans, (including More Links to the Society, etc), which Culminate in the Decision to "Create a (unified) National Agency for (Scientific) Research".

I.e. almost as France had already done, initially, with its Historic "CNRS", but Strengthened Considerably, Later-on, with the Creation of its "ANR" (also : "National Agency for Research"), more Focused on Funding Innovative Scientific Research/High Tech. in relation also with Other relevant Public and Private Actors, (that former Long-Time French President Jacques Chirac had Decided to Establish on 2005, just After a "Hot" Political Dispute with former UK "Socialist" Prime Minister Tony Blair, which had surfaced Both at a Bilateral Franco-British Meeting in Paris and at the subsequent EU Summit in Brussels, precisely on the foreseeable Future of Europe !



------------------------



+ As for Other "European", and/or Core "Franco-German" aspects of ENA's current Education/Training work, things are Naturally Evolving on an On-Going basis, other ENA's sources also told "Eurofora", (as the Head of Office of ENA's Director, Mrs Berger), including, among various other Activities, f.ex., also : The Further Development of a Franco-German MASTER; a recent Meeting between a Network made of this Special Master's Former Students ; Visits of ENA's Students to the ECB at nearby Frankfurt, followed also by another Visit to Neighbouring Karlsruhe (also Germany), where is located Both the Federal Constitutional Court, as well as another Higher Administration Officials' Training outlet, (etc); shortly Before a forthcoming, mainly Franco-German relevant Conference with the ENA, scheduled in Paris at the Beginning of June 2018, (etc).



- For the Rest, ENA's New Director, Patrick Gerard, (who revealed a Human Personality very close to the "Serious, but also with Sens of Humour" Character that he attribted to Prime Minister Philippe, since he was a Young ENA's Student), speaking briefly to "Eurofora", appeared well Aware of the Fact that his 1st Press Conference to Strasbourg's Press Club, had been, curiously, organized (Not by his own choice, as we learned) precisely the ...Same Day that an important EU Heads of State/Government Summit was held in Brussels, (where "Eurofora" had already been Accredited for a Press Cover on the spot, there), so thet he Kindly accepted to Consider an adequate New Possibiity, in the foreseable Future, for a Better Organized Press Contact, with the participaton of "Eurofora", this time, particularly focusing, f.ex., on ENA's key Activities and/or Plans of European Interest, (which include, inter alia, the Publication of a useful scientific "Review of Public Administration", Franco-German and/or International Cooperation, EU/CoE courses and/or Training, Visits to EU/CoE, various Cooperation Plans, etc).

------------------



- Last, but Not Least, concerning also the French Prime Minister's main Conclusion at his improvised Speech this Morning, for ENA's Students to "Take very Seriously" their "Mission" to "Serve" the State and the General Interest of the Country, preferably by "giving a Priority to Action and Production, instead of just Control and Analysis", as he advised, ENA had Scheduled, for this Same Day, a special Test on "Rule-Making", where the Students of the prestigious School for Senior Officials of Public Administrations were going to Simulate, starting from this Afternoon, the Activities of a Government and a Parliament in Drafting, Debating and Adopting New Laws...



I. e., by just another Coincidence (in a Long Series, Today : Comp. Supra), mutatis-mutandis, almost a Similar Test of Hard but Good and Smart "Policy-Making", that, well Beyond various possible Legitimate Differences of Views, here or there, the rest of Europe obviously Hopes that our Italian Neighbours and Friends will, finally, Succeed to Achieve Efficiently enough, for the General Interest of All Europeans, at this Crucial Juncture for all EU Member States and People.

(../..)





-----------------------

***

(NDLR : "DraftNews", as already send, Earlier, to "Eurofora" Subscribers/Donors. A more accurate, full Final Version, might be published asap)
Hello all!I am from Ireland and my i.e.c expires on the 7th of june and my p.r score will be 444 when the results of my world education equivalency test come back on the 30th of this month.Problem is the next round of invites is usually around the 11th or 9th of june so i will miss it by a few daysSo i was talking to a few of my friends and they said to apply for the b.o.w.p by mail as this takes 4 months to process and in that time i will have implied status and be able to continue at the job ive had for the last 19 months in the rockies.I am also eligible to apply for the young professionals visa and a few of my friends have recommended me to apply for this as well but i am confused as to why i should and not just get implied status and wait for my i.t.a for p.r.One final subject is that i would like to go on holiday with my girlfriend from the 31st of may till the 6th of june as i have not had a vacation in the 2 years ive been here ! and understand that once you get implied status you cannot leave the country.Would this put my implied status in jeopardy ? and should i send my b.o.w.p application when i return on the 6th of june like my friends advise me to do as late as possible or could i send it away before i leave for vacation.I would appreciate any advice you kind folk could throw my way its quite hard to make sense of all this p.r nonsense !
if the united states has fatca, canada has the cra, i dont know what australia or new zealand have but if someone who has an offshore bank account happens to be living in some third world country like venezuela or colombia, what would be the equivalent of fatca but for a third world country then? if someone lives in guatemala or honduras or even chile, what would be the equivalent of those nations assuming that they even have something similar to fatca where the government wants to know about their offshore banking status? does anyone know? can someone please help me.
Drivers who use our county roads and bridges likely do so without giving it any thought. So who is in charge of making sure the countys infrastructure is safe for everyone?

That is where Faribault County engineer Mark Daly and the Public Works Department steps up to the plate. Daly says ensuring the safety of county roads and the 255 bridges within Faribault County is his departments top priority.

Additionally, the public works director explains meeting 10 ton load requirements for roads and bridges is another crucial element in his job description.

Farming is big in this community, and the farmers need 10 ton roads to get their crops to where they need to be sold, Daly says.

With their main office located on 5th and North Walnut Street in Blue Earth, the department consists of 22 employees. In order to ensure the safety of our roads and bridges, Daly and his department keeps track of the condition of the countys infrastructure with the help of analytical data.

With a rating system ranging from 0-100, each bridge and road in the county is given a structural sufficiency score.

Structures with lower scores, such as County Road 4, which has a score of 40, are given priority over structures with higher scores. In his regular visits with the Faribault County Board of Commissioners, Daly says being prepared with analytics allows him to instantly field questions about the condition of any road or bridge.

The goal is to present the information as objectively as possible, Daly says. Whenever they ask me about the roads or bridges, I can tell them exactly what the scores are.

To help determine these structural sufficiency scores, a van from Pathway Services Incorporated is used to calculate the pavement condition, and how well each surface rides. The van is equipped with a total of eight mounted cameras located on the front and back of the vehicle, as well as several sensors which will detect signs of rutting, or a depression in the surface.

While this vehicle is extremely valuable in tabulating the structural sufficiency score of county roads and bridges, Daly also relies on his engineering instincts when formulating a final score.

I physically drive these roads also because I know theres some inherent problems with the van. Once I get the new data, I go out and I review the road to see if I agree with it, Daly explains. I adjust some of these scores to make them more realistic.

So where does the department store all of its heavy duty equipment? The department has a total of four storage sheds, one of those sheds happens to be located near the main office. With several trucks, skid loaders and other machinery, Daly estimates over $2 million worth of equipment is stored at the North Walnut Street site alone.

One of the Public Works Departments most recent challenges occurred during this past extended winter season. With snowfall continuing well into April, Daly reveals that getting a head start on spring and summer road work was a tricky proposition.

Its hard to go out and patch holes in the pavement when its snowing, Daly laughs. But we actually did some patching in between some of those snow storms because we had no other choice. Of course, the danger is that once youve patched the pothole, there is a possibility of scraping it off with one of the snowplows.

When dealing with adverse winter weather, the Public Works Department also must carefully choose when to utilize snow plows on gravel roads. Plowing these roads could result in large gravel deposits ending up in an off-road ditch. Daly admits the decision to snow plow, or not to snow plow a gravel road, can be a tough call for the departments general foreman, Dennis Wick.

Being that the county only has one gravel pit, which is located in Kiester Township, the Public Works Department makes sure to keep close tabs on the valuable natural resource.

Anytime we crush gravel, it costs money. And hauling it after we crush it is a challenge as well, Daly says. Having it in the pit doesnt help us a lot if were graveling roads on the west side of the county. Were trying to save money and be more efficient with everything that we do.

In dealing with the myriad of challenges while fighting the unforgiving Minnesota elements, Daly gains satisfaction in the successful completion of an assignment. He says seeing his construction plans come to fruition is the most rewarding aspect of his job.

Trying out new methods and technologies and having them work is a fun experience, Daly states. We tried micro surfacing for the first time two years ago on County Road 2, and when it worked, I felt like a hero.
It will be two more years before the chance to hear the Watoto Childrens Choir comes to Blue Earth again.

The heavenly intonations of the African worship troup, the Watoto Childrens Choir, will be returning to Blue Earth next week, sponsored by Hope United Methodist Church.

The congregation has hosted the students of the choir twice previously once in 2014, and again in 2016.

This year, the upbeat, inspiring music is set to play at the Blue Earth Area High School Performing Arts Center on Thursday, May 24, at 7 p.m.

What is astounding, besides the incredible, uplifting voices of the children of the Watoto ministerial choir, is the work behind the choir.

According to the Watoto Ministries website, Watotos story begins in 1984 in Uganda, when Gary and Marilyn Skinner came from the US and founded their community-focused church in the city of Kampala.

A country known for its poverty and violence, the Skinner family worked diligently to do what they could to house widows, mothers, children, and families who were suffering at the hands of ruthless wars waged against its own people.

Over the next 10 years, the fellowship would grow to help families and students battling AIDS, being misplaced from homes, and helping with medical needs.

Now, the Watoto community has reached a global scale, and bring the music of their first church in Kampala, Uganda, to all communities who are willing to listen to their messages of hope, community, and togetherness.

The choir, itself, started in 1994 and will arrive in Blue Earth for their third time to bring inspirational and upbeat music for no charge. However, any offerings given to the event will go directly in support of the orphanage ministry in Uganda.

Locally, the popularity of the Watoto Childrens Choir has grown. Their last visit, more than 300 local residents came to admire the colorful clothing, the deeply important attitudes, and beautiful voices of the choir.

Its an opportunity to reach beyond our community and enjoy fellowship on a global scale, says Pastor Russ Jacobsen, of Hope United Methodist Church.
A former federal minister has compared her push to ban live sheep exports to attempts to secure same-sex marriage through parliament.

Liberal MP Sussan Ley will today (Monday) introduce legislation to ban the sheep trade to the Middle East over five years, with a three-month freeze in the meantime over the European summer months (July-September).

"I, in some ways, compare this to the gay marriage debate, where several private member's bills were tabled over the years and they didn't provide the immediate response, but they were all part of building the case," Ms Ley told ABC radio on Monday.

"This has been really a trade marked by disaster-following-debacle and that's gone on for 33 years."

Labor's agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon confirmed the opposition will support the bill.

"A private members bills are not the ideal way to promote legislation, but this is what happens when the government of the day vacates the field of an issue which is so important to the Australian community," he told reporters in Canberra.

He is hopeful, if Labor can restore its numbers to 69 in the lower house following a series of by-elections, and with the support of Liberal MP Sarah Henderson who has broken ranks to second the push, the bill will get 71 votes.

Then, only five more are needed to secure an absolute majority and three of those could be found on the crossbench, Mr Fitzgibbon said.

The Australian Greens also believe there could be the numbers to pass the legislation.

The government has rejected Ms Ley's bill, but will introduce its own this week to slap harsh new penalties on exporters doing the wrong thing, including jail sentences of up to 10 years.

It followed a review into the live sheep trade prompted by footage of sheep dying in their own filth in horrific conditions during Middle East bound voyages.

Ms Henderson said the key issue is the extreme temperature on board the ships headed to the Middle East.

"It's like putting a dog in a car on a hot summer's day, that will lead inevitably to death," she told ABC TV.

She defended the bill as responsible, saying unlike Labor's previous trade bans this will be phased in over time.

Liberal MP Jason Wood also wants to see the trade banned.

Australian Associated Press

The story Labor to back bill to ban live sheep exports first appeared on Farm Online.
FEW growers know HARDIs RUBICON 9000 self-propelled boomsprayer better than Matt Davies, who farms north of Pooncarie on the lower Darling River, New South Wales.

Mr Davies, who just clocked up a full year with his RUBICON, was one of HARDIs first customers following the flagship model release in July 2016.

When we were looking to buy a new sprayer, we were seriously looking at purchasing a rival model, but it just didnt stack up in terms of the specs, Mr Davies said.

We were specifically seeking width, tank capacity and reliability, so when he learnt about the RUBICON 9000, we knew it was right for our requirements.

We have always been HARDI customers and the RUBICON 9000 was just a far better machine.

It ticked all the boxes and HARDI was willing to work with us to spec the sprayer we wanted.

The RUBICON 9000 is the largest self-propelled sprayer on the Australian market.

Its huge capacity  9000 litre spray tank, 1000L fuel tank and 630L rinse tank  is matched in scale by an ultra-wide, front-mounted HARDI aluminium boom, available from 36.5-48.5 metres, (120-160 foot), on-the-go adjustable axles between three and four metres (10-13ft) and a huge under-frame clearance of 1.85m (6ft).

The rear-mounted 276 kilowatt (370 horsepower) Cummins engine has fully integrated electronic controls and supplies the power to a Danfoss four-wheel-drive hydrostatic transmission, which Mr Davies said delivered plenty of power with good fuel efficiency.

The front-mounted HARDI aluminium boom is a bonus in the dry conditions frequently experienced in far western NSW.

We have very dusty country here and having the front-mounted boom is really helping us, he said.

I thought we may have issues with chemicals going onto the machine but we have had no problems whatsoever.

That surprised me.

When conditions are right, its not uncommon for Mr Davies to put in 12-16 hour days, so ride comfort is critical.

HARDIs OverRide suspension, combined with the RUBICONs unique boom ride, ensures optimal operator comfort.

The ride comfort  and the view  is fantastic, he said.

I dont have a sore neck at the end of the day looking forward, thats for sure.

When asked the most important factors a grower needed to make when considering a new machine purchase, Mr Davies nominated reliability and support.

They both have to be right up there, he said.

HARDI has always produced a reliable machine and as far as support with the RUBICON, I could not have wished for better.

They have looked after us.
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One of the designers of the wedding dress worn by Princess Diana reportedly thought newly-married Meghan Markle looked absolutely beautiful in her gown, in a hat tip to the designer who made it.

Elizabeth Emanuel, who co-designed Princess Dianas gown along with her then-husband, David, said the bride's dress for Saturday's nuptials was classical and regal, according to People magazine.

It was absolutely plain and pure and elegant, she told the outlet. Past royal wedding gowns tend to be very classic and very traditional, and this wasnt because it did not have all the lace and all the decoration and anything on it. It was a new kind of look, but still classical and regal.

MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY MARRY AT ST. GEORGES CHAPEL IN FRONT OF A-LIST GUESTS, ROYAL FAMILY

She also said the gown made a really solid fashion statement, according to the outlet.

Markle donned a dress designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy for her royal nuptials with new hubby, Prince Harry, Kensington Palace said. The long-sleeve mermaid gown included a portrait neckline and lengthy train. She paired it with a veil adorned with lace and a tiara, which the Palace said was lent to her by Queen Elizabeth II and once belonged to Queen Mary.

Emanuel told People that she thinks the designer should be pleased with how the dress turned out and that she believes it will be copied because it was so different.

MEGHAN MARKLE STUNS IN CLARE WAIGHT KELLER FOR GIVENCHY AT ROYAL WEDDING

Probably people will [be] thinking about having very long tulle trains as well, Emanuel told the outlet. It is a very soft net  you can get the crunchy net, which is one sort of look, or this very beautiful, almost like a jersey tulle that falls like a drape and it is very pretty.

When stacked against the dresses worn by Princess Diana and Markles new sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, Emanuel told People that she noted some differences.

It was very much of the 80s and would look unusual if it was out there now, she told the outlet of Princess Diana's dress. Whereas I think Kate and Meghans dresses would look perfect anytime.

Fox News' Leora Arnowitz contributed to this report.
Princess Diana's butler Paul Burrell was turned away by security at Saturday's royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, a report stated.

Burrell, 59, was captured looking angry as security guards walked him from St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday. The Daily Express reported witnesses caught Burrell having a heated exchange with security guards at the chapel before he was ushered away.

MEGHAN MARKLE AND PRINCE HARRY: A LOVE STORY

Burrell said in an interview Friday with ITV that Princess Diana's "spirit" was at the chapel on the day of the royal wedding.

Shes [Diana] here with me today in this beautiful sunshine on the Long Walk," Burrell told ITV. Im wearing the links that she gave me  very special links. Im wearing a tie that she gave me to go to Egypt, and of course a white rose, which is symbolic of Diana.

MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY MARRY AT ST. GEORGES CHAPEL IN FRONT OF A-LIST GUESTS, ROYAL FAMILY

Burrell was Diana's butler from 1987 until her death in 1997. He was blacklisted by the royal family following appearances on reality shows and for keeping some of Diana's possessions.

Royal wedding guests inside the chapel included David Beckham, Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney and Elton John. The prince and Markle tied the knot Saturday in a highly anticipated wedding seen by many around the globe.

Fox News' Leora Arnowitz contributed to this report.
Meghan Markle remembered the late Princess Diana on Saturday with her something blue on her wedding day.

The Duchess of Sussex wore an emerald-cut aquamarine ring that belonged to Prince Harrys mother on her right finger as she left Windsor Castle for the evening reception at Frogmore House. Diana often wore the ring before her death in 1997. She was pictured with the jewelry at a gala dinner in Australia in 1996 and at an auction at Christies in 1997, People reported.

The ring also has a matching aquamarine bracelet.

Markle swapped her Givenchy wedding dress for a white Stella McCartney halter neck gown when heading to the evening reception hosted by Prince Charles. Harry, wearing a tightly fitted tuxedo, and Markle arrived at the reception in a 1968 Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero that has since been converted to electric power.

HARRY AND MEGHAN'S BLUE JAGUAR IS A $500,000 GREEN MACHINE

The happy couple, who said I do Saturday morning at St. Georges Chapel, continued to celebrate the day with about 200 friends and family at night.

There were also sweet tributes to Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris, during the wedding ceremony. Markles bouquet included Dianas favorite flowers, Forget-Me-Nots, that were handpicked by Harry before the ceremony. The flower arrangements at St. George's Chapel also included some of Dianas favorite white flowers.

MEGHAN MARKLE 'LOOKED ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL' IN GOWN, PRINCESS DIANA'S DRESS DESIGNER REPORTEDLY SAYS

The royal family thanked fans late Saturday night for watching Harry and Markles wedding.

Thank you to everyone who came to Windsor and those who followed from around the UK, the Commonwealth, and the world today. Congratulations once again to the newly-married Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the royal family tweeted.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Like an old TV soap opera, Special Counsel Robert Muellers Russia probe  which turned a year old last week  keeps expanding into new storylines, generating increasingly complex and surprising plot twists, and bringing in new characters.

Keeping track of the many rapidly changing developments is challenging for the average American and even for someone like me, a former FBI assistant director who served in the bureau for 24 years, including five years under Mueller.

Its understandable that President Trump finds the long and intrusive Mueller investigation objectionable and distracting. But because I know Mueller well, I am sure of one thing: he is conducting a full and fair investigation. The president would be wise to let the Russia probe continue and let Mueller continue to lead it.

Firing Mueller would only worsen the presidents problems, making it look like he has done something wrong and wants to cover it up. It would strengthen the hand of political opponents who want to see him impeached.

On the other hand, former FBI Director James Comey  as Ill explain in greater detail below  should never have been appointed FBI director. President Trump was right to fire him, and criticism of the president for the firing is wrong.

Comey treated Clinton with kid gloves, but went after Donald Trump with a sledgehammer.

One of the latest developments in the complex Mueller investigation involves reports first appearing in the Washington Post and New York Times in the past few days that the FBI used an informant to gather information on the Trump presidential campaign.

President Trump tweeted last week: Wow, word seems to be coming out that the Obama FBI SPIED ON THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN WITH AN EMBEDDED INFORMANT. The president added: If so, this is bigger than Watergate!

In subsequent tweets, the president said that if the FBI or DOJ (Department of Justice) was infiltrating a campaign for the benefit of another campaign, that is a really big deal. He also tweeted that If true - all time biggest political scandal!

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, now serving as an attorney representing the president in the investigation, told Fox & Friends last week that Comey should be prosecuted if the FBI spied on the Trump campaign.

While both Comey and Mueller have been targeted for sharp criticism by the president and his supporters, theres a big difference between the two former FBI directors.

Mueller is an honorable patriot and former Marine officer who has served his country with valor and selfless dedication. Hes not about to compromise his values just to obtain a conviction of anyone under investigation, or to force President Trump from office.

Mueller is playing by the rules zealously, proactively and within the bounds of the law. That's how any investigation should be conducted. In contrast, Comey failed miserably to do his job, broke the rules and made up his own rules during the short time he served as FBI director.

In the more than two years I served as chief of the FBIs Criminal Investigative Division and assistant director under Mueller, I attended over 400 meetings with him in individual and group settings. I never saw a hint of bias, politicization or improper motivation.

Comeys weak investigation of then-Secretary of State Hillary Clintons basement email server and his tepid non-investigation of the Clinton Foundation provide fodder for those of us who believe that the two presidential candidates were handled very differently. Comey treated Clinton with kid gloves, but went after Donald Trump with a sledgehammer.

If Comey had actually conducted a credible investigation of both the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton email server, people would be more understanding of the investigation now being conducted by Mueller. It is the unequal treatment under the law that is the real issue  Trump is getting far closer scrutiny than Clinton ever received.

The starkly contrasting conduct of the investigations of the two candidate and the genesis of the Russia investigation  which was originally opened by Comey  have people rightfully questioning the entire process and Comeys conduct.

The original Russia espionage investigation was opened to determine if Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to undermine our democracy by gathering compromising dirt on both candidates and attempting to manipulate and undermine our election process. In addition, the investigation was begun to examine whether anyone in the Trump presidential campaign aided or cooperated with the Russians.

Even before July 2016, there were legitimate questions about whether Putin actively infiltrated the presidential campaigns to compromise or influence the outcome of our presidential election. These are important questions to answer, and it's high time that Putin and his cronies were unmasked.

The problem is that members of Comey's FBI investigative team  under the close supervision of disgraced characters such as fired Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, Deputy Assistant Director Jim Strozk and FBI Attorney Lisa Page (who was Strozks girlfriend)  apparently used questionable information from a variety of sketchy sources to justify the investigation of the Trump campaign.

Reports that the FBI even planted an undercover informant to spy on the Trump campaign are particularly alarming. No such techniques were utilized to investigate Hillary Clinton, her campaign or the Clinton Foundation.

To make matters worse, Strozk, McCabe and Comey deliberately withheld information from a judge that evidence they used to obtain a surveillance warrant against a Trump campaign adviser originated with a former British spy whose work was funded by the Clinton campaign.

And who can forget the illegal and procedure-busting news conference where Comey stole the ball from Attorney General Loretta Lynch and claimed Hillary Clinton could not be prosecuted for her improper handling of classified emails  despite outlining a strong case for at least gross negligence in her conduct?

In truth, there's no question that Secretary of State Clinton migrated all of her government emails  including classified information  to a private server located in her home. Thats about as secure as putting all of that information on your front doorstep. Unquestionably, she put our national security at risk by violating rules for the handling of classified communications. Yet she was never prosecuted.

In addition, Comey was inexplicably indifferent to the Clinton camps obstruction of the investigation by destroying emails and withholding evidence. And he made many other sloppy mistakes.

At the same time, Comey went full bore on the Russia-Trump campaign collusion investigation, despite many illegal leaks.

The one thing everyone needs to clearly understand is that Putin is a vicious dictator dedicated to destroying our democracy and setting us against each other. Like a good mob boss, he hedged his bets by gathering derogatory information on both presidential candidates during the 2016 campaign.

While I support President Trump, if anyone in his campaign intentionally or carelessly aided and abetted Putin's minions in accomplishing the disruption or manipulation of our elections or attempted to influence our elections, I want to know the truth.

Once and for all, Putin must be unmasked and there must be visible deterrence to him, his operatives and any American from working wittingly or unwittingly to undermine or destabilize our democracy.

Rest assured, Mueller is not going to frame anyone. Any action taken by his office will be based on overwhelming evidence of criminal activity. Mueller does not leak and unlike the grandstanding Comey has characteristically shunned the media.

Mueller values competence, but exerts his will and follows his own counsel in making final decisions after gathering the facts. He will have the last word on any product coming out of his office. This is how he operated for 13 years as FBI director, three of which were overtime years past the statutory 10-year term because Congress overwhelmingly voted to extend his term until he chose to return to the private practice of law.

In the more than two years I served as chief of the FBIs Criminal Investigative Division and assistant director under Mueller, I attended over 400 meetings with him in individual and group settings. I never saw a hint of bias, politicization or improper motivation.

Mueller is a humble, unassuming person who possesses all the best elements of a leader and commander. He earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his heroic service as a Marine in Vietnam, surviving a serious bullet wound.

No one who has served with Mueller in the public or private sector over the last 45 years has anything but praise for his conduct or his integrity. We need to know the truth and Mueller is our best chance to uncover the facts, however inconvenient.
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News stories have warned us of an unprecedented distancing between Israeli and North American Jewry. The recent decision of actress Natalie Portman to turn down the Genesis Prize  an award that celebrates Jewish achievement and contributions to humanity  has only exacerbated these fears.

It seems that each side doesnt fully grasp the difficulties the other is facing, and that theres a substantial disagreement concerning many of Israels policies.

None of Israels decision-makers disputes the fact that the support of Jews living outside Israel is of paramount strategic importance. An Israel absent of global Jewish backing would be weakened and limited, with implications on its economy, security and international status.

World Jewry is a force multiplier, appropriating resources to Israels communities and national tasks and a supporter of Israels interests on an international level, serving as a vital partner in fulfilling the Zionist vision of the Jewish peoples resurrection in its historic homeland.

The concern regarding the strain on the relationship has risen in light of the serious debate regarding Israeli politics and the status and rights of the non-Orthodox Jewish denominations in Israel.

In this digital era that equips everyone with a voice and a stage, an additional parallel reality has been created. This reality is not dependent on a few dozen organizations on opposite sides of the Atlantic concerned with politics and pluralism, but thousands of personal and public forums for young Jews. These forums, available across social media channels, host lively human interaction and constant, rich dialogue.

A Brandeis University study of Birthright Israel alumni revealed that young adult Jews  in particular compared to their parents' generation  are highly connected to Israel and fewer than 10 percent describe themselves as "not all connected."

The communication between the millennial generation doesnt necessarily revolve around disagreements and ideologically charged issues, but on shared diverse interests, personal views and universal concepts.

These relationships, based on daily continuous human interaction, mirror an unrecognized channel of the relations between Israel and world Jewry that could provide a new foundation for its future and anchor them for years to come.

In its 18 years, Birthright Israel  established as a partnership between Jewish philanthropists and the Israeli government  has welcomed over 500,000 young adult Jews from around the world, providing them with free 10-day educational trips to Israel.

Birthright Israel participants have met with about 100,000 young Israelis. These encounters have served as the basis for hundreds of thousands of different personal longstanding connections  the most substantial network of connections in Jewish history.

These young people  representing a variety of opinions, backgrounds and voices  share Facebook groups, visit each other, provide each other with information and help one another promote common interests like career, school and hobbies. They even provide support and encouragement in times of crisis.

Of course, discussions regarding political and religious issues are also parts of these encounters, but they are built on respectful dialogue, not overruling argument, as is often portrayed in the media.

And although for some it has been accepted wisdom that young Jewish millennials are distancing themselves from Israel, there is substantial evidence to the contrary. A Brandeis University study of Birthright Israel alumni revealed that young adult Jews  in particular compared to their parents' generation  are highly connected to Israel and fewer than 10 percent describe themselves as "not all connected."

After their trips to Israel, participants connection to Israel is shown to rise by 40 percent. And over 70 percent express an interest in returning to Israel within five years.

Weve also learned that 72 percent of Birthright Israel participants felt strongly that their interactions with Israelis on the trip made them aware of what they had in common. And 64 percent reported that the trip led to personal connections with Israelis  important because Birthright Israel alumni make up nearly half of American young adult Jews.

This doesnt for one minute lessen the importance of the official channel and institutional connection between communities. It is our duty to constantly work to preserve them. But we also must not overlook the unquestionable parallel and promising reality thats being formed.

It is up to us to promote the human encounter this requires to create a cross-generational, long-term and shared reality for us all.
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China refused Saturday to accept a Trump administration demand that it buy an extra $200 billion in U.S. goods and services each year by 2020, but agreed to significantly increase purchases from America by an unspecified amount. This progress prompted the U.S. to suspend plans to slap billions of dollars in new tariffs on Chinese products, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Fox News Sunday.

We have made very meaningful progress, and we agreed on a framework, Mnuchin said Sunday. Were putting the trade war on hold while additional trade talks move forward.

Mnuchin said that under the framework, China said it would increase purchases from the U.S., lower barriers to U.S. companies selling products in China, and accept new protections for American technology.

Mnuchin was the lead negotiator for the U.S. in two days of trade talks with China held in Washington on Friday and Saturday.

Last month President Trump proposed $50 billion in tariffs on imports from China and asked his trade representative to seek up to an additional $100 billion in tariffs on Chinese products. China responded by saying it would retaliate with $50 billion in tariffs on imports from the U.S.  setting off the prospect of a trade war.

President Trump has complained that the big trade surplus China runs with the U.S.  amounting to $337 billion last year  is the result of unfair tariffs and other barriers Chinese leaders have erected to make it impossible for U.S. products to compete on a level playing field in China.

Communist Party leaders know that their only hope of transforming China into a high-tech manufacturing superpower by 2025 lies in getting their hands on as much Western technology as possible. To this end, China continues to engage in unprecedented levels of cyberespionage.

If China actually carries out its new commitment to cut its trade surplus with the U.S. significantly, that would be welcome news. But wed be wise to wait and see if it translates its words into actions. China has broken promises and cheated on trade deals in the past, and there are many indications it will do so again.

Americans and Chinese negotiators view trade very differently.

U.S. trade negotiators see trade as a friendly contest between competing companies, overseen by national governments that have agreed to rules of fair conduct. Once this level playing field has been established, the government steps back and lets the best companies and products win.

Unfortunately, China has zero interest in free, fair and reciprocal trade. It sees international economic competition as war by other means  and intends to win in any way it can.

President Trumps tough stance on trade brought Chinas top economic official to the White House and set the agenda for the trade talks that concluded Saturday.

But while Chinese Vice Premier Liu He has said his nation will make some unspecified moves to cut its trade surplus with the U.S., he has refused to even consider an end to Chinas high-tech subsidies.

In fact, Liu wants the U.S. to promise not to impose additional restrictions on the transfer of American technology to China. He also wants to end crippling economic sanctions that America has placed on the giant Chinese telecommunications company ZTE.

President Trump tweeted last week  in a move welcomed by China: President Xi of China, and I, are working together to give massive Chinese phone company, ZTE, a way to get back into business, fast. Too many jobs in China lost. Commerce Department has been instructed to get it done!

ZTE has sold telecommunications components to Iran and North Korea, in violation of U.S. economic sanctions on those countries. This prompted the Commerce Department to slap heavy sanctions on the Chinese company in April that forced the company to end its operations in the U.S.

In addition, members of Congress and national security officials in the Trump administration have expressed concerns that ZTE cell phones could be used to spy on Americans and that the company has stolen intellectual property in the U.S. on behalf of the Chinese government.

But despite President Trumps effort to be conciliatory on ZTE and apparent concessions by Chinese trade negotiators, China will go only so far and will never stop subsidizing its high-tech industries that are part of its Made in China 2025 plan.

Getting China to commit to reduce its trade surplus is only half the battle. Chinas predatory investments in American high-tech firms must also be reined in.

The Communist Partys plan, announced in 2015, is designed to enable China to dominate global high-tech manufacturing in 10 tech-related sectors seven years from now. Most of these sectors  such as information technology, robotics, and aircraft  have clear military applications.

Communist Party leaders know that their only hope of transforming China into a high-tech manufacturing superpower by 2025 lies in getting their hands on as much Western technology as possible. To this end, China continues to engage in unprecedented levels of cyberespionage.

In recent years, however, the Chinese regime has increasingly resorted to another tactic as well. It has provided its own high-tech firms with tens of billions of dollars in financing to acquire an interest in, or buy outright, foreign companies with cutting-edge technologies. Once the new Chinese partners are in the door, they promptly steal the foreign companys technology and use it to jumpstart their own.

In 2016 alone, according to the Taiwan-based Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, Chinese firms invested over $26 billion in foreign IT firms. There is little doubt that the information technology and software developed by those firms in years past immediately found its way back to China on flash drives.

The most likely outcome of American demands that Chinas leaders cease subsidizing the poaching of American technology is that they will simply bury the subsidies in other parts of their national budget, the way they hide huge chunks of their spending on defense. Or they may move the subsidies off the books entirely.

Tariffs are another area where progress may amount to little more than lip service. China may well agree to lower tariffs on certain American imports, but secretly erect non-tariff barriers to keep those same imports from gaining more than a toehold in the Chinese market.

There is ample precedent for such sleight of hand. China banned American beef imports in late 2003 after a single case of mad cow disease was reported in the state of Washington  and then used this isolated incident as a pretext to keep the ban in place for the next 14 years.

Chinese officials often commit to make concessions on trade  and then dont. Beijing has been promising since last fall, for example, to reduce its 25 percent tariff on imported cars. American automakers should refrain from celebrating, however, until the reduction actually happens. To date, nine months later, it hasnt.

Our differences with China will never be resolved in negotiations over subsidies and tariffs, or over intellectual property and cybertheft, because the two sides seek fundamentally different outcomes.

Our continued efforts to encourage China to abide by the existing rules-based international trading order only serve to convince Beijing that we are both hopelessly naive and easily deceived.

China has openly flouted the rules of the World Trade Organization for a generation. In fact, by deliberately gaming the system, it has created staggering trade deficits with its chief geostrategic rival  the U.S. How much more evidence of Beijings bad faith do we need?

Fortunately, we now have a president who understands that we are in brutal, no-holds-barred competition for global economic dominance with China. Despite the disappointment of the trade talks ending Saturday, he should stand firm to insist on big reductions in Chinas trade surplus with our country.

President Trump knows that Chinas leaders, who run what is essentially a command economy, can easily orchestrate a dramatic increase in their imports of American products. And they will do exactly that, but only if he makes it clear to them that their continued free access to the largest consumer market in the world depends on it.

At the same time, the U.S. should continue to restrict Chinas access to advanced technology, especially technology with military applications. Chinese investment in America should be closely monitored to prevent the kinds of illicit technology transfers that have occurred in the past.

Getting China to commit to reduce its trade surplus is only half the battle. Chinas predatory investments in American high-tech firms must also be reined in.

Ultimately, the U.S. will want to impose the same restrictions on technology transfers to China that we imposed on the Soviet Union  and for the same reason.
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This past Monday, the United States at long last opened its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem, Israels capital. The opening occurred 70 years to the day that Harry Truman led the United States to be the first nation to recognize Israel as a sovereign nation. The event, authorized and directed by President Trump, was a moving tribute to the enduring and unique friendship between our nation and the State of Israel.

Moving our embassy, however, was not just an act of friendship. It was an act that Congress had endorsed. In 1995, both houses of Congress overwhelming passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act urging exactly this action. As recently as last year, the United States Senate re-affirmed the Jerusalem Embassy Act by a vote of 90-0. While past government leaders have argued, from time to time, that the embassy should only move as part of a peace deal with the Palestinians, Congress said no such thing.

Past Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama all campaigned on the pledge that Jerusalem must always be the capital of Israel. Clinton and Bush also promised to move our embassy to Jerusalem. None of them honored their word. President Trump made a similar promise, but, in contrast to his predecessors, he kept it.

The opening ceremony was a beautiful and uplifting event attended by hundreds and watched by millions. As the ceremony proceeded, there were a few sporadic, peaceful protests from among the hundreds of thousands of Arabs living in Jerusalem. The West Bank remained calm.

The apparent success of the embassys opening ceremony enraged the liberal media. Could this be yet another diplomatic triumph by President Trump? The prospect was unbearable.

Hamas to the rescue. These thugs, acknowledged nearly universally as a terrorist organization, had been rioting in Gaza over the past six weeks for purported reasons not connected to the embassy move. They were more than willing to provide the media with a dark side to an otherwise uplifting story.

No nation in the world allows foreigners to storm its border. Period. When the declared intention of the aggressors is to kill that nations citizens, it is laughable to even suggest that a forceful response would not ensue.

For weeks, Hamas had been pursuing a direct and unambiguous operation against Israel: On Fridays, after stirring up emotions at weekly prayers, it incited waves of Gaza residents to violently storm the border with Israel, hoping to break through and kill Israeli citizens and kidnap Israeli soldiers. In addition, given the likelihood that these malign efforts would fail, Hamas also created kite bombs painted with swastikas that it launched in Israels direction when the winds were favorable.

No nation in the world allows foreigners to storm its border. Period. When the declared intention of the aggressors is to kill that nations citizens, it is laughable to even suggest that a forceful response would not ensue.

Regrettably, Hamas convinced impressionable young adults that the border had been breached and directed them to run all the way to Jerusalem and murder their enemies. Thousands unfortunately took up the call and entered harms way.

Some 60 Gazans, the overwhelming majority of whom were known Hamas terrorists, lost their lives because Hamas turned them into a collective suicide bomb. They were neither heroes nor the peaceful protesters they were advertised to be.

At least not before the liberal media entered the scene. Desperate for a narrative to discredit the presidents decision to move our embassy to Jerusalem, they broadcast the opening ceremony on a split screen simultaneously displaying the Gaza riots, and condemned the insensitivity of the ceremonys participants to the carnage that seemed next door on TV but which in actuality was occurring 60 miles away!

The next day, the liberal media vilified everyone associated with the embassy move and glorified the poor Hamas terrorists. Failed diplomats who never brought peace or stability to the region were pulled out of mothballs to regurgitate their calcified thinking. And the most deranged even accused the administration of having blood on its hands. Tellingly, not a single pundit offered a less-lethal alternative to protecting Israel from being overrun by killers or its soldiers from being within range of pistols, IEDs or Molotov cocktails.

Let there be no mistake. Every life is equally precious, whether Jewish, Palestinian or other. But no nation should ever be called upon to sacrifice its own citizens to preserve the lives of aggressive infiltrators intent on murder and mayhem.

Ironically, Hamas had recently woken up to the fact that most responsible journalists were on to its game and Hamas was considering ending its suicidal assaults on the Israeli border. But seeing the opportunity to curry the front page or the A Block from reporters willing to shed a negative light on our president, Hamas enthusiastically launched its youth back into the fire. So who really has blood on their hands?
With her vote last week against President Donald Trumps choice for CIA director, U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill  a Missouri Democrat seeking re-election  has put partisan politics over national security, a Senate colleague charged Saturday.

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, which borders Missouri, made the assertion after McCaskill joined 44 other Democrats in rejecting Trumps choice of Gina Haspel to be the nations first female director of the CIA.

Later, McCaskill defended her no vote against Haspel, but declined to elaborate, saying the reasons for her vote were classified.

Haspels nomination succeeded Thursday, however, as 54 senators, including six Democrats, supported her appointment.

Still, Cotton took issue with McCaskill, saying she values obstructionist politics over keeping this country safe, the Washington Free Beacon reported.

"McCaskill proved once again that she is so liberal, and so reflexively opposed to the president that she cannot represent Missourans in the Senate."  U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.

"McCaskill proved once again that she is so liberal, and so reflexively opposed to the president that she cannot represent Missourans in the Senate," Cotton told reporters during a conference call organized by Republican Josh Hawley's bid to unseat McCaskill, the Free Beacon reported. She put partisan politics over national security.

In defending her vote, McCaskill said she was influenced by U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who had been tortured as a prisoner of war and also opposed Haspel's confirmation. But she said the most important reason for her decision came during a classified discussion with Haspel.

"I cross-examined her on the classified material. And I was very uncomfortable with her answers," McCaskill told the Associated Press. "I wish I could explain to all my constituents the details of all that, but the law will not allow me to do so.

I can tell you this, if everyone in Missouri read and listened to her answers to the questions I asked, I believe that a vast majority of Missourians would have voted the same way I did.

McCaskill represents a state that has trended more Republican in recent years. Trump won Missouri by nearly 19 percentage points in 2016.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
The Justice Department asked its watchdog to look into any alleged "impropriety or political motivation" in the FBI's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election, the DOJ said Sunday night -- hours after President Trump ordered a review looking into whether federal agents infiltrated or surveilled his campaign for political purposes.

"I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes -- and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!" the president tweeted.

"The Department has asked the Inspector General to expand the ongoing review of the (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) application process to include determining whether there was any impropriety or political motivation in how the FBI conducted its counterintelligence investigation of persons suspected of involvement with the Russian agents who interfered in the 2016 presidential election. As always, the Inspector General will consult with the appropriate U.S. Attorney if there is any evidence of potential criminal conduct," DOJ spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores told Fox News.

She also released a response from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein: "If anyone did infiltrate or surveil participants in a presidential campaign for inappropriate purposes, we need to know about it and take appropriate action."

Trump, late last week, began accusing the Justice Department of trying to frame him by planting a spy in his campaign -- an allegation his own lawyer said might not be true.

Promoting a theory that is circulating, Trump quoted Fox Business anchor David Asman and tweeted Friday: "Apparently the DOJ put a Spy in the Trump Campaign. This has never been done before and by any means necessary, they are out to frame Donald Trump for crimes he didn't commit."

But Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani cast some doubt on that.

On whether there was an "informant" in the 2016 presidential campaign, Giuliani told CNN, "I don't know for sure, nor does the president, if there really was one," though he said they have long been told there was "some kind of infiltration."

Earlier this month, the National Review raised the question of a possible FBI spy in Trump's campaign. The article cites work by California Republican Rep. Devin Nunes, an ardent Trump supporter and head of the House Intelligence Committee, who has demanded information on an FBI source in the Russia investigation.

Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee as its vice chairman, objected Friday to such demands, emphasizing "the critical importance of protecting sources and methods."

"It would be at best irresponsible, and at worst potentially illegal, for members of Congress to use their positions to learn the identity of an FBI source for the purpose of undermining the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in our election," Warner wrote in a statement. "Anyone who is entrusted with our nation's highest secrets should act with the gravity and seriousness of purpose that knowledge deserves."

The New York Times reported separately this past week that at least one government informant met several times with Carter Page and George Papadopoulos, both former foreign policy advisers for Trump's Republican campaign.

The Times reported Friday that the informant talked to Page and Papadopoulos because they had suspicious contacts linked to Russia. The newspaper attributed the information to current and former FBI officials.

Also Friday, Giuliani said special counsel Robert Mueller has narrowed his possible interview subject areas from five to two as negotiations continue over whether the president will sit down and answer questions in the Russia investigation.

Mueller is investigating possible coordination between Russia and Trump's 2016 campaign.

A number of Trump outside advisers -- including former chief strategist Stephen Bannon -- have stepped up their attacks on the Department of Justice, calling for it to release more documents to the White House while saying a confidential source has worked against Trump.

Fox News' Jake Gibson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The FBIs Russia investigation targeting the Trump campaign involved a top-secret informant who served in three previous Republican administrations and has deep ties to American and British intelligence officials, according to reports.

The source, said to be a 73-year-old professor from University of Cambridge in the U.K., met with Trump campaign advisers Carter Page and George Papadopoulos in the summer of 2016, according to the reports. The informant also reportedly met with Trump co-chair Sam Clovis in August 2016.

The role played by the source is now at the center of a battle that has pitted President Trump against his own Justice Department and fueled the presidents attacks on the special counsel Russia probe, The Washington Post reported.

If the FBI or DOJ was infiltrating a campaign for the benefit of another campaign, that is a really big deal, Trump tweeted Saturday while calling on the FBI to release documents Republicans in Congress have demanded about the informant.

In another tweet Friday, Trump said that if the reports were true that the FBI planted a representative into his campaign for president it would be the all time biggest political scandal.

The Post reported that U.S. officials warned that revealing the sources identity posed a security risk. The paper reported that the source declined multiple requests for comment. The FBI also declined comment, the paper reported.

According to the reports, the informant served in the Nixon, Ford and Reagan administrations.

The New York Times reported that the person approached Papadopoulos with an offer of money to write an academic paper about energy in the eastern Mediterranean region.

Over drinks one evening at a high-end London hotel, the informant asked Papadopoulos if he knew anything about Russian attempts to influence the 2016 presidential election, the paper reported.

According to The Times, Papadopoulos replied he had no insight into the Russian campaign, despite being told months earlier that the Russians had dirt on Hillary Clinton in the form of thousands of her emails.

Papadopoulos has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in connection with the probe being conducted by special counsel Robert Mueller. He is now cooperating.

The Post reported that the meeting the source had with Page dealt with foreign policy.

There has been some speculation that he might have tried to reel me in, Page told The Post in an interview. At the time, I never had any such impression.

The Daily Caller reported that contact between the informant and Page ended in September 2017. Around that time a warrant targeting Page that the FBI had obtained from a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court judge was due to expire.

The Post reported that the source met with Clovis and offered his experience.

On Saturday The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani said the president shouldnt agree to talk with Mueller without knowing more about the suspected informant.

What we intend to do is premise it on, If you want an interview, we need an answer to this,' Giuliani told the paper.
A professor has been identified as an FBI informant in Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, multiple news outlets reported Saturday.

The academic reportedly has deep ties to American and British intelligence, the New York Post reported.

President Trump tweeted Friday that confirmation of an FBI plant in his campaign would become the nation's "all time biggest political scandal."

Reports are there was indeed at least one FBI representative implanted, for political purposes, into my campaign for president, Trump wrote. It took place very early on, and long before the phony Russia Hoax became a hot Fake News story. If true  all time biggest political scandal!

The New York Times and Washington Post reportedly have known of the informant's identity for weeks, but chose not to reveal his name. Then on Thursday, the Daily Caller named the individual in the opening paragraph of its report.

The Washington Post said it received warnings from U.S. officials that revealing the identity posed a security risk.

Meanwhile, reports vary on when the FBI tapped the informant to snoop on the Trump campaign.

The New York Times reported in December that during a night of heavy drinking at an upscale London bar in May 2016, Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos had disclosed to an Australian diplomat the Russians had dirt on the Clinton campaign. The Australians then tipped off the FBI, prompting the agency to launch Crossfire Hurricane on July 31, 2016.

But the informant met with Page in early July that summer, contradicting the FBIs claims of when the operation began, and remained in contact for more than a year.

In August, the informant met with Trump campaign co-chair Sam Clovis to offer his experience, the Washington Post reported.

A few days later, he reportedly offered Papadopoulos compensation in exchange for writing a paper about energy in the eastern Mediterranean region.

Sources close to Papadopoulos now say the informant was working for an intelligence agency.

Papadopoulos has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, while Page was the subject of a federal surveillance warrant.

By May 2017, the Cross Hurricane operation had melded with Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation.
Former President George H.W. Bush arrived in Maine on Sunday evening, where he's set to spend the summer at his house in Kennebunkport.

Bush, 93, had been recovering in Texas after he contracted "an infection that spread to his blood," officials said. Friends of the 41st president have said he'd been eager to get to Maine after his wife, Barbara, died last month.

He arrived at the family's summer vacation home at Walker's Point to dozens of "well wishers" excitely greeting his motorcade in Dock Square, his spokesperson, Jim McGrath, tweeted.

Bush made the journey to Maine after seeing "Hamilton" at Houston's Hobby Center on Saturday night.

GEORGE H.W. BUSH SEES 'HAMILTON' IN HOUSTON, WEARS SOCKS INSPIRED BY MUSICAL

Bush has spent every summer in Kennebunkport since childhood except during World War II, when he served as a naval aviator. The Bushes spend winters in Houston.

Fox News' Mike Emanuel, Katherine Lam and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
George H.W. Bush got a chance to see Hamilton at Houstons Hobby Center Saturday night a few days after the cast and crew gave the former president a special performance.

Bush, 93, shared a photo on Twitter Sunday of him holding a Playbill and wearing Hamilton-inspired socks.

Finally had the chance yesterday to catch some new friends in action @HamiltonMusical -- properly attired in Hamilton socks, surrounded by family and friends, epic story and performance. Not a big hashtag man, but congratulations #HamFam!! the former president tweeted.

His spokesman, Jim McGrath, also tweeted Bush enjoyed "loved every minute of the three-hour show."

Last Tuesday, Bush also shared photos of the cast and crew at his Houston-based office. Another showed him listening as the Broadway performers appeared to belt out a song.

FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH HONORS LATE WIFE'S COMMITMENT TO LITERACY BY WEARING SOCKS WITH BOOKS

The 41st U.S. president attended the musical performance weeks after being released from the hospital earlier this month. Bush was hospitalized on April 22 after contracting an infection that spread to his blood, McGrath said.

He was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital a day after the funeral of his wife, former first lady Barbara Bush, who died at age 92.

Fox News' Elizabeth Zwirz contributed to this report.
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said Sunday that the U.S. and China -- the worlds two biggest economies -- have reached a tentative deal to cut trade deficits that includes the U.S. putting China tariffs on hold, an agreement that potentially averts an economic standoff that would have global impact.

We have made very meaningful progress, and we agreed on a framework, Mnuchin told Fox News Sunday after weekend talks in Washington with Chinese officials about cutting the U.S. trade deficit with China, which last year reached $337 billion. Were putting the trade war on hold.

Mnuchin, who was the countrys lead negotiator in the talks, said the tariffs will be put on hold while the countries try to execute the framework agreement.

Mnuchin also said the tentative agreement includes China buying substantially more U.S. goods to cut the deficit, structural changes to the Chinese economy to help make the U.S. more competitive in that market and protections on technology, which have been very important to the president.

Trump, since his 2016 presidential campaign, has argued that the United States must renegotiate trade agreements with China and other countries to become more competitive in the global economy. And he has complained about China violating international property laws.

Trump on Friday called the existing U.S.-China agreement "bad for our country and said, We're changing it around."

On Saturday, the White House said, in what it called a joint statement, that the U.S. and China had agreed to take steps to reduce the deficit.

The statement essentially highlighted the same points Mnuchin mentioned Sunday and that next steps include the U.S. sending a team to China to work out the details.

After the White House announcement, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer suggested the agreement falls short on protecting Americas intellectual property.

The key to a strong agreement is protecting our intellectual property here in America and stopping the Chinese from keeping out our best goods until we hand over our trade secrets and know-how in such things as required joint ventures, said Schumer, D-N.Y. The joint statement has nothing specific on those fronts, and no amount of immediate and short-term purchases of American goods will make up for that.

Schumer also argued that the tentative agreement announced Saturday did not address the issue of Chinese phone-maker ZTE violating U.S. sanctions on doing telecommunications business with Iran and North Korea.

Mnuchin said Sunday : This is an enforcement issue. Its not a trade issue.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller has told President Trump's legal team he should be able to wrap up the Russia investigation by Sept. 1 if he is able to interview Trump by mid-July, Rudy Giuliani told Fox News on Sunday.

Giuliani said he and Mueller spoke about an end date to the investigation approximately two weeks ago. During that conversation, Giuliani told Mueller that any interview of Trump by the special counsel would be contingent on knowing when the probe would wrap up.

Giuliani added that he wants Mueller's investigation wrapped up by Sept. 1 so that it doesn't affect Republican chances in November's midterm elections. He said the date refers only to aspects of the investigation related to Trump, as opposed to court cases involving former national security adviser Michael Flynn, former campaign manager Paul Manafort and others.



The president has not ruled out sitting down for an interview with Mueller, though Giuliani has repeatedly warned that an in-person questioning would constitute a "perjury trap."

Giuliani also told Fox News that an interview with Trump would be contingent on having access to an FBI informant who met with members of the Trump campaign in 2016. Giuliani said that an interview of Trump by Mueller would also be contingent on the president's lawyer having access to the informant to know what the informant has shared with Mueller.

According to Giuliani, knowledge of the informant's meetings with Trump campaign officials makes it imperative that the Justice Department share documents and other information with Congressional committees who are investigating surveillance of the campaign by the FBI and Justice Department.

In an interview with CNN last week, Giuliani said that neither he nor Trump knew for certain whether there was a spy in the campaign, though he added that they had been told of "some kind of infiltration."

The New York Times first reported the new timeline revealed by Giuliani.

The paper reported last week that at least one government informant met several times with Carter Page and George Papadopoulos, both foreign policy advisers on Trump's campaign. The Times reported, citing current and former FBI officials, that the informant talked to Page and Papadopoulos because they had suspicious contacts linked to Russia.

Papadopoulos was charged last year in Mueller's investigation and pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. He has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
It didnt take long for lies and misinformation to spread in the wake of Fridays Texas school shooting that left 10 people dead. Within minutes, fake Facebook accounts popped up showing the suspected shooter with a doctored image of him wearing a Hillary 2016 hat, for example.

Some of the fakes were quickly flagged by users and deleted by the social network. But according to Chris Sampson, a disinformation analyst for a counterterrorism think tank, new fakes were being spawned fast and filled out with false information that included images trying to link the 17-year-old suspect, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, to anti-fascist groups, while others had Trump/Pence 2020 as his banner image.

The onslaught of fake and false information has become a regular feature in the aftermath of mass shootings and terrorist attacks in the U.S. and elsewhere. The perpetrators are typically trying to sow discord, score political points or simply make readers question the very concept of truth.

Sampson was watching the clock to see how fast it would take for a fake account to be created after law enforcement officials released the suspects name: less than 20 minutes. After a second fake account was taken down, another popped up in only four minutes.

FACEBOOK HIT WITH ANOTHER DATA BREACH, 3 MILLION USERS EXPOSED

It seemed this time like they were more ready for this, he said. Like someone just couldnt wait to do it.

Facebook officials told the Washington Post that the suspects real account was removed and they were working to shut down the impersonating accounts. The tech giant, which has come under fire for its response to disinformation and questions about users data privacy, said this week that it disabled more than 500 million fake accounts in the first three months of 2018.

According to Christopher Bouzy, whose site Bot Sentinel tracks more than 12,000 automated Twitter accounts that are often used to spread disinformation, four of the top 10 phrases tweeted by bot or troll accounts in the immediate 24-hour aftermath were related to the Santa Fe shooting  which he called significant activity, reports the Post.

FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE STILL STRUGGLING TO STOP TERRORIST CONTENT

Hoaxes, conspiracy theories and fake news reports have spread like wildfire in our digital age, often blossoming on message boards like 4chan or platforms like Reddit before being picked up by far-right news sites.

Misinformation can also reach the mainstream, as happened in the wake of the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School, when a video labeling a shooting survivor a crisis actor zoomed to the top of YouTubes Trending list and eventually resulted in the student being forced to respond and YouTube apologizing.

Facebook has 10,000 human moderators monitoring the site, plans to hire many more in the coming year and utilizes artificial intelligence to remove certain types of banned or fake content. Mark Zuckerbergs firm recently announced a partnership with the Atlantic Council, a think tank that has received money from a wide range of foreign corporations and governments, including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, to battle disinformation.

YouTube seems to have avoided some of the mistakes following the Parkland rampage, but there were seven videos posted as of Sunday morning claiming without evidence that the incident was a false flag operation.
The Latest on a fatal cougar attack in Washington state (all times local):

5:30 p.m.

Officials in Washington state say a cougar that attacked two men riding bicycles, killing one and injuring the second, has been shot to death.

Capt. Alan Myers of the state's Fish & Wildlife Police says agents using a hound-dog tracker shot and killed the cougar shortly before 3 p.m., the Seattle Times reported.

King County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ryan Abbott said Saturday the two people were on a mountain bike ride in North Bend when the attack occurred.

North Bend is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Seattle. The injured victim was transported to a hospital in serious condition.

Officials say there has only been one other fatal attack in the past 100 years.

___

3:05 p.m.

A man who was injured by a cougar while riding a mountain bike in Washington state is in serious condition at a Seattle hospital.

Harborview Medical Center said in a statement Saturday the 31-year-old man was alert and talking in the emergency department.

King County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ryan Abbott says another man was killed in the morning attack in the foothills near North Bend.

His body was still being removed from the scene.

Abbott says the cougar ran into the woods and officers with the Washington Department of Fish and Game are trying to track it.

North Bend is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Seattle.

____

12:55 p.m.

One person is dead and another has been injured in a cougar attack in Washington state.

King County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ryan Abbott said Saturday the two people were on a mountain bike ride in North Bend when the attack occurred.

Abbott says the cougar ran into the woods and officers with the Washington Department of Fish and Game are trying to track it.

North Bend is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Seattle. The injured victim was transported to a hospital there with unspecified injuries.

Abbott says the body of the other victim has not yet been removed from the site.

No further details were immediately available.
Family and friends on Sunday remembered 17-year-old Sabika Sheikh as a hard-working and accomplished Pakistani exchange student, during the first of many planned funerals for victims of the Texas high school shooting massacre.

Sheikh, who had been attending classes at Santa Fe High School since last August, said getting accepted into a U.S. program to study was the best thing that ever happened to her in her life. She was scheduled to go home to Pakistan in three weeks, by Eid al-Fitr, a three-day holiday that marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The shooting at the high school southeast of Houston killed 10 people and wounded at least 13 others. A 17-year-old student, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, is being held on murder charges.

Sabika's funeral took place Sunday afternoon at a mosque in suburban Houston to overflowing crowds. Her immediate family could not be there with her; relatives are in Pakistan, and the Pakistani Consulate has organized to have her remains returned to her family.

Sabika was an honor student.

At the services, she was remembered as a young woman who wanted to be a businesswoman or a diplomat in the Consulate Generals Office.

Her host mother from the Cochran family said Sabika wanted Americans to know Pakistan better.

The host family said their time with her was such a precious gift, as Sabika and their kids were united in love.

The family even started fasting with her for Ramadan.

When I first started school, I didnt know anyone. And I met Sabika, and she didnt know anyone either. And we both became very close, Jalyn Cochran, who previously had been homeschooled, said. The other night we were in the car and I was crying because I didnt want her to go back to Pakistan. And she said, I love you and I miss you. She was so loyal to her faith and her country. And she loved everybody. She was the most amazing person Id ever met, and I will always miss her.

Houston, according to Mayor Sylvester Turner, has one of largest exchange students programs in the world. This is one of those moments that we say drive peoples souls. The death of Sabika and nine others are impacting people all over the world, he said, adding that schools ought to be made as safe as airports and government buildings.

Her body is to be returned to her family in Karachi, Pakistan.

Surrounded by mourning friends and family at his home in Karachi on Saturday, her father, Abdul Aziz Sheikh, fought back tears as he relived his frantic efforts to check whether his daughter was safe half a world away. She wasnt returning his calls and neither were her friends. He eventually learned from the exchange program that she was among the dead.

We are still in a state of denial. We cant believe it. Its like a nightmare, Sheikh told The Associated Press.

One should not lose his heart by such kind of incidents, he added. One should not stop going for education to the U.S. or U.K., or China, or anywhere. One must go for education undeterred. But controlling such incidents is the responsibility of the respective governments.

Medical staff at HCA Healthcares Gulf Coast Division-affiliated Clear Lake Regional Medical Center reported Sunday that one child remained in serious condition with multiple gunshot wounds, while another was in good condition after being shot. A Santa Fe High School student who had been treated and released Friday was readmitted to the hospital Saturday for further observation, and then later released Saturday evening.

Governor Greg Abbott also issued a statewide call for Texans to take part in a moment of silence at 10:00 a.m. local time Monday to honor the memory of the victims of the shooting. The act of evil that occurred in Santa Fe has deeply touched the core of who we are as Texans, said Abbott. In the midst of such tragedy, we pray for the victims and those mourning in Santa Fe, while we work to ensure swift and meaningful action to protect our students in schools across our state. I ask all Texans to join in holding a moment of silence tomorrow morning to remember the victims, their families, and first responders of the attack that took place at Santa Fe High School.

Fox News Ray Bogan and Emilie Ikeda in Texas and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An Arizona police officer narrowly escaped injury while responding to a domestic violence incident on Friday when a man opened fire and a bullet hit the cop's belt, officials said.

The Tucson Police Department said in a news release that two officers, Nathan Stout and Steven Clark, were shot at when responding to the home just before 10 p.m.

"Thankfully, no injuries," Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus said on Twitter. "Way, way, way too close a call. This takes 'high risk' to a whole other level."

Officers had received a 911 call from a man at a bar who stated his stepfather, 51-year-old Roy King, pulled out a handgun and threatened him and a friend. King then left the bar and drove to a home, according to police.

When officers found King's vehicle in the driveway, they heard the 51-year-old shouting from his backyard before he fired a handgun at the two police officers, officials said. One of the rounds struck Officer Stout's duty belt, which stopped the bullet from injuring him.

Officers returned fire on King, who retreated into his home before he was eventually talked into surrendering and arrested, Tucson police said.

INDIANA POLICE AMBUSH BY GUNMAN WHO ALLEGEDLY KILLED NEIGHBOR SHOWN IN DRAMATIC VIDEO

King was booked into the Pima County Jail on two counts of assault with a deadly incident for the incident at the bar, and two additional counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for the shooting at the home. Tucson police said both officers have been with the department for a year and a half. The incident remains under investigation.

"We could be investigating the death of an officer out here," Tucson Sgt. Pete Dugan told Tucson News Now. "These are extremely serious and sometimes...people don't know exactly what we have to respond to and this was one of those situations."

OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY IN 2018

While no members of law enforcement were injured or killed in Friday's shooting in Arizona, at least 36 law enforcement officers across the U.S. have died while on duty since the start of 2018, with 24 of the deaths caused by gunfire.

Roughly 135 cops died in 2016, making it the deadliest year for police officers in at least five years, Fox News found. While there were fewer deaths in 2017, the numbers werent much better: A total of 129 officers died last year. And 46 of those were caused by gunfire.

Fox News' Madeline Farber contributed to this report.
The discovery of a 5-year-old girl's body inside a storage unit in Sacramento last week led to the arrests of her father and stepmother, and prompted a joint investigation by police in California and Nevada.

Before transporting little Cali Anderson's body to the unit, the couple kept the tiny corpse stuffed inside a duffel bag in a closet for a week, authorities said.

Sacramento police linked the unit to Tyler and Averyauna Anderson, both Nevada residents, the Sacramento Bee reported.

Reno police identified the girl as Cali Anderson, who was Tyler Anderson's daughter. Leyanie Robinson, Cali's biological mother, told Sacramento's FOX 40 that Tyler Anderson had full custody of the child.

He loved that little girl but you dont know what people do behind closed doors.  Kevin Ward, acquaintance of Tyler Andersons

Its hard for me to believe Tyler would do anything like this or be involved in something like this, Kevin Ward, an acquaintance of Tyler Andersons, told FOX 40. He loved that little girl but you dont know what people do behind closed doors.

The body was discovered Tuesday night after police received a call, FOX 40 reported, adding that the manager of the storage facility said the business was "cooperating with law enforcement, 100 percent."

Cali died sometime within the last two weeks inside the Andersons' apartment, Reno police said. She showed signs of being malnourished and emaciated, according to coroner's office information in an affidavit.

The affidavit said the child became unresponsive May 4, but the couple did not call 911.

They later allegedly placed the body inside a duffel bag and kept it in a closet for a week. The couple then transported Calis body to Sacramento in a rented vehicle, police said.

Police arrested the Andersons on Wednesday. Tyler Anderson was booked into Sacramento's main county jail on suspicion of manslaughter, police said.

Averyauna Anderson was booked into the Washoe County Jail in Reno on child abuse charges and destroying or concealing evidence.

The investigation is continuing, authorities said.
A 55-year-old man has been arrested in a 31-year-old cold case involving a young couple murdered in Washington state.

Detectives from the Snohomish County and Skagit County Sheriffs Offices arrested William Talbott for the November 1987 murders of 20-year-old Jay Cook and 18-year-old Tanya Van Cuylenborg, the Skagit County Sheriffs Office said Thursday.

He was ordered held on $2 million bond after a court appearance Friday, Q13 Fox reported.

We never gave up hope that we would find Jay and Tanyas killer, Snohomish County Sheriff Ty Trenary said Friday. Yesterdays arrest shows how powerful it can be to combine new DNA technology with the relentless determination of detectives.

Investigators tapped a public genealogy website to match crime scene DNA. The analysis was performed by Parabon, a Virginia company.

SUSPECT'S SKETCHES RELEASED IN WASHINGTON COLD-CASE MURDER OF YOUNG COUPLE

The sheriffs office said Talbott is the first murder suspect to be arrested using results from Parabons genetic genealogy service, which became generally available less than two weeks ago. A digital file containing DNA genotype data derived from evidence at the crime scene was uploaded to GEDMatch, a public genetic genealogy website, and promising matches were found for two of the suspects relatives, the sheriffs office said.

Authorities used GEDMatch to arrest a suspect in the Northern Californias notorious Golden State Killer case. From 1976 to 1986, the Golden State Killer murdered 12 people, raped 45 others, and burglarized more than 100 homes.

Van Cuylenborg and Cook left their Saanich, British Columbia, homes on Nov. 18, 1987, for an overnight trip to Seattle. They were driving a brown 1977 Ford van to buy furnace parts for Cook's family business.

When they failed to return home, their families reported them missing.

On Nov. 24 of that year, a man walking on an isolated road south of Bellingham, Washington, discovered Van Cuylenborg's body. She had been sexually assaulted, bound with plastic ties and shot in the head, investigators said.

Cook's battered body turned up the next day about two miles south of Monroe, Washington. The two locations where the bodies were found are about 75 miles apart.

Police were able to obtain DNA from the van.

In April, police released composite sketches of the killer that Parabon created based on the the DNA evidence.

John Van Cuylenborg told a radio talk show that he almost gave up hope his sisters killer would be found, Global News in Vancouver reported.

After a while you have to sort of adjust to the fact that it seems as though the case is never going to be solved, and that probably would be true if it wasnt for these advancements in DNA techniques, he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An agriculture teacher accused of drowning raccoons in front of students has retired.

The Ocala Star-Banner reports that Dewie Brewton announced his retirement Thursday in a letter to Forest High School officials. He had been with Marion County Public Schools for 31 years.

Brewton had been on administrative leave pending the outcome of a school district investigation. Brewton's retirement ends the district investigation, but schools spokesman Kevin Christian says law enforcement is still investigating.

FLORIDA TEACHER INVESTIGATED AFTER ANIMALS ALLEGEDLY DROWNED IN CLASS

Christian says students had complained that multiple raccoons were drowned because the animals were a nuisance to the school's agriculture program. At least one of the creatures was suspected of killing a chicken.

According to the school's website, Brewton has been the school's agriculture-education adviser since 2006.
A man in North Carolina allegedly rammed his SUV into a restaurant on Sunday, killing his daughter and daughter-in-law who were dining inside, investigators said.

Katelyn Self, a deputy with the Gaston County Sheriff's Office, was killed at the Surf and Turf Lodge in Bessemer City, officials announced at a news conference Sunday afternoon. The second woman who died was identified by Fox 46 as Amanda Self.

Investigators said that 62-year-old Roger Self, Katelyn Self's father, and reportedly Amanda Self's father-in-law, drove right into the restaurant -- apparently on purpose.

The Gaston Gazette reported that restaurant staff claimed Roger Self went with his family to the restaurant and had them seated. The father then allegedly went outside and purposely drove his Jeep into the building.

Bessemer City Police Chief Tom Ellis said an officer who arrived on scene saw Self's SUV "completely in the building" just after noon on Sunday.

It's unclear how many people were seated at the restaurant table, but police said "several others" were hurt. Paramedics rushed them to two nearby hospitals.

Roger Self was arrested and booked at the Gaston County Jail on two first-degree murder charges, police records show. He's scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Four teenage passengers were killed in a violent car crash on Saturday that left a vehicle torn to pieces after flipping over and striking a tree south of Boston, officials said.

The crash happened just after 4 p.m. in East Bridgewater, located 30 miles south of Boston, when the white sedan flipped over and crashed into a tree in the front yard of a home.

"Three people had been pronounced dead at the scene, one person was taken to the Brockton hospital and was pronounced dead there," Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz told Boston 25 News.

Cruz identified the victims on Sunday as classmates Christopher Desir, Eric Sarblah and David Bell, all 17 years old, and 16-year-old Nick Joyce.

The driver of the vehicle, who is also 17, is still being treated for his injuries at Boston Medical Center. His name has not yet been released by authorities.

Stoughton Public Schools said in a letter posted to Twitter that all five teenagers in the car went to Stoughton High School.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of these students," principal Juliette Miller wrote.

All of the teenagers in the vehicle were on the track team, according to Stoughton Public Schools Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi, who called the crash the "worst nightmare of any school administrator."

"This is a devastating occasion for any community, any school," she said.

The school plans to open on Sunday at noon for any students, faculty, and staff to come together to "grieve and lean on one another," in addition to having counselors available.

Authorities had to use multiple sets of the Jaws of Life extraction tool to remove the teenagers from the crumpled vehicle, according to The Enterprise newspaper.

DATA SAYS TESLA DRIVER HAD HANDS OFF WHEEL BEFORE UTAH CRASH

Neighbors in the area where the crash took place told Boston 25 News they never witnessed a crash as severe as the one on Saturday.

"It's awful, the poor families, that car is destroyed and there's nothing left of it at all," Aaron Bill said. "I felt sorrow for all the families that lost everything that happened, and I'm just hoping its no one I know really, cause I dont know yet."

Authorities are now investigating if speed and the rain may have been contributing factors in the deadly crash. Investigators still haven't confirmed how fast the car was going, and were working on Saturday to reconstruct the accident scene.

"Its scary, I feel bad for their families and for the people, their friends," neighbor Jessica Kehoe told Boston 25 News.
A boat driver was charged with boating while intoxicated after he crashed the vessel with four of his friends aboard into a rock bluff on the Lake of the Ozarks early Saturday, killing three of them, officials said.

Hayden M. Frazier, 22, was arrested and charged Saturday morning following the deadly crash that happened in central Missouri just after midnight, FOX4KC reported.

Frazier was driving the boat when he struck a rock bluff, ejecting him and two of his friends  Joseph LeMark, 23, and Hailey Hochanadel, 21  into the water. The 22-year-old managed to get back on the boat and paddled the vessel about half mile to the dock across the channel, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Another friend, Daniel Lewis, 24, was found dead on the boat. Crews found LeMarks body just after 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Divers recovered Hohanadels body about 3 hours later.

The fifth occupant, Ashley Lamb, 21, was seriously injured. She and Frazier, who suffered moderate injuries, were located by authorities around 1:45 a.m. Lamb was taken to the hospital.

MASSACHUSETTS CAR CRASH LEAVES 4 TEENAGERS DEAD

The five friends from Kansas Olathe area had graduated from schools in the Olathe School District, the districts spokeswoman Maggie Kolb told Kansas City Star. At least four of them graduated from Olathe East.

"Shocking news to wake up to this morning," an Olathe East graduate posted on Facebook, according to the Kansas City Star. "Cannot believe how many fellow Olathe East classmates I have lost since graduation."

Frazier faces three charges of BWI  death of another, BWI  serious physical injury and negligent operation of a vessel. He is being held in Camden County Jail.
A South Carolina NAACP chapter president who says he was racially profiled during a traffic stop was accused of lying after police released video footage of the encounter, according to reports.

"Tonight, I was racially profiled by Timmonsville Officer CAUSE I WAS DRIVING A MERCEDES BENZ AND GOING HOME IN A NICE NEIGHBORHOOD," Timmonsville NAACP President Rev. Jerrod Moultrie said in an April 13 Facebook post, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

"He made a comment that the officer accused him of having drugs in the car, Timmonsville Police Chief Billy Brown said, according to the station. He said that his wife and grandchild was in the car. He asked them not to move because the officer looked as if he might shoot them or something. He also made mention that the officer continued to ask him about his neighborhood. Why was he in that neighborhood? And threaten[ed] to put him in jail in reference to something dealing with the registration to the vehicle."

Brown told the station that after reviewing the bodycam video of the stop, he determined there was nothing to Moultries claims.

"When I saw the video, I was shocked that someone who is supposed to be a community leader, a pastor, and head of the NAACP would just come out and tell a blatant lie, the police chief said. It bothered me. It really bothered me, thinking about the racial unrest it could've cost in the community and it's just troubling to me that someone who held a position like that would come out and just tell a lie.

Based on the body camera footage, the officer who stopped Moultrie neither asked if he had drugs in the car nor why he was driving in the area, the Raleigh News & Observer reported.

The paper reported that the officer stopped Moultrie for making a turn without signaling.

According to the paper, Moultries Facebook post had been deleted.

Fox 5 quoted a local community activist as saying that he was so upset by Moultries claims that he went to the police department to take a look at the video.

Timothy Waters of Florence said the video just made him more upset, the station reported.

"Once I got a copy of that bodycam, it's as if he made the whole story up. And I felt like he set us back 100 years because think about all of the racial profiling cases [that] are true," Waters said.

The station quoted Moultrie as declining further comment.

Click here for more from Fox 5 Atanta.
A 14-year-old boy allegedly pretended to be a police officer as he stole a blind man's wallet at a New York City subway station last week, police said on Sunday.

The teen pretended to help the legally blind 64-year-old through a turnstile at the 34th Street and Eight Avenue station in Manhattan on Monday afternoon, cops said. They added that the boy was captured on surveillance footage unzipping the man's backpack and taking out his wallet.

One of the man's credit cards was quickly charged $500 at a nearby store.

The 14-year-old's mother turned him in on Sunday, police said; they did not release the teen's name. He faces charges of grand larceny and criminal impersonation of a police officer.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Police officers in Ohio were convinced a man who called 911 about a pig following him was drunk and hallucinating  but turns out the caller was telling the truth, and very sober.

North Ridgeville police officers received a call just before 5:30 a.m. Saturday from a man who said a pig was following him while he was walking home from the Amtrak train station in Elyria, located about 30 miles west of Cleveland. The caller added that he didnt know what to do," the department wrote in a Facebook post.

Police officers were skeptical to believe the man and thought he was intoxicated and walking home from the bar.

Night shift responded to the obviously drunk guy walking home from the bar at 5:26 in the morning. He was at least drunk enough to call the police on himself while hallucinating, the police department said.

But the officers theory was actually wrong. Not only was the man very sober and walking home from the train station (like he said), a pig was actually following him.

Yes, a pig, the department added.

ARIZONA OFFICER'S BELT STOPS BULLET IN 'WAY TOO CLOSE A CALL' ENCOUNTER

One of the officers managed to get the pig into the police cruiser and take it to the citys dog kennel  that doubled as a pig pen for a few hours.

By 8:23 a.m. Saturday, the pig was returned to its owner, whose identity was not revealed, police said.

Youd have thought we would have learned our lesson after the kangaroo incident, the police department said, referencing to a 2015 incident when a runaway kangaroo was located in the town.

The police department posted a photo of the pig in the police cruiser on Facebook, which received more than 21,000 reactions, 11,500 shares and more than 2,000 comments as of Sunday morning.
One of three inmates who escaped from a South Carolina prison was captured Sunday night after authorities launched a dragnet; but the other two inmates, both murder suspects, remained on the loose.

Christopher Shannon Boltin, 27, was taken into custody in Lexington County, the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office announced in a Facebook post. Boltin had been behind bars on carjacking and grand larceny charges.

Manhunt efforts continue to focus on Tyshon Demontrea Johnson, 27, and Curtis Ray Green, 20  both of whom remain at large. Officials did not reveal exactly how the men seemingly broke out.

Investigators discovered the three were missing after they were notified of a possible escape attempt just before 10 p.m. Saturday.

Authorities said the two inmates, who were both charged with murder, are considered dangerous.

Other inmates who possibly helped the inmates escape are being questioned.

The sheriffs office urged anyone with information on the suspects or incidents to call Orange County Sheriffs Office at 803-534-3550 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
The mother of a 16-year-old girl who was killed along with nine others in Friday's shooting at a Texas high school says she believes the suspect intentionally targeted her daughter.

Sadie Rodriguez, mother of Shana Fisher, said suspect Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 17, repeatedly made advances toward her daughter in the four months leading up to the deadly shooting.

Pagourtzis was an ex-boyfriend of Fishers best friend, Rodriguez added.

He kept making advances on her and she repeatedly told him no, Rodriguez told the Los Angeles Times via Facebook Messenger. He continued to get more aggressive.

He kept making advances on her and she repeatedly told him no. He continued to get more aggressive.  Sadie Rodriguez, mother of Santa Fe shooting victim Shana Fisher

The grieving mother said the week before the shooting, Fisher stood up to him and embarrassed him in class.

"A week later he opens fire on everyone he didn't like," she wrote. "Shana being the first one."

Rodriguez didn't say how she knew her daughter was the first victim, the Times reported.

Authorities say Pagourtzis killed two teachers and eight students, who were identified as teachers Glenda Perkins and Cynthia Tisdale, 64; and students Jared Black, 17; Fisher, 16; Christian Riley Garcia, 15; Aaron Kyle McLeod, 15; Angelique Ramirez, 15; Sabika Sheikh; Christopher Jake Stone, 17; and Kimberly Vaughan.

In addition, the FBI said Saturday that the number of injured had been corrected to 13 from 10, the Houston Chronicle reported.

On the day of the shooting, Rodriguez wrote a Facebook status to love like (youre) getting one more day with them.

"Make sure they know (you) love them. Anything can happen," she wrote. "I will no longer get to see my baby my 1st born anymore."

Rodriguez shared a video of Fisher from 2015, in which the teen contemplates whether she'll continue making gaming videos because her computer keeps crashing.

The mother also created a Facebook Fundraiser in her daughters memory, describing Fisher as the most sweet and shy young lady.

My heart is being ripped out, Rodriguez wrote. My baby is gone.

She wanted to raise awareness about importance of teachers and parents to recognize students mental state.

Please help to make teachers and students aware of (their) surroundings and the mental state of their students and peers, she wrote.

One survivors mother penned a Facebook post, titled The longest day of my life, in which she details a harrowing account of the gunman repeatedly taunting students during the attack, the L.A. Times reported.

Mother Deedra Van Ness wrote that her daughter Isabelle Van Ness was covered in dust from the bullets hitting the walls around her and could hear the shooter in a next-door classroom yelling Woo Hoo! and firing more shots.

Deedra describes her daughters reaction as the media announces the names of the confirmed dead.

Isabelle falls apart, Deedra wrote. Shed been watching the TV so intently waiting for this. She had prayed that her friends lying around the school were just injured and the confirmation of their deaths was crushing.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The family of the suspect who authorities say opened fire at a Texas high school Friday, killing 10 people and injuring 13 more, is "saddened and dismayed" by the killings, according to a statement released Saturday.

"We share the public's hunger for answers as to why this happened," the statement continues, "and will await the outcome of the investigation before speaking about these events."

"We share the public's hunger for answers as to why this happened and will await the outcome of the investigation before speaking about these events."  Pagourtzis family statement

The suspect, identified as Dmitrios Pagourtzis, 17, has been charged with capital murder in the deaths of two teachers and eight students. The FBI said Saturday that 13 other people were injured in the attack, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Nicholas Poehl, the suspect's attorney, said his client is speaking and cooperating with authorities, the Chronicle reported.

Obviously this is a tough situation, Poehl said. Hes in difficult circumstances. Hes behaving consistently with that.

This is a very young kid, hes in very trying circumstances to say the least, saying hes doing well surely wouldnt be accurate right now, but there is a long way to go, Poehl told Fox 26 Houston.

He and attorney Robert Barfield both represent the Pagourtzis family, the station reported.

Poehl said the family is stunned, and barely beginning to wrap their minds around what happened, the Chronicle reported.

Very tough day for them," Poehl told Fox 26. "I think every parent probably instinctively knows they dont know everything about their kid, but when you find out something like this today, its extremely hard. For those out there that are watching, try to remember these people are victims too. They didnt know, they didnt expect and they surely couldnt predict, so prayers to everyone in this whole mess.

The attorneys told the Chronicle that they will likely request a competency and sanity exam.

In a case like this, of course, you cant do this and not have something going on, but you know we have got a lot of work to do before we are even ready to really speak intelligently about that, Poehl told Fox 26.

The attorneys also spoke with the public after the suspect attended an arraignment hearing Friday where he was not granted bond, the report said.

They released the following statement on the Pagourtzis familys behalf.

"We are saddened and dismayed by yesterday's events at Santa Fe High School. We extend our most heartfelt prayers and condolences to all of the victims. We also wish to thank all the first responders from all over Texas that assisted in rendering aid and support."  Paguortzis family statement

"We are saddened and dismayed by yesterday's events at Santa Fe High School. We extend our most heartfelt prayers and condolences to all of the victims. We also wish to thank all the first responders from all over Texas that assisted in rendering aid and support.

"We are as shocked and confused as anyone else by these events that occurred. We are gratified by the public comments made by other Santa Fe High School students that show Dimitri as we know him: a smart, quiet, sweet boy. While we remain mostly in the dark about the specifics of yesterday's tragedy, what we have learned from media reports seems incompatible with the boy we love.

"We share the public's hunger for answers as to why this happened, and will await the outcome of the investigation before speaking about these events. We have been and will continue to cooperate with the authorities conducting the investigation, and ask for the public's patience while it moves forward.

"We ask the public to please extend privacy, both to the victims and to our own family, as all of us try process these events, and begin the healing process."
A University of Oregon student was found dead Saturday at a popular campground in Northern California, officials said.

Dylan Pietrs, 21, "died in an incident at Lake Shasta this weekend," the school said in a statement. According to the college's student newspaper, the Daily Emerald, a cause of death is not yet clear.

Pietrs reportedly was at the lake, roughly 300 miles south of Eugene where the school is located, with hundreds of other University of Oregon students for an annual event organized by fraternities that was scheduled to be held from Thursday to Sunday this year.

The 21-year-old was seen drinking in the area throughout the day on Friday, before he went to his tent early in the evening, Fox 12 reported.

Pietrs was found not breathing at the Gooseneck Campground. CPR was performed, but he was declared dead at the scene, according to KEZI.

Investigators did not believe foul play was involved in Pietrs' death, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office told multiple news agencies.

The university's initial statement, according to reports, said that, "As devastating as this sudden passing is, it is important to point out that this tragedy is connected to an unauthorized tradition among many college students.

"Students from many institutions have a history of demonstrating poor life choices during visits to Lake Shasta," the statement reportedly read. "These activities are contrary to the values of the university and fraternity and sorority organizations."

The school amended the statement and wrote Pietrs' "death is tragic, and the university offers its deepest sympathy to family and friends of Dylan and the communities he was a part of at the University of Oregon."

Pietrs was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and was studying business administration.
A 9-year-old boy died after he was crushed by a motorized room partition at an elementary school outside the nation's capital on Friday, officials said.

The Fairfax County Police Department said in a news release the boy, who was in the School Age Child Care program at the Franconia Elementary School in Alexandria, was in the gym when he and a teacher both simultaneously pressed a button to open a large, motorized room partition that splits in the middle.

The child, identified as Wesley Lipicky, then became caught between the partition and the wall, and suffered "traumatic head injuries," according to police.

Authorities said the 9-year-old was then pronounced dead at the hospital on Friday night.

Investigators said Saturday that an autopsy found the child's death to be accidental.

"No charges are expected in this tragic case," Fairfax Police said.

PLEA FOR HELP FROM OHIO TEEN CRUSHED IN MINIVAN NEVER HEARD BECAUSE OF 911 GREETING, REPORT SAYS

In a letter sent to parents obtained by FOX5, Franconia Elementary Principal Terri Edmunds-Heard said she was "deeply saddened" by Wesley's death.

"We will miss Wesley very much," she wrote. "He was an endearing child whose bright smile and enthusiasm for school inspired the love of all who knew him."

Edmunds-Heard said there will be counselors at Franconia to support students, staff, and parents in the days ahead. "The team will help our classroom teachers talk with students and handle their questions and reactions," she wrote in her letter.

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand said in a statement to FOX5 that the school district is "working closely" with law enforcement to review the accident, and "to review safety protocols and procedures."
Only three people survived a fiery plane crash in Cuba that left 110 others dead, officials in the country said Saturday.

Cuban Transportation Minister Adel Yzquierdo Rodriguez said that five children were among the 110 who died on Friday. He also said a flight recorder from the plane was found, The Associated Press reported, citing official website Cubadebate.

In all, 113 people were aboard the jet, operated by state airline Cubana, when it crashed after taking off from Jose Marti International Airport in Havana.

All three crash survivors are women; they have been identified by Cuban officials as Maylen Diaz, 19, Grettel Landrovell, 23, and Emiley Sanchez, 39.

They are receiving treatment at Havanas Calixto Garcia Hospital, and according to the facilitys director, Carlos Alberto Martinez, the women had been significantly hurt in the crash.

"We must be conscious that they present severe injuries," Martinez told a small group of journalists. "They are in a critical state."

CUBAN AIRLINE JET WITH 113 ABOARD CRASHES; 3 SURVIVORS CRITICAL

Of the three survivors, Martinez said Sanchez was conscious and communicating, Diaz was conscious and sedated, and Ladrovell was in a coma.

Ladrovells mother spoke to reporters, saying her daughter is an angel and medical professionals have to save her.

Also among those killed in the crash were 20 priests from an evangelical church, according to the Cuban Council of Churches.

"On that plane were 10 couples of pastors -- 20 people, Maite Quesada, a member of the council, confirmed, according to AP. All of the Nazarene Church in the eastern region.

Of the 113 on the flight, 102 people were from Cuba, along with three tourists, two foreign residents and six crew members, Yzquierdo Rodriguez said.

OFFICIALS SAY COMPANY IN CUBA CRASH HAD SAFETY COMPLAINTS

Video from the crash site showed dark, billowing plumes of smoke and firefighters spraying water on the smoldering remains. The plane crashed into a field in the afternoon, not far from the end of the runway. It was Cubas third major air accident since 2010.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said a special commission had been formed to find the cause of the crash.

State airline Cubana has had a generally good safety record but is notorious for delays and cancellations and has taken many of its planes out of service because of maintenance problems in recent months, prompting it to hire charter aircraft from other companies.

Mexican officials said the Boeing 737-201 was built in 1979 and rented by Cubana from Aerolineas Damojh, a small charter company that also goes by the name Global Air.

Fox News Kathleen Joyce and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Locals have been warning for weeks that further pockets of Ghazni province were on the brink of falling to the Taliban, and alas, over the weekend the brutal insurgent group reportedly ascertained further control of the area around 100 miles south of the capital Kabul.

Heavy clashes were ongoing Sunday in the Ajristan district of Ghazni  with Taliban fighters closing in on government forces  and edging closer to the police headquarters and government compound. Telecommunications also were reported to be down, while the Taliban sealed off the surrounding roads.

The Taliban claimed via its media wing, which has not yet been independently confirmed, that it successfully had obtained control of the district  boasting that a major of enemy troops surrendered to Mujahedeen and the rest were forced to flee, and that the district center was seized without any firefight.

Combat in the district was ignited three days ago, and on Saturday local officials cautioned that sending in reinforcements was crucial, warning of the tragic outcome should the government lose control of the district.

The possible Taliban capture comes less than three days after heavy fighting in the 50,000-person Afghan city of Farah, which last week saw some of the most intense fighting in the area in months. On Tuesday, Taliban insurgents opened fire on the western provincial capital  taking over several crucial checkpoints.

Heightened fighting between the terrorist group and Afghan forces continued for more than 24 hours, followed Thursday by a second Taliban-initiated attack. Afghan special forces, with U.S. air support, eventually propelled the insurgents out  in the end, leaving more than 25 security personnel and 300 fighters dead.

Authorities since have shut down more than 400 primary schools and higher education institutes to protect the students and personnel, projecting that they will reopen after the conclusion of Ramadan in mid-June. Afghan and U.S. security forces are believed to have been taken by surprise regarding the Taliban attack, however locals and journalists claim that they had been sounding the alarm that Farah was on the brink of falling for some time.

A spokesperson for the countrys Ministry of Defense (MOD) told Fox News Sunday that the Afghan National Armed Forces (ANSF) were fighting back courageously and over the past 24 hours alone had launched 12 joint offensive and scheduled offensive operations, launched 79 special commando operations and 10 air strikes aimed at protecting peoples lives and repressing terrorists across the country. Air force specialists conducted 69 flights to support ANA ground forces  killing 110 terrorists, wounding 15 wounding and leading to the arrest of 3 more.

The operation stretched across an array of some 12 Taliban-torn provinces including Ghazni and Farah.

One Afghan security official told Fox News that Farah, situated near the Iranian border, long had been subject to unrest, and is considered to be a logistical supply hub for the Taliban.

Meanwhile, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Nicholson, visited shaken Farah on Saturday alongside other defense, intelligence and interior minister top brass.

Farah did not fall and Farah will never fall, Nicholson said. We will stay with you until we bring this war to a peaceful conclusion.

Deepening security concerns and unprecedented numbers of suicide bombings have debilitated Afghanistan across the board in recent months, including the targeting of local journalists. An increasingly outraged Afghan population has put further pressure on the Ashraf Ghani-led federal government to double-down on its efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table and configure a political end to the decades-old war.

Ghani has offered unconditional peace talks to the Taliban, which largely is responsible for the deaths of some 3,400 NATO troops  at least 2,300 of which were Americans  in a protracted conflict that has cost U.S. taxpayers up to one trillion dollars since 2001.

NATO foreign ministers in April issued a statement saying they were united in their support for Ghanis political attempts to end the conflict. As part of those negotiations, incentives are being dangled at the Taliban  who skeptics contend currently are winning the war  ranging from recognition as a political party, to the release of some prisoners along with a ceasefire agreement.

The Taliban have ignored Ghani, which some critics contend leaves the Afghanistan government in an even weaker position.

Reconciliation with the Taliban should be handled from the position of strength, and not from the position of appeasement and weakness, former general and reigning Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum told Fox News from his residence in Ankara, Turkey. The reconciliation policy must be from the position of strength and not weakness.
A Chilean bishop apologized Saturday for not promptly investigating a reported case of sexual abuse in his diocese, a day after every bishop in the South American country offered to resign over what Pope Francis said was their negligence in protecting children.

"I want to apologize for my actions in this case," said Bishop Alejandro Goic, referring to abuse allegations made in a report by Chile's T13 television against priest Luis Rubio.

In the report, Rubio acknowledges having sent pictures of himself naked to a false profile of a minor set up on Facebook to catch him.

Elisa Fernandez, who worked in the youth ministry in the community of Paredones, told T13 that she repeatedly informed Goic about the abuses, but the bishop always demanded proof.
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The Mexican charter company whose 39-year-old plane crashed in Havana had been the subject of two serious complaints about its crews' performance over the last decade, according to authorities in Guyana and a retired pilot for Cuba's national airline.

Mexico's government said late Saturday that its National Civil Aviation Authority will carry out an operational audit of Damojh airlines to see if its "current operating conditions continue meeting regulations" and to help collect information for the investigation into Friday's crash in Cuba that left 110 dead.

The plane that crashed, a Boeing 737, was barred from Guyanese airspace last year after authorities discovered that its crew had been allowing dangerous overloading of luggage on flights to Cuba, Guyanese Civil Aviation Director Capt. Egbert Field told The Associated Press on Saturday.

The plane and crew were being rented from Mexico City-based Damojh by EasySky, a Honduras-based low-cost airline. Cuba's national carrier, Cubana de Aviacion, was also renting the plane and crew in a similar arrangement known as a "wet lease" before the aircraft veered on takeoff to the eastern Cuban city of Holguin and crashed into a field just after noon Friday, according to Mexican aviation authorities.

A Damojh employee in Mexico City declined to comment, saying the company would be communicating only through written statements. Mexican authorities said Damojh had permits needed to lease its aircraft and had passed a November 2017 verification of its maintenance program. They announced a new audit late Saturday.

Cuban Transportation Minister Adel Yzquierdo Rodriguez told reporters Saturday afternoon that Cubana had been renting the plane for less than a month under an arrangement in which the Mexican company was entirely responsible for maintenance of the aircraft. Armando Daniel Lopez, president of Cuba's Institute of Civil Aviation, told the AP that Cuban authorities had not received any complaints about the plane in that month. He declined to comment further.

Yzquierdo said it was routine for Cuba to rent planes under a variety of arrangements because of what he described as the country's inability to purchase its own aircraft due to the U.S. trade embargo on the island. Cuba has been able to buy planes produced in other countries, including France and Ukraine, but has pulled many from service due to maintenance problems and other issues.

"It's normal for us to rent planes," he said. "Why? Because it's convenient and because of the problem of the blockade that we have. Sometimes we can't buy the planes that we need, and we need to rent them."

He said that with Damojh, "the formula here is that they take care of the maintenance of the aircraft. That's their responsibility."

He said Cuba didn't have pilots certified to fly the Boeing, so it had hired the Mexican crew with the expectation that they were fully trained and certified by the proper authorities.

Yzquierdo also said the jet's "black box" voice recorder had been recovered and that Cuban officials had granted a U.S. request for investigators from Boeing to travel to the island.

Eyewitness and private salon owner Rocio Martinez said she heard a strange noise and looked up to see the plane with a turbine on fire.

"It had an engine on fire, in flames, it was falling toward the ground," Martinez said, adding that the plane veered into the field where it crashed, avoiding potential fatalities in a nearby residential area.

Field told AP that the Boeing 737 with tail number XA-UHZ had been flying four routes a week between Georgetown, Guyana, and Havana starting in October 2016. Cubans do not need visas to travel to Guyana, and the route was popular with Cubans working as "mules" to bring suitcases crammed with goods back home to the island, where virtually all consumer products are scarce and more expensive than in most other countries.

After Easy Sky canceled a series of flights in spring 2017, leaving hundreds of Cubans stranded at Guyana's main airport, authorities began inspecting the plane and discovered that crews were loading excessive amounts of baggage, leading to concerns the aircraft could be dangerously overburdened and unbalanced. In one instance, Guyanese authorities discovered suitcases stored in the plane's toilet.

"This is the same plane and tail number," Guyanese Infrastructure Minister David Patterson said. He and other Guyanese authorities said they did not immediately know if the crew suspended last May was the same one that died in Friday's crash. Damojh operates three Boeing 737s, two 737-300s and the 737-201 that crashed Friday, according to Mexican officials.

Ovidio Martinez Lopez, a pilot for Cubana for over 40 years until he retired six years ago, wrote in a post on Facebook that a plane rented from the Mexican company by Cubana briefly dropped off radar while over the city of Santa Clara in 2010 or 2011, triggering an immediate response by Cuban aviation security officials. As a result, Cuban officials suspended a captain and co-pilot for "serious technical knowledge issues," and Cuba's Aviation Security authority issued a formal recommendation that Cubana stop renting planes and crews from Damojh, Martinez wrote.

"They are many flight attendants and security personnel who refused to fly with this airline," Martinez wrote. "On this occasion, the recommendation was overlooked and they rented from them again."

Contacted by AP in Havana, Martinez confirmed his Facebook account but declined to comment further.

Mexican officials said the Boeing 737-201 was built in 1979.

Mexican aviation authorities said a team of experts would fly to Cuba on Saturday to take part in the investigation.

____

Associated Press writers Andrea Rodriguez in Havana and Maria Verza in Mexico City contributed to this report.
If last weekends federal elections demonstrated anything, it was that much of the Iraqi population is done with foreign intervention.

The frontrunner in the national elections, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr  who long has decried both Iranian and U.S. influence  described his partys victory as an achievement for the Iraqi people and its national entitlement, just as scores have taken up a stance over Tehrans latest efforts to maintain leverage.

The arrival of Irans prominent Major General Qasem Soleimani to Baghdad last Saturday subsequently has been met with hundreds taking to the streets in opposition of Irans destabilizing maneuvers in Iraq, advocating that the neighboring country should instead channel its resources into liberating the occupied Palestinian territories.

Soleimani, who oversees Irans elite Revolutionary Guards, is reported to be deal-making desperately to form alliances with other major Iraqi parties to ensure Tehrans interests are upheld and to counter the influence of Sadrs Sayirun party  a mishmash of Shiites, secularists, technocrats and communists  which has taken a surprise sweep, according to preliminary electoral results.

Tehrans desired pick for prime minister, Hadi Al-Amiri, leader of the Tehran-supported Badr paramilitary unit, so far has finished second in the election-counting, while the U.S.-favored reigning prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, has come in third. Sadr has signaled that he will not cower to forming an alliance with Amiri, but has expressed openness to working with Abadi.

But despite Sadrs apparent victory on the outset, his bloc still could be hindered from forming the next government if Soleimani is successful in amassing support from other parties in the coming days.

INSIDE SADR CITY: HOW THE DEADLY SLUM BECAME THE PLACE OF PEACE

UNDER THREAT AND HOMELESS, DISPLACED IRAQIS RETURN TO THE CAMPS

Iranian officials, prior to the May 12 elections, announced that they would not allow Sadrs Sayirun party to command Iraq. Sadr  who once directed a bloody insurgency against American soldiers following the 2003 invasion before instructing his army to lay down arms  did not run for a seat himself, thus cannot become prime minister. Yet given that his party is assumed to have taken the most seats, he is in a position to nominate the next leader and determine the political bill for the next four years.

But it all hinges on how successful Soleimani is in his current Baghdad deal-making.

Sadr appears to have taken direct swipe at the military leaders lobbying, stating on Wednesday that he rejected any foreign intervention in the efforts to form a new government, and that he would cooperate with other parties, providing that they are not occupiers of our country, both for occupation and domination.

While maintaining relations with Irans Shiite religious leadership, Sadr has taken significant steps to distance himself further from Iran militarily in the election lead-up  promoting a nationalist agenda and aligning himself with traditional combatant cleric, Ammar al-Hakim, who too has moved away from Iranian influence in recent times.

Sadr staunchly has rejected Irans continued backing of Shiite militias across Iraq, known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which came into being initially to fight the sudden onslaught of ISIS in 2014. Sadr has cautioned that the militias  which essentially control Iraqs Interior Ministry and large territorial swaths of the country  should be dissolved into Iraqs national security forces, thus limiting Tehrans direct control.

Official discussions regarding the establishment of a governing coalition will begin after the proclamation of the final election results, likely to take place this week.
Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose coalition won the largest number of seats in Iraq's parliamentary elections, has sought to reassure Iraqis about their next government, saying it will be "inclusive" and mindful of their needs.

No single bloc won a majority in the May 12 vote, raising the prospect of weeks or even months of negotiations to agree on a government. Major political players began talks soon after the election's partial results were announced last week. The latest round was held late Saturday night between al-Sadr and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, whose bloc made a surprisingly poor showing in the election.

Speaking after the talks, al-Sadr said the first postelection meeting between the two "sends a clear and comforting message to the Iraqi people: Your government will take care of you and will be inclusive, we will not exclude anyone. We will work toward reform and prosperity."

He did not elaborate, or provide details about what he and al-Abadi discussed.

Al-Sadr, whose followers fought U.S. forces in Iraq after the 2003 invasion, won 54 of the chamber's 329 seats. Al-Abadi's "Victory" bloc took 42 and a coalition of government and Iranian-backed paramilitary forces came in second.
Two North Koreans  a military officer and a civilian  reportedly defected to South Korea early Saturday.

According to South Korea's Yonhap Nedws Agency, South Korean military personnel spotted the defectors on a boat in the Yellow Sea, between Chinas mainland and the Korean Peninsula.

The defectors showed an apparent willingness to flee the North, Reuters reported, citing an unnamed source.

It was the first defection involving a military officer since 2008 and 14th involving a soldier since 2000, DW News reported.

It also came during a delicate time in inter-Korean diplomacy.

In late April, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met for a historic summit to discuss the North's denuclearization and a formal peace treaty.

But North Korea indefinitely called off future talks with the South and threatened to cancel a scheduled summit in Singapore with President Donald Trump in response to a routine series of U.S.-South Korea military drills, which the North has repeatedly condemned as a dress rehearsal for invasion.

Trump has remained steadfast in his insistence that the U.N. sanctions wont be lifted unless the North significantly denuclearizes.

In retaliation for the joint military exercises, North Korea barred South Korean journalists from observing the rogue states planned closure of nuclear test sites next Friday.
In a development that human rights observers have called chilling, Saudi Arabia arrested a group of prominent womens rights advocates on Saturday and subjected them to a "smear campaign" in pro-government newspapers.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, has branded himself as a reformer, pushing to loosen or lift the conservative kingdoms restrictions on womens clothing, their right to drive, their ability to launch a business and their ability to attend sporting events. Hes even said that women are absolutely equal to men.

However, international observers are baffled by the timing of the recent crackdown against female activists, coming just weeks before the driving ban is set to be lifted, who have called for more equality with men.

Saudis have also noted that the activists saw their pictures circulated in government-friendly media outlets and on social media along with the word "traitor."

According to Amnesty International, the six activists and one other individual were accused of forming a cell, and posing a threat to national security for their contact with foreign entities with the aim of undermining the countrys stability and social fabric.

Each of the activists was pushing for modernization and gender equality in the kingdom. One of the arrested activists, Aziza al-Yousef, had campaigned to end the countrys male guardianship system. Another, Loujain al-Hathloul, fought to have the driving ban on women lifted. Another, Mohammad al-Rabea, started a literary salon for young men and women in Saudi Arabias capital, Riyadh.

SAUDI CROWN PRINCE SAYS WOMEN ARE 'ABSOLUTELY' EQUAL TO MEN, CONTINUES MODERNIZATION PUSH

This chilling smear campaign is an extremely worrying development for women human rights defenders and activists in Saudi Arabia. Such blatant intimidation tactics are entirely unjustifiable, Samah Hadid, Amnesty Internationals Middle East Director of Campaigns, said in a statement.

The recent detentions do fit a pattern that has played out over the last year: as the crown prince has asserted his rule, a wide range of businessmen, activists, clerics and princes have been rounded up and arrested. Some of those swept up in the original crackdown were released.

Saudi Arabia cannot continue to publicly proclaim support for womens rights and other reforms, while targeting women human rights defenders and activists for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, Hadid added.
Spanish authorities say they have broken up an alleged drug ring that smuggled hashish from Morocco to Europe.

Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido said Sunday that Spanish police 12 alleged smugglers and confiscated nearly 190,000 euros ($224,000.)

Zoido said in a Twitter post: "We have declared war on those who deal drugs."

The arrests mark the second major bust of alleged drug smugglers in the province of Cadiz in southern Spain this month. Two weeks ago, police arrested 14 suspected smugglers and confiscated drugs and boats allegedly used to run stashes across the Strait of Gibraltar.

Spain's Interior Ministry says Cadiz province, which is located 14 kilometers (8.6 miles) from the coast of North Africa, is the entry point for 40 percent of the drugs smuggled into Spain.
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Street Beggar In Lebanon Has Over $1 Dollars In Her Name When She Died

nametalkam at 20-05-2018 06:39 PM (3 years ago) (m)

A disabled beggar who lived on handouts in Lebanon died a millionaire.

A disabled beggar who lived on handouts in Lebanon died a millionaire.

Police were shocked to discover that Fatima Othman, 52, had accumulated a small fortune while begging on the streets in the capital Beirut.



Officers discovered her body in an abandoned car in the city's Barbir district and two bags containing five million LBP ($3,300) in cash.



And the frugal beggar had also stashed away 1.7 billion LBP ($1.1 million) in a savings account - which was uncovered after police found her deposit book for a local bank.







Police spokesman Joseph Musallem said Ms Othman died from a heart attack and her death was not being treated as suspicious.



But he said it was 'a big surprise' to discover that she had amassed such a fortune.



Ms Othman was unable to use her hands and feet after suffering devastating injuries during the Lebanese Civil War, locals report.



She became a local celebrity after a picture of her being fed water by a Lebanese soldier went viral online.



The soldier was praised by his commander for showing 'compassion and humanity'.







Police tracked down Ms Othman's family to the town of Ain Al-Zahab in Akkar, northern Lebanon, and they have now buried her body.



They were equally dumbstruck when they discovered how wealthy she was.





Police were shocked to discover that Fatima Othman, 52, had accumulated a small fortune while begging on the streets in the capital Beirut.Officers discovered her body in an abandoned car in the city's Barbir district and two bags containing five million LBP ($3,300) in cash.And the frugal beggar had also stashed away 1.7 billion LBP ($1.1 million) in a savings account - which was uncovered after police found her deposit book for a local bank.Police spokesman Joseph Musallem said Ms Othman died from a heart attack and her death was not being treated as suspicious.But he said it was 'a big surprise' to discover that she had amassed such a fortune.Ms Othman was unable to use her hands and feet after suffering devastating injuries during the Lebanese Civil War, locals report.She became a local celebrity after a picture of her being fed water by a Lebanese soldier went viral online.The soldier was praised by his commander for showing 'compassion and humanity'.Police tracked down Ms Othman's family to the town of Ain Al-Zahab in Akkar, northern Lebanon, and they have now buried her body.They were equally dumbstruck when they discovered how wealthy she was.

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 20-05-2018 06:39 PM (3 years ago) | Hero

Afriqueenn at 20-05-2018 06:50 PM (3 years ago)

(f) No wonder those almajiris on kano Street won't give up the "profession." Posted: at 20-05-2018 06:50 PM (3 years ago) | Upcoming No wonder those almajiris on kano Street won't give up the "profession." Reply

nonsovin at 20-05-2018 07:11 PM (3 years ago)

(m) this woman is very WICKED, very HEARTLESS, very Greedy and very SELFISH !!

what a wicked fellow! Posted: at 20-05-2018 07:11 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac this woman is very WICKED, very HEARTLESS, very Greedy and very SELFISH !!what a wicked fellow! Reply

dareper at 20-05-2018 08:39 PM (3 years ago)

(m) What? Posted: at 20-05-2018 08:39 PM (3 years ago) | Hero What? Reply

slimber at 20-05-2018 09:32 PM (3 years ago)

(f) Wickedness Posted: at 20-05-2018 09:32 PM (3 years ago) | Hero Wickedness Reply

james987 at 21-05-2018 02:39 AM (3 years ago)

(m) Quote from: nonsovin on 20-05-2018 07:11 PM this woman is very WICKED, very HEARTLESS, very Greedy and very SELFISH !!

what a wicked fellow!

Mind your words,you have two hands and two legs she's got none of these. Do you want God to put you in her position and give you her wealth? Think before you type. Posted: at 21-05-2018 02:39 AM (3 years ago) | Hero Mind your words,you have two hands and two legs she's got none of these. Do you want God to put you in her position and give you her wealth? Think before you type. Reply

WhaleDog at 21-05-2018 10:06 AM (3 years ago)

(m) Quote from: james987 on 21-05-2018 02:39 AM Mind your words,you have two hands and two legs she's got none of these. Do you want God to put you in her position and give you her wealth? Think before you type.

wow ! Bros ,Jah guide yah man ! Love your in-depth response to a lame man comment .Give praises man if you are able human and to the disable give thanks for being a living soul . Spare me Posted: at 21-05-2018 10:06 AM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac wow ! Bros ,Jah guide yah man ! Love your in-depth response to a lame man comment .Give praises man if you are able human and to the disable give thanks for being a living soul . Reply

nature7888 at 21-05-2018 10:11 AM (3 years ago)

(m) Hmmmm. not easy Posted: at 21-05-2018 10:11 AM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac Hmmmm. not easy Reply

ruthie at 21-05-2018 10:45 AM (3 years ago)

(f) THANK YOU...HE IS LUCKY TO HAVE BOTH HANDS N FEET

Quote from: james987 on 21-05-2018 02:39 AM Mind your words,you have two hands and two legs she's got none of these. Do you want God to put you in her position and give you her wealth? Think before you type.

Posted: at 21-05-2018 10:45 AM (3 years ago) | Hero THANK YOU...HE IS LUCKY TO HAVE BOTH HANDS N FEET Reply

ruthie at 21-05-2018 10:47 AM (3 years ago)

(f) THE EVIL YOU WISH FOR OTHERS WILL COME TO YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD IN COUNTABLE FOLDS...KEEP WRITING RUBBISH

Quote from: nonsovin on 20-05-2018 07:11 PM this woman is very WICKED, very HEARTLESS, very Greedy and very SELFISH !!

what a wicked fellow!

Posted: at 21-05-2018 10:47 AM (3 years ago) | Hero THE EVIL YOU WISH FOR OTHERS WILL COME TO YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD IN COUNTABLE FOLDS...KEEP WRITING RUBBISH Reply

ruthie at 21-05-2018 10:48 AM (3 years ago)

(f) WHAT CAN I SAY? Posted: at 21-05-2018 10:48 AM (3 years ago) | Hero WHAT CAN I SAY? Reply

Wazubia at 21-05-2018 12:43 PM (3 years ago)

(m) Posted: at 21-05-2018 12:43 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac Reply

james987 at 21-05-2018 12:52 PM (3 years ago)

(m) Quote from: WhaleDog on 21-05-2018 10:06 AM wow ! Bros ,Jah guide yah man ! Love your in-depth response to a lame man comment .Give praises man if you are able human and to the disable give thanks for being a living soul .

Some people as long as money dey involved,e blind their eyes and heart. With such comment,who actually dey wicked and heartless? No mind the yeye man. Posted: at 21-05-2018 12:52 PM (3 years ago) | Hero Some people as long as money dey involved,e blind their eyes and heart. With such comment,who actually dey wicked and heartless? No mind the yeye man. Reply
Other issues to be considered include science and technology, girls and women's education, as well as the fight against illegal wildlife trade.

Short-stay visa

The Peruvian leader underlined how important is for his country to have its nationals exempted from UK short-stay visa requirements in order to boost trade and tourism.

According to Peru's Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Foreign Secretary was receptive to this request and said he will submit such interest to UK Home Office authorities.

In the context of the UK's exit from the European Union, the authorities stressed their Governments' political will to make sure there is no gap in the regulation that will govern bilateral trade relations , thus keeping the Multi-party Trade Agreement with Peru in force.

Iquitos visit





Also on Saturday, Peru's Foreign Affairs Minister Popolizio and Secretary Johnson opened a sustainable energy project at Victor Raul Haya de la Torre School supported by UK  in favor of students in the Santa Marta community of Iquitos Island (Belen district).





Later, the two government officials visited the Amazon Rescue Center (CREA) and the Peruvian Amazon Research Institute (IIAP), where they stressed the importance of both countries' contribution to the fight against illegal wildlife trade.

.@BorisJohnson makes the first visit to Peru by a British Foreign Secretary in 50 years https://t.co/SChtjgxchB pic.twitter.com/24c507ZdFn  Foreign Office ???? (@foreignoffice) 20 de mayo de 2018



The Peruvian Amazon is rich in biodiversity?? and home to endangered species ??. Peru has announced that it will join the London Declaration on the illegal wildlife trade and will be sending a high-level delegation to the London Conference in October ???????? #endwildlifecrime pic.twitter.com/heEC8bZpZD  UK in Peru ???????? (@UKinPeru) 19 de mayo de 2018 .@BorisJohnson tours site of the athletes' village for upcoming Lima 2019 Pan American and ParaPan American Games. UK is providing technical support and expertise to help Peru deliver a successful games pic.twitter.com/9dZVJZ7HT5  Foreign Office ???? (@foreignoffice) 19 de mayo de 2018





(END) NDP/FHG/RMB
#politics Ex-PM Lee Nak-yon to appeal ruling party's primary results Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon will appeal results of the ruling Democratic Party's primary, his camp said Sunday, hours after he came up short against Gyeonggi Gov. Lee Jae-myu...

#Seoul city Seoul city gov't bans labor group's planned street rallies this month The Seoul city government has prohibited South Korea's major umbrella labor group from staging street rallies this month in accordance with a law on preventing the spread of infect...




Haiti - Politic : 11th Council of Government





Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant chaired his eleventh Council of Government on May 15 at his official residence. 9 points were on the agenda, including the awarding of a bonus of excellence to the laureates of all the study programs of the 11 entities of the State University of Haiti (UEH); the report of the measures taken for the application of the Decree on the State's lifestyle; the improvement of the living conditions of the population with regard to the road maps of the autonomous departments and agencies of the State.



The balance sheet of government actions counting for the last six months of the year was discussed, to submit to Parliament, in accordance with the law, the second Monday of June at the opening of the second regular session of the current legislative year.



The preparation of the amending budget, the impact of the order fixing the Gourde as sole currency throughout the territory, as well as information on the signing of the Contract / State-UEH Plan ( https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24416-haiti-politic-the-state-undertakes-to-provide-the-necessary-means-for-the-development-of-the-ueh.html ) were also discussed.



During this Council, the Prime Minister reiterated the determination of the administration Moise / Lafontant to eradicate corruption, smuggling, tax evasion to broaden the tax base, clean up the lifestyle of the State, modernize the public service and improve the quality of services provided to taxpayers.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















iciHaiti - Politic : Meeting between Minister Fleurant and the new head of OCHA





Aviol Fleurant, the Minister of Planning and External Cooperation, received this week the visit of Salima Mokrani, the new head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Haiti.



This first meeting was an opportunity for Mokrani to express her understanding of the humanitarian situation in Haiti and to present the prospects for the future.



Minister Fleurant recalled that the wish of the political administration Moise / Lafontant is the transition from humanitarian to development explaining "This goal can not be achieved without implementing the 2005 Paris Declaration on the effectiveness of development aid. This requires the alignment of humanitarian sector actions with the priorities of the government, included in the sectoral ministries' roadmaps "



This fruitful meeting allowed the two parties, to expose the problems, to discuss the issues taking into account that Haiti has a vulnerability index of 12.9 on a scale of 13 and to identify the prospects of an emerging Haiti by 2030.



IH/ iciHaiti






















Haiti - Politic : Rouzier trials the Haitian bourgeois elite without complacency !





Former Prime Minister-designate and businessman Daniel Gerard Rouzier whose candidacy was rejected in Parliament in June 2011 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-3217-haiti-flash-politic-prime-minister-designate-rejected-update-5-14pm.html was invited on May 16th to the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce, as part of a welcoming reception to US Ambassador Michele Jeanne Sison. In his speech, he drew a straightforward portrait of the situation of the country and made without jargon, the trial of the Haitian bourgeois elite.



Extract from the speech of Daniel Gerard Rouzier :



"[...] Do not be afraid ! Do not be afraid to take responsibility! Do not be afraid to tell the truth! Do not be afraid, if necessary, to walk alone in the Light! Do not be afraid !



[...] Despite disparaging, xenophobic and misinformed remarks, I choose to judge the other on his actions rather than on his words [...]



[...] Do not be afraid and remember the words of President Borno, pronounced, almost a century ago "It is not possible," he said, "that alongside a civilized elite to the point of refinement, llive a sad mass, barely touched by the glimmers of progress. We, glimmers of progress. We, of the elite, are unjust and cruel. We have not fulfilled our duties to those people who are struggling under the sun and the rain to make the country live. It was he who pays almost all taxes. A ditch filled with shadow separates it from us. We must fill it and illuminate it, for our happiness, our peace and the fruitful conjunction of forces. Take a look at the native land, see how our economic tools, our schools, our bridges, our roads, our hospitals are. The cultivation processes are backward and outdated. Our subsoil still waiting for the pick to deliver his treasures" (end quote)



Dear friends, there is no shame in telling the truth!



Do not be afraid, you who complain about the mountains of polystyrene articles that litter all our arteries after the heavy rains. You want intelligent answers, so ask the right questions: who imports polystyrene in Haiti, where does it go, who benefits from the crime?



When the state announces that it is losing more than $ 400 million in revenue at the border and in the customs of all our ports, who are these importers who openly defraud and fuel smuggling, from where they come from, to whom do they sell? Why does the state tolerate them again?



When you denounce land insecurity, who are the spoliators? Where do the judges, the police and the clerks who come with them come from to deprive honest people?



When 83% of our compatriots who have a university degree have left the country, are we finally ready to admit that no real change can be made without them?



The questions are there, the answers too. Pa gen sekre nan fe kola... Looking at the figures, the solutions should flow naturally.



The Haitian agriculture accounts for 25% of GNP. It employs 66% of the population, but paradoxically, only 5% of the national budget is allocated to it. Meanwhile, since 1950, Haiti is in increasing food deficit and must import more food each year than the previous year;



4 million tons of trees are cut each year but only 500,000 tons are replanted. The results are clear: Haiti has only 1.5% forest cover ;



13 households out of 14 have to carry the water they use. However, thanks to the rain, Haiti receives 560 times the water needs of the population ;



Haiti produces the least waste per capita of the whole area (0.70 kg per person per day), compared to 1.26 kg in the Dominican Republic and 2.04 kg for the United States. Haiti is however the most unhealthy country in the whole zone because we only collect 11% of our garbage, compared to 60% for the Dominican Republic and 76% for Jamaica.



Every night, 8 million of our compatriots sleep in the dark, without electricity ;



5 million of us can not read or write and are in the dark, day and night ;



8 out of 10 Haitians live on less than US $ 2 a day (9 out of 10 in rural areas) ;



2 in 10 Haitians control 70% of the wealth of the country and even if we managed to divide them evenly among all our fellow citizens, the country would still be in the ranks of the least developed countries ;



More than 4 children out of 10 are deprived of basic health services and live in dwellings without toilets ;



About 30% of our children have never been vaccinated against an illness ;



[...] If our country is in the state where it is languishing today, if our economy still takes time to start [...] our elites, all our elites (whether economic, political, social) or religious) have a huge responsibility. They will have to understand that the system as conceived, managed and existing can only produce more misery, more inequality and more instability.



There is, in my opinion, only one solution: to understand and finally accept that every man is the author, the center and the end of all economic action and that the ills of the country are essentially a chronic lack of opportunities for all [...]



[...] None of what I have just described will be easy: We will need a courageous and salutary commitment marked by a great moral energy to build the progressive and civilized Nationto which we all aspire and to move it from a failed and assisted state to a more advanced social state in the economic, intellectual, sports, artistic and technical order. To be irrevocable, our choices must be unshakable, that is to say, based on a broad consensus.



Saving the land will not be the work of a messiah, but rather will come from the faith and empathy of men and women willing to neglect no sacrifice to lead this country differently and begin to rebuild, one man at a time, one stone at a time, one tree at a time, one moral value at a time, one gesture of love at a time..."



Learn more about Daniel-Gerard Rouzier :

Married and father of 3 children, Mr. Rouzier is CEO of Sun Auto, a leading car dealership, he'is also the President of the power plant E-Power, first project of electric power realized by the private sector in Haiti.



He made studies in management and accounting, Ivy League graduate of Dartmouth and Georgetown University, Rouzier is deeply religious. Author of "Believe, Love and Hope" through which he explains his intimate relationship with the Christ, his wife and his children, and two essays "The Power of Ideas" and "Vision or Illusion" in which he addresses important issues such as : the economic conjuncture, economic policy and political Government, sociology. Daniel-Gerard Rouzier has a strong presence in the political environment and has developed a good relationship with the Haitian political class.



His biography presents him as the owner of one of the most comprehensive libraries of Haiti and as an insatiable collector of Haitian art.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-3217-haiti-flash-politic-prime-minister-designate-rejected-update-5-14pm.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-3003-haiti-prime-minister-the-president-martelly-explains-his-choice.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2999-haiti-politic-michel-martelly-has-designated-daniel-gerard-rouzier-as-prime-minister.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





MANMI Lotto Draw

All agents of Lotto "MANMI" https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-23917-icihaiti-social-the-leh-launches-loto-manmi.html the regional coordinators of the Haitian State Lottery (LEH), the employees and executives of the institution are invited to take part to teh draw of Loto "MANMI", this Sunday, May 20, 2018 at the National Television of Haiti (TNH) , Delmas 33, from 10:00 am



Flag 215th : Full text of President Moise's speech

Friday, May 18, the city of Arcahaie hosted the celebration of the 215th anniversary of the creation of the Haitian flag https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24422-haiti-flag-215th-thanks-to-the-haitian-epic-humanity-becomes-universal-dixit-jovenel-moise.html . After the national anthem, the raising of the flag and the religious ceremony, President Moise delivered his speech on the official stand. Download the official full text of the speech : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/discours-jovenel-moise-18-05-2018.pdf



Acts more than words

Rather than trying to put Haiti under an artificially positive light and media, Elan Haiti aims to reveal the potential of the unification of young people through networking and the creation of concrete action projects that will be carried out in Haiti by participants of the symposium https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23154-haiti-notice-call-for-applications-3rd-international-symposium-of-the-youth.html with the support of the Youth Initiatives Support Department (DSIJ) of the ECHO Haiti Group.



Did you know ?

Since the arrival of President Jovenel Moise, the 491 diplomats and 512 contractors (1,003 in total) of the 49 Haitian diplomatic missions around the world have been reduced by 40% today the diplomatic mission includes 599 people (349 diplomats and 250 contracts), the monthly budget went from 290 million Gourdes to 200 million (-31%)



Canada, project  Ayitic Goes Global 

The Embassy of Canada in Haiti is proud to have accompanied the partners and beneficiaries of the "Ayitic Goes Global" project. Valuing women in the digital market at the official launch of the very first training https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24371-haiti-technology-online-training-related-to-ict-for-haitian-women.html . The project is a joint initiative of the Registry of Latin American and Caribbean Internet Directorates (LACNIC) and the International Development Research Center / IDRC / IDRC, which aims to improve women's access to employment. Haiti through training that will enable more than 500 young women to develop digital skills and receive support in bringing them into contact with online job opportunities.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24371-haiti-technology-online-training-related-to-ict-for-haitian-women.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24225-haiti-news-zapping.html



Cap-Haitien in blue and red

346/5000

The day of May 18, 2018 in the city of Cap-Haitien was marked by the blue and red color of our Haitian flag. The Capois shown attached to the feeling of being Haitian and Parc St Victor Felix was packed to watch the parade of majorettes and different bands of the city and other from elsewhere.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Adult Corrections Officers Acceptance of $7,000 from Inmate Under his Supervision

Resolution of Charge 2018-2 (Charge No. 2015-Cg-5)

From Hawaii State Ethics Commission, May 17, 2018 (excerpts)

Respondent Kumalani Borling (Respondent Borling) was employed by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) as an Adult Corrections Officer (ACO) at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center (HCCC) on the island of Hawaii, from approximately January 2007 through January 31, 2010. On April 15, 2015, the Hawaii State Ethics Commission (Commission) issued a Charge against Respondent Borling for alleged violations of the State Ethics Code, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) chapter 84 (Charge).

Respondent Borling filed a Response to the Charge on June 10, 2015, essentially admitting to the allegations in the Charge. The Commission and Respondent Borling agreed to resolve the Charge with Respondent Borlings payment of an administrative penalty of $2,500 to the State of Hawaii; restitution of $7,000 to a former inmate of HCCC (Inmate); and the publication of this Resolution of Charge document.

Misuse of Position to Obtain Power of Attorney from Inmate

In or around November 2009, Respondent Borling and two other ACOs, ACO Kimo Kanazawa-Yee and ACO Bernie Abella, planned to obtain money from Inmate. Respondent Borling took part in a plan to cause Inmate to execute a Power of Attorney appointing Respondent Borling as Inmates attorney-in-fact for the purpose of making a one-time withdrawal of $10,000 from Inmates bank account with the intent that the money be divided and distributed between the three ACOs.

[The Commission previously resolved Charges against ACO Kanazawa-Yee (Resolution of Charge 2017-7) and ACO Abella (Resolution of Charge 2016-8)]

C. Soliciting and/or Accepting and/or Receiving $4,000 from Inmate

On November 18, 2009, Inmate executed a Power of Attorney, which (1) was made effective from November 20, 2009 to December 20, 2009, (2) was witnessed by ACO Kanazawa-Yee, and (3) gave Respondent Borling power of attorney for the purpose of making a $10,000 withdrawal from Inmates bank account. On December 14, 2009, Respondent Borling, ACO Kanazawa-Yee, and ACO Abella drove from Hilo to the bank branch in Kailua-Kona where, using the Power of Attorney, Respondent Borling withdrew $10,000 from Inmates account. Respondent Borling was issued a cashiers check in his name for this amount. On December 22, 2009, Respondent Borling deposited the $10,000 in his own bank account. Subsequently, on or about January 7, 2010, Respondent Borling gave ACO Kanazawa-Yee and ACO Abella cashiers checks, drawn on Respondent Borlings bank account, in the amount of $3,000 each.

D. Non-disclosure of $4,000 Gift from Inmate

Respondent Borling did not file a gifts disclosure statement with the Commission disclosing the $4,000 that he received.

E. Soliciting and/or Accepting, and/or Receiving $3,000 from Inmate

In or around January 2010, Respondent Borling provided Inmate with his private address. On or about January 28, 2010, Inmate directed his bank to issue a check for $3,000 to Respondent Borling and send the check to the private address. Respondent Borling was then part of a DPS reduction in force that took effect on January 31, 2010, and ceased employment with DPS on this date. On or about February 4, 2010, Respondent Borling received a check for $3,000, drawn from Inmates funds, and later cashed his check or caused it to be cashed.

read  Full Report
OHA Trustee Candidates Aila and Kiaaina Instrumental in OHAs Biggest Boondoggle

by Andrew Walden

OHA Trustee candidates Esther Kia'aina and William Aila claim OHA needs reform, but their record shows they are part of the problem.

In publicity interviews at the time of their campaign announcement they let the cat out of the bag:

Aila and Kia'aina say they were instrumental in Hawaiis successful bid to host the 2016 International Union for Conservation of Natures World Conservation Congress.  Civil Beat, Oct 31, 2017

A State Auditor's report, released four months later, cites OHAs $500,000 co-sponsorship of IUCN as a the largest single example of Spending on Loosely Administered, Non-Competitive Awards which cause the Fiscal Reserve (to be) spent down rapidly.

OHA CEO Kamana'opono Crabbe as Master of Ceremonies at IUCN, Waikiki, September, 2016.

IUCN has been tagged as a Greenwashing Event funded by Shell Oil . Why would they need OHA money?

Activist Mililani Trask explained to the OHA Board of Trustees Jan 26, 2017 : ( OHA CEO Kamana'opono) Crabbe gave the IUCN conference a $500,000.00 gift of trust funds on so he could be the Master of Ceremonies of a gala Hollywood style opening ceremony at the IUCN Conference in Honolulu. He brought in, at the Trusts expense, dozens of his friends to dance, chant and pose for the media. These expenditures did not benefit our Hawaiian Peoples and were a flagrant Breach of Trust. OHA Trustees did not approve these expenditures until after Crabbe made he commitment and thereafter, on the advice of Klein, voted to support it to avoid possible litigation!

According to the Audit Report (pg21) , that BoT approval came in October, 2014.

The Audit Report (pg 21) points to: action items we tested were missing multiple items, including two  $500,000 for the IUCN Congress and $100,000 for the trip to New Zealand  that provided only proposal letters as support for the funding requests. The information most frequently missing from or unclear in the action items were: (1) authorized use; (2) why the request could not be funded through the budget; and (3) urgency and impact to OHA.

The involvement of Kia'aina and Aila in an expensive project designed to boost Crabbe should be of no surprise. They have been working hand-in hand with Crabbe for years.

November, 2009 : Esther Kia'aina and Kamana'opono Crabbe were both appointed on the same day to top positions at OHA by former CEO Clyde Namuo--Kia'aina as Chief Advocate and Crabbe as Research Director. Kia'aina and Crabbe would work side-by side for the next two years.

2011: Namuo quits as OHA CEO to become become Executive Director of Native Hawaiian Roll Commission. Crabbe becomes OHA CEO.

2012: Kiaaina runs for US Congress in District 2 but comes in third getting only 5.7% of the vote in the Democratic Primary. Kiaaina 2012 Campaign donors include: Crabbe supporter and current OHA Trustees Chair Collette Machado, FedRec Profiteer Anthony Naalehu, and crooked DoI appointee Tony Babautaan associate of Robin Danner who would, in November, 2012, be fired by the Obama Administration .

2013: DLNR News Release, July 19, 2013 -- As part of the transition (to a new administrator of the State Historic Preservation Division), a screening committee consisting of DLNR Chairperson William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR Deputy Director Esther Kia'aina, OHA Chief Executive Officer Kamana'opono Crabbe, and University of Hawaii anthropology and ethnic studies professor Ty Kawika Tengan has been established to review applications and interview candidates. Abercrombies DLNR Chair Aila would announce Alan Downer as the next SHPD administration in November, 2013.

2014-2016: Kia'aina and Aila were instrumental in Hawaiis successful bid to host the 2016 International Union for Conservation of Natures World Conservation Congress.

According to her LinkedIn page, Kiaanas current sinecure as Executive Director of the Pacific Basin Dev Council (PBDC) began in October, 2017just as she announced her campaign. PBDC is located at OHA's old HQ building and has been a revolving door with OHA admin in the past.

Hawaii Free Press asked Aila and Kiaaina how they respond to the calls for Crabbes ouster in wake of the State Auditors report. They did not reply to our inquires -- but their campaign rhetoric shows their focus is entirely on punishing OHA Trustees who oppose Crabbe. Conveniently, the three Trustees who most consistently support CrabbeDan Ahuna, Robert Lindsey, Collette Machado-- are not up for reelection this year.

Will the thousand dollar crooks who oppose Crabbe be pushed aside by Aila and Kia'aina to enable OHA's continuing multi-million dollar graft? This year, Throw out the bums might mean keep Crabbe if voters pick the wrong replacements.

---30---

February, 2018: Crabbe: Who is the Auditor to Judge ME?

March, 2018: OHA: Does Draft Audit Blow Blackmail Scheme?

April, 2018: Land and Power: Abercrombie, Delacruz Behind Slate of OHA Trustee Candidates




We're a family of seven living in Georgia where Andrew's working as a professor at GSU. You can read more about us here
In other news, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is concerned about transatlantic relations after the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, while the BBC wonders why a Finnish father of six has decided to give his children total freedom.

While Finland always seems to rank highly in international polls related to education, happiness and healthcare, apparently Finns are more interested in pointing out their failures than celebrating their successes. Mother Nature Network wonders why Finland is so indifferent about being called the best.

Why Finland is so ho-hum about being the best

Mother Nature Network

Whether it's for overall happiness or the best place to live, Finland often earns high marks. But such accolades aren't always greeted with cheers and high-fives like they are in other places. The Finnish response is more muted, more pragmatic, more focused on the big picture.

To understand why, you have to dig a little deeper into the culture. When Finland was named the happiest country in the world, "Finns reacted the same way as we have reacted to other top rankings in various international comparisons: we criticized the methodology of the study, questioned its conclusions and pointed to the shortcomings of Finnish society," Finnish photographer and researcher Frank Martela explains to Scientific American.

This isn't the first time something like this has happened, either. Martela cites an op-ed written by the CEO of the Finnish Chamber of Commerce in 2014, after the country was named the most economically competitive country in the European Union by the World Economic Forum. While Risto Penttila's op-ed is partially a political piece about certain policy failures, it speaks to an overall tendency among Finns to downplay successes by pointing out their failures.

Martela posits that Finns, simply by not overstating or even showing their happiness, are making themselves happier overall.

"The Finnish tendency to downplay one's own happiness and the norm against too much public display of joy might actually make Finns happier," Martela writes. "This is because social comparison seems to play a significant role in people's life satisfaction. If everybody else is doing better than you, it is hard to be satisfied with your life conditions, no matter how good they objectively are."

Martela's assertion isn't entirely off base. As he explains, social media posts that present an idealized version of people's lives may make us feel bad about our own lives, even if they are objectively good.

So are Finns really the happiest people in the world? Maybe, maybe not. It just depends on how you want to define happiness and how you're willing to show it.

Original article was published by Mother Nature Network on 17/05/2018 and can be found here.

Niinisto: U.S. withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal badly hurts transatlantic relations

Xinhua

The withdrawal of the United States from the Iran nuclear agreement could badly hurt transatlantic relations, said Finnish President Sauli Niinisto on Tuesday.

At a press conference held after his meeting with President of Iceland Guni Johannesson, Niinisto said that the issue surrounding the Iran nuclear agreement is a reason to worry about the global security situation.

"The U.S. is no longer a part of it. That badly hurts transatlantic relations," noted Niinisto. "It has a wider impact than just Iran and the nuclear agreement."

Finland and Iceland have a similar viewpoint when it comes to maintaining a peaceful situation in Europe and the rest of the world, he added.

Original article was published by Xinhua News Agency on 15/05/2018 and can be found here.

Environmental group ClientEarth files complaint to stop Nord Stream 2 in Finland

Reuters

Environmental campaign group ClientEarth on Monday said it had submitted a complaint to a Finnish court seeking to stop the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline through Finnish waters, citing the risk of serious harm to marine life.

Finland approved the pipeline last month and the pipelines operator started preparatory work shortly after that.

The work involves detonating World War Two bombs on the sea floor along the pipelines proposed route and ClientEarth said that could cause serious harm to porpoises, seals and birds.

A Nord Stream spokeswoman said the project organization would examine the complaint, but added that it had agreed with Finnish authorities on mitigation measures to reduce the impact on marine life.

The proposed pipeline between Russia and Germany, owned by Russian gas export monopoly Gazprom, is set to cross around 375 km of Finlands economic zone through the Baltic Sea.

Like Finland, Germany has also approved the pipeline. The project is currently collecting permits from Russia, Sweden and Denmark.

Original article was published by Reuters on 14/05/2018 and can be found here.

One billion people have played a game made in Finland  this new 'Gaming Embassy' is doubling down on the momentum

Business Insider Nordic

Its almost two years since Finland turned a 130-year-old hospital in Helsinki's city centre into the biggest startup hub in the Nordics. The hub, Maria 01, has grown rapidly, and now a new games-focused hub will be opening on the same site next month.

Games Factory will serve as a home base for a select group of gaming studios, and will also serve a larger role as a gaming community meeting place, a window for outsiders into the Finnish gaming ecosystem, and also as a platform for gaming initiatives in Finland and beyond.

Well be the embassy and showroom of the Finnish games industry in the global arena. Games Factory will develop the Helsinki and Finnish gaming ecosystem from the inside out, explains CEO Jose Jacome.

Jacome says that a key role for the new hub will be to increase cohesion within the industry by acting as a sort of regional community that allows game developers and others in the industry to network and collaborate, sharing both information and knowledge.

This new Games Embassy will be home to 20 small to medium-sized gaming studios.

Gregory Pellechi, creative writer & storyteller at Third Culture Kids, said:

I think this hub will develop to be a fount of knowledge and exploration. Games and game development is constantly changing, and to stay relevant and push boundaries you need a place to share what you know and learn from others.

Original article was published by Business Insider Nordic on 18/05/2018 and can be found here.

Would you give your kids total freedom?

BBC News

Juha Jarvinen is a father of six living in a rural area in western Finland. He has an unusual parenting style: put simply, his children enjoy total freedom in the house.

The idea is to teach children to only take risks that they can handle. Does his approach work?

Original article was published by BBC News on 13/05/2018 and can be found here.

Dan Anderson  HT

Photo: AFP / Lehtikuva
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Ranbir Kapoor will be a host and performer at the upcoming 19th edition of The International Indian Film and Academy (IIFA) to be held in Bangkok. (IANS photo)
A man gives his thumbprint to withdraw money from his bank account with his Aadhaar or Unique Identification card during a Digi Dhan Mela, held to promote digital payment, in Hyderabad. Jared Cohen, a former State Department official and expert on social media and cyber-crime, has said there are serious concerns regarding biometric data collection for the Aadhaar card. (Noah Seelam/AFP/Getty Images)
Nollywood actor Odunlade Adekola who was recently accused of bagging a degree in UNILAG without attending classes like his class mates has denied the accusation.

In a phone chat with Sunday Scoop, the father of 4 said his classmates can testify that he attended lectures just like every other students on campus.

His words:

Being in school was a really thrilling experience for me. I was humbled in the sense that I had to attend classes, do assignments, sit for exams and carry out other academic activities. I had a good relationship with all the lecturers that taught me and the students too. There was nothing like celebrity status. As long as we were in the classroom together, we were all one in our quest for knowledge. One should never get tired of seeking knowledge because the world is dynamic and ever-changing, he said. I attended classes regularly and I did everything I was required to do. My course mates can testify. I was not a stranger to any of my course mates because I usually attended classes. I was the one who made the decision to go to school. I knew what it entailed and I was ready to adhere to the rules. I can tell you that I worked hard for my certificate.

The actor is a graduate of the University of Lagos, Akoka Campus. He studied Business Administration.

-PUNCH
Abayomi Shogunle

Recently, a female citizen via Twitter shared her encounter with a Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS) officer in Lagos. According to the Nigerian woman identified as Princess Ife, the SARS officer had coerced her into making a funds transfer of N5000 or get killed.

The complain according to Abayomi Shogunle, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) is being acted upon and IGP Idris Ibrahim has ordered immediate commencement of disciplinary action.

See what he shared via Twitter:
.@BorisJohnson has arrived in Iquitos with President @MartinVizcarraC and Foreign Minister @NestorPopolizio for the first ???? Foreign Secretary visit to Peru in over 50 years pic.twitter.com/HqksAoH06S
My name is Matt, I am photographer and "BTS search Guru".On ISO 1200 Magazine we have the best team searching brand new behind the scenes videos around the world to learn all the secrets of the best photographers
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YONCALLA, Ore.-- Four people are dead after a wrong-way driver crashed head-on into another vehicle Saturday night.

Oregon State Police said it happened on I5 southbound near milepost 154. They said both cars were engulfed in flames.

Oregon State Police said a preliminary investigation revealed that an Acura Integra was southbound on I5 when for unknown reasons, turned around and was driving the wrong way. They then had a head-on collision with a Nissan Murano.

Both the drivers and passengers in the cars died from the injuries they sustained.

Police have not released any further details or the names of those involved. They are asking if you witnessed the crash and have information to give them a call at 541-440-3333.

A portion of I5 was closed for over five hours and ODOT set up a detour.
JUNCTION CITY, Ore. - Neighbors around Meadowview & Prairie Rd. in Junction City noticed a heavy police presence around 4 p.m.

Neighbors said they were told a lawn mower had been stolen, and police were searching peoples yards for the suspect, who had hopped off of the stolen mower and fled. They said once he was located in a field, he suffered something like an allergy or asthma attack.

Neighbors said the suspect received medical care, and police now have him in custody.

One man said this kind of thing going on quite literally in his backyard made him nervous.

"I'm concerned about safety above all, and so much stuff going on anymore that you want to be sure that everything is safe around here, said Bob Marker, a Junction City resident.

Oregon State Police and Lane County Sheriffs Office were at the scene. Marker said he also saw Eugene Police at one point.

No officers were able to comment on the incident, as it was currently under investigation.
SHASTA LAKE, Calif. - Deputies in Shasta County, California are investigating the death of a University of Oregon student.

Deputies said at 8:45 A.M. on Saturday, they were called to a man who was not breathing at Gooseneck Campground in Shasta Lake.

They said when they arrived, they found a 21-year-old man not breathing. They said CPR was performed, but he was ultimately declared dead at the scene.

That man was later identified by U.O. as Dylan Pietrs.

Students tell KEZI this weekend is the annual Shasta Weekend, which is an unofficial event organized by fraternities.

The university released a statement Saturday evening offering their condolences to Pietrs' friends and family. It said in part, "As devastating as this sudden passing is, it is important to point out that this tragedy is connected to an unauthorized tradition among many college students. Students from many institutions have a history of demonstrating poor life choices during visits to Lake Shasta. These activities are contrary to the values of the university and fraternity and sorority organizations."

Investigators told KEZI that Pietrs was found by fellow students who said he was drinking the day before and went back to his tent early Friday evening.

Deputies said they did not find anything that led them to believe this was foul play, and they do not believe this was a suicide. They are still looking into whether alcohol contributed to his death.
EUGENE, Ore. - The University of Oregon has apologized for its statement released Saturday night regarding a student who died in Northern California.

Saturday morning, 21-year-old Dylan Pietrs, was found not breathing by fellow students at Lake Shasta. Pietrs was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, which was taking part in the annual Shasta Weekend.

Late Saturday night, the University issued a statement online that read:

"It is important to point out that this tragedy is connected to an unauthorized tradition among many college students. Students from many institutions have a history of demonstrating poor life choices during visits to Lake Shasta. These activities are contrary to the values of the university and fraternity and sorority organizations."

Overnight, the statement was taken down and replaced with a new one from the Division of Student Life that read in short:

"The death is tragic, and the university offers its deepest sympathy to family and friends of Dylan and the communities he was a part of at the University of Oregon.

It is our understanding that UO students are returning from Lake Shasta early in light of this terrible event. We encourage our students to seek out counseling support from the University Counseling and Testing Center if they are affected by this tragic event. The dean of students' office also has drop-in hours from 1-5 p.m. each business day in Oregon Hall.

Please join us in offering our sincere condolences to all affected by this incident."

The University also issued a statement via Twitter on Sunday morning that apologized for the insensitive nature of the original statement.
CRESCO, Iowa  The first sentence has been handed down in drug bust where five people were arrested.

Billie Jean Hageman, 18 of Lime Springs, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of methamphetamine and possession of amitriptyline without a prescription. Shes been given up to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $315 fine. As part of a plea deal, six other drug charges were dismissed and she received a deferred judgment on the meth charge. That means is will be wiped from her record if she meets the terms of her probation.

Hageman was among five arrested on December 12, 2017, after Cresco police searched a home in the 700 block of South Elm Street. Officers said they found meth and six different prescription drugs without a prescription.

Michael Leyton Walter, 30 of Cresco, has pleaded not guilty to gathering where drugs are used, maintaining premises for drug use, and seven counts of drug possession. His trial is set for June 27.

David Lynn Gaul, 58 of Cresco, has entered a not guilty plea to maintaining premises for drug use and two counts of drug possession. His trial is also scheduled to being June 27.

Two other Cresco residents, Lance Aaron Souhrada, 44, and Kristie Jo Cobban, 43, were charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Court records indicate they have not yet entered pleas.
FARMINGTON TOWNSHIP, Minn. Two people are hurt after a crash involving a pickup truck and three motorcycles.

The Minnesota State Patrol says Carl Henry Mancilman, 64 of Pine Island, was driving a truck west on Highway 247 when he crossed the center line into the eastbound lane. The Patrol says three people riding east on Harley Davidson motorcycles laid down their bikes to avoid a head-on collision with Mancilmans truck.

Two of the motorcycle riders were taken to St. Marys Hospital for treatment. Michael Alvin Hoffman, 47 of Mankato, suffered what are described as life threatening injuries while Regino Ortega, 42 of Dodge Center, suffered injuries described as non-life threatening.

No one else was reportedly hurt in this incident, which happened around 11:27 am Saturday.

The sheriffs Office of Olmsted and Wabasha counties, Elgin fire and ambulance, and Mayo One all assisted at the scene.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - A man is in custody after stealing a woman's purse and fleeing the scene, before assaulting two Rochester Police Officers.

Authorities report it happened in the 4600 block of 22 Avenue Northwest around 10p.m. Friday night.

Police said 22-year-old Lance Donovan knew the victim whose purse he allegedly stole. Soon after he fled the scene he returned and that is when officers found him in the garage.

Officesr told KIMT Donovan was non-compliant with them, resisting arrest at which point he was tazed and assaulted two officers.

This is not his first run-in with the law.

At the time of his arrest he had a warrant out in his name for domestic assault.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton has vetoed a GOP-backed bill that would increase penalties for protesters who block freeways or transit lines.

The debate started last year in response to protests over officer-involved shootings of two black men that shut down interstates and blocked the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The Legislature's bill would have hit protesters in similar demonstrations with a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $3,000 fine.

Republicans argued it was necessary to protect public safety. But Dayton vetoed the legislation Saturday night.

The Democratic governor says the guidelines for protesters who block transit was too vague. And he says it's unfair to punish protesters more harshly than people who commit assault or domestic assault.

The Minnesota Legislature is headed for a messy and potentially inconclusive ending.

Lawmakers have until midnight Sunday to pass bills. But Republican leaders and Gov. Mark Dayton have struggled to compromise on a tax bill and some additional government spending, including emergency funding for public schools that Dayton deems necessary.

GOP legislative leaders conceded Saturday night an agreement may be out reach. They planned to pass a handful of bills overnight with new measures meant to satisfy Dayton and hope the governor would accept.

Dayton declared he wouldn't sign the budget bill in its current form and left a reworked tax bill's fate up in the air.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - A man is sent to the hospital in Rochester following a violent assault.

According to Rochester Police Department the incident happened around 10:00a.m. Saturday morning in the 400 block of 8th Avenue Northwest.

Authorities tell KIMT two males who lived together got into an unknown dispute. As one of the males went to leave the house the other took a hammer and hit him in the head.

Police took 40-year-old Frank Towers into custody.

The victim was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

Police tell kimt they are still investigating what exactly led up to such a violent attack.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 52F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 52F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
KCDC earns Website of the Year honors for 2018



KNOXVILLE - The website for Knoxvilles Community Development Corporation (KCDC) has earned recognition as Website of the Year in 2018 in a statewide competition.

The Tennessee Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (TAHRA) announced the winners at the 2018 TAHRA Annual Awards held in April in Murfreesboro.



KCDCs website won in the Extra Large Public Housing Agency category. The judges considered the following criteria: color and design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, copywriting and user friendliness.



The KCDC website is our front door to residents, applicants, vendors and stakeholders, KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. We are grateful to be recognized by TAHRA for the quality of our online communications with these important groups.



The site is now part of a regional competition with members of the Southeastern Regional Council (SERC) of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).



Moxley Carmichael designed the website for KCDC.



About Knoxvilles Community Development Corporation

Since 1936, KCDC has been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Knoxville and Knox County. KCDCs mission is to improve and transform neighborhoods and communities by providing quality affordable housing, advancing development initiatives and fostering self-sufficiency. For more information, call 865-403-1100 or visit www.kcdc.org.




By Jung Da-min, Jung Min-ho







Residents of Bukchon Hanok Village, a popular tourist destination in central Seoul, gathered in their neighborhood Saturday to protest an overwhelming influx of tourists.





"More than 300,000 tourists visit our residential area every month. They make noise, smoke, throw out garbage and even urinate in the street," a protester said in a statement. "We repeatedly asked the government to solve the problem, but little has changed so far."





The residents said they have run out of patience, demanding the government designate their village as a restricted zone and enact proper measures to resolve the problem.





"The government designated our village as a Hanok Conservation Area against our will and shifted the responsibility to us while making little efforts itself," the residents said. "Excessive tourism has seriously undermined the quality of our lives."













David Kilburn, a British man who has lived in Gahoe-dong in the village since 1988, also raised his voice for the importance of "sustainable tourism."





"Hanok should be open for those who want to experience them, but they should also function as livable communities for locals," he told The Korea Times.


FANTOM Foundation CEO Ahn Byung-ik speaks during conference meeting at Oracle Korea head office in Seoul, May 10. / Courtesy of FANTOM Foundation

By Jhoo Dong-chan



The nation's cryptocurrency fever has been eased following a series of government announcements planning to regulate the market since late January. The world's most widely traded cryptocurrency, bitcoin, which once peaked at over 25 million won ($232,666) per coin, plunged to below 8 million won in February amid growing fears that the bubble could burst anytime.



Famous Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett also downplayed the future of virtual coins, saying he is "almost certain that cryptocurrencies will come to a bad end," but FANTOM Foundation CEO Ann Byung-ik claims cryptocurrencies and related technologies will eventually change our lives as the introduction of the internet did two decades ago.



"Some say it is the biggest bubble in human history. I believe their perspectives are too narrow-minded and consider virtual coins merely as a speculation source," Ahn said during an interview with The Korea Times.



"It is true the nation's cryptocurrency market was roller-coastering because of speculation. I believe the trend has been settled, and the market now considers virtual coins as a means of payment in various industries through blockchain technology."



According to global virtual coin indicator CoinMarketCap, there are 1,610 cryptocurrencies registered in the exchanges across the world. And Ahn said each virtual coin has its own characteristics where each can be used in different industries.



"Each cryptocurrency has different features fit for its own purpose. I think Korea can be an ideal incubator to test drive new virtual coins and their blockchain systems," he said.



"High-speed internet infrastructure is already here, unparalleled to any other country in the world. And the Korean people are very adoptive to technology. Now, it is the government's role to establish a favorable environment for virtual coins and their blockchains."



Recognizing the importance of the related technologies, new Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) Governor Yoon Suk-heun said earlier this month that the nation's top financial authority will consider easing cryptocurrency regulations. The move is in stark contrast to its previous stance having taken stern measures, including banning anonymous cryptocurrency exchange accounts, to ease speculative investment in the cryptocurrency markets.



Ahn welcomes Yoon's comment, but said the government has to do more.



"A number of local blockchain platform developers still tend to choose more favorable countries, such as Switzerland and Singapore, for their initial coin offerings (ICOs)," he added.



"Korea already has ideal conditions to incubate blockchain platforms. It will be a huge loss if the country fails to accommodate them here."



He said FANTOM Foundation is also preparing an ICO in Hong Kong in mid-June.



"FANTOM is a next-generation blockchain platform to accommodate various problems that were found in the second-generation blockchain platforms," Ahn said. "Like other third-generation blockchain platforms such as EOS, Fantom can also be used in various occasions in everyday life."



After its ICO in Hong Kong, Ahn said FANTOM Foundation will test drive the platform in the nation's food tech industry.



"We will expand our boundary into a wider range of industries," he said.



"The platform is scheduled to be introduced here in the second half of this year. We plan to raise the so-called 'FANTOM venture capital' worth up to 500 billion won to recruit and support firms using FANTOM."



It has partnered with a number of global conglomerates including Oracle and SoftBank Group. Cryptocurrency investor giant Blockwater Capital and TCM are among FANTOM Foundation's investors.



Blockchain technology pioneer and industry influencer Eddy Travia has also officially joined FANTOM Foundation as an advisory board. He is the CEO and co-founder of Coinsilium.



He was a private equity fund manager in China before he entered the blockchain industry in July 2013. Travia cofounded Seedcoin, the world's first global?incubator of?digital currency startups, in the year.



Travia was named among the 'Top 3 Most Influential Investors'?at the Blockchain Awards in May 2014. He led early-stage investments in 18 blockchain companies around the world, including RSK and Indorse, and participated in 14 ICOs that have collectively raised more than $500 million.










/ Yonhap



South Korea's financial regulators said Sunday they will strengthen efforts to ferret out the illegal transfer and concealment of wealth abroad.

The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) said they are now better able to detect certain transfers of funds to foreign countries that may have been carried out to avoid paying taxes at home.

The two agencies said that those who try to skip paying their dues will have to deal with the law and pay proper redemptions.

The latest move comes as President Moon Jae-in said early last week that sending money abroad so as to avoid paying taxes is an anti-social crime that must be rooted out. The chief executive then urged financial watchdogs, tax and customs offices and law enforcement agencies to work together to combat such transgressions.

The FIU, under the country's Financial Services Commission, will be tasked with detecting money laundering activities and the unlawful sending of funds overseas.

It plans to check for money transfers and to monitor suspicious movements of money through financial institutions.

The FSS said it aims to confirm whether such procedures were in accordance with Seoul's foreign exchange transaction act, which requires detailed and precise reporting to authorities.

It will, in particular, examine the transfer of money to set up overseas businesses or purchase real estate, as both methods have been used in the past to siphon wealth abroad.

The FSS said those who did not abide by the rules will be subject to stiff fines, while people and businesses suspected of having broken the law in a serious manner will be referred to the state prosecutors office for criminal investigation.

The latest action comes against a background of some wealthy people and businesses consistently coming under suspicion for breaking the law by trying to hide their wealth through borrowed name accounts at home or sending their money abroad. (Yonhap)
Police prevent dog farm owners from taking dogs out of cages during a protest calling for the government to legalize the dog meat trade near the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap



By Kim Jae-heun



Fewer people in Seoul are eating dog as nearly 40 percent of the restaurants selling dog meat have closed over the last 10 years.



According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the number of restaurants serving dog meat soup, or "bosintang," decreased from 528 in 2005 to 329 in 2014  many of which either closed or changed their menu. Even, some hide the name of bosintang with "meat soup" or "meat stew" to reduce people's feelings of disgust.



Gyeongdong Market in Jegi-dong, once famous for its district of restaurants selling dog meat, had only five as of last year.



The poll found such a change in the local food culture is due to the shift of generational tastes. Most in the younger generations refuse to eat dog meat.



The international animal activist group "Last Chance for Animals" said it discovered that 81.2 percent of Koreans did not eat dog meat for the past year after interviewing 1,000 people.



It also revealed 40.5 percent have never tried dog meat and 24.8 percent said they ate bosintang in the past but not anymore. Only 18.8 percent said they will keep eating dog meat and only 1.2 percent said they eat dog meat regularly, every month.



Koreans have been eating dog meat to re-energize their bodies in the summer months, which they believed helps supplement their physical stamina during the summer.



However, many began to shun eating dog meat as younger generations perceive it as uncivilized. Those who enjoy dog meat are mostly in their 50s to 60s now.



A man in his 30s said he ate dog meat at his co-worker's suggestion, but he felt guilty later when he watched a TV program with many cute puppies running around in the scene.



"My friends are very reluctant to eat dog meat and it has influenced me a lot. I think I will not eat dog meat anymore," Kim said.



Meanwhile, dog meat restaurateurs and dog farm owners have for a long time established an association to make dog eating legal. Last week, they held protests near Jongno and the National Assembly.



They insisted that dog be included in the category as one of the animals that can be served as food in the livestock industry act. Thus, it recognizes restaurateurs and dog farm owners to legally slaughter dogs and distribute and sell the meat.



However, last March lawmakers amended the law to ban dog farms with unsanitary disposal facilities.



"Demands for dog meat have decreased dramatically recently while the level of awareness about animal rights has skyrocketed," said an official of the Seoul Metropolitan Government.



"Eating dog meat is not illegal and local governments cannot crack down on farms or restaurants selling dog meat. However, it is definitely a declining industry and it is just a matter of time before it disappears all together."


South Korean President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump / Yonhap



South Korean President Moon Jae-in and President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Sunday and exchanged views on making the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit a success, the presidential office said.

The two leaders talked from 11:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. and agreed to work together closely on the historic meeting, Cheong Wa Dae said. Moon is scheduled to hold talks with the U.S. chief executive on Tuesday in Washington.

He is set to head for Washington late Monday and return home early Thursday.

"The two leaders exchanged opinions on various actions taken by North Korea recently," Yoon Young-chan, the senior press secretary to President Moon Jae-in, said in a text message sent to the reporters.

Sunday's call is the 15th phone conversation between the two leaders.

The conversation comes amid the North's threats to call off the U.S.-North Korea meeting. North Korea earlier called the June 12 meeting into question when it slammed ongoing military exercises between South Korea and the U.S. as a provocation and an invasion rehearsal.

The North's anger is apparently also a sign of its opposition to the so-called Libya model for its denuclearization. Libya surrendered its weapons of mass destruction program in 2003 in return for sanctions relief, but its former leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled from power and killed by NATO-backed rebel forces in 2011.

Experts pointed out that in Sunday's talks, the two leaders affirmed their commitment to the denuclearization of North Korea.

The Seoul-Washington summit meeting, meanwhile, is scheduled three weeks before Trump is due to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore.

The latter will be a first for the leaders of the two countries, which have maintained a confrontational stance toward each other since the 1950-53 Korean War.

Leaders of the two Koreas have met three times, most recently on April 27 in the truce village of Panmunjeom. (Yonhap)
Members of North Korean defector groups hold a press conference opposing the repatriation of the 12 North Korean restaurant workers who defected from China, and call for government protection of defectors in front of the Seoul Government Complex on Saturday. / Yonhap



By Kim Bo-eun



The issue of North Korean defectors to the South is again heightening tension between the Koreas, as the reconciliatory atmosphere has suddenly gone sour following the North's unilateral cancellation of high-level inter-Korean talks last week.



North Korea said it would not return to the table until the South resolved defector issues.



In the South there are around 30,000 people who have defected from the North. A high-profile case was the April 2016 defection of 12 North Korean workers from a Pyongyang-run restaurant in China.



The South Korean government said the defection was made according to the workers' free will, but North Korea claimed the South abducted the workers.



The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Saturday reported on North Korea's Red Cross calling for the workers to be sent back.



"(The South) must show willingness to improve inter-Korean relations by promptly sending our female citizens back to their families," a spokesman of the Red Cross was quoted as saying.



The spokesman said the South's handling of the case will influence prospects of resolving humanitarian issues between the Koreas. One of them is the reunions of family members separated by the 1950-53 Korean War, which the two Koreas agreed to resume on Aug. 15 in the Panmunjeom Declaration made at last month's inter-Korean summit.



The North Korean Red Cross' demand was in line with the country's earlier stance, as it had been calling for the repatriation of the restaurant workers as a condition for resuming the reunions of separated families.



While there had been suspicions that the South's National Intelligence Service (NIS) under the former Park Geun-hye administration orchestrated the defection _ or abduction _ as a means to consolidate conservatives ahead of a local election, the two-year-old issue resurfaced after a local broadcaster aired a report in which some of the workers said they did not intend to come to the South.



A lawyers' association filed a complaint against members of the former Park administration who are suspected of having plotted the incident.



Members of North Korean defector groups held a press conference in front of the Seoul Government Complex, Saturday, opposing the restaurant workers' repatriation. They called for the government to recognize the defected workers as South Koreans and protect them.



The defector issue has halted inter-Korean talks. The Koreas were expected to hold a high-level meeting last week and discuss holding Red Cross talks to enable the reunion, but the meeting fell through after the North canceled abruptly.



Pyongyang cited the ongoing joint military drills between South Korea and the U.S., but was also apparently discomforted by a high-profile defector's denunciation of the regime.



Thae Yong-ho, a former North Korean diplomat to the U.K. and the highest-ranking North Korean official to have defected to the South, told the press last week that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will by no means give up the regime's nuclear weapons. He also referred to the leader as impatient, impulsive and violent-tempered.



North Korean media condemned Thae, referring to him as "human trash" who "tore down the regime's dignity," and demanded the South take measures to prevent further such cases from occurring.



Amid this situation, two North Korean men in their 40s crossed the western sea border into the South on a boat on Saturday.



The two told the authorities they were willing to defect to the South. The South Korean Coast Guard picked them up and sent them to the NIS for questioning.



The defection via the West Sea comes nine months since the last one.


A screen captured from Chinese Xinhua News Agency about the planned nuclear site dismantlement slated between May 23 and 25. / Yonhap



Uncertainties linger due to delay in visa process for reporters



By Choi Ha-young



North Korea is seemingly preparing to dismantle its nuclear test site in the northern village of Punggye-ri, scheduled for May 23 to 25, considering its presumed railroad repair work spotted by the government and construction seen in satellite images.



However, uncertainties linger whether the regime will keep its promise, because Pyongyang on Friday refused to accept South Korean journalists' visa applications, which are a must for them to enter the country to cover the event. No updates were given as of Sunday evening.



According to the U.S.-based website 38 North, satellite images showed North Korea was building a facility near the test site and cleaning up the site on May 15, possibly to provide a safe observation platform for journalists who will cover the event.



Earlier on May 12, North Korea's foreign ministry said it would invite reporters from South Korea, China, Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom, to view the dismantlement for transparency, with the specific date to be confirmed between May 23 and 25, given weather conditions.



"The unusual activity, observed a week ago on the hillside near the west portal, could represent the stockpiling of tunnel timbers and/or building materials reclaimed from ongoing dismantlement efforts, but given the exposed hillside location with a shed for an unobstructed view, the most likely explanation is that it will form an observation platform to allow journalists to safely view the explosive closure of the north and west portals," 38 North said.



Government officials also said Sunday that an outdated railroad connecting Wonsan and Kilju has been renovated, presumably to facilitate transportation for international journalists. Earlier, North Korea announced it would operate a special train between the press center in Wonsan to Kilju, where the Punggye-ri site is.



A North Korean online media outlet, DPRK Today, also reaffirmed the plan to dismantle the nuclear test site, saying it is a "meaningful and significant" move for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula based on the spirit of the agreements reached at the inter-Korean summit.



However, the North has not responded since Friday to the eight South Korean journalists chosen to cover the event.



Amid conflicting signals, the South Korean reporters -- four each from news agency News1 and broadcaster MBC -- will depart for Beijing on Monday, where they are supposed to wait for their flights to Kalma Airport in Wonsan along with other reporters from the other five countries, according to the Ministry of Unification. It is unknown whether North Korea will issue their visas at the last minute or just take the other foreign journalists only.



South Korean ministries said they are not fully aware which foreign news outlets were invited. North Korean authorities directly contacted foreign media outlets, unlike South Korean outlets that were contacted through the official channel between the two Koreas.



The U.S. Embassy in Seoul said it is not involved in the talks between some U.S. media companies and Pyongyang.



"If U.S. journalists inquire about the procedure to apply for a visa to visit North Korea, we will advise those journalists. However, we have not kept track of what North Koreans have done in terms of granting access to the U.S. journalists," an embassy official told The Korea Times.



According to a South Korean foreign ministry official, from the U.S., AP and CNN reporters have been in talks with North Korea, while Reuters will join the team from the U.K. From Russia, Ria Novosti reporters are expected to visit the North. "This is what the ministry has figured out, but we have difficulties in following up with the updates," the official said.


Many college students suffer from depression amid fierce competition to find jobs. / Yonhap



One out of seven college graduates hunting jobs have thought of committing suicide due to extreme stress, a survey showed Sunday.

According to the survey conducted by the Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center on 124 college graduates currently searching for jobs, 40 percent said they had experienced symptoms similar to depression, while 15.3 percent reported feeling suicidal.

Those who majored in liberal arts or social science had more stress than respondents with natural science and engineering degrees, while those with student loans were more depressed.

South Korea's jobless rate fell slightly in April due to a rise in employment in the health care, financial service and public service sectors, but job creation still remained weak, according to government data.

In March, the government proposed a 3.9 trillion-won ($3.69 billion) extra budget largely to create new jobs for young people, amid deepening concerns about high unemployment, which the government warned would have catastrophic consequences. (Yonhap)
A group of diverse but like-minded individuals, the members of ARC have come together in their common desire to fight hatred, bigotry, intolerance and violence because of the harm these antisocial behaviors cause to our society. In that effort, we will not use or sanction the use of illegal actions (such as violence or intimidation) in pursuit of our desired aims and if we learn of anyone who does use these unethical methods we will report those individuals to the authorities. Instead, we will use the guarantees found in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that ensure freedom of legal speech and expression.
A woman holds a picket that reads "If abortion is a crime, the state is the criminal" at a protest against the abortion ban held in downtown Seoul last Nov. 9./ Yonhap



By Lee Suh-yoon



The fate of the nation's 65-year-old anti-abortion law seems to stand at a crossroads as the Constitutional Court plans to review the legislation, Thursday.



A woman who gets an abortion in Korea can face a one-year jail term or a fine of 2 million won ($1,850). A doctor who carries out the abortion can face up to two years in prison. The blanket ban has a few exceptions such as when the pregnancy poses serious health risks to the mother.



Evelyn, a woman in her late 20s who asked to be identified by her English pseudonym, refers to the abortion she had in her college sophomore year as a "precarious journey."



"As it was illegal, I was not given a full explanation from the doctor before the operation  even on what kind of medical instruments would be used. For all I know, he could have used a clothes hanger," she said in an interview with The Korea Times.



"It was a precarious journey, and one you can't even talk about with anyone."



The hospital demanded a 600,000 won ($555) payment  in cash, to leave no records of the illegal procedure. She borrowed the money from an older woman.



She found the doctor's attitude was more troubling than the operation itself, which fortunately ended well without complications.



"The doctor did not show me the respect that I deserve as a patient," she said.



"His attitude was like 'Without me, where will you get this illegal procedure? It was also scary because I knew I could not hold him accountable even if anything went wrong."



High abortion rate



Korea has one of the highest abortion rates among OECD countries.



One in five women of childbearing age with sexual experience has had an abortion, according to a recent survey by the Korean Women's Development Institute.



According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 169,000 abortions were carried out in 2010. Ninety-four percent were illegal and over half were performed on married women.



Public health insiders say this figure  which is already higher than most OECD countries is understated. According to the Korean Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 3,000 abortions are carried out each day, putting the number of annual abortions over 1 million.






Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih / Reuters



Saudi Arabia has assured South Korea of its commitment to a stable oil market, after prices hit $80 a barrel for the first time since 2014, Seoul's energy ministry said Sunday.

Saudi Arabia's energy minister, Khalid al-Falih, called Paik Un-gyu, South Korean minister of trade, industry and energy, to discuss the latest development in the global oil market, Paik's office said.

During the phone call, Al Falih said his government will provide full support for a stable oil supply to South Korea, one of its major buyers.

After prices hit $80 a barrel for the first time since 2014 on Friday, the key member of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said it is consulting other oil producers to ensure an adequate level of supply to offset any potential shortfalls.

In a Twitter post on the same day, Al Falih said he had called his counterparts in the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Russia, as well as major oil consumer South Korea, to "coordinate global action to ease global market anxiety."

The price rally followed U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and restore wide-ranging sanctions on the major oil producer. Concerns are also mounting over falling output in Venezuela and the U.S. (Yonhap)
By Kim Rahn





Harry Harris
Late LG Chairman Koo Bon-moo



By Baek Byung-yeul



LG Group Chariman Koo Bon-moo passed away Sunday after a year-long battle with a brain tumor. He was 73.



Korea's fourth-largest conglomerate said Koo died peacefully at 9:52 a.m. in Seoul while his family was watching.



Koo underwent several operations since April last year to remove a brain tumor. Following the surgeries, the late business tycoon had been receiving intense medical care but was unable to recover. He had been hospitalized at Seoul National University Hospital for months.



When Koo fell ill, he handed over the everyday management of the group to Koo Bon-joon, his younger brother and the group's vice chairman.



Born in 1945 in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, Koo is the grandson of LG founder Koo In-hoi and the eldest son of the group's honorary Chairman Koo Ja-kyung, who he replaced as group chief in 1995.



While he was serving as chairman, the group's revenue rose from 30 trillion won ($28.3 billion) a year to 160 trillion won.





The life and legacy of Koo Koo Bon-moo's adopted son to become new LG chief LG leadership succession to cost $924 million "Becoming the third chairman of LG at the age of 50 in 1995, Koo established three key businesses -- electronics, chemicals and telecommunications -- as well as led a global company, LG, and contributed to driving (Korea's) industrial competitiveness and national economic development," LG said.



The group said the late chairman's family has decided to carry out a simple and private funeral in accordance with Koo's will, adding the family would respectively refuse to accept condolence visits and flowers.



"This is because the deceased always avoided complicated formalities and wished not to give others trouble because of him," the group said.



Koo is survived by his wife, two daughters and 40-year-old adopted son Koo Kwang-mo, who is seen to succeed the patriarch.



The son was adopted in 2004 from Heesung Group Chairman Koo Bon-neung, a younger brother of the late chairman.



The younger Koo joined the group's affiliate LG Electronics in 2006 and is currently managing LG Electronics' information display unit as vice president.



While the late chairman's health took a turn for the worse, the group said Thursday it would hold an emergency shareholders meeting on June 29 to elect the younger Koo as an inside director to prevent a power vacuum in the group's units.



The group said the top LG management discussed the need for an additional board member and the younger Koo is qualified given his rich experience in management.



The heir apparent Koo is the third-largest shareholder of LG Corp. having a 6.24 percent stake after his father who had 11.28 percent and Vice Chairman Koo Bon-joon with 7.72 percent.




Georgian Ambassador to Korea Otar Berdzenishvili speaks with The Korea Times at the embassy in Seoul, on May 2.

/ Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



Colors of Georgian flag to be lit up at Seoul City Hall on May 26

By Yi Whan-woo



Georgia and Korea share a common ground in that they were occupied by their respective neighbors  Russia and Japan  and fought for freedom and independence.

This makes the people of the two countries emotionally attached when it comes to peace, and Georgia will step up efforts to bring them closer on the 100th anniversary of its Independence Day, says Georgian Ambassador to Korea Otar Berdzenishvili.

He said the 100th anniversary on May 26 would be especially meaningful considering the leaders of the two Koreas held a summit on April 27 at Panmunjeom and announced a joint declaration on denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

"Regarding the summit, it's really important to point out that it coincides with Georgia's 100th anniversary," Berdzenishvili told The Korea Times at the embassy early May.

"The Georgian government and the people support the peace initiative ... because it reflects us as well. We know what it means by peace because ... it is one of the most important issues for my country and for my people.

"The Panmunjeom Declaration already proved that it appeals for peace ... and from our side you have the full support in this regard."

Georgia declared its independence from the Russian Empire on May 26, 1918 and adopted the Act of Independence that gave birth to the country's first republic.

The Soviet Red Army invaded Georgia in February 1921. The country became a sovereign state in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed. Georgia established diplomatic relations with Korea a year later.

Despite its short-lived years, Georgia's first republic demonstrated notable characteristics as a democratic country, according to the ambassador.

He pointed out that Georgia was the first country in the region to stipulate voting rights for men and women under the constitution and that the country had six congresswomen in its first parliament.

"This is very important because, since the beginning of creating the country's first major pillars, the values of democracy and women's rights were there. And we're very proud of it," he said.

To mark the 100th anniversary, the ambassador visited Gwangju early this year and gave a lecture to university students about Georgia's history, language, wine and manuscripts, which he claimed were among the world's oldest.

He also hosted a commemorative reception at Somerset Palace in downtown Seoul on May 15 attended by other foreign envoys here as well as Korean diplomats and business people.

On May 26, the red and white colors of the Georgian flag will be lit up at Seoul City Hall.

"That's type of creative thing we're planning everywhere in the world and Korea is among them," he said.

The embassy plans to bolster exchanges in culture, tourism, academics and trade to raise Korean awareness of Georgia.

It will especially focus on cultural projects, such as a wine festival, movie week and folk ensemble.

"When you are making cultural projects, you are reaching every corner and every house," he said.

Korean Air ran a chartered flight between the Georgian capital Tbilisi and Incheon on May 17, in cooperation with the embassy and Korean travel agency Hanjin Travel.

It was the first direct flight between the two countries. There will be two more flights, on May 24 and 31.

Originally, only two flights were scheduled, with the May 31 flight being added because "there was big demand from the Korean people," according to the ambassador.

"We could say more than 500 passengers could travel through the three flights together and the number will go up," he said.

For trade, the ambassador claimed Georgia had advantages over its neighbors because it was "the only democratic country" in the Caucasus region.

"Georgia is also the only country (in the region) that enjoys a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement with European Union plus China," he said. "Georgia also has free trade agreements with all Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), including Russia."




Croatian Parliament Vice President Zeljko Reiner speaks with The Korea Times at Lotte Hotel in downtown Seoul, on May 1.

/ Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



By Yi Whan-woo



The war in former Yugoslavia involving Croatians in the 1990s was an aggression that led to break-up of Yugoslavia into six sovereign states  Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Slovenia.

Since then, Croatia has normalized diplomatic relations with the all other neighboring states.

As a friend of both Koreas, Croatia could share its experience and help Seoul and Pyongyang restore their ties following the historic summit between their leaders on April 27, Croatian Parliaments Vice President Zeljko Reiner says.

"Croatia strongly supports the Republic of Korea but also North Korea on this path," Reiner told The Korea Times at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, downtown Seoul.

"Croatia is also all ready to provide friendly assistance for better understanding and to create the conditions necessary for normalization of relations, particularly with our experience in re-establishing relations with other states after our Homeland War."

His recent Korea trip followed National Assembly Deputy Speaker Park Joo-sun's visit to Croatia in September 2017.

The Homeland War took place from 1991 to 1995, when Croats declared independence from Yugoslavia and fought against the Serb-controlled Yugoslav Peoples' Army as well as Serbian forces inside Croatia.

Croatia established diplomatic relations with Seoul and Pyongyang in November 1992.

"We know that less than 30 years ago we had a severe, aggressive war," he said. "We have experience in how to deal in reconciliation between two countries that fought.

"We're ready to help with our experience because it's for the benefit of both countries, but also for world peace."

He said his Seoul visit helped bolster bilateral relations in a wide range of areas such as investment, trade, and tourism.

"It definitely was a step forward in establishing a closer relationship between our two friendly countries," he said.

Reiner said he was impressed with South Korea's development over the past several decades.

On investment, Reiner highlighted Rijeka, the country's largest seaport bordering the Kvarner Gulf in the Adriatic Sea.

It is regarded as the "starting point for pan-European transport corridor," for its location deep inside the European continent and for its transport links, particularly with central and eastern European countries.

According to Reiner, the port can shorten shipping routes from Asia by five to six days compared to northern European port cities such as Amsterdam and Hamburg.

The liquefied natural gas terminal on Krk, an island in the northern Adriatic Sea, is another key investment project.

It is aimed at securing and increasing the energy supply to Central and Southeastern Europe. Its benefits include environmentally-friendly energy and a reduction of CO2 emissions areas.

"So foreign investors, particularly Koreans, are more than welcome to join this very important project," Reiner said.

He said South Korea and Croatia could work together in shipbuilding, stressing that they were "compatible with each other."

He pointed out that South Korean shipbuilders specialized in large ships such as tankers while Croatian builders had a tradition of building "tailor-made" ships, such as yachts and cruisers.

"We have a centuries-long tradition in building smaller and middle-sized ships. This is compatible with Korean shipbuilding," he said.

Reinter attributed the recent increase in South Korean tourists to Croatia to a travel-reality show, "Sisters over Flowers", but also to Croatia's natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

The show was aired on cable TV tvN from 2013 to 2014. Many episodes were filmed in Croatia.

He said Croatia still has a lot more to offer, such as the renaissance town Dubrovnik, beautiful islands and the UNESCO-registered Plitvice Lakes National Park. He said his country hopes to attract up to 500,000 South Korean tourists this year.

His Seoul trip included a lecture at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies under the title, "Parliamentary Diplomacy in the Function of Foreign Policy Priorities of the Republic of Croatia."


By Lee Kyung-min



Former President Lee Myung-bak will attend a hearing of his corruption trial, facing a wide range of charges including bribery totaling 11 billion won ($10.5 million) and embezzlement in 35 billion won. Seoul Central District Court will hold the first official hearing at 2 p.m. Wednesday.



Lee, according to his defense attorneys, is expected to deliver his opinion on the charges at the beginning of the hearing. Unlike three prior pre-trial court hearings, which Lee had no obligation to appear, failure to attend Wednesday's proceeding will hold him in contempt, or the judges could continue the trial following a determination that Lee has waived his right to self-defense.



The prosecution and the defense will each give their 40-minute opening arguments, followed by an evidence review including written documents and witness testimony. In what is expected to be at least a six-hour proceeding, the presiding judge will hear opinions from both on the charges specified in the indictment documents.



At least two hearings will be held a week, possibly up to three, at the discretion of the presiding judge after taking into consideration the volumes of evidence, number of witnesses and their availability as well as Lee's health.



Lee faces 16 charges including bribery, abuse of power, embezzlement, breach of trust and tax evasion as well as violations of the election and presidential records laws.



Prosecutors suspect Lee received around 700 million won in bribes from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) via his closest aides, many of whom have confessed to their roles in delivering the money to him. Lee only admitted to receiving $100,000 from the NIS through an aide.

Lee is also suspected of having received 2.26 billion won from former Woori Financial CEO Lee Pal-sung in return for helping him obtain his post by exerting undue influence on the financial institution. At the time, the government was its largest shareholder.



Prosecutors suspect Lee is the de facto owner of DAS, an auto parts company owned by his brother on paper, and that the former president used it to commit a wide range of corrupt activities, a claim he denies. Prosecutors suspect Lee managed a 33.9 billion won slush fund, which was part of 34.9 billion won embezzled from DAS.



Samsung Group, prosecutors said, paid $5.85 million (6.8 billion won) as a retainer to U.S. law firm Akin Gump, of which it was a major client, to help Lee recover 14 billion won in what could have been a failed investment.



This was in return for a presidential pardon for group Chairman Lee Kun-hee in 2009, the prosecution claims, following statements form former Samsung Group Vice Chairman Lee Hak-soo, who confessed the firm under his leadership paid legal fees to help the then-president.



DAS was among the few entities that recovered its initial investment in full during his term, which prosecutors believe was the result of mobilizing Cheong Wa Dae and foreign ministry resources. This helped Lee avoid the fate of 5,500 investors who lost an aggregate of 100 billion won in 2001 in a stock price manipulation scandal.



Lee faces abuse of power charges following confiscation of more than 3,400 documents from the basement of the Yeongpo Building in Seocho, southern Seoul. Boxes with words "DAS" and "BH," short for Blue House, the presidential office, contained documents that prosecutors say show Lee lent 12.3 billion won _ interest-free _ in DAS and affiliates' funds to a company owned by his son, Lee Si-hyung, one of many business favors granted to the junior Lee by his father, which could constitute embezzlement and breach of trust.



The prosecution said the documents showed Cheong Wa Dae under the Lee administration discussed detailed plans to hand over DAS shares to his son following the death of Kim Jae-jeong, Lee Myung-bak's brother-in-law, who held a nearly 49 percent stake in DAS. This, the prosecution believes, is clear evidence of abuse of power because Cheong Wa Dae officials would have no reason to review such a strategy unless Lee Myung-bak had directed them.



A close aide of Lee who managed his personal assets confessed that Lee owned land under a "borrowed" name in Dogok-dong, southern Seoul. The aide said the land sale proceeds were funneled into DAS, substantiating the prosecution's supposition the ex-president owned the company.



Meanwhile, Wednesday marks the ninth anniversary of the suicide of former President Roh Moo-hyun, who many believed was left with few options following what liberals dubbed "harsh and dehumanizing" questioning only about a year into the Lee administration.



The questioning was led by Woo Byung-woo, the corruption-ridden former presidential secretary for civil affairs under the Park Geun-hye administration, who "infamously" said, "You are not here as a former president, nor are you here as my senior colleague for passing the state-administered bar exam. You are nothing but a suspected criminal sitting here over a bribery allegation."



Roh committed suicide on May 23, 2009, amid an intensified prosecution investigation into a bribery allegation that his family received about $6 million from businessman Park Yeon-cha in return for business favors.




By Jung Da-min, Jung Min-ho







More than 12,000 people, mostly young women, gathered in Seoul, Saturday, to call on police to investigate fairly all crimes involving spy cams, claiming that police tended to "speed up" when the victims were men.





Wearing red as a symbolic color of their fury, the protesters chanted, "Women are also citizens of Korea," in the largest women's rights rally in recent memory.





Earlier this month, a female model was arrested for allegedly photographing a male colleague naked without his knowledge while he was posing for university art students and uploading it online.





After the alleged incident was revealed, police immediately began investigating and arrested the suspect within less than a week.





Many women were surprised by the speed of the process. They complained that police had never responded to female victims of such crimes, such as "revenge porn," in the same way.





They said a simple Google search would show the faces of many female victims that police had long ignored.





"The police obviously could do it, but they didn't (properly investigate all such cases)," a woman said during the rally.





Protesters said police took 17 years to shut down SoraNet, a notorious adult file-sharing website whose users were mostly male, but took only a few days to begin investigating Womad, a radical feminism site, where the male model's nude photo was posted and ridiculed.





Before the rally started, a member of Ilbe, an online misogynist group, tried to photograph the protesters in an apparent attempt to disturb them.





On the Cheong Wa Dae website, a petition for "equal justice" has garnered more than 400,000 signatures in 10 days.


By Anastasia Edel





SAN FRANCISCO  The protests that rippled across Russia ahead of Vladimir Putin's fourth inauguration as president followed a familiar script. Police declared the gatherings illegal, and the media downplayed their size.



Alexey Navalny, the main organizer and Russia's de facto opposition leader, was arrested in dramatic fashion, dragged out of a rally in Moscow by police. On May 15, he was sentenced to 30 days in prison. More than 1,600 protesters across the country were beaten and detained.



But one element of the recent protests came from a much older show. The rallying cry "Down with the Czar!" was brought out of obscurity and onto the streets of Moscow almost 100 years after Russia's last czar, Nicholas II, was riddled with Bolshevik bullets in a Yekaterinburg cellar.



A century before that, in a bid to lift the spirits of his friend Pyotr Chaadayev, a philosopher who was declared mad for his criticism of Czar Nicholas I, the poet Alexander Pushkin predicted the advent of better times, when "Russia will start from her sleep." On "the ruins of autocracy," he wrote, "our names will be inscribed!"



Nearly 200 years and three revolutions later, from the pedestal installed in the center of the square that bears his name, Pushkin's bronze effigy gazed over throngs of his modern compatriots in mock paper crowns still working to raise Russia from its "age-old slumber"  and at their whip-brandishing detractors in Cossack uniforms. Pushkin's name may have been inscribed on many a monument, but his prophecy has yet to be fulfilled.



Though Putin is a product of the Soviet Union, where "czar" really was a derogatory word, he shows considerable fondness for the autocrats of old. With the ardent support of the Russian Orthodox Church, he has relentlessly promoted the concept of state power as sacred, and resistance to it as sacrilegious. He has ascended the throne of the Byzantine emperors on the Holy Mount Athos in Greece, and portrayed his perpetual presidency as a burden he must carry, in service to his country and his people.



Whereas the Bolshevik leaders tore down monuments to the czars, Putin has built massive monuments to Vladimir the Great in Moscow and Alexander III in Crimea. Four years before famously shunning the centenary of the Russian Revolution in 2017, he sponsored lavish celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the House of Romanov.



With the recent protests' rallying cry, Navalny  Putin's unbending opponent, who continues to demand truth from his government, even as its agents drag him toward yet another jail cell called Putin's imperial bluff. The demonstrations thus served as both an acknowledgement of and a challenge to Putin's autocratic ambitions.



The odds are stacked in Putin's favor. Navalny has a YouTube channel; Putin controls the entire state apparatus, a mechanism of suppression vaster than any of the Russian czars ever had  and one that decades of totalitarianism have made virtually bulletproof.



Beyond the amped-up military and the powerful security services, there is now the National Guard of the Russian Federation, or Rosgvardiya, a contingent of some 340,000 personnel created by Putin in 2016 that answers directly to him.



Putin also manages a highly effective propaganda machine, which churns out a post-modernist pastiche of old Soviet slogans, pre-revolutionary religious rituals, and state-of-the-art marketing ploys inspired by the "consumerist" West. "Nothing is true and everything is possible," the narrative goes.



Ostensibly, Putin's system is working. Official surveys insist that 86 percent of Russians  and it is usually 86 percent  support him on everything from the annexation of Crimea to his latest term as president.



But Putin's ambitions as a post-modern autocrat may be his Achilles' heel. After all, autocrats often mistake their people's proclamations of love and admiration for the real thing. The truth about what people genuinely feel remains impossible to know.



With the Russian economy stagnating, owing largely to international sanctions and Kremlin counter-sanctions, discontent will continue to simmer. Any shock  even a seemingly minor one  could cause it to boil over. At that point, targeting rivals and dissenters may no longer be enough; Putin would have to resort to Stalin-style mass repression instead.



Just how viable such a dictatorship is in the internet age remains an open question. Consider the failure of the Kremlin's attempt to block Telegram, Russia's leading instant messaging service: far from quashing dissent, that effort has fueled support for the recent protests.



The allegiances of Russians are notoriously hard to pin down. The very people who stood for hours in the cold to glimpse Nicholas II aboard the royal ship were revolting against him a decade later. The people may be silent for a time, as they devastatingly were at the end of another Pushkin masterpiece, the tragic play "Boris Godunov," when a false new czar ascended to the throne. But silence does not always mean consent.



The recent protests may seem insignificant compared to the scale of Putin's repressive resources and the spectacle of his inauguration. But it is hard to ignore the history to which the protesters are appealing. Pining for a crown, Putin forgets that Russian monarchy, for all its splendor, was always a minefield, because an autocrat's contempt for law leaves him vulnerable to mob justice.



As he reaches for Monomakh's Cap, the ruby-studded relic of Russia's czars, Putin risks paving the way for yet another round of violence. Whether or not that upheaval finally fulfills Pushkin's prophecy, it would tear Russia apart  and most likely drive today's would-be czar into the dustbin of history.



Anastasia Edel is the author of "Russia: Putin's Playground: Empire, Revolution, and the New Tsar." Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org).


By Trudy Rubin



The knee-jerk reaction in the White House and Israel to the recent violence in Gaza is to blame Hamas and be done with it. The radical Hamas organization that controls Gaza drove thousands of Palestinians toward the fence, the argument goes, so it is wholly to blame for the 62 killed by Israeli snipers, the bulk of them Hamas members.



But this PR blame game obscures the bigger picture. Two million Gazans, imprisoned in a tiny strip of land with a collapsed economy, see no political and economic future. They are trapped between a reckless Hamas, a feckless Palestinian leadership in the West Bank, and an Israeli government that ignores them except for military action. Add to that a blinkered White House that pours fuel on dry tinder.



Rather than face facts  and address Gaza's economic ills  Jerusalem and Washington promote convenient myths that absolve themselves from responsibility. If both governments continue down that blind path, the violence in Gaza will explode again with huge costs to Israel as well.



The myths go as follows: First, Israel ended its occupation of Gaza when it withdrew its troops and Jewish settlers from the 5-by-28 mile strip in 2005. So Jerusalem has no more responsibility for the strip's internal affairs. Especially since, Myth Two, the Palestinians chose Hamas in 2005 legislative elections because its charter envisions the end of Israel and endorses violent resistance; ergo, they caused their own misery.



In reality, Israel has retained control of Gaza's border, air space, and sea coast, except for one outlet into a remote area of Egypt. Thus Israel entirely controls Gazan imports and exports, its coastal fishing, along with its supply of electricity. It also controls all movement in and out of Gaza. Since Hamas took control, Israel has mostly bottled up Gaza's population while border closures strangle its industry and agriculture.



As for the 2006 elections, which the Bush administration urged on a reluctant Palestinian leadership, polls showed that the main reasons a plurality of Palestinians voted for Hamas were not its ideology. Rather, they were frustrated that the then-ruling Fatah party was corrupt and hadn't delivered a promised two-state diplomatic solution.



Moreover, in 2007, the Bush administration encouraged Fatah to retake control of Gaza by force, but Fatah lost the battle to Hamas. Thus Washington shares the blame for Hamas' total control of the strip.



But the most pernicious Myth, No. Three, posits that Palestinians are sole authors of their economic misery. The prime example given is the case of greenhouses turned over by Israeli settlers when they quit Gaza in 2005 (they demolished half of the greenhouses and stripped the rest before leaving). The remaining greenhouses were refurbished with $14 million by Jewish-American donors, but were supposedly destroyed by Palestinians immediately upon the settlers' exit.



Yes, there was looting, but the Palestinian Authority quickly refurbished the greenhouses, which were soon brimming with crops of sweet peppers, tomatoes, and herbs worth $20 million. The Palestinians' then-finance minister Salam Fayyad even gave Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice a gift of peppers on her birthday in mid-November 2005, and the greenhouses exported 8 tons of them in mid-December.



What actually destroyed the greenhouse initiative were Israel's restrictions on Gazan exports at the Karni border crossing. You can read about this in the memoir of Australian-Jewish businessman James Wolfensohn, a former World Bank head and special envoy for Gaza disengagement, who contributed $500,000 to the greenhouse project.



"In early December (2005)," he wrote, "the much-awaited first harvest began ... but their success relied on the Karni crossing ... which was closed more often than not.

"Everything was rotting ... If you went to the border and saw tomatoes and fruit just being dumped on the side of the road, you would have to say that if you were a Palestinian farmer you'd be pretty upset."



Fast-forward to now. For more than a dozen years, border crossings have opened only sporadically. Industry and agriculture in Gaza has collapsed. Unemployment of 15- to 29-year-olds is 60 percent. Electricity is sporadic (Gazans can't pay), water polluted, medicines scarce.



To make matters worse, the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, which still pays many salaries in Gaza, cut back the money when an effort at reconciliation with Hamas failed.



Yes, Hamas is a threat and has in the past lobbed rockets and built tunnels into Israel. But that doesn't obviate one blinding fact, which the Israeli military has warned about, over and over: Deteriorating economic conditions in Gaza raise the risk of uncontrollable flareups  especially when hope dies.



There have been many suggestions for rejuvenating Gaza's economy, including various proposals for a port  but Jerusalem hasn't pursued them, choosing to focus purely on military action. The Trump White House hasn't challenged that thinking.



James Wolfensohn put it best in a 2007 interview: "Just pretending that 1.4 (now 2) million people can live in a sort of prison is not a solution at all." In other words, it's time to abandon the Gaza myths and focus on hard facts.



Trudy Rubin is a columnist and editorial-board member for the Philadelphia Inquirer. The above column was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Harris expected to beef up alliance with Seoul



The nomination of Admiral Harry Harris, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, as Washington's ambassador to Seoul, is drawing much attention from South Korea. It came Friday, less than a month before a denuclearization summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to be held in Singapore on June 12.



Now the question is what role Harris will play, if confirmed by the Senate, at a critical juncture amid rapidly changing geopolitical circumstances on the Korean Peninsula. Needless to say, the ambassadorship to Seoul is required to play a more active role than ever before, given that Kim has offered an olive branch not only to the South but also the U.S., promising denuclearization.



The Seoul government under the leadership of President Moon Jae-in expects Harris to help boost the Korea-U.S. alliance and friendship. Welcoming the nomination of Harris, it promised to closely consult with the Trump administration to ensure the ambassador nominee can assume his post quickly. It would be better for him to begin his new job before the unprecedented Washington-Pyongyang summit.



The appointment of a new ambassador has long been overdue since Mark Lippert ended his term in January last year after serving from 2014 to 2017. This caused South Koreans to question why the U.S. continued to delay the appointment. Some critics even raised speculation that President Trump's "America first" policy may have triggered diplomatic friction, if not serious, between the two allies.



Trump unnerved Seoul officials in February when he failed to formally nominate Victor Cha as his top envoy to Seoul. There were reports that the White House decided not to pick Cha for the post because he was against the Trump administration's "bloody nose" military strike on North Korea over its nuclear program. Cha once served on the White House National Security Council under the George W. Bush administration.



Now it is necessary for Seoul and Washington to have closer coordination and consultations on various issues ranging from the upcoming Trump-Kim summit, the denuclearization of the North and bilateral trade. Therefore, both sides can have better communication through each other's ambassador. This is particularly important as Pyongyang threatened to cancel the summit last week, citing joint air drills and the "unilateral" U.S. push for immediate and complete denuclearization of the North.



Despite expectations for Harris, we still cannot brush aside some concerns about him because he is seen as a hawk. His nomination came after Trump appointed two hard-liners: Mike Pompeo as secretary of state and John Bolton as national security adviser. At a congressional hearing in March, Harris expressed doubts about the prospects of the upcoming summit. Earlier he called for increasing economic and diplomatic sanctions on the North until the country dismantles its nuclear arsenal.



Harris may find it difficult to stick to such a hard-line stance if he takes over the ambassadorship. He should tap his extensive knowledge, leadership and geopolitical expertise to be a good diplomat who can contribute to the alliance and partnership between the two countries.




Government hit for corrupt ties with Korean Air



The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has come under severe criticism for taking belated action against Korean Air for violating airline regulations. The violation occurred in December 2014 when Cho Hyun-ah, then vice president of the airline, ordered its taxiing plane at New York's Kennedy International Airport back to its gate in what became known as the "nut rage" incident.



On Friday, the ministry imposed a fine of 2.79 billion won ($2.6 million) on Korean Air and 1.5 million won on Cho, the eldest daughter of its Chairman Cho Yang-ho. The fine came three years and five months after the case took place.



The ministry has dragged its feet for such a long period of time. It only proved it lied to the nation by reneging on its promise to take stern measures, including a suspension of flight operations, against the national flag carrier right after the incident.



Ministry officials have only tried to find an excuse for the belated action by saying it waited for the Supreme Court to make a final decision last December. The court upheld a lower court ruling that sentenced Cho Hyun-ah to 10 months in jail, suspended for two years. The incident took place when she was angered by the way she was served macadamia nuts in first class.



In fact, the ministry wasted over five months, doing nothing to punish Korean Air and Cho Hyun-ah until Friday. This has raised allegations the ministry had long maintained corrupt ties with the airline.



Critics argued the transport ministry has decided to punish Korean Air because the company was recently thrown into a series of scandals over abuse of power by its family members, including Hyun-min, the second daughter of Chairman Cho, as well as his wife Lee Myung-hee and his son Won-tae.



Hyun-min, Korean Air marketing executive, caused public outcry for physically abusing an ad executive by hurling a cup of water at him during a business meeting in March. The U.S. citizen was found to have illegally served as a member of the board of directors at a budget airline affiliate, Jin Air, because the aviation law bans non-Korean nationals from becoming board members.



The Korea Customs Service is also under attack for allegedly overlooking smuggling of goods by the Cho family. It has also reportedly helped the owner family evade taxes. It is no secret that government officials have enjoyed favors such as seat upgrades and access to airport VIP lounges in return for condoning violations and wrongdoings by the Cho family. Police and prosecutors should conduct a thorough investigation to prevent recurrence of such wrongdoings.






By Tong Kim





Last week, the North's first vice foreign minister, Kim Kye-gwan, threatened to cancel the scheduled U.S.-North Korea summit for June 12 in Singapore, "if the U.S. is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment."



Why did Pyongyang's most experienced and shrewd strategic negotiator, suddenly show up to raise a red flag to the much-anticipated Kim Jong-un's meeting with Trump?



Pyongyang's threat to cancel the summit seems to have been paid off instantly when President Trump said he was not considering "a Libyan model at all."



Trump said, "If we have a deal, I think Kim Jong-un will be very, very happy," and he will have strong protections to rule his country.



North Korea has not killed the summit. Trump seems to want it more than Kim Jong-un does, for his political interests. This column refutes a view that the latest move by the North is because of a need to address the North Korean military's concerns with Kim Jong-un's change in the North's opening to the South and the U.S.



We don't know, but we suspect there must be continuing discussions with the North Koreans with respect to what the U.S. wants from the North and what the North wants from the U.S. They may even be negotiating a possible modality and scope of agreement with some clear measures of implementation, verification and timelines.



The North's warning is saying one thing for sure. Whatever negotiation that may be underway to lay groundwork for the summit is not going well. However, what the North does not want is clear. Vice Minister Kim reset the North's negotiating posture back on its tough norm:



(1) They are not coming to the summit to surrender their strategic weapons. They are willing to discuss a denuclearized Korean Peninsula under "the preconditions of an end to anti-DPRK hostile policy and nuclear threats and blackmail by the U.S."



(2) However, they want to negotiate a mutually acceptable path to denuclearization (Kim Jong-un met with Chinese President Xi Jinping twice and expressed his preference for a phased approach with synchronized measures  of action for action  and Xi Jinping supports it).



(3) The North does not accept the Libyan model. They do not like U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton.



(4) They want Trump to rein in him and other hawks who do not treat them as an equal party to dialogue. Trump has already done it to a degree. The White House spokesperson said it will be a Trump model.



(5) They don't have great expectations for economic aid from U.S. businesses that Pompeo has talked about. They have heard that from previous administrations.



(6) The North does not like the term complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization (CVID). The U.S. failed to include the term in the Sept. 19 statement of the six-party talks in 2005, due to the North's opposition, saying "We are not a defeated party in war."



In the meantime, there was a misunderstanding or miscalculation that Kim Jong-un would give away his nuclear weapons and missiles completely in advance of corresponding measures from the U.S. Kim Kye-gwan used to tell his American negotiators: "We don't trust each other. In a one-on-one gun fight, both should lay down their guns simultaneously. If we disarm ourselves first, how can we trust that you would not shoot us?"



In Washington, preparations for Trump's meeting were portrayed as proceeding well. We heard the North will be destroying its nuclear test sites. Pompeo said the U.S. will assist the North to develop its economy on the level of the South.



We watched the arrival of three American detainees from the North being met by the president and the vice president at about 2:45 a.m. in the morning at a military airbase near Washington, D.C. We read President Trump's upbeat tweets for the upcoming summit.



We also heard about Bolton's demand for a Libyan model to apply on North Korea, with no rewards until after the implementation of a complete, total denuclearization of North Korea. Bolton said the North should also eliminate its chemical and biological weapons as well.



Bolton suggested shipment of all dismantled North Korean nuclear weapons and fissile materials to Oak Ridge, Tennessee as was the case of disposition of Libya's nuclear program. Bolton was not helpful to the North.



A successful U.S.-North Korea summit is difficult, but still possible.



Tong Kim (tong.kim8@yahoo.com) is a Washington correspondent and columnist for The Korea Times. He is also a fellow at the Institute of Korean-American Studies.


By Jacco Zwetsloot





In the late 1990s, around Paju, I saw several posters on utility poles. I no longer remember what they said, or even if the language was Korean or English, but they were bright yellow and featured an image in the middle of a spacecraft hovering over a man who stood transfixed, looking up at it.



I've always been fascinated by UFOs and things out of the ordinary, so these posters caught my eye. Maybe a year later I saw new posters with the same image. They were advertising a free film screening, I think in the Sejong Cultural Center in Seoul, about aliens. It was too far and the timing was wrong, so I didn't go, but it brought to my attention the fact that Raelism existed in Korea.



I had read a little in Australia about a French former race car driver who'd had an encounter with an alien, after which he had formed a new religion, but I had never actually encountered anyone who believed in it. In 1999 I finally met Korean Raelians at an exhibition of UFO photos that they were holding in the gallery inside Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3. Intrigued, I talked to one of the members, who told me about their beliefs and practices, some of which are considered quite far out, especially in conservative Korean society.



In the early 2000s, there was a media hubbub about human cloning and a Raelian organization named Clonaid claimed to be ready to go ahead and implant several willing South Korean women with cloned embryos. Cloning is important in Raelian cosmology because eternal life to them (as I understand it) means "downloading" your personality, memories and intelligence into a succession of younger clones of yourself. In the end, the Korean offices of Clonaid were raided, and I haven't heard anything about actual efforts to clone humans for over 10 years.



But Raelians learned that the best way to get attention in Korea was to engage in unusual publicity stunts, usually in Insa-dong. There were free hugs campaigns, topless demonstrations against women wearing bras, and others against female genital mutilation in African countries, and so on. In fact, photos used in Wikipedia articles on Clitoraid and Nudity in religion are taken from Korean Raelian protests. There is also a tamer one from a demonstration against a ban by the Korean government forbidding the Raelian leader from entering the country. In recent years it seems they have been quiet, and I am not sure what the size of the movement is, although a 2003 article in this paper claimed there were 4,000 members back then.



In 2004 or 2005, I was walking through Itaewon when two young women with a clipboard stopped me on the street. They said they were surveying people on religious beliefs. It seemed like some kind of university assignment, and so I stood there and answered their questions.



It started out general enough: "Do you believe in a god?" and "Do you attend any religious activities?" Later questions began to take on a clear direction: "Have you ever imagined that God could be a woman?" and "Would you be interested if someone could show you in the Bible that God is in fact a woman?" Sure enough, this was a recruiting drive for the World Mission Society Church of God, a religion I had never heard of before.



This new movement sprang up in Korea and had its roots in the 1960s when a Korean preacher named Ahn Sang-hong founded a new church. When he died in 1985, a woman named Jang Gil-ja became the center of the movement. Now the church teaches that Ahn was the second coming of Christ in the flesh, and Jang is in fact God the Mother living with us on Earth. Despite its unusual beliefs, this movement has grown and now has churches in many other countries.



On YouTube I was able to find a plethora of videos from around the world in which congregants overseas perform dances and chant "we love you" to Jang as God the Mother. Although I haven't been approached lately for a survey about religions, when I am, I will know to expect a sales pitch at the end. Perhaps understandably, if a person were to stop you on the street and tell you that the creator of the universe is a 75-year-old Korean woman, it would be hard to take in, let alone believe. That is why the incremental step-by-step approach is chosen.



One day in 2012, when leaving Yongsan Garrison, I was stopped by some women with leaflets. They were recruiting "foreigners" to attend their "World Peace Festival" at Seoul Olympic Stadium. The organization putting on this festival was revealed to be "Mannam Volunteer Association." I had already read about this group, which acted as a front for Shinchonji. Widely regarded in Korea as a heretical offshoot of Christianity, it too is a Korea-born and raised new religious movement.



Like the Unification Church, it uses world peace as a kind of "gateway drug" to introduce its spiritual concepts to prospective new believers. Its front group offered things like free Korean classes and volunteer opportunities. Mainstream Protestant and Catholic churches nowadays often have a poster on their notice board warning their members to beware of and avoid Shinchonji members, who are rumored to visit other communities of faith with the express purpose of recruiting new members.



For some reason, Shinchonji particularly wanted non-Koreans to attend its World Peace Festival, perhaps to lend it some legitimacy as an international movement. This led to criticism of the movement, a fact this paper reported on in October 2012, in an article entitled "Volunteer Body Accused of Deceiving Expats" before said article was pulled from the website a day or two later, allegedly after receiving an angry phone call from the church. Mannam is long gone and the church operates Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) to do much the same thing.



The tragic 2014 sinking of the ferry Sewol with the loss of so many people on board, mostly children, was also connected in the media and popular sentiment to a Korean religious movement. One of the three churches of Salvation Sect was once led by Yoo Byung-eun, who became quite wealthy and reinvented himself as a businessman and inventor, and later photographer.



There are allegations Yoo was the de facto owner of Chonghaejin Marine, the company that owned the Sewol. It appears while Yoo himself did not own any stake, his sons held the majority of shares, and through a complex web of cross-shareholdings, they invested in companies owned by Yoo Senior. Perhaps because of his role as leader of a controversial Christian sect, it was assumed Yoo was the hidden controller behind his sons. Yoo became Korea's most wanted man, and a bounty of 500 million won was put on his head as part of the investigation into the sinking of the Sewol and the resulting deaths. In the end, Yoo's body was found, badly decomposed, in a field.



On a side note, there remain hints and allegations that a famous South Korean pop star and talent agency mogul was, and perhaps still is, involved in the Salvation Sect.



It would be remiss of me to end this without briefly mentioning Choi Tae-min, the father of the famous friend of former President Park Geun-hye, Choi Soon-sil. He had been, at various times in his life, a Buddhist monk, a Catholic priest and a Protestant minister. In the 1970s he started his own church that contained elements of all three of these faiths, as well as traditional Korean shamanism. He befriended and mentored the young Park Geun-hye after her mother's assassination, which is how his daughter and the future president became friends.



That is where I will leave Korea's fecund field of faiths for now. For those wanting to know more about controversial religious movements in Korea, I recommend my friend Peter's blog: peterdaley.net/home.


/ Reuters



The transfer of managerial control of LG Group, one of South Korea's largest family-run conglomerates, from the late chief to his heir could result in roughly 1 trillion won ($924 million) worth of inheritance-related tax being paid, market watchers said Sunday.

Observers said that the electronics- and chemical-centered business group long ago opted for a holding company arrangement with a simplified ownership structure. This makes the transfer of power from late Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo to Koo Kwang-mo, the tycoon's adopted son, relatively straightforward.

They said that within LG Corp., which acts as the holding firm, the deceased tycoon held an 11.28 percent stake, making him the No. 1 shareholder, followed by the 7.72 percent stake controlled by his younger brother Koo Bon-joon, who has been effectively running the company in recent years as a caretaker.

The likely successor, before the chairman's death, had 6.24 percent stake in the company. He was very recently named to the company's board, in what is widely seen as a hasty move to lay the groundwork for the transfer power to the next generation.

The chairman underwent several surgeries in 2017 and this year and was recently admitted to Seoul National University Hospital after his health took a turn for the worse. He had not been able to oversee the everyday running of LG's diverse operations and firmly told family members that he would not accept treatment that would prolong his life.












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19-year-old Matthew Milby is still in custody on a 2 million dollar bail, he appeared in court Friday morning.

Wednesday, he allegedly fired a 9-mm semi-automatic rifle during a graduation practice at Dixon High School before being shot by a school resource officer.

Illinois State Police confirmed Matthew Milby's mother purchased the gun in 2012, Police are currently pursuing leads to determine how Milby obtained the gun from his mom.

Wednesday afternoon, Julie Milby told reporters she didn't have guns in the house and she wasn't sure how Matthew got the gun.

Julie told NBC that she did not believe he was trying to hurt anyone and suspects he was "thinking they were going to kill him." She said her son had been sad for so long.

TV-6 Investigates found that Julie Milby has a court record in Florida and Lee County, Illinois.

According to court records In Osceola County Florida, under the name Julie Mitchell, she plead guilty to felony battery and felony resisting of an officer with violence. She was convicted in July of 1991.

None of her charges in Lee County, Illinois were felonies.

It is unclear how she was able to obtain the firearm in 2012. Illinois residents are not allowed to have a firearm, or a firearm owner ID card (FOID) with a previous felony charge,
The Trump administration carefully stepped back Sunday from a looming trade war with China, saying that it would refrain for now from applying major tariffs on Chinese goods in the wake of Beijings promise to ramp up purchases of American products to reduce the trade deficit.

Were putting the trade war on hold, Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said on Fox News Sunday. He noted that the United States and China, the worlds two biggest economies, had made meaningful progress in two days of high-level talks last week.

We have agreed to put the tariffs on hold while we try to execute the framework, Mnuchin added.

Mnuchins comments appeared to signal a more cooperative path for U.S. trade dealings with China. They are the latest indication that the two sides are trying to ease escalating tensions, and to forestall massive tariffs and counter-tariffs that Washington and Beijing have threatened against each other.

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The downshift comes as President Trump has reached out to Chinese President Xi Jinping for greater support in his efforts to persuade North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un to give up his nuclear arsenal. Trump is scheduled to meet with Kim in Singapore on June 12.

Analysts expressed doubts that Chinas commitment to significantly increase purchases of U.S. agricultural goods and other items would make a meaningful dent in the trade deficit. They also warned that the more cooperative tone may not last long, especially as Trump has given conflicting signals and orders involving China trade and relations.

While there will be periodic ceasefires, U.S.-Chinese trade relations will remain tense, with more barriers to trade and investments, said David Loevinger, a former senior Treasury Department official for China affairs.

Mnuchin acknowledged as much, noting that Trump can always decide to put the tariffs back on if China doesnt go through with their commitments.

Trump had threatened to slap hefty tariffs on $150 billion in Chinese goods, with the first $50 billion outlined in detail and ready to take effect soon. China had vowed to retaliate with its own tariffs on U.S. goods and services.

Mnuchins climb-down highlights how hard it is to pull the trigger on what could quickly become a punishing trade war, Loevinger said.

Among U.S. businesses theres more consensus on getting tough with China in theory than in practice, he said. Corporate and agriculture lobbyists have been working overtime to protect their clients business. Nobodys willing to take one for the team and sacrifice their own corporate interests.

Mnuchins positive forecast came days after Trump unexpectedly pledged to help the Chinese telecom-equipment company ZTE survive crippling penalties for violating U.S. sanctions. Too many jobs in China lost, he tweeted.

Beijing offered its own conciliatory gestures by dropping an anti-dumping investigation into imported U.S. sorghum and unblocking an American firms bid to buy a Toshiba business unit.

The easing of tensions, at least for now, was welcomed by investors and other governments who fear a U.S.-China trade war could quickly richochet into economies around the globe.

Mnuchin led the administrations talks with senior Chinese officials in Washington on Thursday and Friday. In a joint U.S.-Chinese statement Saturday, Beijing agreed to substantially reduce the U.S. trade deficit with China.

The statement said China would expand its purchases of American farm and energy exports. The statement did not say how much China would buy, or how much of the trade deficit Beijing would aim to reduce.

Trump and supporters of a hard-line approach to China have repeatedly cited the large trade deficit as a key measure of the imbalance between the two nations. Last year the U.S. exported $130 billion in American merchandise while it imported $506 billion worth of goods made in China.

That resulted in a deficit of about $375 billion, although with trade in services such as tourism and licensing fees, the overall U.S. trade deficit with China was about $337 billion.

The Trump administration had proposed a cut in the deficit of $200 billion or more, and on Friday, Larry Kudlow, Trumps director of the National Economic Council, had indicated that Beijing had agreed to import at least $200 billion more in U.S. goods.

On Sunday, Kudlow backed away from that figure, saying that maybe I got ahead of the curve. He also appeared to cast doubt on whether the threat of tariffs had been eased. I dont think were at that stage yet, he said on CBS Face the Nation.

Tariffs are part of any negotiation, and tariffs maybe have to be part of any enforcement, Kudlow said. You cannot do this kind of major change without using everything thats in your quiver.

Both Kudlow and Mnuchin said the two sides had made good progress in their talks and, significantly, that Trump had viewed the latest discussions as productive and positive.

Mnuchin said the administration would immediately follow up by sending Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to Beijing to work out details.

We expect to see a very big increase, 35 to 45% increases in agriculture this year alone, Mnuchin said. In energy, doubling the energy purchases, he said, adding that you could see $50 billion, $60 billion a year of energy purchases over the next three to five years.

Economists and China experts said they doubt the U.S. could export anywhere near the amount necessary to make a substantial change in the trade deficit with China.

The numbers Mnuchin set forth might keep our deficit from expanding further over the next few years, but they are not likely to reduce it materially in absolute terms, said Nicholas Lardy, a China economy expert at the nonpartisan Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington.

The U.S. could certainly export more farm products to China. Total shipments of agricultural goods to China last year were worth about $20 billion, more than half of them soybeans.

For now, expect the Chinese to go back to buying lots of U.S. soybeans and Boeing aircraft, a big-ticket item that can move the needle, said Oded Shenkar, a China expert and business professor at Ohio State University. But what else can the Chinese buy from the U.S.?

The U.S. has greater potential to export more services to China, especially if Beijing opens its financial and other services markets, as it has pledged to do. But any change on the services side, where the U.S. is most competitive, will take years, Shenkar said.

The Chinese proposal to buy more U.S. energy resources such as natural gas also will take years because of a lack of pipeline and other U.S. infrastructure.

The U.S. could improve its trade balance by relaxing export controls prohibiting the sale of various U.S. software, equipment and other sensitive goods. But many in the Trump administration as well as Congress are suspicious of Chinas growing military capabilities, and are moving to clamp down on such sales, not the other way around.

Basically the mutual suspension of tariff threats signals that progress has been made and it is also a trust building measure, Shenkar said. This does not guarantee that a successful resolution will be reached.

UPDATES:

4:40 p.m.: This story was updated with new details about U.S.-Chinese efforts to avoid a trade war.

9:28 a.m.: This story has been updated with reporting from Bloomberg.

This story originally published at 8:45 a.m.
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

Audra McDonald in Concert The six-time Tony winner, backed by the LA Opera Orchestra, sings show tunes, standards and more. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Sun., 3 p.m. $19 and up. (213) 972-8001.

Lost and Found: A Guilt Trip Through Show Business Steven Shaw looks back on his life and career in this solo show. Theatre 40, Reuben Cordova Theatre, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. Sun., 7 p.m.; ends June 10. $20. (310) 364-0535.

The American Wife Staged reading of Stephen Fife and Ralph Pezzullos drama about a woman whose foreign-born husband is arrested on terrorism charges. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Mon., 7 p.m. Free; donations accepted. (626) 355-4318.

New Works Festival Inaugural showcase features readings of eight new plays. Garry Marshall Theatre, 4252 W. Riverside Drive, Burbank. May 22-30. Tue.-Wed., 4 and 8 p.m.; ends May 30. Free. (818) 955-8101.

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Wiesenthal Writer-performer Tom Dugan portrays the Holocaust survivor and famed Nazi hunter in this solo drama. Theatre 40, Reuben Cordova Theatre, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. Tue.-Wed., 7 p.m.; ends June 13. $36. (310) 364-3606.

Cult of Love A highly competitive family of overachievers clashes during the holidays in Connecticut in this new black comedy, the final installment in Leslye Headlands Seven Deadly Plays cycle. IAMA Theatre Company, Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., L.A. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends June 24. $35, $40. (323) 380-8843.

FEELingpleasuresatisfactioncelebrationholyFORM luciana achugars performance installation explores art as a healing ritual; part of the feminist Latinx showcase En Cuatro Patas. The Broad, 221 S. Grand Ave., L.A. Thu., 8:30 p.m. $25. (213) 232-6200.

Alls Well That Ends Well Long Beach Shakespeare Company stages the Bards tale of romance, seduction and deception. Goad Theatre, 4250 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach.Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 16. $12.50, $22.50. (562) 997-1494.

Constellations Nick Paynes two-character romantic drama touches on concepts like string theory and quantum mechanics. Lyric Hyperion Theatre, 2106 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $10 suggested donation. (323) 928-2299.

One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest Immersive staging of Dale Wassermans adaptation of the Ken Kesey novel about the patients and staff at a mental hospital. Six01 Studio, 630 S. Flower St., Burbank. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends July 1. $55, $75. www.cuckoosnestla.com.

Totally Looped Improvisers put new dialogue to old movie clips in this live comedy show. Dynasty Typewriter at The Hayworth Theater, 2511 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Fri., 8 p.m. $15. www.totallylooped.com.

The Ballad of Bimini Baths: Mexican Day A reporter and a civil-rights activist team up to battle segregation in 1940s L.A. in this installment of Tom Jacobsons new fact-based trilogy that includes Plunge (see below) and Tar (opens June 9). Rogue Machine, the MET Theatre, 1089 N. Oxford Ave., L.A. Sat., 4 p.m. p.m.; ends July 1. $40; passes for all three shows available. (855) 585-5185.

The Ballad of Bimini Baths: Plunge A priest shares a dark secret with an art historian in this installment set in 1918 L.A. Son of Semele Theater, 3301 Beverly Blvd., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends June 17. $20, $25; passes for all three shows available. (213) 351-3507.

Hostage A Wisconsin mother travels to Tehran to reunite with her son, a U.S. Marine, during the Iran hostage crisis in Michelle Kholos Brooks new fact-based drama. Skylight Theatre, 1816 N. Vermont. Ave. Los Feliz. Sat., 8:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 17. $15-$40. (866) 811-4111.

Meanwhile, Back at the Super Lair... L.A. premiere of Greg Kalleres comedy about superheroes at loose ends in a crime-free city. The New American Theatre, 1312 N. Wilton Place, Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends June 23. $15-$30. www.NewAmericanTheatre.com.

A Very British Lesbian Writer-performer Fiona Goodwin explores her personal journey in this solo show. Zephyr Theatre, 7456 Melrose Ave., L.A. Next Sun., 6 p.m.; ends July 1. $20-$30. (800) 838-3006.

Critics Choices

The Baby Dance: Mixed With the same finely detailed specificity that distinguished Jane Andersons 1989 drama, the heightened racial emphasis in this substantially rewritten mixed-cast version opens up new opportunities to personalize and deepen the characters  surpassing the original in key respects. (P.B.) Rubicon Theatre, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. Ends Sun., 2 p.m. $30-$55. (805) 667-2900.

Bad Jews A dip in an acid-laced bubble bath, Joshua Harmons effervescently corrosive comedy about a fanatical Jewish ideologue and her more secular-minded cousins dispute over a religious artifact left behind by their Holocaust survivor grandfather receives a blissfully high-decibel staging from director Dana Resnick and a pitch-perfect cast. Harmons brilliantly caustic play frames serious issues of Jewish identity within a breathtaking blitzkrieg of invective guaranteed to make your eardrums smolder. (F.K.F.) Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Sun., next Sun., 2 p.m.; Sat., 8 p.m.; ends June 17. $30-$35. (310) 477-2055.

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.

Die, Mommie, Die! Part of the Center Theater Groups second annual Block Party, director Ryan Bergmanns superb remounting of the Celebration Theatres 2017 production of Charles Buschs camp classic is lavishly realized in every particular. The blissful original cast, spearheaded by Drew Droege in a riotous drag turn as a murderous diva-on-the-skids, takes us on a two-hour-plus plunge into the playfully down-and-dirty. Take a deep breath before immersion. And enjoy. (F.K.F.) Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Ends Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends May 20. $25-$70. (213) 628-2772.

Native Son As profound as it is disturbing, Nambi E. Kelleys adaptation of Richard Wrights groundbreaking 1940 novel features a stellar cast in a surreal descent into a violent criminal protagonists internal consciousness, revealing the fractured black identity that remains an enduring tragic legacy of racism. (P.B.) Antaeus Theatre Company, Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center, 110 E. Broadway, Glendale. Sun., next Sun., 2 p.m.; Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 3. $30, $34. (818) 506-1983.

Noises Off Director Geoff Elliott and a superb cast hit the banana peel running and never let up in their crowd-pleasing reprise of Michael Frayns 1982 farce-within-a-farce, a giddy glimpse of a theatrical hothouse populated by doddering drunks, vapid bombshells, and cue-challenged stars, where titanic egos and meager talents clash, hilariously. (F.K.F.) A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Sat., 2 and 8 p.m. $25 and up; student rush, $20. (626) 356-3100.
Cannes notebook: The wonderful, improbable Palme dOr triumph of Hirokazu Kore-edas Shoplifters

Director Hirokazu Koreeda winner of the Palme dOr award for Shoplifters. (Andreas Rentz / Getty Images)

On the last day of every Cannes Film Festival, word begins to leak out about which filmmakers from the competition have been called back for the closing-night awards ceremony.

Many of us already knew, going into Saturday nights show, that Pawel Pawlikowskis Cold War, Alice Rohrwachers Happy as Lazzaro, Spike Lees BlacKkKlansman, Nadine Labakis Capernaum and Hirokazu Kore-edas Shoplifters were certain to go home with awards, though which film would win what remained a mystery.

Festival juries are notoriously difficult to predict, but several other critics shared my hunch that the Palme dOr, the festivals top prize, would go to either Capernaum or BlacKkKlansman. Both were among the most enthusiastically touted films in the competition, and they offered the jury a chance to anoint either Labaki, a Lebanese director who had just launched herself into the big leagues, or Lee, a veteran American auteur who had famously (and angrily) lost the Palme nearly 30 years ago for Do the Right Thing. Would they go with the striking new talent or the overdue veteran?

In the end, they chose the overdue veteran, though not the one some of us were expecting. In a development as startling as it was altogether marvelous, the jury president, Cate Blanchett, announced that the Palme dOr had gone to Kore-edas Shoplifters, one of the quietest, loveliest and most emotionally enduring films in the competition.

Did anyone see this coming? To judge by his genially shell-shocked reaction, Kore-eda himself certainly didnt.

Read more on this years winners
he 71st Cannes Film Festival is underway (May 8-19), and L.A. Times critic Justin Chang is there, seeing as many movies as possible and writing about it for a day-by-day, film-by-film diary. This is one in a series of entries spanning from the opening festivities to closing night. For more entries and reviews, click here.

Closing-night films at festivals are often dismal, forgettable affairs, and Cannes track record has been no exception. (If you remember Ice and the Sky or have fond memories of What Just Happened, I stand corrected.) In the last two years, the festival has opted to forego an official closing-night film entirely, instead simply replaying the Palme dOr-winning title after the awards ceremony.

And so there were reasons for the heart to sink at the news that The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, Terry Gilliams endlessly embattled, decades-in-the-making riff on the Miguel de Cervantes classic, had been selected to bring down the curtain on the 71st Festival de Cannes.

At the same time, the momentous nature of the occasion was cause for legitimate, if queasy, excitement. Even if the Curse of the Closing-Night Film persisted and the film turned out to be awful, surely the satisfaction of seeing Gilliams long-delayed dream project finally completed would provide a measure of catharsis, closure in more than one sense.

[Don Quixotes] been a pain in the ass for 25 years, and finally weve got him out of the system, Gilliam said at a news conference Saturday afternoon. Also in attendance were stars Jonathan Pryce and Adam Driver, who play the films Don Quixote and Sancho Panza figures, respectively, and Gilliams co-writer, Tony Grisoni, who has been with the project since its aborted 1998-2000 production, which was supposed to star Jean Rochefort and Johnny Depp.

The failure of that attempt was expertly chronicled by Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe in their 2002 unmaking-of documentary, Lost in La Mancha. The new film is dedicated to the memory of the late Rochefort and John Hurt, both of whom were at different times tapped to play Quixote.

Pryce noted his delight at being reunited with Gilliam for a fourth time after Brazil (1985), The Brothers Grimm (2005) and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988), a movie that ran into some budgetary and logistical woes of its own. He even joked that Gilliam had deliberately sabotaged his own production.

He put a lot of obstacles in the way of Quixote being made  to wait until I was old enough to play him, he said.

It was a warm, positively feel-good reception for a film whose entry into the festival had been anything but smooth. In late April, the Portuguese producer Paulo Branco and his company, Alfama Films Production, filed a lawsuit claiming that Branco had been wrongly cut out as a producer on The Man Who Killed Don Quixote and seeking to block the Cannes screening of the film. The festival leapt to Gilliams defense, denouncing Branco for using intimidation and defamatory statements and stating it had every intention of screening the film as planned unless the court ruled otherwise.

In the end Brancos lawsuit was dismissed, the screening allowed to proceed. But the drama wasnt over yet. It was reported that Gilliam had been unable to appear in court due to a minor stroke, though the director has since clarified to the Guardian that it was a perforated medullated artery, calling it about as painful as a stubbed toe. And the day the festival began, the news broke that Amazon Studios, which had contributed significant funding to the project, had pulled out as its North American distributor.

By the time the movie finally arrived for its single Cannes press screening  in the Salle Bazin, one of the festivals smaller theaters  some of us in the audience found ourselves torn between tempered excitement and mounting dread.

What else could go wrong? Would technical difficulties bring the projection to a halt? Would a meteorite strike the Salle Bazin mid-screening, as the Telegraph critic Robbie Collin predicted on Twitter? Would audience members inexplicably fall ill and have to be carried out on stretchers? The movie couldnt be that bad, could it?

Adam Driver in the movie "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote." Diego Lopez Calvin

Its a relief to be able to say: No, not that bad at all. Certainly it bears the scars of its troubled production quite visibly, even humorously. The screening began with a legally required title card acknowledging that the festival premiere did not in any way prejudice Brancos rights in any ongoing action, followed by some sly introductory text (And now  after more than 25 years in the making  and unmaking  ). The movie then dumps us beside a windmill somewhere in Spain, where a cynical young director, Toby (Adam Driver), is shooting a TV commercial.

The meta-convolutions spiral outward from there. Ten years earlier, still flush with talent and idealism, Toby shot a black-and-white student film based on Don Quixote in a nearby village, with a local shoemaker, Javier (Jonathan Pryce), playing the Man of La Mancha himself. In a sly Cervantean twist, Javier has since gone mad and convinced himself that he really is Don Quixote.

Much fitfully amusing, carefully choreographed insanity ensues when Quixote mistakes Toby for Sancho and drags him along on a manic getaway. Also in the mix: Stellan Skarsgard as Tobys dastardly boss, Olga Kurylenko as the boss vampy wife and Joana Ribeiro as a damsel in distress who becomes the focus of Javiers chivalrous intent.

Make no mistake, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote is as volatile, frenzied and clogged with destructive incident as its difficult history might lead you to expect. Which is to say, it plays more or less like any Terry Gilliam movie, even the ones that didnt face production woes comparable to the labors of Hercules.

To call the movie a mess would be to state the obvious and perhaps miss the point. The movies sense of moment-to-moment chaos  madcap scenes of bellowing, falling, tumbling and general agitating  is scarcely accidental. It is, on the contrary, very deliberately achieved.

At the press conference, Gilliam emphasized that he had done everything he could to economize, including eliminating an originally planned time-travel element and setting the film in the present day. He seemed both high-spirited and slightly dazed, reacting with some disbelief when a journalist at the conference congratulated him on having made a masterpiece.

Are you talking about Brazil? he said. Wait, youre talking about this film? Its good?

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote is no masterpiece, and its mixed critical reception so far suggests that for some, even good may be a stretch. What seems beyond denial is that it is an intensely personal piece of filmmaking, a movie shot through with sneaky, unruly pleasures and no small poignancy.

Again and again, we see not just Quixote but others falling blissfully, though also tragically, under the spell of some grand delusion. Its a motif that almost certainly resonates with Gilliam, for whom the idea of ever seeing this project through to its completion must have struck others, and perhaps even himself, as a folly worthy of Quixote himself.

Its amazing how this film reflects reality, he said, in the process giving the movie a fitting benediction. For now, against all odds and despite every attempt to kill it, this Don Quixote lives.

Terry Gilliam on the set of "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote." Diego Lopez Calvin

justin.chang@latimes.com
Hello! Im Mark Olsen. Welcome to another edition of your regular field guide to a world of Only Good Movies.

The newsletter team is back from vacation as our Cannes team has been hard at work covering this years festival.

Justin Chang has been writing daily diaries, capturing first-look impressions of movies like Cold War, Ash Is the Purest White, Burning and many more. (Hirokazu Kore-edas Shoplifters won the top prize.)

Kenneth Turan spoke to Spike Lee about his BlacKkKlansman, which the filmmaker declared is a wake-up call for America, as well as to Ron Howard about Solo: A Star Wars Story.

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A scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey. (Warner Bros. Pictures )

Turan also spoke to Christopher Nolan about the newly struck 70-mm prints of Stanley Kubricks 2001: A Space Odyssey, now playing in Los Angeles, which have been made in an attempt to bring contemporary audiences as close as possible to the experience of seeing the film in its original run in 1968.

In her first time at the festival, Amy Kaufman captured a different side of the event, from walking down the famed red carpet to attending a ludicrously overblown party to honor, of all things, a very expensive ice cream cooler. She also took a close-up look at the very much not-in-competition Gotti.

We have two screening events this week. On Tuesday we will show American Animals followed by a Q&A with director Bart Layton and actor Blake Jenner. On Wednesday well show Hearts Beat Loud with writer-director Brett Haley and actor Nick Offerman. For info and updates on future events, go to events.latimes.com.

Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfried in First Reformed. (A24 )

First Reformed

Paul Schrader has long been the creator of fearsome work that mixes the cerebral with the visceral, whether in his screenplays for Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and The Last Temptation of Christ or works he directed such as American Gigolo and Light Sleeper. His new film First Reformed has been widely heralded as a culmination of many of his longtime preoccupations, as a small-town pastor (Ethan Hawke) attempts to help a troubled environmental activist and takes on a new burden as his own.

Reviewing the film for The Times, Justin Chang wrote, Layering his story with grim warnings about the horrors of climate change and the co-opting of Christianity by the conservative right, Schraders movie begins in quiet introspection and ends with a crescendo of political rage. It is an exquisite piece of filmmaking and also a blunt, pulpy instrument, a despairing, fully sustained howl of a movie that is easily this directors finest work in years.

Schrader spoke to Jeffrey Fleishman for The Times, who said of the films central character, He has despair, angst. And he rightly recognizes in the young boy Michael that were all woken up in the middle of the night with a sickness unto death. The ecology situation is new, but the blackness is not. He sees a kindred spirit in this boy who has a similar disease of the soul, and it reminds him of his own suffering. Is he really an ecological activist or has he just caught this virus? The virus that makes his suffering more important. What hes going through is essentially quite selfish.

In his review for the New York Times, A.O. Scott said of Schrader that a certain studiousness afflicts even his most accomplished work as a screenwriter and director, a tendency to put his erudition ahead of his instincts. First Reformed, with its evident debt to Dreyer and Bresson (most obviously Diary of a Country Priest), might seem to follow in this vein, but it works through its influences to achieve an uncanny directness. It is the portrait of a soul in torment, all the more powerful for being so rigorously conceived and meticulously executed.

For the Associated Press, Lindsey Bahr added, First Reformed is the kind of film that will stay with you long after the credits. Whether or not its a swansong for the prolific screenwriter and director, it certainly feels like the ending of at least a certain chapter that will surely be remembered as one of Schraders finest.

At Vanity Fair, K. Austin Collins wrote, Schraders film is a wise, shocking, intellectually prodigious masterpiece. Its a classic Schrader slow burn that seems to reach, in its final moments, for the impossible. For rapture, if thats even what youd call it. And then the film ends  snuffed out mid-breath. Good luck catching yours.

From left, Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen in Book Club. (Melinda Sue Gordon / Paramount Pictures )

Book Club

In Book Club, Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen star in a story of a group of friends who find their lives rekindled in unexpected ways when their book club reads Fifty Shades of Grey. They also drink wine, spend time in tasteful interiors and, frankly, thats all audiences really need to know.

Reviewing the film for The Times, Katie Walsh said, This movie is either in your wheelhouse or its not, but for those looking forward to Book Club, it delivers. For what it is  a breezy bit of Nancy Meyers-like fantasy, featuring four beloved actresses talking about sex, baby  its exceedingly enjoyable. But beyond its shiny surface and real estate pornography, the picture, directed by Bill Holderman and co-written by Holderman and Erin Simms, is a way to talk about the dehumanizing ways older people are desexualized in our culture and a rallying cry against that trend.

At the Washington Post, Ann Hornaday added, As an example of fan-fic-fic, Book Club bears next to no resemblance to the steamy literature to which it pays mostly tepid homage. But it has brio, rueful humor and celebratory verve that is nearly impossible to resist.

For Vulture, Emily Yoshida wrote, But as it turns out, Book Club is only tangentially about the Fifty Shades trilogy, and thats what makes it so smart. It uses E.L. Jamess notoriously silly BDSM saga as shorthand for a kind of romantic adventurousness, but the four leads all quickly pick up the beat and explore that idea on their own, outside the limited realm of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. They never get around to picking up any chains or whips, but at least one of them creates a Bumble account.

Virginie Ledoyen in Cold Water. (Janus Films )

Cold Water

Though an international breakthrough for filmmaker Olivier Assayas at the time, his 1994 film Cold Water never received a theatrical release in the U.S. until now. The movie, set in 1972, is a semi-autobiographical tale of two young people (Cyprien Fouqet and Virginie Ledoyen) who become sweethearts and compatriots to weather the whiplash transitions of youth together. The film is at once energetic and melancholy, vibrantly alive and tinged with sentimental regret. The movie marks a key step in Assayas development into one of the worlds leading filmmakers.

Writing about the film for The Times, Justin Chang said, What strikes you by the end of Cold Water is just how fast it moves, how swiftly our time spent with these characters simply slips away. As in any Assayas picture, nothing about the story feels calculated or deterministic, or even especially story-like. But it has a momentum that feels all but inexorable, as though picking up its characters mid-stream and flinging them toward a wrenchingly uncertain future.

I recently spoke to Assayas about the film for an interview that will be publishing soon. Besides saying that he doesnt mind that many people think Cold Water was his first film (it is actually his fifth), he noted that the movie captures something about his own feelings of being young.

The more time passes, the more the lines blur and the more it feels like I shot it in the 70s, Assayas said. To me its become some kind of screen between me and my own teenage memories. This is the movie I would have made if I could have made movies in the 1970s.

At the New York Times, J. Hoberman wrote about the film, noting, Mr. Assayas succeeded in making a young persons film when he was on the cusp of turning 40. He has said that he wanted Cold Water to feel like a movie from 1972. It doesnt really, but, perhaps more remarkably, its so fresh it could have been made now.

Email me if you have questions, comments or suggestions, and follow me on Twitter @IndieFocus
Authorities are searching for a motorist responsible for a hit-and-run crash that killed a cyclist in Compton early Sunday, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

Deputies responded to a call just after midnight Sunday at the intersection of Bradfield Avenue and Alondra Boulevard, said Sheriffs Sgt. Danny Martinez. The cyclist appeared to have been struck by a car that had then driven off, he said.

NBC Los Angeles identified the victim as 59-year-old Darnell Parker Sr. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities are still searching for clues that may help identify the driver of the car, Martinez said.

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There are detectives out there and theyre working the case, he said.

soumya.karlamangla@latimes.com

Twitter: @skarlamangla
Last year, USC decided to oust longtime campus gynecologist George Tyndall after concluding that for years he had been making sexual comments and touching patients inappropriately during pelvic exams.

The university drew up a secret deal and Tyndall quietly left with a financial settlement.

But USC didnt inform either the state Medical Board or law enforcement at the time, nor did the university reach out to the thousands of patients treated by Tyndall in his nearly three decades at the campus student health clinic.

USC went public only last week after The Times presented the university with the results of a three-month investigation in which co-workers at the clinic as well as some of Tyndalls former patients detailed years of complaints.

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How USC handled the case has sparked outrage and demands for change in the universitys leadership and management culture.

To some, it is part of a troubling pattern.

Dr. George Tyndall, former campus gynecologist at USC. (USC )

The revelations about Tyndall come less than a year after Times disclosures about drug and alcohol abuse by Dr. Carmen A. Puliafito during his tenure as dean of the universitys medical school, while he was leading a second life of partying with young criminals and addicts.

As with Tyndall, USC chose not to report the physician to authorities when top administrators learned of misconduct allegations.

The scandals have many inside and outside the university asking how both doctors could have operated in such sensitive positions for so long and whether USC was more concerned with keeping the allegations of misconduct secret than trying to fully investigate them.

It was an egregious violation of its societal responsibilities for USC to keep quiet about Dr. Tyndalls misconduct, said Nancy Jecker, a professor of bioethics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Far from remaining neutral, silence took sides with power and privilege while failing to safeguard vulnerable patients.

USC President C.L. Max Nikias acknowledged in a Friday letter to the campus that Tyndall should have been removed and referred to the authorities years ago. I am struggling with the question  as you are: How could this behavior have gone on for so long?

William G. Tierney, a tenured professor at USCs Rossier School of Education, said he appreciated Nikias for acknowledging the universitys failures but said the schools president had lost the goodwill of the faculty.

He hasnt acknowledged anything as an individual. Hes the president. Harry Truman said, The buck stops here, and we dont have that right now, said Tierney, who described himself as a friend of Nikias. The university has lost its way. And a lot of people who care deeply about the university feel terrible about that, and I think the president does as well.

It was an egregious violation of its societal responsibilities for USC to keep quiet about Dr. Tyndalls misconduct. Nancy Jecker, professor of bioethics, University of Washington School of Medicine

Nikias said in his letter Friday that USC was moving to work with law enforcement and offer counseling to former patients, steps some believe the university should have taken long ago. He said the university plans to share with the Los Angeles Police Department some of the roughly 200 reports made by Tyndalls former patients since USC set up a special hotline last week.

The Medical Board, the agency responsible for protecting the public from problem doctors, says it is also scrutinizing The Times reporting on Tyndall and how USC dealt with him.

When the board finally learned of the accusation against Puliafito and launched an inquiry, investigators returned with damning allegations.

Investigators said he abused drugs on days he worked as an eye doctor in university facilities and would return to his medical office to see patients within hours of using methamphetamine. The board also alleged Puliafito consumed heroin and methamphetamine at the Keck School of Medicine campus and other locations in 2015 and 2016.

Jecker and other ethicists see alarming similarities between the Tyndall and Puliafito episodes.

This pattern makes the present case even more disturbing, she said.

Both doctors have denied wrongdoing.

Dr. Carmen A. Puliafito, then the dean of the Keck School of Medicine at USC, speaks at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center Gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in 2015. (Alex J. Berliner / Associated Press )

In March 2016, Puliafito announced he was stepping down as dean of the Keck School of Medicine to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. That was three weeks after a young woman overdosed in his Pasadena hotel room, an incident that remained under wraps.

After a Times story last July exposed Puliafitos drug use and presence at the overdose, USC acknowledged that he actually resigned as dean after university Provost Michael Quick confronted him with complaints about his behavior. Puliafitos colleagues later told The Times they had complained for years about his excessive drinking and other misconduct.

The university had still kept Puliafito, an eye surgeon, on the medical school faculty and he continued to see patients for more than a year. He was fired shortly after The Times investigation was published.

At the same time, USC was keeping a lid on the allegations against Tyndall, who was placed on paid leave in June 2016.

Some of the most serious complaints concerned his use of fingers at the start of pelvic exams. Witnesses told The Times the physician routinely inserted one finger and then a second in patients after voicing concern that a speculum might not fit. While he spoke, they said, he moved his fingers in and out and often made remarks on the tightness of their vaginal muscles: My, what a tight muscle you have. You must be a runner.

In recent interviews with The Times, Tyndall said his use of fingers had a legitimate medical purpose and said some of his comments to patients were misinterpreted. Tyndall, 71, could not be reached for comment Saturday.

An internal USC investigation determined that Tyndalls behavior during pelvic exams was outside the scope of current medical practice and amounted to sexual harassment of students.

A university spokeswoman said Nikias learned of the findings late last fall, months after USC paid Tyndall to step down. The school did not report Tyndall to the medical board for several months, in March. By then, Times reporters had begun contacting university employees about the complaints made against the gynecologist.

As the newspaper prepared to publish its findings, Nikias said in a letter to the USC community, In hindsight, we should have made this report eight months earlier when he separated from the university.

Under state law, hospitals and many clinics must alert the medical board in a variety of circumstances in which they suspend, discipline or terminate the privileges of physicians. These reports trigger investigations into a doctors license and hospital leaders face steep fines for failing to notify the board.

The university has lost its way. And a lot of people who care deeply about the university feel terrible about that. William G. Tierney, tenured professor at USCs Rossier School of Education

USC said the law didnt apply in Tyndalls case because the university itself wasnt governed by the rules for hospitals and clinics and the complaints against him were made as a human resources matter. The university also said Tyndall had told school officials that he was going to retire from practice.

In addition, two attorneys advised the university that there was no criminal conduct to report to law enforcement, USC said.

In the Puliafito matter, USC said it referred a Times query about his presence at the drug overdose to Kecks Hospital Medical Staff, a review panel, which concluded there were no existing patient care complaints and no known clinical issues and took no action against him. The Times disclosures prompted a medical board investigation that led to the suspension of Puliafitos license. A hearing on the accusation is set for later this month.

Art Caplan, founding head of the Division of Bioethics at New York Universitys Langone Medical Center, said USCs failure to report the physicians to authorities sort of reflects a were going to maintain institutional policing and thats sufficient, thats kind of where our duty ends. ...That just doesnt cut it.

The physician who replaced Puliafito as dean lasted little more than a year and a half in the job. Rohit Varma resigned as The Times was about to publish a report on allegations that he sexually harassed a colleague in 2002. USC had paid the woman $135,000 as a result of her complaint. In announcing Varmas removal, Quick cited previously undisclosed information but would not elaborate.

Meanwhile, USC retained the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher to examine the Puliafito scandal and how the school handled it.

According to an internal USC memorandum, the review, led by firm partner and former U.S. Atty. Debra Yang, who has represented USC in the past, is in its final stages. The April 24 memo said that Nikias, as part of the review, will compile an action plan to guide the university going forward. Last week, USC said Yang and her firm have not been involved in how the university dealt with Tyndall.

It remains unclear whether USC will publicly release Yangs report or launch any kind of independent investigation into the Tyndall case.

USC has insisted that administrators didnt know about the most serious allegations against Tyndall until 2016. The university blamed the student health clinics executive director, who died two years ago, for independently handling complaints about Tyndall dating to 2000.

In March 2016, Carmen A. Puliafito announced he was stepping down as dean of the Keck School of Medicine. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times )

In Puliafitos case, USC said administrators didnt know about the deans drug use, even though a whistleblower had called Nikias office to report Puliafitos presence at the scene of the Pasadena overdose. The university said two receptionists who took the call did not pass the information on to their supervisors because they did not find the whistleblower credible.

Experts said such explanations do not absolve university leaders of blame.

If concerns in fact did not come to the attention of senior administrators, this raises concerns about a communication breakdown, Jecker said. This is not a justification for conduct, but an explanation of failure. It does nothing to mitigate the failure of leadership to be informed, communicate and act.

The view is shared by some others in the USC community.

More than 700 people have signed an online petition demanding that the USC Board of Trustees fire Nikias.

President Nikias is allowing this to happen, said the petitions sponsor, Rini Sampath, a 2016 USC graduate who served as student body president. I hope the rest of the community and Board of Trustees can have a spine and do something.

Sampath said she had been deeply concerned by the Puliafito case but decided she had to act after she heard the allegations about Tyndall.

When you hear meth-smoking med school dean, there are people who laugh at that  its so absurd, Sampath said. But when you read quotes from young girls that this man [mistreated] them, and thats the memory they have to live with for the rest of their lives, that moves you.

Up to now, the Board of Trustees has said little about either scandal. The board consists of 59 voting members and includes noted philanthropists, accomplished alumni, Hollywood insiders and industrial tycoons.

Nikias, who oversaw a major expansion of the university during his eight years as president and has made fundraising a priority, appeared to maintain the support of the trustees through the Puliafito scandal.

But the Tyndall case has already turned into an international controversy.

The case threatens the universitys aggressive efforts to recruit talented students from China. Among the allegations co-workers made against Tyndall is that his inappropriate touching and comments were often trained on Chinese and other Asian students with limited English skills.

Last week, the Chinese Consulate issued a statement expressing alarm at the allegations and demanding that USC address them.

A number of USC trustees declined to comment in recent days or did not respond to interview requests about the Tyndall case.

David Bohnett, a trustee and USC graduate, referred a reporter to the schools administrators.

As with most organizations, and Im on the board of many, its standard practice for board members to let the CEO and the organization representatives speak publicly on matters regarding the operations of the institution, Bohnett wrote in an email.

After this weeks revelations, USC fired two top supervisors at the clinic where Tyndall worked. But some students, as well as former patients of Tyndalls, say the move isnt enough.

Tiana Lowe, who graduated a week ago Friday, said USCs administration has demonstrated that the bottom dollar is what matters to them. Nikias and other administrators, she said, should be fired.

The fish rots from the head down, said Lowe, 22.

Another former student who graduated in 2016 recalled visiting Tyndall for treatment after being sexually assaulted. The woman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Tyndall inserted his fingers into her at the start of the pelvic exam.

Having seen only one other gynecologist years earlier, the woman said, she had no idea what was supposed to happen during an exam and was shocked when she read The Times reports last week.

Any USC administrators who knew of the complaints against Tyndall and did nothing should be removed, she said.

They need to go, plain and simple, said the woman. If youre not willing to protect young women, then you have no business in higher education. In todays day and age, treating victims of sexual assault in this way is unacceptable.

Times staff writer Adam Elmahrek contributed to this report.

paul.pringle@latimes.com | Twitter: @PringleLATimes

matt.hamilton@latimes.com | Twitter: @MattHjourno

sarah.parvini@latimes.com | Twitter: @sarahparvini

harriet.ryan@latimes.com | Twitter: @latimesharriet
Hundreds of people waving and carrying signs marched in Koreatown on Saturday to protest a planned temporary homeless shelter in the neighborhood.

Los Angeles police shut down Vermont Avenue from Wilshire Boulevard to 7th Street in Koreatown because of the protest, which was scheduled to run from 4 to 7 p.m., LAPD Sgt. Matthew Meneses said.

Ronald Kim, one of the marchers, told KABC-TV Channel 7, Mayor Garcetti should have had basic decency and respect to hold a public hearing so the community could voice its concerns about this proposed shelter.

Meneses said the protest started as scheduled and was peaceful, with no arrests or problems reported.
Students and teachers returning to Santa Fe High School on Saturday to claim belongings left behind during the evacuation had to be escorted by police: The school was still a crime scene, cordoned off with yellow police tape.

They were joined by Cassandra Garza, a sophomore. She didnt bring a sign with a political slogan, or talk about gun control. All she wanted was to be with her friends, Cassandra said, and to get together and pray this never happens again.

Im young and naive about politics, the 16-year-old said.

There was no outcry against firearms in Santa Fe after a gunman killed 10 and wounded 13 others Friday. Guns didnt come up at a prayerful vigil attended by 1,000 people that evening. On Saturday, there were no protests, and local leaders dont expect any Sunday.

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But three months earlier in Parkland, Fla., the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that left 17 dead unleashed a movement, with students and parents of the dead organizing, protesting and calling for expanded gun control laws. Their activism led to school walkouts nationwide, voter registration drives and massive demonstrations, including the March for Our Lives in Washington.

Polls show the U.S. remains deeply divided about guns, and the responses in Parkland and Santa Fe help explain why.

Residents in both cities say something needs to be done about school shootings, but theres no agreement on what that something should be.

Outside the high school Saturday, Sandy Phillips said she was not surprised to be the lone advocate there for gun control.

Phillips, a San Antonio native, was wearing a pin with a photo of her daughter, Jessica Ghawi, who was killed in the mass shooting in Aurora, Colo., six years ago at age 24. Phillips and her husband have since responded to support fellow victims at the scenes of nine other mass shootings. She also protested outside the National Rifle Assn. convention in Dallas earlier this month.

Tanya Diaz, Brock Sanchez and Lucy Gonzales place flowers, a sign and balloons on a tree outside Santa Fe High School. (Stuart Villanueva / Associated Press )

Its unfortunate theyve already made up their minds about what happened here. Theyre gone right to, No ones taking my guns. The typical NRA rhetoric. Its all about pray, Phillips said.

She sees little chance for a meeting of minds about guns.

People go their own ways, she said. It divides the community, divides the students.

The Rev. Brad Drake has ministered to the Santa Fe community for seven years at Dayspring Church, an Assemblies of God congregation of about 150 people a few miles from the high school. The town of about 13,000 has 15 churches, and Drake serves on the local ministerial alliance as well as the Chamber of Commerce.

After the shooting, he worried that outside groups might show up with political agendas. He noticed a man openly carrying a handgun on his hip at the Friday vigil. But that was it, he said.

Were able to look past that stuff and just take care of people, Drake said as he sat in his office.

Drake, 45, is a gun owner, with a deer head mounted on his office wall. Hes also a father of five who lost a member of his congregation in the shooting, student Angelique Ramirez. On Friday, he was waiting nearby as officials notified her parents and the parents of seven other victims.

You could hear it down the hallway as each family reacted, he recalled.

Like many in Santa Fe, the pastor didnt fault guns. He faulted himself, and society. Schools need help to improve security, but that wont prevent shootings, he said. Neither will prayer alone, he added.

We have created a culture that does not value life, that does not honor God, that does not respect authority. We are reaping the consequences of those actions, and thats not going to be reversed by a security guard or a metal detector, he said.

Youre not hearing a lot about gun control. Richard Pourchot, youth minister

Youth minister Richard Pourchot accompanied Angeliques parents when they were notified of her death. He saw them break down, and spent the evening with them afterward.

Youre not hearing a lot about gun control, he said, and while he said school security should be stepped up in the short term, the long-term goal is to change hearts.

Were allowing the culture to raise our kids, added Pourchot, a father of two who graduated from Santa Fe High in 2000.

On Saturday, Pourchot and Drake opened the church sanctuary for their response to the shooting: public prayer. Drake wondered aloud how long the shooting would stay in the limelight.

Do people really care, or do they just want to push an agenda? he said.

No local officials mentioned guns at an afternoon briefing outside the high school.

Asked about gun control, Galveston County Judge Mark Henry said expanding laws wouldnt prevent mass shootings.

I cant speak for our entire country, but we need to pay more attention to mental health, Henry said, saying tougher gun laws wont keep firearms out of the hands of criminals because they wont abide any.

A few yards away, Clarissa Potts and her 7-year-old daughter, Kaylee, added flowers to a growing memorial under a tree outside the school. She, too, opposes expanding gun control laws. She said parents need to get more involved with their children.

We need better communication. We need to pay more attention to mental health. I dont think its a gun control issue. Its their constitutional right to carry guns, said Potts, 41, who does not own guns.

1 / 21 Nasir Shenwari holds his daughter as the casket of Santa Fe High School shooting victim Sabika Sheikh, 17, leaves a funeral in Stafford, Texas, two days after a gunman killed 10 people at the school. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP/Getty Images) 2 / 21 People offer funeral prayers for Pakistani exchange student Sabika Sheikh at the Brand Lane Islamic Center in Stafford, Texas. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press) 3 / 21 Pictures of victims of the Santa Fe High School shooting are displayed during a prayer vigil at Walter Hall Park in League City, Texas. (Scott Olson / Getty Images) 4 / 21 Santa Fe High School graduates bow their heads in prayer during a Baccalaureate service in Santa Fe, Texas. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press) 5 / 21 Chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team pray outside Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas. ((Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images)) 6 / 21 Residents attend a prayer vigil to remember the victims from the Santa Fe High School shooting at Walter Hall Park in League City, Texas. (Scott Olson / Getty Images) 7 / 21 Student Hunter Kana, center, holds a lighted candle at a vigil after a shooting left 10 dead at Santa Fe High School in Texas. (Stuart Villanueva / Galveston County Daily News) 8 / 21 People gather for a candlelight vigil Friday evening in Santa Fe, Texas, where a gunman killed 10 at a high school that morning. (Stuart Villanueva / Galveston County Daily News) 9 / 21 Lucrecia Martinez, 7, and her brother Luciano, 9, of Dickinson light candles during Fridays vigil for those killed in a mass shooting in Santa Fe, Texas, that morning. (Stuart Villanueva / Galveston County Daily News) 10 / 21 Mourners gather during a prayer vigil following a shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas on Friday. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press) 11 / 21 Hannah Harrison carries roses during a prayer vigil following a shooting at Santa Fe High School on Friday. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press) 12 / 21 Santa Fe High School student Dakota Shrader is comforted by her mother, Susan Davidson, following a shooting at the school on Friday. (Stuart Villanueva / Galveston County Daily News) 13 / 21 A woman reacts while making a phone call outside the Alamo Gym where parents wait to reunite with their children following a shooting at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, on Friday. (Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle) 14 / 21 Law enforcement and medical personnel outside Santa Fe High School where a gunman, reported to be a student, shot numerous people in Santa Fe Friday morning. (Harris County Sheriffs Office) 15 / 21 Santa Fe High School junior Guadalupe Sanchez, 16, cries in the arms of her mother, Elida Sanchez, after reuniting with her following a shooting at the school. (Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle) 16 / 21 A woman prays in the grass outside the Alamo Gym where parents wait to reunite with their children following a shooting at Santa Fe High School Friday morning. (Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle) 17 / 21 Anguished Santa Fe High School staff members gather in a parking lot near the school after Fridays shooting. (Jennifer Reynolds / Galveston County Daily News ) 18 / 21 Law enforcement vehicles on the grounds of Sante Fe High School. where multiple fatalities were reported in a shooting Friday. (KTRK-TV ABC13 / Associated Press) 19 / 21 Police officers at a checkpoint in front of Santa Fe High School after a shooting at the school on Friday (Kevin M. Cox / Galveston County Daily News ) 20 / 21 The Police Department in Pearland, Texas, about 20 miles away, sent an armored vehicle to Santa Fe High School in response to the shooting Friday morning. (Kevin M. Cox / Galveston County Daily News ) 21 / 21 Law enforcement officers move in after a mass shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas on Friday. (Steve Gonzales / Houston Chronicle)

Up the street, a Santa Fe High junior who stopped at the Shell gas station that sells Hunter for life caps said she agreed.

Its not the guns; its the people, said Dawn Pence, 17, who wore cowboy boots and a Def Leppard T-shirt. She wasnt at the school Friday, and didnt know the alleged shooter or any of the victims.

A few local officials, students and victims families did blame guns for the shooting and called for increased gun control Saturday. But they kept a low profile, contacting Parkland student activists for advice and speaking out virtually, on social media.

Rhonda Hart posted her plea on Facebook after learning her daughter Kimberly Vaughan was among the dead: Call your congressmen. We need GUN CONTROL. WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR KIDS.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo expressed frustration with officials who ran to the cameras today, acted in a solemn manner, called for prayers, and will once again do absolutely nothing.

Please do not post anything about guns arent the problem and theres little we can do, Acevedo wrote on Facebook. The hatred being spewed in our country and the new norms we, so-called people of faith are accepting, is as much to blame for so much of the violence in our once pragmatic Nation.

A dozen Santa Fe students who participated in a national walkout last month for expanded gun control posted online after Fridays shooting and could become active in the coming days, said Matt Deitsch, a Parkland student organizer.

Some students will speak out. Others will need to find their voice, Deitsch said in a Saturday text. We all need to demand change. I feel awful that these students are in the same ugly club.

Marcel McClinton, co-director of the Houston March for Our Lives chapter, tried to contact students after the shooting, driving to town for a Friday vigil. The 16-year-old left his March for Our Lives T-shirt at home and kept a low profile, offering hugs and support.

Were here to help you guys, hed say. Youre not buying into our agenda.

Marcel survived a mass shooting at his Houston Sunday school two years ago. Hes tried prayer and forgiveness, but still has headaches and flashbacks after other mass shootings.

I care about kids and having to see kids in fear, he said by phone Saturday. The grieving process starts, but it hardly ever ends.

Marcel spent Saturday conferring with members of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, a Washington-based gun control advocacy group, who had flown in to help reach out in Santa Fe.

I would be very shocked if at least one student does not want to talk to us to amplify their voice. So were waiting, he said.

Among those drawn to Santa Fe by the shooting was Jason Rogers, a self-described moderate Democrat and community college teacher campaigning for the Legislature farther east.

Rogers, a veteran and gun owner who favors expanded background checks, said he recently joined the American Legion and was assisting with the groups raffle for a semiautomatic rifle Friday when he heard about the shooting.

Instead of continuing, he came to Santa Fe to talk to people, but says he found that they dont really want outside help.

molly.hennessy-fiske@latimes.com

@mollyhf
Last week the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department released more than 1,200 pages of witness statements and interviews conducted by law enforcement with survivors of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

In the course of the investigation, police gathered individual stories  each like a quilt patch sewn next to another. And another. And another. Until all the patches together showed what humanity looks like under siege.

Amid the chaos and confusion, the statements  given in the days and weeks after the Oct. 1 massacre  recounted acts of heroism and resourceful quick-thinking. Belts became tourniquets. Tables became stretchers. Off-duty police, firefighters, nurses and paramedics began to triage patients on site.

What also emerged is how, for some, the testimony became a therapeutic outlet after Stephen Paddock killed 58 and injured hundreds at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival. Many spoke of paralyzing fear. Some witnesses made a point to thank those who had helped or longed to find those people. There were also some trivial notes  itemized losses of phones, clothing and other property.

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The writing styles were varied  some staying within the lines on the paper and others eschewing them. Some used small, block letters, and others wrote in big, curvy script. Several were in Spanish. Almost all used fireworks or firecrackers to describe the initial sounds of the shooting. The names were redacted, though in some instances the gender and other personal details were clear. Here is a sampling:



That first night I was still in shock when I went to bed and couldnt really believe it had happened. But at 3 a.m., I woke up and couldnt stop shaking. I trembled and cried and felt helpless. I couldnt stop thinking about my cousins and the people I had talked to just hours before and what had happened to them.

As a trans woman, Ive had moments in my life where I wanted to die, but this was the exact opposite. During the shooting, I fought to live. But Im so struggling to overcome the trauma of that day. The person I was going to say goodbye to is among those who died. And I still cant [understand] why this happen[ed].



I thought I wasnt going to make it. The past days have been horrible. Im scare[d], my stomach still not good. On Wednesday or Thursday, I [went] to see a [therapist]. I was able to cry it all out. It is helping me.



I feel bad I survived, a man wrote. For the ones that didnt die instantly and died scared. It was a fun event, but ended horribly. I dont know what the man was thinking.



While moving forward to assist people, I threw my backpack off to be able to move quicker, a man wrote. Then he revealed that his wallet in the backpack containing his credit cards was stolen; the cards were used to make fraudulent purchases, and his Social Security number was used to open up fraudulent lines of credit.



Several people trying to get the wounded to hospitals tried to flag down rides and were passed by motorists who refused to stop and help. One cabdriver rolled up his windows and kept moving. And so we  had some choice words to say, a survivor told detectives.



One woman was upset about losing her Louis Vuitton purse, hat and sunglasses. I just want my 10 back, she wrote, ending the sentence with a handwritten sad-face emoji.



A woman said she had been shot and ended up hiding out in an apartment with 200 people. She said she was in a bathtub and an ex-Marine was tying a tourniquet on her. She remembered the lights were kept off because they feared the shooter was still loose.

I didnt know anything and I still have limited, like, what I want to know, so Ive kind of, like, not asked questions or looked into it, she told a police officer during an interview in the hospital. I mean, I know what Ive been told, but I dont really have any desire to know things right now, you know?



A 22-year-old woman from New Jersey told a detective about getting shot in the hip from her hospital bed at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center.

And I said, Mom, Ive been shot. I need you to help me walk, she recalled. I said, I can still walk but I need help.

She talked about how her mom found a piece of cloth to try to stop the bleeding. How her parents were hysterical.

I knew that I was OK because I could feel my legs. I could walk. I could  I knew I wasnt at a point where I had to stop and I  I knew I was OK. I dont know how but I just knew I was. And I knew I needed to be OK cause we had to go. So we keep walking  oh, Im sorry, oh.

Calm down. Its OK, the detective said. Do you need to take a minute?

It just hurts, she replied.

But she pressed ahead. She told how on their way to safety they passed a scene of carnage that included dead and wounded on the ground.



All of this has filled me with panic. The next day I didnt send my kids to school, and now I cant sleep and Im distrusting of everyone, one woman wrote in Spanish.



I hear shots. Any little sound spooks me. I am scared for my wife and kids, a man wrote of the shooting aftermath. I now sleep with the bedroom door wide open. Tuesday I was still scared was not able to go to work, to leave my family. I know that I am [no] longer safe where I currently live since I live so close to the Strip. That has affected my mind set my personal well being as well as that of my family.



I am scared to leave the house. To drive. To see the bodies, to see the people hurt. It has scared me. To live my life. I pace around the house, I have lost a week of work since I am scared and can no go to work.



I cant sleep because I see the bodies on the floor and I hear their screams, I hear these screams, a woman wrote. I was so scared I would never see my children again.



One victim who had been a stagehand during the concert revealed on his statement that he was getting therapy.

My whole life passed through me. I have not been or felt normal since that day. I feel nervous. I went to work after 3 days later, he wrote Oct. 17. I felt lost. I feel anxiety being in big crowded rooms. I have been coming to therapy and [that] has helped me.



At this day, I still have problems sleeping and I am afraid to go in large crowds of people, a man wrote Oct. 30. As a single father, I am taking care of my kids and I cant take them to the Strip, just been afraid of the situation.



A man at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center, who had been shot in the leg, told Det. R. Swales how afterward he ordered his wife to start running, to not stop running. To leave me behind until she was at safety and I would catch up with her. He said he passed people who were too scared or injured to move.

I made it to that railing, he said. I was able to throw myself over between hopping and crawling. Its, uh, fight or flight. My foot was like Jell-O just hanging there.

He said he was ultimately put in a wheelbarrow and pushed to an ambulance.

The transcript notes that the victims wife and mother were both in the hospital room during the interview. He said his wife never left his side.

Survivor, the detective affirmed.

Yes, sir, said the man.

david.montero@latimes.com

Twitter: @davemontero

Times staff writer Nina Agrawal contributed to this report.
Watergate happened in audio. Bless his patriotic soul, President Nixon generously bugged his own offices and tapped his own phones. It was Nixons own unmistakable voice, conspiring on dirty tricks and putative obstruction of justice, that checkmated him.

President Trump is also his own wiretap, and he may yet checkmate himself. But he uses another medium, another form of speech and another genre to wreck himself. Trumps chronic self-incrimination  most of it, anyway  is not audio; it exists in tweets and on TV.

From his televised request for more Kremlin hacks  Russia, if youre listening  to his NBC confession that he fired the FBI director to snuff out the Russia investigation, Trump makes sure to get just about every micron of his venality on the record.

And nowhere does he do it more flagrantly than on Twitter. One example: The syntax and content of No Collusion or Obstruction (other than I fight back), from last month, was read by the journalist Jonathan Chait and others as a tacit confession that Trump was saying that he did, under the rubric of fighting back, obstruct justice.

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But there are also tweets that constitute a kind of trespass in themselves. Speech that in anothers Twitterfeed would be banal is dangerous when it comes from the commander in chief. Paranoid Nixon would never have risked public proclamations like these. When Trump telegraphs attacks on Syria, for example, or sidles up to incendiary hate speech or even nuclear threats, words can be tantamount to deeds  and misdeeds.

When word and deed become one  when speaking is acting  we are often in the presence of what philosophers of language call performative speech acts, as opposed to constatives. Part of whats so disorienting about Trump is that he uses speech in a relentlessly performative way.

Constatives are utterances that describe the world, and are responsive to fact-checking. Performatives, by contrast, are a show, and when you utter them, you enact  rather than describe  something in the world. Performatives are a subset of speech acts such as orders, threats, promises and warnings. Sound like Trump?

Its pointless to fact-check an order. Shut up, for example, is neither true nor false.

J.L. Austin, the great 20th-century British philosopher who created (and later refined) the performative-constative distinction, said performatives are simply not truth-evaluable. Instead, as he wrote, the constative utterance is true or false and the performative is happy or unhappy.

Happy or unhappy! Perhaps that is how Trumps strange utterances should be evaluated. We live in a time of unhappy performatives, which explains the dysphoria of Trumps tweets.

A final way to understand the difference between our two nastiest presidents  Trump and Nixon  is to pay attention to genre.

Nixons genre was asides. Conspire comes from the Latin con spirare, literally, breathe together. Nixon liked to deliver his soliloquies to another man or other men in the style of smoke-choked back room skulduggery. He was furtive; the drama in a conspiracy happens out of sight.

But for Trump, whatever his role (if any) in what special counsel Robert S. Mueller III has identified as a conspiracy to defraud the United States, the drama is right in front of us, in our faces.

Trumps a veteran, after all, of one of the strangest aesthetic forms of the last century: reality TV. On shows like The Apprentice, its the stated job of the performers, to create drama  and ham it the hell up.

When Trump used to call in compulsively to Howard Sterns radio show in the 1990s, he loved getting Sterns fawning praise whenever he said revolting Wack Pack stuff  that he would date his daughter, that he could have gotten Princess Diana. He discovered then that speech worked best for him when it delivered not truths so much as blows.

Later, he took that insight to gruesome heights on The Apprentice where his sadistic catchphrase was a classic performative: Youre fired. The statement was more order than fact. It was a hammer coming down.

The writer Karen Schwartz, just after the outset of the Mueller investigation, told me that American citizens, following this presidency at home, ought to be alert to genre. On the one hand, she said, the presidency is a reality show, where the players  former advisor Stephen K. Bannon, current advisor Rudolph W. Giuliani  who make the most noise and chaos get the most kudos and airtime.

But Schwartz also pointed out theres another story going on here, one that conforms to a genre thats older than reality TV. Its a procedural.

The steady investigation of Trumps campaign and administration for its ties to Russia has been going on for a year now. Mueller and his team keep their heads down. They dont make noise or chaos. Theyd be terrible on The Bachelor or Duck Dynasty.

The utterances of Muellers team that we can see  the ones in the indictments  are orderly, methodical and searing. No jokes, no rants, no tweets.

For those of us at home, just the knowledge that theres a quieter and more consequential story of our times thats not on Twitter, or even cable news, can be comforting. Whatever madness is happening on The Real Housewives of the White House, its extremely satisfying to know that Law & Order is continuing apace.

Twitter: @page88

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I got an email from Patricia Patti Hunter, asking for my vote in the June 5th election. Shes running for Los Angeles Superior Court judge, Seat 16. I know her, I like her, I like her kids. Sure, I thought, why not? Then I thought, I have no idea how qualified she is to be a judge, especially in comparison to her opponents, Sydne Michel (The Times endorsed her) or Hubert S. Yun.

I love voting. I love walking over to the elementary school and saying hello to the poll workers as I sign my name in the big book. I wear my I Voted sticker all day. I know its not enough to just press the little inky stick in the holes. I pride myself on being informed. I dont blindly follow what the newspaper says or a party line.

But, judges.

The Official Voter Information Guide is 95 pages long and it doesnt include a word about the 165 elections for judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Elections is in quotes because for 154 of these judgeships, incumbents are running unopposed. Only the names of 28 candidates in the contested judicial elections  11 this time  will even show up on your ballot.

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That kind of information gap may explain why no more than a quarter of the dismal 11% of eligible voters who go to the polls bother choosing judges at all. Most of us just leave those bubbles blank. Its embarrassing, but Ive voted for judges solely based on candidates gender or their job description: public defender. Once I voted for a judicial candidate because I recognized his name. Thats an especially dumb move. Before he ran for president, Id heard of Donald Trump, too.

Being a Superior Court judge is an important job. She sees people at their worst, in divorce and custody battles or as the victims or perpetrators of a crime. She needs to be a good listener, to apply the law without considering popular opinion or her own political beliefs. Hows a voter supposed to figure out who best fits that description?

I turned on my computer. First, I found judgevoterguide.com. Craig Huey, the sites producer, has been offering recommendations on California court races for 20 years. He asks candidates to fill out a questionnaire, which is posted, but not the answers. His Twitter feed makes it pretty clear hes a conservative and his ratings (0 to 5 stars) no doubt reflect it.

So for another side, I went to the Stonewall Democratic Clubs site. If you didnt know the significance of the name, the rainbow flag in the banner would be a dead giveaway about where they stand. Sure enough, the two sites were diametrically opposed. On the Stonewall site, Anthony Lewis was endorsed for Seat 64. I clicked through to his website. Hes a civil rights attorney with a long history of fighting against discrimination of all kinds. On Craig Hueys site, Lewis gets a grayed-out star with a cautionary red line through it.

But the race I was most interested in, Seat 16, wasnt included on Stonewall  I guess none of the candidates measured up. On Hueys website, though, Hunter was redlined; Michel got four stars and Yun got five.

Time to dig deeper. The candidates websites are very  judicious  innocuous almost to the point of being uninformative. They repeat the same three words: fair, experienced and dedicated. All the candidates have been lawyers for years, although Michel began as an actress. Its L.A. after all.

I tried to read between the lines and definitely got a more conservative vibe from Yun and Michel. He calls himself a gang murder prosecutor and Michel wants to keep society safe. But vibe was exactly what I was trying to get past.

On the neutral Voters Edge website, Yun, Michel and Hunter were lined up together and each answered (or didnt, in the case of Michel) the same three questions. Great, I could compare and contrast. Under an additional heading, political philosophy, only Hunter had anything to say: I believe that elections are important and that voters have a right to know about their candidates. She was pulling ahead.

Google located a Metropolitan News-Enterprise article on the race. Most of what it revealed  education, years in practice  was familiar by now, with some added detail about Yuns commitment to his children and a cute picture of Michel in the movie Carrie. Then one sentence stopped me cold: Michel has been married to attorney C.D. Chuck Michel for 20 years  known for representing the National Rifle Assn. in high-profile litigation.

Wait. What? I dont hold anyone responsible for their partners choices, but it made me curious. I kept Googling. At calguns.net, the California Firearms Enthusiasts Home, I found this post: Dont forget to vote for Sydne Michel, with many affirmative responses, and then these tidbits: Apparently, Michels sons name is Colt, and her dog is called Heston.

My mother always said, If you dont vote, you cant complain. I complain a lot, so I have to vote. Which means I have to choose. All I had on Yun was his Huey rating and a law-and-order vibe, which made me hesitate. Michels gun associations? A deal breaker for me, just as they will be a deal maker for others.

Hunter will get my vote. Now, how many days are there until June 5? Ive got 25 more judicial candidates to go.

Diana Wagman is a contributing writer to Opinion.

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To the editor: We can all agree that in a civilized society, access to quality healthcare should be a right. Far more complicated is determining how to pay for it.

The analysis in your stellar editorial, Now Is Not the Time to Expand Medi-Cal to Undocumented Adults, points out that offering free healthcare to adults present in our country illegally will cost the citizens of California $3 billion each year. This would be a 13% annual increase to the Medi-Cal budget.

However, you do not connect increasing hospital costs for the insured population to the poor rates paid to providers by Medi-Cal. Putting 1.3 million undocumented immigrants on the Medi-Cal roles would not just cost the taxpayers $3 billion, but because of the hospital cost shift, premiums would be about 5% higher.

Offering free care would also encourage undocumented immigrants to move to California. Those in Sacramento advocating for this Medi-Cal expansion have not properly analyzed the impacts on the healthcare system, housing, water, schools or roadways. Giving things away free is not cheap.

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Dr. Howard C. Mandel, Los Angeles

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To the editor: Immigration status and healthcare are two completely separate issues that are often conflated. Our immigration system is broken, and Congress has been unable to agree on how to fix it.

However, the decision who gets to live here must be made independently from the decision who gets healthcare. Because the answer to the latter needs to be everyone.

Public health is best served when we all have access to healthcare. Everyone needs their flu shot. Tuberculosis and other communicable diseases must be treated or we are all at risk. Since we arent yet accustomed to seeing people die on the streets for lack of treatment, folks without insurance access care at emergency departments, where the cost is exorbitant and the care is not adequate for chronic conditions.

Taxpayers and the insured already pick up the bill for this inefficient, costly care. It makes far more sense to give all poorer folks Medi-Cal and keep them healthy. It is also the right thing to do.

Dr. William Yturri Skeen, Santa Barbara

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To the editor: The article Trump administration support for Israel goes beyond its predecessors and isolates U.S. internationally should have been in the Opinion section instead of being labeled an analysis.

First, the article states as fact that moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem (a move previously approved by Congress) has led to isolation from our allies. Really? Which allies?

The article goes on to claim that moving the embassy has derailed the peace process  and just when we were on the verge of having a permanent, long-lasting relationship between Israel and the Palestinians.

What peace process is there to derail? Multiple administrations have tried to broker a peace.

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As long as the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are governed by Hamas (whose final goal is the eradication of Israel), there will never be peace. How can there be when one of the partners conditions to an agreement is your death?

Jeff Pressman, Bell Canyon

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To the editor: The idea of two states  one Jewish, one Palestinian  is ended. The question for Israel is now what kind of state will it become?

What will the status be of millions of Palestinians living in Israel? Will Palestinians be citizens of Israel with equal rights with Jews  politically, economically and socially? Can Israel be only a Jewish state and democratic?

Or will the suppressed Palestinian people, dreaming of the safety and liberty of their own state, remember each year the Nakba of 1948 and sing, Next year in Jerusalem?

Doris Isolini Nelson, Los Angeles

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Newsoms budget proposes $3 million for Alzheimers research, brain task force By Melody Gutierrez Amyloid plaques, shown here in human brains, are a hallmark of Alzheimers disease. (UCLA School of Medicine) Gov. Gavin Newsom will call for the creation of a brain health task force and dedicate $3 million annually from the states general fund to Alzheimers disease research in the budget proposal he will release Thursday, a source close to the administration said. The money for Alzheimers research would target the new grants at understanding why the disease is more prevalent in women and people of color. Former California first lady and Alzheimers activist Maria Shriver pushed for the funding to be included in the state budget. Shriver said in a statement Wednesday that the funding would make California the first state to make understanding our brains a priority. The states former first lady, whose late father Sargent Shriver was diagnosed with Alzheimers, founded the Womens Alzheimers Movement, an advocacy group raising awareness about womens increased risk for developing the disease. In 2011, she wrote a comprehensive assessment on the disease, to which Newsom  then mayor of San Francisco  contributed a portion called What one city is doing. This is personal to me, just like it is to millions of California families, Shriver said. Alzheimers is one of the largest medical, social and economic crises in our state, and of our time. I am so proud that, once again, California is leading the way. Wiping out Alzheimers is going to require bold thinking, and there is no doubt in my mind that California is home to bold thinkers who can make this happen. Facebook

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Gov. Gavin Newsom orders reinvention of troubled California DMV By Patrick McGreevy A line of people stretches around the South L.A. location of a California Department of Motor Vehicles Office on Aug. 7. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday ordered an overhaul of the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which has been plagued by hours-long wait times at field offices, computer crashes and voter registration errors involving tens of thousands of customers. Just a few days after taking office, Newsom appointed a top advisor to a new DMV Reinvention Strike Team to revamp the beleaguered agency over the next six months. By any metric, California DMV has been chronically mismanaged and failed in its fundamental mission to the state customers it serves and the state workers it employs, Newsom said in a statement, adding Its time for a reinvention. The governor appointed state Government Operations Agency Secretary Marybel Batjer to lead the strike team with a goal of modernizing the agency and enacting changes that improve customer satisfaction, employee performance and transparency. Newsom also ordered an accelerated review of initial findings of an ongoing audit ordered last year by Gov. Jerry Brown. The action was welcomed by lawmakers who have been critical of the DMV, including Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield). The egregious management failures of the DMV have been self-evident, which is why I have been calling for new leadership and a comprehensive independent audit of this troubled state agency over and over again as the problems grew significantly worse, Fong said. Last summer, Californians seeking new driver licenses complained of wait times of four to six hours at DMV offices, which the agency blamed partly on snafus caused by a rush of people trying to get Real IDs, a new identification card design required for airline passengers starting in late 2020. Delays were also blamed on computer crashes at DMV offices as the agency struggled to update its aging automation systems. The DMV also admitted that there were an estimated 23,000 errors as people either were unknowingly registered to vote or mistakes were made in their registration status as part of the states new motor voter program. The agency registered to vote as many as 1,500 people with legal U.S. residency but no citizenship. Last month, DMV Director Jean Shiomoto retired from the agency. Legislators were angered earlier this week when the DMV said it needed an additional $40 million to prevent the return of long lines at its field offices. In addition, the agency has been under fire for issuing driver licenses in the last year that do not comply with the federal Real ID standards requiring two forms of identification by applicants. Facebook

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California police unions are preparing to battle new transparency law in the courtroom By Maya Lau Just as a landmark police transparency law is going into effect, some California police agencies are shredding internal affairs documents and law enforcement unions are rushing to block the information from being released. The new law, which begins to unwind Californias strictest-in-the-nation protections over the secrecy of law enforcement records, opens to the public internal investigations of officer shootings and other major uses of force, along with confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. But the lawsuits and records destruction, which began even before the law took effect Jan. 1, could tie up the release of information for months or years, and in some instances, prevent it from ever being disclosed. The fact that police unions are challenging this law is on some level not surprising, said Peter Bibring, director of police practices at the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, one of the principal supporters of the new law. They have a long history of fighting tooth and nail against transparency. Read More Facebook

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Secretary of State Alex Padilla begins second term with challenge to ensure every Californian is counted By Jazmine Ulloa Secretary of State Alex Padilla takes the oath of office as his family stands by his side on Monday in Sacramento. (Jazmine Ulloa / Los Angeles Times) Secretary of State Alex Padilla was sworn in for a second term on Monday, saying he would continue the battle to protect the right to vote at a time when voter suppression efforts, online disinformation campaigns and interference from foreign adversaries have polarized the public and threatened to undermine trust in U.S. elections. I am doubling down on our fight here in Sacramento and in Washington, D.C., to defend our democracy, he said. Working on the front lines with so many of you, I know that our collective resolve has never been stronger. But the loudest applause came when Padilla promised to fight back against the Trump administrations changes to the U.S. census, saying he will ensure every Californian gets counted. Padilla, a former state senator and Los Angeles City Council member from the San Fernando Valley, led the cause for a new motor voter registration law in 2015, and a new system for online business registrations. But the programs have had experienced problems: More than 23,000 Californians were registered to vote incorrectly by the state DMV, the agency reported last year. On Monday, Padilla said he would continue to push back against false claims of voter fraud in California and pointed to the states voter turnout as proof that his office was involving more people in the democratic process, a promise he made when he was first sworn in four years ago. More than 12.7 million voters cast ballots in the Nov. 6 midterm election, representing roughly 65% of the states registered voters, the highest number of any midterm election since 1982, according to state certified results. I made that promise based on a shared belief that we are a stronger democracy and a better California when we hear all voices from all corners of California, and when those voices are not just heard but counted, Padilla said. Facebook

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Ricardo Lara, Californias first statewide officeholder to come out as gay, sworn in as insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara on the floor of the state Senate in 2016. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Ricardo Lara took the oath of office as California insurance commissioner on Monday, pledging action to boost healthcare coverage and combat climate change. Lara, a Democrat from Bell Gardens, is the first elected statewide officeholder in California who has come out as gay. He began his speech in downtown Sacramento by thanking LGBTQ leaders who came before him and celebrated the occasion. Today, because of you, weve shattered the pink ceiling, Lara said. In his inaugural speech, Lara announced the creation of an executive position in his office to address climate change. There is no other industry that has the necessary expertise to ensure that California is prepared to mitigate and reduce risk to our communities and our environment, Lara said. Our planet cant wait. Im ready, and I hope you are too. Lara served as a state legislator and in 2017 introduced a bill to create a single-payer healthcare system in the state. He promised to work with new Gov. Gavin Newsom to expand coverage across California. Lara was sworn in by retired U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, who declared unconstitutional Californias Proposition 8 gay marriage ban. State Sen. President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) was on hand for the ceremony along with multiple other state lawmakers. Facebook

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New California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis says she will help expand access to universities in the state New Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, center, is shown in June talking with attendees at the Power to the Polls rally in Sacramento. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) More Californians should be given access to public universities, Eleni Kounalakis said as she took the oath of office Monday to become the states first woman elected lieutenant governor. Kounalakis was given the oath of office by Gov. Gavin Newsom, her predecessor in the job, who pledged they would work together. As lieutenant governor, Kounalakis serves on the University of California Board of Regents and the California State University Board of Trustees, she noted in a speech at her swearing-in ceremony at the main Sacramento Library. In that role, she said, she will be committed to expanding access to affordable public higher education here in our state. Its wise, its smart and it is the best way to address our rapidly changing digital economy. Kounalakis is former president of a development company founded by her father, Angelo Tsakopoulos, and served during the Obama administration as the U.S. ambassador to Hungary. In November, she won her first run for statewide office. Also attending the ceremony were House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Facebook

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California meets Dutch Newsom, who steals the show at his fathers inauguration By Taryn Luna Gov. Gavin Newsom gives his inaugural address while holding his youngest son, Dutch. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) In the California political world, all eyes were on Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday until his 2-year-old son stole the show. Dutch, the youngest of four children in the Newsom brood, climbed onstage in the middle of his fathers inaugural address in a tent outside the Capitol on Monday. The unplanned moment saw the 51-year-old governors big day interrupted by the toddler, bringing levity to the ceremony. Newsom was recounting Gov. Jerry Browns last inaugural speech and reference to the Sermon on the Mount, a biblical story about two men who built separate homes on sand and rock, when Dutch approached his father, a pacifier in his mouth and blanket in hand. Now more than ever we Californians know how much a house matters and children matter, Newsom said, improvising as he scooped the boy into his arms. The governor kissed Dutch on the cheek and held him for several minutes as he continued with the speech. This is exactly how it was scripted, Newsom joked. Newsom eventually put his child down and Dutch walked to the edge of the stage before retreating behind the podium to hide from his mother, First Lady Jennifer Siebel Newsom. The crowd roared. Siebel Newsom was able to briefly divert her son only for him to return to the stage minutes later. She grabbed him again and this time, the crying toddler did not reemerge. When fires strikes, when kids cry and the earth shakes, well be there for each other, Newsom said. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who said the moment humanized Newsom, threw cold water on any theories that Dutchs cameo was planned. No, I know it was not, Garcetti said with a laugh after Newsoms speech concluded. I could see that look of absolute abject terror [on Newsoms face]. Weve all been there. Kids always think its about themselves and theyve proved it. California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) agreed. I worked in early childhood education for 20 years and theres no way you can ever get a child to do anything when you want them to do it, Rendon said. Facebook

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Fiona Ma takes oath as Californias new treasurer By Liam Dillon State Treasurer Fiona Ma. Fiona Ma took the oath of office in Sacramento on Monday as the states 34th treasurer, promising to boost Californias economy. Ma previously served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, in the state Assembly and on the California Board of Equalization. I want to thank everyone for entrusting me with this important job. I understand my role here as your state treasurer is to build that financial wall around California so that we will remain the fifth-largest economy, Ma said in brief remarks. That is my promise to you. California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye administered the oath to Ma. Following the ceremony, Ma held an ice cream social for guests. On Wednesday, she will host a public event in San Francisco to celebrate her swearing-in. State Treasurer Fiona Ma takes the oath of office. (Liam Dillon / Los Angeles Times) Facebook

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Expectations are high for newly sworn-in state schools chief Tony Thurmond Tony Thurmond shakes hands with retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge Gordon Baranco after taking the oath of office. (Melody Gutierrez / Los Angeles Times) Tony Thurmond took the oath of office as Californias state superintendent of public schools on Monday, promising a labor-friendly agenda before the teachers, students and Democratic officials who filled an auditorium at McClatchy High School in Sacramento to watch him being sworn in. We cant close the achievement gap without a great teacher at the head of every class, Thurmond said Monday to applause. We have to make sure we provide quality compensation and support to our teachers and our classified staff and all the educators who support our kids. Thurmond, a Bay Area Democrat who served in the state Assembly, won a hotly contested and expensive race with the help of labor leaders against charter school executive Marshall Tuck. The race took several days to sort out after Tuck held an initial lead in early returns on election night before falling behind thereafter. Thurmond was sworn in Monday by retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge Gordon Baranco. He was joined on stage by labor rights leader Dolores Huerta and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount). Thurmonds former colleagues in the state Assembly took turns praising him and promising to be an ally in improving schools. Many said they expected Thurmond would be a strong leader focused on improving student outcomes. We know we are going to work hard to give you the money you need and the budget you need to fully fund education and our schools so we can put our money where our mouth is and make sure our children have everything they need, Assemblywoman Connie Leyva (D-Chino Hills) said. As state superintendent, Thurmond will oversee the education of 6.2 million students at 10,000 schools. Thurmond was a member of the West Contra Costa County School Board and a Richmond city councilman before he was elected to the state Assembly. Tony is the right man at the right time to fight the federal, Donald Trump, Betsy DeVos anti-child, anti-education, anti-civil and -human rights agenda, U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said. Tony is going to do that for us. Facebook

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State Controller Betty Yee takes oath of office with call for more affordable housing and healthcare State Controller Betty Yee California Controller Betty Yee took the oath of office Monday for a second term, saying she still has work to do addressing problems that include a lack of affordability in housing, healthcare and higher education. A San Francisco native, Yee is the chief financial officer of California  the fifth-largest economy in the world  having first won election to the post in 2014 before winning reelection in November. No region is spared from the widening inequality and increased poverty that plague our state, fueled by the lack of affordable, stable housing, the cost of healthcare and transportation, limited educational opportunities, student loan debt, displacement caused by disasters and more, she said. Yee was administered the oath of office by California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento before an overflow crowd that included state Senate leader Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), state Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra and San Francisco Mayor London Breed. As a public official it is about governance that delivers results and stays accountable while upholding the underlying value of dignity for all, Yee said. Facebook

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California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra begins new term promising to fight Trump policies California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra ( (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)) California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra on Monday took the oath of office for a new term, saying he would continue his role as a leading challenger to Trump administration actions that he believes are counter to the states interests. Becerra, a former 12-term congressman, has become a national opposition figure to Trump, having sued the federal government 45 times since he was appointed as the states first Latino attorney general in 2017. Weve been a little busy stopping the dysfunction and insanity in Washington, D.C., from infecting California, Becerra told an audience during a swearing-in ceremony at the California Museum in Sacramento. Whether its the criminals on our streets or the conman in the boardrooms or highest office of the land, Becerra said, the California Department of Justice, well, weve got your back. Becerra won his first statewide election as the states top cop in November, two years after he filled the post vacated when predecessor Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate. He has peppered the Trump administration with lawsuits challenging federal policies on healthcare, the U.S. census, the environment and immigration. Our state builds dreams, not walls, he said in a direct criticism of Trumps proposal to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. Just last week, Becerra led a coalition of 17 Democratic attorneys general in announcing an appeal of a federal judge in Texas that ruled the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. The ACA has been the law for nearly a decade and is the backbone of our healthcare system, Becerra said last week. This case impacts nearly every American  workers covered by employers, families, women, children, young adults and seniors  so we will lead the ACAs defense as long and far as it takes. Facebook

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California Democratic Party Vice Chairman Daraka Larimore-Hall announces bid to lead group By Christine Mai-Duc Daraka Larimore-Hall. (Dominic Parisi / Courtesy of Daraka Larimore-Hall) Daraka Larimore-Hall, a top official at the California Democratic Party, said Monday hes running to replace former chairman Eric Bauman, who resigned abruptly in November after being confronted with allegations of sexual misconduct. Larimore-Hall, a longtime state party activist and former chairman of the Democratic Party of Santa Barbara County, was one of the party leaders who urged Bauman to resign following the allegations. In an email to supporters announcing his bid, he urged both structural and cultural change at every level of our Party. He also repeated his call for a top-to-bottom investigation of the allegations, the party and its culture. In a Times investigation, 10 party activists and staff members said Bauman made crude sexual comments and engaged in unwanted touching and physical intimidation in professional settings. In order to be where we need to be for 2020, we have to confront the culture of abuse and fear that allowed someone to behave in such a vile way for so long, Larimore-Hall said in an interview. We cant brush it aside or think that our activists or our candidates or our donors are going to forget about this overnight. Larimore-Hall said his first priority would be to fully investigate the allegations and restore rank-and-file confidence in the partys leadership. The second would be to refocus the party on political priorities as the 2020 presidential election nears. The Bauman episode, Larimore-Hall said, threatens to derail the Democrats plans to help defeat President Trump and keep the seven congressional seats gained in the midterm elections. Its definitely a crisis, Larimore-Hall said. But the component parts  the energy, the enthusiasm, the volunteers, the infrastructure  its still there. We just need to direct it toward something. Larimore-Hall was elected vice chairman of the state party in February following Baumans razor-thin victory over Bay Area activist Kimberly Ellis. Ellis has announced another bid for the chairmanship and former state Senate leader Kevin de Leon is also mulling a run. The vote will take place at the partys May convention in San Francisco. Facebook

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Newsom will vow to seize this moment, and swipe at Trump in Monday inaugural address By Melanie Mason Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and his family attend an Inauguration Family Event at the California Railroad Museum in Sacramento on Jan. 6. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Building on the theme of California exceptionalism that defined his campaign, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will depict the state as a guardian of progressive values and a counterweight to President Trump in his inaugural address Monday, according to excerpts of his prepared remarks. What we do today is even more consequential, because of whats happening in our country, read the excerpts obtained by The Times. Peoples lives, freedom, security, the water we drink, the air we breathe  they all hang in the balance. The country is watching us. The world is waiting on us. The future depends on us. And we will seize this moment. The speech casts Californias political stakes in a decidedly national scope, promising an agenda that will unify and be an example to the rest of the country. It contrasts the governing goals of Newsom, a Democrat, with that of Trump, the incoming governors perennial foil. We will offer an alternative to the corruption and incompetence in the White House, the excerpts say. Our government will be progressive, principled, and always on the side of the people. Newsom campaigned on an ambitious and wide-ranging platform, promising sweeping solutions on housing, healthcare, education and other issues that rank among Californians top concerns. In the weeks after his election, he struck a more muted tone, taking pains to emphasize his fiscal caution and need for patience in achieving those goals. The inaugural excerpts indicate a return to lofty pledges. While Newsom will vow to prepare for uncertain times ahead by building budgetary reserves and paying down debt, the prepared remarks quickly turn to a vow to be bold. Newsom has already floated several proposals for his first budget that carry significant price tags, including a nearly $2-billion plan to boost early childhood development for low-income families and a dramatic expansion of paid family leave from six weeks to six months. When asked for a preview of his inauguration speech during a news conference Sunday evening, Newsom predicted pundits would criticize his address as short on specifics. Well, of course, Im at an inaugural, Newsom said. But Ill be very detailed in the budget, a few days later. And then we will architect, in much more nuance and detail, in state of the state. I really see this as three opportunities  to communicate over the next few weeks our agenda, our vision for the state. Times staff writer Taryn Luna contributed to this report. Read More Facebook

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Newsom-hosted benefit concert raises nearly $5 million for wildfire victims By Taryn Luna Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom speaks at a concert to benefit wildfire victims at the Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento on Jan. 6. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) On the eve of the gubernatorial inauguration, Californias political class rubbed elbows in Sacramento for a benefit concert hosted by Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and headlined by the rapper Pitbull. Newsom told the crowd gathered at the Golden 1 Center on Sunday evening that the fundraiser brought in nearly $5 million for the California Wildfire Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that supports the families of fallen firefighters and communities affected by wildfires. You know, a lot of folks feel anxious about not just politics, but government, Newsom said on stage before introducing the rapper and activist Common. But those firefighters, they are the antidote to the fear and cynicism; they are the manifestation of why government matters and why you should care. Top sponsors, including Salesforce, Kaiser Permanente and other interest groups, paid up to $1 million each to support the cause and curry favor with the new administration. Nathan Click, a spokesman for Newsom, said organizers sold more than 7,000 tickets. Several state lawmakers attended the concert alongside Capitol staff, lobbyists and business types, who mingled on the floor of the arena and offstage in private VIP areas. The rock band X Ambassadors and a duo called the Cold Weather Sons from the town of Paradise, which was destroyed by fire in November, were among several performers who entertained the crowd during the four-hour event. The California Rises concert is the final in a series of festivities held Sunday to celebrate the inauguration of Californias 40th governor. Earlier in the day, Newsom attended a private brunch at Sacramentos Crocker Art Museum and his inaugural committee hosted a free party for families at the California State Railroad Museum at the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Newsoms inauguration is set to begin at 11 a.m. Monday on the steps of the Capitol. Facebook

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Inauguration fever hits Sacramento as Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom prepares to take office By Phil Willon Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom holds his son, Dutch, as he and his family attend an inaugural event at the at the state Railroad Museum Sunday. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Incoming Gov. Gavin Newsom doesnt officially take the oath of office until Monday, but the parties celebrating his inauguration were in full swing all day Sunday. Newsom and his family were mobbed by well-wishers at the California State Railroad Museum at the Old Sacramento Waterfront in the afternoon, where his inaugural committee hosted a free party for families. He just has charisma. Hes able to really connect with people, said Rosielyn Pulmano, an attorney from Elk Grove who came to see Newsom with her husband, two sons and her niece. I think he cares about working Californians and a lot of their issues. Newsom arrived with his wife, documentary filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and their four young children, and the governor-elect spent a good deal of his time wading through crowds, taking selfies with supporters and signing autographs as music boomed in the background. As the family toured the inside of the museums locomotives and the bevy of exhibits, Newsoms two-year-old son, Dutch, was wide-eyed, impressed by all the train cars and seemingly a little overwhelmed by the crowd. Newsom said that for his son, all that was missing from the museum was Thomas the Train, popular fictional locomotive in childrens books and cartoons . If theres one thing I can contribute to Sacramento maybe its getting a Thomas the Train exhibit for the two years olds, Newsom joked when talking with reporters afterward. Newsom said he wanted to include such an event in his inaugural festivities to highlight families and children, whose wellbeing will be among the top priorities of his administration. Youll see that not only as a preamble to the inaugural and the budget that well be submitting next week, but I think itll be a big part of the administration, Newsom said. The museum event followed a private, high-dollar brunch at Sacramentos Crocker Art Museum. A steady rain failed to dissuade as many as 200 guests who sipped wine and dined on chicken and salmon while waiting for a photo with Californias new first couple. Seen at the event were representatives of some of the states most powerful political interests, among them organized labor, healthcare companies and tribal gaming interests. A few other high-profile guests attended, too, including Larry Baer, CEO of the San Francisco Giants, and Erika Jayne, a singer and cast member of the reality TV show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Im excited to see someone like Gavin  young, vibrant  taking over the state and leading us into the future, Jayne said after attending the brunch with her husband, attorney Tom Girardi. Hes got a lot of great plans. Attendees said the event, which was closed to reporters and held under a tent in the museums outdoor atrium, did not include prepared remarks by Newsom. Among those seen leaving the event were representatives of AT&T, the California Medical Assn., Uber, Kaiser Permanente and the State Building and Construction Trades Council. A fundraising invitation obtained by The Times offered bundled tickets to all of the inauguration events, including those on Sunday and the Monday ceremony, ranging in price from $25,000 to $200,000. The money will be collected by a committee specifically organized to pay for Newsoms inaugural weekend. Sundays festivities are scheduled to end with a benefit concert headlined by Pitbull at the Golden 1 Center, home of the NBAs Sacramento Kings, to raise money for the victims of Californias recent deadly wildfires. Among the attendees at @GavinNewsoms pre-inaugural leadership brunch: Real Housewife of

Bev Hills @erikajayne. Im excited to see someone like Gavinyoung, vibranttaking over the state and leading us into the future. Hes got a lot of great plans. pic.twitter.com/561NHiy2XQ  Melanie Mason (@melmason) January 6, 2019 Facebook

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As Newsom inaugural events begin, he unveils more state budget promises on education and paid family leave Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, seen here last April, will propose new state budget efforts on paid family leave and education subsidies. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Californias incoming governor, who must send his first state budget plan to the Legislature this week, has already signaled a significant new focus on programs to help families and children from infancy to college. Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom campaigned on a platform that included a number of child-focused efforts specifically aimed at helping lower-income families. The price tag for the initial efforts is expected to approach $2 billion  a cost paid out of an unrestricted tax revenue windfall that could be one of the largest in state history. Newsom may also seek help for families through new subsidies paid by California employers. The governor-elect is expected to propose a dramatic expansion of paid parental leave  from six weeks to six months  according to an internal document provided by a source close to the Newsom transition team, first reported on Sunday by the New York Times. The document doesnt offer a full explanation for how the program will be funded, saying instead that the budget will set a goal of ensuring that all newborns and newly adopted babies can be cared for by a parent or a close family member for the first six months. Employers across the state are currently assessed a payroll tax that helps offer a subsidy to parents who temporarily leave their job to care for a newborn. Newsoms plan, according to the document, would pay for some of the new costs by shrinking the mandated cash reserve of the state fund that administers the program, allowing more of the money to be paid in benefits. The increase in paid leave would not all happen at once but instead be phased in over a multi-year period. A task force to help implement the expanded care plan is also envisioned, according to the document. It would determine whether two parents could split the six months of paid leave and whether an extended family member could be enlisted to help care for the child of a single parent over the six-month period. The incoming administrations focus on young children will also include $1.8 billion in new spending on early childhood education programs, with a particular focus on training childcare workers and pushing for more California schools to offer full-day kindergarten. Those costs, according to an overview memo obtained by the Los Angeles Times, are considered to be a one-time expense while leaving the long-term costs of the effort to be determined later. More community college students would get free tuition under a third initiative expected in the new governors budget plan. Newsom will propose spending $40 million to offer a second year of tuition-free college to California students, according to an outline provided by a transition official, first reported by Politico. Students are already eligible for a single year of paid tuition under a plan agreed to by Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers in 2017. The incoming governor embraced the idea of free community college during the 2018 campaign as part of a broader focus on additional investments in higher education. Education is an economic development strategy, Newsom said at a higher education forum last spring. We need to significantly increase the investment from the general fund of this state on higher education. Theres no greater higher return on investment. Whether the proposal would be targeted to students based on a familys financial need is unclear. Many low-income students are already eligible for fee waivers at community colleges. The new governor must submit his full state budget plan to lawmakers no later than Thursday. Facebook

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Gavin Newsom and his family decide Sacramento is the place to be The Old Governors Mansion State Historic Park in Sacramento. Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will move his family into the mansion. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and his family will give up the Marin County life and move to the Victorian-style governors mansion in Sacramento after he takes the oath of office Monday. Newsom and his wife, documentary filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom, had debated whether or when to relocate to the state capital since his election in November. The couple have four young children and expressed reservations about moving in the middle of a school year. To best serve the people of California while also maximizing family time together, the Newsoms have therefore decided to move to Sacramento, said Newsoms spokesman, Nathan Click. On Monday, they will move into the Governors Mansion  along with their four children, their two family dogs, and their family bunny rabbit  and reside there for the immediate future. The Newsoms currently live in Marin County. Gov. Jerry Brown and his wife, Ann Gust Brown, moved into the grand house in 2015 after it underwent $4.1 million in renovations to update electrical and plumbing systems, as well as to remove lead-based paint and install a fire sprinkler system and other security features. The mansion was built in 1877 and has been home to 14 governors, but before Brown it had not housed a California governor for nearly half a century. The state bought the mansion from a wealthy Sacramento hardware merchant, Albert Gallatin, in 1903 for $32,500. It was one of the few California homes at that time to have indoor plumbing. Facebook

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Newsom announces top labor, business liaisons as he prepares to take office Julie Su will be secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency for Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom on Friday named two advisors on issues related to the California economy, each recognized for their expertise on business and labor. The incoming governor will appoint Julie Su as secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency and Lenny Mendonca as chief economic and business advisor and director of the Governors Office of Business and Economic Development. Su, 49, has served as state labor commissioner under Gov. Jerry Brown since 2011 and has led an office tasked with the enforcement of Californias labor laws. She won a MacArthur Foundation genius grant in 2001 and previously worked as a civil rights attorney representing low-wage workers. In her new position, Su will be tasked with coordinating the work of several workforce departments in state government, including those that administer unemployment benefits and oversee the relationship between agriculture workers and employers. Mendonca, 57, has been a longtime advocate for rethinking government operations as co-chairman of the nonprofit organization California Forward. Previously, he was partner at McKinsey & Co., a global management consulting firm. While he will be a key advisor to Newsom on the states economy, Mendonca will also lead the office often referred to as Go-Biz, designated as a high-level way to encourage job growth and economic development. In his new role, Mendonca will help ensure that California is rolling out the welcome mat to current and future California businesses and growing a sustainable economy for every Californian, said a statement from the Newsom transition team. Newsom will take the oath of office as governor Monday. He has previously selected key advisors on the state budget, legislative affairs and the executive branchs wide array of agencies and departments. Facebook

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Joshua Groban, aide to Gov. Jerry Brown, sworn in to California Supreme Court By Taryn Luna California Supreme Court Justice Joshua Groban gives remarks after he is sworn into the court by Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday. (Taryn Luna) California Supreme Court Justice Joshua Groban, a lawyer and longtime aide to Gov. Jerry Brown, was sworn into the states highest court Thursday in Sacramento. The ceremony marked Browns fourth appointment to the state Supreme Court and gave the seven-member bench a Democratic majority. We live in a highly chaotic, ever-changing and ever-confusing world, Groban said in prepared remarks at the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building. But Im happy to report that Im joining an institution whose fundamental purpose, at core, is to provide stability and consistency amidst this chaotic place we live. I look forward to doing that with a sense of reflection, respect, fidelity to the law and compassion. None of Browns appointees, Groban included, have judicial experience. Groban served as legal counsel to Browns 2010 gubernatorial campaign and joined the administration as a senior advisor to the governor, overseeing the appointments of some 600 judges over the last eight years. Prior to working with Brown, Groban, 45, practiced law for more than a decade. In perhaps his final public appearance before his successor, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, takes office next week, Brown pushed back on notions that he stacked the court. I dont want this to be known as a Brown court, the governor said before administering the judicial oath of office. First of all, the so-called Brown appointments do not agree with themselves and nor should they. They are individuals. They will differ. Its not anybodys court. The governor called the court a high calling and said Groban possesses the values for the job. Probably, next to my wife, Ive talked to no person as much as Ive talked to Josh Groban, Brown said. I think youve talked to him more, Californias First Lady Anne Gust Brown interjected. I cant tell you what the hell hes going to do, Brown later quipped. I warned him, dont screw up, at least not at first. Facebook

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California campaign watchdog agency seeks law barring use of campaign funds to fight harassment claims Former state Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia). ( (Steve Yeater / Associated Press)) Elected officials accused of harassment or discrimination would be barred from using political contributions to cover their legal defense costs under legislation proposed by Californias campaign watchdog agency. The state Fair Political Practices Commission has agreed to pursue a law change to clear up confusion after an attorney for one former state lawmaker argued political funds could be used in such legal defenses. Commission Chairwoman Alice Germond said putting a prohibition into the law would provide some much needed clarity. As chair, I would like to show the public their lawmakers are held to a standard that is above reproach, Germond said in a statement. People dont give money to campaigns for lawmakers to use it to defend their own bad behavior, so lawmakers shouldnt be able to use it in that manner. The issue came up a year ago when an attorney for former Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) sought a formal opinion from the FPPC after the Senate launched an investigation that later concluded Mendoza likely engaged in a pattern of harassment against female aides. Mendoza resigned in February under threat of expulsion by the Senate. In a Jan. 10, 2018, letter, Cassandra Ferrannini, an attorney for Mendoza, wrote to the FPPC that she believed Mendoza should be allowed to establish a legal defense fund able to defray his legal expenses in defending himself against the allegations. The use of campaign funds for attorneys fees under these circumstances would fall squarely within the scope of legislative matters, since it involves the alleged conduct of a legislator with regard to legislative staff that he supervised, Ferrannini wrote. The commission staff originally issued an advice letter that said Mendoza may use campaign and legal defense funds to defend himself from claims of sexual harassment that arose directly out of his activities or status as a candidate or elected officer. But the panel later rescinded the letter after some members questioned using campaign funds to fight sexual harassment claims. That left uncertainty about what was allowed, which Germond said could be cleared up by a new law. The FPPC is still looking for a legislator to carry the bill, a spokesman said. Facebook

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Californias landmark police transparency law takes effect after court denies police union effort to block it California Supreme Court building (Eric Risberg / Associated Press) A new state law allowing the public disclosure of internal police shooting investigations has gone into effect after the California Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a bid by a police union to block it. The law opens to the public for the first time internal investigations of officer shootings and other major uses of force, along with confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Employees Benefit Assn. challenged the law last month, asking state Supreme Court justices to decide that the law only apply to incidents that occur in 2019 or later. The court rejected that request Wednesday, allowing members of the public to seek all applicable records held by police departments. Union president Grant Ward said in a statement that his organization was disappointed with the decision and is now seeking other legal options. We feel this is a statewide issue and should be considered accordingly, Ward said. Last month, the city of Inglewood authorized the destruction of more than 100 police shooting investigations and other records in advance of Jan. 1, when the disclosure law was scheduled to take effect. California law requires police departments to keep such records for five years, and Inglewood City Council voted to destroy records older than that. Mayor James T. Butts has said the decision had nothing to do with the new law. In Los Angeles, Police Chief Michel Moore has said that complying with the new disclosure rules could take hundreds of thousands of hours of work. State Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), the author of the transparency law, has said she has no immediate plans to propose changes to it. Facebook

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Few complaints of racial profiling are sustained by police agencies in California, state panel finds CHP Officer J. Nelson stands outside the office of Gov. Jerry Brown as activists in 2015 support requiring the tracking of police stops. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Law enforcement agencies in California sustain few citizen complaints of racial or identity profiling, according to a report Wednesday by a state panel set up to help reduce bias in policing. The states Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board recommended in its annual report that law enforcement agencies improve training and adopt clear guidelines for tracking and reporting data on who is stopped by officers. The panel said that 453 law enforcement agencies in the state received 9,459 civilian complaints in 2017, including 865 complaints alleging racial or identity profiling. Of the racial and identity complaints that reached a disposition that year, 1.5% were sustained, 14.6% resulted in officers being exonerated and 83.9% of complaints were not sustained or were determined to be unfounded, the report said. A clearer picture of the issue is expected from a 2015 law that requires police agencies to report demographic data on all detentions and searches. The first reports by the eight largest agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, are due to be submitted in April. California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra, whose office oversees the board, said tracking of all detentions and searches will be helpful to understand the scope of the issue. The Boards recommendations will help make our law enforcement agencies more transparent and promote critical steps to enhance, and in some cases, repair the public trust, Becerra said in a statement Wednesday. Facebook

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California housing crisis podcast: What Minneapolis decision to end single-family zoning might mean for California A view of downtown Minneapolis in 2014 (Stephen Maturen / Getty Images) Theres a national movement brewing to roll back zoning rules in cities that only allow one house on a plot of land. The epicenter of that movement is Minneapolis, which passed a plan last month to eliminate single-family zoning citywide and let landowners build duplexes and triplexes on residential property. On this episode of Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast, we talk about the reasons why Minneapolis leaders took this action, including their desire to combat a history of racial exclusion and spur more housing density to fight climate change. We also debate how Minneapolis decision might affect housing politics in California. Our guest is Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender, who helped shepherd the new zoning rules to passage and a former San Francisco city planner. The episode also crowns 2018s Avocado of the Year  the most ridiculous story exemplifying Californias housing woes  and includes our predictions for the most under-the-radar important themes in housing politics in 2019. Gimme Shelter, a biweekly podcast that looks at why its so expensive to live in California and what the state can do about it, features Liam Dillon, who covers housing affordability issues for the Los Angeles Times Sacramento bureau, and Matt Levin, data and housing reporter for CALmatters. You can subscribe to Gimme Shelter on iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Google Play and Overcast. Facebook

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How young immigrant Dreamers made flipping control of the House a personal quest By Jazmine Ulloa Gabriela Cruz, who was brought to the U.S. illegally when she was 1, couldnt vote, but in the final hours before the Nov. 6 election, she was making one last run to get people to the polls. The sun was setting in Modesto when she found Ronald Silva, 41, smoking a cigarette on a tattered old couch behind a group home. He politely tried to wave her off until she reminded him he had a right that she as an immigrant without citizenship didnt have. It could really make a change for us, said Cruz, 29. Read More Facebook

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Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will propose almost $2 billion for early childhood programs (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Seeking to frame his new administration as one with a firm focus on closing the gap between children from affluent and poor families, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will propose spending some $1.8 billion on an array of programs designed to boost Californias enrollment in early education and child-care programs. Newsoms plan, which he hinted at in a Fresno event last month, will be a key element in the state budget proposal he will submit to the Legislature shortly after taking office Monday, a source close to the governor-elects transition team said. The spending would boost programs designed to ensure children enter kindergarten prepared to learn, closing what some researchers have called the readiness gap that exists based on a familys income. It would also phase in an expansion of prekindergarten and offer money to help school districts that dont have facilities for full-day kindergarten. The fact that hes making significant investments with his opening budget is really exciting, Ted Lempert, president of the Bay Area-based nonprofit Children Now, said Tuesday. Whats exciting is the comprehensiveness of it, because its saying were going to focus on prenatal through age 5. A broad overview document reviewed by The Times on Tuesday shows that most of the outlay under the plan  $1.5 billion  would be a one-time expense in the budget year that begins July 1. Those dollars would be a single infusion of cash, an approach favored by Gov. Jerry Brown in recent years. Most of the money would be spent on efforts to expand child-care services and kindergarten classes. By law, a governor must submit a full budget to the Legislature no later than Jan. 10. Lawmakers will spend the winter and spring reviewing the proposal and must send a final budget plan to Newsom by June 15. Though legislative Democrats have pushed for additional early childhood funding in recent years  a key demand of the Legislative Womens Caucus  those actions have typically come late in the budget-writing season in Sacramento. Quite frankly, to start out with a January proposal that includes that investment in Californias children reflects a new day, state Sen. Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) said. The governor-elect will propose a $750-million boost to kindergarten funding, aimed at expanding facilities to allow full-day programs. A number of school districts offer only partial-day programs, leaving many low-income families to skip enrolling their children because kindergarten classes end in the middle of the workday. Because the money would not count toward meeting Californias three-decades-old education spending guarantee under Proposition 98, which sets a minimum annual funding level for K-12 schools and community colleges, it will not reduce planned spending on other education services. Close behind in total cost is a budget proposal by Newsom to help train child-care workers and expand local facilities already subsidized by the state, as well as those serving parents who attend state colleges and universities. Together, those efforts could cost $747 million, according to the budget overview document. An expansion of prekindergarten programs would be phased in over three years at a cost of $125 million in the first year. The multiyear rollout would, according to the budget overview, ensure the system can plan for the increase in capacity. Lempert said the Newsom proposal is notable for trying to avoid the kinds of battles that in recent years pitted prekindergarten and expanded child care against each other for additional taxpayer dollars. The reality is we need to expand both simultaneously, he said. Another $200 million of the proposal would be earmarked for programs that provide home visits to expectant parents from limited-income families and programs that provide healthcare screenings for young children. Some of the money would come from the states Medi-Cal program, and other money from federal matching dollars. Funding for the home visits program was provided in the budget Brown signed last summer; the Newsom effort would build on that. Emphasizing a policy area with broad appeal in his first state budget could reflect Newsoms political sensibility about the challenges ahead. Democratic lawmakers and interest groups will be especially eager to see how Newsom addresses the demand for an overhaul of healthcare coverage in California  especially after a 2017 effort to create a single-payer, universal system fizzled. The path forward on healthcare is complex and costly, making early childhood education a more achievable goal in the governor-elects early tenure. Newsom is likely to face considerable demands for other additional spending. In November, the Legislatures independent analysts projected that continued strength in tax revenues could produce a cash reserve of some $29 billion over the next 18 months. Almost $15 billion of that could be in unrestricted reserves, the kind that can be spent on any number of government programs. Kim Belshe, executive director of the child advocacy organization First 5 LA and a former state health and human services secretary, said the initial Newsom budget proposal suggests the next governor will focus on a comprehensive approach to improving outcomes for children from low-income families. School-ready kids deserve quality early learning, strong and well-supported families, and access to early screening services, Belshe said. Newsom understands the whole child, multifaceted needs of our kids and is clearly ready to lead. Mitchell, the chair of the Senate budget committee, said shes eager to see the details of the governor-elects proposal to determine whether it might signal the beginning of an even broader expansion of early education efforts. Similar efforts have been hindered by a lack of money and ongoing debate over which services to help children 5 and younger need state funding the most. Universal preschool, in particular, has been debated for more than a decade. California voters rejected a ballot measure to fund a full prekindergarten system in 2006. Its clear theres a new movement afoot trying to engage on investment for universal preschool, Mitchell said. How we invest, and how we prioritize that investment, is going to be a great conversation for the coming months. Facebook

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California Politics Podcast: A final conversation with Gov. Jerry Brown No Californian has served longer as governor, signed more laws, granted clemency to more felons or waged more high-profile campaigns than Gov. Jerry Brown. Brown will leave behind a unique legacy when he packs his last belongings for the trip from the governors mansion in Sacramento to his Northern California ranch. His final two terms in office could be his most consequential. The governor reviewed some of the more notable moments from the past eight years in a far-reaching interview with The Times on Dec. 22. This weeks podcast episode includes extended portions of that conversation. Facebook

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A sagging economy could doom a 2020 ballot measure to raise commercial property taxes, Gov. Jerry Brown says Gov. Jerry Brown, at his Colusa County home on Saturday, said a ballot measure to raise commercial property taxes could struggle in 2020. (Randall Benton/For The Times) An effort to remove commercial property in California from the tax limits imposed by the landmark Proposition 13 could be felled by an economic slowdown, Gov. Jerry Brown said. In a Saturday interview with The Times at his Northern California ranch, Brown said liberal activist groups that have successfully placed the proposal on the November 2020 statewide ballot shouldnt read too much into early poll numbers showing support for the plan. That isnt as easy as you think, Brown said. Because youre going to be in a downturn of the business cycle. And youre talking many kinds of business. And the cost of doing business in California is already high. The ballot measure would allow counties to more frequently assess the market value of commercial property in California than allowed under Proposition 13, a 1978 ballot initiative that amended the state constitution to place strict limits on assessing property values and taxation for both homeowners and businesses. An analysis of the new measure, which qualified in October for the 2020 ballot, estimates it could bring in some $10.5 billion a year in new tax revenue. The business community will fight it, Brown said. And the minimum wage, the family leave, the environmental rules  business[es] have left California, thats going to be the big argument. And I think thats something you really have to think a lot about. The governor, who leaves office early next month due to term limits, declined to either endorse or oppose the ballot measure. He said Californias economic health in two years time could be a key factor in how voters weigh the proposal. Well be in a recession by then, Brown said. So its anybodys guess. Facebook

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Inglewood to destroy more than 100 police shooting records that could otherwise become public under new California law By Jack Dolan Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts (Maria Alejandra Cardona / Los Angeles Times) The city of Inglewood has authorized the shredding of more than 100 police shooting and other internal investigation records weeks before a new state law could allow the public to access them for the first time. The decision, made at a City Council meeting earlier this month, has troubled civil liberties advocates who were behind the state legislation, Senate Bill 1421, which takes effect Jan. 1. The law opens to the public internal investigations of officer shootings and other major uses of force, along with confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. The legislature passed SB 1421 because communities demanded an end to the secrecy cloaking police misconduct and use of force, Marcus Benigno, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, said in a statement. Inglewood PDs decision to purge records undermines police accountability and transparency against the will of Californians. California law says police departments must retain records of officer shootings and internal misconduct investigations for five years. The city of Inglewood, however, had kept records longer than that, including case files of police shootings dating to 1991. State Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), the author of SB 1421, intended for her bill to allow public access to all qualifying records held by a department, no matter the date of the incident. Inglewood City Council approved the destruction of records that have been in the police departments possession  more than 100 cases  longer than required by law. The city staff report and council resolution describing the action makes no mention of the new police transparency law. Instead it says the affected records are obsolete, occupy valuable space, and are of no further use to the police department. It added the traditional method of destroying such records is to shred them. It is unclear whether the records have since been destroyed. A spokesman for the Inglewood Police Department along with Inglewoods city manager, attorney, clerk, four council members and Mayor James T. Butts, a former Santa Monica police chief, did not respond to requests for comment. Inglewoods City Hall is closed the last two weeks of December. The Inglewood Police Department has a reputation for secrecy and using excessive force. In 2008, the departments officers fatally shot four men in as many months, three of whom turned out to be unarmed. The U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights probe and found significant flaws in the way the department oversaw use-of-force cases and investigated complaints against officers. Civil rights advocates still question why Inglewood police opened fire on a couple found sleeping in a car in 2016, killing them both. California police have a long history of shredding records to avoid scrutiny of their actions. In the 1970s, the LAPD famously destroyed more than four tons of personnel records after defense attorneys began requesting them as part of criminal cases against their clients. The move resulted in the dismissal of more than a hundred criminal complaints. In response, the Legislature demanded that records be preserved but then took other measures, supported by police unions, to ensure the public had very little access to them, making California the most secretive state in the nation when it comes to police misconduct. Skinners legislation begins to unwind those laws, which have been on the books since 1978. No video or audio of the Dec. 11 council action is available on the citys website and neither are meeting minutes or any record of the decision. A city spokeswoman, Courtney Torres, confirmed that the council had voted in favor of the police records purge, and said all the relevant reasons for the decision were included in the city staff report. The Jan. 1 implementation for SB 1421 has prompted other police officials to act. A police union in San Bernardino is asking the state Supreme Court to determine that Skinners bill only applies to incidents that occur in 2019 or later. Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore sent a letter to Skinner earlier this month warning that complying with the law in regard to older records in the departments possession could take hundreds of thousands of work hours. Facebook

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Federal officials question California DMVs process for issuing Real IDs (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has notified the California Department of Motor Vehicles that its process for providing residents with federally recognized identification cards is not adequate. DMV spokesman Armando Botello said Friday that 2.3 million residents who received Real IDs under the current process will have to submit additional documentation when their cards are renewed in five years but will be able to use them in the meantime. The DMV is developing a way for residents to submit more documentation online or via email to comply with the stricter federal requirement, he said. But some state legislators are upset about delays in notifying them of the problem and say Homeland Security could eventually require additional documentation provided by current holders. The DMV has known for a month that millions of Real IDs theyve been dolling out are potentially invalid, Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) said. The DMVs only hope is that the Department of Homeland Security takes pity on California and gives the DMV more time to fix this mess. Real IDs are a new kind of driver license and identification card that federal law will require legal residents to present when boarding domestic flights or visiting military bases and other federal facilities starting Oct. 1, 2020. The DMV has only been requiring one form of documentation, including a current lease or utility bill, to verify the residence of a card applicant. But the federal government said in a Nov. 21 letter to the agency that two such documents are needed. On Friday, DMV Director Jean Shiomoto released a letter defending the current process but said her agency will start requiring a second document to prove residency in April. In order to minimize confusion among our customers, the CADMV will work to inform individuals who have been issued a Real ID under the current process that their card will be accepted for official federal purposes, even if their renewal occurs after the October 1, 2020, final enforcement date for Real ID, Shiomoto wrote to the federal agency. Legislative officials worry there is still a possibility that those issued Real IDs in the past might be required to present a second document to have their cards designated as compliant. The more complex process for obtaining Real IDs has led to hours-long waits for customers at DMV field offices this year, although wait times have been reduced recently by an increase in staffing. Shiomoto last month announced that she is retiring amid problems with the motor voter registration system and after the governor ordered an audit of her agency in response to the long wait times. On Friday, Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron of Escondido blasted the DMV for waiting a month to tell legislators of the problem. This is unacceptable and flies in the face of security for our citizens, which is what Real ID was created for in the first place, she said in a statement. Facebook

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Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom taps Keely Bosler to be his finance director Keely Bosler, the director of the California Department of Finance, will continue in that role under Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom. (California Department of Finance) Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom on Friday appointed Keely Martin Bosler as director of the California Department of Finance, continuing the role she has served under Gov. Jerry Brown since August. Bosler will become Newsoms chief fiscal advisor, and will play a pivotal role in shaping Newsoms spending plan for the state that will lay the foundation for his top policy priorities. Newsom must roll out his first budget plan within days of taking office on Jan. 7. Californias brighter future depends on a strong, stable fiscal foundation, Newsom said in a statement released Friday afternoon. Keely is an accomplished public servant of sound fiscal judgment. She understands that state budgets are more than numbers on a page  they are value statements affecting the fate and future of millions of families reaching for the California Dream. We are fortunate to have her on our team. Prior to being appointed finance director, Bosler served as Browns cabinet secretary for two years and, before that, as the chief deputy director for budget in the Finance Department for three years. Earlier this year, Brown picked Bosler to lead an audit of the Department of Motor Vehicles, which had come under fire for long wait times at DMV field offices and numerous computer problems, including errors in the new motor voter program that registered Californians to vote. As we have discussed, long wait times at the Department of Motor Vehicles do not reflect the high standards of service that Californians expect from their state government, Bosler wrote in a letter in September to DMV Director Jean Shiomoto. The audit is still ongoing, but Shiomoto has since announced she will retire at the end of the year. Facebook

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Californias legislative analyst, after decades of nonpartisan research for lawmakers, calls it a career Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor, who has led the state research unit since 2008, will retire on Dec. 31. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Only five people have led the independent research office of the California Legislature since its creation in 1941. And each of them has had a pretty simple mantra to live by in reviewing public policy proposals and government programs: Call it like you see it. The job of any analyst, to me, is you maintain that nonpartisanship, Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor said. Taylor, 65, will retire from the post at the end of December after a four-decade career with the research team that began, as he likes to tell it, just after the passage of the landmark property tax rollback, Proposition 13, in 1978. He became the leader of the office, with the title of legislative analyst, in October 2008. Two months later, state government found itself in arguably the worst fiscal crisis in its history  a projected shortfall that ultimately grew to $42 billion by the following winter. There were forces beyond our control, Taylor said of that time. But dont underestimate the policy changes that were made afterward. Those changes, most notably a boost in taxes paid by high-income earners and a robust state budget cash reserve fund, have helped lead to successive years of fully funded government services. The state is projected to have some $24 billion in reserves by the end of the current fiscal year. Taylor announced his intention earlier to step down this year. Leaders from both houses of the Legislature select the analyst, who leads a staff of almost five dozen researchers. The office provides in-depth reports on pending legislation, as well as on broader policy topics like education and healthcare, and produces an independent analysis for every proposed ballot measure. A succession of lawmakers and governors alike have praised or panned the work of the Legislative Analysts Office based on their own political worldview. Taylor said his staff is mindful that they work for legislators, but try to ignore the rhetoric that follows the release of a major report. People are going to do what theyre going to do with our information, he said. They dont always like it, but they appreciate that we give them our best advice. Taylor oversaw a transformation in the way the Legislative Analysts Office distributes its information, embracing the release of research reports through social media instead of relying on traditional printed copies and journalist roundtable events. But he said the work of the researchers has remained largely unchanged through the decades. Having an independent take on things, I think, is good for the Legislature, he said. No replacement for Taylor has been announced, which means a short transition for his eventual successor before Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom sends his first budget proposal to lawmakers in early January. Taylor, who lives in the Sacramento suburbs, said he will honor the tradition of his predecessors in stepping away from public policy debates in order to give the new analyst space to lead the team as he or she sees fit. He said he hopes to travel in the coming years and spend time with his children who have moved to the East Coast. Forty years in state government, Taylor said in why he was stepping aside now. Isnt that enough? Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown sues to save California sentencing laws By Don Thompson, Associated Press (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown sued Thursday to protect one of his signature actions in office, a voter-approved measure that allows most prison inmates to seek earlier release and participate in rehabilitation programs. His administration filed a lawsuit challenging a pending 2020 initiative that seeks to toughen criminal penalties as part of an effort to roll back reforms adopted by voters within the last decade. Browns lawsuit in Sacramento County Superior Court contends the measure lacked enough valid signatures to overturn a previously approved constitutional amendment. County officials and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla certified the signatures in July but said they were submitted too late to qualify for last months election. The lawsuit names Padilla and the ballot measures official proponent, Nina Salarno Besselman, president of the advocacy group Crime Victims United. Padilla said the measure exceeded the required roughly 366,000 valid signatures, equal to 5% of votes cast for governor in 2014. Browns lawsuit says he used the wrong threshold. It says changing the state Constitution requires 8%, or more than 585,400 signatures. That makes the pending initiative more than 150,000 signatures short, the lawsuit says. Hes wrong, said Jeff Flint, a spokesman for the campaign backing the measure. He predicted a judge will be reluctant to reject a measure that already has qualified for the ballot. The secretary of state told us how many signatures are required, and thats how many we collected, Flint said. Padillas office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The measure would reverse reforms adopted by voters through Proposition 47 in 2014 and Proposition 57 in 2016. Proposition 57 allows most inmates to seek earlier paroles, and Proposition 47 reduced some drug and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. The combination has helped keep Californias inmate population below a population cap set by federal judges. Corrections department spokeswoman Vicky Waters said the measure gives corrections and parole officials broad discretion to protect our communities and fashion a rational system of rehabilitation and punishment. This new initiative unlawfully seeks to supplant the departments constitutional authority to implement these critical reforms to our criminal justice system. The pending initiative would shorten the list of crimes that qualify for earlier parole and change some theft crimes from misdemeanors back to felonies. It would also increase the number of crimes for which DNA is collected, a list that was limited when some crimes went from felonies to misdemeanors. Those supporting the tougher penalties say easing criminal penalties has increased the number of dangerous criminals on the streets, but those backing the changes say they have helped reduce mass incarceration and rehabilitate convicted criminals. Facebook

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California Supreme Court orders records unsealed in pardon of ex-state Sen. Roderick Wright Former state Sen. Roderick Wright (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times) The California Supreme Court has granted a request to unseal court records involving Gov. Jerry Browns decision last month to pardon former state Sen. Roderick Wright for felony convictions involving lying about living in his legislative district, officials said Thursday. The court order was in response to a request by the nonpartisan First Amendment Coalition, which argued that the public has a right to know what information went into the governors decision to grant clemency to Wright. This is an important victory for public access to court files involving the exercise of executive clemency, said coalition spokesman Glen A. Smith. We are gratified the court has recognized that these decisions should be subject to the same public access rules that apply to other judicial records under California law. The court gave Browns office until Jan. 2 to redact confidential material before giving the court documents that can be released to the public. The court files submitted by the governors office include letters of support for a pardon and an internal review of Wrights case. The court denied a motion to unseal the records of all clemency cases but left open consideration of requests on other individual cases. Browns office is currently evaluating the courts decision, said spokesman Brian Ferguson. The governor argued against unsealing records in a recent court filing that said confidentiality is consistent with historical practice and is supported by state law. In pardoning Wright on Nov. 22, the governor wrote: He has shown that since his release from custody, he has lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character, and conducted himself as a law abiding citizen. Facebook

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California political watchdog agency fines BART, urges prosecution over using public funds for campaign A Bay Area Rapid Transit train leaves the station in Oakland in this 2013 file photo. (Ben Margot / AP) Californias state political watchdog agency on Thursday imposed a $7,500 fine against the Bay Area Rapid Transit District and called for a possible criminal or civil prosecution over allegations the district used public resources to campaign for a 2016 bond measure. The state Fair Political Practices Commission levied an administrative fine against BART for its failure to disclose spending on YouTube videos, social media posts and text messages to promote Measure RR, which authorized $3.5 billion in general obligation bonds. Though the panel lacks authority to seek criminal charges over the misuse of public funds, it also urged county district attorneys in the BART service area and the state attorney general to pursue possible criminal or civil charges over the spending of taxpayer dollars for campaign purposes, Commission Chairwoman Alice Germond said. It is the concept of misusing public funds that I think we all here are very disturbed about, and we want to send a warning and not create a precedent that is a minor, little slap on the wrist, Germond said, adding that the referral to criminal prosecutors would further send a message that this is wrong. Commissioner Brian Hatch also called for the state Legislature to consider granting the FPPC power to go after public agencies that spend taxpayer money on campaigns. Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) called on the agency to increase the fine to the maximum level of $33,375. The proposed $7,500 fine represents a slap on the wrist for a very serious violation of the law and the publics trust, Glazer said in a letter to the panel. In supporting the fine recommended by the staff, Germond said BART has agreed to pay the penalty. Somebody did something wrong and they have admitted it, she said. A staff report said there were factors in favor of a fine below the maximum. Although the Commission considers BARTs violations to be serious, the absence of any evidence of an intention to conceal, deceive, or mislead; the voluntary filing of the delinquent campaign statement; and the absence of a prior record are mitigating, the report said. Facebook

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California police union seeks state Supreme Court review of new law disclosing internal investigation records Los Angeles Police Department officers. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) A police union is asking the California Supreme Court to block the release of internal officer investigations before a new state law takes effect next year. The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Employees Benefit Assn. filed a petition Tuesday asking justices to rule that only investigations of incidents that occur after Jan. 1 would be available under the law  and not those the department has on file from years prior. The litigation comes after this years passage of Senate Bill 1421, which opens to the public for the first time internal investigations of officer shootings and other major uses of force, along with confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. The law goes into effect Jan. 1, and the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department has told the union it intends to make available in response to public records requests all the information it has. The union is very concerned about any plans to retroactively apply Senate Bill 1421, Grant Ward, the unions president, said in a statement. We believe retroactive application violates our members rights and we hope the California Supreme Court will consider the serious issues raised by our legal challenge. The bills author, Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), does not agree with the unions interpretation. She has said her legislation should apply to all the records in a police departments possession because the law simply declared that affected records were no longer confidential. If the record exists, its disclosable, Skinner said. A decision on what records will be available under the law is key to how far-reaching it will be. If the court restricts access to incidents that occurred prior to 2019, those cases will not be subject to public scrutiny. The police union in San Bernardino County is not the only one raising concerns about the law. Earlier this month, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore sent a letter to Skinner expressing concern that his agency would be overwhelmed if the law required the department to disclose older incidents. Even if the law only applied to the previous five years, Moore wrote, it could take nearly 300,000 hours of work to comply with its provisions. The LAPD operates with a guiding principle of Reverence for the Law; as such, we will diligently comply with SB 1421, Moore wrote. We maintain, however, that a retroactive implementation of SB 1421 will be exceptionally burdensome and would require significant reallocation of front-line investigative personnel. Skinner said if complying with the law becomes untenable for law enforcement agencies that maintain records for a long time, she would consider modifications. But she said agencies did not raise this concern during discussion over the bill. SB 1421 went through multiple committee hearings, multiple floor debates, extensive opportunity for all parties to weigh in on concerns with its structure, she said. That was not an issue that was raised by law enforcement at the time. Facebook

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Gov. Brown warns of backlash for Republicans in 2020 if Obamacare repeal is upheld Gov. Jerry Brown at the National Press Club in April. (Alex Wong / Getty Images) Gov. Jerry Brown warned Republicans on Tuesday that repeal of the Affordable Care Act would devastate the partys political chances in the 2020 election. Brown, speaking at a Sacramento Press Club event moderated by Los Angeles Times columnist George Skelton and Brown family historian Miriam Pawel, said a federal judges ruling last week to strike down the 2010 law  if upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court  will build such a backlash that the Democrats will not only take over the Senate, theyll win the presidency and will win with the kind of momentum, particularly on the issue of healthcare, that [the law] will be replaced probably with something even better. The governor, who leaves office in less than three weeks, said he did not believe the ruling by a Texas judge would ultimately prevail. I think the decision will probably be overturned, Brown said. Few states have embraced the law championed by former President Obama more than California, both through its healthcare exchange, Covered California, and by expanding access to government-funded services under Medi-Cal. Some 12 million Californians now receive healthcare through Medi-Cal, and Brown said a final ruling affecting the federal dollars that subsidize that care would be a serious blow. California would not be able to afford it without the subsidy, the governor said. Facebook

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Bars in Los Angeles, San Francisco could stay open until 4 a.m. under new bill A bar in Sherman Oaks (acuna-hansen) For the third year in a row, a California lawmaker is trying to keep bars open until 4 a.m. State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) is reintroducing legislation that would allow Los Angeles, San Francisco and seven other cities to extend the sales of alcohol in bars, clubs and restaurants by an additional two hours. Nightlife brings people together, fosters creativity and innovation, supports small businesses, and creates middle-class jobs, Wiener said in a statement. Its time to embrace our nighttime economy and give our cities the tools they need to foster the best nightlife possible. Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a similar bill by Wiener, writing: I believe we have enough mischief from midnight to 2 without adding two more hours of mayhem. Should this years measure, Senate Bill 58, advance through the Legislature, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom would decide whether to sign it into law. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has endorsed SB 58, saying the city should have more flexibility than it does now. Every community has its own needs, and cities should be able to make informed decisions about what nightlife hours make sense for residents, visitors, and neighborhoods, Garcetti said in a statement. The bill would create a five-year pilot program where Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, West Hollywood, Long Beach, Coachella, Cathedral City and Palm Springs could decide to allow restaurants and bars within their cities to serve alcohol until 4 a.m. with the approval of the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Facebook

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Bars in Los Angeles and San Francisco could stay open until 4 a.m. under new bill A bar in Sherman Oaks. (Acuna-Hansen) For the third year in a row, a California lawmaker is trying to keep bars open until 4 a.m. State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) is reintroducing legislation that would allow Los Angeles, San Francisco and seven other cities to extend the sales of alcohol in bars, clubs and restaurants by an additional two hours. Nightlife brings people together, fosters creativity and innovation, supports small businesses and creates middle-class jobs, Wiener said in a statement. Its time to embrace our nighttime economy and give our cities the tools they need to foster the best nightlife possible. Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a similar bill by Wiener, writing: I believe we have enough mischief from midnight to 2 without adding two more hours of mayhem. Should this years measure, Senate Bill 58, advance through the Legislature, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom would decide whether to sign it into law. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has endorsed SB 58, saying the city should have more flexibility than it does now. Every community has its own needs, and cities should be able to make informed decisions about what nightlife hours make sense for residents, visitors and neighborhoods, Garcetti said in a statement. The bill would create a five-year pilot program where Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, West Hollywood, Long Beach, Coachella, Cathedral City and Palm Springs could decide to allow restaurants and bars within their cities to serve alcohol until 4 a.m. with the approval of the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Facebook

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Californias DMV director announces retirement amid problems with motor voter program (Kent Nishamura/Los Angeles Times) The director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles will retire at years end with a number of questions unanswered about the implementation of a major voter registration system and long wait times experienced by customers for much of the past summer. Jean Shiomoto will not continue in her current role as Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom takes office, and announced to staff several weeks ago her intent to retire at the end of the year after 38 years in state service, spokesman Armando Botello said in an email to The Times on Friday. Newsoms transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment on who might lead the department in 2019. Shiomoto was appointed DMV director by Gov. Jerry Brown in the fall of 2013, having served in prior leadership roles with the department. DMV officials have been sharply criticized by lawmakers in recent months for delays in serving customers at its field offices across the state. Last week, DMV officials revealed errors in registering California voters for the November election  mistakes that followed a series of problems in the rollout of the states new motor voter registration system. Secretary of State Alex Padilla last week said he had lost confidence in Shiomotos leadership as a result of the voting registration problems. Facebook

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New law could break the stalemate over housing on the site of a near-vacant Cupertino mall By Liam Dillon For more than a decade, developers have tried to build new housing on the site of an all-but-empty mall in Cupertino, a city in the heart of Silicon Valley and home to Apple headquarters. A well-organized group of neighbors, upset about traffic, building heights and the potential loss of the communitys suburban lifestyle, turned away every plan. Now, for the first time, the stalemate might be broken  thanks to a decision made in the state Capitol. In an effort to address Californias housing affordability problem, legislators passed a law last year that requires cities and counties to approve housing projects if they comply with local zoning rules and other standards, forcing some resistant communities to agree to new homebuilding. In September, the city of Cupertino, citing the state law, approved developer Sand Hill Property Co.s proposal to build an office park and more than 2,400 homes where the Vallco Shopping Mall sits. Read More Facebook

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Local government was a last bastion for struggling California Republicans. Not anymore By Mark Z. Barabak Theres no shortage of watery metaphors to describe the disaster that befell California Republicans this midterm election. A blue wave. A Democratic tsunami. But the most apt may be a flood, with the casualties steadily rising as the vote count climbed in the days and weeks following Nov. 6. Eventually half the GOP congressional delegation was washed away, along with the entire slate of statewide Republican candidates. In Sacramento, Democrats claimed 29 of 40 state Senate seats and seized three-quarters of the 80-member Assembly  the largest number since 1883, when Chester A. Arthur was serving in the White House. Read More Facebook

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For the Republicans left in Californias Legislature, fewer lawmakers will have to do more work By John Myers From January to late summer every year, the California Legislature is a perpetual motion machine. And in the new year, the people most likely to struggle in keeping up will be Republicans, vastly outnumbered but still responsible for representing millions of the states residents. There are 22 standing committees in the state Senate, plus at least a dozen more subcommittees or special committees. And after Novembers election, only 11 Republican senators will be left to divvy up the work. To the victors go the spoils. To the vanquished go the extra assignments. Read More Facebook

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Californias DMV failed to finish registering 329 new voters before November election (Los Angeles Times) Officials at the California Department of Motor Vehicles said Friday that the agency failed to send information for 329 new voters to state elections officers in time for the November election, the latest revelation in a string of mishaps regarding voter registration. Secretary of State Alex Padilla responded with a blistering letter, calling on Gov. Jerry Brown or Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom to replace Jean Shiomoto, the DMV director. The Director of DMV has lost my confidence and trust, Padilla wrote. In all, the agency revealed that 589 mailed voter registration records that should have been processed under election deadlines werent sent to Californias secretary of state until late November, including forms from 260 drivers who had intended to update their address on existing voter registration records. The DMV had been instructed to not send registration forms that came in after Oct. 22, but the voters in question had forms that were postmarked before the deadline. In some cases, when the postmark wasnt legible, the agency said, documents inside indicated the voter had intended to finish their registration in time for the Nov. 6 election. The DMV recognizes the pause in transmittals was an error and affected the timing of the registration of the 589 individuals referenced above relative to the November election, Shiomoto wrote in a letter to Padilla on Friday. The pause was due to a misunderstanding on the part of the department, for which we take responsibility. Those who were trying to update their address for voter registration would not have been blocked from casting ballots. But officials said its unclear whether any of the 329 new voters were able to participate in the election. Shiomoto said in her letter that DMV will work with elections officials. The errors were not related to previous DMV mistakes about registering voters, problems associated with the rollout of the states new motor voter law. In those cases, multiple registration forms were sent to local elections offices for some voters, some people were assigned the wrong political party preference and others who are noncitizens were incorrectly placed on the list of registered voters. DMV officials have yet to respond to questions posed by The Times over the last several weeks about who knew of those mistakes and when. Facebook

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Newsom appoints a labor advocate and a former staffer as his chief deputy Cabinet secretaries By Taryn Luna A labor advocate and a San Francisco political operative have accepted positions in Gov.-elect Gavin Newsoms new administration. Angie Wei, a Capitol insider with deep ties to organized labor in California, will serve as a chief deputy Cabinet secretary with a focus on policy development. As a legislative director and chief of staff at the California Labor Federation, Wei has represented more than 1,200 unions and 2.1 million workers in Capitol fights over a host of policy issues, including drug-pricing transparency and paid family leave. The governor-elect also tapped Jason Elliott, a policy advisor to Newsom during his time as mayor of San Francisco and a chief of staff to San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, as another chief deputy Cabinet secretary overseeing executive branch operations. Elliott and Wei will serve under Ana Matosantos, Newsoms previously
Allies balk at Trump administration bid to block Chinese firm from cutting-edge telecom markets By David S. Cloud Britain and Germany are balking at the Trump administrations call for a ban on equipment from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, threatening a global U.S. campaign to thwart Chinas involvement in future mobile networks. Both countries are expected to limit Huawei and other Chinese companies from providing core components including routers. But other types of Chinese equipment for next-generation, high-speed communications could still be installed on British and German networks, officials and analysts say. The U.S. push to ban Huawei has provoked a global dispute in recent weeks, with senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, publicly urging NATO allies in Europe to exclude the company and warning that the United States might limit its military presence in countries that did not do so. Read More Facebook

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Confucius Institutes: Do they improve U.S.-China ties or harbor spies? By Don Lee Hanging red lanterns welcome visitors to the University of Marylands Confucius Institute, the oldest of about 100 Chinese language and cultural centers that have popped up over the last 15 years on American campuses, subsidized by millions of dollars from Chinas central government. But last fall, when four U.S. Senate investigators walked into the Confucius offices in Maryland and spent hours questioning staff, they werent looking for an educational exchange. The committee has been seeking detailed information from the university about the program, including contracts, email exchanges and financial arrangements that school administrators have kept under wraps since it started in 2004. American colleges once viewed these jointly funded institutes as an economical way to expand their language offerings  one that could also bring warmer ties with China and, importantly, an influx of Chinese international students paying full tuition. Read More Facebook

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Watch Live: White House holds surprise news briefing amid government shutdown Facebook

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U.S. policy toward China shifts from engagement to confrontation By David S. Cloud For decades, China had no closer American friend than Dianne Feinstein. As San Francisco mayor in the 1970s, she forged a sister-city relationship with Shanghai, the first between American and Chinese communities. As U.S. senator, she dined with Chinese leaders at Mao Tse-tungs old Beijing residence. And in the 1990s, she championed a trade policy change that opened a floodgate of Western investment into China. Today the Democratic senator sees China as a growing threat, joining a broad array of Trump administration officials, national security strategists and business executives who once favored engagement with Beijing and now advocate a confrontational approach instead. Read More Facebook

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Mnuchins attempt to calm markets backfires as Trump takes another shot at the Federal Reserve By Jim Puzzanghera An attempt by Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin to calm plunging financial markets backfired Monday, further rattling investors with new fears about whether major U.S. banks have enough cash on top of worries about interest rates, political instability in Washington and a slowing global economy. Adding to the volatile mix was a fresh attack on the Federal Reserve by President Trump, who declared that the central bank was the U.S. economys only problem and that it didnt have a feel for the market. The Fed is like a powerful golfer who cant score because he has no touch -- he cant putt! Trump said on Twitter. Read More Facebook

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He speaks to Democratic hearts. But is Beto ORourke a serious White House contender? By Mark Z. Barabak Hes a failed U.S. Senate candidate with an undistinguished congressional record who, for the moment, is a blazing-hot 2020 presidential prospect  despite the fact that he may not run and faces long odds if he does. Beto ORourke suggests the will-he-or-wont-he speculation is something he himself cant quite fathom. I think thats a great question, he responded in a Dallas Morning News interview when asked whether his unsuccessful November Senate bid merited a promotion to the White House. I ask that question myself. Read More Facebook

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Russian disinformation teams targeted Robert S. Mueller III, says report prepared for Senate By Craig Timberg, Tony Romm, Elizabeth Dwoskin Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. (Associated Press) Months after President Trump took office, Russias disinformation teams trained their sites on a new target: special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. Having worked to help get Trump into the White House, they now worked to neutralize the biggest threat to his staying there. The Russian operatives unloaded on Mueller through fake accounts on Facebook, Twitter and beyond, falsely claiming that the former FBI director was corrupt and that the allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election were crackpot conspiracies. One post on Instagram  which emerged as an especially potent weapon in the Russian social media arsenal  claimed that Mueller had worked in the past with radical Islamic groups. Such tactics exemplified how Russian teams ranged nimbly across social media platforms in a shrewd online influence operation aimed squarely at American voters. The effort started earlier than commonly understood and lasted longer while relying on the strengths of different sites to manipulate distinct slices of the electorate, according to a pair of comprehensive new reports prepared for the Senate Intelligence Committee and released Monday. Read more Timberg, Romm and Dwoskin report for the Washington Post. Facebook

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President Trump announces Mick Mulvaney as acting White House chief of staff By Associated Press President Trump says budget director Mick Mulvaney will serve as acting chief of staff, replacing John F. Kelly in the new year. I am pleased to announce that Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, will be named Acting White House Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly, who has served our Country with distinction. Mick has done an outstanding job while in the Administration....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2018 Facebook

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It aint over when its over: In Michigan, Wisconsin and elsewhere, losers seek to undermine election results By Mark Z. Barabak Democrat Gavin Newsom has yet to become California governor, but already a candidate for state Republican Party chairman is promoting a recall effort. In Michigan and Wisconsin, GOP lawmakers have rushed through legislation to thwart their incoming Democratic governors and hamper others in the opposing party from doing the jobs voters chose them to do. In Congress, GOP leaders have echoed President Trump and sought to undermine the legitimacy of Democrats strong midterm performance, raising unsubstantiated allegations of fraud and political malfeasance. Read More Facebook

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New CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger says she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera On her first full day leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Kathy Kraninger said she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney, the controversial acting director whom she replaced in the powerful regulatory position. To underscore that point, the former White House aide said she would even reconsider a Mulvaney action that critics saw as a gratuitous jab at Democrats who championed the agencys creation: changing its name to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. Kraningers declaration during a meeting with reporters Tuesday addressed one of the main criticisms of her selection. She is considered a protege of Mulvaney, her boss at the White House Office of Management and Budget who has executed a dramatic, industry-friendly shift at the watchdog agency. Read More Facebook

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Trumps pick for chief of staff, Nick Ayers, out of running By Associated Press Nick Ayers, right, with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, at the funeral service for George H.W. Bush on Dec. 3. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Associated Press) President Trumps top pick to replace John F. Kelly as chief of staff, Nick Ayers, is no longer expected to fill that role. Thats according to a White House official who is not authorized to discuss the personnel issue by name and spoke on condition of anonymity. Ayers is Vice President Mike Pences chief of staff. The official says that Trump and Ayers could not agree on Ayers length of service. The father of young children, Ayers had agreed to serve in an interim capacity though the spring, but Trump wanted a two-year commitment. The official says that Ayers will instead assist the president from outside the administration. Trump announced Saturday that Kelly would be departing the White House around the end of the year. Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @VP, and my great colleagues for the honor to serve our Nation at The White House. I will be departing at the end of the year but will work with the #MAGA team to advance the cause.  #Georgia  Nick Ayers (@nick_ayers) December 9, 2018 Facebook

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U.S. hiring slows to 155,000 jobs, unemployment rate holds at 3.7% By Jim Puzzanghera Job growth slowed significantly in November but still was solid, indicating the economy remains in good shape but not expanding so quickly that it will lead to sharply higher interest rates. U.S. employers added 155,000 jobs last month, well below analyst expectations and a steep decline from Octobers strong 237,000 figure, the Labor Department reported Friday. Still, monthly job gains are averaging 206,000 this year, the best since 2015. Even the slower pace of 170,000 over the last three months is close to last years average of 182,000 and well above the amount needed to keep up with population growth. Read More Facebook

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Trump is expected to pick State Department spokeswoman for U.N. ambassador By Associated Press Heather Nauert at a briefing at the State Department on Aug. 9, 2017. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President Trump is expected to nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Two administration officials confirmed Trumps plans. A Republican congressional aide said the president was expected to announce his decision by tweet on Friday morning. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly before Trumps announcement. Trump has previously said Nauert was under serious consideration to replace Nikki Haley, who announced in October that she would step down at the end of this year. Trump has been known to change course on staffing decisions in the past. Nauert was a reporter for Fox News Channel before she became State Department spokeswoman under former Secretary Rex Tillerson. Facebook

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Senate confirms new consumer financial protection chief: Kathy Kraninger, protege of industry-friendly Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera The Senate, in a party-line vote Thursday, confirmed White House aide Kathy Kraninger to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and experts predicted a continuation of the industry-friendly shift it has taken since President Trump installed an acting director last year. Kraninger is a protege of acting director and White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney, an outspoken critic of the agency that was created in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis to prevent predatory lending and other abuses that led to it. Democrats and consumer advocates have denounced him for sharply departing from the aggressive watchdog role the bureau had pursued under its first director, Obama-appointee Richard Cordray, including scaling back enforcement and moving to reassess tough new rules on payday loans and narrow the definition of abusive practices by banks and other firms. Read More Facebook

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Shutdown postponed by two weeks under plan approved by Congress By Erik Wasson Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), shown at the Capitol on Tuesday, says President Trumps border wall is a waste of money. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Congress passed a two-week stopgap spending bill that will delay the chance of a partial government shutdown until Dec. 22 as lawmakers and President Donald Trump negotiate over his demands to pay for a wall on the southern border. The House and Senate passed the measure Thursday without dissent, and Trump has indicated hell sign the bill before the current shutdown deadline of midnight Friday. Negotiations were delayed by memorial services this week for former President George H.W. Bush. The temporary measure gives Democrats and Republicans more time to find a resolution to their biggest hurdle: funding a wall on the U.S. Mexico border wall. Trump says he wants $5 billion for parts of a concrete wall on the southern border and is willing to shut down the government if he doesnt get it. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has said Democrats will provide no more than $1.6 billion for border security, because the wall is a waste of money. The presidents demands for wall funding from Congress come after he said during the campaign that Mexico would pay for it. This week he said on Twitter that a $25 billion border wall would pay for itself in two months, without providing evidence. Most of the U.S. governments $1.2 trillion discretionary budget has been appropriated already by Congress for the fiscal year that began on Oct. 1. Departments at a risk of a partial shutdown late this month include the departments of State, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Treasury and Homeland Security. Talks to resolve the differences have been on hold since a meeting among Trump, Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California originally slated for Dec. 4 was postponed due to Bush memorial events. The three are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby of Alabama told reporters the rest of the seven-bill spending package being negotiated is basically done. Shelby in recent weeks had tried to broker a compromise in which Trumps $5 billion request would be split over two years, but Schumer has rejected that. Some Democrats have been willing to trade border wall funding for deportation protections for young undocumented immigrants. Pelosi ruled out such a deal in remarks to reporters Thursday. The stopgap government funding measure also would extend the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides subsidized coverage for homes in flood-prone areas, to Dec. 21. Facebook

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Bipartisan Senate group wants to formally blame Saudi crown prince for journalists killing By Karoun Demirjian Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires. (Associated Press) A bipartisan group of senators filed a resolution Wednesday condemning Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, directly challenging President Trump to do the same. This resolution -- without equivocation -- definitively states that the crown prince of Saudi Arabia was complicit in the murder of Mr. [Jamal] Khashoggi and has been a wrecking ball to the region jeopardizing our national security interests on multiple fronts, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a statement accompanying the release of the resolution. It will be up to Saudi Arabia as to how to deal with this matter. But it is up to the United States to firmly stand for who we are and what we believe. The resolution put forward by Graham and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who are expected to lead the Judiciary Committee together next year, comes just one day after CIA Director Gina Haspel briefed leading senators about the details of the agencys assessment that Mohammed ordered and monitored the killing and dismemberment of Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Senators emerged from that closed-door briefing furious not only with Saudi Arabia, but Trump as well for dismissing the heft of the CIAs findings. You have to be willfully blind not to come to the conclusion that this was orchestrated and organized by people under the command of MBS and that he was intricately involved in the demise of Mr. Khashoggi, Graham said following the briefing, referring to Mohammed by his initials. He added that Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, who briefed senators last week, were at best being good soldiers and at worst were in the pocket of Saudi Arabia for presenting the evidence of Mohammeds involvement as inconclusive. The release of the resolution condemning Mohammed also comes as the Senate is preparing to move ahead with debate on a resolution to curtail U.S. support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. Though the Yemen resolution does not directly address Khashoggis murder, its popularity is a sign of how strained the United States patience with Saudi Arabia is on multiple fronts, including its role in worsening the civilian cost of the war in Yemen, cited by the United Nations as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Last week, the Senate voted 63 to 37 to advance the Yemen resolution past an opening procedural hurdle. But Graham and Feinsteins resolution on the crown prince has the potential of drawing broader support, especially from Republicans, who are deeply divided about how fiercely to punish Saudi Arabia over Khashoggis killing. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who has been an outspoken advocate for human rights and is seen as one of the more influential foreign policy voices in the GOP, did not vote for the Yemen resolution last week or sign on to a bipartisan measure last month to sanction Saudi officials and cease weapons transfers to the kingdom. But he is an original co-sponsor of the resolution condemning Mohammed over Khashoggis death. So is Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), who represents the other end of the GOP spectrum in terms of recent Saudi-related votes and endorsements. Young was an initial co-sponsor of the bill Graham wrote with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) to sanction Saudi officials deemed responsible for Khashoggis killing and stop the sale of anything but exclusively defensive weapons to the kingdom until it ceased hostilities in Yemen. Young also voted to advance the Yemen resolution  something Graham did as well, though Graham has signaled he will not be lending any similar support to the measure, fearing it may establish a precedent of invoking the War Powers Act too broadly. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) are listed as original co-sponsors of the resolution condemning Mohammed, which also urges Saudi Arabia to negotiate with Houthi rebels to end the Yemen war, work out a political solution to its standoff with Qatar and release political prisoners. But how much sway the resolution has probably comes down to how forcefully the administration decides to heed it -- and thus far, Trump has not shown any interest in condemning the crown prince the way the senators hope he will. Demirjian reports for the Washington Post. Facebook

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Los Angeles County offices and U.S. Postal Service closed Wednesday in honor of George H.W. Bush By Brian Park The Honor Guard carries the casket of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush following his funeral on Dec. 5 in Washington, DC. (Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images) The U.S. Postal Service will suspend regular mail delivery Wednesday, which President Trump has declared a national day of mourning in honor of former President George H.W. Bush. All retail postal outlets will be closed, and package delivery will be limited. In Los Angeles, all nonessential county departments, offices and libraries will be closed for the day, L.A. County officials said. The Los Angeles County Library said no overdue fines will be assessed for books, and due dates will be moved forward one week. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offices also are closed Wednesday. The Sheriffs Department, Fire Department, clinics and hospitals will continue to operate, the county said. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health clinics are being operated with reduced staffing, and the department asked patients to confirm or reschedule any appointments. All county courts and the disaster recovery centers for the Woolsey fire in Malibu and Agoura Hills will remain open. Larger federal government operations will be closed Wednesday. To honor the life and legacy of President Bush, the Postal Service will observe the National Day of Mourning. Learn how Postal operations will be affected. https://t.co/Mffch7bPCh pic.twitter.com/vG46BsIOpm  U.S. Postal Service (@USPS) December 4, 2018 L.A. County offices and libraries will be closed tomorrow (Dec 5) in observance of the #NationalDayOfMourning for President George H. W. Bush.



The Countys Disaster Recovery Centers in Malibu & Agoura Hills will remain open from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. pic.twitter.com/Sv1J7GoJ7T  Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) December 4, 2018 @LAPublicHealth offices will be closed tomorrow December 5 in observance of the national Day of Mourning for President George H. W. Bush. Essential Services including clinics and other services will remain open: https://t.co/tZGoGGHRlg pic.twitter.com/ypXsV6vlYY  LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) December 4, 2018 Facebook

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Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to skip 2020 White House race, sources say By Associated Press Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick speaks during an interview in Boston on Dec. 15, 2014. (Elise Amendola / Associated Press) Former Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts will soon announce he wont launch a 2020 presidential campaign, according to three sources familiar with his plans. They did not say why the Democrat decided against a run. A formal announcement was delayed as the country observed a day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush, one source said. News of Patricks plans was first reported by Politico. Patrick, 62, served two terms as governor, from 2007 to 2015, was assistant attorney general for civil rights in the Clinton administration and since leaving the governors office has been a managing director for Bain Capital. Patrick traveled the country in support of Democratic candidates in the recent midterm election. Earlier this year, some of Patricks supporters and close advisors started the Reason to Believe political action committee, a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing a positive, progressive vision for our nation in 2018 and 2020. Reason to Believe PAC had been holding meetups across the country, including in early presidential primary states. While Patrick is opting against a 2020 run, dozens of Democrats are considering jumping in, including nearly a half-dozen members of the Senate, several House members, and other Massachusetts politicians. On Tuesday, Michael Avenatti, the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels and a vocal critic of President Trump, said in a statement that he would run. Patrick had previously expressed some concerns about breaking through if he sought the nomination, telling David Axelrod, a former advisor to President Obama, that he wasnt sure he could stand out in such a large field. Its hard to see how you even get noticed in such a big, broad field without being shrill, sensational or a celebrity, and Im none of those things and Im never going to be any of those things, Patrick said in a September interview with Axelrod. Facebook

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Former Trump adviser Roger Stone invokes 5th Amendment right and wont testify before Senate Judiciary Committee By Associated Press Roger Stone in 2017. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) Roger Stone, an associate of President Trump, says he wont provide testimony or documents to the Senate Judiciary Committee. An attorney for Stone said in a letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the committees top Democrat, that Stone was invoking his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination in refusing to produce documents or appear for an interview. Stone has been entangled in investigations by Congress and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III about whether Trump aides had advance knowledge of Democratic emails published by WikiLeaks during the 2016 election. Stone has not been charged and has said he had no knowledge of the timing or specifics of WikiLeaks plans. In the letter to Feinstein, Stone said the committees requests were far too overbroad, far too overreaching and far too wide-ranging. Facebook

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Watch live: Vice President Pence and lawmakers honor George H.W. Bush at the U.S. Capitol before he lies in state Facebook

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Rebuilding crumbling infrastructure has bipartisan support. But who gets to pay for it? By Jim Puzzanghera The grades for major U.S. infrastructure would give any parent indigestion if they were on a childs report card. Roads: D; bridges: C+; dams: D; ports: C+: railways: B; airports: D; schools: D+; public transit: D-. The nations overall grade: D+, which translates to being in fair to poor condition and mostly below standards with significant deterioration and a strong risk of failure, according to an evaluation last year by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Read More Facebook

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Trump calls former lawyer Michael Cohen a weak person who is lying By Associated Press President Trump says his former lawyer Michael Cohen is lying to get a reduced sentence. The president is reacting to Cohens guilty plea Thursday to lying to Congress about work he did on a Trump real estate project in Russia. During a surprise court hearing, Cohen admitted to lying in testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee about a plan to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. Cohen in his guilty plea said he made the false statements to be consistent with Trumps political message. Cohens lawyer says he continues to cooperate with special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation into Russian election interference and possible coordination with Trump associates. Facebook

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As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Mark Z. Barabak When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook

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As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Sarah D. Wire When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook

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Michael Cohen, President Trumps ex-lawyer, pleads guilty to lying to Congress about Trump real estate project in Russia By Associated Press Michael Cohen, President Trumps former personal lawyer, pursued a Russian real estate project on candidate Trumps behalf well into the 2016 campaign, he said Thursday while pleading guilty to lying to Congress. Cohen had previously said that the project was abandoned in January 2016, but he now admits he continued to pursue a deal and says he updated Trump and members of his family about the negotiations, according to a new court document. Read More Facebook

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James Comey says acting Atty. Gen. Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer By John Wagner Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker speaks at the Justice Department in Washington on Nov. 14. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) Former FBI Director James B. Comey apparently isnt too impressed with the mental prowess of President Trumps acting attorney general. Matthew Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, Comey said during a radio interview on Monday night in which he sized up the man Trump installed this month to replace ousted Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions. Comey was asked by WGBH News in Boston if he thinks Whitaker could derail the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Whitaker has spoken critically of the probe, and Trump  as recently as Tuesday  continues to call it a witch hunt. I think its a worry, but to my mind not a serious worry, Comey said. The institution is too strong, and [Whitaker], frankly, is not strong enough to have that kind of impact. He may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, but he can see his future and knows that if he acted in an extralegal way, he would go down in history for the wrong reasons, and Im sure he doesnt want that, added Comey, who was fired by Trump last year and later wrote a book that portrays the president as an ego-driven congenital liar. Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney in Iowa, was Sessions chief of staff before being picked by Trump to lead the Justice Department. Trump has called Whitaker a very smart man. Earlier this year, Trump called Comey an untruthful slime ball. Wagner writes for the Washington Post. Facebook

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Interior Department watchdog clears Zinke in investigation of Utah national monument By Juliet Eilperin Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, third from the left, and Gov. Jerry Brown tour fire damage in Paradise, Calif., on Nov. 14. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The Interior Departments Office of Inspector General has cleared Secretary Ryan Zinke in a probe of whether he redrew boundaries of a national monument in Utah to aid the financial interests of a Republican state lawmaker and stalwart supporter of President Trump. In a Nov. 21 letter to Zinkes deputy, David Bernhardt, Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall wrote that her office found no evidence that the secretary or his aides changed the boundaries of Utahs Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in an effort to help former Utah state representative Mike Noel, who serves as executive director of the Kane County Water Conservancy District. Last December, Trump shrank the monument, first established by President Clinton in 1996, by 46% based on Zinkes recommendation. Noel owns 40 acres that had been surrounded by the monument, but now lies outside its boundaries. The new boundaries also would make it easier to construct the proposed Lake Powell Pipeline, which would deliver water to sites in Kane County that include Noels property. Earlier this year, the Interior Department had proposed selling off 120 acres of federal land from the former monument that lay adjacent to some of Noels land holdings, but later reversed the plan. We found no evidence that Noel influenced the DOIs proposed revisions to the [monuments] boundaries, that Zinke or other DOI staff involved in the project were aware of Noels financial interest in the revised boundaries, or that they gave Noel any preferential treatment in the resulting proposed boundaries, Kendall wrote. Neither the Interior Department nor the inspector generals office would release the actual investigative report. In the letter, Kendall writes that her office will provide the report to Congress no sooner than 31 days from Nov. 21, when it is provided it to Zinkes office. The Associated Press first reported the inspector generals conclusions Monday night, but did not provide details from the report itself. Noel emailed Zinke about the effort to alter Grand Staircase-Escalante, according to emails released by Interior under the Freedom of Informational Act. But those emails do not make references to Noels land holdings. Noel also pushed to rename a Utah highway in honor of Trump, but abandoned that effort in March after some of his fellow Republicans objected to the idea. Noel did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. The inspector generals office still has at least two ongoing probes of the secretary, including one focused on his real estate dealings in Whitefish, Mont., and another regarding his decision to deny a permit to two Connecticut tribes who were hoping to jointly run a casino after MGM Resorts International lobbied against it. Interior Department spokeswoman Heather Swift welcomed the watchdogs conclusions. The report shows exactly what the secretarys office has known all along  that the monument boundaries were adjusted in accordance with all rules, regulations and laws, she said in an email. This report is also the latest example of opponents and special interest groups ginning up fake and misleading stories, only to be proven false after expensive and time consuming inquiries by the IGs office. But Kendalls spokeswoman, Nancy DiPaolo, defended the inquiry, even though she said the report has not been publicly released and we will not be speaking specifically about the matter at this time. The OIG opens investigations based on credible allegations and reports our findings objectively and independently, DiPaolo added. Any time or resources spent investigating conduct or activity that may be a violation of law, regulation or policy is a service to the public, Congress and the Department. Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement that he still intended to investigate the way Zinke and his colleague redrew the boundaries for Grand Staircase-Escalante and another Utah national monument, Bears Ears, next year. I have great respect for the inspector general, and I accept these findings, but Secretary Zinke should have known the people he listened to while destroying our national monuments had disqualifying conflicts of interest, he said. Should I chair the Natural Resources Committee in the next Congress, the process he and President Trump used to destroy Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante will be front and center in our oversight and investigations efforts. We need to know why they ignored overwhelming public expressions of support for both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, why they ignored Native American tribes throughout their decision-making, and why they removed protections on parcels of land with known mineral deposits. Eilperin and Rein report for the Washington Post. Facebook

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Trump advisor Larry Kudlow says China must do more to end trade war By Jim Puzzanghera Larry Kudlow, President Trumps top economic advisor, said Tuesday that Chinas response to U.S. efforts to rework the two economic superpowers trade relationship has been extremely disappointing but the planned meeting this weekend between the nations leaders is an opportunity for a breakthrough. They have to do more. They must do more, Larry Kudlow, director of the White House National Economic Council, told reporters ahead of a Saturday dinner between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 Summit in Argentina. I think the president is exactly right  to show strong backbone when prior administrations did not, to break through these Chinese walls, Kudlow said. Theyre so resistant to change. We have to protect the country. We have to protect our technology, our inventiveness, our innovation. Read More Facebook

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Watch live: White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders holds a media briefing amid tensions at the border By Los Angeles Times Staff Facebook

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Democrat TJ Cox grabs lead over Republican David Valadao in nations last remaining undecided House race By Maya Sweedler Democrat TJ Cox slipped past Republican incumbent David Valadao on Monday to take the lead in the countrys sole remaining undecided congressional race, positioning Democrats to pick up their seventh House seat in California and 40th nationwide. Cox, who trailed by nearly 4,400 votes on election night, has steadily gained as ballot counting continues nearly three weeks after the Nov. 6 election, a pattern consistent with the states recent voting history. On Monday, he pulled ahead by 438 votes after Kern County updated its results. Read More Facebook

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Former CIA director Michael Hayden hospitalized after suffering a stroke By Deanna Paul Then-CIA Director Michael Hayden testifies before a Senate committee in 2008. (Saul Loeb / Getty Images) Former CIA Director and retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke, his family said Friday. He is receiving expert medical care for which the family is grateful, according to a statement issued by his namesake organization. The General and his family greatly appreciate the warm wishes and prayers of his friends, colleagues, and supporters. Hayden, 73, served as director of the CIA and National Security Agency during the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. He retired from the CIA in 2009. Hayden has been a vocal critic of Donald Trumps campaign and presidency. Earlier this year, after Trump decided to revoke the security clearance of former CIA director John Brennan, Hayden was one of several former intelligence leaders who signed a statement in opposition. Criticizing the president for crossing a line, he quickly became one of the individuals whose security clearance Trump threatened to review. Deanna Paul writes for the Washington Post. Facebook

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Trump tells troops hes thankful for what hes done for the U.S. and rails against courts and migrants By Associated Press President Trump talks with troops via teleconference from his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Thanksgiving. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump used his Thanksgiving Day call to troops deployed overseas to pat himself on the back and air grievances about the courts, trade and migrants heading to the U.S.-Mexico border. Trumps call, made from his opulent private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., struck an unusually political tone as he spoke with members of all five branches of the military to wish them happy holidays. Its a disgrace, Trump said of judges who have blocked his attempts to overhaul U.S. immigration law, as he linked his efforts to secure the border with military missions overseas. Trump later threatened to close the U.S. border with Mexico for an undisclosed period of time if his administration determines Mexico has lost control on its side. The call was a uniquely Trump blend of boasting, peppered questions and off-the-cuff observations as his comments veered from venting about slights to praising troops  You really are our heroes, he said  as club waiters worked to set Thanksgiving dinner tables on the outdoor terrace behind him. It was yet another show of how Trump has dramatically transformed the presidency, erasing the traditional divisions between domestic policy and military matters and efforts to keep the troops clear of politics. You probably see over the news whats happening on our southern border, Trump told one Air Force brigadier general stationed at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, adding: I dont have to even ask you. I know what you want to do, you want to make sure that you know who were letting in. Later, Trump asked a U.S. Coast Guard commander about trade, which he noted was a very big subject for him personally. Weve been taken advantage of for many, many years by bad trade deals, Trump told the commander, who sheepishly replied, Mr. President, from our perspective on the water  we dont see any issues in terms of trade right now. And throughout, Trump congratulated himself, telling the officers that the country is doing exceptionally well on his watch. I hope that youll take solace in knowing that all of the American families you hold so close to your heart are all doing well, he said. The nations doing well economically, better than anybody in the world. He later told reporters, Nobodys done more for the military than me. Indeed, asked what he was thankful for this Thanksgiving, Trump cited his great family as well as himself. I made a tremendous difference in this country, he said. Facebook

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Trump contradicts CIA assessment that Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi killing By Josh Dawsey | Washington Post (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump on Thursday contradicted the CIAs assessment that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, insisting that the agency had feelings but did not firmly place blame for the death. Trump, in defiant remarks to reporters from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, defended his continued support for Mohammed in the face of a CIA assessment that the crown prince had ordered the killing. He denies it vehemently, Trump said. He said his own conclusion was that maybe he did, maybe he didnt. I hate the crime .... I hate the cover-up. I will tell you this: The crown prince hates it more than I do, Trump said. Asked who should be held accountable for the death of Khashoggi, who was killed at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey, Trump refused to place blame. Maybe the world should be held accountable because the world is a very, very vicious place, the president said. He also seemed to suggest that all U.S. allies were guilty of the same behavior, declaring that if the others were held to the standard that critics have held Saudi Arabia to in recent days, we wouldnt be able to have anyone for an ally. Trumps remarks came after he held a conference call with U.S. military officers overseas, during which he repeatedly praised his administration and sought to draw the officers into discussions of domestic policy. Facebook

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Former FBI Director James Comey gets subpoena from House Republicans By Bloomberg Former FBI Director James B. Comey said he has received a subpoena from House Republicans, according to a Twitter post on Thursday. Bloomberg News reported last week that Comey would be receiving a subpoena alongside former Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch as part of continuing probes into their handling of investigations into Hillary Clinton and Russian election meddling, according to a top House Democrat. Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. Im still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a closed door thing because Ive seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Lets have a hearing and invite everyone to see.  James Comey (@Comey) November 22, 2018 Read More Facebook

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Republican David Valadaos lead slips to 447 votes over Democrat TJ Cox in still-undecided Central Valley House race By Mark Z. Barabak Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), right, finds himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox. (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) On election night, it looked like Rep. David Valadao had survived a close shave and was destined to return to Washington for his fourth term. But on Wednesday, when Fresno County announced its latest vote totals, the Hanford Republican found himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox, with his lead in the Central Valley district shrunken to 447 votes. Thousands remain to be counted. Valadao, a repeated Democratic target, finished election night with a lead of nearly 4,440 votes. Cox, an engineer and a business owner who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2006, has steadily gained ground in the 21st Congressional District ever since. The trend is consistent with historic patterns showing Republicans in California tend to vote early and Democrats later, meaning their mail ballots continue to stream in past election day. Under California law, ballots postmarked up to midnight on Nov. 6 will be counted. Democrats have already picked up six House seats in California. They ousted Reps. Dana Rohrabacher, Mimi Walters, Steve Knight and Jeff Denham and won the seats of retiring Reps. Ed Royce and Darrell Issa. All six represented districts that backed Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016. Valadao was the seventh California Republican in a district Clinton won, though his previous successes  he last won reelection by a 14-point margin  suggested his ouster was a longer shot for Democrats. If Cox prevails, it would give Democrats a 40-seat gain nationwide, far more than the 23 seats needed to take control when Congress reconvenes in January. Facebook

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Trump says no new punishments against Saudi Arabia in Jamal Khashoggi murder By Eli Stokols In this Oct. 25 photo, candles are lit in front of a photo of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Lefteris Pitarakis) President Trump made it clear on Tuesday that he does not intend to punish Saudi Arabia or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an American resident killed by Saudi officials in Turkey in October. In a remarkable statement replete with exclamation points, Trump cast doubt on the CIAs reported conclusions that it has a high degree of confidence that the crown prince ordered Khashoggis murder and sent his closest allies to Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul to carry it out. Read MoreThis article has been updated with staff. Facebook

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Sixteen House Democrats vow to oppose Nancy Pelosi as next speaker By Mike DeBonis | Washington Post House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Sixteen House Democrats said Monday that they will vote to deny Rep. Nancy Pelosi another stint as House speaker, a show of defiance that puts her opponents on the cusp of forcing a seismic leadership shake-up as their party prepares to take the majority. Their pledge to oppose Pelosi (D-San Francisco), both in an internal caucus election and a Jan. 3 floor vote, delivered in a letter sent to Democratic colleagues, comes as Pelosi has marshaled a legion of supporters on and off Capitol Hill to make her case. But her opponents said Monday they are convinced it is time to select a new leader. We are thankful to Leader Pelosi for her years of service to our Country and to our Caucus, they wrote. However, we also recognize that in this recent election, Democrats ran on and won on a message of change. Pelosi has expressed complete confidence that she will retake the speakers gavel in January  eight years after she lost it following massive Republican gains in the 2010 midterms and 16 years after she was first elevated to the top Democratic leadership post in the House. Come on in, the waters fine, she said Friday about a potential leadership challenge. The signers might not be able to force Pelosi out themselves. The size of the Democratic majority remains in flux, but Democrats have already won 232 seats, according to the Associated Press, with five races still undecided. All those races have Republican incumbents, but the Democratic challenger is ahead in only one of them. If the leads hold in the uncalled races, Democrats would have won 233 seats, a 16-seat majority. That means Pelosi could lose as many as 15 Democratic votes when she stands for election as speaker on Jan. 3. Read More Facebook

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Democratic senators sue over Whitakers appointment as acting attorney general By Associated Press Acting U.S. Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker (Nicholas Kamm / AFP/Getty Images) Three Senate Democrats filed a lawsuit Monday arguing that Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and asking a federal judge to remove him. The suit, filed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, argues that Whitakers appointment violates the Constitution because he has not been confirmed by the Senate. Whitaker was chief of staff to Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions and was elevated to the top job after Sessions was ousted by President Trump on Nov. 7. The Constitutions Appointments Clause requires that the Senate confirm all principal officials before they can serve in their office. The Justice Department released a legal opinion last week that said Whitakers appointment would not violate the clause because he is serving in an acting capacity. The opinion concluded that Whitaker, even without Senate confirmation, may serve in an acting capacity because he has been at the department for more than a year at a sufficiently senior pay level. President Trump is denying senators our constitutional obligation and opportunity to do our job: scrutinizing the nomination of our nations top law enforcement official, Blumenthal said in a statement. The reason is simple: Whitaker would never pass the advice and consent test. In selecting a so-called constitutional nobody and thwarting every senators constitutional duty, Trump leaves us no choice but to seek recourse through the courts. The lawsuit comes days after a Washington lawyer challenged Whitakers appointment in a pending Supreme Court case dealing with gun rights. The attorney, Thomas Goldstein, asked the high court to find that Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and replace him with Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Rosenstein, the second-ranking Justice Department official, has been confirmed by the Senate and had been overseeing special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker is now overseeing the investigation. The Justice Department issued a statement Monday defending Whitakers appointment as lawful and said it comports with the Appointments Clause, the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and legal precedent. There are over 160 instances in American history in which non-Senate confirmed persons performed, on a temporary basis, the duties of a Senate-confirmed position, Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said. To suggest otherwise is to ignore centuries of practice and precedent. Facebook

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Gov. Rick Scott says Sen. Bill Nelson concedes Florida Senate race By Associated Press Republican Senate candidate Rick Scott speaks with his wife, Ann, by his side at an election watch party in Naples, Fla., on Nov. 7. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas Republican Gov. Rick Scott says incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson called him to concede defeat in their extremely tight race. Scott issued a statement Sunday saying Nelson graciously conceded their Senate race shortly after the states recount ended. The final results show Scott defeated Nelson by just over 10,000 votes out of 8 million cast. Nelson is scheduled to release a videotaped statement later Sunday. The defeat ends Nelsons lengthy political career. The three-term incumbent was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000. Before that he served six terms in the U.S. House and as state treasurer and insurance commissioner for six years. Scott spent more than $60 million of his own money on ads that portrayed Nelson as out-of-touch and ineffective. Nelson responded by questioning Scotts ethics and saying he would be under the sway of President Trump. Facebook

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Orange County goes blue, as Democrats complete historic sweep of its seven congressional seats By Michael Finnegan Gil Cisneros defeated Republican Young Kim on Saturday in the last of Orange Countys undecided House races, giving Democrats a clean sweep of the states six most fiercely fought congressional contests and marking an epochal shift in a region long synonymous with political conservatism. With Cisneros victory, Democrats will constitute the entirety of Orange Countys seven-member congressional delegation, the first time since the 1930s that the birthplace of Richard Nixon, home of John Wayne and spiritual center of the Republican Party will have no GOP representative in the House. Sitting back in the 1960s, I would never have believed this would happen, said Stuart K. Spencer, a party strategist who spent more than half a century ushering Republicans, including President Reagan, into office. Read More Facebook

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Going, going ... with midterm wipeout, California Republican Party drifts closer to irrelevance By Michael Finnegan For a party in freefall the last two decades, California Republicans learned that its possible to plunge even further. The GOP not only lost every statewide office in the midterm election  again, in blowout fashion  but Democrats reestablished their supermajority in Sacramento, allowing them to legislate however they see fit After major defeats in Orange County and the Central Valley, two longtime strongholds, Republicans will have a significantly smaller footprint on Capitol Hill. (Democrats hold both Senate seats.) When the vote-counting is finished, the GOP may not even have enough lawmakers in Californias 53-member House delegation to field a nine-person softball team. Read More Facebook

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Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter says she will support Rep. Nancy Pelosi for speaker By Maya Sweedler Democratic Rep.-elect Katie Porter is congratulated by volunteers at her campaign headquarters in Irvine. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter said she plans to support Rep. Nancy Pelosis bid for speaker of the House and will make campaign finance reform her top priority when she enters the chamber in January. Im going to continue to have conversations, but so far I feel like Leader Pelosi is definitely making the things that were a priority to the families that elected me her priorities, including announcing her support for campaign finance reform and anti-corruption as HR1, Porter said in her first public appearance since being declared the winner in Californias 45th Congressional District on Thursday evening. It means a lot to me that she is a Californian. She understands our state, Porter added. When we talk about environmental protections, this is a person who understands as a Californian how fragile our environment is and whats at risk in things like drilling off our coasts. Porter, a law professor at UC Irvine, defeated two-term Republican Rep. Mimi Walters. The 45th District, covering inland Orange County, has never been represented by a Democrat. Porter became the third Democrat to claim a Republican-held seat in Orange County, following the victories of Harley Rouda in the 48th District and Mike Levin in the 49th. A fourth, Gil Cisneros, is running slightly ahead of his Republican opponent in the race for the open seat in the 39th District, which extends into Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Porter attributed the massive political shift in the county, for decades a conservative stronghold, to increased levels of political engagement. Folks here care about education, they care about the environment, they believe climate change is real, they want healthcare that protects preexisting conditions, they want a tax system that doesnt punish California, they want our schools and places of worship to be safe from gun violence, she said. Those are the issues we campaigned on, and to the extent that Donald Trump and Mimi Walters were on the wrong side of those issues, the voters have made clear what direction they want us to go. Porter was flying back from the East Coast when her race was called, she said. She turned on her phone to find 167 text messages from friends and supporters. Among them was Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who was one of Porters teachers in law school and with whom she has remained close. The pair spoke via FaceTime this morning, she said. Facebook

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Bitter battle for Senate seat in Florida goes to hand recount By Associated Press Employees look through damaged ballots during a recount Thursday in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas acrimonious battle for the U.S. Senate headed Thursday to a legally required hand recount after an initial review by ballot-counting machines showed Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson separated by less than 13,000 votes. But the highly watched contest for governor between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum appeared to be over, with a machine recount showing DeSantis with a large enough advantage over Gillum to avoid a hand recount in that race. Gillum, who conceded the contest on election night only to retract his concession later, said in a statement that it is not over until every legally casted vote is counted. The recount so far has been fraught with problems. One large Democratic stronghold in South Florida was unable to finish its machine recount by the Thursday deadline due to machines breaking down. A federal judge rejected a request to extend the recount deadline. We gave a heroic effort, said Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher. If the county had three or four more hours, it would have made the deadline to recount ballots in the Senate race, she said. Meanwhile, election officials in another urban county in the Tampa Bay area decided against turning in the results of their machine recount, which came up with 846 fewer votes than originally counted. Media in South Florida reported that Broward County finished its machine recount but missed the deadline by a few minutes. Counties were ordered last weekend to do a machine recount of three statewide races because the margins were so tight. The next stage is a manual review of ballots that were not counted by machines to see whether there is a way to figure out voter intent. Scott called on Nelson to end the recount battle. Its time for Nelson to respect the will of the voters and graciously bring this process to an end rather than proceed with yet another count of the votes  which will yield the same result and bring more embarrassment to the state that we both love and have served, the governor said in a statement. The recount has triggered multiple lawsuits, many of them filed by Nelson and Democrats. The legal battles drew the ire of U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker, who slammed the state for repeatedly failing to anticipate election problems. He also said the state law on recounts appears to violate the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that decided the presidency in 2000. We have been the laughingstock of the world, election after election, and we chose not to fix this, Walker said during a morning hearing. Walker vented his anger at state lawmakers and Palm Beach County officials, saying they should have made sure they had enough equipment in place to handle this kind of a recount. But he said he could not extend the recount deadline because he did not know when Palm Beach County would finish its work. This court must be able to craft a remedy with knowledge that it will not prove futile, Walker wrote in his ruling turning down the request from Democrats. It cannot do so on this record. This court does not and will not fashion a remedy in the dark. The overarching problem was created by the Florida Legislature, which Walker said passed a recount law that appears to run afoul of the 2000 Bush vs. Gore decision by locking in procedures that do not allow for potential problems. A total of six election-related lawsuits are pending in federal court in Tallahassee as well at least one lawsuit filed in state court. Walker also ordered that voters be given until 5 p.m. Saturday to show a valid identification and fix their ballots if they have not been counted due to mismatched signatures. Republicans appealed the ruling, but an appeals court turned down the request. State officials testified that nearly 4,000 mailed-in ballots were set aside because local officials decided the signatures on the envelopes did not match the signatures on file. If those voters can prove their identity, their votes will be counted and included in final official returns due from each county by noon Sunday. Walker was asked by Democrats to require local officials to provide a list of people whose ballots were rejected. But the judge appointed by President Obama refused the request, calling it inappropriate. Under state law, a hand review is required with races that have a margin of 0.25 percentage points or less. A state website put the unofficial results showing Scott ahead of Nelson by 0.15 percentage points. The margin between DeSantis and Gillum was at 0.41 points. The margin between Scott and Nelson had not changed much in the last few days, conceded Marc Elias, an attorney working for Nelsons campaign. But he said that he expected the vote tally to shrink due to the hand recount and the ruling on signatures. The developments fueled frustrations among Democrats and Republicans alike. Democrats want state officials to do whatever it takes to make sure every eligible vote is counted. Republicans, including President Trump, have argued without evidence that voter fraud threatens to steal races from the GOP. Facebook

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Democrat Gil Cisneros pulls ahead of Republican Young Kim as more votes are tallied in Orange and San Bernardino counties By Michael Finnegan Congressional candidate Gil Cisneros (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Democrat Gil Cisneros pulled ahead of Republican Young Kim in one of Californias undecided congressional races Thursday, an ominous sign for a GOP already reeling from its loss of four House seats in the state. In updated vote counts released by the registrars for Orange and San Bernardino counties, Kim fell 941 votes behind Cisneros in the contest to succeed Republican Rep. Ed Royce in Californias 39th Congressional District. The 39th straddles Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties. In another unresolved House race, Democrat Katie Porter pulled further ahead of Republican incumbent Mimi Walters in the 45th District, which includes Mission Viejo, Tustin, Irvine, Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Hills. Porter, a consumer attorney and UC Irvine law professor, is now 6,203 votes ahead. The Nov. 6 midterm election has been devastating to Republicans in California. If Cisneros and Porter win, the party will have lost six of its 14 House seats in the state, essentially a wipeout in every contest that both parties spent heavily to win. The three Republicans already bounced from Congress are Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa, Steve Knight of Palmdale and Jeff Denham of Turlock in the San Joaquin Valley. Democrat Mike Levin won the seat of retiring GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of Vista in the fourth district flipped so far. Facebook

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Florida Senate race likely headed to second recount By Associated Press A Palm Beach County Sheriffs deputy walks past boxes of ballots before a recount on Nov. 15 in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee) Unofficial Florida election results show that the governors race seems to be settled after a machine recount but the U.S. Senate race is likely headed to a hand recount. Republican Ron DeSantis is virtually assured of winning the nationally watched governors race over Democrat Andrew Gillum. Florida finished a machine recount Thursday that showed Gillum without enough votes to force a manual recount. Unofficial results posted on a state website show the margin between U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott is still thin enough to trigger a second review. State law requires a hand recount of races with a margin of 0.25 percentage point or less. Counties have until Sunday to inspect the ballots that did not record a vote when put through the machines. Those ballots are re-examined to see whether the voter skipped the race or marked the ballot in a way that the machines cannot read but can be deciphered. The election will be certified Tuesday. Read More Facebook

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Pelosi says she has the votes to become the next House speaker By John Wagner Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi speaks during a news conference in Washington on Nov. 14. (Susan Walsh) House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi insisted Thursday that she has the votes to become the chambers speaker despite solid opposition from more than a dozen Democrats who want fresh leadership when the party takes control next year. I have overwhelming support in my caucus to be speaker of the House, the San Francisco lawmaker told reporters. I happen to think at this point, Im the best person for that. A vote within the Democratic caucus is scheduled for Nov. 28. The full House votes on Jan. 3 to elect a new speaker. During her remarks, Pelosi touted the size of the Democratic victory in the midterms, which she called almost a tsunami. With a few races still to be decided, Democrats are poised to pick up close to 40 seats in the chamber. Pelosi called that the biggest victory for the Democrats since 1974, when the Watergate babies came in. Pelosis comments come as she faces solid opposition from at least 17 Democrats, setting the stage for a battle over who will ascend to one of the most powerful positions in Washington. After a campaign in which some Democrats prevailed in competitive districts by promising to oppose her, a coalition of incumbents and newly elected members has denied her a smooth path to the speakership. The defections, if they stand, would leave Pelosi, who has led the Democrats for more than 15 years, several votes short of the 218 she would need when the full House votes for speaker Jan. 3. However, no Democrat has stepped forward to run against her for a job she held from 2007 through 2010. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) told reporters Wednesday that shes being encouraged to stand for speaker if Pelosi doesnt have the votes. In an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday, she said she has been overwhelmed by the support from many of her colleagues for her possible entry into the race for House speaker. Over the last 12 hours, Ive been overwhelmed by the amount of support Ive received, Fudge said, adding that there are probably closer to 30" Democrats who have privately signaled that they are willing to oppose Pelosi. Things could change rapidly, Fudge said. Fudge, 66, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said she is building a diverse coalition as she mulls a speaker run, talking with allies in the caucus, moderate Democrats and newly elected members. To this point, Pelosi has enjoyed the strong backing of the Congressional Black Caucus. On Thursday, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), one of its members, wrote a letter to colleagues praising her insight, fortitude and strategic thinking and urging support for her speakership bid. Former Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr., an African American who is contemplating a 2020 presidential bid, also voiced support for Pelosi, praising her in a tweet as an architect of the recent midterm success. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a leader of the resistance to Pelosi, said during an interview on CNN on Thursday that Fudge is the kind of new leader that we need in this party. Shes in touch with middle America. She understands what the American people want. Shes a next-generation leader that people will look to and say, Thats the future of our party, thats the future of our country, and thats exactly the kind of leader that I want to see as our next speaker. Wagner reports for the Washington Post. The Posts Robert Costa, Erica Werner, Mike DeBonis, Paul Kane and Elise Viebeck contributed to this report. Facebook

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GOP Rep. Jeff Denham concedes to Democrat Josh Harder in Central Valley race By Maya Sweedler Rep. Jeff Denham (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) Republican Rep. Jeff Denham has conceded to Democrat Josh Harder in the race to represent Californias 10th Congressional District in the San Joaquin Valley. It has been an absolute honor to serve our community and represent the Central Valley in Congress over the past eight years, the 51-year-old congressman said. The enormity of the responsibility was never lost on me. My wife Sonia and I look forward to starting the next chapter of our lives. Harder said he had spoken with Denham and the two were committed to a productive transition. Denham, an Air Force veteran, previously represented the region in the state Senate for eight years and founded a company specializing in plastic packaging used in agriculture. While a member of Congress, he sat on the Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans Affairs and Agriculture committees. First-time candidate Harder was born and raised in the district. After graduating from Stanford University, he served as vice president of a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. Since moving back, he has been teaching at Modesto Junior College. Denhams House seat is one of four in California that Republicans lost in the Nov. 6 election, with two contests in Orange County still undecided as of Thursday morning. Jeff Denham called me this morning and we had a very productive conversation. I'm honored that I've been chosen to serve our community in Congress, and we're both looking forward to a productive transition that best serves the people of District 10.  Josh Harder (@JoshHarder) November 14, 2018 Facebook

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Democrat Katie Porter now nearly 3,800 votes ahead of GOP Rep. Mimi Walters By Maya Sweedler Rep. Mimi Walters thanks all of her supporters as she watches election results in Irvine on Nov. 7, 2018. (Alex Gallardo / Associated Press) Democrat Katie Porter opened a 3,797-vote lead Wednesday over Republican Rep. Mimi Walters in Orange Countys 45th Congressional District. In the neighboring 39th, Democrat Gil Cisneros has nearly tied the race against Republican Young Kim. Cisneros now trails Kim by a razor-thin margin of 122 votes. The 39th District straddles Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties; Wednesdays updated ballot counts came from the latter two. There are more than 202,000 ballots left to count in Orange County, which includes parts of seven congressional districts. The 45th is entirely in inland Orange County. In California, the ballots counted first tend to lean Republican and those tallied later skew Democratic. In the Central Valleys 21st Congressional District, Democratic challenger TJ Cox has pulled within 2 percentage points of Rep. David Valadao, who is serving his third term. The Associated Press had projected a win for Valadao on election night, but his 4,839-vote advantage has shrunk to 2,090. Back in CA-21, Valadao (R) wins a batch of ballots from his stronghold in Kings Co., but by a considerably smaller margin (14 points) than his previous ~30-point margin in the county. We're moving to Lean R from Likely R; today a bit scary for Valadao.https://t.co/WqJVUVkqGW  Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) November 15, 2018 A spokesman for Valadao told the Fresno Bee that the changes were expected and that [s]tatistically, David Valadao has won this race. Democrats in California have already flipped four House seats, defeating three Republican incumbents and claiming an open seat previously held by the GOP. Reps. Steve Knight of Palmdale, Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Jeff Denham of Turlock have already lost their races, and retiring Rep. Darrell Issas San Diego County seat was claimed by Democrat Mike Levin. Facebook

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Trump aide departs West Wing after rebuke from Melania Trump By Associated Press First Lady Melania Trump. (Alain Jocard / AFP-Getty Images) Deputy national security advisor Mira Ricardel is leaving the White House, one day after First Lady Melania Trumps office issued an extraordinary statement calling for her dismissal. No replacement was named. Aides said Ricardel clashed with the first ladys staff over her visit to Africa last month. Yet it is highly unusual for a first lady or her office to weigh in on personnel matters, especially the presidents national security staff. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Ricardel would have a new role in the administration. On Tuesday, Stephanie Grisham, the first ladys spokeswoman, released a statement saying, It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House. President Trumps White House has set records for administration turnover. Ricardel was the third person to hold the post under Trump. An ally of national security advisor John Bolton, Ricardel began her service in the Trump administration as associate director in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, then moved to the Commerce Department last year. Bolton brought her into the West Wing shortly after taking the job in April. He is traveling in Asia this week alongside Vice President Mike Pence. Facebook

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Race for House Minority Leader is Kevin McCarthys to lose By Associated Press (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is running to take over next years shrunken caucus in closed-door elections that will set the tone for the new Congress. The race for minority leader is McCarthys to lose Wednesday. But the California Republican, who is an ally of President Trump, must fend off a challenge from conservative Jim Jordan of Ohio. Jordan is a leader of the House Freedom Caucus. The two encountered questions and finger-pointing during a private meeting with lawmakers Tuesday night as the GOP sorted through the midterm defeat that put Democrats in the majority next year. Elections Wednesday will also determine party leadership in the Senate. Voting for the biggest race, Nancy Pelosis bid to return as the Democrats nominee for speaker, is later this month. Read More Facebook

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Melania Trump calls for the firing of deputy national security advisor By Justin Sink First Lady Melania Trump arrives at the Chateau de Versailles outside Paris on Nov. 11. (Alain Jocard / AFP/Getty Images ) First Lady Melania Trumps office said she wants Mira Ricardel, the deputy national security advisor, ousted from the White House. It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House, Trumps spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement in response to a question about reports the first lady had sought Ricardels removal. Ricardel is the top deputy to national security advisor John Bolton. She drew the first ladys wrath after threatening to withhold National Security Council resources during Melania Trumps trip to Africa last month unless Ricardel was included in her entourage, one person familiar with the matter said. Grishams statement comes as several media outlets have reported that President Trump is considering a broader shakeup of his administration, including ousting Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Sink and Jacobs report for Bloomberg. Read More Facebook

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CNN sues Trump over the suspension of Jim Acostas White House press credentials By Jim Puzzanghera CNN said Tuesday that it is suing President Trump and other administration officials over the decision to suspend the White House press credentials of correspondent Jim Acosta after a conflict at a news conference last week. The suit, to be filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, escalates an ongoing battle between Trump and the cable news outlet that he frequently accuses of disseminating fake news for its aggressive coverage of him and his administration. The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acostas 1st Amendment rights of freedom of the press, and their 5th Amendment rights to due process, CNN said in a written statement. If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials. Read More Facebook

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Maxine Waters to take aim at Wells Fargo and Deutsche Bank as new head of House Financial Services Committee By Jim Puzzanghera Rep. Maxine Waters plans to zero in on two big banks  Wells Fargo & Co. and Deutsche Bank  when she becomes head of the powerful House Financial Services Committee. The Los Angeles congresswoman, now the committees top Democrat, is widely expected to gain the gavel after her party won control of the House in last weeks elections. While Waters has outlined a wide-ranging agenda, she said her focus on bank oversight will target two large institutions she has been tangling with for a while  including one, Deutsche Bank, that spills into her bitter feud with President Trump. With Trump in the White House, I know that our fight for Americas consumers and investors will continue to be challenging. But I am more than up to that fight, Waters wrote in a letter last week to her Democratic colleagues on the committee that was obtained by The Times. Read More Facebook

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Heres how a controversial voting system will decide a congressional race in Maine By Kurtis Lee For the first time in U.S. history, a controversial voting system known as ranked choice is being used to decide a federal election. Its happening in Maine, which adopted the system in 2016. Rather than marking a single candidate, each voter ranks them all, assigning a first-place vote, a second-place vote and so on down the ballot. Read More Facebook

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ACLU files suit to stop Trumps new asylum limits By Associated Press A group of Central American migrants march to the office of the U.N.'s humans rights body in Mexico City on Nov. 8. (Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press) The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a legal challenge to President Trumps order denying asylum to migrants if they cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. The lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court in San Francisco and argues the new rules are against the law. Attorney Lee Gelernt said the regulations will put families in danger. The suit seeks to declare the regulations invalid and wants a judge to stop the rules from going into effect while the litigation is pending. The new rules were spurred in part by caravans of Central American migrants slowly moving north on foot, but officials say they will apply to anyone caught crossing illegally. Officials say about 70,000 people who enter the country illegally claim asylum. The order invoked the same national security powers Trump used to push through his travel ban. Read More Facebook

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Trump on new acting AG: I dont know Matt Whitaker By Associated Press President Trump talks with reporters before departing for France on the South Lawn of the White House on Nov. 9. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) President Trump is moving to distance himself from Matthew Whitaker as he faces criticism over his choice for acting attorney general. Trump told reporters Friday that I dont know Matt Whitaker and said he didnt speak with Whitaker about special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker has made public comments critical of Muellers investigation, and critics have called on Whitaker to recuse himself from oversight of the inquiry. Under former Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, the investigation was overseen by Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Of the scrutiny Whitaker is facing, Trump said: Its a shame that no matter who I put in they go after. He also called Whitaker a very highly respected man. Whitaker was Sessions chief of staff before Trump made him Sessions interim replacement. Facebook

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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg out of hospital after fall By Associated Press The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is home after being released from the hospital. She had been admitted for treatment and observation after fracturing three ribs in a fall. The court said Ginsburg was released Friday. Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg says she is doing well and working from home. The court had previously said the justice fell in her office at the court on Wednesday evening and went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook

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Gun-control activist Lucy McBath defeats GOP Rep. Karen Handel in Georgia By Associated Press Lucy McBath speaks during a rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams on Nov. 2 at Morehouse College in Atlanta. (Alyssa Pointer / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Democratic gun-control activist Lucy McBath has defeated Republican Rep. Karen Handel of Georgia in a suburban congressional district long considered safe for the GOP. Handel had to seek reelection after winning her seat last year in a close special election race against Democrat Jon Ossoff. McBath became an advocate for stricter gun laws after her son, Jordan Davis, was fatally shot at a Florida gas station in 2012 by a man angry over loud music the teenager and his friends were playing in a car. McBaths margin of victory was narrow enough for Handel to have requested a recount. The Associated Press declared McBath the winner Thursday after Handel conceded. Handel conceded in a statement Thursday morning, stating that after reviewing all of the election data, its clear she came up a bit short in Tuesdays vote. Handel congratulated McBath, offering good thoughts and much prayer for the journey that lies ahead for her. McBath, who is African American, declared victory Wednesday. Facebook

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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hospitalized after fracturing 3 ribs in fall By Associated Press Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fractured three ribs in a fall in her office at the court and is in the hospital. The court says the justice went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. The court says the fall occurred Wednesday evening. Ginsburg was admitted to the hospital for treatment and observation after tests showed she fractured three ribs. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She has had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook

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White House suspends press pass of CNNs Jim Acosta after heated exchange with Trump By Associated Press The White House on Wednesday suspended the press pass of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta after he and President Trump had a heated confrontation during a news conference. They began sparring after Acosta asked Trump about the caravan of migrants heading from Latin America to the southern U.S. border. When Acosta tried to follow up with another question, Trump said, Thats enough! and a female White House aide unsuccessfully tried to grab the microphone from Acosta. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement accusing Acosta of placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern, calling it absolutely unacceptable. The interaction between Acosta and the intern was brief, and Acosta appeared to brush her arm as she reached for the microphone and he tried to hold onto it. Pardon me, maam, he told her. Acosta tweeted that Sanders statement that he put his hands on the aide was a lie. CNN said in a statement that the White House revoked Acostas press pass in retaliation for his challenging questions Wednesday, and the network accused Sanders of lying about Acostas actions. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. It is also completely disrespectful to the reporters colleagues not to allow them an opportunity to ask a question. President Trump has given the press more access than any President in history.  Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Contrary to CNNs assertions there is no greater demonstration of the Presidents support for a free press than the event he held today. Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters...  Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 As a result of todays incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice.  Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Sanders provided fraudulent accusations and cited an incident that never happened. This unprecedented decision is a threat to our democracy and the country deserves better, CNN said. Jim Acosta has our full support. Journalists assigned to cover the White House apply for passes that allow them daily access to press areas in the West Wing. White House staffers decide whether journalists are eligible, though the Secret Service determines whether their applications are approved. Facebook

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Trump spars with reporters at post-election news briefing, ordering several to sit down By Associated Press  President Trump assails CNNs Jim Acosta at a White House news conference. President Trump sparred with reporters at his post-election news conference, ordering several to sit down and telling another hes a rude, terrible person. He told another reporter hes not a fan of yours, either. The presidents mood turned sour Wednesday after reporters pressed him on why he referred to a migrant caravan making its way to the U.S. on foot through Mexico as an invasion. Trump ramped up his anti-immigrant rhetoric against the caravan in the final days of the midterm elections. Trump was also pressed on why his campaign aired an ad featuring a Mexican immigrant convicted of killing American police officers and linking the mans actions to the caravan. Several television networks pulled the ad after airing it or declined to air it at all. Facebook

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Im living one hour at a time at this point By Christine Mai-Duc Republican congressional candidate Young Kim and gubernatorial candidate John Cox campaign in Rowland Heights. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Republican congressional candidate Young Kim greeted gubernatorial candidate John Coxs giant campaign bus, the words HELP IS ON THE WAY emblazoned across it, as it rolled into the parking lot outside her Rowland Heights field office. Standing beside Cox on Saturday, Kim predicted that a string of GOP victories Tuesday would start with voters repealing the gas tax hike. Can you imagine Gavin Newsom being our governor? Can you imagine Gil Cisneros being your representative? Kim asked the crowd, to loud boos and cries of Nooo! The former state assemblywoman who worked for retiring Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) is vying for his seat with Democrat Gil Cisneros. She led the crowd in chants of Enough is enough! and, though short-lived, Drain the swamp! Ive served you in Sacramento and Ive seen dysfunction personally, Kim continued. We cannot continue that route. She urged her supporters to stay and help make phone calls or walk neighborhoods. Lets get out there  the 72 hours is really critical. Its all going to come down to a few votes, it could be your vote, she said pointing to her left, then pivoting right, it could be your vote. So dont sit back and do nothing. Every night I go to sleep thinking, OK, how many more votes can I get or how many more people can I call tomorrow? Kim said. It can be physically exhausting but Im mentally, emotionally very energized. She listed off her events so far that day  and the next one she was heading to. Thats just what I can remember, she said. Im living one hour at a time at this point. Kims campaign invited press to two of her events on Saturday. After she was whisked away to her next event  a high tea fundraiser in Walnut, a couple dozen volunteers remained. John Freeman, a statewide field manager for the state Republican Party, tried to pump them up. This is the Super Bowl. Were not in an NFL stadium, were not getting paid millions of dollars, but you know what? Freeman said. Were walking on the field right now. This is that high-stakes-level game. Facebook

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Its going to be tough out there Democratic candidate Katie Porter speaks to volunteers in Mission Viejo. Jon Bauman, Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na, is in the background. (Victoria Kim / Los Angeles Times ) Judging from the cheers in the crowd, about half those assembled at Katie Porters campaign headquarters in Mission Viejo Sunday morning were old enough to remember 70s rock n roll star Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na. Jon Bauman, as Bowzer is known off stage, said it was her position on senior issues including retirement and social security that has him out supporting Porter over her opponent, incumbent Rep. Mimi Walters. I want you to make sure every phone is called and every door is knocked, he told the crowd of about 80 volunteers. There has never been a more important election. Both Bauman and his nephew, California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman, were interrupted by yells from Trump supporters coming from an adjoining hillside. We love Trump, the voice cried out. We love him too, he makes great fodder, the younger Bauman retorted, before introducing Porter. Porter, a UC Irvine law professor and first-time candidate, acknowledged the uphill battle some of her canvassers might face in this more conservative end of the long-red Orange County district. I know its going to be tough out there, she said, motioning to the hillside. But she said the attacks meant the other side viewed her campaign as a significant threat. This election is going to be close, she said. If we dont fight all the way to the finish line, until 8 oclock on Tuesday, this could slip away. Bowzer then took to a keyboard piano to lead the crowd in a reworded rendition of the song Good Night Sweetheart: Good night, Mimi Walters, he crooned. A woman in a black tank top, jeans and flip flops holding a cup of coffee later joined the crowd with her two sons, 17 and 14, the younger one wearing a Trump 2016 T-shirt. She declined to give her name, saying she was concerned about being attacked, but said she lived up the hill and said she had been the one yelling. She said she was encouraging her sons to talk to people on both sides and make up their own minds. We need to have a government that runs the way government teachers are telling kids its supposed to be run, said the woman, a retired registered dental assistant who voted early for Mimi Walters. Referring to Democrats, she said: Theyve had control over all these years and Californias gone to crap. Among those canvassing was Stacie Campbell, 37, who was at the launch with her husband Jerome and three children, the youngest of whom was 2 months old. Campbell, a Mission Viejo resident who runs a business, had never canvassed or volunteered for campaigns before, and her husband is a French citizen and unable to vote. She said they had been talking to their children  the older ones are 5 and 2  about the presidency and the government since Trumps election. Together, they worked on homemade Katie Porter lawn signs and put them up around town. This is the first time its felt like a big deal and there isnt a president up for election, she said. Because her city is a mix of conservatives and liberals  her next-door neighbor is an NRA-supporting Republican  she the race felt m
Few topics have been as incendiary in California as illegal immigration, with intense arguments about whether those who cross borders are a reminder of the American dream or a sign of its demise.

Those past debates  most visible during elections in 1994 and 2010  may offer some insight into the issues political rewards and risks.

For starters, neither effort sprang from measurable public anger. In 1993, a Los Angeles Times poll found only 2% of voters surveyed cited immigration as the states top problem. Jobs and the economy were more pressing, they said.

Nor were things boiling over in late 2009, when 3% of respondents picked illegal immigration as the biggest problem in a poll by the Public Policy Institute of California.

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Column: Theres not a California congressional district with Republicans in the majority 

And yet Republican leaders of the time insisted otherwise.

In late 1993, then-Gov. Pete Wilson said that our state is facing a crisis in illegal immigration. In the spring of 2010, GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner warned of the strain the issue was causing. Both men ultimately built campaigns around an effort to deny government services based on citizenship.

Fast forward to May 2016, just before the states current debate, and a remarkably similar snapshot: Only 6% of likely voters in a PPIC poll saw illegal immigration as the biggest issue. Five times as many said it was jobs and the economy.

More than a dozen California Republicans suggested otherwise when they sounded the alarm on illegal immigration last week with President Trump.

It is a crisis  thats the point were at in California, Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez (R-Lake Elsinore) said at a White House meeting, with Trump sitting next to her and nodding in agreement.

Coverage of California politics 

Statistics from U.S. Customs and Border Protection suggest otherwise. When comparing the past seven months to the same time period in 2017, theres been no growth in the total number of adults and families detained along Californias portion of the border. The only growth  and its been sizable  is in the number of unaccompanied children crossing.

Unlike today, the 1994 and 2010 clashes took place in the midst of California recessions  hardly the case now, with the states jobless rate at its lowest recorded point since 1976.

This time, the conflict feels more instinctual than economic. The presidents push for more immigration raids sparked California Democrats to write a state law limiting local law enforcements cooperation. That prompted a federal lawsuit and now, friend-of-the-court briefs filed by California communities on both sides.

A more conciliatory approach is being taken by Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock). Hes pushing for a path toward citizenship for so-called Dreamers, the young immigrants left in limbo by the cancellation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. Denham enlisted the help of two fellow California Republicans in the House, and the approach aligns with middle-of-the-road voters.

The partys leadership, though, is dusting off the get-tough strategy of 1994 and 2010. John Cox, the GOP candidate for governor endorsed by Trump, boasts of leading the opposition to the sanctuary law in a TV ad. And he describes the immigrants as illegal aliens, a phrase that invokes the polarizing fights of the past.

The hard line on illegal immigration worked in 1994. But its haunted the party since, as public opinion shifted and Latinos grew in size and power. So why try it again?

Because Republicans, now only 25% of the registered electorate, need to keep their base voters motivated and unified. Otherwise, the dynamics of a top-two primary  where the biggest clusters of votes win  favors Democrats.

History suggests it might be a clever game plan in June when more conservative primary voters tend to show up, but calamitous come November.

john.myers@latimes.com

Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast
Memorial Day weekend is a time to reflect on war, peace and the sacrifices of Americas veterans. You can also explore Mexican American culture, art fairs, food festivals and the world of wild horses.

Beverly Hills

Poet Walt Whitmans involvement with injured soldiers during the Civil War is the inspiration for the opera Crossing at the Bram Goldsmith Theater at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. In the opera, Whitman listens to the veterans tales and looks at what brings people together  and pulls them apart.

When: 8 p.m. May 25 and 26

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Cost, info: From $30. Recommended for children ages 10 and older. No dogs. (310) 746-4000

Pasadena

Deep Fried Vegan, Temple of Seitan, Herbivorous Butcher, Yoga-Urt and Dutch Weed Burger are among the more than 100 restaurants and food sellers at the Eat Drink Vegan beer and food festival at the Rose Bowl. Avoid plastic, and bring an empty water bottle to refill. A portion of the proceeds benefit Wags & Walks, a dog-rescue organization.

When: 2 p.m. May 26

Cost, info: Adults, from $50 plus fees, children ages 5-12, $20, 4 and younger, free. Service animals permitted. (323) 930-5700

Lompoc

Watch mustangs and learn about the history of horses in North America on the docent-led walking tour of the Return to Freedom wild horse sanctuary in Jalama Valley.

When: 3 p.m. May 26

Cost, info: Advance registration required. Adults $50; children ages 12 and younger $15. No dogs. (805) 737-9246

Santee

Visitors will find more than 300 food, craft and vendor booths at the Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival at Town Center Parkway and Riverview Parkway. View a memorial for the Fallen Soldier of California; military families will be honored during the festival.

When: 10 a.m. May 26

Cost, info: Free, but fees for food, beer and carnival rides. Dogs on leash OK. (619) 449-1515

Ojai

For more than 40 years, Art in the Park has displayed fine artists works. Some artists will demonstrate their creative techniques at their booths.

When: 10 a.m. May 26 and 27

Cost, info: Free. Family-friendly. Dogs on leash OK. (805) 646-0117

Orange

Heartbeat of Mexico (El Latido del Corazon Mexicano) showcases Mexican and Mexican American dance, music and folklorico performances on three stages at the Aitken Arts Plaza at Chapman University. Music includes folk songs, traditional and rock.

When: 1 p.m. May 27

Cost, info: Free. Dogs on leash, outdoors only. (844) 626-8726

San Pedro

A color guard service and dedication will honor American veterans on Memorial Day on the battleship Iowa. The Iowa is the only battleship on the West Coast that is open to the public.

When: 11 a.m. May 28

Cost, info: Memorial Day event is free. Museum admission: adults, $17.95; children ages 6-11, $9.95; children 5 and younger, free. No dogs. (877) 446-9261
Making plans for your road trip is never a bad idea, but we found an even better approach: trusting friends at each stop along the way.

Thats what my wife, Eileen, and I discovered last year on a six-day journey that began at the southeastern tip of Canadas Vancouver Island, took us by car ferry to Bellingham, Wash., wound down the Pacific coast to Seattle and concluded in Portland, Ore.

Whether exploring with our friends or on our own, we profited from their insider information about such local wonders as Victorias afternoon teas, the oyster beds along Washingtons Samish Bay, Oregons Columbia River Gorge and a one-of-a-kind Portland bookstore.

Indeed, the shared experiences sent us home with friendships even deeper than when our trip began.

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The trip started on a Sunday in Canadas Sidney, British Columbia, where we stayed with my lifelong buddy Charlie and his wife, Jean.

From Sidney, which also is home to a ferry terminal linking the island to Washington state, the four of us made the 17-mile drive south to downtown Victoria and the tourist area around British Columbias handsome government buildings.

I, immediately, recognized the landmark Fairmont Empress Hotel where Id had tea decades ago. I fondly remembered the hotels elegance and the assortment of scones and sandwiches  but not fondly enough to pay more than $60 a person for tea.

Victoria has numerous tea rooms, many geared to budget-conscious epicures like us, Charlie and Jean told us. After a quick online menu review, we chose White Heather, a short drive from downtown in the lovely residential neighborhood of Oak Bay.

White Heathers Scottish-themed Giant Muckle, its large three-tray selection of finger sandwiches, scones and dessert pastries, cost about half what the Empress charged. We reserved a table for 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Beautiful view of Inner Harbour of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. bluejayphoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

The quiet charm of Victorias Oak Bay area set the mood for a relaxed afternoon at White Heather, which offered a refined two hours of attentive service. Among its delicate tea sandwiches, the smoked-salmon-and-cream-cheese offering was particularly sublime.

Before turning in that night, Eileen and I researched the next days ferry, which would take us through the San Juan Islands to Anacortes, Wash.

Taste of the islands

For that two-hour sail  about $108 for two people and a car  the ferrys hearty clam chowder and a beer sufficed for lunch as we watched the Cascade mountains draw nearer.

Driving north from Anacortes along Interstate 5 we soon reached Bellingham, home of Ellen and Dan, that nights hosts.

Los Angeles Times

Out their living room window we could see Mt. Baker, Bellinghams towering topographic landmark.

At the Lighthouse Bar & Grill at the Bellwether Hotel, one of our friends favorite seafood restaurants, Dan and I began with half-a-dozen luscious local Blau oysters, which I followed with a salad topped with Dungeness crab, another of the areas delicacies.

That prompted an idea for our next adventure. Dan suggested we forgo the interstate for the trek to Seattle, taking, instead, Chuckanut Drive, which borders Samish Bay, known for its oyster beds.

Chuckanut Drive, derived from a Native American description of the winding coastline (known more prosaically as Washington 11) offered glorious bay views from a high ridgeline and some highway history.

We soon reached Taylor Shellfish Farms, where we had planned to select oysters for the first course of a dinner being prepared by our Seattle hosts, Mary Pat and sons Evan and Marty.

After walking out to the water line to see where Taylor harvests its bivalves, we went indoors to the markets expansive oyster section. We settled on four locally grown varieties  Olympia, Blau, Kumamoto and Shigoku  and popped them in the cooler.

A few miles farther south we stopped at Chuckanut Manor, a cliffside roadhouse where we feasted on whiskey crab soup. I also chose a crab melt made with more Dungeness and, yes, a couple of Blau oysters on the side.

We met Mary Pat in west Seattle, where we surveyed her dramatic views of downtown and its Space Needle before settling in on her patio to catch up on our families, later moving the reunion to the kitchen so everyone could pitch in on dinner preparations.

Space Needle in Seattle, Wash. Handout / TNS

Evan and Marty displayed their handiwork with an oyster knife, and dinner became a pleasing mix of the raw (oysters) and the medium-rare (steaks).

Mary Pat and sons agreed with a recommendation from Elizabeth, who was to be our host of our road trips final day: Take a break, Elizabeth had said, from I-5 and veer inland to experience part of Oregons Historic Columbia River Highway Scenic Byway along the spectacular gorge.

The vistas were spectacular. We stopped for short hikes at Crown Point Vista House and at Multnomah and Bridal Veil falls. The Columbia, we imagined, had changed little from what explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark must have encountered in rafting to the Pacific more than two centuries ago.

See more road trip ideas and tips 

On this Friday, gorge highway traffic was daunting, and as we turned west by way of Interstate 84 toward Portland and Elizabeth, our one-time Boston-area neighbor, we vowed to make an entire day of it on a return trip.

Our early arrival in Portland gave us more time for conversing in our friends condo as well as time to enjoy the whole volcanic gang: Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier and Mts. Adams and Hood, as Elizabeth described what she could see of the Cascades from her window.

Then it was on to her top choice of a Portland tourist spot: Powells City of Books in the center of downtown, which calls itself the largest used and new bookstore in the world.

Customer browses the shelves stuffed with books at Powells Books in Portland. Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Powells occupies a city block and houses more than a million volumes.

Faced with this wonderland for readers, I set about searching its four levels for books on oysters of the Pacific Northwest  there were six shelves of them on Level 2  then wandered down to Level 1s used-book section. I found a $7 tome I couldnt resist: Lewis and Clark for Dummies.

Indeed, as we three headed back to Elizabeths condo for goodbyes, Eileen and I towed with us a large bag of books that would keep the spirit of this road trip alive long after we arrived home.

If you go

White Heather Tea Room, 1885 Oak Bay Ave., Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; (250) 595-8020. Small afternoon tea from about $20 per person; tea for two (the Great Muckle) $58 for two.

Fairmont Empress Hotel Tea Room, 721 Government St., Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; (250) 384-8111. Afternoon tea about $60 a person.

Sidney, B.C.-Anacortes, Wash., Ferry

Lighthouse Bar & Grill at the Bellwether Hotel, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham, Wash; (360) 392-3100. Main dishes from $25.

Taylor Shellfish Farms, 2182 Chuckanut Drive, Bow, Wash; (360) 766-6002

Chuckanut Manor Restaurant, 3056 Chuckanut Drive, Bow, Wash.; (360) 766-6191. Dinner mains from $14.50.

Historic Columbia River Highway Scenic Byway

Powells City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland, Ore.; (800) 878-7323

travel@latimes.com

@latimestravel
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen vowed Sunday to step up security as citizens worry about the growing military and diplomatic strength of China, which resents Tsai for opposing its bid to unify the two sides.

The president gave no details on possible new security measures, but last year she vowed to raise defense spending.

We will strengthen our work for the whole societys security and especially look out for these factors from China, whether they affect our Taiwanese societys security, Tsai said during an online broadcast on the second anniversary of her inauguration.

Beijing claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan, where the Nationalist government fled after the Chinese civil war of the 1940s. China insists on eventual unification of the two sides under a single China and has not ruled out use of force to unify the two sides.

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Government opinion polls show that most Taiwanese prefer autonomy over unification with China.

Tsai rejects Beijings idea that both sides belong to one China as a condition for dialogue. The Communist leadership has pressured her with more than a dozen military aircraft flybys and passage of an aircraft carrier in an ocean strait between the two sides that are 100 miles apart.

China maintains the worlds third-most-powerful armed forces after the United States and Russia, according to the database GlobalFirepower.com. The site ranks Taiwan 24th.

Chinas power is diplomatic, too. It has persuaded three of Taiwans foreign allies to switch allegiance since Tsai took office, according to officials in Taipei.

Tsai may have spoken Sunday in response to public worry about Chinas military exercises, said George Hou, assistant mass communications professor at I-Shou University in Taiwan.

Andrew Yang, secretary-general of the Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies in Taiwan, said increased military maneuvers by China has concerned people in the region.

Theres not much she can do about it, so she wants to alert the international community that China is using a hardline approach, Yang said.

Tsais vow to boost security came in response to a question on the presidential offices Facebook page asking how she could get rid of Chinas channels to infiltrate into Taiwan. Questions about the relationship with China outnumbered those submitted on any other topic for the online broadcast.

Some in Taiwan question whether Tsai should have stayed home to monitor the islands defense last month rather than visit a diplomatic ally in Africa, Hou said.

Nearly 60% of Taiwanese disapprove of Tsais handling of relations with China, the Taiwan government-funded Central News Agency said.

In October, she vowed to raise defense spending by at least 2% per year, compared with an 8.1% increase announced by China for 2018. This years defense allocation in Taiwan comes to $11.07 billion.

The Tsai government says its focused too on making weapons domestically, as other countries fear angering China by offering to sell arms. A local defense firm expects to roll out a fighter jet for training purposes next year, and the defense ministry has commissioned a $3.3-billion diesel-electric submarine to be finished in eight years.

Domestic arms developers, active for about 35 years, make up 10% of the military equipment procurement and maintenance budget, said David An, a senior research fellow with the policy incubator Global Taiwan Institute in Washington.

In April, the U.S. government said it would give American contractors licenses to market submarine technology to Taiwan, and the defense ministry spokesman in Taipei said he hopes Washington will offer more technical expertise.

Jennings is a special correspondent.
The Mexican charter company whose plane crashed in Havana, killing 110 people, has been the subject of two serious complaints about its crews performance over the last decade, according to authorities in Guyana and a retired pilot for Cubas national airline.

The plane was barred from Guyanese airspace last year after authorities discovered that its crew had been allowing dangerous overloading of luggage on flights to Cuba, Lt. Col. Egbert Field, Guyanas civil aviation director, told the Associated Press on Saturday.

The plane and crew were being rented from Mexico City-based Damojh airlines by EasySky, a Honduras-based low-cost airline. Cubas national carrier, Cubana de Aviacion, was also renting the Boeing 737 and crew in a similar arrangement known as a wet lease before the aircraft veered on takeoff to the eastern Cuban city of Holguin and crashed into a field just after noon Friday, according to Mexican aviation authorities.

A Damojh employee in Mexico City declined to comment, saying the company would be communicating only through written statements. Mexican authorities said Damojh had permits needed to lease its aircraft and had passed a November 2017 verification of its maintenance program.

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Cuban Transportation Minister Adel Yzquierdo Rodriguez told reporters Saturday afternoon that Cubana had been renting the plane for less than a month under an arrangement in which the Mexican company was entirely responsible for maintenance of the aircraft. Armando Daniel Lopez, president of Cubas Institute of Civil Aviation, told the AP that Cuban authorities had not received any complaints about the plane in that month. He declined to comment further.

Yzquierdo said it was routine for Cuba to rent planes under a variety of arrangements because of what he described as the countrys inability to purchase its own aircraft due to the U.S. trade embargo on the island. Cuba has been able to buy planes produced in other countries, including France and Ukraine, but has pulled many from service due to maintenance problems and other issues.

Yzquierdo also said the jets black box voice recorder had been recovered and that Cuban officials had granted a U.S. request for investigators from Boeing to travel to the island.

Ovidio Martinez Lopez, a pilot for Cubana for over 40 years until he retired six years ago, wrote in a post on Facebook that a plane rented from the Mexican company by Cubana briefly dropped off radar while over the city of Santa Clara in 2010 or 2011, triggering an immediate response by Cuban aviation security officials. As a result, Cuban officials suspended a captain and co-pilot for serious technical knowledge issues, and Cubas aviation security authority issued a formal recommendation that Cubana stop renting planes and crews from Damojh, Martinez wrote.

They are many flight attendants and security personnel who refused to fly with this airline, Martinez wrote. On this occasion, the recommendation was overlooked and they rented from them again.

Contacted by AP in Havana, Martinez confirmed his Facebook account but declined to comment further.
Several people were injured when a brawl broke out on Saturday outside a wedding reception in Hellertown.

Police said the fighting began shortly before 8 p.m. at the Dewey Fire Co. banquet hall, located at 502 Durham St. when a woman was dragged into the parking lot. Wedding guests then scrambled outside in an attempt to help the woman, according to police.

Officers were dispatched to reports of 30 people fighting in the street with initial reports indicating there were weapons and intoxicated individuals involved. Later, Hellertown fire Chief Mike Maguire told the the Saucon Source no weapons were involved.

Police said an estimated 100 people were involved overall in the event, with people fleeing and fighting on both sides of the parking lots of the fire station. Backup officers were called in from Lower Saucon, Upper Saucon, Salisbury, Bethlehem, Springfield and Pennsylvania State Police in Belfast.

Several people had minor injuries and four people were taken to St. Luke's University Hospital in Fountain Hill with serious injuries, according to police. Their conditions were unknown Sunday.

Scott Brockel, 25, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, riot, harassment and disorderly conduct. Brockel allegedly assaulted several guests trying to help the woman who was dragged.

Police said additional people might be charged and the incident remains under investigation. Witnesses with video of the incident are asked to call the Hellertown Police Department at 610-838-7040.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
UPDATE: Argument left man shot in the leg at American Legion bar, cops say

Easton police are searching for a 28-year-old man they say shot another man at the Rice Ebner/American Legion and fled.

Rashad Jones

Rashad Jones is charged with criminal attempt to commit homicide, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person. Police have obtained an arrest warrant for Jones.

Shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday, officers were dispatched to the legion post, located at 423 Davis St., for a report of shots being fired. Detectives found evidence at the scene, but aren't elaborating on specifically what was seized due to the pending investigation.

Investigators later learned from an area hospital a 31-year-old man was being treated for gunshot wounds he sustained at a club. Police said the injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

A motive remains unclear.

Jones is described by police as short in height, black and having facial hair. He is believed to be "armed and dangerous."

Those with information on Jones' whereabouts are asked to call Easton police detectives at 610-250-6667, or the anonymous tip line at 610-250-6635. Callers can remain anonymous.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
In rallies and interviews around the country, high school shooting survivors David Hogg and Emma Gonzalez have turned their mourning for their fellow classmates and school faculty members executed on Valentine's Day into the face of the national discussion around stricter gun control.

But, in the eyes of Lehigh Valley firearms store owner Gerard Stezelberger, the Parkland, Florida, teens are threatening gun rights.

"I knew something was definitely wrong and something had to be done in America to re-educate our children with the Constitution and things like that that aren't being taught in the school, because someone wanting to give up their rights is not normal," he said.

Saturday afternoon, Stezelberger's Relic Hunter Firing Line hosted a rally for the right to bear arms outlined in the Second Amendment to the Constitution. Hundreds of people attended, filling the North Whitehall Township shop's lot, with some parking on neighboring properties.

Andrew Oliveira, a senior at Easton Area High School, spoke at the podium hours before heading to his prom. He had tried to organize a gun-rights rally at school to counter the walkouts led by classmates following Parkland.

"Since the tragic Valentine's Day shooting, my classmates along with the rest of our youth have been pressured by our teachers, celebrities and political leaders to support gun-control legislation and then some," he said. "Because of this, my generation, it is safe to say, has been mentally imprisoned to form an anti-gun rhetoric across the country."

The rally came a day after a 17-year-old in Texas opened fire inside his high school, killing 10 people and wounding 13 more, authorities said. This time the gunman wasn't wielding an AR-15, the gun used time after time in recent mass shootings across the United States. He allegedly used a shotgun and .38-caliber handgun belonging to his father. Explosive devices were also recovered from the Santa Fe High School campus near Houston, and in the suspect's home and car.

"The only thing I can say is that liberals would have hoped it was an AR-15 because it totally throws any kind of argument out the door when you use a shotgun," Stezelberger said Saturday. "The only thing they can say then is ban all weapons, So then only the criminals will have them."

There was a strong Republican presence at the rally. Both candidates in the tight GOP primary race for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District race spoke, first the winner, Marty Nothstein, and later Dean Browning.

Oliveira, the Easton high school student, proposed Saturday some solutions of his own to gun violence, including more comprehensive reporting by agencies to the national background check system and teaching stronger family values at home.

Three generations of one family were among those on hand at the rally. Patricia Squire, of Lower Macungie Township, attended with her daughter, Katie Scott, from Lehigh Township, and Scott's children Bella, 11, and Sebastian, 5. It's a constant battle for them, they said, to defend the right to bear arms against left-wing views the women say are enforced in the classroom.

"There's too much personal opinion and not enough paying attention to the subjects," Squire said.

The crowd Saturday also heard from Maureen Gyory. An NRA-certified pistol instructor at Relic Hunter, she teaches courses ranging from beginners' classes that focus on gun safety and getting over the fear of the noise and recoil of firearms on up to advanced courses. Those address skills like shooting while dragging a dummy and standing up ready to fire and flee to safety, as in the scenario of a restaurant under siege.

"The Second Amendment is what we need to defend our basic individual rights that are outlined in the Declaration of Independence, basically life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," she said. "Without the Second Amendment, we don't have the ability to protect those individual rights.

"And it's important that we preserve those rights so that we can pass it down to the next generation," she continued. "Your life is your own. It doesn't belong to the thug, it doesn't belong to the government, it belongs to you and that's basically what individual rights are, and unless we have the Second Amendment to defend it, then we're going to be just another page in the history books where our country collapses and just like every other Communist country, the government will take over and they begin by confiscating your firearms."

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Sport Bay to Breakers Live Stream from San Francisco

Bay to Breakers

20.05.2018 12:32:27 - Watch the Bay to Breakers race live streaming from the streets of San Francisco



(live-PR.com) - The Bay to Breakers race takes to the streets of San Francisco once again today, with thousands of athletes donning their fancy dress for a lively and colourful race.



The whole Bay to Breakers will be streaming online, watch the live stream here:



www.myworldevents.com/sports/bay-to-breakers.html



Bay to Breakers information



The Bay to Breakers is a unique and iconic road race that proceeds through the streets - The Bay to Breakers race takes to the streets of San Francisco once again today, with thousands of athletes donning their fancy dress for a lively and colourful race.The whole Bay to Breakers will be streaming online, watch the live stream here:Bay to Breakers informationThe Bay to Breakers is a unique and iconic road race that proceeds through the streets of San Francisco from the SF Bay to the breakers of the ocean at the Great Highway, hence the name of the event. The complete course is a total of 7.46 miles (12.01 km) long.



Bay to Breakers is well known for many participants wearing costumes. From 1986 to 2010, it was officially the world's largest footrace with 110,000 participants, until it was surpassed by City2Surf event in Sydney. Attendance in 2015 was reported at roughly 50,000. That year, Zappos.com signed on as the multi-year title sponsor of "Bay to Breakers"; the name of the race became "Zappos.com Bay to Breakers". As of 2017 the title sponsor of the race is Alaska Airlines.



Started as a way to lift the city's spirits after the disastrous 1906 San Francisco earthquake, it has been run for more consecutive years over a given course and length than has any other footrace in the world; although other footraces are older and have been run for more consecutive years, their courses and lengths have changed over time. During World War II participation sometimes slipped below 50 registrants, but the tradition carried on. With 110,000 participants, the Bay to Breakers race held on May 18, 1986 was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest footrace.[4] That record number was partly the product of the running boom of the 1980s; currently the average participation is between 70,000 and 80,000. Many participants do not register, of the estimated 60,000 participants in 2008, 33,000 were registered. The San Francisco Examiner, a former sponsor of the race, published a list of the first 10,000 finishers the day after the race each year.



Race route



The Bay to Breakers is held on a USA Track & Field certified point-to-point course. USATF notes that the course is "wind dependent", therefore, a USA Track & Field record can only be set when it can be shown that there is no significant tailwind.



The initial course started at the Ferry Building along Market Street to Golden Gate Avenue before turning onto Divisadero Street. In 1968, the start was moved from Market Street to Howard Street and the ascension to Divisadero moved to Hayes Street. In 1983, the course was shortened from 7.51 miles to an official 12K (7.46 miles). The current course turns west along Hayes Street and up Hayes Street Hill near Alamo Square. This is the only major incline in the race. After the hill, the race runs along the panhandle and then west through Golden Gate Park, past the Conservatory of Flowers, all the way to the Great Highway and Ocean Beach. The Great Highway will also host a Finish Line Festival, a postrace recovery and reunion area.

of San Francisco from the SF Bay to the breakers of the ocean at the Great Highway, hence the name of the event. The complete course is a total of 7.46 miles (12.01 km) long.Bay to Breakers is well known for many participants wearing costumes. From 1986 to 2010, it was officially the world's largest footrace with 110,000 participants, until it was surpassed by City2Surf event in Sydney. Attendance in 2015 was reported at roughly 50,000. That year, Zappos.com signed on as the multi-year title sponsor of "Bay to Breakers"; the name of the race became "Zappos.com Bay to Breakers". As of 2017 the title sponsor of the race is Alaska Airlines.Started as a way to lift the city's spirits after the disastrous 1906 San Francisco earthquake, it has been run for more consecutive years over a given course and length than has any other footrace in the world; although other footraces are older and have been run for more consecutive years, their courses and lengths have changed over time. During World War II participation sometimes slipped below 50 registrants, but the tradition carried on. With 110,000 participants, the Bay to Breakers race held on May 18, 1986 was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest footrace.[4] That record number was partly the product of the running boom of the 1980s; currently the average participation is between 70,000 and 80,000. Many participants do not register, of the estimated 60,000 participants in 2008, 33,000 were registered. The San Francisco Examiner, a former sponsor of the race, published a list of the first 10,000 finishers the day after the race each year.Race routeThe Bay to Breakers is held on a USA Track & Field certified point-to-point course. USATF notes that the course is "wind dependent", therefore, a USA Track & Field record can only be set when it can be shown that there is no significant tailwind.The initial course started at the Ferry Building along Market Street to Golden Gate Avenue before turning onto Divisadero Street. In 1968, the start was moved from Market Street to Howard Street and the ascension to Divisadero moved to Hayes Street. In 1983, the course was shortened from 7.51 miles to an official 12K (7.46 miles). The current course turns west along Hayes Street and up Hayes Street Hill near Alamo Square. This is the only major incline in the race. After the hill, the race runs along the panhandle and then west through Golden Gate Park, past the Conservatory of Flowers, all the way to the Great Highway and Ocean Beach. The Great Highway will also host a Finish Line Festival, a postrace recovery and reunion area. Author:

Martin Kerrigan

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Culture / Events

High on cultural spirit, Eurosphere is a premium hub, dedicated to connecting European luxury business with leading importers and distributors in South East Asia. Over 150 European brands will be represented in EuroSphere 2018 from May 18th to May 20th, 2018 at the White Palace Convention Center (Ho Chi Minh City).

May 16, 2018 | By Lynette Kee

EuroSphere is a unique exhibition dedicated to bringing the luxury brands related to the European Art of Living to Vietnam and the Southeast Asia market. Hosted in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, EuroSphere 2018 is where a myriad of European brands ranging in Gourmet Food, Wine & Spirits, Fashion, Fashion Accessories, Jewellery, Horology, Perfumery, Cosmetics, Furniture, Interior Design, Automotive and Lifestyle sectors are represented to business professionals of each industry.

EuroSphere 2018, Cultural Business Exhibition Kicks Off 2nd Edition

Unlike a run-of-the-mill exhibition, EuroSphere serves as a business facilitator between Europe, Vietnam and other ASEAN countries by pre-arranging business to business (b2b) meetings and conferences where business professionals will get to mingle with exhibitors. Industry veterans from Europe like Mr. Donald Potard, former long-time (over 25 years) CEO of Jean-Paul Gaultier Haute Couture; former President of the Chambre Syndicale du Pret-a-Porter des Couturiers; former CEO of Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, and current Chair of the Fashion department at Paris College of Art (formerly Parsons Paris) are also specially invited to guest star as conference keynote speakers, representing the importance and sophistication of the event.

Last years EuroSphere event was a booming success with 80 brands brought to Vietnam to showcase their products and services. The exclusive event also housed a total of 2,500 guests from all over the world. This year will see more than 150 brands joining the exhibit, double that of the previous years, set amidst a variety of social activities from cocktail receptions and conferences to fashion shows and a gala dinner.

In honour of Ms Trang, EuroSpheres Honorary Ambassador and Vietnam International Fashion Week, this years edition of EuroSphere will also be presenting 3 European fashion brands, 2 of them will showcase for the very first time in the region, with Mr Nguyen Cong Tri opening the show with his most recent collection.

Check the website for more information on EuroSphere 2018.
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Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Wuhan Meeting: Tryst of Compulsion under the veil of Amicable (...)

by Gouri Sankar Nag

Backdrop

Exactly after 242 days since the Doklam imbroglio petered away unexpectedly on and from August 28, 2017, Modi and Xi Jinping met at central Chinas Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, for an informal one-on-one meeting. This is for the second time after Modis last visit to China in 2015. While Sino-Indian relations practically reached their nadir in mid-2017, sources were ecstatic about the positive derivatives of the Modi-Xi personal equations this time to restore the much needed trust between the two Asian giants at a time when both were apparently perturbed by the overtly aggressive posture of American-led coalitions bombardment in Syria and shift in the US strategy towards more intransigence so far as the trade equation and protectionist stance were concerned.

In fact, there was the imperative need of such a meeting to infuse an element of ease into their relations from taking to an increasingly confrontational alley, if not warpath. Hence, it was commendable that New Delhi cautiously and gradually prepared the groundwork with the steps being taken when India sent her Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharam and followed it up by another entourage led by the Minister of External Affairs, Susma Swaraj, this April. Notwithstanding the fact that there has not been any seminal change in Indias approach to the Tibet issue, New Delhi in a significant move in February also sent out a signal to its Chinese counterpart that the Indian Government was not interested in the celebration of sixty years of Dalai Lamas arrival in India or that any probable event to mark the occasion be shifted away from New Delhi. One may be further reminded of how India considered under duress to ignore the SOS call of Mohamed Nasheed, the former President of Maldives, for intervention recently at a time when democracy and rule of law in the island nation strategically located in the Indian Ocean were threatened by the emergency imposed by the aggrieved Abdulla Yameen Government, possibly to avoid the ire of the Chinese who were anxious to protect their investment inter alia in hotel and tourism industry. At that time the stand appeared to project Indias hesitant policy stance but now we realise that it was a part of Indias long-term strategy of rapprochement with China. And this was in spite of the fact that India was at pains to reconcile with Chinas expanding sway in the Indian Ocean region with the formation of a China-led forum of littoral states which India traditionally perceived as her sphere of influence. In this regard one may further refer to a Forbes magazine commentary titled China Wants To Turn The Indian Ocean Into The China Ocean.

However, from the Chinese side these two gestures were positive enough to reciprocate the recent Indian moves. The first was in February-March 2018 when the US pushed for grey listing of Pakistan in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). China, much to Indias satisfaction, did not oppose the motion even though earlier it vehemently resisted the Indian initiative to get Masood Azhar of Jaish-e-Mohammed as the UN designated terrorist. (See the report from http://www.defencenews.in/article.aspx?id=536797 accessed on 08-03-2018) Also, its worth-mentioning that ahead of this highest level meeting, the PRC hailed Indias decision to appoint the internationally recognised film icon, Aamir Khan, as a brand ambassador to promote Sino-Indian trade. This was particularly important given the recent scenario of heightened friction of interests between the USA and China over trade issues that might prove to be a blessing in disguise for brightening the prospect of Sino-Indian cooperation. Hence, prima facie we find ample political will on both sides as the key to the new, much-needed reset.

Issues of Interest

Let us look at the issues specifically which might be of interest for both sides as the dynamics of relations stand to benefit from such informal meeting that sets apace a process of spill over into different arenas of their engagement.

First, the border issue, especially Arunachal and Doklam, appears to figure prominently in any official level exchange. But there was little chance that both Xi and Modi raised, if at all, this embarrassing bogey in their informal talk because it was necessary to stimulate confidence first by positive interaction rather than harping on the differences. (One may refer to Subir Bhaumiks Indias China Policy: Face the Dragon with Self-Confidence published by The Quint on June 12, 2017.) At the same time, the Indian side was cautious because they had to maintain a balanced demeanour while being closely watched by different powers around the world as well as by the media. Hence, very important was Indias self-confidence which happened to be the result of her growing economic clout and her aspiration to project an image of an emerging and responsible great power. Modi seemed to understand this well because the pressure was building palpably on India to deliver results beyond rhetoric.

China has not softened its attitude to claim Arunachal as south Tibet. Nor has it compro-mised its expansionist stance over Dokola. (See Manoj Joshis take in Asia Times http://www.atimes.com/post-doklam-military-postures-continue-escalate-india-china// accessed on 26-03-2018.) Some sources are already pointing to the costs that India might have to pay for boycotting the programme to join the robust Chinese OBOR of which CPEC is a part. India is undoubtedly concerned due to this roadmap that passes through PoK. India has been consistent not to endorse OBOR even at the recent SCO meeting of Foreign Ministers and officials held in Beijing on April 24, 2018 which was attended by Susma Swaraj. On the other hand, it seems that China would not probably backtrack from this ambitious multi-billion investment project of reworking its old Silk Road. Moreover, China had been playing foul in Indias neighbourhood as sources indicated that China was instigating Bangladesh against India over the Brahmaputra water issue (https://kolkata24x7.com/china-looks-to-play-bangladesh-against-india.html accessed on April 29, 2017). Hence the question is: why has India suddenly adopted a sort of bending posture to China? What is the compulsion that leads us to befriend China which has been a rather traditional rival to stymie our influence within South Asia and even to try to encircle India with its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the string of pearls? Rather, the Wuhan meeting stoked the air of surmise as if New Delhis bilateral channels of communication with Beijing were getting slack slowly creating a gap despite the flaunted claim of growing multi-lateral engagements through BRICS, SCO and RIC. According to C. Raja Mohan, the realists however brush aside this point as a false alarm. To quote Raja Mohan, Nor do they buy into the argument that a diplomatic reset alone will help address the new fundamentals of the India-China relationship. So, what he seems to suggest is that the significance of the informal meet if it can be considered as a reset lies in the political effort to bring down the rising temperature in bilateral relations (IAPS Dialogue entitled Dealing with China: India attempts a reset accessed from https://iapsdialogue.org/2018/03/22/dealing-with-china-india-attempts-a-reset).

Second, this visit also seems important for sending a message to Indias smaller neighbours who are taking sides with China. Nepali Prime Minister Olis recent visit to India brought this point once again to the fore as to how a new generation of politicians in neighbouring countries were worried and fed up with Indias interfering propensity in their domestic politics, sometimes by setting one ethic group against another, sometimes by poking its nose in the constitutional revision, sometimes by financing political campaign and influencing factionalism and when such tactics proved futile, how India started coercive blockade to inflict punishment and suffering that ultimately resulted in shrinking the leverage New Delhi enjoyed in the immediate neighbourhood. Hence, what transpires from recent takes of experts like S. D. Muni is that the smaller neighbours always desire to assert a relationship based on mutual respect and dignity rather than acquiescing to the traditional big brother attitude of India. (See Sukh Deb Munis take India and Nepal Must Step Back from the Precipice from nepal foreign affairs.com/sd-muni-writes-india-and-nepal-must-step-back-from-the-precipice) Hence, their tendency of falling back on China might be seen as a counter to Indias mistaken policy of imposing her weight on her neighbours and her expectations that they would invariably act on her terms to address her security concerns. So, while the time is rife that India understands it well to mend her ways, it is similarly important to demonstrate her prowess vis-a-vis China with sufficient capability to disrupt Chinas South Asias power push. (See Raffaello Pantuccis take Chinas South Asian Miscalculations published in the Current History issue dated April, 2018) But it may be noted that power is not only about military posture but also involves strategic planning and the diplomatic ability to engage with the rivals to create space for negotiated settlement for lessening the cost of any tussle spiralling into out-of-control antagonism. This time it is well reflected in Modis informal one-on-one meeting with Xi. Therefore, it may not be a purely symbolic gesture meant for the audience who are getting curious but then it is no less than a gambit motivated by political design to curry favour from a section of the strategic establishment and a wider audience who are eager for some fruitful breakthrough or headway which otherwise none of the sides is in a position to offer. So, the attitude is not one of rent-seeking but in diplomatic parlance it is certainly legitimacy-seeking at a time of status quo.

Possible raison detre of Indias Engagement

It wont be too sceptical to concede that this informal high-level exchange was a necessary tool to foment the hype for a possible demonstration effect that the political class in India is capable enough to be at the helm of affairs. It sends out two distinct signals. First, it was important to tone down the bogey of the military elites in India who were a little impatient and always wanted to take the wind out of the sail of the political class for any dithering, even though such vacillations may be functional in a democracy where the government has to weigh many positions and interests without allowing the military to wrest the charge of affairs. Bipin Rawat was belligerent in his statements and Ajit Doval, though more hawkish in relation to Pakistan than China, could be cited as striking a discordant voice in the establishment constraining any Indian quest for an amicable approach.

Secondly, at home in India the ruling party at the Centre, even after clinching overwhelming victory in the elections in Tripura and successfully passing the GST legislation with support even from the West Bengal Government, is under palpable pressure from various parties like Chandra Babus Telugu Desam, Laloo Yadavs RJD that won several seats in the recent by-elections and Mamta Banerjees drive to create a federal front that received support from the DMKs Stalin. The fiscal system of the country too is tottering to produce widespread ire among the common people due to the cash crunch. The Kashmir front is also on the boil with continuous youth unrest with the BJP-PDP coalition being completely torn by the imperative to talk to the Kashmiri organisations while AFSPA empowering the Army is called into question for alleged human rights violations. Of late Modis initial silence after the brutal rape of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu was hurting mass sentiment so much that 49 retired bureaucrats wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Modi requesting him to fast-track the prosecution of the perpetrators. Clearly, in the circumstances of crises of governability, Modis predicament might increase if the Chinese side starts flexing muscles as it has done in case of the South China Sea issue and now against Taiwan. If it does so it might upset Modis standing so far as his partys run-up to the general election in 2019 is concerned, writes Monoj Joshi, a distinguished fellow attached to the OFR think-tank (https://www.orfonline.org/research/modi-meets-chinas-xi-wuhan-india-starts-position-weakness/ accessed on April 29, 2018). Further, what Rajesh Rajagopalan has recently said, seems quite pertinent too. According to this line of thought, the compulsion of India also stems from the fact that still there is a wide gap in the structural balance between the two countries and considering that it is still widening it makes sense for India to find ways to avoid any confrontation with China until this balance shifts sufficiently such that it is less onerous than at present (https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/danger-wuhan accessed on April 29, 2018). There was also the news that while sobering up her approach by extending the olive branch to China, India would continue to deter China as the latter was in the habit of bullying its way through. (See Gautam Chikermanes views in https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/india-sovereignty-china-reset-period/ accessed on April 30, 2018) Therefore, part of the Indian strategy was propping up its own defence with mobilisation of resources and development of military logistics. Seven advanced landing ground in addition to the existing ones at the bordering areas in Arunachal after the inspection during recent Gagan Shakti mega exercisethe biggest such drill in three decades from April 8 to April 20, 2018 with a focus on borders with both China and Pakistan by the Indian Air Forcemay be mentioned in this regard. Just after this massive drill Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa reportedly hinted at Indias capability and preparedness to deal with a two-front war. It plainly means Modis India is clueless about the unpredictability of the Chinese behaviour that led to the playing of dual game with the Chinese without knowing how to tame the dragon. Can smiles go along with deep suspicion or, for that matter, can handshake be followed up by enhancing the fire power advantage?

Chinas Compulsions

Chinas compulsion so far as this informal exchange was concerned, seems far less than Indias because China is not a liberal democracy. Hence it can fend itself off the endogenous pressure specially that might stem from the PLA. According to Sreeram Chaulia, China is more concerned of a volatile US than a powerful India (foreignpolicy.com/2018/04/27/trump-is-driving-xi-into-modis-arms/ accessed on April 30, 2018). So, it wants to send a message to a third party, that is, the US, now a close ally of India in the post-Cold War era. For China the pressure is building because of its excessive trade dependence on the US which it now realises. (See http://www.atimes.com/article/trump-set-unveil-new-trade-sanctions-beijing-responds// accessed on 25-03-2018) Hence China realises that its India-connect may be a policy alternative in terms of diversifying its trade link to reap the benefits from the rapidly surging growth trajectory of India (though Indias GDP is about one-fifth of Chinas, still 7.4 per cent growth according to Changyong Rhee, Director of the Asia and Pacific Department at the International Monetary Fund, was indeed a bright point). (See https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/narendra-modis-reforms-get-another-thumbs-up-indian-elephant-ready-to-run-faster-than-chinese-dragon/1141351 accessed on April 29, 2018) Indias thriving middle class as the potential consumers of its products and its accompaniment in climate change negotiations means taking shelter under the umbrella of G-77 to escape stricter obligations under common but differentiated responsibility. Simultaneously Xis popularity in the CPC after he was reappointed Secretary of the party at the Nineteenth Congress held last October and following constitutional amendments that removed the limit on his term of Presidency could be but a double-edged sword which means he has to shoulder many responsibilities and to fulfil mounting expectations while Chinas annual growth is getting slower and military spending shooting up. (China announced its defence expenditure in 2018 amounting over 1.1 trillion yuan, that is, $ 174.5 billion, courtesy Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalans take Chinas 2018 Military Budget seen from http://orfonline.org/research/china-2018-military-budget-new-numbers-old-worries/ accessed on 13.03.2018.)

Professor Kerry Brown and a renowned journalist, Marya Shakil, in their recent take Domestic Disharmony effectively put how Modis visit to China was going to take place amidst rising internal challenges on both sides (insidestory.org.au/domestic-disharmony/ accessed on April 29, 2018). As China is upping the ante with vigorous and ruthless anti-corruption drive, this purge along with massive ideological campaign designed to enforce all-pervading loyalty could end up creating some ripples of troubles. The Chinese dream of OBOR might be benign but externally it is seen as a veritable trouble-shooter with the potential to expand its military might beyond its border to safeguard its overseas interests of which it has been so blind and which, if allowed to exacerbate, might coil back to disrupt her entire strategy.

Besides China is also under pressure due to the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue among the US, Australia, Japan and India which China perceives as a threat. By the way the US under Trump has recently unveiled a new National Security Strategy document. Correspondingly, it has changed its South Asia policy last August. (See The Hindu for Varghese K. Georges take This is a paradigm shift in US South Asia Policy, says Husain Haqqani accessed online from http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/this-is-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-south-asia-policy/article19540697) Henceforth, a new chapter of bonhomie is emerging between the US and India as the former comes around to favour India against Pakistan and also upholds the importance of India against the challenge posed by China. In this context, a change in Chinas outlook can be explained in terms of its search for a scope whereby it could score some points by engaging with India in an attempt to secure her neutrality that this meeting at Wuhan offered.

The author is an Associate Professor and Head, Department of Political Science, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, West Bengal.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Towards an Understanding of Martyrdom in Kashmir

On January 14, 2011, the Supreme Court sought answers from the Union and Andhra Pradesh governments regarding the encounter killings of the Maoist leader, Azad, and a journalist, Hemchandra Pandey, in July 2010. The two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court said: We cannot allow the republic killing its own children. They added: The governments will have to answer so many questions.

But, Kashmir is a State of Exception. The Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990, conferred special powers to the armed forces. We have seen the outcome of giving such unrestrained powers to the armed forces. In the wake of outbreak of armed conflict in Kashmir in the late 1980s, the armed forces have resorted to different forms of human rights violations. Human Rights organisations have documented multiple instances of extrajudicial killings, custodial torture and deaths, rapes and enforced disappearances in the State.

The recent popular upsurge in Kashmir led by the youth should be situated in the above perspective. The killing of the young militant leader, Burhan Wani, in July 2016 was a turning-point in the recent history of militancy in the State. Reportedly, thousands of people, including women and teenagers, congregated to mourn the death of the militant, and joined his funeral procession. In the context of Burhans death, the former Chief Minister of the State, Omar Abdullah, stated: Burhans ability to recruit into militancy from the grave will far outstrip anything he could have done on social media.

The killing of 32-year-old Mohammad Rafi Bhat in South Kashmirs Shopian district bears testimony to Abdullahs prediction. Rafi qualified in the National Eligibility Test (NET) twice and got doctorate in Sociology from University of Kashmir. He taught in the Department of Sociology at the University as a contractual Assistant Professor. He went missing on May 4, 2018 after taking his morning class at the University. His students took to the streets to protest his disappearance. On May 6, he was killed in an encounter in Badingham village of Shopian along with four other militants. Rafi was perhaps the most educated militant in 27 years of insurgency in the Kashmir Valley. To put it in the words of one of his teachers: He was a brilliant student and a teacher as well. Thousands of mourners, including women, his students and colleagues, joined his funeral procession.

Why did Mohammad Rafi Bhat join the Kashmiri militants? We do not know the answer. But, the fundamental question raised by the National Conference leader, Omar Abdullah, demands our serious attention: When educated and gainfully employed young men choose the path of militancyit should serve as a wake-up call for those who have turned a deaf ear towards repeated pleas for initiation of dialogue with all stakeholders to find a solution to this quagmire.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Jinnahs Importance

The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is not just a place of learning. It was in the forefront of a movement for the demand of Pakistan and still leans towards what is considered beneficial to the millat. A photo of Mohammad Ali Jinnah on the wall of Kenney Hall, the most prestigious place in the AMU campus, is no surprise. It was there even before the partition and it continues to be there all these years. But what amazes me is its disappearance on May 1 and reappearance on May 3!

True, it was the handiwork of a fanatic BJP member. But that he should retract his steps within two days and put back the photo where it had hung since the time before partition looks extraordinary. Perhaps the person concerned was admonished by the BJP High Command which is trying its best to woo the Muslim voters in the Karnataka State elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also kept the polls in mind when he addresses different rallies in the country. Once in a while he tends to make remarks like there should be electricity at cremation grounds as is the case at burial grounds. But this is to assure the Hindu audience that the BJP has not strayed from the partys philosophy of Hindu Rashtra.

No doubt, the majority of Hindusthey are 80 per cent in Indiatilt towards what is known as Hindutva. But I do not think that this is something long lasting. Hindus and Muslims have lived together for centuries. They would continue to do so despite the hot winds of Hindutva blowing at present. By temperament, India is a pluralistic society. It would stay that way although at times it would look like going the Hindu way. However, there is always a spoil-play group which opposes everything worthwhile for the sake of opposition.

Take the case of India-Pakistan relations. There are elements which are bent on negating every effort towards conciliation and rebuffing steps that help promote good relations between the two countries. Some years ago, the Pakistanis themselves took the initiative to rename the Shadman Chowk in Lahore and the gesture was very much appreciated in India. In fact, the renaming of the chowk gave birth to the idea of honouring heroes of the pre-partition days.

I recall that after celebrating Bhagat Singhs birthday in March some years ago, a delegation of Pakistanis participated in a gathering at Amritsar in April to recall the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy which had Hindus and Muslims as martyrs. So much enthusiasm was created that preparations were afoot to hail the sacrifices of those who were part of the Indian National Army and the naval uprising in 1946. The two challenges to the British, even when the Hindus and Muslims were divided, indicated that when it came to a third party, both sides were willing to join hands to thwart it.

This is, more or less, what Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, had said when he came to the Law College at Lahore in 1945 when I was a student. To my question what would be the stand of Pakistan if a third power attacked India he said straightaway that the Pakistani soldiers would fight by the side of Indian soldiers to defeat the enemy. It is another matter that military dictator General Mohammad Ayub Khan did not send any help to India when it was attacked by China in 1962.

Bhagat Singh was only 23 when he went to the gallows fighting against the British rulers. He had no politics other than the politics of sacrificing ones life and freeing India from bondage. I was surprised to know that there were as many as 14 applications against renaming the Shadman Chowk. This was the same roundabout where a scaffold was erected to hang Bhagat Singh and his two colleagues, Rajguru and Sukhdev.

Jinnahs name is associated with partition. Was he alone to blame? When I talked to Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy, at his place in London in the early 1990s, he said that then Prime Minister, Clement Richard Atlee, was keen that India and Pakistan should have something in common. Mountbatten tried for that but Jinnah said that he did not trust the Indian leaders. He had accepted the Cabinet Mission Plan which envisaged a weak Centre. But Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru said that all would depend on the decision of the Constituent Assembly which was already meeting in New Delhi.

Differences between the two sides only accentuated with the passage of time. In the 1940s when the Muslim League had adopted a resolution for the establishment of Pakistan, partition looked inevitable. Both sides were not facing the fact when they rejected the idea of transfer of population. People themselves did it, Hindus and Sikhs coming to this side and Muslims going to the other side. The rest is history.

Jinnah is as much respected in Pakistan as Mahatma Gandhi in India is. Its time for the Hindus to recognise that partition was deliverance for Muslims. That was in 1947. Today, the Muslims in India, approximately 17 crores, do not matter in the affairs of India. True, they have the voting rights and the country is ruled by the Constitution which gives one vote to one person.

They have lost their say in decision-making. What Maulana Abul Kalam Azad had said before partition has come true. He warned the Muslims that they may feel insecure in the country because their number was small but they can proudly say that India belonged as much to them as it did to the Hindus. Once Pakistan was established, the Hindus would tell the Muslims that they had their share and should go to Pakistan.

Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel were able to keep India pluralistic after partition. But the line drawn on the basis of religion is what haunts everybody today. The growing importance of the BJP is because pluralism has weakened. Secularism needs to be strengthened so that every community and every part of the country feels that it is equal in the affairs of the country.

The author is a veteran journalist renowned not only in this country but also in our neighbouring states of Pakistan and Bangladesh where his columns are widely read. His website is www.kuldipnayar.com
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2018 > Analysis of True Public Preference  Why Vote-share Should Get More (...)

Everyone knows that election results are decided by the number of seats won and so it is understandable that most public attention is focused on this. However, in terms of under-standing actual public preference and choice as well as trends relating to this, it is more important to look at the percentage of votes won by different political parties.

Depending upon the election system a democracy selects as well as the electoral demography of any region, the percentage of vote-share for any political party can differ conside-rably from the percentage of seats won. There are certainly several possibilities for this in the first-past-the-post system that India has. This has been revealed time and again on several occasions resulting in rather awkward situations. This does not necessarily mean that the existing system has to be changed. The existing system also has certain advantagesfor example, its simplicity and familiarity.

Hence the question here is not of any changes in the electoral system but rather a more simple one of how public preferences as reflected in voting patterns can be best understood by giving more importance to the vote-share of different political parties (and not just the seats won by them).

From this perspective if we look at the recent Karnataka Assembly elections then it is interesting to see that the number of seats won by the two leading parties does not reflect the voter preference properly. This can be understood from the following table

Table 1 Performance of Congress in two Karnataka Assembly Elections

Year Seats Vote Share 2013 122 36.6% 2018 78 38%

Table 2 Vote-share of Two Leading Political Parties in Karnataka State Assembly Elections 2018

Congress 38%

BJP 36.2%

It is evident from the above two tables that the Congress has a higher share of the votes in 2018 compared to the BJP (despite the BJP winning many more seats).

It is also evident that the Congress has improved its vote-share compared to the previous Assembly election in the State.

These two aspects of the performance of the Congress should get adequate attention in order to understand the actual verdict of the people properly.

The author is a freelance journalist who has been involved with several social movements and initiatives.
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Seattle Center 168

Welcome to Managing IPs live blog from the INTA Annual Meeting, taking place at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. We will be bringing you updates throughout the day from May 20-23. You can also follow us on Twitter at @managingip and search #INTA2018 to see what attendees are saying.









All our coverage from INTA

Should cannabis brands get federal protection?

Tams unanswered questions of dilution and Section 7

How copyright can help trade mark owners in internet protection

Clarity needed for colour trade marks in Europe

The increasing challenge of combatting counterfeit sports products

The EU trade mark case law you need to know

Hope for 3D marks in Europe after Rubiks Cube

TUESDAY MAY 22

Managing IP brings together Women in IP

Managing IP hosted its Women in IP Global Network networking event at the Pan Pacific Seattle on May 22. Thanks to everyone who came. It was great to see you all!

You can find out more information on the network here.





Far from a Swift getaway

IP and Taylor Swift go way back. She is well known for her trade mark activities. But INTA attendees would have been less pleased with T-Swizzle if they were heading to or from a cocktail party near CenturyLink Field last night. The area was swarming with happy Swift fans after the concert around 11pm, which brought traffic to a standstill. The intrepid Managing IP team chose just the wrong moment to leave the CompuMark party  a ride that should have taken 15 minutes took an hour!





GDP-ugh

The travel and leisure panel at #INTA2018 makes its feeling about GDPR clear! pic.twitter.com/lTOXg1YXJi  Managing IP (@ManagingIP) May 22, 2018

Highlights from Tuesdays sessions

The 3D Marks After Rubiks session suggested that it wasnt the end for shape marks in Europe. In 2016, the European Court of Justice annulled an EUIPO cancellation rejection for the Rubiks Cube shape mark.

Maximilian Kinkeldey, attorney at Grunecker, started the session by outlining the relevant regulations for 3D marks in Europe. Then inevitably there was talk of the Louboutin case at the CJEU  otherwise known as the red sole case. The Advocate General came to the conclusion that the red sole doesnt just constitute a colour but is the shape of the product combined with colour, so the trade mark should fall. But Kinkeldey disagreed.

"Would anyone in this room have been concerned about anyone monopolising a red sole? Or would anyone see the red sole and say thats a cool feature that needs to be kept free for others  I dont think so, said Kinkeldey.

"It is Louboutin which through clever marketing made the red sole a distinct mark. If that were a reason to exclude the mark from protection because suddenly the feature the mark owner himself made famous excludes the mark from registration, that would be unfair."

The Annual Review of Leading Case Law in the European Union session covered a wide range of cases. You can read our write-up here.





An historic moment at #INTA2018 as we hear from @design_law with the first-ever #designpatents topic at the #Trademarks Scholarship Symposium pic.twitter.com/MQBpGjp58l  Trademarks Are Magic (@TimberlakeLaw) May 22, 2018

MONDAY MAY 21

Brilliant and bewildering booths

The second day of the INTA Annual Meeting is coming to a close and the conference is well underway. Thousands of people, thrilled by the trade mark insights theyve gained in various talks, will likely be nattering in the Seattle bars tonight about what they learned over the past couple of days. But perhaps another thing theyll be talking about, which is slightly less trade mark related and thus not the real reason they came, is the gimmicks, freebies and interactive attractions scattered around this years exhibition hall.

After all, everyone at INTA will have been accosted by the scurvy dogs at the Marksmen booth at some point during the week. Those who took a picture with, and thus captured, the brand protection firms pirates and posted it on Twitter with #INTA2018 and #Marksmen20, stood to win a Caribbean cruise. As you can see from the picture, however, our very own Patrick Wingrove took his role as pirate apprehender a little too seriously!

But the pirates werent the only people with interesting attire. At the .Sucks booth, a domain name registrar, attendees could get their hands on t-shirts to help tell the world what they thought sucked. Gun violence, sexism and Trump all featured  though perhaps the most popular t-shirt slogan, given the audience, was infringement.sucks.

Attendees also had the chance to test out their gaming skills at the PageVault booth. The web capture business had set up an old-school games console  complete with 1980s-looking joystick  and recorded the high scores. Games people could play included Missile Commander, Centipede and all-time classic Space Invaders.

A less high-tech game INTA attendees could play was the mini wheel of fortune at the 101 Domain stand. Players could win a t-shirt, drawing, notebook or, perhaps most appealing of all to conference goers, a flask. Indonesian IP firm Pacific Patent won this bloggers prize for best cultural stand  which held several products one might find on a typical Indonesian street stall that the firm helped protect.

Mondays morning sessions in tweets

THE REDSKINS and THE SLANTS: A Review of the Causes, the Cases, and How the First Amendment Is Likely to Impact Trademark Registrations Going Forward

Big laugh from audience (of #trademarks lawyers) when @SimonTheTam recounts being told, "Go ahead and apply for registration of your trademark- it'll be easy and relatively cheap"#INTA2018  Trademarks Are Magic (@TimberlakeLaw) May 21, 2018

Joel MacMull raises the billion-dollar question- can trademark dilution survive Tam? #INTA2018pic.twitter.com/IUBIoRELBv  Sarah Burstein (@design_law) May 21, 2018

Stephen Baird of Winthrop & Weinstine discussing In re Brunetti at #INTA2018. Notes Federal Circuit declined to hear it en banc but it will probably be appealed up to Supreme Court. My predilection is that it will let Brunetti stand. Had enough of issue for now  Managing IP (@ManagingIP) May 21, 2018

In a post-Brunetti world how could Ford oppose this mark, asks Stephen Baird of Winthrop & Weinstine. He says one option is informational arguments. People will have to get more creative, he says. #INTA2018pic.twitter.com/36OQd7SimA  Managing IP (@ManagingIP) May 21, 2018

#INTA2018 Steve Baird: why didn't the government argue that section 7 bolsters the government speech argument? Good point!  Christine Farley (@Prof_Farley) May 21, 2018

"The Supreme Court in Tam never even mentioned the Unconstitutional Conditions Doctrine"



- Steve Baird#Trademarks#INTA2018  Trademarks Are Magic (@TimberlakeLaw) May 21, 2018





The Fate of Color Per Se Marks in Europe<

Video title clearance based very much on US practice where it may be possible to check Identical game types #INTA2018  Barbara Cookson (@filemot) May 21, 2018

o:p>





Industry Breakout: Legal-Up! Implications of Video Games in the 21st Century

Probably the most colo(u)rful session at #INTA2018: protecting colour trademarks in Europe and the questions raised by the pending Red Bull case pic.twitter.com/MCjB4OfYFG  jamesnurton (@JNurt) May 21, 2018





Getting into the weeds

The issue of whether cannabis brands should get federal protection was hammered out in the lively INTA Professor v Practitioner debate yesterday.

On one side of the ring, Brand & Branch partner Shabnam Malek argued that the USPTO could and should offer cannabis brands protection. On the other, Vanderbilt University professor Robert Mikos contended that federal cannabis marks were unnecessary, unwise and ultimately unauthorised.

When the audience was asked to raise hands as to who they agreed with, Shabnam was the clear winner. You can read our write-up of the debate here.

SUNDAY MAY 20

INTAs 2020 Singapore vision

Here is confirmation from INTA of the details for 2020s Annual Meeting in Singapore.

The meeting will take place from April 25 to 29 2020 at the Marina Bay Sands, earlier in the year than usual. This marks the second time INTA is bringing its annual meeting to Asia, and the first time that the organisation will host the event in Southeast Asia.

In a release, INTA said a confluence of factors contributed to the selection of Singapore for the 2020 gathering, including its vibrant environment, cultural diversity, ease of accessibility, and achievements in the field of IP. INTA opened an Asia-Pacific Representative Office in Singapore in March 2016.

10,910 and counting!

INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo revealed at the opening ceremony that 10,910 people are registered for this years meeting. Hopefully by the end of the meeting, well reach 11,000, he said, noting it is a record. It shows our industry is in great shape and we are in great shape.

These numbers include 2,674 new attendees.

He also confirmed that the 2020 annual meeting will return to Asia, taking place in Singapore. Next year's meeting is in Boston.

The opening ceremony also include fishmongers from the Pike Place Market bringing some local flavour by throwing a fish around.

Disparaging and scandalous trade marks post-Tam

At the INTA Annual Meeting on Monday at 10.15am, a panel will assess how the First Amendment is likely to impact trademark registration going forward. This will include some first-hand experience: Simon Tam of The Slants will be speaking as well as Amanda Blackhorse, the social worker and activist involved in the dispute over the "Redskins" mark.

The biggest trademark decision of the past year was Matal v Tam, in which the Supreme Court in June 2017 found that Section 2(a) of the Lanham Acts prohibition on the registration of disparaging marks violated the First Amendment. The court declared: "Speech may not be banned on the ground that it expresses ideas that offend."

While the Supreme Court settled the issue of disparaging marks, Section 2(a)s prohibition against immoral or scandalous marks is still being contested. The Federal Circuit in December 2017 found Erik Brunettis mark "FUCT" undoubtedly scandalous, but following Matal v Tam, ruled the mark registrable on First Amendment grounds.

The Federal Circuit in April declined to take the case up en banc.

You can read our preview here.

Mexico publishes IP law amendments

Trademark practitioners travelling to Seattle for INTA may have missed the news on Friday that amendments to Mexicos industrial property law were published on Friday.

The amendments are expected to come into force by August 10, and give protection to new trade mark types, including sense marks. The amendments will give protection to new mark types, including sense marks, such as sound and smell, colour combinations, holographic signs, and operative and image element configurations - also known as trade dress.

It will become possible to obtain descriptive or generic marks with respect to goods or services, so long as they have acquired distinctiveness or secondary meaning derived from their use in commerce.

More details on our site here.

Come and meet us!

Come visit the Managing IP team at booth 131 at #INTA2018. We have the IP STARS trademark handbook, the latest MIP issue, our Trademark Times publication and more! pic.twitter.com/GEHcPLP7yY  Managing IP (@ManagingIP) May 20, 2018





Women in IP Global Network event

Managing IP will be hosting a free drinks and networking event at the Pan Pacific Seattle on May 22, from 2pm-4.30pm. This event is open to all! Click here to register. The invitation card is here. If you have any questions please email registrations@managingip.com

INTA returns to Seattle

INTAs Annual Meeting is being held in Seattle for the second time in nine years this year. It has brought together more than 10,500 trademark practitioners and other IP professionals from more than 150 countries for its 140th Annual Meeting.

Since INTAs last annual meeting in Seattle in 2009, attendance has increased by more than 3,000 professionals.

The meeting features numerous highlights. On May 20, Neil Lindsay, vice-president of global marketing, prime and engagement at Amazon.com, will give the keynote address at the opening ceremonies. Session topics include strategies for battling counterfeit goods, artificial intelligence, Brexit, and compliance in light of the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation, which takes effect this month. The grand finale is a block party at the Seattle Center.

The material on this site is for law firms, companies and other IP specialists. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws.  2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs.

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The Education Department under the ministry of Nick Kuman adopted the concept last year. But it was not effectively executed. There was a large amount cut from the money supposed to be paid to schools.

The actual school fee per student is divided into two segments: lower secondary (Grades 9 and 10) and upper secondary (Grades 11 and 12). Lower secondary students were allocated K1,300 for 2018 and upper secondary K1,600.

TFFE subsidies are released to schools each term and are supposed to cover the actual cost of running a school for ten weeks.

CHUAVE - The government component of TFFE (tuition fee free education) to schools in Papua New Guinea has been slashed to only 50%.

Mai High School - "the government is playing games and sabotaging our rightful basic school services"

Most people, particularly parents living in remote areas and below the poverty line in urban areas, concluded there is a loophole whereby funds have been diverted to other stakeholders. Whatever the actual policy is now, it has not been made known to schools around the country.

There has been no effective survey to analyse the real cost of running schools, but the new slash funds policy was drafted and accepted for implementation within the Education Department.

How will remote schools in PNG like Karimui, Kairiru Island, Jimi and Telefomin manage to keep their schools open if the cost is triple that of running schools in a city or town?

Mai High School, located on the outskirts of Kundiawa, has 450 student in Grades 9 and 10. For Term 1 this year it received of K61,960.

According to the calculation of K1,300 per student, it was supposed to receive more than twice that - K127,125.

The governing council and the school administration asked the provincial education authority to find out why half of the money had vanished. The question was in vain. No answer was forthcoming.

Then in Term 2, the school received only K25,000. Another slash of K36,960, much less than one-third of what was budgeted.

Why is the government continuously cutting funds, which they are not supposed to do? asked a curious (and perhaps furious) administration.

The government is playing a game to sabotage the rightful basic services of the children, said a senior teacher at Mai.

This practice is causing an imminent downfall of quality education in the country.

K25,000 is unrealistic since it will be depleted within a week on school rations and fuel. Nothing will remain for the wages of ancillary staff.

The education authority should be conscious of whether it is seeking to make the country or break the country, the teacher said.

People are joking that the funds have gone into hiding.

They must have been banked in a trust account of a middleman to pay fees for their prostitute kids, one person said to me.

Most of the schools in the highlands region, particularly Simbu, are saying they will have to close if the government does not deposit adequate funds into school accounts.

Simbu Schools are now charging individual students fees of K500. This is a lot of money and too much for both non-working and working parents.

The outcome is what you would expect - parents are withdrawing their kids from school.

There are no proper learning and teaching materials. Classrooms and other physical assets are deteriorating. Teachers and ancillary staff are not being paid. School supplies cannot be purchased. Creditors cannot be paid.

The consequences of the failure of TFFE have severely affected school operations.

The policy sounded good but its collapse has been a disaster for schools and it is hindering the quality of learning throughout Papua New Guinea.
There were a number of pairings beside the main one at Saturday's wedding between Prince Harry and the American-born Meghan Markle, now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The United States and the United Kingdom. The Episcopal Church which is inclusive of gay rights and the United Church of England which remains divided on the issue. A gospel choir singing an American soul classic and an orchestra formed for the ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle performing a variety of traditional pieces.

There were also pairings in the much heralded sermon of Bishop Michael Curry, the Episcopal Church's first African American presiding bishop and primate.

Besides celebrating the fact "two people fell in love and we all showed up," Curry highlighted what is a common theme for him - redemption - and quoted civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. on the "redemptive power of love."

He also quoted the 20th century French Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de Chardin who studied paleontology as well as geology.

Who?

Teilhard lacks name recognition but his writings on human evolution and divine love continue to be well studied. Basically, Curry associated his writings with the power of love to ignite - like fire - and be a source of energy.

In this way Curry, who preached in Springfield last October, paired his use of King's quote on how the discovery of the redemptive power of love holds the potential to "make of this old world a new world" with Teilhard's writings on fire and human evolution.

Two men who sought to elevate the mortal human condition through love with the divine - much like Curry whose reference to Teilhard also paired science with faith.

His inclusion of Teilhard also paired with the fact Markle attended a Catholic secondary school in Los Angeles where she was born.

His reference to Teilhard and how harnessing fire allowed for migration as well as industrial and technological advances was a bit condensed at the end of his dynamic sermon in its linkage to redemptive love.

But the point was made again that he made early in the 15-minute sermon when he asked the about-to-be wedded couple - who have the power to change the world - and their guests, "Imagine this tired old world when love is the way, unselfish, sacrificial redemptive."

Curry's sermon is not likely to prompt many Google searches for more on Teilhard whose writings on evolution as something humans - especially on a spiritual, redemptive level are evolving toward - got him into trouble with the Vatican.

Yet, it did light a fire on social media about its content that, as Curry himself noted in the address, was not just about romantic love. In King he cited a minister who gave his life for his beliefs and in Teilhard, who had served as a stretcher bearer in World War I, a priest who sought a scientific explanation for a coupling with divine love.
The Boston firefighter who faced child rape charges in court died Friday in a Boston hospital.

Boston.com reports 38-year-old Samuel Perez Rosado was first found in "medical distress" inside his cell at the Suffolk County Jail on Wednesday.

The firefighter was rushed to a local hospital. He died Friday morning at Massachusetts General Hospital. A spokesman for the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office called the death, a non-homicide, according to Boston.com.

Rosado, 38, was arraigned on one count each of rape of a child and assault and battery in South Boston Municipal Court on May 14, according to the district attorney's office.

He was held on $50,000 after his arraignment. The Boston Fire Department placed Rosado on administrative leave.

Authorities say the assaults began in 2012 and continued for five years while the alleged victim in the case was between the ages of 12 and 16.
Well, at least he was nice enough to make sure the dog didn't get out.

A man was caught on camera breaking into a Milton, Massachusetts home on May 7 and police are looking for help in finding him.

Video surveillance from inside the home shows the man enter a rear door of the home around 1:30 p.m. The home is located on Brook Road in East Milton, police said.

The suspect says "Hello" a few times while checking to see if anyone is home. He had a pair of gloves in his back pocket.

The family dog barks a few times and is seen going outside the open rear door. The suspect, according to police, then figured out the home had cameras.

"He realized there were cameras in the house while committing the crime as he covers his face upon exiting the home," police said. The man is wearing the gloves when he leaves.

Before leaving, the suspect pats his leg and calls for the dog to come back inside and then shuts the door.

The suspect was last spotted walking through backyards on Brook Road out to Centre Street.

Anyone with information as to the identity of this person can contact Detective Gennes Seaton at 617-898-4836.
Update: The three have been identified, police said.

CHICOPEE - Police are asking for help to identify two men and a woman who are being accused of stealing car parts.

The three requested a bumper cover and front grill from an auto parts store on East Main Street. After being handed the parts, they asked the clerk for more items and then walked out when the employee was searching for the merchandise, said Michael Wilk, police public information officer.

The theft happened on Thursday and the three drove away in a dark blue Honda Accord, he said.

Anyone who recognizes any of the three or knows anything about the theft is asked to call detectives at 413-594-1740 or send a private message to the department's Facebook page.
The five teens involved in an East Bridgewater crash that claimed the life of four people inside the car are all students at Stoughton High School.

In a letter posted on Facebook, Stoughton High School Principal Juliette Miller said the five students were involved in the fatal Saturday crash in East Bridgewater.

Four students died in the crash. A fifth student was rushed to Boston Medical Center. His condition has not been released.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of these students," the principal wrote.

The names of the students were not released.

Authorities opened the high school Sunday for faculty, staff and students to grieve. Counselors will be on scene.

East Bridgewater police were called to Route 106 around 4 p.m. Saturday for a report of a car into a tree. Police officers and firefighters found the five victims inside the vehicle.

Three of teens were pronounced dead at the scene. Another teen died at Brockton Hospital. The crash remains under investigation.
The parents of slain Salem State University student Christopher Joyce accepted his diploma at this weekend's graduation as the young man was honored by his family.

CBS Boston reports Joyce, 23, was the first college graduate in his family. Joyce's aunt, Natasha Steele, told the television station the graduation was bittersweet, but she knows her nephew is watching over the family now.

Joyce and 58-year-old Clayborn Blair were fatally shot outside the Mildred C. Hailey Apartment complex in Jamaica Plain May 4. Prosecutors say both men were innocent victims of gang violence.

Wilvin Guity, 28, of Dorchester is accused of killing both men. Authorities said surveillance video placed Guity at the scene.

"Guity was then captured on camera as he walked into the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments and opened fire on a group of approximately 15 people in a Centre Street park," prosecutors said.

He is facing two counts of murder and was held without bail after his arraignment in Roxbury Municipal Court.
The victims in the fatal East Bridgewater crash that took the lives of four Stoughton High School students and seriously injured a fifth student have been identified by the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office.

Authorities said Christopher Desir, 17, of Brockton; Eryck Sarblah, 17, of Stoughton; and Nick Joyce, 16, of Stoughton, all died at the scene of the crash Saturday in East Bridgewater.

The fourth victim who died, David Bell, 17, of Stoughton, died after he was rushed to Brockton Hospital.

The district attorney's office said the 17-year-old driver of the vehicle is now at Boston Medical Center where he is being treated. His name has not been released and authorities did not update his condition.

Stoughton Superintendent of Schools Marguerite Rizzi said the teens were all members of the high school's track team. The students were juniors and one is a sophomore, she said.

East Bridgewater police were called to Route 106 around 4 p.m. Saturday for a report of a car into a tree. Police officers and firefighters found all five victims in the vehicle.

The crash remains under investigation.

Stoughton High School officials said all five students attended the school. Counselors are available at the school Sunday.
LUDLOW - The man who is accused of stabbing a 70-year-old bakery owner to death in Ludlow on Friday is being held on a $1 million bail, according to Western Mass News.

Franklin Conza, 47, of Springfield, is accused of entering the Ludlow Central Bakery, located at 270 East St., and stabbing to death 70-year-old Ludlow resident Carlos Santos.

Police responded to the bakery around 7 p.m. Friday.

The victim, who was the co-owner of the bakery, was found with multiple stab wounds and immediately brought to Baystate Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, reported the office of Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni.

Conza was taken into custody Friday and is being charged with murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He will be arraigned in Palmer District Court Monday morning, said James Leydon, spokesman for the DA's office.

The Ludlow Police Department, Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney's Office and the Hampden District Attorney's Office Murder Unit are continuing to investigate the case, officials noted.
The deaths of four Stoughton High School students are the "worst nightmare of any school administrator," Superintendent of Schools Marguerite Rizzi said after a fatal crash in East Bridgewater Saturday.

Rizzi spoke Sunday as the community grieves the loss of the four students killed in the crash on Route 106 in East Bridgewater. Counselors will be available at the school Sunday. Stoughton High School will open Monday.

Five Stoughton High School students, all members of the track team, were inside a car on Route 106 in East Bridgewater when it struck a tree around 4 p.m.

Three students were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth student died at a local hospital.

The students have been identified by the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office as: Christopher Desir, 17, of Brockton; Eryck Sarblah, 17, of Stoughton; Nick Joyce, 16, of Stoughton; and David Bell, 17, of Stoughton.

Authorities did not release the name of the fifth student. The 17-year-old, who was driving, is now at a Boston hospital.

"We have experienced a tragedy in our community," Rizzi said in a statement. "There are no words to articulate the impact of this loss."

Rizzi also had a message to the high school students:

"To our students, I will say this: This is a shock and a trauma for our entire community. It will not make sense because it does not make sense. For students, especially those who know the classmates involved in the crash, you will likely feel confused, angry, and sad, and sometimes all at the same time. You are not alone in your grief and you should not feel alone. Know that the adults in our community will feel the same way."

The students are juniors, and another is a sophomore, Rizzi said. The track team has a meet on Sunday.

The crash remains under investigation.
MassLive teamed up with Cambridge-based nonprofit Essential Partners to host Guns: An American Conversation, bringing together 15 strangers on May 5 to share differing viewpoints on gun-related issues as part of an effort to connect and learn.

----------------------------

Conversations about guns and gun violence, one of the most divisive topics in the United States in 2018, stir powerful emotions with both pro and anti-gun people.

So, what happens when you bring a group of strangers together in a room and ask them to talk about their personal experience with guns, to dig deep into what informs their position on guns?

Can they find common ground? Can they learn to listen to opposing viewpoints?

MassLive and Essential Partners, a Cambridge-based nonprofit, did just that, bringing together a group of 15 people of varying races, ages and political opinions for Guns: An American Conversation on May 4-5, an event that asked the group to share ideas and viewpoints about guns and gun violence in America.

It was an effort to push the boundaries of traditional journalism, an attempt to create a space where people could feel safe enough to share their feelings, to listen to others, and hopefully build more meaningful connections.

It may not seem like a high school student who helped organize walk-outs in the wake of the Parkland shooting could have much in common with a gun owner who enjoys hunting.

Or that a liberal mother of two could connect with an NRA member.

But that and more happened over the course of 24 hours during a facilitated discussion.

"When we invite the fullness of somebody's story, we get a deeper sense of the source of the position," said Parisa Parsa, the executive director of Essential Partners. "There were a lot of participants with very personal experiences of gun violence and those weren't a predictor of where people's positions were on gun control."

As the 15 broke off into two smaller groups, strategically organized to have a similar number of viewpoints on each side of the issue, the participants tensed up.

They had spent the morning getting to know one another, sharing stories about their lives, and learning effective ways to share dialogue without judgment.

The conversation did not touch on guns much at that point, as the participants discussed other topics like mental health, sexuality and stereotypical gender roles.

Getting the chance to be vulnerable in front of one another and ask questions that would allow for curiosity, and not scrutiny, allowed the group to feel more comfortable with one another.

And then came the hard part and main event: Talking about guns and their role in America for a full two hours.

Participants went from laughing and talking at ease to tensing up, fidgeting in their seats and picking at their fingernails as the conversation switched to guns.

Though some advocated for a level of gun control and others petitioned for the Second Amendment to remain the same, it became clear that everyone could agree on one fundamental goal: Safety.

The group agreed that it is not OK to be careless with a gun.

"It seems that a lot of people are really concerned with safety and what creates safety and disagree on how to accomplish the goal of feeling safe," Parsa said. "Once we see that safety is a common concern, we can have a different conversation about what gets us there."

But there were differences and strong emotions on both sides of the issue as well. One participant remarked that the topic of guns in America is much more fluid than good people with a gun vs. bad people with a gun.

The group - a mix of people wearing T-shirts, sundresses or shirts and ties -included people who had been touched by gun violence in their personal lives, and those who had not had a negative experience with guns.

They were asked to share a moment in their lives that shaped their views on guns; to share what role of firearms in the community matters the most to them; and say in what ways they experienced mixed feelings or felt pulled in different directions regarding guns.

Some participants were very fact-based, reminding the rest of the group that suicides make up nearly two-thirds of gun deaths.

Emotions ran close to the surface, but as the conversation flowed, the group became less tense in their seats. The worry they had about hard arguments or having to defend their point of view started to dissipate.

Ultimately, the participants were willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work listening to one another, Parsa said.

There were some topics debated and left without a clear answer: Are tragic mass shootings the result of human error and a lack of background checks or services for the mentally ill? Does having more guns in society mean more danger or more safety?

What are the solutions for a parent who leaves a gun out near a small child? Or a parentless kid who gets into a gang? Or someone who wants to hurt themselves?

A participant noted that it means one thing to be anti-gun violence and another thing to be pro-gun control.

As a whole, the group expressed frustration with the judicial system, angered by the fact that plea deals sometimes drop gun charges from a defendant's record.

As the conversation neared a close, the group wondered if people on either side of the gun debate agree on such basic fundamental goals, why are Americans arguing instead of working toward a solution?

If the participants from Massachusetts take their new skills with them and facilitate new, constructive conversations with others, it could eventually help shift the national conversation, Parsa said. Essential Partners is hoping to hold similar events in New Jersey, Alabama and Michigan.

At the end of the session, there was enough common ground that everyone wanted to continue the conversation, with one participant voicing a sentiment the entire group could agree on.

"We all just want it to work out."
Monson farmer Lia Reilly wants to grow cannabis.

"I want to do it with sunlight, lots of organic nutrients, and I don't want to grow in a warehouse," Reilly said.

But Reilly has a problem: her farm is zoned rural residential, and the town of Monson only allows marijuana to be grown on industrial land.

"I am disappointed that the town of Monson would consider cannabis cultivation to be something that should be industrial zone only, when it is a plant that I would like to grow on my farm," Reilly said. "I don't see the purpose in keeping farmers who have farmland from growing a crop."

The licensing process opened this month for growers who want to cultivate cannabis for the state's newly legal recreational marijuana industry. But under a provision of the law passed by the state Legislature, farmers do not automatically have a right to grow cannabis, as they have a right to grow other crops.

Instead, a marijuana grower can only operate in places where the city or town zones for marijuana.

Farmers say larger industrial growers can choose where to locate a facility -- but local farmers are being blocked.

Many towns are still considering how to deal with marijuana, whether through a moratorium, ban, cap on retail stores or zoning. But so far, 65 communities have banned marijuana permanently, and 161 have moratoriums in place, generally until the end of the year, according to the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

Even in communities that allow marijuana, zoning restricts where it can be grown. Of 120 communities considering zoning bylaws, 44 have approved them, according to the Municipal Association.

Eric Schwartz co-founded Farm Bug Cooperative, which will provide services like marketing and bulk buying to multiple farmer growers. He has been in touch with 15 or 20 farmers who are potentially interested in joining the cooperative. But none have gotten a green light from their town.

"I don't have anyone zoned for cultivation yet," Schwartz said. "Unfortunately, what's happening in a lot of places is before anyone realizes what's happening, farmers are zoned out of cultivation."

Schwartz has been going to municipal board meetings around the state negotiating with town officials about grow size restrictions, moratoriums and zoning.

In Monson, planner Daniel Laroche said the planning board decided to regulate recreational marijuana the same way it regulated medical marijuana -- by keeping it in industrial areas. "We have a few small industrial districts in town. They seemed to be appropriate places, not near schools, so it seemed to make sense," Laroche said.

Laroche said the rural residential zone covers 80 percent of town land. Allowing marijuana cultivation there "would open up a lot of land for that use, and I don't think the residents of the town of Monson would be happy with that," he said.

If most marijuana ends up being grown by large indoor growers who are not necessarily town residents, rather than local farmers, Schwartz said, "I'm concerned there's going to be a lot of buyer's remorse in the years ahead."

Ware farmer Bill St. Croix said it was frustrating when medical marijuana was legalized to see farmers excluded, because of requirements that marijuana be grown indoors and that growers also operate retail dispensaries. St. Croix said there is no reason marijuana cultivation should not be allowed by right like any other plant, outdoors or in greenhouses, rather than in industrial warehouses.

"It seems like the only reason to do this is to marginalize the farmer," St. Croix said.

St. Croix wants to grow cannabis at his farm, but draft regulations in Ware only allow marijuana in commercial or commercial-industrial zones.

"You don't have practical sense going into zoning regulations," St. Croix said. "It's hurting people, hurting farmers. It will only help corporations in the long run."

Part of the dilemma is timing, and the difficulty town boards have developing zoning regulations quickly.

"To get zoning in place for a lot of towns has been a struggle," said Easthampton planner Jeffrey Bagg. "The timeline is pretty aggressive in terms of what a town typically does and how a town typically works."

The Cannabis Control Commission, the statewide agency overseeing marijuana, released draft regulations in December and final regulations in March, with licensing applications opening in May.

In contrast, Bagg said Easthampton just took several months to pass a chicken ordinance.

"This is very new," Bagg said. "It's a huge learning curve to not only set up zoning, but before you set up zoning you have to understand what you're regulating."

Dan Sullivan owns land in Buckland, which was considering a moratorium and is now going through the zoning process. He worries that local boards are made up of volunteers with no marijuana expertise.

"A lot of ideas are getting made up by people with no experience in the industry whatsoever," Sullivan said. "They're scared of it, so they push it into the industrial zone."

Sullivan said the town of Montague is already negotiating business agreements, while he is still in discussions with town planners. "Where you're in my situation and you're stuck behind a slow moving planning board, it's hard to know where to go," Sullivan said.

Buckland town administrator Andrea Llamas said small towns like Buckland do not have professional staff, so they rely on regional planning agencies. Decisions about marijuana can be unusually controversial.

"I've not seen this much division between the select board and planning board and residents," Llamas said. "Farmers and potential local retailers may feel differently from the planning board who may feel differently than the select board."

In Deerfield, a divided planning board voted to put a moratorium on the agenda for town meeting, only to have a divided select board strike it, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

Not every farmer is unhappy.

Lanesborough farmer Dan Bergeron said he has been satisfied with local officials as he tries to get permission to use two of his five greenhouses to grow cannabis. "The approval process is going good. The town is on board, and we're moving ahead," Bergeron said.

Bagg said there will be differences in how quickly communities act. "Some towns will figure it out quickly," Bagg said. "In some towns, especially towns without a town planner, it's going to take a long time."
The highly anticipated superhero flick "Deadpool 2" hit theaters on Friday, and early reviews have been mixed. Some critics have ripped the film to shreds, calling it "bad" and "annoying." Detractors also say the sequel's jokes aren't as funny as the jokes in the first film. But moviegoers seem pretty excited for the upcoming action flick. Fans are firing back, saying critics are misinformed and can't be trusted. Do you think "Deadpool 2" is worth seeing?

PERSPECTIVES

Below is the synopsis of "Deadpool 2," per Rotten Tomatoes:

The Washington Post's Michael O'Sullivan calls the film perfect! He writes:

hello, deadpool 2 had me on the floor dead. i love them to bits.  krisha (@krisha_movilla) May 16, 2018

im expecting ryan reynolds only and instead a got a bonus what a movie i love deadpool 2  husna (@lNQIUSITIVE) May 16, 2018

The Daytona Beach News Journal's Katie Walsh argues the film is complete trash. She writes:

Deadpool 2 sucks   Arvin madjack (@ArvinMadjack) May 15, 2018

Just watched deadpool 2 and it sucks  Controllingtime | Commission Closed (@ceteee_) May 15, 2018

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ANN ARBOR, MI - Some Ann Arbor residents are on edge after the latest downtown shooting, reported early Saturday.

Authorities said the incident left two men, ages 28 and 29, wounded and in the hospital. No one was arrested.

The circumstances remain unclear. Police declined to release further details on Sunday, May 20; the investigation was still in its early stages, a detective sergeant said.

Coleen Kendall, 73, said she has lived in Ann Arbor for 32 years. Kendall said she has felt uneasy walking around certain parts of downtown for the last couple years and tries to stay inside after dark.

"You feel like you can't walk at night or you're going to become a victim," she said. "This is the first or second year I've heard of any problems. For the most part, the only violence has been breaking and entering and stealing. Now (it's) coming right down to shooting people."

Paul Glendon, 75, was concerned to hear a shooting happened so close to his condominium, near Kerrytown, but he was not surprised.

"I'm not all that surprised given the number of guns that are involved today," said Glendon, who learned of the shooting Sunday morning. "People drink and people do bad things. I wish there would be better gun control."

Glendon said he has never been scared of living downtown, as he has for 52 years, and hopes that continues.

"I don't like the idea of people shooting other people in my neighborhood," he said. "We've been blessed not to have any trouble by our condo."

Brian Guo, 20, a junior at the University of Michigan, said he hopes the incident was just between the two men and that it is resolved and won't become a larger issue in the area.

"If it was a domestic incident and it was between two people, I'm not too worried about it. It is not something we can control. It is between the people involved," he said. "Any shooting obviously bothers me. The fact that it happened downtown is worrying, but I just don't think there is a lot we can do if it was between two people."

Guo said he would like to see an increased police presence downtown and believes that will help residents and students feel safer.

"There's a bunch of students on campus and the chances of something happening go up as the number of people increases," he said.

Emergency personnel were called about 2:20 a.m. May 19 to the 200 block of N. Main Street, near W. Ann Street, for a shooting. They found the two victims, both of the Ypsilanti area. They were taken to Michigan Medicine's university hospital emergency room for treatment of injuries that were not considered life-threatening, Ann Arbor police previously reported in a statement.

This was one among several recent violent crimes in the area.

An Ann Arbor man was arrested and arraigned last week in connection with the shooting of a delivery driver near Walgreens, 317 S. State St., who reportedly blocked his vehicle the night of Monday, May 14.

Police also said a man has been arrested and charged in connection with the of a stabbing another man in the neck the afternoon of Monday, May 7 at Liberty Plaza, 310 S. Division St. Police said past differences between the suspect and victim led to the assault.

The victim was transported to the hospital in stable condition.

Authorities are still searching for the suspect involved in an armed robbery on Tuesday, May 8 at the Chase Bank branch at 3500 Plymouth Road.
A former Detroit body broker, who was convicted of fraud related to the rental of diseased body parts, is expected to be decided in federal court Monday, May 21.

While the U.S. Attorney's Office is requesting that U.S. District Judge Paul D. Borman sentence 64-year-old Arthur Rathburn of Grosse Pointe Park to between 11 and 14 years in prison, Rathburn believes, based on sentencing guidelines, he should receive between six months and a year.

Since Rathburn has spent more than two years in prison awaiting trial and then sentencing, He could be released with time served, should Borman side with the defense.

Prosecutors are also asking the judge impose nearly $2.5 million in restitution.

Rathburn of Grosse Pointe Park and his ex-wife Elizabeth Rathburn were accused of operating a body broker business named International Biological Inc. (IBI) and fraudulently misrepresenting its unusual products -- human body parts -- between 1995 and 2013.

The business closed shortly after the FBI raided Rathburn's macabre Detroit warehouse in 2012.

Rathburn's former wife pleaded guilty to a count of aiding and abetting wire fraud, for which she was sentenced to two years probation.

Investigators testified to finding "piles of dead flies," with frozen clumps of heads, arms, legs, organs and torsos stored in paint cans, beer coolers and Tupperware throughout the warehouse.

While it was never mentioned by prosecutors during trial, Reuters published leaked photos that showed the FBI also seized fetuses during the raid of Rathburn's property.

The FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office has since refused to discuss, or even acknowledge, the fetuses were discovered.

Rathburn purchased diseased bodies at a discount and failed to disclose infections to customers -- usually medical training and product seminars -- according to federal investigators. Sepsis, HIV and hepatitis were among the infections U.S. attorneys say Rathburn failed to disclose.

Rathburn was found guilty of six counts of wire fraud, each punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and illegal transport of hazardous material.

Investigators say Rathburn, in addition to deceiving his customers, arranged to have infected heads air-freighted from Tel Aviv, Israel to the U.S.

The severed heads were wrapped in trash bags and piled into a camping cooler for delivery via Delta Cargo in February 2012.

Federal investigators said Rathburn lied to officials, claiming the heads had been embalmed, but testing revealed they were in a pool of bloody mixture found at the bottom of the cooler with Listerine mouth wash.

Defense attorneys for Rathburn, James C. Howarth and Craig A. Daly, argue that that victims in the case suffered no "actual loss" and that justifies a lighter sentence for their client.

"To date ... the government presented no proof that any of the individuals who received specimens from Rathburn incurred any actual loss," defense attorneys wrote in Rathburn's sentencing memorandum. "Instead, they all profited handsomely from the use of his specimens, collecting fees from the participants, increasing their professional standing and increasing the participants skills."
FLINT, MI -- More than 500 Lapeer High School students danced the night away during their 2018 prom Saturday night at the Riverfront Banquet Center in downtown Flint.

Each walked past a number of popular film posters to get to the ballroom, including "Casablanca," "Dirty Dancing," "Jaws," and "Star Wars" on May 19.

After an on-site catered meal, students flocked to the dance floor, listening to songs by Drake, Jason Derulo and other popular artists. The students also enjoyed a traditional photo booth and a mirror booth, which was another sort of interactive photo booth.

Blackjack and other card games were being played as part of the overall theme as well.

The Flint Journal and MLive.com have photographed the special moments from proms across Genesee County, including Flint, Burton Bendle, Swartz Creek, LakeVille, Davison, Clio, Lake Fenton, Fenton, Carman-Ainsworth, Holly, Beecher, Flushing, and more throughout the state.

Have a look at MLive's prom coverage here.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A group protesting the recent U.S. embassy opening in Jerusalem used the American flag as a symbol, tearing and trying to burn it Saturday in downtown Grand Rapids.

The move didn't sit well with some people watching the protesters at the corner of Monroe Avenue and Pearl Street NW.

While there were no clashes, two people who witnessed the flag being tossed into a nearby trash receptacle took their own action.

They retrieved the flag and carefully folded it into the traditional triangle. They planned to dispose of it properly.

"It's their right to protest," said the man who retrieved the flag. "I'm just going to take care of the flag."

He didn't want to give his name.

The protesters showed up about 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19 to voice their displeasure over recent events in Israel.

Under President Donald Trump's directive, the U.S. embassy was moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. A dedication ceremony happened last week.

The dedication sparked more intense protesting from nearby Palestinians at the Gaza border. Dozens of protesters were killed in gunfire from Israeli forces at the border.

Saturday, the protesters said the intent of ripping and burning the American flag -- they also took out frustrations on an Israelia flag -- was simply symbolic to voice displeasure over American support for Israel.

"A protest is intended to illicit a response," one protester said.

"The U.S. governments sends so many tax dollars to Israel. We are absolutely against any support to Israel," another protester said.
There's no way around it: Michigan's education system is floundering.

From early literacy to middle-school math, Michigan students are not keeping up with their peers in top-performing states.

Big changes are needed if Michigan wants to turn itself around, experts say.

"Michigan, if it thinks the status quo is going to be fine, we'll have a race to the bottom, and we're almost there right now," said Grand Valley State University President Thomas Haas, who chaired Gov. Rick Snyder's 21st Century Education Commission, a panel that developed recommendations to improve Michigan's education system.

Perhaps no issue is more important for Michigan's future: In a global economy, a well-educated workforce is critical - and an area where Michigan lags behind.

It starts with reaching and educating Michigan school children even earlier than kindergarten. That means providing more families with affordable access to high-quality early childhood education and funding K-12 schools based on student need, experts say.

It also means ensuring all children have access to top-notch teachers and boosting the number of residents with college degrees or certificates in areas such as the skilled trades.

The relatively low numbers of college graduates and people with post-secondary training mean good jobs here can go begging. The state's fast-growing occupations are those that require post-secondary training. In 2016, 2 percent of Michigan adults with a bachelor's degree were unemployed compared to 7 percent of those with only a high school diploma.

Low rates of educational attainment means stagnating wages and tax bases that stifle economic growth. It means Michigan is less competitive in recruiting new employers. A major reason Detroit wasn't a finalist in the new Amazon Headquarters was that the region didn't have the talent pool needed for the jobs.

It hurts individuals. It hurts entire communities.

"It's really about our vitality in every aspect for the future in our state," said Amber Arellano, executive director of The Education Trust-Midwest, a nonpartisan education policy and research group. "It's whether you want to stay here and raise your kids."

In a series that began in April, MLive is taking a hard look at Michigan's biggest challenges - our economy, education system and infrastructure - from the historical importance, to how we got where we are today, to possible solutions.

We'll use the series to frame our discussion with candidates as we head into the 2018 midterm elections and choose Michigan's newest leaders.

This month, we're taking a deep dive into Michigan's educational pipeline.

Below are some of the issues we'll be exploring.

K-12 schools

Michigan students are below the national average in federal test scores, in graduating high school in four years and in college enrollment.

* Michigan ranked 36th in fourth-grade reading proficiency in the most round of the National Assessment of Educational Progress tests.

* About 80 percent of Michigan's Class of 2017 graduated high school in four years compared to a national average of 84 percent.

*Not quite 32 percent of Michigan adults age 25 to 34 have a bachelor's degree compared to 35 percent in that age group nationwide.

And that's after Michigan has spent the past two decades rolling out various strategies to improve Michigan's schools.

Michigan has opened the door to school choice and charter schools. Rigorous high school graduation requirements have been implemented. High-stakes testing has been adopted. Teacher tenure laws have been reformed. And a now-defunct state-reform district was created.

Some of those efforts, such as high academic standards, are important and should stay in place, experts say. But overall, they have not pushed the needle in student achievement.

What's needed, education leaders say, is transformational change.

That includes an overhaul of the school-funding formula, according to the School Finance Research Collaborative, a coalition of educators, nonprofits and philanthropic groups.

Michigan isn't providing adequate funding for K-12 education, and policymakers must take into greater account the needs of each child, the collaborative said in a January 2018 report.

About half of Michigan students qualify for the subsidized lunch program, and there's a huge academic achievement gap between those children and students from middle-class and affluent families.

Closing that gap requires more support services: more tutoring and specialized instruction, more after-school programs, more summer school. Michigan's funding formula needs to reflect those costs, the collaborative says.

Another big issue: Getting more experienced, high-quality teachers in Michigan's most troubled school districts.

Right now, Michigan's best teachers tend to gravitate to more affluent districts where the pay tends to be much better and the public support is much greater.

But that shortchanges students in high-poverty communities most in need of skilled, experienced teachers.

Birth to age 5

Another recommendation of the governor's commission: give more families access to high-quality, early childhood education.

That means offering all 4-year-olds access to state-funded preschool, and helping more families pay for quality childcare for children ages birth to three, educators and advocacy groups say. Currently, slightly less than half of Michigan 3- and 4-year-olds attend a pre-K program, according to Census data.

"People can't afford or don't have access to quality child care in their communities," said Matt Gillard, president and CEO of Michigan's Children, which advocates for services for low-income families. "This is a huge challenge right now."

Research shows that 90 percent of brain development occurs in the first five years of life, which means birth-to-5 services offer the best bang for the buck for improving academic outcomes.

Higher education

Investments are crucial in higher education, too.

By 2020, about two-thirds of jobs are expected to require training beyond high school, whether that be a college degree or an associate degree or certificate in areas such as advanced manufacturing or information technology.

Yet Michigan lags in the number of college graduates and people with post-secondary training. About 28 percent of Michigan adults age 25 and older have a bachelor's degree, compared to a national average of 31 percent.

Boosting Michigan's number is key if the state wants to lure employers to the state and ensure that residents have the skills needed to land good, high-paying jobs, said Lou Glazer, president of Michigan Future Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on improving the state's economy.

"The choice is increase college attainment or permanently be one of the poorer states in the country," Glazer said. "That's the stakes."

Over the course of the next several months, MLive will explore issues of economy, education and infrastructure, and what Michigan leaders need to do to create a better future. We'd love to hear from you, about your struggles and your wins, as you navigate Michigan's economic landscape. We want to use your voice and your questions to frame the conversation with candidates as we head into midterm elections. Have a story to share, send us an email to michiganbeyond@mlive.com
UPDATE: The Burdick Street building will be 6,500-square-feet. A previous version of this story used an incorrect figure.

KALAMAZOO, MI -- A nonprofit that provides free rooms to families of Kalamazoo hospital patients is looking for someone to buy its longtime house while it expands to two new locations.

Hospital Hospitality House opened its doors at a new extended-stay facility on 1800 Henson Ave. in August 2017 and broke ground on another site at 828 S. Burdick St. last week. Meanwhile, it's trying to sell a century-old house at 527 W. South St. that served as its headquarters since being donated in 1989.

The nonprofit provides rooms and food to family of patients being treated at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Borgess Medical Center and the West Michigan Cancer Center and other healthcare providers.

Five years ago, it launched a $4.8 million capital campaign to build two new locations and add $1 million to its endowment fund. The organization needs to raise $400,000 more to meet its goal.

The Burdick Street location will be 6,500-square-feet with seven guest rooms that can accommodate 17 people. It will include a library, fully-stocked kitchen, a playroom for children, outdoor areas and space for relaxation.

Construction is expected to be finished next January, and rooms would be available in February 2018.

Executive Director Judy Paget said patients heal faster when they have family nearby. Family members can also help patients understand complicated hospital instructions after they are discharged, she said.

"We are here to make it easier for families to support their loved ones while receiving medical treatment in Kalamazoo," Paget said.

The average stay is 5-and-a-half days, Paget said, but one woman stayed 100 days last year while her infant was in an neo-natal intensive care unit. Others come to decompress for an afternoon and take a break from the hospital.

Patients sometimes use the hospitality home to stay the night before a hospital visit the following morning, Paget said.

The organization served close to 1,000 people last year, she said, and the need is increasing as more outpatient care becomes more common. Padget said referrals at the Henson Avenue site increased 20 percent since it opened, partially due to more awareness of the hospitality service.

Each site is less than a quarter mile from Bronson and Borgess hospitals, respectively. The Henson Avenue site sits on four lots donated by Borgess, while the upcoming Burdick Street site is on two parcels donated by Bronson.

Both buildings were designed by Eckert Wordell, a Kalamazoo-based firm.

The historic South Street building wasn't accessible for people with disabilities. It also did not have separate bathrooms for each bedroom, which presented a risk for cancer patients who have compromised immune systems.

The South Street house is listed for $385,000 with Signature Associates.

"I think it's in excellence shape," Padget said. "The organization has done a great job of taking care of it over the years."

Padget said the building has attracted interest from people who would turn it into business space, apartments or a single-family home, but it remains unsold.

Hospital Hospitality House isn't seeking anything specific uses from a buyer, she said.

The property was built by affluent furniture merchant E.A. Carder, who moved into the house in 1866.

Carder built the home as a distinct 19th-century Italianate villa, but sold it 10 years later to Dr. Edwin Van Deusen, a philanthropist and mental health practitioner.

A subsequent renovation added Neo-Georgian features, including the large columned entryway.
VICKSBURG, MI -- An elementary school teacher from Vicksburg was recognized as Michigan's Teacher of the Year.

Laura Chang, a second grade teacher at Vicksburg's Sunset Lake Elementary School won the 2018-2019 Michigan Teacher of the Year Award, according to a press release from the Michigan Department of Education.

Chang, the first teacher in Kalamazoo County to win the award, is a "model teacher who serves from the heart," the release said.

Chang has taught in the Vicksburg Community Schools for her entire 18-year teaching career.

"Laura has dedicated her life to education and helping others reach their goals," Sunset Lake Principal Amie McCaw said. "Although Laura serves in many different roles, she never lets the pressure get to her. She always serves with a smile. Laura's infectious laughter can be heard almost every morning and helps every one of us start our day on a positive note."

Vicksburg Community Schools Superintendent Charles Glaes said in the release Chang was "that rare classroom teacher who principals rely upon, parents lobby for, colleagues admire and enjoy working with and students love."

Interim State Superintendent Sheila Alles announced the award winner during a visit to the Vicksburg school.

"Educators like Ms. Chang are key in moving Michigan to becoming a Top 10 education state in 10 years," Alles said in the release. "She is knowledgeable and provides relevant and meaningful teaching and learning experiences to her students. She is a compassionate, positive and inspirational role model."

Chang earned her bachelor's degree and her Master of Arts in Education and Professional Development from Western Michigan University.

As this year's award winner, Chang will sit as a non-voting member of the Board of Education and will be the chair of the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Committee, working to find solutions for Michigan's education issues.
MUSKEGON, MI - Muskegon Heights High School students and guests celebrated a magical evening at prom 2018 on Saturday, May 19.

The evening began with the pre-prom show off at the high school track. During the community gathering, students showed off their attire and vehicles for family and friends to take photos.

This year's prom theme was "Moroccan Magic." The event was held at the Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor downtown Muskegon.

Prom, organized by three students, was decorated to the Moroccan theme with stars, balloons, pillows, tents and more. Dinner, snacks and dessert were catered by the Holiday Inn. The event also included a photo booth.

Muskegon Heights prom show off 2018 Posted by The Muskegon Chronicle on Saturday, May 19, 2018

MLive has covered a multitude of Muskegon-area proms this season. Find all MLive/Muskegon Chronicle prom coverage here.
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SAGINAW, MI -- A pair of men have been hospitalized after they were shot in separate incidents overnight in Saginaw.

Saginaw officers and Michigan State Police troopers were dispatched around 1 a.m. Sunday, May 20 to the area of Bismarck and Narloch streets for a shots fired complaint.

A 25-year-old man arrived at a local hospital a short time later with a gunshot wound in his left thigh, police said.

He told police he'd been shot one time while at an unknown house on Bismarck Street but could not provide suspect information.

The Saginaw Major Crimes Unit -- consisting of Saginaw police and Michigan State Police detectives -- is investigating the shooting.

While law enforcement officials were investigating the incident, a call came into Saginaw County 911 for a shooting in the area of Harold and Ray streets.

A 51-year-old man was located in the 3400 block of Harold Street where he'd walked after being shot in the leg.

The victim told police he'd been shot while walking on Harold Street by an unknown person in a silver or gray passenger car last seen heading south on Ray Street.

No additional suspect information was immediately available.

Anyone with information on the shootings may contact Saginaw police at 989-759-1229 or report a tip anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL (5245) or on the P3 Tips app.
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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,
funding are shrouded in secrecy Click to expand...

Where do the Royal Family get the money they will spend on Prince Harrys nuptials?The Royal Family are given money from the British government known as the Sovereign Grant, funded by the taxpayer, every year.In 2016 the they were given a whopping 40 million from the UK public.Bridebook.co.uk, a wedding planning service, says the total cost of the wedding could be 32m - including the cost of security.He said the 32m figure had been based on the assumption that the Royal Family had paid for everything at market rate.The freeloading deuschbags. Only their slaves love them.Funny who pays though.No taxpayer funding for the Royal WeddingTo: Parliament of the United KingdomWe petition the UK parliament to commit no public money to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and to call upon the government to publish a report of all costs to taxpayers.A royal wedding is a private, personal event, dressed up as a national occasion. That lets the royals use the wedding as a PR exercise and to expect the taxpayer will pay a large part of the costs.Who is paying?The exact details of royal wedding funding are shrouded in secrecy, but we do know - at the very least - that expensive road closures and policing will be required. And we know local councils and the taxpayer will end up footing the bill.Taxpayers should not be funding a private wedding, no matter who is getting married.If Harry and Meghan want to turn their big day into a public event, they need to pick up the bill  all of it.The Palace claims the wedding will be funded by the royal family, but royal funding blurs the lines between private income and public money. So, whether it's the cost of policing paid for directly by us, or costs of the wedding ceremony, paid for by the royals, the taxpayer still ends up paying.If the royal family funds the wedding through the ill-gotten gains of a broken system of royal funding, then we have a right to know where that money is coming from and what its being spent on.Taxpayers have the right to know...but slaves do not.
"Agriculture is our biggest industry in Pennsylvania, and firms like Clemens serve as huge sources of business for our farmers throughout Pennsylvania. And that's really important. I appreciate the decision you've made to grow here in Pennsylvania  you could've...
Effects of COVID-19 on children the focus of first Pennridge Community Partnership event
Building Homes for Heroes donates home to war veteran and her children
May 20, 2018

The MoA Week In Review and Open Thread 2018-25

Last week's posts on Moon of Alabama:

Yesterday I planned to write about the FBI spy who tried to infiltrate the Trump campaign. But the Syria piece took longer than anticipated. Now Glenn Greenwald beat me to it:

The FBI Informant Who Monitored the Trump Campaign, Stefan Halper, Oversaw a CIA Spying Operation in the 1980 Presidential Election

The Intercept should not have used "monitored". Prof. Stefan Halper, a man with deep CIA and MI6 connections, spied on the Trump campaign for the FBI. He wasn't an informant, he was an operator. Chuck Ross of the Daily Caller reported the story on March 25 and was the first to name Halper. Larouche Pub and the American Thinker also ran the story and expanded it further.

After the Daily Caller report came out the FBI tried to hide the name of its spy, telling Congress that revealing the name would endanger the man as well as other 'informants' and secret investigations. The main stream media played along and the anti-Trump 'resistance' feigned outrage that anyone would attempt to look into this. But the name was out there all along for everyone to see, as was the whole story.

Greenwald concludes:

Whatever else is true, the CIA operative and FBI informant used to gather information on the Trump campaign in the 2016 campaign has, for weeks, been falsely depicted as a sensitive intelligence asset rather than what he actually is: a long-time CIA operative with extensive links to the Bush family who was responsible for a dirty and likely illegal spying operation in the 1980 presidential election. For that reason, its easy to understand why many people in Washington were so desperate to conceal his identity, but that desperation had nothing to do with the lofty and noble concerns for national security they claimed were motivating them.

Amen.

Use as open thread ...

Posted by b on May 20, 2018 at 15:22 UTC | Permalink

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Syria's official state news agency and government officials denied reaching a deal to allow the militants to evacuate Yarmouk and adjacent areas. State-run al-Ikhbariya TV said government forces plan to drive the militants from their remaining strongholds in the area.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said buses carrying IS fighters left the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk and the adjacent al-Tadamon neighborhood overnight. A video circulating online showed lines of buses waiting in the camp with their engines running. It was not clear who filmed the video or where the busses were set to go.

Damascus residents said the situation was calm, with no warplanes flying overhead Sunday. Al-Watan, a pro-government newspaper, said the militants are believed to have surrendered. The Observatory said IS militants began burning their posts in Yarmouk and adjacent areas. Residents said that smoke was billowing over the area.

Al-Ikhbariya TV said a new plan is underway to storm IS-held areas in Hajar al-Aswad, near Yarmouk. The channel's area correspondent said the coming hours would be "decisive" for restoring government control in Hajar al-Aswad, but didn't mention Yarmouk.

President Bashar Assad's forces launched an offensive against the militants in southern Damascus a month ago. The offensive has brought more than 70 percent of the camp under government control. The capture of these southern neighborhoods would bring the entire capital under government control for the first time since the war began in 2011.

Yarmouk began as a refugee camp for Palestinians who fled or were expelled from what is now Israel during the 1948 war. Before Syria's civil war began, it was a built-up residential area home to tens of thousands of Palestinians and Syrians.

IS has been driven from virtually all the territory it once controlled in Syria and neighboring Iraq, but is still present in remote areas along the border in Deir el-Zour province.

On Sunday, activists reported that the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by artillery from the U.S.-led coalition, have shelled Hajin, the main IS stronghold in the province on the eastern banks of the Euphrates river. In recent days, the SDF and the coalition, in cooperation with Iraqi forces across the border, have stepped up their offensive against the IS in the area, besieging the militants in Hajin and smaller villages around it.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Both a driver and state trooper suffered minor injuries after a crash involving the trooper's marked car on Interstate 4 in Orange County on Sunday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Both suffered minor injuries; driver sent to Florida Hospital

FHP stated this is not an alcohol-related crash

Charges are pending

At around 10:50 a.m., Alyssa Mack was driving her 2015 Dodge four-door vehicle westbound on I-4 when she drove on a "curve at an unsafe speed" around mile marker 87 and lost control, left the road and struck the back of a trooper's patrol car in the right shoulder, stated the FHP.

Trooper Vicente Torres-Rivera was at the shoulder of I-4 with the lights of his 2016 Dodge Charger were on when he was investigating a different, single-vehicle crash when the 24-year-old Miami resident struck his car, according to the FHP.

Both Torres-Rivera, a 59-year-old Orlando resident, and Mack suffered minor injuries, although only Mack was sent to Florida Hospital, confirmed FHP.

Both also had their seatbelts on and the FHP stated that this is not an alcohol-related incident.

The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Members of the International Association of Machinists Aerospace Workers have voted to accept a new contract offer, United Launch Alliance announced Saturday.

ULA's IAM workers approve new contract

Employees set to return to work Monday

Workers went on strike over work travel, pay

About 600 employees will return to work Monday, ending a strike that began on May 7.

We are pleased that IAM-represented employees have ratified this agreement that is so critical to continuing ULAs success, ULA president and CEO Tony Bruno said a statement.

Florida workers had been picketing near Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

They were part of a nationwide protest that included workers at ULAs other operation centers in Decatur, Alabama, and at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The union said workers were unhappy with work travel and pay. Many employees have to travel between launch locations, spending up to a month away from home.
SAN DIEGO, May 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The battle against drugs and drug abuse is not yours alone to fight. Rehabs In Columbus can help you win the battle by providing continuous support, guidance, and treatment. You can talk to care providers in the center any time of the day whenever you have questions. You can also seek their attention when you want to talk to someone. Since you are a patient, your comfort and safety is their priority. They will provide you the best care and treatment involving your care.



Multifaceted and Comprehensive Treatment

Treatment provided by Rehabs In Columbus is wide-ranging. This means that they are not only focused on treating your physical health but other therapies are also offered to restore and reestablish your psychological and emotional health. With psychological treatments, you will be learning some techniques on how to manage stress without resorting to the use of drugs. You will also learn how to reduce anxiety and manage depression. Rehabs In Columbus also provide emotional care. With emotional care, the care providers will help you manage your emotions to prevent emotional strain.

Self-worth Development

With structured activities and insights gained, care providers in Rehabs In Columbus will help you achieved enhanced self-esteem. Enhancing your sense of self-worth can help you live a healthy life without worrying about what people may say about you or any other issues. A decreased self-worth is one factor which leads to drug use so if you can enhance these factors; you will no longer think of using drugs.

Post-Treatment Approach

The care provided by Rehabs In Columbus does not end upon discharge. Continuous follow-up check-ups will be conducted by them to make sure that their patients will be free from drugs. After discharge, the patient will be encouraged to join meetings and group therapies for them to gain more ideas and skills on how they can avoid drugs.

Going on to Rehabs In Columbus will be very helpful for you and your family. You should not allow yourself to be consumed by drugs and its unhealthy effects. Rehabs In Columbus have specific websites that you can visit to know more about the services they offer, one of them is TheRecover.com

Contact Info:

Author: Kevin Leonard

Organization: TheRecover.com

Address: 27420 Jefferson Ave, Temecula, CA 92590

Phone: (888) 510-3898

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6f594f64-5919-4037-ac1c-12765a638f91
SAN DIEGO, May 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ohio is one of the places in the United States overwhelmed by tourists. Tourism has brought a tremendous economic success in the state, however; it has also taken in addiction affecting a vast number of young individuals. To solve this prevalent issue, Columbus Drug Rehabs were established and health professionals implemented various treatment programs for the addicts. Parents were also encouraged to get their children involved in community activities to take their attention away from the harmful substances like drugs. TheRecover.com partners with Columbus Drug Rehabs to reach out to struggling individuals in need of drug addiction help.



Addiction can ruin a persons life. The damaging effects of the drugs in the body can be devastating and life threatening. Without proper treatment, an addict may be at risk of its various side effects and health complications. Addiction does not come only from taking illegal drugs. One of the significant issues in Ohio is the abuse in prescription drugs. Many people believed that abusing a prescription drug is not dangerous compared to illegal drugs. Most of them are not aware of the risk that abused in prescription drugs may pose to their health. In order to successfully get rid of the drug components from your body and recover from addiction you must find a reliable drug rehabilitation center.

There are many Columbus Drug Rehabs established to cater all the requirements of every type of patients but finding the best one is not easy. There are things that you need to consider to find a drug rehabilitation center that provides good services to the patient. Tips below will guide you to your search.

1. When looking for Columbus Drug Rehabs, you must first understand and determine the type of drug that you are addicted to and the severity of your addiction.

2. Consider the cost and the amount of time that you may need for your recovery process.

3. If you cannot do the research alone, ask help from a friend or family member.

4. Visit local clinics and talk to physicians who might be able to recommend you to a drug rehabilitation that perfectly suits your situation.

5. Different centers may have different type of approaches and treatment plans to help patients get through the recovery process; so choose the one that would suit your requirements and help you recover effectively.

6. After deciding for a center, make an appointment with the administrator to inquire about their treatment options and services available. If possible talk to a patient who is currently under medication in the center.

7. With the various Columbus Drug Rehabs, many people have gained recovery from their addiction problem. Drug addiction treatment programs may also need the cooperation of the patient to make it successful. Columbus medical professionals believed that in order for patients to fully recover they must be willing to go through the entire process and must be determined to reach their goals.

Patients in drug rehabilitation centers are following a crucial step for their recovery assisted by a medical professional. There are primary procedures carried out by the health professionals such as private screening to determine the severity of the patients addiction. Patients must honestly confess about his sufferings and medical history to the attending physician so that he will be able to proposed a treatment plan necessary for his complete recovery.

Finding the best Columbus Drug Rehabs can be a daunting task for you. However, if you have the right resources you can easily identify the right facility. Columbus Drug Rehabs focus their goals on treating various types of drug addiction cases. Before committing to a particular center, be sure to know their credibility and legitimacy. With this you will know that they are operating legally and can administer treatment procedures safely.

Contact Info:

Author: Kevin Leonard

Organization: TheRecover.com

Address: 27420 Jefferson Ave, Temecula, CA 92590

Phone: (888) 510-3898

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a2888f5-6d02-4db4-b58c-365d3add4678
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 69F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 69F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph.
SAN DIEGO, May 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Have you noticed any signs of drug abuse in your loved one? Is a close friend or a family member showing symptoms and signs of drug dependency? If you suspect that any one of your loved ones is dependent on drugs, it would not be right to ignore your suspicions. Confront your loved one today. It would be a great relief even if you turn out to be wrong. A drug detoxification facility such as San Jose Rehabs can help San Jose residents to address their substance abuse issues and seek a complete detoxification treatment.



How We Can Help You With Detoxification

TheRecover.coms partner San Jose Rehabs, offer comprehensive drug detoxification programs to San Jose residents, keeping in mind their financial status and social condition. We understand that the situation of every substance abuse victim is unique and different. That is exactly why we have customized detoxification programs that are effective, practical and within the reach of anybody who needs it. We try to look into all possibilities such as your lifestyle, financial situation, and your other needs before presenting you with options for detoxification that can last between a month and a year.

Comprehensive Drug Detoxification Programs at San Jose Rehabs

Home based detoxification  You will be placed in a special residential unit where complete attention would be provided to you during the course of your treatment.

Hospital based detoxification  You will be receiving detoxification at any of our specialized units as an in-patient.

Out-patient detoxification  You would be receiving detoxification at San Jose Rehabs as an out-patient for about 10-20 hours every week.

Intensive out-patient detoxification  A special program made for working professionals. You would receive detoxification treatment for about 10-20 hours every week on a day of your choice.

Partial detoxification  This program involves treatment in the mornings and can last up to 8 hours.

Why San Jose Rehabs?

San Jose Rehabs is the ideal place for San Jose residents to seek help for drug detoxification. Our state of the art facility is equipped the best infrastructure, advanced medical practices and a friendly approach to detoxification. The reasons to choose this network are far too many.

We offer customized treatment programs to suit your specific needs and also your budget.

We include medical attention and counseling in our detoxification processes to ensure that you develop a positive attitude and remain motivated at all times.

You can remain proactive throughout your stay at our facility by participating in activities and volunteering for self help groups.

We offer a unique service of case management so that you can monitor your health even after completing a detoxification program.

Looking for a Better Life? Contact Us today!

If you are looking for a reliable and trustworthy drug detoxification center for yourself or a loved one, San Jose Rehabs can help you find a rare combination of advanced practices combined with care. For more information, contact our experts today.

Contact Info:

Author: Kevin Leonard

Organization: TheRecover.com

Address: 27420 Jefferson Ave, Temecula, CA 92590

Phone: (888) 510-3898

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/03016027-ab38-4a9a-b4cf-94908a8b096d
SAN DIEGO, May 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Irritability, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, unusual odors, dilated pupils, and suspicious behavior  do they sound familiar? Drug addiction is a serious plague that is affecting several San Jose residents, who can be saved with timely help. If you are noticing sudden changes in a loved ones personality, the time to act is now. If you suspect drug addiction or even have the slightest hints of substance abuse, it is best to confront your loved one today and seek help. Drug Rehabs in San Jose partners with TheRecover.com to increase the possibilties of helping drug addicts get addiction help.



Drug Rehabs in San Jose can help you reach out to your loved ones with effective rehabilitation services for San Jose residents. Our facility offers affordable, reliable and customized treatment services to suit your needs and budget.

Important Information We Ask To Formulate Your Rehabilitation Program

At Drug Rehabs in San Jose, we are proud of our vast network of qualified professionals and experts in drug rehabilitation. However, before we offer or begin any form of drug rehabilitation treatment, we gather a few important details about your loved one and their substance abuse case file to provide the most effective treatment program.

History of substance abuse  drugs consumed, quantity, frequency etc

Prior attempts at drug rehabilitation, if any

Present medical health and overall medical history

Specific allergies and illnesses; other important health complications

Education and current employment status

Current emotional, psychological, and mental health

Financial status and other social difficulties

Comprehensive Drug Rehabilitation Services for San Jose Residents

After we assess your case details, our counselors organize another discussion with you and your family to determine the best approach for treatment. To keep our discussions short and to the point, we map out our four focus points that help us work out all the details.

Establish current situation and conditions

Factor in potential problems and obstacles

Set goals to overcome problems

Brainstorm and hold discussions to find suitable solutions

How We Work

Drug Rehabs in San Jose promises complete privacy and confidentiality of your personal and sensitive information, treating each of its clients with equal care and compassion. Our doctors, nurses, counselors, and social workers provide all round care to ensure that your loved one is coping physically and mentally during the daunting rehabilitation period.

At Drug Rehabs in San Jose, our professionals believe in providing quality treatment and care through medical and psychological support. Our qualified team employs an effective combination of medical treatment with psychological counseling to ensure that you are coping physically and mentally.

Are You Looking To Give Up Drugs? Let Us Help You Recover!

Looking for a reliable and established drug rehabilitation facility for a San Jose resident? Your search ends at Drug Rehabs in San Jose. Our state-of-the-art facility, advanced treatment options for our client, and qualified and compassionate staff make drug rehabilitation a manageable process. At our facility, we regularly organize support group meetings and activities to keep you occupied and mentally focused on your goal  recovery.

Drug Rehabs in San Jose with its team of finest professionals can help you through any ordeal, ensuring efficient medical treatment with an optimistic attitude. To know more about our rehabilitation services, contact our professionals today.

Contact Info:

Author: Kevin Leonard

Organization: TheRecover.com

Address: 27420 Jefferson Ave, Temecula, CA 92590

Phone: (888) 510-3898

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/639970ca-509f-4119-8eae-ea01d981dac0
WHEN one thinks of self styled businessman Genius Ginimbi Kadungure, images of the latest top of the range cars, designer clothes and famous all-white parties are likely to come to mind.



This is the man who, along with the often legally scrutinised Wicknell Chivayo, have taken the Zimbabwean businessman into the social media age, flashing their shiny trinkets as they fish for likes and comments on various social networks.



Amid all that bravado and wealth, real or imagined, it is hard to think of rural Bubi when the name Ginimbi is mentioned. This is however, where many familiar with the businessman cum socialite believe that his source of his wealth comes from.



For years, there has been speculation that Ginimbi and Zodwa Mkandla, popularly known as Zozo in social circles, are man and wife, although both have never openly stated their marital status, deftly dancing around the issue of their perceived marital union.



Earlier this year, rumours of their reported marriage were again sparked by a court case in the capital, after Zozo had been defrauded of $60 000 by an employee at the mansion that was largely believed to belong to Ginimbi. In the court case, the State detailed that Zodwa lost the property at her Domboshava mansion to one of her security personnel, a man identified as Justice Jasi.



Despite Ginimbi and Zozo never having had a white wedding, ironically given Ginimbis love for all things white, the two are allegedly married under the Marriages Act and therefore co-own all properties. Besides her alleged links to Ginimbi, not much is known about this self confessed rural girl, regarded by some as the one with the business smarts in the relationship, who claims to hail from Bubi.



Zodwa was born at a place called Bubi in Matabeleland North and went to school at a place called Mqwassini in the bundus before I moved to Harare for school, she once revealed in an interview.





While Ginimbi has always been coy about his relationship status, Zozo has never shied from revealing how the power couple complemented each other.





My fiance and I complement each other in our relationship, and are both businesspeople. As a woman, I dont believe in looking up to men, I believe we need to work hard and be independent so that men respect us, but at the same time women should also give men the respect that is due.





As an unpolished diamond in Bubi, Zozo revealed that her parents had never foreseen a future for her as a high flying businesswoman, but had instead wanted her to carve out a modest path in life as a teacher.





My parents wanted me to be a teacher, but later my father introduced me to Nelson Samkange who

was in the tourism industry and he took me through the tourism ropes.





I did a diploma in (IATA) International Air Transport Association. I also had a chance to work under a powerful lady called Nicky Phiri, a woman who made me believe nothing was impossible. She was a hard worker.





The Founder and Managing Director of Traverze Travel, one of the leading leisure and corporate travel management companies in Zimbabwe with branches in Zambia, South Africa and UK, Zozo was last year named the International Businesswoman of the Year by Women4Africa awards.

That and other successes she attributed to her tenacity.





Worry less about what people think. The people who judge you the most are people who dont know anything about you and judge you from what they read and see on social media but dont know where you are coming from. When you worry about what people think, you take less risks and even miss out on opportunities, she said.





Like the man believed to be her spouse, Zozo has also not been shy to flash her wealth on social media once in a while.



Earlier this year, she sent tongues wagging when she unveiled her Ranger Rover 2018 as a birthday gift to herself, becoming the first owner of such a car in South Africa.





While speculation on the nature of her union with Ginimbi continues, there is no doubt that the girl from Bubi continues to soar. Sunday News
2 Kids Will Never Be the Same,

but Gun Owner Gets Off Easy
(Newser)  A former cop who paid underage girls for sex is facing a harsher sentence over his brand of condom, the Chicago Tribune reports. William Whitley, 61, pleaded guilty this week in federal court to sex trafficking of a minor and will likely serve 10 years to life. Prosecutors leveled federal charges partly because his condomsLifeStyles and Trojan Magnumswere manufactured outside of Illinois, meaning he engaged in interstate commerce, the Kansas City Star reports. His use of a cellphone to snap sexually explicit photos of two girls and paying them with money also hit the "federal nexus," prosecutors say. The condom brands were included in the FBI's criminal complaint the way guns often are.

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"The gun traveling is analogous to the condom traveling," says a law professor and former federal prosecutor. "The person who pulled the trigger may not have traveled, but the gun did. This police officer may not have traveled, but an aspect that he used to commit the crime did." Whitley claimed he didn't know one of the girls was 14 when they had sex over a four-month period in 2015, but investigators suggested that her braces could have tipped him off. He met the other girl, a 16-year-old runaway, at a party where runaways prostituted themselves to older men. She says she gave him oral sex five times for $60 to $65 each. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Whitley, a 20-year veteran of the Chicago PD, will be sentenced in September. (Read more sex trafficking stories.)
(Newser)  White House watchers have one less thing to speculate about after first lady Melania Trump returned home Saturday from a five-day stay at Walter Reed Medical Center. The first lady is "resting comfortably and remains in high spirits," a rep said in a statement, per the New York Times. Asked about speculation over Trump's longer-than-expected stay after a kidney procedure, the rep said that "every patient is different. Mrs. Trump has a medical team that is comfortable with her care, which is all that matters. Her recovery and privacy are paramount and I will have no further comment beyond this." "Great to have our incredible First Lady back home in the White House. Melania is feeling and doing really well. Thank you for all of your prayers and best wishes!" tweeted President Trump, though CNN notes that he misspelled his wife's name as "Melanie" in the original tweet. Trump had no public events on his schedule on the day of his wife's return. (Read more Melania Trump stories.)
(Newser)  Pope Francis announced on Sunday he has chosen 14 men to be the newest cardinals in the church, among them his chief aide for helping Rome's homeless and poor, as well as prelates based in Iraq and Pakistan, where Christians are a vulnerable minority. "I am happy to announce that on June 29, I will hold a consistory (ceremony) to make 14 new cardinals," Francis said, in what Reuters frames as a surprise announcement. "The countries of provenance express the universality of the church," Francis added. Then he revealed his picks to be the latest "princes of the church," including from Africa, elsewhere in Asia, and South America, as he continues to make the College of Cardinals less European than it had been in centuries. Francis has now nominated 74 cardinals. Among the newest, per the AP:

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Monsignor Konrad Krajewski, a good-natured Pole who has handed out sleeping bags to homeless on frigid Roman nights and driven poor people to seaside day trips paid for by the Vatican.

Louis Raphael I Sako, the Baghdad-based patriarch of Babylonia of the Chaldeans.

Joseph Coutts, archbishop of Karachi, Pakistan.

Two top Vatican officials: Spanish Monsignor Luis Ladaria, who heads the Holy See's powerful office in charge of ensuring doctrinal orthodoxy, and, like the pope, is a Jesuit; and Italian Monsignor Giovanni Angelo Becciu, the No. 2 in the influential secretariat of state office. Becciu is also special delegate to the recently troubled Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

Rome's vicar general, Monsignor Angelo De Donatis.

Others: Monsignor Antonio dos Santos Marto, bishop of Fatima, Portugal; Monsignor Pedro Barreto, archbishop of Huancayo, Peru; Monsignor Desire Tsarahazana, archbishop of Toamasina, Madagascar; Monsignor Thomas Aquinas Manyo, archbishop of Osaka, Japan; and Monsignor Giuseppe Petrocchi, archbishop of L'Aquila, Italy.

Emeritus Archbishop of Xalapa, Mexico, Sergio Obeso Rivera; Monsignor Toribio Ticona Porco, a prelate from Corocoro, Bolivia; and Spanish priest Aquilino Bocos Merino are all over 80, and ineligible to vote for the next pope.

(Read more Pope Francis stories.)
(Newser)  An official from the Obama administration has suggested parents nationwide force Congress to act on gun control by keeping their kids home from school. Arne Duncan, a former US Secretary of Education, made the statement in a tweet on Friday after 10 people were gunned down in an east Texas high school. "This is brilliant, and tragically necessary," wrote the 53-year-old father of two. "What if no children went to school until gun laws changed to keep them safe?" Per Duncan's hometown Chicago Tribune, he wrote the tweet in response to a similar one penned by former education department employee Peter Cunningham. "My family is all in if we can do this at scale," continued Duncan, who now heads up an anti-gun violence organization in Chicago. "Parents, will you please join us?"

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In an interview that followed the tweet, Duncan appeared to walk back the statement to a degree. Calling any such boycott "difficult," Duncan said it's just one of many possible solutions that should be considered in the ongoing debate about gun laws and school shootings. While the boycott idea appeared to spark interest from parents on social media, some criticized it as impractical for working families of limited means. In an interview with the Washington Post, Duncan blamed a lack of "political courage" for ongoing inaction on the issue. Friday's shooting in Santa Fe, Texas has reignited debate surrounding gun laws as students from Parkland, Florida's February school shooting jumped into the fray with messages of support to victims and calls to action for politicians. (Read more gun control stories.)
BOSTON, May 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toast, the fastest-growing restaurant technology platform, today announces its partnership with Jamba Juice  the brand known for inspiring and simplifying healthy living in more than 900 locations worldwide  from the floor of the 2018 National Restaurant Association Show.



Jamba Juice selected Toast for its cloud-based, mobile, and centralized point-of-sale platform. Toasts Android architecture will provide a reliable technology infrastructure that supports seamless, frequent upgrades  with the latest functionality  for all Jamba Juice employees and franchisees. Moreover, Jamba Juice will be able to leverage Toasts flexible, powerful Toast API platform to fit their needs as they integrate third-party applications.

We are moving to Toast because our team members and franchisees require an agile, mobile, cloud-based technology in order to better serve our guests, said Jyoti Lynch, CIO at Jamba Juice. We also needed a restaurant technology platform that could keep up with our need for real-time data and analytics. Toast is always secure, updated, and online, so we can deliver top-notch guest experiences and better support our business without ever being interrupted by our point-of-sale.

Jamba Juice plans to deploy Toast Go to streamline the ordering experience for both guests and team members. Released earlier this month, Toast Go is a fully integrated point-of-sale handheld device custom-built for restaurants. When faced with long lines, Jamba Juice team members can utilize Toast Go to increase throughput and reduce order wait time.

Toast Restaurant POS offers enterprise restaurants the platform they need to control costs, improve operations, and grow revenue. With advanced multi-location management and real-time reporting, Toast's secure, cloud-enabled platform will help Jamba Juice gain the insights they need to power their locations across the country.

We couldnt be happier to welcome Jamba Juice to the Toast community here at the National Restaurant Association show, said Aman Narang, president and co-founder at Toast. As guest expectations evolve, restaurants of all sizes are turning to Toast as the platform of choice to improve operations, increase revenue, and deliver an amazing guest experience.

To learn more about Toast, see here. Find Toast at booth #6254 at the National Restaurant Show today through May 22 in Chicago.

About Toast

Founded in 2013, Toast powers successful restaurants of all sizes with a technology platform that combines restaurant POS, front of house, back of house and guest-facing technology with a diverse marketplace of third-party applications. By pairing technology with an unrivaled commitment to customer success, Toast helps restaurants streamline operations, increase revenue and deliver amazing guest experiences. In 2017 Toast was recognized as the third fastest-growing software company in North America on the Deloitte Fast 500 and named to the Forbes Cloud 100. Learn more at www.toasttab.com.

Contact

Karen DeVincent

PR and Branding Manager

media@toasttab.com

857-301-6074

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1f9c1b4d-0793-4c73-bb6b-4b8aaddec1ae
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SAN DIEGO, May 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adderall is commonly accustomed to address ADD and ADHD signs and symptoms. Initially, Adderall was distributed below one more identity as Obetrol; It turned out prescribed to help those in weight and nutritional control. So whilst it could possibly have some benefits for anyone experiencing ADD and ADHD, that it was actually utilized for other requirements. TheRecover.com is an online news and article website that offers information for individuals struggling with drug addiction.



Adderall is definitely an amphetamine that stimulates the neurological system. It is authorized by the FDA considering that 1996 for treating ADD in grown-ups and little ones more than 6 years. Adderall tends to have more durable benefits and adverse reactions are in reality quite a bit less severe for the reason that adverse reactions of Ritalin, one more drug for ADD and ADHD.

The most frequent side effects of Adderall include sleep loss, headaches, fat loss and appetite damage. It is only fair to anticipate losing weight and urge for food loss once you fully grasp precisely what the substance was originally employed for. Small children's bodyweight and increase may be afflicted if Adderall is taken for a long time.

Medical side effects consist of abdomen agony, queasiness, wooziness, obsession and uneasiness. These adverse reactions are not as popular as the ones pointed out previously, but they could affect a lot of people and can be really frustrating. Adderall dependency is really a priority as it will cause significant practices and health-related problems.

Nevertheless, the best significant unwanted effects of Adderall are Tourettes syndrome, hallucinations and improved heart rate.

Before you consider consuming Adderall as treatment for Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, it is vital to debate with your health care provider in regards to the risks included and no matter whether this medication could really help you. Adderall ought not to be obtained if you have glaucoma, over-active thyroid gland, coronary disease and a medical history of drug use. Certainly don't carry Adderall with anti-depressant medications identified as MAOI as it may lead to serious side effects that could be potentially fatal.

Adderall can be a pill with high chance of maltreatment. Adderall abuse is obvious in the prevalent using Adderall between high school graduation and college students in their final examinations. As Adderall can be a catalyst consisting of Amphetamine, individuals go on it to enable them to concentration for a longer time and recollect better (temporarily). Some will finish up depending on this pill because they build a state of based mostly learning this can wherewithal to accomplish without them. The extended and unsupervised usage of Adderall may cause drug addiction, quick passing away and heavy heart imperfections.

Amphetamines have desire for food-controlling houses, so some people carry Adderall to burn fat. It is actually utilised in combination with other away ingredients label prescriptions drug treatments to relieve morbid obesity. Slideshow high-risk method of shedding pounds as there weren't any research carried out to check the potency of like procedure.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/72226043-b2aa-4ee1-acbd-3dc19ffa9bdb

Contact Info:

Author: Kevin Leonard

Organization: TheRecover.com

Address: 27420 Jefferson Ave, Temecula, CA 92590

Phone: (888) 510-3898
New Delhi:

Ten people have died and 16 were taken seriously ill after drinking homemade illegal liquor in two Uttar Pradesh districts in the last 24 hours, officials said on Sunday.

Six people died in Kanpur Dehat district on Sunday, just few hours after the police busted illegal brew in nearby Kanpur district following deaths in Sachendi village.

The seriously ill were admitted to LLR Hospital and Ursula Horsman Memorial Hospital in Kanpur and the district hospital of Kanpur Dehat.

Victims in both districts were given same batch of contaminated liquor at licensed shops, on which officials said that it required a thorough investigation.

The excise department is inspecting all liquor shops looking for desi (locally made) liquor sent under batch 442. Liquor of this batch is believed to be poisonous, Kanpur Dehat district magistrate Rakesh Singh said.

The shop salesman set the liquor stock on fire after knowing about the deaths, alleged the Kanpur Dehat villagers, who demanded arrest of the accused and compensation.

District magistrate Singh and superintendent of police Ratan Kant Pandey has assured the villagers that the action will be taken.

A case was registered against the contractor and the salesman of the shop, Singh said.

An FIR under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the excise act was lodged against the licence holder of the Sachendi liquor shop, Shyam Balak, Kanpurs senior superintendent of police Akhilesh Kumar said.

Four people were detained and one arrested while Balak was on the run, police said.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of the kin of the dead, an official statement said.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi:

The Janata Dal-Secular, which stitched a post-poll alliance with the Congress for Karnataka Assembly elections, on Sunday said that the two parties will fight the 2019 Lok Sabha elections together.

The alliance of Congress & JD(S) will be really long. Youll see the alliance grow stronger in the Lok Sabha elections too, said JD-S spokesperson Danish Ali.

The Karnataka Assembly elections, which were held on May 12, gave a fractured mandate with the BJP emerging as the single largest party but falling short of simple majority.

As soon as the trends projected the BJP single largest party, the Congress offered unconditional support to the JD-S and formed a post-poll alliance to keep the saffron party out of the power.

The BJP termed the alliance between the Congress and the JD-S an unholy nexus and said that it would not last long.

The new government born out of the unholy nexus of Congress and JD-S wont stay for long. Only the BJP can give the stable government. The mandate was given to BJP as the people of the state had rejected Congress, Union Minister Ananth Kumar said.

The minister said that it was a shame for the Congress party to fall at the feet of the JD-S just to stop the BJP.

While the BJP called the Congress-JD-S alliance unholy, the Opposition parties termed it as regional front against the saffron party.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that had the Congress gone into a pre-poll alliance with the JD(S), the result would have been different.

Congratulations poured in from Opposition party leaders as soon as Yeddyurappa resigned from the post of Karnataka CM just before the floor test.

Democracy wins. Congratulations Karnataka. Congratulations Deve Gowda Ji, Kumaraswamy Ji, Congress and others. Victory of the regional front (sic), Banerjee tweeted.

Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, Today, the peoples mandate has prevailed over money power.

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New Delhi:

In yet another tragic incident, seven jawans were killedA and one other injured in an IED blast in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district on Sunday.

"The search operation is being held by security forces. The blast could be of high intensity, but the exact details will come after the investigation," ANI quoted Sunder Raj P, DIG Anti-Naxal Operation on Dantewada attack.

The blast, targeting a police vehicle, took place at around 11 am on Sunday. The jawans from the Chhattisgarh Armed Force and the District Force were on their way from Cholnar to Kirandul. The CRPF personnel have rushed to Dantewada to conduct the rescue operation in the spot.

Here are the updates on Dantewada IED blast:

# 06:03 PM:A One jawan who was injured in IED blast in Dantewada has succumbed to his injuries; Total 7 jawans died in the incident.

# 05:05 PM:A Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh, who is addressing aA 'Vikas Yatra' event in KorbaA observed one-minute silence to pay tribute to six jawans who lost their lives in IED blast in Dantewada.

Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh during 'Vikas Yatra' event in Korba observed one-minute silence to pay tribute to six jawans who lost their lives in IED blast in Dantewada earlier today. pic.twitter.com/kqrtFS4CIb a ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2018

# 03:50 PM:A Chhattisgarh: Superintendent of Police Sukma Abhishek Meena says, 'one Naxal was killed during an encounter in Tumirpad forest area on 18th May.

# 03:43 PM:A Naxals are against development and they usually target our soldiers. We will strongly retaliate against such incidents: Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh on Dantewada IED blast.

# 03:40 PM:A It is a sad incident where 6 jawans were killed in an IED blast in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada. The Naxals targeted the jawans by planting IED rather than fighting them face to face, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was quoted in Madhya Pradesh's Satna.

It is a sad incident where 6 jawans were killed in an IED blast in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada. The naxals targeted the jawans by planting IED rather than fighting them face to face: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Madhya Pradesh's Satna pic.twitter.com/uT9BDYuhEC a ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2018

# 01: 38 PM:A Chhattisgarh: Death toll in the IED blast on a police vehicle in Dantewada's Cholnar Village rises, total 6 jawans killed in the blast.

# 01:14 PM:A Troops of CRPF rushed to the spot in Dantewada'sA CholnarA village.

Chhattisgarh: 3 jawans of Chhattisgarh Armed Force and 2 jawans of District Force killed and 2 jawans injured in an IED blast on a police vehicle in Dantewada's Cholnar Village. Troops of CRPF rushed to the spot, More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/J6a0JMpknn a ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2018

# 12:15 PM: Chhattisgarh: 3 jawans of Chhattisgarh Armed Force and 2 jawans of District Force killed and 2 jawans injured in an IED blast on a police vehicle in Dantewada's Cholnar Village.

Earlier in April, security forces gunned down eight Maoists, including five women, in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district. This action was followed by another major operation in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli, which left 39 rebels dead.

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New Delhi:

Bharatiya Janata Partys BS Yeddyurappa on Saturday gave up his hunger for power and resigned from the post of Chief Minister just before facing the floor test.

Yeddyurappa, who was invited to form the government in Karnataka by Governor Vajubhai Vala even as his party lacked the majority, remained CM for just two and half days.

The Karnataka Assembly elections, which were held on May 12, gave a fractured mandate with the BJP emerging as the single largest party but falling short of simple majority.

As soon as the trends projected the BJP single largest party, the Congress offered unconditional support to the JD-S and stitched an alliance to keep the saffron party out of the power.

However, the Governor turned the Karnatakas game of throne into BJPs favour by inviting Yeddyurappa despite the Congress-JD-S coalition staking claim to form the government in the state.

However, the Congress knocked the Supreme Court door against the encounter of democracy by the Karnataka Governor.

The Supreme Court in a rare pre-dawn hearing refused to stay BJP leader BS Yeddyurappas swearing-in ceremony as Karnataka Chief Minister but reduced his time to prove the majority to 24 hours from 15 days.

The Congress-JD-S alliance made the BJP taste its own medicine and snatched the victory from the jaws of defeat as Yeddyurappa failed to arrange the numbers and resigned from the post of Chief Minister just before the floor test.

Here is how things unfolded in Karnataka: A timeline of events

May 12: Karnataka comes out to vote: Elections on 222 seats of the 224-member Assembly were held in Karnataka. The southern state recorded the 72.13 per cent voter turnout, highest since the 1952 state polls.

May 15: Results for Karnataka Assembly elections announced: The Karnataka Assembly election results were announced. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members. The Congress with 78 and the JD-S with 37 MLAs stitched an alliance. Both the BJP and the Congress-JD-S coalition met Governor Vajubhai Vala and staked claims to form the government.

May 16, 08:00 PM: Rumours of BJP forming the government: BJP MLA Suresh Kumar tweeted that the Governor had invited the BJP to form the government. At 8.31 pm, Karnataka BJPs official Twitter handle put out a tweet, confirming Yeddyurappas oath-taking ceremony. However, both the tweets were deleted minutes later. Earlier in the day, both the BJP and the Congress-JD(S) alliance had staked claims to form the government.

May 16, 08:30 PM: Congress cries foul: Terming Karnataka Governors decision to invite Yeddyurappa to form the government tantamount to murdering democracy, trampling Constitution & disregarding all precedents, Congress held a press conference. Senior Congress leaders P Chidambaram said that the Governor was walking on a perilous path which was illegal.

May 16, 09:30: Governor Valubhai Valas formal invitation letter released: All the speculations ended after Governor Valubhai Valas formal invitation letter to Yeddyurappa released on Wednesday night. In the letter to Yeddyurappa, Governor said, I am in receipt of your letter dated 16th May 2018 informing me that you have been elected as the leader of the BJP legislative party of Karnataka. I am also in receipt of your letter dated 15th May 2018 staking claim to form the government. I invite you to form the government and be sworn in as the chief minister of Karnataka. The Governor also gave 15 days time to Yeddyurappa to prove majority on the floor of the house.

May 16, 11:15 PM: Congress knocks Supreme Courts door: After the invite became official, the Congress accused the Karnataka Governor of being biased and moved the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the swearing-in ceremony. The apex court refused to stay the swearing-in ceremony but said that the government formation in Karnataka would be subject to the final outcome of the case before it. The Court, however, decided not to stay Yeddyurappas oath-taking ceremony.

May 17: Yeddyurappa swearing-in: After the Governors invitation, BJPs BS Yeddyurappa took oath as new Karnataka Chief Minister. PM Modi, Amit Shah didnt attend the oath-taking ceremony.

May 18: Supreme Court orders floor test in 24 hours: Hearing the Congress plea, Supreme Court ordered floor test at 4 pm on May 19. Earlier, Yeddyurappa was given 15 days time to prove majority.

May 18, 10:30 PM: Congress again moves Supreme Court: Congress-JD-S coalition again moved the Supreme Court against the Governors decision to appoint BJP MLA KG Bopaiah as pro tem speaker to conduct the floor test. SC said it will hear the plea on May 19.

May 19: Supreme Court orders live telecast of floor test: The apex court reject Congress plea challenging Bopaiahs appointment as pro tem speaker but ordered live telecast of the floor test to ensure transparency in the trust vote.

May 19, 04:00 PM: Yeddyurappa quits: Yeddyurappa announced his decision to step down without facing the trust vote.

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New Delhi:

BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday said Northeast will be Congress-mukt after the Mizoram election scheduled for year-end.

"In the northeast, we first won elections in Assam, then Manipur followed by Tripura, where the people have given us a thumping mandate," he said while addressing the third conclave of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led political platform, North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA).

"In Nagaland and Meghalaya, constituents of NEDA are in power with support from the BJP," he said, adding that Mizoram will join other northeast states as 'Congress mukt' after the polls.

"After Mizoram, which is going to polls end of this year, all the eight Chief Ministers of northeast will be sitting here together."

He said NEDA, which was formed after the BJP's landslide victory in Assam in 2016, is not just a political platform but a geo-political one which targets to develop the northeast states of India.

"Earlier, the northeastern states were known for corruption. Now due to the presence of NEDA governments, the states have gone beyond 'briefcase politics' and are achieving new milestones in terms of development."

Slamming the Congress time in the region, Shah said all the Congress Chief Ministers have assets and bungalows in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and others.

"So where does the money come from? It is taken away from developmental funds meant for the poor. The BJP government has ensured that every paisa sanctioned by the Centre reaches the people."

Representatives of seven north-eastern states including Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, MLAs, MPs and other members of the NEDA attended the conclave.

Chief Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal (Assam), Conrad Sangma (Meghalaya), Pema Khandu (Arunachal Pradesh), N. Biren Singh (Manipur), Neiphiu Rio (Nagaland), Biplab Kumar Deb (Tripura) and others, while Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling were unable to attend the meet.

Shah's visit were clouded by strong protests by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016.

The KMSS leaders and supporters, earlier requested the people to hoist black flags on houses and buildings, and public places also protested near the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati, where the conclave was held.

Police arrested KMSS leader and RTI activist Akhil Gogoi but released him later.

Shah said that NEDA will have a regional office in Guwahati soon.

"The youths of the northeastern states are looking at NEDA with hope," he said

(With inputs from agencies)

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New Delhi:

Terming the Karnataka defeat as resounding embarrassment and loss of moral standing for the party, disgruntled BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha on Saturday said that those who misled Prime Minister Narendra Modi by declaring victory in the southern state must be held accountable and shown the door.

All those who misled Honble PM, particularly those who declared victory in his presence, must be held responsible and shown the door, Sinha said in a series of tweets.

The actor-turned-politician hailed the Congress-JD(S) master strategy for isolating those conspiring to undermine the spirit of democracy.

Siddaramaiiah and Kumaraswamy gave a resounding slap to the constitutional saboteurs, the BJP MP from Patna Sahib said.

Sinda also came out in support former Union minister Yashwant Sinha and sought the resignation of Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala for masterminding the mess in the southern state which has wasted time and energy of the nation and cost our nation a loss of international reputation.

Yashwant Sinha, the father of Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha, had announced his exit from the BJP last month at a meeting convened by Rashtra Manch - a non-political platform.

He had held key portfolios like Finance and External Affairs in Atal Bihar Vajpayees government.

The former finance minister had also staged a demonstration in New Delhi along with RJD leader Manoj Jha in protest against the Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Valas invite to BS Yeddyurappa for formation of government despite the BJP falling short of majority.

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New Delhi:

In a religion-friendly move, Pakistan's Punjab province government on Sunday released a whopping amount of Rs 20 million to reconstruct a Krishna temple in Rawalpindi.

The concerned authority has been directed to expand the temple to accommodate more Hindu devotees during festivals and religious occasions, according to a media report.

The decision was taken after a member of Provincial Assembly requested for the same, Mohammad Asif, the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Deputy Administrator told Pakistani daily Dawn.

According to Asif, the strategy to renovate the Krishna temple has already been made by a team and the repairing process would begin anytime soon. The main room for the Krishna idol will be sealed until the process ends.

The Hindu temple in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad was established by Kanji Mal and Ujagar Mal Ram Rachpal back in 1897. The small temple serves the local Hindu community from the nearby areas.

Read | Pakistan Rangers pleaded with BSF to stop firing along IB, after one killed in heavy artillery

However, followed by the partition of India, the street temple in Saddar was temporarily shut down and then reopened in the year 1949. The temple used to be operated by local Hindus before being handed over to the ETPB in 1970. Until the 1980s, even diplomats living in Islamabad visited the temple to pray.

Jag Mohan Arora said the temple courtyard, which can only accommodate 100 or so people, should be expanded, and shops next to the temple that the ETPB has leased to local traders should be retrieved to expand the front of the building.

"At present, the front of the temple is very small. The ETPB should vacate nearby shops that have been rented," Mr Arora said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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iStock/Thinkstock(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- California added 39,000 jobs in April and the state's unemployment fell to a record low 4.2%, according to the state Employment Development Department.



Growth seemed to stall in March, with the state actually losing jobs when the numbers were first reported. Revised data showed the state added 5,400 jobs, according to The Los Angeles Times.



The data revealed 10 of 11 industry sectors experienced growth and the economy is expected to continue to expand into next year.



There were some negative numbers in the report, however, as manufacturing lost jobs from March and wage growth was moderate. Unemployment also fell due to labor force dropouts, The Los Angeles Times adds.



Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
The Arab Weekly, by Amr Emam

The new railroad would provide an alternate route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea to the Suez Canal.

Better links. People wait to board a train at Al Shohadaa Martyrs metro station in Cairo. (Reuters)

CAIRO - Egyptian officials said they plan to construct a railroad line connecting the Red Sea with the Mediterranean via a land bridge.

The project aims to speed up the movement of people and goods between the two seas to create greater links between upper and lower Egypt, as well as build rail links between Egypt and Jordan.

The first phase of the line is to connect the Port of Alexandria in northern Egypt with the Port of Damietta, more than 200km to the east. The second phase would stretch more than 500km from the Port of Damietta to the Port of Nuweiba, a coastal town in the eastern part of the Sinai Peninsula. That would effectively link Egypts Mediterranean region with the Red Sea region.

A major logistics zone is to be established close to the Port of Nuweiba. An inland terminal for freight distribution is also planned.

This is a huge project that will take the transport of goods and people in our country many steps forward, said Mohamed Ezz, Egyptian Ministry of Transport spokesman. This will be the first time the Red Sea and the Mediterranean will be connected via a means of land transport.

The Ministry of Transport said a financial and technical assessment of the project was expected to be ready within four months. Construction of the new railroad is estimated to cost around $3.1 billion, which Egypt will find difficult to bear while implementing economic reforms.

Transport Minister Hasham Arafat on April 27 said the ministry would invite international consortiums to submit bids to construct the new line in July.

The new railroad would provide an alternate route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea to the Suez Canal. Sinai will be at the centre of the project, which will link the Mediterranean ports of Alexandria and Damietta to the Port of Nuweiba in the Sinai Peninsula.

Egypt said the railroad would be used in the transport of materials necessary for the rebuilding of Iraq and Syria.
English Estonian

Overview of the economic activities

Management commentary

PRFoods Q1 performance reflects improved business environment and continued efficiencies achieved through acquisitions in 2017. Q1 and 15 months results show positive trend which management believes to continue well into end of current financial year. Outlook for H1 2018 remains also positive.

PRFoods Q1 revenues were 22.7 million euros, increase of 115.3% year-on-year. EBITDA from operations 0.7 million euros and EBITDA 0.6 million euros, improvement respectively of 341.5% and 203.0% on yearly basis.

2017/2018 financial year was extended until 30.06.2018, to reflect financial year of acquired businesses, PRFoods 15 months figures were as follows: revenues 132.5 million euros, EBITDA from operations 7.6 million euros, EBITDA 5.6 million euros and net profit 1.7 million euros.

These numbers are in line with management expectations and prove that the strategy undertaken and executed by PRFoods is right.

First time since 2016 our Q1 EBITDA from operations is also positive, improving by 1.0 million euros compared to Q1 2017.

All our core markets performed well and we hope to increase in near future our exports to existing export markets. Similarly, all product and client groups all posted positive growth.

Fish farming Q1 biomass revaluation effect was similar to Q1 2017, despite the fact that rainbow trout prices had fallen by 17.9% on year-on-year. Salmon prices actually increased by 16.6% compared to last year. Salmon had an uptick end of Q1 due to colder winters and lower stock from other regions. Overall due to significant growth in fish consumption globally, we do not expect salmon or rainbow trout prices to fall. Compared to end of 2016 and Q1 2017 abnormal price fluctuations, we believe we are entering less volatile period at least in mid-term. PRFoods is looking to increase it is current fish farming capacity and is actively looking for new sites around Baltic Sea and Scotland.

At the end of Q1 biomass value was 4.6 million euros compared to 6.5 million euros year ago, while in tons decrease has been 7.7%, revaluation effect was -24.5%.

Cost efficiency of the business as percentage of sales has decreased across the board, with slight increase in staff costs. Employment costs increase was planned and in future we look more at automation and efficiencies as we are quite competitive in labour market and can attract best employees.

The average number of employees in Q1 2018 was 362.

Capital structure of PRFoods is optimal at the moment, net debt is 16.7 million euros and equity is 24.5 million euros, equity level is 37.8%.

Debt to EBITDA has decreased to 2.7, in long term PRFoods would like to keep debt to EBITDA at 3-3.5 level.

PRFoods share continue to be one of the best performing shares on year on year comparison, outperforming both OMX Tallinn and Baltic Benchmark indexes significantly (respectively 13.1%, 19.7%) having annualized return of 93.4%.

Management of PRFoods maintains positive outlook for the remaining 2017/2018 financial year. We are restructuring our sales in Finland after departure of one of Trios main customers, but we are positive that we replace these sales directly to the same end consumers at higher margins.

Main risks related to volatility of fish prices, Brexit, weak sterling remain, but management is taking active measures to counteract these risks.

We thank our employees for doing an excellent job, our customers for buying our products and our shareholders for their continued support.

Quarterly presentation will be published on our website within 2 weeks.

The 1st quarter of 2018 compared to the 1st quarter of 2017

Unaudited consolidated revenue 22.74 million euros, increase +12.18 million euros, i.e. +115.3%.

Gross margin 10.7%, increase +5.8 percentage points, i.e. +115.5%.

Negative impact from revaluation of biological assets -0.12 million euros (Q1 2017: negative effect -0.27 million euros).

EBITDA from operations +0.70 million euros, increase +0.99 million euros.

EBITDA +0.58 million euros, increase +1.14 million euros.

The operating profit +0.12 million euros, increase +1.00 million euros.

Net loss -0.30 million euros, decrease -0.54 million.

The 15 months of 2017/2018 compared to the 12 months of 2016

Unaudited consolidated revenue 96.35 million euros, increase +48.92 million euros, i.e. +103.1%.

Gross margin 13.5%, increase +5.0 percentage points.

Negative impact from revaluation of biological assets -1.62 million euros (12 months 2016: positive impact of +2.26 million euros).

Effect of one-offs to the result -0.31 million euros (12 month 2016: negative influence -0.40 million euros).

EBITDA from operations +6.02 million euros, increase +5.26 million euros.

EBITDA +4.08 million euros, increase +1.47 million euros.

The operating profit +2.13 million euros, increase +0.75 million euros.

Net profit +1.12 million euros, increase +0.40 million euros.

KEY RATIOS

Income Statement, EUR mln Q1 2018 Q1 2017 15m 2017 12m 2017 12m 2016 Sales 22.7 10.6 96.4 73.6 47.4 Gross profit 2.4 0.5 13.0 10.6 4.0 EBITDA from operations 0.7 -0.3 6.0 5.4 0.8 EBITDA 0.6 -0.6 4.1 3.6 2.6 EBIT 0.1 -0.9 2.1 2.0 1.4 EBT -0.3 -0.9 0.9 1.2 1.1 Net profit (-loss) -0.3 -0.8 1.1 1.4 0.7 Gross margin 10.7% 5.0% 13.5% 14.4% 8.5% Operational EBITDA margin 3.1% -2.7% 6.2% 7.3% 1.6% EBITDA margin 2.5% -5.3% 4.2% 4.8% 5.5% EBIT margin 0.5% -8.3% 2.2% 2.7% 2.9% EBT margin -1.2% -8.5% 1.0% 1.6% 2.4% Net margin -1.3% -7.9% 1.2% 1.9% 1.5% Operating expense ratio 10.3% 11.2% 10.0% 9.9% 10.1%





Balance Sheet, EUR mln 31.03.2018 31.03.2017 31.12.2017 31.12.2016 Net debt 16.7 1.6 16.6 0.3 Equity 24.5 22.8 24.8 23.8 Working capital 4.6 11.5 5.3 12.4 Assets 64.8 33.3 67.0 35.1 Liquidity ratio 1.2 2.4 1.2 2.4 Equity ratio 37.8% 68.5% 37.1% 67.9% Gearing ratio 40.6% 6.4% 40.0% 1.2% Net debt-to-EBITDA 2.7 6.4 3.1 0.4 ROE 8.3% 1.5% 5.8% 3.0% ROA 4.0% 1.1% 2.8% 2.2%

Consolidated statement of financial position

EUR '000 31.03.2018 31.03.2017 31.12.2017 31.12.2016 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 7,128 3,570 6,491 4,374 Receivables and prepayments 5,773 2,557 8,982 4,056 Inventories 13,495 7,225 11,747 5,393 Biological assets 4,560 6,543 5,566 7,584 Total current assets 30,956 19,895 32,786 21,407 Deferred income tax 214 228 222 230 Long-term financial investments 102 102 102 103 Tangible fixed assets 11,129 7,112 11,425 7,285 Intangible assets 22,425 6,007 22,450 6,031 Total non-current assets 33,870 13,449 34,199 13,649 TOTAL ASSETS 64,826 33,344 66,985 35,056 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Loans and borrowings 11,615 4,271 10,105 3,716 Payables 14,521 3,950 17,115 5,131 Government grants 265 176 306 162 Total current liabilities 26,401 8,397 27,526 9,009 Loans and borrowings 12,229 862 12,957 940 Deferred tax liabilities 503 685 523 747 Government grants 1,216 564 1,144 551 Total non-current liabilities 13,948 2,111 14,624 2,238 TOTAL LIABILITIES 40,349 10,508 42,150 11,247 Share capital 7,737 7,737 7,737 7,737 Share premium 14,007 14,007 14,007 14,007 Treasury shares -390 -390 -390 -256 Statutory capital reserve 48 12 48 12 Currency translation reserve 112 428 173 428 Retained profit (-loss) 2,875 1,042 3,185 1,881 Equity attributable to parent 24,389 22,836 24,760 23,809 Non-controlling interest 88 0 75 0 TOTAL EQUITY 24,477 22,836 24,835 23,809 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 64,826 33,344 66,985 35,056

Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

EUR '000 Q1 2018 Q1 2017 15m 2017 12m 2017 12m 2016 Sales 22,740 10,562 96,350 73,610 47,429 Cost of goods sold -20,299 -10,036 -83,333 -63,034 -43,410 Gross profit 2,441 526 13,017 10,576 4,019 Operating expenses -2,351 -1,179 -9,657 -7,306 -4,785 Selling and distribution expenses -1,659 -837 -6,809 -5,150 -3,346 Administrative expenses -692 -342 -2,848 -2,156 -1,439 Other income/expenses 152 50 392 240 -118 Fair value adjustment on biological assets -118 -270 -1,623 -1,505 2,263 Operating profit (-loss) 124 -873 2,129 2,005 1,379 Financial income 2 6 6 4 2 Financial expenses -391 -34 -1,193 -802 -240 Profit (-loss) before tax -265 -901 942 1,207 1,141 Income tax -32 62 176 208 -426 Net profit (-loss) for the period -297 -839 1,118 1,415 715 Net profit (-loss) attributable to: Owners of the company -310 -839 1,030 1,340 715 Non-controlling interests 13 0 88 75 0 Total net profit (-loss) -297 -839 1,118 1,415 715 Other comprehensive income (-loss) that may subsequently be classified to profit or loss: Foreign currency translation differences -61 0 -316 -255 -43 Total comprehensive income (-expense) -358 -839 802 1,160 672 Total comprehensive income (-expense) attributable to: Owners of the Company -371 -839 714 1,085 672 Non-controlling interests 13 0 88 75 0 Total comprehensive income (-expense) for the period -358 -839 802 1,160 672 Profit (-loss) per share (EUR) -0.01 -0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02 Diluted profit (-loss) per share (EUR) -0.01 -0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02

Indrek Kasela

AS PRFoods

Member of the Management Board

Phone: +372 452 1470

investor@prfoods.ee

www.prfoods.ee

Attachment
Hundreds in the Kingdom excitedly watched the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle yesterday.

The historic event was a proud moment for the British community in the Kingdom. At the newly opened UK Naval Support Facility here, personnel from the Royal Navy Royal Air Force and British Army celebrated the royal wedding, while the British Club hosted a special event to mark the occasion.

Speaking to Tribune, British national Elizabeth Dadd said, I thought the bride looked beautiful and Prince Harry looked very happy. Im sure Princess Diana would have been very proud had she been present at this momentous occasion.

Another national Michelle Bailey said the royal event had an aura of simplicity. The dress was so plain and it made my eyes ache... truly the opposite of Diana's, but both the bride and groom looked great and clothes really don't make a relationship. Harry seems like a great guy and I hope we hear some baby news very quickly. Any good news that gets a country to celebrate and smile is worth sharing, she said.

Riyaz Jivanjee said the event showcased the blending of two distinct cultures - British and American. The wedding was a perfect blend of new American and Old English customs. The music, the sermon and the simplicity of the bride's gown seemed a perfection blend to celebrate what seems a love match.

Bishop Micheal Curry who stole the show was also a matter of discussion. The pastor was a bit much. The gospel choir were amazing and the brilliant cellist, all a big surprise; a break with tradition no doubt. We will look back at this wedding as a moment in history when the British

establishment surprised us all by showing what it means to be inclusive, said Jill Boggiss.
Does anyone approach court for BD1.6? Yes a man did. The High Appeals Court has dismissed a Bahraini mans plea to get back his BD1.6 that was used in a cold store by someone who allegedly stole his credit card. The man had earlier approached the Lower Criminal Court, which dismissed his petition citing the amount was too low. When my credit card got stolen, I directly reported the crime to the competent authorities within the bank. After a few days, I received an SMS stating that my card was used and BD1.6 was transferred to another account. They should have cancelled my card immediately. Now who will pay my BD1.6? the man said in his plea.
A sale worth of $45 million is to be made for equipping the kingdoms fleet of F-16 fighters. The US state department has cleared Bahrain to buy as many as 3,200 bomb bodies.

rn

The purchase of these munitions is believed to boost up the royal Bahrainiair forces ability to conduct and sustain air operations with its F-16 combat aircraft. The kingdom will use these munitions to prevent regional threats, strengthen its homeland defence and execute counter-terrorism operations, according to the announcements. The announcement also said that there will be no adverse impact to US readiness or the balance of military balance in the region.

rn

The sale comes after Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker, in February, lifted his eightmonth hold on US arms sales to Gulf Cooperation Council member states, which he levied to pressure a resolution in the GCCs rift with Qatar. Bahrain is to become the first country in the region to operate Lockheeds F-16 Block 70 aircraft, expected to boost the Falcons production line.
The Economic and Financial Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives has recommended the formation of a parliamentary inquiry committee into recruitment irregularities at Bahrain Airport Company (BAC). The company did not study its human resources requirement before hiring as many as 225 employees to its facilities management, the committee observed.

The committee pointed out a number of shortcomings in the implementation of the companys restructuring plan as it was unable to achieve its objectives of reducing the cost of maintenance. The lack of integrity in the systems used in the management of procurement and stores, as well as random employment did cost the company hard. The irregularities were recorded in a recent report submitted by the Financial and Administrative Control Bureau.

The report also showed that, the company did not take enough steps to collect arrears from its tenants. The arrear left by one tenant alone was BD61,683.

It revealed the company had not collected departure service fees from Gulf Air, which amounted to BD1.9 million. The report also points out many other irregularities.
ATLANTA, May 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Class of 2018 has been equipped to reverse the regression the nation has seen in civil and human rights gains, U.S. Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr. 68 (D-GA, Albany) told the newest group of Morehouse College graduates Sunday.



This country has taken a turn toward a second Reconstruction, an undoing of the gains for humanity that have been made in the fifty years since [Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Morehouse Class of 48] was assassinated, the Georgia Congressman said. This is the world that you will be entering, Class of 2018. You must take up the struggle.



But have no fear. Your Morehouse experience has prepared youyour academic preparation, your discipline, your persistence, your faith and your commitment to humanity. You truly are prepared and have the tools to change this world.



On a mostly sunny and warm day on Morehouses picturesque Century Campus, some 6,000 family members and friends watched as the 390 men of Morehouse became Morehouse Men during an emotional Commencement ceremony, full of tradition and pageantry.



Led by African drummers, the graduating seniors processed through campus and around historic Graves Hall to the pristine green. Beaming alumni cheered.



They are here! exclaimed Dr. Anne Wimbush Watts, retired associate vice president for Academic Affairs and the Commencement Chief of Staff for Morehouses Office of the President. Families screamed and shouted for their loved ones, many in tears.



In his first Commencement ceremony, Morehouse President Dr. David A. Thomas told the soon-to-be graduates as well as the College communitythat this day was about the start of something special.



I fervently believe that we at Morehouse College stand at a moment of beginning, Thomas said, igniting applause. A moment to celebrate our new vision, powered by and sustained by, the guiding spirit of our mission and its core values as we give life to new aspirations, as we blaze trails to new paths of service, and as we move forward with renewed energy to engage in an exciting future.



I dream a Morehouse, as a must-go-to institution, as a well-defined institution, and as an uncompromising institution for inclusive excellence and unlimited achievement, he said, echoing Langston Hughes poem I Dream A World.



Valedictorian Derrick L. Parker Jr. 18 said that Morehouse offered him and his fellow graduates a transformational education, and now as alumni they are charged to give back to the community and to do just as Bishop asked them to doto right the many wrongs in this nation.



Brothers, the world needs us, Parker said. We hold the future. We hold the future to change what happens in our states. We hold the future to change this country. My brothers, we hold the future to transform the world.



Two honors were announced during the ceremony.



Morehouses ninth president, Dr. Walter E. Massey 58, a former board member of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, was honored with a new endowed professorship, the Walter Eugene Massey Endowed Chair. The Mellon Foundation gave $500,000 to fund the Chair followed by the Colleges $1-million match. The first Massey Endowed Professor is Dr. Juana Mendenhall, a distinguished associate professor of chemistry.



Also, Dr. Miesha Williams, an assistant professor in the Department of Economics, was announced as the 2018-2019 winner of the Vulcan Materials Teaching Excellence Award.



But the day belonged to the new Morehouse Men, many of them happily dancing across the stage to accept their diplomas from President Thomas.



Before they departed the Century Campus for the final time as a full class, Thomas charged them to not allow obstacles or their own future failures to keep them from their service to the world as Morehouse Men.



I have also learned that the most important form of forgiveness is not my forgiveness of others, but my willingness to forgive myself, Thomas said. And then to move forward with greater courage and commitment to meet the clarion call to service that this charge today espouses. And, yes, you will make mistakes; yes, you will fail sometimes. But to counteract the ravages of failure, you may need to stand taller, step higher, work harder, think deeper, dream farther, and run faster and with more determination than you have ever run before.



And, finally, we challenge you to hold out a light so that your brother or sister lost at sea may find the way back to land, Thomas said to the class he dubbed The Great 1-8.



For Morehouse and her teachings will always be your port of call. This is our covenant; this is our charge to you I hope with all my heart that you will accept the message of this charge and act accordingly. For if you do, I have no doubt that the world you inherit today, when you leave this hallowed hill, will one day be better than it was when you found it.



About Morehouse College

Ranked Americas fifth Most Entrepreneurial College by Forbes Magazine in 2015, Morehouse College is the nations largest liberal arts college for men. Founded in 1867, the College enrolls approximately 2,200 students and is the nations largest producer of black men who go on to receive doctorates. Historically, Morehouse also has conferred more bachelors degrees on black men than any other institution in the world. Morehouse College is one of the two top producers of Rhodes Scholars among HBCUs. Prominent alumni include: Martin Luther King Jr., Nobel Peace Prize Laureate; Dr. David Satcher, former U.S. Surgeon General; Shelton Spike Lee, award-winning American filmmaker; Maynard H. Jackson, the first African American mayor of Atlanta; and Jeh Johnson, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. Morehouse currently has more than 16,000 alumni in 40 states and 14 countries. For more information, visit www.morehouse.edu.

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Estimados amigos,

Les doy cordialmente la bienvenida a este Blog informativo con articulos, analisis y comentarios de publicaciones especializadas y especialmente seleccionadas, principalmente sobre temas economicos, financieros y politicos de actualidad, que esperamos y deseamos, sean de su maximo interes, utilidad y conveniencia.

Pensamos que solo comprendiendo cabalmente el presente, es que podemos proyectarnos acertadamente hacia el futuro.

Gonzalo Raffo de Lavalle

Las convicciones son mas peligrosos enemigos de la verdad que las mentiras.

Quien no lo ha dado todo no ha dado nada.

Helenio Herrera

History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.

Karl Marx

If you know the other and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

Sun Tzu









We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.



Paulo Coelho
There was terror and confusion as armed bandits on Sunday morning abducted the three wives of Alhaji Adamu Nakwana, a businessman in...

There was terror and confusion as armed bandits on Sunday morning abducted the three wives of Alhaji Adamu Nakwana, a businessman in Maganda Village, Birnin Bwari local government area of kaduna Kaduna state.The attack was said to have occurred around 2.00am.This development comes six days after the Chief of Army staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai visited Birnin Gwari and ordered his troops to hunt down kidnappers unleashing mayhem in the axis.Efforts to reach the PPRO of Kaduna state Police Command, ASP Mukhtar Aliyu to confirm the development proved abortive, as he did not respond to phone calls as at press time.A resident of Maganda who preferred anonymity told newsmen that : The bandits, who came in scores and locked down the whole town when they attacked on Sunday morning.Narrating the ordeal, the source explained that: They went straight to Alhaji Adamus house and took away his three wives. They did not harm any person but people are fleeing as they do not know if they will come back for another attack.The bandits later released one of the women and gave her a number instructing that Alhaji Adamu should call them probably to negotiate for payment of ransom for the release of the women.
The Nigerian Army says some courageous civilians on Sunday foiled a suicide bomb attack by a suspected female Boko Haram member on a mos...

The Nigerian Army says some courageous civilians on Sunday foiled a suicide bomb attack by a suspected female Boko Haram member on a mosque in Gashua, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe.Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, theDeputy Director Public Relations,Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, disclosed this in a statement released in Maiduguri.What would have otherwise been a devastating suicide bomb attack on a mosque in Gashua village in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe state has been successfully foiled today by vigilant members of the community.A female Boko Haram suicide bomber had infiltrated the mosque, while members were about to commence a prayer session but was detected when struggling to detonate a suicide vest strapped to her body. She was quickly restrained by the locals, arrested and handed over to troops at Azare.Members of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Component of Operation Lafiya Dole at the location have safely defused the suicide vest, while the suicide bomber is currently receiving medical attention due to injuries sustained during her arrest.
A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, says his incarceration by the late military dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, was a sort of a bles...

A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, says his incarceration by the late military dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, was a sort of a blessing in disguise as it shaped his thought profoundly which aided his performance while he was the President of the country.He said this on Saturday while speaking at the maiden edition of ASIS International, ASIS 206 Lagos Annual Leadership Retreat, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.The former President said his prison experience enriched him and it was one of the factors which immensely contributed to his achievements as President.The event was organised by ASIS to fashion out ways of bringing all private security outfits in the country under an umbrella.He said, My prison experience enriched me. In fact, it contributed to my performance while I was in office. A leader must learn from every situation.Although, nobody wants to go to prison but I was in prison when I started learning and keeping myself occupied. I wrote four books while I was in prison rather than become a moron and doing nothing.But I was sure that the man who kept me in prison will not bring me out and I was as well sure that I will get out of prison. Honestly, the prison experience has enriched my life.He expressed his support for a move to review the Act setting up the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to check security threats in the country.Obasanjo, whose administration in 2005, was instrumental to the transformation of the civil defence from a voluntary organisation to a para-military group, said there was nothing wrong in seeking improvement for the NSCDC, especially in accommodating the private security professionals in the country.He, however, cautioned that such review should be supported by effective monitoring and control, and it would have to also go through the National Assembly.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on Sunday said that it had set May 26 for a rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exami...

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on Sunday said that it had set May 26 for a rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations for more than 12,000 candidates across the country.The Boards Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.According to Benjamin, more than 12,000 candidates are expected to sit for the mop up examinations in a few of its centres across the country.This category of candidates, he explained, are those whose biometrics were not captured during the initial period of the UTME in March.SEE ALSO: Teenage cultists threaten peace, dare the law at public secondary schoolsHe said: It would also include those who are yet to see their results since the end of the examinations in March till date and have not been involved in any form of malpractice.It will also include those who were unable to print out their e-slip before the earlier examinations and those whose centres were cancelled for suspected malpractices.According to him, There are centres that were cancelled because of suspicious activities but the board was unable to identify the actual culprits.However, he said that those who were involved and caught in illicit acts and centres where a case of malpractice had been established against them would not partake in the rescheduled examinations.He advised candidates who might have fallen into any of the categories to print their e-slips from Monday, May 21.NAN recalls the board had earlier promised to reschedule the examinations for some candidates whose cases were exceptional, adding that candidates, who fall under such categories would be contacted before then. \(NAN)
Another round of industrial action may commence soon in the university sector as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, ...

Another round of industrial action may commence soon in the university sector as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, (SSANU) is accusing the Federal Government of failing to honour its own part of the agreement entered into with Non-teaching staff of Universities seven weeks after they suspended their strike.Rising from its National Executive Council meeting at the Bayero University, Kano, SSANU appealed to well meaning Nigerians to prevail on the Federal Government to implement all agreements it freely signed with Joint Action Committee of NAAT, NASU and SSANU to avert another round of industrial crisis in our Universities.In a communique signed by the National President, Comrade Samson Chijioke Ugwoke and the National Public Relations Officer, Abdussobur Salaam, the union also accused the government of fragrantly disobeying judgement of the National Industrial Court judgment on University Staff Schools.The union expressed disappointment at the failure of Federal Government to implement some aspects of the 2009 Agreement and other Memoranda of Understanding it freely entered into with University based non- teaching Staff Unions.It warned that Nigerians should not blame the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NAAT, NASU and SSANU if it resumes the suspended nationwide industrial action, because seven (7) weeks after the last Memorandum of Understanding signed by Government and the Unions, Government has failed to honor its own part of the bargainIt said further that it has become the penchant of Government to choose which court judgments to obey and which to disregard. In cases where an attempt is made to obey court judgments, implementation is done selectively and at whim.NEC decries a situation where the union followed legitimate processes to correct an anomaly and after judgment was given, Government chose to treat with contempt and implement in breach, as is the case with University Staff Schools, where various offices of government have issued circulars which run contrary to the decision of the court. It notes that this development is unbecoming of a democratic government supposedly run under the rule of law and the non implementation of court judgments by the government is an invitation to anarchy.The union also expressed concern about the proliferation of Universities and the rate of approvals granted for the establishments of universities by Government and observed that the establishment of universities have almost become like constituency projects as almost every Senator seems to be sponsoring a bill for the establishment or upgrade of an institution to a University in his or her constituency and that almost every week, the Federal Executive Council approves the establishment of a new University.NEC notes that though the number of universities on ground may have challenges meeting up with the increasing admission needs of the country, the solution is not the proliferation of universities.Government should rather improve the funding and infrastructures of existing universities so as to increase their carrying capacities and the number of students they can admit. Government should also place premium on internal controls to stem the growing tide of corruption in our universities, indiscipline, academic fraud, sex for marks and other ills that have plagued the university system in recent years.On the decision of the Federal Executive Council barring federal universities from charging tuition fees, the union said while the decision is commendable, government must find a way of stopping university management from spreading the fees across other ancillary fees such as Acceptance Fees, Caution Fees, Medical Fees, among others.
Exterior and interior of doomsday prepper home in Medford scheduled for foreclosure auction.

Tim Hawk| For NJ.com

By Bill Duhart | For NJ.com

If you want a house with a bomb shelter for the end of the world, you can buy it now.

Seriously.

This sprawling custom-built complex on a quiet cul de sac in Medford, Burlington County was supposed to be a personal fortress in a rapidly changing world.

Joseph Badame, an architect, built it for himself, his wife and 100 of their closest friends and relatives. It features an electrified fence, underground storage tanks for diesel, gasoline and oil, a chicken coup and 3.4 acres of just about everything else one could imagine for a survival worthy of the Walking Dead.

But doomsday came in the form of a banker with a foreclosure order after his wife's prolonged illness and death.

Now, the home will be on the auction block, as is, next month. Opening bid is set for $200,000.

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An office in the basement inside the the doomsday prepper's home. The Medford home will be up for auction in June.

Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

The beauty of form and function could still be found here amid the squalor from looters who have inhabited the property after Badame was forced to leave last summer, shortly before an estate sale.

Trash and remnants from the estate sale shoppers who rummaged through the property was strewn across just about every foot of the 8,500 square-feet of space in this two-story, concept house with a basement  custom built in the 1970s by an architect on a mission.

Badame was a peacenik. He spent part of the 1960s in the Peace Corp in Africa after graduating as the valedictorian from Camden's Woodrow Wilson High School in 1961. He later married his eighth-grade teacher, 16 years his senior, shortly before he returned from his corp post in Tunisia.

They were shocked by what they found when they returned  a serious gas shortage and cities around the country experiencing riots.

"Camden was burning," he said.

This fueled their prepping plans, and they started looking for a place to build a home where they could survive anything. The house was finished in 1976.

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Joseph and the late Phyliss Badame in a picture from their wedding at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, where they met to wed while Badame was in the Peace Corps in Tunisia. (Courtesy Joseph Badame)

Photo provided

Badame said he and his wife Phyllis may have spent $1 million on fortifying the house and the surrounding compound to survive Doomsday, or what could easily pass for it during a local or national crisis caused by weather, economics or general upheaval.

But the crisis Badame, 74, envisioned came the form of financial insolvency. His wife Phyllis died in 2013 after a debilitating stroke eight years earlier.

Badame took out a $500,000 mortgage loan on the home and started on a bucket list of pleasures for his wife in her final days. The initial prognosis was she would live for less than a year, but she survived for eight.

"I'm losing this house," he said said in September during an estate sale. "This will never be a survival dwelling for Phyliss or I."

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This atrium is the center of a home in Medford custom-built for doomsday survival. The home is scheduled for auction in June.

Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

Daylight from an atrium ceiling illuminated the center of the structure on a recent rainy late afternoon. The light was needed because all power had been shut off shortly after the bank foreclosed late last year.

Rebecca Laitinen, a local realtor handing the auction, was waiting at the front door of the compound with a security guard (complete with a hat and shirt that said "security," just in case his authenticity was doubted). She said she arrived at the property recently with her husband and found two men inside stripping pipes and wire.

Laitinen called the police and the intruders were arrested and charged, she said. The realtor and her security guard walked a reporter and a photographer through the cavernous structure with much of it in the dark, lit initially only by the flashlight apps on our phones until several flashlights were secured, including one retrieved from the junk scattered on the floor.

It doesn't look like much now, but you could still see the genius it must have taken to conceive. It looks kind of like Frank Lloyd Wright on acid.

A brick-lined path leads to the front door and an exterior of textured, ridged stone. The entrance flows into a central atrium around which most of the house is built.

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Floor plan for one of three levels of a doomsday prepper home up for foreclosure auction in Medford.

Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

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The garage that contained kitchenettes in the doomsday prepper's foreclosed home in Medford, Burlington County.

Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

Dark and creepy

From the atrium, a glance up reveals a rectangle of surrounding hallways above overlooking the foyer and entrance space. The open area above tapers to a cupola with windows on four sides 25 feet above the entrance.

Three separate living units with multiple, full bathrooms and half baths and kitchens and kitchenettes were each outfitted with separate exterior doors. Long, enclosed balconies lined the front and rear of the shelter.

More bathrooms, sinks, toilets, washing machines and locker-room-style shower stalls were squeezed into other parts of the sprawling structure, along with a full office suite that once housed his architecture business in the basement.

The subterranean basement was especially creepy and daunting, with debris on the floor, including broken glass and spilled cereal and grains.

No light from the atrium found its way down here.

Surprisingly, we saw no rodents.

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An underground oil tank at the doomsday prepper's home in Medford, Burlington County.

The tour started at 3:15 p.m. and finally ended up outside an hour and fifteen minutes later on a winding brick-lined path around the compound.

That's where we found an area Laitinen said was designated for growing crops, or so she was told. It was enclosed with an electrified fence, complete with warning signs.

A chicken coop was nearby and nearly a ton of coal pellets spilled out of an enclosure and from an area where Badame had constructed a conveyor belt to feed it into a furnace to power his doomsday shelter if other fuel was not available.

Just feet away were nozzles leading to underground tanks once filled with oil, propane and diesel fuel.

A few feet away from the tanks, a garage big enough to fit in several buses filled out the compound. That garage also included a set of three showers and washers and dryers for laundry.

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Medford survivalist Joseph Badame with some of the many barrels of dried food and supplies he donated to Puerto Rican hurricane relief.

Al Amrhein

Badame lives in a RV camper now, parked in the driveway of a friend. He still preps for survival but bemoans how he doesn't have room for a large store of supplies. A devout Catholic, he is still active in his local church. He also found solace by donating dozens of barrels of food and pallets of other goods to the Puerto Rican relieve effort.

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Inside the detached garage at the doomsday prepper's home in Medford.

Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

"...it breaks my heart."

Kristen Scheets lives just across a road from Badame's former compound on 9 Pinecrest Drive. Scheets, 42, an emergency room physician and her husband, Jason, 42, an attorney and their children had lived next door to Badame for seven years, but only really got to know him at the estate sale in September.

"When we first went through there in the estate sale it was amazing the amount of work they must have put into it." she said. "He's amazing, he was a genius. It's really a shame it ended up like it did.

"The state it's in now, it breaks my heart," she said. "It is so sad. I'd love it if someone could restore it to its former glory."

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Front walkway leading to a custom-built doomsday survival home in Medford, Burlington County. It is scheduled for a foreclosure auction in June.

Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

The auction will be facilitated by Williams & Williams, an Oklahoma real estate auctioneer company that previously sold a must-have mansion crafted out of a former Montana missile silo and the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan.

"This is going to be fun" said Cindy Dees, an executive with Williams & Williams. "What you find is auctions are very good for a challenging property like this. It makes people pay attention and jump off the fence if they want it."

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Related posts
Three hundred faces looked out at a crowd of loved ones, grief counselors, DNA experts, and the investigators who might one day bring them home.

The 300? Some of New Jersey's long-term missing people, of all walks of life. Their faces, stuck on posters, showed them posing on picture day at school, in graduation caps, in family photos, getting their driver's licenses. Some who went missing more recently appeared in selfies.

Just met artists who reconstruct what a person might have looked like based on remains they have discovered. These are reconstructions of 3 currently unidentified victims. One woman was found in Mullica Twp. in 1988, another this past March in Newark. pic.twitter.com/WaE9xSrFkw  Joe Brandt (@JBrandt_NJ) May 19, 2018

The loved ones of the people in those pictures want them back. They long for closure.

So, many of them showed up at Rowan University on Saturday afternoon, for the New Jersey State Police's event "Missing in New Jersey," run by its Missing Persons Unit.

Some returned from last year's event to offer hope to those still searching for answers.

Others were first-timers and got to meet with people normally behind the scenes -- artists who reconstruct what a person might have looked like based on remains they have discovered or lab workers who use DNA to match skeletal remains to a relative.

"You will never let your loved one be forgotten," Detective Sgt. Joel Trella, a member of the Missing Persons Unit, told the crowd. "That's why you're here today. If you forgot them, you wouldn't be here."

And he urged them to check in with local investigators, too, and keep their cases remembered.

Trella moderated a group of relatives who implored others to stay strong, and give as much information as they can. It can only help the case, they said.

The State Police took DNA samples from nine families, including one from a previously unreported missing persons case, Trella said.

Tammy Csaszar, who gave authorities her DNA at last year's event, said that sample helped authorities locate the body of her brother, Jason Grabert, giving her closure.

"I'm grateful, because he came home," she said. "Not for how (he came home)."

Marie Himebaugh remembered her son Mark, who went missing in 1991.

"I have not given up hope, so I don't want anyone of you to give up hope," she said.

She encouraged others to reach out to her if they need support. "I'm here," she said.

Guy Madsen, whose mother Julia, a Clifton resident, went missing at 72 in Berkeley Township, thanked the law enforcement personnel in the room for being there.

"My heart goes out to each and every person in this room who unfortunately knows the feelings that we feel," he said.

"Unfortunately, we don't have any answers right now, so all we have is each other."

Relatives signed their names and wrote notes to their loved ones here. (Joe Brandt | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

The event ended with a photo slideshow and vigil. On the way out, some relatives were writing notes to the missing:

"Big Sister -- I miss having you in my life + will never give up looking for you."

"Another year...we will not lose hope. Missing you."

You can contact the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at NJMissing@gw.njsp.org.

Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips
A lawsuit filed last week calls for the desegregation of New Jersey schools, a potentially game-changing legal challenge for minority students across the state.

But how segregated are the state's schools?

Just 0.3 percent of the more than 6,700 students in Irvington Public Schools are white, making it the most non-white school district in the state, according to data from the nonprofit Center on Diversity and Equality in Education

And that's far from the only example of students of color being isolated.

About 66 percent of New Jersey's African American students and 62 percent of its Latino students attend schools that are more than 75 percent non-white, according to the lawsuit.

While the segregation is not mandatory -- it stems from affordable housing issues and the high correlation between race and socioeconomic status -- the lawsuit argues de facto segregation is unconstitutional in New Jersey based on prior state Supreme Court rulings.

The suit asks for the state to come up with desegregation plans for districts like Irvington and others.

The goal isn't to move white students into existing urban districts but to create new integrated schools or districts and help more minority students move into suburban districts.

To see the 25 schools districts with the fewest white students, check out the graphic below. These are just a few of the examples of segregated schools and do not include charter schools, vocational-technical schools or other non-traditional districts.

Carla Astudillo may be reached at castudillo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @carla_astudi. Find her on Facebook.

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook
Cassidy's first two weeks as a Rutgers student did not go well.

There was lots of drinking and smoking pot. It went far beyond a typical inaugural college experience and spilled into something more toxic and dangerous.

"I was very emotional, very lost in myself," the 20-year-old psychology major said recently, sitting in the common area of the Rutgers University's recovery house with classmates and counselors.

Identical at a glance to the dozens of others around it, the house on the New Brunswick campus offers a drug- and alcohol-free environment in a college experience where temptation can lurk around every corner.

Cassidy, whose name has been changed to shield her identity, is back at Rutgers after getting clean through outside programs. But it's the house, she said, that helped her find purpose and joy in that sober life as a young person.

"I started going to more meetings," she said. "It was the first time I had significant fun while I was sober."

For her and 24 other residents, it's a second, sometimes third, chance after college stints were cut short by rehab or arrests.

State mandate

The results of recovery housing have been been promising -- 90 to 95 percent of students graduate from the house, and their collective GPA is a 3.2, said Lisa Laitman, the director of the Rutgers Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program.

She founded the house 30 years ago, creating the first of its kind option for students in recovery.

Her once-novel idea has caught on. Three years ago, then-Gov. Chris Christie signed a recovery housing mandate slated to take effect in 2019 that requires state colleges with 25 percent or more of their student body living on campus to provide a recovery housing option. At the time, Rutgers was the only state college to offer recovery housing.

But since, Ramapo College, The College of New Jersey, Montclair State University, Rowan University and Stockton University have made strides to launch recovery housing, many receiving state grants of nearly $1 million.

Graduates enter HighPoint Solutions Stadium in Piscataway for the Rutgers University Commencement in 2014. (John O'Boyle | For NJ Advance Media)

For some, like a 22-year-old English major who asked not to be named, the longstanding recovery housing program at Rutgers specifically drew her to enroll after she spent two years at the University of Miami mixing alcohol, cocaine and Xanax before overdosing on her 21st birthday and entering rehab in Tennessee.

"This was kind of deal-maker," she said. Now, she's sober 18 months and recently finished her first year at Rutgers. "If it wasn't for a program like this, I don't know if I'd be going to college."

The road to a recovery house

Even with a pressing need, starting the houses hasn't been easy. Rowan, which launched its recovery option this year, had no initial takers.

"We're ready when more students want to come," said Christina Contrastano, a coordinator in Rowan's Recovery Community. "We also have access to 12-step meetings. We're really just trying to get the word out, so that more students are aware of it."

Laitman's house at Rutgers wasn't always so popular, either.

"We had no models," she said. "It was kind of winging it."

For years, the dorm didn't fill its 16 beds. A decade ago, around a dozen students lived there, marking one of the only recovery-housing communities nationwide.

Now some 150 schools across the country have similar programs. Staff from other schools reach out to Laitmain regularly for insight to start program and avoid any pitfalls.

They've learned that community is far more important than the bricks and mortar when it comes to building a successful recovery house.

"We do know that you need the support for the program before people are going to come out of the woodwork and go into a house," said Judith Green, director for the Center for Health & Counseling at Ramapo, which is in the process of creating its house.

"This is not a sober house," said Patricia Kelly, the associate director of residence education at Stockton, which started its program with the 2017 school year with five students. "This is a recovery housing program."

That means there are demands to residency beyond staying clean. Students are expected to attend group and individual counseling, and to meet as a community.

TCNJ merchandise in the school book store in the Barnes & Noble store located in Campus Town seen in 2017. (Michael Mancuso | For NJ Advance Media)

It's not rehab -- students have to be sober for three months before coming to Rutgers housing. And they have to get in to the university on merit.

Many programs focus on student-driven initiatives that let them plan dances and other campus-wide events, drawing others who don't want to take part in a party scene. Nights at the movies and bowling alley replace those spent around beer pong tables in fraternity houses.

"One of the cons is that you have to find a new way of being," said Chris Freeman, the community recovery supervisor at The College of New Jersey. "Students working and developing their identity, having to completely start over."

Fighting stigma and finding success

The transition can be rocky and relapses happen, Laitman said, but they're rare.

Some, like a 21-year-old applied physics major who struggled with Adderall before coming to Rutgers and carrying a 4.0 during his fall semester, credit the community.

"It makes the university a little smaller," said Keith Murphy, a substance abuse counselor. "Honestly, I feel a little sad for the students who don't have a community like this."

The Rutgers students, who hail from around the country and are busy studying anything from English to science to Caribbean culture, are a reminder that addiction doesn't come in a neatly-wrapped, one-size-fits-all stereotype.

That's not easy for classmates to understand.

"I've opened up for a few people, it's confusing for them," Cassidy said. "They don't understand: Having a glass of wine will ruin my life."

That can make a recovery house a hard sell.

"When people hear recovery, there's a negative stigma attached to it," said Kevin Schafer, the director of Housing Services and Residence Life at Montclair, where two students lived on a "wellness" floor this year. "My hope is in a few years, we can call it recovery housing -- where students won't have to worry about a negative connotation to where they're living."

Life-changing results

The houses and floors are unmarked and anonymous. But behind closed doors, everyone knows each other's pasts, as students often attend meetings together, sharing their lowest points in addiction and their path to success.

"We're all in the same boat, so if someone's slipping off, we're going to pull them back on," said a 25-year-old student, whose name has been withheld, studying finance and math. He's been in the house for three years after battling alcoholism. Coming back to school a few years older after leaving Penn State, he planned to keep his head down, get a degree and get out.

"I wasn't concerned with the college experience," he said. "I moved in and had the time of my life."

It's that college component, meeting other young people and working toward a degree, that accounts for high success, Laitman said.

"I think it adds to the sense of purpose," said Laitman. "You can accomplish a great deal in your life if you haven't spent 30 years picking up the pieces."

And her alumni have. On an April Friday afternoon, Dan and Emily Walsh, two Rutgers graduates who lived in the house a decade ago, stopped by for a visit ahead of Rutger's Day.

With them was their 5-month-old daughter, Lisa, named for Laitman, whose work helped them both stay sober, get a college degree and find one another.

"I don't want to think about what would have happened," Dan said, watching his young daughter gaze around the room as she sat on Latiman's lap. "I'm not a religious guy, but I know there's something that's kept us all together."

Amanda Hoover can be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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WuXi AppTec Group ( WuXi pronounced Wu-s

WuXi AppTec Group ( WuXi pronounced Wu-shi ) is a leading global pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and medical device open-access capability and technology platform company with global operations. As an innovation-driven and customer-focused company, WuXi AppTec Group provides a broad and integrated portfolio of services to help our worldwide customers and partners shorten the discovery and development time and lower the cost of drug and medical device R&D through cost-effective and efficient solutions. With its industry-leading capabilities in small molecule R&D and manufacturing, biologics R&D and manufacturing, cell therapy and gene therapy R&D and manufacturing, medical device testing, and molecular testing and genomics, WuXi platform is enabling more than 3,000 innovative collaborators from more than 30 countries to bring innovative hehcare products to patients, and to fulfill WuXi AppTec Groups dream that every drug can be made and every disease can be treated.

WuXi's founder, Dr. Ge Li earned his doctorate in organic chemistry from Columbia University, and was a founding scientist at Pharmacopeia, Inc. of Princeton, New Jersey, then returned to China to found WuXi PharmaTech in Shanghai in December 2000.

WuXi Group established services in synthetic chemistry in 2001, manufacturing process development in 2003, research manufacturing in 2004, bioytical services in 2005, service biology in 2006, and toxicology and formulation in 2007. On December 14, 2006, WuXi PharmaTech, announced that it was named 173rd on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific 2006 ranking[3] The company opened chemistry facilities in Tianjin in 2007. In 2008, WuXi PharmaTech acquired AppTec Laboratory Services Inc., a US-based company founded in 2001 with expertise in medical-device and biologics testing and with facilities in St. Paul, MN; Philadelphia, PA; and Atlanta, GA. WuXi opened a toxicology facility in Suzhou in 2009.

WuXi opened a large-scale manufacturing facility in Jinshan in 2010. The company began a biologics discovery, development, and manufacturing operation in Shanghai and Wuxi city in 2011. At the same year, WuXi acquired MedKey, a China-based clinical research company, and Abgent, a San Diego company and one of the world's largest manufacturers of antibodies for biological research and drug discovery. In 2012, WuXi opened a chemistry facility in Wuhan and a GMP biologics drug-substance facility in Wuxi city. That year WuXi also entered into a joint venture with MedImmune, the biologics arm of AstraZeneca, to co-develop MEDI5117, an anti-IL6 anti for rheumatoid arthritis for the Chinese market. In 2013, WuXi formed a joint venture with the global clinical contract research organization PRA International (now called PRA Heh Sciences) to build a clinical research business in China.

In 2014, WuXi opened a new biologics biosafety testing facility in Suzhou. In the same year, WuXi acquired XenoBiotic Laboratories, Inc. (XBL), a contract research organization with 27 years of operation that provides bioytical, drug bolism, and pharmacokinetic services to the pharmaceutical, animal heh, and agrochemical industries. WuXi acquired NextCODE Heh, a genomic ysis and bioinformatics company with operations in the United States and Iceland in 2015. That year, WuXi completed its merger (the "Merger") with WuXi Merger Limited ("Merger Sub"), a wholly owned subsidiary of New WuXi Life Science Limited ("Parent"). As a result of the Merger, Parent acquired the Company in a cash transaction valued at approximately US$3.3 billion. In 2016, WuXis STA subsidiary opened new campus in Changzhou and operations in San Diego. In the same year, WuXi acquired Crelux GmbH, a structure-based drug discovery provider based in Munich, Germany. In 2017, WuXi acquired HD Biosciences (HDB), a biology focused preclinical drug discovery contract research organization (CRO).

WuXi AppTec Group provides services to its customers primarily in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and other life science industries as well as research institutes, disease-focused and non-profit foundations. There are 5 areas of focus for services: (1) Small Molecule Therapeutics R&D, Manufacturing and Testing (2) Biologicals Therapeutics R&D and Manufacturing, (3) Gene- and Cell-base Therapies Manufacturing, (4) Medical Device Testing, and (5) Genomics and Molecular Diagnostics.
Andre Malok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

By Olivia Rizzo | NJ Advance Media

Paramus fifth graders were supposed to be enjoying a day of hands-on learning on a field trip to a 19th-century canal town. But tragedy struck before students and teachers could get to their final destination when a dump truck and school bus collided -- leaving one student and a teacher dead.

Three days after the accident we have some but not all the answers to how a yellow school bus ended up in a wreck on the side of Route 80.

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A field trip

Students, teachers and chaperones departed from East Brook Middle School in Paramus en route to Waterloo Village in Sussex County, on Thursday morning officials said.

Three buses were driving to the living history museum when the accident occurred at 10:21 a.m.

The bus involved in the crash was carrying 38 students and 7 adults. Of the 45 people on board, two died and 43 were taken to area hospitals.

The other two buses arrived at Waterloo Village and then returned to the school.

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A failed U turn

Waterloo Village is located off of Exit 25 in Mount Olive. The school bus driver had initially missed the exit.

The driver then attempted to an illegal U-turn in the highway median moments before a dump truck struck the bus from behind, an official source told NJ Advance Media.

The driver of the bus  who has not been named  is an employee with the school district's transportation department and was also taken to the hospital.

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Two have died

The crash killed teacher Jennifer Williamson, 51, and fifth-grade student Miranda Faith Vargas.

Williamson had been a teacher in Paramus for her entire career. Public records show that she has been a teacher since 1997.

Her husband Kevin Kennedy said in a statement on Friday, "I am in shock, devastated and totally crushed by today's tragedy to both sides of the Williamson-Kennedy families, the community she taught and the thousands of students and their families she was very proud to serve."'

Ten-year-old Vargas is being remembered as "beautiful, gentle soul with a passionate love for her family." according to a GoFundMe page set up by her parents.

"We are devastated that our baby's life here with us is over, but we will always carry her legacy with us forever," the post on the GoFundMe page states. "She was a beautiful, gentle soul with a passionate love for her family."

Paramus Mayor Richard LaBarbiera announced Friday night that there will be town-wide memorial service on Sunday at Our Lady of the Visitation at 7:30 p.m. The church is located at 234 N. Fairview Ave, Paramus.

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A community in mourning

East Brook PTA President Ann Marie Franson has said that the PTA's main focus support those affected by Thursday's accident.

"It is so difficult to put into words the sorrow that is felt over the tragic loss of our beautiful student Miranda Vargas and our beloved teacher Mrs. Williamson. As we mourn the tragic loss of these beautiful angels, we continuously pray for the students and teachers who remain in the hospital and those who are dealing with their injuries and scars both physically and emotionally."

The PTA will be setting up a fundraiser for the affected families once they are able to gather their thoughts and sort through the many suggestions they have already received.

Franson asked "to keep East Brook families in your thoughts and prayers as they struggle to deal with such enormous pain and grief."

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Those initially injured

Once first responders arrived on the scene, students and adults were rushed to area hospitals. In total 43 people were counted among the injured, including the bus driver, and the driver of the dump truck.

21 victims to Morristown Medical Center, which is a Level 1 trauma center.

10 victims to Hackettstown Medical Center

3 victims to Saint Clare's Hospital Dover

4 victims to Saint Clare's Hospital Denville

3 victims to UMDNJ Newark

2 victims to St. Joseph's Health

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Who remains in the hospital?

2 victims remain at St. Joesph's Hospital, which has a specialized children's hospital according to their website.

1 patient remains at Hackettstown

Many have been released from Morristown, though an exact number has not been given by officials

4 of the victims brought to Dover have been transferred to other medical facilities and 2 were discharged.

3 victims were discharged from Denville

UMDNJ Newark was unable to be reached for an update

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Where are the drivers?

The location of which hospitals the school bus driver and the dump truck driver were taken to remains unknown.

Neither of the drivers identities have been released by officials, and it is unknown if they remain in the hospital.

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A slight return to normalcy

School was in session at East Brook Middle School Friday morning, despite the chaos of the day before.

Students and teachers returned to the building after being dismissed early the day before. school officials say they decided to hold classes Friday at East Brook Middle School so students and staff could be together and grieve following Thursday's accident. Crisis counselors will be on hand to offer assistance.

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What's next?

As the Paramus community begins to cope with this tragedy they will gather to remember the all those who have been touched by this tragedy.

Visiting hours will be held at Marrocco Memorial Chapel at 470 Colfax Ave. in Clifton from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday for Miranda. Her funeral will be held on Monday at 9:30 a.m.. according to her obituary.

A memorial service for victims of the crash will also be held on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Visitation, 234 N. Fairview Ave, Paramus.

Visiting hours for Williamson will be at the Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 113 S. Farview Avenue, Paramus from 3-8 p.m on Wednesday, May 23.

Her funeral will be Thursday, May 24 Funeral for Williamson at Our Lady of Visitation R.C. Church, 234 N. Farview Avenue, Paramus. Interment at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.

Gov. Phil Murphy announced Friday that flags will be flown at half staff next week in memory of both victims.

Democratic state Sen. Joseph Lagana, has called for a special transportation committee hearing to analyze safety standards, review best practices and compare New Jersey with other states, as a result of the accident.

"As we come together to support those in need, we must also begin the steps to ensure a tragedy like this does not happen again," the senator said in a statement.

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More coverage of N.J. school bus accident:

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Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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More coverage of N.J. school bus accident:
In all my travels south of the Mexican border I have never come across a beach town, no matter how small, that lacked a store that would sell you a cold beer on the same terms as a cold soda.

The towns without electricity were actually the best. There, the beer-and-soda truck would deliver a huge block of ice with the beverages. If you reached down far enough, the beer would be so cold that it would freeze when you popped the cap.

Now, that is a fond memory.

Unfortunately I would eventually have to return to New Jersey. Here, you can buy soda openly, even though its dire effects on health have become known in recent years.

But the sale of beer requires the permission of a bureaucracy that would not have been out of place in countries behind what used to be known as the "Iron Curtain."

That term was coined by Winston Churchill after World War II, around the same time that an iron curtain descended on New Jersey's drinkers and retailers. In 1947, the holders of liquor licenses managed to buy enough legislators to attain passage of a law that created an artificial monopoly on liquor sales.

This had the effect of pushing up the value of the licenses to levels that can now exceed $1 million. And that has had the effect of stymieing the growth of the state's restaurant industry.

That may be about to change. For the first time since that iron curtain descended there appeared a rip in it. That occurred last week when an Assembly committee advanced a bill that would finally open up the alcoholic beverage industry to competition.

This was the first time in the memory of anyone I could find that the Legislature had gone against the wishes of the liquor cartel. Its members were in short supply at the hearing Thursday.

Never mind Mexico; even communist Cuba has a more open market in beer than New Jersey. This vending machine is on a street in Havana.

Meanwhile the committee members heard from a number of people who pointed out the many advantages that would flow from restoring a free market in alcoholic beverages.

More than one made a comparison to the Uber phenomenon in New York City. The taxi-medallion owners there had pulled the same stunt the liquor license-holders pulled here.

They limited the number of medallions to the point that their selling price rose as high as $1 million. Then Uber came along and those who rigged the market got burned.

Restaurant owners here want the same opportunity to compete on an equal basis with the members of the cartel. They may finally get it thanks to the efforts of Assemblyman John Burzichelli.

For years, the Gloucester County Democrat has been pushing a bill that would permit restaurant owners to sell alcoholic beverages to their customers freely, as is done in the civilized world. That was one of four bills opening up the alcoholic-beverage trade that passed out of committee.

The key argument that won the day was the role of restaurants as anchors for the sort of economic development so desperately needed now that retail stores are closing because of competition from the internet.

One couple who own a restaurant in Jersey City, and who brought along their baby for emotional impact, noted that New York never adopted New Jersey's practice of limiting liquor licenses. They said they had been living in Brooklyn when a boom in restaurants that serve drinks brought an economic revival.

Another couple who brought along a baby were Robert and Magdalena Pluta. They run Leonardo's restaurant in Lawrenceville just north of Trenton.

"The food costs are going up," Pluta told me. "It's hard to sell meatballs and linguini and make a profit. The mom-and-pop restaurants are struggling."

The members of the liquor cartel also like to talk about the "mom-and-pop" license-holders. But these days, "mom and pop" are the national chains, Pluta said.

"The last license in Lawrence Township went for $700,000," he said. "The Cheesecake Factory, Hooters, Applebee's - they're the only one who can afford this."

Pluta said there are a mere 11 licenses in a sprawling township of 33,000 people.

"In Lawrence, they're protecting 11 people at the expense of hundreds who are hoping to make a buck," he said of the current system.

The situation is similar in Fanwood, said Mayor Colleen Mahr. Mahr, who testified for the state League of Municipalities, said downtown redevelopment in her town is being held back because there are just two consumption licenses for 10,000 residents.

"We believe with redevelopment there should be an opportunity for the developers to have restaurants as a component and not be restricted by the liquor license laws," she said.

In plain English, it's about time we restored the free market in beer and wine.

In plain Spanish, too.

ALSO: I wasn't aware of this, but it turns out that Mexico is the leading beer exporter in the world. The Mexican beer industry was started by the Germans and was always quite healthy - thanks to a lack of the puritanical laws we have in the U.S. Then it got a big boost when the U.S. adopted Prohibition.

It's a sad state of affairs when a country generally not noted for promoting the free market is so far ahead of our state when it comes to a simple product like beer. But thanks to hacks in Trenton, that's the sad reality.

Assemblyman Brian Rumpf was the worst such hack at this hearing. Though he is a Republican from Ocean County - which is shortchanged on liquor licenses more than any other county - his questions were aimed at promoting the interests of the liquor cartel and not the public.

At one point Rumpf said, "M

any existing license holders and restaurants are simply frightened out of their wits by this bill."

Well, that's what they get for rigging the market. By his logic, no government-created monopoly could ever be disbanded because the people who paid the legislators to create that monopoly might be adversely affected.

Rumpf also said at one point, "

I don't see any limitations on the number of licenses?"

Why should there be? If some willing seller wants to sell beer to some willing buyer at a restaurant, why is it any business of his? We don't limit soda sales at restaurants. Why beer and wine?

The good news is that if this bill passes, the cartel may be weakened to the point where beer and wine can be sold in supermarkets and convenience stores - like in all those states that don't have corrupt legislatures.

When I drove to Florida a few months ago, I noted beer was sold in convenience stores in every state I passed through. Why is it such a heavy lift to have that simple freedom here?
One of the core complaints from the gun-rights crowd about the reform efforts of our lawmakers is that they don't address the main problem, which is illegal guns. This is true.



New Jersey has tough gun laws on the books, and the loopholes that do exist are likely to be fixed now that Gov. Chris Christie has left the stage. But this does little about the black market, where most criminals get their guns illegally.



Scott Bach, an NRA member and head of the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, argues the answer is tougher penalties for the criminal misuse of firearms.

Phil Murphy 'names and shames' states that send N.J. illegal guns



Yet New Jersey already has some of the strongest criminal penalties out there, and they don't make up for the leniency of other states. Smugglers buy their guns where laws are lax.



Of the hundreds of crime guns recovered in New Jersey during the first three months of this year, 77 percent were purchased out of state, a new report found. Pennsylvania was the single largest source.



Just this month, New Jersey cops arrested a Pennsylvania man for trying to sell an AK-47 rifle, three AR-15 rifles, high-capacity magazines and more than 100 rounds of ammunition to buyers here.



Many more evade detection. Traffickers buy from unscrupulous dealers; the equivalent of a liquor store selling cases of beer to minors. Some use a straw purchaser with a clean record, like a girlfriend.

Phil Murphy just made another move to fight gun violence in N.J. (and Gabby Giffords was there)



To fight this, we can't rely on Washington. As our hearts break again in the aftermath of the Santa Fe tragedy, the NRA still has Congress by the throat, and President Trump is the gun lobby's main cheerleader.



Gov. Phil Murphy seems to get that, which is why he appointed a gun czar, Bill Castner, to find innovative ways to stop the "iron pipeline" of illegal guns into our state.



One promising tactic would be to sue bad apple gun dealers -- and the manufacturers who supply them. Nearly 90 percent of all crime guns are traced back to just 5 percent of gun dealers, according to the Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence. Their reckless behavior is putting New Jersey in danger. And we know who they are.



New York City and Gary, Indiana filed similar lawsuits, and in settlement agreements, bad dealers agreed to change their behavior by training their staff to identify straw purchasers and by modernizing their record-keeping.



We should also sue the gun makers that turn a blind eye or knowingly supply shady dealers. And we should leverage our purchasing power against them.



The number one buyer of firearms in New Jersey is taxpayers; to arm state troopers, cops and corrections officers. What if we refused to buy from irresponsible manufacturers?



Jersey City mayor Steve Fulop proposed a policy like this, but says the NRA urged its vendors to boycott the bidding process, so few responded. One city wasn't enough to get their attention, financially. Yet what if hundreds of towns did this? Or we teamed up with New York City, and other states?



We could also be more aggressive on the divestiture front. We've seen this work: Remington, the maker of the Bushmaster AR-15 rifle used in the Sandy Hook massacre, had to file for bankruptcy in February after horrified investors backed away.



The California teachers pension just adopted an investment policy that seeks to persuade major national retail companies to quit selling assault-style weapons. Can New Jersey join such efforts?



The first step, though, is to target disreputable dealers and their suppliers. Illegal guns are the primary problem. It's far too easy for criminals to get them. And good guys with guns should be the first to agree: We must do everything in our power to stop them.

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It's election season in Linden. Things were bound to get ugly.

But an argument over a social media post that erupted into a physical altercation Tuesday night crossed the line, said Councilman John Francis Roman, who alleges he was the victim of a simple assault at the hands of Mayor Derek Armstead.

Roman, who supports one of Armstead's challengers in an upcoming primary election, said in a police report that in a caucus meeting before the council meeting, Armstead assaulted him when he "slammed his shoulder into his shoulder."

"It's dirty in Linden but never like this," Roman told NJ Advance Media in a phone interview on Friday.

Armstead, also in a phone interview, denies the assault took place.

"No, absolutely not," Armstead responded when asked if he hit Roman. "It's silly season in Linden. That's exactly what it is."

Here's what happened, according to Roman, who filed a police report and a simple assault complaint against Armstead in municipal court.

Just before 7 p.m. on Tuesday, 10 council members, the Linden police chief and four other city officials were gathered in the Caucus Council Room in City Hall prior to the council meeting.

A heated argument ensued between Armstead and Roman about one of the councilman's recent Facebook posts in which he blasts the mayor for spending "less than 10 minutes" with a group of volunteers who painted the Linden Train Station bridge for free but planned to exploit them for a photo opportunity.

Roman states in the report that he did not want to discuss the post, but the argument continued, at which time Armstead allegedly told him he would "knock your f****** head off."

"Councilman Roman stated that after stating that, the Mayor stood up within two inches to his face, at which point Mayor Armstead slammed his shoulder into his shoulder, knocking him back," the report said.

Roman immediately left the room and entered another conference room to cool down, he said.

He then marched downstairs to the police department and gave a statement to an officer before attending the council meeting.

A spokesman for the Linden Police Department, Lt. Christopher Guenther, said in an email, "allegations of this nature do not typically necessitate a police investigation.

"Barring any new allegations I do not anticipate further police involvement," he continued.

Roman told NJ Advance Media he filed the complaint, in part, because the incident represents a pattern of abuse by Armstead.

"People need to know about this," Roman said. "There's a trend here."

For example, Roman pointed to a similar incident that happened between Armstead and a veteran city firefighter in March 2017. In that incident, at a police fundraiser, an argument between Armstead and Christopher Lukenda, a longtime Linden firefighter, escalated into a shoving match until the two were separated. At the time, Armstead denied an assault or altercation took place.

The Democratic primary for the mayoral election will be held on June 5. Councilman Gretchen Hickey is running against Armstead, who was elected in 2014, in a race that includes Councilwoman Rhashonna Cosby. There is no Republican challenger in this heavily Democratic Union County city of nearly 45,000 residents.

Roman has publicly supported Hickey.

Armstead chalked up the most recent allegations against him to politics as usual in Linden.

"They couldn't do anything productive but try and block everything I do," he said. "So, they come up with silliness around election time. I'd like to hear how someone can advance this city instead of disparaging the mayor's name."

Editor's Note: This post was updated to include a statement from the Linden Police Department.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Louisiana legislators will gather Tuesday (May 22) for their sixth special session since the beginning of 2016. Like the others, this session is being called to fill a looming gap in the budget.

The Legislature made the taxes they passed two years ago temporary, and the expiration date is June 30. If nothing were done, the state would lose an estimated $994 million in revenue.

Lawmakers don't have to deal with the entire shortfall, though. The deficit is an estimated $648 million. The forecast improved because of higher-than-expected sales, corporate and severance tax revenues. And federal tax revisions approved by Congress in December will increase what thousands of Louisianians pay to the state in income taxes.

But legislators still have to decide how to balance taxes and cuts.

Gov. John Bel Edwards wants to maintain the budget at essentially the same spending level, which would mean approving $648 million in taxes or other revenue measures. Republican House leaders seem to have settled closer to $500 million, which would leave about $150 million in cuts to services or agencies.

That is a significant gap but is more manageable than fighting over the full $994 million.

Legislators don't only need to find a way to balance the budget, though. They need to bring stability to it.

Another temporary fix would be bad for residents relying on state services and for Louisiana's credit rating and national reputation. There has been too much uncertainty in the budget from year to year, too many last-minute fixes and too much needless squabbling.

The antics this spring have been particularly frustrating.

Lawmakers got nothing done on the budget in an earlier special session this year. Two tax measures failed in that session because House members couldn't agree on which legislation should be up for a vote first. Republican leaders wanted to vote on a sales tax measure first, and Black Caucus members wanted a property tax revision to be first.

Since neither faction trusted the other to vote the way they had promised, both measures failed. Meanwhile, the Senate had nothing to do because it has to wait on the House to send over tax legislation.

In the regular session, which ended early on Friday, it was impossible for either chamber to pass a reasonable budget because of the $648 million gap in funding between this year and next year.

The House approved a version that would have stripped Medicaid services from an estimated 37,000 elderly and disabled residents, who are among the most vulnerable groups in the state. House members also slashed mental health services and payments to medical schools and hospitals that care for low-income Louisianians.

The Senate flipped the priorities, restoring money for Medicaid and cutting public colleges, food stamps and public safety. Senators included a 30 percent cut to the TOPS scholarship program, which the House had cut by 20 percent.

The House then concurred with the Senate's budget, but the final spending plan won't look like that. Gov. Edwards vetoed the spending plan lawmakers sent him, so they basically will start over in the special session.

Virtually everyone agrees that legislators will have to pass some sort of replacement taxes, most likely a portion of the sales tax they approved in 2016 to close a huge budget deficit left by former Gov. Bobby Jindal.

The sales tax is the fastest way to raise money, and the Legislature unfortunately has shown no interest in restoring state income tax reforms that were rolled back during the Jindal years. Congress actually is moving Louisiana toward a more balanced use of income taxes. The federal tax revisions will mean that fewer state residents will qualify for itemized deductions, which they had been able to use to lower their Louisiana taxes. Congress also reduced income tax rates, so state residents will have a lower amount to deduct on their Louisiana returns. All in all, the state is expecting to collect an additional $309 million in income taxes in the new fiscal year.

As they convene for this special session, it is important that lawmakers focus on the long term -- not another short-term fix as they did in 2016.

The Council for a Better Louisiana, Blueprint Louisiana and Committee of 100 emphasized that in a letter to lawmakers in early May. "We do not understand the inability to devise a more permanent solution to what has become an ongoing and persistent problem or to establish a vision or set of priorities for our state," their letter said.

Neither do we. This time, they must do better.
The question for this week: What kind of person wants to change laws and regulations so your children are exposed to eating, drinking and breathing more poisons? What kind of person thinks you support the idea of gambling on shorter, more pain-filled lives for your children if it means slightly higher profits for some businesses?

The answers: Steve Scalise, Garret Graves, Clay Higgins, Mike Johnson, Ralph Abraham, John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy -- Louisiana's entire GOP congressional delegation.

That's the message from their steady support for the attack on environmental regulations unleashed by President Donald Trump since he took office.

Most of these protections being targeted have been in place for decades, many passed with bipartisan support. And businesses have been complying as the nation's economy -- and stock markets -- soared to record heights. Yet in each case Trump has said the rollbacks or repeals are needed because they cost businesses too much money.

In other words, the air your breath has gotten too clean, the water too pure, the foods you eat to wholesome -- and the cars you drive too fuel efficient and inexpensive to run.

Here a list of some of the most offensive rollbacks or repeals as compiled by The New York Times last October. After reading each one, ask yourself this question: What kind of person would support this?:

Proposed ban on a potentially harmful pesticide.

Reducing or ending wetland and tributary protections; limits on landfill emissions; mercury emission limits for power plants; groundwater protections for uranium mines; efficiency standards for federal buildings; the rule helping consumers buy fuel-efficient tires, and aircraft emissions standards.

Repeal methane reporting requirement for oil and gas drillers.

Ending the offshore drilling ban in the Atlantic and Arctic.

Repealing the Northern Bering Sea climate resilience plan.

Opposing the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions in environmental reviews.

Ending Green Climate Fund contributions.

Ending endangered species listings.

Repealing protections for whales and sea turtles.

Repealing the ban on selling plastic water bottles in national parks.

Ending the requirement for calculation for "social cost" of carbon in emissions standards.

Undoing the planning rule for public lands that took years to develop and allows greater public input.

Dropping the requirement that mining companies prove they have the funding to clean up after spills, and when they are closing.

Weakening sewage treatment pollution regulations.

Ending the ban on use of lead ammunition on federal lands.

Softening fracking regulations on public lands.

Allow the "unintentional" killing of migratory bird protections.

Rolling back Department of Interior climate policies.

Weakening safety standards for "high hazard" trains.

Ending the Clean Power Plan, the United States' first effort to seriously reduce emissions causing sea level rise -- and flooding in coastal Louisiana.

Withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement.

Reducing the size of some national monuments.

Allowing more toxic discharge from power plants.

Allowing more coal ash discharges.

Weakening emissions standards for new, modified and reconstructed power plants.

Loosening regulations on oil and gas drilling in some national parks.

Rolling back some oil rig safety regulations put in place after Deepwater Horizon.

Reducing bonding requirements for offshore drillers that make sure they have the funds to clean up after accidents.

Allowing drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge.

Ending the requirement for tracking emissions on federal highways.

Reducing or ending limits on methane emissions by drillers on public lands.

Making it easier for air-polluting plants to get permits.

Rolling back the coal dust rule.

Reducing or ending the haze rule for national parks.

Changing the review process for forest restoration projects.

Ending the program for showing efficiency standards and ratings on appliances.

This isn't about individual rules. They are attacking the whole idea of government shielding its citizens from harm by businesses. That's why Trump staffed environmental, natural resource and consumer protection agencies with people who had records attacking them. They claim to be getting big government out of the lives of business owners -- but they're doing it by using big government to make human citizens' lives less healthy, shorter and even more expensive.

The best example is the GOP drive to remove the fuel efficiency goals for cars and trucks of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The Obama administration worked out this promise from the auto industry in exchange for the bailouts that kept them alive during the Great Recession. For the next 10 years things moved along smoothly - until Trump and the GOP gained total control.

Now Trump is pushing for a rollback because he claims it hurts automakers, but the auto industry has said that isn't critical. Then he said it costs Americans too much money. But a federal report shows that while the estimated cost of those regulations over the decade amounted to between $54 billion and $65 billion, the public-health and environmental benefits estimated came in at between $196 billion to $706 billion.

And rolling back the fuel economy standards will cost the average American driver about $1,000 per year, according to Forbes Magazine.

Further, Trump's administration is suing California for having tighter restrictions on emissions than the rest of the states claiming that state's rule places an undue burden on automakers. But those same automakers say the only thing they want is a consistent rule.

So, why not have all the other states require cleaner air? Trump and his partners say that isn't the way to make America great. Clean air is too expensive for business.

What kind of people do this? What kind of elected officials actually push to allow more poison in your air, water and land just so businesses can make a few extra bucks -- and even while polls show people want those healthier outcomes? The kind who represent Louisiana.

Bob Marshall, former Outdoors editor for The Times-Picayune and former environmental reporter for The Lens, writes a regular column. He can be reached at bmarshallenviro@gmail.com.
A Norco man was killed in a head-on crash in St. John the Baptist Parish on Saturday night (May 19), Louisiana State Police said.

Vicente Olguin, 30, died in the two-vehicle crash around 9 p.m. at LA 3127 and LA 640 in the Edgard area.

A preliminary investigation found that Olguin was driving eastbound on LA 3127 in a 2000 Honda Accord when, for unknown reasons, he crossed into the westbound lane, State Police said. Olguin did not have headlights turned on, and his car also had a flat tire on the right rear side.

Olguin crashed into an oncoming 2011 Toyota Camry being driven westbound by Kaitlyn Lassere, 19, of Thibodaux, police said. Lassere attempted to swerve right, but the vehicles crashed head-on.

Olguin died at the scene. Lassere suffered serious injuries and was flown to University Medical Center. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts.

It is unknown whether Olguin was impaired at the time of the crash, and toxicology tests are pending, police said. Lassere was not suspected to be impaired, police said.
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Roseburg, OR (97470)

Today

Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 62F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low near 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
Following the Parkland, Florida shooting, a group of Lake Oswego students banded together in solidarity with students across the country. This statement isn't about banning guns or taking away people's rights. It is a statement to reflect we shouldn't be fearful to sit in school.

This issue does not have to be partisan. There is no serious debate about regulating cigarettes, cars and driving, marches, or certain types of speech. Sensible regulation is about balancing safety and liberty. Some sensible gun regulations exist now (such as sales of machine guns and anti-aircraft guns); that is common sense. We believe Oregon can further promote safer gun laws. Accordingly, we have proposed to our state representatives a series of initiatives to make Oregon safer for students and all citizens:

1. Ban assault rifles. There is no need for these weapons in civilian society.

2. Increase the age to buy (not necessarily use) firearms to 21 years.

3. Eliminate high capacity magazines to no more than six rounds. Hunters are limited to five shots for a kill.

4. Limit gun purchases to one per month.

5. If we license driving, hunting, parking and marching we surely can license and register firearms.

6. Include similar background checks and limitations on ammunition to those on firearms.

7. Limit firearm ownership for substance abusers.

8. Include firearm safety in Oregon's high school health class curriculum.

We believe the safety promoted by these eight common sense firearm ideas exceed the harm or inconvenience that would result from their implementation.

Penelope Spurr, Lake Oswego

Spurr is a Lake Oswego High sophomore and member of Students for Change, a student-led initiative to decrease gun violence and ensure public safety through the use of common sense legislation, education and advocacy.
Gov. Brown declared an emergency and is calling lawmakers back to Salem on Monday for the first special session since 2013. So, what's the emergency?

The real "emergency" is that Brown signed Senate Bill 1528 in March, which was passed without bipartisan support. If she hadn't signed it, Oregon small business would be paying $1 billion less in taxes. She created this "emergency" and now she's hoping to cover it up with political theater.

Brown's acting skills will be on display as she gives a small tax break ($11 million per year) to a relatively small group of sole proprietorships, while happily pocketing more than $230 million this biennium in taxpayer dollars that she and other Democratic lawmakers grabbed in March.

As The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board correctly pointed out, the governor's "epiphany" is nothing more than an election-year Hail Mary pass to stop her free-falling approval rating. We know Oregonians will see straight through this stunt.

Even though Oregon has more taxpayer dollars than ever before, Brown and Democratic lawmakers still chose to force Oregon small businesses to pay $1 billion more under SB 1528.

If Brown really wanted to do the right thing, she'd use this special session to repeal the whole tax increase instead of giving back just $11 million. Instead, it's like she is taking a dollar from small businesses and giving them back a dime.

The real way to help small businesses is to repeal SB 1528 and get our tax laws working for our communities that depend on those businesses. That is the real emergency. This special session is a waste of time and taxpayer money.

-- House Minority Leader Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte and Senate Minority Leader Jackie Winters, R-Salem.
By Harris Zafar

The month of Ramadan has begun once again, and Muslims around the world are making efforts to focus more on their faith. But what does this month even mean? Most know Ramadan as the month in which Muslims fast every day. But why do Muslims do that? Why is it important? And how do Muslims commemorate this month every year?

As a Muslim who has lived here in Portland for the past 32 years, I am very accustomed to receiving questions like this from friends and strangers, both in person and online. People's jaws often drop when most they first hear that healthy adult Muslims (who are neither sick nor traveling) refrain from all food and drink for an entire month. It's important to note that the complete fast Muslims observe is only during the day. We eat and drink before sunrise and again after sunset every day. Here in Portland, this results in 16-and-a-half-hour days that gradually grow an hour longer through the month.

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But this isn't entirely unique to Islam. We are taught in our faith that fasting exists as a practice in nearly all faith traditions. The verse in the Quran about fasting not only establishes this truth but also speaks to the reason, "fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous." As one of the five pillars of Islam, fasting is an act of worship meant to foster love for God and love for his creation - with the expressed objective of gaining nearness to God.

The core of fasting is empathy, to cultivate the ability to feel someone else's pain. As we regularly feel the discomfort of hunger and thirst, we gain a glimpse into what it is like for those who have no choice but to be hungry and thirsty every single day. There are people struggling with food insecurity not just in remote countries but also right here in our own country - and in Oregon -- and fasting helps us feel their pain, suffering, loneliness, poverty and hunger. In a way, it connects us as humans.

This is particularly relevant now as we see violence, prejudice and discrimination rampant around the country and the world. Internationally, the injustice and bloodshed endured by Palestinians has been heart wrenching. And not everyone empathizes with their plight of dealing with injustices, having their homes stolen through settlement projects and living as a stateless population. Here in the United States, we have witnessed a disturbingly growing trend of African Americans being singled out and targeted with hate, racism and open bigotry. Whether they are at a Starbucks, eating at a Burger King, shopping for prom at a Nordstrom Rack, viewing real estate property or simply taking a nap in their dorm's common room, we see black Americans continue to face harassment and discrimination.

Fasting teaches us how to put ourselves in another person's shoes and to gain some level of understanding of their pain. This empathy is meant to foster more care and love for those who are often neglected and forgotten. For this reason, Muslims are advised to be more charitable -- with their time, wealth and general attitude -- while fasting during Ramadan. It is a month in which Muslims aren't allowed to express anger or tell a lie. Instead, they are instructed to focus on strengthening their relationship with God in humility.

Ramadan is chosen for such a spiritual exercise because this is the month in which Islam's holy scripture began to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in the year 610 C.E. Thus, this month isn't simply about fasting but also about spiritually reconnecting with our faith, our Creator, and his creation.

Portland area Muslims maintain their habit of sharing this experience with their neighbors. Beginning tonight at 7:15 p.m., Portland's first and oldest mosque, the Portland Rizwan Mosque, will host the first of its annual Ramadan Open House dinners, held every Saturday during this month of fasting to cultivate dialogue and understanding. Come connect with your Muslim neighbors in order to enrich our broader community with more understanding and friendship.

Harris Zafar is the national spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. He lives in Southwest Portland.

Local Muslim leader Harris Zafar will write a series of columns every Saturday through June 14 to explore the holy month for Muslims.
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Having recently been apprised of Gov. Kate Brown's work to correct the inequality in Oregon's tax code towards differing business types, my first response was "thank you!" When my wife and I began our business wholesaling desserts to restaurants in Baker City eight years ago we never imagined that we would someday have six employees and sell across three counties. So we registered our sole proprietorship with the state and got to work. The burden of creating a partnership or corporation with stock and the associated legal/accounting fees just seemed too large for our intentions of making great food locally. As we've grown and expanded I have not once regretted our decision to be a sole proprietorship. It matches perfectly with our business plans and has allowed us to start small and grow into our ideas.

I assume that a majority of sole proprietorships across the state came into being the same way, from pragmatic people looking to keep it simple and get to work. As many of us have succeeded we have grown and expanded, leading to the hiring of employees in many cases. These instances of successful entrepreneurship should be recognized as the vital contributors to Oregon's economy that they are and receive equal tax treatment that other business entities have been entitled to. I struggle to name a practical difference between a sole proprietorship, partnership, or S-corporation that warrants a difference in the tax rate on taxable income.

Please consider my viewpoint, as well as the inherent inequality of the current system toward Oregon's sole proprietorships and join me in supporting Governor Brown's bill.

Loran Joseph and Jenny Mowe, Baker City
Updated: 11:22 a.m.

A message sent out by the University of Oregon's Division of Student Life in the wake of a student death during a weekend trip to Shasta Lake is drawing angry comments from community members.

The university apologized for the message Sunday morning.

On Saturday, 21-year-old business administration major and member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity Dylan Pietrs was found dead at a boat-in campground on the lake in Northern California.

There are no signs of foul play, according to authorities.

When the Division of Student Life's message was originally released on Saturday evening, it contained a paragraph that read:

"As devastating as this sudden passing is, it is important to point out that this tragedy is connected to an unauthorized tradition among many college students. Students from many institutions have a history of demonstrating poor life choices during visits to Lake Shasta. These activities are contrary to the values of the university and fraternity and sorority organizations."

By Sunday morning, the paragraph had been removed from the website. At 11:12 a.m., the university tweeted, "We offer our deepest condolences to the friends and family of the student, and we regret the insensitive tone of the earlier statement."

The Division of Student Life has updated its statement on the passing of a student at Lake Shasta. We offer our deepest condolences to the friends and family of the student, and we regret the insensitive tone of the earlier statement: https://t.co/FF416d8wRc  University of Oregon (@uoregon) May 20, 2018

"So tragic but so inappropriate for @uoregon to use the moment for this," wrote journalist Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter Saturday night.

"This statement is disgusting and horrible," responded @maddatude to a tweet from University of Oregon linking the statement. "Apologize and make this right for Dylan, his family and friends."

Others responded calling the paragraph "completely unnecessary," "so insensitive it's ridiculous," "vile" and "tone deaf."

"UO should be ashamed of this statement," @TaggartIsASnake wrote. "No one was going to judge you for Shasta, but if you think no one will judge you for trying to shame your dead student..."

"As a UO alum, I have never regretted my affiliation more," the Twitter user continued.

The University of Oregon declined to comment further Sunday morning.

While a press release from the Shasta County Sheriff's Office Saturday did say Pietrs was "reported to have been drinking alcohol beverages during the day prior to going to his tent in the early evening," authorities have not yet determined the cause of his death.

Pietrs is not the first Oregon college student to die during a weekend at Shasta Lake. In 2001, a 19-year old Oregon State University student, Sean Matsuda, slipped and fell from a houseboat and drowned.

In 2005, Gina Zalunardo, also from Oregon State, hanged herself on an island after an argument with her boyfriend. That same year, University of Oregon student Joel Meyer drowned in the lake on Memorial Day weekend.

Even when the lake party weekends aren't fatal, they can result in bad press for universities. In 2016, U of O students came under fire for leaving an "incredible amount of trash" featuring the school's logo at a campsite at the lake.

Deputy Ray Hughes, watch commander for the Shasta County Sheriff's Office Boating Safety Unity said Sunday that he estimates between 40 and 50 houseboats containing U of O students were anchored at the boat-in Gooseneck Campground where Pietrs was found.

Around noon on Saturday, Hughes said, most of the students left. "We did not tell them to leave," he said, but he suspects they heard about the incident and decided to leave on their own.

The death of the student won't stop the crowds from coming this Memorial Day, Hughes said. He expects college students and families to head to the lake.

When asked how many people he expected this weekend, he said, "It's going to be thousands."

-- Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052

lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker
In the first years after she was shot in the lower back and foot at Thurston High School, Betina Lynn felt tremendous sadness and sympathy for others caught up in school shootings.

A yearbook photo of Betina Lynn

She joined the Ribbon of Promise campaign and traveled across the country to speak out against gun violence. During a road trip, she gave interviews to media in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota.

She got involved in the Brady campaign to require background checks for gun purchases and visited lawmakers in the nation's capital.

Then, it became too much.

"There weren't enough voices echoing mine'' about gun control, she said.

"A lot of us also wanted to have a life away from this. We don't want our entire identities formed from this,'' she said. "A lot of us hid for a very long time.''

For years she stayed out of the fray.

But in March, Lynn took the microphone again, moved by the activism of students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Florida. She spoke out at the "March For Our Lives" in Eugene.

She told the crowd: "I'm done being polite to the point of being silenced because others wish to avoid having hard conversations about gun violence in this country. Avoiding it doesn't make the problem go away.''

"Thanks to the strength and courage of the Parkland survivors, as well as students around the country and the world, I finally feel ready to be a part of the conversation again.''

Her grief has turned to anger.

"Why wasn't our pain enough?'' Lynn asked. "Why didn't it stop with us? Why didn't Congress do something?''

As an 18-year-old Thurston junior, Lynn lay on her stomach on the cafeteria floor, wondering when the gunfire would end.

"I can confirm one dead,'' she recalled hearing someone official report into his shoulder radio.

"I was in pain, scared and in shock,'' she said. "But that moment was probably the worst.''

When she went back to school with an orthopedic boot on her foot, she found some solace from the therapy dogs brought in to help ease the students' return. "It made the atmosphere a little bit less serious,'' she recalled.

Today, Lynn, 38, works as the executive coordinator of the University of Oregon's student senate and brings a therapy dog with her to work.

"There's something comforting about having a living creature that doesn't expect anything from you but is just mellow and calm and wants to cuddle,'' she said. "It also gives me something to take care of that's not me.''

She encourages those overcoming the initial shock of a school shooting to get help and counseling and learn to recognize the symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

Most of all, she wants people to know that she and other survivors of shootings likely will feel the effects for the rest of their lives.

"We are altered,'' she said.

"I get really annoyed with people who say things like, well it's been 20 years and why haven't I moved on. I would love to move on and not have triggers, to not frequently be on guard and be in flight or fight mode. I would love to feel normal again.''

Thurston High School shooting 20th anniversary 53 Gallery: Thurston High School shooting 20th anniversary

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
Tony McCown met Kip Kinkel when they were sixth-graders at Thurston Middle School. The two were both good students, considered talented-and-gifted in their class and became friends right away. They remained friends when they moved to high school.

The day Kinkel got expelled for having a loaded gun in his locker, McCown called him about 4:30 p.m. to console him.

Kinkel sounded distraught, saying his parents would be so embarrassed, so disappointed in him that they'd have to move to Alaska. "It's over,'' Kinkel told him. "Everything's over.''

McCown had no idea that Kinkel had already shot and killed his father at home, was about to shoot his mother or that he was on the verge of a shooting rampage at school the next morning.

For 20 years, McCown has struggled to understand how he missed what was happening to his friend. Now he's writing a book as he tries to come to terms with the boy he knew, the killer Kinkel became and how the shooting changed so many lives.

"I carried a lot of guilt for years,'' said McCown, 35. "I wondered what I could have done, what I should have done, wishing I would have been able to stop it.''

He stayed in touch with Kinkel off and on. At first, he wasn't sure why.

He was full of questions when he visited Kinkel at the Lane County jail within a month of the shooting. He went several more times over the next couple of months, but Kinkel couldn't talk about anything because he hadn't yet reached a plea agreement.

They exchanged occasional letters after that. Then in December, McCown drove to the Oregon State Correctional Institution in Salem.

In a large open room, he met Kinkel as an adult for the first time. They sat among about 100 other inmates, relatives and friends. McCown said he was nervous, unsure of what to expect.

***

The scene seemed surreal and mundane at the same time.

Here was a man who had committed an atrocity so unparalleled in Oregon at the time that he was sentenced to nearly 112 years in prison without parole. Kinkel walked in, wearing the prison's standard blue jeans and blue denim shirt. He wasn't handcuffed, no ankle restraints. The two shook hands and sat down across from each other at a small, short table, their knees popping up over it.

McCown made it clear he was there not as a friend but as an author seeking an interview. McCown suggested that Kinkel's account of hearing voices during his early teens might help other children understand the need to talk to someone about it.

Thurston High School shooting 20th anniversary 53 Gallery: Thurston High School shooting 20th anniversary

Kinkel didn't give McCown a definitive answer about participating in the book but suggested he might be willing if it could help other people.

"He was conscious of how it could open old wounds,'' McCown said.

Kinkel suggested a reading list to McCown "if you're going to write about my brain,'' including psychology professor James Garbarino's "Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them.''

He talked about how he's tried to maintain a constructive existence behind bars the last two decades.

"He finished his bachelor's degree," McCown said. "He's the prison's electrician. He has a day job. He checks in for work every morning and is fairly free to move about the prison.''

Kinkel also teaches yoga in the mental health ward after picking it up in a prison class about four years ago, McCown said. He wasn't as bulky as McCown had seen him in earlier prison photos. Kinkel showed up much thinner, about 170 pounds at 5-foot-10.

Kinkel's older sister Kristin comes up from California a couple of times a year to see him, and Kinkel talked about his sister's two children.

He appeared very engaged in the appeals of his sentence and talked a lot about juvenile justice reform. He cited U.S. Supreme Court cases by name, particularly the 2012 Miller v. Alabama decision, which found that mandatory life sentences for two 14-year-old murder defendants violated the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment because of their age.

The state Supreme Court earlier this month rejected Kinkel's appeal, finding the breadth of his crimes justified his lengthy sentence. He was convicted of four separate murders for his parents and two Thurston students and 26 attempted murders for wounding 24 students, trying to kill a 25th student and lunging at a Springfield detective with a knife after his arrest.

At Kinkel's sentencing, mental health experts said he had been hearing voices since age 12 and suffered from a schizo-affective disorder that could be treated but not cured.

***

McCown knows his visit to Kinkel may upset his old classmates and others traumatized by the shooting, but he said his intent is to tell the community's story, not Kinkel's. Unfortunately, he said, the two are inextricably interwoven.

McCown was at Thurston but not in the cafeteria during the shooting. In the aftermath, McCown dropped out of school the next year. He skipped too many classes, stayed up all night, abused drugs and alcohol, he said.

He completed high school at an alternative school and attended Lane Community College for a few years before getting a public policy planning degree at the University of Oregon. In 2016, he unsuccessfully ran for Lane County commissioner.

McCown quit his job last year as the facilities maintenance manager at Eugene's Valley River Center mall to start the book.

He wants to address the stigma of mental illness head-on.

After Kinkel finished middle school, his parents took him to see a Eugene psychologist in June 1997. He diagnosed Kinkel with clinical depression and prescribed Prozac, an antidepressant. By that October, Kinkel stopped seeing the doctor and apparently stopped taking the medication. His parents struggled to help him but didn't talk much about their son's troubles.

"Our acceptance and willingness to discuss mental health has to improve," McCown said. "A large part of the impetus behind the shooting was nobody could talk about Kip's mental health issues. They were present, and they continued to be ignored.''

Despite Kinkel's appeals, he realizes he probably will never leave prison and can never escape the enormity of his guilt, McCown said.

Kinkel told his childhood friend: "The only thing that's harder than waking up in prison every day is waking up knowing what he's done.''

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
Nichole Burcal followed her son through the familiar halls to the cafeteria.

She planned to sign him up for the fall season of cross-country four years ago at Thurston High School.

Burcal placed her hand on the cafeteria door and held it open. She made it to the entryway and froze.

"I tried to take that step,'' she said. Suddenly, her breathing quickened. She felt herself turning red, her body swelling. Tears poured down her face.

She couldn't cross the threshold into the place where she had watched Kip Kinkel cut down her classmates in what until then was one of the nation's most violent high school shootings.

She was one of the wounded in 1998. A bullet traveled through a friend's stomach and hit her in the back of her right calf.

Burcal had thought the passage of time would have eased her anxiety.

It didn't.

"I told Zach, 'I'm sorry I can't do this. I can't do this,''' she recalled.

Burcal's eldest son is set to graduate from Thurston in three weeks.

Burcal, now 37, never had second thoughts about sending her son to Thurston. Her two other sons, ages 14 and 1, likely will follow suit.

But she doesn't see herself ever going back into the cafeteria.

"I was never afraid of the school itself, and it's not the cafeteria that terrifies me,'' she said. "It's the memories that keep flooding back ... it never goes away. The sad thing is, once affected, always affected.''

***

On the morning of the shooting, Burcal was Nichole Buckholtz, a 17-year-old junior sitting in the cafeteria, across from classmate Jesse Walley. At first, she heard popping sounds and thought it was some kind of class prank for school elections.

Then she saw Kinkel with a gun. She thought it was a toy gun, maybe a BB gun. Then she realized, "Holy crap, he's shooting at us."

Thurston High School shooting 20th anniversary 53 Gallery: Thurston High School shooting 20th anniversary

She crouched down on the bench of the table and felt something hit the back of her leg. As she briefly sat up to check her leg, she saw Kinkel put a gun to her friend Mikael Nickolauson's head and fire.

She ducked back down. She saw Teresa Miltonberger, at the table to her right, bleeding from her head.

Almost as suddenly, it was over. A teacher led her and others into a classroom. Matt Burcal, her boyfriend at the time and now her husband, stayed by her side. She didn't see any blood on her clothing so she figured she was OK, though it felt as if she had a "really bad pulled muscle.''

It wasn't until that night, when she took off her jeans to take a shower, that she realized she'd been shot. A ricocheting bullet had slammed into her leg.

Her father drove her to a medical clinic, where they cleaned her wound. She knew she was lucky. Many of her friends who were at the same cafeteria table, Jennifer Alldredge, Jesse Walley, Jake Ryker, had suffered more serious injuries and remained in the hospital.

***

Less than a year later, Burcal remembers sitting in class when an announcement came over the intercom. There'd been a shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado. Twelve students and one teacher dead. Twenty-four people injured.

She had to excuse herself from class. She had flashbacks to the Thurston shooting. She spent the rest of the day in the library, where counselors met with students.

That same month, Burcal performed in a play called "Bang, Bang, You're Dead.'' It helped her cope with the trauma and proved therapeutic.

Directed by Thurston High's drama teacher and written by playwright William Mastrosimone who drew from the Thurston shooting, the work focused on a high school freshman named Josh who is visited by the five classmates he shot and killed in the school cafeteria. With help from the dead, he pieces together the events that led to the carnage.

Burcal was cast as one of the classmates. "It was a way to get people talking about the effects your actions have on other people,'' she said.

She graduated with her class and traveled with the cast to Nebraska that summer to perform the play.

By then, she and Matt Burcal learned they would become parents. The day before Kinkel was sentenced in court, Burcal gave birth to a boy, Zachary, Nov. 9, 1999.

She enrolled in Lane Community College that fall, studying criminal justice, something she was interested in before the shooting, and got her associate degree. During one of her forensic science classes, her teacher showed slides of the evidence seized after the Thurston shooting.

As police evidence slides of the cafeteria flashed by, Burcal remembers thinking, "Well I'm that 'X' right there.''

***

To this day, Burcal's husband sends her text messages to warn her when another mass shooting or violent tragedy happens, cautioning her to skip the news or Facebook.

Even if it's a plane crash, she needs to avoid the initial accounts. "I don't know if it's the panic in people's voices that may be the trigger,'' she said. "I start having flashbacks.''

She gets startled when she hears balloons pop. She doesn't do well in large crowds. If she and her family go to a fair, she must have what she calls a "plan of attack'' -- how to "get in and out.''

One day two years ago was particularly disturbing. She was on a lunch break at her job in Springfield as a resolution specialist, a troubleshooter for cruise company Royal Caribbean International, when she heard the report.

There was an update on one of Kinkel's appeals, plus a story of another school shooting.

"It was kind of like a double-header,'' she recalled. She said she felt her blood pressure rise, her breathing become unsteady. She called her dad to calm her down.

***

Living two miles from the school, there was little question that her son would go to Thurston High.

Zach, 18, said his parents had told him about the shooting when he was much younger. His mom still occasionally talks about it, but his dad, who wasn't wounded, says little, preferring to move on.

He has walked by the memorial outside the school nearly every day. Vestiges of the shooting haven't made him afraid to go to Thurston.

He "completely understood" his mother's fear of the cafeteria, he said, but "I figured they'd do something to prevent another one."

The teen has noticed the thick bulletproof windows in the cafeteria. A school resource officer is now assigned to the school, and students and staff go through periodic active shooter drills.

He played violin in the school orchestra and ran cross-country all four years. He's set to look for a job after he graduates June 9.

He doesn't tell his friends about what his parents went through. It's in the past. But the Parkland, Florida, school shooting in February shook him.

"I just don't understand why a person would have the thought of ever doing that,'' he said. "It just blows my mind. I mean why?"

***

Every anniversary of the shooting, Nichole Burcal takes out a talisman from 20 years ago and holds it in her hand for comfort.

Before the shooting, she had borrowed a cigarette lighter as a prop from classmate Mikael Nickolauson for a one-act play she was directing at Thurston.

"I told him I'd give it back to him,'' she said.

She never got the chance. Nickolauson died in the school cafeteria.

"So I hang onto it,'' Burcal said. "I told him I would.''

She keeps the silver Zippo in her jewelry box.

Every May 21, she opens the box.

"I pull out the lighter and tell Mikael that I still have it.''

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
When Ryan Atteberry took a bullet to the face at Thurston High School, no one live-streamed on Facebook, they didn't post videos on Twitter or start a comment string on Reddit. That level of social media didn't exist two decades ago.

And for that, his mother is eternally thankful.

It was hard enough that Yvonne Atteberry had to see her son's image playing on national TV news when she arrived at McKenzie-Willamette Hospital minutes after the shooting.

"I saw it on CNN. Ryan's face was all over, right away,'' she said. She scrambled to alert other family members before they turned on their TVs.

In what became an iconic image of the carnage, 17-year-old Ryan was shown walking out of the building, speckled in blood, escorted by a substitute teacher and a paramedic.

Thurston High School shooting 20th anniversary 53 Gallery: Thurston High School shooting 20th anniversary

Families need time to grieve, to process the horror, Yvonne Atteberry said.

The Springfield community had time to do that then  still under an intense media glare but nothing like now, she said. She's grateful for the support her family received after the shooting, a time when they had just moved into a new home and were getting settled in.

It's impossible to have any privacy these days, she said, and reactions are magnified by all the ways people who know nothing about a situation can share their opinions with a wide audience.

"Today, everything has to be instant, and everyone needs something to blame,'' she said. "Honestly the shooter is the only one you have to blame.''

Ryan, a sophomore, had been walking in the school's hallway with friends when he heard a scream that morning.

"The next thing I know I was looking at the cement floor,'' he recalled.

He wasn't sure what had happened. But he was relieved he could move his fingers and toes. He saw blood but had no idea where it was coming from. He was able to slide and sit up against a wall. Teachers soon rushed to his side.

He was one of the last victims led out of the school.

***

Ryan Atteberry still carries the .22-caliber bullet that traveled through his left cheekbone, drilled through his jaw, hit his spinal cord and stopped near the back of his neck. It would have caused too much damage to remove it, doctors said.

He remained in the hospital's intensive care unit for four days, a tube down his throat helping him breathe because his airway was swollen. His recovery at home lasted only a couple of days before he returned to Thurston.

Yearbook photo of Ryan Atteberry

"For me, it was more relief, and I wanted to show everyone I was doing OK,'' he said.

It wasn't easy, though. The bandage over his cheek had to be changed every five minutes because saliva was leaking through and soaking it. He resorted to leaning his head against a hand towel resting on his shoulder.

He would joke that he was the Hunchback of Notre Dame, swinging his arms with his neck at an angle. The humor helped him deal with the aftermath.

"It's another day,'' he said. "Another day that I'm lucky to have made it through.''

***

Mother and son today work in the Springfield school system. Yvonne works as a library helper at Maple Elementary School, and Ryan, 37, does custodial work for the district.

Yvonne said she never felt that Ryan and his younger brother weren't safe at their schools. Visitors to Springfield schools since the shooting must pass by the front offices after they enter; the other entrances remain locked. The schools also hold regular training on how to respond to an active shooter called ALICE -- Alert Lockdown Inform Counter Evacuate.

When he's back at Thurston High, cleaning the floors of the hall where he was shot, Ryan has no hesitation. "You always hear some ghost stories,'' he said, "but I never felt like I had any problem. I never felt like I was in danger."

The activism of the students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Florida has buoyed Yvonne, but she's frustrated and disheartened every time she hears about another school shooting.

"We know exactly how they feel,'' she said. "You'd think 20 years later, you'd get used to it. There's so many feelings that come up every time there's a new shooting.

"We always said, 'Never again. We're going to fix this,' but it keeps happening. And sadness that we know how it feels for others, how it's going to change the kids' and their parents' lives."

She believes in the immense power students can have on other students. That's partly why her son shared his experiences at other high schools in Oregon in the years immediately after he was shot, telling them they needed to use their words, not violence, to resolve their problems.

***

Yvonne remains in awe of her son's resilience and strength, especially now that she's facing her own life-and-death challenge. She found out at the end of 2016 that she has breast cancer.

Yvonne Atteberry shortly the Thurston High School shooting.

Ryan lives the philosophy of one day at a time. He sums up Thurston like this: "Yep, it happened. I'm alive. I'm moving forward.''

That puts mortality in perspective, said Yvonne, 60.

"Life is ever-changing. Life's not fair,'' she said. "You've got to make the best of what you get.''

"He's good,'' she said of Ryan. "I've got to be good.''

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
The idea for the Ribbon of Promise campaign started the day after firefighters and ambulances flooded Thurston High School when the emergency call came over the radio: "We've got students down all over the place."

Dennis Murphy started the Ribbon of Promise after the Thurston High School shooting 20 years ago.

Springfield Fire Chief Dennis Murphy and other rescuers had never seen anything like the carnage and never wanted to again.

They wrote out a mission: "We will unite the nation in an effort to prevent school violence by acting as a resource for communication, education, planning and action.''

They modeled it after the Mothers Against Drunk Driving's red ribbon campaign but chose ribbons of sky blue reflecting the color of the firefighters' uniforms and to symbolize hope for brighter skies tomorrow.

There was no bank of information at that point on school shootings, Murphy said.

The campaign  focused on encouraging kids to report threats -- lasted seven years before it ended in debt.

"We never really figured out how to raise money for that,'' Murphy said. "People simply wanted to bury their heads and make it go away.''

It's a hard message to hear, but the need remains -- now more than ever with no apparent end in sight to eruptions of mass school violence, he said.

The campaign helped fund a 12-minute video produced by Springfield High School marketing students called "Not My Friends -- Not My School,'' intended to encourage students to speak out about anything suspicious in their schools or involving classmates.

"The important thing is what we did learn  student intelligence is the key to stopping school attacks. The message of the video was, 'You have the power to stop this. You need to speak up,'" Murphy said.

Thurston High School shooting 20th anniversary 53 Gallery: Thurston High School shooting 20th anniversary

The video sought to convince students that if they report a perceived threat of violence, they're not a "rat" or a "snitch'' but a hero. The video was part of the campaign's focus on having students create their own solutions to school violence called "By Kids, 4 Kids.''

A school safety officer in Beloit, Wisconsin, formed a Ribbon of Promise chapter and based it in a school. Murphy's daughter began a chapter in Washington, D.C., while working for the American Counseling Association.

The campaign also sponsored an all-student production of "Bang, Bang You're Dead,'' which premiered in Eugene in April 1999. Thurston High students made up the cast of the play, written by nationally known playwright William Mastrosimone. The script later was produced by hundreds of schools, churches and theater companies across the United States and turned into a TV movie.

Students, Murphy and Cindy Brown, the Ribbon of Promise's executive director for five years, were interviewed on national TV, traveled to other cities and arranged shipments of videos to Japan, Germany and schools around the United States. A website was developed to share resources for parents.

Cindy Brown is the former executive director of the Ribbon of Promise campaign that lasted about 7 years after Thurston High shooting.

But the campaign lost money each month. By the end, it was about $70,000 in debt. Murphy, who retired in 2010 after 30 years with the Springfield Fire Department, ended up swallowing much of that, he said.

With each new school shooting, Brown said she "gets sick to my stomach."

"I think for what our organization had funding to do at the time was successful," she said. "We did create a movement at the time. As far as putting an end to violence in schools? I think we all have a lot of work to do and wish we could have done more.''

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
It's not too strong to say Jennifer Alldredge Ryker hated the parents of Thurston's school shooter. She uses the word herself.

She couldn't understand why Kip Kinkel's father gave his son a gun when he couldn't control his anger.

Yearbook photo of Jennifer Alldredge

She felt Bill and Faith Kinkel had "no guidelines, no manual, no clue as to what to do when their son was showing signs of hurting animals, being mean, lacking empathy and compassion.''

Kinkel killed his parents at their home on May 20, 1998, after school officials found a loaded stolen gun in his locker. The next day he went on a shooting rampage at Thurston High School.

"I spent years hating his parents,'' Ryker said, "and now being a parent, I realize how hard it is.''

When her son was 3 and acting out and hitting other children in preschool, Ryker worried it was a harbinger of worse to come. She intervened immediately.

"It terrified me that my son was actually going to be that kid,'' she said.

Thurston High School shooting 20th anniversary 53 Gallery: Thurston High School shooting 20th anniversary

Every day, Ryker struggles with the shooting's impact on her life.

She got counseling after she was shot in the hand and lung that day. She thought she'd recover emotionally and physically in the years that followed. She married her high school sweetheart, bought a house, had two children, managed a Fred Meyer jewelry store.

"It's your pride, a sense of 'I'm infallible. I can survive anything,'" she said. "You want to go on a crusade; to prove how tough you were.''

But today, when she's walking her dog and a stranger brushes past, she tenses up.

The red dye that drains into the sink when she colors her hair unnerves her.

"You don't realize your body has a memory,'' she said.

***

She was a 17-year-old junior when she stood and put her arms around her boyfriend Jake Ryker as he sat at a table in the Thurston cafeteria studying for a test before heading to class.

She saw Kinkel walk into the cafeteria to her left. She heard strange noises and suddenly felt intense pain and heat. Blood spilled from her fingers, her hand throbbed.

She tried to scream, but was shot again, this time through her back, piercing her lung, and blood gurgled from her mouth. She fell, unaware of what had happened until waking up several days later in a hospital intensive care unit.

One of the bullets that went through her hand struck her boyfriend in the chest. The two had been dating just a month. Their friendship fast-forwarded in the intensity of the shared experience of survival.

"We went from 'you look cute,' to this Romeo and Juliet relationship -- 'you're the only person who gets me,''' she said.

As soon as Jake Ryker turned 18, he joined the Marine Reserves. They married three years after the shooting.

"We went from sharing bullets to sharing kids,'' Jen Ryker said.

Jake was often away on lengthy overseas deployments. After several separations, they divorced last summer.

She wonders now: "I don't know if we would have ended up having a serious relationship and getting married without the shooting having happened.''

The Medal of Honor with Crossed Palms was pinned on Jake Ryker by his father Robert Ryker in 1998 for his heroic actions in tackling school shooter Kipland P. Kinkel.

He was her superhero, the man who kept her safe. In the cafeteria, Jake Ryker, his younger brother and other students tackled Kinkel when he emptied a 50-round clip of ammunition from his .22-caliber semiautomatic Ruger rifle and reached for another clip and a handgun.

The Rykers told their two young children about the shooting, how their wounded father helped prevent others from getting shot.

But Jen Ryker doesn't want to encourage her children to do the same.

"My hardest part is I don't know what to tell them to do in a shooting,'' she said. "I do not want to get in my kids' head that I want them to run towards danger. I emphasize, 'Don't try to be a hero. Try to be safe.'''

***

Now 37, she recognizes the importance of taking care of herself and has learned to address her fears through counseling.

She's thankful for an online support group "The Rebels Project: Mass Shooting and Trauma Support,'' started by survivors of the Columbine school shooting.

Jennifer Alldredge Ryker with daughter Miranda Jayne Ryker and son Logan Russell Ryker.

She called it "a safe place'' for other survivors to seek support.

Her advice for others: Don't be too proud to admit you need help. Address triggers, give yourself permission to be human but learn coping skills. Enjoy this moment, this day.

When another school shooting terrorized a Texas community just Friday, Ryker said she again was reminded to live life "at the level of caring. Put away your petty differences. Quit complaining about trivial things. Quit living a surface level life."

On Monday night, she plans to mark the 20th anniversary of the Thurston shooting by attending a vigil at William S. Fort Memorial Park in Springfield near the high school.

"As much as I would like to have a glass of wine and forget the whole day even exists,'' Ryker wrote on a Facebook page set up for the event, "this is needed ... and wonderful to show respect.''

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
The bullet that went into the right side of Jesse Walley's abdomen passed through his stomach but remarkably struck no organs. What's left today is a scar on his belly and weariness at the successive school violence since then.

Walley was a 16-year-old sophomore when he was shot in the Thurston High School cafeteria. He was sitting next to his girlfriend with a group of friends when he suddenly felt a sharp pain.

Yearbook photo of Jesse Walley

He looked around to see what was happening. He recalls the shock he felt when he saw "a kid walking through the cafeteria with a rifle.''

Walley returned to school within a week and a half, a large bandage on his stomach. He eventually continued his involvement in wrestling, track and cross country. After graduating, he held a series of odd jobs, including fighting wildfires.

He left Oregon with a friend and set out for the Grand Canyon. While he was working in the gift shop in the national park, he met his wife, who was working at another nearby store.

The couple now have three children, two girls, 11 and 6, and a boy, 10. Walley lives in Cottage Grove and works as a supervisor with his wife at a local plywood mill.

He isn't bothered when he visits his father, who still lives in the family home a half block from Thurston.

"The good memories from high school outweigh the one bad thing that happened,'' said Walley, 36. "I looked at it like, 'I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.'"

He's tried to pass that attitude to his own kids. He isn't afraid for their safety in school. "You don't not go to the beach because you're afraid of tsunamis,'' Walley said.

Still, the drumbeat of school shootings leaves him numb.

"I kind of hate to say it, you're kind of jaded after a while,'' he said. "I'm aware they're going on, but I got my own stuff to worry about. It's almost like 'where's this one happening now?'''

The social media megaphone available to students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida stands in marked contrast to 1998, he said.

"The Parkland students have more of a platform to make their voices heard,'' Walley said. "We didn't have YouTube or Facebook. We had to be at a news conference or talk to reporters to get our message out.''

Walley doesn't agree with calls by some of the Florida students for greater gun control. He owns a few hunting rifles and a handgun and supports responsible gun ownership.

"After the Thurston shooting, there was a lot of outcry for mental health care reform and blaming Kip Kinkel,'' he said. "After the one in Parkland, they weren't blaming the person. They were blaming the tools. It's not the gun's fault. I don't blame the gun. I blame the person.''

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
Gang investigators are looking into a Saturday evening shooting in Northeast Portland that injured two people.

Portland police said a man and a woman were hit by gunfire but suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the incident, which happened at Northeast Grand Avenue and Northeast Alberta Street.

Investigators believe that the man was the intended target and the woman was struck accidentally.

The police bureau said an unoccupied home in the 500 block of Northeast Alberta Street was also hit by gunfire.

The victims' names were not released.

In a statement, the Portland Police Bureau said officers answered reports of the shooting at 8:41 p.m. They found people giving the injured woman first aid. Medics took her to a hospital.

Then, another 9-1-1 call came in saying a man was hiding near a home in the 4900 block of Northeast Sixth Avenue. Officers found the man, shot, and called for medical help. His injuries were described as serious.

Police said they found no suspects but collected evidence of gunfire at the scene.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive
One man was seriously injured but is expected to survive after a shooting in Southeast Portland on Saturday night, police said.

Officers answered the call at 9:40 p.m. in the 9900 block of Southeast Powell Boulevard, which is just east of Interstate 205. They applied a tourniquet while they waited for medics to arrive.

The Portland Police Bureau offered no description of a suspect and did not identify the victim.

The assault detail of the bureau's detective division's is investigating. Officials asked anyone with information to contact the assault detail at 503-823-0479.

The incident happened just an hour after officers arrived at the scene of another shooting, one that injured two people in Northeast Portland.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive
They call themselves the Stormy Troopers.

Kim Deinlein and Cynthia Lowe spent six hours in Tualatin Saturday in hopes of catching a glimpse of Stormy Daniels at Stars Cabaret.

The adult film star, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, is the woman President Trump's lawyer paid $130,000 weeks before the 2016 election to ensure her silence about an alleged affair. The president admitted this month that money changed hands but has denied the affair.

Denlein and Lowe, Pacific Northwest natives, ended up getting quite a bit more than a peek of the woman they hoped would help end of the Trump presidency. They had front-row seats to the show, which netted Daniels thousands of dollars in a matter of minutes.

"I think that she's doing a great thing," Lowe said.

The Tualatin stop follows two other appearances by Daniels in Central Oregon and in Salem. All three were hosted by Stars Cabaret, where she took the stage twice each evening.

In Bend, the adult film star's first routine was delayed because her luggage had been lost on the flight in. And her second was cut short when a man threw his wallet onstage and smacked her in the face.

The Salem shows, much like Daniels' appearance in the Portland area, seem to have gone on without a hitch.

The crowd in Tualatin was fairly reserved until she took the stage. Daniels was originally to begin her routine at 10 p.m., which came and went with hardly a mention tardiness on the dancer's part.

As the night wore on, folks were more than happy to toss dollar bills onto the stage as other women danced and removed their clothing bit by bit.

Linda Johnston, 79, watched from the bar with her husband Tim, 83. The longtime Lake Oswego residents were there to support Daniels, they said.

"I hope she nails him," Tim Johnston said, following his wife's assertion that the federal investigation into the president's alleged hush payment would end his administration.

Of the 12 people circling the stage where Daniels was initially meant to perform, only three were men. Eight of the women said they would be elsewhere if it wasn't for her appearance at the venue.

The last woman was Stella Harris, sex columnist for Willamette Week.

Lowe, 62, one of the two Stormy Troopers, was seated next to her friend, cocktail in hand. It was her first time in a strip club, and she was surprised by how much she was enjoying herself.

"I'm just impressed by all of these girls," she said moments after a woman slid down a pole with her legs thrust to the ceiling.

The outing was old hat for Deinlein, 55, who visits Portland clubs at least once a month with her husband. She and Lowe had originally planned to scout Daniels' performance with a larger group.

When the majority of their party bailed, the two decided to forge ahead. And on Saturday morning, Deinlein was hit with an idea.

What if they wore shirts? And what if those shirts sported the illustration of a lingerie-clad woman wearing a Stormtrooper's helmet from "Star Wars" Deinlein's friend had recently drawn?

They could call themselves Stormy Troopers.

The idea hit Deinlein like a bolt of lightning, she said. It wasn't too long until she bought two red V-neck T-shirts and secured her friend's permission to produce a pair of iron-on patches featuring his design.

They wore the shirts to the show, hoping they could at least get Daniels to sign one.

"If she asked me for the shirt off my back, I'd gladly oblige," Deinlein said.

The two women were front and center when the adult film star hit the stage at 11 p.m., clad in a blue-and-white-starred bustier and long red skirt. Daniels began by dancing to Lenny Kravitz's cover of "American Woman" and the stage was littered with $1 bills by the time the song ended.

As Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" played over the Stars Cabaret sound system, Daniels solicited bids for a T-shirt she'd begun dancing with.

"Do I hear $40?" the MC said as men and women raised cash above their heads.

That $40 was raised to $100. Then $140. Soon the MC was asking if anyone had $200. By the time Daniels handed the shirt over, a man was shoving a fistful of cash in the air he claimed totaled $400.

The crowd chanted, "Stormy! Stormy! Stormy!"

Soon, "American Girl" began to play and Daniels was selling off blue wristbands that would give the wearers priority access to a photo op with the adult film star for $20 a pop. Neither Lowe nor Deinlein secured one.

But that didn't matter.

"We've been here for six hours," Lowe told one of the bodyguards managing the crowd. "Can't we get in and get our picture taken?"

A Stars staffer shot photos for 30 men and women before Lowe and Deinlein had their turn. Even then, a line spilled from the middle of the venue and into the back alley as they gushed over Daniels.

"We love what you're doing," Lowe said as Daniels shook her hand.

The adult film star smiled, asked Deinlein to turn around so she could sign the red Stormy Troopers shirt, and gave them both a wave as the next person approached her for a photo.

--Eder Campuzano | 503.221.4344

ecampuzano@oregonian.com
At 9 months old, doctors removed a tumor in Carina Comer's brain that left her blind in one eye and with limited sight in the other.

She was 7 when the tumor returned, and she had to travel weekly from her Connecticut home to spend days in a Boston hospital for radiation treatment.

Her parents cried and raged against the unfairness of it all.

But in private.

They vowed to prove to their daughter, the youngest of two kids, that she was capable. They never allowed her to wallow in self-pity even though the world considered her just a blind girl.

When people meet Carina Comer these day, they realize she's blind, but describe her as a first-class baker, and the owner of a bakery in Beaverton, a place where she tries to help people believe in themselves the way her parents did for her so long ago.

The early early lessons in self-sufficiency began when Carina was in second grade. She enjoyed being in the kitchen with her mother, who loved to bake.

Soon Carina was helping.

She could find the sugar.

She could find the flour.

She could measure the ingredients.

"We never coddled her," said Karin Comer. "At every step, we believed in her."

When Carina's final radiation treatment ended, the second-grader said she wanted to help kids still in the hospital as a way to repay the kindness from schoolchildren who had left gifts with the nurses to give to the young patients.

So that first summer she was home, she began baking cookies and muffins. She loaded them into the basket of her trike, pedaling around her neighborhood to sell them to raise money for the kids.

She did that for the next 10 years, making more products and expanding her route.

Each Christmas, Comer and her mother would make the three-hour drive to Boston, so Comer could personally deliver toys, books and, of course, baked goods to the children.

By the time she graduated from high school, she figured she'd raised a total of $22,000 for all the toys.

After high school, Comer enrolled in a Rhode Island culinary school where she specialized in baking and pastries. She found internships, given menial tasks like cleaning things because bakers didn't think she could keep up.

At loose ends, Comer came to Portland to visit a girl she'd met when they both were getting cancer treatments. Comer eventually moved here and earned an MBA from Salem's Willamette University, where she focused entrepreneurship with the dream of opening a bakery.

She worked on the idea with classmates and created an extensive business plan. After graduating, she moved to Portland, found a place to live and rented a shared kitchen.

"As a visually impaired person, I worked differently than the others," she said. "I was paying by the hour for the kitchen and it was stressful."

Last year, she used loans from a bank and her family to lease and outfit a space, at 4725 S.W. Lombard Ave. in Beaverton. More than just a bakery, she wanted to give people like herself a chance.

She joined the National Federation for the Blind local chapter and said she was hiring people who wanted to learn the trade. She now has five employees, three who are sight-impaired.

Lora Ward, 49, who is legally blind, had a job in a pizzeria but left because the boss said she couldn't read the screen quickly and was slowing up the line.

"It was hard to find anyone who'd give me a chance," Ward said. "Carina did. If I didn't have this job, I'd be sitting at home."

Guide Dogs for the Blind, a Boring organization, provided Comer and Ward with Labradors named Sutter and Ribbon, both of whom spend time in a cozy kennel under the front counter where customers talk to them after placing an order. A sign by the cash register asks that customers be patient because most of the employees are blind or low vision. The bakery's recipes have huge print, and a magnifying glass is handy for books with smaller print.

The customers don't care about any of this.

Last week, when asked why they come to the bakery, a table of women, their faces revealing they'd been asked a stupid question, held up their pastries and got back to their conversation.

Her day starts about 4 a.m. and when evening comes she pays her bills, blowing up the documents on a large computer screen so she can make them out with her one good eye.

The work, Comer said, is exhausting. There are moments, when she's tempted to grumble. But she stops herself, remembering her mother's kitchen and the little girl who stood on a stool to reach the stove.

"Perseverance and determination," she said with a smile. "Those traits run deep in my family."

--Tom Hallman Jr.

thallman@oregonian.com; 503 221-8224

@thallmanjr
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Review: Ramin Bahranis Fahrenheit 451 is a Timely and Well-Acted Nightmare Version of Our Reality that Doesnt Seem Too Far Off

By Roxana Hadadi | Film | May 20, 2018 |

The world our 45th president wants is imagined in the HBO Films release Fahrenheit 451, and it is unsettling and frightening and honestly doesnt seem that far off from what were currently living. Words dont mean what they once did. Certain languages, and by extension certain types of people, are banned. Everything is a performance for social media consumption. And the depth of thought that books, film, and music used to possess and portraytheyre all just kindling.

Filmmaker Ramin Bahrani gives the iconic Ray Bradbury work Fahrenheit 451 the terrifyingly contemporary update it needs with his version, which premiered on HBO on Saturday, May 19, and is now available through HBO on demand and on HBO Go. Starring a game Michael B. Jordan and an unhinged-as-ever Michael Shannon (I remain ashamed that I forgot to include him in my actors with crazy eyes list), Bahranis Fahrenheit 451 drops Bradburys misogynistic characters, adds in a social media angle that seems scarily feasible, incorporates a female-led uprising, and ends in a way that offers a glimmer of hope without the original nuclear armageddon Bradbury imagined. So  progress!

As an Iranian-American, I like to pretend all Iranian filmmakers and actors are basically somehow related to me (Asghar Farhadi is an uncle! Golshifteh Farahani is a cousin!), and I was ecstatic years ago when Roger Ebert called Bahrani the next great American filmmaker and conducted his final interview with the director. Bahrani has made a career of exploring corners of the American dream (most recently: the failures of agriculture in At Any Price, starring a just-fresh-from-Disney Zac Efron and Dennis Quaid; the catastrophe of the American housing crisis, with Andrew Garfield, Laura Dern, and an especially villainous Shannon, in 99 Homes), and so Fahrenheit 451 seems in line with his particular interests.

There is no way this movie isnt intentionally addressing Trump, the myriad factors that led to his election, and the continuously disastrous effects of his presidency; the fact that the Salamanders chant Time to burn for America again before their destructive sprees, call resistors terrorists and themselves natives, encourage people to see something, say something to protect our nation, and identify the Bible as one of only three books worth reading makes this pretty damn obvious. And yet its pointed and chilling and effective, especially because realistically this is all familiar and because cinematically we all know how harrowing Shannon can be. When Shannons Captain Beatty yells at his fellow Salamander burners, encouraging them to make it rain kerosene, as his commander says, or when he whispers subtle threats to Jordans Guy Montag, you understand how his zealotry has consumed and invigorated him. He only knows how to burn, and he only wants to burn.

This largely takes the place of Bradburys original text, much of which was focused on the relationship between protagonist Guy Montag and his vapid, superficial wife Millie; thats all abandoned here, and Bahranis film is better without that often-misogynistic subplot. Instead, the film is broader, more inclusive, and more interested in the idea of resistance as community. Gone is Montags first-person narration and in its place is more focus on Beatty, who develops a paternalistic relationship with Guy; a bigger role for the character Clarisse (Sofia Boutella, bucking her own career trend by not having one fight scene in this whole movie), who isnt just a random teenager Guy interacted with a few times but a fully fledged person with her own mistakes and motivations; and an exploration of how our modern technology is barely veiled surveillance, which we have invited and accepted in lieu of true privacy.

That last one isnt a new ideaits been a central focus of films as varied as the Captain America trilogy, particularly Winter Soldier, and new classic Blade Runner 2049, but Bahrani puts his own spin on it here, switching to fish-eye lenses every so often to suggest illicit tracking and overlaying live video feeds with emoji reactions and comments that appear as reactions to the events happening in real time. Viewers cheer on the burns, have their favorite Salamanders, and call themselves fans of these agents of the state who incinerate culture and history and entire lives within moments.

Its in this environment that Montag and Beatty are famous. A second-generation fireman who remembers his own father doing the same job before his death, Guy is dedicated and unwavering. Hes being groomed by Beatty to take over his top spot: they visit schools together to encourage children to report anyone they think is suspicious, and they round up eels, or people who are in illegal possession of books, records, or music, and delete them from the 9, or the future version of the Internet, basically wiping out their lives. And Beatty is a particularly zealous mentor. He somehow links racism and burning together when discussing books like Huckleberry Finn (The whites knew you blacks were offended, so what did we do? We burned it!); has his own opinions on certain authors (Kafka, a pornographer and a sexual pervert. I like that about him); and wont even entertain the idea of probable cause (They try to say theres no evidence danger exists; well, then show me the evidence danger doesnt exist).

But things begin to seem off to Montag. He has memories of his father that dont sync up with what Beatty has said about him. One of Beattys informers, former eel Clarisse, provides a tip that leads to a situation that rattles Guy. And as he begins to seriously consider the nature of his work, Guy wonders if this kind of recklessly proud annihilation is what his father would have wantedif its even what he wants.

Damn, its a pleasure to burn, Montag says, and Jordan plays the character well, bringing a mixture of cockiness and woundedness similar to what we saw earlier this year during his phenomenal turn as Erik Killmonger in Black Panther. There are some lines of dialogue that fall a little flat, but Jordan gets the emotional beats right, and the way he and Shannon play off each other is particularly effectivethe former trying to be so controlled, the latter so nearly unhinged, and the contrast works.

What is most revelatoryand beautiful, evenis what Bahrani does to show the breadth of art, history, and culture in the world and how worthy it is of acknowledging, cherishing, and saving. He does something similar to what Ava DuVernay and Mindy Kaling did with Mrs. Who in A Wrinkle in Time, demonstrating a wide canon of essential works: texts in Arabic, Chinese, and Persian, by Rumi, Darwin, Oscar Wilde, and Jorge Luis Borges; portraits of Sitting Bull and Frederick Douglass; Marvin Gayes Whats Going On on vinyl; Taxi Driver on VHS; As I Lay Dying, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Song of Solomon, Anna Karenina, White Teeth, Harry Potter, and Half of a Yellow Sun. A book in Braille is bathed in light like a holy text; the look on Jordans face as he reads the first few words of Fyodor Dostoevskys Notes from Underground is transcendent.

Its staggering to see all those works destroyed, and how Bahrani and cinematographer Kramer Morgenthau present the flamesbeautiful, entrancing, eerie, violentbrings to mind Melisandres famous words: The night is dark, and full of terrors. Fahrenheit 451 is a construction of paranoia and fear, curiosity and hope, and in some scenes its themes are almost overwhelmingly sincere. But Bahrani has skillfully and creatively adapted this classic text for a modern audience, and its relevance is a reminder to resist.

 Review: Netflix's 'Cargo' Brings Martin Freeman To The Australian Outback | Box Office Report: 'Deadpool 2' Takes Top Spot; 'Book Club,' 'Show Dogs' Perform As Expected 

Roxana Hadadi is a Senior Editor for Pajiba. You can follow her on Twitter.
It was clear from the moment they announced Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle's engagement that this was going to be unlike all royal weddings past. The now Duchess of Sussex's being American and being of biracial descent are things that set her apart from the women in the British monarchy, and what makes her marriage so symbolic and significant in terms of diversity and inclusion in British society. Markle's being married into the royal family will forever change history, and this change certainly translated into the guest list and ceremonies.

Related | The New Royals

The bride's mother Doria Ragland was present at the wedding, as were celebrity guests such as Oprah Winfrey, Idris Elba, Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra, Gina Torres, and Amal and George Clooney. Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the first black woman to be the Queen's chaplain, led a prayer. African-American bishop Rev. Michael Curry passionately delivered his sermon at St. George's Chapel, quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., referencing slavery, and addressing the couple saying, "We gotta get y'all married!" And nineteen-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Masonthe first black musician lauded as BBC's "Young Musician of the Year"along with a gospel choir brought soul into the matrimonial proceedings by performing "This Little Light of Mine."

The Guardian reports that "Only 26% of [Black Asian and Minority Ethnic] people say they see people from black ethnic groups daily on TV, while 32% of people from black ethnic groups feel they are portrayed 'fairly negatively' and 19% 'very negatively', compared with 14% and 2% respectively for all public service broadcast viewers." These statistics show just how important it is for a big event like the royal wedding, which is very visible and covered widely by media outlets, to include guests of color.



Images via Getty


Netflix is set to release First Ladies, a political comedy film about America's first female president Beverly Nicholson and her wife/ the First Lady Kasey Nicholson. Aniston will play Beverly, while stand-up comedian Tig Notaro will be playing FLOTUS Kasey. Notaro is also writing the film with her wife Stephanie Allynne.

This news comes a couple of months after Jen also announced her first Netflix project with Just Go With It co-star Adam Sandler. They are set to play the main couple in a comedy called Murder Mystery, which follows a New York cop and his wife who are suspected of murdering an elderly billionaire.

No release dates have been provided for either of Aniston's Netflix films.

Image via Getty


Following their Philadelphia fiasco, Starbucks has announced that you no longer need to be a paying customer in order to use their restrooms. On Thursday, the coffee company's Executive Chairman Howard Schultz announced at the Atlantic Council in D.C., "We don't want to become a public bathroom, but we're going to make the right decision 100 percent of the time and give people the key." He continued, "Because we don't want anyone at Starbucks to feel as if we are not giving access to you to the bathroom because you are 'less than.' We want you to be 'more than.'"

Previously, the cafe chain's bathroom policy wasn't too strict. Everything used to be up to every individual manager's discretion. And so it was this policy that allowed for the Philly Starbucks store manager to call the police on the two black men Donte Robinson and Rashon Nelson, both 23, who were waiting in the coffee shop without having bought anything.

"The company, the management and me personally  not the store manager  are culpable and responsible. And we're the ones to blame," Schultz said. "We were absolutely wrong in every way. The policy and the decision she made, but it's the company that's responsible."

We're not sure the afternoon of "racial bias training" on May 29th and opening their bathrooms to the public (sort of) will solve the whole problem, but here's to hoping. Meanwhile, we'll be enjoying the freedom of using Starbucks bathrooms without having to buy a latte.

Image via Getty
The manuscript continues . . .

The Maronites, the Near Eastern Christians in formal communion with the Church of Rome, managed to survive for centuries, even though surrounded by Muslims, by barricading themselves in the rugged terrain of what is known as Mount Lebanon. They shared this difficult area with a religious sect known as the Druze, who had fled to the mountains for much the same reason that the Maronites hadfor refuge and protection.[1] These two groups often did not get along with each other. When Elder Orson Hyde of the Council of the Twelve passed through in 1841, en route to dedicating Palestine for the return of the Jews, he found a situation in Lebanon that seems strikingly similar to the conditions we read about there today. Lebanon, he wrote in a letter to Parley P. Pratt,

is in a dreadful statea war of extermination is going on between the Druses and Catholics [Maronites]. At the time I was at Beyroot, a battle was fought in the mountains of Lebanon, near that place, and about 800 killed. Robberies, thefts and murders are daily being committed. It is no uncommon thing to find persons in the streets without heads. An English officer, in going from St. Jean DAcre to Beyroot, found ten persons murdered in the street, and was himself taken prisoner, but was rescued by the timely interference of the pasha.[2]

Furthermore, strengthened by the natural sympathy they both felt and received, the Maronites routinely sought help from Western Christians, forging alliances with them from Crusader times on up to the modern period, when France became their special European Christian benefactor.

When the Ottoman Empire collapsed after the end of the First World War, Syria and Lebanon came under French protection. This was much to the liking of the Lebanese Maronite Christians, who persuaded the French to set up a Lebanese state in which they and their other Christian allies would be the dominant voices. But if the new state had included only the Christian regions of Lebanon, it would never have succeeded economically. This the Maronites themselves knew. With Maronite encouragement backing up their own greed for more territory, the French included in Lebanon Shiite areas such as south Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley and important coastal citiesthe biblical Tyre and Sidon, as well as Tripoli and Beirutwhich were largely inhabited by Sunni Muslims. As the borders were drawn, the Maronites were still (barely) in the majority; with their wealth and their Western ties, they were very much in contro1.[3]

[1] The Druze are a fairly mysterious offshoot of a Shiite sect of Islam. They cannot really be considered Muslims anymore.

[2] Letter from Orson Hyde to P. P. Pratt, dated 22 November 1841, and reproduced in History of the Church, 4:454-58. The passage quoted here is found on page 455.

[3] The 1932 Lebanese census gave the Maronites 51 percent of the population.

Posted from Tiberias, Israel
First Deputy Speaker and MP for Bekwai, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu has emphasised the need for the Ghanaians to be incorrigibly loyal and committed to honouring their tax obligations to accelerate national development.



When it comes to taxation you should be incorrigibly loyal to your country, the MP said.



Mr Osei-Owusu made the call at the opening of a two-day workshop by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for Parliamentary Press Corps in Ghana held at Miotso-Prampram, near Ashaiman in Greater Accra Region over the weekend.



The workshop was to school the journalists on the new Tax Identification Number (TIN) Policy to enable them communicate more effectively on the new tax legislation.



The TIN Policy, introduced in April 2018, is expected to broaden the country's revenue to help increase developmental projects in the country.



He said: It is the duty of every Ghanaian to point out those who are not paying and to ensure that they pay. Paying of taxes is like nnoboa (a co-operative system where farmers in rural Ghana rotate to weed work on members farms.



Calling tax evaders nation wreckers, Mr Osei-Owusu urged the Media and the Ghanaian society to expose people who do not pay their taxes and make it uncomfortable for them to be present at public commercial places.



He urged the Media to be passionate on taxation issues, and let their loyalty and their bias show in their reportage.



Mr Osei-Owusu said: You should show pointed bias in favour of every Ghanaian paying his or her taxes. Any Ghanaian who does not get a TIN is a nation wrecker.



According to Mr Osei-Owusu, in some parts of the world, people do not want even to mingle and come close to people who do not honour their tax obligations, and therefore, urged the GRA and the Media to adopt a pulpit approach, and make tax offenders really look like sinners who have lost Gods favour.



The First Deputy Speaker, a former Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), urged the public to embrace the newly introduced Tax Identification Number (TIN) policy and be committed to tax payment.



The policy introduced by the revenue hub will help in the increase of revenue and help the country in its financial growth.



He said: We should know as a people that taxes are the means by which we build a nation. Talk about unemployment, talk about resources to invest in areas to generate jobs. Talk about infrastructure. We are talking about resources to build the roads we want and therefore it is the responsibility of every Ghanaian to pay his or her tax and point out those who are not paying and ensure that they pay.



We are talking about resources to build the roads we want; therefore, any Ghanaian who does not get a Tax Identification Number and who does not pay his taxes is a nation wrecker. he said.



The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament asked the GRA to widen the tax net to include all farmers, explaining that taxation on crops must go beyond those on cocoa to include other crops.



He said the Ghanaian cocoa farmer is charged about 25 to 30 percent in tax for every bag of cocoa and wondered why the plantain farmer or the yam farmer would not pay tax?

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.

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Nana Oye Lithur, former Minister of Gender and Social Protection under the erstwhile Mahamas National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, appears to be bouncing back with her human rights activities after about eight years of being silent.



She seems to be among a group of human rights activists who are putting pressure on the United Nations and President Akufo-Addos New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to bring justice to bear on dictator Yahaya Jammeh of The Gambia.



Vociferous Activist



Nana Oye Lithur was very vociferous during the era of the erstwhile Kufuors NPP administration, especially on the issue of the murder of some Ghanaians by Jammehs government in The Gambia.



However, it is becoming clear that Nana Oye Lithur finds her voice only when the NPP is ruling, leaving many to wonder if she is not being selective in her works.



On Wednesday she was at a news conference organised by the Centre for Democratic Development Ghana (CDD-Ghana) in Accra appealing passionately to the international community and President Akufo-Addo to institute an investigation into the gruesome killing of those 44 Ghanaians in The Gambia about a decade ago.



We want ex-president Yaya Jammeh to be prosecuted and punished for murdering and killing innocent Africans who were seeking greener pasture, lets all come together and lets plead and urge His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, to take this matter up, she charged.



Impressive Record



Until her appointment as minister by President Mahama in 2013, Nana Oye Lithur was a strong human rights advocate and head of the local chapter of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) in Ghana.



She later formed her own NGO  Human Rights Advocacy Centre (HRAC).



Funeral Expenses



Interestingly, it was during the tenure of the NDC that the Gambian government paid some compensation to 44 Ghanaians killed by Yahaya Jammehs brutal regime.



The NDC government at the time allegedly squandered a chunk of the $500,000 paid as compensation on state-sponsored funeral for those killed, but Nana Oye Lithur was never heard raising a voice against the outrageous expenses.



Kufuors Era



In Kufuors time, Oye Lithur was all over the place fighting for the rights of people, particularly women, whose human rights she claimed had been abused.



Using then Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), which she led at the time, she held vigils for the murdered 44 Ghanaians and pressurized President Kufuor to get Jammeh to own up over the gruesome killings.



After about two years of forensic investigations by a joint ECOWAS and UN team, it recommended the exhumation of the corpses for a befitting burial in line with customary practices.



Therefore, Ghanaian and Gambian authorities signed a Memorandum of Understanding to begin implementing the recommendations therein, culminating in the payment of $500,000 to Ghana.



Although the team did not find the Gambian Government culpable, it blamed the killing on the Gambian security agency. The compensation was mostly spent on the funeral.



23 Liberians



Another instance of Nana Oye Lithurs activism came in 2008 when she filed a suit against the Kufuor government which was taking steps to send back 23 refugees to Liberia on the instructions of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR).



At that time, the war in Liberia was well over and there was a democratically elected government, led by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Nana Oye Lithur claimed that her clients were still not safe.



The court, presided over by Justice P.K. Gyaesayor, dismissed the case in April 2008 and the UNHCR was able to carry out its repatriation exercise.



When she was minister, she was seen on social media happily dancing barefooted while a policeman in uniform  who was believed to be her officially assigned bodyguard  held her shoes.



This attracted comments, with most people asking why and how the minister would make a man who was supposed to be providing her with security, to carry her shoes around.



She was also part of the NDC ministers who signed a petition for President John Mahama to release three NDC incarcerated hoodlums (Montie 3).

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.

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Gabby Barrett is an 18-year-old Pennsylvanian who is one of the final three contestants on the current season of "American Idol." The ABC singing competition series counts Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan as judges.

On Sunday night, the top three will perform before voting opens. The performances will air on ABC at 8 p.m.

On Monday night at 9 p.m., the winner will be announced.

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"I wasn't born with nerves," Gabby told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 2016. "You have to take yourself out of the equation and think about everyone else  you're the entertainer."

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Her hometown

But who is Gabby Barrett?

Barrett is from the town of Munhall, a borough in Allegheny County on the west bank of the Monongahela River -- just outside Pittsburgh. She was born March 5, 2000.

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She's from a family of 10.

Her parents are Blaise and Pam, and she has seven siblings: three sisters and four brothers whose names are Demi, Blase, Emily, Philip, Elijah, Gabrie and Gypsy.

At least two of them -- Gypsy and Gabe -- are expected to be in Los Angeles for the finale.

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Where did she go to school?

She started high school at Serra Catholic High School in McKeesport and attends Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School. She has spoken openly on "Idol" about her issues with being bullied at Serra Catholic, which led to her enrollment in cyber charter school.

In 2017, the teen put together a tour called Dreams Really Do Come True, where she visited Pittsburgh-area high schools spreading an anti-bullying message and performing, the Daily Mail reported.

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What does she sing?

She grew up singing R&B but now mainly sings country, and she's been compared to former 'Idol' winner and country superstar Carrie Underwood.

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American Idol finalist Gabby Barrett wows the crowd at her church, Lamb of God Christian Ministries in Pittsburgh, as she sings "Man in the Mirror" as a young girl. (Video courtesy of Lamb of God Christian Ministries)

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But as reported in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, her father insisted when she was 14 that she sing for an all-black choir. She joined Lamb of God Christian Ministries in Homestead, another Allegheny County borough outside Pittsburgh.

One of the singers stopped her halfway through Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror," the Post-Gazette reported, and asked, "Oh, you can sing, sing?"

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Long before reaching the finals of American Idol, a young Gabby Barrett performs an amazing rendition of "His Eye is on the Sparrow" with her gospel choir at Lamb of God Ministries in Homestead.

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Her dad is her manager.

Her father, Blaise Barrett, also started booking her performances anywhere they could -- fairs, parks, birthday parties, weddings.

"My dad has sacrificed so much for me and my family, so for me to be getting the star treatment is insane," Gabby told the Post-Gazette.

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She really loves her dad.

Gabby has said that her father has sacrificed a lot to help her career.

"I really, really, really want to pay my dad back for everything he's done for me. My dad is a maintenance man for Goodwill, and at night, he'll actually clean up apartments. He said, 'I want to know before the day I die that I gave you everything I could to make your dreams come true," she told the judges on "Idol."

"There were times we couldn't afford to pay the bills in the house but he would still find a way to drive me to my gigs,"

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She's pretty accomplished in her career already.

She started singing live when she was 9 and doing shows when she was 11. In 2014, she won Kean Quest Talent Search and has since released singles  both originals and covers.

She's performed at Heinz Field, PNC Field and Hard Rock Cafes. There will be "Idol" watch parties at the Hard Rock Cafe in Station Square, Pittsburgh, on Sunday and Monday nights starting an hour before each broadcast.

By 2016, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported, she made it through every round of auditions of "The Voice" before being offered a contract. She said they wanted seven years from Gabby, offering her only 20 percent of profit until she turns 23. She declined. She said at the time that she had also declined a similar offer from "Idol" and had received deals from Darius Rucker and Def Jam Records.

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Gabby was in Pittsburgh last week, as part of "American Idol" filming before the finale.

She visited a Goodwill store in West Mifflin, where she chatted about her father and his career with Goodwill.

Barrett announced that one of the jumpers she wore on the show was inside the West Mifflin Goodwill and being auctioned off to support the company.

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Barrett traveled down the North Shore from Three Rivers Casino to PNC Park where she sang "God Bless America" before delivering the first pitch -- which came across the outside corner of the plate.

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She then headed to Three Rivers Casino, where she finished a parade by singing with her childhood gospel choir from the Lamb of God Christian Ministries of Homestead.

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Her final stop was a free concert for fans at a packed Rivers Casino Amphitheater. Barrett stayed on stage for just more than a half hour. She opened the show with Carrie Underwood's "Good Girl" before singing Miley Cyrus's "The Cilmb." She finished the show with "My Church" by Maren Morris and "Little Red Wagon" by Miranda Lambert.

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Munhall's mayor, Rick Brennan, also appeared on stage to congratulate Barrett, proclaim Tuesday "Gabby Barrett Day" and invite her back for a congratulatory parade because "I know you're going to win."

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The top 10 from the 2018 season of "American Idol" on ABC: Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Dennis Lorenzo, Maddie Poppe, Michael J. Woodard, Jurnee, Catie Turner, Cade Foehner, Gabby Barrett, Michelle Sussett and Ada Vox. (ABC/Eric McCandless)(

Eric McCandless

)

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Pennsylvania has had a strong showing this season in Idol, besides Gabby.

This season of "Idol" has already shown a lot of love to Pennsylvania. Of the top 10 who were announced on April 23, four were from Pennsylvania.

Gabby Barrett is from Munhall, out near Pittsburgh. Catie Turner calls Langhorne home and Dennis Lorenzo hails from West Philadelphia. And while Michael J. Woodard lives in Los Angeles now, he's originally from Philadelphia's East Falls neighborhood.

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How can you vote for Gabby to win?

To vote for Gabby Barrett, text "14" to 21523. You can also vote online here or on the American Idol app.

You can vote ten times per each method for a grand total of 30 votes.

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For more entertainment in Pennsylvania entertainment:

American Idol finalist Gabby Barrett comes home to Pittsburgh, gospel choir & PNC Park

Will Gabby Barrett win "American Idol"? Here are the odds
Another crash on Interstate 81 is adding to traffic woes.

The crash happened in the southbound lanes on the Dauphin County side at Exit 66 (Downtown Harrisburg / Front Street), according to 511PA.com.

There is a lane restriction as a result of the crash. Tweets also indicate the on-ramp from Front Street is closed.

On-ramp closed on I-81 SB from Front St #traffic https://t.co/FBhe2icdZQ  TTWN Harrisburg (@TotalTrafficMDT) May 19, 2018

A crash earlier this morning across the bridge on the Cumberland County side resulted in a stretch of I-81 closed due to a fuel spill.

It has not been determined when the road will reopen.

For more traffic information, follow live traffic updates, accident reports and road closures below from PennDOT, Total Traffic Network and other Twitter sources.

Get a look at conditions on local roads -- via PennDOT traffic cameras -- anytime here on PennLive. For Pennsylvania Turnpike updates and possible travel delays visit the Turnpike website here.

Tweet us at @pennlive with any incidents you see on your commute or send a submission to submissions@pennlive.com.
Lights on an internet switch are lit up as with users in an office in Ottawa, on February 10, 2011. A review of Canada's broadband internet services by the country's competition watchdog is overlooking a critical issue when it comes to wireless technology, according to veteran telecom entrepreneurs who have battled against the big carriers for years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
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A Great Gray Owl is shown in this undated handout photo. While some wildlife photographers dream of that perfect shot of a majestic moose or a swooping snowy owl, some observers say more and more people are stooping to unethical practices to get a great photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Laura Kaye
In this photo taken Saturday, May 12, 2018, a health worker wears protective clothing outside an isolation ward to diagnose and treat suspected Ebola patients, at Bikoro Hospital in Bikoro, the rural area where the Ebola outbreak was announced last week, in Congo. Congo's latest Ebola outbreak has now spread to Mbandaka, a city of more than 1 million people, a worrying shift as the deadly virus risks traveling more easily in densely populated areas. (Mark Naftalin/UNICEF via AP)
FILE - In this Thursday, May 17, 2018, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, in Washington. Trump said he will "demand" that the Justice Department open an investigation into whether the FBI infiltrated his presidential campaign, an extraordinary order that came hours before his legal team said the special counsel indicated its investigation into the president could be concluded by September. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
FILE - In this April 30, 2014 file photo, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr casts his vote at a polling station in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Baghdad, Iraq. Al-Sadr, the influential maverick Shiite cleric whose political coalition beat out IranAos favored candidates to come in first in national elections, says he wants to form a government that puts Iraqis first.(AP Photo/Jaber al-Helo, File)
The few surviving passengers of an airliner that crashed arrive at the Calixto Garcia General Hospital in Havana, Cuba, Friday, May 18, 2018. The 39-year-old airliner with 110 people aboard crashed and burned in a cassava field just after takeoff from the Havana airport, leaving three survivors in Cuba's worst aviation disaster in three decades, officials say. (Marcelino Vazquez Hernandez/ACN via AP)
Laila Widgeon, 6, toasts with her mother Joy Widgeon, both of Berlin, N.J., during a television viewing party of the royal wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry of Wales, Saturday, May 18, 2018, at the Armstrong-Turner residence in Burlington, N.J. The ceremony married the pomp and circumstance of Britain's most sacred institution with elements of black culture, drawing viewers not normally drawn to the spectacle of the monarchy (AP Photo/Corey Perrine) Read more

The sun hadn't risen yet and it was raining heavily with no signs of letting up, but my friends started appearing on my doorstep shortly after 6 a.m. on Saturday.

Most showed up wearing hats and high heels and looking as if they were headed to England's Windsor Castle to watch the royal wedding in person  instead of inside my suburban home.

We had created "royal" viewing stations in the living and family rooms. To get into the spirit, I had hung a pink banner, "Congratulations Meghan and Harry!" and placed a copy of Meghan Markle's new unauthorized biography by Andrew Morton on a side table decorated with pink flower petals and pale blue Wedgewood china. A caterer and his assistant were hard at work in the kitchen assembling cucumber and dill finger sandwiches, baking beans and frying up turkey bacon for a traditional English breakfast.

>> READ MORE: 'I just love the whole fairy tale': Meghan marries Prince Harry, and Philly swoons

The 20 of us were all in rare form, laughing and listening intently as David Alexander Jenkins, an elegant Center City socialite, regaled us with his encyclopedic knowledge of royal history and explained who was who as the guests made their way into St. George's Chapel.

Paula Jackson of Camden, who wore a silver tiara, made sure she had one of the best viewing positions  a spot she kept others from stealing by taping a sign saying, "RESERVED FOR THE QUEEN." Cherri Gregg, a community affairs reporter for KYW Newsradio, wore a turquoise English-style fascinator. Pietra Dunmore, a makeup artist and writer based in South Jersey, was busy giving royal makeup touch-ups.

As the formal procession got underway, we settled down to ooh and ahh over the flowers and the pageantry and critiqued Markle's long-sleeved, off-the-shoulder gown. "I wish the train of her dress was longer," sighed Angelita Byrd, a Center City resident who bought a new black hat for the occasion.

There were far more compliments, though, than anything else.

After all, this was the first modern-day black British royal wedding and my racially diverse group of friends took great pride in that. Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, is African American. Her father, Thomas Markle, is white. Markle's biracial heritage is something that's been an issue for some, including one publication that referred to Markle, who was educated in private schools, as being "(almost) straight outta Compton."

It was notable that even among all of the English pomp and circumstance that Markle didn't shrink from her African heritage as she easily could have. Instead, she warmed our hearts and others by embracing it, having invited a talented 19-year-old cellist, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who is black, to perform. There were other soulful notes throughout the ceremony.

A British black gospel group, Kingdom Choir, sang a moving rendition of "Stand by Me," a 1961 song with political overtones. The Most Rev. Michael Curry, the first African American to head the Episcopal Church, delivered a powerful sermon, during which he quoted the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and referenced African American slaves as he spoke movingly about the redemptive power of love. People may have thought they were going to a wedding, but he really preached.

>> READ MORE: 'That was a black church sermon': Rev. Michael Curry brings passion to the Church of England

After it was over, we sipped Earl Grey tea, drank mimosas, and nibbled on a lemon lavender cake from Whole Foods. (I couldn't find Markle's exact wedding-cake combo of lemon and elderflower, so that had had to do.)

We ladies, and two gents, partied as if we were at our own royal wedding, because in a way, we were. Yes, we love a royal wedding. But a woman of African American heritage had married into British royalty and we were giddy about it.

"This is a great follow-up to President Obama," declared Mildred Jones, a federal government worker, who lives in West Philly.

That's what it felt like. On Saturday, we looked across the proverbial pond for a few hours and saw something that filled us with the same kind of hope and excitement we felt before Obama took office. There was no talk of President Trump and the ongoing investigation into possible Russian meddling in the U.S. election process. No one brought up the latest horrific school shooting in Texas. No one mentioned the scourge of street violence in Philly.

We put all of that aside for a minute to watch a biracial woman whose mother wore her hair in dreadlocks with a modified pillbox and a nose ring marry Britain's most eligible bachelor.
Today marks the 16-month anniversary of Donald Trump becoming the 45th president of the United States, and nowhere has our unlikeliest commander-in-chief placed a greater stamp on America's place in the world than his dramatic  and sometimes arbitrary and capricious, or so it seems  shifts in foreign policy. None of these seismic changes seemed more baffling than last spring's abrupt sellout of the Persian Gulf state of Qatar  a longtime ally where the U.S. Air Force Central Command and its 10,000 American troops are now based.

But suddenly, like the remarkable mid-speech policy reversal that occurs in George Orwell's 1984, we were, in a sense, at war with Qatar. We had always been at war with Qatar.

Trump stunned his own foreign policy team  including then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary James Mattis  when he tweeted that Qatar is a sponsor of terrorism and seemingly endorsed an economic and political blockage of the tiny, oil-rich nation organized and led by two powerful neighbors, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, or UAE.

How to make sense of a 180-degree shift in policy that seemed so counter to U.S. interests in the region? A few months later, people who suspect the worst about Trump and his minions learned a possible motive that was almost too cynical to comprehend. Not long before Team Trump switched gears on Qatar, key officials from the emirate had met with Charles Kushner  father of Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared, who's in charge of Trump's Middle East portfolio  to discuss a massive Qatar-funded bailout of 666 Fifth Ave., the debt-laden Manhattan skyscraper that was threatening to sink the Kushner family real estate empire. But the Qataris rejected the deal  just weeks before the policy about-face. Whatever actually happened, the appearance was simply awful.

It also seems not to have been the full story. This weekend, the New York Times published a stunning report about a plan floated by a longtime emissary for the Saudis and the UAE in early August 2016, when Trump had just grabbed the GOP nomination but faced an uphill campaign against Hillary Clinton. Donald Trump Jr., aide Stephen Miller and Erik Prince, founder of the notorious mercenary outfit once know as Blackwater, listened intently as the emissary offered Team Trump millions of dollars in assistance, including a covert social-media campaign, to help Trump win that would be run by a former Israeli spy who specializes in psychological warfare, or psywar.

"The emissary, George Nader, told Donald Trump Jr. that the princes who led Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were eager to help his father win election as president," the Times reported. Some key elements  exactly who was behind the plan, and what parts, if any, were carried out  remain murky.

But like a lot of Trump scandals, the smoke from any alleged fire was clearly visible. Nader became a Trump ally who met frequently with key players like then-national security adviser (and future felon) Michael Flynn. He also, according to the Times, later made a large payment to the ex-spy Joel Zamel, as much as $2 million. After Trump was elected, Erik Prince attended a then-secret meeting in the Seychelles believed to have been brokered by UAE to cement ties with Vladimir Putin's Russia. After Trump became president, American foreign policy has been almost unwaveringly consistent in fighting for the foreign policy goals of nations believed to have supported his 2016 election: Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE  most notably with Trump's rejection of the Iran nuclear deal that is seriously destabilizing the Middle East. These dealings increasingly appear to have benefited the Trumps and Kushners not just politically but financially  even as they are not helpful, and even counterproductive at times, to the American people whom Trump was allegedly elected to represent.

The Times scoop on Trump's dealings with the Saudis and UAE is the puzzle piece that finally brings the big picture into focus. As Trump's unlikely 2016 campaign drew closer to the White House, it triggered a mad dash to sell American foreign policy to the highest bidder  and some of the world's worst autocrats stepped up to the plate. What happened next is arguably tantamount to treason. What is beginning to take shape is the outlines of a scandal that threatens to be worse than Watergate on a massive scale, that would make Richard Nixon's crimes truly seem like "a third-rate burglary" in comparison.

A shadowy network of computer hackers in Eastern Europe and experts in psywar techniques used illegal methods  including voter suppression aimed at African Americans  to essentially steal a U.S. presidential election decided by a mere 100,000 or so votes in a few key states. Meanwhile, the foreign countries that backed this enterprise and their billionaire allies also found myriad ways to financially support America's new ruling junta  dangling real estate deals, hiring Trump allies, booking big parties at Trump hotels, giving millions to Trump's inauguration that no one can now account for  in ways that have built a bonfire out of the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

And here's the worst part: The sudden trashing of long-standing American policy objectives  like the Iran deal or delaying any move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem until a true Israel-Palestinian peace deal  risks war on large scale. People could die in the name of keeping 666 Fifth Ave. and the Trump Organization afloat. Arguably, some already are.

The scope of the Trump-Kushner foreign policy auction is so vast that it would take a whole book to cover, and indeed several have been written. But it helps to break down the outlines of a conspiracy into three simple components. In each of these areas, the accumulating evidence has grown from a whisper to a scream over the last two years.

Part 1: The Art of the Steal: With the GOP nominee behind in the polls for much of 2016, Team Trump seemed willing to listen to offers of help from any and all comers, morality or election laws notwithstanding. In June 2016, having secured the nomination, Don Jr. gladly convened a Trump Tower confab with Russians who claimed to have dirt on Clinton. It didn't produce any overt deal on collusion because it didn't need to. Just days after Team Putin learned that Trump's people were open to help and wouldn't rat them out to the FBI, the flow of illegally hacked Democratic documents  the 21st-century version of breaking-and-entering at the Watergate  began.

Now we know that Nader, on behalf of Saudi and UAE princes, came to Trump Tower about six weeks later with a similar deal. We don't know to what extent, if any, that the Israeli ex-spy Zamel's firm called Psy-Group  whose motto is "shape reality"  helped Trump. But it's well known that Cambridge Analytica, owned by American hedge-fund billionaires Robert and Rebekah Mercer, was paid by the Trump campaign to do the same kind of psywar work. Just this week, whistleblower Christopher Wylie told a congressional committee that CA ran a voter-suppression effort aimed at convincing blacks to stay home on Nov. 8, 2016  updating Selma for the digital age. Trump's subsequent victory may have been the greatest moment of "shap(ing) reality" in world history.

Part 2: Cashing in the Chips. Winning the presidency should have been its own reward, but that's not how the childish Gambinos now in charge of a global superpower conduct their family business. As noted above, Russian oligarchs tied to Putin funneled millions to the Trump inauguration and one firm backed by a pro-Putin billionaire hired the president's personal lawyer and "fixer" Michael Cohen, who was peddling his access to Trump all around Washington. You also have the curious activities of Nader (a peach of a fellow who's been convicted of both child porn and child sex-abuse charges in the past), who helped a key Trump fund-raiser, Elliott Broidy, win $200 million in UAE private security contracts. If Broidy's name sounds familiar, he's the guy who also funneled $1.6 million through fixer Cohen to win the silence of a possibly impregnated Playboy model. Broidy said he had an affair with the woman. Some speculate a different scenario. Whether wheeler-dealers like the Nader-linked, UAE-funded Broidy were backing high-ranking people in the same fashion that Cohen paid off Trump mistress Stormy Daniels should be fertile ground for special counsel Robert Mueller.

As long as Trump and Jared Kushner continue to hold onto their business holdings while leading U.S. foreign policy, this cloud will remain. Did Trump voice support last week for ending American sanctions on the Chinese telecom company ZTE Corp. because it would benefit their U.S. subcontractors, or because a Chinese fund is investing $500 million in an Indonesia theme park that should dramatically boost the value of a related Trump Organization development? Then there's the matter of Qatar, because in recent months it has become clear that the Gulf state is again in the Trump administration's good graces, and the strategic alliance has been renewed as if last spring's blowup never happened. Is that because it's a more sensible policy  or is it because a firm called Brookfield Asset Management that is backed heavily by Qatari funds is near a deal to bail out Kushner's 666 Fifth Ave? Is it any wonder that so many longtime key allies of the United States wonder if they can trust Trump's America?

Part 3:The Big Payback. It's impossible to dispute that these countries that made offers to help Trump win the election have continuously benefited in terms of policy  beginning as early as the summer of 2016, when Trump allies changed the GOP election platform to take a less confrontational stance toward Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. The determination not to impose new sanctions on Russia or, under great pressure, to announce largely toothless penalties  despite the clear-cut evidence that Russia meddled in our election  has been a continual storyline of the Trump presidency.

The revelations about possible Saudi and UAE meddling take things to a much higher level. The Trump administration has walked in lock-step with the Saudis and their dynamic, de facto leader Prince Mohammad bin Salman ("MBS"), supporting the young prince's so-called reform agenda that's involved jailing and abusing his enemies as well as advocates for women's rights, 2017's move on Qatar, and his brutal military campaign in Yemen, which has caused massive civilian casualties. People are dying because of policy decisions that are tainted by Trump corruption, and it may be getting worse. The anti-Iran agenda of the Saudis, UAE and Israel (which has close personal and business ties with Kushner) has hovered over Trump's killing of the Iran nuclear deal, which not only makes it more likely that Iran will get the bomb more quickly but has dramatically ratcheted up tensions in the powder keg region.

It never should have gotten to this point. The political pundits are still busy debating whether Trump impeachment is a good fall political strategy for the Democrats or a losing hand. But things have already moved way beyond that. If we're at the point where we can tolerate soliciting foreign governments for help in a presidential election, using stolen data, reality-bending psychological warfare and voter suppression of blacks to win, a president and his son-in-law senior adviser profiting from deals while sitting in the White House, slush funds to pay off mistresses and God knows what else, and then making life-or-death decisions based on all of these utterly corrupt things, then the United States is not a country anymore. How much worse does the worst political scandal in American history have to get before the people who actually can do something wake up and do something?

Note: An earlier version misrepresented the legal case surrounding Trump fundraiser Elliott Broidy. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in 2009 after cooperating as a witness in a bribery investigation.
Thanks to the internet and social media outlets like Instagram, we have more opportunities than ever to view images of buildings and places we might never visit. But quantity shouldn't be confused with quality. Those two-dimensional concentrations of pixels can tell us only so much.

Vincent Feldman's large-format photographs of West Philadelphia architecture, on display at the Slought Foundation until June 5, have the power to make you see buildings as they really are. Shot in a dead-on, documentary-style, his portraits of the city's neglected architectural treasures are so rich with detail and embedded history the buildings almost seem to have a soul.

Feldman first encountered the subjects in his Slought photographs as a child. Growing up at 63rd and Woodbine in West Philadelphia, he would pass buildings like the former George Institute Branch of the Free Library at the intersection of 52nd, Warren, and Bible Way, just south of Lancaster Avenue. Maybe because these places seeped into his consciousness long before he photographed them, the show, "Ours to Lose," has an autobiographical quality. You feel as though you had grown up with them, too.

The image of the George Institute stands out not just for its textures, but for the building's unusual form. In Feldman's composition, the library appears to be a sliver building, barely wide enough to accommodate its elaborate neoclassical entrance. In fact, the library is a wedge, similar to New York's famous Flatiron Building, whose shape responds to the angles of the complex intersection. The little library gradually widens as it heads toward Lancaster Avenue.

Feldman likes to include the history of his subjects with his displays, and the accompanying wall text reveals that the George Institute was a gift of Jesse George, a descendent of one of Philadelphia's original Quaker families, who later donated it to the Free Library. The design, completed in 1914, is by E. Allen Wilson (not to be confused with the Wilson Bros.), a skilled draftsman who was responsible for several buildings along the 52nd Street corridor. Despite the narrowness of the main facade, Wilson managed to pack all the basic, neoclassical elements of early 20th-century library design into his building, including a wide, ennobling staircase, pediment, and columns.

In 2001, the Free Library shut down the branch, promising a renovation that never came. The closing has forced residents of the neighborhood  midway between West Parkside and Hestonville  to travel more than a mile to the next nearest branch, at 52nd and Sansom. Feldman's photograph hints at the social isolation wrought by the loss of such civic anchors. The young man who rests on the steps of the shuttered library cradling his dog appears overwhelmed by the vastness of the empty sidewalks. Just looking at your screen, you might never sense all that history and nuance in a lone building on a West Philadelphia corner.

The Slought Foundation, 4017 Walnut St., is ordinarily open noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. But the gallery will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Feldman will give a short lecture about his work. Admission is free.
The Most Rev. Bishop Michael Curry speaks during the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Saturday, May 19, 2018. Read more

All the pomp and circumstance expected were there: the queen, the royals, the pageantry of the British Empire.

Then came the Most Rev. Michael Curry. Born in Chicago. Black. Reading from the Song of Solomon, the book in the Bible that talks candidly about love. Fire. Passion.

"Its flashes are flashes of fire. A raging flame, many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it out," sounded Curry's voice in the cavernous St. George's Chapel, where 500 years of British monarchs lie buried.

>> READ MORE: Royal wedding style: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's nuptials were beautiful and authentic | Elizabeth Wellington

Curry, 65, then did something that some pastors call "shifting gears," said the Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, pastor of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia.

It's a style, Tyler said, where you "start slow, get higher, catch fire, then retire."

Essentially, he turned up the volume:

"When love is there, then no child will go to bed hungry. When love is there, we will let justice roll down like a mighty stream and righteousness like an ever-flowing brook. When love is the way, poverty will become history, and the earth will be a sanctuary."

To the Rev. Renee McKenzie, pastor of the George W. South Memorial Church of the Advocate, an Episcopal church in North Philadelphia, "It's taking a hammer into the basement of the master and slowly destroying the house brick by brick."

"It really was a black service," she said. And Meghan Markle, now Duchess of Sussex, was "claiming her blackness."

It wasn't just the pastor reflecting African American traditions. The cellist was the Afro-wearing, 19-year-old Sheku Kanneh-Mason. The black gospel choir sang songs made famous by black Americans  "Stand by Me," a hit of Ben E. King in 1961, and spirituals like "This Little Light of Mine." And there was a black Anglican female priest, who wore the shaved hair of the Black Panther women warriors.

"It just represents the diversity of who we are," McKenzie said. "We are not a monolithic people. We come at culture from all different directions."

It was hard for wedding watchers not to notice. The royal wedding is "blacker than the Oscars," people wrote on Twitter.

Some commented that Curry stole the show, even drawing in once-uninterested people to their TVs to see what the energetic preacher had to say.

"From the music, the preaching, to the content of the message  not just the style," said Tyler, "that was a black church sermon."

Barbara Dianne Savage, a professor of American social thought at the University of Pennsylvania, wrote in an email: "It was the 'black Episcopal church' that was on display."

Savage is a member of Philadelphia's African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, where she said Curry has preached many times. (In fact, the Rev. Martini Shaw, pastor at St. Thomas, attended the wedding.) The church, now located near City Avenue, was founded in 1792 by Absalom Jones, a contemporary of Bishop Richard Allen, who founded Mother Bethel.

Savage noted that Curry, as head of an overwhelmingly white denomination, "was asked to preach to represent the Episcopal Church in the United States, but his preaching  although he is Episcopalian, and therefore part of the Anglican tradition  borrows from his familiarity with black preaching traditions."

>> READ MORE: 'I just love the whole fairy tale': Meghan marries Prince Harry, and Philly swoons

McKenzie, whose church is giving sanctuary right now to an undocumented immigrant family of a mother and four children, said Curry's bravery to speak not just to the "particular" of a love between a couple getting married but to the "universal" love of mankind is "what Episcopalians do."

Curry's sermon about the earth being a sanctuary was a message to powers in England and the United States, said Tyler. The countries of the West built their wealth and empire on the people and natural resources taken from the countries that people are fleeing now, he said.

It seemed everyone was seeing universal messages in what Curry said.

"This is much bigger than a wedding. It's about ultimately getting justice and equality for our people. And anyone who is about helping to get justice should be celebrated," said McKenzie. She worried that there might be a backlash, just as there was after Barack Obama was elected president, but she still felt hopeful.

"I think it's something significant when the Anglican Church and the queen of England has the capacity to demonstrate that they're trying to be open and inclusive and they're willing to move in that direction."
Protestor Aurica Hurst, from West Philadelphia, pours out coffee in front of Starbucks at 18th and Spruce Streets on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pa. Read more

Five weeks after an international furor over the arrest of two African American men at a Starbucks in Philadelphia, the coffeehouse chain has announced a new policy that allows anyone  even nonpaying guests  to sit at its tables and use its restrooms.

In a letter sent to employees working at its 8,000 U.S. stores Saturday, Starbucks said that "any person who enters our spaces, including patios, cafes and restrooms, whether they make a purchase, is considered a customer."

The new stance comes after entrepreneurs Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson, who had been waiting for a business associate at the Starbucks at 18th and Spruce Streets on April 12, were taken into custody. One of them had been denied use of a restroom because he hadn't purchased anything and then refused to leave the store when asked, prompting a manager to call 911. Nelson and Robinson spent several hours in jail before they were released.

Looking to test the new policy, two Inquirer reporters Sunday lingered for more than an hour at that same Starbucks, just off Rittenhouse Square, without buying anything. As a dozen millennials hunched over their laptops and nursed Starbucks iced coffees and hot lattes, the reporters  one black, one white  sipped coffee purchased from La Colombe, a rival Philadelphia-based coffee chain, without a single barista looking askance.

At another Starbucks, at Eighth and Walnut Streets, restroom signage had not caught up to the new policy. A placard on the door still read "Restrooms are for customers only." Employees at the cafe said they were not authorized to comment.

The arrests of Nelson and Robinson were captured on video by another customer. As the video went viral on social media, it stoked widespread outrage and days of protests, and caused major embarrassment for Seattle-based Starbucks, which has long marketed itself as having a socially enlightened corporate culture. CEO Kevin Johnson, who then visited Philadelphia on damage control, called the arrests "reprehensible" and announced that the chain would close all of its U.S. stores on the afternoon of May 29 for its 175,000 employees to undergo racial-bias training. Some activists said the training would not be enough and threatened boycotts.

In the letter to employees Saturday, Starbucks officials said workers should still call police if a guest appears to be an immediate threat. Previous policies were loose and ambiguous, leaving decisions on whether people could sit in its stores or use the restroom up to store managers.

Nelson and Robinson, both 23, settled with Starbucks for an undisclosed sum and an offer of free tuition at Arizona State University. The City of Philadelphia agreed to pay each man a symbolic $1 each and promised to set up a $200,000 entrepreneurial program for high school students.

It wasn't clear on Sunday whether competitors will match Starbucks' new policy, or whether they needed to. At the Lombard Cafe on Jewelers Row at the corner of Seventh and Sansom Streets, barista Jasmine Lautremama said her coffee shop was too tiny to have public restrooms. As for the sidewalk seating, Lautremama said she welcomed anyone who wanted to sit.

"People hang out at our tables all the time," she said. "We're not counting purchases."

This article contains information from the Associated Press.
Roughly 60 pro-Palestinaian protesters showed up on Saturday, May 19, 2018, blocking Broad Street for five minutes. The protesters eventually moved to the southbound lane, where police directed traffic around them. Read more

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators stopped traffic on Broad Street and disrupted the performance of Tosca at the Kimmel Center on Saturday night, frustrating both musicians and audience members.

As attendees made their way to the opera around 7:15 p.m., roughly 60 activists blocked both lanes of traffic but moved to the southbound lane where police directed traffic around them.

After the 10-minute disruption, the orchestra's interim co-president, Matthew Loden, told the audience: "We live in an age where dissent is important. It matters. It should be heard. But the sanctity of the concert hall should be respected."

Activists had been protesting outside nearly all of the orchestra's Kimmel concerts for the last several weeks as the orchestra prepares to depart for its May 24-June 5 tour of Europe and Israel.

READ MORE: Philadelphia Orchestra and Yannick Nezet-Seguin resolute about visit to Israel
Southwest Airlines has completed checks on the rest of its engine fan blades and found no signs of the cracking blamed for last month's fatal engine failure. (Dreamstime) Read more

A Southwest Airlines flight traveling from Las Vegas to Philadelphia on Saturday was diverted to Indianapolis after a pressurization warning light illuminated in the plane's cockpit. The aircraft, however, did not depressurize.

Flight 5913 landed safely at the Indianapolis International Airport as a precaution and passengers boarded another plane. The flight continued to Philadelphia and arrived about 9:30 p.m., about 4 hours behind schedule, a Southwest spokeswoman said.

Last month, an engine on Southwest 1380 from New York City to Dallas exploded over Pennsylvania and the flight made an emergency landing in Philadelphia.

Jennifer Riordan, a bank executive from New Mexico, was fatally injured after she was partially sucked out of the plane. The National Transportation Safety Board said one of the engine's blades snapped, hurling debris that broke a window.

Read more: "We knew that something extraordinary had happened" 

Earlier this month, some passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight from Denver sustained minor injuries when the plane appeared to suddenly lose cabin pressure as it neared Dallas. Flight 861 had 120 people on board on May 14 when oxygen masks deployed and the pilots declared an emergency as the plane approached Dallas Love Field.

Southwest said in a statement that the flight crew reduced altitude but that the cabin did not depressurize.
For politicians, improvements to parks, libraries, and recreation centers are as wonderful as happy babies, puppies, and kittens.

They get to pose with children on slides and swings as well as job seekers cruising the web for work in remodeled libraries. And, they cut the ribbons on projects that make residents shower them with gratitude.

But in Philadelphia, the biggest public-works project in years has hit a snag.

City Council is holding up approval of Rebuild Philadelphia because, it says, the $500 million program to refurbish libraries, recreation centers, and playgrounds doesn't diversify the Building Trades unions enough. Rebuild has been touted as a way to alter the unions' pathetic record of inclusion. The Kenney administration says it worked out an unprecedented diversity deal with the Building Trades unions  including a target to have 45 percent of the workforce be minorities with a path to union membership  but Council critics say it's too vague to enforce.

Clearly, the Building Trades have historically failed to enlist minority members. The last time they opened their books was 2008 during the Convention Center expansion project. Back then, blacks accounted for less than 10 percent of the memberships of most unions. The current racial breakdown is a closely guarded secret. A spokesman for the Building Trades did not respond to a request for information.

Council, however, can force the Building Trades to keep their diversity promise. Every year of the Rebuild program Council will get to approve spending, and it should use that approval power to make sure the unions are sticking to the deal.

But Council should act to get this program moving because long-neglected neighborhood facilities are only getting worse. Already, the funding, based on the soda tax, is at risk if the courts declare the levy unconstitutional.

A few days ago, Mayor Kenney got tired of waiting for Council. In a letter to Council President Darrell L. Clarke, he said he'd fund initial work by using the city's capital budget. Kenney argues that if this work doesn't get started now, residents will suffer. "We are at risk of losing a summer of construction for facilities that are in dire need of improvements and may not be able to operate next year without them," according to the mayor's letter.

For now, about $18 million in capital budget funds will cover design work and small repairs like fixing leaky roofs and windows while everyone waits for a state Supreme Court decision on whether the city can use the 1.5 percent sweetened-beverage tax to cover more expensive work. The court heard arguments May 15.

Eventually, the mayor will need Council to fully fund the whole program.

Meanwhile, he seems determined to keep Rebuild on track. On Wednesday, he took key administration figures to the Vare Recreation Center at 26th and Morris Streets to talk about work to be done at the popular site along with the district councilman, Kenyatta Johnson.

More such announcements are being scheduled, Council should get on board. Otherwise, members are going to have to explain to angry residents why they didn't deliver the refurbished parks, libraries, recreation centers, and playgrounds they said they would.
How to capture the miasma of the Trump/Russia investigation? Andrew McCarthy deserves a Pulitzer Prize for commentary in shedding light on dark corners. He has done it many times, but never more so than in his exercise in comparison and contrast: In Politicized Justice, Desperate Times Call for Disparate Measures.

The New York Times has given us three or more origin stories fabricated by its friends and allies in the intelligence community to explain the Trump/Russia investigation. In this column, McCarthy gives us an alternative version that has the merit of undisputed facts in its favor:

It has now been confirmed that the Trump campaign was subjected to spying tactics under counterintelligence law  FISA surveillance, national-security letters, and covert intelligence operatives who work with the CIA and allied intelligence services. It made no difference, apparently, that there was an ongoing election campaign, which the FBI is supposed to avoid affecting; nor did it matter that the spy targets were American citizens, as to whom there is supposed to be evidence of purposeful, clandestine, criminal activity on behalf of a foreign power before counterintelligence powers are invoked. But what was the rationale for using these spying authorities? The fons et origo of the counterintelligence investigation was the suspicion  which our intelligence agencies assure us is a fact  that the Democratic National Committees server was hacked by covert Russian operatives. Without this cyber-espionage attack, there would be no investigation. But how do we know it really happened? The Obama Justice Department never took custody of the server  no subpoena, no search warrant. The server was thus never subjected to analysis by the FBIs renowned forensics lab, and its evidentiary integrity was never preserved for courtroom presentation to a jury. How come?

No anonymous sources. No implications of wrongdoing declared unclear. Read the whole devastating thing here.
The FBI and its friends in the mainstream media want to make the Bureaus spying on the Trump campaign seem as dry, innocuous, and non-cloak-and-dagger as possible under the circumstances. An elderly professor contacted three Trump advisers  Carter Page, George Papadopoulos, and Sam Clovis.

He met with Page at least several times and maintained an email correspondence with him. He met with Clovis once for coffee. He met several times for dinner with Papadopoulos. He was looking for indications of Russian influence in the campaign. Apparently, he found none.

As dry as this story sounds, it still constitutes the federal government spying on the campaign of the candidate of the party out of power. Its still a scandal.

It could a use a little spice, though. This report by Chuck Ross at the Daily Caller supplies it.

According to Ross:

Papadopoulos made the trip to (London) and had dinner multiple times with [the spying professor] and a Turkish woman described as his assistant. Sources familiar with Papadopouloss version of their meetings said Halper randomly asked Papadopoulos whether he knew about Democratic National Committee emails that had been hacked and leaked by Russians. Papadopoulos strongly denied the allegation, sources familiar with his version of the exchange have told The DCNF [Daily Caller News Foundation]. Halper grew agitated and pressed Papadopoulos on the topic. Papadopoulos believes that Halper was recording him during some of their interactions, sources said. [The professors] assistant. . .brought up Russians and emails over drinks with Papadopoulos. [She] also flirted heavily with Papadopoulos and attempted to meet him in Chicago, where he lives, a source told TheDCNF.

If true, the FBI didnt just use an elderly professor to spy. It also used a temptress.

This isnt as juicy as parts of the anti-Trump dossier, but it may have the virtue (so to speak) of being true.
Todays big New York Times deep dive into Mueller mania reports on the latest wedge of the investigation. This one involves a meeting three months before the election of Donald Trump, Jr. with Joel Zamel, an Israeli specialist in social media manipulation, and George Nader, an emissary for two wealthy Arab princes, from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Times story by Mark Mazzetti, Ronen Bergman, and David Kirkpatrick (with a little help from Maggie Haberman) is headlined Trump Jr. and other aides met with Gulf emissary offering help to win election. As always in these stories, the false implications of wrongdoing remain unclear.

All in all, what we have here is the first indication that countries other than Russia may have offered assistance to the Trump campaign in the months before the presidential election. And whence the information about this meeting and others? The interactions are a focus of the investigation by Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel, who was originally tasked with examining possible Trump campaign coordination with Russia in the election.

The attorney for Don Jr. comments: [P]rior to the 2016 election, Donald Trump Jr. recalls a meeting with Erik Prince, George Nader, and another individual who may be Joel Zamel. They pitched Mr. Trump Jr. on a social media platform or marketing strategy. He was not interested and that was the end of it.

One can hardly avoid noting that we seem to have lost the thread, but the Times is in search. Whether or not this wedge of the investigation has anything to do with Russian interference in the election remains, well, unclear. The Times puts it this way: The August 2016 meeting has echoes of another Trump Tower meeting two months earlier, also under scrutiny by the special counsel, when Donald Trump Jr. and other top campaign aides met with a Russian lawyer after being promised damaging information about Hillary Clinton. No evidence has emerged suggesting that the August meeting was set up with a similar premise.

JOHN adds: Perhaps the Times is unaware that just about every business in America is pitched by someone offering social media marketing expertise approximately once a week. If Mueller doesnt have anything a great deal better than this, he should close up shop.
An hour or two ago, President Trump announced that he is ordering the Department of Justice to investigate the FBI/CIA cabal against him:

I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes  and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

This should be the first of several orders to DOJ and the FBI. Trump should also order them to respond fully to all requests for information and documents that have been submitted by Congress, and he should fire (or have the Attorney General fire) anyone responsible for such responses who does not act within 30 days.

I guess we will find out, now, whether the President runs the Department of Justice, as the Constitution provides, or whether the Deep State has successfully declared its independence from the voters.

UPDATE: So far, so good: Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein says that DOJ will proceed with the investigation. As, of course, it should and must:
Meeting of the Presidential Couple with representatives of the Polish-American community living in the United States of America (1 / 13)

President Andrzej Duda appealed on Saturday at a meeting with representatives of the Polish diaspora in the US to "be together and support Poland," to make Americans feel that the Polish community "has great political power."

Saturday was the fourth day of a five-day visit to the US by President Duda.

At a meeting held in Millennium Park in Chicago, Andrzej Duda thanked the Polish diaspora for their "proud attitude." "I would like to ask you to always be with us, support the homeland of your grandparents, your parents, be with Poland," the Polish president said.

He also expressed his gratitude to the Polish community in the US for "keeping Poland in their hearts, despite being far from its borders," and for the way they represent Poland and the Polish spirit in the US.

The Polish president extended his appreciation for Polish priests and nuns for guarding the Polish faith and tradition, "being spiritual support, strengthening spirits, helping to live through hard times".

Efforts by Polish teachers in the US were also recognised by President Duda, who stressed how difficult it would be to preserve the Polish spirit if not for teaching Polish language and history and building patriotic attitudes.

The president stressed that Poland could count on many generations of Polish diaspora in the US." "Not only did you help your families and compatriots financially, but also when you had to fight for your homeland," he added, explaining that he meant the Polish-American soldiers who joined General Jozef Haller's Blue Army formed in France during World War I as well as soldiers who during the Second World War joined the US army to fight for a free Poland.

Andrzej Duda also pointed to all those who supported the Polish opposition during the times of communist oppression as well as those who supported the Polish aspirations to join NATO.

"It is also thanks to you that Poland is independent, free, sovereign, growing in strength, belongs to the North Atlantic Treaty, is safer and stronger," Andrzej Duda emphasised.

The president spoke about the history of Polish-American friendship, indicating that it has long traditions. "Starting from Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Kazimierz Puaski who fought for the independence of the United States and are remembered by the Americans," he pointed out.

Andrzej Duda also noted that Americans also fought for the freedom of Poland, pointing to American airmen fighting in 1920 in the so-called Squadron of Kosciuszko. (PAP/KG)
Curevo represents an important next step in GC Pharma's vaccine business. The new company will bring together GC Pharma's commercial scale vaccine development expertise and deep understanding of protein science with IDRI and MIBR's world class scientific expertise in vaccine, adjuvant and formulation development. Initial work will centre on advancing an innovative vaccine candidate against shingles to clinical stage.

"Establishing Curevo signals a crucial step forward in GC Pharma's long-standing dedication to prevent potentially serious diseases," said EC Huh, Ph. D. President of GC Pharma. "This exciting collaboration will increase the possibilities for immune-compromised populations to have better options."

"The bottom line is that this new collaboration will take advantage of the combined strength of these three organizations to more rapidly develop infectious disease vaccines and bring them to market," said Steve Reed, Ph. D., IDRI's President, CEO and Founder.

"MIBR scientists have been focusing on discovering novel cancer therapeutics and vaccines. Curevo creates an excellent conduit to achieve those goals by joining forces with GC Pharma and IDRI," said Senyon Teddy Choe, Ph. D., MIBR's President and Director.

Corey Casper, M. D., M. P. H. IDRI's Chief Medical Officer will lead the shingles project of the new company. Dr. Casper has more than 20 years of experience in designing, growing and sustaining internationally recognized programs in infection-related cancer, HIV, infection control and global oncology. He also has extensive experience leading multi-phased international clinical trials.

About GC Pharma

GC Pharma (formerly known as Green Cross Corporation) is a biopharmaceutical company that delivers life-saving and life-sustaining protein therapeutics and vaccines. Headquartered in South Korea, GC Pharma is the largest plasma protein product manufacturer in Asia and has been dedicated to quality healthcare solutions more than half a century. Green Cross Corporation updates its corporate brand as GC Pharma in early 2018. Green Cross Corporation remains the company's registered, legal name. For more information, please visit www.globalgreencross.com

About IDRI

As a non-profit global health organization, IDRI (Infectious Disease Research Institute) takes a comprehensive approach to combat infectious diseases, combining the high-quality science of a research organization with the product development capabilities of a biotech company to create new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines. Founded in 1993, IDRI has 125 employees headquartered in Seattle with nearly 100 partners/collaborators around the world. For more information, visit www.idri.org.

About MIBR

As a non-profit global research organization, MIBR (Mogam Institute for Biomedical Research) is engaged in basic drug discovery research to combat infectious diseases, cancer, and rare diseases. Founded in 1984, MIBR is headquartered in southern Seoul with a number of research collaborations ongoing with GC Pharma. For more information, visit www.mogam.re.kr.

This release includes forward-looking statements, which express the current beliefs and expectations of GC Pharma's management. Such statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/693516/Curevo.jpg

Related Links

http://www.globalgreencross.com



SOURCE GC Pharma
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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Each of our hotels has a unique story to tell, and Q4Launch expertly tells the story through website design, custom content, and data-driven marketing."

Settlers Hospitality Group, proud owners of The Settlers Inn, Ledges Hotel, Silver Birches Resort, Hawley Silk Mill, Sayre Mansion, and Hotel Anthracite, choose Q4Launch to launch new Future Proof Websites for their properties. This partnership began in 2014 when Q4Launch was selected to manage digital marketing for the Settlers Groups first two hotels: The Settlers Inn and Ledges Hotel in Hawley, PA. As Settlers Hospitality Group grew to include to 6 properties in Pennsylvania, so has its partnership with Q4Launch, which enhances the digital marketing experience for each of their premier properties.

Most recently, Q4Launch began marketing for Hotel Anthracite, formerly The Carbondale Grand Hotel, in Carbondale, PA. The Settlers Group acquired the property this year and is holding a grand reopening this spring. Settlers Group also acquired the Sayre Mansion bed and breakfast in Bethlehem, PA, in 2017. It had already been a Q4Launch marketing customer since 2014.

Each of our hotels has a unique story to tell, and Q4Launch expertly tells the story through website design, custom content, and data-driven marketing, said Justin Genzlinger, CEO of Settlers Hospitality Group.

We are thrilled to grow and thrive with Settlers Hospitality Group, said Q4Launch founder Matt Bare. Its our great honor to capture the distinct uniqueness of each hotel, while maintaining a cohesive Settlers Hospitality brand feel.

About Q4Launch

Q4Launch is a digital marketing partner for 100+ hotels, bed and breakfasts, small resorts and vacation rental companies. Q4Launchs success and impact on the hospitality industry were recognized last summer when the company was named to Inc. Magazine's annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. It ranked as the No. 1 fastest growing marketing agency in the travel industry and ranked number 940 amongst all industries.

Q4Launch is committed to growing its customers businesses by increasing website traffic, designing websites that convert to bookings, and implementing online marketing strategies they develop. They focus exclusively on the hospitality industry and have a deep understanding of the travelers journey. Its website products and integrated marketing strategies deliver strong results year after year.

When asked, "What was the biggest driver of Q4Launch's success?" Bare said: "Hands down, it's the way we take care of our customers. That may sound simple, but it's something that can suffer from the kind of growth we've created. We have an intense focus on creating a culture of caring for all of our stakeholders. Hiring great people and caring for them like family is critical as we continue to deliver on our mission.

About Settlers Hospitality Group

Based in Pennsylvania near the Pocono Mountains, Settlers Hospitality Group is a collection of hotels and restaurants. Three of their properties are honored with the distinction of being on the Select Registry list. Select Registry has cultivated a network of properties that offer outstanding accommodations and one-of-a-kind experiences. Additionally, three of their properties are proud members of Historic Hotels of America. This distinction recognizes their properties as historic hotels that have faithfully maintained their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity. Their mission is to provide a memorable, pleasant and unique lodging, dining and/or life experience by exceeding expectations for every guest. Their properties embrace their passion for combining hospitality with historic preservation. Each property has a unique historical story to tell.

About the Settlers Hospitality Group Properties

The Settlers Inn, built in 1927, stands as a fine example of English Arts and Crafts design. Native blue stone and chestnut woods are the foundation of the inns structure. It was built shortly after Lake Wallenpaupack, a man-made lake with a 52-mile shoreline, was created in 1925.

Hawley Silk Mill was constructed in 1880. As the name would imply, it was once a silk mill, and today serves as a lifestyle center complete with shops, a market, gallery, fitness center, and bakery.

Silver Birches Resort is a collection of buildings, anchored by a farmhouse dating back to the 1920s. It was once a vintage lakeside resort and recent renovations honor that history while still creating a luxurious experience for guests.

Ledges Hotel is nestled in the Pocono Mountains and was built in 1890. This Federal-style structure was originally built for the John S. OConnor Glass Factory.

Sayre Mansion is a Gothic Revival-style mansion, constructed in the 1850s. It was the first house built in the wealthy neighborhood called Fountain Hill and was home to one of the communitys most distinguished men, Robert Heysham Sayre. He was the chief engineer for the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and the Sayre Mansion still honors its ties back to the railroad.

Hotel Anthracite has a coal mining and cultural heritage. The ambiance of the hotel transports guests with a peek into the past of Carbondale while providing all the comforts of modern amenities.
The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) is pleased to announce the election of four new officers and three new board members. The new officers elected at the ABFMs spring board meeting in April are: Jerry E. Kruse, MD, MSPH of Springfield, Illinois as Chair; John Brady, MD of Newport News, Virginia as Chair-Elect; Joseph W. Gravel, Jr., MD of Lawrence, Massachusetts as Treasurer; and Colleen Conry, MD of Aurora, Colorado as Member-at-Large, Executive Committee. In addition, the ABFM welcomes this years new members to the Board of Directors: Roger Bush, MD of Seattle, Washington; Gerardo Moreno, MD of Los Angeles, California, and Robert L. Wergin, MD of Milford, Nebraska.

The new ABFM officers will each serve a one-year term:

Dr. Kruse is a Professor in both the Department of Family & Community Medicine and Medical Education as well as Dean and Provost of the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Prior to this, Dr. Kruse spent 9 years as the Executive Director of the Quincy Family Medicine Program and 19 years on the faculty of the Quincy Family Practice Residency Program, serving as Assistant Program Director for 9 years and as Program Director for 12 years.

Dr. Brady is the owner/physician of The Village Doctor (a solo family practice opened in 2003) and Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

Dr. Gravel is the Chief Medical Officer and the Chair of Family Medicine & Community Health at the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center. He served as a residency program director for 20 years. He is a Past President of the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors, the Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians, and the Family Medicine Education Consortium. He currently also serves as Chair of the Academic Family Medicine Advocacy Committee and on the Society of Teachers of Family Medicines Board of Directors. Dr. Gravel is a Professor of Family Medicine & Community Health at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Dr. Conry is the Senior Vice-President for Quality and Clinical Affairs in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado. She previously served as Vice-Chair of Graduate Medical Education at the University of Colorado.

The ABFM welcomes three new members to the Board of Directors:

Dr. Bush is a primary care internist at Neighborcare Health, the largest provider of primary medical, dental and behavioral health care services to low-income and uninsured individuals in Seattle, Washington. He is the founding program director of the Internal Medicine residency at Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana. Prior to his time in Billings, Dr. Bush spent 29 years with Virginia Mason Home Health Services and Virginia Mason Clinic in Seattle. He founded and was director of the Virginia Mason Internal Medicine residency programs HIV Clinic.

Dr. Moreno is an associate professor of family medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a practicing family physician. He is trained in health services and outcomes research, is the director of the UCLA Program in Medical Education (PRIME-LA) for medical students pursuing concurrent degrees with an interest in improving healthcare in underserved communities, and also trains family medicine residents. He was previously a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar at UCLA and a James C. Puffer, M.D./American Board of Family Medicine fellow at the Institute of Medicine.

Dr. Wergin is a practicing family physician in Milford, Nebraska, the town where he was born and raised. He practices the full spectrum of family medicine at the Milford Family Practice Center, from obstetrics to geriatrics. He also serves as medical director of Crest View Care Center and the Milford Volunteer Fire Department and has served as past president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He was awarded the Nebraska Family Physician of the Year award in 2002, the Nebraska Nursing Home Medical Director of the Year in 2012, and the Nebraska Outstanding Rural Family Physician of the Year for Nebraska in 2015.

The remaining current members of the Board are: Wendy Biggs, MD of Overland Park, Kansas; Beth Bortz of Richmond, Virginia; Christopher A. Cunha, MD of Crestview Hills, Kentucky; Montgomery Douglas, MD of Farmington, Connecticut; Lauren S. Hughes, MD, MPH, MSc of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Michael K. Magill, MD of Salt Lake City, Utah; John Mellinger, MD of Springfield, Illinois; Robert J. Ronis, MD, MPH of Cleveland, Ohio; David E. Soper, MD of Charleston, South Carolina; Daniel Spogen, MD of Sparks, Nevada; and Melissa Thomason of Pinetops, North Carolina.
Team4Tech, the non-profit that advances 21st century education in underserved communities, announced it is partnering with Pure Storage on an immersive service learning project in rural Alaska. Pure Storage, the all-flash storage platform that helps innovators build a better world with data, has selected ten employees to support students and educators across Yukon communities.

Sharing knowledge on topics from 3D printing to WAN acceleration, the Pure Storage employees were in Fairbanks, Alaska from May 13  20, 2018 to contribute skilled pro bono technology help. The Yukon-Koyukuk School District serves 1,850 students and covers 65,000 square miles, an area the size of the state of Washington.

Having a skilled team dedicated to advancing our mission of equipping our students with relevant 21st century skills is a great asset to the school district, says Luke Meinert, technology director of the Yukon-Koyukuk School District.

Teams facilitated by Team4Tech will provide technology workshops to teachers on publishing tools, robotics, and 3D printing; help audit the school districts technology infrastructure; and improve the districts networking challenges with WAN acceleration. The team will also travel on a bush plane to visit one of the districts remote schools, the Andrew K. Demoski School in Nulato, where they will host a technology fun day for the students.

This is Pure Storages fourth service learning project with Team4Tech and its first in the U.S. Their global team comes from the U.S. (California, Connecticut, New York, North Carolina), Hong Kong, and Ireland.

"We're excited to be working on projects that will bring a global team to understand a different aspect of the U.S., said Nicole Johnson, executive director of Pure Good Foundation, which works to deepen employee engagement in communities around the world. Team4Techs skilled volunteering programs for technology companies are a great way to build leadership skills while also uplifting young people through education-based initiatives.

Pure Storage technology volunteers will benefit from the experience by developing crucial leadership skills, including how to design technology for the needs of the customer, build empathy and understanding, and collaborate effectively as a team in an unfamiliar environment, said Julie Clugage, executive director of Team4Tech. Were excited to leverage the skills of technology professionals to inspire the teachers and youth in rural Alaska, and also to inspire the technology professionals when they return back to their daily work.

Team4Techs corporate volunteering program brings together technology companies and established non-profit organizations to improve education for underserved students. Team4Tech partners with non-profits for three to five years to help them integrate relevant technology solutions that advance student learning outcomes and build 21st century skills.

This will be Team4Techs second project for rural school districts in the U.S. The U.S. Rural Education Initiative is implemented in collaboration with the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), the leading US professional association dedicated to education technology leaders.

Rural school districts typically face serious challenges leveraging todays technology for learning. This includes lack of broadband, funding, getting community buy-in for a digital leap, difficulty with recruiting teachers, and ensuring equitable digital equity at-school, as well as at-home, said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN  the Consortium for School Networking. This collaboration with Team4Tech will help bring more awareness about the challenges rural school districts in the U.S. face in this moment of digital transformation.

About Team4Tech

Team4Tech provides technology professionals with immersive, short-term service learning projects that leverage their technology skills to improve education for underserved students, while also cultivating volunteers leadership skills and supporting corporate social responsibility goals. Team4Tech programs provide benefits to three distinct audiences: students and teachers gain access to improved teaching and learning through technology, volunteers gain 21st century leadership skills, and companies gain more engaged employees to lead customer-driven innovation. http://www.team4tech.org
Theres no one-size-fits-all protocol for how veterans overcome the impacts of war.

Melwood Veterans Services, LLC (MVS) is proud to announce it has been awarded $10,000 to continue helping warfighters reintegrate into society. The grant was awarded by the Disabled Veterans National Foundations (DVNF) Capacity Building Grant Program. Grants are given to organizations committed to helping address the mental and physical recovery of veterans in unique ways.

Melwood Veterans Services is an affiliate of Melwood, one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the Washington metropolitan area providing job opportunities for people of differing abilities, as well as support services for veterans and their families.

Theres no one-size-fits-all protocol for how veterans overcome the impacts of war, says Retired Brigadier General David Blackledge, Executive Vice President of Melwood Veterans Services. And because of this, we place great emphasis on consistently evaluating our Operation Tohidu program. Tohidu is an experiential and educational retreat program specifically for veterans and their families. Warfighters who attend the 5-day program often come to us feeling broken, disillusioned, and disheartened. The grant allows us to continue helping veterans navigate their own way back into a normal life.

Operation Tohidu is run by veterans who understand all too well the effects of post-traumatic stress. General Blackledge was wounded twice during successive combat tours in Iraq, making him intimately familiar with the effects of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.

"DVNF is proud to support Melwood Veterans Services as they continue to make a positive impact in veterans lives by helping veterans to navigate their own way back into a normal life through their Operation Tohidu program" said DVNF CEO Joseph VanFonda (USMC Sgt. Maj. Ret.). "We would like to congratulate and thank them for their commitment to serving the men and women who served in defense of our country."

The program has served hundreds of veterans from over 38 states across the nation since its inception three years ago. Operation Tohidu is concerned with post-traumatic growth, which is why participants are encouraged to acknowledge their trauma with fellow warriors. The by choice adventure-based activities and group exercises form the backbone of the retreat experience, making it appealing to veterans coping with post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, and other service-related traumas. Activities include mindfulness techniques, yoga, meditation, goal-setting, opportunities for artistic expression, challenge courses, and equine-assisted techniques.

Tohidu is a Cherokee word that means peace of mind, body, and spirit. To learn more about Operation Tohidu visit http://www.Melwood.org/Veterans-Services.

About Melwood

Melwood is an AbilityOne organization, and one of the largest non-profit employers of people of differing abilities in the Northeast U.S. Melwood has a highly competitive and inclusive workforce, providing a range of services to federal, state, and local governments, and the private sector. Using an innovative and effective social entrepreneurial model, Melwood offers job placement, job training, life skills for independence, and support services to more than 2,100 people each year in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Maryland, and Virginia. Melwood also provides recreation opportunities through seasonal inclusive camp programs for children and adults of and without differing abilities. In addition, Melwood provides employment and support services to veterans coping with a variety of service-related traumas, such as post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, abuse, and more. Melwood employs more than 1,500 workers, including nearly 800 persons of a differing ability. Since 1963, the 501(c)(3) organization has envisioned a world in which people of differing abilities are fully included by advocating for and empowering them to transform their own lives through unique opportunities to work and play in the community. For more information, visit http://www.Melwood.org.

About the Disabled Veterans National Foundation:

Disabled Veterans National Foundation exists to provide critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military woundedphysically or psychologicallyafter defending our safety and freedom.

DVNF achieves this mission by:



offering direct financial support to veteran organizations that address the unique needs of veterans, and whose missions align with that of DVNF;

providing supplemental assistance to homeless and low-income veterans through the Health & Comfort program and various empowerment resources;

providing an online resource database that allows veterans to navigate the complex process of seeking benefits that they are entitled to as a result of their military service, as well as additional resources they need; and

serving as a thought leader on critical policy issues within the veteran community, and educating the public accordingly.

Disabled Veterans National Foundation Contact:

Lisa Medley, Marketing and Communications Officer

(202) 847-3053 | lmedley(at)dvnf.org
Monster Energy's Giulia Tanno Takes Silver in Womens Ski Big Air Finals at X Games Norway 2018 I am so happy to be out here, and to have put down that trick. It feels really good to be back and on the podium - Giulia Tanno

Monster Energy would like to congratulate Giulia Tanno for absolutely crushing Womens Ski Big Air Finals at X Games Norway 2018. The 20-year-old, who hails from Switzerland, stomped her way to second place by landing the only double cork 1080 of the day, along with a switch 540 safety on her final hit.

Todays event featured a new format, which required the competitors to spin two different directions (from left, right, switch right, switch left), rather than needing to spin both ways, as was the case at the X Games Ski Big Air event in Aspen earlier this year. This different format played a big part in todays action-packed finals that included seven of the worlds best big air skiers.

Tanno looked poised and in control as she dropped into the massive scaffolding big air jump under the sunny skies in Oslo. She unleashed a massive left 1080 double cork safety on her very first hit. This set the tone for the contest, as her first hit was filled with smooth, technical style.

In the end, it all came down to Tannos last jump attempt. She was sitting in sixth place, and landed her last hit with a massive switch 540 safety grab. This catapulted her into second place, earning Tanno her first silver in X Games Ski Big Air.

I am so happy to be out here, and to have put down that trick, said Tanno following the event. It feels really good to be back and on the podium, she continued.

This marks Tannos fist big contest comeback after fracturing her arm this past January during practice at the X Games in Aspen.

Download Photos for Editorial Use.

X Games Norway 2018 continues tomorrow with more action.

ESPN and NRK will each distribute 12 hours of live coverage. NRK will air the competitions live in Norway, while ESPNs coverage will be distributed live in the U.S. on the X Games Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages and as part of its World of X Games series on ABC. In addition to the content on ESPNs U.S. media platforms, X Games Norway 2018 will be televised globally on ESPN International networks and distributed to other international media outlets and broadcasters via ESPNs media distribution business.

Visit http://www.monsterenergy.com for exclusive updates from X Games Norway 2018 including photos, videos, and contest results as they happen. Follow Monster Energy on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for exclusive behind-the-scenes looks in Aspen

###

About Monster Energy

Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer and distributor of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, its the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at http://www.monsterenergy.com.
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The programme was implemented to cover first year students when it began in September 2017.

President Nana Akufo-Addo made the comments at a durbar in Busunya in the Nkoranza North District of the Brong-Ahafo Region as part of activities marking his 3-day tour of the area.

Free SHS is now a reality. In September this year, the Free SHS policy will cover new entrants, in addition to those who will then be in SHS 2," he said.

He continued: "By September 2019, it will cover all students in Senior High Schools across the country. Teacher and nursing trainees are also receiving their allowances. We have also retired a large chunk of the NHIS debt left by my predecessor, and the NHIS is working.

The President was confident that with the fulfilment of his promises, Ghanaians will know that I am an honest person who did not deceive them in order to win their votes in 2016.

Touching on one of his governments flagship projects, President Akufo-Addo noted that the Programme for Plating for Food and Jobs has resulted in the Brong Ahafo Region receiving 15% of farming inputs of the programme, thus becoming the largest recipient region of inputs for the Programme in the country.
"I have scanned through some of the discussions concerning my participation in our flag bearer contest, and wish to assure all that I still stand by my decision to contest should our party open nominations this year," he told Ghanaweb.

READ MORE: Mahama declares he is running for president

He added: "I admit it would require hard work, commitment and selflessness but what I know is that the Good Lord is in the center of our campaign and we are surely going to win the primaries. It would be a triller in the history of our great party( NDC) I entreat all to stay focused to the course. We are winners, yes we are."

His comments come after former president Mahama announced on Saturday that he was running for president of Ghana.

The 59-year-old former Bole lawmaker said he has listened to calls from National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters for him to lead the party again into the 2020 election, saying he will not disappoint them.

To you the teeming supporters and sympathizers calling and requesting me to declare my intentions for the future, I wish to assure you today, that as a servant-leader, I have listened to your calls and reflected, he wrote on Facebook. I will not disappoint you even as we await the publication of the partys guidelines for selecting a new leader.

He is expected to speak to camera at the NDCs last unity walk in the Volta Region to announce his bid for the presidency.

Mr Mahama lost the 2016 polls to candidate Nana Akufo-Addo, making him the first sitting president in Ghana to lose a second term bid.

The ex-president, who has been leading a series of unity walk organized by the party in 9 regions so far, also congratulated the rank and file and executives of the NDC for their commitment and work rate in the reorganization process.

He urged them to keep up with the momentum generated from the unity walk.

I want to congratulate the rank & file and executives of our party, the NDC, at all levels for the commitment and work rate we have put into our reorganization efforts, he said, adding: The zeal and determination of the average sympathizer of our great party is greater and miles ahead of what it was after the December 2016 Elections.
According to legend, Brigid had some cool miracles in ancient times. She was a brewer who turned water into beer. She was a virginal abbess who conjured a comely maiden for her disappointed suitor to marry.

But surely my parents didnt realize that one of her miracles was reputed to be performing Irelands first abortion. She helped a young woman who had slipped up and gotten pregnant by making her swollen belly disappear with no pain.

That may have been the last time the subject of abortion did not evoke pain in Ireland.

This country is in the midst of an excruciating existential battle over whether it should keep its adamantine abortion statute, giving an unborn baby equal rights with the mother. Under the Eighth Amendment, abortions are illegal, even in cases of rape or incest. The only exception is when it is believed that the mother will die. Anyone caught buying pills online to induce a miscarriage faces up to 14 years in prison.

The Eighth Amendment was added in 1983 to the Irish Constitution, a document drawn up in 1937 that was so steeped in Catholic principle, it was submitted to the Vatican for review. Irelands prime minister, Leo Varadkar, and other opponents of the amendment want to repeal it and craft a new law that gives women and doctors more options, perhaps allowing abortions for up to 12 weeks, and beyond in certain cases.

The national referendum on Friday is a fractious vote, dividing families and friends, as the two sides thrash out a subject that was long hidden. Even as Ireland has leapt into modernity, growing more European and becoming the Silicon isle as Britain lurches backward with Brexit, women have been left in the past in some ways, absorbing the shame of old stigmas.

In 2015, Ireland became the first nation to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote. But this is much harder. So far, the repeal Yes side is leading, but the gap is narrowing.

Posters with graphic depictions of fetuses compete with Stop Shaming Women! posters on lampposts in cities and on country roads. At an anti-abortion rally in Dublins Merrion Square last Saturday, a small girl handed out flyers that read Stop the Slaughter of Babies for Body Parts.

It is a measure of the draconian views of the No side that they refer to pregnancies where there are fatal fetal abnormalities as hard cases, and most other abortions as social abortions.

Maria Steen, a barrister who stopped practicing and is home schooling her four children, works at the conservative Iona Institute and is a prominent voice on the No side. At a fiery dinner I attended with key players from both sides, Steen said her position was simple: Dont kill unborn children. To which Una Mullally, an Irish Times columnist who edited a book of essays and poems called Repeal, riposted: The mind boggles at how you seek to uphold a system where women are not allowed to make choices for themselves.

Condoms and spermicides were allowed to be sold without a prescription only starting in 1985, the year after Ann Lovett, a 15-year-old girl, died, along with her baby, during childbirth at a religious grotto in County Longford.

Ireland is obsessed with punishing women, said Niall ODowd, the founder of Irishcentral.com.

Two of the most harrowing hard cases were the 1992 X case, when a 14-year-old girl who was raped by the father of a friend and became suicidal was barred from leaving the country to get an abortion, and the 2012 case of Savita Halappanavar, first reported by Kitty Holland in The Irish Times.

Savita, a 31-year-old Indian immigrant and dentist who was married to an Indian engineer, went to a Galway hospital in distress the day after her baby shower. She was told that her 17-week-old fetus could not be saved.

Over several days, she begged the medical staff to remove the baby to save her life as she developed every symptom of septic shock. But, because the staff members could still detect a heartbeat, they would not do it because, as one midwife told her, This is a Catholic country. Savita died four days after her baby girl, whom she named Prasa, was stillborn.

The turbulent debate about the governments control over womens bodies may be affected by yet another unspooling scandal about womens health. The Irish Health Department outsourced cervical cancer smear tests to a lab in Texas, and at least 209 women were at first mistakenly cleared between 2010 and 2014; at least 18 have since died. And the number could balloon.

The government is in trouble for scrambling in secret, once it learned of the shoddy lab testing, to come up with a strategy to save itself. Newspapers and TV are full of anguished interviews with husbands of women who died, never realizing they should have been treating their cancer, and with women who have had to tell their kids they will soon die.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, fallen or errant young women, as they were labeled, were hustled away to the Magdalene Laundries or mother-and-baby homes, which were essentially prisons for unwed mothers run by nuns. As Dan Barry wrote in The New York Times, many young women were sent to work, and sometimes die, in guilt-ridden servitude; hundreds of bodies of young children were discovered in an unmarked grave in Tuam in County Galway, placed there by nuns.

In the 1930s, my grandmother spirited my fathers older brother out of Ballyvaughan in the middle of the night to a nearby village after he impregnated a neighbor. The young woman was sent into exile in America. She put the baby up for adoption in New York and killed herself a year later. My uncle went on to be a landowner, the pride of the village.

In some ways, things have not changed that much. Women who want to terminate a pregnancy for almost any reason except imminent death still face a Scarlet Letter in the Emerald Isle; they have to leave the country and fly to England if they can afford it (3,265 women went in 2016) or order sketchy pills online and risk a prison sentence.

The Eighth Amendment has never actually stopped abortion, said Dr. Ross Kelly, a Dublin physician on the Yes side. Weve just been exporting Irish women abroad to deal with the reality that women access termination. Women are taking the abortion pill at home on their own, unsupervised, and that is unsafe. Hard cases, like the fatal fetal anomaly cases, are meant to mean rare cases. But we still have two women a week traveling to the U.K. to access termination for these types of cases.

All the cases are hard cases. Women who have become pregnant, including victims of rape, we force them to leave the country or risk a prison sentence  that would likely be longer than what the rapist would receive  if they get caught taking the abortion pills.

We hear stories of women who sell their cars or take money from loan sharks to get the money to travel. It also means that those women tend to have later abortions because you have to arrange all this travel and time off from work and child care, and thats not a good thing, either. Were talking about an awful lot of women who are going through deep, psychological trauma because their country is turning their back on them.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
According to local reports, the two people who were shot were not students at the school. The Associated Press reported that they had attended the graduation. WXIA-TV said that a woman in her 40s was killed.

The shooting came on the same day that a student in Santa Fe, Texas, was arrested in the fatal shooting of 10 people at his high school.

The last thing you want to do is have a situation at a graduation that results in anyone being injured, and definitely not being shot, a Clayton County Police Department official said after the shooting in Jonesboro.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
The gorgeous 36-year-old actress and the Queen of England's grandson married at the magnificent St. Georges Cathedral in Windsor castle as the world watched on in excitement for the biracial couple  Meghans dad, Thomas Markle, who scandalously couldnt make the wedding, is white and her mum, Doria Ragland, is black.

One of the obvious things since the Prince and American actress engagement in November 2017 is that Meghan will join the British royal family and will be the only person of colour, prompting further curiosity as to whether shed be the first ever black or mixed-race member of the royal family in England.

The answer to which is a surprising NO according to historians.

There was black British royalty before Meghan

Historians say Sophie Charlotte was England's first black royalty, and was actually a queen!

In the 1700s, long before Meghan met Prince Harry, Sophie Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in Germany married George III who ruled England from 1760 to 1820 and she became the first-ever person of color in the throne.

ALSO READ:Black choir delivers stunning performance at the royal wedding

Sophie Charlotte is a direct descendant of Portuguese royalty, Margarita de Castro y Sousa, who was of African descent, says PBS.

And though her skin got lightened and her African features were played down by the artists of those days due to the racial realities of the time, she was surely black, historians believe.

So, there you have it, Meghan Markle is not the first black member of British royalty.

But shes a first at something else

Though Meghan Markle turns out not to be the first black British royal [as many of us hoped], shes actually the first Duchess of Sussex in history!

Shes not a queen or a princess. Her official title as the wife of the Duke is Duchess, and she holds the title of the Duchess of Sussex, a royal title has never been used before.
Otedola made this known in post on his Twitter timeline.

He said With visionary leadership, we can create the Lagos of our dreams. Currently spending my Sunday on a bus ride with Governor @AkinwunmiAmbode and my good friend @AlikoDangote inspecting projects executed by the Lagos State Government and Dangotes ongoing $16Bn project. #Ote$.

Geregu Power plc.

Femi Otedola recently invested $350 million in a power generation company known as Geregu Power plc.

The Oil magnate acquired the company in 2013 through a subsidiary of Forte Oil Plc, Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited.

The billionaire caused a stir on social media, when a picture of him, in a public bus surfaced the internet.

Otedola from Sango, Ogun State to Agege in Lagos State.

In March 2018, he endorsed the Governor of Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode for a second term.
According to Vanguard, the victims were killed when they went to negotiate for a farmland that will be used for their thrift and cooperative society.

According to a source, they were executive members of the society.

The source also said They met their death in the community bordering Makurdi local government where they had gone to negotiate the procurement of a farmland for their thrift and cooperative society when they were ambushed by the herdsmen.

The victims were among the 10 person who on Wednesday went to the area to survey and acquire some farmland for rice cultivation under the umbrella of their teachers cooperative society.

Unknown to them, the militant herdsmen were camped in the area. They got ambushed and trapped in the bush by the armed herdsmen who killed six of them but four others managed to escaped with machete wounds.

After the attack those who managed to escape raised alarm when they discovered that others did not escape. The matter was immediately reported to the Police who embarked on a search of the area for them.

Unfortunately the remains of the six of them were later discovered and recovered from the bush on Thursday and Friday with the assistance of the security operatives.

The thrift and cooperative society had in the past engaged in rice farming at Yogbo community in Guma local government area but because of the level of insecurity in that area they opted to secure the farmland at Mbataonbo community but they still got killed.

Mr. Stephen Tavaku was the Headmaster of St. Marys Primary School, North Bank in Makurdi while Mr. Christian Anankpa, was the Basic Science Teacher at St. Marys UBE Junior Secondary School also in the North Bank area of Makurdi town.

Their remains have been deposited at a private hospital in Makurdi while the injured are also currently receiving treatment in private clinics in the town, another source added.

Ortom calls for peace

Meanwhile, Governor Ortom has urged residents of Benue state not totake laws into their hands.

Ortom also called on the Benue people to let the security agencies do their jobs.
Wike said this while thanking God for his third year anniversary as Governor at the Living Faith Church in Port Harcourt.

He said Intelligence report available to us as at this morning indicate that they are plotting to assassinate me in a crowd and claim it was accidental discharge .

Committed to the defence of democracy

Governor Wike also said that he cannot be intimidated by the alleged assassination plot, adding that he is committed to the defence ofdemocracy.

The level of conspiracy against Rivers State is unfortunate. Instead of focusing on governance, they focus on how to assassinate me or frame me up, he added.

According to The Independent, Wike said that the assassination plot will fail because God is his defence.

I am not afraid of my residence being searched by the Police, but I know their evil intention.

We are born to win, we are born to reign, we are destined for greatness. While other states are commissioning wheelbarrows, we are commissioning infrastructure.

Governor Wike recently accused President Buharis administration of intimidating the press.

According him the media in Nigeria lost its voice in 2015, when the All Progressives Congress (APC) came into power.
Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director Public Relations, Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, disclosed this in a statement released in Maiduguri.

What would have otherwise been a devastating suicide bomb attack on a mosque in Gashua village in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe state has been successfully foiled today by vigilant members of the community.

A female Boko Haram suicide bomber had infiltrated the mosque, while members were about to commence a prayer session but was detected when struggling to detonate a suicide vest strapped to her body. She was quickly restrained by the locals, arrested and handed over to troops at Azare.
He said this during the launch of the Dangote Foundationsunconditional micro-grants in Niger state.

Dangote said that his love for philanthropy led to the formation of his foundation, which has disbursed about N2.5bn to 256,500 women across Kano, Lagos, Jigawa, Kogi, Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, Punch reports.

According to him, I do not only want to be known as Africas richest man, but the biggest philanthropist.

I will continue to use my resources and my voice to help shape a better Nigeria, and Africa as a whole.

Uplifting women

Speaking during the launch, the Executive Director, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Hajiya Halima Aliko-Dangote said that the programme is aimed at uplifting the status of women.

She said If you empower a woman, you empower the whole nation.

Also, the Niger state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello thanked Dangote for his generosity and urged other well-meaning Nigerians to copy the businessmans gestures.

The Governor also told the beneficiaries who were given N10,000 each, to use the money for business.
Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Kogi State disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lokoja.

He said tge Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue Service had been restructured in order to make it more proactive.

Fanwo said that the board had also been granted autonomy to operate, adding that it also employed competent hands to enable it meet its mandate in terms of revenue drive.

We have been able to improve our IGR because the Board of Internal Revenue Service was restructured for excellent service delivery.

We have also granted the Board autonomy and they have employed very competent hands to work with them, he said.

When asked why the state government was unable to pay workers salaries despite the huge resources, Fanwo attributed it to the enormous loans that the state was servicing.

He said that the loans were collected by the two previous administrations for projects that were not completed and not adding value to the economy of the state.

Speaking on the use of one of the latest Ford Model Jeeps by government officials in the state, Fanwo said the vehicles are being paid for by the beneficiaries.

The officials are paying, the state government is making deductions from their salaries and allowances. I am also paying back for my own vehicle.

I want to also tell you that government officials are also sacrificing lot of their allowances in view of the harsh economic situation in the country.

The civil servants were paid last in February, I too was also paid in February 3, so it is not that government officials and political office holders are being treated differently.

We are all facing the consequences of a very corrupt past administrations, he said.

On whether the government officials would be able to maintain the vehicles after they leave office, Fanwo said it is left for them.
The NAF said it would deploy the drones to other critical oil installations in the Niger Delta.

A statement by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya, announced this in Abuja.

It said the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, disclosed this when Mr Osagie Okunbor, the Managing Director and Country Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, visited him on Friday.

Abubakar in the statement said this was to ensure that the maritime domain was safe for social and economic activities by preventing oil theft, pipeline vandalism and militancy.

The air chief said it was also to prevent kidnapping and other forms of economic sabotage thereby helping to sustain the economic lifeline of Nigeria.

He noted that the NAF, over the years, had been actively involved in the security of oil pipelines, protection of critical national assets and general safety of the maritime environment.

According to him, the recent development of the capability to produce UAVs had enabled the NAF to induct an operational drone named TSAIGUMI.

He said that the newly inducted UAV, with day and night capability, had an operational endurance in excess of 10 hours, a service ceiling of 15,000 feet and a mission radius of 100km.

The TSAIGUMI could also be used for policing operations, disaster management, convoy protection, maritime patrol, pipeline and power line monitoring as well as mapping and border patrol duties, Abubakar said.

Accordingly, the Service would be willing to send experts to Shell to make presentation on the capabilities of the TSAIGUMI UAV.

The Service will also explore mutually beneficial ways to better secure Shell facilities while further developing the NAFs UAV capability, he said

Okunbor thanked the NAF for its continuous support, which had spanned many decades.

He said the efforts of the NAF and other security agencies made the continuous existence of peace and investment friendly environment possible in the Southern part of Nigeria.

He noted that the deployment of UAVs by the NAF would further help to secure oil facilities and other crucial economic assets in the area.
The Congress Chairman, Brig. -Gen. Joseph Jude (rtd) said the state officials emerged through consensus.

Jude described APC in Sokoto as a unique democratic family, adding that five of the members of the APC executive council were women.

I pray that such uniqueness will be translated into victory for the party in 2019 elections as well as future elections.

In his address, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal acknowledged the remarkable support and cooperation of stakeholders and expressed gratitude for the peace and success recorded at the congress.

Tambuwal noted that the exercise was all inclusive, as it carrued every member along for equity to prevail.

By this singular feat, I am confident that the flag of APC will be carried further and higher.

It also symbolizes our strength, oneness and indivisibility as a political family built on the foundation of democratic understanding and progress, Tambuwal said.

The governor commended Senators Aliyu Wamakko, Ibrahim Gobir and Abdullahi Dambuwa, as well members of National and State Assemblies and other key stakeholders for working together to ensure smooth congresses.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the name of the former state APC chairman, Alhaji Usman Danmadamin-Isah would be forwarded to the state assembly for confirmation as commissioner.

NAN reports that except for the party Treasurer, Alhaji Muntari Maigona, all members of the executive council were replaced.

Among thee new officials are Abubakar Bashire, Secretary; Women Leader, Hajiya Hadiza Abdullahi; Youth Leader, Abubakar Yabo, and Organizing Secretary, Bashar Jabo.

Others are : Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Abdullahi Ilarus; Financial Secretary, Aminu Liman-Bodinga; Legal Adviser, Mukhtar Mamuda Yabo; Assistant Treasurer, Mustapha Lanas, and Haruna Adiya as Vice Chairman among others.
The Senator, who said that he is not new in Nigerias political terrain, added that he was part of the founding fathers of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1999.

According to Daily Post, Omisore also announced that he will be running for Governor of Osun state on the platform of SDP on September 22, 2018.

He also called on members of the party and to join hands with him to achieve his desire of ruling the state.

The Senator in a statement issued to newsmen, said It is pertinent to note the historical pathway of my engagement in the political affairs in Osun state, and indeed at regional and national levels. I played a pivotal role in the creation of the now defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) when the country returned back to democratic ruling in 1999 and I became the Deputy Governor of this great state.

It is intrigues, dishonesty and loss of vision in vociferous attacks on my person that led to my departure from the AD and foray in the PDP. My pathway of commitment to state as a distinguished Senator, and Chair of the Committee on Appropriations speak very loudly of my commitment to Osun state, evidenced in the volume of allocations and projects in the state.

This record remains without a parallel. My commitment to its citizens is without contest as over many years, I have reached to provide access to jobs, enterprise and social assets for our people through my political, professional, business and social networks.

In moving forward, and way from the PDP, this commitment to Osun state shall remain resolute and unshaken. It is my state of origin, the people my people, and where ever I go, I shall remain their dutiful son, and leader. Nothing can change that.

Notwithstanding my enormous contributions over the past years or so to building the PDP, after very deep thought and the widest consultations with my God, my family, my supporters in and outside Osun state, It is with great concern that I have made a very expedient decision today, to withdraw my membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

On the platform of the SDP, I shall with the support of my supporters, followers, and the electorate of the state, seek the nomination to contest for, and by His grace, be elected as the Executive Governor of Osun state on September 22, 2018.

While I have always regarded the entire state as my constituency, as a democrat, I will continue to align with the forces of change that would guarantee justice, prosperity, peace and happiness for our peoples.

ALSO READ: Omisore reportedly returns N350M to EFCC

Omisore was the Deputy State Governor of Osun State during the administration of Governor Adebisi Akande from 1999  2003.

He was elected to the Senate to represent Osun East constituency in April 2003.

In 2004, the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan acquitted Omisore of conspiracy and murder of former Justice Minister, Chief Bola Ige (SAN).

This will be his second time to run for Governor in Osun state.
In an open letter made available to on Sunday, May 20, 2018, Frank accused President Muhammadu Buhari of "making life worthless" for Nigerians.

The APC chieftain said under Buharis watch, insecurity, injustice and hunger has become the order of the day.

Frank accused President Buhari of sweeping under the carpet corruption allegations against members of his cabinet.

While criticising the fragrant disregard of court orders, Frank noted that Nigerians are no longer enjoy the right to free expression under the Buhari-led administration.

I would first of all like to use this opportunity to formally apologise to the immediate past President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, for all the tantrums and mistreatment orchestrated by me against his person while he held sway at the helm of affairs of our great country, the letter read.

Indeed, I and many others may have misunderstood Jonathans silence for weakness and thus pushed harder to malign his person and portray him as a weak leader.

Having achieved the change agenda, it is now crystal clear, that the change we had clamoured for is not the change we got. Under your (Buhari) tenure the rule of law has been replaced with the rule of force. You have injected fear into the society. People who voted for you to save them from corruption and ineptitude have been barred from speaking up against the myriads of evil and wicked acts being perpetrated by officials in your government.

ALSO READ: All the times Timi Frank advised APC against looming crisis

Unfortunately, corruption is in the upward swing under your watch. This is why I had to apologize to Jonathan since events of the last three years have shown the former president was a better leader.

"Mr. President, while your fight against corruption is being promoted as gathering steam leading to an award given to you by the African Union (AU) recently, the allegation of illegal award of $25billion contracts leveled against the GMD of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has not been investigated but rather the malfeasance and shoddy dealing in the NNPC has been swept under the carpet because as the substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources any probe of the agency will require that you make some explanations."

People freely expressed themselves under Jonathans administration without fear of being branded cultists sponsors, gunrunners or aiding murderers. But not so under this administration.

Under Jonathan, Nigerians enjoyed freedom of speech, association and right to hold dissenting views including organising and partaking in protests against unwelcome government policies. All these are no go areas today. Does it mean Jonathan was a better democrat? It is a fact that no member of the APC which was then in the opposition before 2015 was jailed or harassed for expressing dissent.

He said the current government has shown disdain for court orders.

El-Zakzaky and Dasuki will not be in jail today but for the present rule of force under this government. It is a pity that today democracy and freedom have become scarce. Insecurity continues unabated, he wrote.

Killings take place on a daily basis across the country either by kidnappers, Boko Haram insurgents, herdsmen, and other criminal elements having a free reign around the country. Life has become worthless and uncertain and people cannot speak out for fear of being labeled anti-government by your regime.

Besides, instead of heeding the wise counsel of leaders like Obasanjo, IBB, TY. Danjuma, General Gowon, and religious leaders like Bakare and Oyedepo, you have again declared to seek reelection as President. You even boasted in Bauchi that you will be reelected which was akin to saying you will rig yourself back into office, he added.
The migrants came from the small South American country of Guyana and from Nigeria and Senegal on the other side of the Atlantic, the human rights department for Brazil's state of Maranhao said in a statement.

There were 25 migrants -- all men -- on the boat and two Brazilians, the navy said in a statement.

The Brazilian pair were suspected of being people traffickers, O Imparcial and G1 news sites reported. They had reportedly spent 35 days afloat but there was no immediate indication of what route they had taken.

The boat, a catamaran, was carrying a Haitian flag, the navy said.

On Saturday, local fishermen found the vessel drifting off the Brazilian coastal town of Sao Jose de Ribamar, south of the Amazon river, the navy said.

An attempt by the authorities to locate the migrant boat from the air failed, so the fishermen towed it to port, while also feeding the stranded voyagers, the navy said.

By the time they got in, the fishing captain reported he had "no more food and water to give, because provisions were ending," the navy said.

Once ashore, they were "given medical attention and food," before being taken for processing by the Brazilian federal police, the Maranhao human rights department said.
More than 1,000 people are estimated to have been killed in riots and protests shortly before and in the months after Suharto's autocratic regime collapsed.

Widodo's son, engineering student Sigit Prasetyo, died in a hail of army gunfire aimed at protesters.

"I was at work when I got a phone call that my son was in a hospital -- I knew immediately in my heart he was gone," Widodo told AFP at a recent vigil alongside other bereaved parents demanding answers over the death of protesting students.

"My son was murdered by the army."

In the past two decades the country of 260 million has undergone what many see as a remarkable transition to democracy but Southeast Asia's biggest economy still grapples with rampant corruption and inequality.

Suharto -- who grabbed power in 1967 following the massacre in 1965-6 of hundreds of thousands of alleged communist sympathisers and ethnic Chinese -- died in 2008.

He was never held to account for the suspected looting of billions of dollars from state coffers or rights abuses during his three-decade rule, which became a byword for corruption and cronyism.

And the violence linked to his government's collapse is another dark chapter which Indonesia has yet to address in any meaningful way.

'I'll keep fighting'

Ethnic Chinese Indonesians bore the brunt of the bloodshed in the last days of Suharto, with women cowering in their homes for days as rape squads -- purportedly led by army thugs -- roamed Jakarta's streets.

Many died trapped in burning buildings as angry mobs -- resentful of their relative financial success -- ransacked Chinese-owned stores, smashed windows and set fire to cars as the government teetered on the verge of collapse.

Ayu Puspita was 30 when crowds stormed through the capital targeting Chinese-owned shops.

"It was so chaotic. Cars were being burned, motorcycles were toppled over -- it was just so scary," said Puspita at her restaurant in Glodok, known as Jakarta's Chinatown.

Subianto, a 67-year-old parking attendant who has worked in Chinatown for some five decades, said he watched in shock as parts of the city went up in flames.

"There were no police, no soldiers. People were looting everywhere. Trucks were coming to steal things," he said.

Hundreds of Chinese-owned homes and businesses were looted and razed during the unrest, which unfolded under the noses of the security forces. Their failure to intervene has fuelled suspicions of military involvement ever since.

Some buildings in Jakarta's Chinatown remain damaged even decades later.

"The sound of sirens scare me. I'm terrified every time I see a large group of people approaching," Puspita said.

"I didn't choose where I was born or what my ethnicity is."

Efforts to hold members of the then-government and military accountable for the death of ethnic Chinese and others have gone nowhere.

But Widodo, who rides a motorbike emblazoned with the words "My son was murdered by the army", will keep demanding answers.

"This country does not care, but I do," the 67-year-old said.
Last month, troops and allied Palestinian militia launched a fierce offensive to oust IS from a cluster of districts in southern Damascus, including the Palestinian camp of Yarmuk.

After weeks of combat and heavy casualties, an apparent deal was reached for remaining IS fighters to leave Yarmuk and the adjacent district of Tadamun, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

IS jihadists burned their headquarters in Yarmuk before boarding buses with their relatives to leave the area, said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

"The six buses left at dawn, heading east for the Syrian desert," he told AFP.

Abdel Rahman could not specify how many had left, but said a majority were relatives of jihadists and not armed. More than two dozen buses remained in Yarmuk for additional evacuations, he said.

Syrian state media and a Palestinian official have denied a deal was reached or that evacuations were taking place.

IS has had a presence in southern Damascus since 2015, expanding in recent years from Yarmuk to Tadamun and the nearby districts of Hajar al-Aswad and Qadam.

Yarmuk in particular has been devastated by Syria's conflict, suffering a crippling government siege since 2012 and ruined by years of fighting.

It was once home to 160,000 Palestinian refugees, as well as Syrians, but just a few hundred remain.

IS 'surrendering'

Assad has already ousted tens of thousands of rebels and civilians from areas around Damascus this year through military force and negotiated withdrawals, including the rebel bastion of Eastern Ghouta.

The regime used similar tactics to clear opposition towns northeast and south of Damascus earlier this month, leaving IS as the only armed presence in the capital.

The assault against the jihadist force has left more than 250 pro-regime forces, 233 jihadists and more than 60 civilians dead according to the Britain-based Observatory.

But the offensive died down around midday Saturday after a truce between IS on one side and pro-government Palestinian militias and regime ally Russia on the other, said the monitor, which relies on a network of sources in Syria.

"After the ceasefire on Saturday, IS withdrew from areas in the western part of Yarmuk camp, east towards the centre of the camp," Abdel Rahman said.

"Troops and Palestinian loyalist militias entered that area for sweeping operations," he told AFP.

Syrian state media on Sunday denied evacuations were taking place in Hajar al-Aswad and made no mention of any departures from Yarmuk or Tadamun.

"Army units in southern Damascus continued their operations against the remaining terrorists in a small area of Hajar al-Aswad, making further progress towards ending the terrorist presence in the area," it said.

Anwar Abdel Hadi, the head of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) also denied the evacuations but said IS appeared to be giving up.

"Daesh is surrendering in Yarmuk, Hajar al-Aswad, and Tadamun," he told AFP, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

Artillery backs SDF

It remains unclear exactly where Sunday's evacuees will go, or if they will be pursued by regime troops.

A similar deal reached last year by Syria's regime and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah saw IS fighters bussed out of the Lebanon-Syria border area towards Syria's east.

IS once held large parts of Syria's north and east, but offensives by rival forces have whittled down its control to less than three percent of the country.

The jihadists still hold some territory in remote parts of central Homs province and Deir Ezzor in the east, according to the Observatory.

But IS is even under attack there.

The Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters backed by Western powers, launched an assault on IS holdouts in Deir Ezzor earlier this month.

On Sunday, they were closing in on a key IS-held village, backed by close US and French ground support, the Observatory said.

"There are intense clashes around Hajjin, and the SDF is advancing thanks to American and French artillery fire," Abdel Rahman told AFP.
Vice-Premier Liu He, who led Chinese negotiators in Washington said: "The two sides reached a consensus, will not fight a trade war, and will stop increasing tariffs on each other," state-run news agency Xinhua reported Sunday.

Liu called the agreement a "necessity", but added: "At the same time it must be realised that unfreezing the ice cannot be done in a day, solving the structural problems of the economic and trade relations between the two countries will take time."

An earlier joint statement issued in Washington said Beijing would "significantly" increase its purchases of American goods, but offered few details.

The apparent detente comes after months of increasing tensions that have set markets on edge over fears of a damaging trade war.

Trump has repeatedly railed against his country's trade deficit with China, describing it as a danger to US national security and threatening to impose tariffs on billions of dollars' worth of Chinese goods.

US levies on $50 billion of Chinese imports could have come into effect as early as next week.

The talks in Washington were between delegations led by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Liu, who also met Thursday with Trump. The sides had met earlier in Beijing.

"There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the United States trade deficit in goods with China," the joint statement said.

"To meet the growing consumption needs of the Chinese people and the need for high-quality economic development, China will significantly increase purchases of United States goods and services."

'Meaningful increases'

Last year, the United States had a $375.2 billion trade deficit with China, with populist politicians blaming the Asian powerhouse for the leeching of American jobs over the last few decades.

Washington reportedly had demanded the deficit be slashed by at least $200 billion by 2020.

However, the joint statement held no indication that China had assented to that target.

It said both sides had agreed on "meaningful increases" in US agriculture and energy exports. Liu said the new trade cooperation would extend to medical care, high-tech products, and finance, according to Xinhua.

They also agreed to strengthen cooperation on protecting intellectual property -- a long-standing source of US discontent.

The two countries, their economies enormously interlinked, opened the delicate negotiations a few weeks ago.

Trump had threatened China with tariffs on up to $150 billion of imports, prompting Beijing to warn it would target US agricultural exports, aircraft, and even whiskey.

'Ripped off'

The White House is wary of hurting largely Republican-voting farm states or damaging the economy before legislative elections this November. But Trump is also keen to appear tough on trade.

On Thursday, he unleashed a barrage of criticism against former US administrations, saying they had allowed Beijing to take advantage of the United States.

"We have been ripped off by China. And an evacuation of wealth like no country has ever seen before given to another country that's rebuilt itself based on a lot of the money that they've taken out of the United States," he said.

"China has become very spoiled."

The trade issue is complicated by the impending summit meeting in Singapore between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has consulted with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

China is North Korea's biggest trade partner, and Trump has called on it repeatedly to press Pyongyang to rein in its nuclear and missile programs.

The joint statement made no mention of Chinese telecom giant ZTE, which had suspended operations after US sanctions were imposed to punish it for exporting sensitive materials to Iran and North Korea.

Trump took observers by surprise last week when he tweeted that he and Xi were "working together" to find a way to help ZTE "get back into business, fast."
Addressing the public at a rally in Kakamega County, Khalwale urged Moses Wetangula and Musalia Mudavadi to lead the community in ditching NASA and unite under one umbrella that will increase its bargaining power come 2022.

"We want Ford Kenya and ANC to merge and form one political outfit so that when DP Ruto comes to the table with his party, we also sit with ours." Khalwale said.

His sentiments were echoed by Sirisia MP John Walukhe who observed that the DP should consider forming an alliance with Luhya Community because it will play a key role in the 2022 presidential race.

Other leaders at the event took a swipe at NASA leader Raila Odinga for duping Mudavadi and Wetangula.

Sports CS Rashid Achesa who also attended the event challenged Mudavadi to step aside and pave way for new leaders having failed to unite the community.
QUIZ: Guess the Road Songs

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Argentina: Under an order worth a total of 650m pesos, Trenes Argentinos Infraestructura has taken delivery of an initial batch of track maintenance machines from China, including one tamper, a dynamic track stabiliser and a ballast profiler. Subsequent shipments are expected to include a track recording vehicle and a ...
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The Archon Type B is a duty gun shaped like a carry gun that performs like a competition gun. It uses a unique AF Speedlock cam system to operate.

Archon Type B Origins

First, youre not experiencing deja vu. This is, indeed, the Arsenal Firearms Stryk-B first announced at SHOT Show 2017. Second, the Archon Type B, as its now known, was worth the wait.

Its a modern chassis gun that improves on the current state of the pistol world by serving up a non-tilting action with an extremely low-bore axis, resulting in a pistol thats not only accurate, but noticeably faster on the bulls-eye than its Browning action-derived competitors.

Backstory

Archons Type B is the successor to the Strike One, an innovative, full-size service pistol introduced in 2012 by the Russian-Italian joint venture Arsenal Firearms. The striker-fired, polymer-gripped gun featured a low-bore axis and a novel, non-tilting action, harkening back to a floating locking block system first used in the century-old Bergmann-Mars 1903 pistol.

While the Strike Ones performance and feature set turned heads, and even reportedly earned a place in the Russian military, the design was a bit too Euro to catch the attention of the American market. Plus, nobody wanted to deal with the risk and red tape of importing the pistol into the U.S.

But, Adrian Chavez, one of the principals of Salient Arms International, recognized the potential of the pistols design and formed a partnership with Arsenal Firearms owner Dmitri Strechinski, introducing the company to the American market as Arsenal Firearms USA.

Fast-forward to mid-2016. Arsenal Firearms USA worked with Arsenal Firearms on a compact version of the Strike One, blessing it with features thatd appeal to American self-defense, competitive, and mil/LE shooters. The resulting first fruit of its trans-Atlantic partnership was the Arsenal Firearms USA Stryk-B, released in January 2017.

Archon Firearms Name Change

Without wading into the deeply boring and inconsequential, before shipping guns to dealers, Arsenal Firearms USA decided to change its name to Archon Firearms in mid-2017. It did so to extricate itself from a complicated, three-way, international licensing deal over the use of the name Arsenal that went sideways just as the company was ready to start selling the pistols.

Its now spring 2018, Archons Type B is in production at RUAG Ammotecs plants in Germany and Hungary, and RECOIL has spent weeks shooting one of the first production samples imported to the U.S.

Type B Design

What Archon calls the frame of the gun is the railed chassis that holds all the controls and sits in a glass-reinforced, polyamide grip module. As we expect, the frame is the serialized part.

One of the biggest challenges was the internal frame, says Chavez. The original Strike One had a metal internal frame, he says, but it was a MIMed part that was then machined to spec. On the other hand, he says the Type Bs steel frame is machined from bar stock. Its a very, very expensive piece, but the fully machined steel part and process give the pistol greater durability and accuracy.

Frustrating, though, is the use of roll pins rather than spring-retained pushpins to secure the frame in the grip. Swapping grips is still doable, but since it involves (gasp!) punches and a hammer, Archon says itll likely only sell grip modules through authorized Archon armorers thatll install them for free in an effort to prevent warranty claims for accidental grip damage.

While the chassis construction is cool, everybodys doing it these days. What really sets the Type B apart is its non-Browning action, non-tilting barrel and super-low bore height.

Unique Cam System Operation

Archon calls the Type Bs locking block system the AF Speedlock (AF refers to Arsenal Firearms). The system uses a cam-activated, floating, U-shaped locking block that locks the barrel, slide, and frame while firing, but drops during recoil. As the block drops, the barrel unlocks and slides straight back about a  inch and stops while the slide continues its full stroke.

In theory, since theres no off-axis barrel movement, the slide and barrel lock up more consistently, leading to enhanced accuracy. Another benefit of the short stroking barrel is reliability, since the low barrel and high mag means the bullets feed path is almost a straight shot from the mag to the chamber.

Building on the accuracy provided by the AF Speedlock, the gun also features a bore axis height thats about 25 percent lower than a Glock 19. Conventional wisdom says a low bore axis is a good thing, because having a higher grip on the gun reduces muzzle flip.

In order to further control recoil, Archon looked for ways to reduce the pistols greatest source of moving mass, the slide. Designers chamfered the corners, reduced the wall thickness, added more cocking serrations, and re-sculpted the pistols signature visual accent, the cocking notch.

The last portion of the Type Bs recoil reduction diet is the grip module. Instead of stippling or using a fine grip texture, Archon uses something it calls grip mapping technology. This refers to rows of large, raised teeth molded into the grip.

The mapping part means the teeth in different areas of the grip are oriented to counter movement felt in that particular location. For instance, the teeth on the backstrap face downward, and the teeth on the front strap face upward to counter the pistols back and down motion during recoil. The teeth on the side panels are oriented to accomplish the same thing.

The coarse treatment provides good control without the palm-shredding quality of fine stippling. And since the grip is polymer, if the teeth are too aggressive they can be knocked down with a bit of sandpaper.

Testing

The Type Bs innovation wouldnt be worth a damn if the pistol crapped the bed when it hit the street, so Archon set up a pretty healthy testing protocol in an effort to find the pistols limit of reliability.

Archons Chavez says the company used eight guns during its design validation testing, running five of them to 100,000 rounds with no unplanned stoppages and three through 10,000 rounds of +P+ with no unplanned stoppages.

By unplanned stoppages, they mean the pistols suffered no stoppages attributable to the major components, while expendable parts such as springs were replaced. Thats 530,000 rounds without a malfunction. Got dayum.

Archon Type B Controls

The ergos on the trigger face alone are worth noting. The flat-faced, aluminum trigger has a smooth, dual-angled face with broad chamfers on the edges that accommodate both fingertippers and knuckle pullers.

The shoe doesnt have a trigger safety tab to distract, though the Type B still has a trigger safety to keep the trigger from moving when dropped. It works on the same principle as a tabbed trigger safety, but instead of a tab on the trigger, the trigger itself is a compound lever.

Because of the trigger safety design, we call the Type B a 2.5-stage trigger, as the take-up has sort of two stages. The initial half-stage clears the trigger safety  its barely a few ounces and, while youll feel it at the gun counter, you wont notice it when shooting.

The next, or first, full stage is that familiar striker-fired take-up where the trigger bar begins moving against the striker channel safety and the sear and stops at a distinct wall. The second stage is pushing through the 4- to 4.5-pound sear wall. Altogether, the trigger pull feels a lot like a quality two-stage rifle trigger.

The break is a crisp 4.25 pounds with incredibly short reset, though it wont confused with a 1911. Thanks to the unique mechanics of the Type Bs trigger, Archon can play with the feel and weight of the break without messing with springs.

The action is fully cocked, so the only thing that happens when pulling through the last stage of the trigger is the sear slipping off the striker. This means theres no tradeoff between trigger feel and reliability, as is the case when adjusting the trigger pull of a popular Austrian pistol action that can end up with light strikes if the trigger pull is lightened too much.

Since the trigger can be optimized with such precision, Archon is already working with its sister company, Salient Arms International, to release a trigger upgrade pack thatll endow the Type B with a lighter break and an even shorter reset.

Salient says the upgrade pack includes three parts  a sear, a trigger return spring, and a trigger stop  and could be installed by the end user with the help of an Internet video. But because replacing the sear necessitates digging into the frame, the company may require an Archon armorer to do the swap. They havent decided yet.

Somewhere along the way, manufacturers realized guys were modifying magwells and buying aftermarket baseplates in an effort to make mags easier to strip from the gun when clearing Type 3 malfunctions. Were glad to see Archon notched the front of the grip and left a fingertip gap that lets us get in there and claw out a double feed situation in short order.

A Look at the Slide

The high carbon steel slide, as well as the frame, sear, and barrel, all have a QPQ coating thatll stand up to some hard living.

We dont know why were still grateful when a pistol comes with forward cocking serrations. Its 2018, ferchrisake. Thankfully, the Type B is blessed not only with forward serrations, but also a decorative notch in front of the ejection port thats a great surface to grab for press checks.

A nice touch is the way the sights are installed using the ubiquitous Glock rear dovetail and front sight screw. That Glock compatible setup provides you with plenty of sight options, though the stock setup, with a narrow fiber-optic front, complements the Type B quite well. Archon will offer its own night sights, called AFR8, with a single tritium tube in the front and back for about $150.

As much as we like the slide, we have to mention the trigger has to be pulled to remove it from the frame. Its not a deal breaker, as were fine with big boy rules, but the institutional market favors guns that can be disassembled without touching the trigger. On the plus side, pulling the slide off is easy. Retract the slide a hair to take pressure off the locking block pin, pull the spring-retained pin, and slide the slide forward and off.

With the slide removed, you can see those long framerails and the floating locking block. (While it looked symmetrical, we were psyched to discover the locking block cant be installed backward.) The three-stage recoil spring assembly pops out and back in easily and only needs replacing at 10,000-round intervals.

Looking at the slide internals, we see the striker channel safety is a straightforward blocking mechanism that moves out of the way as the trigger bar moves to the rear.

The striker system was refined from the Strike One design to accommodate end user maintenance. The striker channel is something I want to maintain, says Chavez. Nothing takes a SFP down faster than a water/carbon slurry in the striker channel. So I like to get in there during field stripping and clean it out.

As a further reliability enhancement, Archon eliminated the hole in the Strike Ones back plate that served as a cocking indicator in order to prevent water and debris from getting into the striker channel. The striker itself was redesigned to reduce friction, something Archon noticed affected the Strike Ones reliability.

Archon Mags

The last part of the gun well cover in detail is the mag. Its a steel mag made by Mec-Gar, a big OEM manufacturer that also makes mags for CZ, S&W, and others. Its a 15-round, double stack without a floor plate, giving space back in favor of capacity. We also noticed theres a dot matrix pattern on the bottom to easily ID and number mags with a silver Sharpie. Nice touch.

Ergonomics and Feel

As much fun as it is to dork out on this guns features and specs, holy crap is it fun to shoot. All that talk about the low-bore axis, the non-tilting barrel, and the grip topography  it all clicked when we started putting rounds downrange.

Grabbing the gun, the first thing we noticed was the way it felt. You might not be as lucky, but this thing melted into our hands. The huge beaver tail allows a grip so high and affords so much authority that you might as well be fisting the slide.

The grip angle is the same as a Glock, but the gun points more intuitively with the first and second knuckle of the trigger finger mimicking the pistols bore line. Notice the relieved areas above the mag release? Those contribute to the ergos, slimming the grip and allowing people with normal-sized hands to reach the mag release without giving up a firing grip.

Its not all good news, though. We dont know why the textured, gas pedal area of the grip is so far forward. We cant reach it with our thumbs and would like it a lot more if it were extended about an inch rearward. Were also not completely sold on the coarse grip texture and would like to see a factory stippled grip option.

Performance

We shot three kinds of defensive ammo and a bunch of training ammo to get a baseline for accuracy and reliability.

Our tightest groups came from our go-to defensive load, Winchester 9mm 147-grain RA9T. We printed a 0.48-inch group at 7 yards. The 147s felt soft and splits were fast on 1212 steel at 25 yards, too.

We shot 50 rounds each of the Winchester RA9T, SIGs 124-grain V-Crown, and Black Hills 124-grain JHP +P loads. We then ran about 800 rounds of Blazer 115-grain FMJs over a couple of cold February days up in Northern Vermont.

We encountered two stoppages with the JHPs. At first, the slide wouldnt fully seat on one of the SIG rounds, and then we had the same problem with one of the Winchesters. Further, the slide seemed to seize up out of battery with the Winchester. Turns out, we had a preproduction barrel that was cut to the European CIP chamber specification, which is a little tighter than the SAAMI spec.

The copper plating on these two bullets was just a hair thicker than the other rounds, and they stuck in the tighter chambers forcing cone. According to Chavez, this is a known issue that was corrected with a new chamber cut in the production barrels. At press time, were waiting on a new barrel to arrive, so well update the online version of this review after it gets here.

Final Impression

With an $850 price tag, the Type B wont fly off the shelves. There are a lot of great pistols to be had for under $600, but none of them combine the accuracy, shootability, and reliability found in a bone-stock Type B.

If youre the type of person whos going to pick up a $500 Glock and spend a hundred bucks, or two, on trigger, sight, and grip upgrades, then you might want to check out the Type B.

While its pricey, the inclusion of fiber-optic sights, four mags, and a serviceable range bag accounts for $150 in upgrades and narrows the value gap considerably.

The Archon Type B has all of the reliability enhancements we want in a duty gun with all of the performance upgrades we want in a pistol set up for practical shooting competition. Its as if Archon combined a 1911 race gun and an EDC Glock 19 to create the Type B.

Archon Type B Specs

Caliber: 9mm Luger

Barrel Length: 4.3 inches

Twist: 1:10 RH, 6 groove

Overall Length: 7.75 inches

Weight Unloaded: 1.75 ounces

magazine Capacity: 15 rounds

MSRP: $850

To learn more about Archon Firearms, click here.

This article originally appeared in Concealment 9

Corey Graff contributed to this article.
A day after Bharatiya Janata Party leader B S Yeddyurappa stepped down as Karnataka chief minister without facing a floor test in the Assembly, actor Rajinikanth on Sunday said the development in the neighbouring state was a victory for democracy.

"According to the Constitution, majority should be proved in the assembly, the Congress-Janata Dal-Secular is going to do it, and I see this as a victory for democracy," he told reporters in reply to a question on the assembly elections in Karnataka and its outcome.

Dubbing as 'farcical' the time of 15 days given by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala to Yeddyurappa to prove his majority, the Tamil superstar, who is set to enter politics, said that it should not have been done.

"Hats off to the Supreme Court which gave a good ruling," he said, apparently referring to the apex court asking the BJP to take the floor test to prove its majority in the House on Saturday.

After a meeting with the women's wing functionaries of Rajini Makkal Mandram (Rajini people's forum), the actor said the verdict of the Supreme Court on the Cauvery issue should be implemented in letter and spirit.

Asked what he felt the Congress-JD(S) coalition should do on the river water issue as the alliance would assume power shortly, he said, "Whatever the Supreme Court has said must be implemented and it is their (Karnataka's) duty."

"It is my humble opinion that it will be good if the control over the dams (in Karnataka) is with the (proposed) Cauvery authority," he said.

Anticipating 'government intervention' in the authority that has been mooted, he said, "Let us see what happens in due course."

To a query if his frequent meetings with functionaries were as per the plan for the launch of his party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, he said, "It can be said that is the plan... we will be ready."

There was a huge response from women followers and it made him very happy, he said, adding that 'success is sure' for his upcoming political innings since women in large numbers supported him.

The 67-year-old political aspirant said women would be given priority in his party.

To a report which stated that support for him was strong in about 150 constituencies in Tamil Nadu, he said, "If that report is true I am happy."
Nowadays, we see that the responsible supplies and tracing the provenance of rough diamonds are thriving and widely discussed in the industry. Only recently, Human Rights Watch once again criticized jewellery retailers pointing out that not all of them can provide information about the provenance of goods they sell. At the same time, various companies try to establish their own tracing systems. Recently, IBM announced the creation of their TrustChain for the jewellery industry. Even earlier, De Beers started the development of a blockchain platform for similar purposes.

Today, Russia keeps up with the trend and maybe even moving ahead of it in some aspects. On the sidelines of the annual meeting held by Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) in Moscow last week, the representatives of the Russian Federation Ministry of Finance, regulating this market in Russia, and the worlds largest diamond miner, ALROSA, told the audience that they had been engaged in large-scale activities in this field for a long time.

Regulator protects the market

Alexey Moiseev, Deputy Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation, said that in accordance with the resolution of the authorities, a large-scale pilot project would start in this country on June 1, 2018 for marking jewellery. At the first stage, government authorities, jewellery manufacturers, mining and processing companies will establish exchange of information between them. this relates both to the goods made in Russia and imported goods. The information about them will be exchanged between the system participants  the Customs Service, Assay Chamber, Ministry of Finance and the market stakeholders, Alexey Moiseev said.

The pilot system is underpinned by the solutions devised in Russia and it is already being tested. During the next stage starting in 2019, each jewellery piece in a store will bear a special QR-code. Any buyer of a jewellery piece will be able to scan its code with his or her smartphone and get the information where the gold in it was mined and affined, where the stone was extracted and cut, where the jewellery piece was made, and so on, the deputy minister said.

He explained that the main purpose of this work is to protect consumers from low-quality and counterfeit products, the share of which in the market being a concern to the regulator. Unfortunately, there are substandard goods in the market now - for example, a hallmark on a jewellery piece may not correspond to the real one. This explains the complaints we receive from time to time that the diamond in the ring got scratched, the metal has changed its color, turned black or green. To prevent this, we are developing a system that will enable us to fully control the market and allow the customer to be completely protected and have confidence in what he or she buys. The customer will be able to see all the information in this system, and if any part of the information does not correspond to what the seller is telling, it will mean the item is fake. Similarly, the customer can be sure that the stone he or she buys is really natural, not lab-grown, Alexey Moiseev said.

According to him, the Ministry of Finance simultaneously examines the technologies, mainly developed in Russia, that will allow manufacturers to put this information not on the label but on the jewellery piece itself  both on the metal and on the stone. The regulator will switch over to marking jewellery goods later on and step-by-step, as soon as the appropriate services and manufacturers will be ready to do this.

Our ultimate goal is to have a computer-readable marking not only on jewellery pieces but also on their components, that is on their settings and inserts. Currently, we are looking into marking technologies, first of all into those developed in Russia, also paying attention to marking techniques applied to diamonds. That said, the system should function so that these data could be saved and transferred through all the stages even during the processing operations, for example, on a rough diamond or gold bullion. It is a rather complex integrated system, much more sophisticated than everything ever created. Each jewellery item will have an immutable digital trace at each stage. Practically it is a Big Brother, he said.

ALROSA responds to the consumers needs

ALROSA is also working on the development of a tracing system. We are in no way stimulated in this respect by the government, although our efforts to solve the same task coincided, Sergey Ivanov, CEO of ALROSA said. ALROSA has long been working on its own tracing system, as we see the change in the needs of both consumers and retailers. There is a strong demand from jewellery houses  not only in the United States, but also in China, India and the Middle East. Todays consumers are now interested not only in prices and quality of jewellery, but also in its ethical component, the stones story.

According to Sergey Ivanov, ALROSA is now developing a prototype of its own system to trace the stones provenance and route, including the development of a digital platform where a consumer will have access to all this information. It is expected that it will contain all the data  from the date and place of a stones extraction to the date and place of its cutting and polishing, technologically this can be traced even to the name of the cutter if this information is of interest to the consumer.

Taking into account the reputation, the brand of Russian rough diamonds, the compliance with the ethical standards, environmental standards, quality of our cutting and polishing, Russian jewellery traditions, it is very important that the customers should have an opportunity to get an online access to this data base, so that he or she would understand that exactly this jewellery item consists of the rough diamonds mined in such-and-such countries, including Russia, and cut at such-and-such factories, and that there are no toxic elements in the value chain that could influence the customer perception, Sergey Ivanov said.

It is expected that ALROSA will start the development of this system intended for large-size rough diamonds. Technologically, it is not possible to translate this system to the entire range of rough diamonds, he explained. We shall continue to study this issue, and it is possible that it is not necessary at all in the small-size segment. In the large-size segment  on the contrary. Firstly, these are higherend stones with a high added value. Secondly, the clients, who purchase these stones, show greater demand for this information.

At the first stage, ALROSA will include diamonds cut and polished at its own subsidiary, BRILLIANTY ALROSA, into this system. If Smolensk-based diamond manufacturer Kristall will be integrated into ALROSA, this system may also be tested there. Then, ALROSA will study how to involve other market stakeholders into the system.

Our solution is not an attempt to protect ourselves from other systems that are under development by other players in other countries. We communicate with our colleagues and look at other technologies, too. We do not see any problems here because eventually we are solving our common task  strengthening the consumer confidence in our industry. I think that various systems in the market will be mutually supportive, and the customers will choose which platform they would like to use, Sergey Ivanov said.

Responsible practices

While studying the issue, we could not find any examples of similar systems in the industry used in other countries yet, especially those regulated at the governmental level (although, Rough&Polished will look into this issue more thoroughly). At the same time, there are many similar systems in other fields. The currently popular Responsible Consumption has been long urging manufacturers to provide full online information, starting from the place of raw material production. There are such examples in the apparel and food markets.

The jewellery industry has always been one of the most difficult to regulate. In their journey to the store, both gold and polished diamonds go through many stages and many intermediary hands. This complicates the tracing of goods and also gives an opportunity for fraud. All of us know that there are cases of selling synthetic diamonds passed off as natural diamonds, and also cases when a fairly average-quality polished diamond is passed off as an ideal and high-end gemstone.

If the above-mentioned plans will be implemented, this will protect consumers to a great extent - at least, customers in Russia and ALROSAs clients. However, as Alexey Moiseev noted that the world market is now turned global and that is why if tracing is well streamlined in some country, this does not solve the whole problem. That is why this industry requires, first of all, joint efforts and co-operation.

Roman Bizyukov, Rough&Polished






Ali Pastorini is the co-owner of DEL LIMA JEWERLY and President of Mujeres Brillantes, an association which brings together approximately 1000 women working in the gold and diamond trading sector, mainly from Latin America, as well as from Turkey, Spain, Italy and Germany. The mission of Mujeres Brillantes is to help women in the jewelry and watchmaking sectors consolidate their business in order to exchange professional skills and experience. In the immediate past, Ali Pastorini was also Senior Vice President of the World Jewelry Hub in Panama. In this interview with Rough&Polished she tells about major trends and problems in the jewelry business.

What are your plans for the medium term?

The 2018 Annual Meeting will take place in Madrid, during the Jewellery Show - Madrid Joya, which is the main Jewellery Fair in Spain and one of the leading in Europe. The participation of Mujeres Brillantes takes place from September 11th to 14th.

The agenda will be a mix of activities aimed at female entrepreneurship, educational activities together with the Spanish Gemmology Institute (IGE) and exhibition of jewelry and brands through a fashion show with the pieces of some members of the group as well as a booth of the Mujeres Brillantes that will be fixed during the Fair to show the pieces of some brands of the group.

What is your main concern?

Continue to grow each existing chapter. The chapter in Spain is proof that with determination and awareness of the role of women in industry, it is possible to break paradigms and change the scenario.

Before we open a new chapter, we need to strengthen every region. Each country has its time and challenge, so it is up to me as President together with the team of each chapter to diagnose and find the solution so that the members can develop professionally in each region. That is why we are frequently making various regional events, educational or commercial, with a focus on entrepreneurship and alliances with renowned companies in the international market.

To contain the group's anxiety and expectations, as we grow and succeed in our initiatives this also generates a greater requirement for excellent results.

My challenge is to make these women understand that everything has their time and constant study of each market is extremely important to success as a brand. The product that works in Mexico for example, may not work in Canada. This is perhaps the biggest challenge of many jewellers, not just women, understand that you have to adapt to the demand of a particular market or if you want to impose your style, it will take time and patience, knowing where to invest, how to invest and be constantly well informed about the consumers of that region.

In the case of Mujeres Brillantes, they realized that it is an excellent exchange platform and the possibility of putting their brand in a new market in a less costly and efficient way. Some who are already successful with this action are more eager to continue to get good results, which on the one hand is good but on the other hand is dangerous because they analyze some market in a very superficial way. That's why we have several workshops on how to maintain success. After all, achieving success is difficult, staying in it is even harder.

How many members does Mubri currently have?

934 members, where most of them are in Europe and Latin America with some representatives in Asia.

As I said before, my intention is to continue strengthening and developing the existing chapters before opening a new one. We have nine chapters in less than two years of existence.

Our dilemma is quality before quantity. But of course, I am interested in a future in empowering women in Asia.

How do you assess the current situation in the global jewelry market? Are the gold jewelry considered an investment even now, as it was before?

From the point of view of my brand, Del Lima Jewelry, is still an excellent investment because in 2018 we entered in two new markets and we have already obtained good numbers for the company.

I see this occurring with industry colleagues who work with gold jewelry. I think when a brand knows how to use the right tools of communication, advertising and marketing do not suffer as much from the market oscillation because naturally build a relationship and create the desire of the consumer to get a gold jewelry. Gold as well as diamond are great investments and the consumer is seeking to inform himself more and more. Even because it is not everyone who knows how to invest in a Stock Exchange, and the economy of several countries have their ups and downs. Gold as well as diamond are a safer investment from the point of view of the consumer.

What jewelry is in great demand today?

Gold jewelry with emerald has always been a strong trend and demanded by the consumer, but what we have noticed is that there was a considerable increase in purchase this year. However, the consumer wants the emerald with other types of precious stones, escaping from the traditional emerald and diamond.

Another strong trend since the last European summer is the green gold that comes strong and is already requested by consumers.

Do laboratory-grown diamonds pose a threat to natural diamonds?

Personally, for me a diamond should always be the real thing, which is to say a stone that was produced in nature, making it a unique and ageless object that no factory can reproduce. But that is not to say that there is anything illegal or immoral about laboratory grown diamond, as long as the consumer clearly understands what he or she is getting, and what is the difference between the two.

I do not buy into the theory that laboratory grown diamond are cutting into natural diamonds market share. As a separate product, they are creating their own market, and we need to defend and grow the natural diamond market.

I do not see them as a threat and I do not think the industry should see them like this. I see it as a motivation and awareness to educate our consumers.

It is said that luxury products and experiences, such as traveling abroad, expensive cars and artwork etc. are in recent times more interest for the millennial, thus negatively affecting the sales of jewelry? Your thoughts...

In fact, in a recent article published by Robb Report showed from 2015 to 2017 there was a 31% increase of young women buying jewelry.

Jewelry will always be considered an original and exclusive product, the young consumer understands this and will not stop to consuming.

What will change is the way this consumer acquires, whether through new purchasing platforms or through what experience a jewellerys brand provides him/her.

The young consumer needs to identify with the cause of the brand, especially if it is a luxury brand. Selling just the idea of glamour is no longer enough. She/he wants to know what the purpose of the brand's existence is, she/he wants her/his brand to communicate faster with her/him.

What is your opinion on the modern world diamond industry?

I am not satisfied with the current scenario in the big organizations, I think that more young people and women should be present in strategic or decision-making positions.

I see an improvement in some private companies and countries, but still in the global scenario is a very small growth to what it should be. We are not reflecting what society is. Maybe that's one of the main reasons we feel away from our consumers because we do not listen new industrys groups that are growing and gaining relevance each day more.

The greatest quality of the human being is knowing how to change when he is wrong and not insisting on the mistake, I think we should put this into practice for the good of the sector.

Alex Shishlo, Editor of the Rough&Polished European Bureau in Brussels




(IDEX Online)  De Beers said that it has successfully tracked 100 high-value diamonds along the value chain during the pilot of its industry blockchain platform, marking the first time a diamonds journey has been digitally tracked from mine to retail. An immutable and secure digital trail was created for a selection of rough diamonds mined by De Beers as they moved from the mine to cutter and polisher, then through to a jeweler.
(Agencia CMA Latam) - The Brazilian Attorney General Office (AGU) will present its report on the transfer of rights deal five days after being notified to do so, paving the way to resume negotiations between the government and the state-owned oil company Petrobras, according to a source that requested anonymity.

The transfer of rights is a system that has given Petrobras the right to explore and produce up to 5 billion barrels of oil and gas in the Brazilian pre-salt layer in exchange for a company reimbursement to the federal government.

Contract values, however, are under review, as oil prices fell from almost US$ 100 to about US$ 50 a barrel months after the signing of the agreement, recovering to around US$ 70 barrel recently.

Petrobras argues that the government should pay the company to make up for the difference. Analysts say that one way the Brazilian government could solve the dispute would be to pay Petrobras with extra oil from the transfer of rights area.

The government, however, argues that it owes nothing to Petrobras and should receive more payments from the company.

Petrobras and the Brazilian government should have concluded negotiations Thursday, but an agreement was out of reach due to divergences on technical matters and about the currency that would be used to calculate how much is owed to Petrobras, the source said. Negotiations will only resume after the AGU report on those topics.

by Agencia CMA Latam

For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com

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Janata Dal-Secular's (JD-S) legislative party leader H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday said he will take oath as Karnataka Chief Minister on May 23 here in the presence of several national leaders.

"I've deferred taking oath to Wednesday on the advise of the Congress as May 21 is (ex-Prime Minister) Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary. On Thursday, the Speaker will be elected and the date of seeking trust vote will be decided after that," Kumaraswamy told reporters here.



The JD-S leader told the media on Saturday that he has been invited by Governor Vajubhai R. Vala to form the government as the leader of the JD-S legislative party with the support of the Congress.



The invitation came a few hours after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislature party leader B.S. Yeddyurappa on Saturday stepped down as the Chief Minister ahead of his trust vote as his party with 104 seats fell short of 7 seats for a simple majority (111) in the 224-member hung Assembly.

Though Kumaraswamy had said he would take oath on Monday, he put it off to May 23 on the Congress advise as May 21 is the death anniversary of Gandhi, who was killed in 1991 by Sri Lankan Tamil rebels at Sriperumbudur near Chennai.



Kumaraswamy will be flying to Delhi to meet Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday.



"I will discuss with them (Rahul and Sonia) on the cabinet expansion. So far, I'm not sure about the Congress stand. We want to make sure the government is a stable one," Kumaraswamy said.



Apart from the Congress leaders, he has also invited Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to attend the swearing-in ceremony, the JD-S leader said.



The JD-S (36) and Congress (78) alliance has 117 members in the House. With the support of three others, Kumaraswamy has 6 more than the required 111 halfway mark, excluding the Speaker to prove a majority in the House.



This is the second time Kumaraswamy, the son of JD-S supremo and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, will be the Chief Minister of the southern state, 12 years after the JD-S formed a coalition government with the BJP on February 4, 2006 and remained in office for 20 months till October 9, 2007.
Ahead of his visit to the Russian city of Sochi for an informal summit with President Vladimir Putin on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the talks will help further strengthen bilateral ties.



"Greetings to the friendly people of Russia. I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow (Monday) and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him," Modi said in a statement prior to his departure.



"Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia," he stated.



The Prime Minister's visit comes after National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale visited Moscow earlier this month to discuss a way out of the US sanctions on Russian firms.

The sanctions against Russian oligarchs and companies, including Rosoboronexport, the state-owned Russian weapons trading company, has raised concerns in India about a possible impact on India's military buys from Moscow.



An External Affairs Ministry release said Modi's visit to Russia will be an important occasion for him and Putin to exchange views on international matters in a broad and long-term perspective in order to further strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnership.



"Both leaders will discuss their respective national developmental priorities and bilateral matters," the statement said.



It said the informal summit was in keeping with the tradition of regular consultations between India and Russia at the highest level.



Putin is also expected to visit India later this year for the annual bilateral summit.



Russia and Japan are the only two countries with which India holds annual bilateral summits.



Modi's visit to Russia also comes just after Putin won a fourth term in office in March this year after remaining in power for almost two decades. Modi and Putin last met in Russia last year.
Guwahati, May 20 (IANS) BJP national President Amit Shah on Sunday said the northeast will be 'Congress-mukt' (Congress free) after the Mizoram election, scheduled for the year-end.

"In the northeast, we first won elections in Assam, then Manipur followed by Tripura, where the people have given us a thumping mandate," he said here, addressing the third conclave of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led political platform, North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA).



"In Nagaland and Meghalaya, constituents of NEDA are in power with support from the BJP," he said, adding that Mizoram will also become 'Congress mukt' after the polls.

"After Mizoram, which is going to polls end of this year, all the eight Chief Ministers of northeast will be sitting here together."



He said NEDA, which was formed in 2016 after the BJP's landslide victory in Assam, is not merely a political platform but a geo-political one which aims to develop the northeast.



"Earlier, the northeastern states were known for corruption. Now due to the presence of NEDA governments, the states have gone beyond 'briefcase politics' and are achieving new milestones in terms of development."



Slamming the Congress regime in the region, Shah said all the Congress Chief Ministers have bungalows in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and others.



"So where does the money come from? It is taken away from developmental funds meant for the poor. The BJP government has ensured that every paisa sanctioned by the Centre reaches the people."



Representatives of seven northeastern states including Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, MLAs, MPs and other members of the NEDA constituents participated in the conclave.



Prominent among those present were Chief Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal (Assam), Conrad Sangma (Meghalaya), Pema Khandu (Arunachal Pradesh), N. Biren Singh (Manipur), Neiphiu Rio (Nagaland), Biplab Kumar Deb (Tripura) and others. Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling could not attend the meet.



Shah's visit came amid protests by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), a farmers' body, opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016.



The KMSS leaders and supporters, who had appealed to the people to hoist black flags on houses and buildings, public places and vehicles, also protested near the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra where the conclave took place.



Police arrested KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi but released him later.



Shah said that NEDA will soon have a regional office in Guwahati and that efforts are also on to set up its youth and women's wing.



"The youths of the northeastern states are looking at NEDA with hope," he said
Dear Editor,

I think the idea of a New Zealand funded Pacific team has been blown well out of proportion by certain sections of the NZ media.

It was an idea for a feasibility study funded by the last (outgoing) NZ government.

The new government has not made any commitment towards any future funding and have poured cold water on foreign aid going towards such a fanciful project.

If a Pacific team were to get up, it would be a vehicle for Pacific-eligible players to play in top competition close to home.

However, it doesnt necessarily need to be run by the F.R.U., S.R.U., or the T.R.U. In fact, past experience would sway very heavily away from those Unions having any governance or management role at all.

I would argue that the team be run totally with a business focus with an independent board which may have three representatives from the Pacific Unions but not the majority.

Finally, this cultural difference between the 3 Pacific nations is irrelevant.

If there are rivalries, it would be political rivalries with the three different Unions having their own agendas and trying to influence the team towards the individual Unions benefit.

That is why the Unions should not have any majority governance or majority say in the team. The team would have to be run by an independent and professional management board with people with business governance experience.

As for Fiji, culturally, the west is Melanesian but the east is Polynesian.

Petelo Suaniu
The Ministry of Police has taken over the investigation involving suspended Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.) Assistant C.E.O Anoanoai Pepe Lafai and former A.C.E.O. Mata'afa Sepelini Poufa.

They are alleged to have altered information to allow vehicles belonging to them to be registered.

This was confirmed by Police Superintendent and Media Spokesperson, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo.

I can confirm the matter has been referred to Police for an investigation, he said.

However due to the sensitivity of this matter, the Police will not provide any further comments until the investigation is completed.

In April, documents leaked to the Samoa Observer show that the year of manufacture for the vehicles were changed from 2000 to 2005 so they could be registered on the L.T.As Road Transport Administration System (R.T.A.S.).

One of the vehicles involved, according to documents obtained by the Sunday Samoan, is a Toyota Allion.

On the P.S.V. vehicle inspection, the car is a 2003 model. But according to the R.T.A.S, its been amended to 2006. Both documents point to the same V.I.N. number.

Last week, the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Papalii Niko Lee Hang, confirmed that the A.C.E.O's were asked to resign.

Since then, Mataafa Sepelini has tendered his resignation, but not Pepe.

And her case had since been left to the discretion of the L.T.A. Board and the Attorney Generals Office, said Papalii.

The Chief Executive Officer of L.T.A., Galumalemana Ta'atialeoitiiti Tutuvanu-Schwalger, declined to comment.

I am not able to provide any further details at this point in time, she said.

As stated in my email to you about this same matter on the 25th April 2018, I will provide a statement on behalf of the L.T.A. as soon as I am permitted.

Attempts to get a comment from the officials implicated were unsuccessful.
The alleged manipulation of the Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.) system where information was altered falls squarely on the management of the Authority.

So says the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Papalii Niko Lee Hang.

In doing so, he assures that new security features have been installed to ensure their system cannot be manipulated anymore.

His comments were in response to questions pertaining to the resignation of Assistant Chief Executive Officers of L.T.A., Mata'afa Sepelini Poufa.

The other A.C.E.O., Anoanoai Pepe Lafai, the Attorney Generals Office is currently working on her case, said Papalii.

Last month, the Minister confirmed the A.C.E.O. who was investigated was asked to tender their resignation.

As reported earlier, documents leaked to the Samoa Observer show that the year of manufacture for the vehicles were changed from 2000 to 2005 so they could be registered on the L.T.As Road Transport Administration System (R.T.A.S.).

One of the vehicles involved, according to documents obtained by the Sunday Samoan, is a Toyota Allion.

On the P.S.V. vehicle inspection, the car is a 2003 model. But according to the R.T.A.S, its been amended to 2006. Both documents point to the same V.I.N. number.

Papalii told the Samoa Observer this should have never happened.

All government and ministry corporations have security guidelines in terms of protecting their records, but it just the monitoring and controlling securities needs to be strengthened, he said.

People who do not have the clearance to access records have gained access and the question is how they got the access without any authorization?"

Yet we have policies in place which points to the fact that only people with access, should be allowed and after all these are all human control switches that can be altered."

And I blame the management because no other L.T.A. employee can just access the system, other than those who have clearance to access the system and this is what happens and I blame the management and whoever is responsible for the I.T. division."

There should be secure security systems to assure this does not happen anymore."

Anything that is installed or coded into the computers comes out the same, and so when there are changes it is made by those who have access."

All the security measures need to be revisited to assure these things will never happen again because the A.C.E.O's have both denied because they dont have access but interviews of the employees clearly indicates they were instructed to make these changes, said Papalii.

As reported last month, the Samoa Observer questioned whether the matter will be referred to the Ministry of Police for a criminal investigation.

The Minister said no. If the A.C.E.O's resign, that would be the end of it.

Its up to them what they do. They have been asked to resign and I think that is the end of it, said Papalii.

The reality is that the matter needs to be transferred to the Attorney Generals office for a legal opinion.
Story and photo: N.U.S Media and Journalism School





Prof. Fui Asofou Soo has been re-appointed as the Vice Chancellor and President of the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.).

This means Prof. Fui will take the helm at N.U.S. for another three years following the official endorsement by Cabinet.

This will be his fourth term as Vice Chancellor and President.

The Vice Chancellor of the National University of Samoa will take one last run at the post as he claims plans to retire after 2021.

Since starting in 2009, Prof. Fui has implemented various changes to N.U.S. including changing of the University from the school system to a Faculty system.

This was in part of a move to create a more inclusive education plan for N.U.S. by merging it with the then Samoa Polytechnic school system.

Another milestone in the past nine years for Prof. Fui had been the implementation of a unified salary scale for the University.

At the time, Prof Fui said that there had been a flurry of noises from the backdrop regarding the many changes the University had undergone, but eventually later died down.

I know there was a lot of disagreement at the time about where the University was headed, but there was a clear picture in my head about how and where exactly I wanted it to go, he said.

Nine years later, N.U.S. continues to thrive with Prof Fui exemplifying the success of the university staff with academic publications and research, as well as the continued improvement in methods and their performances.

For the next three years in his term, Prof. Fui added that the focus will be exactly on what he had honed within his time while at the helm.

Basically Im focused on consolidating the structure and perfecting the way N.U.S. works. The processes and the quality that goes with the structure, he added.

On a much closer scope, he said that T.V.E.T courses are a must for the University to push.

Most of us think TVET and we think practicality and hands on, but not knowing that there is more to these courses and for N.U.S. to look into, he said.

The question that hangs at the balance is where he will be after this term as the Vice Chancellor.

I think it may well be time for some new blood in this seat. I think it will be time for me to move on from where I am and take up a position on another level, meanwhile some new blood is very much welcomed here at the leadership role at N.U.S, he added.
Royal wedding? Big deal. Thats what I thought anyway as I tried to understand why there was such a big fuss about two people getting married.

It happens everyday when people wed, doesnt it? And some weddings last less than a day, so who cares?

I knew it was a Royal wedding with Prince Harry and all. I also knew there was a touch of Hollywood involved given the brides former role as a movie star.

Still I couldnt wrap my head around the whole shebang, especially given the media attention it was given. Everywhere in the world.

It was amazing to watch the number of people who followed it. You would think that in this day and age people would have moved on from their fairytale fantasies about Princes and Princesses.

Alas they havent. All you have to do is ask the millions, possibly billions or people who followed the live telecast of when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married at St Georges Chapel.

The ceremony was followed by a carriage procession through Windsor. Every bit of it was scrutinized closely by so many people  including Samoa thanks to live coverage provided by TV3 and the internet of course. It was fascinating to see.

And thats when it dawned on me. We live in a day and age where hate and so many bad things are happening around us. Everyday we see death, needless blood shedding, toil, wars and strife dominating the headlines and taking all our attention.

For this one day, it was actually nice to take a break from all that and focus our attention on something a big more positive  like love. True that it was a Royal wedding with all the bells and whistles. But at the end of the day, it was about love, a very public and open declaration of that too.

A Prince he might be but here is Harry, a mortal man who on this day dedicated his love to one woman in Ms. Markle. That intimacy and union remains one of the most magical exchanges in the world today.

Regardless of who gets married, the promise of love brings hope. It inspires and reinvigorates especially at a time where there is so much hopelessness.

This is why weddings are such beautiful occasion wherever and whenever they take place. Corny they might be at times especially if you have been to one too many but its better than hate, anguish and separation. That much we know.

Looking at what is happening in Samoa and the world today, we ask ourselves how do we begin to address the scourge of violence and hate? How do we begin to address some of our problems?

One of the best ways is to love. Yes we know its hard to accept this, especially if you have been a victim of any form of violence. The simple truth is violence cannot be the answer to violence. Hate and anger will also not help us get anywhere.

You see to neutreulise the power of anything; we are called to use the strength of something that is its complete opposite. And we know violence is driven by anger, rage, bitterness harboured over time that can no longer be contained and hate. But love, compassion, care and being kind can go a long way towards solving our problems.

As a Christian country, one of the most basic principles of Jesus Christs teachings is to love one another  including our enemies believe it or not.

The Bibles love chapter says that: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, the scriptures spell out.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Perhaps this is what we should be talking more about today.

Rather than continuing to magnify the problem, maybe its time we magnify the solution. Love we know is one of the most profound and powerful forces in the world today. And it can turn things around.

Even if it takes a Royal Wedding to remind us.

Have a wonderful week Samoa.

Give love and you will receive love, God bless!
CITY COUNCILS

CARLSBAD

The Carlsbad City Council will meet in special session at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Faraday Administration Building, 1635 Faraday Ave., to consider the citys options with regard to the states so-called Sanctuary State Law, also called SB54.

The council will also meet in special closed session to discuss labor negotiations and personnel evaluations at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers at 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive. In regular session at 6 p.m., the council will discuss a resolution approving $452,000 for the fiscal year 2018-19 budget for its Homeless Response Plan, and an agreement with Interfaith Community Services to provide licensed professional social worker services for the homeless.

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DEL MAR

The Del Mar City Council will meet at 4:30 p.m. Monday in council chambers, 2010 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Suite 100, to discuss permits for a shade structure at the tot lot and pathway lighting bollards at Powerhouse Park; and fees for electric vehicle charging at the new Civic Center. A hearing on the Del Mar Coastal Resiliency/Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan and Local Coastal Program Amendment will be held at 6 p.m. or later.

ENCINITAS

The Encinitas City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday in council chambers, 505 S. Vulcan Ave.

ESCONDIDO

The Escondido City Council is scheduled to meet in closed session to discuss property negotiations at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in council chambers, 201 N. Broadway. In regular session at 4:30 p.m., the council will hold public hearings on requests for rent increases at Casa de Amigos Mobilehome Park and for city-owned spaces at Mountain Shadows Mobile Home Park; and to receive input from property owners in Zones 1-38 of the citys Landscape Maintenance Assessment District on proposed assessments for fiscal year 2018/2019. The council will also consider zoning code amendments to limit the number of car washes and self-storage facilities.

OCEANSIDE

The Oceanside City Council is scheduled to meet in closed session to discuss labor negotiations at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Council Chambers, 300 N. Coast Highway. In regular session at 5 p.m., the council will consider an ordinance dropping insurance requirements for taxicabs from $1 million to $350,000. Hearings will be held on the proposed assessment for the Oceanside Lighting District, and also for the citys Landscape Maintenance Districts; and on the regulatory fees for the citys commercial medical cannabis facilities. The council will also consider revisions to its accessory dwelling unit regulations.

SAN MARCOS

The San Marcos City Council will meet in special closed session for property negotiations and personnel review at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 1 Civic Center Drive. In regular session at 6 p.m., the council will review applications and make appointments to the Budget Review Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission, Traffic Commission and Youth Commission; and will review its positions on pending state legislation.

SOLANA BEACH

The Solana Beach City Council will meet in closed session to discuss litigation, labor negotiations, and property negotiations at 5 p.m. Wednesday in City Council Chambers, 635 S. Highway 101. In regular session at 6 p.m., the council will hold public hearings on approving the TransNet Local Street Improvement Program projects for fiscal years 2019 through 2023, and on permits to replace less than 50 percent of the private beach access stairway below 325 S. Sierra Ave. The council will also discuss possible amendments to the Highway 101 Corridor Specific Plan.

Grants available

The city of Solana Beach has $25,000 to award as grants to community organizations. Organizations may submit two applications. Grant requests are limited to non-governmental, nonprofit organizations serving the community. Application deadline is 5 p.m. May 31. For applications, visit ci.solana-beach.ca.us or call Assistant City Manager Dan King at (858) 720-2477.

VISTA

The Vista City Council is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in City Council Chambers, 200 Civic Center Drive, when it will hold a hearing on a zone change affecting 19 parcels for the Thibodo Road general plan, and a proposed zone change for the Pacifica Storage Project at the southwest corner of Hacienda Drive and La Tortuga Drive.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

DEL MAR

The Del Mar Union School District board is scheduled to meet in closed session at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Del Mar Hills Academy, Performing Arts Center, 14085 Mango Drive, and in regular session at 5:45 p.m.

FALLBROOK

The Fallbrook Union Elementary School District board is scheduled to meet at 5:15 p.m. Monday in Room 106 of the district office, 321 N. Iowa St.

OCEANSIDE

The Oceanside Unified School District board will meet in closed session to discuss personnel at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Chavez Middle School, 202 Oleander Drive. In regular session at 6 p.m., the board will discuss raises for confidential and certificated-classified mamagement employees.

SOLANA BEACH

The Solana Beach School District board is scheduled to meet in special closed session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Solana Pacific School, 3901 Townsgate Drive, San Diego. The board is also scheduled to meet in special closed session to interview potential superintendent candidates at 8:15 a.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. Saturday, as well as June 1 and 2, at 12750 High Bluff Drive, #450, San Diego.

laura.groch@sduniontribune.com
Rangers employed by the Carlsbad Police Department to patrol the citys parks, beaches and open-space preserves earned such high marks in their first nine months that the pilot program became permanent Tuesday.

Trespassing, vandalism, off-leash dogs and illegal campsites are addressed by the two full-time, unarmed, uniformed rangers, who carry handcuffs, a Taser and pepper spray. They patrol individually, working four 10-hour days a week, and are authorized to issue citations for minor violations.

Job well done, Mayor Matt Hall said before the City Council voted unanimously to make the pilot program permanent. Its been a real plus all along our open-space areas.

Carlsbad is one of the few cities in San Diego County to hire full-time park rangers, though several city parks have live-in caretakers. Some cities, such as Escondido, employ full- or part-time rangers in their parks and recreation department.

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El Cajons police department created two park ranger positions earlier this year, partly because of recent complaints about animal control and homeless issues. Del Mar, the countys smallest city, has one park ranger to back up lifeguards and sheriffs deputies patrolling the citys beaches. Most of the full-time park rangers in San Diego County are county or state employees.

Carlsbad has 27 parks, nearly 50 miles of trails, and 13 nature preserves, the largest of which is the Lake Calavera preserve in the citys northeastern quadrant. The Lake Calavera trails are popular with hikers and mountain bikers. The summit of a volcanic plug, once a column of molten lava, is a frequent destination at the elevation of 513 feet.

At Batiquitos Lagoon, in Carlsbads southwestern quadrant near Encinitas, one of the most frequent problems has been people letting their dogs run without a leash on the preserves two-mile trail, said Deb Mossa, vice president of the lagoon foundations board.

Since the inception of the ranger program, that has diminished considerably, Mossa told the City Council. That has just been wonderful for Batiquitos.

It really has made a difference, said Fred Sandquist, president of the lagoon foundation.

Mossa and Sandquist both praised the rangers for their friendly and professional way of dealing with the public.

City Council members said they have heard nothing but positive comments from residents about the program.

This program was based on a philosophy of education first, police Capt. Mickey Williams told the council.

In all cases, the rangers talk to people first and try to gain their cooperation before issuing citations or taking another action, he said.

Statistics presented Tuesday back up that approach.

The two rangers made a total of 4,684 educational contacts and issued 1,310 verbal warnings, 109 written warnings, and 10 citations during their first nine months.

Most of their time was spent in the nature preserves, where the rangers made about 90 percent of their educational contacts. They made 477 of the contacts and issued four of the citations at parks, beaches and lagoons.

The ranger program is expected to cost the city a little under $300,000 in the fiscal year ahead.

Nearly half of the cost of the pilot program, or about $98,000, was provided by the San Diego Association of Governments, the regions planning agency. That money is unavailable for the permanent program.

The vehicle used for the program, a Toyota Tacoma truck, was purchased and outfitted using $50,875 in asset forfeiture funds, which are the proceeds from property seized in drug enforcement efforts.

philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @phildiehl
CITY COUNCILS

CARLSBAD

The Carlsbad City Council met Tuesday and gave final approval to angle parking on Beech Avenue. The council also heard an update on the Police Ranger Program and agreed to continue it. The board also discussed and approved its fiscal year 2018-19 goals work plan.

ESCONDIDO

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The Escondido City Council met in closed session Wednesday to discuss property negotiations. In regular session, the council approved rent-increase requests at the Westwinds Mobilehome Park and at Escondido Views Mobilehome Park. The council held a public hearing and approved its one-year action plan for funds for affordable housing activities, community block development grants, and Emergency Solutions Grant money for the homeless.

POWAY

The Poway City Council met Tuesday for a public hearing on the TransNet Local Street Improvement Program projects for fiscal years 2018-19 through 2022-23, which were approved. The official results were reported on ballots to create two landscape maintenance districts; both were defeated. Staff will return in August with alternatives. The council discussed and approved a contract with Jeff Katz Architecture for design services for the Mickey Cafagna Community Center. A closed session followed to discuss litigation and property negotiation.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

BONSALL

The Bonsall Unified School District board met May 10 and learned that the high school had received a six-year accreditation status  the highest  from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Commissioners. The board also approved issuing a notice to proceed to Baker Nowicki Design Studio for the high schools design development phase. The board received its third interim budget review and agreed to make budget cuts of roughly $200,000 in the 2018-19 fiscal year to meet and exceed the required 3 percent reserve. The board also agreed to raise the daycare program fees from $175 per month to $200 per month.

CARLSBAD

The Carlsbad Unified School District board met in closed session Wednesday to discuss student discipline. In regular session at 6 p.m., the board reviewed and approved its three-year educational technology plan.

DEL MAR

The Del Mar Union School District board met Thursday with more than 50 teachers, support staff, community members and industry experts for a workshop on district design.

ENCINITAS

The Encinitas Union School District board met in special session Tuesday to hear 10 groups of fifth- and sixth-grade Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan interns from the nine district schools present their recommendations for reducing the flow of pollutants into the ocean from each schools drain system.

ESCONDIDO

The Escondido Union High School District board met in closed session Tuesday to discuss student discipline and litigation. Mia Funk, formerly of the San Diego Unified School District, was announced as the new director of College and Career Readiness. In regular session, the board adopted recommended changes in board policies and administrative regulations, and changes to school curriculums. The board also reviewed the initial contract proposal from the Escondido Secondary Teachers Association for 2018-2019.

OCEANSIDE

The Oceanside Unified School District held a special meeting Wednesday to hear a report on the Leadership Profile Assessment conducted by Hazard, Young, Attea, and Associates for the new superintendent of Oceanside Unified School District. Among the highest-rated desired characteristics were that the new superintendent foster a positive, professional climate of mutual trust and respect; effectively plan and manage the districts long-term financial health; and provide transparent communication.

SAN MARCOS

The San Marcos Unified School District board met in closed session Tuesday to discuss student discipline and labor negotiations. In regular session, the board held a reception for retiring employees. The board discussed and approved forming Community Facilities District No. 11, levying a special tax within the district, and selling $4 million in bonds. The board also held a public hearing on its School Facilities Needs Analysis, and agreed to adopt alternative school facility fees on residential and commercial construction.

VALLECITOS/RAINBOW

The Vallecitos School District board met May 10 and received submission of the 2018 Taylion San Diego Academy Charter School petition. The initial proposal of the Vallecitos School District to the Vallecitos Educators Association was approved. The board decided to appoint a provisional member to fill an empty seat and approved the application form, which is available at the school office, 5211 Fifth St., Rainbow, and must be submitted by 3 p.m. Friday. Call (760) 728-7092.

laura.groch@sduniontribune.com
Herb Montgomery and his wife, Janet, have lived in Del Mars low-lying Beach Colony just east of Camino Del Mar for 20 years.

He knows the ocean is creeping closer to his property and he says the city has an obligation to protect his home, valued at $3.2 million, from the rising waters.

But considering a strategy that allows for the eventual removal of threatened structures, even as a last resort, would be tantamount to financial ruin for him and other property owners in the small, wealthy coastal city.

It wont work for Del Mar, Montgomery said.

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The mere mention of the strategy known as planned retreat in the citys planning documents will put a cloud of doubt over the future and cause property values to plummet, he said last week. Beachfont homes in Del Mar typically list for more than $5 million, and a new blufftop mansion on Stratford Court sold for $21.5 million last year.

Current owners would be reluctant to invest in improving and maintaining their homes, Mongomery said, and banks would be unlikely to loan money to buy or improve homes that the city has acknowledged could be removed or destroyed.

Many of the citys residents have fought long and hard against including planned retreat as part of their strategy. They say seawalls, sand retention and beach replenishment are better ways to preserve their coastal homes, and that their property values would plummet if they acknowledge that someday their property could be inundated by the sea.

However, the California Coastal Commission requires all coastal cities to have a sea-rise adaptation plan, and to include planned retreat as part of their strategy.

Failure to comply could result in the Coastal Commission refusing to certify the citys plan, thus robbing Del Mar of the authority to approve permits for developments such as seawalls, homes, businesses, roads and other structures. Instead, that authority would fall to the Coastal Commission.

With those possibilities in mind, Del Mar will take another look Monday at the possible inclusion of planned retreat as part of its plan for adapting to rising sea levels.

Planned retreat, also called managed retreat, is a strategy of gradually removing manmade structures such as seawalls, homes, roads and public buildings in advance of the rising sea. Del Mar has about 600 homes within a few feet of sea level, mostly in the North Beach and Beach Colony areas near the San Dieguito River, that could be affected by the strategy.

Climate change has been widely acknowledged by scientists, but predicting the amount of sea-level rise, like the weather, is difficult.

We may see five feet of sea-level rise earlier than previously thought, states a letter dated April 16 to Del Mar Mayor Dwight Worden from Coastal Commission program manager Garbriel Buhr.

The California Ocean Protection Council adopted statewide guidance in March that recommends planning for a 7.1-foot sea-level rise by 2100 for the Del Mar area, the letter states. Seas could rise as much as 10 feet by 2100 if the polar ice sheets melt significantly. And by most accounts, the water will continue to rise for centuries.

Typically, the retreat strategy is used with other planning techniques such as identifying high-risk areas, regulating types of structures, and instituting buy-back programs or financial aid for relocation.

Del Mar residents say no form of planned retreat is practical for them because of the large number of homes involved, the high property values, and the lack of space at higher elevations to move to in the small city.

Montgomery said cities around the world have found ways to hold back the sea.

Look at Holland, he said. They have been below sea level almost forever, and they are dealing with it.

Montgomery said if the state forces the city to include a retreat policy, They better come along with a big heavy bucket of money. People should be remunerated for the investments they made.

Not everyone in Del Mar opposes including managed retreat as part of a multi-faceted adaptation policy.

Global warming is real, and sea-level rise is a fact, said resident Ann Feeney, chair of the citys Sustainability Advisory Board and a professor at The Scripps Research Institute, in a letter to the City Council.

Sand replenishment is great, but will become increasingly difficult, expensive and less productive as the sea level rises, she said. I hope that the council will include managed retreat as a consideration in the adaptation plan, after other strategies become unfeasible.

Del Mar began working on its Coastal Resiliency/Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan in 2015 with the first of two Coastal Commission grants.

The city formed a Sea Level Rise Technical Advisory Committee that met more than 20 times before concluding in January that it was too early to consider planned retreat as an option. The citys Planning Commission agreed in January, and recommended not to include managed retreat as an option for private property.

The City Council took on the topic in April, but postponed a final decision until Monday to fine-tune the language.

The latest version of the citys strategy, modified after the April meeting, states that as part of future plan review and plan amendment, relocation will only be considered if necessary and feasible.

Retreat will only be considered as a last resort, it states.

Given the uncertainties of climate science and the efficacy of adaptation strategies, planned retreat will remain one strategy to be re-evaluated and considered if necessary as part of future planning and plan amendment if the citys favored strategies prove unable to meet the indentified goals, the updated policy states.

Once approved by the City Council, the adaptation plan go to the Coastal Commission to be included in the citys local coastal program, or LCP.

philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @phildiehl
Both paid and volunteer signature-gatherers are trying to beat a looming deadline to qualify an anti-development initiative for the November election.

Backers of the Safeguard Our San Diego Countryside initiative say they realistically must submit more than 100,000 signatures to the Registrar of Voters by the first week of June if the measure is to qualify. And even if that happens, they say, they may still face a battle later this summer.

The measure would force countywide votes before large housing projects in rural parts of the county are allowed.

Proponents of the initiative stopped paying signature-gatherers for a couple months earlier this year due to financial problems caused in part by a glut of statewide initiatives that gatherers were collecting.

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Now that most other initiatives have already qualified, the paid gatherers have lowered their price per signature and once again are asking registered voters to sign Save Our Backcountry petitions.

Several paid gatherers this week said they are getting $3.10 per signature.

For financial reasons, we were forced to just stop the paid signature gathering and focus on volunteers, said Diane Coombs, president of the group backing the ballot measure.

Subsequently, theyve dropped the prices by about half. Were back on the street big-time now because we got several large infusions of cash that will get us through the end of the month.

Coombs on Friday said she is confident enough valid signatures will be gathered. Last month, several people familiar with how the signature drive was going expressed some doubt it would succeed.

Because it is a countywide initiative, exactly 67,837 valid signatures of registered voters are needed, Registrar of Voters Michael Vu said. The intent of proponents has been to gather about 110,000 signatures as some are always deemed invalid  because people have signed more than once, have failed to fill out all the necessary information, or have changed addresses without notifying the Registrar.

Things have increased dramatically in the last three or four weeks, said Bob Glaser, owner of the political consulting firm The La Jolla Group, which is working with the Safeguard San Diego proponents. Weve had a surge in signatures.

Glaser wouldnt say how many signatures have been gathered so far, but said he is confident there will be enough to qualify the measure. He said about half of the signatures have been obtained by volunteers.

The exact date is more problematic, he said. Although technically the proponents have until July 23 to turn in signatures, in reality, Glaser said, they need to be submitted within the next three weeks.

Thats because the Registrar of Voters has up to 30 business days to validate the signatures. After that, a hearing must be scheduled before the Board of Supervisors, who have only two options: they can accept the initiative as law or pass a resolution agreeing to put it on the November ballot.

Considering a majority of the supervisors have already said they oppose the initiative, the first option seems highly unlikely.

Complicating things further, the supervisors have the right to ask their staff to prepare a report about the initiative before they make a decision, which could further delay things.

Vu said everything needs to be completed by Aug. 10 for the measure to appear on the November ballot.

Coombs said she is worried the supervisors might drag their feet.

It could get nasty, she said.

The measure deals only with the unincorporated parts of the county. It would require a public vote on general plan amendments that seek to drastically increase the number of housing units that could be built on property as it is currently zoned.

If approved, minor changes undertaken by small property owners would be unaffected, as would commercial and industrial development and future density increases in towns and villages. Projects meeting state standard for affordable housing would also be unaffected.

The initiative, if it qualifies for the ballot and if it is approved by voters, would take effect next year. However, this year the county plans on making decisions on seven major projects seeking general plan amendments, including highly controversial ones like Newland Sierra (2,135 homes on land five miles north of downtown Escondido just west of Interstate 15); Warner Ranch (780 homes in Pala) and probably Lilac Hills Ranch (1,746 homes in Valley Center just east of I-15 near W. Lilac Road).

None of those decisions would be subject to a public vote under the terms of the ballot initiative because the measure would not be retroactive.

Coombs, however, says the decision by the county to vote on all the pending projects this year by bundling some of them together has motivated supporters of the measure. State law limits the number of general plan amendments to four a year; the county has already approved one. It is proposing to use a provision in the law that allows several applications to be considered as one.

I think whats happened at the board of supervisors with the bundling has energized a lot of people, Coombs said. I think a lot of people are just plain mad. Sometimes anger can be a good motivator.

The majority of the supervisors have already gone on record opposing the initiative, saying the current process works well and that the decisions should be left with the people who have been elected to represent the county, aided by their professional planning staff.

Proponents say the measure is needed because the building industry and developers hold too much sway with supervisors via campaign contributions and lobbyists.

Shortly after the plans to get the initiative on the ballot were announced, Borre Winckel, president of the San Diego Building Industry Association, said the initiative would restrict housing growth at a time when it is most needed.

Housing is already crushed by regulations, he said. A successful campaign like this would mean even further constraints on housing and poor folks having to travel even further away by commuting from their house to their job.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones
Susan Millers introduction to caregiving came when her husband was diagnosed at 55 with early-onset Alzheimers.

Shed noticed something was wrong and took him to doctor after doctor before he was properly diagnosed, and then had to learn how to change roles throughout the different stages. She went from companion to caregiver to custodial care, and at the time, all she really knew about how to take care of someone in this capacity was what she knew from her experience as a mother and that does not really translate, she says.

So she researched, read every book she could find, spoke with experts, and obtained multiple opinions on illnesses like Alzheimers and how to care for people who were diagnosed with it. Eventually, she began receiving invitations to speak and discuss her experience, and audiences began asking for her book  a book that didnt exist.

More caregiving resources: CaregiverSD  A trusted source of information, resources and support for family caregivers 

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When she first started writing My Life Rearranged, she was doing it for herself, but later realized that she also wanted to support other caregivers.

Today, Miller is 74 and a widow. A retired corporate trainer and counselor, she lives in Cardiff and has two adult children and three grandchildren. She took some time from writing and speaking engagements to talk about her caregiving experiences and her work advocating for and supporting others who do the same.

Q: How did your approach for caregiving evolve over time?

A: Once I accepted the reality of our situation and understood it, I updated wills, talked with my husband about his wishes going forward, and then I focused on my new role and enjoying the beginning stage where time is still good. With each stage, I made the necessary adjustments as he moved along.

Q: What did you come to learn about caregiving that you didnt expect when you first started?

A: It takes courage, showing up each day and even those days when you dont want to. The experience pulls aspects of yourself from you that you never knew you had, and enlarges your capacity to love and to be human.

Q: What were you surprised to learn about what it took to do the job well?

A: That asking for help and taking care of yourself, as well as the one being cared for, are critical. And its something that caregivers are not very good at. I learned the hard way and years into caregiving, I was diagnosed with early endometrial cancer after having missed many physicals. Luckily, it was caught early and I am fine, but caregivers cannot care for a loved one if they are ill and exhausted. The sheer amount of work and responsibilities that caregivers face should make it mandatory for them to seek help when ill and to get yearly physicals. It is imperative to ask for help and to call an organization associated with whatever illness theyre caring for, and find a support group where they can meet with people in a safe environment who share the same experiences. It is a long journey and fellow travelers make the best companions. I was surprised and pleased to see how caregivers rise to the occasion and do more than they ever thought possible. The human spirit is amazing.

What I love about Cardiff-by-the-Sea ...

Life doesnt get much better, and theres no snow.

Q: If you could go back and do it over again, what (if anything) would you do differently in terms of your caregiving experience?

A: I would try to worry less and trust more in the process, and I would have joined a support group right away.

Q: Tell us about your book, My Life Rearranged.

A: The book was never meant to be a book as it was just something for me to handle the stress. Our neurologist asked me to speak at an event he was speaking at, and later The Alzheimers Association asked me to speak at a symposium. Both times, members of the audience asked me for my non-existent book and thats how it happened. Originally, I was just covering the beginning and middle stages of caring for someone through the disease. Once my husband died, I took time off and promised myself I would return to writing. Years passed and it was at the urging of family and friends that I returned to the book to finish it. It took a few more years since writing and revisiting it was a combination of sadness and celebration. It was a labor of love and one that, overall, I enjoyed immensely. My Life Rearranged is not only for caregivers, it is for family and friends who will better understand what caregivers are dealing with and what their lives are like.

Q: Why was writing this book something you wanted to do?

A: The book just flowed out of me and it felt like it was something I was supposed to be doing. In the beginning, it was just for me, but I later came to understand the impact it could have on caregivers. It is my way of giving back and giving thanks that I could see the journey through to the end, and find tomorrow.

Q: What do you hope people get from your book?

A: Comfort, reassurance, finding their own unique path, and a friend to accompany them along their journey.

Q: What has your work taught you about yourself?

A: That I still have a purpose in life.

Q: What is the best advice youve ever received?

A: My father always believed in having persistence and that is what is needed to be a caregiver and to market my book.

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?

A: That it took me 27 years from the time I first visited San Diego and fell in love, to make it my forever home.

Q: Describe your ideal San Diego weekend.

A: Enjoying the beach, maybe a hike, a good book and dinner out at one of Cardiffs great restaurants that I can walk to.

Email: lisa.deaderick@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @lisadeaderick
A different kind of cause-and-effect relationship between San Diegos hepatitis crisis and its homeless residents has emerged in recent days.

There was a noticeable improvement in the number of homeless people on the streets as a direct result of the outbreak. This isnt some morbid joke regarding the 20 poor souls, most of whom were homeless, who died from hepatitis.

Its underscoring that finally  finally  the regions leaders took dramatic action to help homeless folks, but that they did so only after being forced to act by outrage over the deadly crisis.

The hepatitis outbreak lasted more than a year and spread among San Diegos homeless population and beyond, and was exacerbated by the unsanitary conditions in which street people were living.

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The homeless-hepatitis nexus came together again on Thursday when two separate reports were released: a San Diego County grand jury analysis on how the outbreak was handled and the annual point-in-time homeless count.

RELATED: What the homeless numbers say  and what they dont

There was evidence as the outbreak grew that it was being managed poorly. The grand jurys investigation confirmed that in highly critical detail, citing the lack of coordination, delays and miscommunication within the county and city administrations and, most importantly, between them.

Meanwhile, the count revealed a modest 6 percent drop in the overall homeless population, with a decrease in people without shelter and an increase in those who have it. The results of the count are released with the annual caveat that its a snapshot and may not include all homeless residents out there.

Still, officials had a measured sense of optimism that recent actions may have had an impact. A short-term homeless camp was established, three large temporary tent shelters were erected, and services were increased and better coordinated.

Any sense of accomplishment was tempered by the reality that action only came amid a crisis, the potential of which officials had been warned about for years.

The hepatitis A outbreak was tragic and demanded a swift response from all levels of local government, said Jonathan Herrera, the citys senior adviser on homelessness. But even after the emergency was over it was clear that this unprecedented sense of urgency on homelessness must be retained for the long haul to ensure it never happened again.

Herrera, who was named to the position as the crisis grew last summer, was instrumental in moving the new approaches forward.

The incremental improvement in the homeless-count numbers  which stood at 4,990 unsheltered and 3,586 in shelters  will only mean something if the declining trend continues in the succeding years. That would suggest the recent and near-future actions have had effect. The annual numbers have fluctuated up and down in the past.

Further, theres a question about whether the oft-cited annual figures give the best picture of whats going on. Over the past five years, the number has hovered just below, or slightly above, 9,000 people. Yet in 2016, an analysis of data from agencies throughout the county showed about 17,500 homeless people came in looking for help over a 12-month period. That study was conducted by the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless and San Diego State Universitys Institute for Public Health.

If the hepatitis outbreak gave sobering context for the improved homeless-count numbers, the grand jury report was a cold slap in the face. To mix metaphors, the analysis made clear the county and city effort to coordinate a response to the crisis was a hot mess. That came through the just-the-facts prose of the grand jury.

 Annual count of the homeless is snapshot, not a blueprint, officials say

City officials said they depended on the Countys greater experience and authority in dealing with public health crises, but found the County slow to respond, the report said.

County officials in turn said that, although the City responded quickly, their responses were more likely to create impediments than immediate corrective action.

This led to a number of conflicts and delays in responding to the crisis.

The county, which is responsible for public health, had the authority to order the city to install hand-washing stations and power-wash streets and public areas but waited months to do so. The stations and street washing eventually happened, along with the installation of portable toilets, but well into the outbreak. The county pushed for hand-washing stations earlier, but the effort became bogged down in permitting and location issues, among other things.

The grand jury also said a basic question in times of crisis was tough to answer: Whos in charge? The county had five people in postition to take the lead. The grand jury recommended that one person be designated to do so in the future.

In a high-stress situation such as a local epidemic. . . ambiguity is an enemy... the report said.

There also was concern about whether the left hand knew what the right hand was doing. Recommendation: That the County more clearly establish lines of authority to prevent misunderstandings regarding departmental responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the city was urged to adopt health and safety code protocols to reinforce the authority of the county health officer, designate a medical expert to report directly to the mayor and provide more restrooms.

The lack of public restrooms has long been a concern, not just of homeless advocates, but the present and past grand juries. The recent report pointed out that the failure to provide access to public toilets for the homeless was noted by grand juries in 2005, 2010 and 2015, in some cases foreshadowing dire consequences.

. . . but their recommendations were not adopted by the City, the report said.

Along with the criticism and recommendations, the grand jury lauded the countys Department of Health Services, along with the nurses, law enforcement personnel, paramedics and homeless service providers for creating foot teams that went out to find at-risk homeless people to vaccinate.

This procedure will undoubtedly be considered as a best practice for other agencies if they face a similar public health threat, the grand jury said.

But the biggest take-away in the report may have been that the county did not declare an emergency soon enough.

Health officials formally identified the outbreak in March 2017, though a small number of cases stretched back to November 2016. The county declared the emergency on Sept. 1, after 15 people had died and hundreds were hospitalized.

There was concern that such a move early on could have caused undue public anxiety and triggered a rush of people who werent considered at risk to get inoculated, possibly depleting the vaccine supply.

That pretty much happened later anyway, though a shortage never materialized.

Maybe a little panic early on is just what we needed.

Tweet of the Week

Goes to Jeff McDonald (@SDUTmcdonald), tallying the grand jurys recommendations for improvement.

Boxscore: @SanDiegoCounty: 4, @CityofSanDiego: 3
The wife of a former San Diego County Office of Education superintendent, who left office after being accused of misusing public funds, is running for the countys District 5 board of education seat.

Cheryl James-Ward, a former NASA Jet Propulsion Lab engineer who teaches at San Diego State University, is facing incumbent Rick Shea for the seat, which represents schools in the northwestern coastal and inland area of San Diego County.

James-Wards husband, Randy Ward, worked as the county schools chief from 2006 to November 2016. He was placed on paid leave in July 2016, one week after being named in a lawsuit filed in San Diego Superior Court.

The suit, brought by the California Taxpayers Action Network, accuses Ward and the former assistant superintendent of business services, Lora Duzyk, of awarding themselves illegal pay raises, self-dealing, conflicts of interests and misuse of public funds, among other things.

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At the time, Wards annual pay was $331,000, making him one of the top-paid educators in the state.

Randy Ward, former San Diego County Superintendent of Schools, during a Q&A session with Union-Tribune editors. (John R. McCutchen )

James-Ward called the suit frivolous and said such attacks are common when working in a public-facing position.

He had to be fiscally sound, putting kids first, and sometimes that makes people mad, James-Ward said. You get personal attacks. You get character assassinations.

Shea, her opponent in the race, was appointed in 2015 to fill a vacant seat on the board and kept the position by winning the November 2016. He said the lawsuit might prevent James-Ward from performing some duties of the job.

I dont know her and so I certainly cant judge one person by the person theyre married to, Shea said. But if there is a conflict of interest, or even an appearance of one, she wouldnt be able to participate and fulfill all of the duties of a board member.

The lawsuit alleges that Ward gave himself retroactive salary boosts under a me too clause  meaning every time Office of Education teachers negotiated higher salaries, administrators received a pay raise too.

According to the initial complaint, these raises were authorized without board approval and total between $70,000 and $100,000 in extra pay over an eight-year period. Since Ward was involved in contract and salary negotiations with the teachers union, the raises could be considered self-dealing, the complaint said.

The county office paid an outside law firm more than $70,000 to conduct a forensic audit related to Wards tenure.

An Office of Education spokeswoman said the review was never finalized and its draft version  including any details of its findings  will not been released, as they relate to a personnel matter.

Ward reached a separation agreement with the county office in September 2016. At the time, the board of education issued a statement thanking him for his 10 years of service and asserting that the settlement, which included a $35,000 payment for transition expenses, was no indication that the allegations in the lawsuit had merit.

According to Shea, the audit stopped when Ward resigned and the results of any work completed are now tied into the lawsuit against the former superintendent.

The San Diego County Office of Education is not a defendant in the case, but under state law, its required to provide Ward with a legal defense, Shea said.

James-Ward said the countys decision to not release the audit proves her husbands innocence.

If they had found something, you know they would have released it. They would have gladly released it, James-Ward said. They looked under every rock, every cranny, every nook and they found nothing.

The County Office of Education, which employs about 1,120 full-time equivalent staff, provides curriculum support and financial oversight for the regions 42 school districts. If elected, James-Ward would serve a four-year term, and receive a monthly stipend of $563 along with medical, dental vision and life insurance while serving.

San Diego attorney Cory Briggs, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the California Taxpayers Action Network, said the case is set for a jury trial on June 8.

James-Ward leads academic innovation for e3 Civic High School, a local charter school with a technological focus. Shea has been backed by teacher unions.

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When officials at Father Joes Villages were considering what new trade to teach their clients, the answer could be found just outside their doors and on just about every other street in downtown San Diego.

Bicycles are everywhere, and the need for people to repair them is growing.

Father Joes Villages has always been focused on employment, because at the end of the day, thats whats going to make a difference in the lives of individuals, said Deacon Jim Vargas, president and CEO of the organization, which provides shelter and housing for homeless people and a variety of programs to help people overcome issues related to their homelessness.

Increasingly, we noticed that nationwide theres a need for bicycle repair, Vargas said. In a place like San Diego, where people love to ride their bikes for health reasons or just for enjoyment, there arent enough people out there who repair bikes.

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Tammy Moye, coordinator of sector based training at Father Joes, said bicycle repair is one of the top 10 expanding fields in the labor market nationwide.

In 2002, Father Joes introduced an 11-week culinary program that has led to formerly homeless people finding jobs in kitchens throughout San Diego.

Last year, the organization introduced its Skills and Training Enhancement Programs, which uses workers at the facility as teachers in certificated classes in maintenance, electronics, custodial work, laundry technology, dishwasher technology, security and other fields.

With the introduction of dockless bicycles in San Diego this year, more people than ever seem to be peddling through downtown and other areas. Moye said shes already reached out to one company, LimeBike, to offer to do repairs on the bicycles.

The program began last month with one student, and a new four-week class kicks off in June.

Dafferine Frost, 48, a formerly homeless San Diego native, said he hopes the class will lead to a job.

I want to get back to riding bikes, he said. When I was younger and working on bikes, I didnt know what I was doing. I messed up more than I fixed. I wish I had done something like it when I was a kid. It would have saved a lot of money.

Frost is enthused, sober and healthy, despite being hospitalized for eight days with hepatitis A earlier this year. An outbreak of the virus killed 20 people and sickened nearly 600 residents, many of them homeless, throughout the region last year.

Hes hoping the bad times are behind him after more than a decade of ups and spiraling downs. Once married and working in a print shop, things started to go wrong in 2000 when his 2-month old died from sudden infant death syndrome.

That contributed to my drinking, he said. I wasnt able to express my emotions at the time, because growing up, thats not what we did. And I didnt want to talk about it.

His marriage broke up, and Frost said he became homeless in El Cajon. He fell in with a bad crowd, continued drinking, committed burglaries and spent four years in prison.

Released in 2011, Frost enrolled in Father Joes culinary program in 2013, but said he was still unfocused and was kicked out after getting in a fight.

Last month, he moved out of Father Joes and into his own place through rapid rehousing, a program that provides short-term rental assistance. Tenants usually are expected to be self-sufficient after about six months.

He might find a job in a bike shop with skills hell learn from Joe Ryan, who does maintenance and teaches vocational classes at Father Joes.

Ryan said he can handle up to 20 students in a class, while Moye said theyre hoping for four in June.

He wants to teach all aspects of bike repair, Ryan said, along with some of his homespun philosophy.

Ill add my own thing about life, he said. What it is to give to others, and how fulfilling it is for me to do that. And maybe once theyre on their feet, they will be able to do the same thing.

Ryan said the program is expanding faster than expected because of an unexpected donation.

Charlie Jabaley, a Grammy-winning music mogul who is on a cross-country mission to inspire and help transform one million peoples lives in 20 U.S. cities, recently stopped by Father Joes and saw the new bike program.

Jabaley has been biking alongside a bus called the Dream Machine on the tour, which kicked off in Santa Monica and ends in New York City in July.

After learning about the bike program, Jabaley went to San Diego companies Bicycle Warehouse, MJs Cyclery, Pedal Pushing Bicycle Shop, WD40, Anywhere Bicycle Repair, ABS Associated Business Services and Any Budget Printing and Mailing to ask for donations.

He returned with hundreds of bicycle tubes, tires, 30 cans of WD40, tools, bicycle seats, chains, helmets, a bicycle and and a professional resume and business cards to help Frost find a job.

Homeless Playlist  On Now San Diego hepatitis outbreak continues to grow: 481 cases On Now Homeless entrenched in booming tent city along Santa Ana River On Now San Diego mayor agreed to homeless hub, then delayed, advocates say On Now Homeless outreach in San Diego On Now Video: Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #8 On Now In poverty himself, 'Water Man Dave,' is the fearless saint of San Diego's homeless 5:41 On Now Video: Homeless living in cars find safe havens 2:21 On Now Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #7 On Now Pitching a tent plan for San Diego's homeless On Now Homeless efforts get $80M boost for various services

gary.warth@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @GaryWarthUT

760-529-4939
Imagine if someone took a look at your bank account on the last Friday in January every year. What would it reveal about your financial health?

It wouldnt include checks youve written that havent been cashed. It wouldnt include money youve earned but not deposited. If youre better off this year than last, is it because your income is going up or did you get a one-time holiday windfall from a relative? Are you really headed in the right direction?

Thats the kind of dilemma that arises in San Diego after the annual homeless count. Service providers, policy makers and the public try to figure out what the numbers say, and what they dont. What they mean.

This years tally, released Thursday, showed a decrease in the number of homeless people in the county, from 9,116 in 2017 to 8,576, a 6 percent drop. The number of homeless living on the street (as opposed to shelters and temporary housing) also went down, from 5,621 in 2017 to 4,990, an 11 percent change.

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Elected officials, who have spent millions of dollars and countless hours tackling what has become one of the nations most vexing problems, especially on the West Coast, were encouraged by those results.

If things had gone up, I would have been depressed, said county Supervisor Ron Roberts, chair of the board of the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, which coordinates the annual count.

But he and others are cautious about drawing too many conclusions. It gives us momentum to move forward, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said. It is not mission accomplished.

Part of their hesitation comes from the well-documentated limitations of whats known officially as the Point-in-Time Count, which everybody involved acknowledges cant possibly find and tally every homeless person, especially in a county that has 627 census tracts and covers 4,261 square miles.

And part of it is the numbers themselves, which are sometimes more puzzling than illuminating. After years of community focus on helping homeless veterans, for example, why did their numbers go up 24 percent in the new tally, including a 45 percent jump in those who are unsheltered?

The biggest head-scratcher is whats going on with veterans, said San Diego City Council member Chris Ward.

Those trying to reduce homelessness on a daily basis said theyve come to see the annual count as more of a public-awareness tool than a full accounting. Almost every media outlet in town reports the tally, and for a short while anyway, the issue is front and center.

Its a one-night, one-time snapshot, said Gordon Walker, chief executive officer of the regional task force. It doesnt provide all the answers.

Why it matters

So why do it?

The count is required by the federal government for regions that want to receive homeless-assistance money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This year, San Diego County got almost $20 million.

Although the regulations call for a biennial count, San Diego does it annually, always on the last Friday in January, and its a huge undertaking. The county has the fourth-largest homeless population in the nation.

On Jan. 26 of this year, from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m., more than 1,300 volunteers fanned out across the county to tally the unsheltered homeless sleeping in tents, on sidewalks, in cars. They were assigned to specific census tracts to avoid duplication. Some walked the streets in teams; others drove.

They counted 4,990 people, including 1,262 in vehicles and 1,253 in tents or hand-built structures. (Counted in this case means using a multiplier of 1.75 for tents and 2.03 for vehicles.)

A report last year by the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty called efforts like this severely flawed because they result in significant undercounts of the homeless. It pointed to a 2001 study that estimated the nationwide population 553,742 last year  is really 2.5 to 10.2 times larger.

Its not just the inherent difficulties of finding people who are sleeping in out-of-the-way places, according to the report. HUD also regularly changes its guidelines for the tabulations, making year-to-year comparisons problematic.

For example, the definition of chronically homeless changed several years ago, and this time there was a shift in how domestic-violence victims and people in recreational vehicles are counted.

Another study, led by a University of New Hampshire statistician, looked at housing costs and concluded last year that the number of people living on the streets in San Diego County could be 50 percent higher than what the Point in Time count shows.

Walker said hes reasonably confident that this years count is solid. The task forces written report notes that the county methodology cannot guarantee 100 percent accuracy. Many factors may contribute to missed counting opportunities.

The street count is just one part of the annual tabulation. To determine how many homeless people were in emergency shelters and temporary housing on Jan. 26, the operators at more than 60 local facilities provided head-counts.

The result: 3,586 homeless people were in shelters. That includes 1,947 in emergency shelters and 1,575 in transitional housing. About 85 percent of the available beds were utilized that night, according to the report, which means about 630 were vacant.

A third part of the annual tally aims at getting a better idea of who the homeless are. More than 300 volunteers surveyed 1,009 unsheltered homeless adults at 33 sites around the county  libraries, church feeding programs, parks  from Jan. 26 to Jan. 31. They asked dozens of questions about the cause and duration of homelessness, employment history, health conditions, and the types of assistance they most frequently access.

That demographic information sometimes plays a key role in shaping programs.

The so what question

When policy makers and service providers look at the annual tally, they sometimes ask the bureaucratic version of the so what question: What in here is actionable?

Thats why, after the 2017 results showed that 16 percent of the unsheltered homeless would reconnect with family if they could, the Downtown San Diego Partnership ramped up a reunification program that provides free one-way bus tickets out of town.

Last years report also registered a large spike in tents and hand-built structures, especially in downtown San Diego  up 104 percent. That, along with the deadly hepatitis A outbreak, led to sidewalk-clearing and police sweeps in the city, and a 52 percent drop in the number of downtown tents, according to the most recent count.

When this years results were released Thursday, what jumped out at several observers, in addition to the increase in homeless veterans, was the apparent lack of progress with the regions chronically homeless, who make up about 25 percent of the countywide homeless total. Their numbers went from 2,176 in 2017 to 2,171.

This is a clear call to action for our community, said Greg Anglea, chief executive officer of Interfaith Community Services and a board member of the regional task force.

The chronically homeless are defined as those who have been on the streets for a year or longer, or have experienced at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years. They have a diagnosed disability that prevents them from holding on to a job or housing.

Because they have a mortality rate that is up to nine times higher than that of the general population, and because they often use a disproportionate share of public resources  emergency rooms, fire and ambulance rescues, jails  a lot of time and money is spent trying to help them.

The three dormitory-style bridge shelter tents opened last winter in San Diego give priority to the chronically homeless, and hundreds more of them wound up there, according to the new report. The number who were sheltered went up almost 100 percent, from 389 to 771.

But moving them from shelters into whats known as permanent supportive housing  a residence with access to counseling and other services  has proven difficult.

The most recent figures from the San Diego Housing Commission, which is funding the tents, show that 10 percent of the people exiting so far have gone into permanent housing (94 out of 946). Thats significantly below the goal  65 percent into permanent housing  when the shelters opened.

Cost of housing is the main obstacle, according to Ruth Bruland, chief program officer for Father Joes Villages, which operates one of the tents. A recent report listed the average monthly rent in the county in March at $1,887, a record high.

Its a really tough environment for ending homelessness, Bruland said.

john.wilkens@sduniontribune.com
Bob Baffert neatly summed up his emotions as he watched two horses charge up on Justify at the top of the stretch in the 143rd Preakness Stakes.

Uh oh, the Hall of Fame trainer muttered as he attempted to peer through the fog on a small television monitor in the paddock at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday.

At that moment, Baffert had every reason to think his horse had given too much. In his fifth race in 90 days, the Kentucky Derby champion had fought off his top rival, Good Magic, in a virtual match race over the slick Pimlico mud. But here they came, two fresher challengers.

Baffert fell silent as he watched the charge to the wire. Then he released an exultant bellow as he saw Justify hold on by a half length and win the second leg of the Triple Crown.

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I wasnt liking it down the backside, Baffert said later, after wrapping his wife, Jill, in a relieved bear hug. I was like, well, hes not running there, and theyre going to take their big swing. But luckily, this is what makes horse racing so great.

These great horses, they just define themselves when they get in that situation, and today, he just showed not only is he a big, beautiful, gorgeous horse, but he is all racehorse, and thats what it took to win today.

1 / 25 Justify is draped with Black-eyed Susan blanket as his jockey, Mike E. Smith, pats him after winning the race. (Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun) 2 / 25 The winning colors are painted on the weather vane atop the cupola. (Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun) 3 / 25 Justifys winning jockey, Mike E. Smith, holds up the Woodlawn Vase in the Winners Circle. (Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun) 4 / 25 Jockey Mike E. Smith looks up at the sky after he and Justify place first in the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 5 / 25 Quips face is covered in mud after the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 6 / 25 Justify ridden by Mike E. Smith with the lead on the outside, followed by #5, Good Magic, ridden by Jose L. Ortiz in second on the inside. (Jeffrey F. Bill / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 7 / 25 \Justify ridden by Mike E. Smith with a slight lead on the outside, followed by #5, Good Magic, ridden by Jose L. Ortiz in second on the inside. (Jeffrey F. Bill / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 8 / 25 Justify holds the lead, charging out of the mist covering the track in the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 9 / 25 Jockey Mike E. Smith looks to the sky after riding Justify to victory in the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 10 / 25 Justify holds the lead in the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 11 / 25 Justify holds the lead in the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 12 / 25 Horses spring from the starting gate during the 143rd Preakness Stakes. Justify (second from right) captured the second leg of the Triple Crown. (Jerry Jackson / Baltimore Sun) 13 / 25 Justify in the lead near the end of the 2018 Preakness Stakes. Kenneth K. Lam/The Baltimore Sun (Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun) 14 / 25 Justify ridden by Mike E. Smith wins the 143rd Preakness Stakes in the mud and fog Saturday to capture the second leg of the Triple Crown. (Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun) 15 / 25 Nate and Tiffany Meals, Nashville, react to Justify winning the 2018 Preakness Stakes. They bet on Tenfold to win. (Leeann Adams / Baltimore Sun) 16 / 25 Jockey Mike E. Smith looks up at the sky after he and Justify place first in the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 17 / 25 Justify (7) leads the pack through the fog, into the first turn during the running of the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Justify has a chance to take the Triple Crown with the win. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 18 / 25 Justify crosses the finish line in first place in the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. Bravazo takes second and Tenfold places third. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 19 / 25 Jockey Mike Smith reacts aboard Justify after winning the running of the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Justify has a chance to take the Triple Crown with the win. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 20 / 25 Jockey Mike Smith reacts aboard Justify after winning the running of the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Justify has a chance to take the Triple Crown with the win. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 21 / 25 Justify on the outside, in the lead followed by #5, Good Magic. (Jerry Jackson / Baltimore Sun) 22 / 25 Justify on the outside, in the lead followed by #5, Good Magic. (Jerry Jackson / Baltimore Sun) 23 / 25 Justify leads in the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 24 / 25 #7 Justify, ridden by Mike E. Smith, wins the 143rd Preakness Stakes. (Ulysses Munoz / Baltimore Sun) 25 / 25 #7 Justify, ridden by Mike E. Smith, wins the 143rd Preakness Stakes. (Ulysses Munoz / Baltimore Sun)

All week, an eager racing public had drawn comparisons between Justify and American Pharoah, whod won the second leg of his 2015 Triple Crown over a similarly muddy track in Baltimore.

But this Preakness victory was a tense fight, more evocative of Bafferts first, with Silver Charm, in 1997.

With his seventh Preakness victory, Baffert moved into a tie for the all-time record with 19th century trainer R. Wyndham Walden. He also tied D. Wayne Lukas for the most Triple Crown victories with 14. That one carried extra weight, because Lukas was the pinnacle to which Baffert aspired when he broke into thoroughbred training in the 1990s.

It was fitting that Lukass horse, Bravazo, was the challenger who almost caught Justify at the wire.

A very good horse won the race, a very good horse, the 82-year-old Lukas said. We ran at him. We kept him honest just like we said we would. Bobs tough in these and if he gets the right horse, hes really tough. But, kudos to him, and well see what happens in the next one.

As the eight Preakness horses approached the starting gate in a horror-movie fog that cloaked Pimlico, Baffert said Justify needed to leave like his hairs on fire.

1 / 39 A visitor to the infield carefully makes her way through the mud between races at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 2 / 39 A visitor to the infield goes down in the mud between races at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 3 / 39 Ryan Bradshaw of Columbia became well acquainted with the mud in the Pimlico Race Course infield during the 143rd Preakness Stakes. (Leeann Adams) 4 / 39 A shoe is left abandoned in the mud at Pimlico Race Course for the 143rd Preakness Stakes. (Baltimore Sun) 5 / 39 Charles Williams of Annapolis helps Rachel Rowe of Hagerstown -- who is wearing pumps -- through the muddy infield during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 6 / 39 I gave the people what they wanted, said a mud-covered Noah Boswell, 21, a Marine based at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C. (Quinn Kelley) 7 / 39 Attendees navigate a wet and muddy infield at Pimlico Race Course for the 143rd Preakness Stakes. (Baltimore Sun) 8 / 39 A visitor to the infield holds a mud covered beer mug at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 9 / 39 Responding to the crowds urges, Ryan Bradshaw of Columbia dives into the mud pit in the infield at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 10 / 39 Responding to the crowds urges, Ryan Bradshaw of Columbia dives into the mud pit in the infield at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 11 / 39 Responding to the crowds urges, Ryan Bradshaw of Columbia dives into the mud pit in the infield at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 12 / 39 Responding to the crowds urges, Ryan Bradshaw of Columbia dives into the mud pit in the infield at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 13 / 39 Responding to the crowds urges, Ryan Bradshaw of Columbia dives into the mud pit in the infield at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 14 / 39 Parts of the infield are just large pits of mud at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 15 / 39 Attendees navigate a wet and muddy infield at Pimlico Race Course for the 143rd Preakness Stakes. (Baltimore Sun) 16 / 39 Attendees navigate a wet and muddy infield at Pimlico Race Course for the 143rd Preakness Stakes. (Baltimore Sun) 17 / 39 From left, Alex Ney, of Lititz, Pa., Patrick Devlin, and Ian Detweiler stand in the mud in the infield at Pimlico during the 143rd Preakness. (Leeann Adams / Baltimore Sun) 18 / 39 Laurel Laluk from South Jersey fell in a mud pit in the infield at Pimlico Race Course during the 143rd Preakness Stakes. (Leeann Adams) 19 / 39 Charles Williams of Annapolis helps Rachel Rowe of Hagerstown -- who is wearing pumps -- through the muddy infield during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 20 / 39 Ryan OLeary and Leigh Musselman wade through the mud in the infield during the 143rd Preakness. (Leeann Adams / Baltimore Sun) 21 / 39 Ryan OLeary, with Leigh Musselman, poses while navigating a wet and muddy infield at Pimlico Race Course for the 143rd Preakness Stakes. (Baltimore Sun) 22 / 39 Tyler Mowlds of Timonium helps his wife Mateja Mowlds through the muddy sand toward the entry point during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 23 / 39 Spectators avoid puddles as they walk through the muddy infield during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 24 / 39 A muddy Horacio Karamanos walks back to the jockeys room after ridding Team Tim in the third race during Preakness Day 2018 at Pimlico Race Course. (Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun) 25 / 39 Wade Stancovich of Eldersburg helps Nicole Alvarez of Sykesville walk through the mud at the infield during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 26 / 39 Julia Michael of Towson poses before the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Her shoes got muddy, so she decided to go without. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 27 / 39 Ryan OLeary and Leigh Musselman wade through the mud in the infield during the 143rd Preakness. (Leeann Adams / Baltimore Sun) 28 / 39 Maddie Weisman, left, of Hampden and Julia Michael of Towson pose with their muddy feet before the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 29 / 39 Lauren Adams of Chester Springs, Pa., retrieves wood shavings to help minimize the mud at her booth, Bees Knees gourmet grilled cheese, at the infield during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 30 / 39 The heravy rains for the past several days left Pimlico Race Course covered in mud. (Lloyd Fox / Baltimore Sun) 31 / 39 Kalie Redden of Sykesville wades through the mud at the infield during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 32 / 39 An attendee of the 143rd Preakness Stakes is taking on the rain and mud with a pair of rain boots. (Quinn Kelley) 33 / 39 A pink shirt lies abandoned in a wide puddle in the infield at the 143rd Preakness Stakes. (Quinn Kelley) 34 / 39 Charles Williams of Annapolis helps Rachel Rowe of Hagerstown -- who is wearing pumps -- through the muddy infield during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 35 / 39 The infield at Pimlico for the 143rd Preakness Stakes is wet and muddy early on Saturday. (Jessica Anderson) 36 / 39 The infield at Pimlico for the 143rd Preakness Stakes is wet and muddy early on Saturday. (Kevin Richardson) 37 / 39 Attendees of the 143rd Preakness Stakes have their boots on and are ready for the rain and mud. (Quinn Kelley) 38 / 39 The infield at Pimlico for the 143rd Preakness Stakes is wet and muddy early on Saturday. (Kevin Richardson) 39 / 39 Attendees of the 143rd Preakness Stakes have their boots on and are ready for the rain and mud. (Quinn Kelley)

He got the sharp break he wanted, despite the treacherous mud that had built up after a week of pounding rain.

Jockey Mike Smith quickly moved the Derby champion to the lead, just outside of Derby runner-up Good Magic, who remained beside him for most of the race. As they charged around the far turn, almost impossible to see through the mist, it seemed they might pull away from the rest of the field.

But both horses tired from the fight. Smith said that at the 3/8 pole, he felt he had put Good Magic away and eased up slightly because he thought he had a comfortable lead on Bravazo and third-place finisher Tenfold.

He acknowledged the charging horses drew closer than he intended at the wire.

Good Magics trainer, Chad Brown, was disappointed with the shape of the race, saying he never wanted his horse fighting for the early lead.

Obviously, I entered my horse in the race because I thought there was a chance that [Justify] could be beaten and we could win the race, he said. But it just wasnt a good fit. I would have liked to see a different scenario where maybe we were just off the pace a little bit and not being pressed on the fence the whole way.

Justify paid $2.80 on a $2 bet to win, $2.80 on a $2 bet to place and $2.60 on a $2 bet to show. Bravazo paid $7.60 and $4.80. Tenfold paid $6.80.

1 / 24 Mike E. Smith and Ax Man are surrounded by photographers after winning the Sir Barton Stakes, the 12th race in the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 2 / 24 Jockeys Javier Castellano, left, and John Velazquez, right, smile after race 12 in the 143rd Preakness from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 3 / 24 #8 Ax Man, being ridden by Mike E. Smith, wins Race 12 at the Preakness Stakes. (Ulysses Munoz / Baltimore Sun) 4 / 24 #8 Ax Man, being ridden by Mike E. Smith, wins Race 12 at the Preakness Stakes. (Ulysses Munoz / Baltimore Sun) 5 / 24 #8 Ax Man, being ridden by Mike E. Smith, wins Race 12 at the Preakness Stakes. (Ulysses Munoz / Baltimore Sun) 6 / 24 Horses run through the messy, muddy track in the Very One Stakes, the 10th race at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 7 / 24 Ricardo Santana Jr. pumps his fist at the sky in victory after riding Switzerland to first place in the Maryland Sprint Stakes, the 10th race at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 8 / 24 Ricardo Santana Jr. rides Switzerland to victory in the Maryland Sprint Stakes, the 10th race at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 9 / 24 Race 9 makes their way past the corporate tents during the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 10 / 24 Fans in the Turfside Terrace cheer on Ultra Brat as he wins the Gallorette Stakes, the only turf race of the day. (Jerry Jackson / Baltimore Sun) 11 / 24 Horses charge from the gate at the start of the James W. Murphy Stakes, the 5th race of the day. (Jerry Jackson / Baltimore Sun) 12 / 24 Horses make their way on the track for the 8th race of the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 13 / 24 The #9 turf race - #4, Stallion Heiress leads te pack ahead of the #2, Brooks House (inside rail) followed by the #3 horse, Ultra Brat as they pass the Turfside Terrace. (Joshua McKerrow / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 14 / 24 The #9 turf race - #4, Stallion Heiress leads te pack ahead of the #3 horse, Ultra Brat and #2, Brooks House as they pass the Stronach Group Tent. (Joshua McKerrow / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 15 / 24 The 67th running of the Stella Artois Gallorette Stakes is the only turf race of the day on Preakness day 2018 at Pimlico Race Course. (Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun) 16 / 24 Jockey Manuel Franco gives the thumb up after winning the 117th Running of the Makers Mark Dixie Stakes, the 7th race on Preakness day 2018 at Pimlico Race Course.ace number 7 on Preakness day 2018 at Pimlico Race Course. (Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun) 17 / 24 Fire Away, right, ridden by Manuel Franco, is on the way to win the 117th Running of the Makers Mark Dixie Stakes, the 7th race on Preakness day 2018 at Pimlico Race Course. (Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun) 18 / 24 Square Shooter sets the pace around the 4th turn in the 4th race of the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 19 / 24 Square Shooter sets the pace around the 4th turn in the 4th race of the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 20 / 24 Square Shooter, winner of the fourth race of the day, makes his way off the muddy Pimlico track. (Colin Campbell / Baltimore Sun) 21 / 24 A muddy Horacio Karamanos walks back to the jockeys room after riding Team Tim in the third race during Preakness day 2018 at Pimlico Race Course. (Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun) 22 / 24 Hill Shadow (#7) with jockey Xavier Perez aboard, out races Beers, ridden by jockey Jorge A. Vargas, Jr., to win race number one on Preakness day 2018 at Pimlico Race Course. (Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun) 23 / 24 During Race 3, #7, Forge, races ahead of #8, Pop Keenan. (Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun) 24 / 24 During Race 3, #7, Forge, races ahead of #8, Pop Keenan. (Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun)

Despite the rain and fog, the 14-race card drew a crowd of 134,487, third largest in Preakness history, and generated a betting handle of $93,655,128, also the third largest ever.

Though he ranked among the heaviest recent Preakness favorites  2-5 at post time  Justifys quest to take the second leg of the Triple Crown carried several notes of uncertainty.

Would the big chestnut colt be disturbed by a tender heel that bothered him the morning after the Kentucky Derby?

Would he finally take a step back, or even sideways, after a meteoric rise to the top of his sport?

Instead, Justify added another chapter to the story that began when Baffert first saw him work out in January. He was an unknown at that point, with less than four months to go until the Triple Crown series. But Baffert sensed in his gut that he had another champion, akin to American Pharoah.

1 / 43 Spectators avoid puddles as they walk through the muddy infield during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 2 / 43 A muddy Horacio Karamanos walks back to the jockeys room after ridding Team Tim in the third race during Preakness day 2018 at Pimlico Race Course. (Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun) 3 / 43 Horses spring from the starting gate during the 143rd Preakness Stakes. Justify (second from right) captured the second leg of the Triple Crown. (Jerry Jackson / Baltimore Sun) 4 / 43 Justify leads in the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 5 / 43 A couple crosses the track just before the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 6 / 43 Jordan Barry and another attendee wrestle in the mud in the infield during the 143rd Preakness. (Leeann Adams / Baltimore Sun) 7 / 43 Justify (7) leads the pack through the fog, into the first turn during the running of the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Justify has a chance to take the Triple Crown with the win. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 8 / 43 Giada De Laurentiis on the red carpet at the 143rd Preakness at Pimlico Race Course. (Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun) 9 / 43 Post Malone performs at Preakness InfieldFest on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Ulysses Munoz / Baltimore Sun) 10 / 43 Caitlin Cawly of Worcester, MA poses for a photo in the grandstand during the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 11 / 43 Responding to the crowds urges, Ryan Bradshaw of Columbia dives into the mud pit during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 12 / 43 The traditional First Call song is played through horns before a race at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 13 / 43 Frank Sabella, left, of Alexandria, Misty Mastracco of Alexandria, Charlie Courtney of Lutherville, Alan Parker of Philadelphia and Marguerite and Karl Buer, right, of Raleigh, NC poses for a photo in the grandstand before the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 14 / 43 A race fan takes a nap in the infield during the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 15 / 43 Art Mallory, of Washington, heads to the grandstands for the start of the 8th race of the day on Preakness Saturday. (Jerry Jackson / Baltimore Sun) 16 / 43 A worker rakes the muddy track before the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 17 / 43 Christina Guarino of Philadelphia uses bags to cover her feet while in the infield during the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 18 / 43 Laura Hull, left, of Winston-Salem, N.C. who is attending her first Preakness, cheers during the third race on Preakness day 2018 at Pimlico Race Course. (Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun) 19 / 43 Charles Williams of Annapolis helps Rachel Rowe of Hagerstown, who wears pumps through the muddy infield during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 20 / 43 Bugler Bethann Dixon of Stony Beach, MD pauses to take a selfie in the corner of the winners circle during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 21 / 43 Matt Lowe of Des Moines, Iowa poses for a photo during the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 22 / 43 Spectators watch Justify lead the pack in the first turn during the running of the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 23 / 43 Justify is draped with Black-eyed Susan blanket as his jockey, Mike E. Smith, pats him after winning the race. (Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun) 24 / 43 Karl Buer of Raleigh, NC poses for a photo in the grandstand before the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 25 / 43 Andrew McGreevy, center, of Philadelphia and Eric Book, right, of Harrisburg react to a race during the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 26 / 43 Ricardo Santana Jr. pumps his fist at the sky in victory after riding Switzerland to first place in the Maryland Sprint Stakes, the 10th race at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 27 / 43 A visitor to the infield goes down in the mud between races at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 28 / 43 Quips face is covered in mud after the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 29 / 43 Horses charge from the gate at the start of the James W. Murphy Stakes, the 5th race of the day. (Jerry Jackson / Baltimore Sun) 30 / 43 Justify holds the lead in the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 31 / 43 pJockey Manuel Franco gives the thumb up after winning the 117th Running of the Makers Mark Dixie Stakes, the 7th race on Preakness day 2018 at Pimlico Race Course. (Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun) 32 / 43 A visitor to the infield carefully makes her way through the mud between races at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 33 / 43 Well dressed visitors to the infield carefully pick their way through the mud at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 34 / 43 Mike E. Smith and Ax Man are surrounded by photographers after winning the Sir Barton Stakes, the 12th race in the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 35 / 43 Fans in the Turfside Terrace cheer on Ultra Brat as he wins the Gallorette Staes, the only turf race of the day. The jockey was Jose Ortiz. (Jerry Jackson / Baltimore Sun) 36 / 43 Justify in the lead near the end of the 2018 Preakness Stakes. (Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun) 37 / 43 Casey Siddons, of Silver Springs, wears his wifes brand new fascinator while waiting for her to return from the ladies room on Preakness day 2018 at Pimlico Race Course. His wife Sarah bought the fascinator especially for Preakness this year. (Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun) 38 / 43 Ne-Yo on the red carpet at the 143rd Preakness at Pimlico Race Course. (Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun) 39 / 43 Kelli Woolsey from Chicago is attending her first Preakness but has attended Kentucky Derby four times. Some people like baseball parks, I like, horsetracks. (Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun) 40 / 43 Post Malone performs at Preakness InfieldFest on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Ulysses Munoz / Baltimore Sun) 41 / 43 Attendees navigate a wet and muddy infield at Pimlico Race Course for the 143rd Preakness Stakes. (Leeann Adams / Baltimore Sun) 42 / 43 Brian Buscemi and his sister Kristyn Buscemi of Charlotte, NC react after winning their bets on Tap Daddy and Coltandmississippi during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 43 / 43 Emily Pence of Baltimore stands in line to enter the gates during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

A freaky horse, he called him.

Justify, who cost $500,000 as a yearling, has also proved to be an enormous winning bet for a thoroughly modern partnership featuring Kentucky-based WinStar Farm, the China Horse Club and several late investors including former Johns Hopkins lacrosse player Sol Kumin. This was the second Preakness win for Kumin, a Boston-based hedge fund manager, following Exaggerator in 2016.

Baffert has always said the key to making history as a trainer is being entrusted with historically great horses. That was certainly the case here.

In a dizzying 90-day rush, Justify has rolled from his maiden victory to seizing the first two legs of the Triple Crown.

It takes a remarkable talent to pull off such an unprecedented feat, and he is that  1,270 pounds of muscle on muscle combined with a sprinters quickness and an adaptable mind.

We wont know for three weeks if he has enough fuel left in his tank to do what American Pharoah did three years ago. NBC analyst and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey said his superior quality will prevent us from seeing vulnerability until hes truly asked to reach deep, as he might be over the 1  miles at Belmont Park.

Surely, some challengers will look at his tired Preakness finish and see a horse ready to be taken.

1 / 33 Post Malone performs at Preakness InfieldFest on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Ulysses Munoz / The Baltimore Sun) 2 / 33 Post Malone performs at Preakness InfieldFest on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Ulysses Munoz / The Baltimore Sun) 3 / 33 Post Malone performs at Preakness InfieldFest on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Ulysses Munoz / The Baltimore Sun) 4 / 33 The 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 5 / 33 Andrew McGreevy, center, of Philadelphia and Eric Book, right, of Harrisburg react to a race during the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 6 / 33 A race fan takes a nap in the infield during the 143rd Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Jen Rynda / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 7 / 33 21 Savage plays the infield at Preakness 2018. (Kevin Richardson / Baltimore Sun) 8 / 33 21 Savage plays the infield at Preakness 2018. (Kevin Richardson / Baltimore Sun) 9 / 33 Responding to the crowds urges, Ryan Bradshaw of Columbia dives into the mud pit during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 10 / 33 Jordan Barry and another attendee wrestle in the mud in the infield during the 143rd Preakness. (Leeann Adams / Baltimore Sun) 11 / 33 Visitors to the infield share a beer bong between races at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 12 / 33 A visitor to the infield holds a mud covered beer mug at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 13 / 33 A visitor to the infield carefully makes her way through the mud between races at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 14 / 33 A visitor to the infield goes down in the mud between races at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 15 / 33 Attendees navigate a wet and muddy infield at Pimlico Race Course for the 143rd Preakness Stakes. (Leeann Adams/Baltimore Sun) 16 / 33 Ryan OLeary and Leigh Musselman wade through the mud in the infield during the 143rd Preakness. (Leeann Adams / Baltimore Sun) 17 / 33 (Left to right) Alex Ney, Lititz PA, Patrick Devlin, and Ian Detweiler stand in the mud in the infield at Pimlico during the 143rd Preakness. (Leeann Adams / Baltimore Sun) 18 / 33 A visitor to the infield is dressed for a race at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 19 / 33 A visitor to the infield goes down in the mud between races at the 143rd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. (Joshua McKerrow, Baltimore Sun M / Baltimore Sun Media Group) 20 / 33 Jordan Barry and another attendee wrestle in the mud in the infield during the 143rd Preakness. (Leeann Adams / Baltimore Sun) 21 / 33 Attendees navigate a wet and muddy infield at Pimlico Race Course for the 143rd Preakness Stakes. (Leeann Adams/Baltimore Sun) 22 / 33 Attendees navigate a wet and muddy infield at Pimlico Race Course for the 143rd Preakness Stakes. (Leeann Adams/Baltimore Sun) 23 / 33 Attendees navigate a wet and muddy infield at Pimlico Race Course for the 143rd Preakness Stakes. (Leeann Adams/Baltimore Sun) 24 / 33 Infield during the 143rd Preakness at Pimlico Race Course. (Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun) 25 / 33 I gave the people what they wanted, said Noah Boswell, 21, Marine at Camp Lejeune. (Quinn Kelley / Baltimore Sun) 26 / 33 This is the first Preakness for Bel Air natives Griffith Scarborough, 18, and Jacob Lynch, 20. Theyre excited to see Post Malone this afternoon. As for the outfits? We had to go all out. (Quinn Kelley / Baltimore Sun) 27 / 33 Harford County friends Tony Rowe, 30, and Nick Kline and Anthony Dimaio, both 29, have been coming to Preakness for years -- and theyre unsure about the new Infield setup. (Quinn Kelley / Baltimore Sun) 28 / 33 Spectators emerge from the tunnel to the infield during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 29 / 33 Ryan Davis watches his footing as he walks through the muddy infield during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 30 / 33 Spectators avoid puddles as they walk through the muddy infield during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 31 / 33 Charles Williams of Annapolis helps Rachel Rowe of Hagerstown, who wears pumps through the muddy infield during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 32 / 33 Charles Williams of Annapolis helps Rachel Rowe of Hagerstown, who wears pumps through the muddy infield during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun) 33 / 33 Kalie Redden of Sykesville wades through the mud at the infield during 2018 Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

Smith, however, said any assumptions about Justifys vulnerability are misguided. He compared the Preakness victory to American Pharoahs difficult fight in winning the Derby.

Pharoah was all out, hanging on to win the Derby, and look what he went on to do, the 52-year-old jockey said.

But thats mostly a conversation for tomorrow. Today, Justify is the undisputed king of his 3-year-old class and a horse Baffert rates among the best three  with American Pharoah and Arrogate  he has trained in his Hall of Fame career.

He said all week that Justify was primed for another big effort, despite the questions that arose when he had difficulty putting pressure on his left hind leg the morning after the Derby. He was diagnosed with a heel bruise and resumed galloping four days later without apparent discomfort.

But the injury cast some uncertainty on a Preakness that was otherwise an easier test than the Derby, with a shorter distance and a smaller, less talented field.

That it required such a fight reminded us why the Triple Crown is an elusive achievement.

They put it to us, Baffert said. They made us earn it. Somebody had to give, and Im glad it wasnt us.

childs.walker@baltsun.com

twitter.com/ChildsWalker
The race to determine who will be the next San Diego County Sheriff, who oversees the largest local law enforcement agency in the county, is arguably one of the most contentious.

Commander Dave Myers, a 33-year department veteran is running against his boss, Sheriff Bill Gore, who has held the spot for nearly a decade.

Early in the race, Myers contended that Gore retaliated against him for vying for the position by stripping him of his leadership duties and relocating his office to a room that used to be a closet.

I can take care of myself, but what that said to the 4,000 members of the San Diego Sheriffs Department is that if you speak up, we will come after you, Myers said.

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As the two traded barbs in various interviews, it surfaced that Gore reportedly launched an internal affairs investigation into Myers after the commander drove to a South Bay political event in his department car.

Myers said he was working out of the San Diego Superior Court branch in Chula Vista at the time.

I showed up at the luncheon and I had my assigned county vehicle, my assigned vehicle that I drive 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Myers said in an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board.

Myers said when he arrived, he spotted Gores vehicle and parked alongside it. He said while at the event, he announced that he was running for sheriff. He said Gore then opened up an investigation itno the incident, alleging Myers had been campaigning on duty.

The commander said he took vacation time so that he could officially be off duty during the event.

Did I do anything wrong? I probably should have been smarter about not driving this vehicle, Myers said in the Union-Tribune interview.

Gore, citing personnel privacy laws, declined to comment on the incident. He said he has asked Myers to waive the the protections afforded him by the Police Officers Bill of Rights, which would allow him to discuss the matter, and that Myers hasnt responded.

I can tell you he told you one tenth of the story, Gore said in an interview this month. There was so much more than driving a county car to a political event.

The candidate who gets more than half of the vote in the June 5 primary will be elected sheriff for four years.

Twitter: @LAWinkley

(619) 293-1546

lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com
Its a strange time to be an FBI agent. The agency is investigating suspected Russian interference in the presidential campaign, the FBI director was fired, and the president has publicly attacked the bureaus credibility.

None of that matters much, though, to John Brown. It cant. As San Diegos newest FBI special agent in charge, Brown knows that nothing can interfere with the mission of protecting the American public.

I think this will pass, Brown said. You cant drop the ball. You just have got to let it pass.

Brown, an Army veteran who joined the FBI in 1999, comes to San Diego after working in Chicago, St. Louis, at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and most recently as a special agent in charge of counterintelligence and cyber crime in Los Angeles.

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A few months after getting settled in his new role, he sat down with the Union-Tribune and talked about his background, the recent spotlight on the FBI, and the areas where the agency needs to grow to combat future threats.

Q: Have the White Houses public jabs at the FBI affected you personally? What about the morale of your agents?

A: At my all-hands I told everyone in February when I arrived, I said listen, Im a professional. Im not motivated or demotivated by the news. Im committed to our craft, and that is protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution  that is our mission. So we have to keep our heads down and continue to do what we do because thats whats expected, and we cant have any gaps or seams in that. I think most FBI employees see it that way. I think in the end its noise whats happening, and it is sad. I think this will pass. Director (Christopher) Wray, weve met with him. Hes a really impressive man.Hes quiet, thoughtful, reflective. I think hes what this organization needs right now and hes intent on bringing us through this storm.

Q: How has the agency dealt with former FBI Director James Comeys firing? It seems like he was very well regarded among agents.

A: When (J. Edgar) Hoover died we opened up the next day. You recognize (Comey) was an important member of this organization, but at the same time the organization is bigger than him and the mission is bigger than all of us. Thats what we have to keep our focus on.

Q: What did you do before you were an FBI agent?

A: I grew up in a small farm town in Illinois. Service came from my father who was a Vietnam veteran and a sheriffs deputy until he retired and then he stayed in the security industry. So a sense of service and duty permeated our house, and after I finished college I went into the Army. I was an air defense officer and military intelligence officer.

Q: You started as a rookie agent in Chicago. What was your first big case?

A: I worked counter-intelligence. The squad I was on was always an agressive squad. The one case I had was an Iraqi Foreign Agents Registration Act case. (Khaled Abdel-Latif Dumeisi, an Arabic-language newspaper publisher in a Chicago suburb, was eventually found to have worked on behalf of Saddam Husseins regime and failed to register as a foreign agent.) It was a great case. It was kind of the first time wed taken a counterintelligence case at that point in many, many years to fruition in Chicago to trial. I remember taking my case down to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Im an aggressive young agent and I kind of did it on my own. I went to the duty assistant U.S. attorney and said Hey Ive got this case, what do you think? She said Come with me and we walked straight down to (U.S. Attorney) Pat Fitzgeralds office. My supervisors like, What are you doing?!

Q: You were also deployed to Iraq as an FBI agent yourself, right?

A: We were embedded with a military unit there and working hand in hand with them. They needed skilled interviewers and basically thats what you did for 12 hours a day, every day. Were looking for connections back at the homeland, so if theres something, were going to be laser focused on that. At the same time theres going to be interviews they just need your help with and you did them and you were better for it. From my standpoint it really helped me develop as an interviewer.

Q: You later moved to counterterrorism investigations. Any big cases?

A: I was involved with Operation Northern Exposure (American Ehsanul Sadequee, 19, and a Georgia Tech student were casing U.S. targets and communicating with terrorists around the world, finally traveling overseas to wage jihad themselves. The investigation ended with 40 arrests around the world by partner agencies and disrupted many terror plots.) I was involved in the FBI effort looking at online extremists use of the internet and working to build that effort. I was involved in the David Coleman Headley case (the American who scouted targets for the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, India, and then the attacks against a Danish newspaper in Copenhagen.) I did the interview for that. It was a long, long  days  interview. Mumabi was Indias 9/11, from that standpoint for them it was a big case, as well. It was an honor to play a role in that case.

Q: Why did you move to cyber?

A: I came from a counterterrorism background, and if you watch the evolution of the FBI, after 9/11, counterterrorism was Go get em, were on the attack. At the same time cyber was just burgeoning, but they were like we need to figure this out. We need some aggressiveness, so I was brought up (to FBI Headquarters) for that mindset. It was eye-opening. I think I played a small part of building some of the edifices that still stand today, from Cyber Watch (24-hour command center for cyber intrusions), to in terms of how we look at cases  not looking at the IP addresses and data, but in terms of there are people behind the keyboard. I think you see that now we have a really aggressive cyber push in the FBI, and it has to be. I think we are still far away from what we need to be now as a USG.

Q: What concerns you most when it comes to the cyber crime threat?

A: My concern is awareness, understanding the threats out there, and that if youre part of an enterprise, you are part of that chain. And if youre the weak link then theyre going to get in. Ninety percent of cyber attacks start with a spearfishing email.

Q: What do you see as the FBIs priorities in San Diego?

A: The No. 1 priority is homegrown violent extremism, thats a close fight thats always going to be a priority. And with the border here so close, thats always a concern. Were actually trying to build more FBI personnel at the border working with CBP (Customs and Border Protection). I think that just shows the partnership here amongst all of us.

Q: Where does the FBI go from here?

A: Were doing a great a job on the criminal side, with our task forces. Were being innovative. Thats the close fight. The counterterrorism, the gangs, the drugs. But then its the long fight that gives me real concern as an organization. On the cyber side its showing our workforce is prepared. Its not just a cyber agent having to look at logs, look at data. Its going to eventaully have to be all the agents that are doing that, all the professional staff. We have to get comfortable in that sphere.

At the same time on the counterintelligence side, you look at the foreign intelligence activity thats occuring in this country, particularly the theft of trade secrets, proprietary information, our technology in the San Diego area, our military, weve got over 300 defense contractors in San Diego, then we have the border close by. I think the long game is weve got to be laser focused on that. Sometimes its hard to explain that to folks, because they dont see it. But well see it in 50 years when their jets are faster than ours, and were not winning those fights. Thats my bigger concern. Im going to continue to push that message to my folks.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @kristinadavis
Anita Neff may not be the last person youd want to meet, but she may be the person youd want to meet last.

Im a death angel, she said.

As an end-of-life doula, Neff sits with the dying and their families. She attends to matters material  is the will up-to-date? Do you have passwords for online accounts?  and spiritual. Some clients want to exit this world to the sound of Neff praying or reading poetry. Others prefer recorded music, from Gregorian chants to the Grateful Dead, or the soothing aroma of fresh wood shavings.

Everybody has their own thing, she said.

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The shroud awaits us all, but it doesnt have to be a one-size-fits-all garment. A broad-based, loosely-linked movement  call it the New Death  questions how, why and when we depart, as well what constitutes a good death. Inspired by a wide range of beliefs (and non-beliefs), these activists are united by a common desire to make dying less painful and more dignified.

Some of these ideas are controversial. Last week, for instance, a court overturned Californias two-year-old physician-assisted suicide law. Advocates insist the measure alleviated unnecesary suffering by the terminally ill. Critics feared it could be used to hasten the departures of the elderly, infirm and inconvenient.

Other innovations, such as the Death Cafes where patrons meet over refreshments to discuss The End, may sound New Age-y.

Still more trends are reminiscent of a simpler era. Pacific Beach Christian Churchs congregation includes several families who occupy multi-generational homes. While these clans moved in together to save money, theyve enjoyed a side benefit: children have daily, affectionate contact with ailing elders.

Ive been so struck by how this little three-year-old is being exposed to death and dying in ways that are not scary, said the Rev. Brian Daly, 54, the churchs senior pastor.

Its like coming full circle to what used to happen, when we didnt have rest homes, when people didnt die in hospitals. Its beautiful to me.

Peace and redemption

Hospice care, the practice of tending to the terminally ill, can be traced back to medieval Europe. As practiced in the United States today, it offers palliative care to patients who are considered to have no more than six months to live.

Not long ago, many regarded this as somehow sinister or taboo.

Even in my time here, said Daly, who has been with Pacific Beach Christian for 24 years, hospice used to be one of those words that had a stigma attached to it. That has changed completely.

Relieving pain is a key goal, but hospice workers draw the line at the ultimate form of pain cessation  helping patients end their own lives.

To San Diegos Faye Gersh, that flies in the face of public sentiment. According to surveys, the vast majority want the option of physician aid in dying, said Gersh, who 31 years ago founded the San Diego chapter of the Hemlock Society. The public wants a larger choice.

Gersh campaigned for Californias Humane and Dignified Death Act, a 1992 ballot initiative that called for the leagalization of physician-assisted suicide. That failed, but in 2015 the California legislature approved a similar measure, the End of Life Options Act.

Last Tuesday, though, a Riverside County judge overturned the law, arguing it had been illegally passed during a special legislative session called to consider healthcare issues. California, state Attorney General Xavier Becerra said, will appeal.

At the local Hemlock Societys monthly meeting, 1:30 p.m. today at the Scottish Rite Event Center, Dr. Robert Uslander will discuss the End of Life Options Act. Hell lead a rally in support of the law outside the center at 2:30 p.m.

Uslander, whose Del Mar practice focuses on patients final months, has been with numerous patients as they self-administered medications to end their lives. The most recent: a Pacific Beach woman who used the laws provisions one day before Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Ottolia struck it down.

She just ended her life, Uslander said, peacefully.

She had followed a long road, meeting all the laws requirements. Patients had to be California residents, 18 or older, diagnosed with a terminal illness and mentally competent. They had to make face-to-face requests for lethal medication to a physician then, no sooner than 15 days later, from a second physician.

A written consent form had to be signed in front of two witnesses, before the prescription could be sent to a pharmacy, And not just any pharmacy  many had declined to fill these orders, which are for two separate medications. Taken together, they prove fatal.

And it cant be given to them, Uslander said. They have to take the medication on their own, willingly, voluntarily.

In the laws first six months, state records show that 173 California physicians wrote 191 prescription for the lethal medications.

The laws restrictions seemed burdensome to Gersh, even insulting. Its a hard law to use, she said. It should be expanded to include people who are not terminal but who are suffering from a disease  people with ALS, multiple sclerosis, certainly dementia.

Others, though, are happy to see the law overturned. By sanctioning suicide, Michael Lovette-Colyer argued, society helps to push elderly citizens towards their final exit.

The aged in our culture have a hard time finding a place, said Lovette-Colyer, assistant vice president at the University of San Diego. Theres a feeling they are a burden or a financial drain rather than a valued part of society.

While Lovette-Colyer acknowledged that its good to minimize pain, accelerating deaths natural process reduces chances for emotional healing, for valuable time with loved ones.

Pastor Daly agreed:I think if given choice we would always avoid suffering. But I have seen often that spiritual things can happen in the midst of suffering that wouldnt happen otherwise. We of faith believe that out of suffering can come redemption.

Wisdom, he added, is another possible byproduct of a longer death. The notion that we can control every aspect of our lives  even our departures  is an illusion, he said.

Its kind of the last spiritual lesson that death and dying has for us, he said, to let go of that need to be in control.

Between two worlds

Debates about assisted suicide still rage, but not inside the Death Cafes. These informal gatherings were created as safe spaces for people to share thoughts and emotions about this final passage, without any agenda or judgment.

The first Death Cafe was held in London in 2011. Today, Cafes have opened in 56 countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, and across San Diego County.

Last week, a Death Cafe convened in the Bay and Beach Family YMCA in Pacific Beach. The eight attendees included a plastic surgeon, a recent widow and Gloria Andrade, 71, an Old Town resident who had cared for her parents in their last days.

I see theres so much fear, she said, and no one wants to talk about it. This is comforting and it takes away the fear.

Barbara Bailey, a palliative and hospice care nurse educator, hosted. Guests were offered bottled water, cookies, fruit and written conversational prompts: What would you like on your tombstone? What are the most important things to prepare before your death?

This is an opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas with others in an accepting, confidential environment, said Bailey, who has hosted Cafes for three years. Its an opportunity to think about things that we often dont think about.

Attendees cover the entire spectrum of spiritual faiths, from ardent believers to agnostics to atheists. Theres no agenda and the Cafes have attracted supporters and opponents of assisted suicide. Sharing is encouraged, arguing is forbidden.

Its a positive thing, said Dr. Uslander, helping to advance the conversation, making the conversation about death and dying more comfortable and acceptable.

One of the attendees was Romel Hokanson. In 2003, she helped care for a cousin who was dying from breast cancer.

I was blessed, she said. There was something about being able to sit and be with a person at that time.

She volunteered with San Diego Hospice for several years, and recently became an end-of-life doula, assisting Anita Neff.

While every client is different, nearly everyone has material and emotional or spiritual affairs to set in order. Hokanson helps clients with the former, such as wills, but feels the latter issues are more essential for a peaceful death.

I experience this as a very spiritual and sacred time, she said. I see a person dancing between two worlds  whatever that next world is or is not.

That dance can be difficult, Uslander said, if people havent engaged in end-of-life planning. Especially important, he said, is an advanced health care directive, spelling out which procedures and extraordinary measures are acceptable and which are not.

I think if we did a better job of that, he said, wed have a lot fewer crises and traumas.

And if death were more a part of family life, doulas maintain, we might have fewer fears and regrets. After a death, Neff sometimes helps clients bathe their loved ones body, whose private parts are discreetly draped.

We keep them in our presence, she said of the dearly departed. We are helping people through the grieving process, helping them feel the natural process of death.

But only if clients want this service.

Theres no one way, Neff said.

In fact, there is one ultimate destination. But there are many paths.
One prayer during Saturdays mass at Good Shepard Catholic Church in Mira Mesa was divided into 10 parts with different people reciting a few lines each, all in different languages.

Ive never heard my name pronounced in Laotian before, Bishop Robert McElroy told the gathering of more than 1,400. I think it sounds better that way.

What was billed as an unprecedented gathering of San Diegos ethnic Catholic communities took place at the church Saturday morning. The theme of the multicultural celebration was Gathering Us as One.

Many came outfitted in colorful cultural garb and the procession into the church resembled an Olympic opening ceremony with groups walking in behind signs such as Chinese, Hispanic, and Samoan  17 cultures in all.

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A Mariachi band entertained before the service, as did an African drum group.

The 90-minute mass was presided over by the Rev. McElroy, the bishop of San Diego, and featured a choir representing a number of different parishes.

Usually at a mass celebrating Pentecost my first prayer is to invoke the Holy Spirit to come, he said. But Im not doing that today because its so clear the Holy Spirit is already here.

Huge applause and shouts followed.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse in the country and represents 1.3 million Catholics in San Diego and Imperial counties. The ethnic breakdown, based on 2014 figures: 63 percent Hispanic, 25 percent non-Hispanic white, 8 percent Asian and Pacific Islander, 3 percent African American and African, and 0.5 percent Native American. Cultures represented Saturday included Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Native American and Vietnamese.

The mass, and a lively multicultural festival held in the back parking lot afterward, was organized by Fr. Michael Pham, who leads the dioceses Office of Cultural Diversity.

It was beautiful, Pham said following the mass. It was a lively church. The music was great and everything connected even though we were speaking different languages. Everybody understood. And thats what the Holy Spirit does, help us to understand each other in Christ.

Bibiana Jones, representing the African community, said she was overwhelmed by the celebration. All of this cultural aspect, I wasnt expecting it, she said. Its really beautiful to see so many people from different backgrounds. This is amazing.

McElroy sounded a bit political as he spoke to the throng of faithful.

In a very powerful way all of us are called in this moment in our culture, in which there is so much antagonism to particular ethnic and cultural groups, to resist it and to say proudly and in faith, we are one because we are all part of the family of the God who is father of us all.

The bishop reflected following the mass.

I thought it was a wonderful moment in which all of the ethnic, cultural and racial groups of our diocese were able to come together and celebrate not only our faith and the presence of God among us, but also their unity as one community and a nation of immigrants, he said.

What we were celebrating today was that the gifts of every community and culture make us stronger rather than weaker.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones
Its day three of the annual Vintage Trailer, Camper & Classic Car Show at the Golden Village Palms RV Resort in Hemet, and Dayton Taylor and his wife Pam Reeder are relaxing next to their treasured Holiday House, a vintage mid-century-modern travel trailer.

Last year, Taylor came across this rarity  one of about 200 made between 1960-61  and snapped it up.

The couple tended to the trailer like doting parents. Taylor did some refinishing and installed a silver Sputnik lamp while Reeder added period details including custom-made curtains in an atomic print.

Now, theyre ready to let their baby go.

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The couple owns Vintage Trailer Crazy, a restoration and sales business in Temecula, plus online at VintageTrailerCrazy.com. On any given day, they have a dozen or more 20th century house trailers for sale, on consignment or in some stage of restoration.

The business started almost by accident.

In 2003, Reeder had her heart set on acquiring a vintage Airstream trailer, and Taylor  a lifelong fan  needed no convincing. Craigslist and online ads were new, he said, so we mostly used listings from print newspapers. By the time we would get to them, the trailers would be gone.

Their first purchase was a 1958 Airstream in Arizona. I basically bought it sight unseen, Taylor said. We wired a down-payment and hightailed it to Phoenix. By the time we got there, the seller had gotten wise to the relative value of the thing. He asked Whats with these Airstream trailers? Im getting call after call.

Five years later, they sold the revamped Airstream and realized a profit of $22,250. Right then, Taylor said, a light bulb went on.

Seventy-five vintage trailers later, the couple has their business down to a science.

Taylor manages acquisitions, restorations and sales, while Reeder focuses on decorating each trailer with genuine period decor, including pieces shes found at antiques stores and on Ebay.

Each restoration is based on a theme. Examples include a 1965 Airstream Overlander they call Blue Hawaii, a 1955 Dalton canned ham style trailer they call Happy Trails to You, and an uber-rare 1937 Covered Wagon De Luxe model themed as Can You Imagine? Each is like a kitsch mini-museum.

To trace Taylors affinity for trailer life, you have to go back farther  much farther  to a childhood in Canada in the early 1960s. From the time I was a day old until I was twelve, said Taylor, I lived in a 48-foot trailer pulled by a 1956 Ford pickup truck. My dad worked in pipeline construction and we moved with his job. It was him, and me and my dog. Everywhere wed go, I opened the trailer door and the world was new. New scenery. New friends. New life.

These days, Taylor and Reeder rarely find themselves traveling farther than the annual Vintage Trailer, Camper & Classic Car Show in Hemet.

Ironically, the travel trailer restoration business keeps the couple so busy, Taylor says, We hardly go on trips anymore; weve got so much going on.

temecula@sduniontribune.com
Judges bad decision will bring many pain

Re Riverside judge overturns Californias doctor-assisted suicide law (May 15): Sorry to read one judge could have such power over us. I watched my 62-year-old daughter die a horrifying death from cancer. I do hope that judge never has to suffer the same.

I have been hoping someone would pass an end-to-life law for victims suffering from Alzheimers. What could be worse than knowing your family would have to be witness to your slow demise?

Adrienne Lee

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Poway

This law was opposed by people who have religious or spiritual beliefs that oppose physician assisted suicide.

This law provided terminally ill patients, primarily cancer, (extreme pain not always assisted by palliative care) with relatively inexpensive painless alternative to slow painful death.

Guns, trains, razor blades buildings/bridges  will these type suicides increase now? Will the groups who oppose the law provide moral, medical and personal support to the volunteers who desire a clean peaceful death? I seriously doubt it.

This completely voluntary non taxpayer law is being opposed by groups who want to impose their values on others. In opposition to law simply do not volunteer for the process. Amen.

Sergio Messina

Carlsbad

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Press Release

May 20, 2018 ANGARA ON FATHER'S ACHIEVEMENTS AS SENATOR, EDUCATOR: 'HE CREATED INSTITUTIONS' Senator Sonny Angara has expressed his thanks to the public for commiserating with his family on the death of Senate President Edgardo Angara and for giving their heartfelt tribute to his father for his achievements as a senator and an educator. In front of mourners and supporters inside the Malcolm Hall of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, the younger Angara, however, said he believed his father already achieved immortality by creating institutions through his works in both fronts. "A wise man once said that there are two ways to achieve immortality: one is to enter politics because he would be written on history books; the second way was to teach because you would live on as many of you had done in the lives of your students, in the worlds of your students and so forth," the lawmaker said. He added: "I would add a third--and that's to create institutions which my father did. In fact my father has done all these. He has taught, he has educated people, he has mentored many generations of people. So I think he lives on to those younger generations." As a legislator, Sonny said his father created institutions, such as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), National Center for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) and Sentro Rizal, the overseas Philippine cultural center much like Spain's Instituto Cervantes and Italy's Dante Alighieri Center. He said his father thought of having a Sentro Rizal in each Philippine Embassy abroad to "instill nationalism in every Filipino." "For each famous institution, there is an obscure institution that my father has created. For each TESDA, there is lesser-known national book development board. For each CHED, there is a UP School of Health Sciences," the senator said. The younger Angara said his father's work in the area of education cannot be discounted. The late statesman championed education to give everyone in the country a fighting chance to succeed because he believed in the Filipino talent, he said. "My father always wanted to give everyone a fighting chance. Paniwala nya po na ang angking talino at galing ng Pilipino ay hindi matatawaran, na kung bibigyan lang ng tyansa, ay we are world-class. We can excel wherever we go," Sonny said. According to the first-term senator, 50 percent of his father's achievements are not even publicly known. "I was once invited sa UP Women Center to inaugurate around 2009 at nalaman ko, sabi nung dean sa akin, 'proyekto po ito ng tatay nyo.' He never told me about it. Ang dami pong ganun sa totoo lang." In his eulogy, Sonny recalled his father's "extraordinary attachment and devotion" to UP, where he spent 12 years or about one-seventh of his life--6 years as a student and 6 years as university president from 1981 to 1987. Among the many good words and praises for his late father, Sonny said what moved him the most were those came from maintenance personnel of UP. "Ang dami pong lumapit sa akin na maintenance sa labas at sinabi nilang mahal na mahal po nila ang aking tatay dahil tumaas daw ang kanilang benepisyo sa ilalim nya," the senator said. "I think that is a true test of a leader when you can lift up the lowest of the low among your constituents," he added. In behalf of his mother Gloria and the rest of the family, Sonny thanked the UP community for paying tribute to his late father, who died on May 13 at the age of 83.
Press Release

May 20, 2018 Hontiveros on Chinese nuclear-capable bombers:

REVIEW BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH CHINA, FILE RESO BEFORE UN "A review of our bilateral relationship with China is in order. We can't call a country that robs us of our islands and threatens us with nuclear war a friend." This was the reaction of Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros regarding reports that China has landed long-range nuclear-capable H-6K bombers in the Paracels Islands placing the entirety of the Philippine Islands within striking range of the nuclear-capable Chinese bombers. "By placing our country within striking distance of its nuclear-capable bombers, China has virtually threatened us with nuclear war over the West Philippine Sea. This is unacceptable. This is a serious threat to the lives of our citizens, an assault on our Constitution and a direct violation of internationally-recognized treaties to which we are a signatory," Hontiveros said. Our government must immediately review our bilateral relations with China and check if they are still faithful to our Constitution and the treaties we are part of," Hontiveros added. Hontiveros pointed to Article II, Section 8 of the Philippine Constitution which calls for the country's adoption and pursuance of "a policy of freedom from nuclear weapons in its territory." The opposition Senator also reminded the Duterte government of a legally-binding United Nations treaty it signed in 2017 prohibiting nuclear weapons, and its obligations under the Bangkok Treaty establishing a Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone. Hontiveros called on the Duterte government to bring China's nuclear threats before the United Nations General Assembly. "As a country with a Constitution that renounces war as an instrument of national policy and the use of nuclear weapons, the Philippines must sponsor a resolution before the UN condemning China's threat of nuclear war against the Philippines and demand that it comply with the ruling of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) arbitral tribunal," she advised. "I challenge President Duterte and his foreign affairs officials to end their subservience to China and muster the necessary political courage to stand up to protect our national sovereignty and the lives of our citizens," Hontiveros said.
Press Release

May 20, 2018 Legarda: We Must Embrace Our Cultural Diversity In observance of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (May 21), Senator Loren Legarda said Filipinos should embrace our rich culture, which may be diverse but can be an instrument to unite. "Our culture is our identity, and part of that identity is a complex and heterogeneous mix of cultures. Our different ethno-linguistic groups--each with a distinct heritage of traditions, dance, art, music, folklore, beliefs, value systems--make up the identity of the Filipino people," said Legarda. "We can never work together wholeheartedly towards the inclusive growth and development of our nation if we do not have national pride as a people, if we do not appreciate the richness of our diverse culture," she added. Legarda said that cultural considerations cannot anymore remain on the sidelines of policy making. These need to be integrated in education, economic planning, urban and rural development, technological innovations, among others. "We need to increase the level of cultural awareness, inculcate values for the common good, cultivate creativity, and strengthen culture-sensitive governance and development," she stressed. Legarda explained that this is the reason she is pushing for the creation of a Department of Culture that will ensure the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture that is rooted in unity amidst diversity. A Department of Culture would give the arts and culture sector more focus and attention and a stronger fiscal position to recommend and implement government's policies and programs for the promotion of culture and the arts. Legarda said the proposed measure addresses the need for a clear policy framework and a lead agency that will preserve and sustain traditional arts, crafts and local industries deeply ingrained in the Filipino culture. It will develop, manage and be responsible for the implementation of policy, legislation and strategic direction for the protection, safeguarding, regulation, preservation, development, management, dissemination and promotion of Philippine culture and the arts. "Diversity breeds richness in our culture and heritage. Diversity brings everyone together for as long as there is understanding and respect--for as long as no one thinks he or she is superior and more deserving than the rest. Achieving sustainable and inclusive growth is only possible if we have a shared understanding of who we are as a people," Legarda concluded.
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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.

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The High Court has sided with the Commerce Commission on how to interpret peer-to-peer lender Harmoney's platform fees, deeming them to be credit fees and falling under the regulator's purview.

The commission, which oversees the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003, claimed Harmoney's platform fees were an unreasonable credit fee and sought a declaration from the court backing up its interpretation.

Justice Patricia Courtney today backed the commission's interpretation, saying Harmoney's documents amounted to a credit contract and that the way the peer-to-peer lender was structured went "beyond mere matchmaking", providing a nominal creditor to hold loans as a bare trustee for investors and undertaking the full administration of the transactions.

The judge didn't accept Harmoney's argument that the platform fee was akin to a brokerage fee and shouldn't be captured by the legislation. She also ignored Harmoney's submission that the novelty of peer-to-peer lending should preclude the usual application of the credit contracts law.

The Commerce Commission lodged the suit in August last year, with the hearing in October. At the time, it said it wanted a declaration that the charge was a credit fee and compensation for affected borrowers.

The regulator and peer-to-peer lender had previously clashed in 2016, when Harmoney pleaded guilty to misleading consumers over 'pre-approval' letters sent in various forms to more than 500,000 New Zealanders between October 2014 and April 2015. The letters misled recipients by telling them they had been pre-approved to borrow money from Harmoney. The peer-to-peer lender was ultimately fined about $293,000 over that breach.

(BusinessDesk)

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The much adored Flagship Brewery celebrated its four-year anniversary Saturday with their iconic beers and live music.

Flagship threw open its doors on Minthorne Street, beginning at noon, serving up some new flavors to tickle taste buds, including Barrel-aged Sour and a Kill van Kolsch beer with twists of key lime and tangelo.

The brewery was packed in the late afternoon with bands keeping the crowd alive.

Matthew McGinley, co-founder of Flagship, was thrilled by the turnout and proud to see how far the brewery has grown in nearly half a decade.

"From day one, the community has really embraced everything we've done," he said. "We've tried to run a business that supports local, and a place where people can gather to enjoy local music, and showcase what we do on a daily basis, which is create a product locally."

Flagship has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.

"In the next couple of years, we plan to expand this facility to keep up with our organic growth," McGinley said. "But we want to continue to focus on New York City and become one of the brands in the five boroughs that people can trust."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island motorists traveling to New Jersey on Sunday are experiencing major traffic delays.

The stop-and-go traffic has has been reported all weekend on the Outerbridge Crossing.

The New Jersey-bound lanes on the Goethals Bridge have been closed since 9 p.m. on Friday as the second span prepares to open, causing motorists to be redirected toward the Bayonne Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing.

Heavy delays are being reported approaching the Outerbridge Crossing on Sunday, on both the West Shore Expressway and the Korean War Veterans Parkway.

As of 10:44 a.m., the Outerbridge was experiencing a delay of 30 minutes due to high traffic volume and the closed Goethals Bridge lanes, according to the Port Authority.

Traffic delays approaching the Bayonne Bridge to New Jersey have not been reported.

One woman said it took about 45 minutes to travel from the Woodrow Plaza shopping center to the Outerbridge Crossing on Saturday.

Another woman said it took about an hour to cross the Bayonne Bridge on Saturday after there were traffic delays due to a transformer issue in Bayonne, N.J. that was causing low visibility on Route 440.

The Outerbridge Crossing to NJ is experiencing a delay of 30 minutes due to NJ bound Goethals Bridge closure. [41]  Outerbridge Crossing (@PANYNJ_OBX) May 20, 2018

Delays approaching both the Outerbridge and Bayonne spans were reported on Saturday.

The New Jersey-bound lanes of the Goethals Bridge closed Friday at 9 p.m., and will remain closed until the opening of the new span, scheduled for no later than Monday at 4 a.m.

FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Starbucks is implementing a new policy that allows customers to use Starbucks spaces and bathrooms, regardless of whether they make a purchase.

"This policy applies to all customers and Starbucks employees ('partners')," Starbucks wrote in a news release. "For the purposes of this policy, any person who enters our spaces, including patios, cafes and restrooms, regardless of whether they make a purchase, is considered a customer."

Starbucks announced its open-bathroom policy earlier this month in response to public outcry following a recent racial incident in Philadelphia, Penn.

Starbucks said, as part of its new policy, that it wants stores to be a warm and welcoming environment, allowing customers to gather and connect.

The coffee giant requests customers behave in a manner that is consistent with the shop's intended use, are considerate of others, communicate with respect and act responsibly.

APRIL INCIDENT

On April 21, two African-American men were arrested at a Starbucks in Philadelphia after one of the men was denied use of the bathroom.

The men then sat down within the Starbucks, awaiting a business meeting, as the store manager called 911 to report the men for refusing to leave. The two men were soon arrested for trespassing.

Since the incident occurred, Starbucks has formally apologized to the two men involved, Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson.

FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.
US, China agree to abandon trade war: Beijing



Beijing, May 20 (AFP) May 20, 2018



Washington and Beijing have agreed to abandon any trade war and back off from imposing tariffs on each other, Chinese state media reported Sunday.

The announcement came after high-level talks in the US capital and followed months of tensions over what President Donald Trump has blasted as an unfair commercial relationship between the two economic giants.

Vice-Premier Liu He, who led Chinese negotiators in Washington said: "The two sides reached a consensus, will not fight a trade war, and will stop increasing tariffs on each other," state-run news agency Xinhua reported Sunday.

Liu called the agreement a "necessity", but added: "At the same time it must be realised that unfreezing the ice cannot be done in a day, solving the structural problems of the economic and trade relations between the two countries will take time."

An earlier joint statement issued in Washington said Beijing would "significantly" increase its purchases of American goods, but offered few details.

The apparent detente comes after months of increasing tensions that have set markets on edge over fears of a damaging trade war.

Trump has repeatedly railed against his country's trade deficit with China, describing it as a danger to US national security and threatening to impose tariffs on billions of dollars' worth of Chinese goods.

US levies on $50 billion of Chinese imports could have come into effect as early as next week.

The talks in Washington were between delegations led by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Liu, who also met Thursday with Trump. The sides had met earlier in Beijing.

"There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the United States trade deficit in goods with China," the joint statement said.

"To meet the growing consumption needs of the Chinese people and the need for high-quality economic development, China will significantly increase purchases of United States goods and services."



- 'Meaningful increases' -

Last year, the United States had a $375.2 billion trade deficit with China, with populist politicians blaming the Asian powerhouse for the leeching of American jobs over the last few decades.

Washington reportedly had demanded the deficit be slashed by at least $200 billion by 2020.

However, the joint statement held no indication that China had assented to that target.

It said both sides had agreed on "meaningful increases" in US agriculture and energy exports. Liu said the new trade cooperation would extend to medical care, high-tech products, and finance, according to Xinhua.

They also agreed to strengthen cooperation on protecting intellectual property -- a long-standing source of US discontent.

The two countries, their economies enormously interlinked, opened the delicate negotiations a few weeks ago.

Trump had threatened China with tariffs on up to $150 billion of imports, prompting Beijing to warn it would target US agricultural exports, aircraft, and even whiskey.



- 'Ripped off' -



The White House is wary of hurting largely Republican-voting farm states or damaging the economy before legislative elections this November. But Trump is also keen to appear tough on trade.

On Thursday, he unleashed a barrage of criticism against former US administrations, saying they had allowed Beijing to take advantage of the United States.

"We have been ripped off by China. And an evacuation of wealth like no country has ever seen before given to another country that's rebuilt itself based on a lot of the money that they've taken out of the United States," he said.

"China has become very spoiled."

The trade issue is complicated by the impending summit meeting in Singapore between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has consulted with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

China is North Korea's biggest trade partner, and Trump has called on it repeatedly to press Pyongyang to rein in its nuclear and missile programs.

The joint statement made no mention of Chinese telecom giant ZTE, which had suspended operations after US sanctions were imposed to punish it for exporting sensitive materials to Iran and North Korea.

Trump took observers by surprise last week when he tweeted that he and Xi were "working together" to find a way to help ZTE "get back into business, fast."

If the US and China face further difficulties in the future, Liu said: "We must look at them calmly, maintain dialogue and properly handle them."

bbk-rwm/hg
US-China trade deal could cost Europe: French minister



Paris, May 20 (AFP) May 20, 2018



Europe could end up rueing a potential new deal between China and the United States after the two sides stepped back from a trade war, France's Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire warned Sunday.

"The United States and China risk entering an agreement at the expense of Europe if Europe is not capable of showing a firm hand," Le Maire told CNEWS television.

"The United States wants to make Europe and European countries pay for China's bad behaviour. All of that is totally absurd and incomprehensible for allies," he said.

His comments came after a joint statement issued in Washington said Beijing had agreed to reduce its trade deficit, "significantly" increasing purchases of American goods.

Trump had threatened China with tariffs on up to $150 billion (127 billion euros) of imports, prompting Beijing to warn it would target US agricultural exports, aircraft, and even whiskey.

US levies on $50 billion of Chinese imports could have come into effect as early as next week.

Trump had in March imposed steep tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminium imports, though it exports comparatively little of the metals to the US market.

Le Maire said French President Emmanuel Macron had been "very clear" on his request for "total and definitive exemption from American tariffs".

Trump announced earlier this month that the EU would be shielded from his steel and aluminium tariffs along with Mexico and Canada, but only for another 30 days.

On Friday, the EU told the World Trade Organization that it was ready to unfurl retaliatory measures against US metal tariffs, which would include European tariffs on motorcycles and bourbon.
US, China back off on tariffs, easing trade tensions



Washington, May 20 (AFP) May 20, 2018



US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin confirmed Sunday that Washington and Beijing have agreed to back off from imposing tariffs on each other, a day after reaching an accord on slashing the American trade deficit with China.

"We have made very meaningful progress and we agreed on a framework," Mnuchin told Fox News Sunday. "So right now we have agreed to put the tariffs on hold while we try to execute the framework."

China's Vice Premier Liu He, who led a high-level delegation to the United States this week, meantime confirmed that "the two sides reached a consensus, will not fight a trade war, and will stop increasing tariffs on each other," official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

The apparent detente between the two economic giants follows months of increasing tensions that have set markets on edge over fears of a damaging trade war.

The US-Chinese thaw raised concerns in some other countries still facing potential US tariffs, however, with France saying it could come "at the expense of Europe."

Mnuchin emphasized Sunday that the sides had also discussed structural changes by Beijing "to make sure that we have a fair ability to compete" in its vast market.



- 'Unfreezing the ice' -



As each side worked to set expectations, Liu cautioned that "unfreezing the ice cannot be done in a day" and that structural changes "will take time."

Mnuchin added a caution of his own, emphasizing that if China did not respect its commitments, Trump could "always decide to put the tariffs back on."

In the absence of an agreement, US levies on $50 billion of Chinese imports could have taken effect as early as next week. Tariffs on steel and aluminum were put in place in March.

A joint statement issued Saturday in Washington said Beijing would "significantly" increase its purchases of American goods, but offered few details.

Last year, the United States had a $375.2 billion trade deficit with China, and Washington reportedly had demanded the deficit be slashed by at least $200 billion by 2020.



- Targets not disclosed -



Asked on Fox whether the agreement addressed the $200 billion demand, Mnuchin said, "We have specific targets" but that he would not disclose them publicly.

He said they were set "industry by industry."

Trump's threats of further tariffs had prompted Beijing to warn it would target US agricultural exports, aircraft, and even whiskey.

Against that fraught backdrop, teams led by Mnuchin and Liu met earlier this month in Beijing.

Both sides said further talks are planned to flesh out details.

"There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the United States trade deficit in goods with China," Saturday's joint statement said.

It added that "China will significantly increase purchases of United States goods and services."

Mnuchin said there would be "a very big increase" in Chinese purchases of US agricultural supplies -- by 35 percent to 45 percent this year -- as well as a potential doubling of energy purchases.

And Liu said the new cooperation would extend to medical care, high-tech products and finance, according to Xinhua.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation on protecting intellectual property -- a long-standing source of US discontent.



- Korean complication -



The trade issue is complicated by the impending summit meeting in Singapore between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has consulted with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

China is North Korea's biggest trade partner, and Trump has called on it repeatedly to press Pyongyang to rein in its nuclear and missile programs.

Meantime, the effects of the new US-Chinese warming were being nervously assessed in other countries, with French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire warning Sunday that it could exact a cost from Europe.

"The United States and China risk entering an agreement at the expense of Europe if Europe is not capable of showing a firm hand," he told CNEWS television.

Trump earlier this month granted the EU, along with Canada and Mexico, only a 30-day reprieve from threatened steel and aluminum tariffs.

"The United States wants to make Europe and European countries pay for China's bad behavior," Le Maire said. "All of that is totally absurd and incomprehensible for allies."
Srinagar, May 20: A 9-year-old boy was injured seriously after paramilitary CRPF allegedly opened fire upon a group of protesters at Arampora area of Sopore in north Kashmirs Baramulla district on Saturday evening.

Official sources told news agency GNS that CRPF men used tear smoke shells, opened some rubber bullets and few aerial shots after a group of youth pelted their vehicle with stones near Arampora at around 7:15 pm.

In the incident, one minor boy Rizwan Ahmad Kaboo son of Reyaz Ahmad Kaboo of Arampora Sopore sustained head injuries and was immediately taken to sub-district hospital Sopore.

A doctor who operated upon the minor said that the boy was hit by a rubber bullet in his head and as such was referred to SKIMS Soura for specialized treatment.

SSP Sopore Javid Iqbal, when contacted by GNS, said that a forces vehicle was attacked allegedly by the stone pelters at Arampora this evening and in the retaliatory action the minor got injured.

SSP further said that police are ascertaining what actually happened there. We have registered a case and further investigations taken up. (GNS)
By The Editorial Board  New York TimesThe editorial board represents the opinions of the board, its editor and the publisher. It is separate from the newsroom and the Op-Ed section.May 18, 2018The Indian government has announced a halt in operations against militants in Kashmir for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. On its face that should be welcomed, given the steady rise in violence this year, though skeptics have said it will give Islamist separatist militants time to gather strength. In any case, it requires a strong leap of faith to expect that the break, if it holds, can achieve anything resembling a peace process.

The struggle over Kashmir is one of those territorial disputes that seem only to deepen and to assume greater symbolic importance as decades go by and the atrocities and resentments on both sides pile up. The conflict dates back to the end of British rule in 1947 and has been the cause of the three wars between India and Pakistan. Since 1989, an Islamist insurgency supported by Pakistan has further complicated the conflict and raised the death toll.

Border skirmishes along the heavily armed Line of Control dividing Indian- and Pakistani-controlled parts of Kashmir are common. With India and Pakistan both in possession of nuclear arms, former President Bill Clinton once called the border the most dangerous place in the world. On Friday, despite Ramadan, a fierce exchange of fire between border posts left eight civilians dead.

The Ramadan cease-fire was sought by the chief minister of the Indian-administered part of Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, who has found herself increasingly isolated since her political alliance with Indias dominant party, the nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, has failed to lower violence. Indias prime minister, Narendra Modi, is due in Kashmir over the weekend to inaugurate development projects.

[ngg_images source=galleries container_ids=3 display_type=photocrati-nextgen_basic_slideshow gallery_width=600 gallery_height=400 cycle_effect=fade cycle_interval=10 show_thumbnail_link=1 thumbnail_link_text=[Show thumbnails] order_by=sortorder order_direction=ASC returns=included maximum_entity_count=500]

Another explanation for the cease-fire was evident in a new police report on militancy in south Kashmir. It said that an Indian offensive initiated against jihadists this year has doubled the number of local recruits to the Islamists. It was an age-old story: Heavy-handed tactics may hold territory, but they lose the population.

Yet as former President Barack Obama remarked in 2009, when he considered appointing Mr. Clinton to try his hand as mediator, Kashmir is also a tar pit diplomatically. The dispute has long ceased being purely territorial, which might be amenable to a practical solution, and has deepened into a zero-sum clash of national pride and identity, made all the more intractable by the rise of Islamist passions among young Muslim Kashmiris. Under stiff Indian opposition to American intervention, Mr. Obama abandoned his mediation effort.

A solution to a conflict that touches on so many religious and nationalist nerves must ultimately come from within, through talks among India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir. They have tried before, but contacts in 2008 collapsed when Islamist terrorists staged a series of bloody attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai. A promising meeting in December 2015 between Mr. Modi and Nawaz Sharif, who was then Pakistans prime minister, came to nothing when Islamist militants attacked an Indian Air Force base.

Yet the obvious and growing danger of the Kashmir conflict demands trying again and again, however elusive the goal. It may be too much to expect either side to surrender territorial claims on Kashmir, but Indias Ramadan olive branch, however inauspicious, could become the start of a sorely needed dialogue if Pakistan responds by at least suspending its support for Islamic terrorist groups in Kashmir. Given the magnitude of whats at stake, Washington and other affected powers should do all they can to encourage all sides to give this opening a chance.

Courtesy NY Times
Iran wary as EU presents plans to save nuclear deal



Tehran, May 19 (AFP) May 19, 2018



Iran said Saturday it would wait to see whether Europe produces tangible results in overcoming US sanctions before it decides whether to stay in the nuclear deal, as a top EU official visited Tehran to present plans for maintaining trade ties.

"The ball is in the court of the EU. They have presented different proposals, we will see if they materialise," said the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi.

He was speaking after meeting European Union Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete, the first high-level Western official to visit Iran since the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers earlier this month.

Canete called the nuclear deal "fundamental for peace in the region" as he outlined EU plans to continue oil and gas purchases and protect European companies from US sanctions as they are phased in over the next six months.

He also had detailed talks with Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh on practical solutions, which he said included plans for direct payments between central banks and state-backed insurance for shipments.

A group of experts later met their Iranian counterparts to hash out the details.

Zanganeh said there were no plans to change Iran's pattern of oil exports, which amount to 3.8 million barrels per day, with 70 percent going to Asia and 20 percent to Europe.

Salehi acknowledged Europe's efforts to protect trade but said: "We want tangible results, otherwise we take our own decisions. I personally don't want to see such decisions being taken."

Iran has threatened to resume industrial uranium enrichment "without limit" unless its interests are preserved by the remaining parties to the deal, which also include China and Russia.

Salehi said the Iranian people had lost trust in the nuclear agreement and that if trade benefits were not protected "they will lose more confidence... and we will be forced to leave."



- EU firms eye exit -



Despite vows by European leaders to protect EU firms from US sanctions, several companies -- including France's Total and Holland's Maersk -- have already said it will be impossible to stay unless they receive explicit exemptions from Washington.

On Friday, French energy giant Engie said it would begin pulling out of all projects in the Islamic republic in order to avoid being hit by US sanctions.

"For sure there are clear difficulties with the sanctions," Canete said at a press conference alongside Salehi.

"We will have to ask for waivers, for carve-outs for the companies that make investments."

Canete was due to meet Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday.

Iran's trade with the European Union is worth around 20 billion euros a year, evenly split between imports and exports.

Oil accounts for some 90 percent of EU imports from Iran, going primarily to Spain, France, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands and Germany.

Iran has the world's fourth-biggest oil reserves and second-largest gas reserves.

But it has only finalised two major energy deals since the sanctions were lifted: Total's $4.8-billion South Pars 11 project with the China National Petroleum Corporation, and a $740 million deal with Russia's Zarubezhneft to develop the Aban and Paydar oilfields.

Analysts say Iran's hardliners remain wary of foreign involvement in the energy sector, and the Revolutionary Guards have sought to maintain their privileged position in major projects -- delaying negotiations with Western firms.

Russia and China are less vulnerable to economic pressure from Washington, and analysts say they could benefit from Europe's difficulties in Iran.

csg-pg/par

A.P. MOELLER-MAERSK
Tifariti (Liberated Zones), May 20, 2018 (SPS) - The President of the Republic, Secretary-General of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali, received the credentials of the Zimbabwean Ambassador to the Sahrawi Republic, Mr. Edwin George Mandaza.



In a statement to the press, the Zimbabwean ambassador expressed his pleasure for the honor he received, highlighting that he discussed with the President of the Republic the challenges facing the continent and expressed Zimbabwe's support for the just Sahrawi cause.



The Ambassador had been received by the Minister of Cooperation, Bulahi Sayed, and the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (SPS)



062/SPS/TRA
English19/05/2018

SRNA News Roundup /IV/ - May 19, 2018





FEDERATION OF BiH



MOSTAR - The Mostar board of the Croatian Democratic Union /HDZ/ says that the Bosnia and Herzegovina Minister of Security Dragan Mektic illegally placed a large number of illegal migrants in the Refugee Centre in Salakovac outside Mostar and urges the Bosniak parties and competent institutions to condemn such an illegal and unconstitutional act.



SERBIA



BELGRADE - The Serbian Army and Ministry of Defence will take an active part in researching the consequences of the NATO 1999 air strikes, said Minister of Defence Aleksandar Vulin.





REGION



ZAGREB - Residents of the Croatian city of Rijeka staged a Walk for Freedom on Saturday, a counter-protest to the Walk for Life whose participants oppose the womens right to abortion. The goal was to show that the city supports the freedom of choice. /end/ds
14 banks sign pact to expand rural access

Fourteen commercial banks of the country have joined hands with Sakchyam, an access to finance initiative of UKaid, to establish 57 new branches in rural municipalities of Karnali Province and Province Number 5 and 7.
51 projects flout rules: New study

A Non-Government Organisation (NGO) study reveals serious derelictions by a section of lawmakers in using funds allocated to develop their constituencies.
Analysts sceptical on communist unity

The unification of CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Centre) makes new entity, the Nepal Communist Party, the largest and most powerful communist political party in the countrys history.
Hongshi-Shivam cement factory starts trial production

Hongshi-Shivam Cement, a Nepal-China joint venture company, started trial production under the brand Hongshi Cements on Friday, two years after it started construction of the plant. The company has planned to begin commercial production within a month.
Over the last decade the American military has been upgrading the security of their communications. These upgrades are especially critical for weapons and aircraft that are controlled via wireless signals. A recent example was the U.S. Army decision to upgrade all its older Switchblade UAVs to the Block 10C standard. This involves upgrading the communications (between operator and UAV) to use an encrypted digital link. This makes it nearly impossible for enemy forces to eavesdrop or hijack Switchblade communications. Block 10C Switchblade was introduced in 2016 but there were still older models without the encrypted data link and with Russian EW (Electronic Warfare) forces so active in Syria and elsewhere it became important to use only Block 10C Switchblades. Moreover, Switchblade is frequently used by special operations troops where secure communications and reliability are particularly important

Since 2014, when most American and NATO forces were withdrawn from Afghanistan, most of the U.S. troops in combat are SOCOM (Special Operations Command) commandos and Special Forces in Iraq and Syria and elsewhere. These troops require some special equipment and one of the most used items is Switchblade, which is a one kilogram (2.2 pound) expendable (used only once) UAV that can be equipped with explosives and also used as a weapon. The Switchblade is launched from its shipping and storage tube, at which point wings flip out, a battery powered propeller starts spinning and a vidcam begins broadcasting images to the controller. The Switchblade is operated using the same controller as the larger (two kg/4.4 pound) Raven UAV.

A complete Switchblade system (missile, container, and controller) weighs 5.5 kg (12.1 pounds). Switchblade was very popular with troops in Afghanistan, where it was first tested, and with SOCOM in all sorts of places, they wont discuss in detail. Switchblade is still widely used with over 5,000 produced so far. Switchblade first saw combat in 2009 and each one costs about $80,000. For SOCOM forces, who often travel light into enemy territory, hauling along a Switchblade or two can be crucial for completing a mission not to mention a lifesaver in emergencies. Users regarded Switchblade as a micro-UAV/cruise missile. It was both aerial surveillance and a weapon. More importantly, it could be carried and used by individual troops. Moving at up to a kilometer a minute, the Switchblade can stay in the air for 10-15 minutes (depending on whether or not it is armed with explosives) and remain under operator control up to ten kilometers away. The armed version can be flown to a target and detonated, having about the same explosive effect as a hand grenade. Thus, Switchblade enables ground troops to get at an enemy taking cover in a hard to see location. Technically a guided missile, the use of Switchblade as a reconnaissance tool encouraged developers to refer to it as a UAV. But because of the warhead option, and its slow speed, Switchblade also functions like a rather small cruise missile and be flown by its controller or autonomously via GPS coordinates. The troops were particularly enthusiastic about the armed version because it allowed them to easily take out snipers or a few bad guys in a compound full of civilians.

The United States sent some Switchblade UAV systems to Afghanistan in 2009 for secret field testing. This was very successful and the troops demanded more, and more, and more. That was unexpected because initially, Switchblade was mainly used largely by Special Forces and other special operations troops. In 2011, after more than a year of successful field testing, the army ordered over a hundred Switchblades for troop use and every year since more had to be ordered because regular infantry units in combat got their hands on it and demanded more. By 2012 the U.S. Marine Corps was using Switchblade as well.

Others noticed Switchblade. In 2015 An Israeli firm has introduced a new loitering UAV, portable enough (weighing 3 kg/6.6 pounds) for the infantry to carry and use. The Hero 30 has 30 minutes endurance and has a small warhead that can use used to turn it into a weapon if the onboard vidcam indicates a target that has to be taken care of immediately. Otherwise, it can be landed and reused. Hero 30 is based on the older Hero 400 which weighs 40 kg and has an 8 kg (18 pound) warhead. This UAV has a four hour endurance and can operate up to 150 kilometers from the operator. But Israel noticed that the United States was having lot of success (and demand from SOCOM and infantry units) for the similar (to Hero 30) Switchblade.
American troops are now being issued a new pistol and acceptance has been good. This follows the January 2017 announcement that the U.S. Department of Defense, after a ten year search, had decided on a new standard pistol, to replace the elderly and unpopular Beretta M9. The new M17 pistol is a variant of the SIG Sauer P320, which lost out to the Baretta in 1985 because the Baretta 9mm was a little cheaper. The M9 replaced the M1911 11.4mm (.45 caliber) pistol. The M9 replacement first appeared in 2014 as a civilian/police weapon modified to compete to replace the M9. The basic characteristics of the military and civilian versions are the same. Both are 836 g (29 ounce) weapons that are 203mm (8 inches) long and have a 17 round magazine (with an optional 21 round extended magazine). There is a compact version (M18) with a shorter (by 20mm/.8 inch) barrel making it more useful for concealed carry.

Combat zone testing in Afghanistan during late 2017 discovered a few problems with the militarized P320 and SIG quickly fixed these by making a few component modifications. This quick response was part of the contract for the new pistol and is expected to continue if more problems are encountered. The Baretta was notorious for having problems that took a long time to verify and even longer (if ever) to fix. SIG has a reputation for moving faster in this area and demonstrated it right away.

To help with the user testing and debugging SIG is releasing 5,000 M18s to the commercial market, selling for $650 each. The military buys them in large quantities for less than half that price. While most civilian owners wont treat their M18s as roughly as troops or use them under harsh conditions for extended periods, these civilian users tend to be more experienced, often ex-military and another source of insightful user feedback.

The Department of Defense currently plans to buy 421,000 M17/M18 pistols. Most, 195,000 are for the army while 130,000 are for the Air Force, 61,000 (M18 only) for the navy and 35,000 for the marines. The army and marines are issuing more pistols to infantry units, recognizing that there are a lot of situations where several troops should be armed with pistols. This includes clearing caves, tunnels or other confined spaces. The M17 and the new holster were selected with this in mind and using a lot of feedback from combat experienced soldiers and marines. This feedback led to the few modifications that turned the SIG P320 into the M17 and made it much easier to train troops to quickly become quite effective (and accurate) with the M17.

Since the 1980s, when the M9 appeared there have been numerous new accessories for pistols, many of them used a lot by special operations and police (SWAT and the like) forces. Many troops bought their own 9mm pistols (SIG and Glock were common) equipped with these accessories and used them in combat. SOCOM (Special Operations Command) would pay for any successful (in combat) pistols and accessories. A key factor in selecting SIG was its history of firing a large number of rounds without any jams or malfunctions. That is a crucial factor for combat troops who now have a pistol that is recognized as an offensive weapon and when it is needed must be reliable.

Experienced military and civilian pistol users agree that the P320 was the best choice although the Glock was a strong alternative choice. The militarized P320 has modifications to improve performance in combat conditions. That meant tweaks that make it more reliable when exposed to mud, sand and all manner of crap associated with combat zone operations. Other modifications made it easier to take apart for cleaning under field (outside, cramped quarters, low light) conditions. Other modifications for military use included improved single handed performance, easier use with either hand, able to easily install military type night and day sights and improved accuracy. The M17 also has the modification to allow a silencer to be attached.

The M17 decision came after the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force joined forces in 2014 to speed up the seemingly unending selection process. Another development that speeded things up was the fact the SOCOM had already adopted a number of other pistols to replace the M9. For example in 2011 the U.S. Navy SEALS adopted the SIG Sauer P226 9mm pistol as their Mk25 standard sidearm. This pistol was actually the same Sig Sauer P226 the SEALS have been using since the 1980s, but with a better accessory rail, a few other minor changes, and a new name. The Sig Sauer P320 is, to most users, an updated version of the P226. This is ironic because back in the early 1980s the Berretta and Sig Sauer pistols had both scored about the same on the American evaluation tests and the Berretta won mainly on the basis of price. The P320 is cheaper than the P226 but the contract to replace as many as 500,000 army M9s is worth over half a billion dollars.

The selection of the P320 was criticized mainly because it took the Department of Defense (mainly the army) a decade to select what their own evaluation team approved of back in the early 1980s and that SOCOM user experience confirmed before the 1980s were over. SOCOM came into being a few years after the M9 was adopted and immediately began planning to bring back .45 caliber pistols for its commandos while also allowing the use of alternative 9mm pistols as needed. SOCOM always had the right to do that and the army and marines often pay close attention to, and adopt, new weapons and equipment SOCOM has selected and then used successfully in action. Thus the SOCOM decision to keep using the .45 and select a different 9mm pistol. Actually, many Special Forces and SEAL operators never gave up using the original army .45, as it was the ideal pistol for many commando operations.

As the U.S. Army Special Forces discovered, if you are well trained and know what you are doing you should carry a pistol, in addition to your rifle. Not the official issue M9 pistol but something with a bit more stopping power. The SOCOM operators more frequently operate in small groups and fight up close. The Special Forces prefer new model 11.4mm (.45 caliber) pistols, although 10mm weapons are also popular. The reason for this is that you are most likely to be using the pistol indoors, where your target is going to be really close. You want to knock the enemy down quickly before he can get at you with a knife or even his hands. In Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers and Marines brought their own pistols and most commanders have been lenient on this issue.

The army and air force do not have the same needs as SOCOM and simply want a 9mm pistol with fewer flaws and more of the latest pistol tech than the existing M9. The air force tried to replace the M9 in 2007 and was ordered by the Department of Defense to back off. The M9 is a 914 g (33 ounces empty), 217mm (8.5 inch) long weapon that has a 125mm (4.9 inch) barrel and a magazine that holds 15 rounds. It replaced the World War I era M1911 .45 (11.4mm) caliber ACP. This is a 1.1 kg (39 ounce empty), 210mm (8.25 inch) long weapon with a 127mm (5 inch) barrel and a 7 round magazine. Both pistols were only accurate at up to about 50 meters, which is fine for a pistol. The M1911 had more hitting power, while the M9 was a bit more accurate. Loaded, each pistol weighs about 230 g (half a pound) more. The M17 is more accurate than the M9 and uses a new pistol round that has more stopping power than most other 9mm rounds.

By 2014 the army and air force had a very compelling case for change. The army, in particular, found that many of its oldest M9s were, literally, falling apart from old age. Some components (especially the barrels, frames and locking blocks) tend to break on older, especially heavily used, weapons. Since September 11, 2001, the army has used its M9s a lot, much more than originally expected. There are also a host of other problems, like the shape (too awkward for some users), trigger pull (too heavy) and lack of a Picatinny rail for easy mounting accessories. The safety switch is in an awkward position and troops in combat often accidentally put the safety on when cocking the pistol. That can be fatal (for the user) in combat. More modern designs (like SIG Sauer) have something more efficient (and less of a dirt catcher) than the open-slide and spent cartridge ejection system of the M9. Another sign of the times is that the M9 is not equipped to screw on a silencer, an accessory that is more commonly used these days.

Indeed, most of the problems with the M9 result from the fact that it is a design that is over three decades old. Pistol technology has improved a lot since the late 1970s and that can be seen in the pistols that are popular with police forces. Cops can often buy their own pistols and tend to get the most modern, but proven in action, models. Thus many troops in the combat zone leave the M9 they were issued back at the base and go into the field with a 9mm pistol they bought themselves and will continue to use when they leave the military. This is often a Glock 19, which is a police favorite and popular with troops in other countries. Many armies do not replace pistols as frequently as police forces, or special operations troops. But in Afghanistan and Iraq regular combat troops used pistols a lot, and the M9 was not only old but as far as features went, the design was obsolete. As you can see, its not just the wear and tear, its also obsolescence in the face of advances in pistol design.

Meanwhile, in 2012 the army had to order another 100,000 M9 9mm pistols, each costing $640. This was just to replace the M9s that were falling apart. The U.S. military (mostly the army) already has over 600,000 M9s and that purchase keeps the M9 in service at least until the end of the decade. The U.S. military adopted the 9mm pistol in 1985 largely to standardize ammunition with NATO and to replace the M911 .45 caliber (11.4mm) pistol with something smaller and lighter. All other NATO states used 9mm for pistols. At the time it was noted that most 9mm pistols were carried by officers and support personnel, who rarely used them, in combat or otherwise. Many American combat veterans disagreed with the switch to a 9mm pistol but that advice was ignored, except in SOCOM.

But times have changed. Since 2002 American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan discovered, through combat experience, what types of weapons worked best at close range to take down the enemy. It was the same with SWAT teams and commandos all over the world. When conducting a raid and finding yourself up close and personal with someone trying to kill you, there is a need for a heavy caliber pistol or a shotgun (firing 00 shot or slugs). The premier pistol for ensuring you take down someone is still the .45 caliber (11.4mm) or .40 caliber (10mm, but only with a heavy bullet) pistols. There is also a .50 caliber (12.7mm) pistol, but only very large people can handle this one. The 11.4 and 10mm pistols are light and handy, compared to assault rifles or shotguns, and have a long history of quickly taking down an armed and determined foe. An acceptable alternative is a modern 9mm pistol design that is reliable, has the right accessories and uses a round with more stopping power.
Increased American support (airstrikes, Special Forces, less restrictive rules of engagement and more intel) has boosted the morale and effectiveness of the Afghan security forces. This makes it more difficult for the Taliban to claim control of more of the 407 districts because the Afghan forces can more quickly respond to Taliban efforts to occupy distract capitals (often small towns in areas with few roads). In addition to more airstrikes, the Americans have also brought in more UAVs for reconnaissance and surveillance as well as more access to the high-resolution photo satellites.

The Taliban are responsible for security over large areas (farms where poppies are grown, roads and border areas where drugs are smuggled out and chemicals for turning opium into heroin are smuggled in) and that provides more targets for the increased air support. Casualties are up for the security forces but are up even more for the Taliban and by Afghan custom, thats a win. Afghanistan is a violent place in the best of times and last four decades have not been good for Afghanistan in general. Afghan security forces lost about five percent of their strength in the last year but if the successes against the Taliban continue desertions will decline and more recruits will join.

The parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for October 2016 were delayed by Taliban violence to July 2018 and now to October 2018. The Taliban and the drug gangs oppose the elections while most Afghans want to vote. Taliban attacks on the voter registration effort are reducing the number of people who will be able to vote but is not changing minds about wanting to vote.

For the Taliban democracy is heresy and allowing women to vote makes it worse. Given the widespread hatred of opium and heroin (for all the addicts it creates in Afghanistan) the drug gangs dont want people able to express that attitude via elections. Three years ago a national opinion poll showed that 92 percent of Afghans wanted the election process reformed to reduce corruption. Back then only about twenty percent of Afghans trusted the way elections were handled. Nothing kills democracy faster than a loss of faith in the reliability of the voting process. At the same time, 85 percent of Afghans supported the then new (post Karzai) national government and 91 percent trusted the newly elected president Ghani. At the same time, 81 percent believed the country was moving in the right direction and 71 percent believed public support for the Taliban continued to decline.

Despite the growing opposition to the Taliban, these religious fanatics will remain a problem as long as they are allied with the drug gangs who have the cash and determination to keep the corruption and Islamic terrorism going because it is good for their business. A growing number of prominent religious leaders are openly opposing the Taliban and the Taliban are encountering more local opposition in tribes long considered pro-Taliban. While the drug gangs provide more and more cash the Taliban are getting more and more young men killed, or turned into addicts. The Taliban have been at it for 25 years and have a track record of death, destruction and inability to accomplish anything useful. Concentrating attacks on the national police kills a lot of policemen, who tend to be local guys and eliminate the police presence in an area. That reduces local security and allows the Taliban, and any bandits in the area, to do whatever they want. Local tribes are trying to organize militias to oppose this but in many rural areas, the population is too sparse and too poor to match the more numerous and better armed Taliban.

As Taliban and drug gang control increases legitimate economic activity declines. Since foreign troops left in 2014, the Afghan security forces became the main foe of the Taliban and drug gangs and the government forces have been unable to go after the Taliban and drug gangs while also providing local security that is necessary for economic activity and growth. As a result, the poverty rates have gone up. In 2012 a third of Afghans were considered very poor. By 2017 nearly 60 percent of Afghans were considered very poor and many were going hungry and lacked access to food or other aid. The unemployment rate was nearly 25 percent and for young men in the countryside (half the population is now under 15) taking a job with the Taliban seems the only option. The Taliban blocked the roads or simply demanded bribes too large for truckers to pay (and stay in business). Despite the economic harm, they were doing the Taliban insisted they were on a Mission From God and could not be criticized. But a growing number of local, and now national, religious leaders were forced, by the Moslems they regularly worked with, to speak up about the bad things the Taliban were doing. This has led to more open dissension in Taliban factions, with the Taliban clerics (who serve as spiritual advisors and judges) calling to making peace.

This is an extension of the larger Taliban civil war that broke out in 2015 as a result of disagreements over who should take over as Taliban leader after founder Mullah Omar was revealed in 2015 to have died in 2013 (in a Pakistani hospital). The information was kept to a few key Omar associates who were then accused of lying as part of a plot to install an Omar successor who was second-rate. The civil war began in late November 2015 when Mullah Mansour, leader of the OT (Original Taliban) ordered attacks against the forces of rival Taliban leader Mullah Rasool. This marked a major defeat for the Taliban as they have now lost a major asset; unity. Similar fighting has also occurred in Zabul province. By 2017 the Taliban infighting had diminished but not disappeared. The Pakistani ISI (intelligence service) intervened by having Haqqani Network leaders with Taliban ties take sides and eventually take over the senior Taliban leadership. This reduced but did not eliminate the feuding. As a result the Taliban sought to regain territory they had lost to government forces in 2017, especially near the Iran and northern borders. This was important because these border areas were used for smuggling heroin and opium into Iran.

ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) is moving more of its operations to cities, like Kabul, where they are less likely to be hit by airstrikes. This is an admission of defeat because in urban areas ISIL cannot train large numbers of new recruits or build up stockpiles of weapons and ammo. ISIL also cannot earn money from the drug smuggling business and must get by on a lot less cash.

Iran is financing a resettlement operation in Syria that brings in Shia families from Lebanon, Afghanistan and elsewhere to replace the third of the Syrian population that fled the country during the civil war. Nearly all these refugees were Sunni Arabs and the Assads (who are Shia) dont want them back. The Lebanese Hezbollah are supervising the resettlement program by bringing in Shia Arab Lebanese attracted by the offer of free land and housing. Actually, the buildings may have suffered some war damage but are repairable. Hezbollah fighters are actively preventing Syrian Sunnis from returning and reoccupying their land and homes. Most of the Afghan settlers are illegal residents in Iran who do not want to return to Afghanistan. Many of those Afghans who are Shia are already serving as Iranian mercenaries in Syria and are inclined to bring their families to Syria.

May 15, 2018: In the west (Farah province) Afghan and American airpower assisted local troops and defeated a major Taliban attack against the provincial capital. The Taliban suffered many dead and wounded as they were forced to retreat. This attack was considered a desperate move by local Taliban forces. The Afghan Air Force released video of their new A-29 ground attack using smart bombs against targets in Farah province as well as other targets in southern Afghanistan. The A-29s have been in action using smart bombs since March 22nd. The video was released, in part, to demoralize the Taliban in places like Farah province. Meanwhile, Taliban forces near Farah city are unable to organize another attack because of the constant UAV surveillance. Over the next few days, there were incidents where the Taliban appeared to be organizing another attack and were then hit with airstrikes. Afghan intel believes that Iran is providing support for some of the Taliban factions in Farah. This support appears to be weapons, ammo and some cash. In return, the Taliban provide Iran with help in controlling the border and especially the Afghan opium and heroin getting into Iran (which now has several million addicts).

May 14, 2018: In the west (Herat province) rival Taliban factions fought each other leaving at least eight of the Islamic terrorists dead. Since 2016 western Afghanistan (Farah, Herat and Badghis provinces) has been the scene of much fighting between rival Taliban factions. This has left hundreds of Taliban dead and even as this infighting continued the army moved to oust the Taliban from areas the Islamic terrorists long controlled directly or indirectly.

May 12, 2018: The first four weeks of voter registration have left 86 dead and twice as many wounded.

May 11, 2018: The government has extended, by one month, the voter registration period, which was supposed to be completed by mid-June.

May 9, 2018: In Kabul, five Taliban attacked a police station. One attacker used an explosive vest at the entrance which allowed four gunmen to get inside where the remaining four Taliban were killed. At the same time, another police station was also attacked, apparently by ISIL forces. Total deaths from both attacks were about 25.

May 8, 2018: In Kabul police identified Haqqani Network as the ones who carried out two suicide bomber attacks on police stations in the city today.

May 7, 2018: The Afghan Taliban refuse to take part in an international Afghanistan peace conference organized by regional Islamic leaders and hosted by Indonesia. Some Taliban factions are interested in a peace deal but majority of the Afghan Taliban is now controlled by the Haqqani Network, which answers only to the Pakistani military.

May 6, 2018: In the east (Khost province) a time bomb hidden in a mosque went off and killed over fifty and wounded more than thirty. The mosque was also being used as a voter registration site and that appears to have been the target of the time bomb.

May 1, 2018: Nearly 1,200 died from Taliban and drug gang related violence during April. About 200 of the dead were civilians, killed in many of the 173 different incidents involving explosives or gunfire. The rest of the dead were Islamic terrorists and other criminals along with security forces. That is up about 15 percent in March.

April 25, 2018: The Taliban announced the start of the Spring Offensive. This is largely a propaganda announcement because the Taliban operate year round to protect drug operations, a service that provides the cash to keep the Taliban going.

April 23, 2018: In the east (Nangarhar Province) the top leader of AQIS (Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent) was killed by an American airstrike. Technically Afghanistan is not part of AQIS territory but it has become a more reliable base area (for training camps) than Pakistan or anywhere else in South Asia. AQIS was created in 2014 and initially tried to establish its headquarters in Karachi (Pakistan), long a haven for all sorts of criminal activity and forged alliances with the major Islamic terrorist organizations there. Yet AQIS has been responsible for very few terror attacks in Pakistan or anywhere else. AQIS was created to manage and support operations in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and Burma. Islamic terrorism experts believe this was largely a publicity stunt by al Qaeda to counter the growing popularity of the more radical ISIL. Indian Moslems have produced some recruits for Islamic terrorism, but not enough to produce the level of mayhem Islamic terrorists wanted. Lacking a lot of radical clergy and religious schools India has simply not produced a lot of radicalized young men willing to kill and be killed. Similar recruiting problems were encountered elsewhere but other Al Qaeda groups have continued to provide enough cash and other assistance to keep AQIS going and barely visible. Afghan training camps, destroyed at the end of 2017, were a major AQIS asset and that loss was one reason AQIS agreed to work with the Pakistani Taliban.

April 22, 2018: For the first time since October 2017 ISIL issued an official statement via the Internet. This one informed members and supporters about the new ISIL strategy. No surprises in that as the message repeated the call for ISIL members to return home, if possible, and organize terror attacks there. The primary ISIL targets are the apostate governments of Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Gaza (Hamas) and the West Bank (Fatah). In addition, the Taliban of Afghanistan are the main target in Afghanistan because the local ISIL branch competes with the Taliban to control drug smuggling routes that provide large amounts of cash that ISIL in Afghanistan needs to survive.

April 18, 2018: In the east (Paktia province) Pakistani troops agreed to move back from the disputed territory on the Afghan border. South of Paktia, in Khost province there was a similar withdrawal of Pakistani forces in North Waziristan. This is a temporary fix for the continued disputes over where the Afghan border actually is.
In April 2019 the head of the Australian military, army general Angus Campbell, who was a career infantry and special operations officer, ordered that members of the Australian military halt the use of aggressive symbols like Spartans (ancient Greek soldiers) or fictional characters like the Phantom or Punisher (and more to come given the proliferation of violent video games out there) as well as the grim reaper, skull and crossbones, and similar symbols that were not in line with Australian army values and the ethical armed forces Australia sought to build and sustain. The announcement generated some revealing reactions.

While few of these symbols are used for official insignia by combat units, many are used unofficially for banners, clothing and for large bombs and missiles used in combat. This order was met with incredulousness and unprintable comments by Australian combat troops, especially combat veterans of the many wars and peacekeeping operations Australia has been involved in.

The veterans, military historians and medical professionals (who treat those suffering from combat stress) could have (and many already have) explained to the general that these symbols are part of the psychological conditioning used to prepare troops, especially infantry, for the stresses of combat and its aftermath. After all, infantry training is often referred to (by the students and instructors) as schools where the students learn how to break things and kill people. The combat stress suffered by troops who see sustained combat over months or longer is recognized as a debilitating condition and a number of odd (to civilians and even many non-combat troops) practices were found useful in dealing with the problem. This was particularly true as many American troops saw sustained and very stressful combat after 2001.

For example between September 11, 2001 and 2009, nearly 5,000 troops were evacuated (as medical cases) from Iraq and Afghanistan for mental disorders. Only 16 percent of those were confirmed PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) cases, the rest were for more familiar things like severe depression. This was because most of the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan were not involved in combat. Yes, they were living in a combat zone, but aside from an occasional mortar shell or rocket (which usually causes no injuries), most troops tended to have air conditioned sleeping quarters, gyms, Internet access, video games, good food and excellent medical care. It's unclear how many troops actually have PTSD, although many who are in combat, definitely are stressed out and in need of help. One useful therapy for combat troops, while in the combat zone and later as a treatment for PTSD, was playing violent video games. This seemed illogical but it worked.

PTSD (also known as shell shock or combat fatigue) was first noted after the American Civil War (1861-5). That war was one of the first to expose large numbers of troops to extended periods of combat stress. The symptoms, as reported in the contemporary press were not much different from what you hear today. In the mid to late 19th century affected veterans were diagnosed as suffering from "Irritable Heart" or "Nostalgia." Symptoms noted included fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, headache, excessive sweating, dizziness, disturbed sleep, fainting and flashbacks to traumatic combat situations. Many of these symptoms were noted while troops were still in uniform. During the 20th century, the condition was called shell shock during World War I and combat fatigue during and after World War II and came to be known as PTSD by the end of the century.

The use of the now banned (in the Australian military) symbols arose spontaneously among troops in heavy combat (including peacekeeping or counter-terrorism operations) where the troops faced danger on a regular and sustained basis. Combat commanders (NCOs and junior officers) also getting shot at tended to allow the symbols to be used. Motivating combat troops and maintaining morale (and sanity) is very much a school of whatever works. But the further up the chain of command you go the less influence combat psychology has and the more concern is shown for what the politicians and voters are concerned about. At the most senior levels of command, which some troops refer to as echelons beyond belief it is expected (by combat troops) that decisions will be made that make life more dangerous and unpleasant for those doing the fighting. Thus if the Australian ban stands, other practices will be discouraged (or already are in some countries) like putting impolite messages on bombs and shells. What it comes down to is a clash of cultures. Those getting shot at and trying to cope with the prospect of getting killed develop a different outlook than most of those back home reading about it or seeing video of troops and their symbols.

Bans like this are part of a trend that began in the late 20th century with bans on aircraft nose art. For example in 2013, following the example of the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps ordered the removal of racy photos, pinups, and the like from all workplaces. Follow-up inspections were to be held annually after the initial inspection. This particular ban began efforts to get racy pictures of women off aircraft, along with less sexual (but often more threatening) symbols.

In late 2012 officers and senior NCOs searched all offices, workshops, and other work spaces in the air force and removed any images or material that demeaned or insulted women. Mainly, this meant pinups, but some inspectors erred on the side of career security and removed anything that hinted of a bad attitude towards women. Many airmen feared this would also include pictures of wives or girlfriends in revealing beachwear but there was little of this. No protests were tolerated and the decisions of the inspectors was final. This was all meant to reduce the number of assaults on or other mistreatment of women. Previous efforts to eliminate this bad behavior have not been completely successful, so the extensive hunt for offending images was ordered. The air force did agree to spare the racy examples of nose art on air force combat aircraft in its museums.

The 2012 crackdown continued a U.S. Air Force tradition of cleaning up their image that began after World War II. In the last few decades the navy has been trying to catch up. Not all members of the air force go along with this effort. For example, in 2011 Google supplied satellite photos revealing something the American military uses to help morale but that they would rather keep secret. In this case it was a Batman style bat symbol painted on the roof of a hanger in a U.S. airbase (Kadena Air Force Base in Japan). There are actually a lot of these roof paintings, usually representing the squadron (the Batman symbol was for a fighter squadron known as the vampire bats). Once pictures like this became widely known some commanders ordered the symbols painted over. Wiser commanders tended to let them stay. But the trend is towards playing it straight and humorless. Even the navy and marines have got with the program and the army reluctantly followed suit.

All this use of morale building symbols has had a hard time in the last few decades, as commanders ordered them removed because they were often not politically correct. For example, in 2007, the British Ministry of Defense found out that Harrier pilots and ground crews in Afghanistan had painted racy images ("nose art") on their aircraft. The brass ordered the troops to cease and desist. In addition to the possibility of women in the Royal Air Force complaining (none ever did), there was the risk that some Afghans would be offended. No Afghans have complained either and Afghan men who had seen the nose art usually studied it intently.

The concept of nose art was first seen during World War I and flourished during World War II because of enthusiastic efforts by American pilots and ground crews. The practice was quickly adopted by their British counterparts. From World War II through the 1950s, U.S. combat aircraft often had customized, and unofficial, cartoons or insignia painted on the front portion of their aircraft. The illustrations were usually created by someone on the ground crew and personalized the aircraft for the crew. It boosted morale. During World War II the practice was also adapted for some combat vehicles and small ships in many countries.

The practice largely disappeared after World War II. In the mid-1950s, U.S. Air Force commanders decreed that the nose art was "unprofessional," and by the 1970s, most of it was gone. It managed to survive in some reserve units but was forbidden for active duty aircraft. The air force says the official reason for the policy has to do with security and "sanitation." Basically, it's become part of the air force traditions not to have nose art.

In 2006 two retired air force sergeants, and some commercial artists, began campaigning to bring back nose art. Some senior air force commanders were favorably disposed towards this and the air force was keen to boost morale, as the air force was then going through a period of personnel retrenchment (cutting 40,000 people) and tight budgets. Allowing nose art would not cost anything, as it would be voluntary and up to units to find artists and materials for creating it. So it was allowed to return. Sort of. Like bureaucracies everywhere, changing something like this was difficult. Many air force bureaucrats resisted but the nose art began to reappear. No scantily dressed women were allowed on the new nose art and the practice continues to encounter resistance from senior commanders.

Actually, the nose art never completely disappeared. This was particularly the case with the Air National Guard (a reserve operation, with units controlled by state governments when not called up for federal service). The state politicians were more inclined to look the other way, especially since some of those politicians served in Air Guard units. Regular air force units are increasingly sporting nose art and hoping that their roof art will also be spared the wrath of the politically correct. Pinups in the hanger or warships are another matter and are, for the moment, banned just about everywhere in the American military.

The latest Australian ban may, or may not, extend to troops wearing the forbidden symbols off-duty or on T-shirts worn under their combat uniforms. Then again if there is another period of major combat and more civilians are turned into soldiers the symbols will quietly return and become, for the duration of the national danger, politically correct.
South Korean Soldiers in the 631st Field Artillery Battalion, 26th Mechanized Infantry Division Artillery, coordinate fires from a battery of six K9 Thunder 155 mm self-propelled howitzers May 10, in a joint artillery exercise with Soldiers from the U.S. Army 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Dasol Choi, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs, 1st Cav. Div.)

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Indias field office to close

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the field office of the Indian Embassy in Biratnagar will be removed in the near future.
Minister Yadav leaves for Thailand medical trip

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Matrika Prasad Yadav left for Thailand for further treatment on Monday.
Nagidanda named best spot for new domestic airport

The hilltop of Nagidanda in Kavrepalanchok district is the best site among the three spots studied to build a domestic airport close to the Kathmandu Valley, the report of the government technical study group said.
British expatriates living in Spain are becoming increasingly concerned about whether they will be able to participate in the municipal elections in Spain in May 2019 - a date which falls within the transition phase of the UK's exit from the European Union.

BREXPATS MEETING What. Brexit and the British Resident in Spain. The meeting will offer advice and information about the UK's exit from Europe. When. Thursday 24 May. 6pm. Where. Pablo Ruiz Picasso Cultural Centre, Torremolinos. Speakers. Charmaine Arbouin, British Consul; Jose Ortiz, Mayor of Torremolinos; Victoria Westhead, solicitor; Anne Hernandez, Brexpats president; among others More information. www.brexpats.es Book a place. info@brexpats.es

Despite the fact that the UK government has promised to restore voting rights for long-time expat residents in Europe, this will probably not happen until 2024. Worse still, those expat residents who have represented their communities on Spanish local councils may well find themselves prohibited from standing after the UK's departure in March 2019.

Brexpats in Spain, the platform set up to defend the rights of British citizens in Spain, is commencing a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of these issues, working with mayors and local councils, and the local, national and international press. The campaign, which has the backing of the Spanish political party, Ciudadanos, will also petition MPs in the UK.

Anne Hernandez: There is a problem on the horizon that, until very recently, has been ignored

It begs the question as to quite what we British residents in the EU stand for

There is a problem on the horizon that, until very recently, has been ignored, forgotten or just overlooked. It is also an issue that some expats living here permanently do not understand, or maybe even care about, but it is vital to our continued lifestyle in Spain and our integration into the Spanish life, Anne Hernandez, President of Brexpats in Spain, explained.

The president believes that the right to vote in Spain has not been properly considered, claiming that Spain and the UK will need to sign a bilateral agreement that will enable expats to vote in the local elections. She also stressed that the situation must be identified and solved before the end of this year.

We are aware of the limited time we have left to find a solution, given that the local elections are just one year away. At present, expats cannot vote in the UK if they have been out of the country for more than 15 years. We cannot vote in the EU elections and now, no vote in the municipal elections here in Spain, Anne said.

We will be completely disenfranchised. It begs the question as to quite what we British residents in the EU stand for, even though we proudly retain and defend our British passports, the president continued.

Simon Manley, British Ambassador for Spain, is assisting Brexpats and has already forwarded copies of the campaign to the British Prime Minister, Teresa May; the Cabinet Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He has also raised the problem with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Although the lobby has already received considerable support, Anne Hernandez said: We need expats to show their support for the campaign. Time is of the essence so please go to our website and download the letter, add your name and NIE and forward it to your local town hall. We are simply asking the UK and Spain to constitutionally recognise our right to vote, she concluded.

Those wishing to know more about the campaign - and other issues that might affect expat residents after the UK's exit from Europe -can attend a special meeting held in Torremolinos next Thursday.
Legal proceedings have begun in an attempt to give "fresh impetus" to the Costa del Sol Hospital expansion project, according to the regional minister responsible for Health, Marina Alvarez.

Alvarez, speaking at an event during which the hospital was presented the award for the best hospital in Spain in 2017, said that she hoped the judicial process would strip 'Concesionaria Costa del Sol SA' of the contract after the project was abandoned in 2010 following the refusal of permission for the construction of the car park.

However, Alvarez also warned that the project would remain at a standstill until the judicial process had been completed.

The works, which had an initial budget of 48.5 million euros, stopped approximately at the halfway point.

It is estimated that to complete the project, a further 18 to 24 months of works are necessary.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The credibility of a top Upstate Medical University official is being questioned after his account of narrowly escaping a car bombing in Afghanistan and some other dramatic claims he made in a 2017 videotaped speech have been debunked in a report by the Albany Times Union.

Sergio A. Garcia, Upstate's chief of staff, said in the speech he was part of a three-vehicle convoy disrupted by a bombing in Afghanistan. Garcia, hired by Upstate last year, is a former U.S. State Department foreign affairs officer.

Anne Smedinghoff, a 25-year-old foreign service officer from Illinois, was killed in the 2013 incident. Garcia said in the speech he was Smedinghoff's mentor.

But a story in the Albany Times Union says State Department records and interviews with people familiar with the incident, including an eyewitness, show Garcia wasn't at the bombing scene. There are no public records indicating that he was assigned to the mission or ever worked with Smedinghoff.

Jonathan S. Addleton, a former U.S ambassador to Mongolia who was with Smedinghoff at the time of the bombing, said Garcia was not part of the group.

"He's stealing another person's story to advance his own career," Addleton told the Times-Union.

Thomas J. Smedinghoff, Anne's father, told the Times-Union he's met many people who worked with his daughter, but never heard of Garcia.

The story also says Garcia was accused of stealing money in 1998 from a California bank where he was employed.

Darryl Geddes, an Upstate Medical University spokesman, said today the school had no comment on the allegations against Garcia. Garcia declined to be interviewed by the Times-Union.

Garcia, who is paid $340,000 a year, oversees the office of Upstate President Dr. Danielle Laraque-Arena. He also is in charge of Upstate's offices of external relations, human resources, facilities and planning, and university police. Before coming to Upstate, he worked for St. Lawrence Health System in Potsdam and Northeast Ohio Medical University in Rootstown, Ohio.

His comments about the Afghanistan bombing and other claims were made in a video-taped speech titled, "Courage Under Fire."

Here are some other questionable claims Garcia made in the speech:

*When he was a 26-year-old intern for the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C., Garcia was personally interviewed by then-Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and offered a job 15 minutes later in the State Department. A person who worked closely with Powell for more than a decade, and spoke on the condition of anonymity, shared Garcia's videotaped speech with Powell last week and said the former four-star general confirmed they had never met. Powell also never interviewed job candidates for State Department positions, the person said.

*Garcia claimed he was in the White House when the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred in September 2001, and that he remained there for seven days without shaving or showering. But State Department records and Garcia's own resume on file with SUNY indicate he did not begin working for the U.S. government -- as a low-level foreign affairs officer in the bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs -- until August 2004.

*Garcia said he is a close friend of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. A person close to Powell, who was secretary of state from 2001 to 2005, said that after watching Garcia's videotaped speech recently Powell contacted Rice, who told him that she did not know and had never spoken with Garcia.

*Garcia said in the speech he had law degrees from an unidentified university in Oklahoma -- though there is no record of his attending a law school in Oklahoma -- and from a university in Mexico. He told the audience that after college he worked for a corporate law firm in Los Angeles, but there is no record of that in his employment history. His resume filed with New York state also does not indicate he attended or graduated from law school. The documents show he received a bachelor of science degree in international law from University of the Americas in Puebla, Mexico.

On his New York state job application, Garcia wrote "no" in response to a question about whether he had ever been terminated or asked to resign from a job.

Federal court records filed in California indicate that in 1998, while working for a bank in La Mesa, Calif., he was charged with falsifying bank records, a felony, and embezzlement, a misdemeanor, for allegedly taking $560 from customer accounts for his personal use, according to the Times-Union. The case, which was investigated by the FBI, was dismissed in 1999, after Garcia had completed 100 hours of community service, records show.

Dr. Thomas Welch, who recently retired as chairman of Upstate's pediatrics department, criticized Upstate's hiring of Garcia.

"There were so many red flags which were ignored or dismissed that the entire fiasco represents administrative malfeasance," Welch told the Times-Union. "I am very seriously upset for my clinical leader colleagues and for the thousands of dedicated folks who have devoted their lives to this place."

Contact James T. Mulder anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-470-2245
Students of Bishop Grimes Jr./Sr. High School celebrated at their junior/senior prom Saturday, May 19, 2018. The event was held at Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse.

Our gallery of photos can be found above.

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Students of Mexico High School celebrated at their junior prom Saturday, May 19, 2018. The event was held at Alexandria's in Oswego.

Our gallery of photos can be found above.

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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.
Nepse index posts loss of 0.65pc

Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index shed 8.8 points to close at 1,339.65 points last week, as investors who failed to update their Know Your Customer form at stock firms were barred from carrying out any transactions.
Candidates named in city and school elections

With the passing of the filing deadline for the upcoming city and school election, several area governing bodies including the City of Tama and ...
Jeroen Distinguished - BHPian

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View My Garage





Re: Will Auto Shows be a thing of the past?



In general I would say it is to be expected as the status of cars is changing. When I grew up, not everybody had a car. When somebody in our street bought a new car, all neighbours would come out and look and congratulate the proud owner (always the dad in those days).



Little boys like me would be fascinated with all cars, not just the fancy ones. It was reflected in our toys as well. Remember Dinkey Toys, Corgi toys, Matchbox.



I remember toyshops in those days had hundreds and hundreds of toy cars for sale. Check out a modern toyshop these days and some might hardly stock any, let alone have a variety of different models.



My dad used to take me and my friends to the yearly car show. One of the big events of the year!



For many people in the world cars have become just utensils. Its something you just happen to have, because its useful, convenient etc.



In various other threads we have discussed the trend that young people (late / early twenties) have far lesser interest in cars or at least car ownership.



Car-usage is actively discouraged in many Metro-cities around the world, mostly for environmental reason. And many metropoles offer good if not better alternatives, metro/tram/bus/cycle/walk/taxi/Uber etc.



In Western Europe the various car shows have struggled over the last decade and some have stopped. They are experimenting with the format, but without a doubt there are fewer car shows and even if there is a car show, fewer manufacturers are participating.



On the up side; if you are into classic cars (e.g. like me ) the number of classic car shows has been steadily increasing over the last decade. At least here in Western Europe. More shows, bigger shows, more cars, more diversity in what is on offer. A whole new car industry has fallen into place. And we also see more car manufacturers jumping onto this band wagon. Mercedes, BMW, Audi always catered for their classic car owners. But other brands (E.g. Jaguar) has recently launched similar initiatives.



You want to visit a car show? Better get used to looking at Vintage cars, rather than new cars!!



Jeroen It is certainly a trend that has probably been going on for the last 10-15 years and seems to be continuing.In general I would say it is to be expected as the status of cars is changing. When I grew up, not everybody had a car. When somebody in our street bought a new car, all neighbours would come out and look and congratulate the proud owner (always the dad in those days).Little boys like me would be fascinated with all cars, not just the fancy ones. It was reflected in our toys as well. Remember Dinkey Toys, Corgi toys, Matchbox.I remember toyshops in those days had hundreds and hundreds of toy cars for sale. Check out a modern toyshop these days and some might hardly stock any, let alone have a variety of different models.My dad used to take me and my friends to the yearly car show. One of the big events of the year!For many people in the world cars have become just utensils. Its something you just happen to have, because its useful, convenient etc.In various other threads we have discussed the trend that young people (late / early twenties) have far lesser interest in cars or at least car ownership.Car-usage is actively discouraged in many Metro-cities around the world, mostly for environmental reason. And many metropoles offer good if not better alternatives, metro/tram/bus/cycle/walk/taxi/Uber etc.In Western Europe the various car shows have struggled over the last decade and some have stopped. They are experimenting with the format, but without a doubt there are fewer car shows and even if there is a car show, fewer manufacturers are participating.On the up side; if you are into classic cars (e.g. like me) the number of classic car shows has been steadily increasing over the last decade. At least here in Western Europe. More shows, bigger shows, more cars, more diversity in what is on offer. A whole new car industry has fallen into place. And we also see more car manufacturers jumping onto this band wagon. Mercedes, BMW, Audi always catered for their classic car owners. But other brands (E.g. Jaguar) has recently launched similar initiatives.You want to visit a car show? Better get used to looking at Vintage cars, rather than new cars!!Jeroen
NRB intiates hedging fund exercise

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the central monetary authority of the country has initiated an exercise to establish a hedging fund in order to address the foreign exchange risk that comes along with foreign direct investment (FDI) in public infrastructure project.
Rautahat court jails serial killer for 52 years

Rautahat District Court convicted a serial killer of all charges and sentenced him to 52 years in prison, slapped Rs 200,000 fine and ordered confiscation of his properties.
The grand jury that indicted a former LSU student on negligent homicide and three others on hazing in the September alcohol-related death of freshman fraternity pledge Maxwell Gruver heard inconsistent testimony from witnesses, a prosecutor has disclosed.

The disclosure by East Baton Rouge Parish Assistant District Attorney Robert Savage was unusual for a prosecutor to make in an ongoing criminal court proceeding and one that has implications for the cases defense lawyers are able to mount for their clients.

The issue surfaced in a recent court filing in which Savage asked a judge for permission to reveal testimony before the grand jury. Such testimony is normally kept secret.

In addition to disclosing that the grand jury heard witness testimony that was inconsistent, the prosecutor wants to make it known that an agreement between a cooperating witness and the District Attorneys Office was read into the grand jury record.

The cooperating witness has been identified in other court filings as Sean Andrew Pennison, 21, of Mandeville. He was booked on a misdemeanor hazing count in October, but the East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury that indicted four former LSU students in March did not recommend charges against Pennison.

Matthew Alexander Naquin, 20, of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, was indicted on a felony negligent homicide charge. Sean-Paul Gott, 21, of Lafayette; Ryan Matthew Isto, 19, of Ontario, Canada; and Patrick Andrew Forde, 21, of Westwood, Massachusetts, were indicted on misdemeanor hazing.

Each man has pleaded not guilty. The trial of Gott, Isto and Forde is set for Sept. 6. Naquin does not have a trial date.

+7 In Maxwell Gruver hazing case, four ex-LSU students plead not guilty in Baton Rouge court Four former LSU students pleaded not guilty Friday, one to negligent homicide and the others to misdemeanor hazing, in the alcohol-related dea

In the motion he filed May 9, Savage said he is bound by the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure to keep secret whatever occurs in a grand jury proceeding. However, the prosecutor pointed out, he has an ethical obligation to reveal "all inconsistencies in a witness' testimony and any agreements with any witness."

The motion asks state District Judge Beau Higginbotham, who is presiding over the case, to order prosecutors to divulge any inconsistencies and any agreements made before the grand jury. If they judge agrees, prosecutors wont be in violation of grand jury secrecy rules by disclosing the information.

"We are particularly interested in the inconsistent testimony between witnesses," John McLindon, Naquins attorney, said on Wednesday. "The other pretrial discovery which has been produced by the DA also contains inconsistent witness statements as well as other evidence which shows Matthew Naquin is innocent of these charges."

+4 Grand jury probe into LSU fraternity pledge's alleged hazing death indicts 4 men Six months after his death rocked the LSU campus and spurred some state lawmakers to action, an East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury that invest

Isto's lawyer, Michael Fiser, said his own investigation showed different witnesses recounting different versions of events.

"Inconsistencies involving details such as who arrived when, who knew what when, and what was said and done can be the tipping point between innocence and guilt in a case like this," Fiser said. "The fact that at least one witness was given a deal in exchange for testimony is also significant in that it shows the witness had a motive to shade facts."

Forde's attorney, Kris Perret, said he commends Savage "for fulfilling his ethical and legal obligations to reveal inconsistent statements and any deals cut in order to obtain the indictments."

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East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III said his office intends to "continue to comply with our obligations."

Gott's attorney, Katherine Guillot, raised what she called another issue of importance in the case.

"These are challenging cases  and this matter is particularly difficult because the statute that governs the offense of hazing is vague as it is difficult to ascertain explicitly what conduct is punishable," she said.

Part of the discovery that prosecutors have provided to the defense includes a notification that Pennison's attorney and the state reached an agreement in February that calls for Pennison to "testify truthfully at all appropriate stages of the criminal prosecution."

"To that end, the State declined to institute prosecution against Sean Pennison for any criminal matters arising out of the present case," the state's filing says. "Sean Pennison will be a witness at trial in the present matter and is expected to testify truthfully in response to questioning by the State and defense."

Pennison's attorney, Franz Borghardt, said his client "has always fully and truthfully cooperated from day one" and has always maintained his innocence.

"The District Attorney's Office requested that Sean testify truthfully and honestly, and that is what he has done and will do," Borghardt added.

Even though Pennison's identity as a cooperating witness already has been revealed, Savage is seeking Higginbotham's permission to disclose the agreement that was read into the grand jury record.

The grand jury heard evidence but was unable to reach a consensus on charges involving three other men accused of hazing, as well as others arrested by LSU police in October in the incident.

Gruver, 18, a Phi Delta Theta fraternity pledge from Roswell, Georgia, died Sept. 14  one month into his first year of college at LSU. An autopsy revealed his blood alcohol level was 0.495 percent, or more than six times the legal limit to drive in Louisiana.

Anti-hazing legislation, including Max Gruver Act, heading to Gov. John Bel Edwards Louisiana will likely soon have harsher criminal penalties for those convicted of hazing, following last fall's death of an LSU freshman frate

The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner's Office said Gruver's death was an accident but could be attributed to alcohol poisoning and also aspiration, meaning he suffocated on his own vomit.

Investigators have said senior Phi Delta Theta members targeted Gruver in a hazing ritual they called "Bible study," in which pledges chugged 190-proof liquor when they gave wrong answers to questions about the fraternity.

Phi Delta Theta's national office pulled the fraternity from LSU's Baton Rouge campus after Gruver died. Less than a year before his death, the fraternity had been temporarily suspended for complaints about hazing and drinking.

Phi Delta Theta has been banned from LSU's campus until at least 2033.
Tenth grader found hanging in hostel

A student was found dead on Monday morning at a school in Janakpur Sub Metropolitan City.
Back in March, about 500 protesters marched on the State Capitol shouting, No rollback! after a dozen bills were filed that essentially would have gutted a sweeping revamp, passed just last year, that fundamentally changed the way the worlds leading prison warden prosecuted and punished criminals.

Opposition to rollback of criminal justice revamp rallies at State Capitol Chanting no roll back, several hundred people marched Tuesday on the State Capitol in opposition to legislation they say would significantly

There was real fear. Especially when you saw all those bills that were filed, said Rep. Joe Marino, a criminal defense attorney in Gretna who was involved in passing last years criminal justice package and its implementation.

But by the time legislators adjourned late Friday night, the main bill sent to the governor had the backing of prison reform advocates, prosecutors and judges.

We ended up in a good spot. We made some responsible adjustments, said Pete Adams, executive director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association.

While the attention was on changes to the Criminal Justice Reinvestment Act of 2017, which aimed to reduce the states notoriously high incarceration rate and funnel the savings into programs to help lower recidivism, two other measures came out of left field. One bill asks voters to decide if Louisiana should require unanimous juries to convict serious felons, like 48 other states do. The other would restore the right to vote to convicted felons five years after their sentence is served.

Taken together, its a dramatic shift in the consciousness of Louisiana that bodes well, said Will Harrell, counsel with the Voice of the Experienced, or VOTE, a New Orleans-based group that advocates for changes in the criminal justice system.

Other bills were passed that tightened eyewitness identification standards. Another would allow older veterans serving long prison terms to mentor veterans newly convicted of crimes.

Others failed, such as changing habitual offender definitions that keep those convicted of multiple minor crimes locked up for a long time and commissions to oversee prosecutorial misconduct. Other legislation was watered down, such as an effort to give second-degree murderers over the age of 55 who had served 20 years of their life sentences a chance for a parole hearing.

But it is the big three  felon voting, criminal justice adjustments and unanimous juries  that could lead to the most dramatic changes. Neither Harrell nor Adams were expecting the unanimous jury legislation.

'It's time': Louisiana House backs letting voters decide on controversial jury verdict law For the first time since its birth in the Jim Crow era, a Louisiana law that allows juries to return non-unanimous verdicts in felony trials w

Senate Bill 243, sponsored by Sen. JP Morrell, D-New Orleans, would place on the Nov. 6 ballot a measure to amend the state constitution to require unanimity for all felony jury verdicts.

Enshrined in the state constitution since the Jim Crow era, the present law requires only 10 of 12 jurors to agree in serious felony trials. Lesser felonies are tried to six jurors who must be unanimous in their verdict.

Though some individual prosecutors opposed the legislation on technical grounds, the powerful District Attorneys Association remained neutral, Adams said.

The Senate had passed the legislation April 4 with a 27-10 vote. But the heavy lifting was in the House, specifically in the Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice, which is stacked with conservative Republicans and former lawmen.

Committee Chairman Sherman Mack, an Albany Republican lawyer considering a run for district attorney, said his initial take was to oppose unanimous juries. After all, the current method had always been done that way and appellate courts, even the U.S. Supreme Court, had repeatedly upheld the practice.

But Morrell phoned and asked Mack to review the evidence, then pray on it.

Thats exactly what I did, Mack said. He was most persuaded by transcripts of the 1898 constitutional convention in which proponents flat out said they wanted to reassert white supremacy and rid the voter rolls of African-Americans.

If youre not willing to listen and be open to the other side, then youre not really doing your job, said Mack, whose committee unanimously backed the legislation. The House gave final approval Wednesday.

Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards on Friday night backed the legislation, citing the racist beginnings and uses of the 10-2 law as his reasons.

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Edwards also backed restoring felons right to vote. When the House gave final approval Thursday night, he went downstairs to congratulate Rep. Patricia Smith, D-Baton Rouge.

Thousands of Louisiana felons likely to have voting rights restored after this final step is done Louisiana could soon restore voting rights to thousands of people convicted of felonies who remain on probation or parole, after a years-long 

Smith and Checo Yancy, who was sentenced to life behind bars for felony crimes but has been released on parole since 2003, had tried for four years to get the voting legislation out of House committee.

Yancy, a member of VOTE, and other convicted felons had walked the halls of the State Capitol throughout the session buttonholing legislators to protect the Criminal Justice Reinvestment Act and to tell lawmakers that despite their past crimes, they now work, pay taxes and want to participate in electing officials.

The state constitution prohibits people under an order of imprisonment on a felony conviction from voting. A 1976 law expanded that to people convicted of felonies but still on probation or parole, which effectively removes the right to vote.

Smith finally got House Bill 265 out of committee, but it failed twice before May 10, when a 59-42 vote sent the measure to the Senate, which approved it in four days.

Unanimous juries and felon voting rights are straightforward and attracted a lot of attention. But the legislation that will have the most impact on the way convicted criminals are handled was Senate Bill 389, which adjusted the maze of rules that govern when and how a convict serves a sentence on probation rather than in prison.

The Criminal Justice Reinvestment Act loosened some of the harsh practices adopted in the 1990s to combat crime. The package of 10 bills was backed in 2017 by an unlikely coalition of Democrats and Republicans, churches and businesses, prosecutors, sheriffs and prison reform advocates.

But people started to panic, Marino said, when faced in November with more than a thousand inmates getting out of prison early, usually by only a few weeks, but early nevertheless.

Compromise on adjustments to criminal justice overhaul almost sidetracked by governor's action Judges, prosecutors, corrections officials, legislators and the Governors Office came to an agreement Tuesday on a half dozen bills that pris

People were ready to bail, and the act was only a couple months old, Marino said.

He and state Sen. Dan Claitor, R-Baton Rouge, persuaded the legislators to put their bills on hold and gathered judges, prosecutors, sheriffs, probation and parole officers, and the Governors Office to see if they could come up with a compromise. The ultimate bargain addressed the term of probation for nonviolent offenders, how to deal with various credits that knocked time off the sentence and repaying victims for their losses. The agreed-upon concepts were merged into Senate Bill 389, sponsored by Claitor.

A key element is earned compliance credit that allows a probationer to knock a month off the back end of the sentence for every month he or she complied with the dictates laid down by a judge. That could mean that a person convicted of a nonviolent offense could be off probation in 18 months because the new law had shortened probation from five years max to three years.

Its automatic, and judges felt they lost the discretion they needed to deal with individual cases in the new standardized procedure. Attend drug rehabilitation or anger management or job training courses for the month and thats a check on the form that leads to one fewer month necessary to serve on probation.

SB389 essentially took the automatic out of the process and allows judges to review compliance. If the court reverses a compliance decision, then the inmate can seek a hearing.

The compromise gives the judge the ability to extend the probation term to five years if the probationer hasnt finished the required programs.

The other key element is to ensure that victims are paid restitution. Probation could be extended until the victims are fully repaid. Most victims are repaid during the probationary period, but some probationers cant afford to repay, and keeping them under supervision amounts to a debtors prison.

The compromise allows the remaining debt to be converted to a civil judgment upon completion of probation. This gives the victim the legal right to be repaid when the probationer becomes financially solvent.

All in all, Louisiana handled the sophomore wobbles better than couple dozen other states that have passed similar sweeping criminal justice revamps, VOTEs Harrell said. Hes handled revamps in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Those states also attempted a roll back the year after the revamps were passed, he said.

This is not unique to Louisiana. Year two is always the hardest. But by year three, the data will show recidivism is down, crime is down and the costs are down, he said.
Gov. John Bel Edwards announces his intent to call a special session to deal with the fiscal cliff starting Tuesday May 22nd and ending June 4th as part of legislative action Monday May 14, 2018, in Baton Rouge, La. Plans are for the regular session now meeting to adjourn Friday May 18th.
SANTA FE, Texas (AP)  The mother of one of the 10 people killed at a Texas high school said her daughter recently rejected the romantic advances of the 17-year-old charged in the shootings, a possible motive for the violent tragedy.

+30 Santa Fe High School shooting in Texas: 10 killed; explosives found at, around school SANTA FE, Texas (AP)  A 17-year-old armed with a shotgun and a pistol opened fire at a Houston-area high school Friday, killing 10 people, mo

Sadie Rodriguez said her daughter, Shana Fisher, had made clear that she was not interested in Dimitrios Pagourtzis.

"He continued to get more aggressive," Rodriguez told The Associated Press in an interview conducted Saturday via Facebook. "She finally stood up to him and embarrassed him."

The incident took place one week before the shooting, Rodriguez said. Police have not yet said what might have motivated the attack.

Asked about Rodriguez's allegation, a lawyer for the Pagourtzis's family said he hadn't heard about any such interaction between Pagourtzis and any of the victims and therefore couldn't comment.

"That's news to me," said lawyer Nicholas Poehl, though he cautioned that he'd spent much of the day disputing false rumors about the teen's personal life. Earlier Saturday, Poehl issued a statement from the family saying that they were "as shocked and confused as anyone else by these events that occurred" and asked for privacy.

"While we remain mostly in the dark about the specifics of yesterday's tragedy, what we have learned from media reports seems incompatible with the boy we love," the family's statement said.

Representatives of the school district did not immediately respond to questions about Rodriguez's comments.

A junior at Santa Fe High, Pagourtzis hid a shotgun and a handgun under his trenchcoat before opening fire in a first-period art class on Friday, according to an affidavit filed by police. The FBI announced Saturday that it had taken the lead in the joint investigation, at the request of local authorities.

"He gave a statement admitting to shooting multiple people inside the Santa Fe High School with the intent on killing people," the police affidavit said. "Dimitrios advised he did not shoot students he did like so he could have his story told." The attack ended when Pagourtzis walked out of a classroom and surrendered to police.

Authorities say Pagourtzis planned the killings, carried out with weapons owned by his father. Though Pagourtzis allegedly wrote about his intention to carry out the attack, authorities have not indicated a motive for the violence.

Gov. Greg Abbott said Pagourtzis had planned to kill himself after the shooting, but that Pagourtzis told police "that he didn't have the courage to commit the suicide."

+2 Former Baton Rouge resident one of teachers killed in Sante Fe school shooting in Texas One of the teachers killed in the mass shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas is a former Baton Rouge resident, according to information po

Some Santa Fe High students indicated that Pagourtzis may have had one or more targets, though details were not clear. Breanna Quintanilla, 17, a junior, said she was in her art classroom Friday morning in what she described as a "perfectly normal day" when she heard gun shots.

Quintanilla said when Pagourtzis first walked in, he pointed at one person and said, "I'm going to kill you." Quintanilla, who was wounded escaping the classroom, did not identify that student.

At a news conference, Abbott said Pagourtzis had not previously been in trouble. "The red-flag warnings were either nonexistent or very imperceptible," he said.

Texas shooting renews debate about 'nooks and crannies,' other issues with American school design Just hours after the nation's latest school shooting, the debate began anew: Are American schools built in a way that makes them easy targets?

In the absence of a clear motive, attention turned to a hodge-podge of incendiary posts by Pagourtzis on social media, which were quickly removed when his identity first emerged. One Facebook post was a picture of a T-shirt reading "Born to Kill." Another showed a trench coat adorned with various pins associated with conflicting ideologies and Cthulhu, a mythical creature drawn from the work of horror fiction writer H.P. Lovecraft.

In the wake of the shooting, various reports that Pagourtzis was bullied have surfaced from his classmates. However, two Santa Fe High students who said they knew Pagourtzis said they had no reason to suspect that he was planning Friday's attack.

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Student Michael Farina said he had known the alleged gunman since fifth grade and considered him a friend. He recalled Pagourtzis talked about buying a gun "when I grow up," but never discussed his dad's guns or anything about his family.

Farina said he and Pagourtzis also talked a lot about video games they liked, including so-called first-person shooter games. They'd talked about one, "Escape from Tarkov," as recently as lunch on the day before the shooting, he said.

Farina did not recall Pagourtzis ever being notably angry.

"He seemed relatively happy for the most part," he said.

___

Horwitz reported from Washington and Zimmerman from Springfield, Illinois. Associated Press writers Eric Tucker in Washington, Paul J. Weber in Austin, Texas, and John Mone and Nomaan Merchant in Santa Fe, Texas, contributed,
The new "haunted history" museum on North Rampart Street features some of the typical highlights of any French Quarter "ghost tour."

There are images of Delphine LaLaurie, notorious for torturing and perhaps murdering her slaves, and Marie Laveau, the renowned Voodoo priestess.

But follow the ghoulish-looking hand on the wall, which points you toward a staircase leading to the second floor, and you are confronted with something less familiar.

There is the kitchen stove where, visitors learn, a former resident once cooked the body of his dismembered girlfriend. And a refrigerator where he kept parts of her body.

These are not artifacts of some long-ago horror, but the remnants of a notorious murder-suicide that occurred not long after the trauma of Hurricane Katrina.

+6 Watch: Saga of Zack Bowen, Addie Hall comes to TV (again) The sad post-Katrina saga of Zack Bowen and Addie Hall comes to TV again in an episode of the Investigative Discovery docu-drama series "Hands

It is the apartment where Zack Bowen, a troubled veteran of the Iraq War, killed his girlfriend Addie Hall in October 2006 before jumping to his own death several days later from the roof of a French Quarter hotel.

And some people who knew the couple have been horrified to learn that the apartment has become part of a tourist attraction.

Social media users heaped criticism on Bloody Mary Haunted Museum & Tour Co. this month after some people who knew Bowen and Hall caught wind of how the couples story was being presented there.

There was nothing supernatural about the way Hall died, they said: She was the victim of domestic violence.

Bowen struggled with abusing drugs and alcohol after serving in the U.S. military in Kosovo as well as Iraq and riding out Katrina in New Orleans.

Unlike the 19th century figures LaLaurie and Laveau, the couple has numerous surviving friends and relatives who, nearly 12 years later, have not gotten over how the lives of Bowen and Hall ended.

Its pretty despicable and atrociously exploitative, said Capricho DeVellas, who was close to Hall and Bowen and described their deaths as genuinely a troubling chapter in my life.

But the companys owner, Mary Millan, bristles at the notion that she is disrespecting the couples memories.

She said her company has been organizing an upcoming festival whose proceeds will partially be donated to the New Orleans Family Justice Centers efforts to combat domestic violence. Hall was one of the main reasons for that, she said.

Further, she said, she believes it is important to educate visitors about Hall and Bowen, who were afflicted by some of the same troubles as many others navigating one of the darkest periods in New Orleans' 300-year history.

Katrina was an important chapter, Millan said. And theyre an important part of that chapter.

Millan is far from the first person to be accused of sensationalizing the grisly events that happened after Bowen, a father of two who'd separated from his wife, began an intense relationship with Hall in the wake of Katrina.

Bowen, a 28-year-old bartender, died after leaping off the Omni Royal Orleans on St. Louis Street on Oct. 17, 2006.

A note found on his body recounted how hed strangled Hall, 30, and cut up her body after a fight nearly two weeks earlier. The note told police they could find her remains at the couples apartment in the 800 block of North Rampart.

Media worldwide seized on some of the horror movie-like details that surfaced early in the case:

The couple lived above the shop of Voodoo priestess Miriam Chamani.

Police discovered some of Halls body had been cooked in their oven and on their stove, with other parts left in a trash bag in the fridge.

Im a total failure and Please help me stop the pain were spray-painted on the walls.

But the public eventually came to learn a much more complex truth about Bowen and Hall.

As investigative journalist Ethan Brown documents in his book Shake the Devil Off, Bowens mental state deteriorated after Rachel Bosveld, a close friend and fellow member of the 527th Military Police Company, was killed during a mortar attack in Baghdad.

In addition, an Iraqi boy whom Bowen had befriended was killed when insurgents blew up the shop of the childs family, Brown wrote.

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Bowen later received a general discharge from the military. A general discharge is short of an honorable one, which affected the benefits he had when he met Hall in the aftermath of Katrina.

The couple drank hard, apparently loving and fighting with equal zest in a city whose already scarce resources to treat mental health and substance abuse problems were devastated by the storm.

It all culminated with Bowen killing Hall and later himself.

Millan and her critics disagree about how the various French Quarter-based "haunted history" tours have since treated the compound where Bowen and Hall shared an apartment.

Millan said tour guides frequently highlight the macabre aspects of the killing that occurred above the temple of Priestess Miriam, who later moved out after an electrical fire in 2016.

But others say that most tour guides have been loathe to speak about Bowen and Hall in the same way they might about LaLaurie, whose alleged penchant for mutilating and starving slaves came to light following an 1834 fire at her Royal Street mansion, according to oral tradition.

Respect for the couples survivors  including Bowens son and daughter, now grown  is the primary reason for the guides' reticence, they say.

In any event, Millan began leasing the compound from landlord Leo Watermeier last year and opened the Bloody Mary museum in the fall.

Millan describes herself as a Catholic-raised Voodoo priestess who can communicate with and heal the spirits of the dead, including the many who haunt the grounds she leases.

She said the main purpose of the various items, the tours and the displays offered at her museum and shop is to pay tribute to spirits dwelling in her building and educate the public about them so they wont be forgotten.

Millan defended placing the couples photo  with fake blood spatter  next to images of LaLaurie and Laveau as an homage to the citys "oldest and newest spirits."

She said she doesnt see why she would exclude Bowen and Hall from that mission, noting that visitors are always asked to pray for the couples spirits.

Suspect in murder, dismemberment of stripper was close to victim in 2006 dismemberment case In a bizarre twist, Margaret Sanchez, the woman authorities have named as one of two suspects in the murder and dismemberment of a 22-year-old

She said her tour devotes an appropriate amount of time to the case's mental health aspects, and she repeatedly said she suspects many of her critics either work for her competitors or have ties to them.

Itd be stupid to pretend (the couple) werent here, Millan said. (Detractors) are jealous they didnt do this first.

Some arent buying it.

Jonathan Bailey said he, his girlfriend and two friends booked a Bloody Mary tour on Monday and were shocked when he realized the group had been brought into the apartment Bowen and Hall once shared.

Aside from the stove, oven and refrigerator, Bailey said he was disturbed to see bride-and-groom Chucky dolls there. He said the tour guide explained how the orbs from the couples spirits have been known to appear in photographs taken in the apartment.

We started looking at each other in disbelief, Bailey said. We didnt quite know what to do.

He soon went on Facebook and posted about the experience, calling it terrible. Former haunted tour guide Elizabeth Zibilich, who considered Hall a friend, spotted what Bailey wrote and made her own post accusing Millans museum of trying to profit from a trauma that is still raw.

Zibilichs post was commented on widely by users of both Facebook and Twitter, some of whom asked whether anything could be done to force the museum to stop.

Brown, the author, said he sides with the sentiments sparked by Zibilichs post.

Whether or not you agreed with the book, I hoped it would take this case out of the schlocky horror genre, Brown said. There are people affected by this case who are still here, still with us. And they should be treated with more respect than this.
A sea of purple showed up for 22-year-old Keeven Maxx Robinson on Saturday.

Mourners arrived for Robinson's funeral at Marine & Mt. Moriah Community Church on Andover Street in East Jefferson in purple dresses, shirts of purple gingham and blouses printed with purple flowers. There were purple shoes, handkerchiefs, T-shirts, button-downs, vests, even hair.

Purple was his color, said Geraldine Deenie Washington, 42, describing how her cousin, Keeven Robinson, had always managed to squeeze a bit of that color into his outfits.

On Saturday, Washington wore a purple T-shirt bearing pictures of Robinson. Others added white angel wings to images of the quiet young man theyd known and loved. Gone too soon, read the words above his photo. Or, Forever in our hearts. Rest in heaven.

Once inside the church, mourners stood in line, tears rolling down their cheeks, to view Robinsons slim body, lying inside an eggplant-colored metal coffin.

Robinson died from asphyxiation May 10 after a pursuit and struggle with four undercover narcotics agents of the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office. His death came while he was handcuffed in the backyard of a home on Labarre Place, less than a mile from the church.

After a preliminary autopsy, Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich classified Robinsons death as a homicide, describing his injuries as significant traumatic injuries to the neck. The injuries were consistent with someone leaning on, squeezing or grabbing Robinsons neck, the coroner said.

The four officers remain on the force, on desk duty, while Louisiana State Police and the FBIs Civil Rights Task Force investigate the matter. The officers are white; Robinson was black.

The African-American community of the Shrewsbury section of Jefferson mourned hard all Saturday morning. Every seat was filled, and hundreds more stood for the two-hour service. Tambourines thumped, hands clapped and the churchs choir sang soaring melodies, fueled by the organists glissandos and big chords.

Can't see video below? Click here.

An army of ushers, armed with cardboard fans and boxes of tissues, stood in front of the family to keep them cool and wipe away their tears.

Young men, numb with emotion, spoke about their friend.

I never told him this, but everything I did, I did because I wanted to make him proud. Everything he did, I admired, said his godbrother, Randy Martin, 16, whose mother, Beverly Martin, was Robinsons godmother.

His voice trembling a little, Martin looked down from the podium to speak to Robinson's body. I just want to tell you that I love you, he said. And everything I do from now is for you.

Joe Polk remembered his best friends kindness. All the times in my life that I have been left out, he was there. He gave so much support to me. Ill never meet nobody like that again, Polk said. Then his voice got very quiet. I just wish all this hadnt happened, he said.

As they stood outside the church, others remembered Robinsons love of his blue pit bull, Gee. The last time Steven Jackson saw his son, Gee was running around them, wagging his tail and running back to Robinson to be petted.

Robinson was quiet but adorable, said his younger cousins, Brenija Washington, 13, and Rayven Jefferson, 12, remembering how hed put his arm around them and say, Whats up, cuz?

He married Wachelle Boutte Robinson one year ago and loved being a stepfather to her two young children, Sidney and Mikel.

Nicole McGee, 41, who has known Robinsons mother since pigtails, echoed a common theme: Robinson was extraordinarily helpful to others.

In the kitchen, he was often the right-hand man for his mother, Kiwanda "Kiki" Robinson, whose cooking is the stuff of legend in Shrewsbury. And if you needed furniture picked up, groceries carried in, a ride somewhere, he always did it, McGee said, echoing the point made by nearly every mourner: Robinson was a natural helper.

His uncle Thaddeus Cammon, 47, nodded. Whenever I needed him, he came through for me, Cammon said.

Robinsons death has become yet another high-profile example of black men who died at the hands of law enforcement, as noted by a close family friend, Fredrick Brooks, who said during the funeral that hed worked for the sheriffs offices in both Orleans and Jefferson parishes, where he witnessed a mindset he didnt agree with.

Ten years of my life, I gave to sheriffs departments, he said. So Im going to tell yall the truth  I know how it is. Thats why I got out.

Brooks called for more community-based job training programs that can address the struggles of young men like Robinson, who may be searching for a way to support themselves and their families. We have to stick together as a community, he said.

The service was also driven by the demand for answers about exactly what happened to Robinson.

Keevens death will not be in vain. Hallelujah, Lord, pronounced his aunt, Kissy Jackson Kennedy, who acted as emcee for the service.

The same message came from the familys lawyer, Hester Hilliard, and from Gaylor Spiller, president of the West Jefferson branch of the NAACP. Dont let me down. We need you, Spiller said, pleading for the communitys support on Robinsons behalf.

Yes, lets fight for justice, said Pastor Donald Robinson as he concluded the funeral service. Robinson, who is not related to the dead man, urged the congregation to let God work through them to fight evil in this world, even the evil that puts on uniforms and is supposed to be upholding the law.

In Shrewsbury, Robinson said, this fight for justice is personal, because its a fight for Keeven Robinsons mother. We gotta love Kiki," he said. "My girl. Sweet potato-making Kiki. Spaghetti and meat sauce Kiki. Bell pepper Kiki. Gumbo-making Kiki. Dont we love some Kiki up in here?

The church exploded with applause.

Once the service ended, the family gathered for a repast at Kiki Robinsons house, where the kitchen had remained busy, despite the grief.

You know she couldnt stay out of the kitchen, said family friend Gail George, 57. And because shes cooking for the memory of her only son, shes got to be part of it, to put that mothers love into it.
Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Clare Jupiter, who took a leave of absence about four months ago to battle an undisclosed illness, died Friday. She was 65.

Jupiter first claimed her Division E seat in 2011, winning an election held after Madeline Landrieu left that post to join the state 4th Circuit Court of Appeal. It was Jupiter's first run for elected office.

The longtime Democrat then won a second term unopposed in 2014. The term doesnt expire until the end of 2020, and a special election will need to be held for voters to determine who will complete it.

A little more than three years ago, Jupiter suffered what one source described as a heart attack in her chambers.

She recovered and returned to work, but she fell ill again in January. Retired Jefferson Parish Judge Melvin Zeno received an appointment to temporarily fill in for Jupiter and has been handling her duties at the Loyola Avenue courthouse ever since.

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Jupiter was born in Chicago and raised in New Orleans. Before she became a judge, she was perhaps best known as a private attorney representing the Orleans Parish School Board.

She earned a bachelor's degree from Yale University and her law degree from Duke University.

Jupiter was married and had two children. Her survivors include her brother, New Orleans Traffic Court Judge Steven Jupiter.

A wake for Jupiter is set for Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home. Her funeral is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Friday at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, with visitation set to start at 9 a.m.
Jesmyn Wards novels confront you with the particulars of poverty and racism in the corner of Mississippi where the author grew up and still lives.

And yet embedded in the details are universal themes  having to do with unbearable loss, painful family dynamics and tragedy  that implore readers to look inward.

Perhaps its Wards insistence on introspection that makes her such an interesting choice to address Tulane Universitys 2018 graduates as the school's commencement speaker Saturday.

For all the awards and accolades that have been streaming her way since 2011, Ward says there were more than a few periods of self-doubt.

One of the things I wish someone had said to me when I was graduating from Stanford was that I didnt have to have it all figured out, because I felt as though I was surrounded by kids who did, she said.

They had jobs waiting, a 10-year plan, and even the steps outlined to get to those goals. But Im an example of someone who didnt have it all figured out. Sometimes it takes a while to find your way, and Id like to tell these graduates that uncertainty is not a recipe for failure.

Ward was born 41 years ago in Berkeley, California; her parents moved back to Delisle, Mississippi, when she was 3.

The trajectory of her life would take a dramatic turn when the lawyer who employed her mother as a housekeeper offered to pay for Jesmyn to attend a private school.

Id been bullied in public school for being shy, quiet and a bookworm  all of the hallmarks of a geek, Ward recalled. But at my private school it was a different kind of bullying. The other students were not only white but came from money, privilege and entitled backgrounds, and I was the daughter of their maid.

"It affected where I eventually applied to college. Except for Duke University, all of the schools were either in the Northeast or California. I wanted out of the South. I got into all of the schools I applied to, except one."

Some of her classmates "suggested it was about affirmative action, and part of me wondered whether I was worthy," she added. "It would affect my behavior throughout college, as I never spoke in my classrooms. I was sure I wasnt the smartest person in the room.

Eventually, with two degrees under her belt from Stanford, but still burdened with seeds of doubt, she moved back home.

But her dream of telling her stories never wavered, so an M.F.A. in creative writing came next, at the University of Michigan. Her thesis there eventually became her first book, "Where the Line Bleeds," the story of twins in the rural South whose lives take very different paths.

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For years no publisher was interested.

It was a small company out of Chicago which gave it a chance, Ward said. Many people still think my debut novel was 'Salvage the Bones,' because there wasnt much publicity attendant to that first novel."

Even "Salvage the Bones" didn't get much attention from reviewers at first. But then it was short-listed for the National Book Award.

"Suddenly the reviewers came calling," Ward said. "It went on to win the National Book Award for fiction, but many felt the underdog had unfairly won.

A second National Book Award (for "Sing, Unburied, Sing"), a MacArthur "genius grant" and many other accolades have erased any notion of tokenism, perhaps even in Ward's own mind. And just weeks ago she was named to Time magazines annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

I was shocked. I never expected to receive that honor, Ward said. "Im grateful my work is finding so many people, but I think I often underestimate the reach of my work."

Her growing fame has also been a boon to Tulane, where Ward has been a professor since 2014.

Jesmyn has been a transformative figure for Tulanes English department," said Mike Kuczynski, its chair. All of her accolades are individual achievements, but they cast a compelling glow over the entire institution.

Some of Ward's recognition doubtless flows from the timeliness of her themes, coming just as the country confronts a string of racially explosive episodes, from Trayvon Martin's death to the recent arrest of two black customers at a Starbucks in Philadelphia.

She isn't sure sensitivity training of the kind being undertaken by the coffee chain for its employees will cure what ails America, but she isn't a pessimist about race either.

You probably cant change peoples attitudes with sensitivity training, but I believe that if you let people experience those who dont necessarily reflect their own circumstances, you can begin to build empathy, Ward said.

Because when you see 'others' as human beings, you begin to relate to them. Racism is complicated. I laugh when people say we live in post-racial times. The same electorate which put Barack Obama in office elected our current president, whos made it acceptable to be a racist.
1. Yes. The medical data shows it will be beneficial to get one. The sooner the better.

2. Yes. Theres no rush, but I plan to get one sometime in the next few months.

3. No. Im not sold on the need for a booster. Besides, the case numbers are falliing.

4. No. I havent been vaccinated for COVID-19, and I dont plan to get the booster, either.

5. Unsure. It may be smart to wait and see how beneficial the booster shots prove to be.

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The boss of TSB was last night under fresh pressure after it emerged the bank could face 16 million in fines for its IT fiasco.

Analysts at broker RBC calculated that the charges could be levied by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulatory Authority after almost 2 million customers were locked out of their accounts. Many were left struggling for cash or unable to make crucial payments.

The fines would be in addition to 18 million in costs that TSB is expected to absorb as it waives overdraft fees for customers hit by the computer failures.

Struggling: The latest news is likely to spark further questions about the future of chief executive Paul Pester

The mounting costs to TSB over the botched IT upgrade last month is likely to spark further questions about the future of chief executive Paul Pester. He has been facing calls to quit over the affair, which has seen many customers threaten to leave the bank.

And as problems continue, there are reported rumblings among investors in Sabadell  TSBs Spanish owner  that he could forced out. Sabadell investors Ive been speaking to fully expect Paul Pester to go because of this, a source told the Telegraph.

TSBs botched computer upgrade, which was meant to switch customers from the system owned by former parent company Lloyds to its own network, caused chaos for its customers online, with some seeing incorrect details or sensitive account information belonging to other people.

Even in recent weeks customers have been left on hold for up to five hours when they tried to complain to the crisis-hit bank.

The RBC analysts came up with their estimate based on the 56m fine levied on RBS after its IT meltdown in 2012.

Mr Pester, 54, has pledged that no customer will be left out of pocket as a result of the problems. He is giving up a bonus of 2 million related to switching to the new computer system. But TSB could still pay him a separate, annual bonus for 2018 of more than 1 million.

A TSB spokesman said last night: Our focus is putting things right for our customers  and no customer will be out of pocket as a result of whats happened.
Bonus: Glencore boss Ivan Glasenberg

Glencore boss Ivan Glasenberg will receive a $120 million (90 million) payday this week, days after it emerged the mining giant could be at the centre of a fraud probe.

The payout is one of Glasenbergs largest since the Swiss-based companys float on the London Stock Exchange in 2011. It has been dubbed the millionaire factory for turning more than 400 managers into millionaires overnight.

The dividend payment to shareholders, including Glencores chief executive, who has an eight per cent stake, takes his total takings since the float to $990 million (734 million).

Including his $1.5 million salary, it means Glasenberg has now been paid more than $1 billion in dividends in less than seven years.

Glasenberg excludes himself from the sort of bonus schemes which usually reward executives with lucrative payouts, instead taking large dividend windfalls.

He has also profited from topping up his shareholding by 110 million shares in 2015 when the company had to raise 1.6 billion to slash its huge debt pile. Glasenbergs latest windfall, due to be announced on Wednesday, follows reports that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is poised to launch a formal investigation into allegations of bribery at its operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Shares in the FTSE 100 company fell four per cent on Friday after Bloomberg reported that SFO investigators were preparing to seek permission to probe Glencores ties to controversial Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler.

Sign-off from senior SFO figures is required before it can launch a full inquiry.

Gertler, Glencores former business partner in the DRC, has been implicated in previous bribery investigations, including inquiries carried out by the SFO.

The US imposed sanctions on Gertler in December over alleged corruption. It alleged he used his friendship with the DRCs president Joseph Kabila to act as a middleman for mining asset sales.

It said the country had reportedly lost more than $1.36 billion between 2010 and 2012 in underpriced asset sales to offshore firms that were linked to Gertler.

The Israeli owned stakes in two of Glencores key projects in the mineral-rich country before the company bought him out last year. He is suing Glencore, claiming he is owed $2.3 billion in unpaid royalties in a dispute that has been taken to the London courts.

Earlier this month, Glencore was granted a temporary injunction against Gertler, who obtained a freezing order on its two mines.

The SFO said it could not comment on whether it was preparing a full investigation.

Glencore declined to comment.
A start-up from Italy claims to have stolen a march in the race to commercialise graphene, the wonder material that is one of the crowning achievements of British science.

London stock market-listed Directa Plus, chaired by former civil servant and insurance boss Sir Peter Middleton, has pioneered a process to generate graphene in large quantities, aiming to use it in everything from clothing to tackling oil spills.

Graphene was first isolated at the University of Manchester in 2004. The strongest material ever tested, it is also a super conductor  giving it vast potential for a host of everyday and industrial uses.

Test: Alex Hawkes tries out a graphene running top from Italy

MY TOP TINGLED BUT DIDN'T MAKE ME COOLER At the Directa Plus office on a science park near Lake Como, the companys scientists bombard me with heat-map images and graphs showing how their prototype running top keeps you cooler during exercise, by conducting away heat rapidly. But days later, back in London on a sunny May morning, does it make a marked difference on my three-mile jog into work? Im not sure. There is certainly an odd sensation every time you jog out of the shade into the sunshine, or catch a cool breeze. The temperature change tingles through the lightweight jersey. But at the end of my half-hour run I cant say I feel noticeably cooler than I usually would. The company is experimenting with screen printing graphene on to various fabrics. The prototype feels a little too synthetic for comfort. But even if this item isnt a runaway success, graphene clothing has other attributes that could prove valuable. Graphene can be flame-retardant, and Directa Plus is working with partner Alfredo Grassi to make clothes for firefighters. Its conductivity could be significant in the growing area of wearable gadgets, which monitor your bodys performance for review after exercise. It is bacteriostatic too, meaning your gym kit wont smell as bad after a workout. The jersey I tested certainly needs fewer washes than a normal top. Directa Plus and other companies developing uses for graphene are racing to get all of these applications to market, with the jeans due to go on sale early next year. Other products are imminent. British consumers will not have long to wait to check the bold claims made for this wonder material for themselves.

It is being added to everything from tyres to trainers to make them more durable; could be used in aeroplanes to make them lighter; and even added to asphalt to prevent potholes in roads. But there have been fears since the groundbreaking work was done that the UK has been slow to take commercial advantage.

Maggie Schooley, an analyst at Cantor Fitzgerald, said Directa Pluss techniques give it a key advantage over other UK-listed rivals. It is now able to produce 30 tons of graphene-based material a year with the ability to efficiently scale production to meet future customer demand, she said.She added the groups output was materially ahead of other industrial graphene producers listed in London.

Some of the companys early successes have come from printing graphene on to clothing. Because it conducts heat very quickly, it can keep people cool when exercising more effectively than alternatives, the company says.

Despite its potential, Directa Plus is still in the early stages. Full year results for 2017 showed income from sales of just under 1 million, and losses of almost 4 million.

But the firm last week signed a deal with Indian clothing manufacturer Arvind to put graphene in jeans. Arvind produces six million pairs every year for brands including Levis, Tommy Hilfiger and Wrangler. It has also done a string of deals with family-owned Italian business Alfredo Grassi, which makes uniforms for railway workers, firefighters and the military.

Matteo Renzi, when he was Italian Prime Minister, visited the companys plant near Lake Como. CEO Giulio Cesareo told The Mail on Sunday that he had decided to set up in Italy because it had the least expensive workforce. Despite the very advanced scientific skills in the UK, the aim was to take a proper level of risk at a very low cost. Among the brightest future prospects for Directa Plus over graphene  a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a lattice  is a technique to separate oil from water.

There have been repeated calls for UK business and institutions to make more effort to capitalise on its innovation. In 2013, it emerged that the UK was lagging behind in its registration of graphene patents. US companies had filed 1,100 while in the UK there were only 46.

The University of Manchester has built a national graphene institute to develop knowledge and expertise in the super-material, and a second building is due to open later this year. James Baker, the CEO of Graphene@Manchester, an organisation designed to help the universitys researchers work with industry on the material, said it may be a while before graphene is fully commercialised. Graphene is a teenager, its still only 13 or 14 years old, he said, adding that it took 30 years before many of the ambitions for carbon fibre were fully realised.
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Windy with thunderstorms, some locally heavy early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low near 60F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph, becoming WNW and decreasing to 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Windy with thunderstorms, some locally heavy early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low near 60F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph, becoming WNW and decreasing to 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Three new Ebola cases have been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo\s sprawling northwest taking the number of suspected infections to 43, the health minister said in a statement seen Saturday.

Alarm bells sounded on Thursday after the outbreak, previously reported in a remote rural area of the country, notched up its first confirmed case in Mbandaka, a city of 1.2 million.

"Three new cases were reported (in Mbandaka) and tested positive for the Ebola virus," Health Minister Oly Ilungao said in the statement.

"In total, 43 cases of haemorrhagic fever have been flagged in the region of which 17 are confirmed, 21 are probable and five are suspected cases," he said.

In Geneva, the UN\s World Health Organization (WHO) put the death toll at 25 but said 45 cases have been recorded, 14 of which have been confirmed by lab tests.

The DR Congo government on Saturday also announced the launch of an Ebola vaccination campaign in the northwest, targeting around 600 people, including medical staff, known to have been in direct or indirect contact with those already taken ill.

Donors had promised 300,000 doses of the vaccine, a government spokesman said.

The government has said that 5,400 have already been received.

The WHO on Friday said the latest Ebola outbreak did not warrant being labelled an emergency of "international concern", adding that Kinshasa\s response along with its own had been "rapid and comprehensive."

The government announced the outbreak of the deadly virus in northwestern Equateur province on May 8.

In the WHO\s parlance, "a public health emergency of international concern" is an "extraordinary event" in which a disease may spread across borders and requires a vigorous international response.

Ebola is both lethal and highly contagious, which makes it difficult to contain  especially in urban environments where people are mobile and come into more contact with others.

It is notorious for its high fatality rate and extreme symptoms, which can include internal and external bleeding.

The current outbreak  the ninth to hit the DRC since Ebola was identified in 1976  involves the same strain of the virus that struck three West African countries in 2013-15 and sparked an international panic. It went on to kill more than 11,300 people in the deadliest ever Ebola epidemic.

SOURCE: AFP
Two people in life-threatening condition after double shooting Police are investigating after two people were shot at 73rd and College.

The weekend war on local streets persists. Here's the latest losing battle . . . Read more:
Kansas City Star: Black KC drivers get more tickets than whites. Race is only part of the problem

The Star analyzed traffic tickets from 2017 issued by the Kansas City Police Department and processed by the Kansas City Municipal Court and found significant racial disparities among those ticketed.





Of the traffic tickets given to Kansas City residents, 60 percent went to African-Americans, who make up 30 percent of the population. Thirty-seven percent of tickets went to whites, who make up 59 percent of the population.





Among Kansas City residents, speeding is overwhelmingly the top traffic offense for all races  except African-Americans. The top traffic ticket charge for African-Americans is "state license plate required," followed by "no insurance" and then speeding.

"Apparently, nobody at The Star has knows how traffic court works. Their reporting on this issue doesn't take into account all of the whites who pay a lawyer to PLEAD DOWN their traffic ticket to a non-moving violation . This little trick of the trade is what keeps more than half of the smaller law firms in Kansas City in business and mention of this fact has been buried or eliminated from The Star's report. Please call them out on this TKC, they're 100% misrepresenting these traffic statistics as racial bias. The fact is, there might be some racial disparity but it's mostly because whites in the middle-income brackets are far more likely to pay a lawyer and get their ticket off the books to keep insurance rates down. The fact that they don't really mention this extremely common practice is absolutely repugnant and really makes me distrust them."

THANKS TO TKC TIPSTERS FOR DECIMATING THE KANSAS CITY STAR SUNDAY FRONT PAGE WITH REAL WORLD KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TRAFFIC COURT WORKS RATHER THAN STATISTICAL SPIN!!!

KANSAS CITY STAR ANALYSIS EXCLUDES WHITES PLEADING DOWN TRAFFIC TICKETS TO NON-MOVING VIOLATIONS!!! THIS IS COMMONPLACE IN TRAFFIC COURT AND TOTALLY DISPROVES ACCUSATIONS OF RACIAL BIAS IN TICKETING!!!

At a time when Kansas City is in the midst of a horrific murder crisis, the Kansas City Star is peddling a report that propagates distrust in the police without doing as much as a basic fact check on real world practices and street level reality.

In journalism they call stories primarily based on stats "data driven reporting" but in today's Kansas City Star the practice is more akin to the same old story of MSM driving identity politics.Check the local Sunday straw man argument . . .Deets:########As always, we advise reading beyond the Star in order to gain better understanding."Statistics are often used to support points that arent true, but we tend to attack only the data that conflict with some preexisting notion of our own. The numbers themselves  unless purposefully falsified  cannot lie, but they can be used to misrepresent the public statements and ranking systems we take seriously. Statistical data do not allow for lies so much as semantic manipulation: numbers drive the misuse of words. When you are told a fact, you must question how the terms within the fact are defined, and how the data have been generated. When you read a statistic, of any kind, be sure to ask how  and more importantly, why  the statistic was generated, whom it benefits."And so because so many lawyers read our blog every day, a kind soul and brilliant legal mind sent usand shameful misreporting.Here's the word . . .To wit . . .Let's make our argument plain:Think about this . . .Again, they say this is "data driven reporting" but it looks a lot more like propaganda to an increasing number of readers who are now openly questioning the quality of journalism from Kansas City's largest daily paper and have graciously reached out to ourcommunity in order to set the record straight.You decide . . .
Thousands of Greeks, Greek-Australians or just friends of Greece get together for the famous Festival

A striking montage of Greek-themed images was projected on a central Brisbane bridge as part of the Paniyiri Greek Festival held in Australia this weekend.

According to a report in Australias Curier Mail, the projection will be repeated during the weekend as thousands of Greeks, Greek-Australians or just friends of Greece get together for the famous Festival.

The montage includes a collage of images of artist Michael Zavros children. Zavros is an acclaimed local artist and also notes he is a proud Greek.

He came up with the artwork, called Caryatid, in cooperation with Brisbane City Councils Urban Design Team.

Caryatid was made to coincide with Brisbanes Paniyiri festival and projected on to the bridge over (this) weekend, celebrating all things Greek, he was quoted as commenting by Curier Mail.

Read more at greekreporter.com

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Premier Real Estate, a key subsidiary of Oman-based Al Yousef Group, has launched the first phase of Wardat Riyam, its residential apartment project located at Mutrah Bay in capital Muscat.



The project, which will come up over a 6,700-sq-m area adjacent to Riyam Park, is being developed in two phases, said Al Yousef Group in its statement.



Phase One comprises two buildings housing 36 premium apartments, a banquet hall and retail outlets. All the units will boast panoramic views of the sea, Mutrah bay and Riyam park, it added.



The construction contract for the first phase has been awarded to Unique Contracting Company, said the statement from the company.



A number of retail outlets and restaurants will also come up with this project to serve the residents of the area and visitors of this unique place in Mutrah.



The second phase of the project will consist of four-star hotel apartments, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Swedish solar technology firm Cleanergy has announced joint collaboration with Masen (Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy) to step up their joint quest for low cost solar energy storage.



Storage of renewable energy for on-demand distribution of cost competitive and clean electricity is key for fossil-free power generation, said a statement from the Swedish company.



The collaboration between Cleanergy and Masen in concentrated solar power (CSP) and thermal energy storage (TES) solutions is taking a big step towards commercialisation.



As part of the agreement, Masen will be allocated a place in Cleanergy's board of directors and also get to fund a substantial part of the company's Thermal Energy Storage R&D, industrialisation and business development.



Masen said it has added valuable knowledge of the solar market to Cleanergy's strategy, besides granting access to a vast network of established partners and stakeholders in the CSP industry, as well as to new suppliers for local sourcing and production.



Masen's R&D platform in Ouarzazate region of Morocco, one of the biggest worldwide, will help test the solutions in optimal solar conditions, it added.



On the collaboration, Masen President Mustapha Bakkoury said: "We have a strong R&D strategy, which actively evaluates and promotes disruptive and competitive technologies. The co-development of innovative TES systems is an important step forward for CSP technologies."



"Cleanergy's storage demonstrator will be installed on our R&D platform in Ouarzazate, which will help accelerate its commercialization." stated Bakkoury.



Masen's team of engineers will contribute to the evaluation and design of the TES system, land and grid connection for complete system testing in Morocco, as well as introduction and demonstration for prospective customers on the African continent.



Cleanergy CEO Jonas Eklind said: "Collaborating with Masen has been very positive for our development and having them onboard means we can now work even closer together."



"With their incomparable experience of renewable energy and solar power we get access to a network of knowledge, resources and prospective customers. Masen will also be a key partner in verifying the technology before launching to the market," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Huawei, a leading global ICT solutions provider, has signed a partnership agreement with NGN Training Center, a part of multinational systems integrator NGN Group, to train a wide range of Bahrainis by 2019.



The partnership aims to develop the ICT skills of Bahrainis, broaden their career possibilities through Huawei Professional Certifications.



Bahraini students, graduates and professionals can avail of the training courses that will be conducted by Huawei-certified NGN trainers at the NGN Training Center licensed by Bahrains Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Labour and Social Development and approved by Tamkeen, Bahrains Labour Market Reform Fund.



The centre offers a wide range of ICT, management, soft skills, business and VR/AR trainings. NGN Training Center leverages NGN's Group global expertise in IT, systems integration and project implementation, to deliver practical experience and knowledge to students.



John Lu Yuedong, CEO of Huawei Bahrain, said: Huawei believes in human capital, and the importance of enhancing the ICT skills of Bahrainis who are looking to start or improve their careers. This partnership will provide relevant courses by certified Huawei trainers, to develop their ICT skills to achieve their personal goals, and ultimately the Kingdoms highest aspirations.



We are proud to join hands with NGN International to further show our commitment and support to Bahrain on its digital transformation journey, and assist in attaining the goals of the Kingdoms Economic Vision 2030. We are confident that this partnership will be a stepping stone for trainees in expanding their knowledge through relevant and much needed courses, especially in the telecom industry, he added.



Yaqoob Al Awadhi, CEO at NGN International, said: We are excited to work with Huawei on further developing ICT capabilities of Bahrain citizens that will boost their careers and achieve new career goals. Through knowledge transfer process of our experienced engineers, we will offer Inshallah unique certified training opportunities to Bahrainis to enrich their knowledge with latest technologies, advance their professional growth, and, more importantly, contribute to prosperity of our beloved Bahrain as a regional hub of ICT talents.



As part of this agreement, Huawei will provide Training the Trainer to Train (TTT) programs, courseware, certificates, and E-lab access.  TradeArabia News Service
Drees and Sommer, an international consulting company working in the building and real estate sector, recently hosted a panel discussion on The Importance of Consumer Focused Tourism Development at The Capital Club in Bahrain.



The discussion was moderated by Jerard Bachar, executive director, Tourism for Bahrain Economic Development Board, and panellists included Stephan Degenhart, managing director, Drees and Sommer ME; David Prince, area vice president - Dubai, Northern Emirates, Bahrain; and Filippo Sona, head of hospitality Mena for Collier International.
BluPhere Pattaya, BW Premier Collection by Best Western, a spectacular new seafront property being developed by the Habitat Group, was presented an accolade at the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2018-19.



This impressive upscale hotel won the New Hotel Construction & Design - Thailand award at this years Asia Pacific Property Awards. Organised by IPAX Asia Pacific, this prestigious event celebrates architectural excellence and showcases the regions finest hospitality and real estate developments.



This award marks the latest in a series of accolades for BluPhere Pattaya and Habitat Group, Thailands leading real estate developer. Chanin Vanijwongse, the companys chief executive officer, and Sasivimol Sutthibut, chief operating officer, were at the event to receive this prestige award.



Scheduled to welcome its first guests in 2020, BluPhere Pattaya, BW Premier Collection by Best Western, is a stunning new project being constructed by the Habitat Group in Na Jomtien, the beautiful beachfront destination on Thailands popular Eastern Seaboard.



The developments contemporary design concept blends perfectly with nature, including the sky and sea, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the blissful seafront surroundings.



We are delighted to see the Habitat Group win this fantastic accolade at the Asia Pacific Property Awards, said Olivier Berrivin, Best Westerns managing director International Operations  Asia. BluPhere Pattaya, BW Premier Collection by Best Western is a truly impressive project and we are delighted to be working with our esteemed partner, the Habitat Group, to bring this hotel to life.



One of the most important elements of hospitality is developing lasting relationships. In the Habitat Group, we have a fantastic partner that is able to create inspirational projects. We look forward to deepening our relationship with them in future and seeing BluPhere Pattaya and other exciting projects come to life, Berrivin added.



BluPhere Pattaya has won several awards for its architecture and design, including Best Low-Rise Condo Architectural Design (Resort) at the Thailand Property Awards 2017. It was also highly commended in the Best Condo Interior Design and Best Condo Landscape Architectural Design categories. It then won the Best Condo Architectural Design (Thailand) title at the Asia Property Awards 2017.



Currently under construction, BluPhere Pattaya will become the second BW Premier Collection by Best Western hotel in Thailand. Located just 100 meters from the golden beach, the hotel will feature 199 spacious apartment-style units and an array of upscale amenities.



Best Western and Habitat Group are also working together on Best Western Premier BayPhere Pattaya, which is scheduled to open in 2019. - TradeArabia News Service
editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 20

The Amritsar Central Jail authorities confiscated six mobile phones from a Nihang Sikh, who had returned to the jail after completing his parole term. The accused has been identified as Harjit Singh, convicted in a murder case. He has been serving jail term for over a decade.

Arshdeep Singh Gill, Superintendent, Amritsar Central Jail, said the jail staff deputed at the entry gate got suspicious over the huge size of turban. While undergoing metal detector check, the machine indicated presence of some metal in his turban.

Initially, he didnt allow the jail staff to frisk him and tried to give the matter a different colour by raising a hue and cry, said Gill.

He said four of the seized mobiles were smart phones. Such inmates are a nuisance. We work hard to curb the practice of sneaking in prohibited material but such incidents continue to occur, he added.

Preliminary investigation revealed that he was to sell these cell phones to other jail inmates who could pay him heftily. He said a complaint had been submitted to the Gate Hakima police for further action.

Rs41,000 seized

Meanwhile, jail officials seized around Rs 41,000 in cash from a jail inmate. The recovery was made during a search operation. The accused has been identified as Amarjit Singh, a Kapurthala resident. He told the jail authorities that the cash was given to him by his family members when he had gone for a court hearing. The jail authorities said that they had reported the matter to the police for further investigation
Sandeep Dikshit

Sandeep Dikshit

HIS attempt to don an atoning cloak still does not cover up the extraordinary lengths to which the BJP went to capture power, in the process leading to a gubernatorial misstep which had to be set right by the Supreme Court in a pre-dawn hearing.

Political sleights such as the Governors initial 15-day period to BJP CM BS Yeddyurappa are an accepted part of statecraft. Congress leader Vidya Charan Shukla has recounted in his memoirs that the Lok Sabha Speaker delayed the voting by allowing speakers to drone on on the no-confidence motion against the Narasimha Rao government till a missing MP was located.

The BJP think-tank badly miscalculated by putting Karnataka on a par with Goa and Manipur where extra-parliamentary procedures yielded governments for the party. Goa or Manipur, both important in their contexts, are no patch on the economic engines in Karnataka that generate Rs 15 lakh crore of economic activity annually. This was a prize no one was going to walk-away without a last-ditch fight.

In political Delhis consciousness Karnataka does not loom large; the Yeddyurappas and the Siddaramaiahs come alive only during the elections. Karnataka, however, does form the public consciousness, as part of the Indian mainland sharing many of the cultures and traditions with regions across the Vindhya chain of mountains. It was hard to underplay the political skullduggery in Karnataka unlike far-flung provinces where security agencies also lend a helping hand.

This has been more than a transient loss of face for the BJP think-tank. It may think of recouping the loss of political capital with opportunities coming up in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, or even Rajasthan, if the BJP can retrieve the situation in that state.

The after-effects of Karnataka, however, will be more than the sum of all these victories. Had the BJP stayed off from staking claim, the Congress-JD (S) alliance would have been an unsteady arrangement. The audio clips of top BJP leaders, even if still unsubstantiated, and its leaderships disdain for MLAs of the other side, treating them as commodities waiting to be plucked from shop shelves, would have stiffened the back of even the ones thinking of abandoning the ship.

The BJPs siren call may also have failed to work because the Congress in Karnataka is immensely more resourceful than its counterpart in Goa. In Manipur, the outgoing CM Ibobi Singh, with 15 years under his belt, would have been no less resourceful, but the helping hand of the security agencies and the states umbilical dependence on the Centre proved more than a match in luring Congress and floating MLAs to the BJP corner. Congress DK Shivakumar had already experienced a dress rehearsal when the party high command had entrusted him with MLAs from Gujarat on the eve of the Rajya Sabha elections in which Ahmed Patel overcame the Amit Shah challenge.

The Karnataka Government is bound to live on the edge. It may not even require the combined brilliance and machination of Amit Shah-Murlidhar Rao-Ram Madhav to bring it down. But their single-minded pursuit of a chink in the JD (S)-Congress MLAs, with the tacit involvement of the might of the state, cast them as victims and has put the fear of existence in the hearts of other regional leaders. For many of these regional leaders with skeletons in their cupboards, standing up with the Goliaths will be the right insurance against any future troubles from investigating agencies.

This explains Mayawatis phone call to Deve Gowda, counselling him to make peace with the Congress. More than the cries of encouragement from the sidelines by regional leaders, this phone call is of the highest significance. Mayawati shares the same back history of extreme acrimony with the Samajwadi Party (SP), its main non-BJP rival in UP, as HD Deve Gowda does with the Congress during his stint as PM at the Centre.

Surely, Mayawati would not be unaware of the unseemly manner in which the Deve Gowda government was sought to be pulled down even if the boorishness did not measure up to the SPs attempt to assault her. And once she advised Gowda to turn the chapter, it will be incumbent on her to walk the talk in UP. An upcoming SP-BSP-Congress 'mahagathbandhan' in UP will be the direct byproduct of the Karnataka development.

This effect will be felt in all states where the BJP faced a fragmented opposition. The regional parties would have sniffed that the Congress, with its back to the wall, will be in a position to concede substantial space in their strongholds for alliances with them in order to present a combined front to the BJP.

Worse than being moral losers, Karnataka has inflicted political damage on both the Congress and the BJP. The BJPs think-tank that appeared invincible, from Goa to Gujarat, seems all too human with its attendant frailty of miscalculating from time to time.

As the Mayawati phone call and the beeline to attend the swearing in of the JD(S)-Congress government shows, the BJPs winner-takes-all approach has made the Chandra Babu Naidus and the K Chandrashekar Raos circumspect about their plans for a third front distinct from the UPA and the NDA.

It might also have consigned into the bin the CPI (M) ideologue Prakash Karats theory of equidistance from both the BJP and the Congress. West Bengal could even see an unthought-of-combination of Trinamool-Left Front-Congress. Possibilities also open up for deal-making in Odisha, where CM Naveen Patnaik in the past has conceded space to allies, but the Congress will be a novelty.

The unsteady roll of the political dice, the miscalculations and the Supreme Courts eagle eye have converted Karnataka into a template for the 2019 battle. The Opposition has coagulated earlier than expected.
laxmi@tribune.com

EVEN as the world is moving away from dumb munitions and adopting precision-guided ones, shelling and firing across the international border in Jammu and Kashmir is taking innocent lives. It is also vitiating the atmosphere where let alone peace; even the hope for peace becomes a distant mirage. Civilian lives are too high a collateral damage of such firing. Four civilians and a BSF jawan were killed and 10 others injured on Friday in shelling by Pakistani troops in the RS Pura, Arnia and Bishnah sectors.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is quite right in expressing outrage at the latest escalation in firing that comes in the wake of the initiation of peace initiatives with the cessation of operations during Ramzan by the government. The Pakistani army has again shown that it is not interested in peace in the Valley. Attempts at intrusions into the Indian territory continue, with the active involvement of the armed forces of the neighbouring country. The Chief Minister is right when she asserts that violence is a zero-sum game. The use of weapons of war during times of peace is unconscionable, more so when death literally rains from the sky, choosing victims at random. Indeed, one of those killed on Friday was a woman. Even as the Indian forces counter the threat and take more effective measures to evacuate civilians injured during any such conflict, the ball is in the court of Islamabad to reciprocate the goodwill gesture of cease-fire.

A section of the world may well have become desensitised to incidents of deaths of civilians; however, there is simply no room for violence. The reverberations of the mortar shells that tear into the life of local residents also seem to blow up hope for peace in the Valley. Even in a land scarred by many such incidents, the timing of the latest bout of firing shows how fragile peace in Jammu and Kashmir is.
editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 20

Leader of Opposition Abhay Singh Chautala alleged on Sunday that Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and his ministers had been using their discretionary grants for benefit of the RSS and its schools while seeking a White Paper on the allocation of these.

The INLD leader also demanded separate White Papers on investment attracted from Khattars foreign trips and various business summits organised by the BJP government in the past three and a half years.

Addressing a press conference here, he condemned the derogatory remarks about Mahatma Gandhi by Health Minister Anil Vij. He should be dropped from the Cabinet immediately and an FIR registered against him, Abhay said.

He said suspension of Haryana Staff Selection Commission chairman Bharat Bhushan Bharti in connection with the question about the Brahmin community was not enough, adding that the entire board should have been dismissed.

Abhay claimed that the government was in search of a Brahmin face for appointment as the next chairman of the commission to help assuage the feelings of members of the community.

The government is likely to appoint a Brahmin as the Vice-Chancellor of some university as well to woo the community, he added.

The INLD leader alleged that the government was reckless with public money and corruption was at its peak though the Chief Minister had been patting his back for checking the menace.

This government organised the Happening Haryana summit when the state was burning during the Jat agitation. It held a Pravasi Haryana summit, sent tickets to industrialists abroad, booked hotels and claimed that investment to the tune of crores was on the way. It must give a White Paper on all these and give details of investment that has come in as a result of foreign trips and summits, he said.

Alleging that the discretionary grants were being misused by the Chief Minister and ministers to benefit RSS shakhas and their schools, he said this public money was meant only for social service.

Criticising Khattar for his objection to namaz in open spaces, Abhay said these were essentially diversionary tactics of the government to keep everybody off burning issues.

If things continue as they are, the government will soon begin deciding which god to worship and is bound to come out with the announcement that RSS ideologue Deendayal Upadhyaya is the only god, he remarked.

Dismissing the government claim that the SYL case was still pending in court, Abhay said, If this is true, why did the CM call an all-party meeting, lead a delegation to the President and meet the Union Home Minister with us? We will hold a jail bharo andolan over the SYL in Fatehabad on Tuesday. Abhay dared Hooda to sweat in the sun and court arrest with INLD leaders and workers if he termed their jail bharo andolan as bus bharo andolan.

His was a five-star culture government with table politics, he alleged. Hoodas government, contrary to its commitment, had issued notices of kurki against farmers in Jind for non-repayment of loans.
monicakchauhan@gmail.com

Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News service

Chandigarh, May 20

Leader of Opposition Abhay Chautala on Sunday demanded a white paper on investments that have come to the state because of the five foreign trips by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in his three-and-half years of rule.

He s aid the chief ministers statement objecting to namaz in public places was only a diversionary tactics, an effort to keep attention off burning issues.

He said Health Minister Anil Vij be dropped from the Cabinet for making objectionable statement about Mahatma Gandhi. He also demanded that an FIR was registered against Vij.
editorial@tribune.com

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, May 20

A total of 4,225 constables took part in the passing-out parade on completion of the recruit basic course at the Haryana Police Academy in Madhuban on Sunday.

The 84th batch was the first having highly qualified constables. Among the recruits, two had MPhil degree, 15 MTech, 16 MCA, 36 MBA, 33 MSc, 38 MCom, 103 MA, 273 BTech, 51 BCA, three LLB, 434 BSc, 215 BCom and 844 BA degree.

The authorities were of the opinion that induction of highly qualified constables would help in improving the image of Haryana Police among the people.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar called upon newly recruited constables to provide honest and sincere service to the people.

Khattar announced setting up of six traffic police stations on the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal and Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal expressways, one each in Sonepat, Jhajjar, Gurugram, Mewat, Palwal and Faridabad districts, to regulate traffic.

He announced enhancement in ex gratia for family members of police personnel killed in the line of duty from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 30 lakh.

Of this, Rs 20 lakh would be given to the dependant of the deceased and Rs 5 lakh each to parents. In case parents were not alive, the grant would be given to the dependant.

Financial assistance of Rs 15 lakh would be given to terminally injured police personnel, Rs 10 lakh to severely injured cops and Rs 5 lakh to those with minor injuries.

Describing the batch as the most educated, Khattar said more than 50 per cent of the recruits were highly qualified. He said this would encourage others with high qualifications to opt for this career option in the future.

He said a provision for higher studies would be made for those desirous of continuing studies after Class XII. He said a no-objection certificate was not required from those applying for higher posts.

BS Sandhu, Director General of Police, said it was the biggest passing-out parade since 1990. He said the recruits had been trained in police administration, traffic management, maintenance of law and order, human behaviour, community policing and computers.
editorial@tribune.com

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, May 20

The Chandra-Bhaga Sangam Parv Samiti is seeking the financial support of the state government to organise Sangam Parv in Lahaul-Spiti.

The samiti has been organising the event for the last two years to promote the place for religious tourism, but this year, members are facing difficulty to bear the expenditure of the event because of the financial crunch.

Chander Mohan Prasheera, coordinator of the samiti, said, We are struggling to promote Tandi Sangam as a religious tourist place where the Chandra and Bhaga meet. This place has equal importance for Hindus and Buddhists, who perform last rites of their dead kin here. For two years, we had organised this event with the support of the public, but this time, funds are quite less. Every year, Rs 10 lakh was spent approximately. Now, we are requesting the government to provide financial support for the purpose, he said.

The event would be organised on June 12.

He said last year Union Minister of State for Tourism and Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma attended the event, who had assured them that the Centre had approved Rs 250 crore to develop the Buddhist tourism circuit in parts of India, including Lahaul-Spiti.
monicakchauhan@gmail.com

Bhanu Lohumi

Tribune News service

Shimla, May 20

Multiple-storey houses were gutted in devastating fire that broke out at Pangi village, about 500 metres from Chechering Nagas Devta Temple, late last night.

The fire, which broke out at 1.30 am, spread fast to the adjoining building and local villagers rushed to put out the fire.

The fire tenders could not reach the spot as there was no road accessibility.

The villagers rued that they tried calling the fire station at Reckong Peo but the phone was not working.

However, the quick response team (QRT) reached the spot in an hour and helped the locals to extinguish the fire. No loss of human life was reported but property worth crores was destroyed.

The victims whose houses were completely gutted included Netar Singh, Praveen Kumar, Kishan Bhagat, Hem Chand, all residents of Pangi at Kalpa in Kinnaur.

House of Subash Chand suffered partial loss while 15 apple trees of Budh Bahadur were burnt in the fire. The cause of fire is yet to be ascertained. The estimated damage is expected to be Rs 1 crore, officials of Kinnaur district administration said adding that an immediate relief of Rs 7,500 has been released to the victims.
editorial@tribune.com

Srinagar, May 20

The signatures of Vishal Jangotra, an accused in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua in January, does not match the one which he claimed to have signed in an exam attendance sheet in Meerut to claim he was not at the crime scene, according to a report of forensic experts.

The report by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), detailing this conclusion, has been submitted to the crime branch of the J&K Police, according to officials in the probe team.

The crime branch, meanwhile, issued notices to all three friends of Vishal for appearing before it for questioning tomorrow after the Supreme Court gave a go-ahead on May 17 for their further examination.

The officials said the report had stated that Vishal had not put the signature on the attendance sheet and it was done by someone else.

Vishal, one of the eight accused arrested in the case for raping and murdering the girl from the minority nomadic community, had claimed that he was in Meerut and had never visited Kathua when the crime was committed. He had also told the investigators that he had signed the attendance sheet before the exam on January 15.

The crime branch had sent the attendance sheet to the CFSL for having an opinion as the probe indicated that the signatures appeared to have been made by some friend of Vishal as his train from Jammu to Meerut was late and he had reached Meerut after the examination was over, officials said.

The questioner of examined documents (QED), who is an expert on examination of handwriting samples, opined that the signatures on the attendance sheet did not match with that of Vishal, son of Sanji Ram, the alleged mastermind of the murder, the officials said.

The police wanted to again question his three friends  Sachin, Neeraj and Sahil  but they had approached the SC earlier this month alleging harassment by the crime branch. The apex court on May 17 directed them to appear before the crime branch but said in its order that a relative of each of the witnesses shall be allowed to accompany him, but the said relative shall not enter into the investigation room. However, he shall remain at a reasonably visible distance.

The SC made it clear that these directions should not remotely be inferred that there is any kind of harassment by the investigating agency. The officials said that the three would be questioned tomorrow and all the directions of the apex court would be adhered to.

In its chargesheet, the crime branch had mentioned that some officials of the university had allegedly received a huge amount as kickback from accused Sanji Ram.

The aspect needs further investigation as records are to be collected from the college and university concerned... after conducting further investigation a supplementary charge sheet shall follow, the chargesheet had said.

Vishal is among the eight persons chargesheeted by the crime branch in the rape and murder of the girl. The charge sheet also claimed that Sanji, who has been termed as a main conspirator, had planned the kidnapping of the girl only to drive away nomads fromKathua.

The crime branch has alleged in the charge sheet that Vishal had tried to create an alibi of his absence from the crime scene by allegedly resorting to manipulation of records and creation of false evidence with the connivance and assistance of his father Sanji Ram.

Vishal, who is pursuing bachelor of agriculture from a college in Meerut, has been charged by the crime branch with raping and helping in the murder of the girl along with a juvenile (main accused and a relative of Sanji Ram) and SPODeepak Khajuria, alias Deepu. The girl was kidnapped on January 10 and her body was recovered on January 17. She was murdered on January 14 and her body had been dumped in a jungle.  PTI

Crime branch to again quiz his 3 friends
editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Hiranagar (Kathua), May 20

Former Forest Minister and BJP MLA Choudhary Lal Singh on Sunday warned the PDP leadership against demonising and discrediting the ethnic Dogra minority of J&K for petty political gain. He said within a day or two, some big announcement would be made to launch an agitation to restore dignity and honour of the Dogras.

Buoyed by the unprecedented response to his much-touted Dogra Swabhiman Rally, Lal Singh said since 1947, the successive state governments, headed by Kashmir-centric parties, were systemically demonising the Dogra minority to extend separatist agenda in the Jammu region also. Gone are the days when the Kashmir-centric parties could gag our voice through oppressive means. Now Dogras have decided to fight for their dignity and honour, he said amid raising of slogans.

The rally had became an issue of prestige for the BJP legislator, who was forced to resign from the Council of Ministers for supporting the demand for a CBI probe into the infamous Kathua rape-murder case.

Lal Singh marched 35 km on foot from Lakhanpur to the venue for mobilising support for a CBI probe into the Kathua case. When Lal Singh started his march from Lakhanpur at 7.30 am only 500 people were accompanying him but when he reached the venue, the strength had swelled to many thousands. Residents of twin border districts of Kathua and Samba reached the place in huge numbers.

Lal Singh seized the opportunity to cash in on brewing anger against the state government allegedly for meting out step-motherly treatment to the Jammu region. Dogras are facing worst-ever onslaught on their dignity and honour. We have to launch a decisive battle, he said.

In the presence of thousands of people, Lal Singh rechristened the controversial Hindu Ekta Manch as Dogra Ekta Manch to give it a secular colour so as to involve all Dogras.

We dont want any lessons on secularism and brotherhood from the Kashmir-centric parties which lack guts to speak against fundamentalists. Since the times immemorial, Dogras are accommodating people of all religion and regions, he said, adding that Jammu had set an example of communal harmony and brotherhood at crucial times.

While demanding a CBI probe into the Kathua case, Lal Singh said the victim was daughter of Dogras. We are duty-bound to ensure justice to her, he said while asking the people to intensity the struggle for justice.
editorial@tribune.com

Vikas Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 20

Of the 319 schools proposed by the J&K Government to the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development for implementing the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) scheme, 237 have been found eligible. An amount of Rs 1,185 lakh has also been approved for these schools.

The ministry also found that two schools had incorrect unified district information system for education, two were elementary schools, and eight had less than 15 students enrolled.

The state had also proposed solar panel for all 319 schools, but the ministry approved setting up of solar power systems in only 237 schools with an outlay of Rs 639.90 lakh, which is to be implemented in convergence with the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

The ICT scheme in schools is a component of the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan. It was launched in December 2004 and revised in 2010 to provide opportunities to students of secondary classes to build their capacity on the ICT skills, besides making them learn through computer-aided learning process.

The scheme is a major catalyst in bridging the digital divide between students of various socio-economic backgrounds and other geographical barriers. It provides support to states/UTs to establish computer labs on a sustainable basis.

As far as the measures for improving the poor status of the elementary education in the state is concerned, Rs 39,606.13 lakh was released to all districts for the construction of school buildings under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in the last three years.

As per data, 3,039 government-run schools, including 2,457 primary and 582 middle, are functioning in private rented buildings across the state. Of the total 13,175 government-run primary schools in J&K, 8,687 have their own buildings, while the remaining schools are functioning from rented buildings. Similarly, of the total 8,140 middle schools, 582 schools do not have their own buildings.

Central scheme
editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 20

The authorities on Sunday imposed restrictions in Srinagar, thereby keeping several parts of the old city out of bounds as the joint resistance leadership called for Eidgah march on Monday to mark the death anniversaries of Mirwaiz Kashmir Moulvi Farooq and Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone.

Apprehending trouble, restrictions were enforced in old city areas of Nowhatta, MR Gunj, Safakadal and Eidgah, throwing life out of gear and disrupting traffic movement in the city.

The moderate faction of the Hurriyat headed by Mirwaiz is observing Hafta-e-Shahadat (martyrs week) to commemorate the death anniversaries of Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq (assassinated on May 21, 1990) and Abdul Gani Lone (assassinated on May 21, 2002). Both were buried at Eidgah cemetery.

Lanes and bylanes were sealed with concertina wires by the security forces on Sunday, while transport was not allowed to move through downtown areas, considered the bastion of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. However, pedestrian movement was allowed in these areas.

It was for the second consecutive day that the downtown areas of Srinagar were facing restrictions as on Saturday the area was closed in view of the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who in his speech in Srinagar said the only solution to any conflict was development.

In an apparent reference to the PMs speech, Mirwaiz tweeted: Leadership under detention while downtown continues to be put under curfew and restrictions! Mirwaiz Manzil Rajouri Kadal completely sealed and barricaded! Repression for the sake of development, the new mantra for Kashmir resolution!

Traffic movement disrupted
shalender@tribune.com

Veere Di Wedding is inching towards its release on June 1 and to add to the buzz, the makers of the film recently unveiled a new poster. In the poster, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhasker and Shikha Talsania are seen standing against the backdrop of a beautiful Thailand-beach, donning bikinis.

Kareena is seen in a sizzling bronze-gold bikini top and a sarong, whereas, Sonam is in a white bikini top and a pair of capris in the same colour. Swara Bhasker is also seen flaunting her lean body in a blue and white mono-kini. But, the person grabbing all the attention is actually Shikha who is getting all the love for not just rocking a maroon swim-wear piece but also for starting a conversation about the sexual appeal of plus-size ladies. Veere Di Wedding, directed by Shashanka Ghosh and produced by Rhea Kapoor, has been given an A certificate with no cuts by the board because of the excessive usage of swear words and the adult content.
Rana Preet Gill

Rana Preet Gill

CHANN Pardesi is a popular radio station in Michigan and has built a fan base among the predominant Punjabi community in the US and Canada. So, when I got a call from one of the presenters for a talk show I was surprised. Why will the NRI community be interested in a veterinarian working in a non-descript Punjab village they might have never heard about? The presenter laughingly remarked: They are interested in everything happening back home. A woman vet working in a rural area is something they would like to know more about.

The day of the talk show was decided and a live recording session was done on the phone. I jotted down a few points about my work, some anecdotes that happened during the course of treatment of animals in far-flung villages and the constant challenges women vets face in remote areas. For an hour, I chatted about my life, my job and my aspirations to be a writer. At the end of the session, the host encouraged me to divulge my contact details. I did so, but wondered why anyone would contact me from another part of the world. The audience mainly comprised of people in the US, Canada and Europe.

To my utter surprise, I got a call from Germany the very next day. The caller sounded ebullient. He had heard the show and wanted some help with the treatment of his buffaloes back home at a village near Ludhiana. I provided him the contact number of the doctor posted at the nearby vet hospital. I was amazed at the concern he elicited for his animals while being so far away from home.

An elderly woman called up, narrating her tale of woes. She did not have anyone to talk to because her grown-up kids were busy and had no time to interact with her. She and her group of friends were avid radio listeners, which provided some form of human connect and outlet. The fast-paced life made her crave the comfort of friends back home.

A young girl wanted to know if her sister could gain admission in a veterinary college in Punjab, for she did not want her to come all the way chasing foreign dreams. She sounded forlorn and disillusioned.

It was a strange feeling to listen to people reposing their faith in a complete stranger, but with one they could identify, simply because she was one of their kind. It was not me they were relating to, it was the long-lost motherland they had left behind in their chase for a better world for themselves. It was the most fundamental, innate desire to be heard and acknowledged.

I understood their feelings: there was a connection they never wanted to lose; neither with their home away from home nor with the people they were tied to. The distance had only made that bond stronger.
gspannu7@gmail.com

Mumbai, May 18

The riot in Aurangabad city last week appeared to be pre-planned and the result of simmering unrest over the civic bodys drive against illegal water connections, a police report has said.

Two persons were killed in clashes in this central Maharashtra city on April 11 and 12.

Aurangabad police commissioner has submitted a report on the violence to the state Director General of Police, an official said here.

There was a month-long unrest over the municipal corporations crack-down on illegal water connections and some other civic issues in the area (where the violence started), he said.

The special investigation team of city police found petrol bombs and balls of kerosene-soaked balls during searches, suggesting that the violence was pre-planned, he said.

Police also found stones, collected for hurling through catapults at police or rival groups, he said.

Over 50 persons have been arrested following the violence.

Laxminarayan Bakharia alias Lachchu Pahelwan, alleged mastermind of the violence, was held two days ago. Before that, Shiv Sena corporator Rajendra Janjal and All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) corporator Feroz Khan were arrested.

The violence left a 65-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy dead and around 60 others, including a dozen policemen, injured. Several shops and vehicles were gutted.

Meanwhile, authorities have denied permission for the Senas protest march through the city tomorrow for seeking proper probe of the violence, a police official said.  PTI
monicakchauhan@gmail.com

New Delhi, May 20

India is the sixth wealthiest country in the world with a total wealth of US$ 8,230 billion, while the US is the richest nation globally, says a report.

According to the AfrAsia Bank Global Wealth Migration Review, the US is the wealthiest country in the world with a total wealth of US$ 62,584 billion, followed by China (US$ 24,803 billion) at the second place and Japan (US$ 19,522 billion) at the third place.

Total wealth refers to the private wealth held by all the individuals living in each country. It includes all their assets (property, cash, equities, business interests) less any liabilities. We exclude government funds from our figures. Larger countries have an advantage due to higher populations.

Other countries in the top 10 wealthiest list includes the UK US$ (9,919 billion), Germany (US$ 9,660 billion), India (US$ 8,230 billion), Australia (US$ 6,142 billion), Canada (US$ 6,393 billion), France (US$ 6,649 billion) and Italy (US$ 4,276 billion).

Factors that will help in wealth creation in India include, large number of entrepreneurs, good educational system, robust outlook for IT, business process outsourcing, real estate, healthcare and media sectors which will result in a 200 per cent rise 10 year wealth growth forecast, according to the report.

In the coming decade, China is expected to witness a significant rise in total wealth to US$ 69,449 billion by 2027, while wealth of the US would be around US$ 75,101 billion.

Globally, the total private wealth held worldwide amounts to around US$ 215 trillion and there are around 15.2 million HNWIs in the world, each with net assets of US$ 1 million or more.

There are about 584,000 multi-millionaires in the world, each with net assets of US$ 10 million or more and 2,252 billionaires in the world, each with net assets of US$ 1 billion or more, the report added.

Over the next 10 years, Australia is expected to overtake Canada and gain significant ground on Germany and the UK. While, India will overtake Germany and the UK to become the 4th largest wealth market worldwide by 2027.

Global wealth is expected to rise by 50 per cent over the next decade, reaching US$ 321 trillion by 2027. The fastest growing wealth markets are expected to be Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam, China, Mauritius, the report said. PTI
editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Guwahati, May 20

BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday said improved relations with neighbouring countries- Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan- under Prime Minister Narendra Modi would transform the economy of the northeastern region, leading to higher growth.

The PMs initiative to sign the Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh will lead to development in the region and within 5 to 10 years the ports in the neighbouring country will carry goods produced in North-East, he said.

Shah was addressing the third conclave of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) - a platform promoted by the party for regional political groups in the north-eastern states. The conclave was attended by six Chief Ministers of the region which comprises 25 Lok Sabha seats. An MP represented Sikkim at the meeting that focused on the working out a strategy for the 2019 General Election.

The BJP chief said, We have successfully achieved the objective of this geo-cultural alliance that believes in taking the smallest party on board. The NDA government, unlike the previous dispensation, believes in acknowledging the rights of the N-E people. There are 217 tribes and 185 languages spoken in the region and they are not our burden, but our strength. The NEDA will strive to unite them and help develop the region, he said.

We are looking at making North-East formidable and our goal is to make the NEDA a representative alliance for the eight states of the region, he said, referring to making Mizoram a part of the alliance through electoral success. Mizoram goes to poll by the end of the year.

Listing out the achievements of the Centre, Shah said one of apparent trends in the past four years is that there has been a transformation from briefcase politics to development politics. (With agency inputs)
editorial@tribune.com

Smita Sharma

A patriotic spread of red and blue  from flags to ribbons women wearing bunad or folk costumes, videos of stunning landscapes on display and various reincarnations of salmon ordered specially from Norway.

The Norwegian National Day reception in Delhi gave a slight glimpse of the festivities back home to celebrate the country's constitution. The second-oldest constitution in the world was passed unanimously by the Eidsvoll Assembly on May 16, 1814, and signed the next day. This recognised Norway as a kingdom independent of Sweden following the Napoleonic Wars.

Norwegians proudly hail the celebrations as their reply to the Brazilian Carnival or the Irish Saint Patricks Day. For Indians, Republic Day celebrating the Constitution is marked by a spectacular military parade with defence forces marching down Rajpath.

In Norway, there is no military triumphalism on display. Visitors are greeted by tens of thousands of Norwegians and young children parading down streets in small and big cities and treating themselves to ice creams and hot dogs.

1870 saw the first childrens parade in then Christiania, now Oslo  the seat of the Nobel Peace Centre where India's Kailash Satyarthi and Pakistan's Malala Yusufzai were jointly honoured with the prestigious prize in 2014.

Norwegian Ambassador Nils Ragnar Kamsvag hopes to enhance economic ties with India in which the popular Norwegian salmon could play a role.

Norway accounts for more than 60 per cent of the worlds Atlantic salmon exports with a turnover of more than $8 billion last year.

However it is yet to find a bigger share in the Indian market. It is not a cheap fish. Also it has to move very quickly through customs, needs efficient cold storage chains. But now Norwegian salmon is increasingly available in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi, says Kamsvag as he recalls that during his posting in China two decades bacl, Norwegian salmon was available because of solid logistical and infrastructure facilities.

As of now the European Union, Russia, US are important destinations for the Norwegian salmon, which has been imported and popularised majorly by the Japanese for their sushi specialties.

Ambassador Kamsvag also hopes to promote tourism, music and literature both ways. He says Indian tourists are now looking at Norway as not just a summer escapade but also a winter destination. Norway also considers India an important partner on climate change and environmental issues with the two Prime Ministers at their recent meeting proposing a joint task force on oceanic cooperation and blue economy.

Over 70 per cent of Norwegian exports come from the sea. We hope to work with India on ports development, combating marine pollution, shipping and better utilisation of Indian Ocean resources, says the envoy.  TNS
uttara@tribuneindia.com

Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 20

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hoped his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin would boost ties between New Delhi and Moscow.

The Prime Minister, who will be in Sochia city on the coast of the Black Seaon Monday for a daylong visit, said in tweets just before he left on Sunday.

Greetings to the friendly people of Russia. I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him.

Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia.

The Prime Minister will hold talks, mostly one-on-ones, for 4-5 hours with Putin.

Senior sources told the Tribune that the ongoing global turmoil; Russias increasingly strained relationships with United States, United Kingdom and the West; the war situation in Syria; and the US pulling out of the historic Iran nuclear deal will be part of the talks.

The two leaders are also likely to discuss possible US secondary sanctions under Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which penalises countries that have dealings with RussiaIndias largest military supplier.

New Delhi will assure the Kremlin that it remains a reliable and trusted partner despite its steadily growing defence dealings with US and Israel.

We will not allow our defence requirements to be dictated by any other country Whatever is in Indias interest in procuring for national security will determine the manner in which we procure, an official source said.

The summit indicates that Prime Minister Modis government is keen on resetting ties with neighbours and major world powers through informal meetings, which require no joint statements, as it enters its last year.

General elections are scheduled for 2019.

This is the first meeting between the two leaders since Putin was re-elected for a fourth term in March.

Modi had proposed an informal meeting when he called to congratulate the Russian strongman on his re-election in March, as well as before the Indian Prime Minister met Chinas Xi Jinping in April.

The meeting comes at a time of a perceptible drift in India-Russia relations. Moscow has reservations about growing proximity with Washington, while India in turn worries about Russias increasing military exchanges and defence dealings with Pakistan.
monicakchauhan@gmail.com

Satna (MP), May 20

A 45-year-old man was beaten to death and his friend severally thrashed by four people for allegedly slaughtering a cow in Satna district, the police said.

The four accused have been arrested, they said.

The accused, on getting information that two persons were slaughtering a cow at a forest area in Anjar village, about 70 km from here, reached the spot and allegedly beat one of them to death on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, Superintendent of Police Rajesh Hingerkar said.

The deceased has been identified as Siraj, he said.

The other person, identified as Shakeel (35), was also brutally beaten and sustained severe injuries, he said.

Sub-Divisional Officer of Police, Maiher area, Arvind Tiwari, said they recovered beef and carcass of a slaughtered bull from the spot.

As per the investigation, the deceased was beaten with lathis (sticks), he said.

On getting information about the incident, the police reached the spot and rushed the injured person for treatment to a hospital in Jabalpur district, Tiwari said.

The police have arrested four personsPawan Singh (35), Vijay Singh (26), Phool Singh (36) and Narayan Singh (28)in connection with the incident, he said.

About 400 policemen have been deployed to maintain law and order in the area following the incident, Inspector General of Police, Rewa Range, Umesh Joga said. PTI
monicakchauhan@gmail.com

Raipur, May 20

Seven police personnel were killed after Naxals blew up their vehicle in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district on Sunday, police said.

The attack took place on a day when Union Home Minister Rajanth Singh is scheduled to arrive in the state.

Naxals carried out a land mine blast around 12 noon when a joint team of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and the District Force (DF) was patrolling the Cholnar-Kirandul road to provide security to trucks carrying construction material for road works between Kirandul and Palnar villages, a senior police official said.

The intensity of the blast, which took place near a culvert, was strong enough to toss the police vehicle in a roadside ditch, he said.

Five personnel died on the spot and two were rushed to the National Mineral Development Corporation's hospital at Kirandul. One of them died during treatment at the hospital and another was airlifted to Raipur, where he died, the official said.

Those killed from the DF were identified as Head Constable Ramkumar Yadav, Constable Tikeshwar Dhruv and Assistant Constable Shalik Ram Sinha, he said.

The official said that from the CAF's 16th battalion, Head Constable Vikram Yadav and constables Rajesh Kumar Singh and Ravinath Patel were killed in the attack.

CAF Constable Arjun Rajbhar, who was airlifted to state capital Raipur, died during treatment, he said.

Naxals looted six automatic weaponstwo AK-47s and as many INSAS and self-loading riflesof the deceased personnel, he said.

Police sources believe that the attack was in retaliation to the recent encounters in Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), Malkangiri (Odisha) and Bijapur (Chhattisgarh), where Maoists suffered major casualties.

Combing operations have been intensified in the area following the attack, the official said.

Condemning the attack, Chief Minister Raman Singh termed it "cowardly" and said it exposed the rebels' anti-people and anti-development mindset.

"Our police personnel have sacrificed their lives while guarding a road construction site. Their sacrifice will always be remembered," he said.

"This proves that Naxalites do not want villagers and tribal people of this district to have access to even basic facilities such as roads. Incidents like these cannot dampen the courage and determination of our police force and officials, employees and labourers associated with road construction," Singh said.

"We are committed to provide all-weather transportation facility by developing a network of roads in the entire Bastar division, including Dantewada," the chief minister said.

Earlier, Naxals had carried out a land mine blast in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on March 13 in which nine CRPF personnel were killed.

Rajanth Singh is scheduled to arrive in Surguja district this evening to attend the passing out parade of the CRPF's Bastariya battalion on Sunday. PTI
editorial@tribune.com

Kathmandu, May 20

Nepal will close the Indian Embassys field office in the near future as it has outlived its purpose, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said.

India was permitted to set up the temporary field office in 2008 to issue passes to vehicles for plying on Indian roads in the bordering regions after the Koshi floods damaged a 17-km stretch of the east-west highway. Initially set up in the eastern Sunsari district, the office was later shifted to the nearby Biratnagar city, about 375 km from here, along the Koshi Highway.

Speaking at the first parliamentary party meeting of the newly formed Nepal Communist Party here, partys co-chairman Oli said the office would be removed as it had outlived its purpose.

After repair of the damaged portion of the highway, Nepal had asked India to shut down the camp office but the Indian side did not comply.  PTI
amansharma@tribunemail.com

Islamabad, May 20

Pakistans top civil and military leaders have decided to give greater administrative and financial authority to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the region through which the controversial $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes.

During a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) -- the top civil and military bodySartaj Aziz, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan, yesterday briefed the Committee on the PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan reform proposals, an official statement said.

The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi reviewed these proposals and after detailed deliberations a consensus was reached on the devolution of greater administrative authority and financial powers to the PoK government and the Gilgit-Baltistan government, according to the statement.

The details of administrative and financial reform have not been shared so far.

However, there was also consensus over retention of the PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan Councils as advisory bodies; and the grant of a five-year tax holiday to Gilgit-Baltistan so as to create adequate incentives for the development of the region and bring it at par with the other areas of Pakistan.

Gilgit-Baltistan is treated as a separate geographical entity by Pakistan. Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh are four provinces of Pakistan.

India has termed as entirely unacceptable any possible attempt by Pakistan to declare the Gilgit-Baltistan region, bordering the disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as the fifth province. India has protested to China over the CPEC which goes through Gilgit-Baltistan region.

It is believed that Chinas concerns about the unsettled status of Gilgit-Baltistan prompted Pakistan to change its status.

Earlier media reports had said Pakistan plans to elevate the constitutional status of the region to provide legal cover to the CPEC.

The NSC also endorsed that FATA shall be merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa along with the introduction of the administrative and judicial institutional structures and laws of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the statement said.

The Committee directed the ministries concerned to work out the constitutional, legal and administrative modalities for the merger in consultation with all parties in the Parliament.

The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Defence & Foreign Affairs Khurram Dastgir Khan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval and Air forces, ISI chief and other senior civil and military officials.  PTI
editorial@tribune.com

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, May 20

With school buildings declared unsafe, students of some primary and elementary schools in Faridkot are forced to study in the open.

When the mercury crosses 40C, the students use their notebooks as hand fans but seem unfazed as it is a routine for them for the past two years. Whenever there is rain, students get a holiday as there is no shelter to take cover.

Government primary schools in Pehluwala, Khara and Ghugiana villages and District Jail School in Faridkot are being run from decades-old crumbling buildings. About two years back, the Public Works Department had declared the buildings of these schools unsafe. Taking no risk, the teachers prefer to take classes under the shade of trees.

Holes in walls, dangling ceiling tiles, leaking roofs  this is the condition of a primary school in Pehluwala village where some parents assembled this week to protest against the authorities.

Several Central government schemes and grants are provided under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) for the renovation of government schools but these four schools in Faridkot district have not received a single penny for the purpose.

Dharambir Singh, Deputy District Education Officer, Faridkot, said the department was awaiting funds to build new rooms in these schools.

However, the managements of these schools said after waiting for funds from the Education Department, they had now started approaching NGOs and philanthropists.

Inderjit Singh Seikhon, a senior lawyer in Faridkot, donated Rs 1 lakh to Government Primary School, Ghugiana village, some days ago. The school is now waiting for some more money to start the construction work.
editorial@tribune.com

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 20

High fish mortality in the Beas following a hazardous spill from a sugar mill has prompted the Tarn Taran and Amritsar administrations to warn the residents not to consume fish for the next few weeks.

On the other hand, the wildlife authorities moved court against Chadha Sugar Mill at Kiri Afghana, Gurdaspur, for violating the wildlife preservation norms. A Batala court will initiate hearing on Monday.

It is feared that people living in the vicinity had collected the dead fish even before the wildlife and forest officials could reach the spot following the incident on May 17.

Kuldip Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Wildlife, said there was no arrangement to take such a huge quantity of dead fish into possession.

We could not restrict people to stay away from the area either. Dead fish are still floating in the river and being collected by people living in the vicinity. It is thus advised that people should refrain from eating fish as a precautionary measure, he said.

Tarn Taran DC Pardeep Sabharwal said an advisory had been issued, warning people not to buy fish from the market. Besides, residents of villages located near the Beas had been told not to let their cattle consume water from the river till the contamination worry was over, he said. Meanwhile, the samples of water and dead fish were taken by scientists of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) for analysis.

The report will be submitted to Amritsar Deputy Commissioner KS Sangha shortly.
editorial@tribune.com

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 20

The quality of riverwaters in the state has only deteriorated with the passage of time. Such is the situation that not even a single river falls in Category A (having water fit for direct drinking). The successive governments have failed to check the pollution levels, with the grade slipping to E in several areas.

Ahead of the 2012 Vidhan Sabha elections, both Congress and SAD had promised to frame a clean riverwater policy, but nothing of the sort ever happened.

In the past over 20 years, the water quality has gone down to Category E. The parties failed to keep their poll promises. Nothing has been done in this direction so far. The issue is only politicised. Our state is yet to frame and implement a healthy policy aiming at improving the water quality, said environmentalists.

In February 2017, the Supreme Court had set a three-month deadline for industrial units across the country to set up effluent treatment plants (ETP), failing which their operations would be shut. Acting on it, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) had issued common notices, warning to act after the deadline, but did not do anything against the erring units.

The state has as many as 3,500 industrial units, with a majority of them claiming to treat wastewater before releasing it. But the reality is far from different as several industrial units are still releasing untreated water, said a top PPCB official. All politicians do is issue statements. They are busy saving the erring industrial lobby, the official said. Sources said the recent Beas incident spoke volumes of the apathy and the nexus between officials and industrialists.

On Saturday, the PPCB had ordered inspection of all sugar mills and distilleries following the death of a large number of fish. The directions were issued to all officials by PPCB chairman KS Pannu.

Not only the industry, which claims to have almost 70 per cent of its effluents treated, civic bodies in the state too are releasing wastewater into rivers. At present, 87 sewage treatment plants (STPs) are operational in 67 cities of the state and only 15 meet the water quality norms after treatment primarily due to limited funds to run these STPs. As many as 99 cities are yet to set up STPs. The major cities that are polluting water channels include Jalandhar, Amritsar, Zirakpur, Mohali and Ludhiana, where only two out of the five STPs meet the water quality target.

Water samples collected from the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi and Ghaggar are of poor quality and fall in Category E. Principal, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Kuldeep Kumar said the incident was unfortunate and their teams had already been working on assessing the exact loss to the aquatic life.

Polluted water enters Rajasthan

Abohar: Contaminated water from the Beas reportedly reached Abohar and Balluana segments and even entered the neighbouring Sriganganagar district on Sunday. It has added to the woes of hundreds of farmers who have not been able to sow cotton due to poor supply of canal water. Most of the canals were closed for three weeks in April for cleaning. Officials claimed that on Sunday, only 1,440 cusecs of water was flowing into the Gang canal that fed Sriganganagar district and it was highly polluted. Fazilka Deputy Commissioner Isha Kalia told the Public Health

Department and water supply and sanitation officials not to store contaminated water in reservoirs and undertake sampling on a day-to-day basis. OC

Samples Taken

Muktsar: A team of the Punjab State Pollution Control Board (PPCB) on Sunday collected water samples from canals, saying the situation would improve by Monday. Daljit Singh, SDO, PPCB, said, The oxygen level had gone down. Deputy Commissioner Sumeet Jarangal, too, said there was no need to panic. TNS
amansharma@tribunemail.com

Kuljit Bains

When the state government is ruining its already impossible financial situation to pay for a loan waiver scheme, it may seem unfair to say it does not care for farmers committing suicide. But when each day of an entire week sees reports of at least one farmer/farm labourer committing suicide, something is definitely amiss. It has been said earlier, but it merits reiteration, that debt waiver has no bearing on suicides, and the latter has to be treated as a separate challenge altogether.

At the same time, loans given to farmers and their inability to pay those back, is for sure the most prominent reason behind them finding escape in death. While farmers have often been blamed for taking loans, and spending, beyond their means, that may be a convenient excuse for what in reality is an extremely vitiated farm credit environment. Under the agro-economy of the state today, it is a given that every small farmer will be distressed unless he has an alternative source of income. Here steps in a banker who has been given a target for dispensing loans, and bewitches a needy farmer with all kinds of options and ready cash.

It must be noted, a farmer knows little about finances. As a recent case highlighted by The Tribune of a farmer harassed by Bathinda Central Cooperative Bank for recovery revealed, he had been given a loan to set up a shop. It is obvious the farmer was not aware of the implications, even if he may have willingly signed the documents.

The loan waiver announcement by the government has only made the situation worse. Encouraged by the expectation, a vast majority of the poor farmers stopped paying their instalments; some may have even spent money irresponsibly. Farmers are now being pursued by banks for recovery, when for years the same cooperative banks have been ignoring unpaid dues of hugely rich and influential people such as Akali leader Dyal Singh Kolianwali. If there are any leaders of the ruling Congress now getting similar favourable treatment, it may not be known till the end of this governments tenure.

The situation is somewhat akin to a drug addict. Many farmers have been drawn into a circumstance they could not foresee, and now feel abandoned by the very system that peddled them the loans. The banking system, and populist governments, have broken their own rules of due diligence before extending loans, and thereafter failed to pursue the cases with regular periodic reminders. It may well be said that farmers have been virtually incited to default.

Coming back to suicides, it is plain that the government repeating ad nauseam that it has waived loans of up to Rs 2 lakh is not helping. A plan specific to suicides has to be laid out, and it may not necessarily mean much expense. Inasmuch as farmer suicides are the result of a financial situation, they are also a factor of mental condition, of hope and despair. Not every poor person in distress ends his life, but there is a distinctly higher proportion of farmers taking to this recourse as compared to others in society. The phenomenon of one suicide triggering another may also not be ruled out. The cycle needs to be broken, and immediately.

For one, the government may launch a programme on the lines of the Drug Abuse Prevention Officer, getting specially trained people to take under their wing distressed farmers in their village. Such suicide prevention officers  as they may be called  will need a back-up from revenue officials, or specifically constituted panels at the district and block levels, that may work out reconciliation models specific to each farmer. The panels may also decide who is genuinely distressed and who a wilful defaulter. And banks and revenue officials may also approach farmers through these neutral arbiters.

What brings urgency to the matter is that when people are dying every day, it is obviously not a financial issue alone. It is an epidemic.
laxmi@tribune.com

ACCORDING to a Zuerich message Polish circles in Berlin affirm that the Emperor Karl curtailed his visit to German headquarters owing to the Emperor Wilhelm's rejection of the Austrian solution of the Polish question. Of all the three parts of Poland, that under Austrian rule was decidedly the best governed and that under Germany the worst. Now that Russia has ceased to count, and the Austrian solution of the Polish question is rejected, the freedom of Poland like the freedom of the rest of the civilised world msut depend upon the success of the Allies. It is interesting to note, by the way, that while the Allies are loudly and consistently proclaiming the doctrine of self-determination of peoples, the only acceptable doctrine at the present day, the Central powers are quietly proceeding with their own solutions of questions affecting the destinies of peoples with whom they have nothing in common.
vermaajay1968@gmail.com

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 20

Uttarakhand Congress president Pritam Singh has expressed concern over several cases of farmer suicides in the state.

Addressing a press conference in Dehradun on Sunday, Pritam Singh said the state BJP government had failed to address the concerns of farmers in the state. He claimed that as many as nine farmers had committed suicide in the state ever since the BJP government has come to power. The state government seems to have lost all sensitivity vis-a-vis farmers.

The farmers in the state are in distress. There have been several incidents of farmers suicide in the state. But despite BJP governments both at the Centre and the state, the issue has been completely sidelined in Uttarakhand, Pritam Singh pointed out. He asserted that the Uttarakhand Congress would shortly launch a statewide agitation against the state governments failure to address the problem.

He said farmers in Uttarakhand were not getting the right price for their produce and were facing hardships of the repayment of debt. He said the man-animal conflict was another challenge for farmers, which was peculiar for Uttarakhand. He said several farmers in the hilly areas had to abandon agriculture as wildlife like monkey and wild pigs were destroying their crops.

Responding to queries, Pritam Singh hoped for a big victory for the Congress in Tharali bypoll, polling for which will take place on May 28. He said the people of the state were completely disenchanted with the state BJP government and this resentment would be reflected in the Tharali bypoll outcome.

He also held that the Modi government tried to murder the democracy in Karnataka and now stood exposed before the people. He said the BJP had a tendency of sabotaging peoples verdict. He also held that the BJP would routed in the coming 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
vermaajay1968@gmail.com

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 20

Naik Kuldeep Nainwal of Dehradun, who was grievously injured while fighting terrorists in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir during the month of April and was undergoing treatment at Pune military hospital, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.

A pall of gloom descended on the Harrawala locality of Dehradun, where martyrs family is residing. The mortal remains of the martyr are expected to arrive in Dehradun on Monday.

The Martyrs father Chakradhar Prasad Nainwal had retired from the post of hony captain from the Army.

Martyr Naik Kuldeep Nainwal had joined the Mahar Regiment in the year 2001 and was posted in Kashmir for the past two-and-a-half years.

Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat had enquired about the well-being of Kuldeep some time back.

After suffering bullet injuries in Kulgam the encounter, a grievously injured Naik Nainwal was rushed to Armys RR Hospital where after undergoing treatment for a while he was referred to Army hospital Pune, where he finally succumbed to his injuries.
pardeepdhull@gmail.com

Washington/Beijing, May 20

China and the US have averted a trade war by reaching an agreement on Sunday under which Beijing has agreed to significantly increase its purchases of American goods and services to reduce USD 375 billion trade deficit with Washington.

After lengthy second round of talks in Washington, the two sides issued a joint statement early on Sunday vowing not to launch a trade war against each other.

There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the US trade deficit in goods with China, the joint statement said.

To meet the growing consumption needs of the Chinese people and the need for high-quality economic development, China will significantly increase purchases of United States goods and services, it added.

This will help support growth and employment in the United States.

US President Donald Trump has threatened punitive measures against Chinese goods if Beijing does not cut down the trade deficit by USD 100 billion in a month and USD 200 billion by 2020.

US says it has USD 375 billion trade deficit in USD 636 billion total trade last year. China says the trade deficit is around USD 200 billion.

China too threatened a tit-for-tat retaliation but blinked in the end with a categorical undertaking to import more goods from US.

The two sides agreed on meaningful increases in United States agriculture and energy exports. The United States will send a team to China to work out the details, said the joint statement at the conclusion of the trade delegation level talks between the two countries.

The United States delegation included Secretary of the Treasury Steven T Mnuchin, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross, and United States Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer. The Chinese delegation was led by Vice-Premier Liu He, the Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping.

The two sides also discussed expanding trade in manufactured goods and services. There was consensus on the need to create favourable conditions to increase trade in these areas.

The two nations attach great importance to the protection of intellectual property rights and agreed to strengthen cooperation. China will advance relevant amendments to its laws and regulations in this area, including the Patent Law, the joint statement said.

The two trade delegations also agreed to encourage two-way investment and to strive to create a fair, level playing field for competition.

Both sides agreed to continue to engage at high levels on these issues and to seek to resolve their economic and trade concerns in a proactive manner, the statement said.

Liu told state-run China Daily in an interview that the trade talks are quite successful, very meaningful and very fruitful.

Asked about what will be followed up in the coming months, Liu said that the two sides will see where we have reached the consensus, and that they have already established some working groups, including the agricultural group, for consultations on concrete areas.

Maybe some ministers from the US government will lead the groups to Beijing and will meet our colleagues to have deeper discussions with us and try to make concrete deals, he said.

The agreement came after reports that China has agreed to cut the deficit by USD 200 billion. A draft framework of US demands includes China to cut the trade deficit by at least USD 200 billion by the end of 2020.

Washington also demanded Beijing halt subsidies for industries under the Made in China 2025 plan, and that China should not resort to retaliatory measures against the US.

The trade spat between the top two economies of the world began last month with Trump imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports into US.

China retaliated by imposing additional tariffs worth about USD three billion on 128 US products. Trump, while demanding China to reduce the USD 375 billion by USD 100 billion retaliated with USD 50 billion tariffs on Chinese products.

In retaliation, China announced plans to impose new tariffs of 25 per cent worth USD 50 billion on 106 American products including items like soybeans which could hurt American farmers.

The two countries have not yet implemented their tariff increases.

Meanwhile, the opposition Democratic party criticised the Trump Administration of having failed to make much progress in trade disputes with China.

The key to a strong agreement is protecting our intellectual property here in America and stopping the Chinese from keeping out our best goods until we hand over our trade secrets and know how in such things as required joint ventures. The joint statement has nothing specific on those fronts and no amount of immediate and short-term purchases of American goods will make up for that, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

Furthermore, there is no mention of ZTE. If the administration capitulates on ZTE and allows it to continue to exist, even if they are fined - theyve been fined once already - that will signal to President Xi that we are weak negotiators, Schumer alleged.

Last month, the US Commerce Department moved to block the ZTE Corp., a major supplier of telecoms networks and smartphones based in China, from importing American components for seven years, accusing it of misleading American regulators after the company settled charges of violating sanctions against North Korea and Iran.

In a surprising overture to China, President Trump had said he would help the Chinese telecommunications company get back into business. PTI
sanjiv@tribunemail.com

Caracas, May 20

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was seeking a six-year term on Sunday in a vote condemned by foes as the coronation of a dictator and likely to bring fresh foreign sanctions.

With the mainstream opposition boycotting the election, two of his most popular rivals barred from standing and state institutions in loyalists hands, the 55-year-old former bus driver is expected to win despite his unpopularity.

That could trigger oil sanctions from the US government, and more censure from the European Union and Latin America.

The self-described son of Hugo Chavez says he is battling an imperialist plot to crush socialism and take over the OPEC members oil wealth. But opponents say the Leftist leader has destroyed Venezuelas once-wealthy economy and ruthlessly crushed dissent.

Maduros main challenger is former state Governor Henri Falcon, who predicts an upset on the back of some polls showing him ahead and widespread fury among Venezuelas 30 million people at the collapse of their economy.

The day has come to make history and save Venezuela, Falcon, 56, tweeted early on Sunday, urging Venezuelans to vote. During his campaign, he scattered fake $100 bills to symbolise his proposal for replacing the collapsed bolivar currency.

Most analysts believe, however, that Falcon has only a slim chance given anticipated abstention, the opposition split over his break with the boycott, the vote-winning power of state handouts, and Maduros allies on the election board.

In a likely boost for Maduro, attendance appeared low across the country, from polling stations in the wealthier, pro-opposition eastern Caracas to the Andean mountains in the west of the country. The majority of voters interviewed by Reuters said they were casting their ballot for Maduro.  Reuters

I WONT VOTE!
uttara@tribuneindia.com

Beirut, May 20

Islamic State group fighters began evacuating their final stronghold in southern Damascus on Sunday, a monitor said, bringing Syria's government closer than ever to flushing out the last threat to the capital.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has used a combination of military pressure and evacuation deals in recent months to recapture territory around the capital from his armed opponents.

Last month, troops and allied Palestinian militia launched a fierce offensive to oust Islamic State from a cluster of districts in southern Damascus, including the Palestinian camp of Yarmuk.

After weeks of combat and heavy casualties, an apparent deal was reached for remaining Islamic State fighters to leave Yarmuk and the adjacent district of Tadamun, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Islamic State jihadists burned their headquarters in Yarmuk before boarding buses with their relatives to leave the area, said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman.

"The six buses left at dawn, heading east for the Syrian desert," he said.

Abdel Rahman could not specify how many had left, but said a majority were relatives of jihadists and not armed. More than two dozen buses remained in Yarmuk for additional evacuations, he said.

Syrian state media and a Palestinian official have denied a deal was reached or that evacuations were taking place.

Islamic State has had a presence in southern Damascus since 2015, expanding in recent years from Yarmuk to Tadamun and the nearby districts of Hajar al-Aswad and Qadam.

Yarmuk in particular has been devastated by Syria's conflict, suffering a crippling government siege since 2012 and ruined by years of fighting.

It was once home to 160,000 Palestinian refugees, as well as Syrians, but just a few hundred remain.

Assad has already ousted tens of thousands of rebels and civilians from areas around Damascus this year through military force and negotiated withdrawals, including the rebel bastion of Eastern Ghouta.

The regime used similar tactics to clear opposition towns northeast and south of Damascus earlier this month, leaving Islamic State as the only armed presence in the capital.

The assault against the jihadist force has left more than 250 pro-regime forces, 233 jihadists and more than 60 civilians dead according to the Britain-based Observatory.

But the offensive died down around midday Saturday after a truce between Islamic State on one side and pro-government Palestinian militias and regime ally Russia on the other, said the monitor, which relies on a network of sources in Syria.

"After the ceasefire yesterday, Islamic State withdrew from areas in the western part of Yarmuk camp, east towards the centre of the camp," Abdel Rahman said.

"Troops and Palestinian loyalist militias entered that area for sweeping operations," he told AFP.

Syrian state media on Sunday denied evacuations were taking place in Hajar al-Aswad and made no mention of any departures from Yarmuk or Tadamun.

"Army units in southern Damascus continued their operations against the remaining terrorists in a small area of Hajar al-Aswad, making further progress towards ending the terrorist presence in the area," it said.

Anwar Abdel Hadi, the head of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) also denied the evacuations but said IS appeared to be giving up.

"Daesh is surrendering in Yarmuk, Hajar al-Aswad, and Tadamun," he said, using the Arabic acronym for Islamic State.

It remains unclear exactly where Sunday's evacuees will go, or if they will be pursued by regime troops.

A similar deal reached last year by Syria's regime and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah saw Islamic State fighters bussed out of the Lebanon-Syria border area towards Syria's east.

Islamic State once held large parts of Syria's north and east, but offensives by rival forces have whittled down its control to less than three percent of the country.

The jihadists still hold some territory in remote parts of central Homs province and Deir Ezzor in the east, according to the Observatory.

But Islamic State is even under attack there.

The Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters backed by Western powers, launched an assault on Islamic State holdouts in Deir Ezzor earlier this month.

On Sunday, they were closing in on a key IS-held village, backed by close US and French ground support, the Observatory said.

"There are intense clashes around Hajjin, and the SDF is advancing thanks to American and French artillery fire," Abdel Rahman said.

The SDF has already driven Islamic State out of large parts of northern and eastern Syria, including the onetime jihadist capital of Raqqa, with help from the coalition's air strikes, weapons and special forces advisors.  AFP
ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Colombo, May 19

Sri Lankas president today warned that Tamil extremists were regrouping abroad to revive their demand to divide the island nation nine years after the end of its decades-long ethnic war.

Maithripala Sirisena said government forces had failed to quash the Tamil rebels' separatism, although they were militarily conquered by May 2009 following a no-holds-barred offensive.

We have defeated terrorism of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), but we have not been able to defeat their ideology Sirisena said.

At a ceremony to mark the ninth anniversary of the end of the war, Sirisena said Tamil extremists abroad were still hoping to establish an independent homeland in Sri Lanka. They are very active abroad. They protested when I visited London last month," Sirisena said, referring to his participation at the Commonwealth summit.  PTI
pardeepdhull@gmail.com

Islamabad, May 20

Pakistans top civil and military leaders have decided to give greater administrative and financial authority to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the region through which the controversial USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes.

During a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) - the top civil and military body - Sartaj Aziz, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan, on Saturday briefed the Committee on the PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan reform proposals, an official statement said.

The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi reviewed these proposals and after detailed deliberations a consensus was reached on the devolution of greater administrative authority and financial powers to the PoK government and the Gilgit-Baltistan government, according to the statement.

The details of administrative and financial reform have not been shared so far.

However, there was also consensus over retention of the PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan Councils as advisory bodies; and the grant of a five-year tax holiday to Gilgit-Baltistan so as to create adequate incentives for the development of the region and bring it at par with the other areas of Pakistan.

Gilgit-Baltistan is treated as a separate geographical entity by Pakistan. Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh are four provinces of Pakistan.

India has termed as entirely unacceptable any possible attempt by Pakistan to declare the Gilgit-Baltistan region, bordering the disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as the fifth province. India has protested to China over the CPEC which goes through Gilgit-Baltistan region.

It is believed that Chinas concerns about the unsettled status of Gilgit-Baltistan prompted Pakistan to change its status.

Earlier media reports had said that Pakistan plans to elevate the constitutional status of the region to provide legal cover to the CPEC.

The NSC also endorsed that FATA shall be merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa along with the introduction of the administrative and judicial institutional structures and laws of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the statement said.

The Committee directed the concerned ministries to work out the constitutional, legal and administrative modalities for the merger in consultation with all parties in the Parliament.

The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Defence & Foreign Affairs Khurram Dastgir Khan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval and Air forces, ISI chief and other senior civil and military officials. PTI
pardeepdhull@gmail.com

Washington/Kabul, May 20

US President Donald Trumps decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear accord and re-impose sanctions on Tehran threatens to derail a project to help build Afghanistans economy, endangering a key goal of the US strategy to end Americas longest war.

The Indian-backed Chabahar port complex in Iran is being developed as part of a new transportation corridor for land-locked Afghanistan that could potentially open the way for millions of dollars in trade and cut its dependence on Pakistan, its sometimes-hostile neighbor.

Building Afghanistans economy would also slash Kabuls dependence on foreign aid and put a major dent in the illicit opium trade, the Talibans main revenue source.

But Trumps decision to re-impose sanctions on Iran and penalize financial institutions for doing business with Tehran is clouding Chabahars viability as banks, nervous they could be hit with crippling penalties, pull back from financing.

President Trumps decision has brought us back to the drawing board and we will have to renegotiate terms and conditions on using Chabahar, a senior Indian diplomat said.

It is a route that can change the way India-Iran-Afghanistan do business, but for now everything is in a state of uncertainty. The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Launched in 2016, the joint Iran-India-Afghanistan Chabahar project already was facing holdups. It has yet to see significant traffic apart from some containers of donated wheat from India, and the first shipments of Afghan dried fruit to India are not expected before July.

At least three contracts to build infrastructure at the port now have been delayed, with two Chinese companies and a Finnish group left hanging while bankers seek clarity from Washington before approving guarantees, a person close to the project said.

In addition, Afghan traders, who were hoping for an alternative to Pakistans port of Karachi, now find themselves cut off from funding and forced to rely on the traditional hawala money transfer system, which is insufficient on its own to transform an economy. Hawala is a trust-based system commonly used in Afghanistan that involves the movement of funds between agents in different countries.

We know our correspondent banks would not let us pay for imports coming through that port, said a senior executive at one major Afghan lender.

Chabahar is among a number of projects of transport and energy networks projects designed to boost Afghanistans trade and lay the foundations for a mining industry capable of exploiting its billions of dollars in untapped mineral reserves.

Bypassing the border with Pakistan, which last year was closed for some 50 days over various disputes, Chabahar is seen as a way for Afghanistan to consolidate its relationships with India and other regional powers.

The only way to get India more involved in Afghanistans economic development is through Chabahar, said Barnett Rubin, an expert with New York Universitys Center for International Cooperation and a former adviser to the State Department and the United Nations. Our Iran policy is headed for a train wreck with our Afghanistan policy.

Foreign aid

Some 17 years after the US-led invasion to oust the Taliban from power, Afghanistan remains one of the worlds poorest countries, highly dependent on foreign aid.

Apart from illegal opium exports estimated at some $2 billion by the International Monetary Fund, its main products are dried and fresh fruits, and carpets, none of which amount to more than a fraction of the value of the drugs trade.

Initially Afghanistan would export agricultural produce  such as pomegranates and grapes - through Chabahar, utilizing a section of a road India paid for and then an extension to the Iranian border that New Delhi built, experts said.

Eventually, those exports could expand to mineral resources, something Trump has expressed an interest in gaining for US firms. For India, this would mean using a planned railroad to Chabahar to export iron ore from two tracts at the Hajigak iron mine in central Afghanistan that it won the rights to exploit, the experts said.

The economic piece is really important to get a glimmer of hope for Afghanistan to move beyond a land-locked, poppy-based economy. We are now shooting that in the head, said Thomas Lynch, a National Defense University expert and a former US Army officer who advised the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on South Asia policy.

There is no other legitimate and reliable way to do that.

You cant do it by air, you cant do it through Pakistan because they just extort for everything they do, said Lynch. The lifeline runs through Chabahar.

In addition, by hindering the development of Chabahar, the United States will leave Afghanistan dependent on Pakistan, historically its main trade partner and outlet to the world.

That would undermine another Trump goal of pressuring Islamabad to shutter Afghan insurgent sanctuaries on its side of the border and force the militants into peace talks.

Afghan officials have lobbied hard for exemptions to the sanctions for Afghan companies operating though Chabahar without success and are waiting for clarity from Washington.

Now the uncertainty is that we dont know whats going to happen with Chabahar, said Atiqullah Nusrat, Chief Executive of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. We havent heard anything so we have to wait and see what happens. Reuters
Any Recommended Snorkeling in Greece?

by Martha

(Carrboro, NC, USA)

Does anyone recommend snorkeling in Greece? Sometime in the next couple of years I will be traveling there on a Road Scholar Tour. I would like to stay a few extra days and travel with a friend. I plan to go to Kastellorizo (near Turkey) to swim in the Blue Cave. I would also like to snorkel in Greece. My snorkeling experience so far has been in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Southern California, and the Galapagos.



Can anyone tell me where to find the best snorkeling in Greece? Lots of guidebooks and articles mention snorkeling, but these descriptions are usually not written by serious snorkelers. Or maybe it is just not worth it, I would be disappointed? Anyone willing to share their opinions here?



Thank you.
Asylum-seekers who arrive in Australia without a visa are subjected to a number of punitive measures that can significantly impair their mental health and general well-being. These measures have also greatly impacted their ability to meaningfully engage in the refugee status determination process. They include:

Waiting up to four years to be granted permission by the Government to apply for protection

The inability to apply for permanent residency

The removal of free legal assistance (with only limited exceptions)

The imposition of an accelerated (fast track) determination process without adequate procedural safeguards

The indefinite inability to reunite with immediate family members.

There are approximately 30,000 asylum-seekers affected by these measures, labelled by the Australian Government as the so-called legacy caseload. Negative political rhetoric and the resulting community stigmatisation of this group of asylum-seekers has also had a harmful impact on them.

People who seek international protection have endured traumatic experiences before arriving in Australia and their resilience is eroded by punitive measures they experience in Australia. Many asylum-seekers suffer from clinically diagnosable mental disorders including anxiety, depressive disorders and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Imagine if government officials were sent to live with you at your home so that they could watch you, and ask questions about your life and political views. While it may sound like something from an Orwellian story, that is currently the reality for families in Chinas northwestern region of Xinjiang.

Toward the end of last year, Xinjiang authorities mobilized more than a million cadres to spend a week living in homes of predominantly Muslim families, reported Human Rights Watch (HRW). The majority of those families live in the countryside.

The cadres meticulously document their activities, including by submitting reports of the home stays with accompanying photos, said HRW in a media release.

Some of these photos and videos can be found on the Wechat and Weibo accounts of the participating agencies, which show scenes of cadres living with minority families, including in the most intimate aspects of domestic life, such as cadres and family members making beds and sleeping together, sharing meals, and feeding and tutoring their children, said the rights group.

None of these videos or photos are posted by the visited families, and there is no indication that they consented to having them posted online.

Early this year, Xianjiang authorities extended this home stay program and now cadres spend at least five days every two months in the families homes. There is no evidence to suggest that families can refuse such visits, said HRW.

As part of their time with families, the cadres conduct political indoctrination and explain the Chinese Communist Partys policies toward Xinjiang. Meanwhile, families are obligated to tell cadres about their lives and political views.

HRW said that these home stay visits are part of the governments increasingly invasive Strike Hard campaign in the region, which is home to 11 million Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim minorities.

#Xinjiang: Authorities Regularly Impose Home Stays on Muslim Uyghur Families pic.twitter.com/E3HTe3xIqN  Afraid Canvas (@AfraidCanvas) May 18, 2018

News of the home stays comes amid an increase in repressive policies in the region that include the indefinite detaining of over tens of thousands in unlawful political education centers and setting up of mass collection of DNA and voice biometrics from individuals between the ages of 12 and 65.

Reasons why such measures have been put in place is to safeguard social stability and to fight terrorism. In recent years, state-run media has reported sporadic bomb and knife attacks by so-called terrorists in the province and elsewhere in China.

While there been some reports of Uyghurs joining radical groups abroad, such as Islamic State, critics say the Chinese government is overstating the threat from the Uyghurs.

In the past several decades, there has been high levels of immigration from Chinas Han majority to the province. The Han now make up nearly 40 percent of the provinces population of 19 million.

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Canada has just notified Venezuelas ambassador of the prohibition on organizing polling stations for the Venezuelan Presidential elections.

This decision contravenes the Vienna Treaty on Consular Relations.

France and Germany mirrored this action in 2014: both these states violated the aforementioned treaty when they prohibited Syrian ambassadors from organizing polling stations when the Syrian Presidential election took place in June 2014 [1].

Canada, France and Germany are claiming to defend democracy by opposing presidential elections from being held. The Pentagon has drawn up a plan to destroy, one by one, the States and societies of the Enlarged Middle East, followed by those in the Caribbean Bay, with the first on their list being Venezuela [2]. Voltaire Network has published the SouthComs plan against Venezuela [3].
Wendy Williams. Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Vulture Festival

During Vulture Festivals Ask Wendy Williams event, Las Culturistas hosts Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang asked Wendy to play some rounds of How She Doin, inviting the daytime host to share her thoughts on (Rachel) Meghan Markle, Mariah Carey, Omarosa, and more. When Rogers and Yang brought up Kanye West, Williams said the rapper is in the throes, but that she wishes him well. I think that mental illness is something that is so real. A lot of people in jail right now, if they couldve just gotten through some mental illness counseling, [wouldnt be incarcerated], Williams said. As long as Im here and youre listening, I will tell you I feel very, very bad for Kanye West. His father is nowhere in the picture, his mom passed away trying to beautify herself to be a stage mom. Im not going to talk about his wife, his family, or anything like that. But what I will tell you is that hes not well. That is the very foundation of everything he says. Hes not well. I wish him well.

In an April interview with TMZ, Kanye said that his 2016 hospitalization was due to an opioid addiction. Williams addressed the addiction, saying, The thing with therapy and the overusing of opioids: People think Oh, cocaine, heroin, weed, and stuff. No  people popping those pills, thats affecting millions of Americans.
Three months before the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump Jr. met with a small group of people at Trump Tower in New York, including an emissary for two Arab princes and an Israeli social media specialist, who offered assistance to the Trump campaign, The New York Times reported on Saturday, citing several people with knowledge of the encounters.

The Times identified the emissary as George Nader, a Lebanese-American businessman, and reported that he informed Trump Jr., President Donald Trump's son, "that the princes who led Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were eager to help his father win election as president."

The newspaper reported that the social media expert and Israeli, Joel Zamel, talked about how his company could help a political campaign gain an advantage. According to the Times, the company had by then put together "a multimillion-dollar proposal for a social media manipulation effort to help elect Mr. Trump."

It is unclear, however, whether a proposal was ever executed, and details on who commissioned it remain in dispute, the Times reported.

Prominent Trump supporter Erik Prince organized the meeting, the Times reported. Prince is the former CEO of the controversial private security firm Blackwater, which was later renamed and sold and now operates as Academi, and is the brother of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

Alan Futerfas, a lawyer representing Trump Jr., told CNN in a statement "Prior to the 2016 election, Donald Trump Jr. recalls a meeting with Eric (sic) Prince, George Nader, and another individual who may be Joel Zamel. They pitched Mr. Trump Jr. on a social media platform or marketing strategy. He was not interested and that was the end of it. "

CNN has previously reported that Nader was stopped and questioned by FBI agents at Washington Dulles International Airport in January and is cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election and any links between Trump campaign associates and the Russian government, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

A lawyer for Nader, Kathryn Ruemmler, told the Times he has "fully cooperated with the special counsel's investigation and will continue to do so." Ruemmler did not immediately return a request for comment from CNN.

CNN has also reported that Nader attended a December 2016 meeting in New York between Emirati officials and members of Trump's inner circle, and another in January 2017 in the Seychelles islands between the Emiratis and Prince. Nader was also in the Seychelles when Prince met with a Russian banker, the sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

A senior official in Saudi Arabia told the Times that the country has never employed Nader or given him authorization to speak on behalf of the crown prince.

A lawyer representing Joel Zamel pushed back on the report in a statement to CNN, saying that Zamel "offered nothing to the Trump campaign, received nothing from the Trump campaign, delivered nothing to the Trump campaign and was not solicited by, or asked to do anything for, the Trump campaign." The lawyer, Marc Mukasey, said that "media reports about Mr. Zamel's engaging in 'social media manipulation' are misguided. Mr. Zamel's companies harvest publicly available information for lawful use."

The White House did not return the Times' request for comment, nor CNN's request for comment, and Prince declined to comment to The Times through a spokesman.

A request for comment from Prince sent to Frontier Services Group, which lists Prince as executive director and chairman, by CNN was not immediately returned.

Mueller is already investigating another Trump Tower meeting involving Trump Jr. and other Trump campaign associates, including the President's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, as well as a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. That meeting took place in June 2016 after Trump Jr. was told that the crown prosecutor of Russia wanted to give incriminating information about Hillary Clinton to the Trump campaign.

The Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, focused on US sanctions on Russia under the Magnitsky Act, which the US passed to punish Russians over human rights abuses, as well as "the adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens," according to Trump Jr.'s testimony on the meeting provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"I did not collude with any foreign government and do not know of anyone who did," Trump Jr. said in his testimony.

Prince, a Trump supporter during the campaign, has also come under scrutiny as part of efforts to probe Russia's election meddling. CNN has previously reported that Prince testified to House lawmakers that he met with the head of a Russian investment fund in the Seychelles, but he said the meeting was not an attempt to establish a back channel between the incoming Trump administration and Russia and was not undertaken at the request of Trump transition officials.

The Wall Street Journal reported later Saturday afternoon that Mueller has conducted interviews related to Zamel's work, citing individuals familiar with the matter. The Journal said it had reviewed a subpoena "concerning Mr. Zamel's work, but not issued to Mr. Zamel."

In response to a CNN request for comment on the Journal's report, Mukasey, Zamel's attorney, said in an e-mail, "We have been assured that our client is not a target of any investigation. This is much ado about nothing."

When asked for additional detail on when that assurance was made and by whom, Mukasey said, "Joel was interviewed by Mueller's team months ago and was cooperative and transparent. I won't comment on discussions with Mueller's team, but Joel is not a target."
The latest school mass killing makes most anyone heartsick.

For parents, though, many can't help but imagine: "What if that were my child in the crosshairs?"

WAAY 31 talked with parents about whether they might rule out public schools altogether.

As a parent, I couldnt imagine," said Curtis Jordan. "And I wont even try to say I can sympathize or empathize with the parents who have lost their child. I dont know that pain and I wish to never know it.

Jordan is the father to four and says he never wants to hear about another deadly school shooting after the most recent one in Texas.

You never expect or desire for your children to go before you do," Jordan said. "Its just senseless.

And thats why Jordan is looking for solutions to keep it from happening here.

People are under the assumption that were in a safe place, that theres nothing to worry about, let other people worryno," he said. "Were in the same position for something like this to happen to us as well.

One of the solutions, he says, is homeschooling.

If I had the time, I would teach my kids myself, and I would know that theyre safe," Jordan said.

Besides feeling his kids are safer at home, Jordan says the classroom can come straight to them just by going online.

I wouldnt be opposed to putting them in something like that," he said.

But WAAY 31 talked with one teacher who says homeschooling is not the solution.

As a public educator, I believe in education," said Takisha Durm. "I believe that there are wonderful schools, wonderful students, wonderful teachers. And in spite of all that happens, I still believe that there is good in public education.

Durm says resorting to homeschooling is teaching your children to run from reality.

Even though it seems we may be protecting them, we may be sheltering them instead of teaching them to work and find a solution for the issues and not necessarily running away from them, because these things are going to happen," she said.

Instead, she thinks parents should join forces with school officials.

Work with your school boards, work with your superintendents, work with your principals to help come up with solutions to these problems," Durm said.

Still, Jordan says hed feel better about having an eye on his kids, knowing they're in the safest possible environment.

I know theres no possible way to ever keep anybody completely safe from anything, we dont have that power," he said. "But I would have more comfort knowing that theyre home with me and I could tend to them and their needs, and whatever happens, I could be right there to resolve it.

Homeschooling or not, both people WAAY 31 talked with say they hope this is never an issue here in the Valley.
The Texas lieutenant governor, speaking two days after 10 people were killed in a school shooting in his state, said abortion, divorce and violent video games and movies show that 'we have devalued life,' which he pointed to as a cause of school shootings.

Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told ABC News Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos on "This Week" Sunday, "We have devalued life, whether it's through abortion, whether it's the breakup of families, through violent movies, and particularly violent video games."

Patrick continued, "Psychologists and psychiatrists will tell you that students are desensitized to violence, may have lost empathy for their victims by watching hours and hours of video violent games.

He said, the problem is multifaceted. It's not any one issue. But we, again, we have to look at our culture of violence, just our violent society, our Facebook, our Twitter, the bullying of adults on adults, and children on children. We have to look at ourselves, George, it's not about the guns, it's about us.

Stephanopoulos said, We also have violent video games in other developed countries. We have Twitter and Facebook in other developed countries, so how do you explain [that] Americans of high school age are 82 times more likely to die of gun homicide than their peers in the rest of the developed world? That has to be connected to the availability of guns, doesnt it?

No it doesnt have to be, Patrick said. I cant compare one country with another country because there are many variables in all these countries. Heres what I know. We live in a violent country where weve devalued life.

The Republican lieutenant governor also said, We can't sit back and say, 'It's the gun.' Its us as a nation, George  On this Sunday morning, when we all go to church and pray or go to synagogue or the mosque or wherever we go, lets look inward at ourselves as a nation.

Stephanopoulos asked, But when we look inward, sir, aren't we going to find that guns are more available here in greater numbers, in greater lethality, than any other developed country in the world?"

They are, George," Patrick said, "and here's the reality: They are a part of who we are as a nation. It is our Second Amendment.

"Guns stop crimes, Patrick added. If we take the guns out of society -- if you or anyone else thinks that that makes us safer, then I'm sad to say that you're mistaken, he said. That will just give those that are evil [the ability] to put more of us in danger.

Stephanopoulos also asked Patrick about his comment Friday that there are too many entrances and too many exits on school campuses in Texas.

Yes Ive been criticized by saying we should have fewer entrances, Patrick said. Look, you need all the exits -- fire exits you need.

But -- but we should have eyes on students walking into our schools. This student walked in with a gun under a trench coat Friday, and no one in law enforcement stopped him. We cant guard every entrance of the 8,000-plus schools we have in Texas but we can guard one or two. We have to think out of the box, George.

Immediately following Patrick on "This Week" came Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter, Jaime, was among the 17 people killed in a school massacre earlier this year in Parkland, Florida.

Guttenberg, who since his daughter's murder has become a gun control activist, slammed Patricks remarks as the most idiotic comments I've heard regarding gun safety.

Let me be clear, Guttenberg said. He should be removed from office for his failure to want to protect the citizens of Texas. To hear him continue to make the argument after 10 people died in his state that guns are not the issue is simply a crock.

Eight students and two adults were killed and 13 others injured in a shooting rampage at Santa Fe High School in southeast Texas on Friday morning. A 17-year-old student is the suspect.

Guttenberg, referring to the killing of his daughter at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February, said, I'm here this weekend at what was supposed to be my daughter's dance recital, where they're honoring my daughter's memory instead of having my daughter dance, and for [Patrick] to make those moronic comments -- unacceptable.

Appearing with Guttenberg was another parent of a child who died in a school shooting.

Nicole Hockley's 6-year-old son, Dylan, was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School gun massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, 2012. She said she didnt agree with much of what the Texas lieutenant governor said but does believe the country has a problem where we devalue life.

The fact that this shooting [in Santa Fe, Texas] has not received a significant amount of coverage, that this shooting is not seeing a significant amount of action, to me that is devaluing life itself. There are 10 people who are dead who are not going back to their families, Hockley said.

Thats what we need to be focusing on, and its not about religion, its not about values," Hockley said. "Its about guns, and its about people We also need to think about what do we need to do to stop people before they ever reach the point of picking up a firearm with the intent of hurting themselves or someone else, and thats not about school security, thats about prevention.

Nicoles 100 percent right, said Guttenberg. This is not just about guns, its not just about school safety, its not just about mental health, its everything. And the problem is when these shootings happen, the crowd that doesnt want to blame guns -- they want to talk about everything else but guns. Folks like Nicole and I, we want to talk about all of it, because to solve this problem, you must.
By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 19, 2018 | 10:21 AM | PADUCAH, KY

Voters in McCracken County have choices in many races in Tuesday's primary election.There are three candidates from both major parties in the race for jailer, and all of them, except one, have worked at the jail. Democrats can choose incumbent Tonya D. Ray, who was appointed to fill an unexpired term, or they may vote for Paula Riley. The third Democratic candidate is Dan L. Sims, who has been coroner for more than 20 years. Candidates in the Republican primary for jailer are Greg Garrison, Bobby Dennis and David Knight.In County Commission races, 1st District Republican incumbent Bill Bartleman will wait until November to face the winner of the Democratic primary. Candidates in that race are Charles Offut and Mark Scott. The 2nd District has Democratic incumbent Jerry Beyer facing challenger Paul Carter, and Republicans Richard Box and Jeff G. Parker hoping to advance to the general election. The 3rd District features Republican incumbent Scott Wathen against Eddie Jones, with the winner facing Democrat Ryan Johnston in November.The Democratic primary will decide the race for Property Valuation Administrator, with longtime incumbent Nancy D. Bock facing challenger Debbie Hanna. There are no Republican candidates.There was only one primary for Constable - in the 3rd District - but Democrat Greg Martin dropped out, leaving on Tony Veltri in the race. County Clerk Julie Griggs says voters will be informed at precincts that Martin is no longer on the ballot. There is no Republican candidate in that race. Other Constable races had only one candidate. Incumbent Mark Hayden will represent the 1st District and Eric Augustus will serve the 2nd District.With current 6th District State Rep. Will Coursey now running for Marshall County Judge-Executive, both parties have contenders in the primary. Democrats Al Cunningham, Linda Story Edwards and Drew Williams are competing for a spot in the general election. Republican candidates hoping to advance are Chris Freeland and Randall D. Fox. Voters in Lyon and Marshall Counties also participate in this race.The 3rd District Race for State Representative is wide open, since incumbent Gerald Watkins is not seeking another term and is running for Paducah City Commissioner. Democrat Martha Emmons is unopposed in the primary, and will face the winner of the Republican primary between Randy Bridges and Joni S. Hogancamp.In the 1st District Race, Incumbent State Rep. Steven Rudy is unopposed in the Republican Primary, and will face Democratic challenger Desiree Owen, who is also unopposed, in November. Voters from Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton and Hickman Counties also participate in this election.Incumbent U.S. Congressman James Comer is unopposed in his Republican primary, but will face the Democratic primary winner in November's general election. Candidates in that race are MSU Professor Paul Walker and musician Alonzo Pennington. This district covers all or parts of 35 counties in Kentucky.Polls are open for primary election voting from 6 am to 6 pm on Tuesday, May 22.

On the Net:
Professor Claims Funding Issues with SIU President

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By The Associated Press

May. 20, 2018 | CARBONDALE, IL

By The Associated Press May. 20, 2018 | 11:22 AM | CARBONDALE, IL

Three lawmakers say Southern Illinois University's president should resign following allegations he tried to move more than $5 million in state appropriations from Carbondale to Edwardsville campuses.



Carbondale professor Kathleen Chwalisz said in a Thursday column that documents obtained through public records requests show SIU President Randy Dunn hid the proposed transfer from Carbondale officials. Dunn said in an internal email that he used certain funding distribution figures "simply to shut up" those against the reallocation.



Dunn says he never withheld details and that Chwalisz's statements are "misleading and ... grossly misrepresenting the situation."



On Friday, the SIU Board of Trustees announced a meeting was called for May 30, which includes a closed session to discuss personnel issues. Dunn said he doesn't anticipate actions at the meeting to affect his employment.



Republican Reps. Terri Bryant and Chad Hays were first to call for Dunn's resignation. They were joined Friday by Democratic Rep. Natalie Phelps Finnie of Elizabethtown.
By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 18, 2018 | 10:00 AM | MARSHALL COUNTY, KY

There are several candidates running for various offices as Marshall County voters prepare to head to the polls for Tuesday's Primary Election.Marshall County Judge Executive Kevin Neal is running unopposed in the Republican Primary, but will face challenger State Representative Will Coursey in the General Election this November.Marshall County District 1 Commissioner Bob Gold will face challengers Ronnie Heath, Justin Lamb and Jerome "Lee" Hicks Jr. in the Democratic Primary. Republicans Buster Lovelace and Monti Collins are both seeking election in the Primary for Marshall County 3rd District Commissioner. Current Democratic 3rd District Commissioner Dr. Rick Cocke is unopposed in the Primary Election.Assistant County Attorney Jason Darnall has filed to run as an Independent for the office of County Attorney in the General Election, and Zach Brien has filed to run for the office as a Democrat. Current Marshall County Attorney Jeff Edwards will not seek re-election.Marshall County Sheriff Kevin Byars is up against challenger Trent Weaver in the Democratic Primary. Republicans James Winnans Sr. and Eddie McGuire are both running in the Republican Primary to win their party's nomination for the General Election.Deputy Coroner Barry Dean Taylor will face challenger Tracy C. Stevens in the Democratic Primary Election. Michael D. Gordon is running unopposed for the office in the Republican Primary. Former Marshall County Coroner Mitchell Lee resigned in December.Polls are open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Click the link below to view a sample ballot for Tuesday's Primary Election.

On the Net:
By Associated Press May. 20, 2018 | 07:12 AM | WINDSOR, ENGLAND



Supermodel Naomi Campbell hit Caps Lock and tweeted: BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY GIVING ME LIFE.



Curry, who like Markles mother has African ancestors who were slaves in the U.S., said that even during their time of bondage, love helped those in captivity persevere.





When love is the way, we actually treat each other, well, like we are actual family, he said in a sermon that touched on poverty, inequality and the healing power of love.



When love is the way, we know that God is the source of us all and we are brothers and sisters, children of God and brothers and sisters, he said. Thats a new heaven, a new earth a new world, a new human family.



Harry and Markle exchanged a quick glance at one point as Curry drifted from his prepared remarks and ad-libbed. Camilla and Kate  the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge  traded sidelong glances.



Queen Elizabeth II, who as monarch holds the title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England, did not show any sign of discomfort and looked as stoic as she had through the entire ceremony.



There may have been a touch of royal relief when Curry quipped We gotta get yall married now. But he kept going, bringing a dash of passion to the pulpit.





The crowds waiting outside for a glimpse of the royal couple loved it. Cheers greeted Curry as he walked uphill from the chapel along the procession route after the service. One man shouted well done  prompting a smile and God bless you from the bishop.





Former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, an atheist, tweeted: Rev Michael Curry could almost make me a believer.



The Episcopal Church is an offshoot of the Church of England in the United States and has been the spiritual home of many of the American founding fathers and U.S. presidents.



Even though its support for gay marriage has recently caused friction with the greater Anglican Communion, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said ahead of the ceremony that he was thrilled Curry would be speaking there, calling him a stunning preacher.



Curry, 65, who is married and has two grown daughters, was born in Chicago and raised in Buffalo, New York. He began his ministry in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and served as rector in Lincoln Heights, Ohio and Baltimore, Maryland.



Selecting him to give the sermon was one of several personal touches Harry and Meghan put on the service, held in the 15th century St. Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle.



Markle, who attended a Roman Catholic school, was baptized in March into the Church of England in preparation for the wedding and joining the royal family.





The ceremony was based on Common Worship  the most modern of several Church of England service options  and included prayers and hymns, as well as readings and musical selections chosen by the couple and their families.



That included a fusion of American and British elements, including the London-based gospel ensemble the Kingdom Choirs stirring renditions of Ben. E. Kings Stand By Me and Etta James Amen/This Little Light of Mine.



Teenage cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason wowed the 600 guests with works including Franz Schuberts Ave Maria. The cellist won the BBCs Young Musician of the Year contest in 2016, the first black musician to do so.



For all the individual touches, the service was dominated by tradition.



The pair read the Church of England wedding vows, promising to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.



Then the archbishop pronounced them husband and wife.



Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder, he said.





Nothing quite captured the trans-Atlantic nature of Saturdays royal wedding as much as the guest preacher whose sermon brought American flair to a very English church service.



The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, the first black leader of the Episcopal Church in the United States, was hand-picked by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to address their 600 wedding guests.



The bishops sermon on the theme of love, delivered with energy and studded with quotes from the bible, Martin Luther King Jr. and African-American spirituals, was a contrast to the more solemn Anglican style the royal family is used to.



Quoting civil rights icon King on the redemptive power of love, Curry told the bride and groom its not just for, and about, a young couple who we rejoice with, its more than that.



Many observers were surprised and delighted. BBC broadcaster Jeremy Vine tweeted: The preacher is doing 50 in a 30 zone and its brilliant.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell hit Caps Lock and tweeted: BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY GIVING ME LIFE.



Curry, who like Markles mother has African ancestors who were slaves in the U.S., said that even during their time of bondage, love helped those in captivity persevere.





When love is the way, we actually treat each other, well, like we are actual family, he said in a sermon that touched on poverty, inequality and the healing power of love.



When love is the way, we know that God is the source of us all and we are brothers and sisters, children of God and brothers and sisters, he said. Thats a new heaven, a new earth a new world, a new human family.



Harry and Markle exchanged a quick glance at one point as Curry drifted from his prepared remarks and ad-libbed. Camilla and Kate  the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge  traded sidelong glances.



Queen Elizabeth II, who as monarch holds the title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England, did not show any sign of discomfort and looked as stoic as she had through the entire ceremony.



There may have been a touch of royal relief when Curry quipped We gotta get yall married now. But he kept going, bringing a dash of passion to the pulpit.





The crowds waiting outside for a glimpse of the royal couple loved it. Cheers greeted Curry as he walked uphill from the chapel along the procession route after the service. One man shouted well done  prompting a smile and God bless you from the bishop.





Former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, an atheist, tweeted: Rev Michael Curry could almost make me a believer.



The Episcopal Church is an offshoot of the Church of England in the United States and has been the spiritual home of many of the American founding fathers and U.S. presidents.



Even though its support for gay marriage has recently caused friction with the greater Anglican Communion, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said ahead of the ceremony that he was thrilled Curry would be speaking there, calling him a stunning preacher.



Curry, 65, who is married and has two grown daughters, was born in Chicago and raised in Buffalo, New York. He began his ministry in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and served as rector in Lincoln Heights, Ohio and Baltimore, Maryland.



Selecting him to give the sermon was one of several personal touches Harry and Meghan put on the service, held in the 15th century St. Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle.



Markle, who attended a Roman Catholic school, was baptized in March into the Church of England in preparation for the wedding and joining the royal family

.

The ceremony was based on Common Worship  the most modern of several Church of England service options  and included prayers and hymns, as well as readings and musical selections chosen by the couple and their families.



That included a fusion of American and British elements, including the London-based gospel ensemble the Kingdom Choirs stirring renditions of Ben. E. Kings Stand By Me and Etta James Amen/This Little Light of Mine.



Teenage cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason wowed the 600 guests with works including Franz Schuberts Ave Maria. The cellist won the BBCs Young Musician of the Year contest in 2016, the first black musician to do so.



For all the individual touches, the service was dominated by tradition.



The pair read the Church of England wedding vows, promising to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.



Then the archbishop pronounced them husband and wife.



Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder, he said.

Nothing quite captured the trans-Atlantic nature of Saturdays royal wedding as much as the guest preacher whose sermon brought American flair to a very English church service.The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, the first black leader of the Episcopal Church in the United States, was hand-picked by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to address their 600 wedding guests.The bishops sermon on the theme of love, delivered with energy and studded with quotes from the bible, Martin Luther King Jr. and African-American spirituals, was a contrast to the more solemn Anglican style the royal family is used to.Quoting civil rights icon King on the redemptive power of love, Curry told the bride and groom its not just for, and about, a young couple who we rejoice with, its more than that.Many observers were surprised and delighted. BBC broadcaster Jeremy Vine tweeted: The preacher is doing 50 in a 30 zone and its brilliant.
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A University of Oregon student was found dead at a campground in northern California.

Cal-Fire personnel and Shasta County sheriff's office boating safety personnel responded to the Gooseneck Campground about a 21-year-old man not breathing around 8:45 a.m. on Saturday.

CPR was given to help the victim, but he was later pronounced dead.

A coroner investigator along with additional personnel responded to the scene and are conducting an investigation

On Friday, the student was reported to have been drinking alcohol during the day before going to his tent in the evening.

He was found on-shore, in a sleeping bag, inside a small tent by other students.

Deputies said there were no signs of foul play and the death does not appear to be suspicious in nature.

It is also unknown if alcohol consumption contributed to the death.

Deputies have not released any further information.
WASHINGTON (WLFI)  Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly is standing by his support of the CIA's newest director.

Gina Haspel will be the first female director of the CIA. Her nomination was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday.

Her confirmation was reached because of yes votes from six Senate democrats. That includes a vote from donnelly.

"I had a very extensive and tough and frank discussion with her about enhanced interrogation techniques, about what was done and about where we go with this in the future," said Donnelly. "I was satisfied by her answers."

Most of those democratic senators that voted in favor of Haspel are up for November re-election in states President Trump won in 2016.




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Senior volunteers Aline Robidoux and Jean Theroux pose outside of the Woonsocket Senior Center. They both say the experience has given them a different outlook on life.
Pontus Tidemand took his third WRC 2 win of 2018 as he cruised to victory on the final day at Vodafone Rally de Portugal.

Starting the final leg with 1m 19.4sec in hand over fellow Fabia R5 driver Lukasz Pieniazek, the Swede took two stage wins on Sunday to finish more than two minutes ahead of the rest of the field.



Pieniazek settled for second on the final day, deciding to manage his advantage over third-placed Stephane Lefebvre rather than needlessly chasing the commanding Tidemand.



Lefebvre pushed hard to try and catch his Polish rival and was quickest during the first run through the Fafe test on Sunday. But the Frenchman ran out of stages to complete his attack and finished 17.0sec behind in his Citroen C3 R5.



It didnt look so good on Friday, but we went out and pushed as hard as we could. We went into Saturday with good speed, no problems, and won all the stages, Tidemand explained.

Pieniazek controlled the gap and claimed second

The conditions were quite hard on the tyres, many people had punctures and many drivers also made a mistake and hit something  it was not an easy rally.



Pierre-Louis Loubet finished just off the podium in fourth after a clean run through the final five stages in his Hyundai i20 R5. He was helped when his closest challenger, Hiroki Arai, was handed a 60sec penalty for checking into a time control six minutes late.



The Japanese Toyota development driver still completed the rally in fifth place in Ford Fiesta R5, albeit only 9.5sec ahead of Juuso Nordgren who went second fastest in the Live TV Power Stage.



Gus Greensmith was eighth, just behind Benito Guerra. The Briton had led earlier in the weekend but retired before the Amarante 2 test on Saturday with steering arm failure. He rejoined on the final day and salvaged some pride by taking a pair of stage wins in his Fiesta.



Head to WRC+ to watch All Live from Vodafone Rally de Portugal, including every stage broadcast live, breaking service park news and expert studio analysis.

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CLARK COUNTY, Ill. (WTHI) - Clark County is proposing to create a gun sanctuary county.

It's the norm for several counties in Illinois already, like Jasper, Jefferson, Effingham, and more, as many have already passed resolutions.

"It is simply a statement that we are not interested in unconstitutional laws that are affecting our right and keep and bear arms," said William Smoot, Clark County resident.

Clark County leaders held a meeting Friday to vote on the gun sanctuary resolution, but the proposal was tabled to next month.

The resolution would make Clark County a sanctuary county for all firearms.

Right now, Illinois is considering legislation that would limit some gun ownership.

A sanctuary means current gun owners would be protected.

"It's not going to help us at all to fight crime and solve the problems from the areas in Chicago," said Smoot.

However, small business owner William Behnke Sr. is worried.

He owns Lost Creek Trading Post in Marshall, IL.

He says he could lose money and may have to make some tough decisions.

"If it gets too cumbersome or burdensome, I'd reconsider and possibly just close this location and re-open in Indiana where they don't have these laws," said Behnke.

Some are blaming Chicago for the problems.

They say state legislators are trying to pass more restrictive laws.

These sanctuary counties feel they need to protect themselves from those laws.

"People are leaving Southern Illinois in groves because of the policies up North. That is a statistical fact and the census proves it," said Warren LeFever, Clark County resident.

Behnke says he feels guns shouldn't be to blame for violence, but instead, laws should be stricter.

"The laws are not being enforced as far as the penalties that are imposed for those violations," said Behnke.

Smoot is a part-time employee for Behnke. He hopes the shop will continue to be in Illinois.

"I want to see the shop prosper, and grow and grow. To affect a small business owner is not a good thing. Not only in firearms but any small business," said Smoot.

Clark County will make their final decision in June at their next meeting.
CUMBERLAND, Wis. (AP)  Police had praise for students who created an illusion for a senior class prank that appeared to show a car crashed into the principals office.

Students at Cumberland High School in Wisconsin used a junk car, some bricks, some tape and a black tarp to make it look like the car had crashed into their school.

Police arrived on the scene only to realize it wasnt really a wreck. The Cumberland Police Department wrote on Facebook that it was one of the best senior pranks.

The school district also congratulated the students for their ingenuity.

Cumberland is about 90 miles (144 kilometers) northeast of Minneapolis.
LAMAR COUNTY, Ala.(WTVA) - Residents and students in Sulligent, Alabama, lined the streets to welcome home John Corbell.

The 15-year-old was in Nashville since April recovering from a heart transplant.

"It was awesome," said he said. "I just thought that you can't really get this from a big city, only small towns that are as close as family."

Sulligent High School and the communities of Vernon and South Lamar have raised about $55,000 to help the family.

"It has been overwhelming since day one the support that we've had," added Sabrina Corbell, John's mother. "Theyve continued to support us while we've been in Nashville."

Sabrina hopes their story will encourage others to be organ donors.

"Without it, he wouldn't be here," said Sabrina. "It is definitely the gift of life."
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Four dogs rescued earlier this year by the Humane Society International (HSI) from a dog meat farm in South Korea have made their way to the Leon County Humane Society (LCHS).

Kyle, Stanley, Andy, and Ollie are four of more than 80 dogs rescued from the dog meat farm shut down by HSI.

The four dogs have been quarantined at a temporary HSI shelter in Canada since arriving from the South Korean farm several weeks ago.

The dogs will be examined by an LCHS veterinary partner and each will enter an LCHS foster home where their foster families will help them medically and behaviorally prepare for adoption.

"They're from South Korea and they went to a temporary holding space in Canada and so yesterday they arrived," said Lisa Glunt, Executive Director of Leon County Humane Society. "So they've had a lot of travel and their conditions are completely new to them but we're thrilled with their behavior already and progress they're showing in just twelve hours of being here with us."

Last July, LCHS accepted four dogs into its care from the ninth farm shut down. Those four dogs have since been adopted into loving homes.
Chinese Minister of Education Chen Baosheng (R) and his Ukrainian counterpart Liliya Grynevych attend the 2nd meeting of the subcommittee on education cooperation of the Chinese-Ukrainian intergovernmental commission in Kiev, Ukraine, on June 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng)

KIEV, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian Education and Science Minister Liliya Grynevych on Friday spoke highly of Ukraine's cooperation with China in science and education sector.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Grynevych said that the visit of Chinese Minister of Education Chen Baosheng to Ukraine in June 2017 has opened a new chapter in the bilateral cooperation.

"We have greatly expanded cooperation between our universities thanks to the agreements that were signed during this visit. Also, our cooperation is now accompanied by an increase in the number of joint research projects -- we are conducting nine major research projects," Grynevych told Xinhua after a solemn ceremony to celebrate the Day of Science in Ukraine.

At the ceremony, Grynevych has awarded Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine Du Wei with an appreciation award of the Ukrainian Education and Science Ministry for his contribution in the development of scientific cooperation between the two countries.

One of the key milestones of that cooperation was the China-Ukraine Science, Technology and Innovation Exhibition held in Kiev in November 2017, Grynevych said.

"It was a very interesting joint Ukrainian-Chinese innovation exhibition. For us, China is a very interesting country as it is developing rapidly in the field of innovations. Our scientific and technical cooperation with China has great prospects," she added.

Commenting on the educational cooperation between the two countries, Grynevych spoke highly of China's contribution to the development of school education in Ukraine.

"It is important and noteworthy that China has provided a significant humanitarian assistance in the form of 23,000 computers for the schools in Ukraine," the minister said.

Ukraine, for its part, is opening its doors for more and more Chinese students, who are willing to study in the Ukrainian universities, she said.

While speaking on the plans for the future, Grynevych stressed that China and Ukraine have an array of promising projects in science and education sector.

"We have a large list of joint projects, which covers several pages. First of all, we are striving to work at the level of universities, institutes, and research institutes," Grynevych said.

Besides, Ukraine is interested in working with Chinese partners within the international scientific and educational projects, she added.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 00:25:36|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa (L) meets with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Lisbon, Portugal, May 18, 2018. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

LISBON, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa met here Friday with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

During their meeting, Costa said Portugal and China enjoy close political relations, high level of mutual trust and fruitful cooperation in economy and trade, energy, culture and education, setting an example of cooperation for countries worldwide.

Portugal hopes to promote the relationship between the two countries to a new high by defining key points of the bilateral cooperation in the future, he said.

Lisbon attaches great importance to China and sees it as a preferable partnership for cooperation, Costa said, adding that Portugal speaks highly of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and the important role the Asian country has played in major international issues.

Costa said that Portugal is willing to take its own advantage and join China in expanding the third-party markets in Latin America and Africa and start cooperation with China in ocean area.

The prime minister also expressed his hopes that both sides can further strengthen their communication and cooperation on multilateral occasions.

For his part, Wang said China sees Portugal as a reliable friend and thinks highly of its constructive role in promoting a healthy development in the China-Europe relationship.

Wang said next year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Portugal, adding that China is willing to have a closer exchange with Portugal in order to lay a more solid foundation for the future development of bilateral relations.

Wang also said that China appreciates Portugal's support for the Belt and Road Initiative, adding that Portugal is a natural partner of China for the joint construction under the initiative as the European country locates where the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road meet.

Wang said China is highly appreciative over Portugal's favorable policy towards Chinese investment and is willing to encourage more Chinese businesses to invest in Portugal.

The Chinese official added that he hoped Portugal will continue to play an active and constructive role in promoting the development of relations between China and Europe.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 02:36:00|Editor: ZD

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Prince Harry (L), Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave Windsor Castle in a carriage during a procession after getting married in Windsor, Britain, on May 19, 2018. The UK's Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle has tied the knot Saturday at St. George's Chapel in Windsor. (Xinhua/Pool/Lionel Hahn/ABACAPRESS)

by Xinhua Writers Jin Jing, Zhang Dailei

WINDSOR, Britain, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The streets of Windsor burst into waves of cheers on a precious sunny spring Saturday as Britons welcomed African American actress Meghan Markle into a hopefully more inclusive British monarchy.

More than 100,000 people merrily waved flags at Prince Harry and Meghan while the newly wedded royal couple toured around on the cobbled streets.

The couple smiled and waved back on a shiny black royal carriage pulled by four royal Windsor Greys horses, accompanied by a guard of the Household Cavalry with gleaming breastplates and helmets.

The royal fans, many wearing crowns or outfits featuring national flags, were closely following the royal wedding unfolded live on the big screens outside the Windsor Castle, one of the main residences of Queen Elizabeth II some 40 kilometers west of London.

Nicholas Pervez, a father of two kids from Yorkshire, got up at 1 a.m. in the morning and drove five hours to Windsor to witness what he called a "monumental event".

"Five hours of drive with two kids in the car was a nightmare but we made it. It is a passion and we have to make it," Pervez told Xinhua.

Despite the festive bunting and banners along the streets, security in Windsor remained tight. The routes, starting from the train station to the viewing sites, were carefully planned to avoid over-congestion. More than 3000 police officers were deployed to guard off any potential threats.

At noon, the world's attention turned to St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle where the wedding service was conducted. Millions more watched on TV or online as Prince Charles, Harry's father, walked Markle down the aisle with a five-meter-long silk tulle veil behind her.

More than 600 guests were invited to the service, with a further 200 invited to the couple's evening reception.

"The modern royal romance" of Harry and Meghan, a divorced African American actress, has been broadly welcomed in Britain as a symbol of a more inclusive open British monarchy that dated back to almost 1000 years ago.

Canan Kaymakci, a Turkish who has been living in London for six years, said she believed "everything is now possible" after the wedding.

"Nobody believed that black people can become a president until Barack Obama and now we have a princess with black roots. So I believe everything is changeable," she said.

Markle's place at the heart of the British establishment appears especially meaningful as UN representative Tendayi Achiume recently expressed concerns over a rise of "explicit racial, ethnic and religious intolerance" in Britain following the referendum on Brexit.

In a move to show that Britain remains committed to fighting violence and exclusion, more than 1,000 members of the public were invited to the grounds of Windsor Castle to watch the arrival and departure of the bride and groom. Among them, twelve-year-old Amelia Thompson, who was injured in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack.

Ross Antony, a British TV presenter said the fact that Meghan joined the royal family apparently makes the British public more hopeful.

"We love to put our royal family up in the cloud, but it is going to make them more close to the normal people. And that is great," he said.

"Brexit for us is a bad thing. And I think we are having this wedding today is a positive thing. It is opening doors that we would not have had," Antony said.
Workers install wire netting upon catwalk for the construction of a bridge across the Yangtze River in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, May 8, 2018. (Xinhua/Ke Hao)

SAN FRANCISCO, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A group of American photographers will travel to Wuhan city in central China later this month to find their "China Story" about the country's tremendous achievements made in the past 40 years through the lens of their cameras, organizers said over the weekend.

The amateur photographers, most of whom work for hi-tech companies in Silicon Valley, the birthplace of the U.S. hi-tech innovation, want to conduct dialogue with their Chinese counterparts that is to be focused on China's Belt and Road Initiative and the Chinese achievements scored in the past four decades since the country opened up to the rest of the world, the organizers said at a press briefing held over the weekend in the Silicon Valley city of San Jose in western California.

The event, which is part of a photo exhibition themed with "China's Four Decades of Achievements Through the Camera Lens (Wuhan City)," will give an opportunity for the photographers from both China and the United States to record, via their camera lens, the ever-happening changes in China and its new progress that is transforming the outlook of the country from different perspectives of the photographers, said Min Song, president of the U.S.-China Culture & communication Association.

"They may capture the most vivid shots of the daily life of Wuhan people in the city, their own personal feelings about the city, and even the city's new landscape," Song said.

They want to tell the world about their own "China Story" by means of the art of photography, the universally understood language of communication, to enhance the cultural exchanges between the United States and China, he added.

"I think the American photographers, who are also hi-tech firm engineers, will take advantage of the upcoming exchange activities to see what's happening in China from their own eyes and reflect the 40 years of reform in China in a much fairer and more convincing way," Song said.

Teju Khubchandani, senior manager of semiconductor at Google, said he has never been to Wuhan city, which is proud of itself as a hi-tech city.

"I am very excited to see Wuhan's culture and the hi-tech development, to see how that's kind of changing the city and changing over the 40 years," he said.

"I'm trying to go there first (to) learn from a lot of photographers, and also try to get if I can find an angle, maybe from left to right or right to left, like the culture and high-tech, something kind of put together that would be the best shot I can imagine," Khubchandani said.

He said he can find high technology in almost every Chinese city in today's China, and want to figure out how culture interacts with technology.

All the photos to be shot by the photographers in China will be put on display during roadshow exhibitions to be held in both China's Wuhan city and San Francisco.

They will also be displayed on a show during the "Across the Pacific -- China Art Festival" to be staged in San Francisco.
An Alaska Airlines jet passes the air traffic control tower at Los Angles International Airport (LAX) during take-off on April 22, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.(Xinhua/AFP PHOTO)

SAN FRANCISCO, May 19 (Xinhua) -- An Alaskan trade delegation left Saturday for China on a 10-day trade mission to expand business opportunities in the world's second largest economies, an Alaskan media outlet reported.

The group includes the Alaska Gasline Development Corp, which is the state's major energy infrastructure developer, seafood companies, a baby food company and an Anchorage brewery. Its goal is to increase trade ties between Alaska and China, according to a report of the website taku105.com.

The mission, which has over 40 members, consists of representatives from more than 20 businesses, as well as state officials and politicians.

They want to sell not only Alaska's seafood and gas, but also beer to Chinese consumers during the 10-day China trip.

David McCarthy, a member of the trade delegation and also the co-owner of Denali Visions 3000 company that owns the 49th State Brewing Co., told local media on Thursday that he hopes to expand the brewery's reach and get Alaska beer into Chinese hands.

The delegation will visit the major Chinese cities of Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province in southwest China.

In March, Alaska Governor Bill Walker's office announced that the governor will lead a trade mission to China in May for talks with Chinese decision-makers to expand the northwesternmost U.S. region's markets.

According to Chinese official data, China has been the largest trade partner and export destination of Alaska since 2011.

Walker's office said Alaska exported more than 1.32 billion U.S. dollars worth of goods to China in 2017.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 09:07:00|Editor: Chengcheng

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BUDAPEST, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Russia and Ukraine were on top of the FINA Artistic Swimming World Series Budapest Open here on Saturday, taking most of the gold and silver medals.

Russia dominated the stage on Saturday morning with two golds, securing scores over 94 points in both the solo and team events.

In the team technical routine, Russia won with 94.6289 points, followed by Ukraine with 92.0168 points and Italy with 88.3951 points.

The solo technical routine presented the same pattern, with the gold being attributed to rising star 17 year-old Varvara Subbotina from Russia with 94.1510 points, followed by Ukrainian Yelyzaveta Yakhno with 91.0814 and the bronze medal went to Linda Cerruti from Italy with 88.5434 points.

Subbotina charmed everyone with her outstanding skills and performance as she clinched her first-ever senior international title.

In the afternoon, two events were also held, the first was the highlight routine, followed by the duet free.

The Highlight routine was won by Ukraine with 93.1333 points, the silver went to Israel with 79.7333 points while the bronze has been won by Slovakia with 75.1000 points.

In the duet free routine, Anastasiya Savchuk and Yelyzaveta Yakhno of Ukraine won with 92.2668 points before silver medalists Linda Cerruti, Constanza Ferro of Italy with 90.5998 points and bronze medal winners Anna-Maria Alexandri, Eirini Alexandri of Austria with 86.0000 points.

On Friday, Ukraine bagged two golds, the first in the duet technical routine and the second in the free combination.

On Sunday, the closing day, the solo and team free events will be followed by the Gala.

No less than 13 countries and regions and 131 artistic swimmers showed up in the current competition.
WASHINGTON, May 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. first lady Melania Trump returned to the White House on Saturday after undergoing a surgical procedure earlier this week, said her office.

"The First Lady returned home to the White House this morning," her office said in a statement. "She is resting comfortably and remains in high spirits."

On Monday, Mrs. Trump, 48, underwent "an embolization procedure to treat a benign kidney condition" at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, state of Maryland.

"The procedure was successful and there were no complications," according to her office. "The first lady looks forward to a full recovery."

President Donald Trump visited his wife on Monday evening at the military hospital, where she stayed after the procedure.

Trump welcomed Melania home in a tweet Saturday afternoon, saying that she "is feeling and doing really well."

The president misspelled her name as "Melanie" in an initial tweet, which was later deleted.

An embolization is a minimally invasive treatment that often used to block one or more blood vessels or abnormal vascular channels.

A Slovenia-born former model, Melania married Trump in 2005. They have a 12-year-old son, Barron.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 11:07:20|Editor: Liangyu

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HARBIN, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Qinghe, a capable grain farmer from China's northeast Heilongjiang province, has lived an even happier life since he became a part time race car driver.

Zhao, 49, lives in Lihuazhan Village by the side of the Heilongjiang river. He farms more than 1,000 mu (about 67 hectares) of cultivated land and earned more than 500,000 yuan (about 78,000 U.S. dollars) last year from farmland products.

With modern agricultural machinery and tools, Zhao can finish sowing work in just a week and he picked up car racing as his leisure activity as enough money and spare time is at his disposal.

"When I drived a four-wheel tractor at a young age, I dreamed of driving a car," he said. Zhao got a driver's license in 2009 and bought a second-hand off-road vehicle five years later.

In winter, the frozen Heilongjiang River became his natural training ground. In the beginning he just practiced driving in the spare time, and gradually driving took up more of his time. After a friend's introduction, Zhao joined the Humar Condor team.

"My wife worries about my safety. When I go to other cities to compete, she will go with me together. It is like our holiday," Zhao said.

Zhao's TV cabinet is his honor wall with two trophies and several certificates of honor, one of which is the fourth place in the 2016 Huma County Stadium Fighting Competition.

"On the ice, I would like to challenge myself. I always want to get a better ranking," Zhao said car racing enriches his spiritual and cultural life.

Under Zhao's influence, his nephew Zhao Zhibo also became a rally car driver. In the Humar Condor team, there are more than 70 driver, among whom more than half are farmers.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 11:27:24|Editor: ZD

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TRIPOLI, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Libya's eastern-based army spokesman said on Saturday that the army would provide safe passage and legal treatment for all "terrorists wishing to surrender in Darna" in eastern Libya.

"Dignity Operations Chamber (of the army) announces that its units provide safe passage and legal treatment for terrorists who want to surrender and choose to spare the city of Darna the scourge of war," Army spokesman Ahmad Mismari said in a statement later on Saturday.

"The Air Force targeted and completely destroyed the operations chamber of the terrorist groups in the city of Darna," Mismari added.

"The military units tasked with clearing Darna from terrorism have not and will not target vital installations," the spokesman said, holding the militants in the city responsible for bombing and booby-trapping vital installations.

Local media published images of a bridge blown up by explosive devices. The army and the militants exchanged accusations of being responsible for the bombing.

The army is launching a military operation to take over Darna from the militants who control the coastal city.

Since 2015, Darna has been besieged by the army, which demands that the Shura Council of the Mujahideen in Darna, a coalition of Islamist militias seeking to implement Sharia law in the city, to leave. The army accused the armed group of being loyal to al-Qaida.

Humanitarian coordinator of the UN Support Mission in Libya Maria Ribeiro on Thursday called on the army to allow humanitarian aid to enter Darna.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 11:37:26|Editor: ZD

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BRASILIA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Latin America's agricultural sector, which over the past decade has benefited from rising consumer demand in China, is expected to increase and diversify its exports to the Asian giant.

Experts in the sector agree China's growing appetite for imported goods has been essential in creating opportunities for the development of rural zones and new production processes.

Latin America and the Caribbean are key suppliers of food for the Chinese market, and will continue to increase their supply, according to Manuel Otero, director general of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

"Our region already accounts for nearly a third of China's food imports. Over the past 10 years, Latin America and the Caribbean's agrifood exports to China increased from 5.6 percent of the total to 13 percent, a trend that is mainly explained by the increase in shipments to China from the Southern Cone," Otero said.

Among the products that saw the biggest growth in trade are soybean complex (soybeans, soybean oil and soybean meal), beef, poultry, sugar and fruits.

Two factors will continue to increase food supplies of Latin America and the Caribbean to China, Otero noted.

"China has to feed 22 percent of the world's population with limited water and arable land," he said, adding that China "designates 7 percent of its land for agriculture and it has only 6 percent of the world's water resources."

Latin American countries, along with African nations, have the highest potential to raise their agricultural output, possibly even to double the current output levels, he said.

"Latin America and the Caribbean accounts for more than a fourth of the world's arable land and a third of the world's freshwater. In addition, it is the region with the greatest potential to incorporate new land into agricultural production," said the IICA chief.

Pedro Henriques Pereira, an international relations adviser at Brazil's Confederation of Agriculture and Cattleranching, said sales to China have grown considerably over the past decade.

"Ten years ago, China overtook the United States to become the second-leading destination for Brazilian agricultural goods, only after the European Union (EU). In 2013, China finally overtook the EU and became the No.1 buyer of Brazilian agricultural products," said Pereira.

Since 2014, there was a slight dip in trade as a result of Brazil's political and economic instability. But in 2017, trade picked up again and the country saw the biggest rise in shipments to China.

That change was driven by a bumper year in agriculture in Brazil, which led to a 41 percent increase in soy exports to China, along with higher sales of beef and cellulose.

"The growth in (export) value is undeniable. It jumped from 8 billion U.S. dollars in agricultural products in 2008 to nearly 27 billion U.S. dollars in 2017, a surprising increase in 10 years, in quantitative terms," said Pereira.

However in qualitative terms, Brazil needs to take better advantage of its closer trade ties with China and try to diversify its exports.

"The products exported are practically the same ones as 10 years ago. I think the big challenge in the next few years is to diversify our exports and add value. It's a process that takes time and demands action by the Brazilian government and the private sector," said the adviser.

Still, Brazil's agricultural sector is expecting to see increased exports to China, driven by growing and ever more sophisticated consumer demand.

"We did a study of trade potential with China, and we identified at least 97 Brazilian agribusiness products with the potential to grow," he said.

"There's a revolution in the consumer habits of the Chinese population. Not only did the living standards of the Chinese increase, consuming products with higher added value and more animal products, but also the public became more demanding and aware of what they are consuming," he added.

That awareness has led to Chinese consumers being more concerned about such issues as the environment, climate change, production methods, food safety and animal welfare, he noted.
MANILA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines and the United States have committed to bolstering joint efforts in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism by sharing military intelligence information, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines said on Sunday.

The DFA said the agreement was reached during a recent meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii between a high-level Philippine delegation led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) Admiral Harry Harris Jr and the commanders of all PACOM service components.

Both sides agreed on the need to work more closely together, including in the exchange of information, in the fight against terrorism and in countering violent extremism, the DFA said in a statement.

The DFA said Harris lauded the Philippines on retaking Marawi form Islamist extremists that attacked the southern Philippine city in May last year. The attack triggered a five-month fighting that ruined the city and displaced thousands of residents.

The DFA said Washington and Manila have also reaffirmed their firm resolve to bolster their enduring alliance anchored on common values and interest, historic ties and the Mutual Defense Treaty" signed in 1951 between the two allies.

The Philippine delegation had a very substantive exchange with Admiral Harris on regional challenges and both sides agreed that the alliance remains consequential to the preservation of regional stability and development, the DFA said.
PYONGYANG, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has demanded the return of a group of women that the DPRK said were abducted two years ago by South Korean intelligence.

This is a precondition to implement the part of humanitarian issues in the joint declaration by the leaders of the two sides last month at an inter-Korean summit in Panmunjom, the Korean Central News Agency quoted a spokesman for the Central Committee of the Red Cross Society of the DPRK as saying Saturday.

According to the spokesman, the South Korean cable broadcasting JTBC recently put it that the "case of group defection of the north's employees" in April 2016 was proven to be a conspiratorial farce concocted by former South Korean President Park Geun-hye.

"Those women citizens of the DPRK were proven to have been forcibly abducted by the puppet Intelligence Service by interviews of a criminal involved in the case and victims," said the spokesman.

The spokesman blamed South Korean authorities for "adopting an unequivocal stance to shun the demand of the public at home and abroad."

How South Korea tackles the case "would have great impact on deciding the prospect of settling the humanitarian issue between the north and the south clarified in the Panmunjom Declaration," he added.

Twelve DPRK women were abducted two years ago from a third country where they were working to South Korea, says Pyongyang.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 12:52:38|Editor: ZD

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by Xinhua writers Yu Jiaxin, Zhu Dongyang

WASHINGTON, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Beijing and Washington on Saturday came out of their tense and difficult consultations with a consensus not to engage in a trade war.

In a joint statement issued on the same day, the two nations vowed to strengthen their economic and trade cooperation on a trove of fronts.

The just-concluded U.S. visit by the Chinese delegation is a positive, pragmatic, constructive and a productive one. It has implemented the consensus reached previously by the heads of state of the two countries, and helped reassure the two peoples and the international community.

From senior Chinese official Liu He's trip to Washington in late February, to a U.S. official delegation's visit to Beijing in May, the latest telephone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, and to Liu's latest visit to Washington as Xi's special envoy, the end result of these exchanges has confirmed a clear-cut message: the world's two largest economies are forging ahead to bridge their differences under the guidance of the consensus reached by the two presidents.

The two nations this time have reached agreements in many areas, such as energy, agro-goods, medical and high-tech products and finance. They have also vowed to boost cooperation in the protection of the intellectual property rights and in two-way investments.

Such hard-won results would not have been possible without the Xi-Trump consensus, and the bilateral proactive commitment to resolving their economic and trade disputes.

The art of the deal lies in mutual understanding and compromise so as to ensure common interests. Any one-sided transaction at the cost of the other party is doomed to fail, while win-win cooperation brings success.

What the two countries have agreed this time will see more exports of high-quality U.S. energy and agro-products exported to China. It will on the one hand help the United States reduce its trade deficits and grow its economy, and on the other hand diversify and optimize the supply of goods for the welfare of the Chinese people, while better accommodating the need to promote a quality-growth of the Chinese economy.

No agreement comes easy. In the face of Washington's unreasonable pre-conditions in earlier consultations, Beijing had always returned with resolute responses and had never backed down. China went into these talks with a firm principle based on the interests of the country and its people, in full view of the country's actual needs.

Due to the differences from both sides in areas such as economic structure and cultural cognition, the settlement of their trade disputes would be hard and complex, and requires a long-term commitment.

It requires both countries to show sincerity, wisdom and patience to manage and resolve their differences.

This is indeed a good beginning in seeing the latest consultation results, especially since the two countries were previously at loggerheads with each other. With the guiding principle of mutual respect and win-win cooperation at the helm, China and the United States will always overcome every barrier together.
HAVANA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said Saturday there has been "human solidarity" from state institutions, workers and the people amid the national disaster concerning Friday's plane crash which killed 110 people.

Speaking to local media after visiting various institutions and families of the victims, Diaz-Canel said the tragedy has been handled with emotion and efficiency by all parties involved.

"Forensics experts worked with great intensity until 3 a.m. (0700 GMT) today and we were able to recover all the bodies which were later transported to Havana's Legal Medicine Institute while the investigations continue," he said.

The Cuban leader started his visits on Saturday at Havana's Legal Medicine Institute to ensure a smooth identification process and later moved on to the Calixto Garcia University Hospital to see the three survivors of the tragic accident.

The three survivors were identified as Mailen Diaz, 19, Gretell Landrovell, 23, and Emiley Sanchez, 39.

A multidisciplinary team has been created with psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors, and government officials to systematically provide information to the victims' families, said Diaz-Canel.

Transportation Minister Adel Yzquierdo told a press conference that of the 110 dead, 99 were Cubans, 11 foreigners including six Mexican crew members, two Argentines, one Mexican and two temporary foreign residents.

Up to now, only 15 bodies have been identified, the minister said, adding officials were working intensively to identify the rest of the victims.

The Cuban government declared two days of mourning from 6:00 a.m. (1000 GMT) on Saturday to Sunday midnight.

The plane, a Boeing 737 built in 1979 and rented by local company Cubana de Aviacion from the Mexican airline Damojh, crashed shortly after taking off from Havana's Jose Marti International Airport on Friday.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 13:22:44|Editor: Chengcheng

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KABUL, May 20 (Xinhua) -- At least four Taliban insurgents were killed following an Afghan Special Operations Forces-related airstrikes in the country's southern province of Zabul on Saturday, the command of special forces said Sunday.

"The strikes were conducted against militants of Taliban terrorist outfit in Shahjoy and Shinkay districts and two insurgents' motorcycles were also destroyed," Operational Coordination Group Afghanistan said in a statement.

Afghan forces and the NATO and U.S.-led coalition troops continued in mopping-up operations as spring and summer known as fighting season is drawing near in the mountainous country.

The Taliban insurgent group, which has been waging an insurgency of more than 17 years, has yet to make comments on the report.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 14:07:50|Editor: Chengcheng

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HAVANA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Cuba confirmed here on Saturday that 110 people were dead from Friday's Boeing 737 crash close to Havana's Jose Marti International Airport.

Transportation Minister Adel Yzquierdo told a press conference that of the 110 dead, 99 were Cubans, 11 foreigners including six Mexican crew members, two Argentines, one Mexican and two temporary foreign residents.

The three survivors, identified as Mailen Diaz, 19, Gretell Landrovell, 23, and Emiley Sanchez, 39, are still in critical condition.

FOLLOW-UP WORK UNDERWAY

An identification process of the victims and an investigation into the accident have been underway, according to local authorities.

So far, only 15 bodies have been identified, Yzquierdo said, adding officials were working intensively to identify the rest of the victims, whose remains were transferred to the Institute of Legal Medicine in Havana.

"Conditions have been created for complex procedures of identifying bodies so that family members can do so smoothly and we can provide that service in a faster way," said Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

One of the plane's two black boxes has been recovered in good condition, specifically the one with the voice recordings. Investigators continue to sift through the rubble for the second black box containing flight data, Yzquierdo said.

Representatives of the aircraft's manufacturer are arriving to help in the investigations, as are international experts, to determine what caused the crash.

The aircraft leased by Cubana Airlines from the Mexican company Damojh crashed a little past noon on Friday, minutes after taking off from Terminal 1 of Havana's Jose Marti International Airport.

Built in 1979, the plane passed its last inspection in November 2017, Mexican officials said.

"HUMAN SOLIDARITY" AMID NATIONAL DISASTER

The Cuban president said there has been "human solidarity" from state institutions, workers and the people amid the national disaster.

Diaz-Canel, who immediately arrived at the accident site on Friday, started his visits on Saturday at the institute and later moved on to the Calixto Garcia University Hospital to meet the three survivors of the crash.

A multidisciplinary team has been created with psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors, and government officials to systematically provide information to the victims' families, said Diaz-Canel.

The Cuban government declared two days of mourning from 6:00 a.m. (1000 GMT) on Saturday to Sunday midnight, with flags flying at half mast on Saturday.

FAMILIES MOURN THEIR LOVED ONES

Outside the Institute of Legal Medicine in Havana, where the remains were being taken for identification by the victims' families and relatives who were coming to terms with the sudden loss of their loved ones.

"We were at the airport waiting for her, longing to see her after a year of being apart, and she was also longing to see me, my nine-year-old son, my brother, everyone," said Leonardo Martinez, whose mother Luz Marina Miranda died in the crash.

Amalia Santiesteban, a close friend of a victim as yet unidentified, lamented what happened and said, "There has been full national attention. The government took care of the affected families in Holguin and met all their needs."

Friday's crash was Cuba's third major accident since 2010 and its worst air disaster in decades.

In November 2010, an AeroCaribbean flight from Santiago to Havana went down as it flew over central Cuba, killing 68 people, including 28 foreigners.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 14:22:54|Editor: Liangyu

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KUNMING, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Police in the border city of Pu'er in southwest China's Yunnan Province have recently seized a total of 96.62 kg of methamphetamine in two cases.

In March, police in Ximeng County received information that a drug gang was making plans to transport a shipment of drugs into China through the city of Jinghong in Yunnan's Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture.

An investigation was carried out and police detained one suspect on May 4 on an expressway section in Pu'er, and seized 34.25 kg of methamphetamine found in the suspect's vehicle.

On May 7, border inspection officers in Pu'er seized 62.37 kg of methamphetamine while checking a truck in Mengma Township, Menglian County. Another suspect was detained.

Both the cases are under further investigation.

Local authorities have noticed an increase in bulk transportation of drugs this year. During the first four months of 2018, Yunnan's border control authorities have seized a record high of nearly 3.5 tonnes of drugs.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A mountain lion killed one man and injured another Saturday in the woods northeast of Snoqualmie, a city in King County in the western U.S. state of Washington, police said.

The fatal cougar attack was the second recorded in Washington state in the last 94 years, The Seattle Times newspaper reported.

The two men were attacked by the cougar when they were riding their mountain bikes, after an initial attempt of the two men to scare the animal away, the newspaper quoted police officer Ryan Abbott of the King County Sheriff's Office as saying.

The cougar returned and attacked the two mountain bikers a few minutes later. One of the men, who was 32 years old and not identified by name, was killed while the other 31-year-old managed to ride away on his bike for about 3.2 km to call 911 for emergency help, according to the police account.

The cougar was later shot dead by police of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the dead man's body was retrieved.

In the past 94 years, Washington state has recorded 18 non-fatal cougar attacks, with "40 percent considered serious enough to require at the least stitches," said the newspaper.

There are about 2,100 "independent" or adult cougars in the wild, and the cougar population has remained stable for 15 years, it said.
SEOUL, May 20 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on Sunday pledged to work closely to ensure the success of the planned Trump-Kim summit in a phone conversation.

The two leaders have exchanged their point of views on the recent responses from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) when they held talks via telephone for 20 minutes, according to Cheong Wa Dae, South Korea's presiential office.

Both leaders have decided to work closely and unswervingly for the successful U.S.-DPRK summit slated on June 12, as well as the upcoming meeting between Moon and Trump, said the office.

Moon is scheduled to visit Washington next week to hold a meeting with President Trump in a bid to help the upcoming summit between the DPRK and the United States become a success.

The Moon-Trump summit is anticipated to serve as a bridge to lead to a successful DPRK-U.S. summit, the presidential National Security Office said on Friday.

On Wednesday, Pyongyang said it may reconsider the scheduled U.S.-DPRK summit because of extremely provocative remarks made by American officials.

Kim Kye Gwan, the DPRK first vice foreign minister said in a statement that the Trump administration must show sincerity in its desire to meet with the DPRK to improve bilateral relations.

Before the statement, the DPRK threatened earlier in the day to withdraw from the scheduled meeting with the United States on June 12 due to on-going U.S.-South Korea joint war games, which kicked off on May 11.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said Friday that China will continue to encourage the United States and the DPRK to build mutual trust, and make joint efforts to promote the political resolution of the Korean Peninsula issue.

Kim and Trump are scheduled to meet in Singapore on June 12 for the first-ever DPRK-U.S. summit.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 16:08:09|Editor: ZX

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by Xinhua writers Wang Jian, Zhao Yufei

CHONGQING, May 20 (Xinhua) -- There is no smooth road to becoming an artist. When Liu Nengfeng decided to put down the butcher knife and hide away in caves with his engraving tools, people rolled their eyes and wrote him off as a lunatic.

Liu is from southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, a city best known for its hot pot, but also home to a cliff-side carving tradition that makes use of the nearby mountains.

Tall and lean, the 61-year-old has a slightly hunched back and bobbed hair neatly combed behind his ears. A pair of rough and calloused hands are testament to his four decades of dedication to rock carving.

Liu was born in Dazu district, famous for its thousands of carved Buddha statues dating back some 1,000 years. The relics were listed as a world heritage site in 1999.

Like other locals, Liu grew up with a close familiarity with the statues, but he never had plans to carry on the ancient art form himself.

At the age of 16, Liu became a butcher in order to support his family. He slaughtered pigs at night, got up at 4 a.m., then trekked the mountainous roads for about an hour to reach the county market to sell pork.

"I could earn over 80 yuan (12.5 U.S. dollars) per month, higher than the income of ordinary government workers. And there would also be meat left to feed the family. Life was quite comfortable," he recalled.

But one day, on his way to the market, something happened to change his life's path.

In 1980, the 23-year-old passed the Dazu rock carving scenic spot and saw a farmer selling some small carvings to foreign tourists. Each piece could be sold for 30 yuan.

That was two years after China started its reform and opening up. Thanks to the policy, the scenic spot was connected to the outside world by paved roads for the fist time, and gained exposure through exhibitions, films and news articles. Many tourists, including foreigners, started to flock to the site.

Opportunity was in the air. "Why not learn carving and make a fortune?" Liu started to ask himself.

With the idea growing bigger in his mind by the day, he gave up his butcher knife, determined to become a carver despite protests from his family and ridicule from neighbors.

Every morning, he would get up around 6 a.m., hiding in cliff-side caves with a hammer, metal wire and a graver, practicing like crazy on the rocks.

He remembers vividly the frustration of his first try.

"The carver was much lighter than a butcher knife, but the rock felt so much harder than pork. I just could not get the knife under control," Liu recalled.

He spent three months on his first carving, a Buddha statue. Liu broke it into pieces after finishing it.

"I intended to carve a smiling Buddha, but it turned out to be a crying one," he said.

After Liu quit his butcher job, his family went without income for over six months. Liu's angry wife dragged him out of the cave and threw his work into a pond.

Another half year passed, and Liu was able to create some beautiful work, but he had yet to sell any. At the time, he was pondering getting back to butchery when a favorable turn occurred.

One day in 1981, Liu's two-year-old son was playing with some of his carvings at their door. A foreigner passing by saw them and bought one for 18 yuan.

"At the time, 18 yuan could buy 30 kg of pork," Liu said.

With strengthened confidence, Liu became even more zealous about his art.

The damp caves were swarming with mosquitos in the summer, but they became Liu's small paradise. He created all kinds of Buddha statues and travelled around the country selling them.

While selling carvings in the street of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 1984, his work was appreciated by professors from Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, and he was offered the chance to work at the institute's carving plant.

His technique improved with professional training at the plant. He returned to his hometown and opened his own workshop seven years later.

Liu's work has been sold in many countries, and he has been awarded several honors. He was acknowledged as a 16th generation inheritor of Dazu carving by the municipal government in 2009.

Just like many other traditional arts, Dazu carving has faced challenges in passing on skills. "It takes years to become a qualified carver, and it's not a profitable trade," he said.

But things are changing for the better.

The local government has been taking measures to encourage more people to take up carving.

Two years ago, the Chongqing government gave Liu's workshop 100,000 yuan in subsidies, and it has also helped his apprentices find jobs.

The district's vocational training center introduced a rock carving major three years ago, aiming to train 1,000 carvers in five years.

The fame of the Dazu carvings has grown, and the scenic site attracted over 15 million tourist visits last year, up 11 percent from 2016. About 35 percent of the tourists were from overseas.

"Hopefully, these young people will be as crazy as I am about carving," said Liu, looking at the novices working attentively in his workshop.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 16:23:12|Editor: ZX

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BEIJING, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists will help Tajikistan investigate the grassland degradation of its alpine pastures in August.

Researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences worked with counterparts in Tajikistan this spring to investigate grassland degradation in southern, northern and eastern regions.

They traveled about 1,200 kilometers to study and collect samples of vegetation, soil and microorganisms. They also investigated livestock farming methods and surveyed local families.

Li Yaoming, of the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, said Tajikistan had suffered serious grassland degradation in recent years as a result of population growth, a warmer climate, melting glaciers, frequent extreme weather events and overgrazing.

The number of cattle there jumped from one million in the 1990s to six million in 2010.

Chinese researchers will also investigate grassland issues in central Asian countries such as Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan and offer solutions to problems.

They will introduce technologies and management methods that have proved effective in China to help the construction of a "green Silk Road," said Li.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 17:20:46|Editor: Lu Hui

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Farmers plough in fields with cattle in Yangdong Village, Liping County of southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 20, 2018. About 1,000 head of cattle were driven to take part in the traditional ploughing work here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
KATHMANDU, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Hongshi-Shivam Cement Private Limited, a Nepal-China joint venture, started trial cement production in Nepal starting from Friday, a director of the company said.

Satish Kumar More, a director of the company, told Xinhua on Sunday that they planned to start commercial production after completing trial production for a week.

On Friday, a ceremony was held at the project site in southwestern Nawalparasi district. Once in full operation, it will be the largest cement factory to date in Nepal, with production capacity of 6,000 tonnes a day.

China's Hongshi Cement is investing 359.18 million U.S. dollars as per the Project Investment Agreement signed with the Investment Board Nepal. The Chinese company has 70 percent stake in the company.

More said that once the factory starts commercial production, it would fulfill the need for quality cement for various infrastructure projects and cement needs of individual households.

"We are using diesel plant for power needed to operate the factory initially," said More.

Beside diesel plant, the company is also set to produce electricity from the wastage within a month.

Nepal Electricity Authority, the state-owned sole power utility body, has promised to complete the transmission line connecting the factory within the next 14 months, according to company.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 17:58:25|Editor: ZX

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NANJING, May 20 (Xinhua) -- American water heater manufacturer A.O. Smith Corporation has put its new environmentally-friendly home appliances factory into operation in China, in its latest effort to increase its presence in the rapidly-growing market.

After a two-year construction period, the first stage of the project has started operating in an economic zone in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province. It has a total floor area of 65,000 square meters, including office buildings, workshops, and water treatment labs.

Products such as water cleaners and softeners, and air purifiers will soon come off the assembly lines, and the annual output is expected to reach 3 million units.

With total investment of around 150 million U.S. dollars, the project will ultimately expand by 200 percent in floor area and created thousands of jobs for local workers.

"The opening of our newest plant underscores our commitment to the water treatment industry," Kevin Wheeler, president and chief operating officer of A.O. Smith, said, predicting the project will showcase cooperation with partners in China and other parts of the world.

The opening of the new factory also marks the 20th anniversary of A.O. Smith's presence in the Chinese market. Thanks to a rising consumer market, the company has witnessed average sales growth of more than 20 percent each year.
ADDIS ABABA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopia Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday 690 Ethiopians imprisoned in Saudi Arabia have returned home.

In a press statement, the Office of Spokesperson Ethiopia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), said the Ethiopians were released on Sunday morning after discussions between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Saudi officials during which the fate of Ethiopians imprisoned in Saudi Arabia was raised.

MoFA further said the 690 Ethiopians were provided free transportation from Saudi Arabia to Ethiopia and will be provided pocket money to return to their respective home areas.

Ahmed had paid a two-day official state visit to Saudi Arabia earlier this week, during which he held discussion with Saudi Arabia's Crown Price Mohammed bin Salman on ways to boost Ethio-Saudi ties and the fate of Ethiopians detained in Saudi jails.

It is estimated every year thousands of Ethiopians travel across the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia looking for better economic opportunities, often employed in the informal sector without having valid residency permits.
DAR ES SALAAM, May 20 (Xinhua) -- China has announced here a 146.47 billion Tanzanian shillings (64 million U.S. dollars) financial assistance for the implementation of development projects in Tanzania.

The governments of China and Tanzania on Saturday signed two agreements for the upgrading of the National Institute of Transport (NIT) to a university of transport and for conducting a feasibility study for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).

The agreements were signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Dotto James and the Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Wang Ke at a ceremony held in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

Speaking after signing the agreements, James said: "I'm happy to note that the framework agreements we have just signed today is on economic and technical cooperation between our two governments."

He added that the country was proud that the bond between the two countries had continued to be strengthened over the years.

Wang said the financial assistance contributed by China was aid with no conditions attached.

She said after the feasibility study on the construction of the SGR China will come up with a plan on how to support its construction.
ADDIS ABABA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said on Sunday accusations by Eritrea of its supporting Eritrean rebel movements as "baseless."

The Eritrea Ministry of Information (MoI) issued a press statement on Wednesday accusing neighboring nations, Sudan and Ethiopia, of conspiring to support Eritrean rebel groups.

The statement from Eritrea further said Ethiopia and Sudan have agreed to deploy Eritrean armed opposition groups along the two countries' borders with Eritrea to facilitate hit and run attacks on the Red Sea nation.

Speaking exclusively to Xinhua, Meles Alem, Spokesperson of Ethiopia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), said the allegations by Eritrea that Ethiopia is working together with Sudan to support Eritrean rebel movements are totally false.

He further said Ethiopia's offer to have unconditional negotiation and dialogue with Eritrea still stands despite the two countries' current bitter standoff.

Eritrea and its southern neighbor Ethiopia fought a blood border war from 1998 to 2000, which killed an estimated 70,000 people.

Since then, the two countries have been engaged in a state of armed standoff along their common border punctuated occasionally by sporadic small-scale clashes.

Eritrea has tense relationship with its eastern neighbor Sudan, with both countries accusing each other of supporting rival rebel groups.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 18:48:34|Editor: Chengcheng

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Smoke rises as a result of the air strike targeting the Islamic State (IS) positions south of Damascus, Syria, on May 20, 2018. The Islamic State (IS) militants and their families started evacuating their positions in southern Damascus towards the Syrian desert, activists said Sunday. However, state media outlets have denied the claims. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)

DAMASCUS, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic State (IS) militants and their families started evacuating their positions in southern Damascus towards the Syrian desert, activists said Sunday. However, state media outlets have denied the claims.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the IS militants and their families started evacuating the Hajar al-Aswad area and the nearby Yarmouk Camp in southern Damascus, under a "secret deal" between the IS group and the Syrian government, following month-long intense battles.

The observatory said, since Saturday afternoon, IS militants in the southern areas have been burning their positions in Hajar al-Aswad and Yarmouk Camp.

The watchdog group said the Syrian government could soon declare empty of IS militants in such areas.

Other activists also posted photos of buses waiting at the Batikha roundabout near Yarmouk Camp and they were said to be used for the evacuation.

But the state news agency SANA denied the reports of any deal of evacuation of IS militants from southern Damascus to the Syrian desert.

It maintained that the military operations in Hajar al-Aswad and nearby IS-held pockets are ongoing.

The IS has lost its major stronghold late last year, with the Syrian army capturing the Deir al-Zour city in eastern Syria as well as large swathes of the Syrian desert near Iraqi border. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces also stripped IS of its de facto capital of Raqqa north of Syria.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 18:58:38|Editor: Li Xia

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SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, May 20 (Xinhua) -- As many as 63 militants loyal to the Taliban outfit have been killed over the past 48 hours during counter-offensive operations by government forces in Afghanistan's northern province of Jauzjan, army spokesman Mohammad Hanif Rezai said Sunday.

According to the official, Taliban militants launched multi-pronged offensives on security forces checkpoints in the Qarqin district of the restive province on Friday.

The spokesman said that security forces retaliated, forcing militants to flee after losing 63 fighters, besides leaving 27 others injured.

Rezai also mentioned that six security personnel had been killed in fighting against militants in Qarqin district over the period.

Security forces, according to the official, have been chasing the militants to clean the area from insurgents.

Taliban militants, who have stepped up activities since launching the outfit's annual offensive on April 25, are yet to make comments.
KATHMANDU, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The distance between Nepal's capital Kathmandu and Nepal-China border town Rasuwagadhi has been shortened by 25 kilometers after Nepal Army (NA) handed over an alternative 17-km road section to Department of Road on Sunday, the NA said.

The NA handed over the Mailung-Syaphrubesi road section to the Department of Road, a body under Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport amid a function.

The section replaced the original Betrawati-Dhunche-Syaphrubesi section, cutting the distance significantly, the NA said. Distance between Kathmandu and Rasuwagadhi is 145 km through the original route.

Nepali Defense Minister Ishwar Pokharel inaugurated the handing over ceremony where there was also the presence of Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth.

NA Spokesperson Brigadier General Gokul Bhandaree told Xinhua on Sunday that the army had completed the track opening of the double-lane road section last month.

"This will ease transportation of both passengers and goods and cut travel time," he said, adding that Nepali traders doing business with China would greatly benefited from it.

The Kathmandu-Rasuwagadhi road is the main inland route of trade between Nepal and China that replaced the non-operational Kathmandu-Tatopani route damaged by the deadly earthquake on April 25, 2015 in Nepal.

The NA had taken the responsibility of constructing the road section after the earthquake damaged the original road section badly.

"Due to tough terrain it took time to complete the work, but we completed the task within the set deadline for us," said Bhandaree.
TEHRAN, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Iranian government is satisfied with the recent talks with its European partners over preserving the nuclear deal and securing Iran's interests, first vice speaker of the parliament said on Sunday.

Iran's foreign minister and his team of negotiators expressed their satisfaction on Sunday, but said that "everything depends on the results of the talks in the next weeks," the vice speaker Ali Motahhari was quoted as saying by official IRNA news agency.

Motahhari made the remarks on the sidelines of a parliament meeting, where Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif briefed the lawmakers on the ongoing talks with France, Germany, Britain and the European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini over the fate of the nuclear deal after U.S. withdrawal from it.

The European states still need to negotiate with other EU member states to win their contentment, Motahhari said, adding that the Europeans' resolve is clear "to show their independence from the Americans," he said.

"The steps that the Europeans have taken in this regard so far are acceptable," he added.

Iran pushes the EU for the revival of "the blocking statute" which is a 1996 regulation that prohibits EU companies from complying with the U.S. sanctions.
A Kenyan student performs Chinese dance at the Sino-African Friendship Knowledge Competition, in the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, on Oct. 14, 2015. (Xihua/Pan Siwei)

MAPUTO, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Since the first Confucius Institute was established in 2004 at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, more and more African students have picked up Chinese language studies amid ever strengthening China-Africa ties, said Ma Jianfei, Deputy Chief Executive of Confucius Institute Headquarters.

In an interview with Xinhua in Mozambique's capital city Maputo earlier this week, Ma said in response to the rapidly growing demand for Chinese language studies in Africa, a total of 54 Confucius Institutes have been established across Africa, with some countries having more than one.

In 2017 alone, the number of registered students at Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms in Africa hit 149,171, representing an average annual growth of 36 percent since 2012, according to data from the Headquarters.

Meanwhile, the institutes in Africa provided 854 scholarships to African students in 2017, representing an annual average growth of 37 percent since 2012.

"In recent years, especially since Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Africa in 2013, the Confucius Institutes have developed rapidly in Africa and a significantly growing number of Africans are learning Chinese," Ma said.

Ma said that 14 African countries, including Egypt, Cape Verde and South Africa, have adopted Chinese language lessons as part of their national curriculum, while 21 Confucius Institutes in Africa offer degree courses in Chinese language at universities.

Apart from language lessons, Ma said Confucius Institutes have trained over 1,200 local teachers in Africa to teach Chinese since 2004. Meanwhile, the institutes also seek to provide some vocational training programs and Chinese culture courses such as martial arts and traditional Chinese medicine for students, Ma said.

He said that the Confucius Institutes have also been cooperating with government departments in African countries. For instance, there are Chinese training classes for Kenya's customs officials, and South African police.

At the opening ceremony of the joint conference of the Confucius Institutes in Africa held on May 14 in Maputo, China's top legislator Li Zhanshu, during his visit to the southern African country on May 12-15, said that the Confucius Institutes not only belong to China, but also belong to the world.

Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said he hopes the Confucius Institutes in Africa will always focus on China-Africa friendship, knowledge sharing and cultural exchanges. He also urged the Confucius Institutes to introduce Africa to more Chinese people while promoting China's culture and telling China's true stories in Africa, as a messenger for China-Africa cultural exchanges.
KAMPALA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and four others critically injured in a Saturday night road accident in the midwestern Ugandan district of Kiryandongo, a police spokesperson said here on Sunday.

Patrick Onyango, Uganda's deputy police spokesperson, told Xinhua in an interview that three people died on spot and two others later passed on in hospital.

He said the fatal accident occurred after a driver of a commuter passenger taxi rammed into a stationary trailer truck that had broken down at Chepelwo trading center, along the Gulu-Kampala Highway.

"The cause of the accident is reckless driving on the side of the commuter taxi driver. He rammed into a stationary truck," said Onyango.

The injured victims and bodies of the deceased were taken to Kiryandongo Hospital for treatment and postmortem respectively.

The East African country registers at least 20,000 accidents with over 2,000 deaths each year, making it one of the countries with the highest road accident fatality rates in the world, according to police figures.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 21:33:59|Editor: ZX

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YINCHUAN, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Jianxin is passionate about working on the farm. Every morning, he gets up on time at 6:30 a.m. After making his bed and washing, he begins cleaning the yard or feeding the geese.

One year ago, Zhang's parents could not imagine that their intellectually disabled son would one day be able to have a job like other young adults.

After graduating from a school for the disabled several years ago, Zhang returned to his family home in Lingwu, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Zhang's father took his 20-year-old son to a job fair targeted at the disabled last year.

At the job fair, they met Ma Changxing, who was about to open a farm and was specifically looking for disabled job seekers. Ma, 64, has an intellectually disabled daughter, and has been an active volunteer for people with disabilities in his role as deputy head of regional association for the mentally disabled and their families.

"As a father, I know the difficulties faced by these young people and their families. I want to help them discover their true abilities, be self-reliant and feel part of society," he said.

Among all disabled in China, people living with intellectual disabilities are the group facing the most severe challenges in terms of employment. Their employment rate is less than 10 percent, comparing to 43 percent for the disabled population as a whole.

"Some intellectually disabled young people can handle simple farm work, and scientific studies show getting close to nature can increase their quality of life and improve their functional independence," Ma said.

With the support of a local fund, Ma rented 200 mu (13 hectares) of farmland at the foot of the Helan Mountains. His farm opened in May 2017.

Zhang was among the first five employees at the farm.

"The intellectually disabled face challenges learning, you have to take your time to teach them, but when they have mastered skills, they are very hardworking," Ma said.

"As their conditions differ, they are best suited to different kinds of work. For example, Zhang is good at looking after animals. Others enjoy doing field work," he said.

Working on the farm has helped Ma's employees improve their social skills. "Zhang was once stubborn and introverted, reluctant to communicate with people, but now he is more easy going and always ready to say 'hello,'" said Ma.

The farm is not Ma's first business that helps the disabled. In 2012, he opened a car wash and hired some intellectually disabled staff. Some other car wash owners later joined his lead. Dozens of disabled found jobs washing cars.

China has been intensifying its efforts to improve the life of disabled in recent years.

No disabled people should be left behind in the national poverty fight, the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF) announced earlier this month. About 5 million disabled people have shaken off poverty in the last five years.

Ma works in the fields with his employees everyday. Due to a shortage of capital, he has not been able to hire enough workers, but has some volunteers who sometimes come to help with the farm work.

He aims to expand the farm into a company with 30 to 50 disabled employees.

"Hopefully, the farm will become a joint-stock company, and every worker can hold some stock, so that they will have a more stable income," Ma said.

Zhang likes surfing the internet and talking to friends on the WeChatmobile phone app in his in spare time. "I feel happy here, and I want to work here forever," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 21:44:01|Editor: Li Xia

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By John Kwoba

NAIROBI, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Kenya Sevens rugby junior team will hunt for gold and seek revenge on defending champions South Africa for a humiliating rout four years ago at the Africa Youth Games.

Kenya lost 60-0 to South Africa in the final of last tournament, four years ago in Gaborone, Botswana and will want some respect when they return to the tournament as part of the 22 teams, which will field more than 300 athletes at the rugby tournament when the African Youth Games are to be held in Algiers, Algeria in July.

Kenya Rugby Union director Thomas Odundo said the present youth team has gained a lot more experience and will present tough challenge to their opponents in Algiers.

"We have the team and will wait for the communication from National Olympic Committee of Kenya. But the idea is to improve on our second place finish and go for the gold," Odundo said Sunday in Nairobi.

South Africa won gold four years ago in Botswana with Kenya settling for silver while Zimbabwe had the bronze medal.

The teams that have confirmed participation in the Africa Youth Games are hosts Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Congo, DR Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

"The African Youth Games will be a real celebration of sport and its values. It is critical for the young players to be exposed to the high level performance and develop into top players who can be selected for the World Series," added Odundo.

The African Youth Games will serve as continental qualifier for the Olympic Youth Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Oct. 1-6 where only the winners will qualify to join Argentina, Japan, USA, Australia and France.

Rugby Africa President Abdelaziz Bougja has since said the continent has gained tremendously in the sport and was encouraged by the popularity of rugby at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

"That is why we have decided to make the third edition of the African Youth Games a major objective for the 2018 season," said Bougja.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 22:04:04|Editor: ZX

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BEIJING, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The trade consultations between China and the United States in Washington D.C. are in line with the interests of not only both countries, but the whole world, analysts said.

Calling the visit to the United States "positive, pragmatic, constructive and productive," Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, special envoy of President Xi Jinping, said Saturday that both sides have agreed not to launch a trade war and to stop slapping tariffs against each other - the most remarkable fruits from the consultations.

The two countries issued a joint statement on Saturday on the trade consultations, saying both sides have agreed to take effective measures to substantially decrease the U.S. trade deficit in goods with China, meaningfully increase U.S. agriculture and energy exports, and strengthen cooperation on intellectual property protection, among others.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chief of the Chinese side of the China-U.S. comprehensive economic dialogue, led the Chinese delegation and arrived in Washington D.C. on Tuesday for the consultations at the invitation of the U.S. government.

The fundamental reason behind the positive outcomes is "the needs of the two peoples and the whole world," Liu said in an interview.

"Apparently, joint efforts of both nations...successfully avoided a lose-lose result," said Zhang Yuyan, researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The just-concluded consultations followed the visit by a U.S. delegation to China earlier this month, during which "candid, efficient, and constructive" talks were held between the two sides.

Two rounds of consultations in such a short period of time showed huge sincerity from both countries, said Li Yong from China Association of International Trade.

"Negotiation will always bring about lower costs and greater benefits than confrontation," Li said.

Experts said the agreements are beneficial to both countries and the world economy.

Increasing imports from the United States will allow China to better meet its people's aspirations to live a better life, push forward high-quality development, and consolidate the bilateral trade partnership, said Wang Yong, professor at Peking University.

More purchases of U.S. goods and services will also help support growth and employment in the United States, the joint statement read.

However, it will take time to resolve the structural problems in the bilateral economic and trade ties.

The healthy development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations is in line with the historical trend, and the two countries should properly handle potential differences through dialogue and treat them calmly in the future, Liu said.

Both sides agreed to maintain high-level contact and seek to resolve their economic and trade concerns in a proactive manner.

Song Guoyou, professor at Fudan University, said maintaining sound bilateral relations at high levels and promoting consultations will "carry great realistic importance" for the healthy development of bilateral economic and trade ties.

"As two important countries in the world, China and the United States have the obligation to maintain the structure of international economic governance," said Zhong Wei, researcher at Beijing Normal University.

Closer and mutually beneficial trade ties will "surely bring more growth opportunities for both countries and the world at large," Zhong added.
JUBA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- As civil war and a biting economic crisis continue to ravage South Sudan, a group of blind South Sudanese in the capital Juba is using massage therapy to relieve people from body pains and stress.

Established in 2013, Seeing Hands is a social enterprise scheme made of up five members, all blind, and the group offers massage therapy to local and foreign clients at a fee.

James Pitia, 32, became blind in 2000 due to Onchocerciasis or river blindness (a tropical disease common in South Sudan) and the illness left him devastated because he was unable to fend for himself.

After laborious search for help, Pitia said he got assistance from South Sudan's only education facility for the blind and deaf, the Rejaf Educational Center for the Blind and Deaf where he was trained on mobility, massage and using gadgets for the visually impaired.

"Our massage is not just for money. It is a treatment for the muscles, mind and body. Many people experiencing physical or emotion pain come here and we help relief them from that," Pitia told Xinhua.

The group charges 15 U.S. dollars for foreigners and 6 dollars for locals per hour. The masseurs attend to at least 30 clients per month and they share the proceeds among themselves and also invest the rest for future development.

"Since we started this business, we are now able to help our families and even ourselves. Most of our members are paying their own tuition fee, transport and many things. This work is helping us in many ways," said Pitia.

Augustino Lonya, 38, got blind at 22 years old and until 2014, he struggled to fend for himself and family.

The father of one said since he started doing massage in 2014, he can now afford to provide basic needs to his family.

"I used to struggle to make money, but when I started this work, it has helped me a lot. I can now help my family, relatives and my neighbours," Lonya said.

"I tell my fellow people with disabilities to be creative and do something for themselves," he added.

For 38-year-old Silvas Darago, the massage therapy center rescued him from turning into begging after he got blind in early 2013.

Darago uses his monthly income to pay tuition fee at university and also support his relatives.

"When I got blind, I was shocked and I lost hope but when I came to this group, I got encouragement and I now have hope for my future," the third year student of psychology at the University of Juba told Xinhua.

According to a disability assessment survey conducted by the government in 2011, about 424,000 people live with disabilities in South Sudan, with the majority of them getting disabilities from eye diseases, polio and physical injuries during war and violent conflicts.

The report says 85 percent of persons with disabilities live in rural areas with limited access to basic services.

The report further notes that people with disabilities face enormous challenges such as access to health services, education and mobility as most of the country's public infrastructure does not have special access zones for people with physical and visual impairment.

Pitia who serves as supervisor of the group decried widespread discrimination of blind people and lack of social services such as schools, mobility infrastructure and economic empowerment programs for disabled people.

"We (people with disabilities) are looked as people of no importance. We also face issues of mobility in the city, we don't have infrastructure. Sometimes we fall into the drainage channels on the streets," Pitia lamented, hoping the situation will improve in the future.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 22:19:08|Editor: Li Xia

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BAGHDAD, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi held a meeting with Moqtada al-Sadr, whose al-Sa'iroon political coalition won most seats in the country's May 12 parliamentary elections, to discuss the formation of a new government, the Iraqi government said on Sunday.

A statement by the Premier's Office said that the meeting was held early in the day and that Abadi "called on all political blocs to accept the final results announced earlier by the electoral commission, and those who have objections should pursue legal channels."

Abadi said the meeting was held to discuss "working together to speed up the formation of a new government that should be strong and provide services, jobs, improving living standards and fighting corruption," according to the statement.

For his part, Sadr said "the meeting was a reassuring message that the next government would take care of all the Iraqi people," and "our hands are extending to all those who want to build Iraq."

Sadr asserted "the need for forming a new government that would meet the people's aspirations as soon as possible," it added.

Early on Saturday, the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced the final results of the parliamentary elections, which showed that the al-Sa'iroon won 54 seats in the upcoming 329-seat parliament.

The electoral commission said that al-Fath coalition, led by Hadi al-Ameri, came in the second place with 47 seats, while the al-Nasr Coalition, led by current Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, came in third with 42 seats, and the State of Law Coalition headed by Vice President and former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki garnered 25 seats.

The two major Kurdish parties, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), headed by Masoud Barzani, and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), took the lead in the Kurdish region and in the ethnically-mixed province of Kirkuk with 25 seats for the KDP and 18 for the PUK, according to IHEC figures.

On May 12, millions of Iraqis went to 8,959 polling centers across the country to vote for their parliamentary representatives in the first general election after Iraq's historic victory over the Islamic State group last December.

Some 90 political entities and 7,000 candidates were vying for 329 seats in the parliament.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 22:24:09|Editor: Chengcheng

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) meets with Chairman of BiH Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on May 20, 2018. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said here on Sunday that his country wants cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to be enhanced in fields of economy and infrastructure. (Xinhua/Haris Memija)

SARAJEVO, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said here Sunday that his country wants cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to be enhanced in fields of economy and infrastructure.

During a joint press conference, Chairman of BiH Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic said that BiH and Turkey have excellent relations.

"Economic cooperation between Turkey and BiH has been significantly increased with a tendency of further growth," Izetbegovic pointed out, adding that in 2017, the trade between two countries was almost 800 million U.S. dollars, which is double more than the amount that was recorded four years ago.

Izetbegovic expressed hope that a new agreement on free trade, to be signed soon, will improve the joint cooperation even more, resulting in trade exceeding the amount of 1 billion dollars.

He pointed out on two most important projects for BiH, the first being a project that will enhance the export of meat from BiH to Turkey. The second involves Sarajevo-Belgrade highway, for which delegations signed a letter of intent on Sunday.

For his part, Erdogan hailed the constructive bilateral talks between BiH and Turkish delegations, pointing out that Turkey will continue to offer all types of support in order to preserve the stability, peace and prosperity of BiH.

"In the short period of time, BiH and Turkey have improved the scope of trade and in short period of time we want it to increase to 1 billion U.S. dollars. We already have the will and desire to achieve it," Erdogan said, stressing that the free trade agreement should be signed in the shortest time possible.

He added that intensive cooperation in the area of infrastructure will continue, adding that Turkish companies are always ready to participate in these projects.

"I believe that Turkish companies will work more on infrastructure projects in BiH, and I believe that Sarajevo-Belgrade project will be the best example of the infrastructure projects," Erdogan said.

Erdogan arrived here on Sunday on a working visit and an election rally as part of the campaign for parliamentary and presidential elections on June 24.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 22:44:11|Editor: yan

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TEHRAN, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said here Sunday that the political support of the Europeans to the Iranian nuclear deal is "not enough."

"With the exit of the United States from the nuclear agreement, expectations from the EU are high to preserve the achievements of the deal," Zarif made the remarks in a meeting with the visiting EU's Energy Chief Miguel Arias Canete.

"Under the current circumstances, the political support of Europe to the nuke deal is not sufficient," Zarif said.

"EU should take further practical steps to continue economic cooperation with Iran," he said, adding that "EU should boost investments in Iran."

He expressed doubt that the obligation of Europe to implement the deal, known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is in contradiction with the withdrawal of major European companies from Iran's projects after U.S. pulled out.

On Monday, Iran's foreign minister and his team of negotiators expressed their satisfaction with the ongoing talks with major European countries over the fate of the JCPOA, but said that "everything depends on the results of the talks in the next weeks."

Iran pushes the EU for the revival of "the blocking statute" which is a 1996 regulation that prohibits EU companies from complying with the U.S. sanctions.
COLOMBO, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and over 8,000 affected as heavy rains and strong winds lashed out across Sri Lanka since Saturday, prompting disaster management officials to be on alert for possible evacuations, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said on Sunday.

The three deaths, caused by lightning, were reported from the Eastern District of Trincomalee and in the lower central hills of Badulla.

At least 252 people had been evacuated to safer locations since last week while over 200 houses were partially or fully damaged due to the severe weather.

DMC spokesman Pradeep Kodippili told Xinhua that heavy rain exceeding 100 millimetres had already lashed through the southern and central parts of the country.

"If the rainy weather continues, the water level of the three main rivers in the country will overflow the banks, inundating nearby areas," he said, adding that people were requested to remain alert on such disasters and should remain ready to be evacuated.

He also said people were asked to remain alert on landslides and rock falls in the central hills due to heavy rain.

Sri Lanka is facing its annual southwest monsoons with the Meteorological Department in its latest weather report warning of more rains in several districts across the country in the coming days.

"The Southwest monsoon conditions are getting established over the island. Very heavy falls, about 150 millimeters can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa province while heavy falls, above 100 millimeters can be expected at some places, particularly in Western Central and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts," according to the latest weather report.

The Meteorological Department further warned the public to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by lightning.

Over 200 people were killed and 78 people missing when the southwest monsoons caused severe floods and landslides across Sri Lanka last year.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 22:59:13|Editor: yan

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BEIJING, May 20 (Xinhua) -- On Saturday, China and the United States issued a joint statement, vowing not to launch a trade war against each other. The international community welcomed this consensus reached by the world's two largest economies.

Ning Yixi, professor of finance at the University of Houston-Victoria in the U.S. state of Texas, said U.S. enterprises will benefit from China's huge market, which will create more jobs for the United States.

Meanwhile, products and services provided to the Chinese market will become better and more diversified, which will not only benefit customers, but be conducive to creating an environment for competition, said Ning.

Ning also said that China's economic development has entered a new phase of transformation after 40 years of reform and opening-up, and some of China's industries and enterprises have been showing their competitiveness in the international market.

At this moment, expanding imports from the United States as well as from other countries can help build a better business environment and promote the competitiveness of China's national industries, said Ning.

Former president of the Chinese American Semiconductor Professional Association Lei Junzhao said China and the United States have reached an important consensus, and the joint statement is a good beginning as it will provide opportunities for the two countries to cooperate and will benefit enterprises and customers of both sides.

Bloomberg said in an article published on Sunday that trade cooperation will be enhanced in such areas as energy, agriculture, health care, high-tech products and finance.

The Wall Street Journal quoted Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, as saying in a Friday interview with White House reporters that Liu He, the Chinese vice premier and head of the Chinese delegation, impressed Washington officials. The vice premier is "a smart guy, a market guy," Kudlow said.

The agreement reached by China and the United States to abandon a trade war is not only in the interest of the two nations, but also of the whole world. Today, China's economic development has become fully integrated into the process of global economic development and the two are inseparable, said Dmitry Abzalov, head of the Russian Center for Strategic Communications.

Swai Visavanant, senior researcher from Thailand at Chulalongkorn University's China Study Center, said he welcomed the joint statement on the China-U.S. trade talks, which would likely create a favorable atmosphere in global trade.
Chain bombs hit southern Thailand Source: Xinhua 2018-05-20 23:04:14 BANGKOK, May 20 (Xinhua) -- More than 10 bombs exploded in three provinces in southern Thailand on Sunday night, causing several injuries, no deaths have been reported so far. Editor: yan Related News Back to Top
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 23:04:14|Editor: Chengcheng

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People participate in a march in Casablanca, Morocco, on May 20, 2018. Thousands of Moroccans marched Sunday here to protest the killing of Palestinians by Israeli troops on the Gaza border. (Xinhua/Aissa)

RABAT, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Moroccans marched Sunday in the city of Casablanca to protest the killing of Palestinians by Israeli troops on the Gaza border.

In the march, dominated by Islamist and left-wing parties, protesters called for holding Israel fully accountable for the grave atrocities in the occupied Palestinian territory.

They vowed support to "the Great March of Return" which has been taking place in the besieged Gaza Strip since March 30, with thousands of Palestinians gathering near the Gaza border with Israel to demand their right of return to the villages and towns from which they were expelled in 1948.

They also reaffirmed the importance of the Palestinian cause to the Moroccan people, renewing support for the Palestinians' struggle to attain their legitimate rights, including their right to return to their homeland and establish their independent state.

The protesters condemned the relocation of U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, stressing that the holly city will remain the eternal capital of Palestine.

This march came one week after another one was held in the capital Rabat which commemorated the upcoming Nakba Day, or "Day of Catastrophe," and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Morocco has strongly condemned the shooting by the Israeli army at participants in the peaceful protests along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

The North African nation slammed the Israeli action as against the international law, calling for peace and an end to the unacceptable practices that are worsening the situation.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 23:09:15|Editor: yan

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NANJING, May 20 (Xinhua) -- A business jet veered off the runway at an airport in east China Sunday afternoon, causing flights delay that affected around 700 people, according to the airport.

The plane carrying four people landed nearly 70 meters away from the runway at 3:07 p.m. at Taizhou International Airport in Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province.

No one was hurt in the accident. The cause is being investigated.

Multiple flights in the airport have been cancelled or delayed after the accident, and the operation is expected to be resumed Monday morning, according to the airport.

The Gulfstream G200 jet is operated by Shanghai-based Star Jet Co. Ltd..
NEW DELHI, May 20 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and over a dozen taken ill due to consumption of spurious liquor in northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, police said Sunday.

The liquor was consumed by people at Sichendi area in Kanpur district, about 108 km south of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

"Five people were killed and over a dozen were taken ill after consuming spurious liquor in Sichendi area here," a senior police official posted in Kanpur said. "Yesterday the victims after consuming the liquor started vomiting, following which they were rushed to nearby hospitals."

Authorities fear the death toll may go up owing to the critical condition of some people.

A probe has been initiated into the deaths and local excise inspector has been suspended, officials said.

Last year, 18 people were killed and over a dozen taken ill due to consumption of spurious liquor in state's Azamgarh district.

Spurious alcohol deaths are often reported in India, where people often drink cheap country made bootleg liquor.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-20 23:29:17|Editor: Chengcheng

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A local policeman checks a damaged ATM machine in Pattani Province, southern Thailand, on May 20, 2018. More than 10 bombs exploded in Thailand's deep south on Sunday night, causing several injuries. No deaths have been reported so far. Most of the blasts targeted ATM machines in Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani and Songkla of southern Thailand almost at the same time at about 7 p.m. local time. (Xinhua)

BANGKOK, May 20 (Xinhua) -- More than 10 bombs exploded in Thailand's deep south on Sunday night, causing several injuries; no deaths have been reported so far.

Most of the blasts targeted ATM machines in Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani and Songkla of southern Thailand almost at the same time at about 7 p.m. local time.

Some power poles and security check points were also attacked, according to reports.

According to police, several people were injured and no one was killed.

Thai troops and police have stepped up security measures in the south.

No one have claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-21 00:29:28|Editor: yan

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HAIKOU, May 20 (Xinhua) -- China's island province of Hainan on Sunday launched a campaign to attract businesses and investments, the latest move to build itself into a pilot free trade zone and eventually a free trade port.

The campaign, lasting around 100 days starting Sunday, will focus on attracting businesses and investments in tourism, modern service industry, and high-tech industry, according to the provincial government.

It will specifically target at attracting Fortune 500 companies, global industry leaders and well-known brands to set up headquarters, industry parks and undertake projects in the province.

The provincial government is working with tech giant Tencent to set up a website to be launched in June for releasing and presenting projects online.

China in April announced its plan to build the whole island of Hainan into a pilot free trade zone and support Hainan to gradually and steadily push ahead with the building of a free trade port.
WASHINGTON, May 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Sunday that the United States and China have reached a deal on a "very important" framework concerning their economic and trade ties, and the two sides have agreed to put a possible trade war on hold.

In an interview with Fox News, Mnuchin said that in the just concluded economic and trade consultations between the United States and China, the two nations have "made very meaningful progress."

He added that the two sides will continue with their communications on trade issues.

China and the United States issued a joint statement on Saturday on the economic and trade consultations, vowing not to launch a trade war against each other.

The two sides agreed to take effective measures to substantially decrease the U.S. trade deficit with China.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-21 00:39:30|Editor: Liangyu

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Photo taken on May 18, 2018 shows a construction site at the port of Walvis Bay, western Namibia. China Harbor Engineering Company is building a new container terminal and an oil jetty at the port, which lie at the heart of the country's ambition to become a logistic hub in the southern African region. (Xinhua/Lyu Tianran)

WINDHOEK, May 20 (Xinhua) -- At a construction site at the rainless port of Walvis Bay, a rare downpour on Friday grounded all the cranes and bulldozers, but inside the buildings, the action moved on undisturbed as workers busily paved floors and furnished the interiors.

The hustle and bustle is said to be the norm of the construction area of the Namibian port, which is counting down to having a new container terminal and an oil jetty, both being built by a Chinese company.

"Here, work is busy every day, as we make efforts to complete the project in time," said Huang Meng, a chief inspector of China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC) that is undertaking the expansion of the Atlantic port.

Expected to be completed by the end of this year, the port project, like many other infrastructure developments ongoing in Namibia, lies at the heart of the country's ambition to become a logistic hub in the southern African region.

The expansion will see throughput capacity of the port's container terminals will more than double to 750,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year. It will also add the first government-controlled oil storage facility in Namibia and a cruise jetty to boost tourism of the scenic African country.

"The type of work we've done here is the first of its kind in Namibia," said Bisey Uirab, CEO of the Namibian Ports Authority, referring to the 40 hectares of lands reclaimed from the sea and the four 79-meter-high ship-to-shore container cranes newly deployed to the port.

Uirab said upgrading the key port is significant to the entire Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, as it will boost import and export of mineral-rich landlocked nations like Zimbabwe and Botswana that are using the port as access, and in the meantime increase Namibia's appeal to global investors.

Moreover, the port construction will spur upgrading of nearby roads and railways, fueling the country's infrastructure boom that the government hopes will create employment and offset the current economic woes caused by low commodity prices.

The momentum is palpable at the port's construction site. "Many people are expecting this new port to be commissioned. It's important to Namibia and we're proud to be part of it," said Liborius Albertze, a Namibian safety inspector who has been promoted from a general worker since the project commenced in 2014.

"Many workers came from far-away places and competed hard to get into the project," said the 27 years old. "No one wants to be idle here."

CHINESE PARTICIPATION

Feng Yuanfei, general manager of CHEC Namibia branch, said undertaking such a large-scale infrastructure project in Namibia is not easy, as the country maintains high standards on work safety and environmental protection.

The company is now keeping a 24-hour monitor on the harbor's water quality and working with a research institute to minimize the project's impact on nearby dolphins, Feng told Xinhua.

Despite the many challenges, a number of Chinese companies like CHEC have managed to gain a foothold in Namibia's infrastructural sector, which Feng attributes to Chinese firms' speed and technical prowess that are winning global recognition.

In the road sector, which transports some 95 percent of Namibia's goods and services, there is also active participation of Chinese companies, said Conrad M. Lutombi, CEO of Namibia's Roads Authority.

Among the major players is China Henan International Cooperation Group (CHICO), which upgraded the Okamatapati-Grootfontein Road that opened last month.

Sun Yanlei, managing director of CHICO Namibia branch, said the company has completed seven infrastructure projects since entering Namibia in 2007, employing 600-800 locals at its peak, compared with a maximum of 60 Chinese employees.

"Localization of our employees not only complies with the Namibia's employment policy, but also raises our efficiency, as importing labors from China is getting more and more expensive," he said.

Lutombi also recognized the Chinese firms' efforts in skill transfer and job creation. "We have had a number of people who have become contractors because of the skill transfer from the Chinese contractors. And that process will continue," said Lutombi.

The prospects now seem brighter for the Chinese investment in Namibia, after the two countries established "comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation" in March. Namibian President Hage Geingob has also expressed interest in participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, a Chinese proposal to build trade and infrastructure network to link Asia with Europe and Africa.

During his Namibia visit last week, China's top legislator Li Zhanshu also called for the two countries to step up cooperation on infrastructure construction and industrial capacity, which he said will better benefit the people of the two countries.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-21 00:39:30|Editor: yan

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TAIPEI, May 20 (Xinhua) -- A total of 92,667 Taiwanese companies were involved in e-commerce in 2016, an increase of 38.6 percent from 2011, according to a report disclosed Sunday.

These companies accounted for 7.1 percent of all registered businesses on the island.

The overall revenue of online sales also expanded 73.8 percent to 3.5 trillion new Taiwan dollars (118.2 billion U.S. dollars) during the period.

Business-to-business sales contributed to 85.1 percent of the total revenue.

The report details information from the island's census on e-commerce activities in industrial and service sectors, which is conducted every five years.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-21 00:49:31|Editor: yan

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BEIJING, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have developed a light-responsive controlled-release pesticide that can increase efficiency and is more environmental-friendly.

Conducted by scientists from Hefei Institute of Physical Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the research was published online in Chemical Engineering Journal in May.

Pesticides play an important role in maintaining stable and high agricultural output. However, traditional pesticides are difficult to achieve on-demand dosing, resulting in low utilization rates and causing serious environmental pollution.

The pesticide is made with a nanocomposite and has high sensitivity to ultraviolet-visible light. It can efficiently regulate the release of pesticides through light, realize the on-demand supply of pesticides, and significantly improve the utilization rate.

The pesticide also possesses good adhesion performance and control efficacy.

The research provides an environmental-friendly approach to control the release of pesticides.

China has seen increasing research and technological breakthrough in controlled-release pesticide in recent years.
JOHANNESBURG, May 20 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Ministry Trade and Industry will this week hold investment shows in China to woo investors for the country's special economic zones (SEZs).

The delegation led by the country's deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Bulelani Magwanishe will hold road shows in Shanghai on May 26-31. They will hold workshops where the South Africans will present opportunities in the SEZs and incentives.

"The road show seeks to attract potential investors in different sectors to invest in our SEZs. The targeted audience will include investors, Chinese finance institutions and government representatives," said Magwanishe.

The South Africans delegation will also conduct a benchmarking exercise for the country's SEZ by visiting thriving SEZs in Shanghai for knowledge sharing.

Magwanishe said the road show is meant to bring together high-level local and international investors to entice their appetite to invest in the country.

He said, "In order to have vibrant SEZs and competitive regional economies, it is necessary to continuously implement a systematic marketing and investment approach for various SEZs in South Africa." says Magwanishe.

Magwanishe said the South African government want to use the SEZs to industrialize the country.

He added, "SEZs are used to stimulate foreign and domestic investment, increase production output leading to increased exports of value-added manufacturing goods and employment creation, amongst others."

South Africa has eight designated SEZs located in six of the country's provinces.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-21 02:04:41|Editor: yan

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TEHRAN, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Political sympathy from Europe with Iran's nuclear deal is "not enough" and they should take more "practical steps" to guarantee Iran's economic interests from the deal, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said here on Sunday.

"With the exit of the United States from the nuclear agreement, expectations from the the European Union (EU) to preserve the achievements of the deal are high," Zarif made the remarks in a meeting with the visiting EU's Energy Chief Miguel Arias Canete.

"Under the current circumstances, political support of Europe to the nuke deal is not sufficient," Zarif said.

"EU should take further practical steps to continue economic cooperation with Iran," he said, adding that "EU should boost investments in Iran."

He expressed doubt that Europe's commitment to implementing the deal, known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is in contradiction with the withdrawal of major European companies from Iran's projects after the United States pulled out.

For his part, Canete said that following the U.S. exit from the deal, Europeans have unified to save the JCPOA.

The political resolve of the EU is to implement the JCPOA and to continue the cooperation between European companies and the Islamic republic, he said.

The U.S. exit from the deal has caused problems to Europe, however, the EU's message is to protect the accord and its implementation, he added.

Earlier in the day, first Vice Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Ali Motahhari said that Iranian government is satisfied with the recent talks with its European partners over preserving the nuclear deal and securing Iran's interests.

Iran's foreign minister and his negotiation team expressed their satisfaction on Sunday, but said that "everything depends on the results of the talks in the next weeks," Motahhari was quoted as saying by official IRNA news agency.

Motahhari made the remarks on the sidelines of a parliament meeting, where Zarif briefed the lawmakers on the ongoing talks with France, Germany, Britain and the EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini over the fate of the nuclear deal after U.S. withdrawal from it.

"The steps that the Europeans have taken in this regard so far are acceptable," he added.

On Saturday, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi urged the European countries to remain committed to their promises in the Iranian 2015 nuclear deal.

Salehi expressed hope that the EU fulfill its pledges to secure Iran's interests, which were made in the recent meetings with the Iranian delegation in Brussels.

Salehi made the remarks in the joint press conference with the visiting EU's energy chief.

The EU's efforts to save the nuclear contract show that the deal is a very important agreement for the region and the world, Salehi said.

However, if the Europeans fail to undertake their obligations, Iran has to press ahead with its peaceful nuclear development with full determination, he said.

The Iranian official noted that the EU and the Iranian authorities have also discussed to replace U.S. dollar with euro in their trade transactions, and that the EU has taken initial steps in this regard.

The U.S. pullout from the Iranian nuclear agreement, once more, proved to the world that Washington is not reliable in undertaking its international responsibilities, said Salehi.

U.S. exit from the deal may cause some problems, but it will not cause serious ones, he stressed.

Also, Canete stressed that preserving the nuclear deal is of significance to global and regional peace.

EU has sent a message to the Iranian friends that as long as they stick to the agreement, the Europeans will remain committed to it, Canete said, adding that the EU bloc hopes to boost trade with Iran.

Besides, Iran's Petroleum Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said on Saturday that Iran's oil exports will not be affected if the EU refrains from following the United States in imposing new economic pressures on the Islamic republic.

"The U.S. decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal would not affect Iran's oil exports if EU could salvage the deal," Zanganeh told reporters after his meeting with Canete.

The Iranian minister called for OPEC member states to remain united in their upcoming decision to secure members' interests and market stability.

U.S. President Donald Trump decided on May 8 to quit Iran's nuclear deal and vowed to re-impose sanctions, including oil embargo, on Tehran.

Canete said Saturday that "we will have to ask for (sanction) waivers, for carve-outs for the (European) companies that make investments."

Besides, Salehi said that he discussed reapplying European law of "the blocking statute" with Canete on Saturday.

Iran pushes the EU for the revival of "the blocking statute" which is a 1996 regulation that prohibits EU companies and courts from complying with foreign sanctions laws and stipulates that no foreign court judgments based on these laws have any effect in the EU.

Canete arrived in Tehran on Friday for a two-day visit to reassure Iran that the EU wants to keep open trade and cooperation with Iran despite the U.S. decision to pull out.
KAMPALA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- At least six Ugandan fishermen were captured on Saturday by suspected Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) militiamen on a common border lake that links the two neighboring countries, a police spokesperson said here on Sunday.

Patrick Onyango, Uganda's deputy police spokesperson, told Xinhua that suspected Congolese Mai-Mai militia kidnapped the fishermen on Lake Albert, located at the Uganda and DRC common border.

He said the six fishermen from Rweshama village in the western district of Rukungiri whose whereabouts remain unknown were abducted with their engine motor boat.

"The kidnappers are suspected to be Mai-Mai militias. The BISO's (Border Internal Security Officer) office is linking up with Congolese local authorities for their safe release," said Onyango.

There have been abductions, fights and accusations between the two countries over a disputed border water area believed to have huge oil deposits.

Authorities in Kampala and their Kinshasa counterparts have in the past agreed to conduct joint operations by fisheries and security officials to prevent clashes and disagreements over fishing in the disputed area, which both countries claim ownership.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-21 04:29:56|Editor: Chengcheng

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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro casts his vote during the presidential elections in Caracas, Venezuela, on May 20, 2018 (Xinhua/Boris Vergara)

CARACAS, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelans went to the polls on Sunday in presidential elections.

"I call on all Venezuelans to exercise their right to vote," President Nicolas Maduro made the call in an afternoon address at the government headquarters in Caracas.

"The will of the Venezuelan people will be respected here and around the world," said Maduro, referring to voting centers set up abroad for citizens residing in foreign countries.

Surveys showed that Maduro, who is running for reelection to a second six-year term, has been leading voter preferences.

Some 14,638 voting centers have been set up nationwide for Venezuela's more than 20.5 million eligible voters, who are also voting for state legislators.

Voting is progressing with "absolute normality," Interior and Justice Minister Nestor Reverol told reporters early in the day as he was leaving his local voting station in the capital.

Henri Falcon, one of the opposition candidates, also called on his supporters to get out and vote as he cast his ballot in the west-central state of Lara.

"This is not the time to twiddle your thumbs," said Falcon, using an expression that means to stand idly by and do nothing.

Some 150 international observers from 30 countries and international organizations are in Venezuela for the elections, including former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, the online daily Noticias24 said.
Cranes are seen working in the Grand mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia September 4, 2017. (REUTERS file photo)

RIYADH, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Part of a crane fell in the Grand Mosque in Mecca in Saudi Arabia, with one worker slightly injured, Sabq local online news reported Sunday.

The Mecca region authority tweeted that the accident took place in a worksite in the mosque that is away from the routes of worshipers and visitors.

Muslims pray at the Grand mosque during the annual Haj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 29, 2017. (REUTERS file photo)

The accident brings the bitter memory of the death of at least 107 people when a crane collapsed onto the Grand Mosque in Mecca in 2015. Over 230 people were also injured.

Saudis civil defence head said the collapse is caused by strong winds and heavy rains. The deadly mishap led to a long court case and around 8.5 million U.S. dollars compensations for the victims and their families.
TRIPOLI, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Five soldiers of the eastern-based Libyan army were killed on Sunday by landmine explosions in eastern city of Darna, according to military and medical sources.

"Five soldiers of the (army's) battalion 212 infantry were killed when a number of landmines exploded west of the city of Darna during a reconnaissance operation by a military detachment, following withdrawal of terrorist group members," an official of the army's operations chamber told Xinhua.

"The withdrawal of the terrorists came after an air force raids," the official said, confirming that unspecified number of extremists were killed by the army.

The army is launching a military operation to take over Darna from the militants who control the coastal city.

Since 2015, Darna has been besieged by the army, which demands that the Shura Council (consultative council) of the Mujahideen in Darna, a coalition of Islamist militias, to leave.

The army accused the armed group of being loyal to al-Qaida.

Humanitarian coordinator of the UN Support Mission in Libya Maria Ribeiro on Thursday called on the army to allow humanitarian aid to enter Darna.
Source: Xinhua| 2018-05-21 06:35:08|Editor: yan

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BAGHDAD, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The prominent Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose al-Sa'iroon political coalition won most seats in the country's May 12 parliamentary elections, met on Sunday with Hadi al-Ameri, the second winner of the election to discuss the formation of a new government.

A statement by Sadr office said Sadr met with Ameri, head of al-Fath political Coalition, which represents Hashd Shaabi militias, and discussed "the developments of the political process and the results of 2018 parliamentary elections."

"The formation of the government must be a national decision and importantly, all the winning political blocs must participate," the statement said.

Early on Saturday, the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced the final results of the parliamentary elections, which showed that the al-Sa'iroon won 54 seats in the upcoming 329-seat parliament, while Ameri's al-Fath came in the second place with 47 seats.

Al-Fath is an umbrella group for the Shiite political Badr Organization, which has close ties with Iran, in addition to paramilitary Shiite militias of Hashd Shaabi who fought Islamic State (IS) group with the government forces.

Sadr's meeting with Ameri came hours after Sadr's meeting with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, whose al-Nasr political Coalition came third with 42 seats.

Abadi and Sadr discussed "working together to speed up the formation of a new government that should be strong and provide services, jobs, improving living standards and fighting corruption," according to a statement by Abadi's office.

For his part, Sadr said "the meeting was a reassuring message that the next government would take care of all the Iraqi people," and "our hands are extending to all those who want to build Iraq."

Meanwhile, Ameri's office said in a statement that al-Fath leader held a series of meetings during the day with leaders of winning political blocs to discuss the formation of the largest alliance that would form the next government.

Ameri's meeting included Nuri al-Maliki, head of State of Law Coalition, and Ammar al-Hakim, head of al-Hikma al-Watany Movement, and Ayad Allawi, head of al-Wataniyah Coalition, in addition to a telephone meeting with the Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, head of Kurdistan Democratic Party, Ameri's statement said.

The two major Kurdish parties, KDP and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), took the lead in the Kurdish region and in the ethnically-mixed province of Kirkuk with 25 seats for the KDP and 18 for the PUK, according to IHEC figures.

On May 12, millions of Iraqis went to 8,959 polling centers across the country to vote for their parliamentary representatives in the first general election after Iraq's historic victory over the Islamic State group last December.

Some 90 political entities and 7,000 candidates were vying for 329 seats in the parliament.
Sameer Hamdan and Zuhair Awad were presented with the recognition established on the 25th anniversary of the Best of Budapest & Hungary Awards

The 25th Best of Budapest & Hungary gala was hosted on 14th of April at the Budapest Congress Centre, recognizing the best of the Hungarian catering, hotel and service industries.



Apart from the traditional Best of Budapest & Hungary awards  eight of which were presented to several Mellow Mood hotels , the two owner-CEOs of the hotel chain were also recognized with the Champion of Tourism award.

Since 1993, Budapest Week Publishing has asked its readers and business partners every year about whom they consider to be the most outstanding service providers of the domestic tourism and catering industry.



Based on the votes received and the ruling of the professional jury, winners were announced in nearly 40 different categories. At the recent anniversary event, 9 special awards were presented to outstanding professionals who have provided exceptional performance for decades in various sectors of the tourism industry (hospitality, catering, transport).



From the hotel sector, Sameer Hamdan and Zuhair Awad won the Best of Budapest & Hungary Champion of Tourism award which was established in 2018 by Peter Freed, creator of the Best of Budapest & Hungary rating system.

The dynamically developing hotel company of Mellow Mood Hotels has been active in the Hungarian market for over 20 years. Their chain currently consists of 12 hotels and has been responsible for numerous real estate development projects. Due to their activities, they are now recognized for their excellence as some of the most influential figures of the domestic tourism scene.

It is a great honour for us that the publisher and the professional jury chose to present us with this award. Throughout our activities, we have always striven to bring something new to the range of hotels in the capital and face the challenges of the future. Just as in the case of our currently undergoing project, Parisi Udvar Hotel, we devote special attention to provide tourists arriving in Budapest as well as local citizens with innovative experiences through our high quality services  said Sameer Hamdan after accepting the award.

For us, Mellow Mood Hotels is like one big family, so this recognition is just as much the award of our colleagues as it is our own. We have been operating hotels for over two decades now and I feel that our team could hold its own at any world brand. It is a great pleasure for us to work with such professional experts who are aware of international trends and are good at adapting them to the options available in Budapest - added co-owner Zuhair Awad.

This year, the hotels and restaurants of Mellow Mood Hotels received the following Best of Budapest awards:

All the four-star establishments of the hotel chain received the Amongst the best 4 star hotels certificate, including Atrium Fashion Hotel, Buda Castle Fashion Hotel, La Prima Fashion Hotel Budapest, Estilo Fashion Hotel and Expo Congress Hotel. The Buddha-Bar Hotel Budapest received an award in the Amongst the best 5 star hotels category, the Buddha-Bar Budapest Restaurant in the Amongst the Best Far Eastern Restaurants category and the Baalbek Lebanese restaurant won the Best Middle Eastern Restaurant award.



Visit Mellow Mood Hotels online
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...
CHHATTISGARH: On a day when Union Home Minister Rajanth Singh is scheduled to arrive in Chhattisgarh, seven security personnel were on Sunday killed in a blast on a police vehicle in Dantewada district. Expressing deep anguish, the Home Minister said that the naxals targeted the jawans by planting IED rather than fighting them face to face.

"It is a sad incident where 6 jawans were killed in an IED blast in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada. The naxals targeted the jawans by planting IED rather than fighting them face to face," Rajnath Singh told news agency ANI.

Taking to Twitter, he said, "Deeply anguished to know about the death of Chhattisgarh police personnel in an IED blast in Dantewada today. My thoughts are with the bereaved families of the martyred police personnel."

Five personnel died on the spot and two others were rushed to the National Mineral Development Corporation's hospital at Kirandul. One of them died during treatment at the hospital while another was airlifted to Raipur, where he later died.

Those killed from the DF were identified as Head Constable Ramkumar Yadav, Constable Tikeshwar Dhruv and Assistant Constable Shalik Ram Sinha. The official said that from the CAF's 16th battalion, Head Constable Vikram Yadav and constables Rajesh Kumar Singh and Ravinath Patel were killed in the attack. CAF Constable Arjun Rajbhar, who was airlifted to state capital Raipur.

Naxals carried out a land mine blast around 12 noon when a joint team of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and the District Force (DF) was patrolling the Cholnar-Kirandul road to provide security to trucks carrying construction material for road works between Kirandul and Palnar villages, a senior police official said.

The intensity of the blast, which took place near a culvert, was strong enough to toss the police vehicle in a roadside ditch, he said.

Rajanth Singh is scheduled to arrive in Surguja district on Sunday evening and attend the passing out parade of the CRPF's Bastariya battalion which will take place on Monday.

(With inputs from PTI)
Raipur: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will on Monday attend the commissioning of the 'Bastariya' battalion of the CRPF, created for the first-time with more than 534 tribal youths from Chhattisgarh. The squad that will pass out has 33 percent representation of women combatants with 189 'mahila' constables. Singh will award the best performers of the new unit after they present him with a guard of honour and a military parade.

HM Shri @rajnathsingh has reached the CRPF camp in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh. He will attend the passing out parade of 241 Bastariya Battalion @crpfindia tomorrow pic.twitter.com/oc7qMiukFR  HMO India (@HMOIndia) May 20, 2018

Passing out Parade of CRPF Bastariya Battalion tomorrow: https://t.co/A37b0qQPvh  HMO India (@HMOIndia) May 20, 2018

The battalion is named 'Bastariya' as its members are from the Bastar region in southern Chhattisgarh, bordering Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana. The unique battalion - recruited from Sukma, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Bijapur districts of undivided Bastar - has been raised with a specific purpose to strengthen security forces' operations in areas where they have witnessed maximum reverses for a few years owing to a lack of concrete intelligence and familiarisation with locals and the topography.

The hardcore, localised battalion of the young combatants will be immediately deployed for anti-Naxal operations in some of the worst Left Wing Extremism-hit areas such as Sukma, Dantewada and Bijapur, a senior official was quoted as saying by PTI. The recruits have been trained for about 44 weeks in jungle warfare, weapons firing, map reading, police laws and unarmed combat, he added.

The Centre had sanctioned the battalion in July 2018. The concept to raise the team was mooted with the aim that the recruits, mostly tribals, will help address local issues such as unemployment, provide a tactical advantage to CRPF in operations, intelligence collection and language benefits. The CRPF is the lead anti-Naxal operation force and has deployed over 35,000 personnel in Chhattisgarh.

The Bastariya Battalion that came into existence on1st April 2017, has been created to enhance local representation in CRPFs combat lay-out in the Bastar area besides providing the Bastriya youths a full-proof platform for employment.  HMO India (@HMOIndia) May 20, 2018

Armed with about a years rigorous training and so many years of geo-spatial experience of their own soil, these combat-ready jawans of CRPF are all poised to switch from their training ground to the battle ground in Bastar.  HMO India (@HMOIndia) May 20, 2018

Meanwhile, seven police personnel were killed after Naxals blew up their vehicle in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district on Sunday. Naxals carried out a landmine blast around 12 noon when a joint team of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and the District Force (DF) was patrolling the Cholnar-Kirandul road to provide security to trucks carrying construction material for roadworks between Kirandul and Palnar villages, a senior police official said.

The intensity of the blast, which took place near a culvert, was strong enough to toss the police vehicle in a roadside ditch. Five personnel died on the spot and two were rushed to the National Mineral Development Corporation's hospital at Kirandul. One of them died during treatment at the hospital and another was airlifted to Raipur, where he died.

(With PTI inputs)
NEW DELHI: Two persons, including a minor, were stabbed in two separate incidents in southeast Delhi, police said Sunday.

Firoz Khan (45) was stabbed thrice by unidentified miscreants in Govindpuri when he was returning home last night, the police said.

The victim, who was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, was undergoing treatment at a hospital, they added.

In another incident, a 17-year-old boy was stabbed when he was returning home after offering prayers at a mosque in Jasola, the police said.

He got into a fight with some men, who stabbed him, they said, adding that the boy was also undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Bhubaneswar: Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday said the increase in fuel prices was due to reduced production of oil in Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and hike in crude oil price in the international market.

Petrol prices on Sunday touched a record high of Rs 76.24 per litre and diesel climbed to its highest-ever level of Rs 67.57 as the oil PSUs passed on four weeks of relentless rise in international oil prices to consumers.

Noting that people, especially the middle-class, have to suffer due to price hike of oil, the minister said the government would try to work out a solution soon to deal with the situation.

"It's not in our hand. There is less production of oil in OPEC countries. The government will soon come out with a solution," he told reporters here.

Pradhan, however, did not spell out the details.

Stressing the need for stable and moderate oil prices, he said the surging fuel prices have negative impact on consumers and the Indian economy.

With global crude prices soaring, the minister has already pressed OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia to keep prices stable and moderate, saying that spike in rates would have a negative impact on Indian consumers as well as on the economy.

Pradhan had conveyed India's concerns when Saudi Arabian Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid Al-Falih called him recently.
Cannes: 'Shoplifters', a heartwrenching tale by Japanese veteran director Hirokazu Kore-eda about a family of small-time crooks who take in a child they find on the street, won the Palme d'Or top prize at the Cannes film festival today.

Accepting one of global cinema's most coveted honours from jury president Cate Blanchett, Kore-eda said movies made him hopeful for the state of the world.

"Maybe because of the cinema, the people who usually fight each other, the countries that are fighting each other, may be able to come together," he said.

Spike Lee won the runner-up Grand Prix for "BlacKkKlansman", a searing broadside against racism with the stranger-than-fiction true story of an African-American police officer who manages to infiltrate the highest levels of the Ku Klux Klan.

Lebanese actress-director Nadine Labaki, one of three female filmmakers among the 21 contenders, earned the third-place Jury Prize for "Capernaum" set among the poorest of the poor in Beirut and featuring a devastating performance by a 13-year-old Syrian refugee boy.

It was the first edition since the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault scandal rocked the film industry, sparking the #MeToo movement.

Presenting the best actress prize, Italian star Asia Argento, who has said she was raped by the Hollywood mogul at Cannes in 1997, told the ceremony he would never be welcome at the event again.

"This festival was his hunting ground," said Argento, who says she was 21 when Weinstein attacked her in his hotel room.

"He was seated among you... But things have changed. We are not going to allow you to get away it." Kazakhstan's Samal Yeslyamova nabbed best actress for "Ayka" by director Sergey Dvortsevoy for her wrenching portrayal of a young jobless immigrant from post-Soviet Central Asia who abandons her baby in Moscow.

Polish Oscar winner Pawel Pawlikowski took the prize for best director for "Cold War", a tragic love story set against the backdrop of the Iron Curtain.

Pawlikowski, who won the foreign-language movie Oscar for "Ida" in 2015, caused a scandal at home when he told AFP at the festival that the film had been "blacklisted" by the nationalist government. Warsaw denied the claim. He said his award was "a rare piece of good news" for his country.

Marcello Fonte of Italy clinched best actor for his much-loved performance as a soft-spoken pooch groomer who stands up to a local heavy in Matteo Garrone's "Dogman".

'Three Faces' by Iran's Jafar Pahahi, who was barred from attending the festival, shared the best screenplay prize with Italian director Alice Rohrwacher's "Happy as Lazzaro".

The much-praised Belgian transgender drama "Girl" won the Camera d'Or prize for best first film. It had earlier scooped the Queer Palm prize for LGBT-themed cinema and the best actor award for Victor Polster in the Un Certain Regard sidebar section.
DANTEWADA: Seven security personnel, including men from the Chhattisgarh Armed Forces and from District Force, were on Sunday killed in a blast on a police vehicle in Dantewada in Chhattisgarh. Five personnel died on the spot and two were rushed to the National Mineral Development Corporation's hospital at Kirandul. One of them died during treatment at the hospital and another was airlifted to Raipur, where he died.

The deafening blast, near Cholnar, targeted a jeep in which seven security personnel were patrolling in a remote area. The team was surveying a road being built between Kirandul and Cholnar when it was attacked. "We have sounded a high alert in the area and launched a search operation for the Naxalites," Inspector General of Police (Bastar) Vivekanand Sinha said.

The blast took place two days before Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh is set to hold a public meeting in Dantewada. Officials said security would be further increased for the Chief Minister`s meeting.

Condemning the attack, Singh termed it "cowardly" and said it exposed the rebels' anti-people and anti-development mindset. "Our police personnel have sacrificed their lives while guarding a road construction site. Their sacrifice will always be remembered," he said.

"This proves that Naxalites do not want villagers and tribal people of this district to have access to even basic facilities such as roads. Incidents like these cannot dampen the courage and determination of our police force and officials, employees and labourers associated with road construction," Singh added.

"We are committed to provide all-weather transportation facility by developing a network of roads in the entire Bastar division, including Dantewada," he said.

(With PTI inputs)
Hyderabad: With the election process in Karnataka coming to a close, Telangana would be one of the focus states for BJP and the party was gearing up for the polls in 2019, state BJP president K Laxman has said. Legislative Assembly polls in Telangana would be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections in 2019.

"Recently, a meeting was held in Delhi under the leadership of president Amit Shah ji. He focused on Telangana. He clearly told that now elections are over in the states which are bound to take place. Now, the focus will be on Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa," he said.

Shah is likely to visit Telangana next month to assess the political situation and plan for the elections, he said. Laxman said the BJP is organisationally strong in the state and that it will adopt the model of constituting 'Panna Pramukhs' at polling booth level to strengthen itself in the state.

'Panna Pramukhs' is a successful model followed by the BJP in different states in which the incharge of a 'Panna' (literal meaning page) reaches out to the voters' families who are part of his list.

"As far as 'Panna Pramukhs' are concerned, out of 119 assembly constituencies, nearly 40-50 assemblies the 'Panna Pramukh' exercise is over. Rest of the assemblies also, we will finish within one or two months...," he said.

The party is taking other steps as well to boost its organisational strength in the state.

BJP would go to the people highlighting the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government, the funds given by Centre to Telangana in areas like highways, railway projects, Ujwala (free gas connections scheme), he said.

It would also highlight the alleged failure of TRS government in Telangana to keep its promises, including employment generation, providing two bedroom houses to poor and distribution of three acres of land to Dalits, he added.

The BJP leader said the party would come out with a clear manifesto for various sections, including SCs, backward classes and youth after holding discussions with all sections of society in the state. BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav, Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Bihar Minister Mangal Pandey have been given charge of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana and they would visit the state, he noted.

At the time of elections, the party's central leadership would focus on the states where it is not in power as the respective Chief Ministers would lead the party in states where it is in power, he added. The three-day-old BJP government in Karnataka had collapsed yesterday, minutes before the scheduled trust vote, with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa resigning in a tame anticlimax to what promised to be on the edge of seat political thriller.
A quick glance at the top news of the day:

1. China begins large-scale mining operations near Arunachal Pradesh border

China has begun large-scale mining operations on its side of the border with Arunachal Pradesh where a huge trove of gold, silver and other precious minerals valued at about US 60 billion has been found, a media report said on Sunday. Read full report

2. Talks with Prez Putin will strengthen special and privileged strategic partnership: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin would further strengthen the 'special and privileged' strategic partnership between India and Russia. Read full report

3. We'll be your 'Raanjhanaa' - stalk, follow and chase you: UP Police trolls eve-teasers

Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday warned eve teasers in Bollywood style, asking them to mend their ways. "UP police will be your Raanjhanaa - Stalk, follow and chase you all around. We are sure, you dont want that to be the story of your life. So mend your ways," they posted on their official Twitter handle. Read full report

4. Ceasefire initiative to have positive effect on forces sponsoring terrorism: J&K DGP

Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police SP Vaid on Sunday expressed hope that the Centre's decision to halt anti-militancy operations in the state during the holy month of Ramzan would have a positive impact on everyone. Read full report

5. 7 policemen killed in Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh; CM terms it 'cowardly'

Seven police personnel were killed after Naxals blew up their vehicle in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district on Sunday. The intensity of the blast, which took place near a culvert, was strong enough to toss the police vehicle in a roadside ditch. Read full report
Former Bihar legislative council chairman Awadhesh Narain Singhs sons  Sushant Ranjan and Prashant Ranjan  have been accused of violence, molestation and rape attempt by a woman. An FIR has been registered against them at a women police station in Patna in Bihar.

According to the FIR, the incident allegedly occurred at the official residence of the former legislative council chairmans near new secretariat on May 16. An investigation has been initiated into the allegations against his son, reported Prabhat Khabar.

The report further said that medical examination of the alleged victim would be conducted following which her statement would be recorded.

The woman reportedly lives in a posh locality in Patna and works as an airhostess in a private airline. She lives in Mumbai while her parents are based in Patna. One month back, she had come to Patna as her mother was not keeping well.

According to the report, the woman has claimed in the FIR that she knew Sushant Ranjan, who had invited her to his residence for dinner on May 16. Sushants brother Prashant also reached the place at that time. He started fighting with his brother after seeing the two together.

The report further said that the woman was locked in a room by the brothers. After crying for help for long, one of the staff at the residence came to her rescue and opened the door. She complained about the incident to the police on Friday, following which an FIR was registered.
NEW DELHI: A Border Security force (BSF) jawan on Sunday allegedly shot himself after killing his wife in Chennai's Trichy. Identified as Ranjit, the jawan was a native of Bihar Sharif town.

According to the wife's mother, the jawan killed her daughter because of dowry. On the other hand, the man's family refused to speak about the possible reasons behind the incident.

The wife Rajni Kumari got married to Ranjit in 2005. A couple of months into the marriage, Rajni got a job. She joined the Railways as a section controller. Many a time, Ranjit used to pressurise her for money which she gave.

Once the jawan had asked for nearly Rs 3.5 lakh as loan from his wife. Even after seven months when her husband did not return the money, she asked for it. This had led to a dispute between the couple.

On Saturday evening, Ranjeet went to the market and returned late. He tried to kill Rajni by giving her poison in the cold drink, however, he failed. He then shot her by his service revolver and later committed suicide.

He was admitted to the Police Sadar Hospital in a critical condition where he died late in the night.

Their eight-year-old daughter was at her maternal grandmother's place while the incident took place.
In a fresh case of high handedness in Uttar Pradesh, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of Legislative Assembly was caught on camera threatening Superintendent of Police in Allahabad. The incident occurred when the police official failed to recognise the MLA.

#WATCH: BJP MLA Harshvardhan Bajpayee threatening Superintendent of Police in Allahabad. MLA said, 'Tum laaton ke bhoot ho, laaton se hi maante ho'. SP had allegedly failed to recognise the MLA & stopped him to enter premises where a meeting was being held by CM Yogi Adityanath. pic.twitter.com/jrVAhlvcgr  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 20, 2018

The BJP MLA, Harshvardhan Bajpai, was caught on camera saying, Tum laato ke bhoot ho, laaton se hi maante ho (you only understand the language of violence).

According to a video of the event released by news agency ANI, Bajpai, who represents Allahabad North constituency in Uttar Pradesh Assembly, got angry when the senior police official reportedly failed to recognise him.

The MLA was stopped by the police official outside the gate of a premises where a meeting was being held by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is expected to declare Class 12th Board Results 2018 by next week. Media reports suggest that CBSE will release the results on its official website -cbse.nic.in - by May 28.

It is likely that the Board will also announce CBSE Class 10th Results 2018 by the month end.

The CBSE Class 12 examinations 2018 were held from March 5 to April 13 while the CBSE Class 10 examinations were conducted between March 5 to April 4.

The CBSE Class 12th Result 2018 and CBSE Class 10th Result 2018 will also be available on cbse.examresults.net, cbseresults.nic.in and results.gov.in. Students will be able to check their results by visiting any of these websites.

Here is how to check CBSE Class 10, Class 12 Results 2018 -

Step 1: Log on to the official websites of the board - cbse.nic.in or cbseresults.nic.in

Step 2: Click on the link 'Class 10 Exam Results'

Step 3: Enter roll number and other required details

Step 4: Click on submit

The results will be displayed on the screen. Candidates are suggested to download their results and take a printout of the same for future reference. Students are advised to collect their official mark sheets from their respective institutes. The printouts are for information purposes only.

About CBSE

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) was founded on November 3, 1962. It's headquartered at Preet Vihar, New Delhi. Its primary function includes preparing academic programmes and organizing examinations, especially for Class 10 and Class 12 students
Just days after a flyover collapsed, killing at least 18 people in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday paid a surprise visit to various under-construction sites such as hospitals and water treatment plant in the holy city. According to news agency ANI, Adityanath made a visit to ESI hospital and asked the authorities to complete the construction work by December 2018.

The Chief Minister also visited Sarnath to inspect the condition of the 100 MLD Water Treatment Plant, which after completion is expected to provide clean water to over 7.27 lakh people. The project is expected to be ready by November.

He later visited a pumping station in Chowka Ghat and a cancer hospital in Leher Tara. The Chief Minister asked the officers on duty to get the pumping station ready by June 29.The Chief Minister also asked the officers on duty to construct the cancer hospital as soon as possible since it`s being made for the welfare of the society.

In the Nariya locality near the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Adityanath visited the construction site of Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya Hospital. Adityanath ordered the department concerned to get the hospital ready by December 2018.

The surprise checks by Adityanath comes days after a flyover collapse in claimed several lives and injured many others in the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A high-level inquiry has been initiated into the case by the state government.

An inquiry committee constituted after the tragedy has reportedly found Mittal and several top-ranking officials of UP Setu Nigam guilty of negligence. Mittal has already been removed from office and now faces possible legal action against him. Over half a dozen officials too faced the heat.

The three-member committee headed by APC Raj Pratap Singh submitted its report on Thursday in which, according to sources, Mittal and five other engineers were found guilty. The report apparently put the blame on negligence on the part of UP Setu Nigam officials.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: The Delhi University has announced two weeks of free preparatory classes for post graduate entrance examinations for students from economically weaker sections and minority communities.

The classes will be held for eight disciplines -- Commerce, Law, Journalism (Hindi and English), Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Computer Science and Zoology.

"For the third consecutive year, the varsity is conducting such classes to help students clear entrance exam for various postgraduate programmes. The purpose is to prepare students for the academic approach to be adopted to clear the entrance," the varsity said in a statement.

Tentative dates for commencement of the classes are June 1 for Commerce, Zoology, Law, Journalism (both languages), Chemistry and Physics. Computer Science on June 4 and Maths on June 6, the statement said.

Those who are from the economically weaker sections, BPL, SC/ST, OBC (non creamy layer), minorities, persons with disabilities (PWD), Kashmiri migrants, wards of war widows or ex-servicemen (Defence) are eligible to apply.

Applications may be downloaded from the varsity website and should be submitted at the Institute of Lifelong Learning in North Campus from May 21 to 28 between 10 am and 4pm (except Sunday). "Since seats are limited, a list of selected candidates in all the eight disciplines will be displayed on May 30 at 5 pm," the statement said.
NEW DELHI: In a first, Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) on Sunday celebrated World Honey Bee Day at FMDI Auditorium in Gurugram. The event was organised in collaboration with Indian Farm Forestry Development Cooperative Limited (IFFDC) - a subsidiary dedicated to farm forestry.

Additional secretary of Ministry of Agriculture Cooperation and Family Welfare, Jalaj Srivastava was the chief guest at the event.

United Nations and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have recently announced to commemorate May 20, 2018 as the first ever 'World Honey Bee' Day in order to spread awareness about honey bee and bee keeping. The future of food security also depends upon the bees as they are one of the largest pollinators.

World Honey Bee Day organised by IFFCO and IFFDC is in line with various programmes set up on the idea of Prime Minister Narendra Modi vision of doubling the farmers' income by 2022. IFFCO's marketing director, Yogendra Kumar and IFFDC's chief executive, SP Singh along with more than 200 farmers from the adjoining areas attended the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Jalaj Srivastava said, "Honey bee breeding is a natural way to increase productivity and efficiency in nature. The current government is also implementing various programmes to promote honey bee keeping. This also helps farmers, especially women in generating additional income apart from the regular farm income. Honey bee keeping plays a crucial role towards increasing farmers' income. The steps by IFFCO and IFFDC are commendable in this regard to promote honey bee keeping among agri-farmers."

"IFFCO and IFFDC are working tirelessly for the upliftment of rural farmers through its various programmes. In line with the prime minister's appeal to increase honey bee keeping and production, IFFCO and IFFDC have started a central programme to promote honey bee keeping among farmers. We have received a very favourable response from the farmers so far. We would continue to work towards various such farmers' first initiatives affecting over 4 crore farmers across India, directly associated with IFFCO," said Yogendra Kumar.

About IFFCO:

Founded in 1967 with just 57 cooperatives, IFFCO today is a union of over 36,000 Indian Cooperatives with diversified business interests ranging from General Insurance to Rural Telecom apart from the core business of manufacturing and selling fertilisers. It has more than 17 associates and subsidiaries working for the benefits of the farmers and rural India. IFFCO has 5 operational plants in India and 3 outside India. It is reaching out to more than 5.5 million farmers transforming their lives.
Kathmandu: Nepal will close the Indian Embassy's field office in the near future as it has "outlived its purpose", Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said.

India was permitted to set up the temporary field office in 2008 to issue passes to vehicles for plying on Indian roads in the bordering regions after Kosi floods severely damaged a 17-km stretch of the east-west highway.

Initially set up in the eastern Sunsari district, it was later shifted to the nearby Biratnagar city, about 375 kms from here, along the Koshi Highway.

Speaking at the first parliamentary party meeting of the newly-formed Nepal Communist Party here, party's co-chairman Oli said The office would be removed as it had "outlived its purpose".

After repair of the damaged portion of the highway, Nepal had asked India to shut down the camp office but the Indian side did not comply.

The Indian flag was hoisted on the office building while India started distributing scholarships and got involved in various social activities using the facility, the Kathmandu Post reported.

India in 2014 sought the government's permission to establish a Consulate General Office in Biratnagar by upgrading the field office, the report said.

The Nepali government had tried to remove the field office six years ago when then Maoist leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha was the foreign minister.

In 2011, then Baburam Bhattarai-led government issued two diplomatic notes to New Delhi seeking removal of the office, according to officials.

"The prime minister's statement suggests that there is no need for such field offices in a small country," Communist Party of Nepal leader Janardan Sharma was quoted as saying by the Post.
New Delhi: A 58-year-old NRI, holding a Russian passport, was arrested at the Delhi airport on Sunday after an Indian woman alleged that he had masturbated sitting beside her on board a flight from Istanbul. The security control room at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport was informed in the early hours that there was an "unruly passenger" on board a Turkish airline flight approaching Delhi.

Personnel of the CISF, which guards the airport, reached the flight (TK-716) upon landing and were informed that the Indian woman had, in the meantime, made a distress call to the Delhi Police alleging sexual harassment by a co-passenger.

"It was learnt that the male passenger, a Russian, was sitting next to the woman in the flight and allegedly unzipped his trousers and started masturbating in front of her," a senior official was quoted as saying by PTI. When the woman complained to the cabin crew, the male passenger was shifted to another seat, he said. The man was later handed over to the Delhi Police, which also reached the Terminal-III area of the airport. He has been booked under Section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the IPC, police said.

Also Read - Kolkata man masturbates while ogling at two women in bus, arrested

Earlier, in May 2018, a man in Kolkata was arrested after he had allegedly masturbated in a bus while ogling at two women. The women had recorded the incident and posted it on social media. "The man, a hawker by profession, was arrested from Shyampukur police station area in the city," Kolkata police had posted on its Facebook page. The post had a photograph of the accused, who they had claimed hailed from Baidyabati in Hooghly district.

The video showed an elderly man making vulgar gestures inside a bus. Police were alerted after one of the two women posted two videos on her Facebook page and also on the page of the Kolkata Police. "When we protested and asked the bus conductor to take action, he ignored our pleas," the victim had said on her Facebook post.

Before that, in a spate of such incidents, a cab driver was arrested in April 2018 and sent to judicial custody after a lady passenger had accused him of masturbating while driving the vehicle. News agency ANI had reported that the incident had taken place on April 15. In her complaint to the police, the lady passenger had said that soon after she got into a cab, the driver had begun masturbating in front of her while still negotiating traffic outside. The lady then reportedly asked him to stop the car and later filed a complaint.

(With Agency inputs)
The Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday said that the Pakistan Rangers have "pleaded" with them to stop firing along the International Border. The request comes after they were pounded with heavy artillery that also left a trooper dead across the border.

A 19-second thermal-imagery footage released by the border guarding force, shows the destruction of a Pakistani picket across the border in retaliation to the unprovoked firing and shelling along the International Border.

"(Pakistan) Rangers called up Jammu BSF formation today and beseeched to stop firing," a BSF spokesman told PTI on Sunday.

A senior official also claimed that the befitting reply by BSF units to the unprovoked shelling and firing across the IB by Pakistani forces has forced them to plead for a ceasefire. "For the last three days, the precision fire of BSF troopers on Pakistani firing locations inflicted heavy losses and yesterday this firing found their mark with one of the rangers in chicken neck area," the official said.

The BSF has also faced casualties in the unprovoked firing. It has lost two of its jawans in firing on the Jammu IB over the last few days. A number of civilians have also been killed and injured in the Jammu area due to this firing incident. The firing seemed to have been increased in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

Over 700 incidents of fire and shelling have been reported along the IB and the Line of Control (LoC) this year. 38 people including 18 security personnel have been killed and scores have been injured in these incidents.

(With PTI inputs)
MUMBAI: While there were gifts lining up for Prince Harry and Hollywood actress Meghan Markle who got married at Windsor on Saturday, animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India also decided to send its wishes with a souvenir - a bull. Named Merry, the bull being gifted to the Royal couple is a hybrid of the name Meghan and Harry.

Merry is currently residing at a sanctuary in Maharashtra. He was found alone, suffering from a deep wound on his neck when he was rescued by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

PETA claims that the gift also has a message. Through this gift, the organisation wants to create awareness around animal cruelty. "We have named the bull after Prince Harry and Markle. It's practically not possible to gift the Bull, as it belongs to Maharashtra, India. So, we have made a portrait of Merry, which we have framed and has his story written on it. We will send this portrait to the royal couple," PETA India Associate Director of Celebrity and Public Relations Sachin Bangera said.

"Prince Harry and Meghan Markle now have a 1-tonne bull to call their own. Rescuing Merry is an ideal wedding present for a couple who want their day celebrated with charitable works and contributions," says PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk. "The royal wedding is the perfect time for anyone to spare a thought for and show some love to all our fellow living beings."

Prince Harry and his actress bride Meghan Markle married on Saturday in a dazzling ceremony that blended ancient English ritual with African American culture, infusing the 1,000-year-old British monarchy with a blast of modernity. In a medieval chapel at Windsor Castle that 39 English kings and queens have called home since 1066, Harry and Meghan exchanged vows watched up close by royals and celebrities, and from afar by a global TV audience of many millions.

Wearing a veil, diamond tiara and a sleek dress with a long train, the American actress was accompanied up the aisle of St George`s Chapel by Harry`s father, Prince Charles, before she and Harry exchanged vows and were proclaimed husband and wife.

The couple kissed on the steps of the 15th Century chapel, before delighting the sea of well-wishers, some of whom had camped for days to witness the spectacular show of British pomp and pageantry, by touring Windsor in a horse-drawn carriage.
JAIPUR: There is no clarity yet over when the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) will announce the RBSE Class 12 results 2018. There were reports earlier which suggested that the RBSE Class 12 results 2018 will be announced on May 20. However, it is now being said that the RBSE Class 12 results 2018 will likely be declared next week. The results, when released, will be made available on the official Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan (BSER) website rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in. The results will also be available on examresults.net/rajasthan, indiaresults.in.

The Rajasthan Board Class 12 results 2018 is likely to be announced for the Arts stream first, followed by Science and Commerce streams. However, there is no confirmation from the Rajasthan Board yet. Over 8 lakh candidates appeared for Rajasthan class 12 board this year, out of which 5,27,259 students were from the Humanities or Arts stream. The exams were held from March 8 to April 2, 2018.

How to check your RBSE Rajasthan Board Class 12 result 2018:

1: Log on to the official website rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in, examresults.net/rajasthan, indiaresults.in.

2: Click on the link which says Rajasthan Board Class 12 results 2018 or RBSE Rajasthan Board Class 12 result 2018

3: Enter the required details such as roll number, date of birth

4: The results of BSER Rajasthan Board Class 12 result 2018 will be displayed on screen

Students also can check their Rajasthan Board Class 12 results 2018 via SMS.

GET YOUR RAJASTHAN BOARD CLASS 12 ARTS RESULT 2018 ON SMS

SMS - RESULT<space>RAJ12A<space>ROLL NUMBER - Send it to 56263

GET YOUR RAJASTHAN BOARD CLASS 12 SCIENCE RESULT 2018 ON SMS

SMS - RESULT<space>RAJ12S<space>ROLL NUMBER - Send it to 56263

GET YOUR RAJASTHAN CLASS 12 COMMERCE RESULT 2018 ON SMS

SMS - RESULT<space>RAJ12C<space>ROLL NUMBER - Send it to 56263

The Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan organizes and manages the entire school level education, i.e. Class 1st to 12th in both Hindi and English.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin would further strengthen the 'special and privileged' strategic partnership between India and Russia.

"Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia... I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow (Monday) and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him," he tweeted.

Greetings to the friendly people of Russia. I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him. @KremlinRussia_E @PutinRF_Eng  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2018

Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia. @KremlinRussia_E @PutinRF_Eng  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2018

PM Modi is travelling to Russia at Putin's invitation for an informal summit in Sochi on May 21, 2018. It would be his second informal summit in as many months as he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jingpin in China's Wuhan in a similar format in April 2018.

Sochi - summer diplomatic capital of Russia. Bordered by the Black Sea on one side and mountains on the other. @MEAIndia @mfa_russia @IndEmbMoscow pic.twitter.com/c1dOKwrYSL  Pankaj Saran (@PankajSaran11) May 17, 2018

The two leaders are expected to primarily focus on pressing global and regional issues, including the impact of the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, during their informal summit in the Russian city of Sochi on Monday. They may also deliberate on extending Indo-Russia civil nuclear cooperation to third countries, possible areas for cooperation for the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project, India's engagement with five-nation Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the situation in the Korean peninsula.

"It's very important and different kind of meeting between PM Modi and President Putin. The difference is President Putin invited PM Modi to come to visit him and discuss various issues almost within two weeks of him becoming President of Russia for the fourth time. We expect talks to begin at 1 o'clock local time in delegation format followed by lunch hosted by the President just for PM Modi. We expect them to be together for a few hours. It's a great opportunity for the personal chemistry between them to discuss different issues," said Pankaj Saran, Indian Ambassador to Russia.

He added, "They'll also discuss the situation in Afghanistan and Syria, because the whole problem in Syria is related to conduct of international terrorism and it's a problem the region faces. In a few months time, President Putin himself will be travelling to India for the regular summit. This frequency of meetings is another important aspect of our relations with Russia."

Preparations are on for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sochi for talks with President Putin on May 21. The India-Russia agenda is vast and of practical relevance to both countries. A vital partnership in today's world. @MEAIndia @mfa_russia @IndEmbMoscow @IndianDiplomacy  Pankaj Saran (@PankajSaran11) May 15, 2018

It's very important & different kind of meeting b/w PM Modi & President Putin. Difference is President Putin invited PM to come to visit him & discuss various issues almost within 2 weeks of him becoming President of Russia for 4th time: Pankaj Saran, Indian Ambassador to Russia pic.twitter.com/CSFFzbt5JY  ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2018

We expect talks to begin at 1 o'clock local time in delegation format followed by lunch hosted by Pres just for PM. We expect them to be together for a few hrs. It's great opportunity for personal chemistry b/w them to discuss different ssues: Pankaj Saran, Indian Envoy to Russia pic.twitter.com/GEscu6cXRY  ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2018

In a few months time President Putin himself will be traveling to India for the regular summit. This frequency of meetings is another important aspect of our relations with Russia: Pankaj Saran, Indian Ambassador to Russia pic.twitter.com/nJFhVU8WEU  ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2018

They'll also discuss situation in Afghanistan & Syria, because whole problem in Syria is related to conduct of international terrorism & it's a problem the region faces: Pankaj Saran, Indian Ambassador to Russia on PM Modi's informal summit with President Putin in Sochi on May 21 pic.twitter.com/7Tzs0UBRBQ  ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2018

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that it will be an important occasion for the two leaders to exchange views on international matters in a "broad and long-term perspective". "Both leaders will also discuss their respective national developmental priorities and bilateral matters," the MEA had said

On reaching, PM Modi will be received by local dignitaries at the airport. He is then scheduled to visit the residence resort of Putin. This will be the first meeting between Putin and PM Modi in 2018. However, since the beginning of the year, the two leaders have had several phone conversations.

The annual summit talks between the top leadership of the two countries, bound by 'special and privileged strategic ties', have been taking place alternately in Moscow and New Delhi since 2000.

(With PTI and ANI inputs)
Jammu: Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police SP Vaid on Sunday expressed hope that the Centre's decision to halt anti-militancy operations in the state during the holy month of Ramzan would have a positive impact on everyone.

"I hope this (unilateral ceasefire) initiative of the government of India will have a positive effect on everyone including the forces that are sponsoring terrorism," the DGP told reporters on the sidelines of a function.

DGP @spvaid ,Chairperson PWWA @vaidbharti unveils T-Shirts & Cloth bags for Clean Jammu Clean Tawi #Hero4Tawi at press conference in Jammu.Over 50 educational institutions,civil deptts volunteers,traders,civil society,doctors,artists taking part in programmes spread over 3 days. pic.twitter.com/nlaM9m68XM  J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) May 20, 2018

Vaid also expressed confidence that the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas, starting in June 2918, would pass off peacefully. Replying to a question about the initiative at a time when the Amarnath yatra was round the corner and Pakistan and its proxies were trying to escalate violence to undermine the effort, he said he was sure that the two-month-long yatra, scheduled to begin on June 28, would pass off peacefully.

"This initiative has been taken in the holy month of Ramzan, and (Amarnath) yatra is also as auspicious as Ramzan. I am sure it will pass off peacefully," he said, PTI reported.

Vaid added that the holy month of Ramzan is for everyone and "I think Pakistan should also observe it (by giving up violence)." On the rejection of the ceasefire initiative by Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, he maintained, "That is their statement... We will do what we feel is correct."

On May 16, 2018, the Centre had announced that security forces would not launch any operation in the state during the holy month of Ramzan but they reserved the right to retaliate if attacked. The Ministry of Home Affairs had said that the decision had been taken to help the "peace-loving Muslims observe Ramzan in a peaceful environment". However, it had added that the security forces "reserve the right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people".

The Centre asks Security Forces not to launch operations in Jammu & Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan. Decision taken to help the peace loving Muslims observe Ramzan in a peaceful environment.

HM Shri @rajnathsingh has informed the Chief Minister, J&K of Centres decision.  HMO India (@HMOIndia) May 16, 2018

Security Forces to reserve the right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people.

Government expects everyone to cooperate in this initiative and help the Muslim brothers & sisters to observe Ramzan peacefully and without any difficulties.  HMO India (@HMOIndia) May 16, 2018

It is important to isolate the forces that bring a bad name to Islam by resorting to mindless violence and terror.  HMO India (@HMOIndia) May 16, 2018

Welcoming the decision by the Centre, J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti had said, "I wholeheartedly welcome the Ramadan ceasefire and would like to thank PM and Home Minister for their personal intervention. My gratitude also to the leaders and parties who participated in the All Party Meeting and helped build consensus towards this announcement."

I wholeheartedly welcome the Ramadan ceasefire & would like to thank @narendramodi ji & @rajnathsingh ji for their personal intervention. My gratitude also to the leaders & parties who participated in the All Party Meeting & helped build consensus towards this announcement. 1/2  Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 16, 2018

The month of Ramadan is a harbinger of peace & such a decision will go a long way in creating a peaceful & amicable environment for a sustained dialogue. 2/2  Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 16, 2018

She had earlier demanded a unilateral ceasefire by the security forces during Ramzan and Amarnath yatra in the state. But the Centre was initially not too keen on offering an olive branch to the terror groups pointing out that the situation in the state was not conducive for a ceasefire and such an exercise undertaken in 2000 had not given the desired results.

Later, after an all-party meeting, Mufti had said that the central government should consider a unilateral ceasefire in the state starting from Ramadan in mid-May till the completion of the Amarnath yatra in August. She had added that a ceasefire would provide relief to the people and help create a better atmosphere in the state.

The Valley has witnessed the killing of over 55 militants including at least 27 locals till May 15, 2018.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president, Chandrababu Naidu is likely to attend the swearing-in ceremony of HD Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister of Karnataka. Naidu on Sunday discussed this in a teleconference with the TDP ministers, ANI reported.

The ministers unanimously suggested that he should attend JD(S) leader's oath ceremony as he personally invited him. Ministers also advised Naidu that this event will help him to keep a cordial relation with Kumaraswamy's father and former PM HD Deve Gowda. Attending the swearing-in ceremony can send a right signal to the nation, said the ministers, the news agency further said.

The three-day-old BJP government in Karnataka had collapsed on Saturday, minutes before the scheduled trust vote, with CM BS Yeddyurappa resigning with defeat staring him in the face. It was his shortest stint in power. Yeddyurappa became the CM for the first time for seven days in 2007. He became the CM for the second time when the BJP formed its first government in Karnataka in 2008. Yeddyurappa was at the helm of the state for over three years before he was made to quit following indictment by the Lokayukta in an alleged mining scam.

Hours later, Kumaraswamy, the chief ministerial candidate of the newly formed JD(S)-Congress-BSP alliance, met Governor Vajubhai Vala and had said that he had been invited to form the government. However, Kumaraswamy later in the evening had said that the swearing-in would be held on May 23 as May 21 happens to be the death anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi and therefore it would not be appropriate to hold the ceremony on that date. Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, in 1991.

The 58-year-old leader, son of JD(S) supremo and former PM HD Deve Gowda, had added that the Governor had given him 15 days to prove his majority, but had asserted "we don't need 15 days", as per PTI. The newly-formed alliance has claimed support of 117 MLAs in the 224-member House with an effective strength of 221.

The BJP emerged as the single-largest party (104 seats) in Karnataka when results were declared on May 15, but fell short of a majority. The Congress, which finished second with 78 seats, moved swiftly and stitched an alliance with 38-member JD(S)+ and backed its leader Kumaraswamy for chief ministership.

(With Agency inputs)
New Delhi: After serving for two days, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader B.S. Yeddyurappa resigned from the post of Karnataka Chief Minister ahead of a floor test in the Assembly. In 2007 also, Yeddyurappa had served as the state's CM for eight days -- September 12-19.

However, he is not alone to serve as CM for a short duration. There are five more leaders who could hold the position of CM for just a little longer than a day.

Harish Rawat: The Uttarakhand CM from Congress party was selected for two days during his second stint -- May 21 to 22, 2016. At that time, trouble for Rawat began when nine MLAs of his party defected to BJP. During the floor test Rawat could manage support of only 33 of the 61 MLAs.

Jagdambika Pal: Another Congress leader who served as CM of Uttar Pradesh from February 21 to 23, 1998. On February 21, Pal took oath as CM of the state after Kalyan Singh government was dismissed by then Governor Romesh Bhandari. However, on February 23, Singh won by an easy majority and the Allahabad High Court reinstated Kalyan Singh as the CM.

Nitish Kumar: Contesting election as Samata Party leader, Nitish Kumar became CM of Bihar for the first time in 2000. Kumar was sworn in as CM on March 3 and failing to prove majority, was made to resign on March 10. Currently the CM of Bihar, he has taken oath as leader of the state government six times since his shortest tenure.

Om Prakash Chautala: After serving a brief five-month stint as CM of Haryana from December 1989 to May 1990, Om Prakash Chautala was made CM again the same year. His second stint was fated to be even shorter and lasted only five days -- from July 12, 1990 to July 17. The period is also remembered for one of the most violence-marred episodes in the electoral history of the state when Chautala locked horns with another popular leader Anand Singh Dangi for Meham seat in Rohtak district, for the bypolls.

Satish Prasad Singh: Considered the youngest CM of Bihar, Singh held the position for five days, from January 28 to February 2, 1968. It began with the Congress party`s revolt against then Chief Minister Mahamaya Prasad Sinha in January 1968. The group selected Sanjukta Socialist Party (SSP) leader B.P. Mandal as Sinha`s successor. The SSP backed Mandal for CM`s post, but ended up choosing Singh, who took oath on January 27, 1968.


BENGALURU: HD Kumaraswamy is likely to take oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka along with 20 MLA of the Janata Dal Secular (JDS), 13 MLAs of the Congress, say sources. The alliance reportedly has a reached on 20-13 agreement. Congress leader G Parameshwara is likely to be sworn in as the Deputy CM.

The swearing-in ceremony was likely to take place on Monday earlier but was deferred to May 23 as May 21 is the death anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. "We are going to take oath on Wednesday as Monday is Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary. That is not a proper date. In the entire country, all the Congress workers will be attending death anniversary events. Conducting oath taking ceremony at that time is not good," Kumaraswamy said.

Kumaraswamy was invited to form the government by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai R Vala after Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) BS Yeddyurappa resigned from his post ahead of the floor test in the state assembly. Yeddyurappa, in his address at the Vidhana Soudha said he will fight for the rights of the people of Karnataka till his last breath, even if he did not get the required mandate.

The 75-year-old Lingayat stalwart's resignation paves the way for formation of a government led by JDS state chief HD Kumaraswamy. The newly formed alliance has claimed support of 117 MLAs in the 224-member House with an effective strength of 221. The 58-year-old leader, son of JD(S) supremo and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, said the governor gave him 15 days to prove his majority, but asserted "we don't need 15 days".

The political instability in the state stemmed from a split verdict the electorate gave on May 15, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party but falling short of a majority. The Congress, which finished second with 78 seats, moved swiftly and stitched an alliance with 37-member JD(S), and even backed its leader H D Kumaraswamy for chief ministership, plunging the state into a welter of confusion, with accusations of bribery and poaching flying thick and fast.

Amid allegations of poaching attempts by the BJP, the Congress herded its MLAs at a resort outside Bengaluru, while those of the JD(S) hunkered down in a hotel in the state capital. They were later shifted to a hotel in Hyderabad and returned only after the Supreme Court yesterday ordered a floor test on a Congress-JD(S) petition.
Bengaluru: Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said on Sunday that there ought to be a 'give and take' equation in Karnataka. "We, being a national party, supported JD(S), a regional party... Keeping everything in mind, there ought to be a 'give and take' equation," he said.

High command will take decision. We, being a national party, supported JD(S) - a regional party, to uphold Constitutional principles & democracy. Keeping everything in mind, there ought to be a 'give & take' equation: Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress on #Karnataka cabinet formation pic.twitter.com/mJ5IEc6lMM  ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2018

The three-day-old BJP government in Karnataka had collapsed on Saturday, minutes before the scheduled trust vote, with CM BS Yeddyurappa resigning with defeat staring him in the face. It was his shortest stint in power. Yeddyurappa became the CM for the first time for seven days in 2007, but his government collapsed as the JD(S) reneged on honouring a power-sharing arrangement and withdrew support.

He became the CM for the second time when the BJP formed its first government in Karnataka in 2008. Yeddyurappa was at the helm of the state for over three years before he was made to quit following indictment by the Lokayukta in an alleged mining scam.

Hours later, HD Kumaraswamy, the chief ministerial candidate of the newly formed JD(S)-Congress-BSP alliance, had met Governor Vajubhai Vala and had said that he had been invited to form the government. "Today, the BJP government failed to show their strength in the House. On that basis governor invited me to form the next government," he had told journalists.

However, Kumaraswamy later in the evening had said that the swearing-in would be held on May 23 as May 21 happens to be the death anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi and therefore it would not be appropriate to hold the ceremony on that date. Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, in 1991.

The 58-year-old leader, son of JD(S) supremo and former PM HD Deve Gowda, had added that the Governor had given him 15 days to prove his majority, but had asserted "we don't need 15 days". The newly-formed alliance has claimed support of 117 MLAs in the 224-member House with an effective strength of 221.

The political instability in the state had stemmed from a split verdict the electorate gave on May 15, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party (104 seats) but falling short of a majority. The Congress, which finished second with 78 seats, moved swiftly and stitched an alliance with 38-member JD(S)+ and backed its leader Kumaraswamy for chief ministership.

(With Agency inputs)
Bengaluru: JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday dismissed reports about his party working out a power-sharing formula of heading the government for 30 months each, with its coalition partner the Congress. "No such talks have taken place," he told reporters.

There were reports in a section of the media about both parties heading the government for 30 months each on rotation, similar to the 20:20 months power-sharing agreement in 2006 with the BJP. Kumaraswamy had headed the BJP-JD(S) coalition government for 20 months from January 2006, under a power-sharing agreement of leading the coalition for 20 months each. The JD(S) had then reneged on its commitment to share the power for the remaining 20 months with the BJP and refused to hand over the mantle to BS Yeddyurappa, causing the collapse of the government. In the following elections in 2008, BJP had stormed to power on its own with Yeddyurappa as CM of the first-ever saffron party government in the South.

On reports about parleys with Congress leaders regarding elections in Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Jayanagar Assembly constituencies in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy described it as "bogus". "It is bogus news... No such discussions have taken place. Winning Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Jayanagara is a necessity. Till now, no such discussions have happened," he said, as per PTI. While polling was deferred in Rajarajeshwari Nagar over allegations of electoral malpractice, election to the Jayanagar seat was countermanded following the death of the BJP candidate.

The three-day-old BJP government in Karnataka had collapsed on Saturday, minutes before the scheduled trust vote, with CM Yeddyurappa resigning with defeat staring him in the face. It was his shortest stint in power. Yeddyurappa became the CM for the first time for seven days in 2007. He became the CM for the second time when the BJP formed its first government in Karnataka in 2008. Yeddyurappa was at the helm of the state for over three years before he was made to quit following indictment by the Lokayukta in an alleged mining scam.

Hours later, Kumaraswamy, the chief ministerial candidate of the newly formed JD(S)-Congress-BSP alliance, met Governor Vajubhai Vala and had said that he had been invited to form the government. "Today, the BJP government failed to show their strength in the House. On that basis governor invited me to form the next government," he had told journalists.

However, Kumaraswamy later in the evening had said that the swearing-in would be held on May 23 as May 21 happens to be the death anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi and therefore it would not be appropriate to hold the ceremony on that date. Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, in 1991.

The 58-year-old leader, son of JD(S) supremo and former PM HD Deve Gowda, had added that the Governor had given him 15 days to prove his majority, but had asserted "we don't need 15 days". The newly-formed alliance has claimed support of 117 MLAs in the 224-member House with an effective strength of 221.

The BJP emerged as the single-largest party (104 seats) in Karnataka when results were declared on May 15, but fell short of a majority. The Congress, which finished second with 78 seats, moved swiftly and stitched an alliance with 38-member JD(S)+ and backed its leader Kumaraswamy for chief ministership.

(With Agency inputs)
Superstar Rajinikanth, who is yet to launch his political party, has said that the political development that took place in Karnataka on Saturday was a win for democracy. Criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rajinikanth termed its action as mockery of democracy.

What happened in Karnataka yesterday was a win for democracy. BJP asking for some more time and Governor giving 15-day time was a mockery of democracy, said Rajinikanth.

Speaking to mediapersons in Chennai, he further said, I would like to thank Supreme Court for its order, which upheld the democracy.

Rajinikanth made the remark while referring to the political drama that followed the Assembly elections in Karnataka. Two days after taking oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa resigned from the post before taking the floor test on the floor of the House.

Failing to gather the numbers, the BJP leader did not take the floor test. While inviting him to form the government in the state, Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala had given him 15-day time to prove BJPs strength in the Assembly.

This had led to allegations by the Congress and the Janata Dal Secular of possible horse-trading by the BJP. After Yeddyurappas resignation, the Congress has hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to order a probe against BJP leaders who allegedly tried to bribe Congress and JDS lawmakers.

When asked about the launch of his political party in Tamil Nadu, Rajinikanth said that a decision would be taken when the 2019 Lok Sabha elections are announced. The decision for contesting elections in 2019 will be taken at the time when the elections are announced. The party is not yet launched, but we are ready for anything. Also, it is too early to talk about any kind of alliance, he said.
Soon after BS Yeddyurappa resigned as the chief minister of Karnataka on Saturday, the demand for a combined third front yet again gained steam. The Opposition parties while congratulating the Congress-Janata Dal Secular (JDS) alliance of defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), called it a victory of the regional front.

Among the first to congratulate the Congress-JDS alliance was West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Taking to Twitter, she said: "Democracy wins. Congratulations Karnataka. Congratulations DeveGowda Ji, Kumaraswamy Ji, Congress and others. Victory of the 'regional' front." Congress-JDS CM candidate HD Kumaraswamy spoke to Mamata soon after the result and invited her for the swearing-in ceremony that is due to take place on Wednesday.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also hailed Yeddyurappa's resignation. "Resignation of BS Yeddyurappa as Karnataka's CM is a true victory for democracy. Entire nation is happy with the current turn of events. As a Chief Minister and a firm believer of democracy, I am expressing my happiness," he said.

Congratulating the JDS, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam working president MK Stalin hoped that the result in Karnataka paves the way for secular parties to come together and fight the upcoming elections. "Democracy in Karnataka has been saved by the actions of the Supreme Court. I extend my congratulations to @hd_kumaraswamy and @INCIndia. May this herald the coming together of secular parties for the upcoming elections," he said.

Two days after forming government in Karnataka, BJP had to pull the plug on Saturday when it could not gather the required number of MLAs to prove its strength in the Assembly. An emotional Yeddyurappa resigned and lamented that the political situation could have been different if the people of the state made them win on just a few more seats. Having won 104 seats, the BJP had fallen short of the magic number of 112 by a narrow margin.

The result going against the BJP has enthused the Congress and the regional players. In the past too, several regional parties have renewed the demand for a third front to defeat the saffron party. Now, the Karnataka results have given a glimpse to the regional parties and the Congress on what could happen if a combined opposition takes on the BJP. A contest between the Congress and all regional parties on one side and the BJP and its allies on the other side may put the saffron party significantly on the backfoot in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

There have been several meetings between the regional players and the Congress, however, an arrangement on the equation has not been found yet. With the Congress proposing Kumaraswamy's name for the CM post despite having bagged more seats, it seems that the sole aim of the Congress at the present is to defeat the BJP, by all means.
Curtains came down on the political drama in Karnataka on Saturday with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader BS Yeddyurappa resigning as the Chief Minister of the state without going for a floor test. The move by Yeddyurappa paved the way for Janata Dal Secular (JDS)-Congress alliance to come to power in the state with HD Kumaraswamy as the Chief Minister.

Just before the trust vote was to begin in the Assembly, Yeddyurappa made an emotional speech, which reminded many of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees address to the Lok Sabha 1996, declaring that he would resign as the chief minister as he did not have the numbers.

"If only people would have given us 113 seats instead of 104, we would have made this state a paradise. Whether I stay in power or not, I will continue to work for the people. And we will get 28 out of 28 seats in Lok Sabha. For now, I will go to Raj Bhawan and tender my resignation," said an emotional Yeddyurappa.

The drama began on May 15 itself, even before complete results of Karnataka Assembly elections were in. As trends confirmed a fractured mandate, with the BJP emerging as the single largest party, the Congress raced against time and extended a hand of friendship to the JDS. The JDS also wasted no time in grabbing the opportunity and declared that it has accepted the support from Congress and that HD Kumaraswamy would be the next Chief Minister of Karnataka.

Both the sides then headed to the Raj Bhavan, one after another, with letters of support and list of MLAs to bolster their case. All eyes were then on Governor Vajubhai Vala, who had the option to either invite the single largest party BJP or the post-poll JDS-Congress alliance, which enjoyed a comfortable majority.

This race to Raj Bhavan gave fodder to speculations of horse-trading and political understandings, with national level leaders from both sides  Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Gehlot, Prakash Javadekar and JP Nadda  camping in Bengaluru and spearheading their sides. The famous Eagleton resort, which had housed Congress lawmakers from Gujarat during Rajya Sabha elections in the state, was also back in the news. The Congress had reportedly booked 100 rooms in the Bengaluru resort to protect its MLAs from defection and horse-trading.

And then the Governor announced his decision by inviting the single largest party, the BJP, to form government in the state. BS Yeddyurappa was called by the Governor and told that he should take oath as the Chief Minister on May 17. Refusing to give up, the Congress rushed to the Supreme Court. What followed was a rare overnight hearing in the top court, which said that it could not interfere with the Governors decision.

As Yeddyurappa took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on Thursday, the Congress launched fresh rounds of protests at Vidhana Soudha. Apart from Azad, senior party leaders like Siddaramaiah, Gehlot, Mallikarjun Kharge sat on dharna near a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Assembly premises. They were also joined by JDS veteran and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda. Later, all JDS and Congress lawmakers were taken to Hyderabad and brought back only on the day of the trust vote.

Amid the political battle, Yeddyurappa was given 15-day time to go for the trust vote, but instead, the party declared that they would hold the test on Saturday itself. This had its own share of controversy as the Congress also objected to the appointment of Protem Speaker KG Bopaiah. But the Governors office remained firm saying there were precedents of the Protem Speaker not being the senior-most member of the House.

As the D-day came, two Congress MLAs - Anand Singh and Pratap Gowda Patil  went missing. They reached the Assembly in a security cover just minutes before the trust vote proceedings were slated to be held. Senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar made attempt to meet Patil as he reached the Assembly, but was not allowed by security personnel accompanying the party MLAs.

But it was a twist in the tale as instead of asserting victory, Yeddyurappa gave up the Chief Ministers post after an emotional speech. While he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah for giving him the opportunity to become the chief minister of the state, he announced that he would relinquish the post. He, however, vowed to keep working for the farmers and other sections of the society.

There were celebrations in the JDS-Congress camp following the announcement. Kumaraswamy flashed victory sign for shutterbugs. Later, he met the Karnataka Governor and staked claim to form the government. The oath taking ceremony was earlier scheduled for Monday and then deferred to Wednesday, May 23.
NEW DELHI: Hectic parleys are underway ahead of the government formation in Karnataka. While Janata Dal Secular (JDS) leader HD Kumaraswamy has been unanimously elected as the Chief Minister of Karnataka by the Congress-JDS alliance, negotiations are on between the two parties on the other Cabinet berths.

Amid discussions on allotment of Cabinet berths, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said there needs to be a give and take equation between the alliance partners. "The high command will take the decision. We, being a national party, supported JDS - a regional party, to uphold Constitutional principles and the democracy. Keeping everything in mind, there ought to be a 'give and take' equation," Kharge said.



As per sources, Congress leader G Parameshwara is likely to be sworn in as the Deputy CM on Wednesday. Twenty MLAs of the JDS and thirteen MLAs of the Congress are likely to be sworn in as part of the government on Wednesday. Sources say the alliance has a reached on 20-13 agreement.

Kumaraswamy was invited to form the government by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai R Vala after Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) BS Yeddyurappa resigned from his post ahead of the floor test in the state assembly. Yeddyurappa, in his address at the Vidhana Soudha said he will fight for the rights of the people of Karnataka till his last breath, even if he did not get the required mandate.

The swearing-in ceremony which was likely to take place on Monday was deferred to May 23 as May 21 is the death anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. "We are going to take oath on Wednesday as Monday is Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary. That is not a proper date. In the entire country, all the Congress workers will be attending death anniversary events. Conducting oath taking ceremony at that time is not good," Kumaraswamy said.

The 75-year-old Lingayat stalwart's resignation paves the way for the formation of a government led by JDS state chief HD Kumaraswamy. The newly formed alliance has claimed support of 117 MLAs in the 224-member House with an effective strength of 221. The 58-year-old leader, son of JD(S) supremo and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, said the governor gave him 15 days to prove his majority, but asserted "we don't need 15 days".

The political instability in the state stemmed from a split verdict the electorate gave on May 15, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party but falling short of a majority. The Congress, which finished second with 78 seats, moved swiftly and stitched an alliance with 37-member JD(S), and even backed its leader H D Kumaraswamy for chief ministership, plunging the state into a welter of confusion, with accusations of bribery and poaching flying thick and fast.
New Delhi: Renowned Bollywood and television actor Bobby Darling aka Pakhi Sharma's husband Ramneek Sharma has reportedly been sent to jail in connection with the domestic violence case filed against him by the actor, said a TOI report.

Bobby had filed a case of domestic violence against Ramneek in September last year. She had accused the Bhopal-based contractor of demanding dowry, forgery, assault and unnatural sex repeatedly.

Confirming the same, Bobby told SpotBoye, "Today is the third day that he is behind bars. The Delhi police arrested him on May 11. Thereafter he moved an application before Delhi courts but it has been rejected. Thankfully, I stand vindicated."

After undergoing sex transformation in 2015, former Bigg Boss contestant Bobby Darling got married to Bhopal-based road contractor Ramneek Sharma in February 2016.

A year later, in 2017, Bobby registered a police complaint of demanding dowry and assault against her husband and his parents. She even accused her brother-in-law of assaulting her.

According to Times of India.com report originally attributed to Bombay Times, Bobby revealed, "Ramneek would beat me up after getting drunk and accuse me of having extramarital affairs with every second man. He also usurped my property and money. He made me give him co-ownership of my flat in Mumbai and did the same when we bought our penthouse in Bhopal. He also bought an SUV using my money immediately after the marriage. Now, I am left with nothing. He had paid the building's security guards to keep an eye on me, and they would inform him of all my moves. He kept a tab on who I spoke with and where I went. Tired of the constant bickering, I suggested that we get divorced with mutual consent, but on the condition that I would get my property and the car back. However, he didn't agree to it. He would, in fact, beat me to because will in his name. I want my property back so that I can sell it off and move back to Mumbai.

Adding, "I have faced a lot of domestic violence. I still can't move my left hand freely and limp while walking. My speech is also slurred. I would cry like a child and pee in my clothes while pleading with him to stop hitting me."

Further adding that all her calls used to be answered on the loudspeaker and in no way she could tell the truth to the media or anyone. However, she managed to flee from Bhopal and that's when she came down to Delhi and filed an FIR. Bobby even revealed that her husband is quite influential in Bhopal and that explains why she couldn't file a complaint against him there. She said, "He has contacts in the police and had threatened me of dire consequences if I approached the cops. He would also threaten me of harming my family. He also blocked my family members on my phone so that we couldn't contact each other. He would keep taunting me about not being able to give him a child."

She is now seeking divorce and wants to get back her money.

In his defence, Ramneek accused Bobby of doing all this for publicity and eyeing his money. He even accused Bobby of lying to him and his family about her drug addiction and the possibility of her having biological babies.

Bobby has appeared in several Hindi films. She was last seen in 'Dee Saturday Night' in 2014.
New Delhi: Actress Sonam Kapoor, who has been busy as a bee, shuttling between her newly married life to promoting her upcoming film 'Veere Di Wedding', was on Sunday clicked by the paparazzi at the airport.

The actress had gone to pick her husband Anand Ahuja from the airport who returned to the city almost after a week. He was last seen travelling with Sonam to the national capital, where he has his garments and sneakers' business.

The 'Saawariya' actress was dressed up in a yellow anarkali-pant outfit as she was seen waiting inside her car at the airport for hubby. And the couple couldn't hold themselves from looking at each other.

Check out Sonam-Anand photos from the airport:

On Saturday, the actress was clicked by the paparazzi at Sun-n-Sand hotel in Mumbai where she was promoting her upcoming film along with the rest of the cast.

Sonam recently faced flak from a certain group on the social media after she decided to change her surname to Ahuja post her wedding. However, the actress gave them a befitting reply saying that the choice of taking her husband's surname lies with her and nobody else.

Sonam got hitched to Anand on May 8 in a traditional Sikh wedding ceremony in Mumbai. Shortly after her marriage, she updated her name on social media accounts as 'Sonam K Ahuja'. However, the move did not go down well with many people who expressed their disappointment that a feminist icon like her resorted to patriarchy.

In a video interview from Cannes, where Sonam walked the red carpet for cosmetic brand L'Oreal Paris, she said, "Kapoor is also my father's name, so it's a man's name anyway. I chose to keep both. Anand has also changed his name but nobody wrote about that. I just decided to do it on social media because that's my platform, to say that I've made a choice.

"It's my personal choice, nobody put a gun to my head... You should ask him (Anand), he has also changed his name and decided to add something as well," she says.

Meanwhile, Sonam's uncle and noted filmmaker Boney Kapoor was also spotted at the airport where he had gone to pick up his adorable daughter Janhvi Kapoor. Janhvi had returned from Europe where she had also met designer Prabal Gurung.

For the unversed, Janhvi recently wrapped up shooting for her debut film 'Dhadak' which will hit the screens on July 20.
NEW DELHI: In a setback to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), two party leaders on Sunday resigned and joined hands with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) along with their supporters ahead of the Shahkot Assembly bypoll scheduled to be held on May 28.

H S Walia and C D Singh Kamboj joined the SAD in presence of the party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Welcoming Walia and Kamboj, Badal said, "I heartily welcome H S Walia, AAP leader from Jalandhar Cantonment, and Col. (Retd.) CD Singh Kamboj, a Kamboj leader from Shahkot, along with their number of supporters as well as local leaders in the party fold."

The SAD supremo further said, "Our Shahkot campaign has got momentum with these two leaders joining the SAD unconditionally. Walia contested 2017 Vidhan Sabha elections from Jalandhar Cantonment area on AAP ticket while Col. Kamboj is known for his statesmanlike conduct and strategic thinking in state politics.

I heartily welcome H S Walia, AAP leader from Jalandhar Cantonment, and Col. (Retd.) CD Singh Kamboj, a Kamboj leader from Shahkot, along with their number of supporters as well as local leaders in the party fold./1 pic.twitter.com/QULFbahRy0  Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) May 20, 2018

On the occasion, Kamboj said that he joined the SAD to ensure the defeat of Congress' Hardev Singh Laadi in the Assembly bye-election.

Detailing how Laadi had "insulted" the Kamboj community after his 2017 Assembly election loss, he said, "The community is very upset with him."

"In fact, people with dubious reputation like Laadi are being rewarded with party tickets. This shows the moral bankruptcy of the Congress," Kamboj alleged.

Earlier, AAP leader H S Walia, who had contested 2017 Assembly polls from Jalandhar Cantonment seat, also joined SAD.

Walia said he was joining the SAD due to its "pro-people" policies as well as the party's desire to take all sections of society with it.

"I earlier joined AAP because it professed idealism. However I slowly realised that the party had become thoroughly corrupt and was not concerned about Punjabis and their problems. Moreover, AAP is being run from Delhi by Arvind Kejriwal who does not give any weightage to the local leadership," Walia alleged.

Notably, on May 17, senior Congress leader and former home minister Brij Bhupinder Singh Lalli had joined the SAD.

(With inputs from PTI)
NEW DELHI: In a strange warning, a Uttar Pradesh minister on Sunday cursed a gathering and threatened the public of jaundice if they dare to go and attend rallies of other political parties.

Addressing at an event in Ballia, the minister said, "Jab tak meri team rally ka sandesh lekar aapke pass nahi jaayegi, tab tak kisi aur Party ki rally agar koi gaya toh usko OP Rajbhar ka shraap lagega, peeliya ho jaayega, theek tabhi hoga jab OP Rajbhar ki dawai loge (If will get jaundice if you attend rallies of other political parties)."

#WATCH UP Minister OP Rajbhar at an event in Ballia says 'Jab tak meri team rally ka sandesh lekar aapke pass nahi jaayegi, tab tak kisi aur Party ki rally agar koi gaya toh usko OP Rajbhar ka shraap lagega, peeliya ho jaayega, theek tabhi hoga jab OP Rajbhar ki dawai loge.' pic.twitter.com/xHQ6IwNepN  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 20, 2018

Om Prakash Rajbhar is a member of Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) representing Zahoorabad constituency. The SBSP, an ally of the BJP, has four MLAs in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly and party chief Rajbhar is a cabinet minister in the Yogi Adityanath government.

Reminding Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his promise to implement the "Gujarat model" in Uttar Pradesh, state minister Om Prakash Rajbhar said he should ban liquor in UP to open new avenues for development.

"During his election meetings in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi had promised to implement the Gujarat model in the state. I remind him of his promise and request him to ban liquor in the state to open new avenues for development," Rajbhar said, addressing a women's conference organised by his party.

No party had raised the issue of banning liquor in the state, the minister said and urged the women not to vote for those, who distributed liquor ahead of elections.

(With inputs from PTI)
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday warned eve teasers in Bollywood style, asking them to mend their ways. "UP police will be your Raanjhanaa - Stalk, follow and chase you all around. We are sure, you dont want that to be the story of your life. So mend your ways," they posted on their official Twitter handle.

Eve Teasers, #UPPolice will be your Ranjhana- Stalk, Follow and Chase you all around! We are sure, You definitely dont want that to be the story of your life, So mend your ways. #WomenSecurityUPP pic.twitter.com/9eJU5yvboS  UP POLICE (@Uppolice) May 20, 2018

Raanjhanaa is a 2013 Hindi film, starring Dhanush, Sonam Kapoor and Abhay Deol in lead roles. In the movie, Kundan Shankar (Dhanush) has a strong and obsessive one-sided love for Zoya (Sonam) and chases her around, getting slapped several times in the process.

UP police have earlier also taken to the social media to warn anti-social elements. On April 1, 2018, they had trolled criminals with a Bollywood-style tweet reminding them that life of crime cannot take them far. "Kuch to karan hoga ki villain anth me maara jaata hai (There must be some reason as to why the villain always dies in the end), the post had said.

The tweet had photos of Bollywood stars who have played prominent roles as villains. They were - Amrish Puri's Mogambo from the movie 'Mr India', Ajay Devgan's Sultan Mirza and Emraan Hashmi's Shoaib Khan from 'Once upon a time in Mumbai'. The tweet also had a caption that said - "aisi dhing maarne waale apradhi ko aaj ka din mubarak (on this day, we wish criminals who say big things).

Earlier, on February 16, 2018, too, the UP police had trolled criminals taking a leaf out of Hindi film 'Dabangg' and had posted on Twitter, mocking criminals - "Police se nahin, crime se darr lagta hai sahab' (we are scared of crime, not police).

UP has been in the news lately for a major crackdown on criminals and 'encounters'. After BJP swept the UP Assembly polls in 2017, the Yogi Adityanath-led government has repeatedly said that improving law and order was one of its top priorities. The crackdown on criminals was intensified after new DGP OP Singh took charge in January 2018.

On March 27, 2018, a stringent bill to curb organised crime and deal strictly with those trying to foment terror was passed in the UP Assembly. The proposed legislation on the lines of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) seeks to act sternly against those using explosives or firearms or any other violent means or damaging life and property or involved in anti-national or destructive activities, among other things.

Kidnapping, illegal mining, manufacturing and sale of illicit liquor, acquiring contracts on the basis of muscle power, organised exploitation of forest produce, trade in wildlife and fake medicines, grabbing of government and private properties and extortion will come under the ambit of the new law.

The bill also proposes to give more teeth to law enforcement agencies to control organised crime like land and mining mafia, kidnapping industry and crime syndicates in the state as well as to break the politician-criminal nexus.

(With Agency inputs)
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine confirmed the data on the wounding of three Ukrainian servicemen in the area of JFO for the past day. This was reported by the speaker of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Dmytro Gutsulyak during a briefing at the Ministry of Defense, informs 112.ua.



"Three of our defenders were wounded during the past day, all of them were evacuated and they received the necessary qualified medical care. As reported, one of the military was injured by an unidentified explosive device, his health condition is assessed as serious. Two were wounded as a result of mortar shelling, "he noted.



At the same time, the speaker recalled that, on the whole, during the day of May 19, the enemy made 58 targeted shootings on the positions of the Ukrainian military in Donbas.



"The militants of the Russian occupation authorities carried out 65 artillery shellings of 122 mm caliber, fired 90 minutes of 120 and 82 mm mortar shells," Gutsulyak stressed.



According to him, the greatest activity of the enemy was observed in Donetsk direction.



"Our military keep active defense and have opened an adequate fire 20 times in response from regular infantry armament in order to preserve life and health of personnel," he concluded.
112 Agency

The Swedish Armed Forces will hold annual military exercises at the end of May, in which the Estonian Air Force will take part for the first time. This is reported by DW referring to the press service of the Estonian army.



"After the restoration of independence, these will be the first exercises conducted jointly by the Air Forces of Estonia and Sweden," said acting Commander of the Estonian Air Force Riivo Valge.



He called the exercises "an interesting challenge" and "an opportunity to work out cooperation in the defense sphere."



At the airbase near Tallinn, a Swedish squadron of 8 aircraft should arrive, and about one hundred Swedish soldiers will be deployed there. Flights will be carried out around the clock - both over the territory of Sweden and over the territory of Estonia.



Training air fights will take place only in the airspace of Sweden.



As reported, Ukrainian helicopter pilots conducted exercises near the line of demarcation in Donbas.

Related: Petro Poroshenko to meet with Estonian President
112 Agency

Four people including one Russian citizen detained in Poland for inciting Polish-Ukrainian enmity, the Polish Radio reported.



According to the report, the detention was conducted by the Homeland Security Agency of the country a few days ago.



In the near future, a Russian woman who, according to the Polish special services, stayed in the country since 2013, will be deported.



Also, like four other detainees, she will be banned from entering the territory of the Republic of Poland.



All five persons are incriminated with participation in inciting Polish-Ukrainian enmity, undermining the Polish point of view of historical policy and replacing it with the Russian point of view, and trying to "consolidate pro-Russian forces in the Republic of Poland" around these spheres.



Related: Ukraine congratulates Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their wedding
112 Agency

Near the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine building in Kyiv the action "Hemp march" ("March of Freedom") is takung place, Interfax-Ukraine reports.



According to the report, about two hundred people have settled down near the government building with various posters: "Medical cannabis is our right", "Start scientific research" and posters depicting the leaves of cannabis.



Participants in the action call on the government to launch scientific research on cannabinoids as analgesics and other medicines; to regulate the access of Ukrainian patients to treatment with medical cannabis and preparations based on it.



Public order at the event is provided by dozens of law enforcement officers.



Earlier it was reported that in several cities in Germany, as well as in Austria and Switzerland, demonstrations for the full legalization of marijuana were held.



We recall, in March 2017 Germany allowed to use marijuana as a remedy. And already in early January 2018, the Union of German Criminal Police made a proposal to completely legalize marijuana trade, police believe that the current restrictions create the preconditions for the development of the shadow market.

Related: Poroshenko signs decree on withdrawal of Ukrainian delegations in CIS bodies
nltimes.nl

The government of Germany is aware of more than a thousand jihadists who left Germany in the direction of Syria and Iraq to support terrorist groups. This is reported by Deutche Welle, referring to the government's response to the request of the parliamentary faction of the "Left Party".



The figures indicated mean that the number of people who left the Federal Republic of Germany for combat operations increased again, but significantly less than two years ago.



In addition, it is noted that since 2013, 243 supporters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party and Kurdish self-defense units left Germany to support the international coalition fighting the terrorist group Islamic State.



We recall, the Council of the European Union approved on Monday, May 14, a directive on toughening rules for the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, providing for increased transparency of data on the owners of trusts and beneficiaries of companies.



President of the United States Donald Trump said that it is necessary to take more stringent measures in the fight against terrorism after the terrorist attack in the south of France.

Related: Militants bombarded residential areas in Donbas
Open source

Ukraines Foreign Ministry demands Russian Federation to release 24 Ukrainian political prisoners kept in Russia and more than 40  kept in occupied Crimea, as Mariana Betsa, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, wrote on Twitter.

At least 24 Ukrainians are political prisoners kept in Russia, more than 40  kept in occupied Crimea. And again we ask Russian Federation to release the hostages, she wrote.

Today on May 20 Ukraine marks Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repressions.

This day was set according to the Presidents decree in 2007 and since then it is marked every third Sunday of May.

The main idea of the day is a relevant honoring of the remembrance of political repressions victims. This day is marked to attract attention of the community to the tragic events in Ukraines history, caused by the violent imposing of communist ideology, the revival of national remembrance, affirmation of antipathy toward any expressions of violence against humanity and due to the 70th anniversary of the Great Purge  mass political repressions of 1937-1938.
Transport Minister Adel Yzquierdo says he hopes the second device will be recovered soon

Cuba authorities informed that the rescuers found one of flight data recorders of Boeing 737, which crashed in Guyana airport on May 19, as BBC reports.

Transport Minister Adel Yzquierdo says he hopes the second device will be recovered soon, the message says.

It is also noted that the death toll increased to 110 people, 11 of them are foreigners. Three women survived in a crash, but they remain in a critical health condition.

As we reported earlier, Boeing 737 crashed at a take-off performing domestic flight Guyana  Holguin.

Ukraine news on 112.international
The bill, which provides the deprivation of Ukrainian citizenship for voting in the elections in Crimea, will be divided into two separate documents, as Petro Porosheko, the President of Ukraine, stated today at the meeting with Refat Chubarov, the Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, and his Deputy Ilmi Umerov, the Presidents press office reports.

As the President stated, the norm on the collaborationists who have voluntary cooperated with the occupation authorities will be excluded. At the same time, the bill on collaborationists will be developed.

And we will divide these two things. The first one is the law on citizenship and protection of Ukrainian citizenship. On the other hand, we will settle the problem of this, even small, citizens category by the law on collaborationists, but they have to get a fair reaction of the Ukrainian legislation, Ukrainian law and state, the President stressed.

Earlier, Petro Poroshenko withdrew the law 8297 on May 16, 2018. According to the text of the bill, voting in the so-called elections conducted by Russia in Crimea is a sign of a voluntary acquired Russian citizenship and therefore a reason to be deprived of Ukrainian citizenship.
The main idea of the day is a relevant honoring of the remembrance of political repressions victims

Open source

Today on May 20 Ukraine marks Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repressions.

This day was set according to the Presidents decree in 2007 and since then it is marked every third Sunday of May.

The main idea of the day is a relevant honoring of the remembrance of political repressions victims. This day is marked to attract attention of the community to the tragic events in Ukraines history, caused by the violent imposing of communist ideology, the revival of national remembrance, affirmation of antipathy toward any expressions of violence against humanity and due to the 70th anniversary of the Great Purge  mass political repressions of 1937-1938.

It should be noted that the exact number of victims of the totalitarian regime is hard to define. Some experts consider that from the beginning of the 1920s to the end of 1980s, the period of communist regime rule in Ukraine, almost 1,5 million people were arrested in Ukraine. Many of them were executed by shooting, others were imprisoned, exiled, sent to tortures, camps, were kept in mental hospitals. Terror and repressions affected all the categories of the population  scientists, politicians, military servicemen, priests, culture representatives, peasants.

Over decades the Soviet authorities were hiding the traces of its crimes  KGB (Committee for State Security un USSR) set restricted access facilities on grave sites, concreted ground, razed locations by bulldozers and planted tress there.

Bykivnia graves is the largest burial site for victims of Stalins regime in Ukraine. The number of buried here has not been determined yet, it might be from 20,000 to 100,000 people.

Traditionally, memorial events dedicated to this day are being conducted in Ukraine and abroad, yet the main events are to be held in Kyiv, the capital of the country.

A flower-laying ceremony with the participation of states and municipal authorities will be carried out near the National historical and memorial reserve Bykivnia graves.

Thematic, informative, educative, media and exhibition events will be held for a wide audience.

Besides, the capital authorities recommended the religious organization to hold commemorative events dedicated to the day, in memory of the victims of the political repressions.
Islamic State group fighters began evacuating their final stronghold in southern Damascus on Sunday, a monitor said, bringing Syria's government closer than ever to flushing out the last threat to the capital. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has used a combination of military pressure and evacuation deals in recent months to recapture territory around the capital from his armed opponents. Last month, troops and allied Palestinian militia launched a fierce offensive to oust IS from a cluster of districts in southern Damascus, including the Palestinian camp of Yarmuk. After weeks of combat and heavy casualties, an apparent deal was reached for remaining IS fighters to leave Yarmuk and the adjacent district of Tadamun, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. IS jihadists burned their headquarters in Yarmuk before boarding buses with their relatives to leave the area, said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman. "The six buses left at dawn, heading east for the Syrian desert," he told AFP. Abdel Rahman could not specify how many had left, but said a majority were relatives of jihadists and not armed. More than two dozen buses remained in Yarmuk for additional evacuations, he said. Syrian state media and a Palestinian official have denied a deal was reached or that evacuations were taking place. IS has had a presence in southern Damascus since 2015, expanding in recent years from Yarmuk to Tadamun and the nearby districts of Hajar al-Aswad and Qadam. Yarmuk in particular has been devastated by Syria's conflict, suffering a crippling government siege since 2012 and ruined by years of fighting. It was once home to 160,000 Palestinian refugees, as well as Syrians, but just a few hundred remain. - IS 'surrendering' - Assad has already ousted tens of thousands of rebels and civilians from areas around Damascus this year through military force and negotiated withdrawals, including the rebel bastion of Eastern Ghouta. The regime used similar tactics to clear opposition towns northeast and south of Damascus earlier this month, leaving IS as the only armed presence in the capital. The assault against the jihadist force has left more than 250 pro-regime forces, 233 jihadists and more than 60 civilians dead according to the Britain-based Observatory. But the offensive died down around midday Saturday after a truce between IS on one side and pro-government Palestinian militias and regime ally Russia on the other, said the monitor, which relies on a network of sources in Syria. "After the ceasefire on Saturday, IS withdrew from areas in the western part of Yarmuk camp, east towards the centre of the camp," Abdel Rahman said. "Troops and Palestinian loyalist militias entered that area for sweeping operations," he told AFP. Syrian state media on Sunday denied evacuations were taking place in Hajar al-Aswad and made no mention of any departures from Yarmuk or Tadamun. "Army units in southern Damascus continued their operations against the remaining terrorists in a small area of Hajar al-Aswad, making further progress towards ending the terrorist presence in the area," it said. Anwar Abdel Hadi, the head of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) also denied the evacuations but said IS appeared to be giving up. "Daesh is surrendering in Yarmuk, Hajar al-Aswad, and Tadamun," he told AFP, using the Arabic acronym for IS. - Artillery backs SDF - It remains unclear exactly where Sunday's evacuees will go, or if they will be pursued by regime troops. A similar deal reached last year by Syria's regime and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah saw IS fighters bussed out of the Lebanon-Syria border area towards Syria's east. IS once held large parts of Syria's north and east, but offensives by rival forces have whittled down its control to less than three percent of the country. The jihadists still hold some territory in remote parts of central Homs province and Deir Ezzor in the east, according to the Observatory. But IS is even under attack there. The Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters backed by Western powers, launched an assault on IS holdouts in Deir Ezzor earlier this month. On Sunday, they were closing in on a key IS-held village, backed by close US and French ground support, the Observatory said. "There are intense clashes around Hajjin, and the SDF is advancing thanks to American and French artillery fire," Abdel Rahman told AFP. The SDF has already driven IS out of large parts of northern and eastern Syria, including the onetime jihadist capital of Raqa, with help from the coalition's air strikes, weapons and special forces advisors. The evacuation of jihadists from southern Damascus follows intense fighting with Syrian regime forces
Where others failed, sometimes spectacularly, French surgeon Emmanuel Martinod has helped people whose windpipes have been ravaged by cancer and other diseases to live and breathe normally again. At least one of his patients, sporting a new trachea, has taken up long-distance running. Since 2009, Martinod and his team at Avicenne Hospital near Paris have carried out more than a dozen trachea transplants using donor aortas reinforced with custom-made internal scaffolding, called stents. Hailed by one US throat surgeon as a "major advance", the reconstructive technique was detailed Sunday in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and presented at a medical congress in San Diego, California. Previous efforts to rebuild the windpipe and airways from scratch had focused on using artificial tubes seeded with the patient's own stem cells. This approach was made famous -- and then notorious -- by disgraced Italian surgeon Paolo Macchiarini, who performed synthetic trachea transplants on eight patients from 2011 to 2014. Seven died from complications, and the whereabouts of the eighth is unknown. It was later revealed that Macchiarini falsified results in published studies. Martinod struck on the idea of using aortas -- the largest artery in the body -- from deceased donors to replace damaged sections of trachea, the roughly 10-centimetre (four-inch) tube of cartilage and tissue that connect the larnyx to bronchial tubes feeding into the lungs. The thick walls of aortas are designed to withstand a lifetime of pressure, chaneling blood pumped by the heart. - From surprise to surprise - Harvested from donors, the arteries can be frozen to minus 80 degrees Celsius (minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit) and stored, ensuring an ample supply. The freezing process, Martinod discovered, had another huge advantage: it removed the need for a life-long regimen of medications to prevent the immune system from rejecting a transplanted organ or body part. Follow-ups on the first patients to receive new windpipes brought even more good news. "We went from surprise to surprise, because we saw a regeneration of epithelium," he told AFP. The inside of a healthy trachea is lined with a thin film, called epithelium, that moistens and protects the airways. It also functions as a barrier to disease and foreign particles transported toward the mouth by tiny, hair-like cilia. Unexpectedly, this crucial layer had appeared on the inner surface of the repurposed aortas. New cartilage had also begun to form. "That was the ultimate surprise -- the aorta transforming itself into a trachea," said Martinod. "It's not magic, but no one really believed it could happen that way." Eric Volery might disagree about the magic. The 40-year old Frenchman suffered from an acute narrowing of the windpipe called tracheal stenosis, and he was slowing choking to death. - An 'elegant solution' - A tracheotomy -- a hole cut through his throat directly into a less constricted part of his windpipe -- was keeping him alive. "I had to put a finger over the hole to talk," he recalled. "I'll never forget the doctor who told me: 'Mister, your working days and love life are finished'." Martinod operated on Volery in 2011, replacing his trachea and reinforcing it with a stent. Within a few years, an epithelium has formed and the stent was removed. "He's in perfect health, and is fond of taking 45 or 50-minute runs," the surgeon said. Peers have reacted favourably to the findings. "This represents a major advance in the management of diseases affecting the central airways," commented Valerie Rusch, a surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, writing in JAMA. "This approach provides an elegant solution to challenges that have long bedevilled the field of tracheal surgery." In the study, Martinod and colleagues described the outcomes for 13 transplant patients: five tracheas, seven bronchi and one carina, which is where the trachea divides. The carina transplant patient died sometime after surgery. The other 12 are all survived at least 90 days, and 10 of them were alive after nearly four years. Eight of these ten are breathing normally. All the stents were removed, on average 18 months after the surgery. French surgeon Emmanuel Martinod and his team at Avicenne Hospital near Paris have carried out more than a dozen trachea transplants using donor aortas Description of a pioneering method of replacing damaged windpipes
Meghan was the strength of her wedding ceremony to Prince Harry as her body language showed she was constantly reassuring him, an expert said.

Despite the whole experience being completely new for Meghan, who last night became the Duchess of Sussex, she did not display a single sign of anxiety or nervousness  while her new husband, the Duke of Sussex, was so patently nervous.

Judi James, a body language expert, said Harry performed about 12 self-touching body checks, like pulling at his gloves and wringing his hands, within a few paces of getting out his car after arriving at St Georges Chapel in Windsor.

However Meghan, the latest member of the royal family, maintained complete calm throughout the ceremony to help Harry through it.

A body language expert said Ms Markle was the strong one in the couple during the ceremony. Source: Dominic Lipinski/pool photo via AP

Meghan was amazing. Walking up the aisle by herself, I looked for every smallest sign of suppressed anxiety and nervousness  there was absolutely nothing, Ms James said.

I think she probably saw it as her role to help Harry through it rather than the other way round. She sat with her hand over his for quite a bit of the service as though she was reassuring him.

To me, she was the strength when it came to the day and the actual performance.

Meghan Markle was praised for her poise throughout the ceremony. Source: UK Pool/Sky News via AP

Ms James described Meghans hand as like a ballet dancers throughout the exchanging of their vows as it was incredibly steady.

The Duchesss eye gaze was also a strong sign of her confidence in leading the day, Ms James said.

For me, today was something we dont usually get at royal weddings, which is the eye gazing between the couple because she gave Harry a 100 per cent eye gaze.

When he went to take his vows, the undistilled awe and love for her is what we normally see at royal weddings in very tiny glances  but we got the full force of it with this one, which is what made it unique and very touching.

Harry was visibly nervous at times during the wedding ceremony, at Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle. Source: Dominic Lipinski/pool photo via AP

Comparing the newlyweds to William and Kate, who married seven years ago in Westminster Abbey, Meghan and Harry were able to hold eye contact for much longer, Ms James said.

Story continues

The love that was emanating out of Meghans eyes really helped him quite a lot. Even her blink rate hadnt got quicker so there was nothing  even in the smaller details  that showed nervousness, she observed.

Meghan and Harrys relationship

Ms James also commented on the touching role reversal reassuring relationship between Prince William and Harry before the ceremony began.

It was William who gave him a lot of reassuring smiles to calm him down a little bit, she said, whilst observing William looked much calmer at his wedding to Kate Middleton than Harry did.

After entering the chapel with his brother, there were several signs of Harrys nerves increasing as he began touching his face, blinking more and licking his lips.

The royal couple wave to the crowds from their horse-drawn carriage. Source: Jeff J Mitchell/pool photo via AP

It was quite unusual and sweet to see him in that mode because normally at royal events he is the joker in the pack and making everybody else laugh, Ms James said.

But this one had knocked him sideways a little, probably more than he was expecting, she added.

Ms James also observed the rest of the royal family, especially through the colourful sermon delivered by American Minister, Michael Curry.

It clearly would have been a first for most the royals, who werent expecting it, she said.

Camilla went from smiling and laughing in the right places to thumbing through the program like she did at the Commonwealth Games. I dont think she was quite sure how to take it.

Britains Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex kiss as they exit St Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle. Source: NEIL HALL/Pool via REUTERS

Even Harry did a slight finger tap, which could be a suppressed sign of impatience. Him and Meghan kept catching one anothers eyes through it.

One member of the audience whose body language was particularly noticeable was Chelsy Davy, Prince Harrys ex-girlfriend.

She was the spectre at the banquet, Ms James said.

When she arrived, everyone else was chatting and laughing, but she sat in the pews just looking to one side  gazing reflectively into space and biting her lips slightly. She was doing that at the end as well. It was almost the soap opera part of the ceremony.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images(BROOKLYN, New York) -- More than two dozen people at the same street corner had to be rushed to the hospital after suffering a bad reaction to synthetic marijuana in Brooklyn on Saturday night.



Police sources told New York ABC station WABC-TV that officers reported to a street corner in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn after receiving multiple calls for bad reactions to the drug. The sources said at least 25 people were taken to the hospital to be treated for adverse symptoms.



Officials told WABC-TV that none of the patients are in life-threatening condition.



The drug, often labeled synthetic marijuana, doesn't include any actual cannabis.



Synthetic weed, also called K2 or spice, is dried plant material sprayed with chemicals, which can be smoked or sold in liquid-form to be inhaled with a vaporizer. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, effects can be "unpredictable and, in some cases, more dangerous or even life-threatening."



The overdoses on Saturday occurred at the intersection of Broadway and Myrtle Avenue under the J and Z subway tracks. The location is well-known by authorities.



In July 2016, at least 33 people had serious adverse reactions to synthetic weed in one day at the exact same corner, and more than 100 were taken to the emergency room from July 11-13, 2016, according to the National Institute of Health.



The National Institutes of Health released warnings in four states -- Wisconsin, Indiana, Maryland and Illinois -- over dangerous synthetic marijuana in early April. Illinois especially was hit with a number of problems due to the drug; three people died and more than 100 people were hospitalized in April, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.



Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
It does not get any more Australian than this.

Footage has captured the moment a keen koala appearing to cast a line along the banks of the Murray River.

For this furry critter, it was just another day in country Victoria.

The unusual sight was witnessed by one surprised family who say it is something they will never forget.

Lorraine Johns and her family had been camping near Strathmerton, in northern Victoria, on Saturday when they noticed the curious creature roaming nearby their campsite.

Its common to see fishermen cast a line on the Murray River, but how about a koala? Source: Lorraine Johns

The family left the marsupial to its own devices, but later spotted it propped onto one of their rods, appearing to try and catch a fish.

In the video, a surprised Ms Johns, who shot the footage, can be heard saying: Just another day in Australia.

She described the sight as a bizarre, once in a lifetime opportunity.

It just doesnt happen, does it? Ms Johns told 7 News.

Avaya Masoe was awestruck by the fishing koala. Source: 7 News

Her young granddaughter, Avaya Masoe, said the family were wondering where the animal had come from.

It was just fishing when we just saw it. It was just amazing, she said.

Andy Masoe joked the koala may have had better luck with the rod than him.

Lorraine Johns and her family had been camping near Strathmerton, in northern Victoria on Saturday, when they noticed the curious creature roaming nearby their campsite. Source: 7 News

I hope it catches the fish, because I cant, he quipped.

It was good to see it come down here and try and teach me.

The Johns family say they have been visiting the camping spot for years and always expect to see some kind of wildlife, but watching the koala casting a line was something they will never forget.

I havent seen it before, I dont think Ill see it again, Ms Johns said.
US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Sunday discussed North Korea's recent threats to cancel its unprecedented summit with Washington, Seoul's presidential office said. After weeks of warm words and diplomatic backslapping, Pyongyang abruptly threatened to pull out of the planned summit next month because of US demands for "unilateral nuclear abandonment", according to the North's official KCNA news agency. North Korea also cancelled at the last minute a high-level meeting with the South, protesting joint military drills between Seoul and Washington. In a phone conversation on Sunday, Trump and Moon "exchanged views on various actions taken by North Korea recently", Moon's office said in a statement. The two leaders agreed to "work closely" for the success of the landmark summit in Singapore on June 12, which would be the first meeting between a sitting US President and a North Korean leader. They are due to meet in Washington on Tuesday. North Korea's sudden shift in attitude followed a weeks-long charm offensive that has seen leader Kim Jong Un hold a historic summit with Moon and meet twice with Chinese President Xi Jinping. At a dramatic summit last month in the Demilitarised Zone dividing their two countries, Kim and Moon pledged to pursue nuclear disarmament and a peace treaty. Pyongyang also raised hopes ahead of the US summit by announcing it will destroy its nuclear testing site next week. But the promise is open to interpretation on both sides and the North has spent decades developing its atomic arsenal, culminating last year in its sixth nuclear test -- by far its biggest to date -- and the launch of missiles capable of reaching the US. Trump and Moon have agreed to "work closely" to ensure the US President's meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong Un is a success
There are at least three candidates seeking the Republican nomination to succeed John DeFrancisco in the New York State Senate, but one appears to have a leg up on his competitors.

Onondaga County Comptroller Bob Antonacci emerged last week as the favorite to secure the GOP nomination in the 50th Senate District race. He announced his candidacy Monday and quickly received the support of his home county's Conservative Party committee and the state Independence Party.

Republican candidates for state Legislature typically run with the support of the Conservative and Independence parties.

Antonacci, who has served as county comptroller since 2008, already has more than $100,000 in his campaign account that he can use for a state Senate run.

"I believe I am the most qualified person to run for this seat and that I possess the skills needed to be a very strong candidate for our party," he wrote in a letter to Onondaga County GOP committee members last week.

There are other contenders. Joe Carni, a member of the Syracuse Common Council, also entered the race last week. His father, Edward, is a past Syracuse city councilor and currently serves as a state Supreme Court judge.
Local officials have been given a little more time to formulate a response to the recently reincarnated Cayuga Nation land trust application, but it's an extension they say is not enough to allow for a fair and thorough review.

On April 5, Cayuga County and the affected municipalities received a notice from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs that it has resumed consideration of a 2005 application by the Cayuga Indian Nation of New York for the U.S. to acquire and hold in trust six of the Cayuga Nation's parcels. Putting land into federal trust would exempt it from local taxes and use regulations, a status the nation has long argued it is entitled to have as a sovereign nation.

Of the parcels requested for federal trust, four are in Cayuga County and two are in Seneca Falls. With Cayuga County, three parcels are in the village of Union Springs and one is in the town of Springport. Of the nearly 130 acres requested in entirety, the parcels requested in Union Spring total 111 acres, which is 10 percent of the village's taxable land.

Senators back counties' request for more time to review Cayugas' land trust application New York's U.S. senators support a request from Cayuga and Seneca counties for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to extend the comment period to 12

The notice of the application's consideration requested and invited municipalities, counties and other affected government entities to submit comments. Data was requested for the BIA's secretary to be able to "assess the impact of the removal of this property from the tax rolls." Government entities were given 30 days to respond to the notice, and up to a 30-day extension could be granted if a written explanation could justify the need for additional time.

Cayuga County responded by requesting a 120-day extension on behalf of the county, Union Springs and Springport.

Attorney Philip Spellane of the Harris Beach law firm, hired to represent the county on the matter, requested the extension via a letter addressed to Acting Regional Director of BIA Bruce W. Maytubby on May 4. Spellane claimed that much has changed in the passage of time since the original 2005 application and the involved entities need more time to be able to fully assess the potential impact of the application.

Cayuga County received a response from the BIA on May 15, which acknowledged the requested 120-day extension but was granted just 30 more days.

"While we understand your desire to provide a comprehensive response, your comments need not be extensive and can be based on information currently on hand," the BIA's letter read. "Additionally, as stated in your request, the application has been pending for several years. As such, it has been the subject of at least one previous request for comments on the potential impacts ... we believe a 30-day extension of time in which to submit additional comments would be appropriate."

Lawmakers speak out against tribe's attempt to place Cayuga County land into trust Two state lawmakers who represent the town of Springport and village of Union Springs oppose the Cayuga Indian Nation's application to place n

The letter said the county, town, and village now have until the close of business June 11 to provide comments.

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County Administrator J. Justin Woods said on Thursday that the 30-day extension "is really insufficient ... that's not sufficient to (comprehensively) respond to the application." He added that the county is mid-discussion with its attorneys and the town and village lawyers about an appropriate response and next steps.

In the county's request for more time, attorney Spellane explained that Cayuga Nation's 2005 application was "officially dismissed" by the BIA in 2011 due to finding it incomplete. The understanding was that to be reconsidered, the Nation would need to file a new application with the BIA to be considered again. Spellane claims in the letter that "it appears BIA has decided to resume consideration of the Nation's original 2005 applications." If a new application was submitted, Spellane explained, the county, town and village did not receive a notice, which violates the BIA's requirement set in the 2011 decision to notify the entities.

In a press release in 2011, the BIA said it dismissed the application because the nation "did not address all of the requirements contained in the Department's regulations," and then informed the county that the BIA "would not even take action on any new application until the Nation settled it's leadership dispute."

The federal agency believes that dispute has ended. Clint Halftown's council, the Cayuga Nation Council, was recognized as the nation's governing body by the BIA in 2016. Halftown and four other council representatives from different clans led a voting campaign against the former Unity Council in the summer of 2016, and Maytubby said the campaign  resulting in Halftown's council winning as it was the only council on the ballot  was a valid resolution to the tribal leadership dispute. Then in the summer of 2017, the federal Interior Department upheld the BIA's decision to recognize Halftown and his council as the Nation's leaders. A court challenge from other nation members to that ruling is pending, but the BIA is moving forward with the land-into-trust review.

In the county's 120-day-extension request, attorney Spellane went on to illustrate specific areas in which the nation's application was incomplete and he said it relied on various documents that are now more than 10 years old.

"We need time to assess the needs of the local communities that have developed since the trust applications were submitted 13 years ago," Spellane wrote.

Union Springs and Springport also expressed opposition to the application.

Springport Town Supervisor David Schenck wrote a response back to the BIA about two weeks after receiving the notice. Schenck explained he was not in favor of the land, nearly four acres in the town, being placed into trust and said the town's annual estimated loss of tax revenue  if the application were approved  would be more than $50,000. Schenck said in an interview that he believes this is inequitable to residents and it would hurt the town.

Union Springs Mayor Bud Shattuck did not write a response because the county's request was made on the village's behalf, but said "our take on (the application) is it's flawed in many ways." Shattuck also agreed the 30-day extension provided for was insufficient to produce the requested information.

"It's important that we're represented in New York state," Shattuck said, as the village could lose 10 percent of its taxable land if the application were approved. "Our thought is you just can't put land into trust."

Reached last week, Halftown said that if the local government entities have concerns about the application being the same, that's a concern for the federal government to field, not the Cayuga Nation. Halftown said he doesn't know if the application has changed since 2005 as it was prepared by lawyers on behalf of the Nation.

Halftown said he hopes that after 13 years of waiting, the Trump administration can help the nation regain land that was promised to them. He said historically the Cayuga Nation "has always been there ... we have been here since before you guys came here."

Cayuga nation land claim Parcels proposed to be acquired in trust as listed in the notice from BIA sent to the county and municipalities.

Staff writer Megan Ehrhart can be reached at (315) 282-2244 or megan.ehrhart@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter @MeganEhrhart.

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"We honor you all, whatever your chosen path. We know that it takes all of you to build and maintain the strong communities that we know and cherish," said VanBuskirk. "Value those individuals who are not just like you ... see the range of humanity, value the good you can find, and remember to take joy in the variety of human life."

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The Class of 2018 commencement address was delivered by CCC's two SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence recipients, Glyn Davenport and Mitchell Phillips  both of whom graduated with liberal arts math and science degrees.

Davenport opened his speech in American Sign Language as an interpreter vocalized his signs. When he took the podium to orally deliver the rest of his speech, he explained that he chose to open with ASL as a testament to something he learned at Cayuga  to listen to others wholeheartedly.

"Almost everyone wants to be heard, but almost nobody wants to listen," Davenport said, adding that when people communicate through sign language, there is complete attention given to what people are saying. Through his involvement in ASL courses, Davenport said he now "more deeply understand(s) the benefit of listening to and learning from those who are different than (him)." He challenged his fellow graduates to get to know, and perhaps become advocates for, people who are different from themselves.
WEEDSPORT  Timothy Randall, 61, a lifelong native of the Weedsport, Auburn area, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, May 15, 2018.

The son of the late Victor and Margaret Clarke Randall, Tim was born Aug. 4, 1956 in Auburn. He had been employed as a trackman with Conrail, and also with Cayuga County as a maintenance person.

Surviving are two sisters, Monica Bothwell, of Genoa, and Debra Randall, of Auburn; five brothers, Denny, Kerry, and Eric, of Weedsport, Philip, of Auburn, and David Randall, of Idaho; nieces and nephews.

Tim was predeceased by three sisters, Candace Wickman, Drucilla Anthonson, and Pamela (Wilson) Randall.

Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at White Chapel Funeral Home, 2719 Erie Drive, Weedsport. Burial will be in Weedsport Rural Cemetery. Friends are invited to call on the family from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday prior to services.
The South Korean border city of Paju is becoming popular among tourists. / Yonhap



The number of visitors to security-related tourist sites in the South Korean border city of Paju near the western inter-Korean border has increased sharply following the historic inter-Korean summit last month that gave rise to a thawing in relations with the North, the Paju municipal government said Sunday.

Since the inter-Korean summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the southern side of the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone on April 27, the number of tourists to such attractions has risen to around 1,500-3,000 per day, up 30 percent from 1,200-2,300 in the same period last year.

Major tourist attractions in the city include an underground tunnel dug by the North with the intent of invading the South, the Doras and Odusan Unification Observatories, which offer views of the North's border town of Kaesong, and Imjingak Pavilion, where many visitors look at the North through binoculars.

In the May 1-13 period, the accumulated number of visitors to the underground tunnel, Imjingak Pavilion and Odusan Unification Observatory came to 28,632, 177,319 and 25,924, respectively.

The city government also attributed the rise to an increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting the city after Chinese cities lifted their suspension of package tour programs to South Korea, imposed amid a diplomatic feud between the two countries. The bilateral rift over the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system in South Korea brought Chinese group tours to the South virtually to a halt in 2017.

At the historic inter-Korean summit, the leaders of the two Koreas agreed to pursue "complete denuclearization" of the peninsula and strive to formally end the 1950-1953 Korean War, which ended only with an armistice agreement signed on July 27, 1953, by the U.S.-led United Nations Command, North Korea and China. (Yonhap)
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What is a tax increase? Sounds like a simple question. But when politics intrudes, simple becomes complicated - or even convoluted.One possible definition is that a tax increase is when you pay more taxes this year than you did last year. But what if you get a pay raise at work? All other things being equal, it is certainly the case that if your taxable income rises, the amount of income tax you pay rises, too - and if you use pay of your raise to buy a new computer, your sales-tax burden will rise a bit, too.But that doesn't really sound like a tax increase, does it?The definition gets more problematic if you recognize that changes in tax policy aren't always intended to be permanent. For example, if lawmakers impose a temporary tax hike to balance a governmental budget during a recession, or a surtax over a fixed period of years to pay for a particular capital project, would it be a tax hike if they later chose not to let the higher tax rate expire as promised?Technically, the next year's tax bill would look the same as the previous year's tax bill. But you'll pay more tax than you otherwise would have. It would be like taking out a car loan, getting to the last payment, and then having the lender tack on an extra two months of payments. Your monthly budget would stay the same. Yet you'd conclude, properly, that you'd been swindled. The price tag you were promised would not be the price you actually end up paying.In North Carolina politics, these kinds of questions have proven to be far from academic. Two former Democratic governors, Mike Easley and Bev Perdue, both proposed "temporary" tax increases during their respective economic recessions, then later proposed to extend the life of those tax hikes. Easley got his additional taxes, thanks to a friendly Democratic legislature. Perdue didn't, as her attempts to extend hundreds of millions of dollars a year in "temporary" sales tax hikes were rejected by the Republican legislature.On the flipside, North Carolina once had a state version of the Earned Income Tax Credit. It was enacted as a time-limited measure. Several years ago, when it was scheduled to expire, GOP lawmakers chose not to renew it. Democrats blasted Republicans for "eliminating" the state EITC, which was rhetorically useful but untruthful.Which brings me to Gov. Roy Cooper's just-released budget proposal. Under the budget enacted by Republican lawmakers last year, North Carolina's tax rates are scheduled to decline during the coming year - to 5.25 percent on personal income, down from about 5.5 percent, and to 2.5 percent on corporate income, down from 3 percent.The Cooper administration wants to spend upwards of $1 billion more than the GOP-led General Assembly would like over the next two fiscal years. Specifically, legislative leaders have announced a General Fund target of $23.9 billion in 2018-19. That's about $900 million, or 3.85 percent, more than this year's budget, and includes another round of significant teacher-pay raises.The governor isn't satisfied. He wants a $1.5 billion spending hike in 2018-19 - yes, you read that right - plus another big budget increase in 2019-20. One of the ways Cooper proposes to pay for it is to freeze the corporate tax at the current 3 percent, and to keep the 5.5 percent personal rate for some high-income taxpayers.Under Cooper's plan, would the affected companies and households pay more next year than they will this year? No. But they would clearly pay more than current law allows. Flowery language aside, the administration properly books its proposal as an increase in tax collections - of nearly $400 million over the next two fiscal years.These extra taxes Cooper wants to collect fall far short of what progressives want. They think state spending is billions of dollars too low. Still, $400 million is a lot of money. And North Carolinians are surely entitled to accurate information about it.
School safety, charter schools, and teacher pay headline K-12 issues for Republican and Democratic lawmakers during the N.C. General Assembly's 2018 short session.The legislature will consider 14 recommendations from the newly formed House Select Committee on School Safety, including funding for school resource officers, efficient licensing for school psychologists, and peer-to-peer counseling programs in schools.As with most sessions, public charter schools will be hotly debated, mostly due to House Bill 514, a measure to allow a handful of municipalities to launch their own charters.The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bill Brawley, R-Mecklenburg, is raising some eyebrows. H.B. 514 may cause a host of problems, including more segregation across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the system's board said in an April 19 statement the statement reads.H.B. 514 isn't nefarious, and CMS is ignoring the larger purpose of the legislation, Brawley told Carolina Journal.The towns affected - Matthews, Mint Hill, Cornelius, and Huntersville - are dealing with population spikes. The bill, filed in March 2017 , is an answer to school capacity problems, and Matthews residents asked for it, Brawley said.CMS doesn't plan to build another school in northern Mecklenburg until 2030, he said. That means waiting lists at area schools are long and growing longer every day.Three charter schools exist in the territory, Brawley said. Lake Norman Charter School has a waitlist of 6,000. Community School of Davidson and Pine Lake Preparatory Academy have more than 3,000 students waiting for admittance, he told CJ.Brawley said.CMS has proposed a joint task force with the Matthews Town Commission to explore other solutions for problems such as overcrowding, the board's statement says.H.B. 514 still brings questions, said Rep. Craig Horn, R-Union.Horn said.Diversity will be an issue, he said.While the bill incites much debate, there are other topics to worry about, Horn said.Advanced teaching roles, a pilot program that allow teachers to take on extra responsibilities for additional compensation, is likely to get some extra funding.The N.C. Community College System has asked for $16 million to invest in career and technical education, a request that's likely to see "a lot of hand wringing," Horn said. The legislature also plans to fund apprenticeship programs.The General Assembly should take an aggressive approach to bring teacher pay to the national average, said Rep. Greg Meyer, D-Durham. Lawmakers should also expand early childhood education and address capital needs among schools.But those goals aren't likely to advance, Meyer said.Meyer said.Juvenile justice issues remain a priority for lawmakers in North Carolina. But now that the state has enacted a major policy reset, it's all about money matters.Raise the Age, a law that bumped the state's juvenile age limit from 16 to 18 for those with minor offenses, passed last year. Legislators must now tie-up loose ends, Rep. Chuck McGrady, R-Henderson, told Carolina Journal.Passing the law was one challenge. Funding it is another. The juvenile justice system is more intense - in some ways - than the adult criminal justice system, McGrady said. Implementing the new legislation is dependent on money, and time is of the essence.The legislature plans to fund a new juvenile detention facility in Rockingham County. The price is tagged between $10 million and $20 million.Other criminal justice issues have popped up, McGrady said. Certificates of relief, which would restore personal rights lost upon a criminal conviction, may be scrutinized during session. Expunctions for people with criminal records is also an issue of interest.The session will be short, and there's no guarantee lawmakers will take up major policy issues while in Raleigh.McGrady said.It's difficult to collect information at the University of North Carolina System. Data - financial, faculty, and student - is fragmented due to the lack of a clean, comprehensive database. In particular, the university can't factor cost comparisons between institutions. It's a formula for unhappy administrators and lawmakers, said UNC President Margaret Spellings.Spellings said.That could soon change.UNC is asking for an annual $2 million to build a database. The system will collect and compare information across all 17 UNC schools. Administrators want to know how out-of-state tuition stacks up against UNC's educational costs. They also want to track program successes and failures to make good use of taxpayer money, Spellings said.The university is also prioritizing programs that will keep students on schedule to graduate. Those include a grant-based summer school program and "Student Success Innovation Labs," faculty-invented teaching projects catered to student needs. UNC has also proposed "Adaptive Courseware," a learning software that will help students and teachers better communicate and stay on schedule. UNC is asking for a total $5 million to kick-start all three proposals.The university is asking for $3 million to help recruit and retain faculty members. Another $3 million would pay for research projects.Additionally, UNC is requesting $1.07 million to support lab schools , university operated public schools designed to give undergrads real-world teaching experience.Legislators are on board, said Rep. John Fraley, R-Iredell, who chairs the N.C. House Committee on Education-Universities.Like UNC, the General Assembly wants access to more university data. Lawmakers from the House and Senate are also supportive of extra funding to entice faculty to stay at UNC - instead of taking lucrative jobs at other universities, Fraley said.Spellings' requests seem reasonable, but the legislature can't make any money promises at this point in the budget debate, he said.The N.C. Community College System is also on the legislature's radar. The state lacks career and technical education, a need the NCCCS is poised to fill.Legislators also want to extend resident tuition rates to military veterans who wish to attend a private school within the association of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. Currently, only UNC offers that perk to veterans.Fraley said.
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.
Contact: White House

White House Press Office

President Trump is continuing the legacy of transatlantic unity and is working with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg toward a successful July 11-12, 2018, NATO Summit. The United States is one of 12 founding members that signed the Washington Treaty on April 4, 1949, establishing NATO. Since then, NATO has grown to include 29 member states and partnerships with 40 other countries around the globe. On April 11, 2017, President Trump signed the instrument of ratification for Montenegro's accession to NATO. President Trump has reaffirmed that the U.S. commitment to collective defense, as enshrined in the Treaty's Article 5, is ironclad. President Trump and Secretary General Stoltenberg have met in person and spoken on the phone numerous times. In May 2017, President Trump and Secretary General Stoltenberg met in Brussels for the NATO Leaders' Meeting. In April 2017, President Trump hosted Secretary General Stoltenberg during a visit to Washington to discuss priorities for NATO. In January 2017, President Trump and Secretary General Stoltenberg spoke soon after the President's inauguration.President Trump has prioritized working with NATO Allies to ensure they make progress in meeting their agreed-upon NATO defense spending commitments, which is in the interest of each NATO member and all Allies collectively. President Trump and Secretary General Stoltenberg agreed NATO will become stronger when our NATO Allies assume greater responsibility to protect mutual interests and prioritize their burden sharing commitments, especially increased defense spending. Since President Trump came to office, every member state has increased defense spending. In 2017 alone, we saw an increase of more than 4.8 percent in defense spending among our NATO Allies, amounting to nearly $14 billion. This was the largest single-year increase in defense spending among NATO Europe and Canada in more than a quarter century. Eight NATO Allies will reach the 2 percent benchmark by the end of this year, and 15 Allies are on track to spend 2 percent by 2024.NATO countries are undertaking the most significant reinforcement of collective defense since the end of the Cold War to enhance the Alliance's ability to deter Russia, fight terrorism, and defend NATO territory. In 2017, NATO deployed a new, enhanced Forward Presence to improve the collective defense of our NATO Allies including: An enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic States and Poland comprised of 4 multinational, battalion-sized Battle Groups; and A tailored Forward Presence in the Black Sea region comprised of a multinational brigade in Romania, combined training to improve regional interoperability and an air-training and exercise program. To ensure it can meet any and all threats to the Alliance, NATO is making crucial reforms, such as adapting its Command Structure to current needs, increasing readiness levels, speeding up decision making processes, and improving military mobility. NATO has recommitted to developing the capabilities relevant to the hybrid and cyber threats facing the Alliance right now. NATO deterrence and defense posture includes core nuclear, conventional, and missile defense capabilities, as well as cyber defense and counter-hybrid efforts.As the President has long urged, NATO is increasing the contributions it makes to the global fight against terrorism, the security threat that has taken more lives of citizens in NATO countries than any other since NATO's founding. Last May, NATO Allies adopted a Counterterrorism Action Plan to substantially increase NATO's role in the fight against terrorism. NATO is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, as are all NATO Allies. NATO also provides direct support to Coalition operations in the form of air surveillance with its Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. In Iraq, NATO is training Iraqis who in turn train their own forces in disciplines such as battlefield medicine, countering improvised explosive devices (IED), and equipment maintenance. In February 2018, NATO Allies agreed to expand its training mission in Iraq following calls from the Trump Administration for NATO to help stabilize the country. This helps support broader Coalition efforts to defeat ISIS and ensure Iraq retains its hard-won gains. Thirty-nine Allies and partners contribute almost 16,000 troops to NATO's Resolute Support Mission, which trains, advises, and assists the Afghan military to become an increasingly self-sufficient fighting force. The Alliance is working with Southern partners to address conditions that enable terrorism, such as trafficking of weapons, irregular migration, and regional instability.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Bulawayo based Democratic Opposition Party (DOP) has began its grass roots campaigns with its leader introducing the parliamentary candidate for Lobengula constituency and a councilor for ward 14 in Bulawayo this Saturday.Grilled on whether his outfit is not in the election as spoilers, the party's president, Mr Harry Wilson told the ZBC News that his formation is the real deal, saying Zanu-PF and MDC-T are saddled by divisions."We are in this election to win it. We don't bus people like what others do. This is the reality of this constituency. The MDC is having problems of divisions and we saw the same with Zanu-PF. We want to form a Zimbabwe where people don't run away from their country but rather come back to help in the national development," he said.DOP National Assembly candidate for Lobengula constituency, Mr Abraham Moyo said he will not promise people pies in the sky as he will only be a people's servant once elected into power."I cannot promise you bullet trains like others do. I will only be your humble servant who will take your concerns to the government. I will stand for the truth and take all our social problems to organisations that can help," he said.DOP, which claims to have fielded candidates in all the constituencies to be contested in this year's harmonised elections, says it will be hosting similar grass roots campaigns across the country's 10 provinces.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The People's Rainbow Coalition (PRC) yesterday launched its 2018 election manifesto at Dotito business centre in Mashonaland Central province.All five political parties under the PRC banner namely, National People's Party (NPP), People's Democratic Party(PDP) led by Lucia Matibenga, Zimbabwe Economic Freedom Fighters (ZEFF), Zimbabwe United for Democracy (ZUNDE) and Democratic Assembly for Restoration and Empowerment (DARE) gathered for the launch of their 2018 election manifesto.Alliance member, Mr Gorden Moyo gave the preamble to the manifesto which he said hinges on the party's approach to bring an end to cash liquidity crisis facing the nation, while chairperson, Mativenga implored supporters to get registered especially taking advantage of the window period offered by the voters roll inspection period.PRC 2018 presidential candidate, Dr Joice Mujuru unpacked the contents of the manifesto and commended fellow colleagues for choosing her as president of the coalition.A sizeable crowd thronged the open space beside Dotito irrigation scheme for the manifesto launch.Political parties have gone into full swing campaigns and are using the 10 day voters roll inspection period to mobilise the electorate to register so that they can vote come election time this July.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zanu-PF is dangling ambassadorial postings, directorships in parastatal boards and other consolations to aspiring Members of Parliament who lost in its hotly-disputed primary elections to avert electoral sabotage similar to the one witnessed in 2008, the Daily News reported.On Wednesday, the ruling party's chairperson, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, held a caucus with all legislators, most of whom lost in the primary elections held between April 29 and May 3, and assured them that their losing did not mean the end of the world.Although Muchinguri-Kashiri was not available for comment yesterday, legislators who spoke to the Daily News said they were advised not to anchor their lives solely on politics."She said people should not lose hope after losing elections and told us that politics should not be a job but that people must invest in other areas to cushion themselves and invest rather than only looking at politics for survival," said an MP who asked not to be named.Another legislator who attended the same meeting said to quieten the discontentment that threatens to divide the Zanu-PF vote ahead of the general polls, the broken-hearted were promised that they would be given roles on parastatal boards and in the diplomatic service.One such parliamentarian who was reportedly promised a job was Hurungwe West legislator Keith Guzah."I remember her telling Guzah that he would be appointed a board member but some of the legislators rejected saying they cannot go back to work when they left their jobs to become politicians," said the MP.Guzah was noncommittal when asked to comment on the issue.The Hurungwe West MP said he, along with other disgruntled Zanu-PF lawmakers, have petitioned President Emmerson Mnangagwa seeking reprieve, although he was not forthcoming on the details of the petition.Amid suggestions that some bitter losers, who felt that the polls were rigged could vote for the opposition MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa, Zanu-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo urged the losing legislators to rally behind those who won tickets to represent the ruling party in the harmonised elections."This was not a war; it was a contest and in terms of Zanu-PF philosophy, nobody lost and nobody won, it was the party that won. Whoever will represent the party must be supported. We must all canvass support for the party," said Khaya Moyo.With most of the losing candidates threatening a bhora musango, an electoral sabotage that was popularised in the 2008 harmonised elections when Zanu-PF supporters voted for their preferred candidate in the council and parliamentary election but voted for an opposition presidential candidate, there are fears that Mnangagwa could suffer a similar fate if he does not quash dissent in his party.A cagey Khaya Moyo refused to comment on the prospect of a bhora musango saying, "I cannot comment on those making such noises".On Tuesday, losing parliamentarians allegedly met in Harare and resolved to stand as independent candidates if Mnangagwa did not respond favourably to their concerns.Beneath the surface, emotions have been festering as those who lost the polls consider life outside Parliament.In the past, legislators who lost out in primary elections in the majority of cases never publicly defied the party but last week Zanu-PF legislators showed signs that they were ready to rebel when they openly supported the MDC in Parliament.For instance, in an unprecedented move, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga's mother-in-law, Helga Mubaiwa, has dragged the ruling Zanu-PF party to the High Court challenging the outcome of the recently conducted primary elections.Mubaiwa lost the poll to rival Munyaradzi Kashambe, who was declared the winner to represent Zanu-PF as its parliamentary candidate for the Seke constituency in the forthcoming elections.In an urgent chamber application filed on Tuesday, Mubaiwa is seeking an order barring the party's political commissar Engelbert Rugeje and the ruling party from supporting Kashambe until she exhausts all the available remedies in her quest to overturn the outcome of the primary elections.Amid the disgruntlement, the ruling party is having a torrid time in reining in the rebellious lawmakers who now feel they have very little to gain from advancing Zanu-PF's agenda after losing the discredited internal polls.Last week, some of the losing legislators, among them Irene Zindi (Mutasa South), John Holder (Zvishavane-Ngezi) and David Chapfika (Mutoko South) stole the limelight from their MDC counterparts who normally torment Cabinet ministers with stinging remarks and hard-hitting questions in the National Assembly.Zanu-PF is fearful that the disgruntled legislators might sink its attempts to block amendments to the Electoral Act being pushed for by the main MDC opposition party to level the electoral playing field, currently skewed in favour of the governing party.Respected University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer Eldred Masunungure said Zanu-PF leaders have every reason to fret because the numbers of people who are disgruntled are too many to disregard."The prospect of a bhora musango is ever present for all political parties and not only Zanu-PF once they have completed their primaries. What is happening in Zanu-PF is not entirely new, and the prospects of MPs sabotaging elections undermines Zanu-PF chances in the forthcoming elections. The appeals from the leadership in Zanu-PF are warranted because they are based on real fear of Zanu-PF losing votes and thereby undermining ED's (Mnangagwa) chances," said Masunungure.Political analyst Maxwell Saungweme told the Daily News last week that it was inevitable that MPs who lost will continue to respond in various forms, including defecting to Zanu-PF's rivals.He said the MDC was likely to encounter the same situation once it is done with its primary polls."Zanu-PF is a cult-like institution where you have to follow the leader's line to continue to benefit. The MPs who lost in primaries are likely to respond in various ways: Some will defect to other parties, some will remain loyal to Zanu-PF in anticipation of being accommodated in other roles in party and government once Ngwena (Mnangagwa's nickname) wins the presidential polls," opined Maxwell Saungweme."Because most of them are career politicians, they are unlikely to rebel and face recall from Parliament. We are also going to see a fallout from MDC-T primaries. So this will affect both parties in a way. It's a problem on either side of the divide. It must worry both MDC-T and Zanu-PF  the main contenders in the poll," he added.
News / National

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday told thousands of Zanu-PF supporters here that elections would be held in July.The revelation comes amid calls by Zanu-PF's rival and civic organisations for the president to announce the election roadmap that spells out the actual poll dates.Mnangagwa pleaded with party supporters who thronged Sakubva Stadium for his rally to demonstrate political maturity by shunning violence."In elections, which will come in July, we need peace . . . We don't insult other people, no violence, I plead with you, and it is more important and more powerful to be peaceful. It means we have come of age, it means we are now mature as a party," he said.He urged his supporters to resist provocation: "We should not be distracted by small politicians who go around preaching hatred . . . we must allow people to differ."Mnangagwa also took a swipe at nurses for their recent industrial action."You see, what happened with nurses, some people died in the process . . . that was not good, especially because we had agreed to discuss their grievances, but unfortunately they decided not to treat patients while the discussions were underway. We did not like that."If there is a nurse who does not have a job then go and get jobs, if you don't get your job then come to my ministers," said the president.Addressing the same rally, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga challenged Zanu-PF to unite ahead of the watershed election."If we want to do well in the coming elections we have to unite . . . Yes, we have been fighting among ourselves but there is no home where there are no fights or mudslinging but that phase is over," Chiwenga said.He said the president's credentials as a soldier and liberator were beyond reproach, hence Mnangagwa was the best person to lead the country.Meanwhile, Mnangagwa officially renamed 3 Infantry Brigade to Herbert Wiltshire Hamandishe Chitepo Barracks at a ceremony held at the barracks yesterday.He told top military officials, government ministers and the Chitepo family that the renaming was beyond honouring and recognising the country's heroes as it was meant to implant their memories into living history."Today's ceremony is a continuation of the government's decision to honour and recognise our departed heroes and heroines of the liberation struggle, beyond having them lie at the national shrines."It is encouraging to note that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces has taken the lead in imprinting the memories of our departed heroes into our living history, through the renaming of its various military cantonments after the country's leading icons and liberators," Mnangagwa said.This was the third such ceremony after the renaming of KG VI Barracks to Josiah Magamba Tongogara Barracks with the Zimbabwe National Defence University renamed Rodgers Alfred Nikita Mangena Barracks.
Opinion / Columnist

If one is asked how Nelson "Spaghetti" Chamisa has fared in the Zimbabwe political field so far the answer will be simple. If Morgan Tsvangirai needed firm hand holding, Nelson Chamisa needs attentive 24 hour baby sitting or else we witness a terrible disaster of umitigated proportions unfolding in our lifetime.Despite Britain's flat denial this week, their actions have betrayed them since the first day of the so called "Operation Restore Legacy" ie Operation Lestore Regacy.Guess who was the first Western authority to release an official statement concerning the Zimbabwe coup? Yes, it was Britain.Remember who was the first to send her government ministers to visit Harare after the soft coup ? Yes, it was Britain.On 15 November, right in the middle of the Zimbabwe coup, Theresa May, the British Prime Minister, took to parliament. In her short speech she failed to pronounce it as a coup, let alone condemn it. She only called both sides to exercise restraint.Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told the House of Commons that the Zimbabwe coup was a "potential moment for hope." He also promised to see the then Vice President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa about "international community response". What was this all about, was it an attempt at manipulating the reaction of other countries?Britain's Minister of Africa, Rory Steward did attend the inauguration of the coup President, Emmerson Mnangagwa. He was the first British minister to visit Zimbabwe after 20 years. The first foreign envoy to arrive in Zimbabwe ahead of Mnangagwa inauguration and the last to leave after all had left. Oh Great Britain! Is this not the inauguration of an illegitimate coup president that you attended? Well, it was their choice. But their strange choice leaves no questions about who they support.After a reshuffle the new British Minister for Africa, Harriet Baldwin's first destination in the world was Zimbabwe. And she totally blew the lead."I just want to say that it is a great pleasure for me to be having my first visit as new Minister for Africa to Zimbabwe and I have had a very long and interesting discussion with the Foreign Minister Moyo," she said. "We touched on a number of different areas, and of course my visit follows closely on the visit of my predecessor, who was out here for the inauguration (of President Emmerson Mnangagwa)", She said. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lt General (retired) Sibusiso Moyo .Here, Britain was madly flirting with the illegal coup government.At this point MDC T should have seen that it had been dumped by the British or it was facing stiff competition for the attention of the former master. Zanupft has been found to be a better puppet than the MDCT.In our article of 17 November 2017, MLO stated that the Zimbabwe coup had Britain's finger prints all over it. And that it will never solve the grievances of Matabeleland as it seeks to replace one dictator and Matabele butcher with another but the oppressive Shona supremacist system will remain in place and intact. Besides, Britain still believes that there is a better shona leader who will emerge to run and revive the fortunes of Zimbabwe, yet we know the truth is that what ever money will loaned to Zimbabwe government under a shona leader will be stolen, since shona people view theft and corruption as part of their culture.Right now as we speak Matabeleland politicians who are vocal on Matabeleland genocide have been denied visas to attend a Matebele Genocide conference in the UK by the British government.This a clear move that suggests that the former coloniser is protecting its new puppet from facing justice regarding Matabeleland genocide. Once again, the British business interests have overtaken the human rights of the people of Matabeleland. Is Britain the world police for human rights? Maybe for other countries not Matabeleland.They just do not care about the rights of the people of Matabeleland but their companies and other interests that stopped functioning 20 years ago. What sin did the people of Matabeleland commit against Britain? We demand to know ?They are aware that if they keep on sponsoring the shona supremacy in Zimbabwe, their own smelly past in Matabeleland genocide remains covered. Here, we are talking about the illegal invasion of the Kingdom of Matabeleland to destroy it in 1893. The plundering of the King's cattle and Matabeleland genocide whereby 18 000 Matabeles were killed in the same period. Recently declassified information exposes Britain's complicity in the 1980s Matabeleland genocide that wiped out more than 40 000 innocent civilians in Matabeleland. More than 100 000 women were raped, 100 000 homes were burned down some with people inside and more than 1 million were displaced into neighbouring countries like South Africa and Botswana.They assisted the genocidists in the form of funds and disinformation all in the name of securing their business interests. That alliance is up and running again now as Matabeles are prevented from speaking again Matabeleland genocide on British soil.The remaining + - 5 million Matabeles face tribal discrimination, domination and subtle genocide under the British proxy that is the shona supremacist government that was led by dictator and genocidist former president Mugabe and the current military junta.We are pleased to note that it wont be long before the british politicians realise their mistake and face realitiy that nothing good will ever emerge in Zimbabwe under a shona leader. If the truth may be said, the only hope to have the economy of Zimbabwe as currently cosntituted to be resurrected, is to have the country run and mangaed by either a Ndebele person or white person for the benefit of all.Any other option with a shona leader is disaster. Regretable facts are sturbonMLO has done its level best to let Britain and its proxy Zimbabwe know of our intentions to restore the statehood of Matabeleland. This we have done in most polite, diplomatic and peaceful manner. But it seems our good manners are mistaken for cowardice. Please take note that no one should blame us for whatever will happen in future , for we shall arrive unannounced and make the most frightening breaking news of all time. Watch this space.We will not rest until Matabeleland is free from the yoke of oppression.Izenzo kungemazwi!Israel DubeMLO Secretary for Information and public Affairs
By Tom Westbrook KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysians have avidly watched the public humiliation of former leader Najib Razak and his wife, as police hunting evidence of graft loaded five trucks with luxury items, including dozens of Birkin handbags, some costing as much as a sportscar. Tens of thousands of people logged onto Facebook watched as journalists live-streamed the 3 am raid on Friday at an apartment in a fancy condominium, just one of several locations linked to the Najib family that were searched. Millions more watched, as news channels aired the footage on a loop through the following day. During his near ten years in power, Najib stamped out political dissent, and stifled criticism in the media. But since Najib's defeat in the May 9 election to 92-year-old Mahathir Mohamad, his mentor-turned-foe, and jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, media coverage of his downfall has been remorseless. "All of the secrets are coming out already," said Sara Rashid, serving at Optimist Coffee, a busy downtown cafe in Kuala Lumpur. A blackboard listing specials included "freedom of expression". "I think now we have got this opportunity to witness everything, we don't want to miss the chance," she said. The Hermes-branded boxes for the Birkins were plainly seen, loaded in to shopping trolleys as they were carted away, but police said that besides the bags, which can cost as much as three times the prime minister's annual salary of $120,000, they brought out cash, watches and jewels. "The number of jewelry is rather big," policeman Amar Singh, director of commercial crime investigations, told reporters outside. Uploaded to social media, his comments quickly gathered more than 80,000 views online. The new government has made a priority of finding out how billions of dollars went missing from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a fund set up by Najib. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing at 1MDB, and prior to election the mainstream media had towed the official line. Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor, who has become a focal point for public criticism for flaunting her wealth, took issue with the way in which the cameras filmed the police raid. In a statement issued through her lawyers on Saturday she said the "media hailstorm" was "a seemingly targeted vilification of our family to provoke public anger," and railed against the publication of details of items taken from her home. "Enforcement agencies should not be feeding social media trolls," she said. Wags online had already posted memes comparing policeman Singh to the superhero Iron Man, and captioning his remarks with "CASH IS NO LONGER KING, THE SINGH IS KING NOW." It was mostly one-way traffic on Twitter. "YA ALLAHHH NAJIB ROSMAH. How do you sleep at nights!! HOW DO YOU EVEN LIVE THIS LIFE!!!!" lawyer Nurainie Haziqah wrote on Twitter. TEN DAYS THAT SHOOK MALAYSIA During the ten days since he lost power, Najib and his wife have been barred from leaving the country, his home has been searched by police and anti-corruption investigators have said they will meet him next week. Najib, whose late father was Malaysia's second prime minister, has also quit as head of the United Malays National Organisation, the party that, until now, had headed every multi-ethnic coalition to rule Malaysia for the past six decades. Having given little space to the opposition during the election campaign, mainstream media, including state news agency Bernama and the major newspapers New Straits Times and the Star, have reported the drama blow-by-blow. Malaysiakini, an independent news portal that did publish articles critical of the government, said it has recorded a "major increase in viewership" with more than 222 million likes, shares and comments on its Facebook page. "Safe to assume it's our best month ever," chief executive Premesh Chandran told Reuters in an email. (Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Ros Russell)
Victoria Day long weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer. With daylight stretching later into the evening and an extra day off, many people will be looking for activities to fill their time.

The sun is expected to return Saturday after a couple days of cloudy, drizzly weather, and temperatures are expected to rise into the mid-20s in southern Manitoba on Sunday and Monday, so you'll want to get outside as much as possible.

Here's a quick roundup of what's happening in Winnipeg this weekend.

Bikes and spray pads

The City of Winnipeg's Sunday/holiday bicycle route traffic restrictions start this Sunday. On Sundays and holidays (like Victoria Day), motor vehicle traffic may travel for only one block on bike routes from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Four streets are designated as bike routes:

- Lyndale Drive, from Cromwell Street to Gauvin Street.

- Scotia Street, from Anderson Avenue to Armstrong Avenue.

- Wellington Crescent, from Academy Road to Guelph Street.

- Wolseley Avenue, from Raglan Road to Maryland Street.

The city is also opening some of its spray pads early this weekend. Starting Saturday, 13 spray pads will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day until September.

The spray pads opening include:

- Central Corydon Community Centre  River Heights Site.

- Central Park.

- Jill Officer Park.

- Machray Park.

- Park City West Community Centre.

- Provencher Park.

- Shaughnessy Park.

- St. James Assiniboia Centennial Pool.

- St. Norbert Community Centre.

- Vimy Ridge Memorial Park.

- Waverley Heights Community Centre.

- West Kildonan Memorial Community Centre.

- Westdale Outdoor Pool Spray Pad.

Other city spray pads will open on May 27.

Manito Ahbee

Manitoba's largest festival celebrating Indigenous culture runs all weekend, with music, dancing, and two massive powwows to enjoy.

This year's festival kicked off Wednesday and continues until Sunday. The event is expected to bring 10,000 people to Winnipeg's downtown this weekend, according to organizers.

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The International Powwow and marketplace on Saturday and Sunday will include close to 800 dancers and is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the RBC Convention Centre.

Camping

The first long weekend of the warmer season provides an opportunity for people to get out of the city and visit some of the many parks across the province.

For the first time in more than two decades, the Manitoba government has lifted a ban on alcohol in provincial park campgrounds for the May long weekend.

Alcohol-free camping areas will continue to be available all season at a number of provincial campgrounds, the province said, with special family-friendly camping bays at Birds Hill and Grand Beach provincial parks.

Assiniboine Park Zoo

Beginning May long weekend and running all summer, the zoo offers daily chats on a wide variety of animal-related topics offered by zoo staff.

You can learn about butterflies, burrowing owls, camels and, of course, polar bears, plus many more subjects.

As well, the zoo's Xtreme Bugs exhibit  featuring 19 gigantic animatronic insects and arachnids  is now open.

For a complete schedule of daily zoo chats, visit the zoo website.

Filipino Food Fest

It's going to be a delicious weekend.

Food Trip  The Filipino Food Festival kicks off Saturday at Tyndall Park Community Centre.

Organizer Lourdes Federis says the festival will serve up some tasty culinary discoveries for some, and a taste of home for others.

Aside from more than 30 food vendors  most, but not all Filipino  there will be bingo, wellness activities, live bands and some friendly competition.

In one contest, dubbed a "boodle fight," a spread of food  vegetables, rice, meats  will be laid out on a banana leaf to see which team can eat it all the fastest. In the second, non-Filipinos will be challenged to eat a fertilized egg  a popular delicacy in the Philippines.

The festival runs 12 p.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The federal government confirmed Friday that B.C.'s use of the courts to fight the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion constitutes the kind of political delay that could trigger taxpayer-funded compensation for the builder.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau said Wednesday the Liberal government is prepared to indemnify the project against the cost of "unnecessary delays" that are politically motivated.

If Kinder Morgan abandons the project, which it has threatened to do, the government's insurance policy would apply to whoever takes it over.

Though Morneau didn't expand on what would be considered a political delay, the parliamentary secretary to the environment minister did so Friday.

"The court case certainly is political uncertainty," Jonathan Wilkinson told CBC Radio's The House, though he wouldn't say whether the court delay means funds would flow immediately to Kinder Morgan.

At the end of April, the B.C. government asked the province's highest court to decide if it has the right to impose stricter rules for companies looking to ferry heavy oil, such as diluted bitumen, through B.C.

Morneau's attempt to reassure the industry that whoever completes the expansion will be backstopped by taxpayer dollars didn't come with an expected price tag, nor would Wilkinson estimate what Trans Mountain could end up costing the government.

The federal government holds authority over any public work that crosses provincial borders, and it intends to assert its power.

"We have the jurisdiction, and therefore the insurance will not be costly," Wilkinson said.

Last month, Kinder Morgan stopped all non-essential spending on its $7.4-billion project because of the months-long standoff between the B.C. and Alberta governments. B.C. has been working to block the pipeline for environmental reasons. Alberta says the project is crucial to its economy, which is hurt by the lack of pipeline capacity.

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The expansion would add a second pipeline along Kinder Morgan's existing pipeline route to carry diluted bitumen from Alberta to the B.C. coast for export on tankers.

'Very risky project' for B.C.

B.C., however, remains unmoved by its neighbour's economic arguments.

"We've been clear from the start. We think this is a dangerous, very risky project for British Columbia," George Heyman, the province's environment minister, told The House's Chris Hall.

He was also critical of Morneau's jabs blaming B.C. and Premier John Horgan for the delays, saying it's "just wrong, and he knows it's wrong."

"Mr. Morneau appears perfectly willing to risk Canadian taxpayers dollars in the billions to bail out a Texan corporation, and willing to do hardly anything with respect to the very real risks faced by British Columbians," Heyman said.

Alberta responded to B.C.'s tactics by passing legislation that can be used to stop the flow of oil to their western neighbour.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley has threatened she's ready to use Bill 12, passed this week, should B.C. continue to stall.

"We are absolutely serious," Energy Minister Marg McCuaig-Boyd said. "This is about can we get anything done in Canada if a province doesn't respect a process and a federal approval of something?"

She said she's heard from investors who are interested in taking on Trans Mountain should Kinder Morgan back out of the project, but she declined to say who. Kinder Morgan has threatened to walk away by May 31 if it doesn't see a clear path forward.

Feuding provinces

No matter the outcome, the standoff has highlighted how dramatically interprovincial tensions can escalate.

"I despair a little bit about the tit-for-tat that's going on between the two provinces," said Wilkinson, who is the MP for North Vancouver.

"It's not helpful for the federation in the long term."

B.C.'s Heyman and Alberta's McCuaig-Boyd agree the situation isn't ideal, but both say their provinces have slowly been pushed to the breaking point.

Heyman suggested Prime Minister Justin Trudeau become more involved to help minimize the conflict.
In a Fredericton greenhouse, thousands of juvenile willow trees are gaining their strength.

Soon they'll become a valuable part of maintaining the health of the province's river systems, while preventing further degradation.

Over the last two decades, the Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee (KWRC) has been growing the willows to help repair riverbanks in the province. The thick roots of the trees help solidify a bank, preventing erosion and pollution from seeping into the water.

About 15,000 willow trees are currently occupying one grow room at the Atlantic Forestry Centre's greenhouses. Through a partnership with Natural Resources Canada, the facility has been used to help produce the trees.

"Over the last decade or so, we've probably grown about 100,000 willow seedlings" said Ben Whalen, the project manager of the KWRC.

The population of trees they've produced in the past is so healthy, Whalen said this year's crop was created from the cuttings of first generation restoration willows planted over the past 15 years.

Along with protecting river banks from erosion, Whalen said the trees do a lot to keep nasty elements out of the water.

"[They] intercept some of the unwanted nutrients and pollution from running off the stream banks and into the river," said Whalen.

"So it improves water quality as a whole."

Along with being extremely useful in the wild, John Letourneau, who manages the greenhouses, said the trees don't require much to grow. The facility can grow the trees in about six weeks, after the conservation group supplies the cuttings.

"It helps protect fragile environments and it's a whole lot of fun, really," Letourneau said.

Over the past three years, Whalen's group has expanded the project to include other conservation groups. Now the willows will go to watersheds of the Hammond River, Nashwaak River, Petitcodiac River, and the Belleisle Bay.

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In 2017, Marieka Chaplin, executive director of the Nashwaak Watershed Association, said they planted thousands of saplings in the Marysville area. But after this spring's flooding, she said it's not yet known how they fared.

"We do know the willows do take quite a beating," said Chaplin "so we are concerned and we will go in and replant and help to encourage the growth and survival of the shoreline willows."

Whalen said it's easy to see where the trees have already made a difference. With the before and after perspective, he said river banks once severely eroded are now much more stable.

"Even when waters come up, those banks aren't as susceptible to swift changes and drastic changes due to erosion" he said.
I am a Cat Woman. My self-appointed mission in life is to save the feline world! To accomplish this mission, I get cats fixed. Perhaps my mission might be slightly delusional. This blog is a mishmash of wishful thinking, rants, experiences as I remember them and of course, cat stories and cat photos. I have a nonprofit now, to help keep the cats here cared for and to fix community cats. Happy Cat Club formed in 2015. Currently, we are on a mission to fix 10,000 cats.


Sergey Dvortsevoys Ayka follows a young woman over five days bitterly cold days in a city she doesnt really know. Attempting to flee from a terrible situation, but only finding an indifferent world and uncaring people, the Kazakhstani director has made one of Cannes 2018s most formidable entries.

Ayka (Samal Yeslyamova) is a 25-year-old new mother resting in hospital. Refusing to feed her baby, still bleeding from the trauma of giving birth, she gets out of bed, staggers to a window, opens it and climbs out into a Moscow blizzard. Trudging through the snow, blood seeping through her clothes, she seeks refuge in the underworld of undocumented migrant workers, trying to figure out her next move.

Dvortsevoy last appeared at Cannes in 2008, where his fiction debut Tulpan competed in the Un Certain Regard strand. Ayka is his first movie in 10 years and the wait has been worth it. An extraordinarily nuanced character study, which drip feeds Aykas motivations for acting so seemingly cruel, Samal Yeslyamova delivers an unforgettable lead performance as the beleaguered protagonist.

Set in Moscow during a fierce blizzard, Ayka is desperate for work and longing for escape. That she ignores her constantly ringing phone is our first clue as to whats going on. As a migrant worker from Kazakhstan, she must dodge authorities and usual channels to gain employment, Dvortsevoy making the accurate point about how our western economies are propped up by migrant workforces and how they are readily exploited, live in disgusting, cramped conditions and pay exorbitant rents for poorly maintained rooms with other people all in the same situation.

The director also keeps the camera very close to Ayka, shooting predominantly in medium shots and making striking use of deep-focus, the character and the audience rarely getting any breathing space, and this aesthetic approach produces so much menace and oppression from snow-covered pavements and tall buildings, its as if the whole world is going to topple down onto the poor girl. One scene, where Ayka sits down to a hot cup of tea, is the sole moment of comfort and respite she gets throughout the films 100 minutes.

Ayka exists in the tradition of social-realist dramas, but moves to arthouse rhythms. It isnt slow at all, Dvortsevoy just wants the viewer to be kept in the dark about his characters backstory (and why she left her baby alone in hospital) for as long as possible. For this tactic actively invites judgement against her and transgresses the belief women are natural mothers. Once we start to understand Aykas life and reasons for behaving how she does, the film gains tragic dimensions and its humanist voice grows into a desperate cry.

The 71st Cannes Film Festival takes place from 8-19 May.

Martyn Conterio | @Cinemartyn
The 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held extraordinary summit in Istanbul, Turkey to discuss recent Israeli violence against Palestinian protesters in Gaza Strip. The summit was convened at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It condemned massacre of Peaceful Palestinian civilian protestors by the Israeli forces as well as on the official opening of US Embassy in Jerusalem in defiance of international law, UN Security Council (UNSC) and General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution.

Background

Recently violent protests were held in Gaza which coincided with Israels 70th anniversary  an event Palestinians refer to as Nakba or Catastrophe and relocation of the US Embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. In these protests more than 100 palestinian protesters were killed by Israeli security forces deployed along the other side of the border. Turkey had responded to the violence by asking Israeli ambassador to leave the country, while also recalling its ambassadors to US and Israel for consultations.

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

OIC is international organization that aims to provide collective voice to Muslim world and safeguard and protect interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony. It was established in 1969 and has administrative centre (headquarters) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

OIC consists of 57 member states spread over four continents with collective population of over 1.3 billion as of 2009 with 47 countries being Muslim Majority countries. It has permanent delegations to United Nations and the European Union. Its official languages are Arabic, English, and French. It is second largest inter-governmental organization after UN.

Issues with India: In this organisation, India is a blocked country, though it second largest country (after Indonesia) in terms of Muslim population (It has about 12% of the worlds Muslim population). India has been blocked by Pakistan from joining the OIC over Kashmir issue. OIC regard parts of Kashmir as occupied by India.
In 2017, the United States had a USD 375.2 billion trade deficit with China, a source of frequent and bitter complaint by President Donald Trump. (Photo: File/AFP)

Washington: The United States and China said on Saturday they had reached consensus on measures to "substantially" reduce the US trade deficit with Beijing by "significantly" increasing its purchases of US goods, but offered few details.

The joint statement, coming at a time of high tensions over trade, followed high-level talks in Washington between delegations led by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and China's State Council Vice Premier Liu He.

The sides had met two weeks ago in Beijing.

"There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the United States trade deficit in goods with China," the statement said.

"To meet the growing consumption needs of the Chinese people and the need for high-quality economic development, China will significantly increase purchases of United States goods and services."

In 2017, the United States had a USD 375.2 billion trade deficit with China, a source of frequent and bitter complaint by President Donald Trump.

The statement on Saturday said some details would be worked out in further talks in Beijing. But it offered no specifics to indicate the magnitude or exact nature of the accord, and it listed no numeric targets.

It said both sides had agreed on "meaningful increases" in US agriculture and energy exports. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation on protecting intellectual property -- a long-standing source of complaint from the US side.

The two countries, their economies enormously interlinked by trade and finances, opened the delicate negotiations a few weeks ago in an attempt to resolve months of trade tensions. Trump has threatened China with tariffs on up to USD 150 billion of imports -- "we have been ripped off by China," he said recently -- prompting Beijing to threaten US agricultural exports.

The White House is wary of hurting largely Republican-voting farm states or damaging the economy before legislative elections this November. But Trump is also keen to appear tough on trade.

The talks are further complicated by the impending summit meeting in Singapore between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has consulted with Chinese leader Xi Jinping ahead of the meeting.
China says its military facilities in the Spratlys are purely defensive, and that it can do what it likes on its own territory. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP)

Shanghai: China's air force has landed bombers on islands and reefs in the South China Sea as part of a training exercise in the disputed region, it said in a statement.

"A division of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) recently organized multiple bombers such as the H-6K to conduct take-off and landing training on islands and reefs in the South China Sea in order to improve our ability to 'reach all territory, conduct strikes at any time and strike in all directions'," it said in the statement issued on Friday.

It said the pilot of the H-6K bomber conducted assault training on a designated sea target and then carried out take-offs and landings at an airport in the area, describing the exercise as preparation for "the West Pacific and the battle for the South China Sea".

The notice, published on the PLAAF's Weibo microblogging account, did not provide the precise location of the exercise.

The United States has dispatched warships to disputed areas of the South China Sea in a bid to challenge China's extensive sovereignty claims in the territory, which is subject to various claims by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia.

"The United States remains committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific," Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Logan told Reuters.

"We have seen these same reports and China's continued militarization of disputed features in the South China Sea only serves to raise tensions and destabilize the region."

Philippine opposition lawmakers condemned China's militarization of the South China Sea and what they said was the inaction of their own government.

Senator Risa Hontiveros sought an end to Manila's "subservience" to China, while Congressman Gary Alejano said the issue of China's militarization in the South China Sea is a "global concern".

"By placing our country within striking distance of its nuclear-capable bombers, China has virtually threatened us with nuclear war over the West Philippine Sea," Hontiveros said in a statement, using the local name for South China Sea.

"With the silence and subservience of the Philippine government to China, we are placing in grave danger not only our country, but also our neighboring nations," Alejano said in a statement.

China says its military facilities in the Spratlys are purely defensive, and that it can do what it likes on its own territory.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte defended his position not to confront China and reiterated his openness to undertake joint exploration and development in waters believed to be rich in oil and natural gas.

"You know they have the planes, not stationed in Spratlys but near the provinces facing -- Chinese provinces facing the Spratlys and the China Sea," he said in a speech late on Saturday.

It was not clear if he was aware of the news about China's bombers landing on islands and reefs in the South China Sea.

"And with their hypersonic, they can reach Manila within 7 to 10 minutes. If we will go to a full-blown war, where would the Philippines end up?" Duterte said.
Perfect dishes to warm your stomach and soul in Saigons rainy season

When it's raining cats and dogs, yummy Vietnamese streetfood will surely put a smile on your face.

Saigon has entered the monsoon season, and these are eight things you can do, from the rich offal stew to slightly burned sweet potatoes on charcoal, to make the rainy days just tastier.

Offal stew



Pha lau, an exotic streetfood commonly found in Saigon, is an offal stew filled with pig or cow innards and cooked with herbs and seasoning in a way similar to curry, although not as spicy. What makes this dish unique is the chewy pieces which are yet soft enough to melt in your mouth.

If you are wondering, Would the taste or smell of the organs is too strong for me? Then do not worry since the long cooking process had eliminated any unpleasant taste and odor. Each vendor will have its unique way of flavoring the broth. You can also order some bread to eat along with this rich broth. Locals also dip the organs into fish sauce with minced chilies to enhance the flavor.

Crab soup Fresh stripped crab meat is the star of this delicious dish. Crab soup is a perfect comfort food that many Vietnamese are familiar with. The soup has crab, tapioca starch, shitake mushrooms, snow mushrooms and quail eggs.

One must-try location would be the stall on the Nguyen Du Street corner near the Notre-Dame Cathedral. But you can also easily find this soup at big wet markets such as Thiec, Ho Thi Ky and Pham The Hien.

Grilled corns and sweet potatoes

It is hard to deny the delicious smell of corn and sweet potatoes burning on charcoal on street carts. Corn ears and sweet potatoes are cleaned before being grilled to perfection. You can never go wrong with neither option since it is not only cheap, with roughly VND10,000 (44 cents) for each potato or corn ear, but the sweet taste will also surely calm your soul.

Thick rice porridge banh duc Banh duc, also known as the Vietnamese rice dish for the penniless, is a thick and savory rice porridge that has everything.

Ms. Hong, a vendor in Phu Nhuan District, has been serving the dish for the past 40 years, and hers is praised by many as among the best in town.



Or you can head to Ba Gia (The Old Lady) shop in District 10 to try this awesome dish. The place opened around three years now, but has slowly become a frequent stop-by for the locals during rainy season. Besides the main ingredients including ground pork, fried onions and scallions, Ba Gia also adds beef sausage as its own twist to this dish.

Spicy chilli flake noodles

In a small alley on Tran Ke Xuong Street in Phu Nhuan District lies Huyen restaurant, where the owner has been selling her unique dish to Saigon locals for the past 40 years. The owner said this is a family recipe that she learned from her mother.

The dish has two main parts: a bowl of dry instant noodle mixed with chilli flakes and another bowl of hot broth with chopped beef, egg, and minced shrimp. A portion costs VND40,000 ($1.76).

Porridge (Yes, more porridge!)

Saigon serves different kinds of porridge, with everything from pork intestines to frog and fish.

Intestine porridge, or chao long, is cooked in a brown broth made from braising a pig's bones, head and innards. It is served with pieces of tongue, heart, liver, chitterlings and cooked blood pudding. The highlight is the doi, which looks like a Western sausage, but is filled with a mixture of cooked blood pudding, mung beans and herbs. Some shops also serve fried doi and chitterlings. If you are a fan, visit Co Ba Da Kao restaurant in District 1, where a bowl costs VND40,000 ($1.76).

For other types of porridge, you can explore Tieu Porridge restaurant at Ban Co Market in District 3, or diners at Tan Dinh Market in Distict 1.

Meat ball noodle soup



Bun moc is a rice vermicelli soup served with chicken or pork broth, and comprises Vietnamese ham and sausages of all shapes and types. Thanh Mai restaurant on the corner of Nguyen An Ninh and Truong Dinh Streets in District 1 is one place to experience the most authentic bun moc as it has been serving since the 1980s.

The restaurant opens at 5 a.m. every day, so you can come for a healthy and flavorful breakfast for VN60,000 ($2.64).

Crunchy noodle soup hu tiu

Hu tiu is a kind of rice-based chewy transculent noodles which is more of a southern Vietnamese dish. Hu tiu in Saigon is served with different ingredients: pork ribs, pork offal, shrimp, squid, wonton dumplings, fried garlic, fried shallots and scallions. One popular place for hu tiu is Thanh Xuan sidewalk restaurant on Ton That Tiep Street in District 1.


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In Yemens capital of Sanaa, the Bahai community is being persecuted by the Houthis. The Houthis seized control of Sanaa in 2014. The United States, declared State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert in a written statement, is deeply concerned by the harassment and detention of Bahais by the Houthis.

She said the Houthis, in what appears to be a persistent effort to pressure Yemeni Bahais to recant their faith, have targeted them with inflammatory rhetoric, detentions, court summons, and punishment without a fair or transparent legal process.

Spokesperson Nauert cited the televised speech broadcast in March by Houthi Leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi as an example of the vilification and oppression of the Bahai community by Houthi leaders. In his speech, she wrote, Al-Houthi denounced the Bahai faith, calling Bahais satanic and alleging that they are at war against Islam. She noted that since mid-2017, Houthi leaders have repeatedly harassed and detained dozens of Bahais for their faith. One member of the community, Hamed bin Haydara, was sentenced to public execution in Sanaa on January 2, 2018.

Human rights monitors, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have documented the repression of the Bahais by the Houthis.

UN Rapporteur on freedom of religion and belief Ahmed Shaheed has said that the escalation in the persistent pattern of persecution of the Bahai community in Sanaa mirrors the persecution suffered by the Bahais living in Iran...Many Yemeni families have left their homes and live in constant fear. It is unacceptable, he added, for anyone, including persons belonging to religious minorities to be targeted or discriminated based on religion or belief.

President Donald Trump has made clear that protecting and promoting religious freedom is a foreign policy priority of the Trump administration.

Addressing the situation in Yemen, Spokesperson Nauert said, We call on the Houthis to end their unacceptable treatment of Bahais and call on them to allow the Bahai community to practice their religion without fear of intimidation or reprisals.
BERLIN, May 20 (Reuters)

Diplomats from Europe, China and Russia are discussing a new accord to offer Iran financial aid to curb its ballistic missile development and meddling in the region, in the hope of salvaging its 2015 nuclear deal, a German newspaper reported on Sunday.

The officials will meet in Vienna in the coming week under the leadership of senior European Union diplomat Helga Schmid to discuss next steps after the May 8 decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to pull out of a 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, the Welt am Sonntag newspaper said, citing senior EU sources.

Germany, France, Britain, Russia and China would participate in the meeting, but the United States would not, it said. It was not immediately clear if Iran - which has resisted calls to curb its ballistic missile program in the past - would take part.

Under the 2015 deal, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear program in return for the lifting of most Western sanctions. One of the main complaints of the Trump administration was that the accord did not cover Iran's missile program or its support for armed groups in the Middle East which the West considers terrorists.

Concluding a new agreement that would maintain the nuclear provisions and curb ballistic missile development efforts and Tehran's activities in the region could help convince Trump to lift sanctions against Iran, the paper said.

"We have to get away from the name 'Vienna nuclear agreement' and add in a few additional elements. Only that will convince President Trump to agree and lift sanctions again," the paper quoted a senior EU diplomat as saying.

No immediate comment was available from the German foreign ministry. The EU's energy chief sought to reassure Iran on Saturday that the 28-member bloc remained committed to salvaging the nuclear deal, and strengthening trade with Tehran.

Officials from the EU, Germany and other countries that remain committed to the deal have said it would disastrous if EU efforts fail to preserve it.

Iran has struggled to achieve financial benefits from the deal, partly because remaining unilateral U.S. sanctions over its missile program deterred major Western investors from doing business with Tehran.

The officials are looking for a new approach given an understanding that it would be difficult for European firms to work around new U.S. sanctions, the newspaper reported.

It said the new deal could include billions of dollars of financial aid for Iran, in line with an EU deal that provided billions in aid to Turkey for taking in millions of migrants and closing its borders, which helped end a 2015 migrant crisis. Iran and European powers have made a good start in talks over how to salvage the 2015 deal but much depends on what happens in the next few weeks, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said last week.
WASHINGTON/KABUL, May 20 (Reuters)

U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear accord and re-impose sanctions on Tehran threatens to derail a project to help build Afghanistan's economy, endangering a key goal of the U.S. strategy to end America's longest war.

The Indian-backed Chabahar port complex in Iran is being developed as part of a new transportation corridor for land-locked Afghanistan that could potentially open the way for millions of dollars in trade and cut its dependence on Pakistan, its sometimes-hostile neighbor.

Building Afghanistan's economy would also slash Kabul's dependence on foreign aid and put a major dent in the illicit opium trade, the Taliban's main revenue source. But Trump's decision to re-impose sanctions on Iran and penalize financial institutions for doing business with Tehran is clouding Chabahar's viability as banks, nervous they could be hit with crippling penalties, pull back from financing.

"President Trump's decision has brought us back to the drawing board and we will have to renegotiate terms and conditions on using Chabahar," a senior Indian diplomat said. "It is a route that can change the way India-Iran-Afghanistan do business, but for now everything is in a state of uncertainty."

The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Launched in 2016, the joint Iran-India-Afghanistan Chabahar project already was facing holdups. It has yet to see significant traffic apart from some containers of donated wheat from India, and the first shipments of Afghan dried fruit to India are not expected before July.

At least three contracts to build infrastructure at the port now have been delayed, with two Chinese companies and a Finnish group left hanging while bankers seek clarity from Washington before approving guarantees, a person close to the project said.

In addition, Afghan traders, who were hoping for an alternative to Pakistan's port of Karachi, now find themselves cut off from funding and forced to rely on the traditional hawala money transfer system, which is insufficient on its own to transform an economy. Hawala is a trust-based system commonly used in Afghanistan that involves the movement of funds between agents in different countries.

"We know our correspondent banks would not let us pay for imports coming through that port," said a senior executive at one major Afghan lender.

Chabahar is among a number of projects of transport and energy networks projects designed to boost Afghanistan's trade and lay the foundations for a mining industry capable of exploiting its billions of dollars in untapped mineral reserves.

Bypassing the border with Pakistan, which last year was closed for some 50 days over various disputes, Chabahar is seen as a way for Afghanistan to consolidate its relationships with India and other regional powers.

"The only way to get India more involved" in Afghanistan's economic development "is through Chabahar," said Barnett Rubin, an expert with New York University's Center for International Cooperation and a former adviser to the State Department and the United Nations. "Our Iran policy is headed for a train wreck with our Afghanistan policy."

FOREIGN AID

Some 17 years after the U.S.-led invasion to oust the Taliban from power, Afghanistan remains one of the world's poorest countries, highly dependent on foreign aid. Apart from illegal opium exports estimated at some $2 billion by the International Monetary Fund, its main products are dried and fresh fruits, and carpets, none of which amount to more than a fraction of the value of the drugs trade.

Initially Afghanistan would export agricultural produce  such as pomegranates and grapes - through Chabahar, utilizing a section of a road India paid for and then an extension to the Iranian border that New Delhi built, experts said.

Eventually, those exports could expand to mineral resources, something Trump has expressed an interest in gaining for U.S. firms. For India, this would mean using a planned railroad to Chabahar to export iron ore from two tracts at the Hajigak iron mine in central Afghanistan that it won the rights to exploit, the experts said.

"The economic piece is really important to get a glimmer of hope for Afghanistan to move beyond a land-locked, poppy-based economy. We are now shooting that in the head," said Thomas Lynch, a National Defense University expert and a former U.S. Army officer who advised the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on South Asia policy.

"There is no other legitimate and reliable way to do that. You can't do it by air, you can't do it through Pakistan because they just extort for everything they do,"

said Lynch. "The lifeline runs through Chabahar." In addition, by hindering the development of Chabahar, the United States will leave Afghanistan dependent on Pakistan, historically its main trade partner and outlet to the world.

That would undermine another Trump goal of pressuring Islamabad to shutter Afghan insurgent sanctuaries on its side of the border and force the militants into peace talks.

Afghan officials have lobbied hard for exemptions to the sanctions for Afghan companies operating though Chabahar without success and are waiting for clarity from Washington.

"Now the uncertainty is that we don't know what's going to happen with Chabahar," said Atiqullah Nusrat, Chief Executive of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "We haven't heard anything so we have to wait and see what happens."
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 20

Trend:

Serviceman of the Azerbaijani army Adil Tatarov has been killed during the combat mission for interception of another provocation by the Armenian Armed Forces on the Nakhchivan section of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said May 20.

The ministry expresses its deep condolences to the family and relatives of the martyr.

The Ministry of Defense said that newly elected defense and foreign ministers of Armenia, who visited the line of confrontation of troops in this direction, stand behind this provocation.

The ministry doesnt rule out that namely those ministers gave instructions to stage this provocation.

Armenian leadership should know that Nakhchivans brave serviceman will retaliate for the martyr in a short time.

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, May 20

Trend:

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has expressed condolences to President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez.

I was deeply saddened by the news of heavy casualties as a result of a plane crash in your country, President Aliyev said.

On the occasion of this tragedy, on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to you, the bereaved families and loved ones of the victims, and the whole people of Cuba, and wish those injured the soonest recovery, the president added.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 20

Trend:

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has congratulated President of the Republic of Cameroon Paul Biya.

On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I congratulate you and the whole people of your country on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Cameroon, President Aliyev said.

On this remarkable day, I extend my regards to you, and wish the friendly people of your country peace and progress, the president added.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 20

Trend:

Armenia's statements on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict "only by peaceful means" are nothing more than the camouflage of its occupation policy and utter absurdity, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministrys Spokesman Hikmet Hajiyev told Trend May 20.

He was commenting on murder of a soldier of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces on the Nakhchivan section of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border.

Hajiyev noted that Armenian foreign minister, who instead of holding meetings with the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, visited the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border, encourages tension and provocation.

Hikmet Hajiyev also expressed his condolences to the family of the killed serviceman.

He said that Armenia is fully responsible for the current situation.

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, May 20

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

In April this year, prices in the real estate market in Baku increased 2.49 percent compared to March, Nusret Ibrahimov, director general of the MBA Group consulting company, real estate expert, told Trend.

He said that the increase in prices for the last month affected nearly all market segments.

"Thus, prices in the primary housing market grew 3.98 percent, prices in the secondary market grew 3.44 percent, prices in the land market grew 1.06 percent and prices in the rental market grew 0.39 percent for the month," he said. "This is while prices in the market of commercial facilities grew 4.44 percent, and prices in the commercial facilities rental market decreased 0.39 percent."

He added that in April 2018, prices in the real estate market in Baku decreased 0.87 percent compared to the same period last year. He said that in general, the decrease is mainly related to reduction in prices in the market of commercial properties in Baku.

"Thus, compared to the end of April last year, prices in the secondary housing market decreased 2.28 percent, and prices in the market of commercial facilities decreased 10.86 percent," he noted. "This is while the increase in prices was observed in the primary housing market (by 0.27 percent), in the land market (by 7.01 percent) and in the rental market (by 2.43 percent), while prices in the commercial facilities rental market remained unchanged."

In conclusion, the expert added that the real estate market demonstrates a trend towards stabilization and a six-percent growth is expected in the market by the end of the year.

(1.7 manats = 1 USD on May 15)

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Anvar_Mammadov
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 20

By Ilkin Shafiyev - Trend:

By 2019, Azerbaijan plans to eliminate dependence on imported butter almost completely, Samir Eyyubov, Chairman at Azerbaijan Milk and Dairy Producers and Export Association, told Trend.

"Azerbaijan is heavily dependent on the import of butter. The state intends to resolve this issue. To this end, until the middle of 2019, two new enterprises will be created in the country, on the basis of existing ones. Additional production lines are purchased for this purpose. The processing capacity of each enterprise will be 200 tons of milk per day. This is about 10 tons of butter," - said Eyyubov.

The chairman said, the projects will be financed through the National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support. Their amount has not been announced yet.

In 1Q2018, Azerbaijan imported butter and other types of oils produced from milk worth $20.69 million. This is 53 percent more than in the same period of 2017.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @IlkinShafiyev

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Baku, Azerbaijan, May 20

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) plans to help the government of Azerbaijan boost the competitiveness of the agribusiness sector, Jan van Bilsen, IFC Regional Manager for the South Caucasus, said in an interview with Trend.

He said the agriculture sector, which provides jobs and income for about 40 percent of the population in rural areas, can become more productive and profitable through increased access to finance.

"One way to help this is through agri-insurance, which mitigates the risks involved in agriculture production, such as weather and price volatility. Europe and Central Asia Agri-Finance Advisory Project has worked with Azerbaijans authorities to conduct various field surveys with the farmers, to draft a law on agricultural insurance and to develop an agricultural insurance system concept," he said.

Presently, the International Finance Corporation, together with Azerbaijans Ministry of Agriculture and the Financial Markets Supervisory Authority, is working on a project to introduce an agricultural insurance system in the country.

The government of Azerbaijan is inclined to use Turkeys TARSIM model of agricultural insurance. As part of the work on the project, the IFC is looking for the most appropriate options to introduce this model in Azerbaijan.

In addition, the Azerbaijani Agriculture Ministry continues work on a bill on stimulation of the agricultural insurance.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Anvar_Mammadov
Kazakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Kairat Abdrakhmanov received Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay Federico Alberto Gonzalez Franco, who arrived in Astana to participate in the Ministerial Meeting of Landlocked Developing Countries on Transport and Trade, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports, according to Kazinform.

In the course of the meeting, the sides discussed the opportunities for exchanging experience and cooperating on the pressing challenges faced by landlocked countries, including Kazakhstan and Paraguay. They exchanged views on international security issues, including Syria, North Korea, and the Middle East. The Vice Foreign Minister of Paraguay, Mr. Federico Gonsales, gave a high appraisal of the initiatives promoted by Kazakhstan as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, as well as in the context of the Astana Process on Syrian peace.

Mr. Abdrakhmanov pointed out that the first round of the Kazakhstan-Paraguay Inter-Ministerial Consultations held during Astana Expo 2017 laid a good foundation for further progressive expansion and strengthening of the bilateral relations on the political, economic and humanitarian tracks. The sides agreed to continue developing a mechanism for bilateral political consultations and expand the legal framework for cooperation, including on visa regime liberalization, education, to name but a few.

The Kazakh foreign minister expressed confidence that the established positive political dialogue with Paraguay would have a favorable impact on the expansion of the trade and economic ties and invited entrepreneurs from Paraguay to visit Kazakhstan so that they could explore the opportunities for developing their businesses in our country. Kairat Abdrakhmanov also highlighted the importance of promoting partnership between the largest regional economic blocs and underscored the great potential of the Eurasian Economic Union's market for the states and organizations of Latin America and the Caribbean, including CARICOM, Mercosur, the Andean Community, and the Latin American Economic System.
Tehran, Iran, May 20

By Kamyar Eghbalnejad, Fikret Dolukhanov  Trend:

Iran has been producing sponge iron for 30 years and is going to produce about 30 million tons in 2019, Asadollah Farshad, Managing Director of the Iranian Ghadir Iron & Steel Co., told Trend.

"Iran has been producing sponge iron for 30 years. Such factories as Khuzestan Steel and Mobarakeh Steel of Isfahan are the most advanced ones; today, with launch of factories in other provinces, Iran produces 23 million tons of sponge iron, and will produce about 30 million tons in 2019," Farshad said.



He believes the situation of Iran's sponge iron production is favorable considering production capacity and the factories added to the production cycle.

"Ghadir Iron & Steel Company has been operating for about eight years already, and each year has been able to produce 800,000 tons of sponge iron," Farshad noted.



He also announced the launch of Gol Gohar iron and steel development units in the near future.



With the launch of Kowsar and Gohar units this year, about 2.5 million tons of sponge iron will be produced by Gol Gohar Company.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov
Tehran, Iran, May 20



By Kamyar Eghbalnejad - Trend:



A technical team consisting of experts from Iran's central bank is taking part in the ongoing talks between Tehran and diplomats from three European countries over the future of the 2015 nuclear deal after Washingtons withdrawal from the agreement, the governor of the central bank said.



Europeans (UK, Germany, and France) are studying ways to see how they can compensate for their loss as a result of US pullout from the deal (officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), Valiollah Seif said on May 20, Mehr news agency reported.



On May 16, British, French and German foreign ministers, along with the EUs top diplomat, discussed the next steps with their Iranian counterpart, a week after US President Donald Trump refused to remain in the deal.



All sides agreed to find practical solutions over the coming weeks. Those included continuing to sell Irans oil and gas products, maintaining effective banking transactions and protecting European investments in Iran.



A technical team from the central bank is present in the ongoing talks between the sides (being held at the experts level), the governor of the Iranian central bank added.

The Europeans are seeking to court Iran to remain in the agreement, he said, adding that talks are underway for cooperation between Iranian banks and European central banks.



On May 20, the European Unions energy commissioner, who is currently in Tehran, submitted the EU proposal for direct transfers of money to Irans central bank.



The new EU proposal, which seeks to bypass the US financial system, would allow European companies to repay Iran for oil exports and repatriate Iranian funds in Europe to avoid US penalties.



In a speech from the White House on May 8, US President Donald Trump accused Iran of sponsoring terrorism and seeking nukes before announcing the US withdrawal from the 2015 agreement between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 20

Trend:

An Iranian MP said that the countrys top diplomats believe that the EU stay in Iran following the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal depends on the Islamic Republics accession to the International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism.

The bill of "Accession of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism", which was proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and approved by the Cabinet in Oct. 2017, was presented to the Parliament May 20 to take its relevant legislative procedures.

The closed session was attended by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Deputy FM Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Economy Masoud Karbasian, and a number of other MPs at the two ministries.

Iranian MP Ahmad Alireza Beiygi told Mehr news agency that Araghchi said during the session that the EUs help depends on accepting the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-related bill by Iran.

Araghchi believes that the EU wants to help and prepare situations for the European small and medium sized companies to stay in Iran.

So Tehran tries to create suitable political and legal atmosphere for these countries to continue their projects in the Islamic Republic, Alireza Beygi said.

He further citied Araqchi as saying that it is unclear how much European countries can bear the costs to advance their will to stay in Irans market, given their $450 billion worth of trade with US in comparison with $15 billion trade with the Islamic Republic.

The top Iranian diplomat believes that Islamic Republics accession to the International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism is necessary, in order to continue negotiations with the EU, which faces a very difficult situation, the MP said.

The parliament has been reviewing three FATF-related bills, including the bill on amendment to the Anti-Money Laundering Law, the bill on amendment to the Law of Combating the Financing of Terrorism, and the bill of Accession of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism.

Another MP Jabbar Kouchakinejad told Mehr that Zarif could not convince lawmakers about Irans accession to the third bill.

He added that Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), said FATF was not relevant to the accession bill and that Iran has no plans of approving it.

Shamkhani said FATF has been put off Irans agenda, and we have plans to make amendments to our own domestic laws in a bid to facilitate relations with foreign banks, he said.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 20

Trend:

Tehrans police forces have dismantled three drug-trafficking bands in the Iranian capital city.

Brigadier General Hossein Rahimi, the provincial police chief, said that Tehran police forces have annihilated three big drug trafficking bands during the widespread operations carried out in the last 72 hours, ISNA news agency reported May 20.

The police forces seized over one ton of various drugs including morphine, opium, hashish and heroin from the smugglers, he said, adding that 15 members of the groups were arrested in the operations.

The police commander said that the smugglers had imported the narcotics from the countrys southeastern borders in Sistan and Baluchestan province and had carried the cargo to the suburbs of Tehran, were identified and arrested by security forces.

In similar development Irans police seized over 2,757 kilograms of drugs in armed clashes with smugglers in province of Sistan and Baluchestan.

The police forces arrested five smugglers in the clashes, the deputy police commander of Sistan and Baluchestan province, Ahmad Taheri said May 20.

The police forces also seized two AK-47 and two hunting guns from the smugglers, Taheri said.

Iran sits on a major drug route between Afghanistan and Europe, as well as the Persian Gulf states. The Islamic Republic shares about 900 kilometers of common border with Afghanistan, over which 74 percent of opium is smuggled.

The fight against drug trafficking annually costs Iran about $1 billion, according to the official estimates.

According to the statistics, there are about two million drug users in Iran.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in held a phone conversation with his US counterpart Donald Trump, during which the two leaders discussed a possible response to Pyongyangs threat to cancel the June summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Moons office said in a statement, Sputnik reported.

"The two leaders have exchanged views on recent North Koreas reaction," the statement read.

According to the office, Moon and Trump have also agreed on close cooperation, aimed to successfully hold the US-North Korean summit in June.

The summit has been put at risk when, on May 11, the United States and South Korea launched a two-week annual air combat regional exercise, dubbed Max Thunder, which is considered by Pyongyang a threat to its security.

Reacting the drills, on May 15 North Korea made a decision to cancel ministerial-level talks with Seoul. The next day, North Korean First Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea might cancel the summit between Kim and Trump, scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, if Washington continues its anti-Pyongyang hostile policy.

New tensions in diplomatic relations with Pyongyang emerged just weeks after a historic meeting between leaders of North and South Korea on April 27. During the meeting, the sides signed the Declaration for Peace, Prosperity, and Unification on the Korean Peninsula. The document committed the two countries to a nuclear-free peninsula and talks to bring a formal end to the Korean War.
The World Bank has approved a loan of 150 million U.S. dollars to improve inland waterway transport in central China's Hubei Province, said the World Bank Beijing office Saturday, Xinhua reported.

With the Hubei Inland Waterway Improvement Project, the loan targets to upgrade the capacity and reliability of the inland waterway transport along the Hanjiang River in Hubei, said the World Bank.

The project is expected to increase the connectivity between the less developed central and western regions and the more prosperous eastern provinces in China.

The total investment of this project is 515.13 million U.S. dollars, including 150 million dollars of the World Bank loan and 365.13 million from the Hubei provincial government.

It will upgrade about 53 kilometers of waterway between the Yakou and the Cuijiaying Complex. The Yakou hydropower station will supply renewable energy to the nearby Yicheng city.

The project will also provide gravity flow irrigation to more than 5,300 hectares of existing farmland.

About 5.61 million residents along the Hanjiang River are expected to benefit from the economic development and ecological improvement brought about by the greener transport mode, said the World Bank.

It is also expected to yield local and global environmental benefits by promoting a green mode of transport and producing renewable energy.

Starting with the First Inland Waterways Project in 1995, the World Bank has supported eight inland waterway projects in China, including the Hanjiang River project.
Chinese scientists will help Tajikistan investigate the grassland degradation of its alpine pastures in August, Xinhua reported.

Researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences worked with counterparts in Tajikistan this spring to investigate grassland degradation in southern, northern and eastern regions.

They traveled about 1,200 kilometers to study and collect samples of vegetation, soil and microorganisms. They also investigated livestock farming methods and surveyed local families.

Li Yaoming, of the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, said Tajikistan had suffered serious grassland degradation in recent years as a result of population growth, a warmer climate, melting glaciers, frequent extreme weather events and overgrazing.

The number of cattle there jumped from one million in the 1990s to six million in 2010.

Chinese researchers will also investigate grassland issues in central Asian countries such as Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan and offer solutions to problems.

They will introduce technologies and management methods that have proved effective in China to help the construction of a "green Silk Road," said Li.
Police in Paris are investigating a rape allegation made against Luc Besson, one of France's best-known film directors, BBC reported.

The complaint was filed by an actress at a Paris police station on Friday.

"Luc Besson categorically denies these fantasist accusations," the director's lawyer Thierry Marembert told the AFP news agency.

"[The complainant] is someone he knows, towards whom he has never behaved inappropriately."

Besson, 59, a director, producer and screenwriter, is most famous for directing the 1988 film Le Grand Bleu, as well as Leon, Subway, The Fifth Element and action thriller Nikita.

He recently directed the sci-fi epic Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, starring Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne.
France is looking to see if the European Union could compensate European companies that might face US sanctions for doing business with Iran, French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said on Sunday, according to Reuters.

Le Maire referred to EU rules dating back to 1996 which he said could allow the EU to intervene to protect European firms against any sanctions imposed by the United States, adding that France wanted the EU to toughen its stance in this area.

In 1996, when the United States tried to penalize foreign companies trading with Cuba, the EU forced Washington to back down by threatening retaliatory sanctions.

Are we going to allow the United States to be the economic policeman of the world? The answer is no, Le Maire told C News TV and Europe 1 radio on Sunday.

Strengthening that 1996 rule ... would allow us to take charge ourselves of the cost of any potential sanctions paid by firms, which could therefore be paid for on their behalf by the European Union, added Le Maire.

European companies conducting business in Iran face US sanctions after President Donald Trump withdrew from a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.

The 2015 agreement, worked out by the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia, China and Iran, lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear program. The pact was designed to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb.

The other signatories have indicated that they hope to salvage the nuclear deal.

Le Maire said European companies looking to invest abroad, such as in Iran, could aim to get financing from within Europe, rather than via US dollars or US banks.

EU leaders have pledged to try to keep Irans oil trade and investment flowing but admitted it will not be easy to do so. Irans foreign minister told the EUs energy chief on Sunday that the 28-country bloc was not doing enough to preserve the benefits for Iran from the 2015 pact.

On May 16, French energy giant Total (TOTF.PA) joined other European companies in signaling a possible exit from Iran in light of Trumps decision.

There might be some element of arbitration for the European companies in Iran, but ultimately nobody will want to get on the wrong side of US sanctions, said Lorne Baring, chief investment officer at fund management firm B Capital SA.
Seven refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have drowned after a boat they were in capsized in a lake in Zambia's Chiengi district in Luapula Province, the police said on Saturday, Xinhua reported.

Esther Mwaata-Katongo, Zambia Police Spokesperson said the victims were part of 35 refugees from a transit refugee center in Zambia's Nchelenge district in the same province who left the camp without authorization and hired a boat which is believed to have been overloaded.

According to the police spokesperson, four bodies, all juveniles with the youngest being 17-months-old, have since been retrieved while the search for the others has continued.

She said the accident happened when a small boat which was carrying luggage and a few people and was being towed by an engine boat capsized due to strong winds before the engine boat also capsized, resulting in the drowning of the victims.

She added that 22 people survived the accident while the coxswain of the boat has been detained for the offense of causing death by dangerous navigation.

The small boat is not yet retrieved, she added.
More than 10 bombs exploded in Thailand's deep south on Sunday night, causing several injuries; no deaths have been reported so far, Xinhua reported.

Most of the blasts targeted ATM machines in Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani and Songkla of southern Thailand almost at the same time at about 7 p.m. local time.

Some power poles and security check points were also attacked, according to reports.

According to police, several people were injured and no one was killed.

Thai troops and police have stepped up security measures in the south.

No one have claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for an attack on a church in Russias Chechnya republic that killed three people, Reuters reported citing the groups Amaq news agency.

The group offered no evidence in support of the claim.

Four people attacked the Orthodox church on Saturday, killing two policemen and a churchgoer, Russias investigative committee said in a statement. The attackers were killed.

Islamic State fighters executed an attack on Michael Church yesterday in Chechnyas capital, Grozny, Amaq said.
One person died in a crash landing of a Su-29 sporting airplane in the Leningrad region, a spokesman for the Northwestern regional center of the Russian emergencies ministry told TASS on Sunday.

"A Su-29 plane made a crash landing near the settlement of Lomakha in the Leningrad region at 17:25 Moscow time. One person died," the spokesman said.

An investigation is underway.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 20

Trend:

Two terrorists were killed, one was taken alive in Shemdilli city of Turkeys Hakkari province, the Turkish media reported May 20.

The terrorists were killed during Turkeys special air operation against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) terrorist group.

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which demands the creation of an independent Kurdish state, has lasted for more than 25 years, claiming more than 40,000 lives. The UN and the EU list the PKK as a terrorist organization.
The US Department of Defense criticized Russia for not putting enough efforts into combating radicalization and terrorism within its own borders, Pentagon representative Lieut. Col. Kone Faulkner told Sputnik on Saturday.

"The United States and many in the region are concerned about radicalization happening in Russia. Russia criticizes countries that help Afghanistan fight terrorism, but is not doing enough to address the problem of radicalization and terrorist recruitment within its own borders," Faulkner said in a statement.

Faulkner refused to "speculate" on the number of Islamic State (Daesh) militants in Afghanistan at the moment but stressed that Washington would continue working with its Afghan partners to reduce the Daesh presence in the country after having destroyed the terrorist group's support network in Iraq and Syria.

In early May, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov said that the Daesh militants, along with terrorists fleeing from Syria and Iraq, were bolstering their positions in northern Afghanistan, making it a new stronghold of international terrorism. According to the official, terrorists in Afghanistan seek to topple the legitimate governments and seize territories of Central Asian countries and Russia to create a quasi-state.

Syromolotov also stressed that militants were fleeing into Afghanistan "with an apparent external support of sponsors, among which are state organizations and intelligence services of several countries."
City-Cost - May 18, 2018 - 17:14 | Japan, Feature

Sanja Matsuri (), one of the largest and most important traditional festivals on the Tokyo calendar, took to the streets of Asakusa Friday, with an opening parade kicking off the weekend of festivities for 2018.

Known as the daigyoretsu, the parade serves, in the eyes of the casual observer, as the traditional opener for a festival that, in its current guise, dates back to the Edo period, although Sanja Matsuris roots as a celebration of the founders of Asakusa Shrine take it back over 700 years.

Asakusas sticky afternoon temperatures did nothing to deter the international crowds of onlookers many of whom had taken up spots by the side of the road well in advance to see the parade make its way towards the district's famous Sensoji Temple complex and onto its final destination in front of Asakusa Shrine.

Despite Sanja Matsuri having a reputation as one of the rowdiest of the Japan capitals festivals, the daigyoretsu is actually a more sombre affair which belies the mood of what is to come over the rest of the weekend.

The parade of priests, geisha, dancers and dignitaries inched its way from a location just north of the Sensoji grounds south to Kaminarimon-dori and then along a tightly packed Nakamise as it made its way to Asakusa Shrine, breaking into a moody chant on the approach to Sensoji.

Later today mikoshi from shrines in Asakusas more central neighborhoods will be carried around the streets before Sanja Matsuri launches into its more feverish celebrations over Saturday and Sunday which typically see more than a million visitors over the duration of the festival.

Read more about the Sanja Matsuri and the schedule of events for the 2018 edition of the festival.
KYODO NEWS - May 20, 2018 - 14:15 | All, World

Japan will dispatch a senior diplomat to Singapore to collect information when the United States and North Korea hold a historic summit next month, Japanese government sources said Saturday.

Tokyo is aiming to use the recent conciliatory mood surrounding North Korea as a momentum to resolve the issue of abductions of Japanese citizens by Pyongyang in the 1970s and 1980s, which has prevented the two countries from moving to establish diplomatic ties.

Kenji Kanasugi, director general of the Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, will head the Japanese liaison team to be sent to Singapore in time for the June 12 summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un.

Although North Korea threatened this week to cancel the meeting if the United States forces it to give up its nuclear program unilaterally, Japan believes the summit is likely to be held.

(The North Korean Embassy in Singapore on May 11)

"It will be a historic meeting between a North Korean leader and a U.S. president. I don't believe Mr. Kim would easily blow such an opportunity," one of the sources said.

The liaison team is expected to seek to have contacts with North Korean officials as well as U.S. officials in Singapore. Kanasugi is charged with negotiations with North Korea.

There is speculation that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe or Foreign Minister Taro Kono may visit Singapore to be briefed by Trump on the summit. But the government is apparently waiting to see North Korea's attitude at the summit before deciding on such an option.

Kanasugi, who will visit Singapore from June 11 to 13, is expected to closely communicate with U.S. officials ahead of the summit and to be briefed by them afterwards. Masaaki Kanai, director of the Northeast Asia Division of the bureau, plans to accompany him, the sources said.
By Ko Shu-ling, KYODO NEWS - May 20, 2018 - 20:38 | World, All

Tsai Ing-wen marked the second anniversary of her inauguration as the fourth democratically elected president of Taiwan on Sunday.

On the same day two years ago, she said the purpose of electing a new leader is to "resolve problems."

And this is what she has committed herself to doing.

Tsai has taken advantage of her initial high approval rating and legislative majority to tackle hot button issues, particularly on the domestic front.

At the top of her list of achievements is Taiwan's economy.

Riding strong demand around the world, Taiwan saw its year-on-year growth in 2017 hit the highest point in three years, a respectable 2.86 percent. This year, it is projected to hold steady at 2.42 percent.

The island's unemployment rate also dropped to a new low of 3.63 percent in January this year. As of last April, the local bourse hit 10,000 points for the 12th straight month.

Looking to the future, the Tsai administration has sought to shift the export market from a heavy dependence on China and Hong Kong by pushing a "New Southbound Policy" to develop closer ties with South and Southeast Asian countries.

In addition, Tsai has proposed various initiatives to promote industries of the future in areas such as biomedical and clean energy technologies. Her goal is to achieve a nuclear-free homeland by 2025.

And looking even further ahead, Tsai's planners have proposed initiatives to encourage population growth and immigration, skilled and white-collar workers in particular.

Tsai's efforts on the domestic front have been equally impressive, although the sensitivity of many areas addressed by her administration has caused an overall decline in personal popularity.

While recent polls show that the majority of Taiwanese are in favor of the government's efforts to tackle long-standing domestic problems, some changes made to labor laws, public pensions and green energy, for example, have left many dissatisfied and angry.

"Simply put, Tsai offends not only her party's base supporters who think reform initiatives are not aggressive enough, but also opposition sympathizers who believe the reforms are politically motivated, and moderates who are sick and tired of the two parties," said Tai Li-an, a prominent pollster who helps conduct polls for an on-line publication.

Not surprisingly, one of the larger, and ongoing, problems Tsai has had to contend with is relations with China.

While Tsai has done everything she promised to avoid rocking the cross-strait boat, her various goodwill gestures have gone unheeded by Beijing, which has continued to exert pressure on Taiwan both diplomatically and militarily.

While some urged Tsai to change her cross-strait policy, few believe she will do so.

"It's unrealistic to expect her to accept any principle that implies Taiwan is part of 'one China,' however defined," said Denny Roy, senior fellow of the East-West Center in Hawaii.

In the meantime, Beijing continues to play the villain, "taking its campaign of squeezing Taiwan to absurd lengths in foreign countries," Roy added.

Looking ahead, Tsai will continue to face pressure from China. Yet hardline tactics also risk pushing Taiwan further away from the mainland.

"Taiwan has had good reason to lean toward the United States," said Tung Li-wen, a Taiwan Thinktank consultant. "I don't know what Beijing expects Taiwan to do when it closes doors, while the United States opens them."

The outcome this coming November's nationwide local elections will be pivotal for Tsai. If her Democratic Progressive Party has a good showing, Beijing may reconsider its Taiwan policy, while the same would be true if Tsai is re-elected in 2020, Tung said.

As for Tsai's declining popularity, analysts suggested it shows that she is not playing favorites as has long been the case in Taiwan politics where ruling parties reward their majority supporters. Tsai would seem to be driven by the philosophy that everybody must give something for the greater good of society as a whole.

Regardless of the outcome of the upcoming elections, most believe that progress at home must continue.

Reaching internal consensus on cross-strait policy is a good way to start, Roy said, with both sides respecting each other's positions and recognizing that there are two competing nationalisms at play.

With respect to addressing injustices during the authoritarian rule of Nationalist Party (KMT), Roy said he would like to see less focus on retribution for past wrongs and more on cooperating to prepare for a shared future.

It is also important to foster informed public discussion and debate of important national issues, with the media leading the way, he said.
KYODO NEWS - May 20, 2018 - 12:43 | Arts, All

Director Hirokazu Koreeda won the Palme d'Or at the annual Cannes International Film Festival for his work "Shoplifters," becoming the first Japanese to take the prize in 21 years.

The film depicts a family who, while living on a grandmother's meager pension, send their children to steal from stores. A series of media reports about people fraudulently claiming the pension in Japan inspired Koreeda's film.

(Getty/Kyodo)

Before Koreeda, the most recent Japanese winner of the Palme D'Or was director Shohei Imamura who won the award for his film "The Eel" in 1997. Shoplifters became the fifth Japanese work to receive the prestigious prize.

In Shoplifters, as he has done in other works, Koreeda tried to shed light on a society in which people are struggling to make a living. The latest film is his fifth to be nominated for an award at Cannes.

American director Spike Lee won the Grand Prix, the runner-up prize, for his film "BlacKkKlansman" in which a black detective infiltrates and rises through the ranks of a chapter of white supremacist group, the Ku Klux Klan.

At the award ceremony in the southern French coastal resort, Koreeda, 55, told the audience, "My legs are shaking. I'm really honored to be here."

Rejoicing at the prize, he said, "I want to share the courage and hope (that comes with the award) with my staff and the film's cast as well as with young directors."

"I am hopeful that films can connect people who are in conflict in a separated world," he said.

(Actress Sakura Ando, L, standing next to Koreeda, actor Lily Franky, back L, and actress Kilin Kiki, R, acknowledge the crowd at the end of the premiere of "Shoplifters" in Cannes, France, on May 14)

At a press conference after the ceremony, Koreeda said, "I'm renewing my determination that I must create works that are worthy of a director who has won this award."

A native of Tokyo, Koreeda was born in 1962. After graduating from Waseda University, his directorial debut film "Maboroshi" won the Golden Osella prize at the Venice International Film Festival in 1995.

Koreeda's work "Distance" was his first to be nominated for the Palme d'Or at Cannes. It was considered for the award in 2001.

Two years later, his film "Like Father, Like Son," a story about a middle-class couple who learn the child they raised for six years is not their biological son but was switched at birth with a child from a family of modest means, received a special award at Cannes.

In his films, including his 2004 work "Nobody Knows," which deals with child neglect, Koreeda questions whether individuals are responsible for their criminal actions, or rather should blame be placed on the society in which they live.

Shoplifters will start screening on June 8 in Japan.
KYODO NEWS - May 20, 2018 - 16:05 | All, World

China will "significantly" increase purchases of U.S. goods and services in an effort to reduce the United States' massive trade deficit, the two governments said Saturday.

A joint statement issued after two-day bilateral trade talks through Friday in Washington, however, did not touch on the U.S. demand that China narrow America's goods trade deficit with it by at least $200 billion by the end of 2020.

Beijing also pledged to strengthen intellectual property protections. But the two sides said they will "continue to engage at high levels" and "seek to resolve their economic and trade concerns in a productive manner," a sign that they have yet to address worries that heightened bilateral trade tensions may spark a global trade war.

During the talks, senior officials from the world's two largest economies agreed to make "meaningful increases" in U.S. agriculture and energy exports, according to the statement.

The United States will send a team to China to work out the details, but the statement did not refer to the composition of the team nor the timing of a dispatch.

The two sides also agreed to boost trade in manufactured goods and services and said that China will advance amendments to laws and regulations related to intellectual property rights, including the Patent Law.

The talks brought together a Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Liu He, a top economic adviser to President Xi Jinping, and a U.S. team involving Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.

"There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the United States' trade deficit in goods with China," the statement said.

"To meet the growing consumption needs of the Chinese people and the need for high-quality economic development, China will significantly increase purchases of United States' goods and services," it said.

The meeting came as Washington has threatened to impose tariffs on up to $150 billion of Chinese imports in protest at Chinese intellectual property and technology transfer policies. Beijing has responded with its own tariff threats.

"Both sides attach paramount importance to intellectual property protections, and agreed to strengthen cooperation," the joint statement said.

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has accused China of "unfair" trade practices including alleged intellectual property and technology theft.

Trump pledged on the campaign trail to reduce Washington's trade deficit with Beijing.

The U.S. goods trade deficit with China totaled $375.23 billion last year, nearly half the U.S. trade deficit globally, according to U.S. Commerce Department data.
Two cyclonic circulations in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal each will bring in heavy rainfall in much of central and peninsular India over next two days.
A team from the University of Delaware has found the protein that triggers degradation in the eye

If you want to take clear photographs, you don't use sandpaper to clear a smudge from your camera's lens. Similarly, if you want to see clearly, the lens of your eye has to be free of obstruction.

For that reason a curious thing happens during the development of eye lenses. Instead of closely guarding their nucleus and the DNA it contains - which normal cells do - most lens cells do the exact opposite. They actually degrade their own nuclei and other cell parts. If they were left in place, they would block clear vision causing cataracts at birth. Cataract disease, commonly found in the elderly, is a leading cause of blindness in the world.

Until now, scientists did not understand much about how these cells managed to do this - how they simultaneously pruned away obstructions without damaging proper development of the eye lens.

But now, in an article published in PLOS Genetics, University of Delaware biologist Salil Lachke and his collaborators show the protein (Celf1) is essential to this process and reveal the mechanism used in three different vertebrates - mice, frogs and zebrafish.

They also show the role this molecular machine plays in controlling factors that normally inhibit cell division, information that could have significant implications for cancer research.

The discoveries plant one of the earliest flags in a little-explored frontier of eye lens biology - showing how an RNA-binding protein found in fish, amphibians and mammals rewires components normally involved in cell division in order to control cell differentiation and specialization during lens development. They show that this RNA-binding protein is essential to breaking down the nucleus' membrane and starting the process of digesting fiber cell DNA that would otherwise obstruct vision.

"Scientists and philosophers have long wondered at the beauty and complexity of the vertebrate eye," Nobel Laureate Craig Mello wrote after reading Lachke's article. "How has evolution assembled this amazingly complex organ? Dr. Salil Lachke at the University of Delaware has been systematically searching for answers to this question for many years."

In this study, Mello said, Lachke "reveals how building the eye actually requires de-constructing the internal, opaque, structures inside the cells that form the lens, including destroying the DNA itself. In a collaborative study, Salil and co-workers identify an RNA-binding protein Celf1, that plays a role in eye development in fish, frogs and mice, and they identify key mRNAs regulated by Celf1."

But how does a cell degrade its own nucleus and DNA without killing itself and defeating the goal of lens development? How does it know when to stop this degradation?

"Isn't that sort of a counter-productive thing to do - destroying the one thing that keeps it alive?" Lachke said. "It's almost like arrested cell death. In normal cell death, the body gets rid of the nuclei as well as the cell. But here, the lens wants to keep itself functional and does so by getting rid of the nuclei but still keeping the cells, which act as bags filled with 'crystallin' proteins that effectively refract light.

The RNA-binding protein Celf1 is the key to this process.

"The functions of RNA-binding proteins, especially in organ development, are not well understood, mainly because scientists have not looked at them as carefully yet," Lachke said. "Most studies focus on signaling proteins and DNA-binding proteins that are important for initiating gene expression. But after you turn on a gene, you have to do a lot to precisely regulate its final output. In a process known as 'post-transcriptional control,' RNA-binding proteins determine the life span of their target RNA or whether that RNA should be translated into protein. Thus, it is essential to study RNA-binding proteins and the molecular processes they control after a gene is turned on."

If you think of genes as lights that are turned on in a house, you could think of these proteins as the ones who go around making sure lights are kept on in the correct rooms and turned off when no longer needed.

That's where Celf1 comes in. Its molecular interactions with specific RNA in the lens initiate events that make it possible to break open the envelope of the nucleus and degrade the DNA within in order to allow light to reach the retina properly.

When Celf1 is absent or deficient, serious eye disorders, including cataracts at birth, result.

"The whole process is very complicated and regulated very tightly," said Archana Siddam, who recently earned her doctorate in Lachke's lab and was the co-lead author on the PLOS Genetics article. "And this project sheds light on the molecular mechanism behind this complex process. We knew the lens gets rid of the nucleus, but we didn't know the control mechanism. This sheds light on how exactly it is degraded, what genes are involved and that Celf1 is the factor that orchestrates the whole process."

Part of the same process is critical to cell division and development - but in those cases it does not degrade the nucleus. Instead, it remodels its envelope so that the duplicated DNA can be evenly distributed to two daughter cells. This new information about Celf1 is sure to provide new traction in other cellular research, including cancer studies.

Mello, who shared the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Andrew Fire for their discovery of RNA interference, said he has followed Lachke's "exciting work" since 2012, when Lachke was awarded a prestigious fellowship from the Pew Charitable Trusts - the first awarded to a UD researcher. Mello was a Pew recipient in 1995 and now chairs the national advisory committee that selects Pew's biomedical scholars.

"Clearly Delaware has been doing an amazing job recruiting young faculty," Mello wrote, "as Delaware has had two additional Pew Scholarships awarded already since then - one to Dr. April Kloxin and one to Dr. Catherine Grimes."

Lachke's research provides important new insight in a critical field of research, said Mello, distinguished professor in the University of Massachusetts Medical School's Program in Molecular Medicine and an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

"Cataracts are a major cause of blindness and Dr. Lachke's work is providing fundamental new knowledge on the basic underlying mechanisms involved in eye development," Mello wrote. "This is extremely important work."

And there is much more to do, Lachke said.

"This is relatively unexplored territory," Lachke said. "Of about 1,500 RNA-binding proteins, fewer than 100 are currently known to be directly linked to disease. We have now linked Celf1 to cataract eye disease. This will inform ophthalmic geneticists to look closely at Celf1 for possible mutations in individuals with cataracts at birth, and it will also inform cancer biologists to look into Celf1 as a candidate that can impact key factors involved in cancer."

Among Lachke's research team were University of Delaware students Deepti Anand, Christine Dang and Atul Kakrana.

As Lachke's lab investigated the science at UD, two other collaborators and their labs were doing the same in other vertebrate models - Luc Paillard of the University of Rennes in France and his team studied frogs, while Jeffrey Gross of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and his team studied zebrafish.

Also contributing were Carole Gautier-Courteille, Vincent Legagneuax, Agnes Mereau and Justine Viet of the University of Rennes, and Linette Perez-Campos of the University of Texas-Austin.

The research was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and Retina France.

"Science is all about collaboration," said Siddam, who now is working as a Commissioner's Fellow in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Winchester, Massachusetts office. "That's something Salil fosters in all of his graduate students. I'm glad I had the opportunity to work in that environment. We worked as a team with those in France and Pittsburgh - and that was so wonderful. We learned so many things from each other and the scope got bigger because of all the contributions."

###
Last year's tax reform went through on a largely party-line vote, with only narrow margins of victory allowing the tax cuts to become law. Even after suffering defeat, opponents of the measure think it's not too late to try to roll back some of the provisions of the reform law. In particular, Senate Democrats pinpointed five elements of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on which they'd like either to see old law restored in full or at least to find a middle ground between current and previous law.

With Republicans in control of Congress and the White House, the Democratic tax proposal has no chance of passing without concessions in other areas. Yet with proponents of the proposal looking to spend any revenue from rolling back tax cuts on infrastructure initiatives -- something that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle desperately want -- it's at least possible that Republicans and Democrats could agree to make one or more of the five targeted tax cuts disappear.

U.S. Capitol from outside and slightly left of center, with a view up toward the Rotunda.

Image source: Getty Images.

What tax-reform opponents want to get rid of

Opponents to tax reform identified the following provisions that they wanted either to return to previous law or to find a middle ground between the old law and the new tax changes:

Return the new top tax bracket of 37% back to 39.6%, where it was before tax reform became law.

Raise the corporate tax rate from 21% to 25%, still leaving a 10-percentage-point reduction compared to the pre-reform 35% level.

Return the estate tax lifetime exclusion amount to $5.59 million, down from its current $11.18 million.

Reset exemptions and phaseout provisions for the alternative minimum tax back to the levels they would have been under old law.

In addition, those seeking further changes to tax laws suggested fully removing any beneficial treatment of carried interest among private equity and hedge fund investors. This measure wasn't part of tax reform, but the reform effort failed to address the issue in the way that some proponents of the measure had suggested early on.

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Which tax cut is most vulnerable?

If proponents of tax reform were to seriously reconsider any of these cuts in order to generate revenue to fund an infrastructure bill or other spending, the one most likely to gain traction would be eliminating the favorable changes to the alternative minimum tax. It's the largest of the suggested rollbacks, potentially generating $429 billion over the next 10 years according to those calling for the elimination of the cut. It's also the most difficult for typical taxpayers to understand, making it easier to dismiss as being too complicated to analyze and glean the true impact. Only those who actually pay the AMT really understand its impact, and even many of them would struggle to explain how it is that they've ended up being the tax's target.

Perhaps most importantly, the AMT also has a reputation for being predominantly aimed at the ultra-rich, despite the fact that recently, the impact of the tax has actually shifted to the upper-middle class and those in the second- and third-highest tax brackets. Even under reform, the highest-income taxpayers have high enough ordinary income tax rates to avoid the AMT in most circumstances. The fact that reversing AMT relief would disproportionately hurt many taxpayers in states where legislators are proposing it be scrapped could also be a strong enough political motivation to let the measure through.

What about other taxes?

The estate tax has similar political value as a bargaining chip, but with just $83 billion in potential revenue, it's not worth quite as much. Moreover, despite its high wealth threshold, even those who have little or no chance of ever paying the tax still see it as an unfair levy on money that's already gotten taxed once when it was initially earned as income. At $12 billion, carried interest is too small to be particularly important in the debate.

For tax reform proponents to back down on the big rate changes the law made would be a massive concession. Boosting the top rate back to 39.6% wouldn't generate all that much revenue, at just $139 billion. By contrast, a corporate tax increase from 21% to 25% would boost taxes by $359 billion. But even though some see the corporate tax cut as kowtowing to lobbyists, others argue that direct positive impacts on workers through bonuses and salary increases stemmed from the full cut, making it worth defending.

The art of the deal?

Were it not for the White House, there'd be just about no chance of any change to tax reform happening. The wild card is that President Trump has shown at least some predisposition to working around his own party to explore other ways to get what he wants. If those seeking tax-cut rollbacks manage to package them in something the White House would really like, it could put pressure on Congress to take them seriously.

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An Orbital ATK Antares rocket will launch a commercial cargo spacecraft hurtling toward space early Monday morning -- and you dont have to be at NASAs Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia to see it.

The Antares rocket, which is set to launch at 4:39 a.m. ET on May 21, will be visible to large swaths of the East Coast, weather permitting. Viewers from Massachusetts down to South Carolina, and roughly as far west as Pittsburgh, should be able to see the Antares spacecraft as it begins its ascent, Space.com reports. If youre outside the spectating zone, you can watch a livestream of the rocket launch on NASA TV.

Nearby visitors can also view the launch from NASAs Wallops Visitor Center.

The Antares rocket was supposed to launch on Sunday, but the mission -- which is called OA-9, and is intended to deliver more than three tons of supplies to the International Space Station -- was postponed due to weather concerns and last-minute flight checks, according to Space.com.

If weather proves a problem on Monday, back-up launch dates are scheduled as far out as May 25, NASA told Space.com.

Orbital weathered a major setback in 2014, when one of its Antares rockets suffered a catastrophic crash. NASA, however, has continued to award Orbital supply mission contracts, along with SpaceX, Elon Musks space flight company.

See original article on Fortune.com

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China has been giving Apple grief over more than VPN apps, it seems. The 9to5Mac team has obtained messages telling iOS developers to remove CallKit (a framework that uses an Apple-made calling interface for other apps) from their apps if they want to continue offering those apps in China. The move reportedly followed "newly enforced regulation" from the country's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, although the message isn't specific about the law. We've asked Apple for more details.

The 9to5 crew speculated that this might be linked to China's disapproval of VoIP apps. In November 2017, Microsoft removed Skype from Chinese app stores over claims they violated digital security laws. CallKit isn't strictly in the same category, though, as it doesn't actually make the call -- app makers could use their own interfaces if they wanted. Provided this is accurate, officials clearly wanted to eliminate even a hint of calling functionality.

Apple may not have had much choice if it wanted to keep selling devices in China. With that said, the crackdown is bound to prompt further questions from American politicians worried that Apple is conceding to China too quickly. Senators, for instance, have wanted Apple to at least offer some kind of fight, even if it had to capitulate in the end.
US President Donald Trump signs off his decision to pull the US out of the Iran nuclear deal (Reuters)

European businesses will be sheltered from the fallout of Donald Trumps decision to pull the US out of the Iran nuclear deal under a previously unused EU trade protection law.

The European Commission announced it is enacting its so-called blocking statute which forbids EU companies from complying with sanctions re-imposed by the US President.

It was introduced in 1996 to counter the effects of US sanctions on companies trading with Cuba but has not been implemented until now.

The measure represents the first practical step towards saving the Iran nuclear deal taken by the EU.

MORE: European leaders vow to stand-up to Trump bullying and save Iran deal

As long as the Iranians respect their commitments, the EU will of course stick to the agreement of which it was an architect, said European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

But the American sanctions will not be without effect. So we have the duty, the Commission and the European Union, to do what we can to protect our European businesses, especially SMEs.

Under the blocking statute, companies hit by sanctions will also be able to seek compensation and wont have to comply with any US court orders against them.

The measures come days after EU-Iran talks over how to take the nuclear deal out of intensive care, which were attended by UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson took part in EU-Iran talks in Brussels this week (Getty)

They will only into force if they are signed-off by the European Parliament and European Council within the next two months, but that is likely to happen before the US sanctions take effect on August 6.

The Commission also urged national governments to make one-off transfers to Irans central bank to pay for oil before US sanctions on transactions take effect.

And, in a bid to reassure the Iranian government of the EUs political commitment to saving the nuclear deal, Energy Commissioner Miguel Canete is visiting Tehran this weekend.

MORE: EU hopes to take Iran deal out of intensive care within weeks

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Billions of Euros worth of trade depend on saving the 2013 nuclear deal, which opened trade with Iran in exchange for limits of the countrys nuclear programme.

Iranian exports of oil and fuel to the EU were up by 344 per cent to 5.5bn in 2016.

In the same year, EU investment in Iran was valued at 20bn.

Boris Johnson said this week that it is right to protect legitimate UK and European businesses, who may want to trade with Iran, who do want to trade with Iran, and who have great plans to do that.




hear no evil

Flickr/orvalrochefort

Google downgraded its famous "Don't Be Evil" adage in its employee code of conduct

The move has been a long time coming.

Remember Don't Be Evil?

When Google became a verb in the early 2000s, the adage became a slogan that paid dividends for the tech company.

Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin enshrined it in the company's official code of conduct for employees, and inumerable news stories and TV segments gushed over the benevolent tech giant's admirable combination of innovation and altruism.

At some point during the past month that changed. As Gizmodo first reported on Friday, the famous phrase has lost its preeminence in Google's code of conduct. The new code of conduct makes a passing, almost token, mention of Don't Be Evil in the last sentence  but it's a marked downgrade from its previous prominence in the code, when it had several paragraphs dedciated to it.

Google argues that the fact that the phrase remains in the code, albeit at the end, shows that it's still "foundational."

Fair enough.

Here's the reality though: Google outgrew its Don't Be Evil motto from the moment it was coined.

google eric schmidt larry page sergey brin

APThe phrase was never meant to be a declaration of human rights. It was coined by former Googler Paul Buchheit, who has said that he had shady internet business practices like spyware and spam in mind when he came up with it.

But the world wanted to see it as someting grander. And Google never did much to disabuse anyone of the notion. The warm and fuzzy glow Google got from Don't Be Evil was too valuable to quit, even as it became increasingly clear to anyone that worked at the company that the phrase was dangerous. It set a standard that Google, or any for-profit company, could never live up to.

Google makes its money from targeted ads that rely on knowing as much about us as possible. Every single product in its catalogue, from virtual assistants that tell you the weather to AI-based email that can finish your sentences for you, ultimately lead to showing you better, more effective ads.

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The project has grown into something so extensive and vast that the company now has its hands in everything from hardware to automobiles. It's tough to position youreself as the Don't Be Evil company when you're building products with components that use rare earth minerals and are assembled by laborers in offshore factories you don't control; or when you offer online services in countries with repressive free speech rules.

The 2015 restructuring of Google into Alphabet was the first effort to move away from the problematic legacy phrase.

Now, like characters crowding the bed of a dying Count in a Russian novel, Google and its shareholders are waiting for Don't Be Evil to draw its final breath. After all these years, Google can finally claim its inheritance.

NOW WATCH: Jeff Bezos on breaking up and regulating Amazon

See Also:

SEE ALSO: A leaked internal Google video shows a creepy vision of how data could be used to direct human decision-making
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fox-news

Photo: Shutterstock[/caption] Andrea Tantaros, the former Fox News host who has accused network personnel of sexual harassment, has seen her companion lawsuit alleging that she was subjected to illegal surveillance dismissed by a Manhattan federal judge. U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels of the Southern District of New York said Tantaros failed to state a claim and her suit was "based primarily on speculation and conjecture." Tantaros, in the 2017 lawsuit, said Fox "targeted her for electronic and physical surveillance after she lodged complaints of sexual harassment against [Roger] Ailes and other Fox News executives," Daniels opinion said. The dismissal covers Tantaros' claims under two federal statutes protecting communications and computer privacy: the Wiretap Act and Stored Communications Act. It also gets rid of a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Daniels said the plaintiff failed to allege under the Wiretap Act that any defendant "actually intercepted, or tried to intercept" any of her communications. Even if it could be established that any of the defendants had installed malware on Tantaros' personal computer or work cellphonean allegation Daniels said had "scant factual support"the most the complaint states is that the defendants had the capability to intercept her communications, not that it was actually done. The court also said that while the Second Circuit has yet to rule on the issue several U.S. circuit courts of appeal have ruled that the SCA does not apply to personal devices. Moreover, Daniels said, allegations that defendants accessed any of her personal communications were "vague, speculative and conclusory." The complaint further failed to state that Ailes, former Fox News president Bill Shine or any other employee of the network actually accessed her personal accounts. Daniels' opinion does not address allegations of sexual harassment that were the subject of a previous lawsuit filed by Tantaros against network executives and personnel. That lawsuit was filed in August 2016. New York Supreme Court Justice David Cohen said last year that those claims were subject to arbitration. A press representative for Fox News said the decision speaks for itself. Tantaros, who was representing herself pro se in the wiretapping suit, could not immediately be reached for a comment.
By Michele Sinner

LUXEMBOURG, May 18 (Reuters) - Authorities in Luxembourg hope Malaysia's new government may offer new information on some $100 million from investment fund 1MDB that Luxembourg froze two years ago in a money-laundering probe, judicial sources told Reuters.

Confirming for the first time on Friday that such a sum had been blocked in the Grand Duchy after Swiss private bank Edmond de Rothschild was fined one year ago over money-laundering, the sources said that Luxembourg was keen to pursue inquiries now the new government is looking into troubles at the state fund.

Days after the electoral downfall of Malaysia's long-time ruling coalition and of premier Najib Razak, new prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has pushed an investigation into scandal-plagued 1Malaysia Development Berhad, amid accusations Najib benefited from money from a former entity of 1MDB.

Najib denies wrongdoing.

In June 2017, Edmond de Rothschild and Luxembourg officials said the bank was fined nearly 9 million euros ($10.60 million)for shortcomings in money-laundering controls. On Friday, the Luxembourg sources said that authorities froze $100 million in the case a year earlier but had not until now been able to determine what to do with the funds due to a lack of information from Malaysia. ($1 = 0.8488 euros) (Reporting by Michele Sinner in Luxembourg, writing by Alastair Macdonald and Robert-Jan Bartunek in Brussels; @macdonaldrtr Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
(Corrects second para to show Lim is the third ethnic Chinese Malaysian to hold the post)

By A. Ananthalakshmi and Liz Lee

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's finance minister, relatively unknown in international financial circles, is a man he threw into prison twice.

Mahathir announced three top cabinet posts on Saturday, including Lim Guan Eng, a former banker and chartered accountant, as finance minister. It was only the third time in the country's six decades since independence that the post has gone to a person from the ethnic Chinese minority.

The portfolio was previously headed by ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was handed a thumping defeat by Mahathir's alliance in Wednesday's general election.

Lim, 58, is best known in Malaysia for being the chief minister of Penang, the second richest state in the country and home to a popular tourist island and industrial port.

But economic analysts say he may need more than that at a time the country needs to make sweeping economic and fiscal reforms and reassure markets that the political change will not have an economic impact.

Malaysian markets have been closed since the election, but overseas investors have been nervous of what lies ahead because of Mahathir's populist promises.

As finance minister, Lim will be expected to oversee the new government's plan to repeal a deeply unpopular goods and services tax, which it has promised to do within the first 100 days. He will also have to manage the revenue shortfall that will cause.

"His initial focus will be mostly domestic issues - executing campaign promises and reducing inefficiencies so that the government can still maintain fiscal discipline," said Hasan Jafri, who heads Singapore-based business consultancy HJ Advisory.

But he added: "He will have to work quickly to broaden ties with the international financial community."

Lim would likely be guided by the government's newly appointed five-member advisory team, which includes former Malaysian finance minister Daim Zainuddin and central bank governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, both of whom are well known internationally.

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Some analysts said Lim had built a good reputation as an economic manager in Penang, which recorded the highest GDP per capita among Malaysian states in 2016.

"By almost all accounts... Guan Eng did a stellar job in rebuilding the finances of Penang," said Oh Ei Sun, senior adviser for international affairs at the Kuala Lumpur-based Asia Strategy & Leadership Institute.

"He has both the expertise as an accountant and the credibility, especially incorruptibility, to run MOF," he said, using the acronym for the Ministry of Finance.

JAILED TWICE, SMILING NOW

Lim was a bitter foe of Mahathir during his earlier 22-year stint as prime minister and was thrown in jail twice. Mahathir jailed Lim during a political crackdown in October 1987 that he said was aimed at preventing racial riots, and again in 1998 under the Sedition Act.

On Saturday, a smiling Lim stood by 92-year-old Mahathir as his appointment was announced.

The prime minister also announced a home affairs minister and a defence minister to take the number in his cabinet to five. Mahathir and Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the wife of his jailed ally Anwar Ibrahim, make up the rest.

Lim told reporters after his appointment that the government's plan was to review all contracts to ensure that jobs and business opportunities for Malaysians were made secure, as well as reduce the financial burden on low-income groups.

"The primary focus will be still on helping those who find it very hard to make ends meet," he told reporters.

"Our focus will be to see how we can make their lives a little easier."

In its election manifesto, Mahathir's alliance had also promised to review foreign investments, including major infrastructure projects that are part of China's Belt and Road initiative, bring back fuel subsidies, and raise minimum wages.

Lim, a former banker and a qualified chartered accountant, has spent most of his life as a member of the opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) fighting against the Barisan Nasional alliance, which has never lost an election in Malaysia's history.

The son of another prominent DAP leader, Lim Kit Siang, he studied economics at Monash University in Australia and was first elected as a member of parliament in 1986.

Lim led the opposition to victory in Penang for the first time in its history in 2008. He was then appointed as the state's chief minister and has held the position since. (Additional reporting by Raju Gopalakrishnan; Writing by Rozanna Latiff and Praveen Menon; editing by)
(Adds tweets by President Donald Trump, paragraphs 6 and 7)

WASHINGTON, May 19 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's wife, Melania Trump, returned to the White House on Saturday after undergoing a surgical procedure this week to treat a benign kidney condition, her office said.

The first lady, 48, had been recovering at Walter Reed medical center since Monday, when she underwent an embolization procedure to treat the kidney condition.

Spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement that Melania Trump returned to the White House on Saturday morning.

"She is resting comfortably and remains in high spirits," Grisham said. "Our office has received thousands of calls and emails wishing Mrs. Trump well, and we thank everyone who has taken the time to reach out."

An embolization is a minimally invasive procedure often used to block the flow of blood to a tumor or an abnormal area of tissue.

Donald Trump tweeted on Saturday that it was "great to have our incredible First Lady back home in the White House."

In an initial tweet he misspelled her first name, writing that "Melanie is feeling and doing really well," before writing a subsequent tweet with her name's correct spelling. (Reporting by Yeganeh Torbati in Washington Editing by Matthew Lewis)
* North says tunnels will be collapsed for dismantlement

* Journalists to be invited to event -KCNA

* North Korea-U.S. summit scheduled for June 12 (Adds Trump tweet)

By Christine Kim and David Brunnstrom

SEOUL/WASHINGTON, May 12 (Reuters) - North Korea has scheduled the dismantlement of its nuclear bomb test site for sometime between May 23 and 25 in order to uphold its pledge to discontinue nuclear tests, the country's state media reported on Saturday a month ahead of a historic summit.

The official Korean Central New Agency said dismantlement of the Punggye-ri nuclear test ground would involve collapsing all of its tunnels with explosions, blocking its entrances, and removing all observation facilities, research buildings and security posts.

"The Nuclear Weapon Institute and other concerned institutions are taking technical measures for dismantling the northern nuclear test ground ... in order to ensure transparency of discontinuance of the nuclear test," KCNA said.

U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will hold talks in Singapore on June 12, the first-ever meeting between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader.

Trump's Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday that North Korea can look forward to "a future brimming with peace and prosperity" if it agrees to quickly give up its nuclear weapons.

Trump welcomed the North Korean announcement.

"North Korea has announced that they will dismantle Nuclear Test Site this month, ahead of the big Summit Meeting on June 12th," he tweeted. "Thank you, a very smart and gracious gesture! Thank you, a very smart and gracious gesture!"

However, in spite of its pledge to stop testing, North Korea has given no indication it is willing to go beyond statements of broad conceptual support for denuclearization by unilaterally abandoning a nuclear weapons program its ruling family has seen as crucial to its survival.

In announcing the plan to shut Punggye-ri last month, Kim said North Korea no longer needed to conduct tests because it had completed its goal of developing nuclear weapons.

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KCNA said journalists, including from the United States and South Korea, would be invited to cover the event, to "show in a transparent manner the dismantlement of the northern nuclear test ground to be carried out". The exact date of the closure will depend on weather conditions, the agency said.

To accommodate the travelling journalists, North Korea said various measures would be taken including "opening territorial air space".

NO MENTION OF EXPERTS

South Korean officials said in April that North Korea also planned to invite experts from the United States and South Korea for the Punggye-ri shutdown, but KCNA made no mention of this.

Last month, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said South Korean President Moon Jae-in had asked the United Nations to help verify the shutdown.

All of North Korea's six known nuclear bomb tests have taken place at Punggye-ri, in the northeastern of North Korea where a system of tunnels have been dug under Mount Mantap.

According to Chinese academic reports, North Korea's most recent nuclear test in September of what Pyongyang said was a hydrogen bomb, was so large it triggered a collapse inside the mountain, rendering the entire site unusable for future tests.

But U.S. intelligence officials have said it remains usable and could be reactivated "in a relatively short period of time" if it was closed.

Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at California's Middlebury Institute of International Studies, said in a blog post this week that recent satellite images had shown the removal of some buildings from the site.

On Saturday, he told Reuters that closure of Punggye-ri did not mean much in terms of disarmament, given that the United States, for example, stopped nuclear testing in 1992.

"It would, however, require North Korea to clear out the test tunnels and rebuild any infrastructure that might be removed  or dig new tunnels at the site or elsewhere. So, its a good confidence building measure, but not necessarily a sign of irreversible disarmament."

Siegfried Hecker, a former director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the United States and a leading expert on North Korea's nuclear program, said collapsing the Punggye-ri tunnels would be "a big and positive step," given his belief that North Korea still required more nuclear and missile tests to reach the U.S. mainland with a nuclear-tipped missile.

However, he said the other crucial steps North Korea needed to take to demilitarize its nuclear program were to shut its plutonium production reactor, and open its uranium processing to inspection. (Reporting by Christine Kim Additional reporting by Lucia Mutikani Editing by Susan Thomas and Alistair Bell)
U.S. West Texas Intermediate and international-benchmark Brent crude oil futures closed higher for a third consecutive week. The markets were bolstered by strong demand, ongoing production cuts from the OPEC-led deal to stabilize prices and looming U.S. sanctions against major crude exporter Iran which could lead to supply disruptions. Gains were likely limited by worries over increasing U.S. production.

July West Texas Intermediate crude oil settled at $71.37, up $0.69 or +0.98% and July Brent crude oil finished the week at $78.51, up $1.39 or +1.80%.

Weekly July WTI Crude Oil

Early in the week, The IEA also said global demand would average 99.2 million bpd in 2018. Additionally, the IEA said although supplies currently only stand at 98 million bpd due to supply cuts led by OPEC, the IEA said that strong non-OPEC growthwill grow by 1.87 million bpd in 2018.

At mid-week, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that U.S. crude inventories dropped by 1.4 million barrels in the week to May 11, to 432.34 million barrels.

Not all the news was bullish, however, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Wednesday that it had lowered its global oil demand growth forecast for 2018 from 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) to 1.4 million bpd.

Additionally, traders are also saying that United States production is ready to overtake Russia production. As a result of surging production, U.S. crude is increasingly appearing on global markets as exports. U.S. production now sits at a record 10.72 million bpd.

Weekly July Brent Crude Oil

Traders are also saying that United States production is ready to overtake Russia production. Additionally, as a result of surging production, U.S. crude is increasingly appearing on global markets as exports.

Finally, the crude forward curve is in firm backwardation, a structure that suggests a tight market as prices for immediate delivery are higher than those for later dispatch. For example, front-month Brent prices are now almost $2.60 per barrel more expensive than those for delivery in December.

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This price action indicates speculators are betting on strong demand as well as looming disruptions due to renewed U.S. sanctions against Iran and falling output in Venezuela. Professionals are scrambling to buy all the oil they can get because of fears that U.S. shale producers will make up any short-falls in supply over the longer-term.

Forecast

WTI and Brent crude traders will be looking for direction early next week because the U.S. oil rig count held steady last week after rising for six weeks in a row even as crude prices soared to multi-year highs, prompting drillers to extract record amounts of oil, especially from shale.

The total oil rig count held at 844 in the week to May 18, General Electric Co.s Baker Hughes energy services firm said in its closely followed report on Friday.

The fact that Brent crude oil weakened more than WTI crude oil on Friday could be a sign of profit-taking related to a cooling of geopolitical tensions. This essentially removed the fear bid from the global benchmark.

The price action this week is likely to be determined by whether the European Union decides to stick with the Iranian nuclear accord. Although the EU said it will continue to honor the deal, some energy companies have already started to pull back from Iran. Last Wednesday, French oil giant Total SA said it would withdraw from an agreement to help develop a gas field off Iran if it wasnt granted a waiver by the U.S.

Furthermore, Reuters reported on Friday that the European Commission is proposing that EU governments make direct money transfers to Irans central bank as a means to avoid U.S. penalties.

Traders will also get a chance to react to the elections in Venezuela over the week-end.

Essentially, I believe that oil prices will be supported this week if the EU decides to follow the lead of the U.S. and pull out of Iran. If the EU agrees to continue to adhere to the agreement then crude oil prices could fall as this would diminish fears over the size of the potential supply disruption.

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

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Well over a billion people all over the world tuned in to watch the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle this morning, but now that it's all said and done, it's time to direct our attention to the car that the newly crowned Duke and Duchess of Sussex drove to their reception. The Jaguar E-Type Zero first debuted in September of 2017, but it's getting a whole heck of a lot more press today than it did then. Welcome to the Royal Family, Jag.



Jaguar left as much of the original 1968 Series 1.5 E-Type in tact as possible while replacing the original inline-six engine with an electric motor and battery pack. Enough power is sent to the rear wheels to push this feline from 0-62 in just 5.5 seconds. That means it's quicker now than it was when new and chugging on gasoline.





The Duke and Duchess of Sussex depart Windsor Castle for a reception hosted by The Prince of Wales at Frogmore House, in a silver blue Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero. This vehicle was originally manufactured in 1968, and has since been converted to electric power #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/hRrxEUlFlJ  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018





The E-Type Zero's range of 170 miles is way more than enough to whisk the happy couple away from Windsor Castle to Frogmore House on the Windsor Estate, where Harry's father, the Prince of Wales, is hosting their wedding reception. But if it were to run out of juice, its 40kWh battery can be recharged in under 7 hours.



Want one of your own? The Daily Mail says it'll cost 350,000 (that's over $470,000 here in the States). Just don't expect a customized license plate to match the date of your wedding.



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Samsung has been teasing its upgraded Bixby 2.0 assistant for several months now, but when is it actually going to show up in something you can buy? It shouldn't take too much longer. The company's AI research center head Gray G. Lee told the Korea Herald that the new AI helper will arrive with the upcoming flagship phone in the second half of 2018 -- in other words, the next Galaxy Note. While Lee didn't show all of Samsung's cards, he promised better natural language processing, faster responses and better results in noisy environments.

As outlined last October, Bixby 2.0 should make use of Samsung's Viv acquisition to both encourage more conversational commands as well as deep linking, multiple users and more. It's not certain if everything mentioned at Bixby 2.0's unveiling will make the cut. However, it should help the tech giant's rough-around-the-edges companion catch up to Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri and Google Assistant -- important when it's hoping to use Bixby in everything from fridges to smart speakers.
Plants grow in a prototype of the habitat that will be used on the International Space Station to study which strains of crops do best in a weightless environment. (Washington State University Photo)

When Orbital ATKs Antares rocket launches a robotic Cygnus cargo spaceship toward the International Space Station, as early as Monday, itll be sending seeds that could show the way for future space farmers.

The Antares liftoff is currently set for 4:39 a.m. ET (1:39 a.m. PT) on Monday from NASAs Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, with an 80 percent chance of acceptable weather. NASAs live-streaming coverage of the countdown begins at 1 a.m. PT Monday.

More than 7,200 pounds of supplies, equipment and experiments will be packed aboard the Cygnus. One of the smallest payloads consists of seeds for the Final Frontier Plant Habitat  part of a $2.3 million, NASA-funded initiative that involves researchers from Washington State University, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the University of New Mexico and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The automated habitat was delivered during previous cargo resupply missions and set up for planting. Once the Cygnus cargo arrives, astronauts can proceed with the habitats first official science experiment, which is aimed at determining which genetic variants of plants grow best under weightless conditions.

The overall significance is what it could mean for space exploration, WSU biochemist Norman Lewis, the projects leader, said in a news release. Whether its colonizing planets, establishing a station or for long-range space travel, its going to require maintaining air and food for artificially supported environments.

The experiment builds on decades worth of previous plant-growing efforts in space  including the Veggie experiment, which yielded space-grown lettuce for the space station crew. (Tastes good  kinda like arugula, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly said.)

This time, the astronauts will plant six different types of Arabidopsis, a flowering plant thats closely related to cabbage and mustard. Five of the plant varieties have been genetically altered, either to affect they way the plants capture carbon or affect their ability to produce lignin, a fibrous substance that provides structural support for plants. The same varieties will be grown under Earth-gravity conditions at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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After several weeks of growth, the zero-G plants will be harvested and shipped back to Earth for comparison. The plants proteins will be analyzed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to see whether a particular genetic mix is better-suited for cultivation in space.

Another experiment thats due to be delivered by the Cygnus is the Cold Atom Laboratory, which was designed by researchers at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory to produce temperatures colder than anywhere else in the universe.

A research team that also includes physicists from WSU and the University of Colorado will use data sent back from the laboratory to study the behavior of atoms chilled to just a few billionths of a degree above absolute zero.

The researchers are interested in the transition that atoms make from particle-like behavior to wave-like behavior as theyre chilled, in accordance with quantum physics. The phenomenon is hard to study on Earth due to the perturbing effect of gravity, but should be easier to monitor in the space stations zero-gravity environment.

Cold atom research on the ISS will give us a fundamental understanding for a part of physics that is so complicated that, even with the most powerful computers on Earth, we cannot find answers, WSU physicist Peter Engels said. Our work will, in turn, provide new insights into systems that may be important in the design of future materials and electronics, like ultraprecise gravitational sensors to detect caves underground or hidden oil fields.

But wait  theres more. Here are some of the other science payloads packed aboard the Cygnus:

The Sextant Navigation investigation will test the use of a hand-held sextant, like the ones used on ships in centuries past, for emergency navigation on missions in deep space as humans begin to travel farther from Earth. The ability to sight angles between the moon or planets and stars offers crews another option to find their way home if communications and main computers are compromised.

Biomolecule Extraction and Sequencing Technology , or BEST, advances the use of sequencing processes to identify microbes aboard the space station that current methods cannot detect, and to assess mutations in the microbial genome that may be due to spaceflight.

The International Commercial Experiment, or ICE Cubes Service, will make use of a sliding framework permanently installed in the stations European-built Columbus module and plug-and-play Experiment Cubes. The system is a partnership between the European Space Agency and Space Application Services, aimed at increasing commercial access to the station as a research platform.

Other payloads include high-definition cameras that will be installed on the space stations exterior next month; and 15 CubeSats that will be deployed into orbit, either from the space station or from the Cygnus itself.

Orbital ATK has named this Cygnus craft after J.R. Thompson, a company executive and former NASA manager who passed away last year. If all goes as scheduled, the Cygnus is due to be pulled in for its berthing at the space station a few days after launch.

Over the course of several weeks, the space station crew will unpack the cargo, put trash inside the Cygnus and set it loose. The craft will then deploy its satellites, make a controlled descent and burn up over the Pacific Ocean.

More from GeekWire:
Posted Sunday, May 20, 2018 12:00 am

MONDAY, MAY 21 - Why not relax with yoga and a cup of coffee?

Blue Owl Coffee and Heights Yoga Project will host a yoga and coffee event at Blue Owl Coffee's new pop-up coffee location this morning from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Heights Yoga Project is a yoga pop-up business in the Grands River area. However, the founder of the business, Niki Corcoran, and her husband are originally from Lansing. Alex Corcoran is a physician assistant and Niki Corcoran is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher.

The Corcorans decided to come back to Lansing to put on this event with Nick Berry, Rich Whitman and Adam Klein, who own the Blue Owl Coffee. The event is for all levels of yoga expertise and all levels of coffee lovers. The yoga class is based on donations. Prices will be listed for the coffee.

Blue Owl Coffee's new pop-up destination is 205 S. Washington Square, where the House of Eden Rock used to be. Berry, of Lansing, said Bryan Russell, also known as the Curbstalker, designed the look of the pop-up venue with some of the projects he created through his finds on curbs and dumpsters.

Berry said this event is also a way for Blue Owl Coffee to test out its new pop-up coffee idea of a mobile cafe. Blue Owl has a coffee bike that is used to sell coffee in the Greater Lansing area, but Berry, Whitman and Klein want to expand to provide full catering.

"We want to see what business traffic we can get downtown," Berry said.

He said before Blue Owl moved to its 1149 S. Washington Ave. location, in REO Town, he and his other partners had started their coffee business with the bike in front of the Capitol building. The physical location for the coffee shop turned 1 year old April 23.

Blue Owl started as a record label about 10 years ago. Berry and his partners, knew since they started the label that they wanted to do something like a coffee shop, somewhere to be centered around music.
Starbucks today announced that it is now official policy to allow all guests in its stores to use its facilities, including restrooms, whether they buy anything or not. The coffee chain had previously lacked a clear policy on the question.

That ambiguity may have led to a grim incident last month in which police were called and arrested two African-American guests who were waiting for a friend, but had not made a purchase. The company acknowledged in a statement that what happened appeared to be an instance of racial profiling.

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According to the Wall Street Journal, Starbucks has now sent a letter to staffers saying that any person who enters our spaces, including patios, cafes and restrooms, regardless of whether they make a purchase, is considered a customer.

That policy raises the specter of an influx of unwanted traffic, particularly to the chains bathrooms, but the memo laid out a seemingly sensible answer: Starbucks already has procedures in place for how staff should deal with paying customers who become disruptive. Those policies will now be clarified and expanded to include all guests in Starbucks stores, regardless of whether theyve bought a drink.

Starbucks will also be closing its stores for part of the day later this month to conduct racial sensitivity training.
Photo credit: Getty Images

From Popular Mechanics

Though they look indistinguishable from the other cows on a dairy farm in Utah, three cyborg cows with implanted sensors are munching on grass and sending data to help train an artificial neural network. A biohacker named Tim Cannon created the subcutaneous trackers for livestock after his own experiments with RFID implants. Eventually, he wants to bring the technology back to humans.

Cannon got a Circadia Sensor implanted into his arm in 2013. The sleep and temperature monitoring device, he thought, could help him collect data for AI software he developed to predict illness. But investors were hard to find for the implant: outside of the biohacking community, people remain skeptical of having sensor tracking devices implanted inside their bodies.

And so, Cannon turned to livestock. Working with a tech incubator in Australia, he founded Livestock Labs and created the bovine FitBit, which he named EmbediVet. The sensors can record cows heart rate, pulse, chewing frequency, temperature, and movements around the farm.



RFID trackers are often implanted in animals and livestock, but mostly for identification purposes, whereas wearable collars can track activity or temperature. The EmbediVet gets surgically inserted under local anesthetic, and is apparently less bothersome for cows. The device runs on a coin-cell battery with an estimated three year life, and potentially offers a more effective way to collect data and track bovine behavior.



Cannon is plotting out the early data the sensors emit. Eventually, he hopes to develop a smartphone app for farmers to monitor animal status or be alerted to early issues (currently, farmers simply rely on waiting and watching to see if cows are eating enough, potentially ill or pregnant). As a veterinarian, if theres some way I can detect animal diseases, animal discomfort, earlier, then Im ahead of the ballgame when it comes to providing care and welfare to these animals, Kerry Rood, an associate professor at Utah State Universitys School of Veterinary Medicine Rood who implanted the cow trackers, told MIT Technology Review.

Story continues

Though for Cannon, of course, the end goal is still to get humans more comfortable with similar devices - perhaps, through a future human line from Livestock labs.

(via MIT Technology Review)

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Theranos, the disgraced, collapsing, and allegedly fraud-rife blood-testing startup, is most often associated with its founder and CEO, Elizabeth Holmes. But a new profile by indefatigable Theranos watchdog John Carreyrou sheds light on another major figure, suggesting some of Theranos worst sins werent Holmes doing at all.

Ramesh Sunny Balwani was 37 years old and already a multimillionaire when he met Holmes, then 18, at a Stanford University language-learning program in China in 2002. According to reporting in the Wall Street Journal by Carreyrou, who has spearheaded efforts to uncover deceptive practices at Theranos, Balwani helped defend Holmes from bullies during that sojourn, and soon became her mentor. Within three years, Balwani had divorced his wife and was living with Holmes.

Though Holmes founded Theranos in 2004, Balwani was not directly involved until 2009. Thats when Balwani guaranteed a $12 million loan to keep the capital-intensive company going, and became president and COO. Former employees told Carreyrou that Balwani was both a flashy and overbearing presence, driving exotic cars and frequently berating employees. Balwani also reportedly fired Theranos employees so often that they were referred to as being disappeared, a phrase normally associated with despotic political regimes like those of Augusto Pinochet and the Nazi Gestapo.

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In particular, Balwani and Holmes fired or marginalized employees who raised concerns about the companys working conditions, test results, or product claims. Balwani reportedly leaned on labworkers to reveal which of them had written a negative note about the company on the jobs site Glassdoor, while also ordering the companys HR staff to write fake positive reviews on the site.

Though Holmes played a direct role in many of the most notorious episodes in the Theranos story  including displaying a fake laboratory to Vice President Joe Biden  it was Balwani who left the company after the depth of its problems became clear. Though the departure was framed as voluntary at the time, a source close to Holmes told Carreyrou that the CEO actually fired Balwani.

Balwani has denied charges from the SEC alleging fraud, including wild exaggerations of its revenue. He and Holmes are, unsurprisingly, no longer a couple.
By Ginger Gibson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and China agreed to take measures to reduce the U.S. trade deficit in goods by having China purchase more American goods - particularly agriculture and energy products, according to a joint statement the two nations released on Saturday.

"There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the United States trade deficit in goods with China," the joint statement reads. "To meet the growing consumption needs of the Chinese people and the need for high-quality economic development, China will significantly increase purchases of United States goods and services. This will help support growth and employment in the United States."

The statement concluded joint talks on Thursday and Friday between the two countries, which included several U.S. cabinet secretaries and China's State Council Vice Premier Liu He.

President Donald Trump made reducing the trade deficit between the United States and China a key campaign promise.

The statement says that China will "advance relevant amendments to its laws and regulations" to allow for more American imports, including changes to patent laws.

(Reporting by Ginger Gibson; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)
This story was delivered to Business Insider Intelligence Apps and Platforms Briefing subscribers hours before appearing on Business Insider. To be the first to know, please click here.

Verizon plans to roll out 5G wireless home broadband internet services to consumers across four US cities by Q4 2018, starting with Los Angeles, and Sacramento, according to Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam, per CNBC. The carrier plans to offer 5G with Fixed Wireless Access, which provides connectivity via wireless mobile networks rather than cable.

Estimated 5G Smartphone Shipments

BI Intelligence

By the time the network rolls out, Verizon expects to have over 1,000 cell sites up and operating on the global standard. With the fixed wireless network, Verizon is aiming to be the first US carrier to officially launch commercial 5G technology. The carrier plans to announce the remaining two cities to receive 5G later this year.

The move into fixed 5G will better position Verizon to compete with AT&T, Alphabet, and rival cable providers, such as Comcast and Charter Communications. It's often the case that US consumers have access to only one broadband provider, which is typically a cable company. By expanding into the home internet market, Verizon could emerge as a new competitor and potentially increase its subscriber audience with its 5G network.

Verizons early foray into fixed 5G will help to simplify the transition to a mobile 5G environment in early 2019, according to McAdam.Verizon has a multipurpose network that it's using to launch both fixed and mobile 5G, and it's expected to allow the carrier to offer lower prices and expand its customer base. This is important because AT&T is planning to release mobile 5G networks in a dozen markets by late 2018.

But Verizons decision to wait till 2019 to move into mobile makes sense, because though the first 5G mobile networks in the US are rumored to roll out sooner than later, smartphones that can operate over 5G networks will be a bit further off. Theyll likely be released throughout 2019 and 2020, and mostly be available on the premium end of devices.

Story continues

As the industry pivots toward the next generation in networking, 5G technology will pave the way for mainstream adoption of emerging technologies. Thanks to faster speeds and edge computing resultant of 5G, mobile networks will be able to more effortlessly handle the heavy data transfer for VR and AR digital properties. 5G will also enable more VR and AR processing to be completed at the edge of the network, thereby reducing latency.

The low latency of 5G networks will also power automated cars and enable them to react to situations in real time. And the efficiency and far reaching ability of 5G networks make it ideal to handle trillions of IoT devices that will come into the network over the next 10 years.

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The Pakistani exchange student killed in the Texas high-school mass shooting was due to return to her home country next month for the Eid al-Fitr holiday, her father says.

The father of Sabika Sheikh on May 19 told reporters in her hometown of Karachi that the 17-year-old was proud to be studying in the United States as an exchange student in a program organized by the U.S. State Department.

The Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program provides scholarships for students from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend an academic year in the United States. Participants generally live with American families.

The father, businessman Abdul Aziz Sheikh, said he learned of the shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas when he turned on the TV after breaking his Ramadan fast.

He said he immediately called his daughter and her friends but did not receive any response.

He eventually learned of his daughters fate when he reached the exchange program by phone -- hearing that she was among the 10 people killed at the high school southeast of Houston.

The tearful father told the Associated Press that Sabika, the eldest of four children, was planning to return to Karachi next month for Eid al-Fitr, a three-day holiday that marks the end of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.

He added that he thought his daughter would be safe in the United States.

"She was extraordinary, genius, and talented," her father told reporters at their home.

"My daughter never came fourth [in class] - only ever first, second, or third.

"At such a young age, she would say such huge things, that sometimes I couldn't believe it. Even now I cannot believe that my daughter is gone," he added.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on May 19 that he was sending "my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sabika Sheikh, who was killed in the tragic shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas, yesterday."

The statement added that Sheikh was "in the United States on the State Department-sponsored Youth Exchange and Study program, helping to build ties between the United States and her native Pakistan."

U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale also offered condolences.

"This morning, I called the family of Sabika Sheikh and offered my deepest condolences. All of us at the U.S. Mission in Pakistan are devastated by and mourn her loss. We will honor her memory," he said.

Imran Khan, a candidate to become Pakistans next prime minister, wrote on Twitter that he was Shocked & saddened by the tragic death of Sabika Sheikh our Pakistani Honour Roll exchange student in the Santa Fe school shooting in USA.

"My prayers go to the family -- May Allah give them the strength to cope with such an irreparable loss," Khan added.

A 17-year-old student has been charged with capital murder and is being held without bail over the mass shooting.

Authorities said Dimitrios Pagourtzis burst into a classroom at the high school around 8 a.m. on May 18 and opened fire, killing eight students and two teachers and injuring at least 13 others.

Pagourtzis could face the death penalty if found guilty.

The shooting once again raised the issue of gun control in the United States -- a matter that has become a major talking point in the country after 17 people were killed in February during a mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, Al-Jazeera, and The International News
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Africa Hydrocarbons Inc. (NFK.H:NEX) (KNPRF:PNK) (KRL1:STU) (the Company) is pleased to announced that it has received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange in relation to the Companys proposed Change of Business transaction (COB Transaction).



As previously disclosed, the Company is undertaking the COB Transaction to pursuant to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the Exchange), with the result that the Company (which will be renamed BlockchainK2 Corp.) will become a blockchain technology company, listed on the Exchange, with its initial business being cryptocurrency mining. The Company has reserved the stock symbol BITK in connection with such proposed name change.

The Company is working to fulfill those conditions for receipt of final approval from the TSXV and to close the COB Transaction. The Company will continue to issue additional press releases related to the COB Transaction and other material information as it becomes available.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF

AFRICA HYDROCARBONS INC.

Douglas Wu

Director

For further information, please telephone: (604) 283-1722

Completion of the COB Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to acceptance by the Exchange and if applicable pursuant to the Exchange requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the COB Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the COB Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the COB Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the acquisition may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative.

The Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the COB Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
If this answer is true, then some companies may go bankruptcy at the same time. However, the tax records shows that a large number of companies declared bankruptcy at the same time. Hence, this choice is not enough to explain the problem. Eliminated

Even if this answer is true, it doesn't explain why a large number of companies declared bankruptcy at the same time. Eliminated

Out of scope, because the question mention nothing about franchises or multinational companies. Eliminated

If the pattern of bankruptcy was changed in the US, then the pattern of companies declaring bankruptcy should be random as stated in premise. This choice doesn't help explain the problem. Eliminated

Correct. If widespread economic issues affect numerous companies , a lot of companies couldn't survive and had to declare bankruptcy, explain the problem well

I'll go for E.A. Certain financial problems affect only some types of businesses with particular sets of characteristics unique to their industry.B. Many companies go bankrupt because the economies of the states in which they are located force them to go into gradual but increasing debt.C. Companies without franchises in more than one country are more likely to declare bankruptcy.D. From 2005-2015, government loans and intervention changed the pattern of bankruptcy in the United States.E. Patterns of bankruptcy emerge when widespread economic issues affect numerous companies._________________
pnf0129 wrote:

Hey all,



Surprisingly, have not seen this topic in the forum. About me:



Male, 26, Atlanta native (UGA undergrad)

3 years senior leadership at mid-sized non-profit

Post MBA plans - internal strategy or operations...might be open to a boutique consulting firm. Long term is entering back into non-profits.



Scheller's tuition is only $10K total through GRA/Scholarship OR I would pay 2/3 tuition at Goizueta, approx. $72k total. Seeing very similar employment outcomes in Atlanta, while not being especially interested in Bain/McKinsey recruitment, I'm having trouble rationalizing paying $62k more for Goizueta brand over Scheller. But coming from UGA undergrad and a local non-profit, it might be beneficial to have more national recognition from my MBA.



I've enjoyed getting to know students and community at both schools. The GRA at Scheller is also a good opportunity for experience.



While I have an idea of which one I'm leaning towards, any additional external perspective is appreciated! Thanks all.

Which route is your priority internal consulting or operation? Each school is famous in different field.
Greetings to all users of this uber-helpful forum! I am in a dilemma and would be extremely grateful to get some perspective!I received the admit from University of Sydney about a month ago and I have been contemplating whether to accept it or not. The pros seem to be that the University has very good rankings globally, and that it's located in Sydney which is the financial capital of Australia; the cons being the fact this is going to be the first full time MBA batch. Having said this, the Master of Management program has been ranked pretty high by FT in the past and the part time MBA program seems renowned too. Also, I have yet to appear for GMAT, got lucky with this one since the requirement is not very stringent for candidates with 3+ years of work ex. Also, they say that they have yet to come out with the scholarship result and therefore I have no funding as of yet. Is is common for b-schools to delay scholarship results by a month? Could someone please advise on how good it is an idea to accept this offer, especially without scholarship!Thanks in advance!Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using GMAT Club Forum mobile app
Pursuing Gods Call (Urbana Onward)

Were sorry but you missed this offer. It is no longer free or a deal.

Tom LinIntervarsity Press$1.99

What happens when God calls you to follow him? Where might Jesus take you? What might it cost? And what kind of surprising blessings could it bring you and the world around you?

Through sharing his own personal story, Urbana director Tom Lin shows how pursuing Gods call can take us in unexpected directions. As a success-driven Harvard student, Tom figured he was headed for a lucrative career in corporate business. But then God called him to a life he never expected. Despite painful resistance from his family, he followed Jesus, eventually going halfway around the world to pioneer Christian campus ministry in the virtually unreached nation of Mongolia. Along the way he saw how God had been guiding his journey all along.

Our challenge today is that we too easily settle for less than God intends for us. We prefer comfort and avoid risks. But we live in an era of unprecedented opportunities for Gods global mission. If we are willing to embrace a life of adventure, we too can discover the radical ways God can use us to bless the nations.

So step up and answer the call. And God will surprise you beyond all imagination.
Did President Donald Trump mock Belgium for not getting out of the Paris Climate Agreement? A video that seemed to show just that was faked by the Belgian political party SP.a ("Socialistische Partij, anders", translated: "Socialist Party, different") to promote a petition campaign urging the Belgian government to take more climate measures.

On May 20, 2018 the official twitter account of the party posted following tweet:

(tweet archived here, video here)

The tweet read: "Trump has a message for all Belgians... #climatepetition".

In the video "Trump" can be heard saying:

Dear people of Belgium, this is a huge deal. As you know I had the balls to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, and so should you. Because what you guys are doing right now in Belgium is actually worse. You agreed, but you are not taking any measures, only bla bla bla bing bang boom. You even pollute more than before the agreement. Shame! Total Shame! At least I am a fair person. People love me because I am a fair person. I'm the fairest person on Earth. So Belgium, don't be a hypocrite: withdraw from the Climate Agreement. We all know that climate change is fake... just like this video.

Right at the end of the video the Dutch subtitles end and the audio volume drops noticeably so the part where "Trump" says the video is fake remains untranslated for the Belgian audience. Captions then urge people to go sign a petition demanding more action.

According to polls the SP.a is the third largest political party in the Dutch speaking part of Belgium. They are currently not part of any of the regional or national governments of Belgium (with the exception of the Brussels regional government) but they have often been a major force in Belgian politics in the past.

The use of such a video in a political campaign looks similar to the kind of deepfake political videos BuzzFeed was warning about last month:

How To Spot A DeepFake Like The Barack Obama-Jordan Peele Video Don't be embarrassed if you were fooled, even if only briefly. Technology to trick our eyes and ears is advancing rapidly. Teams in Germany are working on Face2Face, the type of face- and voice-swapping technology used to create the video above.

Although the production value of the fake Trump video is way lower than the faked Obama video produced as an example by BuzzFeed:
Translate My Blog List ESV Bible Search Search the ESV Bible

(e.g., John 1 or God's love)
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New Delhi, May 19 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday dedicated the Kishanganga Hydropower Station to the nation at a function in Srinagar.

He also laid the foundation stone of the Srinagar Ring Road.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister recalled the various occasions in the past four years when he had visited the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that the month of Ramzan is the time to recall the teachings and message of Prophet Muhammad.

The Prime Minister said that the 330 MW Kishanganga Hydropower project would go a long way in fulfilling the electricity requirements of the State.

He emphasized the need for balanced development of all three regions of the State - Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh.




New York, May 19 (IBNS): The case of Noura Hussein Hammad Daoud, a Sudanese teenager convicted of fatally stabbing the man she was forced to marry, after he had allegedly raped her, highlights the countrys failure to tackle the tragedy of early and forced marriage, marital rape and other discrimination and violence against women and girls, the United Nations human rights office said on Friday.

We have received information that Husseins forced marriage, rape and other forms of gender-based violence against her were not taken into account by the Court as evidence to mitigate the sentence, and that the most stringent guarantees of a fair trial and due process were not fulfilled in this case, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights told the press in Geneva.

As the case has drawn international attention, the UN Human rights office said that it has become increasingly concerned for the teens safety and that of her lawyer and other supporters.

We urge the authorities to ensure full protection for Husseins physical and psychological integrity during her detention, as well as full respect for her rights to a fair trial and appeal, Shamdasani stressed.

In trials of capital punishment, scrupulous respect for fairness is particularly crucial.

The UN expert on summary executions has argued that imposing the death penalty against clear evidence of self-defense constitutes an arbitrary killing, particularly where women have been charged with murder when defending themselves.

We call on the authorities to fully take into consideration Husseins claim of self-defense against the attempt by the man to rape her, after he had reportedly already raped her on a previous occasion with the help of three other people, Shamdasani continued.

With only 15 days to appeal the Courts decision  which was announced last week  the right for a conviction and sentence to be reviewed by a higher tribunal is particularly important.

A review that is limited to the formal or legal aspects of the conviction  without any consideration of the facts  is not sufficient under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Sudan has ratified, the spokesperson reminded the press.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the UN Human Rights Committee have expressed serious concern about the situation of womens human rights in Sudan.

Husseins tragic case is an opportunity for Sudanese authorities to send a clear message that gender-based violence will not be tolerated in the country, concluded Ms. Shamdasani, adding that the office would remain in contact with Sudanese authorities.

UN Multimedia
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who is due to give his first major policy speech on Iran next Monday, tweeted his support for the protesters in that country, We support the Iranian people who are demonstrating against an oppressive government. 3 deaths & Internet interruption show the regimes true nature.

Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio followed suit, tweeting, The people of Iran continue to risk their lives to protest the corrupt & oppressive Iranian terror regime. I join @SecPompeo in supporting the Iranian people and hope the international media also gives these important protests in Kazeroun and elsewhere the attention they deserve.

Iran analyst and research fellow at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Benham Ben Taleblu, said in an interview, Secretary Pompeos tweet is spot-on. At every juncture, the Islamic Republic continues to prove that it does not care about the interests or well-being of the Iranian people. He added, I hope concrete actions in support of the freedom of communication for the Iranian people, and against the interests and assets of the regime, complement the Secretarys tweet.

Iran affairs expert and founding editor of The Foreign Desk, Lisa Daftari, said it was significant that the secretary of state would tweet out such a message. For almost four decades Irans people have believed that any political movement, including regime change, would have to be supported by the West. For that reason, statements made in support of recent protests, including Pompeos tweet, cannot be underestimated, she said.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), an influential coalition of Iranian opposition groups, stated that the third consecutive day of protests began during Friday prayers. According to the NCRI, Despite (the) dispatch of special anti-riot units to Kazerun from nearby cities, the people chanted slogans against the regimes governor at An-Nabi Mosque and turned their backs on him. Shortly thereafter, clashes began at the Friday prayer congregation, which was disrupted. People are clashing with the security forces at Shohada (martyrs) Square right now. They added that according to local sources, the death toll had risen to three, and several people are missing. As well, bodies of the dead have not been given to their families. Internet connections are still cut.

Quoting local officials, Iranian media claims only one person had been killed, and cited the local governor as saying that NCRI coalition member, the MEK, was playing a role in the protests.

Tabelu concluded, the Kazerun protests deserve greater coverage. Major protests in Iran like 2009 and 2017-2018 did not appear out of a social vacuum. They drew on unaddressed grievances for political, social, and economic change.
Some countries ban possession and use of the drug marijuana, but it is legal in parts of the United States.

Nine states and Washington, D.C. have measures legalizing recreational uses of marijuana. The drug is approved for medical purposes in a total of 29 states.

But in Oregon, an oversupply of marijuana has driven down prices of the drug. This has led some worried growers to start moving towards to another product  the hemp plant -- to keep their businesses profitable.

Marijuana comes from the dried leaves and flowers of the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. Hemp is another kind of cannabis. It does not have the same intoxicating effects as the widely known drug.

Hemp contains less than 0.3 percent of THC, the substance that gives marijuana its powerful effect. Growing industrial hemp is legal under federal law, and the plant can be sold for use in things like cloth, food, seed and building materials.

In Oregon, the number of requests for permission to grow hemp is 20 time what is was in 2015. That makes Oregon second only to Colorado among the 19 states with active hemp farming.

The changing market comes at the same time as demand is rising for a chemical that comes from hemp. That chemical is cannabidiol, or CBD, which some people see as good for human health.

In its purer form, CBD oil can sell for thousands of dollars per kilogram. Farmers can make more than $100,000 on less than half a hectare of land by growing hemp to produce it.

That purified substance can also be made into crystallized particles.

Jerrad McCord grows marijuana in southern Oregon. He just added 5 hectares of hemp to his land. He told the Associated Press that many people see it as a new way to get rich quickly.

This is a business, he said. Youve got to adapt, and youve got to be a problem-solver.

But there is a problem few people predicted when Oregon voters approved a measure to legalize marijuana four years ago.

The states climate is perfect for growing marijuana, and growers produce unusually large crops. And under state law, none of it can leave Oregon. That, combined with a decision to not limit the number of permits for growers, has created an oversupply.

The total amount of marijuana stored in Oregon is shocking for a state its size. Many people smoke the flower of the plant, and there are nearly 450,000 kilograms of usable flower in the state. There is an additional 159,000 kilograms of other forms of marijuana, including products one can eat or drink.

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission supervises the states marijuana industry. The commission says some of the flower is used in specialty products, like oils, which have increased in popularity. But the agency cannot say how much.

A detailed study of the market is currently taking place.

Falling marijuana prices

The price for a single gram of marijuana has fallen about 50 percent since 2015, from around $14 to around $7. That information comes from the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis. Growers and sellers alike have felt the effect.

Trey Willison changed his farming business from marijuana to hemp this season. Now, he says, he is considering destroying some of his crops instead of selling them at low prices.

Whoever would have thought wed get to the point of destroying pounds of marijuana? Willison said.

This difficult choice is driving more of Oregons marijuana growers towards hemp. The crop is already popular in states like Colorado and Kentucky, and gets a lot of attention in the cannabis industry.

In Oregon, the number of government permits to grow hemp rose from 12 in 2015 to 353 by early May 2018. And the state is now second nationwide in terms of approved, licensed hectares.

Colorado is the U.S. leader in hemp production. It and Washington were the first states to widely legalize marijuana. Both have seen prices drop for marijuana, but not as much as in Oregon.

Growing interest in CBD

In Oregon, people are increasingly interested in the gold-colored oil CBD. Its popularity has risen sharply among self-described cannabis experts and is quickly being seen as normal by the general public.

At least 50 percent of hemp nationwide is being grown for CBD extraction. And Oregon is riding the top of that wave, said Eric Steenstra. He is the president of Vote Hemp, an independent organization that fights for pro-hemp laws.

There are a lot of growers who already have experience growing cannabis, and when youre growing for CBD, there are a lot of the same techniques that you use for growing marijuana, he said.

CBD is appearing in everything, from beauty products to bottled water to animal food.

Supporters say CBD offers a number of healing effects, from easing pain to calming nerves. However, scientists warn that there have been few wide-reaching studies of how CBD affects humans.

That is mostly because the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration still considers cannabidiol a Schedule 1 drug -- meaning it is illegal to buy or sell. And the government requires special approval to study it.

Ziva Cooper is an associate professor of clinical neurobiology at Columbia University in New York. She is investigating the possible medical effects of cannabis and cannabinoids.

Cooper says small studies involving animals have shown CBD could be helpful in treating pain, drug dependency and other conditions.

Next month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration could approve the first medicine made from CBD. It is used to treat people with epilepsy.

Im Lucija Milonig. And Im Pete Musto.

Gillian Flaccus reported on this story for the Associated Press. Pete Musto adapted her report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

Is marijuana use permitted in your country? How should your country react to the marijuana industry? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

______________________________________________________________ QUIZ Quiz - Marijuana Growers Turn to Hemp to Fight Oversupply Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

recreational  adj. used for pleasure instead of for medical purposes

intoxicating  adj. causing someone to be unable to think and behave normally

crystallized  adj. change into a solid form that is made up of small pieces of a substance that has many sides and are formed when the substance turns into a solid

adapt  v. to change your behavior so that it is easier to live in a particular place or situation

licensed  adj. having official permission to have or do something

extraction  n. the act or process of getting a substance from something by the use of a machine or chemicals

techniques  n. ways of doing something by using special knowledge or skill

clinical  adj. relating to or based on work done with real patients
Social media has found its way into almost every part of everyday life. It has even affected college and university admissions.

Many colleges and universities in the United States are now using social media to share information with applicants, says George DaPonte. He is the director of international admissions at the University of Tampa, a private university in Tampa, Florida.

DaPonte says admissions officials have found the current generation of college applicants to be more responsive to less formal communications. So now, many schools make sure to post things like policy changes or campus news on their social media accounts.

Using social media brings the information directly to students, instead of making them find it themselves.

And, DaPonte says, it is not just how schools communicate that is changing. School officials are also looking at what applicants post.

Applicants social media posts are affecting admissions decisions



This year, the test preparation company Kaplan released a study on how admissions officials view applicants social media presence.

Almost 400 admissions officials were questioned. About 70 percent said it was fair for them to consider an applicants social media messages and pictures when making their decisions.

George DaPonte argues that no admission official would base a decision about an applicant entirely on what the applicant posts online. Instead, they will likely continue to use the same measures they always have: high school performance records, lists of awards and activities outside of school, and letters of support from teachers.

Some schools even require that officials avoid considering applicants social media accounts.

However, DaPonte says, an applicant making direct threats of violence against someone is one of the few things that would make most schools completely reconsider an acceptance decision.

Yet Kristoffer Toribio says even applicants benign social media activity is having more and more of an effect on admissions officials decisions. Toribio is the assistant director of international admissions at Orange Coast College, a community college in Orange County, California.

Admissions officials do not always get a full picture of the kind of person an applicant is from the traditional application materials, Toribio says. Therefore, many officials view social media as a way of learning more about what an applicant is like beyond just their abilities in the classroom.

Toribio points out that many people working in admissions are much older than the applicants they are considering. These officials relationship with social media is much different, as they have experienced it only at a later stage in their lives.

For example, Toribio was completing his undergraduate studies when Facebook was launched in 2004. He remembers when only people with college or university email accounts could join the site.

George DaPonte at the University of Tampa says when he first started working in admissions, people had only just begun using email.

Because they did not grow up with social media, many officials may not have the same understanding as the applicants of what is good and bad behavior online, Toribio argues. And if the officials are considering social media activity, this difference in understanding could make them decide against an applicant.

Things on social media  can be taken out of context really, really quick, Toribio said. And especially if youre being viewed or judged by individuals that dont  know how to use social media the way that you use it, it can definitely be interpreted in different ways.

Toribio and DaPonte both suggest students could make their accounts private, as schools do not require social media information. But they also admit that freedom of speech is protected in the U.S. and students have every right to post whatever they like online.

However, Toribio says, it is a smart for an applicant to be at least a little concerned about how a college or university might view their online activity. So there are a few simple points students can consider before posting anything online.

If youre going to be posting a photo of you partying or you using drugs or something, or  racial slurs, or anything like that, of course thats going to raise a red flag, Toribio said. Because the  thing that were looking for in a student is somebody that can represent our campus. And  those  are things that are going to be very alarming to admissions officials.

He adds that there are many things applicants can post online that might help their candidacy. Advocating for causes or seeking to share information about major events happening around the world are some good examples. So is presenting art or business projects.

Even political debates can reflect well on an applicant, as long as they are balanced and welcoming of opposing ideas. Toribio says no thoughtful admissions officer would decide against an applicant just because they disagree politically.

In the end, George DaPonte says, the main rule for any social media post is that applicants should consider how different kinds of people might react.

If a 20-year-old is reading what youre posting, and a 40-year-old is reading what youre posting, and a 60-year-old is reading what youre posting, and they dont find it offensive, then its probably  good, he said.

Im Pete Musto. And Im Dorothy Gundy.

Pete Musto reported this story for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.

We want to hear from you. How do colleges and universities in your country weigh an applicants social media activity when making their admissions decisions? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

______________________________________________________________

QUIZ

Quiz - College Admissions: Showing Your Best Side on Social Media Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

applicant(s)  n. someone who formally asks for something such as a job or admission to a college

responsive  adj. quick to do something as a reaction to something that has happened or been done

formal  adj. made or done in an official and usually public way

campus  n. the area and buildings around a university, college, or school, as well as its community

benign  adj. not causing harm or damage

undergraduate  adj. a student at a college or university who has not yet earned a degree

out of context  idm. without explaining the situation in which they were said so that their meaning is changed

interpret(ed)  v. to understand something in a specified way

slur(s)  n.an insulting remark about someone or someone's character

alarming  adj. causing someone to feel a sense of worry

advocating  v. supporting or arguing for a cause or policy

reflect  v. to cause people to think of someone or something in a specified way
When Americans Kay and Larry Day found a store selling kites nearly 20 years ago, they decided to buy a few kites for their family.

For fun, Larry bought one for himself.

He went out and flew it and decided he needed to go back and get a better one, Kay remembered.

Since then, she and her husband have loved kite flying. They own many kites and plan trips around flying them. They also organize a kite-flying event each winter in their hometown in Iowa.

Im at peace when Im flying, said Larry.

Kite-flying has a long history as an activity for adults and children. The custom of flying a piece of cloth high in the sky began more than 2,000 years ago in China. Since then, kites have been used to do scientific experiments, power boats, take pictures from the air and much more.

There is a kind of a kite for everybody out there, said Nic ONeill, president of the American Kitefliers Association.

ONeill told the Associated Press that kite flying can be done alone or with friends and family. Kites appeal to people who like to create works of art to fly in the sky; to engineers who try to improve on the kites design; and to those who like to combine kite-flying with music, she explained.

The best thing about it is you can come at it from different points in your life and have it be a completely different experience, she said.

Grant Lovett began flying simple kites as a child, but moved on to more costly and complex kites as an adult. Among the latter is a nearly 13-meter long inflatable kite.

Today, Lovett likes making his own kites. He builds them from strong, lightweight materials and products designed for sailboats.

Ive always been interested in stuff that flies, he said.

Lovett likes taking his creations to public events and sharing them with others. He attends kite-making classes and looks for new models on the internet.

I dont make tons and tons of the same thing, he said. I like making new kites, finding new designs.

Lovett makes kites of different shapes and sizes because flying conditions can differ greatly.

Flying kites requires skill, but also a little artistry, he noted. Experience makes a difference, as does the weather.

Part of the reason I love kiting is that you have to risk trying and not succeeding. The best way to learn is to go out, undo the string and let your kite fly, ONeill said.

Ideally, you want a nice steady wind and a place away from trees and buildings, ONeill said.

Sometimes the best flying conditions happen in winter  on a frozen lake, said Kay Day, who with her husband organizes the Color the Wind Kite Festival. It takes place every February on Clear Lake in Iowa.

The festival adds color to the winter sky and gives people a reason to go outside, she added. The Days invite expert fliers to come share their love for kites with locals and visitors. This year, more than 100 children attended a kite-making class.

Kiters are a really good group of people. Its a family, said Larry Day.

The kiting community makes everyone feel welcome, said PV Nguyen of Portland, Oregon. She says her two children started flying kites about three years ago after attending a kite festival. The kite fliers we know want to teach the kids everything they can, she said. They like that theres a new generation coming up.

Her sons, Dylan, and Cardin, fly with kiters of all ages. I do enjoy seeing different people, Dylan said.

The 13-year-old also likes the happy feelings that he experiences when his kite moves through the sky.

Its really calming, he said.

I'm Susan Shand.

The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted the report for VOA Learning English. The editor was George Grow.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

kite  n. something light that is designed to be flown in the air; a plaything

association  n. an organization or group

inflatable  adj. able to be filled with gas or air

festival  n. a special time or event when people gather to celebrate something

steady  adj. firmly fixed; not changing

stuff  n. things

string - n. a long, thin piece of material that one uses to hang things or connect things together


Olivia Rubio is a seasonal worker on Hoopers Island in the eastern state of Maryland.

She does the difficult work of processing crabs, picking the meat from the sharp shells by hand and putting it into containers.

The valuable seafood is sold across the United States East Coast and beyond.

Hoopers Island is among a group of thinly populated islands in the Chesapeake Bay. The bay is one of the worlds largest estuaries and a busy center for seafood production.

Seafood harvesting and processing is what Hoopers Island is known for.

Maryland crab meat producers have used temporary workers there since the 1980s.

These guest workers live and are employed in the U.S. for only part of the year. Many American industries depend on these foreign workers.

Rubio has been coming to the island for 15 years from Mexico on an H2-B visa.

We have the opportunity to come here to work and support our family, help our children move forward, and support our parents. Its good, Rubio said.

Rubio can live and work in the U.S. during the warmer months, when there is work, and return to her home country in the winter.

She is happy to have received a visa for this year, but wonders about next year.

In 2018, the Trump administration gave out some H-2B visas using a lottery system. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency that supervises the visa program, said there was a higher demand this year.

I hope there are visas to be able to come back and do the work again, said Rubio.

Rubio works for G.W. Hall & Son Seafood. The company needed 40 visas, but only got 30 for guest workers.

Robin Hall is co-owner of the company.

I dont know what we would do or the whole area would do without them. I mean from the stores toI dont know how to describe it because of the impact that they have. They keep it all moving.

There are about 20 licensed crab processing businesses in Maryland. They employ 500 foreign workers.

Representative Andy Harris represents Hoopers Island in Congress. He has asked the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor for extra guest worker visas. He said the limit for H-2B visas was reached in January.

That has left many businesses unable to get seasonal workers. Harris said these workers support thousands of related jobs held by American citizens.

From October 2017 to September of 2018, there were 66,000 H-2B visas available for non-agricultural industries. However, Congress could raise that number.

Businesses worry over lack of workers

Russell Hall Seafood also is on Hoopers Island. But its crab containers are empty. The kitchen is unused and there are no workers to be found.

Harry Phillips is with Russell Hall Seafood. He said the company needed 50 visas, but received none. He said, It never was this way before. Weve done this for 25 years and no doubt some year its been slow getting workers, but weve always got them.

Phillips says he advertised for jobs in local newspapers.

We have to actually advertise in newspapers before were allowed to even apply for the H-2B program workers.

Phillips said no local people have applied. He does not like the lottery system.

Thats a big gamble. I mean, we cant run our business at a gamble, whether were going to get our workers or not, he said.

AE Phillips and Son also is not operating. The company, established in 1914, is part of the Phillips Seafood restaurant chain.

Morgan Tolley is the companys general manager. He said he is worried about 2019.

Tolley says the H-2B visa should not be linked to other immigration issues.

Speaking for the H-2B program, which is a non-immigrant work visa, to me personally, that has nothing to do with immigration. Its a non-immigrant work visa. These people take tremendous pride in the fact that they can come here to the United States and work and go home, and theyre proud of that right that they have earned.

Robin Hall has about 75 percent of the workers he needs. But he said he wishes all the local companies had workers.

He told VOA that people living on the island are mostly retired and there are almost no local workers.

The concern whether there will be enough workers to process the good-sized catch of crabs expected for Maryland this year.

Im Mario Ritter.

Aline Barros reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

_________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

estuaries n. areas were fresh water from rivers mixes with salt water from the sea

lottery n. a system of deciding something by chance

opportunity n. an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done

impact n. an important influence

allow v. to let happen, to permit

apply v. to formally ask for something, usually by filling out a form

gamble n. a situation that is uncertain, a chance

manager n. someone who is in charge of a business, department, etc.

tremendous adj. very much, to a great extent

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.
Today we are at the Newseum in Washington D.C.  where the history of free expression is explained and defended.

The first printing presses arrived in the United States in the mid-1600s, marking an important step in the history of Americas free press.

A free press is important in democratic society. It allows citizens to speak freely and criticize the country's leaders without fear. Some journalists have even lost their lives for that right.

But, it can also lead to news that is false. Last year, a fake news story about a Washington pizza restaurant went viral, causing a gunman to open fire at the business.

One of the most common terms we hear today is fake news. The public and politicians use it to talk about the news reports they do not think are accurate.

While people have paid much attention to the term in recent years, the problem is not new. False news reports have been around since modern journalism started.

Today, information moves around us in many forms, every hour of every day. Even if we do not seek out news on our own, we often receive it anyway, instantly, on our phones.

So how can we manage this mountain of information so that fake news does not mislead us?

We believe this requires news literacy. News literacy is the ability to use critical thinking skills to judge news reports. Are they credible? Can you rely on the reports to be true?

We use real media examples to teach useful skills and methods to recognize journalism over other kinds of information. We examine the differences between facts and what people report in the media as truth.

The course provides tools to identify real and reliable news sources. And, it demonstrates ways to separate news from opinion.

Professors at Stony Brook University in New York created the News Literacy education program. We will share it with you in simple English on VOA Learning English.

The need for news literacy is possibly greater now than ever before. Learning this important skill can give us the power to take full control of our own search for the truth.

Because as weve seen many times before, some news presented as truth can actually turn out to be completely false.

This lesson is based on the News Literacy course at the Center for News Literacy at Stony Brook University. For more information on how to become a news literate citizen, go to The Center for News Literacy.

_________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

fake - adj. not true or real

accurate - adj. free from mistakes or errors

mislead - v. to cause someone to believe something that is not true

consumers - n. people who buy things

media - n. television, newspapers and other sources of information

reliable - adj. able to be trusted to do what is necessary
Centrica plc operates as an integrated energy company in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, North America, and internationally. The company operates through British Gas, Energy Marketing & Trading, Centrica Business Solutions, Bord GAis Energy, and Upstream segments. It supplies gas and electricity to residential customers, as well as offers energy-related services; and generates power from combined cycle gas turbines and nuclear assets. The company also provides installation, repair, and maintenance services for domestic central heating, plumbing and drains, home electrical, and gas and kitchen appliances; and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, as well as offers breakdown services. In addition, it is involved in the procurement, trading, and optimization of energy; procurement and sale of LNG; and supplies energy efficiency solutions and technologies to residential customers. Further, the company produces and processes gas and oil; develops new fields to maintain reserves; constructs, owns, and exploits infrastructure; and engages in the social enterprise investment fund activities. Additionally, it provides vehicle leasing, commercial, and insurance services, as well as energy management products and services; and operates a gas storage and franchise network. The company was formerly known as Yieldtop plc and changed its name to Centrica plc in December 1996. Centrica plc was incorporated in 1995 and is based in Windsor, the United Kingdom.

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Eagle Materials, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of heavy construction materials, light building materials, and materials used for oil and natural gas extraction. It operates through the following segments: Cement, Concrete and Aggregates, Gypsum Wallboard, Recycled Paperboard, and Oil and Gas Proppants. The Cement segment deals with the manufacture, production, distribution, and sale of portland cement. The Concrete and Aggregates segment involves mixing cement, sand, gravel, or crushed stone and water to form concrete, which is then sold and distributed to construction contractors. The Gypsum Wallboard segment mines and extracts natural gypsum rock, which is used in the manufacture of gypsum wallboard. The Recycled Paperboard segment processes paper fiber, water, and paper chemicals to form recycled paperboards, then sell them to gypsum wallboard manufacturers. The Oil and Gas Proppants segment produces frac sand used in oil and natural gas exploration, and provides transloading and storage for well servicing companies. The company was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Dallas, TX.

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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.

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Wall Street analysts have given iShares MSCI Peru ETF a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but iShares MSCI Peru ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

View MarketBeat's top stock picks here.
The Williams Cos., Inc. operates as an energy infrastructure company, which explores, produces, transports, sells and processes natural gas and petroleum products. It operates through the following segments: Transmission and Gulf of Mexico; Northeast G&P; and West. The Transmission and Gulf of Mexico segment comprises of interstate natural gas pipelines, Transco and Northwest Pipeline, as well as natural gas gathering and processing and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region. The Northeast G&P segment includes midstream gathering, processing, and fractionation businesses in the Marcellus Shale region primarily in Pennsylvania and New York, and the Utica Shale region of eastern Ohio. The West segment consists of gas gathering, processing, and treating operations in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado and Wyoming, the Barnett Shale region of north-central Texas, the Eagle Ford Shale region of south Texas, the Haynesville Shale region of northwest Louisiana, and the Mid-Continent region which includes the Anadarko, Arkoma, and Permian basins. The company was founded by David Williams and Miller Williams in 1908 and is headquartered in Tulsa,

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House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) (2nd L) and Rep. Peter King (R-NY) leave the committee's secure meeting rooms in the basement of the U.S. Capitol House Visitors Center in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 6, 2018. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Identity of FBI Spy in Trump Campaign Leaked to Media But Denied to Congress

Current and former government officials leaked details identifying a spy in President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign even though the Justice Department warned that revealing the spys identity would endanger his or her life and compromise national security.

Details about the spy became the target of two articles, one by The New York Times, one by The Washington Post, both published on Friday, May 18.

The Washington Post described the spy as a retired American professor and a longtime U.S. intelligence source, according to people familiar with his activities.

The spy engaged in a months-long pattern of seeking out and meeting three different Trump campaign officials, and, in September 2016, reached out to George Papadopoulos, an unpaid foreign-policy adviser for the [Trump] campaign, inviting him to London to work on a research paper.

The New York Times went even further, describing the spy as well known in Washington circles, having served in previous Republican administrations.

The article further details that the spy inquired about [Papadopouloss] interest in writing a research paper on a disputed gas field in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and offered a $3,000 honorarium for the paper and a paid trip to London.

While neither article named the spy, citing concerns for his safety, their descriptions are so specific they overwhelmingly imply a single conclusion, when put in context to other reporting on the subject.

A March 25 Daily Caller article details how Papadopoulos was contacted by and met with an American professor with connections to the CIA and its British counterpart, MI6.

The article further stated the academic is a veteran of three Republican administrations and in September 2016 offered the Trump aide $3,000 to write a policy paper on issues related to Turkey, Cyprus, Israel and the Leviathan natural gas field and offered to pay for Papadopouloss flight and a three-night stay in London.

While its unlikely Papadopoulos was contacted in the same month by scores of intelligence-linked, Republican administration-serving American academics offering $3,000 and a London trip for a Mediterranean gas field paper, the Daily Beast article offers one important factthe mans name is Stefan Halper.

The spy seems to be connected to the FBIs official rationale for starting an investigation into the ties between officials from the Trump campaign and Russia.

The professors interactions with Trump advisers began a few weeks before the opening of the investigation, the Washington Post article says.

Trump alleges political motives behind the investigation.

If the FBI or DOJ was infiltrating a campaign for the benefit of another campaign, that is a really big deal. Only the release or review of documents that the House Intelligence Committee (also, Senate Judiciary) is asking for can give the conclusive answers. Drain the Swamp! he said on Twitter on Saturday, May 19.

If the FBI or DOJ was infiltrating a campaign for the benefit of another campaign, that is a really big deal. Only the release or review of documents that the House Intelligence Committee (also, Senate Judiciary) is asking for can give the conclusive answers. Drain the Swamp!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2018

An unofficial explanation for the start of the probe was leaked by anonymous American officials to the New York Times for an article published on Dec. 30 last year. The newspaper reported that Australians had passed intelligence to the FBI in July 2016 about a drunken conversation between Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos and the top Australian diplomat in Britain, Alexander Downer.

A May 16 New York Times story described the contacts between Washington and Canberra as tense deliberations.

But no Australian or American official has confirmed the Times reports on record. Chairman of House Intelligence Committee Devin Nunes found that the FBI did not put forth any electronic communication records between Australian intelligence agencies and their American counterparts to substantiate its investigation.

This has led Nunes to dig for the ultimate reason for the start of the Russia probe. The Justice Department (DOJ) stonewalled Nunes attempts at oversight even under the threat of contempt charges and impeachment.

The substance of Nunes request dealt with a top-secret intelligence sourcea specific individual, DOJ argued.

Disclosure of responsive information to such requests can risk severe consequences, including potential loss of human lives, damage to relationships with valued international partners, compromise of ongoing criminal investigations, and interference with intelligence activities, stated a May 3 letter to Nunes from Assistant Attorney General Stephen Boyd.

The department finally relented during a meeting last week and agreed to discuss the matter at a later date.

According to court documents, Papadopoulos spoke to a person in Britain who claimed to have connections to the Russian government. The New York Times revealed that the person is London-based Maltese professor Joseph Mifsud.

Mifsud told Papadopoulos in April 2016 about Russians having dirt on Hillary Clinton, including thousands of emails. Weeks later Papadopoulos told the story to Downer. How intelligence about that conversation made its way to the FBI is still unclear.

The truth could be revealed in the Department of Justice Office of Inspector Generals report expected to be released this month.

Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report.

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The following companies are subsidiares of The Procter & Gamble: "Procter & Gamble Services" LLC, "Procter & Gamble" LLC, Agile Pursuits, Agile Pursuits Franchising, Arbora, Arbora & Ausonia, Arborinvest, Billie, Braun (Shanghai) Co., Braun GmbH, Braun-Gillette Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG, Celtic Insurance Company, Compania Procter & Gamble Mexico, Compania Quimica S.A., Corporativo Procter & Gamble, Cosmetic Products Pty. Ltd., Detergent Products B.V., Detergent Products SARL, Detergenti S.A., Eurocos Cosmetic GmbH, FPG Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd., Fameccanica Data S.p.A., Fameccanica Industria e Comercio Do Brasil LTDA., Fameccanica Machinery (Shanghai) Co., Fater S.p.A., Fountain Square Music Publishing Co., Gillette (China) Ltd., Gillette (Shanghai) Ltd., Gillette Aesop Ltd., Gillette Australia Pty. Ltd., Gillette Canada Holdings, Gillette Commercial Operations North America, Gillette Diversified Operations Pvt. Ltd., Gillette Egypt S.A.E., Gillette Group UK Ltd, Gillette Gruppe Deutschland GmbH & Co. oHG, Gillette Holding Company LLC, Gillette Holding GmbH, Gillette India Limited, Gillette Industries Ltd., Gillette International B.V., Gillette Latin America Holding B.V., Gillette Management LLC, Gillette Nova Scotia Company, Gillette Pakistan Limited, Gillette Poland International Sp. z.o.o., Gillette Poland S.A., Gillette U.K. Limited, Gillette del Uruguay, Giorgio Beverly Hills Inc., Hyginett KFT, Industries Marocaines Modernes SA, LLC "Procter & Gamble Novomoskovsk", LLL "Procter & Gamble Distributorskaya Compania", Laboratorios Vicks, Liberty Street Music Publishing Company, Limited Liability Company 'Procter & Gamble Trading Ukraine', Limited Liability Company with foreign investments Procter & and Gamble Ukraine, MDVIP, MERCK KGAA NPV, Marcvenca Inversiones, Modern Industries Company - Dammam, Modern Products Company - Jeddah, New Chapter, New Chapter Canada Inc., Olay LLC, Oral-B Laboratories, P&G Distribution Morocco SAS, P&G Hair Care Holding, P&G Industrial Peru S.R.L., P&G Innovation Godo Kaisha, P&G Israel M.D.O. Ltd., P&G K.K., P&G Northeast Asia Pte. Ltd., P&G Prestige Godo Kaisha, P&G Prestige Service GmbH, P&G South African Trading (Pty.) Ltd., PGT Health Care (Zhejiang) Limited, PGT Healthcare LLP, PPI ZAO, PT Procter & Gamble Home Products Indonesia, PT Procter & Gamble Operations Indonesia, Phase II Holdings Corporation, Procter & Gamble (Chengdu) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Sales Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (East Africa) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Egypt) Manufacturing Company, Procter & Gamble (Enterprise Fund) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Consumer Products Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Enterprise Management Service Company Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Health & Beauty Care) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Jiangsu) Ltd. China, Procter & Gamble (L&CP) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Procter & Gamble (Manufacturing) Ireland Limited, Procter & Gamble (Shanghai) International Trade Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Acquisition GmbH, Procter & Gamble Administration GmbH, Procter & Gamble Algeria EURL, Procter & Gamble Amazon Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Amiens S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Argentina SRL, Procter & Gamble Asia Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Australia Proprietary Limited, Procter & Gamble Azerbaijan Services LLC, Procter & Gamble Bangladesh Private Ltd., Procter & Gamble Blois S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Brazil Holdings B.V., Procter & Gamble Bulgaria EOOD, Procter & Gamble Business Services Canada Company, Procter & Gamble Canada Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Chile , Procter & Gamble Chile Limitada, Procter & Gamble Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Commercial LLC, Procter & Gamble Commercial de Cuba S.A., Procter & Gamble Czech Republic s.r.o., Procter & Gamble DS Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Danmark ApS, Procter & Gamble Detergent (Beijing) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Deuttschland GmbH, Procter & Gamble Distributing (Philippines) Inc., Procter & Gamble Distributing New Zealand Limited, Procter & Gamble Distribution Company (Europe) BVBA, Procter & Gamble Distribution S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Eastern Europe, Procter & Gamble Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Procter & Gamble Egypt, Procter & Gamble Egypt Distribution, Procter & Gamble Egypt Holding, Procter & Gamble Egypt Supplies, Procter & Gamble Energy Company LLC, Procter & Gamble Espana, Procter & Gamble Europe SA, Procter & Gamble Export Operations SARL, Procter & Gamble Exportadora e Importadora Ltda., Procter & Gamble Exports, Procter & Gamble Fabricacao e Comercio Ltda., Procter & Gamble Far East, Procter & Gamble Finance (U.K.) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Holding Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Management S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Financial Investments LLP, Procter & Gamble Financial Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Financial Services S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Finland OY, Procter & Gamble France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH, Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH & Co. Operations oHG, Procter & Gamble GmbH, Procter & Gamble Grundstucks-und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, Procter & Gamble Gulf FZE, Procter & Gamble Hair Care, Procter & Gamble Hellas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Holding (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Holding France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Holding GmbH, Procter & Gamble Holding S.r.l., Procter & Gamble Holdings (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Home Products Private Limited, Procter & Gamble Hong Kong Limited, Procter & Gamble Hungary Wholesale Trading Partnership (KKT), Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care Limited, Procter & Gamble Inc., Procter & Gamble India Holdings, Procter & Gamble Indochina Limited Company, Procter & Gamble Industrial - 2012 C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Industrial S.C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Costa Rica, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Guatemala, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Panama, Procter & Gamble International Operations Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble International Operations SA, Procter & Gamble International Operations SA-ROHQ, Procter & Gamble International S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Investment Company (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Investment GmbH, Procter & Gamble Italia, Procter & Gamble Japan K.K., Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan Distribution LLP, Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan LLP, Procter & Gamble Korea, Procter & Gamble Korea S&D Co., Procter & Gamble Lanka Private Ltd. Sri Lanka, Procter & Gamble Leasing LLC, Procter & Gamble Levant S.A.L., Procter & Gamble Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Marketing Romania SRL, Procter & Gamble Marketing and Services doo, Procter & Gamble Maroc SA, Procter & Gamble Mataro, Procter & Gamble Mexico Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Mexico Inc., Procter & Gamble Middle East FZE, Procter & Gamble Nederland B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Investments B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Services B.V., Procter & Gamble Nigeria Limited, Procter & Gamble Nordic, Procter & Gamble Norge AS, Procter & Gamble Operations Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Overseas India B.V., Procter & Gamble Overseas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Pakistan (Private) Limited, Procter & Gamble Partnership LLP, Procter & Gamble Peru S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals France SAS, Procter & Gamble Philippines, Procter & Gamble Polska Sp. z o.o, Procter & Gamble Portugal - Produtos De Consumo, Procter & Gamble Product Supply (U.K.) Limited U.K., Procter & Gamble Production GmbH, Procter & Gamble Productions, Procter & Gamble Productos de Consumo, Procter & Gamble RHD, Procter & Gamble RSC Regional Service Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Retail Services BVBA, Procter & Gamble S.r.l., Procter & Gamble SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Satis ve Dagitim Ltd. Sti., Procter & Gamble Seine S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Service GmbH, Procter & Gamble Services (Switzerland) SA, Procter & Gamble Services Company N.V., Procter & Gamble Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Share Incentive Plan Trustee Ltd., Procter & Gamble South America Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Spol. s.r.o. (Ltd.), Procter & Gamble Sports and Social Club Ltd., Procter & Gamble Sverige AB, Procter & Gamble Switzerland SARL, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Limited, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Sales Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Limited, Procter & Gamble Technology (Beijing) Co., Procter & Gamble Trading (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Tuketim Mallari Sanayii A.S., Procter & Gamble UK, Procter & Gamble UK Group Holdings Ltd, Procter & Gamble UK Parent Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Universal Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Verwaltungs GmbH, Procter & Gamble Vietnam, Procter & Gamble d.o.o. za trgovinu, Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.C.A., Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.R.L., Procter & Gamble do Brasil S/A, Procter & Gamble do Brazil, Procter & Gamble do Nordeste S/A, Procter & Gamble-Rakona s.r.o., Progam Realty & Development Corporation, Redmond Products, Richardson-Vicks Real Estate Inc., Richardson-Vicks do Brasil Quimica e Farmaceutica Ltda, Riverfront Music Publishing Co., Rosemount LLC, SPD Development Company Limited, SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, Scannon S.A.S., Series Acquisition B.V., Shulton, Surfac S.R.L., Sycamore Productions, TAOS - FL, TAOS Retail, Tambrands Inc., Temple Trees Impex & Investment Private Limited, The Art of Shaving - FL, The Dover Wipes Company, The Gillette Company, The Gillette Company LLC, The Gillette co., The Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC, The Procter & Gamble GBS Company, The Procter & Gamble Global Finance Company, The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, The Procter & Gamble U.S. Business Services Company, This is L., US CD LLC, Vidal Sassoon (Shanghai) Academy, Vidal Sassoon Co., WEBA Betriebsrenten-Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Walker & Company Brands, and iMFLUX Inc..
GlaxoSmithKline Plc is a healthcare company, which engages in the research, development, and manufacture of pharmaceutical medicines, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products. It operates through the following segments: Pharmaceuticals; Pharmaceuticals R&D; Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare. The Pharmaceuticals segment focuses on developing medicines in respiratory and infectious diseases, oncology, and immuno-inflammation. The Pharmaceuticals R&D segment focuses on science related to the immune system, the use of human genetics and advanced technologies, and is driven by the multiplier effect of Science x Technology x Culture. The Vaccines segment produces pediatric and adult vaccines to prevent a range of infectious diseases including, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella, polio, typhoid, influenza, and bacterial meningitis. The Consumer Healthcare segment develops and markets brands in the oral health, pain relief, respiratory, nutrition and gastro intestinal, and skin health categories. The company was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Middlesex, the United Kingdom.

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Wall Street analysts have given iShares MSCI Thailand ETF a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but iShares MSCI Thailand ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

View MarketBeat's top stock picks here.
The Department of Education recently announced plans to implement a new history curriculum in local schools over seven years, which may reportedly become compulsory.

According to a report by the Sunday Times, the new history curriculum could be made compulsory for all Grade 10-12 learners.

The report added that certain academics have welcomed the proposed changes to the history subject in South Africa, as they say the current syllabus downplays aspects like slavery and racism.

The destruction of ancient African civilisations has also been omitted, they added.

The Sunday Times quoted local academics who said current history textbooks glorified racists like Charles Darwin, and do not provide enough exposure to people like Nyakane Tsolo, who was at the forefront of the Sharpeville march in 1960.

A team has reportedly been appointed by the education department to investigate the possibility of implementing the new requirements, added the report.

The news follows reports that the department has announced the withdrawal of the designated subject list for high school students, which places learners at risk of not developing the skills required to excel at university.

Now read: Broadband is becoming more expensive
Professor Jane Duncan has released a new book titled Stopping the Spies: Constructing and resisting the surveillance state in South Africa.

In the book, Duncan argues that the Rica process and institutions have been run down, and the public safety and security risks are huge.

The Regulation of Interception and Provision of Communication-related Information Act (Rica) came into effect in 2009 and serves as the basis for the lawful interception of citizens communications.

The impact is mostly felt by South Africans when they have to produce identification and proof of residence when registering new cellphone numbers.

The type of information mobile service providers give to law enforcement officials on receipt of a subpoena as part of the Rica process includes:

The International Mobile Subscriber Identity number associated with a SIM.

The handsets International Mobile Equipment Identity number.

Call dates and types.

Whether a call was made or received and its duration.

The number dialled or received.

Outgoing SMSs.

The base stations the phone connected to and the originating base station.

In her book, Duncan argues there are major flaws in the system.

She said the police and the State Security Agency are increasingly heavy users of the Rica system, and that the act has become dated.

Duncan pointed to the Glenn Agliotti case, where she argued his acquittal was partly due to the fact that his cellphone records were obtained illegally during the investigation.

She quoted Judge Frans Kgomo, who lambasted the cavalier approach of the police to their acquisition of cellphone records.

Abuse of the system by the police was demonstrated by Hodes SC during cross-examination of these cellphone experts. This elicited a question from me at one stage to the effect whether if and when this countrys state presidents phone records were subpoenaed, whether the cellphone companies would issue them out without much ado. The answer was that those records would be extracted and handed over without asking another question. It is my considered view that if this state of affairs did occur or does occur and is allowed to persist, we should all be afraid.

Activism is needed

In an academic paper with the same title as her book, Duncan argued that state surveillance can be challenged through activism.

Activism against unchecked communications surveillance in the wake of the Snowden revelations have showed that reforms can be won when these practices are resisted, said Duncan.

She said activists who are serious about challenging surveillance state powers need to place both the politics and the economics of surveillance at the forefront of these struggles.

When surveillance becomes part of the programmes of mass movements, various questions begged to be answered, she said.

Instead of focusing on surveillance as being everywhere and nowhere, which can be paralysing, she proposes bringing agency back into the picture.

This can be done by challenging individuals rather than a faceless structure that cannot be changed through activism.

Rica challenged in South Africa

In 2017, the amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism launched a constitutional challenge against Rica and unregulated bulk communication interceptions.

amaBhungane argues that there are five constitutional flaws were Rica regulates, including that the target of the interception order is never informed of the order, and that there is no oversight for the storage of data by private companies and the accessing of this data by state officials.

Now read: Rica challenged in South Africa
When he finally arrived, Musk took the stage in all black denim. He was joined by Steve Davis, the de facto head of the Boring Company, and the company mascot, Gary the snail, sandwiched between the men.

"The fundamental issue that we face is so much of our life is 3D," he said, staring into the crowd. "And then we go to this 2D plane of streets. The consequence is obvious, you're losing an entire dimension."

That traffic must have been killer. Musk got some laughs from the audience at times, but his mumbling raised the question if he was trying to be funny.

Musk revealed new details, including that the all-electric pods could transport up to 16 passengers at a time and take passengers from Downtown to the LAX airport in about 8 minutes. He alluded to parking lot sized stations and perhaps linking to existing public transport lines, a possibility now that he's created a partnership with the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, known as Metro, the agency operating the county's public transportation.
Brother Timothy (Joseph Thomas) Rapa, F.S.C. died peacefully at the age of 92 on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Brother Timothy was born in Providence, Rhode Island on November 2, 1925, where he attended Mount Pleasant High School. He enlisted in US Army and served in the Medical Corps from 1943-1946. He also had the distinction of entering Berlin with the Allies when they occupied that city in 1945. After his service to our country, he entered the Christian Brothers Novitiate in Barrytown, New York in 1947 and received the Habit and name of Timothy on January 5, 1948. Brother Timothy pronounced his Final Vows in 1953. He received his B.A. from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. in 1952, his M.A. from Manhattan College in New York, and a Fulbright Scholarship in Italian Studies in 1962.
It was the day before he oldest Huffmans college graduation and only one last hurdle remained.

Her senior art project presentation.

An illustration major, our girl had worked all semester long creating a hand-illustrated, laser-cut wooden puzzle covered with her drawings of endangered species of the world.

Arriving in Denver earlier that day, we got to listen to her five professors critique each students work.

It kind of felt like American Idol: the Art School version.

But unlike American Idol, these judges didnt enthusiastically jump right into their comments. They stepped in gingerly, as if dipping one toe at a time into a hot bath filled with 20-something art student angst.

I couldnt tell if they were hesitating because they hated what they saw and couldnt bear to speak about it or they were overwhelmed by the artistic masterpieces before them. In our case, I was hoping for overwhelmed by masterpiece.
Lay worked as a shepherd on his brother's farm as a teen, then trained as a glove maker (which he hated). He ran away at age 21 to become a sailor and eventually settled in Barbados with his wife, Sarah. In those experiences, he not only heard stories about the horrors of the slave trade but witnessed them firsthand.

He was so convinced that slavery was wrong that he grew his own food and made all of his own clothes, so as to not use or partake of any product produced by slave labor. He stopped eating meat and got around on foot because he did not want to exploit animals, either.

"In some ways, Benjamin Lay was the founder of the idea of complicity," Rediker told The Washington Post. "He's basically saying you have to live in a new and virtuous way. Abolitionism is part of it. All of that is revolutionary."

When he was 50, Lay and his wife settled in the colony of Pennsylvania, first in Philadelphia, then home to the world's second-largest Quaker community. They eventually moved a few miles north, where he lived in a cave near the Abington Meeting House. It was there that Lay, an avid reader, housed one of the best book collections around, particularly spiritual works.
On Sunday morning, 152 new graduates of Justin-Siena High School said goodbye  as did their tasseled caps.

Atop the heads of numerous departing seniors were messages for family, friends or any of the hundreds who came to join them for the Napa Catholic academys 49th annual commencement ceremony. Pasted onto the mortarboards of the blue-gowned students leaving adolescence behind were destinations as near as Saint Marys College and as far as Duke University, or final statements to loved ones in English and Spanish.

For Kharma Fisher, it was a time to celebrate her mother and her convictions at the same time. Raised black letters on her cap read: SHE BELIEVED SHE COULD, SO SHE DID. THANK YOU MAMA 18.

My mom said it to me once, when I was a small kid, said Fisher, who plans to spend a year at Napa Valley College before transferring to UC Berkeley. Its about pushing aside gender roles and letting me be exactly who I am, letting people know Im their equal.

Even after college applications, a last battery of final exams and a commencement rehearsal, the end of high school seemed to come on suddenly for some  including the Class of 2018s valedictorian, Stanford-bound Marlon Washington II.
Meanwhile, Deputy Public Works Director Eric Whan advised residents that the 1996 Telecommunications Act stops local governments from blocking any federally approved telecom equipment on environmental grounds, or passing any laws with the effect of keeping out wireless service. Napas options are therefore limited to regulating the zoning of antennas, he said  that is, setting standards for their design and location.

Verizon announced in March its plan to set up small cells in Napa, saying the pole-top antennas  with a typical service range of 1,000 feet compared to the one-mile reach of conventional full-size towers  are needed to bolster reception as the demand for wireless Internet and streaming video and music grows along with the popularity of smartphones and tablet computers.

Despite the primacy of federal law over Napas, council members expressed a willingness to guide the design and placement of small-cell units to the extent the law allows  by governing their design and placement to make them less intrusive to nearby homeowners.

Fitting even reduced-size antennas gracefully into their surroundings will be a tall task, Whan admitted as the council viewed photos of similar units in other Bay Area towns  and objected to the wires and bulky, blocky radio cabinets strapped to the utility poles at many locations.
It was his dogged pursuit of preservation that led to not only the creation of the preserve, but the tide of public opinion in favor of that preserve, Thompson said. Were forever indebted to his drive and his vision.

The eldest of Habergers children, Mark Haberger, spoke to his late fathers character, noting, He was very forward-thinking. Even the way he taught us everything. It was always about, what you do now is going to affect your future. Of course we didnt believe him, but he was absolutely right in the end.

Haberger added, Im sure if he was here hed say thank you for the recognition, but its always a team effort. Its never one person. And in this case it truly was.

Winiarski concluded, The measure of a man is, in part, the opportunities he has and what he makes of them. And I think in a fantastic time of change, we had a man like Haberger and the opportunity to do what he did and he rose to the occasion and he did it.

Editor's note: This article has been edited from its original form to note that Winiarski did not write the resolution he read to Haberger. The authors were the Napa Valley Vintners, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and the Napa County Farm Bureau.

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It can be tempting to think we are dealing with a primitive regime that has no imagination beyond brute force. But that is to underestimate Putin and his circle. They are, in fact, pursuing a sophisticated agenda of ideas.

When the Soviet Union disintegrated, Western eyes saw a communist dictatorship collapse. But Russian eyes saw something else: a loss of empire. The Soviet Union had been monumentally successful in completing a Russian expansion that had been unfolding for centuries into an empire stretching from Central Asia to Central Europe. Overnight, that was all lost. What Putin called the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century was not the end of communism but of empire.

His response has been to start rebuilding it. His agenda of ideas is meant to drive that purpose and secure his position in history as the czar who set the job in motion.

The Putin ideology starts from a vision that goes by the name of Eurasia. In that vision, Russia is a spiritual empire of historical-religious origin, an empire of virtue. The geographic empire may have collapsed, but its spiritual legitimacy survives irrespective of transitory national borders. The Ukraine cannot be independent and European, for instance, because that is simply not what it is; it is Eurasian and inescapably a part of spiritual Russia.
Beginning in early September 2017, Napa Valley Grapegrowers solicited member feedback, assessed the facts, and met with legislators and environmental organizations to discuss the Watershed & Oak Woodland Protection Initiative, now known as Measure C. After thorough review, the NVG Board of Directors voted to oppose the initiative in November for the following reasons:

-- Immediately upon adoption, Measure C will severely limit vineyard planting in the Ag Watershed;

-- Napa already has the strongest conservation regulations of any county in California, if not the country;

-- Voluntary conservation efforts made by growers have been proven successful;

-- By limiting agriculture throughout the Ag Watershed, many well-established benefits of agriculture are lost;

-- The single species focus of the initiative will have grave environmental consequences;

-- Growers support regulations based on scientifically determined needs that have not been established for Measure C.

Measure C will impose a significant financial and regulatory burden on the county and taxpayers, at a time when we need to be focusing resources on fire recovery efforts.
In search of livelihood, around 600 tribals of northern Tripura went to Bangladesh as they were unable to survive in the northeastern state in view of the huge crisis on the foods and rural jobs fronts, CPI-M Chief Whip in Lok Sabha Jitendra Chowdhury has said.

Around 600 tribals of three villages of mountainous Gobinda Bari areas of northern Tripura went to Bangladesh as they were unable to survive in the state in view of the huge crisis of food and rural jobs, Chowdhury said.

He said the tribals went to Mayani reserve forest in Chittagong Hill Tracts of southeast Bangladesh to collect seeds, fruits of wild plants, various herbs and wild potatoes.

After collecting the produce, they dried them there and returned to their villages in Tripura to sell them in the markets at a very low price, the Communist Party of India-Marxist central committee member said after visiting the interior areas of northern Tripura.

Tripura Director General of Police (DGP) Akhil Kumar Shukla however said police had no such information.

Around 75 km India-Bangladesh border along eastern Tripura is yet to be fenced due to various reasons. Sometimes people from both sides of the border try to cross over. The Border Security Force has maintained a strict vigil on the border, the police chief said.

The CPI-M leader said that after the two-month-old BJP government assumed office, rural jobs under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) have been reduced to a large extent. The supply of subsidised rice under the Public Distribution System has also become irregular, causing a serious crisis in the rural and interior areas.

Tripura, which until fiscal 2015-16 had occupied the top spot in the country for seven consecutive years in providing jobs under MGNREGA, has provided 33.68 average days of employment per household so far during the 2018-19 fiscal, Union Rural Development Ministry record show.

MGNREGA mandates 100 days of work in a financial year to at least one member of each rural household  but this has never been achieved in any state. The scheme aims to generate rural assets and create rural infrastructure like roads, ponds and water reservoirs.
Saakashvili's condition worsens on tenth day of hunger strike

Armenia lawyer: Most ridiculous thing is that only COVID-19 statistics are stated in rationale for legislative amendment

Russian MOD issues statement on murder of peaceful Armenian civilian by Azerbaijanis in Karabakh

Iran FM: Tehran has no intention to be dependent of Russia

Karabakh Central Electoral Commission reports 59.2% voter turnout in elections

Aliyev declares that 'a new era for Karabakh is beginning'

Saakashvili answers questions about his personal life

Veolia Water reports stoppage of water supply in Armenia's Syunik Province on Oct. 11

MP: Armenia is the only country in Europe where 3 opposition MPs are arrested and ambassadors are silent

Garibashvili: New peace initiative was discussed during meeting with Pashinyan

Iran is ready to participate in construction of transit route leading to Georgia through Armenia

Citizens holding rally demanding release of Mikheil Saakashvili near parliament in Tbilisi

Armenia President to visit Holy See with Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian, to hold personal talks with Pope Francis

Armenia Shirak Province governor appoints acting heads of communities

Karabakh Central Electoral Commission reports 46.6 % voter turnout in elections as of 5 p.m.

Cross-stone commemorating 14 martyrs of 44-day war unveiled at school in Armenia's Abovyan

"Ribbon of Eternity" monument in Armenia vandalized again

Russia's Putin to meet with Armenia PM on Oct. 12

Azerbaijani Navy to hold military exercises in Caspian Sea

Karabakh Central Electoral Commission reports 36.1 % voter turnout in elections as of 2 p.m.

Iran declares presence of Israelis on border with Azerbaijan again

Karabakh Central Electoral Commission reports 15.1% voter turnout in elections as of 11 a.m.

4 Armenian families displaced from Karabakh already provided with dwellings in Armenia

L-410 plane crashes in Tatarstan, leaving 16 dead

Karabakh MP: Azerbaijanis took villager's car and then returned it, they are obstructing harvest

20 new cases of coronavirus reported in Karabakh, 6 patients are in severe condition

Armenian human rights activist: Opposition truly believes Armenia is legal state and it can restrain authorities

Armenia MOD leaves for Moscow

Armenia President attends Aurora Prize Ceremony at St. Lazar's Island

1,151 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President sends condolence telegram to Georgian counterpart

Iraq holding snap parliamentary elections

Armenia territorial administration and infrastructure minister, India ambassador discuss opportunities for collaboration

President visits Armenia honorary consulate in Veneto region of Italy

Burned body of man, 65, found in Armenia rural community

Armenia MOD: Serviceman wounded at Yeraskh village section of border with Azerbaijan is contract soldier

Turkey detains 6 foreigners on suspicion of espionage

Hraparak.am: Armenia soldier wounded at Yeraskh village section of border with Azerbaijans Nakhchivan

Armenia Constitutional Court finds bill tabled by parliament speaker to be in accordance with Constitution

Opposition MP: Armenia authorities obsessed with false ideas of building dialogue with Turkey, Azerbaijan

Ukrainian tourist, 64, dies suddenly near Armenias Temple of Garni

Artsakh civilian, 55, killed by Azerbaijan sniper (PHOTOS)

UK House of Lords member thanks opposition Armenia Faction in parliament

Modernas Spikevax vaccine against coronavirus is distributed to Armenia polyclinics, mobile points

India FM to visit Armenia for first time in history

Armenia PM condoles with Georgia counterpart

Spain man, 40, found dead in Armenia

October 11 declared a day of mourning in Georgia

Armenian priest continues his religious service at Dadivank Monastery of Artsakh (PHOTOS)

China, US discuss lifting customs duties, sanctions

4 people killed in single-engine plane crash in US

1,331 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia President awarded with highest medal of University of Bologna

Vanetsyan: Armenias Pashinyan, by me, Azerbaijans Aliyev, by his NSS head, had exchanged closed envelopes

Armenia premier, his staff conceal fact of 'operative link' with Azerbaijans Aliyev

Residential building collapses in Georgias Batumi

Chile court considering case against president based on Pandora Papers leaks

Newspaper: Selective investigation being conducted into Armenia criminal case on arms supply

Newspaper: Armenia PM worries about delay in actual 'process' of illegal property confiscation

OSCE Minsk Group: Co-Chairs discussed possible de-escalatory and humanitarian measures

Sergey Markedonov: What axis between Yerevan and Tehran?

Armenia Parliament Speaker: It's very important to be able to turn the page over and establish peace in the region

Legendary Armenian gymnast Albert Azaryan's daughter, teacher Zhanna Azaryan dies from COVID-19

Georgia citizens to hold rally in support of Saakashvili in central Tbilisi on Sunday

Armenia sets up governmental commission for funeral of Ambassador Vigen Chitechyan

Armenia opposition MP: Yerevan, Baku are synchronously working to destroy Armenian statehood

Slovenia Ambassador to Armenia: Armenian-Slovenian economic relations not adequate to existing potential

Cavusoglu: Ukraine has applied to obtain observer status in Turkic Council

Turkey building a wall on border with Iran

Basque Country Parliament, affirming European Parliament's stance, adopts resolution on Armenian POWs

Turkish FM touches upon Armenia-Azerbaijan relations

Armenia FM receives Apostolic Nuncio of Holy See Jose Avelino Bettencourt

Saakashvili's father calls on son to stop hunger strike

Armenian and Belarusian MFAs hold political consultations

Digest: Russia offers 3+3 Caucasus regional platform, more on COVID-19 vaccination in Armenia

Armenia MOD receives Diaspora Armenian benefactors

Armenia Ambassador presents credentials to Turkmenistan President

Armenia Parliament Deputy Speaker and Russia Ambassador: We are interested in expansion of cooperation

Armenia finance ministry-European Investment Bank cooperation development directions discussed

One dollar drops below AMD 480 in Armenia

Hague court announces dates for considering petition for Armenian captives return, urgent measures against Azerbaijan

Armenia minister, Rosatom representative discuss cooperation in new sectors for infrastructure development

Armenia PM underscores need for effective investigation of criminal cases on 44-day war circumstances

Armenia MFA: Servants, followers of Armenian Church should have unimpeded access to cathedral in Artsakhs Shushi

Armenia opposition With Honor Faction lawmaker: MPs can be part of any parliamentary delegation

Turkish Armed Forces' 3rd army corps commander visits Nakhchivan

Sergey Markedonov: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not over

Opposition 'Armenia' faction: There is always a threat of war, but it is less likely in the near future

Armenian and Greek competition protection authorities sign Memorandum of Cooperation

Georgia FM comments on possibility of his country joining 3 + 3 format proposal including Armenia

Ruling power MP: Armenia needs to consider, grasp opportunities of 3 + 3 negotiation format

12 new cases of coronavirus reported in Karabakh

FM meets with Sweden ambassador, stresses need for return of all Armenian POWs in Azerbaijan

Ukraine MP who penned Armenian Genocide recognition draft decision dies

Azerbaijan organizes another visit to occupied Shushi of Artsakh

Ombudsman in Rome, presents Armenian captives issue to international media

ANCA calls on US Congress to investigate State Department failures related to Armenia, Artsakh

Armenia opposition MP: Tatev bypass road will not resolve all our problems in current situation (PHOTOS)

1,202 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Opposition Armenia bloc challenges, at Constitutional Court, community enlargement law package
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/
The president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, is urging the global community to work together to draft common rules regarding the use of cryptocurrencies. Nazarbayev said the current, disparate regulatory guidelines around the world cause confusion and inefficiency.

It is necessary to start developing common rules, Nazarbayev said May 17 at the 2018 Global Challenges Summit, as reported by TengriNews. Most countries are actively exploring the possibility of adapting cryptocurrency to the current configuration of financial systems.

He continued: At the same time, we see completely separate actions of states in this issue. And these disparate actions will lead to inefficiency.

Wants U.N. Oversight

The Kazakh president said its important to reach a global consensus regarding crypto regulations as the market grows. Accordingly, he suggested that the United Nations spearhead the efforts to aggregate rules.

I propose that this initiative be implemented on the United Nations platform  the only body that is elected by the entire human society to solve very serious problems, Nazarbayev said. There is a need to build new effective mechanisms for dialogue between states.

Nazarbayev said he believes the G7 and G20 forums, which are comprised of the worlds wealthiest industrialized countries, do not adequately represent the interests of the global community. Kazakhstan is not a member of either the G7 or the G20.

The G7 and G20 formats  in which I participated more than once  in our opinion, does not embrace the global view of the world, he said. Therefore, we put forward the initiative of G-Global, which will allow us to take into account the opinion and interests of all countries.

Kazakh National Bank Wants To Ban Crypto

The Kazakh presidents bullish outlook on virtual currencies clashes with Kazakhstans National Bank, which is considering banning crypto use and mining, as CCN has reported.

Story continues

We want to ban the exchange of digital currencies for the national currency, said Daniyar Akishev, the chairman of Kazakhstans National Bank. We want to prohibit the stock exchanges activities in this area, as well as every type of mining.

Akishev said he believes the ban is needed to protect the countrys citizens from scams and fraud. Digital currencies are an ideal instrument for money-laundering and tax evasion, he said.

Russian president Vladimir Putin. (Shutterstock)

However, its highly unlikely that Kazakhstan will ban crypto, as the five-member nations of the Eurasian Economic Union (of which Kazakhstan is a member) met just weeks ago to discuss how to leverage cryptocurrencies and blockchain to bolster their economies.

The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is a post-Soviet economic bloc comprised of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Its Vladimir Putins answer to the 28-member European Union, except its smaller and far less wealthy.

Tota Kaliaskarova, the director of macroeconomic policy with the EAEU, said its important to discuss cryptocurrencies because they could have a dramatic impact on the Eurasian economy.

This is a new phenomenon, Kaliaskarova said. The emergence and use of cryptocurrencies will affect monetary conditions in our countries and the macroeconomic stability of the entire EAES.

Featured image from Shutterstock.



The post Kazakhstan President Calls for Global Rules on Cryptocurrencies under UN Oversight appeared first on CCN.


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When the day of Martial Law comes in America LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441674

05-20-2018 01:38 AM











Post: #1 When the day of Martial Law comes in America

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When the day of Martial Law comes in America, the (UNISF and UNMNTF) United Nations Troops located in Central America, in the US, and Canada will be deployed to help round up the millions of Americans whose names appear on the CIA Red List and the CIA Blue List.



These UN troops are Chinese, Russian, German, Polish, Japanese, Ukrainian, Saudi Arabian, Pakistani, Mexican, Honduran, Salvadorean and Chilean, and many are stationed in the deep underground military bases.



When that day comes in America, do not expect the FoxNews Network, NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, BBC News 24 or Reuters to give a full or accurate account of the truth.



Mass detentions in camps and the underground bases, along with mass executions will occur, like they have in many other countries like Cambodia, Russia, China, Germany, Poland, Armenia, Georgia, Belorussia, Hungary and the Ukraine over the past 100years.



The best option for many Americans will be to have a safe place in a remote area where you can hide.



The America you and your forefathers knew is coming to an end thanks to the Illuminati controlled secret government, and now they want America to become a Third World Nation ruled by a Fascist Police State, under their dictatorial control.



This obviously cannot be achieved if America stays the way it is with many still being relatively well off, and still possessing firearms.



Only the people of America can stop the coming American Holocaust from occurring.



In America alone there are over 120 Deep Underground Military Bases situated under most major cities, USAFBs, US Navy Bases and US Army Bases, as well as underneath FEMA Military Training Camps and DHS control centers.



There are also many Deep Underground Military Bases under Canada. Almost all of these bases are over 2 miles underground and have diameters ranging from 10 miles up to 30 miles across!



They have been building these bases day and night, unceasingly, since the 1940s.



These bases are basically large cities underground connected by high-speed magneto-levity trains that have speeds up to 1500 MPH.



The Black Projects sidestep the authority of Congress, which as we know is illegal.



There is much hard evidence out there. Many will react with fear, terror and paranoia, but you must snap out of it and wake up from the brainwashing your media pumps into your heads all day long.



Are you going to be a rabbit in the headlights, or are you going to stand up and say enough is enough?



The US Government through the NSA,DOD, CIA, DIA, ATF, ONI, US Army, US Marine Corp, FEMA and the DHS has spent in excess of 12 trillion dollars building the massive, covert infrastructure for the coming One World Government and New World Religion over the past 40 years.



There is the Deep Underground Military Base underneath Denver International Airport, which is over 22 miles in diameter and goes down over 8 levels.



It's no coincidence that the CIA relocated the headquarters of its domestic division, which is responsible for operations in the United States, from the CIA's Langley headquarters to Denver.



Constructed in 1995, the government and politicians were hell bent on building this airport in spite of it ending up vastly over budget. Charges of corruption, constant construction company changes, and mass firings of teams once they had built a section of their work was reported so that no "one" group had any idea what the blueprint of the airport was.



Not only did locals not want this airport built nor was it needed, but everything was done to make sure it was built despite that.



Masonic symbols and bizarre artwork of dead babies, burning cities and women in coffins comprise an extensive muralas well as a time capsule - none of which is featured in the airport's website section detailing the unique artwork throughout the building.



Denver International Airport serves as a cover for the vast underground facilities that were built there. There are reports of electronic/magnetic vibrations which make some people sick and cause headaches in others. There are acres of fenced-in areas which have barbed wire pointing into the area as if to keep things in, and small concrete stacks that resemble mini-cooling towers rise out of the acres of nowhere to apparently vent underground levels.



The underground facility is 88.3 square miles deep. Basically this Underground Base is 8 cities on top of each other! The holding capacity of such leviathanic bases is huge.



These city-sized bases can hold millions and millions of people, whether they are mind controlled, enslaved NWO World Army Soldiers or innocent and enslaved surface dwellers from the towns and cities of America and Canada.



Don't let anyone take nor surrender your guns to anyone. Not even for TRUMP. What if TRUMP was removed and then others were elected who WERE EVIL? Then you would be defenceless.



The New World Order want you dead. Would the NWO GOVERNMENTS ever willingly surrender their own guns and armed robots. NOT a chance in HELL! You are THEIR enemy. When the day of Martial Law comes in AmericaWhen the day of Martial Law comes in America, the (UNISF and UNMNTF) United Nations Troops located in Central America, in the US, and Canada will be deployed to help round up the millions of Americans whose names appear on the CIA Red List and the CIA Blue List.These UN troops are Chinese, Russian, German, Polish, Japanese, Ukrainian, Saudi Arabian, Pakistani, Mexican, Honduran, Salvadorean and Chilean, and many are stationed in the deep underground military bases.When that day comes in America, do not expect the FoxNews Network, NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, BBC News 24 or Reuters to give a full or accurate account of the truth.Mass detentions in camps and the underground bases, along with mass executions will occur, like they have in many other countries like Cambodia, Russia, China, Germany, Poland, Armenia, Georgia, Belorussia, Hungary and the Ukraine over the past 100years.The best option for many Americans will be to have a safe place in a remote area where you can hide.The America you and your forefathers knew is coming to an end thanks to the Illuminati controlled secret government, and now they want America to become a Third World Nation ruled by a Fascist Police State, under their dictatorial control.This obviously cannot be achieved if America stays the way it is with many still being relatively well off, and still possessing firearms.Only the people of America can stop the coming American Holocaust from occurring.In America alone there are over 120 Deep Underground Military Bases situated under most major cities, USAFBs, US Navy Bases and US Army Bases, as well as underneath FEMA Military Training Camps and DHS control centers.There are also many Deep Underground Military Bases under Canada. Almost all of these bases are over 2 miles underground and have diameters ranging from 10 miles up to 30 miles across!They have been building these bases day and night, unceasingly, since the 1940s.These bases are basically large cities underground connected by high-speed magneto-levity trains that have speeds up to 1500 MPH.The Black Projects sidestep the authority of Congress, which as we know is illegal.There is much hard evidence out there. Many will react with fear, terror and paranoia, but you must snap out of it and wake up from the brainwashing your media pumps into your heads all day long.Are you going to be a rabbit in the headlights, or are you going to stand up and say enough is enough?The US Government through the NSA,DOD, CIA, DIA, ATF, ONI, US Army, US Marine Corp, FEMA and the DHS has spent in excess of 12 trillion dollars building the massive, covert infrastructure for the coming One World Government and New World Religion over the past 40 years.There is the Deep Underground Military Base underneath Denver International Airport, which is over 22 miles in diameter and goes down over 8 levels.It's no coincidence that the CIA relocated the headquarters of its domestic division, which is responsible for operations in the United States, from the CIA's Langley headquarters to Denver.Constructed in 1995, the government and politicians were hell bent on building this airport in spite of it ending up vastly over budget. Charges of corruption, constant construction company changes, and mass firings of teams once they had built a section of their work was reported so that no "one" group had any idea what the blueprint of the airport was.Not only did locals not want this airport built nor was it needed, but everything was done to make sure it was built despite that.Masonic symbols and bizarre artwork of dead babies, burning cities and women in coffins comprise an extensive muralas well as a time capsule - none of which is featured in the airport's website section detailing the unique artwork throughout the building.Denver International Airport serves as a cover for the vast underground facilities that were built there. There are reports of electronic/magnetic vibrations which make some people sick and cause headaches in others. There are acres of fenced-in areas which have barbed wire pointing into the area as if to keep things in, and small concrete stacks that resemble mini-cooling towers rise out of the acres of nowhere to apparently vent underground levels.The underground facility is 88.3 square miles deep. Basically this Underground Base is 8 cities on top of each other! The holding capacity of such leviathanic bases is huge.These city-sized bases can hold millions and millions of people, whether they are mind controlled, enslaved NWO World Army Soldiers or innocent and enslaved surface dwellers from the towns and cities of America and Canada.Don't let anyone take nor surrender your guns to anyone. Not even for TRUMP. What if TRUMP was removed and then others were elected who WERE EVIL? Then you would be defenceless.The New World Order want you dead. Would the NWO GOVERNMENTS ever willingly surrender their own guns and armed robots. NOT a chance in HELL! You are THEIR enemy. base unit

Registered User

User ID: 348759

05-20-2018 01:41 AM



Posts: 1,490









Post: #2 RE: When the day of Martial Law comes in America

Magnus74

100% Right 48% of the Time

User ID: 441630

05-20-2018 02:38 AM



Posts: 144









Post: #3 RE: When the day of Martial Law comes in America

Interesting

Can you let me know when this will happen? I don't want to under-pack. When you come to behead me be careful not to bruise the face.
















Holdin it down on @TheGNShow tonight ! Tune in at 10:35 pic.twitter.com/RBsQwt2Tng  Leon Bridges (@leonbridges) May 18, 2018

Harry Styles 2018 Tour Openers Include Kacey Musgraves, Leon Bridges, Warpaint https://t.co/CzpFiMzbbG pic.twitter.com/yymS8u2eVl  MusicRow Magazine (@MusicRow) June 8, 2017

Very good of Leon Bridges to give young Harry Styles a chance to open for him in Mexico.  Paul Karp (@Paul_Karp) February 19, 2018

Humbled by all your support so far! 'Good Thing' is out now baby! https://t.co/4QJek2XXgJ pic.twitter.com/dwZTR7eVAP  Leon Bridges (@leonbridges) May 4, 2018

In great company ya digg. Shoutout to my team and everyone for supporting my new album Good Thing. Overwhelmed by all the love and excited to see all of you on tour  pic.twitter.com/QL7SmRYtpu  Leon Bridges (@leonbridges) May 14, 2018

ayeee. Cop that yellow Good Thing vinyl at the LBstore @ https://t.co/gSxGM1Qtho pic.twitter.com/iX4O9SnsWc  Leon Bridges (@leonbridges) May 7, 2018

Beyond TV debut on @ColbertLateShow ! Shoutout to Old English Rose for the rad letterman pic.twitter.com/ekaYbXkOaP  Leon Bridges (@leonbridges) May 11, 2018

Catch me and the crew on @colbertlateshow tonight  pic.twitter.com/EZ7A2I3QBm  Leon Bridges (@leonbridges) May 10, 2018



ONTD, what's standing out from his new album to you? Are you going to see him on either tour?



Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Leon will have his own tour from June to October this year across the US.in Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Mexico. Leon said it'll be great doing shows in South American for the first time, and that some of Harry's fans from there have hit him up on Instagram telling him they love his music and can't wait to see him.and recently appeared onwith Colbert for the same thing. He's also been performing other songs likeforHe also performed it on The Late Show with Colbert recently:Also:
I just saw she posted another positive review of her tour on her ig stories, sis needs to stop looking for pats on the back everywhere lol. "LOOK THEY STILL LIKE ME!!!!"



Edited at 2018-05-20 02:08 am (UTC)

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for someone who centered her entire year around how much she hates the media, she sure wants their approval

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i know it goes against her brand, but i'd rather she also post negative reviews lmao



convinced her team shields her and bans the naysayers

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stans in the tweet comments are nuts

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that's v. generous of her

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i wanna doze under a sunflower...

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omg what a cute lil duckling

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this made me yawn irl lol

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so cute. Did you see that horrible video on youtube though? It shows mummy duck with her ducklings going down the river, and then she makes the decision to jump over the little waterfall and all her ducklings follow her. And she comes out the other side with no ducklings. :(



whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

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3 of the ducklings do join the mother at the end and the other 3 don't come up and she swims away.

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Right?! I was reading it and thinking, it's not stopping! It keeps going! GagaTalentedBrilliant.gif I mean, I guess it's to be expected from a songwriter.

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The worst covers? Taylor doing "American Girl" and her duet with Stevie. Like, I'm trash and love 2 of her albums and don't "hate" her but GAWD DAMN. The other two actually make her September cover sound like a masterpiece.

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Which two? Speak Now and Red? I have a soft spot for Fearless bc my ex used to play that shit non stop back in 09-10.

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Like 3 songs on Speak Now? Red and a handful of songs on 1989.

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What's the worst cover song you've ever heard?







Hate it.

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Why did someone spend time doing this to themselves and us?

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are they awake

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At least he has an accurate last name.

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Is this Tom Hanks' son again? Can he take away the trust fund so he can work in an office or something?

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lmaooo i remember people LOVIN this horrid shit when it came out

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Tom Hank's "rapper" son? No thank you.

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that's a different chet

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This makes my blood boil

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"September was my first hit and favorite song of mine I ever have had the joy of being a part of. Taylor Swift is the absolute cherry on top of a very soulful and happy sundae." - Co-writer of September Allee Willis on Taylors cover of the song [@billboard]  Taylor Swift News (@TSwiftNZ) April 14, 2018







i'm SCREAMING at the complete 180 oh my god.



Edited at 2018-05-20 02:23 am (UTC) damn don't hold back.i'm SCREAMING at the complete 180 oh my god.

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I doubt she'll get any more work after Taylor's done with her.

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she's living off the royalties from the friends theme song. she's fine.

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Does Taylor blackmail people or something? OMG.

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Sounds facetious to me.

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lol that's fantastic.



The best cover of "September" is by the Elite Beat Agents when they're helping that mom keep the weather sunny for a field trip with her son tbh!!





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I used the play this game. I was addicted. I distinctly remember Ashley Simpson's, "La La" was kind of hard for me. Haha

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The day that I got an "S" on Jumping Jack Flash with the Elite Beat Divas, using only a broken-off Q-tip because I had lost my stylus, was the day... I realized I played too many video games, lol.



I also once purposely got the "bad ending" (where you barely survive but still complete the song) on the Christmas one, with the little girl and her dead father. It was completely heartbreaking and I'm haunted to this day that I subjected her to that.



Edited at 2018-05-20 04:17 am (UTC)

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Lmao this game was so fucking funny and fun. I was addicted. They need to bring this and the the trauma center games back so I can WasteMyTime2k18.

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Mindless Self Indulgence's cover of Method Man's "Bring the Pain" is pretty bad.





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OMG the nostalgia of this band. The day I met my now husband he played MSI in his car to which I went on long rant about how terrible they were.

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Lmaoooo when I was in high school I was obsessed with Stupid MF

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LMAO oh no I had that whole song memorized word by word by word when I was in high school

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Oh god, I remember my MSI phase

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Well she sounds like an ONTDer but she didn't lie. Every single Taylor Swift song sounds like a drunk turtle dozing under a sunflower after ingesting a bottle of Valium, honestly. I always cackle when I remember The Quinoa Queen Shailene trying to sing a Taylor song and mumbling some very accurate lyrics like "short skirts, I'm on the bleachers, you like his girlfriend, I'm a straight-A student, I like curly hair...".



Edited at 2018-05-20 02:23 am (UTC)

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I thought the cover was fine for what it was trying to do. I think it was trying to be super laid back and folksy and idk, it did do that?



"I thought it had all the build of a one-story motel, but, I mean, the girl didn't kill anybody," co-writer Allee Willis told Billboard. "She didn't run over your foot."



ummm this sounds weirdly specific lol like who hurt you



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Haha that reminds me my ex pretended i ran over his foot once because he was upset I did shrooms without him

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crying aaskslfjha

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omfg

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lmfao WTF... wild!



My psycho ex ran over my brother's gf's (at the time) foot outside of a gay club when she saw I got back with my (soon to be) wife. And this was after her (ex's) family (that she moved in with when she was 16 lol f'kin loser) started a fist fight with us inside of said club and got kicked out.

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Idk the cover was bland, but the hate it got was over the top. It was on par with any of the WGWG Youtube cover channels.



Also lmao a month ago the same writer said this:



"'September' was my first hit and favorite song of mine I ever have had the joy of being a part of," Willis said in a statement to Billboard. "Taylor Swift is the absolute cherry on top of a very soulful and happy sundae."

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lmfao damn

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I thought it had all the build of a one-story motel



I dead ass LOLed at this lmaooooo



The worst covers are always hip-hop/dancehall songs turned into fake folksy trash by white midwestern YouTubers and their whisper voices.



Edited at 2018-05-20 02:27 am (UTC)

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LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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adlfkjlsdkad

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lolllllll

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food in a restaurant/establishment that plays bananis and avocadis covers of upbeat songs always tastes like dirt

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I know they did it to prevent scandal and misunderstanding but this creates that even more imo. This isnt even a case where an idol is purposely changing pronunciation to make it sound like the n word.

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I dont really know what the other option is. It does sound like that word and people dont know the difference, at least yet. There are questions all over the internet of why do Kpop stars always say the N word - it does get confused.

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i mean that is a fair question because so many of them DO say the n-word like a bunch of fools, lol



but I get what you mean. There's also a phrase in Korean that sounds like "pee on your hair" to me and I never fucking unhear it omg.

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Their official twitter should explain the meaning to get ahead of the potential scandal and have radio personalities be prepared to explain the pronunciation in the song. Its the only thing they can do tbh.



It does sound like nigga being said back to back.



Def not gonna be a good look during this presidency time...

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I think the FCC is evil and should die. Far, FAR too close to actual censorship for my liking.



Radio stations can theoretically do what they want, but in practice they have to do what the FCC tells them or go out of business, and there are a limited number of frequencies that can be used. If radio stations are independently choosing to blank this out like it's a curse, well, I think it's dumb, but so is blanking out curses.

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Britney's Impact





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They should censor all their music tbh

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I remember some people said they heard it on the radio when it was used in that commercial a while ago and yeah, they censored it, lol.

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I got curious (by Britney Spears) and decided to watch that video and bitttcccchhhh, that is some fucking awful music right there.

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the poor "naege" and "niga" issue



honestly knowing basic korean it sounds nothing like the n-word, it's like "mani" being mistaken for money in blood sweat and tears



idk it just seems very ignorant that US radios are being overly sensitive because foreign words sound ~funny or inappropriate

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US? Ignorant? About foreign language? Shirley not!

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ia

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I don't rly understand it in this case but w/ all the lil rappers running around trying to purposely make it sound as much like the n word as possible lmao... let's just say if Big Bang's Bae Bae were ever played on American radio I'd literally rather hear it censored because you can literally hear him dying to say the n word lmao

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lord help me I have that song stuck in my head today and didn't know about the "mani" But I also assumed they weren't actually saying "MONEY MONEY MONEY"

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There was a radio edit of Black Eyed Peas "Dont Phunk With My Heart" where Fergie sang "mess" instead of "phunk", because i guess they thought some people might think she's saying "fuck"?

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lol when Applause by Gagz came out I remember her franticly tweeting that radio stations were censoring the word Koons because they thought she was saying the c-word 



(I think the c-word she was referring to was the word coon)



Edited at 2018-05-20 10:02 am (UTC)

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I thought she was saying kunst which is german for art.

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Which is funny now considering Uptown Funk is played everywhere. I work in a preschool and would hear tons of little ones unintentionally singing Uptown fuck you up...

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I can't remember the name of the song but it was Keri Hilson,Kanye, and Ne-Yo. Ne-Yo sang about a verse about a ship and the radio, at some random point, started bleeping it out because it sounded like "shit." It didn't , at least to me, and the context of the song would let you know that it was ship.

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I'm.. kind of surprised that US radio stations play it, to be honest. Like outside of genre/big mainstream stations as well?



Saying this because I don't think I ever heard j/k/cpop on radio stations here, but maybe I don't listen to them often enough.



Edited at 2018-05-20 09:56 am (UTC)

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bts transcends that at this point.



they're literally everywhere. like a disease tho some of their songs are bops and i kinda like fake love oop

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Im in my car a lot and have never heard kpop. I think fans just spam certain radio channels with requests to get them to play it.

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this is pm exactly what happens lol that and payola.

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Their Stans just annoy everyone till they play them.

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i heard bigbang's "bang bang bang" on hits1 on my xm radio once but i rarely hear it on actual mainstream commercial radio

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Beats 1 plays it sometimes. I remember them playing that awful 4minutes song that Skrillex worked on. The only kpop song I've ever heard on mainstream radio was Psy's Gangnam Style.

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thanks for the free promo

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Remember that song with Neyo and Kanye and Keri Hilson? I cant remember the name but it went like: sometimes love comes around and it knocks you down.



Anyway, the reason I mention it is because the radio always used to censor it for no reason and it drove me crazy because it was so stupid. Neyo has a line that says : I used to be commander in chief of my pimp ship flying high, until this pretty little missle shot me out the sky. They always censored the word ship as if they misheard it as shit. It was extra annoying because if you listened to the lyrics at all, by context the censors should have realized that he was using a flying metaphor and shit wouldnt fit.

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I made this same comment. It was so annoying and unnecessary!

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American radio plays Korean music?

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just bts.

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probably more likely to happen in areas with large asian communities

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i've heard bangtan (at least 4 times), psy (2x) and CL (2x) on my local (hiphop) radio station and i live in montana. idk whats going on there.

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I've heard EXO's "Call Me Baby" quite a few times in my area. And BTS as well. (I live in NC.)

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Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ

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This is all SM's doing tbh

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big 3 companies r evil!!1

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lmaoooo I'm still rolling @ the kids who were blaming Kris's iTunes position on SM. These children need to brush up on their kpop history, goddamn.

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sm and kris wu are so busy these days taking down bts smh

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Gotta get back at them some how~~

Come on, petty legends!!

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nnnnn

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I played the song for my flatmate and she mistook it for the n word, so I can see where they're coming from. To virgin kpop ears it's an easy mistake

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all these korean words and she hears another korean word and automatically assumes it's the n word.

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lmao



Beysus

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TAKE ME TO CHURCH QWEEN

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They've just made an old church into college dorms here, and it's so pretty, but I wouldn't want to live there, too gothic not to mention expensive.

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Actually it is quite popular on the UK to renovate church and sell it as an apartment or office building.

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yeah! i've seen this happen a lot



in taunton where i used to live, there's an old methodist chapel being used as a zizzi's italian restaurant

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I'd love to buy one and turn it into a book store or a record store or even like a coffeehouse/music venue for acoustic sets.

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if i had the money id def buy one!

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i think i read something about an old church being converted into a restaurant awhile back. would've preferred something more scandalous like a sex toy shop to ruffle a few feathers.  

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There's been a couple of Church to pub renovations in Glasgow, so at least your wish isn't that bad lol

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https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/268190369/atwater-in-the-park/



Edited at 2018-05-20 04:01 pm (UTC) in detroit there are churches turning into bars/restaurants and it's amazing. i went to a brewery that was once a church and it was so pretty inside.

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There's a giant church campus thing in the middle of the gayborhood in Chicago and every time i walk by it, I imagine converting it into a home.

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I would never want to leave in a church. Churches always give me creeps.

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That's the devil in you

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lmao

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lol

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Lmao

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My old school friend lived next to a church and my little goth self was so jealous.

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Lmao same



And my mom was like you shouldnt feel nervous in a church!





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yeah, even churches built more recently make me feel a bit uneasy.

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There are so many churches here that have been renovated into condos, I'd love to live in one and commit sodomy.

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tbh i did once look around a cute groundskeepers cottage and the directions on the real estate agent's particulars were like "just walk down the path from the village church" and yeah it was right in the middle of the cemetery lol



Edited at 2018-05-20 04:15 pm (UTC)

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??? k

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Katy Perry's influence

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If I had money, I'd totally buy abandoned properties dirt cheap and renovate them. Pretty sure it'd cost more than actually buying a ready property, but idk I like the visual of the transformation

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i work in this field and good lord, it's not just the contractors and building materials... it's all the permits and planning permissions and stage inspections and building regulations that really stack up in price. D:

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I would do this. I really would like to convert an old firehouse or library into a house, but alas I don't have the funds.

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She better get flood/hurricane insurance.

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My dream tbh. I love residential churches.

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Now her fans have a physical place to worship her!

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I bet theres gonna be lines like a night club every sunday morning

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I would live in a church. I love the art, the architecture, the quietness. A whole lot of room for me to be in with lots of light 

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It's not nowhere near enough but it warms my heart seeing this many South Asian celebrities in Hollywood.



(yes, I'm aware Bollywood exist. This is still cool)

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your icon!!!, i miss the Good Place (and my bragging queen Tahani) so much!

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Same  its like the only show I truly look forward to airing. Its so smart and inventive

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I need to see Jameela on the big screen <3

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Same! Im so excited at the thought of finally having a Pakistani-American superhero. Especially a female one bc our stories are largely ignored.

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Wait, youre a Desi?

Why am I figuring this out now?

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same

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I keep forgetting the new one is the girl that stretches lol

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Good god, no. I actually want this to be good.

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Im sure it was a joke more than anything.

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Lol he must be. I mean I hope he doesn't really believe just because they're either Pakistani or South Asian and a name in the industry that they're genuinely in the running for something like this. I didn't like 'The Big Sick' and I don't like Kumail either. What does Riz know about writing a screenplay anyway and I don't really know much about Mindy to comment on her. Any Pakistani women to involve in his joke or we just expecting Pakistani men to run with this?? No thanks!



As a Pakistani and a Marvel fan, I just want this to be done right!

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lmao

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ugh i want to love this but i dont want mindy or kumail anywhere near it

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Captain Marvel and Ms Marvel? Thats not gonna confuse the audience at all.

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In the comics Ms Marvel (Kamala Khan) is a fan of Captain Marvel, henceforth her name is inspired by Captain Marvel.



Any Marvel fans feel free to correct me, if I'm wrong.

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Just for the sake of pendancy: Her name isn't inspired by Captain Marvel, she adopted Captain Marvel's old name.

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Mindy Kaling? Well, if you want the main character to have only white friends and an ugly white love interest...

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Goddamn, these freaking ugly white love interests. Well, thank you for giving me some hope.

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I like Bruno :(



And I like how Kamala called him out for being a Nice Guy and he cut it out.

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There was an article my ex classmate had shared about priyanka Chopra lobbying for the role. While I do not want priyanka anywhere near the role for variety of reasons, I mentioned I didn't want her playing the role because she's not Pakistani american and not Muslim. Well, he replied, accusing me of being a religion fanatic and how illogical my reasoning was. I checked out, and removed him from my friend list



Edited at 2018-05-20 02:55 pm (UTC)

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Let me guess his skin color... white.

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I'm an Indian, based out of India. So Indian man. But Indians are as racist as they come lol



Edited at 2018-05-20 03:31 pm (UTC)

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The actor def needs to be Pakistani.



The actor cast doesn't need to be Muslim. Only the character needs to be and the script written where it showcases her connection to her religion.

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Priyanka is way too old to be playing a high school student lol she doesn't make sense as Kamala AT ALL. Besides the actress playing Kamala HAS to be Pakistani. It's a huge part of her identity.

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G. Willow Wilson is the only person who should write this movie imo. Her and maybe another female screenwriter plus they need to keep the character a teenage girl and cast it correctly like Im seeing ppl fancast Priyanka and. No? I hate to be a comic purist but Kamala Khan is important to me and I wanna see her portrayed as close to the source material as possible



Edited at 2018-05-20 02:58 pm (UTC)

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Yes to all of this

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This this this!

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bye @ priyanka lakshfa. i hate fancasts lmao

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Fandom only knows like three actresses from each race and use them for every single fancasts for female characters of color even if theyre the wrong age ex: Steph Beatriz being fancast as America Chavez who is in her teens in the comics bc tumblr only knows four Latinx actresses

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Priyanka is Hindu. Can people stop this nonsense lmao. She's also not a teenager so no thanks.

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No lies detected anywhere.

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mfte

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Lmfao me too

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lmao same

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Those sexual assault allegations sure did disappear.

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Right? All the tweets disappeared too.

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Riz

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But there was no article at all, right? It was like they started investigations, and then just dumped it. Does riz have any connections to be able to do that? Just curious

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right? i keep waiting for more information, but it seems to have stalled out.

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That's what I was thinking...I hoped they weren't true, but nothing came of it so it's just a ?

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were there actually allegations about him? i thought it was just rumors that there would be allegations

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Yup. Funny how this post morphed into a bashing Mindy or Pryanka but Riz always seems to slip by.

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I thought those were about the other guy from his duo and not him?

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lmao right?

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Weren't those only rumors??

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Three amigos too busy writing white stories and signing Polanski petitions to give us a taste of that and lbr Hollywood doesn't know any other Latino directors they'd be willing to risk a high budget on. And god forbid they give it to a gringo director.

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Miles Morales is on his way in animated form at least.

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tessa thompson is afro-latina.



edit: but yeah, thats why i was not here for people fan casting don glover as miles morales. hes afroboricua, keep this douchebag away from this tbh.



Edited at 2018-05-20 06:59 pm (UTC)

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There's Tessa Thompson and Zoe Saldana, but yeah not a strictly latino superhero movie.

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Has there been any follow up on the Riz assault allegations? I'm glad this is getting made but I'm restricting my joy about the writers for now

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He was joking about screenwriting but nothing has come of the allegations. I think his team put a lid on it.

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I think an ontd member once lamented that once after Aziz's behavior was exposed, it helped distract from Riz/gave Riz's people time to shut down the article. It also helped that a good chunk of humanity rolled their eyes at Aziz's accuser and told her that "um you could've pranced out the door" which gave Riz's accusations zero weight because then it was "oh we're targeting Brown Men now"

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Can you share more about this? I did Google fu, but nothing came by.



Also I totally believe you, because ... Men.



Edited at 2018-05-20 04:24 pm (UTC)

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I remember Kelela sharing an article about Aziz that was all about his race, which I get in a way but it also downplayed that there was def sexual assault there. It made me very disappointed tbh

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OMG!!!!! also esp lol bc i remember watching this unfold in real time

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This is nice... but G. Willow Wilson needs to write it. I'm sorry.



Just... use the plot and dialogue word-for-word from the comics. For they are perfection. You can change her dumb Inhuman origin by having her get bitten by a radioactive slinky or something, I don't care. But everything else, keep the same.

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I would hope GWW is the one who ends up penning the script

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Or at least being a co-writer with another (Muslim, hopefully Pakistani) woman screenwriter.

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I hope the creator Sana Amanat is involved too

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4 hours?

For what Hulu?

Mommy Dead and Dearest summed it up nicely.

If I have to hear her baby voice for more than a few hours I will turn it off!

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On the one hand I felt sorry for her, on the other I definitely got manipulation vibes from her. She was a victim, but she also learned some stuff from her mom. IDK I guess we'll see how a show goes.

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Oh shes def hip to the game.

Her mom coached her from infancy.

Its actually creepy.

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I'm so here for the show based on Gypsy Rose and her mom! I watched Mommy Dead And Dearest twice and I'm still SHOOK by the whole story.

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evil genius creeped the shit out of me. the last shot showing her transformation from a young, smiling woman to her mugshot.

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Same. I don't know if it's because I went in knowing nothing about the case, but it left me with such a weird feeling when I finished it.

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Adnan did not get a fair trail,

but he did kill her imo

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mte



i don't remember the details but after listening to serial i remember thinking that there were so just many "coincidences", if he actually didn't do it he's the unluckiest guy in the world

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Jay's testimony changed too much for me to believe anything and the fact that her BF at the time falsified his timecards for work. Too many parts that went unexplored but I feel awful for Hae's family. Her family has had to relive this all over again.

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It's actually natural for testimony to change. The main points of it were consistent though.

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agreed re Hae's family. I feel like Hae is the one who is forgotten every time this story is told, it's all about Adnan.

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I thought Don's co-workers had confirmed he was at the Lens Crafters. Where can I read about falsified time cards?

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have you listened to the crime junkie episode which highlights things Serial left out?

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this is how i feel about the dude from making a murderer, like the investigation and trial were clearly fucked up, but i struggle to sympathize with either of them personally because i feel like they're both still guilty.

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Yeah, I was obsessed with this case when the Serial podcast was out because I wanted him to be innocent so bad(I used to be the type to always give people to benefit of doubt), but even before the final episode of Serial came out I had come to the conclusion that he definitely murdered Hae. There were too many coincidences and I think it was the second to final episode(I would have to look back at the ONTD posts on this to see where I made the switch in my thinking) where his personality seemed to have changed. His tone just didn't seem like one of an innocent person.

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In my view he was the only one with any real motive.

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Yes and I feel the same way about the murder featured on Making a Murderer.

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I have a friend who is obsessed with true crime and this case in particular, and every time I see her she will browbeat me about how hes innocent. My opinion is the same as yours, but when I say that shell start going about the cousins podcast, which admittedly I have not listened to as Im not much into true crime, but, like, shes his cousin. Of course her podcast is going to skew towards evidence that hes innocent. And when I say that she just starts listing all the facts again and I dont care so now I just try to change the subject.

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[ Spoiler (click to open) ] It was weird how they tried to make the guy (was his name Brian?) innocent after they straight up provided receipts of him being there during the planning. I watched all of Evil Genius in an afternoon.

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Brian was the dude who had the bomb wrapped around him. The woman he was with, Jessica?, said she was with him the night before so theres no way he could been there during the planning

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The planning was during the day though, wasnt it? The car seeing him at the planning place, him knowing that other pizza guy who was also in on it, him being semi-chill in the bank, plus him saying it was black men who put the bomb on him when he knew that was bullshit makes it kinda hard to believe he wasnt involved in some way. I dont think he plotted it or anything though.



Edited at 2018-05-20 10:26 pm (UTC)

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I think he definitely knew about it but didnt know about the bomb part. They all said he was terrified when they pulled out the bomb and put it on him. I dont think he believed it was real.



100% think he was in on the robbery though.

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That documentary was sexist as fuck is why

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I kinda think he didn't think it was real

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[ Spoiler (click to open) ]

I'm kind of flip flopping because Jessica's story does seem believable that she did bring by Brian before the robbery actually occurred. Also Ken Barnes story breaking down regarding his involvement makes me think he was probably innocent.



But I think he was probably a participant in the most loosest regard considering he doesn't seem to be that smart and ended up getting double crossed.





Edited at 2018-05-20 10:51 pm (UTC)

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there was an episode of I think FBI criminal pursuit(??) that also talked about this case that I saw months ago, and in that one they deff focused a lot more on how it seemed like he was in on it in the beginning

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Hae is the victim. When Serial first came out, I thought that her family expressed that they want to move on and don't want the case being run through the public again. There are ways for Adnan to pursue his appeals privately without exploiting her story through multiple podcasts and tv specials. I wish there was ANY consideration for what her family wants.

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while i agree that i do feel for hae's family, adnan getting a new trial without the public outcry over the mishandling of the case would have never, ever happened. i'm not sure that he did or didn't do it--but based on the evidence presented during trial they did not have a case of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. there's a lot of reasonable doubt there.



i find a lot of problems in true crime podcasts/tv shows/the entire network centered around it--a lot of the content is truly insensitive to the victim's families. mfm is now being categorized as comedy in most streaming applications because that's how lightly they treat the subject matter. the podcast after serial was incredibly insensitive. the horrible dramatizations of murder on television are atrocious, but i feel like serial was done at least mostly respectfully. sarah did present both sides of the case as best as she could.

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yea, i am very conflicted about it. i don't think sarah koenig meant any disrespect to anybody, and i agree that she treated the case with far more respect than a lot of the podcasts that came after her. that really sucks.

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I used to really like mfm when I was first getting into true crime but omg are they awful. Between fucking up their Holmolka/Bernado episode to just how they cover things inn general. I stopped listening and I don't miss them.

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I really disliked Serial for making entertainment out of a young girls murder.

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im on ep 2 of evil genius and it so fucking wild!!!!!

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Do remember when they showed it? I hate watching stuff like that. I thought since it was blacked out in the first episode that meant they wouldn't show it. Ugh.

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It's shown but I wouldn't say it was graphic considering when the bomb detonated, there's a lot a smoke that surrounds his body so the view of the explosion isn't crystal clear. This is one shot of the injury to his chest through the shirt but nothing disturbing.

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Yeah they show the bomb going off and they show the frozen dead body of Marjories ex boyfriend.





I can deal with crime scene photos and autopsy photos but this one even left me feeling uneasy

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The only time it isnt blurred out is the first episode, they show it again in the last episode but its blurred out. I just finished watching it lol.

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another docuseries I watched on this just cut to black when showing the explosion and focused on the police scrambling around in the direct aftermath so I was not expecting his one to be so graphic.

I had my eyes covered the longer the clip went on so Im not sure just how graphic it got but what I did see was completely unnecessary.

there was no need to show his lifeless body!! And then later on you see his family talking about how disrespectful the FBI was in handling his body afterward which just made it so much worse

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I'm watching the second episode of Evil Genius. I remember having to study this incident for work and I hated that they actually showed us the video of Wells being killed by the bomb. I can deal with the aftermath, but not watching someone be injured. I'm glad the documentary blacked that part out. I remember watching other crime shows that investigated the case, but this is way more in depth.



Wild Wild Country was also good. And the HBO documentary on Gypsy and her mother was super sad, I kinda felt for her and her dad. They both seemed to have been manipulated by the mother. After all, she might have killed her mother and tried to poison the grandmother. Like what goes through these people's minds.



Looking forward to watching the documentary on Adnan Syed, since I never listened to the Podcast and another show I watched didn't go that deep into the case.



Edited at 2018-05-20 09:35 pm (UTC)

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Wild Wild Country was a trip

i laughed out loud when the guru broke his year long silence just to blame it all on crazy Sheela. amazing

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I lol'd so hard when the man in the overalls described the christian resort as a cult too via GIPHY

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lmfaooooo came out of his seclusion just to be like "that bitch LYIN"



that whole situation was fucked up. couldn't sympathize with the antelope townspeople because they were clearly racist af. couldn't sympathize with the rajneeshees because they were out here poisoning folks. couldn't sympathize with sheela because she authorized an attempted murder and drugged homeless people and dumped them on the streets. couldn't sympathize with osho because he was clearly enjoying being a cult leader. a complete mess.

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Yeah, you could tell he was in on some of the things happening and I couldn't stomach the people who still worship him. Also, what guru needs all those luxury vehicles plus he tried to flee on a private plane and they only came to the US because they were being investigated in India. That whole thing was a mess. I was rooting for Sheela, until she tried to murder/poison people.

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Lmao Im still dying of laughter over that

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lol I'm only on episode three but this comment just made me laugh out loud. I can't wait to see this, I was just saying to my bf that I kind of love Sheela because she's hilarious but I know shit's gonna get fucked up real soon and she'll end up being evil. I don't know anything about the case so it's killing me not just watching it all.

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"I'm glad the documentary blacked that part out."



Well they show the full footage of the detonation in the last episode without any disclaimer so beware.

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Pulling up Evil Geniuses right now. I've started having weird nightmares, so I shouldn't be doing this but whatever, I'll sleep with the lights on tonight.

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I remember the pizza delivery one from Forensic Files.

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when the guy was convicted, i read an article written by one of kim wall's friends and she seemed like such a fun person to have around. i know no one deserves what happened to her but it just made it all the more sad for me :(

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peter madsen is a pornsick monster. he deserves to rot behind bars, so the fact that he has the GALL to appeal his sentence makes me so fucking angry.

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He is fucking disgusting.

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MTE and I read that the average amount of time served for life imprisonment is 17 years - part of me is like: serve that time buddy, your appeal might get denied anyway.

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usually in cases like this they get a life sentence and then a sentence that means they can't get out after the maximum years served. Like Peter Lundin

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A first-time offender receiving a life sentence for a single murder is very unusual in Denmark. It's not an average case, so there's no reason to assume the length of his sentence will be average.

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He's doing it for attention.



People who knew him have said exactly that. He wanted to commit a crime that made him famous. He wanted to police to chase him. He wants all the media attention.

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Serial season 2 was such a flop. I'm waiting for season 3 via GIPHY

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It was so pointless and boring.

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It was such a massive disappointment! I couldn't even get through it and I gave up after a couple of episodes.

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You just reminded me that I never finished Season 2. I tried so hard lol

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I seriously wonder what happened to season 3! I wonder if they're digging around for an actual mystery again or what.

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The info I found on season 3 - Ira Glass revealed that the plot behind the shows third iteration is not a case. Season three takes on something huge and different with characters and narrative but very different from the first two seasons.



\_()_/ idk what that means

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after listening to True Crime Junkie's breakdown of all the issues with the adnan case, i think its ludicrous people still think he did it. Don definitely did it.

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Ooh, what evidence is there to suggest Don did it?

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Page: 1 2 3 Turkey's president blames Trump for returning world to 'dark days' spo snouou

Vocem sine nomine audivit!

User ID: 350320

05-20-2018 04:05 AM



Posts: 67,593









Post: #1 Turkey's president blames Trump for returning world to 'dark days'

Advertisement Quote: America has chosen to be part of the problem and not the solution so they have lost their role as international mediator. We cannot stop feeling like being in dark days of pre-world war two.



He said he was compelled to point out that Iran had stuck to the terms of the deal reached in 2015 with Barack Obama, and it was vital that there was a continuum on such deals.



The Iranian decision, he said, was part of a pattern of selfish unilateral decisions being taken by the US administration.



Erdogan vowed he would continue to clear Syrian Kurds from his border after the Turkish capture of the Kurdish-held town of Afrin. He denounced US cooperation with Kurdish groups, saying the Kurdish Syrian YPD was trying to camouflage its Kurdish identity by joining with other forces in the fight against Islamic State.



The British government is less willing to link the YPD with the Kurdish PKK forces fighting inside Turkey, but acknowledges there is a link. The UK ambassador to Turkey says action will be taken against any British person known to be fighting for the YPD.



Although Erdogan appears to have lessened his determination to see Bashar al-Assad removed, as part of his growing cooperation with Russia over Syrias future, many of his remarks off the record suggest he still regards him as a mass murderer who cannot remain leader for long.

more:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/m...-dark-days more: Upside Down

I'm hot

User ID: 441680

05-20-2018 04:21 AM



Posts: 50,462









Post: #2 RE: Turkey's president blames Trump for returning world to 'dark days'

I didn't read your wall of words, however, i think Iran is more credible than Turkey.



Turkey is in NATO. Iran is not. I know the difference.



I still stand by what I said. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441672

05-20-2018 05:22 AM











Post: #3 RE: Turkey's president blames Trump for returning world to 'dark days'

"He is right you know!" Vlad

lop guest

User ID: 441713

05-20-2018 05:25 AM











Post: #4 RE: Turkey's president blames Trump for returning world to 'dark days'

2am Breathe Wrote: (05-20-2018 04:21 AM) I didn't read your wall of words, however, i think Iran is more credible than Turkey.



Turkey is in NATO. Iran is not. I know the difference.



I still stand by what I said.

Persia was lost long time ago 2 arabs.

Most Persians in exile. Persia was lost long time ago 2 arabs.Most Persians in exile. Vlad

lop guest

User ID: 441713

05-20-2018 05:28 AM











Post: #5 RE: Turkey's president blames Trump for returning world to 'dark days'

I feel for every single 1 left.

Even Homos hanged over Love.



Rebellious Girls desperately try to survive 2.

But Persia was lost long time ago Vlad

lop guest

User ID: 441713

05-20-2018 05:33 AM











Post: #6 RE: Turkey's president blames Trump for returning world to 'dark days'



Soon wakeup.



Thank God damn it They chitchat in own boat.

I do love it but jeebus the Entusiasmn drains me.



I feel for less fortunates I have to Endure 8 more hour's with demanding Kid'sSoon wakeup.Thank God damn it They chitchat in own boat.I do love it but jeebus the Entusiasmn drains me.I feel for less fortunates Vlad

lop guest

User ID: 441713

05-20-2018 05:38 AM











Post: #7 RE: Turkey's president blames Trump for returning world to 'dark days'

I wish I could work with Kid's but my path is "adlusting" mafia.



They fear me for reasons

soros 2.



Non parthy son included. Vlad

lop guest

User ID: 441713

05-20-2018 05:42 AM











Post: #8 RE: Turkey's president blames Trump for returning world to 'dark days'

Wish I could be around high IQ constantly but in 8 h I have to sober up and visit a fanatic progressive liberal judge.



homo the bad ver and will Wai.. Vlad

lop guest

User ID: 441713

05-20-2018 05:43 AM











Post: #9 RE: Turkey's president blames Trump for returning world to 'dark days'

I not study Law since a Teen.

But I know Right from Wrong... Vlad

lop guest

User ID: 441713

05-20-2018 05:45 AM











Post: #10 RE: Turkey's president blames Trump for returning world to 'dark days'

I'm still not over GreenAQ s friendship with satanists Vlad

lop guest

User ID: 441713

05-20-2018 05:48 AM











Post: #11 RE: Turkey's president blames Trump for returning world to 'dark days'

I know Female's are Strong but the abuce soros weaklings impose is torture and I hate it..



Mad cow merkel will end her days childless. . Vlad

lop guest

User ID: 441713

05-20-2018 05:51 AM











Post: #12 RE: Turkey's president blames Trump for returning world to 'dark days'

They not get it at all.

Why I puke Villas And Kid's.



Why apple still alive and will get going in 7hours soon.

Jeebus I'm exhausted but I will deliver. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441672

05-20-2018 05:51 AM











Post: #13 RE: Turkey's president blames Trump for returning world to 'dark days'

Vlad Wrote: (05-20-2018 05:42 AM) Wish I could be around high IQ constantly but in 8 h I have to sober up and visit a fanatic progressive liberal judge.



homo the bad ver and will Wai..

Would you phuk off and stop spamming threads !!!!!!!!!!



I thought you were perma banned ????????????? Would you phuk off and stop spamming threads !!!!!!!!!!I thought you were perma banned ????????????? LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441721

05-20-2018 05:52 AM











Post: #14 RE: Turkey's president blames Trump for returning world to 'dark days'

Who cares what that horrible Muslim says. Vlad

lop guest

User ID: 441713

05-20-2018 05:56 AM











Post: #15 RE: Turkey's president blames Trump for returning world to 'dark days'

Got Fender galore around even a Brilliant Nurse.

I can write Poems over Her.



She as stubborn as Care though.

Not want PhDs or mucho.



She demands very little beside Kids Advertisement


















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Page: 4 5 6 1 ... 3 7 ... 13 Jordan Peterson - Females biologically programmed to seek out dominant Males LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441641

05-20-2018 06:01 PM











Post: #61 RE: Jordan Peterson - Females biologically programmed to seek out dominant Males

Advertisement LoP Guest Wrote: (05-20-2018 05:52 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (05-20-2018 05:49 PM) I don't know we don't seem to live in tribal hunter-gatherer groups like we did a hundred thousand years ago.

exactly. When humans began to farm we were forced to develop stable societies capable of investing in a single piece of land and securing the harvest so it lasted year round.



So we have been beginning to learn how to live cooperatively for a few thousand years.



But we lived nomadically for millions of years. And that nomadic instinct is still in us. The "civilized" traits haven't really taken hold yet, and may never entirely.

Okay so we've gone from Human Nature is eternal and unchanging to yeah it changes but instincts are real.



Only an idiot would argue that there's not something of a human nature, but only in the Bland and obvious " it's in human nature to die if dropped into a giant blender" or " "chicks have slightly different biological emotional and mental makeup then went men'.



But humans are endlessly adaptable, so our their cultures and their behavior patterns. Believe me there's nothing natural about living in post information Age America, don't tell me that our way of doing things was ordained by Nature.



Also I'll point out that 200 years ago material conditions on this planet radically change with the Industrial Revolution, and about 20 years ago a revolution within Revolution called The Information Age happened. And what do you know, democracy and capitalism and the Socialist experiments and feminism and everything people here hate are also the product of the last 200 years.



Like you said, material conditions changed and humans are adopting to new circumstances Okay so we've gone from Human Nature is eternal and unchanging to yeah it changes but instincts are real.Only an idiot would argue that there's not something of a human nature, but only in the Bland and obvious " it's in human nature to die if dropped into a giant blender" or " "chicks have slightly different biological emotional and mental makeup then went men'.But humans are endlessly adaptable, so our their cultures and their behavior patterns. Believe me there's nothing natural about living in post information Age America, don't tell me that our way of doing things was ordained by Nature.Also I'll point out that 200 years ago material conditions on this planet radically change with the Industrial Revolution, and about 20 years ago a revolution within Revolution called The Information Age happened. And what do you know, democracy and capitalism and the Socialist experiments and feminism and everything people here hate are also the product of the last 200 years.Like you said, material conditions changed and humans are adopting to new circumstances LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441781

05-20-2018 06:01 PM











Post: #62 RE: Jordan Peterson - Females biologically programmed to seek out dominant Males

LoP Guest Wrote: (05-20-2018 06:00 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (05-20-2018 05:58 PM) don't try and worm out of it.

read the user numbers, fool.

Nice try... Nice try... LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 397453

05-20-2018 06:01 PM











Post: #63 RE: Jordan Peterson - Females biologically programmed to seek out dominant Males

LoP Guest Wrote: (05-20-2018 05:55 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (05-20-2018 05:53 PM) I'm trying to make a comment here but for some reason i keep getting an error message. I'm not saying anything derogatory or swearing either. What's going on?

try posting part of your message instead of all of it. Worked for me yesterday.

Thanks - it worked for the first bit, but not the last paragraph. Argh. Thanks - it worked for the first bit, but not the last paragraph. Argh. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441827

05-20-2018 06:02 PM











Post: #64 RE: Jordan Peterson - Females biologically programmed to seek out dominant Males

LoP Guest Wrote: (05-20-2018 05:28 PM) The problem with peterson is that he, unwittingly or not, is protecting the modern paradigm when it should be utterly demolished, and I'm not saying this from the SJW perspective either.



We need radical changes to the way humans think, and all he's doing is reinforcing older, "make latsa latsa munnies and u getz da wommanz n mek bebbiez cuz u man!" (paraphrase).



He's great for free speeech and should be rewarded for that, but he has nothing else to say thats important, forward thinking or original. Which is exactly why he's so popular. Popularity is often a bad sign.

What kinds of radical changes to the way humans think are you talking about? Be more specific. The fact is, whether you want to have children or not, women have uteruses and are built to have children. No amount of radical thinking will change that fact. Men are physically the stronger sex, have larger muscles, and are physically better situated to fend off attackers or anyone who would physically want to harm the woman and children, making men more physically dominant than females. For a woman to desire a dominant male doesn't mean she's desiring to be his slave or that she can't share in important decision-making, that's your individual decision to make.



Men and women will never be totally equal because we are built completely different. To deny that we are built differently is to deny reality. What kinds of radical changes to the way humansare you talking about? Be more specific. The fact is, whether you want to have children or not, women have uteruses and are built to have children. No amount of radical thinking will change that fact. Men are physically the stronger sex, have larger muscles, and are physically better situated to fend off attackers or anyone who would physically want to harm the woman and children, making men more physically dominant than females. For a woman to desire a dominant male doesn't mean she's desiring to be his slave or that she can't share in important decision-making, that's your individual decision to make.Men and women will never be totally equal because we are built completely different. To deny that we are built differently is to deny reality. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441641

05-20-2018 06:05 PM











Post: #65 RE: Jordan Peterson - Females biologically programmed to seek out dominant Males

Only problem with that is that a lot of people go from the obvious fact of biological differences in the sexes to the idea that gender roles in Western countries 60 years ago were perfectly aligned with ordained human nature that is eternally unchanging. James

Registered User

User ID: 441825

05-20-2018 06:06 PM



Posts: 8,497









Post: #66 RE: Jordan Peterson - Females biologically programmed to seek out dominant Males





It's Like Jordan has just figured this out....His whole career and suddenly there it was!!!!!....All Women are into Dominant Males.... Pirate was going to be my middle name, but then my uncle had a problem with it because pirates are bad.



- Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell, Popular Californian Vocalist on the Television LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 397453

05-20-2018 06:11 PM











Post: #67 RE: Jordan Peterson - Females biologically programmed to seek out dominant Males

Peterson, whether he knows this or not, basically perpetuates the modern materialist, hypercapitalist paradigm, regardless of his ostentations of being a Christian. He's not. He may convince himself that he is, but if you listen to him, and not even closely, you'll see his *actual* beliefs, or the ones he puts into practice and that govern his subconscious, are that of atheism and materialism. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 426440

05-20-2018 06:18 PM











Post: #68 RE: Jordan Peterson - Females biologically programmed to seek out dominant Males

that's one of the nicer things I say. I don't even mean most of the stuff I say but that one I do. I don't want jack sh*t from them. I tell 'em listen to this song











but that doesn't deter 'em. They're nuts The more of a dickhead I am, the more women want me. Is that part of the same phenomena? Also my attitude is IDGAF. I don't hit on women, well, I might with my eyes but that's it. I don't flirt. I don't give them the time of day. I don't speak much, and I'm really dismissive of them. I got 4 different women right now, 3 of which of I just met recently -whom won't leave me alone. I'm a dickhead to most of them most of the time. And they just can't get enough. I mean, they bother me. Get on my nerves. I want a remote control to mute their stupid asses. I tell them that.that's one of the nicer things I say. I don't even mean most of the stuff I say but that one I do. I don't want jack sh*t from them. I tell 'em listen to this songbut that doesn't deter 'em. They're nuts LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 326813

05-20-2018 06:25 PM











Post: #69 RE: Jordan Peterson - Females biologically programmed to seek out dominant Males

LoP Guest Wrote: (05-20-2018 06:01 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (05-20-2018 05:52 PM) exactly. When humans began to farm we were forced to develop stable societies capable of investing in a single piece of land and securing the harvest so it lasted year round.



So we have been beginning to learn how to live cooperatively for a few thousand years.



But we lived nomadically for millions of years. And that nomadic instinct is still in us. The "civilized" traits haven't really taken hold yet, and may never entirely.

Okay so we've gone from Human Nature is eternal and unchanging to yeah it changes but instincts are real.



Only an idiot would argue that there's not something of a human nature, but only in the Bland and obvious " it's in human nature to die if dropped into a giant blender" or " "chicks have slightly different biological emotional and mental makeup then went men'.



But humans are endlessly adaptable, so our their cultures and their behavior patterns. Believe me there's nothing natural about living in post information Age America, don't tell me that our way of doing things was ordained by Nature.



Also I'll point out that 200 years ago material conditions on this planet radically change with the Industrial Revolution, and about 20 years ago a revolution within Revolution called The Information Age happened. And what do you know, democracy and capitalism and the Socialist experiments and feminism and everything people here hate are also the product of the last 200 years.



Like you said, material conditions changed and humans are adopting to new circumstances

yeah but we are adapting really slowly while conditions are changing rapidly. And not everybody within a species changes at the same rate or even moving in the same direction.



I think it will take a 20,000 years for us to evolve enough to maintain harmonious democratic societies. yeah but we are adapting really slowly while conditions are changing rapidly. And not everybody within a species changes at the same rate or even moving in the same direction.I think it will take a 20,000 years for us to evolve enough to maintain harmonious democratic societies. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441832

05-20-2018 06:27 PM











Post: #70 RE: Jordan Peterson - Females biologically programmed to seek out dominant Males

Dominant men have the characteristic of being self-reliant and don't consider themselves victims that need to be defended. I'd rather have a self-reliant man that can hunt and fill a freezer full of venison meat than a feeble, skinny pant wearing gamer on food stamps because he's too lazy to get a better paying job or too risk adverse to start his own business because he thinks the government should provide him with food and shelter. engineering

Banned

User ID: 441830

05-20-2018 06:32 PM



Posts: 5,299









Post: #71 RE: Jordan Peterson - Females biologically programmed to seek out dominant Males

Don't take this the wrong way but it' true.. One thing I learned long long ago is women are born s l u t s until the guy they're with sets them straight.

They lack any understanding of virtue. Even the virtue they have in the 21st century is 100% self made bullshit aka feminism.

Maybe that's why they're this way? NormalIsSubjective



User ID: 441562

05-20-2018 06:32 PM



Posts: 21,266









Post: #72 RE: Jordan Peterson - Females biologically programmed to seek out dominant Males

Isabella Wrote: (05-20-2018 05:12 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (05-20-2018 05:03 PM) Reporter to Person: What gives you the right to make such general claims about groups of people?



Peterson: I'm a clinical psychologist.

Like all those in the psycho field that get trashed from here to kingdom come on LOP?

He's one of those?



Bing!





Bing! LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441832

05-20-2018 06:32 PM











Post: #73 RE: Jordan Peterson - Females biologically programmed to seek out dominant Males

LoP Guest Wrote: (05-20-2018 06:18 PM) The more of a dickhead I am, the more women want me. Is that part of the same phenomena? Also my attitude is IDGAF. I don't hit on women, well, I might with my eyes but that's it. I don't flirt. I don't give them the time of day. I don't speak much, and I'm really dismissive of them. I got 4 different women right now, 3 of which of I just met recently -whom won't leave me alone. I'm a dickhead to most of them most of the time. And they just can't get enough. I mean, they bother me. Get on my nerves. I want a remote control to mute their stupid asses. I tell them that. that's one of the nicer things I say. I don't even mean most of the stuff I say but that one I do. I don't want jack sh*t from them. I tell 'em listen to this song











but that doesn't deter 'em. They're nuts

You must be young and the girls you meet haven't matured and developed discernment for good qualities in a man, or else they have their own character flaws and are desperate. You must be young and the girls you meet haven't matured and developed discernment for good qualities in a man, or else they have their own character flaws and are desperate. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441832

05-20-2018 06:35 PM











Post: #74 RE: Jordan Peterson - Females biologically programmed to seek out dominant Males

engineering Wrote: (05-20-2018 06:32 PM) Don't take this the wrong way but it' true.. One thing I learned long long ago is women are born s l u t s until the guy they're with sets them straight.

They lack any understanding of virtue. Even the virtue they have in the 21st century is 100% self made bullshit aka feminism.

Maybe that's why they're this way?

All women and of all ages are exactly the same? All women and of all ages are exactly the same? LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441641

05-20-2018 06:35 PM











Post: #75 RE: Jordan Peterson - Females biologically programmed to seek out dominant Males

engineering Wrote: (05-20-2018 06:32 PM) Don't take this the wrong way but it' true.. One thing I learned long long ago is women are born s l u t s until the guy they're with sets them straight.

They lack any understanding of virtue. Even the virtue they have in the 21st century is 100% self made bullshit aka feminism.

Maybe that's why they're this way?

Engineering you're my favorite Reddit poster ever. Engineering you're my favorite Reddit poster ever. Advertisement


















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Page: 1 2 Slave auctions in Libya REC

Registered User

User ID: 441635

05-20-2018 11:36 PM



Posts: 9,313









Post: #1 Slave auctions in Libya

Advertisement



Daniel, a 26-year-old Eritrean whose interviews were published by Human Rights Watch in a 2009 report on "Libya's Mistreatment of Migrants and Asylum Seekers" told us about this:



"Every two or three days, the manager of Kufra camp took 25 or 30 persons at night and sold them to Libyan transporters so he could get money from us. Other people were just thrown in the desert. Sometimes they would take people in the desert and run over their legs with a car and just leave them. He sold me with a group of 25 or 30 people to a Libyan man who put us in a big house in Kufra and told us we needed to have our families send $200 to pay for our release from Kufra and to take us to Benghazi."





Even children were used as slaves. One unaccompanied child, Kofi, an orphan from Ghana, was 16 years old while in Libya for one year in 2007. Kofi spoke of being pressed into forced labor after being detained by the Libyan authorities.





Gaddafi's Libya also regularly brought slaves back from its "adventures" in other African countries. Speaking of the Gaddafi supported Arab supremacist terror campaigns in Sudan and Mauritania, Jeff Jacoby wrote in the Boston Globe, 2 April 1996:



Tens -- maybe hundreds -- of thousands of black Africans have been captured by government troops and free-lance slavers and carried off into bondage. Often they are sold openly in "cattle markets," sometimes to domestic owners, sometimes to buyers from Chad, Libya and the Persian Gulf states.







http://claysbeach.blogspot.co.uk/2018/05...es_20.html Nighttime "slave auctions" were conducted 2 or 3 times a week by the manager of a Kufra camp in which of 25 to 30 migrants were sold.Daniel, a 26-year-old Eritrean whose interviews were published by Human Rights Watch in a 2009 report on "Libya's Mistreatment of Migrants and Asylum Seekers" told us about this:"Every two or three days, the manager of Kufra camp took 25 or 30 persons at night and sold them to Libyan transporters so he could get money from us. Other people were just thrown in the desert. Sometimes they would take people in the desert and run over their legs with a car and just leave them. He sold me with a group of 25 or 30 people to a Libyan man who put us in a big house in Kufra and told us we needed to have our families send $200 to pay for our release from Kufra and to take us to Benghazi."Even children were used as slaves. One unaccompanied child, Kofi, an orphan from Ghana, was 16 years old while in Libya for one year in 2007. Kofi spoke of being pressed into forced labor after being detained by the Libyan authorities.Gaddafi's Libya also regularly brought slaves back from its "adventures" in other African countries. Speaking of the Gaddafi supported Arab supremacist terror campaigns in Sudan and Mauritania, Jeff Jacoby wrote in the Boston Globe, 2 April 1996: Spiddy

Registered User

User ID: 291199

05-20-2018 11:38 PM



Posts: 18,203









Post: #2 RE: Slave auctions in Libya

Is this the same Libya we recently liberated?

As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.





H.L. Mencken 1920. TELL-A-VISION PROGRAMMING

lop guest

User ID: 441548

05-20-2018 11:38 PM











Post: #3 RE: Slave auctions in Libya

Thanks Odummy Looky

lop guest

User ID: 441568

05-20-2018 11:39 PM











Post: #4 RE: Slave auctions in Libya

MAGNETO

lop guest

User ID: 268768

05-20-2018 11:40 PM











Post: #5 RE: Slave auctions in Libya

REC Wrote: (05-20-2018 11:36 PM) Nighttime "slave auctions" were conducted 2 or 3 times a week by the manager of a Kufra camp in which of 25 to 30 migrants were sold.



Daniel, a 26-year-old Eritrean whose interviews were published by Human Rights Watch in a 2009 report on "Libya's Mistreatment of Migrants and Asylum Seekers" told us about this:



"Every two or three days, the manager of Kufra camp took 25 or 30 persons at night and sold them to Libyan transporters so he could get money from us. Other people were just thrown in the desert. Sometimes they would take people in the desert and run over their legs with a car and just leave them. He sold me with a group of 25 or 30 people to a Libyan man who put us in a big house in Kufra and told us we needed to have our families send $200 to pay for our release from Kufra and to take us to Benghazi."





Even children were used as slaves. One unaccompanied child, Kofi, an orphan from Ghana, was 16 years old while in Libya for one year in 2007. Kofi spoke of being pressed into forced labor after being detained by the Libyan authorities.





Gaddafi's Libya also regularly brought slaves back from its "adventures" in other African countries. Speaking of the Gaddafi supported Arab supremacist terror campaigns in Sudan and Mauritania, Jeff Jacoby wrote in the Boston Globe, 2 April 1996:



Tens -- maybe hundreds -- of thousands of black Africans have been captured by government troops and free-lance slavers and carried off into bondage. Often they are sold openly in "cattle markets," sometimes to domestic owners, sometimes to buyers from Chad, Libya and the Persian Gulf states.







http://claysbeach.blogspot.co.uk/2018/05...es_20.html

Unfortunately liberals don't care about things like this. Unfortunately liberals don't care about things like this. Spiddy

Registered User

User ID: 291199

05-20-2018 11:41 PM



Posts: 18,203









Post: #6 RE: Slave auctions in Libya

duh Wrote: (05-20-2018 11:38 PM) Thanks America

FIFY. FIFY.

As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.





H.L. Mencken 1920. REC

Registered User

User ID: 441635

05-20-2018 11:43 PM



Posts: 9,313









Post: #7 RE: Slave auctions in Libya

Spiddy Wrote: (05-20-2018 11:38 PM) Is this the same Libya we recently liberated?

No, it's Libya when ruled by fascist Gaddafi. No, it's Libya when ruled by fascist Gaddafi. Spiddy

Registered User

User ID: 291199

05-20-2018 11:45 PM



Posts: 18,203









Post: #8 RE: Slave auctions in Libya

MAGNETO Wrote: (05-20-2018 11:40 PM) REC Wrote: (05-20-2018 11:36 PM) Nighttime "slave auctions" were conducted 2 or 3 times a week by the manager of a Kufra camp in which of 25 to 30 migrants were sold.



Daniel, a 26-year-old Eritrean whose interviews were published by Human Rights Watch in a 2009 report on "Libya's Mistreatment of Migrants and Asylum Seekers" told us about this:



"Every two or three days, the manager of Kufra camp took 25 or 30 persons at night and sold them to Libyan transporters so he could get money from us. Other people were just thrown in the desert. Sometimes they would take people in the desert and run over their legs with a car and just leave them. He sold me with a group of 25 or 30 people to a Libyan man who put us in a big house in Kufra and told us we needed to have our families send $200 to pay for our release from Kufra and to take us to Benghazi."





Even children were used as slaves. One unaccompanied child, Kofi, an orphan from Ghana, was 16 years old while in Libya for one year in 2007. Kofi spoke of being pressed into forced labor after being detained by the Libyan authorities.





Gaddafi's Libya also regularly brought slaves back from its "adventures" in other African countries. Speaking of the Gaddafi supported Arab supremacist terror campaigns in Sudan and Mauritania, Jeff Jacoby wrote in the Boston Globe, 2 April 1996:



Tens -- maybe hundreds -- of thousands of black Africans have been captured by government troops and free-lance slavers and carried off into bondage. Often they are sold openly in "cattle markets," sometimes to domestic owners, sometimes to buyers from Chad, Libya and the Persian Gulf states.







http://claysbeach.blogspot.co.uk/2018/05...es_20.html

Unfortunately liberals don't care about things like this.

I do. Go figure.

Y'all like to play the politics game but left or right every president you elect is a self serving c*nt.

That's why everybody hates you no matter who you vote for. I do. Go figure.Y'all like to play the politics game but left or right every president you elect is a self serving c*nt.That's why everybody hates you no matter who you vote for.

As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.





H.L. Mencken 1920. Spiddy

Registered User

User ID: 291199

05-20-2018 11:50 PM



Posts: 18,203









Post: #9 RE: Slave auctions in Libya

REC Wrote: (05-20-2018 11:43 PM) Spiddy Wrote: (05-20-2018 11:38 PM) Is this the same Libya we recently liberated?

No, it's Libya when ruled by fascist Gaddafi.

Y'know, as much as I hate Trump I'd like him a lot more if he followed through on his promise of being an insular nation that kept the f*ck out of everybody else's business. Y'know, as much as I hate Trump I'd like him a lot more if he followed through on his promise of being an insular nation that kept the f*ck out of everybody else's business.

As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.





H.L. Mencken 1920. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441769

05-20-2018 11:51 PM











Post: #10 RE: Slave auctions in Libya

Spiddy Wrote: (05-20-2018 11:41 PM) duh Wrote: (05-20-2018 11:38 PM) Thanks America

FIFY.

Sometimes I think, well it is part of the war on terror, PNAC, the list of nations.

So America did it.

But then you also hear France was really anxious to get Qaddafi while it was possible.

So France was a big player to actually start and do it.

But then you also hear about the UK pissed at Qaddafi over airplanes falling from the sky and the IRA haven gotten weapons and such.

So maybe the UK always had him on their list. Maybe also can start revolts like what happened in Libya.

But then Italy, perhaps already always in conflict with him over refugees. Also planes planes falling from the sky, perhaps even sometimes military skirmishes between the two we hardly get told.

So Italy, wanted him gone..



So, was it America. Who helped start the revolt?



Who who? Let the dogs out? Sometimes I think, well it is part of the war on terror, PNAC, the list of nations.So America did it.But then you also hear France was really anxious to get Qaddafi while it was possible.So France was a big player to actually start and do it.But then you also hear about the UK pissed at Qaddafi over airplanes falling from the sky and the IRA haven gotten weapons and such.So maybe the UK always had him on their list. Maybe also can start revolts like what happened in Libya.But then Italy, perhaps already always in conflict with him over refugees. Also planes planes falling from the sky, perhaps even sometimes military skirmishes between the two we hardly get told.So Italy, wanted him gone..So, was it America. Who helped start the revolt?Who who? Let the dogs out? TELL-A-VISION PROGRAMMING

lop guest

User ID: 441548

05-20-2018 11:52 PM











Post: #11 RE: Slave auctions in Libya

Spiddy Wrote: (05-20-2018 11:41 PM) duh Wrote: (05-20-2018 11:38 PM) Thanks America

FIFY.

Figures youd be a lil bit*h to try to deflect Figures youd be a lil bit*h to try to deflect TELL-A-VISION PROGRAMMING

lop guest

User ID: 441548

05-20-2018 11:56 PM











Post: #12 RE: Slave auctions in Libya

Spiddy Wrote: (05-20-2018 11:50 PM) REC Wrote: (05-20-2018 11:43 PM) No, it's Libya when ruled by fascist Gaddafi.

Y'know, as much as I hate Trump I'd like him a lot more if he followed through on his promise of being an insular nation that kept the f*ck out of everybody else's business.

And the libturds will just call him a racist white supremacist nazi that hates immigrants and wants to kill jews

Oh wait......they already do





And the libturds will just call him a racist white supremacist nazi that hates immigrants and wants to kill jewsOh wait......they already do LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 298165

05-21-2018 12:01 AM











Post: #13 RE: Slave auctions in Libya

they deserve to be enslaved after gaddafi gave them paradise and they let it be torn asunder. Idiotic sheeple they are! Enslave them all!!!! LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 298165

05-21-2018 12:03 AM











Post: #14 RE: Slave auctions in Libya

wow if the terrorists could repair gaddafis great man made river nato bombed to smithereens they would literally have muslim paradise. imagine, only alpha males (all the betas are dead, outcasts, or servants) muslim men have their 9 wives each, and some slaves to do chores.



Sounds good to me, any1 wanna convert to islam? LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441763

05-21-2018 12:05 AM











Post: #15 RE: Slave auctions in Libya

LoP Guest Wrote: (05-21-2018 12:03 AM) wow if the terrorists could repair gaddafis great man made river nato bombed to smithereens they would literally have muslim paradise. imagine, only alpha males (all the betas are dead, outcasts, or servants) muslim men have their 9 wives each, and some slaves to do chores.



Sounds good to me, any1 wanna convert to islam?

I don't like to be with only alpha males and slaves. I don't like to be with only alpha males and slaves. Advertisement


















Salzgitter AG, together with its subsidiaries, engages in steel and technology businesses worldwide. It operates through five segments: Strip Steel, Plate/Section Steel, Mannesmann, Trading, and Technology. The Strip Steel segment manufactures branded and special steels, such as hot-rolled strip steel and steel sheets, sections, tailored blanks, and components for the construction industry. The Plate/Section Steel segment produces various high-grade heavy plates for engineering, shipbuilding, and mechanical engineering, as well as trades in scrap. The Mannesmann segment is involved in the manufacture of line pipes, HFI-welded tubes, precision and stainless-steel tubes, and spiral-welded and longitudinal-welded large-diameter pipes; and seamless and welded tubes for the energy, automotive, and mechanical engineering sectors. The Trading segment operates a European sales network, as well as trading companies and agencies worldwide. The Technology segment engages in the provision of machinery and plants for the filling and packaging of beverages, as well as special machinery engineering for shoe manufacturing and elastomer production. The company also provides IT, facility management, logistics, automotive engineering, and research and development services, as well as supplies raw materials. Salzgitter AG was founded in 1858 and is headquartered in Salzgitter, Germany.

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Moog Inc. designs, manufactures, and integrates precision motion and fluid controls and controls systems for original equipment manufacturers and end users in the aerospace, defense, and industrial markets worldwide. The company's Aircrafts Controls segment offers primary and secondary flight controls for military and commercial aircrafts; aftermarket support services; and ground-based navigation aids. Its Space and Defense Controls segment provides controls for satellites, space vehicles, launch vehicles, armored combat vehicles, tactical and strategic missiles, security and surveillance, and other defense applications; and gun aiming, stabilization, and automatic ammunition loading for armored combat vehicles. This segment also offers controls for steering tactical and strategic missiles, and naval surface ships and submarines; and weapons stores management systems for light attack aerial reconnaissance, ground, and sea platforms, as well as slip rings, fiber optic rotary joints, and motors. The company's Industrial Systems segment provides components and systems for applications in injection and blow molding machinery, metal forming presses, and heavy industry customers in steel and aluminum production; supplies electromechanical motion simulation bases for the flight simulation and training applications; and supplies solutions for power generation applications, as well as custom test systems and controls for automotive, structural, and fatigue testing. This segment also offers systems and components for applications in oil and gas exploration and production; components for wind turbine applications; components and systems for diagnostic imaging CT scan medical equipment, sleep apnea equipment, oxygen concentrators, infusion therapy, and enteral clinical nutrition; and hydraulics, slip rings, rotary unions and fiber optic rotary joints, motors, and infusion and enteral pumps. The company was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in East Aurora, New York.

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Husky Energy Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated energy company in the United States, Western and Atlantic Canada, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through two segments, Integrated Corridor and Offshore. The company engages in the exploration for, and development and production of crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGL); marketing of the company's and other producers' crude oil, natural gas, NGL, sulphur, and petroleum coke; pipeline transportation and blending of crude oil and natural gas; and storage of crude oil, diluent, and natural gas. It is also involved in upgrading heavy crude oil feedstock into synthetic crude oil and diesel; refining crude oil; marketing refined petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, ethanol blended fuels, asphalt, lubricants, and ancillary products; and producing ethanol, as well as refining crude oil to produce and market diesel fuels, gasoline, jet fuel, and asphalt. Husky Energy Inc. was founded in 1938 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Human trafficking isnt just happening a world away. Nearly 300,000 youth in the U.S. are at risk of being sexually exploited, and according t
Back in 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to step on the near side of the moon. While moon has been the only celestial object where any astronaut has visited, its far side i.e. the side while remains dark forever has been a mystery. Moon is tidally locked with the Earth which means, it shows the same face round the year without showing its far side. But, Chinese space agencies are attempting to uncover the far side of the moon with the new Quequio relay communication satellite which could launch as soon as on May 21 from the southwestern Sichuan province.

Queqiao, named after a bird from Chinese folktale will connect eh Change-4 lander and rover(also launched by China) to the Earth in order to establish a connection between the Earth and the far side of the moon. As direct communication to the far side of the moon is impossible, it will be a major step towards lunar exploration mission. China will soon become the first country to land a rover/lander on the far side of the moon later this year.

Queqiao is a relay communication satellite developed by Chinese and Dutch scientists. The satellite will be stationed at 60,000 km above the far side of the moon with a radio antenna that will enable it to reveal clues regarding the early universe including the signs from the Big Bang and how the stars began to form from hydrogen. Signals in the electromagnetic spectrum have different wavelengths based on which, the frequencies can be higher or lower. As a matter of fact, lower frequencies are difficult to intercept and with it comes to the Earth which is a place with higher interference, it becomes even more difficult to intercept.

Heino Falcke, a professor of astrophysics from the Netherlands Radboud University who was involved in the designing and developing of the antenna named as the Netherlands-China Low-Frequency Explorer (NCLE). According to Falcke, the antenna is designed to catch frequencies even lower than 30 megahertz which means, scientists can transmit and receive data via radio signals to study the signs of the early universe as per the data collected by the rover.

The antenna will receive the signal sent by the Change 4 after it lands on the moon after which, the scientists will intercept and analyze the data further. The Change 4 is expected to launch in June 2018 with an expected landing data around the end of 2018 at the landing site in Crater Von Karman in the South Pole-Aitken Basin.
SMRT train (Yahoo News Singapore file photo)

Train services on the East-West Line (EWL) have resumed, said rail operator SMRT on Friday (18 May) about half-an-hour after it first alerted commuters to a train fault.

Trains are progressively returning to normal speed. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, SMRT tweeted at 5.37pm.

[EWL] CLEARED: Train service on the EWL has resumed. Trains are progressively returning back to normal speed. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.  SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) May 18, 2018

At 5.10pm, the rail operator posted a tweet advising commuters to add 20 minutes to their travel time from Boon Lay station to Queenstown station towards Pasir Ris station.

[EWL]: Due to a train fault, pls add 20mins train travel time from #BoonLay to #Queenstown towards #PasirRis.  SMRT Corporation (@SMRT_Singapore) May 18, 2018

This comes a day after commuters travelling on the North-South Line (NSL) during rush hour were hit with delays due to a platform screen door fault.

At one point, commuters were advised to add 45 minutes to their travel time from Ang Mo Kio station to Dhoby Ghaut station towards Marina South Pier station. The fault was cleared in slightly over two hours.

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East West Line early closures to continue through April: SMRT
Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr meets with ambassadors of Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Kuwait, in Najaf, Iraq May 18, 2018. REUTERS/Alaa al-Marjani

By Raya Jalabi and Michael Georgy

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A political bloc led by populist Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, a long-time adversary of the United States who also opposes Iranian influence in Iraq, has won the country's parliamentary election, the electoral commission said on Saturday.

Sadr himself cannot become prime minister because he did not run in the election, though his bloc's victory puts him in a position to have a strong say in negotiations. His Sairoon electoral list captured 54 parliamentary seats.

The Victory Alliance, headed by incumbent Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, trailed in third place with 42 seats, behind the Al-Fatih bloc, which won 47 seats.

Al-Fatih is led by Hadi al-Amiri, who has close ties with Iran and heads an umbrella group of paramilitaries that played a key role in defeating Islamic State.

The results were announced a week after Iraqis voted in a nationwide election, which produced surprising results amid a historically low turnout.

The nationalist clerics success could be a setback for Iran, which has steadily increased its influence in Iraq - its most important ally in the Middle East - since a U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Sadr was able to capitalise on growing resentment over Tehran-backed governments who have failed to improve basic services and build hospitals and schools in a country devastated by the war against Islamic State and by sectarian bloodshed.

It was a remarkable comeback for Sadr, who for years had been sidelined by Iranian-backed rivals and was regarded by U.S. and Iraqi officials as an unpredictable maverick.

He reached out to dispossessed Shiites and marginalised Sunnis, and restored links with Sunni neighbours while keeping Iran at bay.

Sadr became a symbol of resistance to foreign occupation when he led two violent uprisings against U.S. troops, prompting the Pentagon to call his Mehdi army militia the biggest threat to Iraqs security.

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He derives much of his authority from his family. Sadr is the son of the revered Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Sadeq al-Sadr, killed for defying Saddam Hussein.

In his Baghdad stronghold of Sadr city, where posters of his father could be seen, people expressed concerns that Sadr would be outmanoeuvered in what are expected to be long, tough talks on forming a government.

"New lists and candidates have won. But they are unable to form a government because the previous politicians are foxes and I believe that they aim to form big alliances in order to isolate the new blocs," said one resident, Muied Hatim.

In the 2010 election, Vice President Ayad Allawis group won the largest number of seats, albeit with a narrow margin, but he was prevented from becoming prime minister. He blamed Tehran, which manoeuvered Nuri al-Maliki into power.

Winning the largest number of seats does not automatically guarantee that Sadr will be able to hand-pick a prime minister.

Parties will have to align themselves to try and form a bloc large enough for the parliamentary majority necessary to nominate a candidate. The government should be formed within 90 days of the official results.

"Your vote is an honour for us," Sadr tweeted moments after the official results were announced in the early hours of Saturday. "We will not disappoint you."

The election dealt a blow to Abadi, but he could still emerge as a compromise candidate palatable to all sides because he has managed the competing interests of the United States and Iran - unwitting allies in the war against Islamic State - during his term in office.

Amiri is regarded as one of the most powerful figures in Iraq. He spent two decades fighting Saddam Hussein from Iran.

REBUKE

The victory was a surprising change of fortunes for Sadr.

His bloc's performance represented a rebuke to a political elite that some voters blame for widespread corruption and dysfunctional governance.

It was also bolstered by a historically low turnout across the country, estimated earlier in the week at 44.5 percent. Sadr maintains a loyal base of supporters who turned up to the polls amid widespread national apathy.

Sadr's unlikely alliance with communists and secular Iraqis says it fiercely opposes any foreign interference in Iraq, which is strongly backed by both Tehran and Washington.

It has promised to help the poor and build schools and hospitals in Iraq, which was battered in the war to defeat Islamic State and has suffered from low oil prices.

Before the election, Iran publicly stated it would not allow Sadrs bloc to govern in Iraq, with which it shares a border.

Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of foreign operations for Irans elite Revolutionary Guards and a highly influential figure in Iraq, has been holding talks with politicians in Baghdad to promote the formation of a new cabinet which would have Irans approval.

Last year, Sadr travelled to Irans regional arch-rival Saudi Arabia and met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Shiite Muslim Iran has been locked in a regional power struggle with Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia, which has been tentatively seeking to increase its involvement in Iraq.

Earlier on Saturday, Sadr met a group of ambassadors from neighbouring countries, including Saudi Arabia.

(Reporting by Michael Georgy and Raya Jalabi, Editing by Andrew Bolton)
Singapores Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivers his opening address during the 32nd ASEAN Summit on Saturday, April 28, 2018, in Singapore. (AP Photo/Yong Teck Lim)

It is a pledge we have heard from the government time and again: to build an inclusive society where no one is left out. Lee Hsien Loong echoed this promise when he became Prime Minister in 2004.

But 14 years on, Lee has acknowledged that Singapore is actually in danger of becoming more exclusive.

The alarm bells have been ringing to the extent that the Ministry of Education had to even intervene to curb the rising trend of exclusivity within schools. MOE is working with Raffles Institution and other elite schools to ensure that they do not become self-perpetuating closed circles, said Lee in Parliament on Wednesday (16 May).

The day before, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung also warned the House that a nascent class divide has begun to be reinforced in schools, with a perceptible reduction in social mixing in recent years. Citing the widely circulated Institute of Policy Studies survey on social capital from last December, Ong warned that this is a phenomenon that will poison society over time.

While the intentions are undoubtedly good, it cannot help but sound like a hollow message, coming from a political elite that almost uniformly attended top schools and universities and has the highest paid ministers in the world.

There was a particular irony in Lees words that every society has its elite that occupies key leadership positions. They may be alumni of the same schools, he noted.

Cabinet members Ong and Chan Chun Sing  both considered frontrunners to be the next PM  as well as Edwin Tong and Speaker Tan Chuan Jin, all hail from the same batch in Raffles Junior College. In fact, seven of Lees Cabinet attended a Raffles-affiliated school.

Seen from the perspective of the less academically inclined, it would seem that the excellent grades obtained by an individual during adolescence or the attainment of scholarships would pave the way to great success in adulthood.

It goes beyond politics as well: just look at the number of former generals who occupy key leadership positions in Singapore. They range from A*STAR chairman Lim Chuan Poh to chief executive Ng Yat Chung at Singapore Press Holdings to incoming SMRT CEO Neo Kian Hong.

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Is social stratification in danger of becoming entrenched as Ong had pointed out in his speech? The self-perpetuating closed circle is already here, and it is tightening with time.

An insidious danger

Social divide becoming more entrenched, warns Ong Ye Kung

In all fairness, the ruling Peoples Action Party is in many ways a victim of its own success. For example, the likes of Chan  and many other Singaporeans  have benefited greatly from the meritocratic system. Brought up by a single mother who worked as a machine operator, he went on to become a Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholar and a Presidents Scholar. Chan rose to the role of Chief of Army before entering politics.

But as Ong Ye Kung pointed out in Parliament, success has brought a new set of issues. Families who did well are able to pass down the privileges to their childrenFor families who cannot move up despite the stronger and better support that is available now, we find their circumstances more dire and challenging than poor families of the past.

How did it all come to this? It is worth thinking about why the PAP has to regularly fend off accusations of groupthink and of living in an ivory tower. It suggests an elite that is out of touch with realities on the ground, with those speaking their mind regularly slapped down. Exhibit A: Nee Soon Member of Parliament Louis Ngs comments in February that public servants are afraid of speaking up, which were swiftly rebutted by Ong.

Recognising the problem is one thing. Is the ruling party that has become a closed circle in itself capable of carrying out the necessary reforms to combat the dangers of a divided society? The PAP has made efforts to recruit from the private sector, but at the Cabinet level, one look at the make-up tells its own story  13 out of 19 of them came from the civil service and the military.

And while there is nothing inherently wrong with attending an elitist institution, is the path to the highest echelons in politics, civil service and government-linked corporations becoming narrower for a chosen few? Can Chans success story  the epitome of the Singapore Dream  be repeated?

Tackling the social divide will be one of the 4G leaderships greatest challenges. Meritocracy has worked well thus far, but if the PAP isnt careful, its elite circle may become stuck in a square hole of resentment.

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Are frontrunners for PM post a sign of Singapores political elite class?: Low Thia Khiang

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Malaysia's unpopular former first lady on Saturday lamented the "trying times" since her husband Najib Razak's ouster from power, in a plea for public sympathy just a day after police seized a huge trove of cash, jewels and designer handbags linked to the couple. Rosmah Mansor, who is widely reviled for her reported luxurious tastes and tone-deaf attitude towards the struggles of ordinary Malaysians, issued a statement lashing out at the police raids, complaining that news of them amounted to a "premature public trial". The former first couple's world has been turned upside down after Najib's long-ruling political machine suffered a shock defeat in May 9 elections. Najib has been barred from leaving the country pending investigations into allegations that he, his family and cronies looted billions in state money. He is widely expected to face criminal charges. "Despite the overwhelmingly trying times afflicted upon us, we have, and will continue facilitating, any inquiry, and avail ourselves to any requesting authorities," Rosmah said in a statement issued by her attorneys. But she complained about "the seemingly compromised inquiry process, whereby a series of leaks pertaining to the probe has made its way into social media spheres, in real time". Rosmah said she was referring to "the alleged items confiscated," but did not elaborate. Rosmah said authorities should "observe the rule of law and due process, to avoid a premature public trial" and not leak information to "social media trolls". Her call for sympathy is likely to fall on more than a few deaf ears. Malaysian police said Friday they had seized 72 suitcases stuffed with cash, watches and jewellery, as well as 284 boxes containing Hermes, Birkin and Louis Vuitton handbags, in raids on properties linked to Najib. Rosmah, 66, is widely mocked for her imperious manner and reports of multi-million-dollar jewellery purchases and a vast supply of designer handbags that has earned comparisons to the famed shoe collection of former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos. Among other missteps, Rosmah complained in 2015 about the 1,200 ringgit ($300) house calls from stylists required to keep her pronounced mane of hair dyed black. Malaysia's minimum monthly wage at the time was 900 ringgit. The couple's downfall has sparked glee on Malaysian social media, including viral pics of a dishevelled-looking Najib and Rosmah dozing in chairs at their home early Thursday as police conducted an overnight search.
Sri Lanka is headed for a debt crisis, the finance ministry warned Sunday, blaming a series of costly projects commissioned by the previous government for record-high repayments. Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said payments of capital and interest would reach $2.84 billion this year, mostly to repay loans for extravagant projects under former president Mahinda Rajapakse. "The crisis will further worsen next year," Samaraweera said in a statement, adding repayments are expected to soar to $4.28 in 2019. "Repayments will go to pay the debts that were obtained during the Rajapakse regime for the waste, fraud and corruption committed by the oligarchies of the Rajapakses," he added. Foreign reserves totalled $9.9 billion at the end of April, the central bank says. Samaraweera said Rajapakse's administration secured two high-interest loans worth $1.5 billion in the final year of its decade-long rule. Officials say Rajapakse relied heavily on China to finance his grand infrastructure projects but many ended up becoming a burden on Sri Lanka's $87 billion economy. The government which ousted Rajapakse in 2015 was forced to lease to China a loss-making port commissioned by and named after the strongman leader in his home constituency of Hambantota in the south. An international airport built in Rajapakse's name met the same fate, with revenue insufficient to meet the salary bill. Only one airline operates out of Rajapakse International and attempts to privatise the airport have not progressed. Sri Lanka is currently drawing down a three-year $1.5 billion bailout package negotiated with the International Monetary Fund in June 2016 after facing a balance of payments crisis. The government sharply raised domestic fuel prices earlier this month following pressure from the IMF and its central bank to reduce the burden of heavy subsidies on its struggling economy. The IMF has said it will only release the next tranche of its bailout if the country adjusts fuel prices based on the cost of production. The economy has been on the mend since the IMF bailout was approved but the 3.1 percent growth figure for 2017 was slower than expected.
Soldiers loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad forces are deployed at al-Qadam area near Yarmouk Palestinian camp in Damascus, Syria April 29, 2018. REUTERS/ Omar Sanadiki/Files

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian troops fought on Sunday to crush the last pockets of resistance by Islamic State militants trapped in an enclave south of Damascus, state media said, denying a report that insurgents had begun leaving in a withdrawal agreement.

The recovery of the enclave south of Damascus would mark another milestone in President Bashar al-Assad's war effort, crushing the last besieged rebel enclave in western Syria.

Swathes of territory at the borders with Iraq, Turkey and Jordan, however, remain outside state control.

Syrian government forces and their allies have been battling to recover the enclave south of Damascus since defeating rebels in eastern Ghouta, also near the capital, in April.

The area is centred around the al-Hajar al-Aswad district and the adjoining Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, the largest in Syria.

The month-long battles have been the toughest fought by the Syrian army and its allied forces this year against opposition forces in pockets around the capital, defence experts say.

Despite extensive use of air power that has left many parts of the area levelled to the ground, troops and allied militias have sustained heavy losses as they encounter tough resistance from diehard militants waging a battle to the end.

In a live broadcast, a reporter with Syrian state TV said the Syrian army operations in the Hajar al-Aswad area were nearing their end and insurgent lines were collapsing as columns of smoke rose from the area behind him.

Syrian state news agency SANA said troops were about to close in on militants holed up in a small area of high density buildings north of Hajar al Aswad.

"The fighting skills of the army are foiling all the efforts by the terrorists to prevent the army from completing the liberation of the area," SANA said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights earlier said buses had entered the enclave after midnight to take out fighters and their families. They had left towards the Syrian Badia, a sparsely populated expanse of territory east of the capital that extends to the border with Jordan and Iraq, it said.

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OFFICES TORCHED

Islamic State militants had torched their offices in the Yarmouk enclave, the Observatory said.

Negotiated withdrawals have been a common feature of the Syrian war in recent years as the government, aided by the Russian military and Iran-backed forces, has steadily clawed back territory.

The rebels have mostly been given safe passage to northwestern Syria. In the last two months alone, the United Nations says 110,000 people have been evacuated to northwestern Syria and rebel-held areas north of Aleppo.

The opposition has called it a policy of forced displacement amounting to demographic change to drive out Assad's opponents. The Syrian government has said nobody is forced to leave and those who stay must accept state rule.

While Assad has vowed to win back "every inch" of Syria, the map of the conflict suggests a more complicated time ahead from now on.

The U.S. military is in much of the east and northeast, which is controlled by Kurdish groups that want autonomy from Damascus. It has used force to defend the territory from pro-Assad forces.

Turkey has sent forces into the northwest to counter those same Kurdish groups, carving out a buffer zone where anti-Assad rebels have regrouped.

In the southwest, where rebels hold territory at the Israeli and Jordanian border, Assad faces the risk of conflict with Israel, which wants his Iranian-backed allies kept well away from the frontier and has mounted air strikes in Syria.

(Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Mark Potter)
Singapores State Courts. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)

Two Indian nationals who pawned fake gold chains here last November were jailed six months each on Friday (18 May).

Monga Arun, 20, and Monga Ajay, 39, pleaded guilty to two charges each of cheating at the State Courts.

State Prosecution Officer S. Krishnan said in court that between 31 October and 6 November last year, the two men who were here on a tourist visa, pawned four fake gold chains for a total of $4,650.

The two men were arrested at the departure hall of Changi Airport Terminal Two on 6 November.

They had visited four pawn shops in Little India on seven different occasions with their travel agent, Jajbir Singh, who is still at large.

It was Jajbir who gave the two men the fake gold chains and suggested that the duo use their own passports at the pawn shops. He assured Arun and Ajay, who knew that the chains were not made of real gold, that he had successfully carried out the scheme before.

The fact that Arun went to the first pawn shop on the day of their arrival and Ajay visited another shop the next day is not incidental, said Krishnan. They had travelled specifically into Singapore to commit offences, he added.

The prosecutor asked for a jail term of at least six months each. The younger man, Arun, cried quietly on the stands as the proceedings went on.

In mitigation, Defense Counsel Dhanwant Singh said his clients did not visit Singapore with the intention of cheating. The duo wanted visas to Canada and Jajbir had told them visiting Singapore would increase their chances of getting the visa.

It was only on arrival that the two were told to pawn the chains. Jajbir himself was at the airport on the day of their arrests but managed to leave because there was no government gazette on him, added the lawyer.

The two men could have been jailed up to 10 years and fined for their cheating offences.
Wisma Geylang Serai. (Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore file photo)

A cultural heritage race organised by Geylang Serai Community Club has drawn criticism from netizens days before the event on Sunday (20 May) over rules that were said to be overly stringent.

The event, scheduled to coincide with the Hari Raya period, requires teams of three comprising Malays and non-Malays to complete challenges around the Geylang Serai area within a set time. Its objective is to foster awareness of Singapores Malay heritage among non-Malays.

A user on Reddit posted a photograph of a poster for the event on Wednesday (16 May) in the r/Singapore thread, and thereafter, other users began highlighting how tone-deaf some of the event requirements were.



The poster said requirements for the competition included wearing a songkok if one is a male participant and wearing a selendang if one is a female participant. The poster added that participants who do not wear the traditional Malay headgear will be disqualified from the race.

Another rule stated was that all participants must attend the Cultural Heritage Nite & Prize Presentation Ceremony after the race.

Each team was also required to have one non-Malay local-born Singaporean, as well as one new Singapore citizen or Singapore permanent resident or Singapore employment pass holder.

A Reddit user wrote on the thread that the race has good intentions, but the way its communicated is just completely tone deaf and lacking nuance.

Another Reddit user shared the sentiment as well, writing that the race is EQ-less.

However, not all netizens found the poster to be controversial.

One Reddit user found that it is hard to avoid explicit racial profiling in the race, writing: Could someone explain whats wrong with this? Maybe it over my head but is it not a good thing to promote inter-cultural knowledge? The racial requirements promotes non-Malay to learn more about Singaporean Malay from this event right?

Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore has reached out to Geylang Serai CC for comment.

Follow Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore on Facebook.

Related stories:

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Turns out Donald Trump Jr. may have been willing to accept foreign help from other countries other than Russia in his quest to get his father elected president. Three months before the 2016 election, Trump Jr. met with George Nader, an emissary for the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the New York Times reveals. Erik Prince, the founder of the private military contractor formerly known as Blackwater, and an Israeli social media specialist, Joel Zamel, also attended the meeting, which took place on August 3, 2016.

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At the meeting, Nader told Trump Jr. that the princes of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were eager to help his father win the election. Nader said the princes saw Trump as a strong leader who would fill the power vacuum that they believed Mr. Obama had left in the Middle East, according to the Times recounting of the events. Zamel, meanwhile, pushed his companys ability to wage an extensive social media manipulation campaign to help get Trump elected. Although the details of what happened next are unclear, Trump Jr. apparently responded approvingly to the proposal. Nader then went on to be seen as a close ally by Trumps campaign advisers and is now cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Muellers probe.

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After the election, Nader paid Zamel as much as $2 million. Although the reason for the payment is in dispute, it came after a company linked to Zamel made a presentation about the importance of social media campaign to Trumps victory. Mueller is paying close attention to Zamel and has been conducting interviews regarding the work of the Australia-born Israeli businessman, according to the Wall Street Journal.

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Alan Futerfas, a lawyer for Trump Jr., confirmed the meeting took place but said the whole thing never added up to anything: Prior to the 2016 election, Donald Trump Jr. recalls a meeting with Erik Prince, George Nader and another individual who may be Joel Zamel. They pitched Mr. Trump Jr. on a social media platform or marketing strategy. He was not interested and that was the end of it. Zamels lawyer said his client had absolutely no relation with the Trump campaign and didnt work for the now-president. This is much ado about nothing, he said, noting that investigators have said his client is not a target.

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Although its unclear exactly what kind of assistance Saudi Arabia and the UAE may have provided, or been willing to provide, to Trump it is illegal for foreign governments to be involved in U.S. elections. But two people familiar with the meetings said that Trump campaign officials did not appear bothered by the idea of cooperation with foreigners, notes the Times. The paper also doesnt downright say it but raises suspicion that maybe this meeting could help explain some of Trumps moves while in office:
Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan thinks its time to stop proposing halfway measures when it comes to gun control. School shooting have become such an epidemic that it is tragically necessary for parents to pull their children out of schools until the underlying situation changes. Duncan expressed that idea through a tweet that referred to an earlier message by Peter Cunningham, a former education department employee who tweeted that maybe its time for Americas 50 million school parents to simply pull their kids out of school until we have better gun laws.

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Maybe it's time for America's 50 million school parents to simply pull their kids out of school until we have better gun laws.https://t.co/JCBYstcHEA  Peter Cunningham (@PCunningham57) May 18, 2018

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Duncan, who served under President Obama, wrote that his family is all in with that idea if we can do this at scale. The former education secretary characterized a potential move of that nature as brilliant. A day after eight students and two teachers were killed in a mass shooting in a high school in Santa Fe, Texas the he wondered: What if no children went to school until gun laws changed to keep them safe?

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This is brilliant, and tragically necessary.

What if no children went to school until gun laws changed to keep them safe?

My family is all in if we can do this at scale.

Parents, will you please join us? https://t.co/Yo4wsFuJI5  Arne Duncan (@arneduncan) May 18, 2018

In an interview with the Washington Post, Duncan recognized his idea wasnt the most practical in the world, but insisted some type of radical approach to the problem was necessary in order for things to change. Its wildly impractical and difficult, Duncan said. But I think its wildly impractical and difficult that kids are shot when they are sent to school. Duncan also said hed be open to other alternatives. Im open to different ideas, but Im not open to doing nothing, Duncan, who is a managing partner at Chicago Cred, an organization that works to reduce gun violence in Chicago, said. We will see whether this gains traction, or something does, but we have to think radically.
The 17-year-old who opened fire at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, and killed eight students and two teachers had allegedly been publicly embarrassed by one of his victims after months of making aggressive advances, her mother said. Shana Fisher had 4 months of problems from this boy, her mother, Sadie Rodriguez, told the Los Angeles Times. He kept making advances on her and she repeatedly told him no. Dimitrios Pagourtzis apparently got more and more aggressive in his advances toward the 16-year-old girl until she finally stood up to him in class and embarrassed him publicly. A week later he opens fire on everyone he didnt like, Rodriguez wrote in a message to the newspaper. Shana being the first one. It isnt clear how Fishers mom knew her daughter was Pagourtzis first victim.

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Some have raised questions about Rodriguezs claims, Los Angeles Times reporter Matt Pearce acknowledged on Twitter Sunday afternoon. Other family friends have raised questions about the reliability of her claims and say they havent been able to corroborate her accounts about the shooters behavior toward her daughter, Pearce wrote. The mom was allegedly largely out of her daughters life and some are questioning how she would have learned details like that.

FYI: Since Shanas mom started talking to reporters, other family friends have raised questions about the reliability of her claims and say they havent been able to corroborate her accounts about the shooters behavior toward her daughter. Well keep you posted if we learn more. https://t.co/u2lfdZuUzK  Matt Pearce  (@mattdpearce) May 20, 2018

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Theyre saying that the mom was largely out of her daughters life, and so theyre asking how she would have learned details like that. More broadly, regardless of the source, its important to note if anyones claims cant be corroborated. https://t.co/Vs013UbyJq  Matt Pearce  (@mattdpearce) May 20, 2018

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Beyond the specifics of that one victim, in an affidavit authorities said Pagourtzis was at least partly meticulous in who he decided to kill as he allegedly said he did not shoot students he did like so he could have his story told. As more witness accounts are coming forward it is becoming clear that Pagourtzis seemed to take a bit of joy out of taunting students. Pagourtzis apparently yelled Woo-hoo! while shooting, for example.

Authorities said they are still trying to parse together the clues to figure out a motive for the shooting. Pagourtzis family issued a statement saying they were saddened and dismayed by the shooting and as shocked and confused as anyone else by these events. The family said that while they are mostly in the dark about the specifics of what took place, what we have learned from media reports seems incompatible with the boy we love.
President Donald Trump is having a busy, rage-filled Sunday. Mere hours after he sent a six-part tweetstorm that blasted everything from the New York Times to the Mueller probe, to Hillary Clintons emails, the commander in chief was back at it again a few hours later.

First, the commander in chief decided to repeat an earlier point, seemingly concerned people were going to miss his main message after the six separate tweets. The Witch Hunt finds no Collusion with Russia - so now theyre looking at the rest of the World, he wrote. Oh great!

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The Witch Hunt finds no Collusion with Russia - so now theyre looking at the rest of the World. Oh great!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

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With that summary out of the way, the president decided to switch gears. I hereby demand, he began before saying he will officially be seeking a Department of Justice investigation into whether the FBI infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes. Beyond that, he wants to know whether any of these requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!

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I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes - and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

With the tweet, Trump was taking to a new level his response to reports that an FBI informant talked to two of his campaign advisers that investigators believe had suspicious contacts with people tied to the Kremlin. And it came shortly after House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes fanned the outrage flames by saying that if they ran a spy ring or an informant ring and they were paying people within the Trump campaignif any of that is true, that is an absolute red line. In an interview on Fox News, Nunes said he and his fellow Republicans have not been able to confirm whether there really was an informant because they havent received the appropriate documents from the FBI and Justice Department. But officials warn that turning over the information that Republicans are requesting would pose a serious risk to the sources life.

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The New York Times reported that the FBI used an informant to covertly approach Trump campaign associates that had suspicious contacts with people tied to Russia, and not that it had infiltrated the informant to spy on the campaign. No evidence has emerged that the informant acted improperly when the F.B.I. asked for help in gathering information on the former campaign advisers, or that agents veered from the F.B.I.s investigative guidelines and began a politically motivated inquiry, which would be illegal, notes the Times.
President Donald Trump had taken a little break from his tradition of unhinged Sunday morning Twitter rants. But he was back with a vengeance this week, ready to spew out all the pent up frustration and served up a whopping six angry tweets that started out slamming the New York Times, went on to criticize Robert Muellers probe, worry about the midterms, all to end with the cherry on the unhinged sundae: talk of Hillary Clintons emails.

The string of tweets started out with what evidently had angered Trump the most on Sunday, a New York Times story that reported an emissary representing the governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates offered to help Trump win the presidency several months before the election.

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The Failing and Crooked (but not as Crooked as Hillary Clinton) @nytimes has done a long & boring story, wrote Trump, in a clever use of foreshadowing that gave us a hint that he was getting ready to talk about his opponent in the presidential election. He went on to call the investigation into whether his campaign colluded with Russia the Worlds most expensive Witch Hunt that is now looking at the rest of the World because it hasnt found anything on Russia.

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Things are really getting ridiculous. The Failing and Crooked (but not as Crooked as Hillary Clinton) @nytimes has done a long & boring story indicating that the Worlds most expensive Witch Hunt has found nothing on Russia & me so now they are looking at the rest of the World!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

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The president proceeded to harp about the cost of the Witch Hunt composed of 13 Angry and Heavily Conflicted Democrats wondering when it will STOP! Even as investigators have found no Collusion with Russia, No Obstruction they arent focusing on whats important, the corruption in the Hilary Clinton Campaign.

....At what point does this soon to be $20,000,000 Witch Hunt, composed of 13 Angry and Heavily Conflicted Democrats and two people who have worked for Obama for 8 years, STOP! They have found no Collussion with Russia, No Obstruction, but they arent looking at the corruption...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

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...in the Hillary Clinton Campaign where she deleted 33,000 Emails, got $145,000,000 while Secretary of State, paid McCabes wife $700,000 (and got off the FBI hook along with Terry M) and so much more. Republicans and real Americans should start getting tough on this Scam.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

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Trump then went on to send a warning to Republicans who somehow think the ongoing probe is just about the president and doesnt affect them, saying that the increasing scope of the investigation means it can go on until the mid-terms and put some hurt on the Republican Party.

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Now that the Witch Hunt has given up on Russia and is looking at the rest of the World, they should easily be able to take it into the Mid-Term Elections where they can put some hurt on the Republican Party. Dont worry about Dems FISA Abuse, missing Emails or Fraudulent Dossier!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

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The commander in chief continued complaining about how no one is paying attention to the vast amounts of Democratic Party corruption, focusing on the Server that was at the center of so much Corruption. He then went on to ask why hasnt the Podesta brother been charged and arrested, like others, after being forced to close down his very large and successful firm?

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What ever happened to the Server, at the center of so much Corruption, that the Democratic National Committee REFUSED to hand over to the hard charging (except in the case of Democrats) FBI? They broke into homes & offices early in the morning, but were afraid to take the Server?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

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....and why hasnt the Podesta brother been charged and arrested, like others, after being forced to close down his very large and successful firm? Is it because he is a VERY well connected Democrat working in the Swamp of Washington, D.C.?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

In case you were wondering, Trump has only written two tweets about the school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas that killed 10 people. The last time he tweeted about it was Friday.
Babis at Globsec: Immigration quotas will not protect our continent

Immigration, innovation and security were some of the topics discussed during a panel discussion at the 2018 Globsec conference.

European countries failed to understand how crucial the issue of immigration is for central-European states. It is absolutely unacceptable that someone else wants to decide on who will work and live here, resigning Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis told the Bratislava conference Globsec 2018.

During the panel discussion with Slovak PM Peter Pellegrini, he discussed the priorities of central-European countries for the future reforms of the European Union. Pellegrini openly avowed closer integration in specific areas, while Babis questioned whether something like multi-speed can even be considered.

Pellegrini agreed with French President Emmanuele Macron who stated that the first reforms results need to be visible by the following year.

Otherwise, we will only grumble, without specific results, Pellegrini stated. It is not possible to talk forever about a unified digital market, and to have just six standards accepted out of more than 40.

The European Union lags behind, according to him, in innovation, in part because some regulations hamper real growth. In Europe, the best ideas are born but people leave for the USA or Asia where they can grow faster, Pellegrini said.

How is speed measured?

In his address, Babis admitted that when multi-speed Europe is mentioned, he does not know exactly what is meant by this. How is it measured? By the state of economy? Budget? Indebtedness rate? Economic growth? Unemployment rate? he asked, adding that in all these cases, the Czech Republic belongs among top EU members.

Even if the integration develops at different speeds, it is crucial, he opined, that all countries get the chance to join in later, when they are ready, and also that all member states decide on all changes.

For the Czech Republic, security is the most important thing, according to Babis.

The Czech Republic is the sixth safest country worldwide, our people feel safe, he boasted.

Read also:

Read also: The world will come to Bratislava again Read more

In the last two Czech election campaigns, the fear of terrorist attacks and connecting Muslim migration to terrorism helped extremist Tomio Okamura achieve a historical result in the Parliamentary House, while Milos Zeman was re-elected as Czech president thanks to these issues.

Babis dislikes the fact that the debate only revolves around the stupid quota all the time. According to him, the bloc should have focused on negotiating peace and a kind of Marshall Plan for the country in Syria, which European firms would also profit from, instead of solving the fate of millions of refugees.

Why Greece, and not Bulgaria?

The same should also apply for Schengen, he thinks, which does not make sense. Why does it include Greece, but not Bulgaria or Romania? he asks. It is important to defend a continent, to deal with illegal migration outside the continent. It is not normal that human smugglers earned almost six billion euros in 2016, he stated.

Hungarian PM Viktor Orban talks regularly, too, about the necessity to protect the European fortress, European culture and Christian values from Muslim immigrants. A clear refusal of refugees is also pushed through by the fourth member of the Visegrad Group, Poland.

Read also:

Read also: Globsec 2018 will cover security topics, artificial Intelligence and cyberspace Read more

In the issue of the European stance towards migration, Babis concurred with Pellegrini who opined that only methods that will help the real refugees have to be found. The debate on changing the European asylum system has started badly, according to him, as quotas are mentioned from the very beginning. First, the states should have agreed on how they can protect borders, and then explained what form of solidarity individual states can offer.

It is important to defend a continent, to deal with illegal migration outside the continent. It is not normal that human smugglers earned almost six billion euros in 2016.

Andrej Babis, Czech PM

Babis also dislikes the recently filed EU budget draft, which he said was dictated by Brussels. According to the draft, new member states would get less money, while those that have felt the heaviest burden of the refugee wave would get more.

The Czech PM, who was prosecuted for fraud when drawing EU-funds, specifically dislikes that with every change in drawing, we have to ask Brussels. Member states must have the final word, and not the Brussels officials, he stressed.

Kiska opened

Globsec 2018, one of the biggest security conferences in the world, started on May 17 with a speech by Slovak President Andrej Kiska. Jointly, with clear rules, we can make this world a safer and better place to live in, he stated. He added that currently, he notices that in central European policies causing aggressive assertion of selfish interests and violation of international law prevail over values of freedom and democracy.

20. May 2018 at 23:16 | Matus Krcmarik
A delicious meal of well-cooked rats is not typically the first thing that comes to mind when you, visitors to Vietnam, have got the munchies, but in the countrys Mekong and Red River Deltas, this delicacy is one of the most sought-after dishes.

Many believe that rat meat offers higher nutritional value than cattle and poultry.

Vu Bang, a well-known Vietnamese writer, once commended rat meat in his book entitled Exotic Dishes from the South.

Rat meat is simply miraculous. It feels soft and sweet, with an aroma so strong it can send chills down your spine! he said about the Mekong Delta delicacy.

According to Bang, 12 different dishes can be made using rat meat as the primary ingredient.

Restaurants in Vietnam have expanded on those main dishes to create many varieties, but the best versions can only be found in the delta regions, with rats caught fresh from their holes.

Eaters can enjoy themselves over roasted rat meat, rat meat grilled with chilies, or stir-fried with all kinds of different herbs.

Rat meat is usually served as food for fun, the way locals refer to snacks and wine.

Indeed, they can sit down for a dish of rat meat and a bottle of Vietnamese wine for hours on end, picking at their food while having a chat.

In 2013, the Daily Mail wrote about the prevalence of rat meat in northern Vietnams Red River Delta.

According to their article, in Dan Phuong, a rural district of Hanoi, rat meat is found on many restaurant menus.

Much like in the Mekong Delta, Dan Phuong locals hunt rats during the rainy season and after their harvests.

Health-wise, it is believed that rat meat can help cure certain diseases in children.

Under the light of eastern medicine, rat meat can empower muscles, combat fatigue, and strengthen bones.

It can have particular benefits on ones heart and eyesight, and can also help to refresh the mind.

Rat meat is full of protein and devoid of fat, so in general it could be considered a super food.

Rats and soursop leaves ready to be stir-fried. Photo: Thanh Ta

But what kind of rats?

Surely it is in the places where it is a delicacy.

The rats used in restaurants and eateries are not the same filthy city rats that sneak out from sewers and carry with them all kinds of bacteria and diseases.

The ideal rats for meat are their cleaner cousins living in rice fields.

These rodents feed on rice and not on urban trash, and, of course, their living environment is much cleaner.

In other words, despite their similar looks, chuot dong (the way locals refer to these paddy field rats) are actually poles apart from their urban-dwelling relatives.

Rat hunters in the delta regions go for either chuot com (dark brown and small-sized rats) or chuot cong nhum, a larger type of chuot dong which live in holes and can weigh up to a kilogram.

The most productive time for rat catchers is during the rainy season at the beginning of summer.

The best rats are those which dig their own holes, as they are usually healthy and chubby.

Rats are grilled in the Mekong Delta, southern Vietnam. Photo: Viet Toan/Tuoi Tre News

Stir-fried rat meat with soursop leaves

One outstanding version of rat meat in the Mekong Delta is the stir-fried one with soursop leaves.

Ingredients for the dish include chuot dong, fresh soursop leaves, and various seasonings.

Chopped rat meat is mixed with onions, garlic, sugar, monosodium glutamate, and fish sauce.

After marinating for 15 minutes, this mixture is stir-fried until the meat turns slightly golden and emits an aromatic scent. Then, the soursop leaves are added.

Soursop leaves naturally give off a heavy smell, but when blended with rat meat they boost the scent of the dish.

Stir-frying continues until the leaves are well-done.

The other key to the dishs success is the sauce, which is no simple garnish.

It takes fine quality fish sauce mixed with sugar, lemon, and garlic to add the unique taste needed for each dip of the meat.

For every bite, rat meat cubes should be eaten with soursop leaves so that the scent of the meat is enhanced by the herbs.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Footage from security cameras has become essential in police probes in Ho Chi Minh City.

Thanks to evidence provided by the cameras, officers in the southern metropolis have been able to solve more cases in a prompt manner.

In the recent attack by two motorbike thieves that killed two street knights and injured three others, images from CCTV installed in the neighborhood were deemed the most important lead in police investigation.

The incident happened in District 3 on the night of May 13 and officers were able to capture both suspects, 24-year-old Nguyen Tan Tai and Nguyen Hoang Chau Phu, the following day.

According to an investigator, police officers could not find any significant information at the crime scene as the criminals were professional.

However, they were still able to close the case thanks to statements from eyewitnesses and, most importantly, footage from the local security camera network.

Similarly, police in District 11 were able to rescue two Vietnamese-American girls just 40 hours after they were kidnapped in early March.

According to Colonel Nguyen Sy Quang, chief of staff and spokesperson of the municipal Department of Police, security camera systems play a highly significant role in ensuring social order and safety.

There are tens of thousands of cameras across the city, most of which belong to local residents and businesses, Col. Quang said.

The others are operated by police units, the transport sector, and national radio station Voice of Vietnam, all of which are monitored at the command center of the municipal Department of Police.

Truong Hoai Phong, chairman of the Peoples Committee in Ward 15, District 10, said that the local administration has been encouraging residents to contribute their money to the installation of CCTV along major routes in the neighborhood since 2016.

About 150 devices have been equipped so far, Phong said, adding that they are supervised at the wards police station, where officers take turns to work around the clock to promptly deal with potential crimes.

Similarly, more than 2,000 security cameras have been installed across 16 wards in Go Vap District thanks to the efforts of local authorities and citizens since 2013.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Le Thanh Hung, a security camera can stay in good use for two to four years, depending on its quality and price.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Graeme Blundell may have been reviewing Television for some 20 years, but even he admits keeping up with new releases is now an arduous task.

Writing for The Australian, and presenting Screen with Margaret Pomeranz on Foxtel Arts, he has no shortage of new titles to pass on to his audience. But since the expansion of Streaming titles, he struggles to finish the series he starts.

The viewer has to make a decision these days about commitment. Is this worth going on with? he tells TV Tonight.

I got very bored with Tin Star which started terrifically but Tim Roth has become the most appallingly awful character.

He might redeem himself, but I dont know if well be watching!

Sometimes you are sucked into something and you want to watch all of it. I just watched the first episode of The Assassination of Gianni Versace, and I will certainly watch every episode of that. It was absolutely superb.

But (reviewers) are one episode-wonders, in a way.

It is the era of the viewer, because there is so much to watch and so many opportunities for high-end drama and comedy, interview programmes, factual and documentary -its all there.

I can only cover one show a week in my column, and Margaret and I cover a number of things, but youre (TV Tonight) able to cover more because you have more space. So people look for some sort of curatorial advice.

And with Netflix its very hard to know whats on.

They are dropping things all the time. Making a Murderer just came from nowhere 2 years ago. And one about the Rajneesh, Wild Wild Country has just dropped.

Newspapers have largely dropped off coverage as well, so its very hard for the average viewer to keep up.

We cross swords quite a lot, disagreeing about things quite vehemently.

Screen is now in its third incarnation on Foxtel Arts. It originally launched in 2015 with Pomeranz & Blundell and a guest reviewer, morphing into 2016s Stage & Screen before a third outing in March with the duo discussing Film & Television.

We cross swords quite a lot, disagreeing about things quite vehemently. Its a bit like a comedy routine a lot of the time, we have quite different views on a lot of films, he explains.

Margarets the ultimate film buff. Shes been looking at films for so many years and talking about them publicly, she just loves it. And shes very expert at it, she knows a lot more than I do about the history of film.

Blundell, who is a big fan of SBS On Demand and Walter Presents on Foxtel, says Screen reviews are independent of Pay TV influence and have the freedom to be critical of Foxtel content. Nor is he coerced at The Australian to criticise ABC.

No, its never been a problem! I didnt like Harrow very much, but there you go! he laughs.

Im about to look at the new Todd Sampson series. Ive always been a fan of his extreme shows, so I cant wait to see what he does with this new series.

And despite his Drama roots, he acknowledges Reality & Factual are often under-represented when we come to praising Storytelling.

Deadliest Catch -talk about a maritime story. Hemmingway couldnt write better, he suggests.

And the mining shows are terrifically well-filmed.

They hated these films, because they were presenting the wrong image of Australia

Blundell became nationally famous through break-out films in a screen renaissance, notably as the titular Alvin Purple, a 1973 sex comedy, directed by Tim Burstall, in which his character was irresistible to women across Australia.

Burstall was determined to crack the Australian psyche and he thought broad comedy was the way, so thats where Stork and Alvin came from. They were huge hits. Bruce Beresford did Bazza McKenzie. So there was this burgeoning film industry, before funding and governments were involved. And they hated these films, because they were presenting the wrong image of Australia, so we became very sober and serious with Picnic at Hanging Rock.

Alvin, like Stork, was shot for a couple of hundred thousand with one camera on stilts.

But it was very effective.

Written by Alan Hopgood, it was such a hit it spawned 2 sequels and a 1976 ABC comedy series under Maurice Murphy & Ted Robinson.

It was where all the new plays were being performed

Prior to his first TV appearance, uncredited on the very first episode of Homicide, Blundell had no acting bug until his days at Melbourne University.

I had just been accepted into the Union Theatre Repertory Company, which was the precursor to the Melbourne Theatre Company, he recalls.

It was the era when people took student theatre seriously, because it was where all the new plays were being performed. A lot of very important actors for the next 20 years came from University theatre: D-Generation, Fast Forward, Barry Kosky.

Geoffrey Blainey once told me that where I came from, in the outer suburbs, a tertiary education was as rare as a refrigerator. I think we had a fridge, but we didnt have a television.

I came third in HSC Art, and had been exhibited as a painter after doing a night school course at Preston Tech.

When I got to University I did the Humanities courses, but I was inveigled during Orientation Week into the Marlow Society, which was one of the student theatre groups. Within a week I was rehearsing Alfred Jarrys Ubu Roi, which many see as the start of Theatre of the Absurd.

I was kind of taught by myself and working with other actors at various ages, and very quickly found a place at the Melbourne Theatre Company.

Carlton was kind to Blundell, directing the premiere of Dimboola as La Mamas first ever production (Note: sadly La Mama burnt to the ground on the weekend) and as part of Hoopla theatre.

As a student he used to usher at Russell Street Theatre, where he would later perform and direct.

Blundells IMDb listing is chockful of memorable screen titles: Dons Party, Mad Dog Morgan, The Year My Voice Broke, Ryan, Division 4, Matlock Police, The Box, Power Without Glory, Cop Shop, Water Under the Bridge, Young Ramsay, Kingswood Country, A Country Practice, Vietnam, GP, Johs Jury, Medivac, All Saints, The Secret Life of Us, Through My Eyes, Marking Time, East West 101, The Hollowmen, City Homicide, Underbelly, Chandon Pictures, Laid. and that doesnt include his stage roles.

These days acting is largely confined to guest roles, usually in comedies.

I go behind the ideas, really, to see where the idea has come from.

Theres not very much around for actors of my generation or age, and I really dont have the time. Ive been writing for The Australian for about 15 years now, he explains.

You occasionally see Chris Haywood or Jack Thompson, but they havent played a lead in Television for some time.

But Ive got no clear picture of the future, or even the present. My columns are written for readers who are interested in TV and its history. I go behind the ideas, really, to see where the idea has come from.

So I tend to pick and choose from a vast array of things that are around, what to write about.

But Im just as confused as the average viewer is by whats going on.

Screen airs Wednesdays at 7.30pm on Foxtel Arts

Graeme presents Saturday Night At The Movies from 8.30pm Saturdays on FOX Classics.
Prince Charles will walk Meghan Markle down the aisle at her wedding on May 19th. Kensington Palace issued the statement and it was carried by the Independent. Prince Charles will stand in for Meghan Markle's father who, for a number of reasons, will not be attending the royal wedding.

According to the Telegraph, "The ceremony will omit the traditional moment of "giving away," where the presiding Archbishop asks: "Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?"

The statement said, "Ms. Meghan Markle has asked His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle of the Quire of St George's Chapel on her Wedding Day.

The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way."

Prince Charles and Prince Phillip will be at Meghan's wedding

Prince Charles is very much a gentleman, as can be seen from the statement. Those who are anti-monarchy who may be giggling about Meghan's father and have been a bit scathing over his photo scandal and his heart problems, might well take note of the pure class in the statement.

There were some rumoured relationship issues between Meghan and her father, and if this is true, it looks like Meghan has found someone to take his place.

Apart from the fact that Prince Charles will walk Meghan down the aisle at her wedding, it was also reported by the Independent that it has also been confirmed that Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, will also attend.

Fans of Harry and Meghan may recall that the wedding was set earlier than is usual to ensure that Prince Harry's grandfather would be able to attend. The Express reported last month that he underwent hip surgery and was desperately hoping he would be ready to attend the wedding. He and Harry are reportedly close.

The Meghan Markle and Prince Harry wedding details

The couple will be married in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, where Harry was christened. If you want to watch Prince Charles walk Meghan Markle down the aisle you will be able to watch it all on television as several channels will be screening it. You can also watch it on YouTube.

The wedding ceremony will begin at 12 PM, the Mirror confirmed.

They also noted that the weather will be smiling for the royal couple as the sun will shine from mid-morning through to the evening. The young couple certainly seems to have the blessings of the weatherman as well as the Queen, Prince Phillip, and Prince Charles.

Meghan and Prince Harry's honeymoon

After the wedding, Prince Harry and Meghan will depart on their honeymoon and they will be going to Namibia, EyeWitness News reported.

The country is simply breathtaking and they are sure to enjoy their quiet time together.

The same media outlet has reported that "South African airline Kulula.com has invited Britains Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle to take a shotRight and pop over to experience a honeymoon Mzansi style," in South Africa. They are hoping the couple will accept their invitation to travel for free to the country after their time in Namibia.
The British mental health charity, Mind, has released a report they undertook to assess levels of Wellbeing in UK workplaces. This comes as part of the Mental Health Awareness Week (14-20 May). The findings indicate that employees from some organisations are not receiving a suitable amount of support from their employers with regard to their mental health and wellbeing.

The Workplace Wellbeing Index report found that just a quarter of respondents felt they would be comfortable confiding in their employer if they faced mental health difficulties.

Moreover, only 14 percent of organisations were found to offer flexible working as a reasonable adjustment for those with mental health difficulties.

This is particularly concerning when put with another finding that, among respondents who expressed they had had poor mental health in their present workplace, all but 8 percent said it affected how they performed.

There is a further concern that how successfully employers believe they are helping staff wellbeing does not match the responses of those they employ. Close to three-quarters of line managers expressed that helping an employee facing adverse mental health is something they could do successfully. In contrast, just over half of staff survey responses indicated confidence in the ability of those above them to support their wellbeing.

Some more favourable findings are that more than 75 percent of Work areas were described as having natural light and, in most organisations, staff reported that their managers were good at encouraging their employees to take their full annual leave allowance. Both of these factors can have positive effects on well-being but, for them to have the greatest impact, other areas of employee experience need to improve.

Who took part?

The report is comprised of an analysis of surveys issued to over 15,000 workers. These survey participants were staff from a total of 30 organisations who volunteered to be part of the study. The employers came from a range of private and public sectors, including public administration and construction.

A limitation of this is that information is only being garnered about the experiences of people from a select section of the UK workforce.

The findings are important, nonetheless, as they provide an initial indication of both the areas of employee well-being that employers are doing well in, as well as those where there is a need for improvement. According to Minds website, preparations for a follow-up report next year are underway.

More needs to be done for workforce well-being

In light of the government's Thriving Art Work report last year, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPD)s recent health and wellbeing at work report, the findings from this Workplace Wellbeing Index builds on the growing evidence that more should be done to protect the well-being of the countrys workforce.

Throughout the report, Mind provides insight into best practice for mental wellbeing and it would be fruitful if company policies are reviewed, and amended, to embrace the advice given.

Additionally, the CIPDs report highlighted where there was a need for improvement in increasing health and wellbeing among the UKs workers as well as some suggestions for what companys HR departments could do to achieve this.

If the suggestions from these reports, and others, are implemented, then the future outlook of Britains workforce will be more positive.
On Friday, a gunman walked into Santa Fe High School in Texas and opened fire. He killed ten people and injured a further thirteen. The shooting was perpetrated by a 17-year-old gunman named Dimitrios Pagourtzis, who reportedly planned to end it by killing himself, but didnt have the chops to do it in the end. Coverage of the shooting was overshadowed in the media by the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, but in the days since the incident happened, the survivors and the victims loved ones have been speaking out about it.

Paige Curry, one of the survivors of the shooting, has said in an interview where she was visibly traumatised and shaken by the incident that she, at least on some level, expected this to happen.

She thought that, what with all the shootings going on in schools across America, eventually it would happen here, too. The school was in Texas, which is one of the most heavily armed states in the US with a gun ownership rate of 35.7% in a country with very lenient gun laws and almost weekly school shooting incidents.

This school shooting is the third deadly attack in Texas that has made headlines across the globe over the course of just six months. Back in November, a shooter killed a huge total of 26 people in an incident at Sutherland Springs. And in March, five bombings were set off over a period of 19 days by what is known as a serial bomber, which luckily killed only two people in total.

The ten fatalities in the Santa Fe incident have brought the total number of American teenagers killed in school this year to more than the number of American soldiers killed in active duty overseas, so make of that what you will.

Texas Governor promises swift change to gun laws

Greg Abbott, the Governor of Texas, appeared at a church vigil on Sunday alongside the families and well-wishers of the victims and survivors of the shooting, to remember the ten who lost their lives and pray for them.

After the service, he gave a statement in which he pledged to make a swift change to the state gun laws that allowed for this to happen. The memorial service, which was attended mostly by the parents of Santa Fe High School students and the students themselves whose upcoming graduation was celebrated, took place at the Arcadia First Baptist Church.

Abbott promised that he will use this shooting incident to represent a watershed moment, or a catalyst as he puts it, in the gun laws of Texas. This will start the state on a pathway to reforms, according to him, where there will be all that came before this school shooting and everything that will come after it. This is a moment of change, or at least thats how Abbott is selling it at a memorial service for the victims. He said, Beginning this next week, its time to go to work, in order to ensure that future high school students dont have to endure another nightmare like this one.

Second suspect in custody, believed to be an accomplice

The police have the shooter Pagourtzis in custody, since he didnt have the stomach to go through with killing himself after the shooting, and they also arrested an 18-year-old second suspect, who they believe may be an accomplice in the plotting of the shooting incident.

Pagourtzis was armed with both a shotgun and a .38 calibre handgun when he marched into Santa Fe High School and started shooting in an art lesson. Of the ten people that he killed, eight of them were students and the other two were teachers who worked for the school. The charges against the shooter as of now, before it goes to trial, are that he is accused of capital murder. He wont get the death penalty, because hes a minor and that counts as cruel and unusual punishment.
FILE PHOTO: A view of a truckers' protest on the BR 381 highway in Betim, Minas Gerais state, February 24, 2015. REUTERS/Washington Alves

Thomson Reuters

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - A federal judge in Brazil has ruled that striking truck drivers cannot block traffic during a demonstration planned for Monday in the state of Parana to protest higher fuel prices.

Drivers can only protest in multiple-lane highways, using no more than half of the lanes, according to the judges decision. The judge also limited the protest to the morning hours.

Truckers' unions are subjected to a fine of 100,000 reais ($26,757) per hour if they disobey the decision.

Farmers are struggling worldwide as the rise in diesel prices has hurt profits in the agricultural sector. In Brazil, truckers complain that diesel prices have climbed 43 percent since July 2017.

On Friday, Brazilian Mines and Energy Minister Wellington Moreira Franco, said the government is discussing possible tax cuts to reduce diesel prices.

(Reporting by Iuri Dantas; Writing by Carolina Mandl; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

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By Jonathan Landay and Rupam Jain

WASHINGTON/KABUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear accord and re-impose sanctions on Tehran threatens to derail a project to help build Afghanistan's economy, endangering a key goal of the U.S. strategy to end America's longest war.

The Indian-backed Chabahar port complex in Iran is being developed as part of a new transportation corridor for land-locked Afghanistan that could potentially open the way for millions of dollars in trade and cut its dependence on Pakistan, its sometimes-hostile neighbour.

Building Afghanistan's economy would also slash Kabul's dependence on foreign aid and put a major dent in the illicit opium trade, the Taliban's main revenue source.

But Trump's decision to re-impose sanctions on Iran and penalize financial institutions for doing business with Tehran is clouding Chabahar's viability as banks, nervous they could be hit with crippling penalties, pull back from financing.

"President Trump's decision has brought us back to the drawing board and we will have to renegotiate terms and conditions on using Chabahar," a senior Indian diplomat said. "It is a route that can change the way India-Iran-Afghanistan do business, but for now everything is in a state of uncertainty."

The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Launched in 2016, the joint Iran-India-Afghanistan Chabahar project already was facing holdups. It has yet to see significant traffic apart from some containers of donated wheat from India, and the first shipments of Afghan dried fruit to India are not expected before July.

At least three contracts to build infrastructure at the port now have been delayed, with two Chinese companies and a Finnish group left hanging while bankers seek clarity from Washington before approving guarantees, a person close to the project said.

In addition, Afghan traders, who were hoping for an alternative to Pakistan's port of Karachi, now find themselves cut off from funding and forced to rely on the traditional hawala money transfer system, which is insufficient on its own to transform an economy. Hawala is a trust-based system commonly used in Afghanistan that involves the movement of funds between agents in different countries.

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"We know our correspondent banks would not let us pay for imports coming through that port," said a senior executive at one major Afghan lender.

Chabahar is among a number of projects of transport and energy networks projects designed to boost Afghanistan's trade and lay the foundations for a mining industry capable of exploiting its billions of dollars in untapped mineral reserves.

Bypassing the border with Pakistan, which last year was closed for some 50 days over various disputes, Chabahar is seen as a way for Afghanistan to consolidate its relationships with India and other regional powers.

"The only way to get India more involved" in Afghanistan's economic development "is through Chabahar," said Barnett Rubin, an expert with New York University's Center for International Cooperation and a former adviser to the State Department and the United Nations. "Our Iran policy is headed for a train wreck with our Afghanistan policy."

FOREIGN AID

Some 17 years after the U.S.-led invasion to oust the Taliban from power, Afghanistan remains one of the world's poorest countries, highly dependent on foreign aid.

Apart from illegal opium exports estimated at some $2 billion by the International Monetary Fund, its main products are dried and fresh fruits, and carpets, none of which amount to more than a fraction of the value of the drugs trade.

Initially Afghanistan would export agricultural produce  such as pomegranates and grapes - through Chabahar, utilizing a section of a road India paid for and then an extension to the Iranian border that New Delhi built, experts said.

Eventually, those exports could expand to mineral resources, something Trump has expressed an interest in gaining for U.S. firms. For India, this would mean using a planned railroad to Chabahar to export iron ore from two tracts at the Hajigak iron mine in central Afghanistan that it won the rights to exploit, the experts said.

"The economic piece is really important to get a glimmer of hope for Afghanistan to move beyond a land-locked, poppy-based economy. We are now shooting that in the head," said Thomas Lynch, a National Defense University expert and a former U.S. Army officer who advised the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on South Asia policy.

"There is no other legitimate and reliable way to do that. You can't do it by air, you can't do it through Pakistan because they just extort for everything they do," said Lynch. "The lifeline runs through Chabahar."

In addition, by hindering the development of Chabahar, the United States will leave Afghanistan dependent on Pakistan, historically its main trade partner and outlet to the world.

That would undermine another Trump goal of pressuring Islamabad to shutter Afghan insurgent sanctuaries on its side of the border and force the militants into peace talks.

Afghan officials have lobbied hard for exemptions to the sanctions for Afghan companies operating though Chabahar without success and are waiting for clarity from Washington.

"Now the uncertainty is that we don't know what's going to happen with Chabahar," said Atiqullah Nusrat, Chief Executive of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "We haven't heard anything so we have to wait and see what happens."

(Additional reporting by James Mackenzie in KABUL and Nidhi Verma in NEW DELHI; Editing by Philip McClellan)
Xinjiang

Chinese authorities have ensnared tens, possibly hundreds of thousands of Muslim Chinese  and even foreign citizens  in mass internment camps.

The re-education camps are shrouded in secrecy and operate outside of the legal system.

Prisoners are physically and mentally tortured in efforts to quash religious beliefs and any potential separatist movements.



ALMATY, Kazakhstan (AP)  Hour upon hour, day upon day, Omir Bekali and other detainees in far western Chinas new indoctrination camps had to disavow their Islamic beliefs, criticize themselves and their loved ones and give thanks to the ruling Communist Party.

When Bekali, a Kazakh Muslim, refused to follow orders each day, he was forced to stand at a wall for five hours at a time. A week later, he was sent to solitary confinement, where he was deprived of food for 24 hours. After 20 days in the heavily guarded camp, he wanted to kill himself.

The psychological pressure is enormous, when you have to criticize yourself, denounce your thinking  your own ethnic group, said Bekali, who broke down in tears as he described the camp. I still think about it every night, until the sun rises. I cant sleep. The thoughts are with me all the time.

Since last spring, Chinese authorities in the heavily Muslim region of Xinjiang have ensnared tens, possibly hundreds of thousands of Muslim Chinese  and even foreign citizens  in mass internment camps. This detention campaign has swept across Xinjiang, a territory half the area of India, leading to what a U.S. commission on China last month said is the largest mass incarceration of a minority population in the world today.

Chinese officials have largely avoided comment on the camps, but some are quoted in state media as saying that ideological changes are needed to fight separatism and Islamic extremism. Radical Muslim Uighurs have killed hundreds in recent years, and China considers the region a threat to peace in a country where the majority is Han Chinese.

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The internment program aims to rewire the political thinking of detainees, erase their Islamic beliefs and reshape their very identities. The camps have expanded rapidly over the past year, with almost no judicial process or legal paperwork. Detainees who most vigorously criticize the people and things they love are rewarded, and those who refuse to do so are punished with solitary confinement, beatings and food deprivation.

Xinjiang

AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

The recollections of Bekali, a heavyset and quiet 42-year-old, offer what appears to be the most detailed account yet of life inside so-called re-education camps. The Associated Press also conducted rare interviews with three other former internees and a former instructor in other centers who corroborated Bekalis depiction. Most spoke on condition of anonymity to protect their families in China.

Bekalis case stands out because he was a foreign citizen, of Kazakhstan, who was seized by Chinas security agencies and detained for eight months last year without recourse. Although some details are impossible to verify, two Kazakh diplomats confirmed he was held for seven months and then sent to re-education.

The detention program is a hallmark of Chinas emboldened state security apparatus under the deeply nationalistic, hard-line rule of President Xi Jinping. It is partly rooted in the ancient Chinese belief in transformation through education  taken once before to terrifying extremes during the mass thought reform campaigns of Mao Zedong, the Chinese leader sometimes channeled by Xi.

Cultural cleansing is Beijings attempt to find a final solution to the Xinjiang problem, said James Millward, a China historian at Georgetown University.

Rian Thum, a professor at Loyola University in New Orleans, said Chinas re-education system echoes some of the worst human rights violations in history.

The closest analogue is maybe the Cultural Revolution in that this will leave long-term, psychological effects, Thum said. This will create a multigenerational trauma from which many people will never recover.

Transformation through education is a "permanent cure"

Asked to comment on the camps, Chinas Foreign Ministry said it had not heard of the situation. When asked why non-Chinese had been detained, it said the Chinese government protects the rights of foreigners in China and they should also be law-abiding. Chinese officials in Xinjiang did not respond to requests for comment.

However, bits and pieces from state media and journals show the confidence Xinjiang officials hold in methods that they say work well to curb religious extremism. Chinas top prosecutor, Zhang Jun, urged Xinjiangs authorities this month to extensively expand what the government calls the transformation through education drive in an all-out effort to fight separatism and extremism.

In a June 2017 paper published by a state-run journal, a researcher from Xinjiangs Communist Party School reported that most of 588 surveyed participants did not know what they had done wrong when they were sent to re-education. But by the time they were released, nearly all  98.8 percent had learned their mistakes, the paper said.

Transformation through education, the researcher concluded, is a permanent cure.

Xinjiang

AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

As many as 1 million people are being held in re-education camps

On the chilly morning of March 23, 2017, Bekali drove up to the Chinese border from his home in Almaty, Kazakhstan, got a stamp in his Kazakh passport and crossed over for a work trip, not quite grasping the extraordinary circumstances he was stepping into.

Bekali was born in China in 1976 to Kazakh and Uighur parents, moved to Kazakhstan in 2006 and received citizenship three years later. He was out of China in 2016, when authorities sharply escalated a Peoples War on Terror to root out what the government called religious extremism and separatism in Xinjiang, a large Chinese territory bordering Pakistan and several Central Asian states, including Kazakhstan.

The Xinjiang he returned to was unrecognizable. All-encompassing, data-driven surveillance tracked residents in a region with around 12 million Muslims, including ethnic Uighurs and Kazakhs. Viewing a foreign website, taking phone calls from relatives abroad, praying regularly or growing a beard could land one in a political indoctrination camp, or prison, or both.

The new internment system was shrouded in secrecy, with no publicly available data on the numbers of camps or detainees. The U.S. State Department estimates those being held are at the very least in the tens of thousands. A Turkey-based TV station run by Xinjiang exiles said almost 900,000 were detained, citing leaked government documents.

Adrian Zenz, a researcher at the European School of Culture and Theology, puts the number between several hundreds of thousands and just over 1 million. Government bids and recruitment ads studied by Zenz suggest that the camps have cost more than $100 million since 2016, and construction is ongoing.

Shackled for days without end

Bekali knew none of this when he visited his parents on March 25. He passed police checkpoints and handed over his decade-old Chinese identity card.

The next day, five armed policemen showed up at Bekalis parents doorstep and took him away. They said there was a warrant for his arrest in Karamay, a frontier oil town where he lived a decade earlier. He couldnt call his parents or a lawyer, the police added, because his case was special.

Bekali was held in a cell, incommunicado, for a week, and then was driven 500 miles (804 kilometers) to Karamays Baijiantan District public security office.

Xinjiang prisoner

AP Photo/Ng Han GuanThere, they strapped him into a tiger chair, a device that clamped down his wrists and ankles. They also hung him by his wrists against a barred wall, just high enough so he would feel excruciating pressure in his shoulder unless he stood on the balls of his bare feet. They interrogated him about his work with a tourist agency inviting Chinese to apply for Kazakh tourist visas, which they claimed was a way to help Chinese Muslims escape.

I havent committed any crimes! Bekali yelled.

They asked for days what he knew about two dozen prominent ethnic Uighur activists and businessmen in Kazakhstan. Exhausted and aching, Bekali coughed up what he knew about a few names he recognized.

The police then sent Bekali to a 10- by 10-meter (32- by 32-foot) cell in the prison with 17 others, their feet chained to the posts of two large beds. Some wore dark blue uniforms, while others wore orange for political crimes. Bekali was given orange.

In mid-July, three months after his arrest, Bekali received a visit from Kazakh diplomats. Chinas mass detention of ethnic Kazakhs  and even Kazakh citizens  has begun to make waves in the Central Asian country of 18 million. Kazakh officials say China detained 10 Kazakh citizens and hundreds of ethnic Kazakh Chinese in Xinjiang over the past year, though they were released in late April following a visit by a Kazakh deputy foreign minister.

Four months after the visit, Bekali was taken out of his cell and handed a release paper.

But he was not yet free.

Xinjiang woman

Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Kept in cells and forced to repeat indoctrinatation

Bekali was driven from jail to a fenced compound in the northern suburbs of Karamay, where three buildings held more than 1,000 internees receiving political indoctrination, he said.

He walked in, past a central station that could see over the entire facility, and received a tracksuit. Heavily armed guards watched over the compound from a second level. He joined a cell with 40 internees, he said, including teachers, doctors and students. Men and women were separated.

Internees would wake up together before dawn, sing the Chinese national anthem, and raise the Chinese flag at 7:30 a.m. They gathered back inside large classrooms to learn red songs like Without the Communist Party, there is no New China, and study Chinese language and history. They were told that the indigenous sheep-herding Central Asian people of Xinjiang were backward and yoked by slavery before they were liberated by the Communist Party in the 1950s.

Before meals of vegetable soup and buns, the inmates would be ordered to chant: Thank the Party! Thank the Motherland! Thank President Xi!

Discipline was strictly enforced and punishment could be harsh. Bekali was kept in a locked room almost around the clock with eight other internees, who shared beds and a wretched toilet. Cameras were installed in toilets and even outhouses. Baths were rare, as was washing of hands and feet, which internees were told was equated with Islamic ablution.

Bekali and other former internees say the worst parts of the indoctrination program were forced repetition and self-criticism. Although students didnt understand much of what was taught and the material bordered on the nonsensical to them, they were made to internalize it by repetition in sessions lasting two hours or longer.

We will oppose extremism, we will oppose separatism, we will oppose terrorism, they chanted again and again. Almost every day, the students received guest lecturers from the local police, judiciary and other branches of government warning about the dangers of separatism and extremism.

In 4-hour sessions, instructors lectured about the dangers of Islam and drilled internees with quizzes that they had to answer correctly or be sent to stand near a wall for hours on end.

Do you obey Chinese law or Sharia? instructors asked. Do you understand why religion is dangerous?

Kazakhstan mosque

AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

One by one, internees would stand up before 60 of their classmates to present self-criticisms of their religious history, Bekali said. The detainees would also have to criticize and be criticized by their peers. Those who parroted official lines particularly well or lashed into their fellow internees viciously were awarded points and could be transferred to more comfortable surroundings in other buildings, he said.

I was taught the Holy Quran by my father and I learned it because I didnt know better, Bekali heard one say.

I traveled outside China without knowing that I could be exposed to extremist thoughts abroad, Bekali recalled another saying. Now I know.

A Uighur woman told AP she was held in a center in the city of Hotan in 2016. She said she and fellow prisoners repeatedly were forced to apologize for wearing long clothes in Muslim style, praying, teaching the Quran to their children and asking imams to name their children.

Praying at a mosque on any day other than Friday was a sign of extremism; so was attending Friday prayers outside their village or having Quranic verses or graphics on their phones.

While instructors watched, those who confessed to such behavior were told to repeat over and over: We have done illegal things, but we now know better.

Xinjiang police

Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Some prisoners were illiterate farmers, others who traveled overseas

Other detainees and a re-education camp instructor tell similar stories.

In mid-2017, a Uighur former on-air reporter for Xinjiang TV known as Eldost was recruited to teach Chinese history and culture in an indoctrination camp because he spoke excellent Mandarin. He had no choice.

The re-education system, Eldost said, classified internees into three levels of security and duration of sentences.

The first group typically consisted of illiterate minority farmers who didnt commit any ostensible crimes other than not speaking Chinese. The second class was made up of people who were caught at home or on their smartphones with religious content or so-called separatist materials, such as lectures by the Uighur intellectual Ilham Tohti.

The final group was made up of those who had studied religion abroad and came back, or were seen to be affiliated with foreign elements. In the latter cases, internees were often were sentenced to prison terms of 10 to 15 years, Eldost said.

While he was teaching, Eldost once saw through the window 20 students driven into the courtyard. Two rows of guards waited for them and beat them as soon as they got out of the police van. He later heard that the internees were recent arrivals who had studied religion in the Middle East.

Violence was not regularly dispensed, but every internee AP spoke to saw at least one incident of rough treatment or beatings.

Eldost said the instruction was aimed at showing how backward traditional Uighur culture is and how repressive fundamentalist Islam is compared to a progressive Communist Party. The internees confessions of their backwardness helped drive the point home.

Internees are told to repeat those confessions to the point where, when they are finally freed, they believe that they owe the country a lot, that they could never repay the party, said Eldost, who escaped from China in August after paying a bribe.

People cried to sleep every night

Eldost said he tried in little ways to help his internees. Tasked with teaching the Three Character Classic, a Confucian standard taught widely in elementary schools, he would make up mnemonic devices to help his students  including elderly or illiterate Uighur farmers who barely knew their own language  recite a few lines. He also advised students to stop habitually saying praise God in Arabic and Uighur because other instructors punished them for it.

Every time he went to sleep in a room with 80 others, he said, the last thing he would hear was the sound of misery.

I heard people crying every night, he said. That was the saddest experience in my life.

Another former detainee, a Uighur from Hotan in southern Xinjiang, said his newly built center had just 90 people in two classes in 2015. There, a government instructor claimed said that Uighur women historically did not wear underwear, braided their hair to signal their sexual availability, and had dozens of sexual partners.

It made me so angry, the detainee said. These kinds of explanations of Uighur women humiliated me. I still remember this story every time I think about this, I feel like a knife cut a hole in my chest.

Kayrat Samarkan, a Chinese Kazakh from Astana who was detained while running errands in a northern Xinjiang police station in December, was sent to an internment camp in Karamagay in northern Xinjiang with 5,700 students.

Those who didnt obey, were late to class or got into fights were put for 12 hours in a loose body-suit that was made of iron and limited their movement, he said. Those who still disobeyed would be locked in a tiger chair for 24 hours. As one form of punishment, he said, instructors would press an internees head in a tub of ice and water.

After three months, Samarkan couldnt take the lessons anymore, so he bashed his head against a wall to try to kill himself. He merely fell unconscious.

When I woke up, the staff threatened me, saying if I did that again they would extend my sentence to 7 years there, he said.

"Kill me or send me back to prison."

After 20 days, Bekali also contemplated suicide. Several days later, because of his intransigence and refusal to speak Mandarin, Bekali was no longer permitted to go into the courtyard. Instead, he was sent to a higher level of management, where he spent 24 hours a day in a room with 8 others.

A week later, he went to his first stint in solitary confinement. He saw a local judicial official walking into the building on an inspection tour and yelled at the top of his lungs. He thought even his former detention center, with the abuse he suffered, would be better.

Take me in the back and kill me, or send me back to prison, he shouted. I cant be here anymore.

He was again hauled off to solitary confinement. It lasted 24 hours, ending late afternoon on Nov. 24.

Thats when Bekali was released, as suddenly as he was detained eight months earlier.

A Baijiantan policemen who had always gone easy on Bekali during interrogation appeared and checked him out of the facility.

You were too headstrong, but what the department did was unjust, he told Bekali as he drove him to his sisters home in Karamay.

Bekali was free.

Xinjiang Uighur

AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

Freedom, but only for some

The next morning, a Saturday, the police opened their immigration office for Bekali to pick up a unique, 14-day Chinese visa. His original had long expired. Bekali left China on December 4.

Seeking compensation from the Chinese government is out of the question. But Bekali keeps a plastic folder at home of evidence that might prove useful someday: his passport with stamps and visas, travel records and a handwritten Chinese police document dated and imprinted with red-ink seals.

The document is the closest thing he has to an official acknowledgement that he suffered for eight months. It says he was held on suspicion of endangering national security; the last sentence declares him released without charge.

At first, Bekali did not want the AP to publish his account for fear that his sister and mother in China would be detained and sent to re-education.

But on March 10, back in China, the police took his sister, Adila Bekali. A week later, on March 19, they took his mother, Amina Sadik. And on April 24, his father, Ebrayem.

Bekali changed his mind and said he wanted to tell his story, no matter the consequences.

Things have already come this far, he said. I have nothing left to lose.

Associated Press reporter Dake Kang contributed to this report.

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China has flown nuclear bombers to several of its artificial islands in the South China Sea for the first time in an apparent warning to regional rivalsand the U.S. in particularthat its control over the area is non-negotiable.

A Chinese air force press release said H-6K nuclear-capable bombers had landed on several islands and reefs as part of a training exercise in preparation for the battle for the South China Sea, Reuters reported.

The statement, issued on Friday, said the exercises were designed to improve our ability to reach all territory, conduct strikes at any time and strike in all directions. The drills involved multiple bombers practicing take-off and landing on the islands, which have been a point of contention between China, the U.S. and several other countries in the region. Pilots also conducted simulated strikes on naval targets.

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REUTERS/Jason Lee

Chinaalong with Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysiahas territorial claims in the South China Sea, the waters of which contain rich fishing grounds, vital shipping routes and potential natural resources. China has created a network of artificial military outposts to enforce its claims, despite opposition from neighbors.

American vessels and aircraft have conducted multiple freedom of navigation operations to assert the U.S. belief that the South China Sea constitutes international waters. Though China says the islands are purely defensive in nature, their presence gives Beijing de facto control of the South China Sea.

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The bases are slowly being militarized by missile, electronic warfare system and aircraft deployments. Some islands have 10,000-foot runways, hangars to house fighter planes, bunkers to store ammunition, troop barracks and deep-water piers for warships.

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All the facilities to host nuclear bombers already existed, but the recent exercises is a warning to the U.S. that all of Southeast Asia is now in reach of Beijings air force, given the H-6Ks range of around 3,200 nautical miles.

The statement even described the training as preparation for the battle for the South China Sea. A pilot of one of the H-6K bombers, Ge Daqing, was quoted as saying that the exercises sharpens our courage and enhances our capabilities in a real war, the BBC said.

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The exact location of the drills was not disclosed. However, a video tweeted by the Chinese Communist Party's People's Daily newspaper showed a H-6K bomber landing and taking off at what experts told the BBC could be Woody Islandcalled Yongxing by China. Woody Island is the largest of the Paracel Islands and is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.

Chinese bombers including the H-6K conduct takeoff and landing training on an island reef at a southern sea area pic.twitter.com/ASY9tGhfAU  People's Daily,China (@PDChina) 18 May 2018

Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Logan told the Associated Press that the U.S. remains committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Chinas continued militarization of disputed features in the South China Sea only serves to raise tensions and destabilize the region, he said.

But China says it is U.S. that is at fault. In March, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, Some outside forces are not happy with the prevailing calm and try to stir up trouble and muddle the waters. Their frequent show of force with fully armed aircraft and naval vessels is the most destabilizing factor in the region.

Regardless of American opposition, Chinas fortified ocean bases have effectively given it control of the South China Sea. According to the head of U.S. Fleet Forces Command Admiral Philip S. Davidson, China is now capable of controlling the South China Sea in all scenarios short of war with the United States.

This article was first written by Newsweek

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The individuals did not know one another, but they were allegedly using the messaging app WhatsApp to discuss plans to conduct a terrorist attack in Brazil for Carnival in Rio de Janeiro or Salvador. They also were allegedly trying to recruit people to join the Islamic State and travel to Syria to fight, according to court documents. They were discovered after Spains Civil Guard gave the Brazilian police a list of phone numbers found on a Brazilian citizen arrested in Spain for belonging to the terrorist group ISIS. One of the suspects had weapons in his home.

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Brazil has the largest population of Muslims of any country in Latin America. There are estimated to be a little over 200,000 Muslims living in the country of over 200 million inhabitants.

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India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks with the media during his visit at Janaki Mandir, a Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Sita, in Janakpur, Nepal May 11, 2018. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Thomson Reuters

SRINAGAR, India (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate on Saturday a hydroelectric power plant in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, prompting protest from neighbor Pakistan that says the project on a river flowing into Pakistan will disrupt water supplies.

The 330 megawatt Kishanganga hydropower station, work on which started in 2009, is one of the projects that India has fast-tracked in the volatile state under Modi amid frosty ties between the nuclear-armed countries.

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The Kishanganga project was delayed for several years as Pakistan dragged India to the International Court of Arbitration, which ruled in India's favor in 2013.

India has said the hydropower projects underway in Jammu and Kashmir are "run-of-the-river" schemes that use the river's flow and elevation to generate electricity rather than large reservoirs, and do not contravene the treaty.

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More than 130 people have been killed this year in militant violence in the Kashmir valley.

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The Kilauea volcano on Hawaiis Big Island erupted at the beginning of May, and nearly 2,000 people have been forced to evacuate as fissures continue to open, causing lava spatter.

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FILE PHOTO: New Mongolia's president Khaltmaa Battulga speaks during his inauguration ceremony in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia July 10, 2017. REUTERS/B. Rentsendorj

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ULAANBAATAR (Reuters) - Mongolia's president has urged new Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to reopen investigations into the murder of a Mongolian model near Kuala Lumpur in 2006, a move that could put more pressure on Mahathir's embattled predecessor.

Shaaribuu Altantuya, 28, was killed and blown up with military grade explosives in a forest on the outskirts of Malaysia's capital. In 2015, two former police officers were sentenced to death for the crime after first being sentenced in 2009 and acquitted four years later.

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"As president of Mongolia, I pay special attention to the aggravated crime, that in October 18, 2006, a citizen of Mongolia and mother of two children Shaariibuu Altantuya was murdered in Malaysia," he said in a letter to Mahathir that was also published on his office's website.

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Losses in the energy space and among base metals was offset by strong gains in agricultural commodities at the end of the week.

Gains for the US dollar, which was trading near its best levels since last December, was cited by traders as the main drag on the former.

By the close of trade in New York, Bloomberg's commodity index had edged up by just 0.12% to 90.41, alongside 0.18% rise on the US dollar spot index to 93.6370.

Brent futures were weakest, slipping 1.0% to $78.51 a barrel, having traded as high as $79.87 earlier during the same session.

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Shares in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena were well off earlier lows amid expectations the bank will be rescued by the end of the week, as it emerged that Italy has approved a government request to borrow up to 20bn to underwrite the countrys struggling banking sector.

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At 1138 GMT, the stock was down 5.4% to 17.53.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are now married, and their titles are Duke and Duchess of Sussex. It will take a long time for people to get used to calling them by their new titles. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been married since 2011, and people still call them Prince William and Kate Middleton. Harry and Meghan will probably be the names that most people will continue to use for the newlyweds.

There were many historic moments from the royal wedding that was live streamed on all the major television networks. Here are at least seven of those moments that some people say were special to them as they watched the wedding.

A report by SB Nation provided a lot of the information used in this article.

1. Car ride to St. George's Chapel

Meghan and her mom spent Friday night (May 18) at Cliveden House. It was a very touching moment to see them ride together in the vintage burgundy Rolls-Royce to St. George's Chapel where Meghan would officially become part of the royal family. This was the first glimpse of her dress, veil, and tiara from Queen Elizabeth's collection.

2. Prince Charles escorting bride

There had been much talk about who was going to walk Meghan down the aisle. After her father, Thomas Markle, could not be there due to health reasons, Meghan asked Prince Charles to escort her to his son. It was beautiful the way it was done.

Meghan walked halfway alone followed by children bridesmaids and page boys, and Prince Charles escorted her to the altar.

3. Prince Harry lifting Meghan's veil

It was a moving moment when the groom gently lifted the veil over the head of his bride and adjusted it. Their eyes met as he spoke tenderly to her. Even though there were 600 guests in the church, it was as if it was just the two of them.

We loved this heartwarming #RoyalWedding moment when Meghan Markle's mother, Doria, fought back tears as her daughter walked into the church. #RoyalThisMorning  pic.twitter.com/TdPZpctyNr  CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) May 19, 2018

4. Expressions on faces

The expressions on Prince Harry and Meghan's faces throughout the ceremony were precious.

Their facial expressions indicated that they are so much in love. Also, the expression on the face of the mother of the bride was touching. Doria Ragland was Meghan's only family member who attended the ceremony. She appeared to be so proud of her daughter on this special day. Most of the time, the camera was on her as the couple stood at the altar.

Rev. Michael Curry, the first African-American to serve as presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, delivered an impassioned speech on the power of love and invoked Martin Luther King Jr. at the wedding of #HarryandMeghan. #RoyalWedding https://t.co/pQrUkhHt1H  CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) May 19, 2018

5. The sermon

It is not customary to hear a sermon at a wedding and especially not at a Royal Wedding.

However, Chicago native Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church was confident and preached a powerful and appropriate sermon focusing on the redemptive power of love. The 65-year-old bishop quoted Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the beginning and ending of the sermon.

Karen Gibson and @TheKingdomChoir sing "Stand by me" from the West End of the Chapel #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/1T4i0SNOnV  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 19, 2018

6. Gospel choir singing 'Stand By Me'

Karen Gibson and the Kingdom Choir performed Ben E. King's 1961 song Stand By Me just before the vows. This was the first time a song like that was sung in St. George's Chapel or at a British wedding. A lot of people include this as one of their favorite moments.

Sheku Kanneh-Mason, 19 year-old cellist was the first black musician to win the @BBC Young Musician of the Year award in 2016.#RoyalWedding #RoyalThisMorning #HarryandMeghan https://t.co/tddhkl1mAI pic.twitter.com/1UwjsVBz1I  CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) May 19, 2018

7. The cellist

It was a special tribute when 19-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason performed multiple selections of the couple's favorite songs including "Ave Maria." Kanneh-Mason was the first black musician to ever win BBCs Musician of the Year award two years ago when he was only 17.
In order to check the menace of mosquitoes, Florida County plans to deploy low-flying insect-fighting, unmanned drones. These will be operated at night and fly at low altitudes to ensure better results. Permission for drones to operate at low altitudes is a recent development and the administration wants to take advantage of this. Right now, helicopters and small aircraft are being used.

Daily Mail UK reports that details are yet to be worked out but the authorities of Florida County have plans to launch a large drone that will weigh nearly 700 Kg (1543,24lb).

Such equipment is expected to play a major role in tackling the pest problem.

Drones could prove useful

Eric Jackson, an official of the Lee County Mosquito Control District in southwestern Florida explained that the district relies on aerial operations to tackle the menace of mosquitoes. There are large numbers of mangroves where these pests breed and drones will increase the availability of existing options like aircraft and choppers. These are normally used to spray insecticides on crops.

The official has clarified that the state has been using aerial methods to control breeding of the pests for nearly 60 years. Florida has been selected as a location for conducting a pilot project of the FAA to harness drone technology.

Eradicating mosquitoes by using drones will help the cause. These unmanned vehicles have been accepted in principle and details will be worked out for implementation. North Dakota wants to use them to monitor crops and oil pipelines while Tennessee is already using them for package deliveries.

The pros and cons of drones

Drones have moved from battlefields to civilian applications with an enormous scope of expansion, but there are restrictions.

The industry wants the administration to reconsider these restrictions. The Trump administration agrees that the regulations in force are compelling the companies to test their products overseas.

President Donald Trump has already initiated actions to rectify these. He signed a directive last year that will give freedom to selected states, communities and tribes to participate in trial programs.

They will conduct the exercises in partnership with government and the industry. Subsequently, the data will be compiled and used to formulate a new regulatory framework to open up the skies and pave the way for drones to become a part of society. They can assist in oil fields, floods, and weather monitoring, and even in tracking down missing persons.

The eradication of mosquitoes in Florida is a part of this project. The drones will fly at low altitudes over the swamps and operate at night. The effects will be felt through reduction of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases.
Early Saturday morning (may 19), two men encountered a cougar leaving one dead and the other fatally injured. The two men were mountain-biking in the foothills near North Bend, Washington when the attack took place as reported by CBS affiliate KIRO-TV. The town is roughly 30 miles outside of Seattle.

When help arrived the cougar was still there

First responders arrived at the scene while the cougar was still standing over the deceased man's body. The cougar dragged the body to its den. A King County Sheriff's spokesperson told CBS News that the cougar ran into the woods as Wildlife officials approached the animal.

Officers of the Washington Department of Fish and Game later tracked it down and shot and killed the cougar, as stated by Capt. Alan Myers of the states Fish and Wildlife Police. It took officials with tracker dogs hours to find the cougar.

The survivor

The 31-year-old survivor was rushed to an emergency room in Seattle. Upon arrival, he was listed in serious condition but was alert and talking. The Seattle Times has recently reported his condition has been upgraded to satisfactory.

KIRO-TV reported that the injured man made the call to 911 before 11 AM and shouted, Can you hear me? Help! and then hung up. It is unclear whether the two bikers were together. A search and rescue team has been dispatched to recover the body of the deceased man.

Future wildlife encounters

Cougars, also known as mountain lions, make up the largest members of the cat family in Washington. Hundreds of calls to report sightings of cougars are made annually according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

Over the past 100 years in North America, roughly 25 fatalities and 95 nonfatal cougar attacks have been reported, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said, but there was only one other fatal attack in the state.

Over the past 20 years, more attacks have been reported in the western United States and Canada than in the previous 80 years.

With population increasing and cougar habitats decreasing, more interactions between humans and cougars will become possible. The same is happening with bobcats and bears. As long as humans continue to push further into cougar territory it should come to no surprise when attacks occur. Unfortunately, for both sides, humans and animals, they become the victim. Innocent people are attacked, and animals are only doing what feels natural to them.
Welcome to a new edition of "For The Record." In this edition, we focus on the Victoria Ginty's new disc "Unfinished Business." For those readers not yet up on the Victoria Ginty, Ginty is an Apollo Beach, Florida-based multi-genre vocalist.

Victoria Ginty

Gintys signature sound is a mix of multiple music genres including Americana, country, R&B, rock, and soul. Her vocals can be both sultry and sassy (and sometimes in the same song). Ginty live touring band is named Ladyhawke. This studio album, however, was recorded with a selection of studio musicians.

She notes, however, that the band helped make many of the songs on the album come to life and inspired her. On this new platter Ginty is backed by Jerry Livingston (bass), Grace Lougen (guitar), co-producer Richie English (piano), B. Decker (Hammond organ), J. English (drums), G. Castillo (percussion), J. Diggs (backing vocals), E. Wozniak (tenor sax), C. Weirich (trumpet), and J. Cheslak (trombone).

Track by track

The 11-track release opens on the titular Unfinished Business. This is a fun, flirty cut with a funky groove and some interesting lyrical what ifs. Its the first of several selections co-written with Mike Ivey the Ladyhawke bassist.

The second song is Take Me Down. A spiritual almost Gospel-like selection by Ginty and Ivey.

It focuses on life and redemption.

Hard To Move On was written by Ginty, Ivey, and Lougen. This ballad is about regretting a breakup. Ginty sings of the need for closure.

Another Ginty-Invey work, You Dont Love Me No More, is perhaps an unsurprising inclusion. Here Ginty sings of the anger a woman feels when she feels her needs are not being met by her man.

Still, thanks in part to the songs upbeat tempo, it still works.

Every Night And Every Day is a cross-genre cover. Its a sexy remake of a slow blues tune by Jimmy McCracklin. Itd followed by the Ginty-Ivey-English collaboration Give It Up. Its another fun, flirty, R&B-blessed tune wherein Ginty urges her love to surrender to his feelings.

Water was co-written by Grammy-nominated Michael Alan Ward. Its a melodic piece about being stranded in an emotional desert where meeting someone special is like water to someone about to die of thirst. Sign Your Name is Gintys Latin-tinted adaptation of a Terence Trent DArby tune.

Ginty also performs Lying (In Each Others Arms) which was written by Grammy-winning songwriter, Earl Bud Lee. Its a song about an illicit affair that feeds the body but stresses the soul. It's a soulful blues song about passion and self-deception.

The stunning blues bit Do Me Right comes next. Its a sharp better watch what you do, cause I will leave you tune by Ginty and Ivey. The pair offers one final example of their teamwork on the soulful The Blues Found Me which concludes that we must ultimately accept responsibility for our own lives.

For the record

For the record, this nearly 57-minute audio offering includes some enjoyable, invigorating performances of original material. Even the covers are interesting adaptations that Ginty musically makes her own. So check out Victoria Gintys Unfinished Business and you soon may be saying: The Blues Found Me too.
"Alaskan Bush People" Season 8 is coming! Radar Online obtained photos of the Brown family while filming in their new location. In its official Twitter account, the show immediately confirmed that the pictures were indeed for the new season.

According to an insider, Billy and Ami had relocated to a wide property in Tonasket, Washington right after Ami's grueling cancer battle. The new season will likely document how the family adjusts to their new environment after being in the Alaskan wilderness for so long. The source added that all seven of the Brown children will be part of the new season--even 33-year-old Bam Bam, who had previously bid adieu to reality-TV life.

Brown family help flood victims in their new home

The new season photos show Bam Bam and his older brother Matt carrying heavy sandbags. Apparently, their new town recently experienced a devastating flood shortly after they've moved in. Billy and Ami's children were happy to be of help.

"Several family members have already volunteered," a source revealed. "Not only did they help with the sandbags, but they also helped an elderly gentleman whose lawn was submerged underwater."

And now the Brown's must face brutal weather https://t.co/wHoikRA0eA  Alaskan Bush People (@AlaskanBushPPL) May 18, 2018

The "Alaskan Bush People" family reportedly helped their neighbors as the film crew followed them around.

Of course, the reality stars have faced other challenges before--from natural calamities to building a sustainable home in the middle of nowhere.

Bear Brown gets injured after a stunt mishap

Early this week, "Alaskan Bush People" fans were alarmed after Bear, Billy and Ami's 30-year-old son, shared a photo from the hospital.

In the reality-documentary show, Bear Brown is known as the "King of Extreme" because of his love for stunts and starting fires.

According to a source, Bear was running outside doing his usual stunts when he hit his head on a tree branch. The reality star suffered a "minor eye injury" and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he has been given an eye patch.

Despite the accident, the Brown sibling is said to be doing well and is ready for more action.

Bear isn't the only Brown family member who has taken a trip to the hospital recently. Discovery Channel revealed that 26-year-old Noah underwent emergency gallbladder surgery. Meanwhile, the network has not given an update regarding Ami Brown's condition after the family announced that the 53-year-old matriarch has been cured of her stage 4 lung cancer.

Washington's extreme weather conditions and the Brown family's health concerns have caused delays to the show's filming schedule. Despite these issues, the Browns are said to be excited to be working on the show's new season.
Jenelle Evans has opted to skip the personal appearance for the "Teen Mom 2" reunion which is being filmed this weekend in New York City. Instead, Jenelle has decided it is best if the film from home. As previously reported, Jenelle Evans was throwing out some outrageous demands to MTV producers before she agreed to film this weekend in NYC.

Diva attitude on 'Teen Mom 2' could result in termination

Jenelle wanted the network to cover the total bill and fly not only herself to New York but her husband David Eason. MTV did not give in to Jenelle's demands, however, a compromise was reached according to Radar Online and the network agreed it would be in the best interest for all concerned if Evans film her reunion segment from her house.

Jenelle Evans refuses to face 'Teen Mom' cast in person

Dr. Drew has flown to North Carolina to film with Jenelle, and according to RO's inside "Teen Mom 2" source, he will have some tough questions and advice for her on everything that has gone down this year. David Eason will not be included in any of the "Teen Mom 2" reunion footage. As previously reported, Eason was recently fired from the series by MTV following a homophobic social media rant earlier this year.

Fans can still look forward to hearing from Jenelle's estranged mom Barbara Evans, who flew to NYC with her eight-year-old son Jace. Fans are going to be a little disappointed that she opted out of coming to the reunion in person.

There has been a lot of speculation that following all of Jenelle's diva antics thus far, her castmate moms are not real thrilled with her and there has even been talking that three of the moms, Kailyn, Leah and Chelsea, are even thinking of quitting the series.

Besides the obvious animosity between the moms, fans were looking forward to seeing Kailyn Lowry and Jenelle Evans square off face to face.

There was even talk from Kail that things could have become physical if the two had met up, and she had no problem coming after her. The show's source clearly reveals that right now Jenelle Evans is MTV's "worst nightmare." They are not happy with her behavior at all. Jenelle has seriously been acting very much like former "Teen Mom OG" star Farrah Abraham just before she was fired from the show.

When it comes down to it, Jenelle Evans should step back and take a long look at what she is getting herself into. MTV has fired people before. They won't take too much more before they decide to do it again. Jenelle Evans has also been catching a lot of flack on Twitter with commenters slamming her left and right about every move or comment she has recently been making.

Lmfao I have nothing to prove to anyone so Idgaf what you think or how you perceive me or my life anymore.  https://t.co/9Jhnw3Mkqu  Jenelle Eason (@PBandJenelley_1) May 19, 2018

Jenelle will obviously continue pushing hard to see just how far she can get. However, her time at "Teen Mom" could very well be running out. Time will tell.

One thing is for certain at this time; "Teen Mom 2" fans are disappointed we won't be seeing Jenelle Evans and Kailyn Lowry face off in person at this seasons reunion. Do you believe Jenelle Evans is pushing her luck with 'Teen Mom 2?"
After we learned that Cambridge Analytica harvested data from 87 million users, the company's latest direction would take a new turn. The data firm filed for bankruptcy on May 17 in the United States. The data analytics firm filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In addition, these developments stem from March allegations reported in the media. According to Reuters, the firm had been hired by President Donald Trump for the 2016 Presidential campaign. The improper and unauthorized use of Facebook user data dates back to 2014.

Cambridge Analytica proceeds to close its operations following the data scandal

The company started the gradual closing of its business and operations. Its British parent company, SCL Elections Ltd, confirmed they were in the process of shutting down immediately.

The decision to cease operations as a result of a substantial drop in business. Elsewhere, as reported by Reuters the petition to file for bankruptcy was submitted at the US Bankruptcy Court Southern District of New York. The decision was approved by the board of Cambridge Analytica.

Cambridge Analytica, the firm at the center of this year's Facebook privacy row, files for bankruptcy https://t.co/z61ytendft by @AbinayaV5 More #ReutersCyber news: https://t.co/RUBRpUtwOh pic.twitter.com/687XzZB7RM  Reuters Top News (@Reuters) May 18, 2018

Those who serve at the Cambridge Analytica are Rebekah and Jennifer Mercer.

They are the daughters of billionaire Robert Mercer. As it turns out, the Mercer family is Trump donors.

The suspension of Cambridge Analytica by Facebook started a chain of events

When Facebook announced the suspension of the data firm it unleashed a series of revelations. Initially, it was reported that Cambridge had gotten access to the data from 50 million users.

Later, after Mark Zuckerberg's company learned about the data breach, it started an investigation.

Facebook conducted, through a third-party, an investigation and later confirmed the data was accessed by the political consultancy group. The London-based firm was created in 2013 and its efforts were focused on US elections. It received $15 million from Mercer.

A New York Times analysis confirms there was involvement by former White House adviser Steve Bannon.

Facebook was not off the hook when the data scandal erupted. The company's CEO, Zuckerberg, was summoned before a US congressional committee to answer questions about the breach from so many users. Zuckerberg has to testify before leaders of the European Parliament in the near future. This news has affected Facebook's stock value and has lost billions of dollars in market value.

Facebook confirmed on Monday (May 14) of this past week, it had suspended close to 200 apps that had access to significant quantities of user data. The lack of confidence has grown for users of Facebook.
CONSOL Coal Resources LP produces and sells high- British thermal unit (Btu) coal in the Northern Appalachian Basin and the eastern United States. It owns a 25% undivided interest in the Pennsylvania mining complex, which consists of three underground mines and related infrastructure that produce high-Btu thermal coal located primarily in southwestern Pennsylvania. The company markets its thermal coal principally to electric utilities. CONSOL Coal Resources GP LLC operates as a general partner of the company. The company was formerly known as CNX Coal Resources LP and changed its name to CONSOL Coal Resources LP in November 2017. CONSOL Coal Resources LP was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

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CAE Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and supplies simulation equipment and training solutions to defense and security markets, commercial airlines, business aircraft operators, helicopter operators, aircraft manufacturers, and healthcare education and service providers worldwide. The company's Civil Aviation Training Solutions segment provides training solutions for flight, cabin, maintenance, and ground personnel in commercial, business, and helicopter aviation; flight simulation training devices; and ab initio pilot training and crew sourcing services, as well as end to end digitally-enabled crew management, training operations solutions, and optimization software. Its Defence and Security segment offers training and mission support solutions for defense forces across multi-domain operations, and for government organizations responsible for public safety. The company's Healthcare segment provides integrated education and training solutions, including surgical and imaging simulations, curriculum, audiovisual and centre management platforms, and patient simulators to healthcare students and clinical professionals. The company was formerly known as CAE Industries Ltd. and changed its name to CAE Inc. in June 1993. CAE Inc. was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Saint-Laurent, Canada.

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Terence Renaud reviews Gareth Stedman-Joness new book in H-Net:

[R]ecent, uplifting engagements with Marxism stand in contrast to Gareth Stedman Joness new biography of Marx. While it too aims to shatter the monumental mythology that has surrounded the German philosopher since the late nineteenth century, the book hardly uplifts the reader. Reading Karl Marx: Greatness and Illusion is a deflationary experience. Its author commits himself absolutely to reconstructing Marxs life and work according to their original, nineteenth-century context. According to him, all later iterations of Marxism overinflated Marxs legacy. So this is an anti-Marxist biography of Marx, or Karl, as the author whimsically calls him. In his wide-ranging and impressive attempt to restore the original Marx, Stedman Jones hopes also to politically neutralize him.

The book is divided into twelve chapters, framed by a prologue and epilogue, and fortified by maps, illustrations, and copious notes. Tome might accurately describe a 750-page volume, but this one does not feel too long as far as biographies go. Many of those pages satisfy Stedman Joness desire to place Marx and his contemporaries in a landscape larger than themselves (p. xv). Every major public figure, and plenty of minor ones too, get their potted histories: no need to consult Wikipedia. The authors erudition is evident in his descriptions of Rhineland radicalism in the 1830s and 40s, debates over religion in Berlin, and mass democratic politics across Europe in the mid- to late nineteenth century.

Appropriately enough, the book starts with a chapter about the impact of the French Revolution on the adjacent German lands as well as the post-Napoleonic Restoration that began in 1815. Three years later, Karl Marx was born into an assimilated Jewish family in Trier. He had a normal bourgeois childhood and eventually attended university in Bonn and Berlin. Despite initially studying law at his fathers behest, the young Marx inclined toward poetry and philosophy. Stedman Jones devotes several pages to the love poems that Marx wrote for his fiancee, Jenny von Westphalen. The portrait we get is of a romantic young man who spurned convention, ignored his parents wishes, drank too much, and rushed headlong into radical politics.

More here.
Baird Park recreation trail open, ready for visitors

The Baird Park Recreation Trail is now open and ready for visitors.
Every now and then, Julianna Kirwin rides her bike from her home and art studio at Eighth and Mountain Road to Patio Escondido, a serene enclave just east of San Felipe Street in Old Town. There, she finds sanctuary in the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a cool, calming adobe refuge between a huge pine tree and the Albuquerque Museum.

Its a lovely place for me to ride over to and have a little quiet time inside, said Kirwin, 66, a printmaker and art teacher.

Enfolded in a soothing, sacred space removed from the fuss and flurry that make up much of Old Town, Kirwin is free to think through whatever might be on her mind at the time.

Often, however, her thoughts drift back to the mid-1970s, a time just after she had earned an art education degree from the University of New Mexico, a time when she helped build the very chapel she is sitting in, a time when she was a student and friend of Sister Giotto Moots.

New Mexico roots

Giotto Moots, a religious sister with the Dominican order of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away in Albuquerque on April 20 at the age of 90. The Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which boasts a brilliantly colored liturgical calendar created by Sister Giotto, is her memorial, a testament to her talent, vision and determination.

From the early 70s into the 1980s, the chapel and other buildings tucked into Patio Escondido, 404 San Felipe NW, were part of the Sagrada Art Studios, a school of sacred art founded by Sister Giotto.

She was born Evelyn Moots in Chicago but Sister Giotto grew from New Mexico roots. Her paternal grandfather settled in southeast New Mexico before statehood. Her father was born in New Mexico but moved to Chicago as a young man.

It was while she was a student at the Art Institute of Chicago that Evelyn Moots decided she had a religious vocation. After joining the Dominicans, she continued her art education at the University of Wisconsin and at Villa Schifanoia, a Catholic graduate art school in Florence, Italy. In the late 60s, she received permission from her order to start a school of sacred art.

They said, Sure go ahead and do that if you want to as long as you find a way to pay for it,' Chris Sandoval, Sister Giottos nephew, said.

She may not have been certain of how she was going to fund the school, but she knew where she wanted it to be. Members of her family had started trickling back into New Mexico, so she chose Albuquerque as the site.

 we are offering a course to encompass all fields of the religious arts  emphasizing the use of contemporary materials and innovative concepts in presenting the word of God, Sister Giotto told a Journal reporter in May 1970.

Mixing mud, baking bread

By the summer of 1971, five Dominican sisters, volunteers sent by Sister Giottos Mother House in Wisconsin, were in Albuquerque, making adobe bricks for the schools art studios.

Albuquerques Eileen Sandoval, Giottos sister, recalls that one of those Dominican volunteers ended up in traction.

Those adobe bricks are heavy, Eileen, 89, said.

Since every nickel mattered, students in Sister Giottos school were as involved in creating and sustaining Sagrada as they were in learning from courses in Christian iconography, liturgy and the arts, sacred scripture, festival dance and sacred song. They helped construct and renovate school facilities and worked at Josephs Table, a restaurant whose profits went to the school.

I learned how to build with adobe there, Kirwin said. We were all involved in laying the adobes and mixing the mud (for the chapel). I made the bread in the restaurant.

Eileen Sandoval said Giotto herself worked alongside students and volunteers, building and baking.

She would get up at five in the morning to bake break (for Josephs Table), Eileen said. She also made a special gazpacho soup and Key lime pie.

Round table education

By the early 1980s, Sagradas complex included the chapel, a library and classroom, Josephs Table, a gallery, an earthen dance circle, four studios in what had been a soldiers garrison in the 19th century and six apartments for students and staff. At that point, more than 400 students from around the country and from different religions had worked and studied at Sagrada.

Chris Sandoval said students and teachers gathered around a huge round, wooden table to share meals, ideas and each others company.

The idea (of the school) was to create good religious art, said Chris, 63, a wood craftsman and designer of fine furniture in Albuquerque. (Sister Giotto) taught Christian iconography. Symbolism was important to her.

Giottos brother, Richard Dick Moots, 80, of Rio Rancho, said that while Giotto was faithful to her Catholic religion, she was also open to new ideas and other ways of worship.

She even did (a painting of) the Virgin Mary as a Buddha, Mary in a lotus pose, he said.

Despite the support of benefactors and proceeds from tuition, Josephs Table and twice-a-week bingo games, funding for Sagrada was always a challenge. By the late 80s the school was closed.

Sister Giotto taught for a time at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif., and then settled in the Sandoval County village of San Ysidro. There she renovated the villages Catholic church and started construction, never completed, on a retreat center.

Good vibrations

Today, a salon and a guitar store are among the businesses located in what was once the Sagrada Art Studios buildings. The chapel is privately owned and available to rent for weddings, memorial services and other events. But most times its open to the public, to tourists who come upon it by accident or to those, like Kirwin, who seek it out for quiet, reflective moments. Dick Moots said Sister Giotto found comfort in that during her last days.

When (people) need a place to pray, they can come in here, she once said about the chapel. Every place has a certain vibration it gives off. This place is peace and prayer.
Just days after winning the Miss Indian World pageant at the 2018 Gathering of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque, Taylor Susan was back in her home state taking college final exams.

Susan, full name Taylor Talbi Denzhoone Susan, 25, graduated May 11 from the University of Arizona, in Tucson, with a bachelors degree in political science and minors in chemistry and theater.

Susan is a member of the White Mountain Apache/Walker River Paiute tribes of Whiteriver in eastern Arizona. She was one of 30 contestants seeking the title, which was bestowed at a ceremony April 28, that drew 10,000 people to Tingley Coliseum at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque. The winner of the title serves as a cultural ambassador for Native Americans.

She has already had a taste of what her new role will mean. She was Miss Native American University of Arizona 2014-15 and Miss Indian Arizona 2015-16.

Ive learned my role as an ambassador is to teach, inspire and honor the commitment to helping others, she said.

Her themes will include the importance of spending quality time with elders and the value of pursuing higher education. She believes its important to communicate why songs, dances, stories and languages of indigenous peoples are vital to their cultural identity.

Although Susan moved to Phoenix when she was 3 years old because her parents were working there, her family retained close ties to their home community.

When the weekends or summers would approach after school, my family and I packed our bags to travel to Whiteriver to be surrounded with family and partake in our cultural ceremonies, she said.

Her father, Lloyd Susan, gained a reputation as a tough competitor in the rodeo world and Susan grew up with a love of horseback riding. Anne Susan, her mother, worked for the National Institutes of Health and sometimes took Taylor, her sister Ashley and brother Justin, to work-related conferences.

Some of Susans favorite childhood memories were times spent with her maternal grandmother, Lucinda Miranda Willie, when they went to coming-of-age events called Sunrise Ceremonies.

Partaking in our ceremonies made me so proud of where I come from, said Susan, adding, Being surrounded by culture and family has always been the best medicine for me.

She enjoyed sharing stories about her culture with her friends at school who were from diverse backgrounds.

While a student, Susan worked as a Starbucks barista at the J.W. Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa. She hopes to combine that experience and her love of chemistry to work some day at the Starbucks corporate office in Seattle, Wash.

The first Miss Indian World pageant was held in 1984. Contestants must be single women aged between 18 and 25. They are judged in the areas of public speaking, traditional talents, dance, an essay and an interview.

Last years Miss Indian World was Raven Swamp, 23, of Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada, and a member of the Mohawk tribe.

The first runner-up for the 2018 title is Lori Martin Kingbird of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe from Cass Lake, Minn., and second runner-up is Dinee Dorame, Dine Nation from Albuquerque, who also won the public speaking award. Other special award winners from New Mexico are Shenise Arthur, Dine Nation, for best interview, and Tyra Nicole Quetawaki, Zuni, for best dancer.
WASHINGTON  How does President Trump act when he feels on top of the economic and diplomatic world? As his influence solidifies within the GOP? As his poll numbers tick upward?

If a recent Cabinet meeting tirade is any indication, political security has not translated into magnanimity. According to press reports, Trump spent 30 minutes dressing down his homeland security secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen, for insufficient zeal in closing the southern border to illegal immigrants. One consistent source of tension between the two has been Trumps desire to use family separation as a deterrent against illegal crossings.

Trump unbound is increasingly impatient with the excessive humanity of some of his own staff. This is not a problem he has, to be clear, with his chief of staff. Asked if family separation was cruel and heartless, John Kelly replied, I wouldnt put it quite that way. The children will be taken care of  put into foster care or whatever. But the big point is they elected to come illegally into the United States. He described the family-separation policy as a tough deterrent.

No, pulling crying children from the arms of their parents is not heartless at all. They will be taken care of, or whatever. For Kelly and Trump, the defining characteristic of these migrants is their illegality, not their personhood or their dignity. This is the definition of dehumanization.

A few points. First, the debate over a border wall is a policy matter. The separation of children from their parents as a deterrent is a human-rights abuse. And the Trump administration, at its highest levels, cannot tell the difference.

As usual, Trump and his team are operating in a complete vacuum of historical knowledge. Family separation is not new to America. It was essential to the practice of chattel slavery. If enslaved people were truly property, they could not also be husbands and wives or constitute true families. If those emotional and moral bonds were conceded as valid, slaverys whole structure of dehumanization would crumble. Which is exactly why abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe emphasized the cruel separation of families in Uncle Toms Cabin.

Inhuman immigration enforcement is not the moral or legal equivalent of slavery. But a nation with this history should take particular care when contemplating family separation as official policy. Few human beings would treat other human beings in this manner. Which is exactly why Trump and Kelly must present illegals as lesser beings defined by their criminality.

Second, if the deterrence of crime is the only standard we employ in immigration enforcement, what is the limiting principle? Why stop at the separation of families? Why not put able-bodied illegal immigrant children to work in salt mines? Why not plant landmines at the border? Why not strafe illegal immigrants from attack helicopters?

The answer, of course, is that America, by definition, has a higher standard than legality. Our countrys most basic commitment  and its limiting principle  is universal human rights and dignity. This does not prevent the government from enforcing reasonable immigration laws. It does forbid the government from inhumanity in the enforcement of immigration laws. And there is no definition of inhumanity that does not include the intentional separation of parents from their children.

The fragmentation of families can be a tragic byproduct of the criminal justice system. Many American children must visit a parent in prison. But if the breakup of families were proposed as a tough deterrent for crime  as a policy and a punishment  it would rightly be seen as a betrayal of American values. As it would be at our borders.

Third, Trumps policy of family separation illustrates the swift downward spiral of demagoguery. In 2012, citizen Trump criticized Mitt Romneys crazy policy of self-deportation, which was maniacal. It sounded as bad as it was, and he lost all of the Latino vote.  He lost everybody who is inspired to come into this country. By his candidacy announcement tour in 2015, Trump had discovered the visceral appeal of presenting Mexican migrants as rapists and murderers. Now he feels comfortable proposing the punishment of children and the purposeful destruction of migrant families as a deterrent. And he feels comfortable because the Republican Party has surrendered, step by step, to his agenda of dehumanization.

Other American presidents have used their accumulated political capital for humanitarian goals. Trump is a leader who, as he grows politically stronger, is using his power to attack and exploit the weak and vulnerable. Americas president is the bullier of children.

Michael Gersons email address is michaelgerson@washpost.com. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group.
SANTA FE, Texas  The mother of one of the 10 people killed at a Texas high school said her daughter recently rejected the romantic advances of the 17-year-old charged in the shootings, a possible motive for the violent tragedy.

Sadie Rodriguez said her daughter, Shana Fisher, had made clear that she was not interested in Dimitrios Pagourtzis.

He continued to get more aggressive, Rodriguez told The Associated Press in an interview conducted Saturday via Facebook. She finally stood up to him and embarrassed him.

The incident took place one week before the shooting, Rodriguez said. Police have not yet said what might have motivated the attack.

Asked about Rodriguezs allegation, a lawyer for the Pagourtziss family said he hadnt heard about any such interaction between Pagourtzis and any of the victims and therefore couldnt comment.

Thats news to me, said lawyer Nicholas Poehl, though he cautioned that hed spent much of the day disputing false rumors about the teens personal life. Earlier Saturday, Poehl issued a statement from the family saying that they were as shocked and confused as anyone else by these events that occurred and asked for privacy.

While we remain mostly in the dark about the specifics of yesterdays tragedy, what we have learned from media reports seems incompatible with the boy we love, the familys statement said.

Representatives of the school district did not immediately respond to questions about Rodriguezs comments.

A junior at Santa Fe High, Pagourtzis hid a shotgun and a handgun under his trenchcoat before opening fire in a first-period art class on Friday, according to an affidavit filed by police. The FBI announced Saturday that it had taken the lead in the joint investigation, at the request of local authorities.

He gave a statement admitting to shooting multiple people inside the Santa Fe High School with the intent on killing people, the police affidavit said. Dimitrios advised he did not shoot students he did like so he could have his story told. The attack ended when Pagourtzis walked out of a classroom and surrendered to police.

Authorities say Pagourtzis planned the killings, carried out with weapons owned by his father. Though Pagourtzis allegedly wrote about his intention to carry out the attack, authorities have not indicated a motive for the violence.

Gov. Greg Abbott said Pagourtzis had planned to kill himself after the shooting, but that Pagourtzis told police that he didnt have the courage to commit the suicide.

Some Santa Fe High students indicated that Pagourtzis may have had one or more targets, though details were not clear. Breanna Quintanilla, 17, a junior, said she was in her art classroom Friday morning in what she described as a perfectly normal day when she heard gun shots.

Quintanilla said when Pagourtzis first walked in, he pointed at one person and said, Im going to kill you. Quintanilla, who was wounded escaping the classroom, did not identify that student.

At a news conference, Abbott said Pagourtzis had not previously been in trouble. The red-flag warnings were either nonexistent or very imperceptible, he said.

In the absence of a clear motive, attention turned to a hodge-podge of incendiary posts by Pagourtzis on social media, which were quickly removed when his identity first emerged. One Facebook post was a picture of a T-shirt reading Born to Kill. Another showed a trench coat adorned with various pins associated with conflicting ideologies and Cthulhu, a mythical creature drawn from the work of horror fiction writer H.P. Lovecraft.

In the wake of the shooting, various reports that Pagourtzis was bullied have surfaced from his classmates. However, two Santa Fe High students who said they knew Pagourtzis said they had no reason to suspect that he was planning Fridays attack.

Student Michael Farina said he had known the alleged gunman since fifth grade and considered him a friend. He recalled Pagourtzis talked about buying a gun when I grow up, but never discussed his dads guns or anything about his family.

Farina said he and Pagourtzis also talked a lot about video games they liked, including so-called first-person shooter games. Theyd talked about one, Escape from Tarkov, as recently as lunch on the day before the shooting, he said.

Farina did not recall Pagourtzis ever being notably angry.

He seemed relatively happy for the most part, he said.

___

Horwitz reported from Washington and Zimmerman from Springfield, Illinois. Associated Press writers Eric Tucker in Washington, Paul J. Weber in Austin, Texas, and John Mone and Nomaan Merchant in Santa Fe, Texas, contributed.

___

Have a tip for the Associated Press? Send it securely and anonymously at https://www.ap.org/tips
Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

The state Law Offices of the Public Defender is trying a new tactic in its effort to address what it says is a crisis of overloaded attorneys being unable to adequately defend their clients.

Its similar to an approach tried in late 2016 when Chief Public Defender Ben Baur instructed defenders in several southern counties to decline to take on new cases and was ultimately held in contempt of court.

This time, the LOPDs oversight entity, the Public Defender Commission, is proposing a statewide interim case refusal protocol that would guide Baur and district offices in how to refuse additional cases when they reach a certain caseload level.

The office is holding two public meetings this week to gather comment on the protocol.

We want people to know we arent making up a crisis, Baur said.

He said almost all of the public defenders in the state are handling more cases than they should be based on national standards of no more than 150 felony cases annually. That caseload requires more time and attention than the advised annual load of 400 misdemeanor cases.

The protocol requires each public defender office  13 in the state employing more than 220 attorneys and contracting with about 160 private attorneys  to continue keeping records of the case assignments per year for each attorney, including the nature of the charges. Each attorney would track all work time.

The caseload record would be reviewed by the LOPD chief quarterly. After three months of consistently high caseloads, based on national standards, the chief would then examine the work time logs and decide if the affected attorney is ethically able to take on new clients. If not, the chief would file a Notice of Case Refusal and instruct the attorney to decline to take on new cases until the caseload drops and is re-evaluated.

Baur and commission Chairman Tom Clear, a private attorney in Albuquerque, arent sure how the proposal will be received. But they hope the streamlined and data-driven approach to declining cases will help the LOPD garner support for either reducing caseloads by more selective prosecution or increasing the number of public defenders.

Or it could provide a clearer plan to move resources, Clear said.

I dont know if its (about how) judges respond as much as it is so that were able to really evaluate the conditions on the ground and then we are able to say if its feasible to move resources, Clear said.

But moving resources isnt a permanent solution, Baur has said.

And in the proposed protocol, mechanisms to resolve this statewide problem by other means, including by filing motions to withdraw in individual cases or working through local Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils, have proven inadequate for the problem, too.

Prosecutors in southern New Mexico who opposed Baurs initial attempt to decline cases say public defenders, at least in their districts, are exaggerating how busy they are and arent any more overwhelmed than prosecutors.

After Baurs first try at declining cases in Lea and Lincoln counties in late 2016 and early 2017, the controversy rose to the state Supreme Court.

There, prosecutors asked the court to block the LOPD effort to decline cases. Public defenders asked the court to force judges to accept their motions to decline cases and/or to appoint a special overseer to help solve the problem.

Justices questioned prosecutors on their use of discretion in which cases to charge and public defenders in what steps they and the Public Defender Commission took before Baur authorized declining cases.

Tom Clark, head of the commission, told the Journal recently that the justices questioning was part of the motivation for creating the statewide protocol.

What we found was there was no protocol in place for when and how and if we should decline cases because of caseload limits and not being able to provide any meaningful representation for our clients because there are just too many of them, Clear said.

The Supreme Court declined the LOPDs requests, but it didnt say its problem wasnt real or worth addressing, Baur said.

His office regrouped and vowed to keep fighting the overload.

Clear said he hopes many people show up or submit comments on the proposed protocol, which the commission plans to amend, block or approve on a short time frame.
It was traumatic fallout from the simple theft of a purse.

Jordan Stansbury, a 25-year-old nurse, was headed for a romantic trip to the Bahamas with her boyfriend last year when police at the Atlanta airport stopped her, checked her passport and promptly placed her in handcuffs.

Stansbury said she was hauled off to the county jail, where she was booked and held for 24 hours without being given a reason. Police, acting on a warrant out of Albuquerque, told her, Were not at liberty to say.

Stansbury was able to reach a family member, and a lawyer was able to arrange her release  just in time to save her from spending a weekend behind bars.

It turns out that Stansbury, who now lives in Portland, was the victim of a terrible case of identity theft that came back to haunt her after her purse was stolen out of her car in Albuquerque in 2014.

It happened in a flash  Stansbury said she was dropping off a friend and ran into his apartment just for a minute when the crime occurred. Two years later, a woman using Stansburys ID showed up at an Albuquerque pawn shop, trying to pawn some stolen generators, according to an Albuquerque Police Department report.

I was a nurse at UNM, Stansbury said in a phone interview. I dont even know what a generator does.

The warrant for Stansburys arrest was the reason her Bahamas trip was interrupted, as police sought to solve the stolen generator case.

It was traumatic, she said.

And it made the news in Atlanta, with headlines about U.S. Customs and Border Protection arresting her and three others in unrelated cases who were trying to leave the country. The agency described Stansbury as a fugitive.

Now, if you Google my name, thats how it shows up, she said. Now, employers are going to know.

Stansbury said it took $10,000 and a full six months to get her name cleared and the charges dismissed.

Im young and I like to travel, she said. Traveling now is a total anxiety-inducing situation.

She says she monitors her credit card accounts constantly and is vigilant about protecting her identity.

Stansbury called a couple of weeks ago to talk about her experience because she doesnt want it to happen to others.

I know that people get their cars broken into all the time in Albuquerque, she said. I just want people to be aware and alert, to be cognizant that these things can happen.

I never would have guessed that this would happen to me.

  

A New Mexico woman last week fell for a scam that came via a messenger app, prompting a warning from the state Attorney Generals Office.

The scammer, posing as a friend, sent the woman a message about a supposedly new Health and Human Services program that would send her $50,000 in exchange for a payment of $500 for taxes, according to the alert.

Unfortunately, the other end of the message chain is being answered by an imposter who has hacked the actual friends messenger service  not the friend at all, the AGs Office said.

The woman tried to verify whether the offer was legitimate by questioning the supposed friend, and received assurances  from the scammer  that is was a true deal. That prompted the woman to follow through by purchasing gift cards to cover the $500.

Finally, she realized she was being scammed but it was too late, as she had already provided the identification numbers of the gifts cards to the scammers, the AGs alert said.

Heres the advice on this one: Never pay anyone who demands payment via gift card because the use of non-standard banking devices is a sure sign you are dealing with a scammer, AG Hector Balderas said. Secondly, never disclose your personal information to someone who initiated the contact electronically with you.

Ellen Marks is assistant business editor at the Albuquerque Journal. Contact her at emarks@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3842 if you are aware of what sounds like a scam. To report a scam to law enforcement, contact the New Mexico Consumer Protection Division toll-free at 1-844-255-9210.
Lets be clear.

The system designed to protect New Mexicos children has failed miserably. Again.

With Omaree Varela and Victoria Martens still fresh in our collective memory, we are now faced with reports of a 7-year-old girl whose close relative/caretakers not only neglected her, but prostituted her for drugs.

An Albuquerque Public Schools teacher  who testified at the preventive detention hearing for James Stewart and Teri Sanchez on charges brought by the office of Attorney General Hector Balderas after the Albuquerque Police and Children Youth and Families departments failed in their jobs  said the child came to school hungry, dirty, smelling of urine and with blood-soaked underwear. Another school staff member testified the girl had hickeys on her neck and chest. There was testimony Sanchez used the girl to panhandle and dressed her up for secret parties with strippers.

It gets worse.

There was testimony Stewart forced the girl to touch his friends in a sexual manner in exchange for drugs and paraphernalia.

Judge Alisa Hart, who had the good sense to keep these two behind bars pending trial, called the charges against Stewart morally reprehensible.

The baffling thing about this case for the public is that issues with this child were hardly new to either CYFD or APD. There had been more than two dozen referrals over time.

The APS teacher who spoke to the responding APD officer about the underwear says she saved them for him, but the officer said they couldnt be used in a criminal case and tossed them in the Dumpster. Interim Police Chief Michael Geier says the officer actually asked for an evidence technician to come to the school, but then backed off after calling a Crimes Against Children detective, who advised him the underwear was not worth keeping. The teacher testified that part of the little girls underwear was half saturated with blood. And the recommendation was to ignore it?

There is plenty of blame to go around.

Both APD and CYFD have the ability to remove a child or initiate a safe-house forensic interview  which should have happened after the APD officer spoke to the teacher.

But in a breath of fresh air, CYFD Secretary Monique Jacobson ordered a tough internal review of her departments handling of the case and found it lacking. She has initiated new policies and disciplinary action against several employees.

APD, not surprisingly, says it did things by the book. No problem here. Thats generally been the initial response no matter who is chief or mayor, and Geier and new Mayor Tim Keller fell right in line. Dont upset the troops.

And this wouldnt be APDs first time bungling a horrible child abuse case. In the Omaree Varela case, the responding officers didnt bother to listen to the boys 911 call before going to the house and being bamboozled by the boys mother and stepfather. Several months later, Omaree, who was 9, died of injuries when his mother said she kicked him the wrong way.

And APD didnt investigate a complaint that a male in the household had kissed 10-year old Victoria Martens, who was later raped, murdered and dismembered in what police say was a meth-fueled rage. APD vacillated over whether it did or didnt investigate the kiss allegation, whether it would have been a crime even if true and for a while peddled a fake story about what it had done.

Yes, adults entrusted with caring for these two children have gone/will likely go to prison for a long time. And none of that helps Omaree or Victoria.

In the wake of this latest atrocity, Gov. Susana Martinez immediately ordered a strike force comprised of investigators from State Police and CYFD to review all cases with 10 or more referrals. Keller, after an embarrassing APD did just fine response on Wednesday, on Thursday issued a seven-point plan to address child safety. They are positive, even if they do include no-brainers like APD reviewing child abuse cases for patterns that raise red flags and evaluating policies on evidence collection. Maybe that will keep underwear out of the trash.

The real heroes here are the persistent teacher who kept calling and Balderas, whose offices attention to sex trafficking arguably kept this girls tragic fate from being even worse.

Its clear a top-to-bottom review is warranted  both of how this case was handled, as well as the system. CYFD recognized that immediately. Perhaps Keller will now see the value of that as well  even if it ruffles a few blue feathers.

The problems of attacking child abuse are daunting, with CYFD getting about 40,000 calls a year. Half of those had enough substance to warrant further investigation and the department took 1,300 kids out of homes last year. Under the current administration, CYFDs budget has been beefed up and workforce expanded.

These cases arent easy  they are tough for cops and social workers alike. The law favors keeping families together, with judges often imposing a tough burden on police and social workers in order to remove a child. Everyone involved, including caretaker-defendants, has lawyers.

Perhaps its time to have a conversation about those issues. But they really arent a factor in this case. You cant argue you need more authority when you dont even use what you have.

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.
Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

GILA NATIONAL FOREST  As a group of firefighters calmly lit small patches of land on fire and walked through heavy smoke, others stood guard watching a section of the forest burn.

So what we are doing is putting fire back into the ecosystem in controlled amount, said Ellen Brown, fire prevention specialist with the U.S. Forest Service.

Prescribed burns in the Gila National Forest use fire to fight fire and clear thick, dry underbrush, shrubs and the overgrowth of certain trees that can become fuel for massive blazes.

We know when we put fire down in certain directions, in certain patterns, we know how that fire is going to behave on the land, Brown said. Whereas with a wildfire, were already behind the curve, and were chasing to get ahead.

New Mexico and other Western states are bracing for a particularly busy fire season, as dangerously dry conditions, high winds, and rising temperatures turn some forests into tinderboxes.

Youve seen the forest in the West for the last 10 years. Big burns are concerns. Its damaging, said Randy Lock, who owns the general store in Winston on the edge of the Gila National Forest.

Lock attended a briefing with 100 specially trained Forest Service employees at the Poverty Creek Volunteer Fire Station the morning the prescribed burn started. The Poverty Creek and Winston-Chloride volunteer fire departments hosted the firefighters.

They realize how critical it is to keep this fire where they want it, as dry as it is and the time of year, said Lock, whose store served as a fire information center in a region where cellphone service is spotty.

The carefully planned and managed prescribed burn in the Gila included 7,800 acres of forestland. The ignition team used drip torches and mix of one part gasoline and three parts diesel that burns steady and slow. Crews on foot followed along, watching the flames carefully, just making sure the fire doesnt escape this boundary line were staged on right now, said Amy Betcher, one of the Silver City Hot Shots helping with the fire.

Another crew with a water truck stood ready nearby to spring into action if needed.

Were holding for the burn, said Daniel Cooper, a firefighter from Safford, Ariz. His teams job was to protect the burn boundary and in this scenario make sure it stays on the correct side of the road.

The team working on the Black Range Ranger District started south of N.M. 59 near the tiny community of Poverty Creek.

The weather right now is perfect, said Marta Call, public affairs officer for the Gila National Forest on the first day of the burn, May 7.

But by the end of that week, conditions had changed.

These hard-working firefighters held the fire all weekend, despite wind gusts up to 40 mph, Call said in a news release.

The prescribed burn area was within a quarter of a mile of the Rabenau familys home and property.

We recognized the benefit of prescribed burns. Were for it, said Lorretta Rabenau, whose family has been ranching in the area for more than 40 years.

Gila National Forest personnel worked with the Rabenaus to ensure that cattle were moved from certain areas ahead of the prescribed burn.

It will prevent future wildfires that could destroy our livelihood, our house and everything we love, said Rabenaus daughter Clara.

Though they support the effort, the family kept a watchful eye on things.

Its fire. Its unpredictable. You never know whats going to happen, Clara Rabenau said.

Last month, a prescribed burn in the Cibola National Forest near Grants escaped a containment area because of high winds and burned more than 300 acres.

Even so, the benefits of preventing huge wildfires far outweigh the risks of carefully managed prescribed burns, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

There is no eradicating all fire. Lightning sparks as many as 100 fires a year in isolated areas of the Gila National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service allows some of those natural fires to burn out if they dont pose a hazard.

But after decades of Smokey Bear warning about the danger of forest fires, convincing people not to fear all fire is tough.

Give the bear a break, Call said. Hell learn.

Smokeys website now includes some information about prescribed burns as an effective tool for managing the intensity and spread of wildfires.

Were having to go back and re-educate people that not all fire is a bad thing, Brown said. There is a place for fire on our landscape.
Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

The Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico prison gang was born behind the walls of the Penitentiary of New Mexico in Santa Fe 38 years ago.

But in the latest federal criminal racketeering trial of seven of its alleged members, all but one of the defendants was out on the streets when arrested.

Prosecutors allege that all seven gang members had literally gotten away with murder in cases originally investigated by New Mexico State Police as far back as 2001.

The defendants face federal charges of murder, attempted murder and witness intimidation to further the gangs criminal racketeering enterprise.

Beginning this week, jurors who have listened to six weeks of trial testimony in a Las Cruces courtroom are expected to begin deliberations in the case.

The crimes: three unsolved prison murders, an assault and attempted murder of a witness in the federal SNM case; and the shooting death of a Los Lunas area man found handcuffed and on fire behind his torched car near the Rio Grande in 2012.

To convict the men of racketeering, the jury must conclude that they committed the underlying violent crimes to increase or maintain their position within the SNM. If convicted of murder in furtherance of SNM racketeering, they face life in prison.

The defendants include two brothers, Joe Lawrence Gallegos and Andrew Smiley Gallegos; along with Edward Troup, Billy Garcia, Allen Patterson, Christopher Chavez, and Arturo Arnulfo Garcia.

All have pleaded not guilty and have court-appointed lawyers.

Several defendants deny any affiliation with the SNM gang, which at one time boasted as many as 500 members and formed after the deadly 1980 prison riot at the state penitentiary.

Defense attorneys contend that a murderers row of cooperating prosecution witnesses  some who have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing in the case  cannot be believed.

The evidence is circumstantial, defense attorneys say, with no DNA or other physical evidence tying their clients to the crimes.

On March 28, the first trial of four other defendants, including the alleged leader of the SNM, ended with one acquittal and three guilty verdicts involving the 2014 murder of an SNM gang member inmate at the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility and a conspiracy to murder two top state Corrections officials in 2015.

Testimony in the current trial, which began in early April with U.S. District Judge James Browning presiding, underscored the influence of the gang beyond prison walls.

Of the 100-plus people charged with federal and/or state crimes during a three-year FBI investigation into SNM dubbed Operation Atonement, nearly 70 percent were on the streets, federal court records show. Some were on parole, while others were on probation or pre-trial release awaiting trial on state charges. Despite their freedom, they were still very much a part of the prison gang, prosecutors have alleged.

Prosecutors say that, just because an SNM member finishes his sentence and is released from prison, doesnt mean his membership ends. According to a federal search warrant affidavit, former prisoners are still expected to keep ties with the gang, sometimes being required to smuggle drugs into prison or elsewhere.

Once you are an SNM gang member, you are a member for life; blood in, blood out stated one FBI affidavit.

In an earlier court proceeding, Gerald Styx Archuleta, a former leader of SNM who left New Mexico seven years ago, testified that he relocated to Tennessee.

I was expected to keep in touch with the S, send money to the brothers, and assist in any way I can, said Archuleta, who was a prosecution witness and is pending sentencing in the SNM case. When I got out in 2011, I had already distanced myself from the S, because I basically wanted something better for myself and my son. However, he testified, a SNM member sent him the drug Suboxone in Tennessee, and Archuleta sent nearly $2,400 to the inmates prison account as payment.

Elizabeth Martinez, of the U.S. Attorneys Office in New Mexico, told the Journal that closing arguments in the trial are set for Monday and Tuesday.

But neither she nor FBI spokesman Frank Fisher would respond to Journal questions about the case, citing Justice Department policy. Neither would say whether the SNM investigation is ongoing.

Four murders

In the current trial, testimony has focused on four murders and a machete attack against a potential witness in the SNM case.

Six of the seven defendants now on trial were arrested in Albuquerque, Los Chavez near Belen, Silver City and Denver, Colo., federal court records show.

Some defense attorneys contend that their clients, if they had been affiliated with SNM, were released from prison years ago, and left the gang lifestyle behind. Others deny SNM membership.

In the case of defendant Allen Patterson, his attorney, Jeff Lahann, stated in one court motion that his client has lived a life relatively free from crime and neither of the crimes for which he was imprisoned, attempted murder and DWI, involved prison gang activity.

The Gallegos brothers are charged in the shooting death of heroin dealer Adrian Burns, more than five years after a Socorro magistrate judge found a lack of probable cause and the charges were dropped.

The original charges were filed in November 2012 by State Police, but additional witnesses were located after the dismissal.

Gallegos attorneys maintained in federal court records that state authorities back in 2012 had determined that the Burns murder wasnt gang related.

Joe Gallegos is also charged in the March 26, 2001, murder of Frank Castillo, along with four other defendants.

Castillo and fellow inmate Rolando Garza were strangled to death on the same day, at the same hour, in separate areas of the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility outside Las Cruces. The deadly attacks were orchestrated by SNM leaders, prosecutors say.
She showed up to U.S. District Court in Las Cruces without identification, looking bewildered and a little scared.

As Morgan Ramirez began to testify April 30 as a prosecution witness against her ex-boyfriend and alleged Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico gang member, Joe Lawrence Gallegos, she bit her lower lip and tears welled in her eyes.

The 30-year-old woman recalled that she and Gallegos had lived together in his Los Chavez mobile home near Belen, where there was an add-on room without lights or windows that she testified, used to creep me out.

She testified about the day Joe Gallegos told her not to worry, that someone may have gotten shot in there, but no one died.

That conversation occurred, she told the jury, sometime after a heroin dealer named Adrian Burns was found shot in the head, a plastic bag covering his face. He was handcuffed and partially burned. His car was nearby, having been set on fire in a wooden area near the Rio Grande.

Burns was Gallegos drug dealer, and Gallegos, along with younger brother Andrew Gallegos, had been suspects in the Nov. 12, 2012 murder, court records state. They were arrested by New Mexico State Police, but criminal charges were dismissed a month after the murder. A Socorro magistrate judge concluded there was insufficient evidence.

But both Gallegos brothers are now on trial in Las Cruces on federal violent crime in aid of racketeering murder charges in Burns death. They have pleaded not guilty.

Morgan Ramirez, who is 18 years younger than Joe Gallegos, testified about another conversation in which she said Gallegos told her they tried to shoot him (Burns) in the head and it got stopped by a bone in his ear.

Joe Gallegos told her that Burns didnt get robbed before his death but was killed because he had a big mouth, she testified.

Anytime Burns name was mentioned, Ramirez testified, Joe Gallegos would say: Yeah, he sure does. (She took that as apparent reference to his fiery demise.)

Ramirez testified that said she never told anybody about the comments back then and ended her on-and-off again relationship with Joe Gallegos in 2013.

Upon cross-examination, Ramirez quickly regained her composure. She acknowledged she was facing a first-degree murder charge in the fatal shooting of an Edgewood gas station clerk on Feb. 11.

Ramirez, along with six others, are also charged with armed robbery and tampering with evidence in that case. She was released on her own recognizance and is on house arrest pending trial.

Ramirez is also facing felony forgery and theft of identity charges in a separate case filed earlier this year. She conceded during cross examination that she also has a January 2016 felony forgery charge pending and a November 2016 charge of receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle.

Joe and Andrew Gallegos of Los Chavez, a community north of Belen, are two of the alleged SNM defendants facing possible life in prison on federal criminal charges if convicted of committing violent crimes to further the gangs criminal enterprise.

Two other Gallegos brothers  Frankie and Ben  are currently serving time in federal prison, according to federal court records.

Frankie is alleged to be running the SNM prison gang in the federal corrections system, according to an FBI search warrant affidavit.

Of the two brothers on trial in Las Cruces, Andrew Gallegos has a long list of prior convictions, including criminal sexual penetration, according to the state Corrections Department. His record shows more than a dozen arrests, including trafficking a controlled substance, federal records show.

Older brother Joe has more than 20 prior arrests on charges ranging from aggravated robbery, to assault with a deadly weapon, shooting at a dwelling and assaulting a prison guard, court records state. His convictions include intimidating a witness, assaulting a police officer and being an habitual offender.

Asked whether she was expecting a benefit from the government for her testimony, Ramirez replied, I am trying to take care of myself on my own. Im doing everything so I can get my life figured out.

She acknowledged that Gallegos did take care of me and had asked her to marry him.

In the end, Ramirez testified, I was scared of him.
A shooting in northeast Albuquerque left one man hospitalized in critical condition late Saturday night, according to a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department.

Officer Simon Drobik said that officers arrived to the 8900 block of Jefferson NE around 11:45 p.m. where they found a man unconscious and breathing.

The man was transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital for treatment, Drobik said.

Drobik said it is an active investigation.
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The National Nuclear Security Administration has officially proposed producing plutonium pits  nuclear weapon triggers  at both the Savannah River Site in South Carolina and the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.

Doing so requires discontinuing and repurposing the approximately 70-percent complete Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility at SRS, according to the NNSA. The NNSA is a semiautonomous DOE agency in charge of the nation's nuclear complex and related nonproliferation.

The NNSA wants to make 50 pits per year at SRS and the remaining 30 per year at Los Alamos, according to an NNSA press release. The two-pronged approach, the release continues, "is the best way to manage the cost, schedule, and risk of such a vital undertaking."

NNSA pit production summary The National Nuclear Security Administration's two-page plutonium pit production summary document.

No budget for the proposed tandem production  and its related construction, permitting, studies and so on  is publicly available at this time.

MOX moves

On Thursday, the same day the NNSA unveiled its pit production recommendation, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry executed a waiver to terminate MOX construction, according to Aiken Standard sources.

The certification was submitted to congressional defense committees as was required by the 2018 federal spending omnibus, according to the same sources.

MOX, initially slated to open in 2016, is designed to turn weapons-grade plutonium into commercial reactor fuel. The MOX project has been under fire  both financially and opinion-wise  for years.

In April, Perry said MOX was "obscenely over-budget." On May 9, Perry alluded that MOX was and continued to be a "questionable" expenditure.

Perry's waiver promises there is a plutonium-processing MOX alternative. That alternative is most likely dilute-and-dispose, a plutonium disposition approach championed by both Perry and NNSA chief Lisa Gordon-Hagerty.

A number of South Carolina officials have argued dilute-and-dispose to be an illegitimate, unproven path forward. S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster called dilute-and-dispose "not logical" during a March question-and-answer session in North Augusta.

There are several studies needed and environmental concerns to address before dilute-and-dispose can fully kick off, according to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency letter sent on April 2. The EPA said agency involvement in the matter would be "premature."

S.C. governor threatens legal action if U.S. Energy Department abandons MOX South Carolina's governor is threatening a legal offensive should President Donald Trump's administration disband the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrica

MOX employs approximately 2,000 people. Pit production at SRS would install an estimated 800-1,000 longterm jobs, according to local economic experts. Those estimates were made prior to Thursday's announcement.

MOX construction was afforded $335 million in 2018. President Donald Trump's fiscal year 2019 budget request, though, allocated $220 million for the orderly closure of MOX and nearly $60 million for dilute-and-dispose expansion.

Criticism from inside S.C.

Shortly after the announcement, McMaster  a vocal MOX proponent  condemned the NNSA's recommendation.

The Department of Energy has been trying to shut down the MOX project for years  breaking a promise to the people of South Carolina and breaking federal law along the way," McMaster said. "We will not accept it, and we will fight every step of the way to make sure South Carolinas interests are protected.

On May 2, McMaster sent Perry a letter threatening litigation if the DOE abandoned MOX: "South Carolina will use all legal recourse available to enjoin the DOE and continue the MOX program," McMaster wrote.

The state has successfully sued the DOE before, a point McMaster reinforced in his letter.

On May 8, in a follow-up interview, the governor said South Carolina legislators have his back.

"Oh yeah, they got mine, I got theirs," McMaster said. "We're working."

NNSA analysis of alternatives The National Nuclear Security Administration studied locations for possible plutonium pit production and issued this document in November 2017.

That was confirmed Thursday night when U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, as well as U.S. Reps. Joe Wilson, Jeff Duncan and Tom Rice, all South Carolina Republicans, issued a collective statement.

We will continue to work closely with Governor Henry McMaster to protect the interests of the local community, the state of South Carolina, and the American taxpayer," the statement reads.

The South Carolina coalition promised to hold the DOE accountable and together expressed their opposition to the, what they called "haphazard," NNSA recommendation.

We are extremely disappointed to hear the Department of Energy plans to abandon the MOX program," the delegation wrote.

During a stop in Aiken earlier this year, Graham promised to put up "one hell of a fight" for MOX. Earlier this week, a Graham spokesperson, when asked, said the senator was worried about the facility's future.

Graham grilled Gordon-Hagerty for her dilute-and-dispose preference during her nomination process.

Duncan, a MOX supporter, has repeatedly sparred with Perry and other DOE officials during committee hearings.

Recommendation lead-up

The NNSA's announcement is motivated by federal orders to rejuvenate the nation's nuclear stockpile and produce 80 pits per year by 2030.

No weapons-usable pits have been produced since 2011. In the past, pits were produced at the Rocky Flats Plant outside Denver. In 1989, the Rocky Flats Plant was raided by the EPA.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan, Secretary of Energy Rick Perry debate unfinished facility U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-S.C., and U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry clashed over the future of the embattled Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication F

Pit production ultimately moved to Los Alamos and was supported by a handful of other energy-involved sites.

A 2017 NNSA analysis concluded repurposing MOX was the cheapest and quickest option for modernized pit production. Other options included building new facilities at SRS, costing at least $1.8 billion in fiscal year 2018, and Los Alamos.

The study, known formally as the "Analysis of Alternatives," was succeeded by an engineering analysis and a workforce analysis. They were handled and vetted by internal and external experts, according to the NNSA.

The engineering analysis and the workforce analysis did "not make recommendations for a preferred alternative," but instead provided "additional information for senior DOE and NNSA decision-makers," according to NNSA correspondence obtained by the Aiken Standard.

ICYMI: Top 10 Stories of May 2018 Here are Aiken Standard's top 10 stories from the month of May, including everything from crime to seafood.
CAIRO  Reaction has been varied to a letter published recently in a French newspaper calling for certain passages of the Quran to be removed. The manifesto claims that certain Quranic passages are anti-Semitic and call for the killing of Jews, Christians and atheists. The verses should be removed, it said, "so that no believer can rely on a sacred text to commit a crime." France "has become the theater of deadly anti-Semitism," the letter continued, and anti-Zionist movements have supplied an "alibi to transform the executioners of the Jews as victims of society."

Le Parisien reported April 21 that more than 250 French public figures  including politicians such as former President Nicolas Sarkozy, former Prime Minister Manuel Valls, actor Gerard Depardieu and a number of artists and intellectuals  signed the letter written by Philippe Val, the former editor of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The letter preceded the April 25 launching of the book "New Antisemitism in France" from publisher Albin Michel.

Reaction in France to the letter was swift and turbulent: It was praised by some as breaking a perceived silence about violence against Jews in France, and condemned by others for blaming Islam for anti-Semitism.

In the Middle East, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is being lauded by some for his May 8 retaliation that he directed toward the letter's signatories: We will not stoop to your level and attack your holy values while you are attacking ours, but we will undermine you. Who are you to attack our scriptures?

Several Egyptian and Arab activists spoke of Erdogan's speech on social media, applauding what they said was his brave response and denouncing the absence of official responses from other Middle Eastern presidents, princes, kings and governments.

Religious figures and scholars, however, did comment. Abbas Shoman, the deputy sheikh at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, spoke April 26 on the sidelines of Al-Azhar Festival for Creativity and Arts. He said, The demands to remove verses from the Quran are pointless. This only proves the [French] ignorance at best. Islam is not responsible for others not understanding the meaning of certain verses and only looking at them from a superficial point of view without referring to scholars. The verses they believe are calling on them to kill are in fact verses of peace.

He added, I call upon those behind such demands to understand the Book of Allah correctly, but if they rely on their misguided understanding, then to hell with them and their demands.

The Egyptian parliamentary Committee on Religious Affairs commented on the manifesto in an April 25 statement issued by committee Chairman Osama El-Abd: The calls to remove verses from the Quran fall on deaf ears and should not be heeded. The committee will, however, take appropriate action against that manifesto and we will have a say in response to this offense against the book of God Almighty.

The committee has yet to take any action in this regard, as the manifesto hasn't yet been submitted to any official religious institution such as Al-Azhar.

Amid all these reactions to the manifesto, some wonder why Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have yet to issue an official response.

Ayman Abdel Wahab, a political researcher at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor, The official authorities in Egypt are not fond of  gaining popularity by appearing as a state that protects Islam from its enemies, as the Turkish president does. Perhaps the state figured the response by Al-Azhar and the parliamentary committee was enough, especially since the demands to remove certain verses from the Quran are ridiculous and everyone ought to ignore them until they fade out.

However, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry had objected to caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad published in Danish newspapers in 2005 and summoned the Danish ambassador in 2008 to inform him of a formal protest against the republication of such pictures. The protest recurred in 2010.

Mustapha Kamel al-Sayyid, a political science professor at Cairo University, told Al-Monitor, The state  represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs  must take a position regarding the French manifesto because it will negatively affect the international public opinion toward Islamic or Muslim-majority countries, such as Egypt. The manifesto will reinforce the belief that Islamic countries are troubled by violence and produce terrorism, which negatively affects Muslim citizens in Europe  Egyptians included.

Sayyid added, It can also prevent Muslim-majority countries from attracting investment and reaching military cooperation with Europe, especially as many countries are currently using this image to declare official positions, such as [US President Donald] Trumps decision to ban citizens from certain countries he believes to produce terrorism, from entering the United States.

Baha al-Din al-Ghamri, a political science professor at Egypt's Port Said University, told Al-Monitor that neither the president nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the manifesto for three reasons. First, the manifesto was issued by a group of figures and not by an official body. The state doesn't officially respond to what French citizens write up, otherwise it would inflate the issue. Second, the [Egyptian government] will not be able to pressure the French government to take action, because the manifesto does not conflict with French laws.

Third, the president and his Cabinet aren't involved with religious affairs, he said, noting that Al-Azhar is the institution that responds to such matters.

The presidency and government [Cabinet] represent the people in administrative, political, diplomatic and military affairs. Those responsible for representing the state on the popular level are the members of parliament, who are in direct contact with the citizens. This is why it was only normal for the parliaments Committee on Religious Affairs to declare a position regarding the French manifesto, reflecting the position of the Egyptian citizens, he added.

Speaking in regard to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry's response to the Danish cartoons in 2005 and 2010, and Erdogan's position on the recent manifesto, Ghamri said, I believe that these positions are only made for the media and their aim is only to keep ones popularity. The proof is that the Danish government [back then] did not respond to the Egyptian Foreign Ministrys protests and take a stand against those who drew the cartoons. Meanwhile the Turkish government did not submit a formal objection against the manifesto to the French Foreign Ministry.
Egypts animal-drawn cart owners are struggling as the government has intensified its crackdown on them in the last few months in order to clean up Cairos streets and ease traffic congestion, which costs the Egyptian economy billions of dollars.

The campaign, called Cairo Without Animal-Drawn Carts, started in October 2017 with the aim of putting an end to a scene that upsets many residents while at the same time guaranteeing a dignified life for the cart owners by giving them an alternative  either a motorcycle or a pickup truck, depending on their needs.

The price of the vehicle is paid for in part by selling the cart and the remainder is funded by soft loans repaid to the government in either short-term or long-term installments. The motor vehicles provided to cart owners are financed by the Social Fund for Development, the Ministry of State Housing, Utilities and Urban Development and the National Bank of Egypt.

Khaled Moustafa, the spokesman for the Cairo governorate, said that a total of 130 animal-drawn cart owners have given up their carts since the campaign was launched in October, and that some of them are now taking driving lessons in order to drive the motor vehicles.

Now a large number of cart owners are being convinced that they should give up their carts to the government because if they get caught, their carts will be confiscated and they can face fines. The animals are also being given to animal rights associations, Moustafa told Al-Monitor. The fine amounts to up to 16,000 Egyptian pounds ($900).

Moustafa added that some cart owners said they cannot read or write and therefore will not be able to obtain driver's licenses. That's why we have started to offer those cart owners, in cooperation with civil society organizations, lessons to learn to read and write so they can obtain their driver's licenses, he added.

The initiative comes as part of government efforts to bring the capital back to its previous glory and put an end to traffic congestion that is partly caused by having these animal-drawn carts walking down the streets. Since 2014, the government has been taking a raft of measures to preserve the history of the capitals streets and restore Cairo to the beautiful and clean city it was in the past. The measures have included garbage-removing campaigns, upgrade projects such as the restoration of historical buildings and initiatives to turn the walls in Cairo metro stations into graffiti masterpieces.

Cairo was among the most beautiful and clean cities in the world between 1915 and 1925. In 1925, the city won a medal of honor for being the most beautiful and clean city in the Mediterranean and for the design of its buildings and the smoothness of its traffic.

There are about 1,718 animal-drawn carts in Cairo, according to Cairo Gov. Atef Abdel Hamid. Abdel Hamid said in an interview with Al Bawaba News May 13 that the number of animal-drawn carts had declined by 25% since the start of the initiative, noting that Cairo will be free of carts by this summer.

Some cart owners said that the initiative is weighing down on their financial situation and causing them to face hard times on the streets.

Am Mohamed, a donkey-drawn cart owner who uses the cart for selling fruits, said that he has been suffering over the past few months as the government is dealing strictly with any animal-drawn cart owners. They take our carts and our animals and also give us a fine, Mohamed told Al-Monitor.

Mohamed, who hangs around with his cart in Heliopolis, in eastern Cairo, said he started to avoid walking with his cart in the main streets in order not to be caught by the local municipality. I do not know what I will do if the government took this cart from me, he said.

Some cart owners in other areas have not yet heard about the initiative. I have not heard of the initiative, and I am against it. That's because someone like me cannot drive a motor vehicle. I also do not have any other source of income; the cart is my only source of income, Hassan Abdullah, a cart owner who sells scraps and used items in Kobry el-Qoba, in eastern Cairo, told Al-Monitor.

Cart owners who have positively responded to the initiative said that the campaign seeks to improve their social conditions and living standards and provide a dignified life for them. At first I did not like the initiative, but when I saw the government intensifying its crackdown on cart owners, I gave up my cart. Now I am convinced that the initiative is good because it helps cart owners eliminate their illiteracy and get a driver's license; at the same time it beautifies the capitals streets and makes it pleasant for citizens and tourists, Am Ismail Abdel Hakeem, who used to sell vegetables with his cart, told Al-Monitor.

The initiative also seems to come as part of the governments strategy to integrate the informal economy into the formal economy. The informal economy represents about 40% of the countrys formal economy and is valued at 1.8 trillion Egyptian pounds ($101 billion), according to Prime Minister Sherif Ismail.

Although the initiative can be beneficial for the economy, it may harm the environment, according to experts. Ahmed Fahmy, an environmentalist and chairman of a nongovernmental organization focusing on environmental issues, said that replacing animal-drawn carts with motor vehicles would harm the environment, as these vehicles release toxic emissions.

It would have been better if the government replaced the carts with beautiful tricycles, which are environmentally friendly and would not cause any harm to the look of the capital, Fahmy told Al-Monitor.
Rafik, a young rich Egyptian guy, gathers his friends from college and makes them a proposal: The 12 friends stay at his apartment for an indefinite period and the last one to leave is awarded a large sum of money, just like in the award-winning TV series "Survivor."

The friends, most of whom have not seen each other for a long time, agree to play along, unveiling a glimpse of their complicated past and an even more complicated present as Rafik's apartment becomes their shared habitat and, eventually, "a prison."

This is the plot of Segn Ikhtyari (Optional Prison), an independent production by young Egyptian actors on YouTube. The self-funded series will be broadcast on YouTube during the holy month of Ramadan, Egypts high season for TV dramas where producers and channels compete for high ratings.

The YouTube series, aimed to be a catchall youth drama, will be available in nine 30-minute episodes. The team behind it is already well-known in Egypt with their play 1980 W Enta Taleh (1980 and Above, also known as "1980 and Beyond"), which was launched in 2012 and ended earlier this year.

Segn Ikhtyari brings together a dozen characters with different backgrounds, affiliations and emotional baggage; the cast includes a photojournalist who was active during the Arab Spring but was brushed aside in its aftermath, an unemployed and bitter actor and an ordinary couple.

The characters are very similar to young people nowadays and share the same problems. Therefore most viewers can identify with one or more characters. We will get to see the real face of each character in this locked apartment and at the same time discover ourselves, Mahmoud Gamal, the director and writer of the series, told Al-Monitor.

The YouTube series is a new competitor in the annual Ramadan TV series frenzy in Egypt, where some 27 Egyptian TV dramas compete for ratings in 2018.

Each year, professional drama producers face challenges as some may fail to be selected for Ramadan broadcasting. This year, two soap operas that were expected to be screened during Ramadan faced delays. Ard el-Nefak (Land of Hypocrisy), starring Egyptian comedy actor Mohamed Henedi, and Ladina Akwal Okhra (We Have Something Else to Say), starring veteran actress Youssra, were not included on the Egyptian channels' Ramadan schedule. Instead, they will be aired on Arab Gulf satellite TV channels the coming weeks.

The harsh competition involving the Egyptian TV Ramadan broadcasts and the censorship the TV series often faces forced the team to choose YouTube as a medium to reach the public.

YouTube, social media and digital tools are the future. We will continue our theater work, but we wanted our ideas to reach a larger audience, Gamal said.

The first episode launched May 17, on the first day of Ramadan in Egypt, and attracted more than 15,000 viewers. The series started with the friends recalling their time at college, and finally Rafik, the host, telling them he would offer 20 million Egyptian pounds (over $1.1 million) to the last person leaving the apartment. At the end of the episode, they decided to stay and lock the door of the apartment.

The series will show how different people behave when they are stuck in an apartment and explore the idea of 'voluntary lockup'  the 'prisons' that we may be locking ourselves into with our choices, said Gamal, who added that the upcoming episodes will show how each of the friends will deal with the situation.

The cast paid about 40,000 Egyptian pounds ($2,250) to produce the nine episodes, an extremely low budget compared with TV dramas that cost millions of pounds.

Being the first series for Ramadan on YouTube is a tough challenge. But I believe that we can achieve good ratings, Sally Saied, who plays an extroverted character called Shorouk, told Al-Monitor.

I have experience on stage but performing in front of a camera is different. I liked the experience and learned from it, said Saied, who is a radio host as well as an actress.

Egyptian producers already have a strong presence on YouTube, but this groups performance may encourage young producers and actors to use YouTube for their independent productions.

Young viewers now prefer to watch Ramadan TV dramas on YouTube in order to skip the large number of ads that interrupt TV episodes. Even the traditional producers as well as TV channels that broadcast dramas are currently keeping an eye on what is available on YouTube, Mohamed Abdelrahman, art critic and editor in chief of e3lam.org website, told Al-Monitor.

Independent artists always think differently  they search for a way free of routine, rules and censorship to deliver their message. I hope this drama can be a beginning for more online dramas that target young people, he concluded.
There is great rage and anger in Ramallah over the May 14 relocation of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The Palestinian leadership feels that this move infringes on their right to East Jerusalem. There are also sentiments of frustration, as Ramallah estimates that the Arab and Muslim world did little to block it. On the other hand, the violence on the Gaza border infuriates West Bank Palestinians.

A senior PLO official close to President Mahmoud Abbas told Al-Monitor that the Palestinian Authority (PA) leadership has decided on several routes of action in response to the embassy move.

The PA had already announced that it was cutting ties with the Donald Trump administration, and now they have decided to cut not only formal ties but also informal ones. It also decided to orchestrate peaceful protests in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and to prevent Hamas from taking the lead on a violent uprising. At the same time, the leadership in Ramallah wants to work with Jordan on strengthening the Palestinian and Jordanian hold on Al-Aqsa Mosque. It also intends to work with the highest levels at the EU, together with the Palestinian Arab partners, on moving all East Jerusalem Palestinian neighborhoods to the rule of the PA. The PLO official claimed that even the Trump administration may be open to this latter idea.

The PLO official spoke with great anger and claimed that both the United States and Israel do not understand that their policies  the move of the embassy to Jerusalem, the settlement and annexation policies, the killings in Gaza  have a great effect on the more religious and fundamentalist forces in Palestinian society and the Arab world.

The official also spoke to Al-Monitor about the Israeli-Iranian flare-up and Trumps decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal, arguing that both strengthen the hand of the radical fundamentalist clerics in Tehran. According to the official, the US and Israeli policies are myopic. In the short run, they may provide some results, but in the long run, both countries will have to decide whether or not to negotiate with the relative moderates. The alternative would be fighting the radical fundamentalists in Iran along with fighting Hezbollah and Hamas.

The official warned that both the Jerusalem embassy move and the confrontation with the Islamic Republic of Iran may turn the Arab-Israeli conflict into a violent religious one. The real issue in his view is not the military capacity of the Arab and Muslim side  Israel is much more powerful anyway  but the radicalization of Arab societies and their attraction to a possible religious war. The senior official also warned of growing terror from Hamas and Hezbollah, which seems to be the only way to inflict Israel with some damage.

He believes that a realistic two-state solution process would slow down the threat of radicalization. However, after the withdrawal from the nuclear deal and the embassy move to Jerusalem, such a prospect seems virtually impossible.

A senior Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs official told Al-Monitor that the Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is more vindicated than ever by the US presidents decisions. From the beginning of the P5+1 negotiations on a nuclear deal, Netanyahu warned that Iran would cheat the international community, and indeed they have. The issue is not only the nuclear threat, but also the ballistic missile capacity, the export of terror and the ambition to create a sphere of influence from Tehran to Beirut. This is now recognized even by the EU.

On the Palestinian issue, he claimed that Abbas is now completely sidelined and that Netanyahu would continue his policies on settlement expansion with US backing. He does not believe in a religious war, except for claiming that most of the Arabs tend to be anti-Semitics anyway.

As it appears, since 1967, the views of both sides have never clashed as much as they clash today, and a violent conflict with strong religious undertones cannot be ruled out.
Israels efforts to reach out to Iraqis resulted in the May 6 launch of the Israeli Foreign Ministry Facebook page Israel in the Iraqi Dialect. The page is an attempt to create bridges of communication and dialogue between the Israeli and the Iraqi people and to promote feelings of affinity and rapprochement.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the page was launched given the growing sympathy for Israel among the Iraqi population as a sense of nostalgia for the Jewish community that contributed to the development of modern Iraq and was forced to leave the country.

Iraqi citizens expressed interest in the digital page. One visitor to the page, Ali AlKassar, wrote in a comment, Iraq lost Jews because they had great economic capabilities and great minds.

Facebook user Mustafa Afandi even wrote, I am an Iraqi from Basra and I wish to visit Israel.

The director general of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Yuval Rotem, said May 6, In recent years, we felt that Iraqis have shown an affinity for Israel through positive feedback and reactions to our social media networks (Israel Speaks Arabic) from Baghdad and throughout Iraq.

About 150,000 Jews lived in Iraq before the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. They were displaced en masse between 1948 and 1951 as violence escalated against them and because of Iraqs policies and anti-normalization measures against Israel.

Iraq took part in three Arab wars against Israel  in 1948, 1967 and 1973. After 2003, it was reported that 20 political Iraqi figures made political visits to Tel Aviv, most of them secretly. The public visit of Mithal al-Alusi, the head of the Iraqi Ummah Party, in 2004, ended with the killing of his two sons by terrorists in Baghdad.

Linda Menuhin Abdel Aziz, a native Iraqi who has been serving as an adviser to Arabic digital media at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, told Al-Monitor, There has been growing interest and admiration among Iraqis for Israel, which can be seen through the interaction with Israel on social media.

The major reason for this page is to reach out to the Iraqis in a speech that meets the radical changes in Iraqi public opinion on Israel. Iraqis are the second biggest Arab community after the Egyptians to follow up on our posts and support Israel against terrorism. We have many comments and posts calling for the opening of an Israeli Embassy in Iraq, Menuhin Abdel Aziz said.

About further development to the Facebook page, she said, It is too early to talk about future projects. The page, however, seeks to benefit Iraqis through guidance via distance learning technology in all fields and to start practical courses offered by the International Development Agency at the Israeli Foreign Ministry to contribute in the development of Iraq.

The success of this initiative depends on Iraqi stakeholders and we are ready for that, she added.

This page is considered to be a digital embassy [in Iraq], as many Iraqis have realized that Israel is not at odds with Iraq and that the distorted image of Israel and Israelis in the media has no relevance to reality, said David Khadr Bassoon, an Iraqi-born Jew who serves as a consultant on technical industries investments in Israel.

There is a clear division between Iraqi elites vis-a-vis this Israeli step. Iraqi Kurdish writer Shamal Adel Salim is one of those who welcomed the Israeli Facebook page. He told Al-Monitor, Fraternity must prevail among peoples to spare blood, stop wars and brinkmanship in the name of Arabism, which has brought nothing but disaster.

He considered the Israeli project to be very useful, in light of Iraqs status quo because of terrorism.

Salim called for overcoming the psychological barrier that prevented rapprochement between the two sides and for making this initiative a success for the common interests of both peoples.

Abdel Amir al-Majar, the editor of Iraqi al-Adib magazine, told Al-Monitor, Iraqis are known for being an open-minded people, and Israelis are humans like us, with the same aspirations for peace. The only problem, however, it was the Israeli Foreign Ministry that launched the page. The ministry represents a state that is known for not respecting the freedom of the Palestinian people.  This makes the pages lose credibility and become more of a tool to promote the State of Israel.

Islamic researcher Sheik Jamil Maneh al-Bazouni concurred, saying, The history of the Arab-Israeli relations is marked with complete rupture because Israels position on the Palestinian people is akin to its position on the rest of the Arab people, including Iraqis.

Adwiya al-Hilali, a writer for the Iraqi Al-Mada newspaper, told Al-Monitor that she questions the credibility of what has been posted on the Israeli Facebook page and the growing sense of sympathy for Israel among Iraqis. [Israel] is taking advantage of the hatred of some Iraqis for Palestinians, who insisted on supporting the Saddam [Hussein] regime and on joining the Islamic State.

Iraqi member of parliament Alusi, who visited Israel again in 2008, told Al-Monitor, After all these wars and acts of terror that have plagued their country, at the hands of Arabs themselves, Iraqis no longer care about the Arab-Israeli conflict as much as they care about the interest of their country.
Lavala "Lala" Moss isn't just thanking the Birmingham Police Department for protecting and serving.

She's thanking them for the help in filming her video audition, which went viral and led her to be invited to dance alongside Janet Jackson at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards.

The awards show will be broadcast Sunday at 7 p.m. CST on NBC, where 52-year-old Jackson will be presented with the Icon Award and make her first televised performance in nine years. Moss, a 26-year-old from the Loveman Village community, will dance backup for Jackson along with the star's "JTribe" dance crew.

In late April, Moss was planning to post an online submission on social media for the "Dance for Janet" auditions. She and her friends were leaving the Redmont Hotel's rooftop bar late one night when her friends suggested that the setting would be the perfect place to dance.

Moss thought, well, everyone else was filming their audition tapes in a dance studio. A video of her dancing in the middle of a downtown Birmingham street at night would stand out. She would be quick to get out of the way of any oncoming traffic.

But, someone called police on the group playing music and standing in the road.

The officer came around the corner fast with his lights on, Moss said. When the police officer stopped her, he was stern. He asked Moss, "Young lady, why are you dancing in the middle of the street? You can get hurt, or someone else can get hurt." She told him why, and the officer and his partner exchanged a look.

"Well, if that's the case, I'm going to give you one try. Show me what you got," Moss said the officer told her. He blocked the street, cut on his flashing lights, and turned his spotlight on the dancer. Moss was hesitant, but her friends encouraged her to take advantage of the situation.

And she did.

Dancing to her favorite Jackson song-- The Pleasure Principle-- Moss danced in the street for a camera, while someone else recorded the moment on Moss' cell phone.

The officer wasn't expecting what he saw. Moss said he called out from his car, "Oh, ok Lala!" When the video was over, he complimented Moss' talent and said he hoped she got the part. "Now, are we done here? Because you can't be in the middle of the street," he said.

After Moss saw the video on her phone that showed the police car and flashing lights, she thought it was "too raw" to post. She planned to post the other video taken by her friend, which didn't show the officers or the police car. But, everyone around Moss urged her to post the raw video.

She thought the submission wasn't what it was supposed to be, but her friend said, "Lala that's what happened, that's the truth." So, she posted it.

Quickly after the video was posted, it went viral. Currently, her original post has over 65,000 views on Facebook.

Officer: Mam , you cant dance in the middle of the street - Me: Im sorry sir, I was just trying to shoot a online submission video for Janet Jackson Officer: So you are risking getting hurt for this Me: sir I really just want to get a good shot , I promise Ill be out the way - Officer - okay Ill stop traffic for you and cut my lights on , show me what you got Then this happen!!  Janet Jackson #DanceWithJanet Open Call Auditions#DANCEWITHJANET#un-cut-un-planned#freestyle# Posted by Lala D'iore on Saturday, April 21, 2018

There were over 75,000 submissions, but Moss' video was noticed. Last week, someone from Jackson's team reached out to Moss and invited her to Los Angeles for an in-person audition-- the first open call Jackson's had in 10 years. After three days of dancing, Jackson herself invited Moss and one other submitter, Phillip Galbert of Connecticut, to dance backup for her Billboard Music Awards performance in Las Vegas on Sunday.

"I just fell to the floor in tears," said Moss, who also goes by the professional name Lala D'iore. "I never thought in a million years this would happen...She could have picked so many other people."

Moss said the practice sessions were "intense" but she's ready to dance in front of some of the biggest celebrities in music. "I'm ready, I'm confident, and I'm taking it all in," she said.

"Stay humble, and positive, and you never know what can happen in your life. Don't be afraid to give anything a chance."

As for the Birmingham police officer who helped make sure Moss got the perfect audition video, he's kept in touch with Moss and has provided encouragement. She said the response from the entire police department was positive, and she's glad her video has made so many people see the kindness of one officer can be life changing. "It's just a positive impact... he took his time, and listened to my story."
President Donald Trump misspelled first lady Melania Trump's name in a now-deleted tweet welcoming her back to the White House.

The tweet, sent Saturday, said "Great to have our incredible First Lady back home in the White House. Melanie is feeling and doing really well."

The tweet was quickly deleted and replaced with one showing the proper spelling of the first lady's name.

Great to have our incredible First Lady back home in the White House. Melania is feeling and doing really well. Thank you for all of your prayers and best wishes!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2018

Melania Trump was hospitalized for five days last week at Walter Reed National Medical Center after undergoing a kidney procedure. Her spokesperson said the first lady is now resting comfortably at the White House.

In her own tweet, the first lady thanked all those who assisted in her care.
SANTA FE, Texas -- The mother of one of the 10 people killed at a Texas high school said her daughter recently rejected the romantic advances of the 17-year-old charged in the shootings, a possible motive for the violent tragedy.

Sadie Rodriguez said her daughter, Shana Fisher, had made clear that she was not interested in Dimitrios Pagourtzis.

"He continued to get more aggressive," Rodriguez told The Associated Press in an interview conducted Saturday via Facebook. "She finally stood up to him and embarrassed him."

The incident took place one week before the shooting, Rodriguez said. Police have not yet said what might have motivated the attack.

Asked about Rodriguez's allegation, a lawyer for the Pagourtzis's family said he hadn't heard about any such interaction between Pagourtzis and any of the victims and therefore couldn't comment.

"That's news to me," said lawyer Nicholas Poehl, though he cautioned that he'd spent much of the day disputing false rumors about the teen's personal life. Earlier Saturday, Poehl issued a statement from the family saying that they were "as shocked and confused as anyone else by these events that occurred" and asked for privacy.

"While we remain mostly in the dark about the specifics of yesterday's tragedy, what we have learned from media reports seems incompatible with the boy we love," the family's statement said.

Representatives of the school district did not immediately respond to questions about Rodriguez's comments.

A junior at Santa Fe High, Pagourtzis hid a shotgun and a handgun under his trenchcoat before opening fire in a first-period art class on Friday, according to an affidavit filed by police. The FBI announced Saturday that it had taken the lead in the joint investigation, at the request of local authorities.

"He gave a statement admitting to shooting multiple people inside the Santa Fe High School with the intent on killing people," the police affidavit said. "Dimitrios advised he did not shoot students he did like so he could have his story told." The attack ended when Pagourtzis walked out of a classroom and surrendered to police.

Authorities say Pagourtzis planned the killings, carried out with weapons owned by his father. Though Pagourtzis allegedly wrote about his intention to carry out the attack, authorities have not indicated a motive for the violence.

Gov. Greg Abbott said Pagourtzis had planned to kill himself after the shooting, but that Pagourtzis told police "that he didn't have the courage to commit the suicide."

Some Santa Fe High students indicated that Pagourtzis may have had one or more targets, though details were not clear. Breanna Quintanilla, 17, a junior, said she was in her art classroom Friday morning in what she described as a "perfectly normal day" when she heard gun shots.

Quintanilla said when Pagourtzis first walked in, he pointed at one person and said, "I'm going to kill you." Quintanilla, who was wounded escaping the classroom, did not identify that student.

At a news conference, Abbott said Pagourtzis had not previously been in trouble. "The red-flag warnings were either nonexistent or very imperceptible," he said.

In the absence of a clear motive, attention turned to a hodge-podge of incendiary posts by Pagourtzis on social media, which were quickly removed when his identity first emerged. One Facebook post was a picture of a T-shirt reading "Born to Kill." Another showed a trench coat adorned with various pins associated with conflicting ideologies and Cthulhu, a mythical creature drawn from the work of horror fiction writer H.P. Lovecraft.

In the wake of the shooting, various reports that Pagourtzis was bullied have surfaced from his classmates. However, two Santa Fe High students who said they knew Pagourtzis said they had no reason to suspect that he was planning Friday's attack.

Student Michael Farina said he had known the alleged gunman since fifth grade and considered him a friend. He recalled Pagourtzis talked about buying a gun "when I grow up," but never discussed his dad's guns or anything about his family.

Farina said he and Pagourtzis also talked a lot about video games they liked, including so-called first-person shooter games. They'd talked about one, "Escape from Tarkov," as recently as lunch on the day before the shooting, he said.

Farina did not recall Pagourtzis ever being notably angry.

"He seemed relatively happy for the most part," he said.

--By Jeff Horwitz, Sarah Zimmerman and Juan A. Lozano
US determination to leave behind 2015 nuclear deal and pursue a harder line leaves Islamic Republic with no easy options.

Tehran, Iran  On Monday, Mike Pompeo is expected to chart a new course for the Trump administrations Iran policy after it pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal earlier this month.

The new US secretary of state is likely to propose fresh talks with Iran for a more comprehensive agreement  in keeping with US President Donald Trumps stance  to replace the existing Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

That will mean including provisions in the deal to curb Irans ballistic missile programme and mechanisms to force Iran to pull back support for its allies in the Middle East and disengage from the regions conflicts.

But as far as the Islamic Republic is concerned, there is nothing to renegotiate.

A large picture displayed at the entrance to the old American embassy was perhaps the best illustration of how many Iranians feel about the nuclear deal these days, regardless of whether they supported it or not.

It features a lookalike of Mohammad Javad Zarif, Irans foreign minister, at a negotiating table with an American man.





Above the table, it is business as usual. The American looks like a diplomat wearing a suit.

However, if you look under the table, you can see the man is wearing combat gear and army boots, pointing a sawed-off shotgun at the Iranian across the table.

The message the image conveys is simple: the United States cannot be trusted.

Since Trumps decision to withdraw from the JCPOA, Iranians have placed their hopes in the hands of European allies. Now, they are losing hope in them as well.

The European Unions (EU) energy commissioner has been coming to Iran for years now, having forged close working relationships with Iranian officials.

But this may be Miguel Arias Canetes last trip to Tehran to discuss the 2015 nuclear deal.

Canete was in Tehran last week to reaffirm Europes support for the agreement.

At a joint news conference on Sunday with Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Irans nuclear agency, Canete said Iran had fully complied with the JCPOA, adding it needed to be preserved in its current form.

This is exactly a nuclear nonproliferation agreement, Canete said.Its fit for the task it was designed. So we want to preserve it and to implement it with full transparency.

He also tried to reassure Iranians that Europes leaders remained committed to doing business with them.

For sure there are clear difficulties with the sanctions, Canete said. For sure the European Union will engage with the United States. The United States is a key partner of the European Union and an ally.

Well have to ask for waivers, for exemptions, for companies who make investments in good faith. We will prepare the mechanisms for the safety of European companies.

Risk of sanctions

Even Canete admitted that in order to stand up to American sanctions, European governments would need to get permission from, yes, the Trump administration.

Several big European companies have already said they will not engage in any activity in Iran and thus risk punitive measures unless they can be guaranteed protection from American sanctions.

Such protection is unlikely to materialise any time soon. Indeed, shortly before his meeting with Canete, Zarif, one of the nuclear deals main architects, expressed doubt on the EUs ability to resist US pressure.

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In a closed session of Irans parliament, Zarif, briefing MPs, said it was not clear if European companies would trust their own governments promises.

And during his meeting with Canete, Zarif said: Political support of Europe for the nuclear deal is not enough.

The European Union should take more practical steps. Announcing the commitment of the EU to the nuclear deal is not in line with the announcement of European companies that they would halt activities in Iran.

Many Iranians say for big Europe firms, its time to make a choice.

If investors have wide relations with [the US], we shouldnt forget that they have considerable interests in Iran, Behnam Maleki, an Iranian economist, said.

[Investors] must make a choice, and my suggestion is that besides the solid economic choice, they should also pay attention to their social responsibilities, and the pursuit of a better world [with] more logical thought and policies. The goal is to move forward to a better world, not for some people to be destroyed while others profit. This attitude must be stopped.





Be that as it may, it may be too much to ask of European companies  with shareholder interests to worry about  to risk attracting punitive American measures for the sake of adopting what the Iranian side regards as the moral high ground.

Chinese and Russian firms could step in and fill the vacuum left behind by European companies. Yet even Irans closest allies may prove unreliable.

The Chinese have invested in Iran as expected; the Russians as well, Maleki told Al Jazeera. And despite the politics, they have stood by Iran. But there is no doubt that these countries are also after their own interests.

On Friday, there will be another meeting between representatives of the remaining JCPOA signatories in Vienna, Austria.

However, unless they are able to convince European companies it is safe to do business with Iran, the 2015 nuclear deal, for all practical purposes, will continue to exist in name only.
The shadow of former leader General Muhammad Soeharto still looms over Indonesia, 20 years after he left office.

As Indonesia marks 20 years since the overthrow of former leader General Muhammad Soeharto, a meme featuring the notorious president has become a hit on the internet and on buses and minivans all over Indonesias cities.

The meme first circulated several years ago and tends to resurface every year around the anniversary of Soehartos resignation.

It shows him smiling above a caption in the local Javanese language that reads How Yall Doing? Wasnt it better during my time?.

The meme aims to remind Indonesians of the growth and political stability brought about by his authoritarian rule, but conveniently ignores the dark legacy of his tenure; corruption and human rights abuses.

It also appears to be poking fun at those who opposed Soehartos rule, including Budiman Sudjatmiko, a former political prisoner who was jailed for inciting dissent against Soehartos military-backed government.

Every time I see the painting on the bus, I feel mocked. Its a mockery for me and my friends who fought against his rule, as if to say; thanks to individuals like me and my friends, people are now in worse off condition, Sudjatmiko, who is now an MP for the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, told Al Jazeera.

Father of Development

For many older Indonesians, Soeharto is still fondly remembered as the Father of Development who expanded access to education and health and started infrastructure projects throughout the country.

He also launched a successful population control programme. In short, he transformed Indonesia into a modern economy, taking advantage of the oil boom of the 1970s and 1980s that allowed him to implement subsidy policies keeping domestic fuel prices low.

According to the World Bank, under Soehartos rule, the size of Indonesias gross domestic product (GDP) grew exponentially from $7.5bn in 1968 to $242bn in 1996, the year before the country was hit by the Asian financial crisis.

However, his 32-year tenure was marred by corruption and nepotism, as his family members and cronies built massive business empires, incorporating elements of the economy from toll roads to television stations.

Much of the oil money is also thought to have been squandered through corruption. Transparency International has accused Soeharto of embezzling up to $35bn, which would make him one of the worlds most corrupt leaders.

Soeharto, however, denied any wrongdoing until his death in 2008. Attempts to put him on trial failed as his case was dropped in 2000 due to his ill health.

Human rights abuses

His oppressive rule also saw the killing and disappearance of democracy activists. According to Amnesty International, up to half a million people, mostly his political opponents, were arrested and only about 1,000 were ever brought to trial.

His determination to instill order in society led him to endorse a spate of extrajudicial killings of petty criminals.

His defence minister, Wiranto, said recently that the war on drugs by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was inspired by the Indonesian experience in the early 1980s.

Suspected criminals were executed, and their bodies were left on the street to inflict fear among people, Usman Hamid, head of Amnesty International in Indonesia, told Al Jazeera.

The number of casualties under Soehartos rule total is in the thousands, Hamid added.

Recalling the lack of social and political freedom, Jakarta-based geologist and former student activist Ferry Hakim said it was impossible to have a political discussion on campus, adding: We felt that the governments eyes were watching us everywhere, there was a climate of fear.

Hakim was one of the thousands of students who occupied parliament to call for the overthrow of Soeharto in May 1998.

On May 21, 1998, after weeks of student-led protests and at the height of the Asian financial crisis, Soeharto resigned, handing over power to Vice President Jusuf Habibie.

All of us were in complete joy  we felt that there was hope for a better Indonesia, Hakim said.

From crisis-hit to economic powerhouse

But the euphoric moment was soon replaced with doubts as Indonesia slid into crisis with a string of deadly sectarian and religious conflicts.

Some warned that the country, an archipelago home to more than 300 ethnic groups, could collapse without Soehartos authoritarian rule.

Two decades on, Indonesia has remained intact to become the worlds third largest nation by population, and it has since held four peaceful general elections.

As Southeast Asias biggest economy, Indonesia has yet to record the seven percent average growth that was reached under Soehartos rule. But, thanks partly to a commodities boom, its growing economy is now among the worlds top 20 by GDP size.

Democracy and flourishing civil society movements have also paved the way for a more transparent bureaucracy system, along with tax reform and improved ease of doing business.

In the latest World Banks Ease of Doing Business index for 2018, Indonesia jumped 19 places to 72 from its previous rank of 91.

There is an improvement in doing business its easier to keep track of various system on business licenses, the process used to be quite a headache, Rima Wira Sakti, a small business entrepreneur who runs several beauty saloons in Jakarta, told Al Jazeera.

Fresh faces versus the old guard

When he came to power in 2014, President Joko Widodo was considered a fresh face in politics with no ties to Soehartos government. But throughout his tenure, he has had to make political compromises to keep his government afloat, including entering a coalition with the old guard.

The consolidation of democracy in Indonesia still depends on elite politics and whoever has money, so those who have risen to power must be supported by the ones with money, Ima Abdulrahim, executive director of local think-tank Habibie Center, told Al Jazeera.

Despite two decades of democracy, the political landscape is still dominated by the surviving old guard of Soehartos government who found new vehicles within new democratic institutions. For example, Wiranto, the former defence minister who founded the Peoples Conscience (Hanura) party in 2006, was a Soeharto loyalist until he was forced to resign in 1998.

Return of the Soeharto dynasty?

Years of modest growth under Widodo have cut unemployment and poverty rates slightly, but that is not enough to alleviate disenchantment among voters who want to see a complete reform agenda.

Ironically, Widodos political detractors are taking advantage of these shortcomings to promote Tommy Soeharto as a strong leader ahead of next years elections, the nostalgia for Muhammad Soehartos economic success seems to have facilitated the Soeharto familys return to politics.

Soehartos daughter Siti Hedianti was elected to parliament in 2014, and, more recently, the party formed by Soehartos youngest son Hutomo Tommy Mandala Putra made the cut to run in next years election.

The public seems to have forgotten the fact that in 2002 Tommy was found guilty of masterminding a murder and went into hiding. He eventually served only four years in prison.

I have done my term and, according to the laws, I now have the same rights as anyone else. I have the right to vote and the right to be elected, Tommy told Al Jazeera in his first interview with international media.

But for Sudjatmiko, there is no turning back to the past, he told Al Jazeera.

We want to prove that under democracy we can create a system that is far more participatory, modern and at the same time giving people access to capital and technology. Now we have universal health access for people, funds for the villages, something which was made possible through democratic process, Sudjatmiko said.








A recent outbreak of the deadly virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo has raised concerns of another epidemic.

Ebola virus was first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Since then, the virus has emerged periodically and infected people primarily in African countries, with some cases also reported in the US, UK, Russia, Italy and Spain, according to the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention.

The largest number of fatalities were recorded in a 2014-2016 outbreak in West Africa, with 4,809 people killed in Liberia, 3,956 in Sierra Leone and 2,543 in Guinea.

A recent outbreak in the DRC has raised concerns of another epidemic, with 46 people in the countrys northwest showing symptoms of the virus, including 21 confirmed cases of Ebola, according to DRC health ministry data as of May 19.

The World Health Organization has said the DRC is facing a very high health risk from Ebola, but the outbreak is not yet an international public health emergency.
Israeli public relations efforts to turn attention away from inconvenient realities and distract public opinion rest in large part on promoting simplified, dumbed-down messages.

Those are easily parroted by complicit media outlets, think-tanks, pundits, and by some journalists who prefer the sensationalism of Iranian mullahs, Hezbollah plots and Hamas terrorists to the more complicated dynamics of the region and individual countries. Of course, in some situations, this is a good way to avoid an uncomfortable discussion about apartheid and occupation for fear of being labelled anti-semitic.

One clear example of such dumbed-down messages is Israeli education minister Naftali Bennetts Lebanon = Hezbollah tweet after Lebanons parliamentary elections on May 6. Israel will not differentiate between the sovereign State of Lebanon and Hezbollah, and will view Lebanon as responsible for any action from within its territory, he said in the tweet.

It was Bennett again who in mid-May said that unarmed Palestinians protesting near the border fence in Gaza should be treated as terrorists. By then, the government he is part of had framed the Palestinians Great March of Return as a Hamas ploy.

What Israel aims to achieve by promoting this type of rhetoric is to turn both Lebanon and Gaza into legitimate targets for its aggression in any conflict that might take place in the future.

Lebanon is not Hezbollah

For those familiar with Israeli policies in Lebanon and the history of the conflict, this is nothing new under the sun. Israeli officials have made it a habit to regularly threaten the entire population of Lebanon (and not only Hezbollah) with destruction, annihilation and blowing it back to the Stone Ages.

This inflammatory language, in fact, describes war crimes, which Israel has repeatedly committed on Lebanese territory. In the 2006 war, the Israeli army killed 1,000 civilians, and the Israeli government tried to blame it solely on Hezbollah.

But as a Human Rights Watch report investigating war crimes committed during that conflict pointed out: Responsibility for the high civilian death toll of the war in Lebanon lies squarely with Israeli policies and targeting decisions in the conduct of its military operations.

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This year, it was not only Israel who chose to read the May 6 elections from the prism of Lebanon = Hezbollah. International (and some Arab) media were quick to dub the electoral results an outright Hezbollah victory.

This prompted local media and analysts to respond by pointing out that Hezbollahs electoral domination is a myth and a reductionist, inaccurate way of understanding what happened on May 6. There are many levels when it comes to reading the results of the Lebanese elections, and framing them as a Lebanon = Hezbollah outcome does not capture the complexity of what is happening in Lebanon today.

This is absolutely not to say that Hezbollah is not a powerful political and military force in Lebanon, or that the party does not pose a very serious challenge and obstacle to the emergence of a strong state. Hezbollahs weapons also play a role in Lebanese politics, as we saw in the organisations May 2008 armed takeover of Beirut and also in its decision to get involved in Syria, without consulting with the government or parliament.

Indeed, one has to be very naive to claim that Hezbollah is merely a resistance movement and that its arsenal has no bearing on internal affairs or elections (both parliamentary and presidential).

But claims that Lebanon is now hostage to Hezbollah (and Iran) are exaggerated. They are music to the ears of Israel which promotes this line to justify whatever war crimes its army will commit in any future conflict in the name of self-defence and war on terrorism.

Gaza is not Hamas

Similarly, in Palestine, we have seen an attempt to paint the recent protests in Gaza as Hamas-led and inspired, despite the fact that the organisers come from multiple Palestinian political and civil society groups.

Israel resorts to the Gaza = Hamas equation to justify the killing of 114 unarmed protesters and the injuring of thousands who were simply marching for their right to return to their home and for an end to the occupation of Palestinian lands.

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This line was repeated immediately by some Western governments and media. The Washington Post, for example, published a disgraceful editorial claiming that the protests were Hamas way of launching a war and an attempt to breach the border fence, in the calculation that many would be killed.

As in the case of Hezbollah, Hamas is not an innocent actor. It has been implicated in human rights violations in Gaza and breaches to international humanitarian law during armed conflicts. However, it takes a special kind of moral and intellectual bankruptcy to deny the facts on the ground  facts that are attested to by various United Nations and rights organisations.

Indeed, the dehumanisation of Palestinians has reached such an extent that even the human right to protest inhumane and unjust political and humanitarian conditions is denied them. As pro-Israeli commentator wrote, trying to justify the use of lethal force against protestors: all Israel wants from Gaza is peace and quiet, but instead, its people decide to protest  as if, in 2018, protest is a crime punishable by death.

The post-truth logic

When Vassily Nebenzia, Russias permanent representative to the UN, described the humanitarian outcry over Eastern Ghouta last February as mass psychosis, I wrote about his statement in a column for Al Jazeera, calling it an example of the post-truth logic.

Unsurprisingly, the White Houses Deputy Spokesperson Raj Shah and the US Permanent Representative to the UN Nikki Haley fit in perfectly, along with their Israeli allies, within such post-truth reasoning.

In response to the Gaza massacre and the cold-blooded shooting of Palestinians by Israeli snipers, Shah called the protest an unfortunate propaganda attempt, whereas Haley did not have the moral courage to face her Palestinian counterpart at the Security Council, and instead walked out of the meeting room.

Indeed, post-truth logic cant handle the truth. The reality of what happened in Gaza does not reflect the dumbed-down talking points we have been hearing from pro-Israeli pundits and officials on television and in the press.

The truth of the matter is that, as the UN Human Rights Commissioner put it, this was not a PR victory for Hamas it was a tragedy for thousands of families [and] the stark contrast in casualties on both sides is also suggestive of a wholly disproportionate response

Israels occupation and apartheid regime must end in order to reach a just peace, both for the sake of Palestinians and Israelis. This is what the Gaza protests were essentially about.

And any attempt to frame them as a declaration of war, or simply as a Hamas ploy or a PR victory, misses the point and is a transparent attempt to distort reality and maintain the status quo in favour of Israel.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
When I visited Bangladesh a few weeks ago, I heard heart-wrenching stories from some of the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya people who have fled atrocities in Myanmar. I met women who had been raped by soldiers, children who had seen their parents shot dead before their very eyes, and families who had lost everything. But if there was one thing that united almost all survivors, it was the desire for justice.

As a Rohingya myself, I can relate to this all too well. I felt compelled to flee Rakhine state in the late 1990s because of the dehumanising restrictions I faced. I was not allowed to go to university simply because I was a Rohingya, for example. I have since been able to settle in London, and I am very aware that I am one of the lucky ones.

Many of my friends and relatives have suffered horrific violence in recent years. Some saw their homes burned down by mob attacks on Rohingya people in 2012, and have lived in squalid conditions in displacement camps in Myanmar ever since. Others have become victims of more recent military campaigns in 2016 and 2017: they have been killed, raped and driven from their homes. I have watched this systemic attempt by Myanmar to destroy our community for two decades now.

The current escalation of the crisis dates back to August 2017, when attacks by the armed group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army triggered a vicious and disproportionate response by the Myanmar military.

Almost 700,000 people were forced to flee across the border into Bangladesh as security forces and their proxies went on a rampage across Rakhine State. Thousands were killed while hundreds of villages were torched and burned to the ground. The UN human rights chief, Zeid Raad al-Hussein, has said he suspects that acts of genocide were committed against the Rohingya.

This latest bout of violence is by far not the first. In the late 1970s and the early 1990s, similar devastating campaigns by the Myanmar military drove hundreds of thousands of Rohingya out of Rakhine State. For the Rohingya people, history keeps repeating itself in the worst possible way.

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Yet time and again, we have seen how perpetrators of human rights abuses have escaped without punishment, free to commit the same crimes over and over. There is no question that we need international support more than ever to ensure that justice is delivered to the Rohingya.

Accountability is crucial to breaking this vicious cycle of abuse. If those responsible for human rights violations against the Rohingya are brought to justice, it would send a powerful signal that these atrocities will not be tolerated.

Myanmar, however, has proven itself both unwilling and unable to investigate crimes against the Rohingya. Domestic inquiries have been little more than window dressing for the international community. Myanmars authorities have, by and large, even flat out denied that atrocities are taking place.

The military, headed by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has little incentive to investigate their own crimes. The civilian government, led by the former democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, cannot be relied upon either.

The Myanmar leader and former dissident has dismissed reports of human rights violations and has said that what is going on is not ethnic cleansing.

She has failed in both her moral and political responsibility to do what she can to end the violence. There are still sections of the international community that cling on to the hope that Aung San Suu Kyi will come good, but at this stage it is abundantly clear that such hopes are misplaced.

If anything, Myanmar has taken active steps to block international scrutiny. The authorities have denied access to the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission, created by the Human Rights Council (HRC) to establish the facts and circumstances of alleged security force violations.

The only hope for justice lies with the international community. In late April, a delegation from the UN Security Council spoke to traumatised Rohingya in Bangladeshi refugee camps and visited torched villages inside Myanmar. The UNSC must now act on this visit and refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Myanmar is not a party to the ICC and has not accepted the courts jurisdiction. This means that only the Security Council can refer the situation to the Court.

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Earlier in April, ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda asked the court to rule on whether the ICC can exercise jurisdiction over the alleged deportation of the Rohingya people from Myanmar to Bangladesh, which is under the jurisdiction of the ICC. While this was a welcome move, an ICC ruling on the crime of deportation would not include other crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, torture, persecution or genocide.

Mere statements from the UNSC urging Myanmar to investigate abuses will accomplish nothing, no matter how strongly worded they are. It is abundantly clear that any investigation must be genuinely independent and internationally led. The ICC is the institution by far best placed to do this.

This complete lack of accountability is not just affecting the Rohingya, but also people in other ethnic areas where security forces and armed groups commit war crimes with impunity. In Kachin State, for example, thousands of people were forced to flee their homes a few weeks ago when violence flared between the military and insurgents.

The refugees I met in Bangladesh live in squalid shelters with inadequate access to food, water and sanitation. The upcoming monsoon season is threatening to make their lives even worse. Many of them are deeply traumatised from what they witnessed in Myanmar.

I was deeply moved that despite all they have been through, so many people still wanted to see justice done more than anything else. The Security Council has an opportunity now to make this reality, it is one that cannot be missed.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Activists: ISIL fighters withdraw from Syrias Yarmouk

Videos online purport to show buses entering the last rebel enclave after midnight on Sunday to evacuate ISIL fighters from the area.
Critics are calling the Japanese film a modern masterpiece.

More video clips from the story
DR Congo activist: Anti-Kabila protester shot dead

Rossy Mukendi was killed when police fired tear gas and live bullets at protesters in February.
Georgia: Thousands protest nightclub raids in Tbilisi

Last weekend riot police raided two top nightclubs in what they said was an anti-drugs operation but club-goers were angered by the heavy-handed tactics used, prompting them to stage protests.
The investigation has been criticised for failing to represent survivors of the deadly fire.

Almost a year after the Grenfell Tower fire that killed 72 people, an independent public inquiry into the disaster is set to begin its proceedings in London on Monday.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry will open with two weeks of commemorations from family and friends of the deceased, who will pay tribute to their loved ones at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in South Kensington.

Following this, the inquiry will be split into two phases. The first, beginning on June 4, will examine the events that unfolded on the night of June 14, 2017, along with fire safety and prevention measures in place at Grenfell Tower and the response of emergency services.

In the second phase, the question of whether a refurbishment carried out by local authorities made the building more dangerous will be examined, as will the efficacy of the stay put in the event of fire policy.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry was formally opened in September 2017 by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, a former Court of Appeal judge who was chosen by Prime Minister Theresa May to lead the public inquiry.





The inquiry is said to have the largest number of core participants ever approved to a public probe in the United Kingdom, with 547 appointed so far.

However, the inquiry has been met with criticism and distrust since it was announced, with campaigners and some survivors demanding representation at the inquiry and better building regulations.

Muddled response

To the anger of many, an independent review into building regulations, published on Thursday, failed to recommend any bans on flammable cladding, which is thought to have contributed to the speed at which the fire spread through Grenfell Tower.

Commissioned in the wake of the disaster, the review led by Dame Judith Hackitt, the former chairwoman of the Health and Safety Executive, instead emphasised the need for an overhaul of the regulatory framework of high-rise buildings.

This came a day after May announced the government would pledge 400m ($538m) to strip flammable cladding off of social housing tower blocks, following pressure from the opposition Labour party as well as statements from local councils and housing associations who said they did not have sufficient funds to do that themselves.

Sir Martin Moore-Bicks appointment as chairman of the inquiry has caused concern among some survivors and campaigners [Hannah McKay/Reuters]

Campaign co-ordinator of Justice4Grenfell, Yvette Williams, said the report didnt go far enough in addressing the issue of flammable cladding.

Were having a big discussion about banning plastic straws. Im not sure of any plastic straws responsible for killing 72 people, she said.

Moore-Bicks appointment initially caused concern among activists and survivors after he refused to appoint a survivor to the inquiry panel because it risked undermining impartiality. This resulted in a petition calling for a more diverse decision-making panel, which was signed by more than 156,000 people.

Despite having resisted calls for action in December and subsequent pressure from survivors, bereaved families and campaign groups, PM May announced on May 11 that she had approved the addition of two panel members capable of examining the cultural and community factors that contributed to the fire to sit alongside the chairman.

Dark moment in British history

Survivors and campaigners have had to fight for representation in the independent inquiry[Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters]

Adel Chowdhury from the Grenfell Muslim Response Unit welcomed Mays announcement, saying it was imperative to keep the people we have lost, the bereaved families and those permanently affected at the centre of the inquiry.

We advise the panel to recognise and appreciate that this tragedy was more than just a fire. It was and will now forever be a dark moment in our history, said Chowdhury.

We encourage the panel to focus on the community itself, and the efficacy of the response, as well as how we can and must avoid any tragedies like this in the future; not just for the people of Grenfell, and not just for the people of Britain, but out of a commitment to the sanctity of human life itself.

For Williams, however, Mays reversal came far too late.

It took too long to have a diverse panel. Theresa May hasnt made it clear if those additional panel members will have equal decision-making powers as the judge. Its still being left in the chairmans hands to make decisions for us. But he doesnt understand us, she said.

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Williams also said technical jargon was being used to exclude the two additional members from the first phase of the inquiry.

Its important for the additional panel members to be on board from phase one, but the inquiry are saying there are going to be loads of complex technical terms. It is imperative that the inquiry explain those complex technical terms in plain English.

Grenfell isnt about the building, its about the people, and I think thats been lost in all of this.

The two additional members are expected to join the second phase of the inquiry that begins in December.
New Delhi court says sensitive information was passed to Pakistan by low-level embassy staffer in Islamabad.

An Indian diplomat convicted of passing state secrets to Pakistans intelligence services has been jailed for three years, her lawyer said Sunday.

Madhuri Gupta was found guilty in a New Delhi court on Friday of spying and wrongful communication of information while posted to the Indian embassy in Islamabad.

Gupta, 61, was arrested in 2010 for allegedly passing information to the ISI, the intelligence agency of Indias archrival Pakistan.

The low-level diplomat was initially sentenced for breaches of Indias official secrets act and held for two years before she was released on bail.

Joginder Dahiya, Guptas lawyer, said she would appeal the sentencing in a higher court.

She has already been in custody for about 21 months. She should have been released on the basis of the time she has already spent in jail, he told AFP news agency.

The Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency reported that Gupta avoided a longer sentence, as the information she passed to Pakistani handlers was not military in nature.

As a second secretary, Gupta was among the lowest ranked officials at the highly-sensitive embassy in the Pakistani capital.

She has always denied the charges and claims she was falsely implicated by embassy and foreign ministry officials with whom she had a strained relationship.

However, the court determined that Gupta does not deserve leniency in her punishment.

The information passed on by the accused (was) categorically sensitive information, which could have been useful to the enemy country  and its secrecy was of utmost importance, PTI cited the court as saying.

The court identified her action as an attempt to tarnish Indias reputation and compromise its security.

Indian police say Gupta had been under surveillance for six months before being taken into custody in 2010.

Nuclear rivals India and Pakistan routinely accuse one another of sending spies into their countries, and it is not uncommon for either nation to expel diplomats accused of espionage.
Kenyas first Cannes-nominated film banned at home

Wanuri Kahius film Rafiki has been announced as Kenyas first entry at the Cannes Film Festival.
President Mahmoud Abbas is in hospital for a third time this week, according to Palestinian media.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been admitted to hospital in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, a Palestinian official said, providing no further details on his condition.

It was the third time Abbas, 82, had been admitted in a week.

He underwent minor ear surgery on Tuesday and was released a few hours later and admitted to hospital briefly again on Friday, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA said.

Abbas had failed to attend the extraordinary Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Turkey on Friday, which was held to discuss the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem.

Abbas, a heavy smoker, has a long history of health issues, ranging from heart trouble to a bout with prostate cancer a decade ago.

He has not designated a successor, and the Palestinians have not held presidential elections since 2005 because of the split between Abbas Fatah party and Hamas, which rules Gaza.
Emissary George Nader offered Trump the help of Saudi Arabia and the UAE to win 2016 presidential election, report says.

Donald Trump Jr met in August 2016 with an envoy representing the crown princes of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, who sought to help his fathers presidential campaign, the New York Times reported.

During the Trump Tower meeting, the envoy, Lebanese-American businessman George Nader, told Trump Jr, that the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and the UAE were eager to help his father win the 2016 presidential election, according to the report.

The meeting, which the report said was facilitated by Erik Prince, the founder and former head of private military contractor Blackwater, would be the first evidence that countries other than Russia sought to influence the US election in favour of Donald Trump.

Citing several anonymous sources with knowledge of the meeting, the report said Joel Zamel, cofounder of an Israeli consulting firm, was also in attendance at the meeting.

Alan Futerfas, laywer for Trump Jr, said in a statement on Saturday that nothing came of the meeting.

Prior to the 2016 election, Donald Trump Jr recalls a meeting with Erik Prince, George Nader and another individual who may be Joel Zamel.

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They pitched Mr Trump Jr on a social media platform or marketing strategy. He was not interested, and that was the end of it.

Kathryn Ruemmler, a lawyer for Nader, said, Mr Nader has fully cooperated with the special counsels investigation and will continue to do so.

Since 1974, the US has barred foreign nationals from giving money to political campaigns, and it later barred them from donating to political parties.

The campaign financing laws also prohibit foreign nationals from coordinating with a campaign and from buying ads that explicitly call for the election or defeat of a candidate.

Russian collusion

The revelations about the August 2016 meetings come amidst scrutiny of another meeting between Donald Trump Jr and a Russian lawyer after being promised damaging information about Hillary Clinton.

The Wall Street Journal last month reported that investigators working for US Special Counsel Robert Mueller had met Zamel and that Muellers team was looking into his firms work and his relationship with Nader.

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Mueller is investigating whether Russia meddled in the presidential election and if Moscow colluded with the Trump campaign, as well as whether Trump committed obstruction of justice by trying to thwart the US Department of Justice probe.

Trump has denied any collusion with Russia and has called the Mueller investigation a witch-hunt.

The New York Times report said the meetings are an indication that other countries besides Russia may have offered help to Trumps presidential campaign.
A wet week along the eastern seaboard of the United States has left parts of Maryland and Virginia under flood warnings as swollen rivers threaten to overflow.

The National Weather Services Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center still has 23 flood warnings in force. At one stage there were 37 stream and river gauges in the region at risk of moderate to minor flooding, and 26 more are near flood stage.

Rain has lashed the Washington area for the past 8 days. The Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, recorded 155mm of rain in that time. This is well above May average rainfall of 115.6mm.

The Potomac River which forms part of the borders between Maryland and Washington, DC, is full to bursting in places. Water levels along the River could still crest at their highest levels in four years by Monday.

The rain has been even heavier in Virginia. Richmond has had 209mm in the last four days. There was 95mm recorded on Saturday alone. That is just shy of the 95mm average May rainfall.

The persistent and heaviest thundery downpours are now pulling away into the open waters of the North Atlantic. However, another line of thunderstorms are forecast to cross the area on Monday and Tuesday followed by three fine days and more rain next weekend.
Release comes after request by Ethiopian prime minister during official visit to Riyadh, Ethiopian media reports.

Saudi Arabia has agreed to release 1,000 Ethiopian nationals who have been in prison in the Gulf state for a variety of offences, Ethiopian state-affiliated media said.

The decision was made after a request by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who was in Riyadh on an official two-day visit that ended on Saturday, Fana Broadcasting Corporation reported on Saturday.

Among the detainees were 100 women, the agency said, without disclosing what charges they were held on. The prisoners will be released on Sunday, the news agency added.

Hundreds of thousands of Ethiopian nationals live in the Gulf region, mostly in Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh has not commented on the report.

Officials in Riyadh are in the process of deporting more than 500,000 Ethiopian migrants, who arrived in Saudi Arabia illegally. So far, 160,000 have returned to the Horn of Africa country.

More than 14,000 Ethiopians were deported forcefully from Saudi Arabia in 2017, according to the Ethiopian government. At least 70,000 others returned to the East African country voluntarily.
Khartoum appears to have been angered by the idea that Egyptian armed groups would find refuge in Sudan.

Sudan has summoned the Egyptian ambassador to Khartoum to complain about a TV series that portrays Egyptian rebel fighters living in the neighbouring country.

The Sudanese foreign ministry said on Saturday that the Ramadan series, titled Abu Amr al-Masry, broadcasted by ON TV satellite channel, is insulting to Egyptians living in Sudan and destroying the confidence and relations between the people of the two countries.

It urged Egypt to stop attempts at disturbing the interests of the two countries.

Khartoum appears to have been angered by the idea that Egyptian armed groups would find refuge in Sudan. Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and other armed group members were based in Sudan in the mid-1990s.

Diplomatic ties between Cairo and Khartoum have largely remained tense, particularly since last year after Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir accused Egyptian intelligence services of supporting opposition figures fighting his troops in the countrys conflict zones such as Darfur.

Diplomatic relations have been further strained over the past year by Khartoums revival of a long-standing border dispute and its perceived support for Ethiopia, which is building an upstream dam on the Nile that Egypt fears will cut into its share of the river.
Vote under way in Venezuela election amid opposition boycott

In midst of continuing economic crisis, Venezuelans have to decide whether they will vote in polls boycotted by opposition.
Iranian foreign minister says the bloc must take more practical strides to preserve landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Irans foreign minister has said the European Union must increase its investments in Iran for an endangered nuclear deal to be preserved following the US withdrawal from the multinational pact earlier this month.

Mohammed Javad Zarif made the comments on Sunday in Irans capital, Tehran, during a meeting with Miguel Arias Canete, the EUs commissioner for energy and climate.

Under the current circumstances, the EUs political will is not enough to preserve the nuclear deal, Zarif said.

The EU needs to take more practical strides and increase its investments in Iran if it is to continue its economic cooperation with the Islamic Republic [Iran].

His remarks came after several European companies expressed concern about continuing business with Iran following the US exit, raising further doubts about the viability of the deal.

Danish shipping giant Maersk Tankers, German insurer Allianz and Italian steel manufacturer Danieli have all announced plans to halt, or wind down altogether, operations in the country.

French energy giant Total has also warned it will pull out of a multibillion-dollar project to develop Irans vast South Pars gas field unless granted a waiver by US authorities.

This agreement works

Under the 2015 deal signed in Vienna with six world powers  China, France, Russia, the UK, the US and Germany  as well as the European Union, Iran scaled back its enrichment of uranium and vowed not to pursue nuclear weapons.

In exchange, sanctions on Irans economy were lifted, and Tehran was allowed to resume trading of oil and gas in the international market. A total of $100bn in frozen Iranian assets was also released. Since then, Iran has gradually opened its country to foreign investments  including European ones  and welcomed more international visitors, injecting billions of dollars into its ailing economy.

But on May 9, US President Donald Trump announced a decision to withdraw from the deal and impose tough economic sanctions  a move with major implications for the global oil trade and multibillion-dollar business deals.

Trumps decision plunged the pacts remaining signatories into doubt and discussion over its long-term future, with Tehran insisting that it was ready for all options and that the interests of the people of Iran must be assured for it to stay in the deal.

Tehran also warned it could resume uranium enrichment without limit if the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), falls apart.

In recent days, top EU officials have vowed to continue working together to save the agreement.

Following his meeting with Zarif, Arias Canete echoed that pledge by expressing the blocs commitment to the pact.

Our message is very clear. This is a nuclear agreement that works, he told reporters.

What he [Zarif] is asking the European Union is that we have to have concrete solutions in order to implement the European Union commitments, which is something that we fully recognise.

Arias Canete said the announcement by several European companies in cascade that they will not continue investing in Iran had, however, made things much more complicated at the moment.

In Tehran with Irans Foreign Minister @JZarif discussing way forward to defend and fully implement the #IranDeal. Committed to protecting EU investments and boosting EU-Iran trade relations. #JCPOA pic.twitter.com/6kyYjUQuTV  Miguel Arias Canete (@MAC_europa) May 20, 2018

EU trade with Iran totalled over of 20bn euro ($23.5bn) last year, with most exports being machinery and transport goods and the majority of imports being energy-related products.

On Thursday, the European Commission said it would launch the process of activating a law that bans European companies and courts from complying with US sanctions against Iran.

Jean Claude Juncker, the commissions president, said it has a duty to protect European companies from Washingtons punitive fiscal measures.

The options being considered by the bloc to keep Tehran in the nuclear deal reportedly include new credit lines, increased energy cooperation and implementing EU laws to block European firms from caving in to US sanctions.

Arias Canete said Iranian officials want to mitigate the impact of US sanctions under a proposal for EU governments to pay for Iranian oil in euros directly to Irans central bank, bypassing the US financial system.

The EU will consider it, he said, adding that the EU needed to deliver fast on preserving oil trade with Iran.
President turns to Bosnia to rally expatriates after several EU countries ban Turkish campaigning on their soil.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held an election rally in Sarajevo, Bosnia on Sunday after three European Union countries banned Turkish politicians from campaigning on their soil ahead of next months polls.

Austria, the Netherlands, and Germany  home to the largest Turkish diasporas  have announced that Turkish politicians were not welcome to hold political rallies there.

Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AK Party) rally in the Bosnian capital was the only one to be held in Europe ahead of the snap parliamentary and presidential elections on June 24.

The vote will see Turkey switch from a parliamentary to a presidential system, granting the next president increased powers.

The six million Turks living abroad, mostly in Western Europe, have a lot of clout. Since 2014, about half of them have been able to vote in Turkish elections. There are 1.4 million eligible Turkish voters in Germany alone.

But, the last time Erdogan attempted to rally in Europe it ended in a fiasco.





In March 2017, ahead of a referendum on expanding presidential powers, Dutch authorities blocked a number of Turkish officials from campaigning in the Netherlands, citing security concerns. Germany also imposed a ban on security grounds.

This time, politicians from Germany, the Netherlands and Austria announced an explicit ban on Turkish campaigning in their countries.

Erdogans Turkish leadership has been trying to exploit Europes communities of Turkish origin for many years, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz told a local radio station in April.

True friendship and brotherhood

During his speech in Sarajevo, Erdogan called on Turks in Europe to support him with a record number of votes and urged them to actively participate in European politics.

At a time when the glorious European countries that claim to be the cradle of democracy failed, Bosnia and Herzegovina proved to be not ostensibly, but truly democratic by giving us the opportunity to gather here, Erdogan told a crowd of more than 12,000 people, according to reports.

Today we saw true friendship and brotherhood.

Media reports also quoted the Union of European Turkish Democrats (UETD), the group that organised the rally, as saying about half of the rallys attendees had come from Germany and Austria.

Supporters in the diaspora can make a significant difference in the outcome since they have shown to be more supportive of Erdogan in polls compared to voters in Turkey.

In the 2017 referendum, the Turkish diaspora voted 59 percent in favour of Erdogan while 51 percent of those in Turkey voted in favour of expanding presidential powers in a poll that was just narrowly won by the yes team.

As such, many have commented that stopping Erdogan from reaching his voters across the EU may be counterproductive and the tension may work in his favour.

Turkish influence?

Although Bosnia is not in the EU, Erdogans choice of Sarajevo still stirred debate among the Bosnian public.

The rally got off to a rough start, even at the announcement phase. According to local reports, neither the Bosnian foreign ministry nor the presidency had been initially notified it would take place.

The announcement spurred condemnation by critics, who accused Turkey of undermining Bosnias sovereignty.

If we introduce this principle that anyone can hold meetings or political rallies in our country whenever they want, we lose our sovereignty, Bosnian parliamentarian Sadik Ahmetovic told local media.

During the visit, Erdogan held talks with Bakir Izetbegovic, leader of Bosnias conservative Party of Democratic Action (SDA) and the Bosniak member of the tripartite Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.





Some critics, such as parliamentarian Dusanka Majkic, said the visit serves Izetbegovics interests ahead of Bosnias general elections in the fall of 2018.

Majkic also pointed the meeting may serve as a barrier for Bosnias path to the EU as Bosnia has allowed Erdogan to campaign while EU countries refused to do so.

It just shows that we have no feelings for European values, Majkic told local media.

Political scientist Jasmin Mujanovic, who specialises in southeastern European affairs, views Erdogans visit as an assault on a weak democratic regime.

Erdogans Turkey is an authoritarian state according to the observations of every major monitoring organisation in the world, Mujanovic said.

The AK Partys growing clout among the SDA, and Bosnia and Herzegovina more broadly, is therefore necessarily a worrying trend in a country whose own democratic institutions and norms are already under tremendous stress.

European hypocrisy

However, many Bosnians welcomed Erdogans arrival, pointing out that Turkey has always supported Bosnia, whereas Europe is seen by some as complicit in the bloody war that tore Bosnia apart in the early 1990s.





I dont have anything against it. Hes not the first foreign politician to hold a pre-election meeting here. If [former president of Croatia] Ivo Josipovic can do it, why cant Erdogan? asked 28-year-old Damir Badzic, a resident of Sarajevo.

Whoever in their actions shows friendly intentions towards Bosnia and Herzegovina should have the doors open for them, said 26-year-old Ajdin Tinjak, also from Sarajevo.

Emir Suljagic, a professor of social and political science at the International University of Sarajevo, called out what he described as the hypocritical behaviour of the three European countries, which have previously allowed political meetings to be organised by other foreign, non-Muslim politicians.

Last March, President Milorad Dodik and Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic of Republika Srpska  Bosnias semi-autonomous Serb entity  held a meeting for the Serb diaspora in Linz, Austria, Suljagic noted.

Ahead of Austrias presidential elections in December 2016, Dodik openly encouraged Bosnian Serbs in Austria to vote for the neo-Nazi FPO (Freedom Party of Austria) candidate Norbert Hofer, Suljagic added.





Milorad Dodik has spent 20 million KM [$12m] on institutional and systematic denial of genocide in Srebrenica  is accused of corruption  and hes welcome in the EU, but Erdogan isnt, Suljagic said.

Protector of Muslims

For Murat Necip Arman, professor of International Relations at Turkeys Adnan Menderes University, Erdogans visit to Sarajevo is nothing out of the ordinary.

Describing Erdogan as someone who is seen by many as a protector of Muslim communities all over the world, Arman said the Turkish president tends to visit countries in the run-up to elections that have large Muslim populations such as Bosnia, Kosovo and Albania.

Erdogans visit to Sarajevo solidifies this protector image with his voter base, Arman explained.
Tawinika McKoy has gone through more in her young adult life of 25 years than many people of any age. She is a wife, a mother, a sister and a local gospel artist who has appeared on BET, TBN, and performed with such greats as the popular Walls group. With all the hats she wears in life, perhaps another fitting title is "survivor" or "conqueror."

McKoy was fresh out of high school, pregnant, and newly married when she took on the task of adopting her three younger sisters, who were 10 and 11 at the time. Now the family is looking forward to her youngest twin sisters, Ebony and Ivory Little, graduating from Gautier High School on Friday. Their sister, Rauj'e Little, graduated from Gautier this time last year and is now in the U.S. Army, stationed in Kansas.

"It's been a journey," said McKoy. "It's been a real tough journey, but I believe that it's been worth it to see that these girls are everything that everybody said that they weren't going to be. It's been tough, but we made it."

Their lives look very different today than they did years ago. McKoy's father died when she was 6 years old. Then, when she was 14, her mother died in a car accident.

"She (my mother) had sleep apnea really bad," McKoy said. "We had just gotten back from Six Flags in Atlanta the night before. My mom got up early the next day to go to work and fell asleep at the wheel and hit a tree."

McKoy loved her mom dearly, and they became extremely close in the months before her death. She said it was almost as if God was preparing her for what was to come.

Her mother had been making more time to spend with her since she worked a lot and often wasn't home, leaving McKoy to care for her three younger sisters. She even missed school sometimes to stay home with them, and she had learned how to cook, clean, change diapers and prepare bottles at a very young age.

"I was always like a mom figure," she said. "Sometimes we didn't have the money. I would go around the house, find coins, find change in the couch. We stayed across the street from a convenience store, so I would go over there and get cans of beans or just something to make sure they were fed. Sometimes I wouldn't even eat."

Not eating was one of many sacrifices McKoy made as a young girl helping to raise her sisters, something for which she resented her mother for a long time.

"I missed a lot of sleepovers, birthday parties, and just hanging out with friends, because I had to watch my sisters," said McKoy. "I just never got to be a child. I never really had that childhood. I used to be mad because other kids got to do things I didn't get to do, not knowing God was preparing me."

After her mother's death, McKoy and her sisters stayed with a family member for several years, but there was abuse in the home, and her younger sisters got the bulk of the physical abuse. It was hard for her to watch. She felt helpless.

"I just didn't know what to do," she said. "I felt like I was supposed to protect them, but I couldn't. I didn't know how. I was suicidal because of it, but I never did it, because I knew I had to be there for my sisters. I was walking around high school with a fake smile. I didn't really grieve my mother's death, because I had to keep face for them."

McKoy said things changed for them one Sunday after there had been a big fight at home. A woman at church said to her, "I'm here if you need me." Church had always been a safe haven for McKoy. In that moment of conversation, McKoy broke down in tears, explaining the situation. She believes that encounter was divine intervention.

She later learned the woman worked for the Department of Human Services. They stayed in contact, and, eventually, the woman helped them get out of their abusive environment. By this time, McKoy was a senior in high school. She had her 18th birthday in March of that year, so she was too old to go into the foster care system.

"My godmother got guardianship of me for two months," she said. "I graduated, found out I was pregnant in June, and two weeks later I got married to my husband. I was like, we did it wrong, but I'm not bringing my child in this world not being married," she said with a laugh. "I just believed in that."

McKoy and her husband, Derwin, began to pursue adoption. Rauj'e, Ebony and Ivory would be in the foster care system for about a year before their sister finalized the adoption in 2012.

"Once I got the finances together, I bought a house," said McKoy. "I got their rooms put together and got a car. I did everything to make sure that when they came they were going to be well taken care of. We did all of this without knowing if the judge was going to say yes. We even went to foster care classes in case we had to be foster parents first before guardianship. I just didn't want them to go back in the system.

"A lot of people doubted that I would be able to get them. I remember walking into the courtroom, I was 19. I believed we could take care of them, and so did the judge."

The years to come would still not be easy, especially in the beginning. All the sisters, including McKoy, had been through a lot and were dealing with a lot of heartache.

"I really had some issues," said McKoy. "I didn't like myself as a person. I had a lot of insecurities. I didn't think I was worth anything or had anything to contribute to society. I was depressed, suicidal, just wondering why am I even on this earth."

"I was a confused child," said Ebony Little. "I didn't care a lot about what adults had to say. I was young and kinda lost. I just want to say to my sister that I am sorry for how I have acted. I know I gave her a lot of heartache and headache, but I love her with all my heart."

McKoy says her relationship with Christ is what has gotten her and her family through hard times. She says counseling has also been a huge help.

These days, the McKoy/Little family has much to celebrate. Ebony will be headed to the Army, following in her sister's footsteps. Ivory will be headed to the Air Force, and they are all excited about McKoy becoming a mother again. She and her husband are expecting another baby girl in September.

"Yes, another girl," McKoy said with a laugh. "My husband is use to it by now. He actually wanted another girl. He has been a godsend in all of this, raising our first daughter, Genysis, together and raising my sisters. They all love and respect him."

McKoy says she and her sisters have a powerful testimony, and she hopes their story can help others.

"I would tell people to not give up," said Ivory Little. "Whatever hurt or trouble you go through, there is a reason. God has a plan for you. One day you will be greater than all the stuff you've been through in the past."

"You have to learn how to take the things that you've endured as motivation," said McKoy. "I had to wake up and say, 'I'm not a victim; I'm a survivor.' I'm going to take what I've been through and make sure other people don't experience it. If they do, I'm going to try to do all I can to help them overcome and realize that they are conquerors and the story becomes greater after this."
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
One giant thing that separates us from the animals is the fact that we separated ourselves from the animals. Or rather, we put ourselves above them. Some of us call it "the image of God," and others of us call it "evolution," but somewhere in the unsearchable wastes of time, we started talking about what makes us us, and the fact that we were talking about it is what made us.

We know that other animals fall in love and talk and make war and have territories and build houses and have tribes and show off and use tools and sing songs and pass on traditions and fight over women. We've been watching them too long to think otherwise  which is another great reason we separate ourselves. Nobody knows whether a dog thinks about being a dog or about other animals in general; but we know that dogs know what dogs are and they know what people are and that no dogs have declared their independence from or superiority over people. At least not in writing.

But we've declared our independence from dogs, and the reason we declared it is because we declare our allegiance. To leave the animal kingdom was to join man's. It was the idea, not entirely foreign to many of the animals, that in order for men to survive, we had to get along with men, and that getting along meant acting a certain way. The act of joining this society was known as being "humane," and it fostered all our sociable instincts while denigrating our selfish ones.

Thus, we could have been polygamists like the silverbacks or free lovers like the Basset Hounds, but we decided (at one point) to be consensual and monogamous. We could have been more odious than the skunk and more poisonous than the adder, but we hoarded all our garbage into garbage dumps and took money from one another to flush our feces down the sewer. The tendency to kill over a tree was replaced with property rights. You build a nest and, other things going smoothly, you continue to live in it. All this allowed us to plan for the future, and our planning meant our investment, and our investment meant we grew comfortable. The entrance into humanity is an exit from natural liberty. We find our freedom in constriction  the shaping of our instincts along pre-defined and socially-accepted patterns. When we know what to expect, we know how to act. Every country is a differently shaped cage. Every nation is a different twist on a straitjacket.

All of this is to prevent suffering and war. War is what we call it when a man holds another at gunpoint for a wallet. It's what happens when a woman is kidnapped and raped, or her children are shot at, or she gets chased down her neighborhood by gangsters. It's when one people decides it can enslave another, or when one political party tries to terrorize another, or when a few rich men decide they can brutalize the poor men. We've gotten so used to the idea of war as nations and armies and conquests that we forget, to our disgrace, that war happens every day in every society around the entire globe. Our police forces are little soldiers, and our violent criminals are the Hun. Society sometimes wars against other societies, but it is always at war primarily with itself. Every country bans robbery, rape, kidnapping, and murder because it wars against robbers and rapists and kidnappers and murderers. Every law is a pointed gun. Every legislator is a kind of general.

Donald Trump declared these things this week when he called our criminal aliens animals. The public, or at least the loudest part of it, was upset. It was upset that anyone could be so inhumane as to call another man, and especially someone as "vulnerable" as a foreigner, an animal. To them, it hearkened back to the days when Jackson said the only good Indian is a dead Indian, or when Hitler gassed many of the Jews, or when the Jews exterminated the Canaanites. But in calling these robbers, murderers, rapists, and kidnappers animals, Trump was hearkening back to the beginning of the Enlightenment. He was merely declaring the most fundamental of social principles -- that in order to be a man you have to be somewhat humane, that the brotherhood of man and a system of law are both things you can quit, and that there are consequences to quitting them. The reason we don't let tigers run wild is because we're worried about what they'll do to the humans. John Locke said a pirate was a loose tiger, and there are only three things you do with a tiger. You put him in a cage, you put him back in the jungle, or you put him to sleep.

Those of us who can't handle the least brutal of these three options, deportation, aren't just avoiding the options. They're opting for your wives and children to be menaced by known foreign predators like MS-13 and then, supposing said criminals are ever caught, for you to pay for their cages. They believe that this option makes them humane. What it proves is that we have more animals running free in the United States than our president has suggested. First, there are the animals who threaten to maim us. Second, there are the animals who deny the Kingdom of Man and refuse to call the worst of us animals. It's my opinion that the second are more dangerous than the first.

The Washington Times states that many crimes committed by foreigners, and especially religious and ethnic minorities, are going unpunished to keep said criminals from deportation. Washington State no longer allows us to identify people by Social Security numbers, which allows our most dangerous criminals to simply change their identities. And our driver's licenses are no good to fly with because our identities, for the sake of illegals, aren't properly confirmed by the authorities.

Denver and other cities (and states such as California and Washington) have reduced many sentences to 364 days instead of a full year  which allows criminal aliens to avoid felony convictions and thus fly under the radar of the federal government. Prosecutors and judges all over the nation are charging people with lesser crimes simply to protect them from consequences. The ACLU is advising local authorities to keep information from federal authorities, which allows criminals to jump from one state to another. When this fails, crimes are not being charged simply because a man happens to be from another country.

According to The New York Times, California requires immigration status to be factored into criminal convictions  meaning lighter sentences for all kinds of illegals. A green card-holder from India gave a felony-worthy beating to his wife but was let off easy so he wouldn't get deported. In Boston, a green card-holder from Guinea-Bissau was given a 364-day sentence after robbing two banks and being a suspect in a double-murder. Another man was deported nine times before he returned to Edmonds, Washington, where he dragged a woman into an alley and raped her.

Our "morality" allows animals to commit atrocities. The men who separate us from the animals are reported in the news to be monsters. We've become so over-civilized that we can no longer carry on a civilization.

Jeremy Egerer is the author of the troublesome essays on Letters to Hannah, and he welcomes followers on Twitter and Facebook.
Last week I reported that Internet sleuths had winkled out the name of the spy/agent provocateur that Obama's intelligence officers had used on the Trump campaign. The New York Times and Washington Post, the Democrats' semi-official newspapers this week megaphoned the instigators, offering up their justifications without naming his name.

Again, the name is Stefan Halper, who, as I wrote here last week, was paid a substantial sum by the Department of Defense's Office of Net Assessment.

If it was for this work  and it suspiciously looks like it because the payments were made in July and September of 2016 when he was weaseling his way into the campaign  then we know we have the DNI, CIA, DOJ, FBI, Dept. of State and the Defense Department working for Hillary's election and to smear and create a basis for further spying on Trump and his campaign.

The NYT and Washington Post stories were clearly dictated by the perpetrators of this unprecedented effort to interfere with our elections. A careful reading shows that they leaked just enough about Halper to positively identify him while the press refuses to name him because the selective leakers warned, "that exposing him could endanger him or his contacts." If you buy that nonsense, please send me your name and contact information because I have a great investment deal for you. Nevertheless, in trying to justify what was done, the papers revealed more of how Halper worked to entrap low-level campaign workers, perhaps to pad up a nonexistent predicate for the spying which had already occurred and which continued, even after the election when Deputy Attorney General renewed the fatally flawed FISA warrant.

In the selective leak to the press the officials who claim neither we nor Congress are entitled to this information we, nevertheless, learn this about his work:

From the Post story: Halper struck up a conversation with Carter Page (a longtime FBI asset and witness against Russian interests himself) in July 2016 posing as an academic "interested in American politics." In late summer Halper met with Trump campaign co-chairman Sam Clovis and offered to provide "foreign policy expertise to the Trump effort." Clovis begged off further meetings in which they discussed policy toward China due to the press of campaign activities. In September, he contacted George Papadopoulos, "an unpaid foreign policy advisor" to the Trump campaign, and invited him to London to work on a research paper on energy for which he paid him $3,000. The Post concedes this is a standard intelligence trick --offer to pay a mark you're trying to recruit for a report on an innocuous subject.

I suspect like the long-debunked claim that Valerie Plame was a covert agent whose naming jeopardized national security; the claim that Halper's name must not be revealed is utter bunk, but the press incuriously bought it then and buys it now:

The stakes are so high that the FBI has been working over the past two weeks to mitigate the potential damage if the source's identity were revealed, according to several people familiar with the matter. The bureau took steps to protect other live investigations that he has worked on and sought to lessen any danger to associates if his identity became known, said these people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence operations.

The Wall Street Journal's Kimberley Strassel has been having a field day unraveling the many contradictions of the intelligence community's shifting stories and the persistent stonewalling by the DoJ and FBI to congressional investigators at the very same time they are dropping tales to compliant press.

For example, she tweets:

5. Back in Dec., NYT assured us it was the Papadopoulos-Downer convo that inspired FBI to launch official counterintelligence operation on July 31, 2016. Which was convenient, since it diminished the role of the dossier Kimberley Strassel  Verified account @KimStrassel May 16 More 6. Now NYT tells us FBI didn't debrief downer until August 2nd. And Nunes says no "official intelligence" from allies was delivered to FBI about that convo prior to July 31. So how did FBI get Downer details? (Political actors?) And what really did inspire the CI investigation?

Let me explain this. In May 2016 Australia's High Commissioner to the UK, Alexander Downer (a Hillary friend) met with Papadopoulos in a London wine bar and questioned him about Russia and the Hillary emails. Two months later he reportedly forwarded information about the conversation to the FBI, which it claimed was the basis for the counterintelligence investigation of Trump, but as Strassel notes  Downer wasn't questioned by the FBI until days after the investigation was opened.

Halper and Downer weren't alone in trying to see if Papadopoulos had information about the hacked DNC emails (whose impenetrable password you may recall, was "password").

Former FBI agent Mark Wauck suggests Halper may have been operating under a preliminary investigation(PI), not a full Investigation (FI)

The FBI is asked--way back as early as 2015, but who knows? -- to be helpful to the Dems and they agree. What they do is they hire non-government consultants with close Dem ties to do "analytical work" for them, which happens to include total access to NSA data. Advantages? For the Dems, obviously, access to EVERYTHING digital. A gold mine for modern campaign research. For the FBI there's also an advantage. They get to play dumb -- gosh, we didn't know they were looking at all that stuff! They also don't have to falsify anything, like making [stuff] up to "justify" opening a FI [full investigation]on an American citizen and then lying to the FISC to get a FISA on the USPER [US person] and having to continually renew the FISA and lie all over again to the FISC each renewal. And the beauty of it all is, who's ever going to find out? And even if they do, how do you prove criminal intent? So everything's humming along until a pain in the a** named Mike Rogers at NSA does an audit in 4/2016, just as the real campaign season is about to start. And Rogers learns that 85% of the searches the FBI has done between 12/2015 and 4/2016 have been totally out of bounds. And he clamps down -- no more non-government contractors, tight auditing on searches of NSA data. Oh sh*t! What to do, just give up? Well, not necessarily, but there's a lot more work involved and a lot more fudging the facts. What the FBI needs to do now is get a FISA that will cover their a** and provide coverage on the GOPers going forward. That means, first get a FI on an USPER [US person] connected to the Trump campaign (who looks, in [April] or [May] 2016, like the GOP candidate) so you can then get that FISA. That's not so easy, because they've got to find an USPER with that profile who they can plausibly present as a Russian spy. But they have this source named Halper. So they first open a PI [preliminary investigation]. That allows them to legally use NatSec Letters and other investigative techniques to keep at least some of what they were doing going. But importantly this allows them to legally use Halper to try to frame people connected to the Trump campaign -- IOW, find someone to open a FI on so they can then get that FISA. However the PI is framed, that's what they're looking to do. It has legal form, even if the real intent is to help the Dems. And you can see why this had to be a CI [counterintelligence] thing, so in a sense the Russia narrative was almost inevitable -- no other bogeyman would really fit the bill, and especially on short notice. So that's what they do, and Halper helps them come up with Papadopoulos and Page, so by the end of July they've got their FI. Problem. Their first FISA is rejected, but eventually, 10/2016, they get that. And then Trump wins and Rogers visits Trump Tower. And the Deep State has a fit.

If his surmise is valid, it's likely all leading Republican contenders were also the subject of preliminary investigations.

Sundance fisks the NYT article on the repeated efforts to get nonexistent information from Papadopoulos by Halper, Downer, and also Halper's female assistant who over drinks tried to get him to admit he knew about Russian attempts to affect the election when the other two attempts had failed.

Halper, per the NYT, also spied on General Michael Flynn.

The justification peddled to and bought by the NYT is that the FBI agents and their contractor Halper were just trying to protect Trump from the Russians. I may be naive, but I should think that spying on all the communications of a political candidate and his associates (and unmasking and leaking what might help his opponent) seem a preposterous justification when a meeting to convey their concerns would have been more than adequate. It sounds like an after-the-fact weak justification for otherwise inexplicable conduct.

When the efforts of the intelligence community conspirators failed, they came up with another gambit:

"So until election day, the "working group at Langley" was trying to dig up dirt on the Trump campaign and wasn't coming up with any. But Brennan didn't want his efforts to go to waste, so he leaked to Senator Harry Reid the existence of the counterintelligence probe into the Trump campaign. He couldn't leak any damning findings from that probe because there weren't any. But he could inflict political damage by getting Reid to tell the press darkly of the probe's existence."

And the same press which is trying to persuade us to believe an impossible thing every day, dutifully marched in step to spread the word that there was a counterintelligence investigation into Trump, believing we were all dumb enough to think a shrewd billionaire had great interest in conniving with the Russians. At the same time the press was downplaying Hillary's far more substantive financial contributions and connections with Russia and Russian interests, even her endorsing the sale of a substantial amount of our uranium deposits to them.

Soon enough, we are told, we'll get the long-awaited report of the DOJ's Inspector General on the first part of his inquiry  the investigation into Hillary's misuse of classified information on her email servers. Nevertheless, the DOJ stonewalling continues. Senator Chuck Grassley has had quite enough of this, demanding a copy of the letter describing the scope of the Special Counsel's mandate and power by Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein. He's given the Department of Justice until May 31 to hand over an unredacted copy of the Rosenstein memo naming Mueller and describing (in the vaguest terms) Mueller's powers and jurisdiction.(The same thing he's asking for was just provided to Judge T.S. Ellis in the Manafort case in Virginia.) How desperate are the Democrats to keep us from knowing what went on and what is still going on? This desperate: Senator Mark Warner (D-Va) is claiming that the FBI must not accept congressional oversight:

In essence he's arguing a notion that Judge Ellis has correctly swatted away  that the intelligence community is entitled to operate as a government on its own, without oversight. A preposterous argument from a member of the Gang of Eight whose job it is to conduct  wait for it  all oversight of the DOJ and FBI. Of course, as Sundance notes, Warner has every reason to shun congressional oversight and transparency  he was in on the intelligence scam himself:

Mark Warner was also the guy caught text messaging with DC Lawyer Adam Waldman in the spring of 2017. (his first assignment) Waldman was the lawyer for the interests of Christopher Steele  the author of the dossier. While he was working as an intermediary putting Senator Warner and Christopher Steele in contact with each other, simultaneously Adam Waldman was also representing the interests of wait for it Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska. Derispaska was the Russian person approached by Andrew McCabe and Peter Strzok and asked to assist in creating dirt on the Trump campaign, via Paul Manafort. You see, Senator Mark Warner has a vested interest in making sure that no-one ever gets to the bottom of the 2016 political weaponization, spying and surveillance operation. Senator Mark Warner was a participant in the execution of the "insurance policy" trying to remove President Trump via the Russian Collusion narrative.

In this regard  vested interests in hiding from us the extent of the Obama Administration's lawless perfidy  Senator Warner is not alone. Ben Weingarten at The Federalist discusses how there is no longer any upside for Mueller's investigation to continue and offers up why he thinks Mueller continues on this pointless endeavor.

He notes how the latest effort of the Mueller team  the indictment of 13 Russians and three front companies  has devolved into clownishness. Mueller clearly thought these flawed indictments would never go to trial and the public relations affect was all that he wanted. Ka-Boom  wrong. One of the companies named hired very capable counsel who has, among other things, noted that one of the three entities named wasn't in existence at the time of the purported offense, some of the people named do not exist, and the offense charged is not illegal in any event.

The company has made discovery demands, the court has denied the Mueller request for delay.

The Russians will now get to enjoy all the benefits of our legal system without the actual "employees" involved ever likely appearing in court. So what was once a no-downside case for the Mueller special counsel has now become one with little upside. At best, the Mueller special counsel may be highly embarrassed in being forced to essentially fold by dismissing the indictment, or at least the charges against Concord Management. Of course, this would delegitimize the special counsel by showing that one of its few non-process-crime cases pertaining to its Russia-centric mandate fell apart. Adding insult to injury, a New York Sun editorial posits the special counsel could find itself facing litigation from Concord Management under the "Hyde Amendment" concerning frivolous criminal prosecutions. Russia will certainly be laughing.

Why continue this, he asks, and answers:

The Russiagate investigations inevitably seem to lead back to the investigators. This is not because the president's defenders are running interference. Rather, so many people seem to have been invested in protecting assumed presidential winner Hillary Clinton, then in destroying her opponent and victor Donald Trump, that too many loose ends were never tied up and the malefactors need to cover their tracks. The Mueller special counsel is run by their friends and colleagues. The cover-up effort has come into focus because it is so widespread and the fact pattern has played itself out over and over too many times. Every day we see more evidence of it in stonewalling, leaking, disingenuously raising national security concerns, contradictory statements, and claims that protecting the integrity of institutions justify unethical if not illegal actions when it is these actions themselves that have destroyed the integrity of those institutions. ... But increasingly it is very clear that for the non-useful idiots, all of the most insane narratives about Trump must be kept up or their credibility will be shredded.

Wretchard tweets something impossible to deny: "The biggest problem with politically weaponizing intelligence agencies is it CREATES a pathway for the foreign takeover of the system. If once a hostile power takes over the WH, it obtains the power to remain indefinitely."

We now have an imaginary crime  collusion  with imaginary evidence and even imaginary defendants. What is not imaginary is the selfish effort to destroy our polity by several handfuls of men and women who abused their positions of trust for intended partisan gain that failed. Give them the hook already.
Are manners and morals essentially the same? Are manners merely "small morals," as Thomas Hobbes defines them? Or is there a fundamental distinction?

Moral philosophy is about our understanding of virtue or righteousness. Manners, on the other hand, focus upon public or political behavior. We might draw the distinction between manners and morals by stating that manners are instrumental behaviors while morals are existential. One might differentiate them by pointing out that manners are social behaviors subject to place and time. Manners govern actions. Morals, on the other hand, define how we "ought" to interact.

Since what we do is connected to why we should do it, manners and morals were investigated by both social scientists and philosophers. Aristotle described manners as "practical wisdom" as opposed to philosophical wisdom. Practical or political wisdom is devoted to man's self-interest or what is good for the individual. But what is good for the individual must be evaluated against what is good in general. Practical wisdom is about how a man may obtain something that is good for him. Philosophical wisdom seeks to understand what is good.

Much of our moral awareness derives from our perceptions of what feels good. That is why David Hume argues that we determine virtue or vice by how we feel rather than what we think. Despite a common perceptual origin, morals and manners have developed differently. While we may see moral intentions in a display of good manners, it is often the case that politeness as we observe in politics and diplomacy is little more than lying, obfuscating a darker intention.

We want to believe that we are basically good. We cannot remember meeting anyone who perceived himself as evil. There remains, as Isaiah pointed out, a profound moral confusion  people "calling good evil and evil good." The objective of philosophy is to subject to rational analysis each contention of morality. But since Hume was right, and people determine virtue and vice by the measure of their feelings, an objective or universal code must be found.

In response to the confusion between emotion and reason, the Hebrews handed down an apodictic moral code. It became clear that man could not reason right from wrong. Yet, as we know, such a code engraved in stone was far from empowering. Jeremiah, for example, realized that man would remain "morally challenged" until that code could be internalized and rewritten upon the "tablets of the heart."

The objective of education was to instill a passion for justice or righteousness, alongside that passion for those things that make us feel good. Man, as the rabbinic sages would say, is endowed with a good passion (yetzer tov) as well as an evil imagination (yetzer ha-rah). The passion for righteousness is the bedrock of moral theory. Clearly, this "passion" was contrived; it was implanted by study and education based upon role-modeling.

Both the Greeks and the Jews believed that reason might temper passion. Goodness and justice are actually what Hume would describe as the artificial virtues that can be attained only through knowledge and critical thinking. It was also subject to persuasive arguments, which are usually connected to our feelings. Although what feels good is not always good, it usually is persuasive.

Political correctness has taken root because it validates an emotional approach to vice and virtue. If some idea, word, argument, or even symbol makes one feel uncomfortable, it is bad. Further, these days it constitutes a "micro-aggression" and imposes a subsequent censorship. The very notion of a "micro-aggression" subverts the larger ideal of "freedom of speech."

Political correctness constitutes a worldview in which manners supersede morals in governing social relationships. An illustration of this is the establishment of "safe spaces" and the exploration of "micro-aggressions," which imply that the subjectivity and lability of one's feelings are of greater concern that human integrity. In a free society, we are obligated to allow those with whom we disagree to state their "disagreeable" opinions rather than be censored.

Prejudice is an ugly but genuine aspect of the human experience. How will one learn to correct those prejudices without being forthright about them? How will we reach truth if we cannot examine differing opinions about the facts we have at hand in the crucible of passionate debate?

Political correctness argues that politeness and sympathy are fundamental to human interaction. What seems or "feels" right differs from what is right. That is why so many think of manners as deceptively superficial. Political correctness seems to have blurred the lines between sensitivity to one's feelings and acknowledgment of right and wrong. If a Jewish student on an American campus were to wear a Star of David, any Muslim student can claim "microaggression." Imagine the response of campus administrators if a Jewish student were to allege that some Muslim student's hijab is a "micro-aggression."

It would seem that political correctness, like manners or practical wisdom, is nothing more than a political instrument. Because morality is derived primarily from sentiment rather than reason, it must be reviewed by logic and argument. The natural virtues of honesty, ambition, generosity, gratitude, and courage constitute good manners. Natural virtues are derived from sentiment, and since feelings are malleable, they can be corrupted into vices, which are also determined by emotions.

Manners are about the appearance of good taste and morals. Appearance becomes definitive. Cicero, in his essay on friendship, wrote that "few are those who wish to be endowed with virtue rather than to seem so." Manners often may be an extension of our morality. But, at other times, manners are employed to disguise ourselves and our intentions.

Esse quam videri (to be rather than to seem) remains the cry of the politically incorrect. Unfortunately, our universities, our institutions of governance, and even our houses of worship have become echo chambers of political correctness  of appearance rather than substance. How do we explain this?

Sympathy may be a genuine experience of standing in someone else's shoes. Or it may actually be a bit more complicated. How do we distinguish between sympathy and what Melanie Klein describes as the psychological mechanism of projective identification? One situation implies allowing an individual to believe that he feels what another feels; the other is the delusional belief that they are one.

Politeness is a virtue that consists of a deception because it masks our actual feelings and thoughts. Politeness is essential to social interaction.

The challenge before us is to carefully distill our morals from our manners. Political correctness stifles open inquiry by choosing sentiment over reason as the hallmark of acceptable behavior. In other words, hurting someone's feelings is a greater sin than perpetuating a falsehood. Lies, however, constitute the grammar of tyranny. Truth, as awkward as it may be, remains the bulwark against the mental slavery that precedes the kind of political tyranny the world knows so well.

Image credit: Joel Kramer.
Muhammad claimed that he was the only one who had prescribed the five times daily prayers as a gift from Allah for believers. Well, not so fast. He got that idea from Salman the Persian. Zoroastrianism, the ancient pre-Islamic religion of Iran, long before Islam, had praying five times a day. The only difference is that Zoroastrians did not face a specific direction. They faced in any direction. Muhammad wanted Muslims to face Mecca.

Salman Farsi (Salman the Persian) was another opportunist who flocked to Mohammad seeking his favor. In return, he shared with Muhammad a great many Zoroastrian teachings, which Muhammad adopted, as he did with information from the Bible.

Look at some of the similarities between the Zoroastrian's prayer times and false sects of so-called Islam. Names were slightly changed, but the basic concepts are there. Hadithic prayer times are near dawn (fajr), just after noon (dhuhr), in the afternoon (asr), just after sunset (maghrib) and around nightfall (isha'a).

Followers of Zoroastrianism believe that there is only one god, called Ahura Mazda, and a rival called Ahura Mainyu, the spirit of evil forces. They believe that there is an eternal battle between good and evil, where good will ultimately be victorious, and that humanity has to participate in the battle.

Muslims believe that there is only one God (Allah) and no other God. They believe that the purpose of human life is to live according to Allah's wishes. This pie-in-the-sky paradise of Allah, Muhammad intimated, includes, among other things, rivers of milk and honey as well as 72 virgins for every male. The invasion of Persia was only the start of the tenacious scourge of Islam. The followers of Islam believe that Muhammad was the "seal of prophets"  i.e., the last and greatest of all messengers of Allah.

A Quick Review of History

Nearly 1,400 years ago, the followers of Muhammad (united and ready to die) came from the Arabian desert and conquered Iran (Persia), one of the greatest and most ancient of empires. With that, they did their best to destroy one of the most benevolent religions of all time, Zoroastrianism, often called the mother of all revealed religions.

Early Arab looting whetted their appetites, and they started venturing for places and people more prosperous. The Persian Empire next door was ripe for the picking. The people had basically abandoned living by the magnificent teachings of Zoroaster and allowed the highly corrupt Zoroastrian priests to drag them into an abyss of superstition and sloth. The Zoroastrian priests had basically taken over, running and ruining the government. The Sassanid dynasty had become decadent and weak.

How did it happen?

It was this rotten state of affairs in Persia that prompted sycophants and opportunists such as Salman Farsi (Salman the Persian) to turn, like flies to honey, to emerging power patrons such as Muhammad. Just to let the reader understand, Zoroastrianism is one of the most ancient monotheistic religions, devoid of idol-worship. Zoroaster said there is one Creator and his angels and one Devil and his demons. You should choose the right side, or, plainly, "do the right thing." Five-times daily prayers originated in the Zoroastrianism faith and were practiced for centuries before Islam showed up some 2,000 years later.

Let's see what Muhammad said in his earlier life when he was meek: lakom deeno kom, va leah-ul-deen. "To you your religion, and to me mine." Well, he announced those words when he was absolutely powerless and lived in Macca. But when he moved to Medina, he then set out to decimate people of other religions, such as the "people of the book." When they refused to become his followers, they were murdered or became dhimmis, subject to jizya, or extra religious taxes.

Destruction of Persian Arts and Artifacts

After the conquest of Persia, Muslims did what Muslims do best. They plundered everybody and everything. They burned all the libraries in that period. Much of Persia's previous culture was completely destroyed.

Zoroastrian places of worship were desecrated, shrines were destroyed, and mosques were built in their places. Gradually, an increasing number of laws were passed that regulated Zoroastrian behavior and limited their ability to participate in society. Over time, the persecution of Zoroastrians became widespread, and the number of believers decreased by force significantly. Many, fearing persecution and death by ruthless and merciless Arabs, left Iran for a safe haven in India. Those who stayed were given dhimmi status and subjected to persecutions, discrimination, and harassment.

Until the Arab invasion and subsequent Muslim conquest, in the mid-7th century, Persia was a politically independent state, spanning from Mesopotamia to the Indus River and dominated by a Zoroastrian majority.

It goes without saying that political nature of Islam demanded that a conquered people not only convert to Islam, but also regard its history as a time of darkness before the light of Islam came. This is one of the reasons why Iran's ancient history mostly was recorded by the Greeks and Jews.

In short, like many stories in the Quran, five-times prayers a day was plagiarized from Zoroastrianism.
Another day and another school shooting. Another day of calls to do something.

Do something like what? This is what Jacob Sullum, senior editor at Reason magazine and nationally syndicated columnist, wrote about Governor Cuomo of New York and his calls to do "something":

One reason Cuomo was not more specific may be that none of the usual gun control ideas seems relevant to the horrifying crime committed today. The suspected shooter, a 17-year-old junior at Santa Fe High School, used a shotgun and a .38-caliber revolver, so clamoring for a federal "assault weapon" ban hardly seems appropriate (assuming it ever is). Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told reporters the guns belonged to the suspect's father, adding, "I have no information at this time whether the father knows the weapons were taken." Background checks, no matter how universal or comprehensive, cannot stop a mass shooter from using firearms purchased by someone else. Nor can a higher purchase age for guns. If the point of doing something is to make mass shootings less frequent or less deadly, it is not at all obvious what that thing should be. But if the point of doing something is to flaunt your compassion and courage while differentiating yourself from those evil [b] on the other side, almost anything will do.

Do something? Do what? What new law would have stopped this?

All of these horrible incidents lead us to the same point: people want to do something, but they can't tell you how that "something" would have stopped South Florida, the church in South Texas, or now Santa Fe.

Here is a simpler idea: enforce "gun-free zones" and hold school districts responsible for the consequences.

If, about ten years ago, I was dropping off my kids in a school, I'd sue the school district for these incidents. Isn't there a "no guns allowed" sign on the door? Is it too much for a parent to believe that the sign will be enforced?

Please stop talking about regulating guns and enforce the laws that we already have, such as "gun free zones" in schools. Do whatever it takes, from metal detectors to spot bag checks.

Do something that actually works, not another political statement from Governor Cuomo feeling pressure from a leftist challenger.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.
A Shia cleric whose militia once fought US forces during the Iraq insurgency has won Iraq's parliamentary election.

Muqtada al-Sadr, former leader of the infamous Mehdi Militia, fashioned a coalition of extremist Shias, communists, and nationalists to gain 54 seats in the 328 member parliament, giving him a shot to form a larger coalition that would govern Iraq. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's governing coalition finished 3rd, garnering only 42 seats.

CNN:

Al-Sadr, who in 2008 was named as one of Time Magazine's 100 most influence people, campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, allied himself with the Communist Party and rode a wave of populist sentiment to victory. An opponent of Iranian influence in his country, al-Sadr is also a longtime foe of the United States and its role in Iraq.+ Al-Sadr was once the leader of the Mehdi Army, a powerful Shia militia, which was blamed for some of the worst violence between 2005 and 2008 in Iraq. Some of his militiamen fought and killed US and Iraqi soldiers. He formally disbanded the group in 2008, announcing that it was transitioning into a movement to oppose secularism and Western thought. Under the power-sharing system installed after the 2003 US-led invasion, the position of prime minister is reserved for a Shia. Abadi, who's been in power since 2014, hoped to retain the top job, but Iraq's Shia bloc has splintered into five major coalitions. Al-Sadr will still need to reach out to other blocs, including Sunni and Kurdish coalitions, to form a governing alliance. While Iraqis have celebrated the routing of ISIS fighters from major cities in the country's north, they are also frustrated by the limited change they've seen in their daily lives. Among their complaints are a dearth of job opportunities, a struggling economy and a crumbling infrastructure with frequent power cuts. They also lament poor government services and slow reconstruction in areas such as Tikrit, Falluja and Mosul, places that were ravaged in the fighting against ISIS. Corruption, another major issue, is blamed by many Iraqis for their country's failure to translate the wealth from its natural resources into a better life for all its citizens.

To have an anti-American extremist leading Iraq at this time is very bad for the US. Iraq borders Syria and Iran and it's unclear how much cooperation with the US will be forthcoming with Sadr pulling the strings of government.

But Iraq's security depends heavily on the US. Sadr would be stupid to kick the US out of the country entirely, no matter how anti-American he proclaims himself to be.

There are currently about 4,000 US troops in Iraq, plus special forces and CIA paramilitaries. Their mission is devoted to rooting out remaining ISIS fighters and making sure the terrorists don't rise again. The US military has a good relationship with the Iraqi army, having trained most of its best units.

But the biggest question is how much the Iraqis will help in putting pressure on Iran and Syria? Prime Minister Abadi was reluctant to host special forces units who operated in Syria so it is unlikely that this will change under Sadr. It is also unlikely that any military action against Iran by US forces would be supported from Iraqi soil.

Sadr, whose militia killed dozens of Americans during the insurgency, will be an unpredictable element in an unpredictable region.
For some reason, despite the disgrace and career defenestration visited on other liberal icons like Charlie Rose and Harvey Weinstein, Bill Clinton is still able to cash in in a big way, and enjoy the company and implicit endorsement of major media companies and personalities. Yesterday, Jennifer Wright put into context the weird immunity granted to him, in the New York Post:

Its 2018. One of the worlds most powerful married men had a 22-year-old intern perform oral sex on him in his office. Hes been accused of sexual assault by three other women. One claims, as is the case with so many of the men who have fallen from positions of power as a result, that he exposed himself to her (which always makes me, at least, pause and wonder why on earth so many men seem to want to do this). We know, too, that he lied about his tryst with the intern. So why is Bill Clinton still presiding over glamorous parties? (snip) hes almost certainly guilty of actions that would be categorized as harassment in 2018. The fact that the Lewinsky affair happened as long ago as 1995 is no matter. Charlie Rose is accused of harassment by several employees dating back to the late 1990s  and he lost his job in November. People seem curiously willing to hold Clinton to a different standard than other men accused of sexual harassment. Many dont seem especially bothered by his actions at all and lay the blame for the scandal squarely on Lewinsky. In a 2014 Economist/YouGov poll, 58 percent of those surveyed had a favorable opinion of Bill Clinton. Meanwhile, 48 percent had an unfavorable opinion of Lewinsky.

Bill Clinton is once again cashing in on a scale that dwarfs the income possibilities of ordinary Americans. Isabel Vincent laid it out yesterday, also in the New York Post:

Bill Clinton will spend his summer rolling in dough. Next month the former president is scheduled to crisscross the US and Canada in a promotional tour for his new novel, in some cases charging $1,500 a ticket for on-stage events, dubbed A Conversation with President Bill Clinton. Clinton, already a best-selling author for his 2004 autobiography My Life, began raking in the cash for the fictional thriller that he wrote with mega-bestselling novelist James Patterson, before the book was finished. He and his co-author reportedly signed a seven-figure deal with Showtime last year for the rights to turn The President is Missing into a TV series.

Showtime is a subsidiary of Viacom, as is CBS, which fired Charlie Rose. Why the disparate standards? Are politicians (or at least Democrat presidents) granted some sort of droit du seigneur over vulnerable and comely young interns and assistants that doesnt apply to Charlie Rose, Matt Lauer, and other media grandees?

I wonder what Barack Obama has to say?

Oh, wait a minute: he already said it: At some point, youve made enough money.

PS: James Patterson, I am done with you. I will never buy or read another book written by you.
The Iranian regime has two "main characteristics." The first is exporting terrorism and warmongering. The second is the brutal repression of the Iranian people.

In truth, at the present time, especially after Iran's nuclear deal failure, the Iranian regime in its entirety is invested in its extensive meddling in the Middle East.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) plays the leading role in fueling major wars in the Middle East, including the current wars in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon.

The IRGC started its strategy of meddling in the region in 1990, following the establishment of the Quds Force. The regime's inner circles describe the Quds Force, considered an official IRGC unit, as the "center of an international Islamic army."

The Iranian regime's embassies in most Arabic and Islamic countries, especially Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Afghanistan, are specifically controlled by the IRGC, and all are assigned to pursue the IRGC's agenda and policies. Iran's ambassador in Iraq has always been a senior IRGC commander, such as the likes of Hassan Danaeifar, Iran's ambassador to Iraq from 2010 to 2017, who is an IRGC military officer.

Along with Iran's Intelligence Ministry, the IRGC is also involved in terrorist attacks abroad. These attacks include the 1983 U.S. Marines barracks bombing in Beirut and the 1996 Khobar Towers bombings in Saudi Arabia.

The widespread export of terrorism to the Middle East and Africa was once again acknowledged last September by Kazem Sediqi, a cleric and Friday prayer leader in Tehran.

"We conducted a revolution in Iran, but today we are defending in Syria; today our reputation is heard all over Africa, an altar is set up in Nigeria," he said.

According to reports obtained from inside the IRGC, the number of Guards' casualties exceeds 10,000, which has upset the group's stability, leaving it at a military, financial, and spiritual impasse.

President Donald Trump, last October, blasted the Revolutionary Guards as a "corrupt personal terror force and militia" of Iran's supreme leader that has "hijacked" large portions of the economy "to fund war and terror abroad."

Studying the Syrian conflict, which represents the largest active hotspot of the crisis, shows that the current catastrophe started in Syria after the IRGC entered the scene under the leadership of Iran's supreme leader, Khamenei.

The Iranian regime is the only war party that has marshaled 70,000 of the IRGC into Syria, spent $100B to continue the war, is paying salaries to over 250,000 militants to fight, and has established 18 logistic and operation centers inside Syria.

In short, the key to logically resolve the Syrian conflict for peace and security in the Middle East is to end the occupation of the Iranian regime in these regions.

After the U.S.'s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, announced that "eradicating the clerical regime's nuclear and terrorist threats means getting rid of the regime in its entirety."

"A regime based on the principle of velayat-e faqih [absolute rule of the clergy] cannot exist without terrorism, suppression, and weapons of mass destruction," the leader of the main opposition to the Iranian regime added.
The conspiracy to use the vast powers of the US intelligence community spy on the Trump campaign and hobble his presidency with fabricated allegations of collusion with Russia is unraveling at an accelerating pace. The latest evidence of the slow motion collapse of the cabal is that the name of Stefan Halper, which has been known to readers of American Thinker for quite some time now (and which was first revealed by Chuck Ross of the Daily Caller almost two months ago), suddenly is being published and broadcast by members of the mainstream media. Fox News, The UK Daily Mail, Newsweek, The New York Post, and Mother Jones all are defying the warnings of intelligence agencies, politicians like Senator Mark Warner (see Clarice Feldmans demolition of his CYA attempt today), and left wing professors that revealing his name could be a crime.

Consider this amazing tweet from a prominent law school professor, the occupant of an endowed chair at the University of Texas Law School:

Dear @DevinNunes:



Just a friendly note to remind you that leaking the identity of an FBI informant in the context of a foreign counterintelligence investigation is a felony in violation of the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982:https://t.co/Ohppx9jBLK pic.twitter.com/kludMTWVED  Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) May 19, 2018

Update: even more hysteria from prominent progressives, Benjamin Wittes (a close frined of James Comey) and Paul Krugman:

I have a whole lot to say about how the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and the President of the United States teamed up to out an intelligence source who aided our country in a properly predicated counterintelligence investigation against a hostile foreign power.  Benjamin Wittes (@benjaminwittes) May 19, 2018

We've basically crossed the line into treason now -- and a whole party is acquiescing https://t.co/zZdhidfFR3  Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) May 19, 2018

(If I were a man of the Left, I'd be more careful about throwing around the T-word, Professor Krugman. Perrhaps you've heard that what goes around, comes around)

This attempt to intimidate people bears more than a passing resemblance to the manufactured kerfuffle over the revealing of Valerie Plames name, as if she had been an overseas operative, when in fact she was a desk jockey at the CIA, as Clarice Feldman explains today. It is also wrong, as Streiff of Red State explains:

This is just stupid. The law clearly defines who it covers as employees of an intelligence agency. This does not cover informants or sources and intelligence agencies are forbidden by law from collecting information on US persons. And the very idea that the Department of Justice is going to okay a grand jury investigation and indictment of a member of Congress when the FBI has leaked the same information to multiple media outlets is simply insane.

We know Halpers name as the likely Deep State operative who lured Carter Page and George Papadopoulos into statements used to justify the ongoing surveillance of the Trump campaign through good old fashioned internet searches and inductive reasoning, used to apply the information already leaked about the operative in question to the limited field of individuals who meet the criteria already revealed. Nobody revealed anything remotely classified.

It is only a matter of time before Halper is subpoenaed to appear before a congressional committee. And possibly also a grand jury under the direction of the US Attorney in Utah, John Huber, who is investigating the FISA warrant to spy on the Trump campaign and other potential abuses.

Tick, tick, tick.

Correction: John Huber is the US attorney in Utah
Democrats painted President Trump's nominee to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, Gina Haspel, as some sort of torture-minded anti-Muslim terrorist fanatic. Like most of us care whether terrorists busy trying to kill us end up getting tortured. It wasn't true and was boring as hell. Now that she has finally been confirmed as CIA Director, it turns out they were doing something more than just smearing her, they were withholding her real story that we as Americans needed to have, which is that she has major expertise on our top espionage adversary, Russia.

According to PBS:

She's sure to tap that latter experience as she takes over at the nation's premier intelligence agency at a time of rising tension with Moscow. President Donald Trump has characterized it as worse than during the Cold War, and it's been aggravated by investigations into Moscow's interference in the election that brought Trump to power.

That's right, now that she's in, the press is finally releasing her real story to us, the one they had been hiding, since they couldn't use it as a political weapon against President Trump at the time.

Much as they howled about Russian collusion with Hillary Clinton's electoral loss as a narrative, they couldn't bear to bring up that Haspel was a Russia person and would have the actual knowledge to keep America safe as the Russkis meddled. It shows how little they cared about the topic, and how their real mission was to put Hillary Clinton in office, not safeguard the republic.

So, far from being a torture maniac, as they had implausibly claimed, it turns out that Haspel is the Russia expert we need, at the helm of a major agency that's very focused on Russia. Frankly, who better to lead the agency? Haspel's expertise is expertise that is, actually, quite rare for anyone, even in the CIA itself, to have.

A 2015 chart from the ICEF educational monitor shows that Russian language studies have fallen nearly 18% during the Obama years (2009-2013). I've seen worse ones elsewhere, too.

Fact is, barely anyone knows anything about Russia whether through its language or culture, because Russian Area Studies degrees have declined 66% in the U.S. since 1969. In the last year the Department of Education was known to be counting these things, there was just one PhD granted in the field in the U.S. in 2014. Last year, I wrote this:

How many Russians do most Americans know, anyway? How many kids in school study the Russian language? On the other side of the equation, how many Americans do most Russians know? The connections are negligible. Other than from a small wave of immigrants from the 1980s and 1990s, the Russians are largely unknown to us. Since the Cold War's end in 1991, Russian language and Russian area studies at universities have dwindled precipitously, to just 371 bachelor's degrees, 12 master's degrees, and one  count 'em, one  doctoral degree. Those figures are from 2014, and the Department of Education hasn't gotten around to updating them in the past three years, but the trend line from the charts is clear: it's a 66% decline since 1969, and it's the only strategic language and studies area that has seen any such decline. Chinese, Arabic, and Korean have all seen soaring gains. Russian is the only one that has fallen. Neither we nor the intelligence community has the knowledge base needed to make informed decisions about the country.

Haspel not only knows her Russia, she knows its espionage apparatus - and having read quite a bit about it myself, I can say that's an accomplishment in itself, given its vast size, its multiple numbers, its uncertain leadership, its intransparency.

Paul Klebnikov's book on the Yeltsin years in Russia, Godfather of the Kremlin, covered extensively the tangled structures and shifting leadership of the intelligence agencies as they were penetrated by an unholy nest of gangs, oligarchs, Chechens, and organized crime alongside former KGB and Soviet military elements, creating agencies of shifting, uncertain leadership, and power. The book gives a whiff of how hard to understand these agencies aligned, supposedly, with the Kremlin. And how as the state collapsed, the intelligence agencies remained intact. Karen Dawisha's book, Putin's Kleptocracy, is another which explains just how tangled the oligarchical relationships are and how money amounts to power in Putin's Russia. Fiona Hill's Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin, is yet another. All of these books show just how hard it is to understand Russia even as they explain the problems. And this is critical and necessary information to master if anyone is to make an informed assessment of how Russia works. Even in English, it's hard as hell of grasp, it takes hours and hours of study just to understand the broadest of pictures out there, and if you do it, your head will hurt.

What it means is that Haspel is the dark Russia-oriented expert who can keep the secrets and inform the president accurately about what is going on whom we need. We don't need her out here making public relations speeches, or discussing policy. We just need her to separate the reality from the bee ess and keep Trump up on the real facts of what is going on, which is actually her job now. We've had idiots lead the agency, starting with John Brennan. Now it's time for someone who knows what she is talking about.

But you'd never have known that from what had been reported in the press.

There is a caveat in that she said she believed the Senate report on Russian collusion, which I know from my own Russian sources and what they told me before the election to be in error (the Russians liked Trump but were convinced Hillary Clinton would win and focused far more on her campaign than Trump's), but I hope she just said that to get confirmed. She was apparently very traumatized by the whole clown show from Congress and their willing lackeys in the press, and reportedly almost withdrew her name last Friday. Her endorsement by hardline outgoing CIA Director Mike Pompeo would seem to alleviate that, or at least give cause for hope.

What a shame that her confirmation hearing debacles were so enmired in phony torture tales that they didn't open a window to what Haspel does well in her mastery of Russia, and why America could benefit greatly from her non-partisan expertise on a very difficult and understudied - yet utterly important - adversary. Well, we know now. Thanxalot, press.
Muslims are embraced by the left as a natural ally, as illegal aliens and blacks have been for decades. More than 90 Muslims, nearly all of them Democrats, are running for public office across the country this year. Many are young and politically inexperienced, and most are long shots.

According to the Pew report, fully two thirds of U.S. Muslims identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party (66%). Far fewer say they are Republican or lean Republican (13%), while one in five say they prefer another party or are politically independent and do not lean toward either major party. Muslim Americans' partisan composition is little changed over the last decade, and they remain much more strongly Democratic than the public as a whole.

Well, our leftist politicians, hungry for votes and devoted to the practice of political correctness, bend over backwards to accede to Islamists' demands. At the same time, Muslims will ally with leftist politicians, who will gladly cede some of their power to this group of enforcers so conservative politicians and Christians who advocate self-defense and sane social policies are kept out of office. Money that was once used to build mosques will now be used to buy politicians.

Progressives have been rallying behind jihadist Linda Sarsour, an American-born Arab native, who was calling to wage jihad, a terrorist threat against the president of the United States and the White House staff. In reality, Sarsour has declared jihad (holy war) on the United States government and its people. That's the kind of people the current Democrat Party is cheering for.

The Democrats have shown by both words and actions that they despise the U.S. Constitution. When it comes to the support of Muslims, they will not hesitate to hold the Bill of Rights over anyone who dares to accuse Islam and Muslims of wrongdoing. While crime and threats skyrocket, Islamized citizens will ignore the wrongdoing. They will look the other way for fear of retribution, honor killings, and punishments from those who uphold the Islamic requirement to seek revenge on anyone who dishonors or disagrees with Islam.

Regrettably, a large segment of the population goes along with these nonsensical euphemisms depicting Islam. It is less threatening to believe that only a hijacked small segment of Islam is radical or politically driven and that the main body of Islam is indeed moderate and apolitical.

Our liberal professors and universities claim that Islam is inherently good; the majority of Muslims are good; and only a small minority has hijacked the good faith of Muhammad by engaging in acts of intolerance, hatred, and violence. I agree: it is not uncommon to observe Muslims, anywhere in the world, who are indeed exemplary in many ways. They are kind, generous, and much more. But these are cultural Muslims who are, in effect, only part Muslim. The question is, why is it that the good Islam is not ruling in the world and the bad Islam is engulfing it in fire?

Most Americans are bewildered as to why Democrats back Islamic ideology; honor their holidays and customs; and promote them as the religion of peace, knowing that Islam is not a religion of peace. In fact, it is an ideology of war. The answer is quite simple: the Democratic Party stands with anyone who hates America and the Republican party. History has proven that once Muslims have the majority, they institute sharia law and adopt their own legal system. A government within a government.

Sharia is Islamic law  the disciplines and principles that govern the behavior of a Muslim individual toward himself and his family, neighbors, community, city, nation, and the Muslim polity as a whole, the Ummah. Similarly, sharia governs the interactions among communities, groups, and social and economic organizations. Sharia establishes the criteria by which all social actions are classified, categorized, and administered within the overall governance of the state.

We are on a precarious path to lose our freedom and the American values we cherish. The Democratic Party is no longer the Party of Kennedy. It has become the greatest threat to our national security and our survival as a nation.
"The prospect of being hanged focuses the mind wonderfully," said the compiler of the first English language dictionary Samuel Johnson. Mr. Johnson might have had negotiations for a new trade agreement between the US and China in mind when he wrote it.

With the threat of a genuine trade war hanging over their heads, high level officials of the American and Chinese government are making "good progress" toward reaching an agreement that would open Chinese markets to more US products while lowering some tariffs on Chinese goods.

CNBC:

On Thursday, Trump attended an Oval Office meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and top U.S. officials as Beijing and Washington try to reduce trade tensions and fears of a possible trade war. The president's presence indicates the meetings are going well, and he pushed Liu to expand the list of sectors that could see tariff reductions, according to the official. Trump brought up areas including energy and natural gas. On Friday, Trump's chief economic advisor Larry Kudlow told reporters the negotiations "are going well." He said Trump "was probably more optimistic yesterday on the subject than I've seen him in this whole process." "China's come to trade, they're meeting many of our demands," Kudlow said. "There's no deal yet, to be sure, and it's going to probably take a while. It's a process. But they're coming to play. I believe they want to make a deal." The economic advisor said he does not think there is a deadline to reach a deal. While the Trump administration considers alleged intellectual property theft by Chinese companies a critical issue, the representatives have not resolved the problem yet, according to the senior administration official who declined to be named.

There was a false report (big surprise) last week that US trade advisor Peter Navarro would be excluded from the high level talks. According to Kudlow, Navarro attended the oval office meeting.

Trump's optimism was in contrast to his remarks on Thursday:

"Will that be successful? I tend to doubt it," the president said. "The reason I doubt it is because China has become very spoiled. The European Union has become very spoiled. Other countries have become very spoiled, because they always got 100 percent of whatever they wanted from the United States."

While that's clearly an exaggeration, enough progress has been made since those remarks to alter the president's perception.

Earlier reports suggested that China would buy $200 billion more in US products. It won't be that much. But surely China is wanting to significantly increase its purchases of American goods while relaxing some of their draconian rules that prevent US companies from competing in the Chinese market.

Both sides appear to have been spooked by the prospect of a trade war. This has spurred the US and China to redouble their efforts to come to an agreement that would avoid that.
Like many Americans, I am praying for the Texas families who woke up this Saturday morning without their child, grandchild or niece/nephew. These families have unwillingly joined the hundreds of other families around the nation who will now live with the fact that their child was gunned down inside a school and their child is never coming back home from school for family dinner. This is a hole in their hearts that can never be repaired. I join with the many people in my community here in Philadelphia in saying that school safety needs to be a top priority for every elected official at the municipal, state, and federal level.

When it comes to school safety , I don't agree with proposal of arming our teachers. Teachers are hired and trained to enrich the lives of our youth  not to defend them with a firearm. Every teacher that I've talked to in Philadelphia is strongly opposed to keeping a firearm in their classroom. However, they agree with my idea of placing armed U.S. veterans inside of their schools to keep them safe.



So here's my proposal  we have roughly 370,000 unemployed veterans in this country  59% between the ages of 2554. Effective immediately, I propose that a minimum of two armed veterans are placed inside every school in America. Veterans fought for, defended and love our country. Many of them are now back home after serving our country without gainful employment. Let's fix that! Don't you think veterans would welcome the opportunity to continue serving our country by protecting our children? I think the answer is a resounding YES! By placing battle-tested, military trained veterans inside our schools, a couple things would/should happen:

1) Many would-be attackers will think twice about committing a murderous act if they know there are armed personnel inside of the school who are trained on who to look for and how to handle the threat/attacker.

2) I think our young people would benefit from being able to build relationships and friendships with veterans inside their schools. Many young people don't understand what service means or how important it is to our society - whether it's community service to a non-profit, or service to our country in the military. Service to others is an important character trait to learn growing up.

3) In the event that an attacker does get past the veterans checkpoint, the veterans are already on the scene and their military training will kick in to neutralize the threat immediately. In the minutes it takes for police to arrive on the scene, our veterans already on the scene can save lives and neutralize the threat(s).



In addition to placing veterans inside schools, I am calling on the Department of Homeland Security to partner with local, state and federal agencies to conduct security assessments of every school. Let's analyze the best way to to limit every school to one or two entry and exit locations during the school day. At these locations, we will place the armed veterans.



Im not suggesting this is the end all -be all solution, but it does seem like a very practical and common sense way to keep our children safe. I implore all members of Congress to create legislation called the School Safety Act - to provide federal funding to every school in America to immediately hire veterans to work in collaboration with local police to keep our children safe from further mass shootings. Typically, I am not one for suggesting any type of increase in federal spending because federal spending is out of control. However, in this case, I would support new federal funding to safeguard our children and get our vets back to work. This is a no-brainer.



The time to act is now, not tomorrow or next week - because if we keep talking about this without any actions then we are going to hear about another school shooting - and that's something that no American should have to live with. No child, teacher and administrator should have to wake up and ask themselves if today is the day a shooter comes into their school and guns them down. I think our children, their families, teachers and administrators would feel very safe if we had our veterans inside the schools to protect them.

My name is Bryan Leib, I'm the Republican Nominee for Congress in PA-03 in Philadelphia, PA.
Super Monkey Ball: Sakura Edition is the latest SEGA Forever game that rolled out to Android smartphones and tablets, having hit the Google Play Store earlier this week. The new addition to the growing mobile collection comes in the form of a revision of a 2012 title that already launched on iOS, Windows Phone, and Android but was pulled from all app marketplaces some three years back. The re-release bears the same name and has largely identical ball-rolling mechanics, though its visuals now appear to be somewhat improved in terms of resolution, even though the Japanese game developer-publisher hasnt optimized the title for 18:9 and taller displays which are now becoming prevalent on the market.

As is the case with other SEGA Forever offerings, Super Monkey Ball: Sakura Edition is a free-to-play game supported by advertisements, though anyone interested in getting rid of such promotional content can do so with a single in-app purchase worth $1.99. While the Google Play Store lists the Android game as being only 35MB in size, that client will prompt a 0.5GB download as soon as its launched. Super Monkey Ball: Sakura Edition doesnt require any kind of unconventional device permissions and generally appears to be well-optimized for contemporary Android smartphones and tablets, save for its lack of support for elongated aspect ratios.

The portable title offers 125 stages spanning six worlds, as well as four mini-games with local multiplayer support, one of which is a tablet exclusive due to the amount of screen real estate it requires. The launch marks the end of SEGA Forever as a classic-only program, with Super Monkey Ball: Sakura Edition being by far the newest game that the company ever re-released as part of the gaming initiative. Worlds from Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll and Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz  both of which were released on Nintendos Wii  are also part of the newly introduced package. The arcade mobile game is presently enjoying a largely positive response from players, sitting at an average rating of 4.2 stars four days after its Google Play Store debut.
The Sprint IoT Factory is now live and aimed at supporting businesses of all sizes, the fourth-largest wireless carrier in the United States confirmed earlier this week. Envisioned as an online marketplace offering a broad range of ready-made Internet of Things solutions, the platform is meant to help enterprises embrace IoT in a swift and easily scalable manner which will allow them to partially or fully automate their operations, consequently making them more efficient. The Overland Park, Kansas-based company says over 550,000 developers are already offering their creations through the Sprint IoT Factory, suggesting more will follow suit in the near future.

Asset tracking, performance analysis, and automation are just some of the solutions presently being sold through the Sprint IoT Factory, with small and medium-sized businesses now having access to the same technologies that many large enterprises have already been using for years at a flexible, scalable cost. By opening the IoT segment to all types of companies and startups, Sprint is hoping to support innovation in a wide variety of industries moving forward. The move comes amid the advent of 5G thats expected to bring the IoT sector to the next level, allowing for numerous new use cases, particularly for wireless carriers who are expected to start profiling themselves into full-fledged partners of their clients instead of just service providers.

Besides selling solutions directly to customers, Sprint partnered with The Goldie Group and myDevices to allow for wholesale operations, partner channels, and other forms of reselling. The Sprint IoT Factory is expected to continue operating if the telecom giants merger with T-Mobile is approved, albeit likely under a different name. Sprint identified IoT as one of its core focus points starting with 2018, whereas T-Mobile is also touting the emerging segment as a potentially massive growth generator but has yet to detail its long-term strategy in the field.
A number of tech industry executives spoke out against Facebooks practices amid the companys latest privacy blunder that saw data from millions of the social networks users circulating the Internet for years, having been gathered by Cambridge University academics who offered it for free to anyone who agreed to register as a collaborator on their project. Travis Jarae, CEO of independent privacy strategy and research company OWI, believes that should Facebook embrace a user-centric approach that prioritizes customers rather than mining user data, it would likely become a leading force in the movement to rebuild trust and safety with consumers.

Brian Johnson, CEO of cloud management company DivvyCloud, described the recently uncovered episode centered around a data mining app quiz called myPersonality as a result of a lack of proper safeguards, especially given how identifiable information was often being exposed unencrypted. The researchers behind the myPersonality quiz argued their collaborators had to agree they wont deanonymize any data they receive from the project but had no way of policing them. The project ran for nine years and recorded one known breach, having now been suspended by Facebook. Security shouldnt be left up to manual intervention, Mr. Johnson argues, adding that data safeguard policies must be accurately defined, with their compliance policed in an automated manner. Anything less than that will see digital firms be constantly one step behind in user privacy protection, eventually resulting in a data breach, according to the industry veteran.

George Avetisov, CEO of decentralized authentication service provider HYPR, says the disclosure model currently employed by Facebook is lacking even if its users know theyre sharing their data since many of them still arent expecting that data to be at a realistic risk from third parties. Consumers should be wary of these ways to volunteer information over the Internet, Mr. Avetisov believes, pointing to the example of Mastercard as a more positive approach to user privacy which limits the volume of sensitive information a digital service can transfer at any point, regardless of the reason. Facebook suspended some 200 apps in the aftermath of the Cambridge Analytica scandal and is still probing potential data misuses conducted through its platform. The social media giants CEO Mark Zuckerberg will soon be appearing in Brussels to answer questions from European lawmakers after already doing the same in front of the U.S. Congress in mid-April.
Defence Ministry (MoD) of Latvia has launched the second stage of negotiated procedure for procurement of light and medium 4x4 tactical vehicles. In Stage 2, bidders selected during the first phase submitted their detailed bids and proposed vehicles for testing. Procurement committee will now verify the compliance of proposed vehicles with operational requirements of Latvian National Armed Forces.



The four candidates for the Latvian procurement of light and medium 4x4 tactical vehicles. (Picture source Army Recognition)

Latvia MoD Procurement committee selected 6 bidders for Stage 2 of the negotiated procedure. Procurement committee received 4 bids by the end of official deadline from Oy Sisu Auto (Finland)  GTP 4x4, AM General (USA)  HUMVEE, Paramount Group (South Africa)  Marauder LAV and Otokar (Turkey)  Cobra.

Light and medium high-mobility armoured four-wheel drive (4x4) tactical vehicles will significantly promote the tactical mobility of Latvian Armed Forces. Tactical mobility is a key feature of combat readiness of army units and shortage of transport platforms across units of National Armed Forces diminishes their ability to complete the identified tasks.

These vehicles will also play an important role in implementation of artillery, air defence and National Guard development projects. These vehicles have to be suitable for personnel, cargo transportation, command and control, and medical support needs. Vehicles must also be armoured and suitable for necessary weapons.

As reported earlier, defence spending will amount to 576.34 million in 2018, of which 220.27 million will be spent on developing required capabilities. Most part of the 2018 defence spending will go into capability development projects like infrastructure, air control and defence capabilities, further mechanisation of Land Force Mechanized Infantry Brigade, boosting of combat and response capabilities of National Armed Forces and the National Guard.

In 2018, Latvias defence spending reached 2% of the GDP for the first time ever, ensuring that Latvia now meets the requirement of NATO to spend at least 2% of GDP on defence.
COP26 may be a cop-out in the making COP26 is just about a month away. Delayed for a year by the Covid-19 pandemic, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference has built up even more expectations and momentum during the intervening months
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"F.B.I. agents sent an informant to talk to two [Trump] campaign advisers only after they received evidence that the pair had suspicious contacts linked to Russia during the campaign," the N.Y. Times reports:

Details: "The informant, an American academic who teaches in Britain, made contact late that summer with one campaign adviser, George Papadopoulos."

"He also met repeatedly in the ensuing months with the other aide, Carter Page, who was also under F.B.I. scrutiny for his ties to Russia."

Intrigue: "The informant is well known in Washington circles, having served in previous Republican administrations and as a source of information for the C.I.A. in past years."

"The New York Times has learned the sources identity but typically does not name informants to preserve their safety.

has learned the sources identity but typically does not name informants to preserve their safety. WashPost: "The Washington Post ... has confirmed the identity of the FBI source who assisted the investigation, but is not reporting his name following warnings from U.S. intelligence officials that exposing him could endanger him or his contacts."

P.S. "Mueller has subpoenaed a key assistant of long-time Donald Trump adviser Roger Stone," Reuters reports. "John Kakanis, 30, who has worked as a driver, accountant and operative for Stone.

Go deeper: Axios' David Nather, "Where the 'FBI spy in the Trump campaign' story came from."
The European Union and Iran have agreed to hold a high-level seminar on nuclear cooperation in Brussels in late November, European Commissioner for Energy Miguel Arias Canete said after talks with Head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi on Saturday, TASS reported.

As the European commissioner said in a statement circulated in Brussels, the parties agreed that the third high-level seminar on nuclear cooperation would be held in Brussels in late November 2018.

Canete and Salehi also confirmed the commitment of the EU and Iran to the Iranian nuclear deal.

On May 8, US President Donald Trump announced Washingtons withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. According to Trump, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) left the door open for Iran to circumvent restrictions and develop a nuclear bomb. The US president said that old sanctions would be restored and new ones would be introduced in case Tehran attempted to pursue its nuclear ambitions. At the same time, Trump called for making a new agreement. However, Trump actually advanced unfulfillable conditions for Tehran.

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Theresa May, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a joint statement calling on all other parties to the JCPOA to stay committed to their liabilities under it.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated that the European Union should guarantee Iran the observance of its interests under the nuclear deal to keep the agreement in force.

At the same time, Iran reiterated its commitment to the deal, saying Teheran will continue to implement its liabilities. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the US withdrawal from the JCPOA a violation of the UN Security Council resolution and noted that Russia would seek to keep the agreement in force, despite Washingtons plans to resume the sanctions regime against Tehran.
Donald Trump probably won't win a Nobel Peace Prize if he sits down with Kim Jong Un, but he might retire the trophy for the strangest pairing of two human beings on earth.

Think about it: One of those characters has a weird hairdo, bizarre personal habits and a penchant for saying outrageous things. The other ... is the president of the United States.

In case you've been focusing on other things the past few days - perhaps the royal wedding? - let me bring you up to speed: The summit that looked like a done deal was briefly called off and then put back on schedule. Sort of. It will now take place in Singapore on June 12, unless it doesn't.

Confused? Understandable. At least it's a little easier to understand than Rudy Giuliani's ever-changing explanation of Trump's payment to his lawyer for paying off Stormy Daniels - which didn't happen, but if it did, it was legal.

The best guess now is that the summit will actually happen, because both leaders want it.

The various members of the Kim family who inherit the North Korean throne have always craved full recognition from the United States to validate their regime, and, by implication, insult and bypass our South Korean ally.

This is precisely why previous presidents have refused a sit-down with one of the Kims, but hey, Trump isn't hung up on precedents.

Trump wants the meeting because he thinks his threats have scared Kim (which they have) and that Kim is now therefore ready to give up his nukes (which he isn't).

Trump also built his brand as a deal-maker, although since being inaugurated he has been a deal-breaker (the Pacific trade treaty, Paris climate accord, Iran nuclear deal and probably NAFTA soon).

The whole idea of a Trump-Kim summit seemed impossible until Kim actually met with his South Korean counterpart, President Moon Jae-in.

Few thought that would ever happen, and it led to all the gushy talk about a Trump-Kim summit and "denuclearization" of the Korean peninsula.

To us, that word clearly means that North Korea will get rid of its nuclear bombs.

To Kim Jong Un, however, it means talking about de-nuking but never really doing it. The nukes are the only way he can guarantee his dismal dictatorship isn't deposed, and they allow him to blackmail the West for trade and food.

Crazy Kim might, however, agree to stop shooting off missiles and testing his nuclear bombs in exchange for relaxed economic sanctions.

That's not Nobel Prize material, but it's progress for Korea. If Trump agrees, he could get an award for the best compromise of 2018.

That's not much, but it might be all that's out there.

After all, we're dealing with guy with a weird hairdo, bizarre personal habits and a penchant for saying outrageous things.

-------------------------------

Thomas Taschinger, TTaschinger@BeaumontEnterprise.com, is the editorial page editor of The Beaumont Enterprise. Follow him on Twitter at @PoliticalTom
Dr. Mark Giovanini performed the first ASC based Robotically assisted SI Joint Fusion in the Southeast at Cornerstone Surgicare. Here are 5 takeaways:

1. Dr. Giovanini and Cornerstone Surgicare have partnered with Mazor Renaissance system to offer robotic guided spine surgery.

2. Dr. Giovanini has specialized in Minimally Invasive Spine surgery for many years and has now added Robotic guided cases to offer the most advanced MIS care available.

3. Clinical studies have clearly shown that Mazor robotic guided systems reduce intra-operative radiation to the patient and staff while reducing patient complications and revision rates.

4. Current reimbursement is based on CPT codes and no additional payment occurs with the usage of the robotic device. Therefore, the investment is focused on clinical outcomes and patient recovery.

5. This case marks the first Robotic SI joint fusion performed in and ASC in the Southeast USA.
The Secretaries of State are pictured meeting Niamh McConville, MJM Group; Brian McConville, MJM Group; Gavin Killeen NuPrint and Liam Reid Diageo Ireland. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 20th May 2018 David Davis and Greg Clark have joined Karen Bradley in Northern Ireland for a visit as part of their working group exploring potential future customs arrangements, focusing on the proposed Highly Streamlined Customs Arrangements. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley MP has hosted a series of meetings at Stormont House, Belfast along with David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Pictured left to right are: David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union; John Kelpie, Chief Executive Derry City and Strabane District Council; Karen Bradley MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; Jim Roddy, CEO City Centre Initiative and Jennifer McKeever, President of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce; Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 20th May 2018 David Davis and Greg Clark have joined Karen Bradley in Northern Ireland for a visit as part of their working group exploring potential future customs arrangements, focusing on the proposed Highly Streamlined Customs Arrangements. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley MP has hosted a series of meetings at Stormont House, Belfast along with David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Pictured meeting the Secretaries of State are: Seamus Leheny, Freight Transport Association; Glenn Alderdice, Glenn Alderdice Ltd; William Dennison, WS Dennison Ltd; Vincent Waddell, Surefreight International Ltd and Peter Esler, BP McKeefrey Ltd; Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 20th May 2018 David Davis and Greg Clark have joined Karen Bradley in Northern Ireland for a visit as part of their working group exploring potential future customs arrangements, focusing on the proposed Highly Streamlined Customs Arrangements. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley MP has hosted a series of meetings at Stormont House, Belfast along with David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Pictured meeting the Secretaries of State are: Jim Roddy, CEO City Centre Initiative; John Kelpie, Chief Executive Derry City and Strabane District Council and Jennifer McKeever, President of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 20th May 2018 David Davis and Greg Clark have joined Karen Bradley in Northern Ireland for a visit as part of their working group exploring potential future customs arrangements, focusing on the proposed Highly Streamlined Customs Arrangements. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley MP has hosted a series of meetings at Stormont House, Belfast along with David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Pictured meeting the Secretaries of State are: Seamus Leheny, Freight Transport Association; Glenn Alderdice, Glenn Alderdice Ltd; William Dennison, WS Dennison Ltd; Vincent Waddell, Surefreight International Ltd and Peter Esler, BP McKeefrey Ltd; Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 20th May 2018 David Davis and Greg Clark have joined Karen Bradley in Northern Ireland for a visit as part of their working group exploring potential future customs arrangements, focusing on the proposed Highly Streamlined Customs Arrangements. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley MP has hosted a series of meetings at Stormont House, Belfast along with David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Pictured meeting the Secretaries of State are: Seamus Leheny, Freight Transport Association; Glenn Alderdice, Glenn Alderdice Ltd; William Dennison, WS Dennison Ltd; Vincent Waddell, Surefreight International Ltd and Peter Esler, BP McKeefrey Ltd; Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 20th May 2018 David Davis and Greg Clark have joined Karen Bradley in Northern Ireland for a visit as part of their working group exploring potential future customs arrangements, focusing on the proposed Highly Streamlined Customs Arrangements. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley MP has hosted a series of meetings at Stormont House, Belfast along with David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Pictured left to right are: Gavin Killeen NuPrint; Brian McConville, MJM Group; David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 20th May 2018 David Davis and Greg Clark have joined Karen Bradley in Northern Ireland for a visit as part of their working group exploring potential future customs arrangements, focusing on the proposed Highly Streamlined Customs Arrangements. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley MP has hosted a series of meetings at Stormont House, Belfast along with David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Pictured meeting the Secretaries of State are: Seamus Leheny, Freight Transport Association; Glenn Alderdice, Glenn Alderdice Ltd; William Dennison, WS Dennison Ltd; Vincent Waddell, Surefreight International Ltd and Peter Esler, BP McKeefrey Ltd; Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 20th May 2018 David Davis and Greg Clark have joined Karen Bradley in Northern Ireland for a visit as part of their working group exploring potential future customs arrangements, focusing on the proposed Highly Streamlined Customs Arrangements. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley MP has hosted a series of meetings at Stormont House, Belfast along with David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Pictured left to right are: Gavin Killeen NuPrint; Brian McConville, MJM Group; Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Karen Bradley MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 20th May 2018 David Davis and Greg Clark have joined Karen Bradley in Northern Ireland for a visit as part of their working group exploring potential future customs arrangements, focusing on the proposed Highly Streamlined Customs Arrangements. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley MP has hosted a series of meetings at Stormont House, Belfast along with David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Pictured left to right are: Gavin Killeen NuPrint; Niamh McConville, MJM Group; Brian McConville, MJM Group; David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

David Davis and Greg Clark have joined Karen Bradley in Northern Ireland for a visit. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

David Davis and Greg Clark have joined Karen Bradley in Northern Ireland for a visit to meet business leaders. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Brexit Secretary David Davis has made another visit to Northern Ireland.

On Sunday his department said he had returned as part of a "fact-finding" mission alongside Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley and Business Secretary Greg Clark.

It did not say where he intended to visit and only that he would be meeting with representatives from the freight industry, cross-border business and community stakeholders "to further explore how the highly-streamlined customs model could address the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland".

The SDLP said it did not come as a surprise to hear of the visit through news reports.

"It is clear for everyone to see Mr Davis doesnt want to engage with politicians who will put the hard questions to him on his Government's failure to protect the interests of citizens here.

Mr Davis would clearly rather sneak about and bury his head in his sand while taking his political lead on the politics of this island from only the DUP. Our door is open when the Tory politician decides he actually wants to be responsible and step up to engage at a political level across the political spectrum here.

Responding, DUP MP Ian Paisley said: "It was so secret he met with a dozen senior business people and organisations in NI. SDLP feel left out because they have nothing positive to contribute. The government is going over the heads of the SDLP to the people and SDLP dont like it."

Later pictures were issued to the media of Mr Davis meeting with business representatives at Stormont. Businesses represented included the MJM Group, Diageo and NuPrint. While Derry City and Strabane Council was represented along with the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce. The Freight Association, WS Dennison, Surefreight and BP McKeefrey also attended meeting with the ministers of state.

Secretary of State Karen Bradley said discussions were constructive and brought to life the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland.

The Department for Exiting the EU said the visit was part of the "max fac" working group exploring potential future customs arrangements, focusing on using technology to overcome the difficulties around what will become a land border with the EU as well as maintaining the pledges made by government of avoiding having additional infrastructure.

A statement said: "The Prime Minister has tasked two working groups from the European Union Exit and Trade (Strategy and Negotiations) sub-committee with exploring further the two possible future customs arrangements the UK Government have set out.

"Both of the customs models currently under consideration are designed to meet the UKs three guiding principles: allowing us to trade goods and services as freely as possible with the EU, enable us to have an independent trade policy, and avoiding any hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland while maintaining the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom."

Asked for further details, a department spokeswoman said they had nothing further to add to the statement. They are not expected to meet the media.

Mr Davis faced criticism for not following protocol on his visit to the border in April. As well as political representatives including the DUP the media was not informed of the visit.

His department apologised for what it described as a "administrative oversight" in not notifying Sinn Fein MP Mickey Brady of the visit as is normal procedure.

The "maximum facilitation" option is under consideration by the British Government as it tries to find a solution to the Irish border post-Brexit.

The option - favoured by Brexiteers - would see the UK leave the customs union but use technology to minimise customs checks and physical infrastructure along the border. The UK would set tariffs on goods entering the UK but products destined for the EU would be exempt and could travel in bond.

The second option under consideration is a customs partnership.

This would see the UK effectively remain in the EUs customs area but be able to strike free trade deals. The UK would collect EU tariffs on goods entering Britain and abide by EU procedures.

Theresa May has split her Cabinet into two groups to examine the options and come up with proposals on how they could work.
Church officials said both the diocese and the priest were cooperating fully with the police.

A priest has stepped aside from his position to allow for a police investigation into a historic "safeguarding allegation".

Police said they are investigating a complaint made in April.

The Diocese of Dromore confirmed the priest would be stepping aside in a statement on Saturday evening.

It said both the diocese and the priest were cooperating fully with the police.

"While this allegation is being investigated, and as part of the diocesan Safeguarding Procedures, the priest has voluntarily stepped aside from all public ministry pending the outcome of the investigation," it said.

"The diocese cannot make further comment at this time whilst an investigation is ongoing. The Diocese advise anyone who may have a concern of a safeguarding nature to contact the PSNI, Social Services, or the Diocesan Designated Safeguarding Officer on 077 8991 7741."

The diocese has been at the centre of a scandal over how it handled allegations of abuse against one of its priests.

The PSNI has established a special unit to investigate complaints of abuse against the now deceased Father Malachy Finnegan.

He was a teacher at St Colman's College in Newry up from 1967 to 1976 and its president until 1987 and was accused of sexually abusing 12 boys.

Allegations about the disgraced teacher and cleric were highlighted in a BBC Spotlight programme, although the first allegation against him came to light in 1994.

He was never prosecuted although claims made against him were reviewed by the National Board for Safeguarding Children - a clerical abuse watchdog set up by the Catholic Church.

Although the disgraced cleric died in 2002 and can therefore no longer be held accountable for his crimes, the PSNI's public protection branch said other areas needed to be investigated.

These include taking action against any living person from that time and assessing any current child safeguarding risks.

Former Bishop of Dromore John McAreavey resigned from his position over the matter. He had celebrated Mass alongside the priest he knew was a paedophile. He had known about allegations of child abuse against the disgraced cleric as far back as the mid-1990s.

He conducted Finnegans 2002 funeral.

He admitted he'd made "an error of judgement" by officiating at the funeral of the paedophile teacher whose actions he described as "abhorrent, inexcusable and indefensible". He said his decision, made when he was a priest, to say the Mass "was the wrong one".

Since the abuse claims came to light, there have been more come forward to say they were abused by the now-deceased priest.

There is no suggestion Dr McAreavey is involved in any police investigation.

A PSNI spokesman said: "PSNI Public Protection Branch are currently investigating an historical allegation of abuse against a member of clergy in the Diocese of Dromore.

"This allegation was reported to PSNI in April 2018.

"As this is an ongoing investigation it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time."
The priest who has stepped aside from his duties over a police investigation into a historic "safeguarding allegation" made against him says he has not been told of the details of the claim.

Canon Francis Brown said he looked forward to a "expeditious examination" of the matter saying he expected to return to his work in the near future.

The Diocese of Dromore confirmed the priest would be stepping aside in a statement on Saturday evening and it and the priest were fully cooperating with police.

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On Sunday a statement was released on behalf of Canon Brown, administrator of the Newry parish.

He said: "I have been informed by Bishop Philip Boyce, the Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese, that an allegation of an historic nature has been made against me. The details of the allegation have not so far been made known to either myself or The Diocese.

"The complaint has been made recently and I understand that some time is required to have it investigated.

"Naturally, I have agreed therefore to step aside from my role as Administrator of the Parish for the time being to allow the investigation to be completed.

"In accordance with the agreed protocol I shall not be involved in ministry during that period of time.

"I wish to reassure all of my parishioners, my fellow priests, deacon and religious that I look forward to a thorough and expeditious examination of this matter and I expect to return to my work in the parish in the near future.

"I hope that you will remember me in your thoughts and prayers in the weeks ahead and I look forward to returning soon to again serve you in the Parish of Newry."

Police said they are investigating a complaint made in April this year.

It comes after the Diocese of Dromore was embroiled in the scandal over its handling of abuse claims made against paedophile priest Father Malachy Finnegan.

A PSNI spokesman said: "PSNI Public Protection Branch are currently investigating an historical allegation of abuse against a member of clergy in the Diocese of Dromore.

"This allegation was reported to PSNI in April 2018.

"As this is an ongoing investigation it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time."
Boris Johnson has told Brexiteers they should not fear betrayal as the Government draws up a backstop scheme which would keep the UK in the EUs customs union beyond 2020.

He called on the Leave camp to give Theresa May time and space to negotiate a deal that delivers on her promise to take Britain out of the customs union and single market and enable it to strike new trade deals around the world.

But his comments will be seen as a thinly veiled warning to the Prime Minister that she must not let the so-called backstop become a permanent solution.

There was dismay among committed supporters of EU withdrawal at reports that Mrs Mays Brexit war cabinet has discussed a plan under which the whole of Britain would observe EU external tariffs until the practical arrangements are in place to keep the Irish border open.

There are fears in the Leave camp that UK involvement in EU structures beyond the conclusion of the transition period in December 2020 may end up being indefinitely extended.

We must now give the Prime Minister time and space to negotiate this Brexit vision.Boris Johnson

But Mr Johnson insisted that he is convinced the Prime Minister will be true to her word and deliver a final settlement in which the UK is not tied to the EUs system of common external tariffs.

The Foreign Secretary is understood to be among two ministers who argued against the backstop option in last weeks meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee overseeing Brexit strategy and negotiations.

The scheme was devised as an alternative to the European Commission proposal that Northern Ireland should remain in the customs union if no better resolution for the border issue can be found.

This Brussels backstop was roundly rejected by Mrs May as something no British PM could sign up to, as it effectively draws a customs border down the Irish Sea.

While he regards the new proposal as preferable to the Commissions scheme, Mr Johnson left no doubt he believes neither will be necessary, as Mrs May will be able to negotiate a satisfactory deal before the time comes when they would have to be implemented.

The Foreign Secretarys own preference is for the maximum facilitation scheme  known as Max Fac  which would use trusted trader arrangements and technology like number plate recognition cameras to avoid the need for border checks.

Speaking to reporters during a tour of Latin America, the Foreign Secretary said: Brexiteers fearing betrayal over the customs backstop must understand that the PM has been very clear that neither option is an outcome we desire  we want a deal with the EU and she will deliver it.

Im convinced that the Prime Minister will be true to her promises of a Brexit deal  that sees Britain come out of the customs union and single market, have borders as frictionless as possible, reject European Court of Justice interference, control immigration and free to conduct unhindered free trade deals across the world.

We must now give the Prime Minister time and space to negotiate this Brexit vision.

Mr Johnsons five-day visit, taking in Peru, Argentina and Chile, is designed to pave the way for post-Brexit deals with three of the regions countries most committed to free trade.

Peru and Chile already have free trade agreements (FTAs) with the EU, which the UK hopes to roll over and enhance after Brexit.

But Argentina is part of the Mercosur grouping, alongside countries like Brazil, which has failed in many years efforts to strike an FTA with the EU in the face of European farmers resistance to the influx of vast supplies of cheap agricultural produce like beef.

Mr Johnson insisted Brexit will provide opportunities to increase Britains share of import markets, which currently stands at around 1% in all of the countries he is visiting.

Already during my time in South America Ive been bowled over by the optimism and excitement from nations keen to forge deeper ties and new trading relationships with the UK, he said.

Make no mistake, we will be ready to take advantage of these opportunities when we leave the EU.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is shown a baby black spider monkey that was rescued by rangers after its parents were killed by poachers (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Boris Johnson has become the first UK Foreign Secretary since the 1960s to visit Peru, at the start of a five-day tour of Latin America.

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Mr Johnson encountered some of the wildlife of Latin America in the form of manatees made safe from illegal trafficking at a rescue centre.

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It was all a new experience for Britains Foreign Secretary when he hand-fed a manatee, also known as a sea cow, with leaves and gave one of them bottled calf milk.

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He flew in accompanied by Perus president Martin Vizcarra and foreign minister Nestor Popolizio.

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However, not all the wildlife turned out to be the real thing  Boris Johnson also made friends with the PanAmerican Games mascot.

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Whatsapp Boris Johnson meets the mascot of the 2019 PanAmerican Games at the athletes village in Lima, Peru, which is being built with help from UK construction firms (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

He dropped by at a village school with electricity and fresh water provided by a UK-funded solar energy project.

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It was time to fly when Mr Johnson got on a helicopter on his visit to the rainforest. The trip was aimed at supporting the Foreign Office push for closer trade and cultural links with South American states.

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And there was time for a selfie or two amid all the sight-seeing.
Newlyweds Harry and Meghan are dancing the night away with 200 guests at a glamorous reception  with the bride wearing a ring which belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales.

Harry appears to have given his bride a poignant wedding day gift  an impressive, emerald cut aquamarine ring which belonged to his late, beloved mother.

Meghan was spotted with the large gem on her right hand as the couple made their way to their evening do.

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Diana died when Harry was just 12 after she was killed in a tragic car crash in Paris.

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Meghan switched from her stunning elegant, formal pure white wedding gown by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, to a glamorous lily white halter neck by Stella McCartney for the black tie evening do.

The US star  now a duchess and an HRH  is giving a speech at the party, which is being hosted by her father-in-law the Prince of Wales.

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Harry drove his new wife from Windsor Castle in a silver blue classic convertible Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero which was originally manufactured in 1968 and has been converted to electric power.

The happy couple waved and smiled as they headed to meet their friends at the celebration, which is expected to stretch into the early hours.

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Meghan wore shoes from Aquazurra made in silky satin, with nude mesh, with soles painted in baby blue.

Her hair  in a relaxed up do  was styled for the reception by George Northwood.

The cars number plate bore the date of the wedding  E190518.

Guests were able to rest and change before the start of the evening celebrations following the lunchtime reception in the castles medieval St Georges Hall hosted by the Queen.

The closest friends of the newlyweds will be among those in attendance including Canadian stylist Jessica Mulroney and other confidantes such as Benita Litt and designer Misha Nonoo.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex depart Windsor Castle for a reception hosted by The Prince of Wales at Frogmore House, in a silver blue Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero. This vehicle was originally manufactured in 1968, and has since been converted to electric power #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/hRrxEUlFlJ  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018

The 17th century royal residence stands about half a mile south of Windsor Castle in Windsor Home Park.

It offers the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex the privacy to celebrate their marriage away for the cameras.

The name Frogmore is derived from the frogs which have always lived in the low lying marshy area.

It was built in around 1680 by Charles IIs architect and in 1923, the Queens parents  the future George VI and Queen Elizabeth  spent part of their honeymoon there.

It is only open for people to view on three ticketed charity open days a year, as well to pre-booked groups in August.
Senior business intelligence analyst Mary Joy Tagle

Overseas Filipino workers are known for hard work and dedication across the worldwhether they are vworking as skilled laborers or professionals. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that there were around 2.3 million OFWs around the world as of 2017. Many of these Filipinos in the middle or senior management job levels are motivated to pursue careers abroad because of the international corporate culture, better career opportunities and lucrative pay and benefits. However, given the chance, these modern-day heroes would opt to come home and work in their home country. This was the case of Mary Joy Tagle who worked as a professional in Singapore for the last seven years. Her husband recently set up a business in the Philippines, which motivated her to return to the Philippines.Tagle couldnt help but be concerned though of the stigma among OFWs that coming back home would mean settling for less. One of the top concerns I had upon moving back home was whether Id be able to earn sufficiently to maintain my current standard of living, she said. Being unaware of the salary trends in the Philippines, I was worried that the salary I would be offered in my new role in Manila would be too low, compared to what I was receiving in Singapore. Arlene Magsombol, an accounting and finance specialist in Dubai for 11 years, shared the same sentiments. Magsombol and her husband decided to start their own family, which was her motivation to start anew. I had reservations of coming backI was afraid of not getting a comparable compensation package to the one I was getting in Dubai, she said. While the local government created programs and packages to help repatriated OFWs get settled and start livelihood anew, support to drive local talent back in the Philippines is also being pushed by Robert Walters Philippines. Robert Walters Philippines is one of the worlds leading specialist professional recruitment consultancies, leveraging an international network of offices to connect with Filipinos overseas who may be interested to move back home.Featuring the Balik Bayan outreach program, Robert Walters aims to target OFWs and share market research and insights on the possible careers available for them and assist them in securing a job back right here in the Philippines. This outreach program provides a dedicated international candidate manager for Filipinos looking to come back home, providing advice on the current work situation in the country, and with opportunities for permanent roles in diverse industries, including accounting and finance; banking and financial services; human resources; information technology; and sales and marketing. Tagle was thankful for this program that gave her a clear picture of the career opportunities that she can pursue coming back home. I was highly impressed with the international candidate manager, especially with the way she addressed my concerns and of the vast amount of professionalism and knowledge she displayed with regards to the job market in the Philippines, she said. While the first job offer I got via the Balik Bayan campaign didnt pan out, the international candidate manager persisted in finding me another role, until two months later when I landed this role that was tailored to my skills, experiences and expectations. Tagle is now a senior business intelligence analyst at OLX, a global online marketplace which connects local people to buy, sell or exchange used goods and services. Magsombol was just as thankful to her Robert Walters international candidate manager, especially since she didnt have any idea on the salary trends and accounting processes of companies in the country after being away for quite some time. Thankfully, Robert Walters did a great job in briefing me of the things that I had missed. Speaking with them helped me get rid of some of my reservations about moving back home. The consultants have been very supportive and made a special effort to understand my professional needs and preferences and made those possible, said Magsombol, who is now the chief finance officer of ISport Life Inc. (Fila Philippines). We would like to guide our OFWs about their possible career path in their home country, said Eric Mary, Robert Walters country manager for the Philippines. The present couldnt be a better time to come back, with the Philippine economy continuously booming, and with many international companies establishing businesses in the country, providing employment opportunities for Filipinos especially for those with international exposure, he said.
Foodpanda, the in-demand online food delivery service in the Philippines, has landed in Mindanao. The delivery services fleet of pink riders started delivering food from over 40 restaurant partners directly to customers doors in Davao City in May 2018. With the foodpanda app, everyone can order the food from dozens of restaurants. The people of Davao can enjoy the same service and convenience as foodpanda now operates in the city. We are very excited to add Davao to the list of cities where we provide our delivery service, said foodpanda Philippines chief executive Iacopo Rovere. Davao is one of the cities with great potential for food delivery, especially with its very colorful and tasty food culture. As always, we intend to give the best experience in the food delivery industry to our customers  we look forward to seeing eager and encouraging feedback from current and potential partner restaurants and customers, said Rovere. Founded in May 2012 with its headquarters in Berlin, Germany, foodpanda is now operating in more than 190 cities across five continents and has more than 25,000 partner restaurants onboard worldwide. In the Philippines, foodpanda started its business in 2014 and has been adding thousands of partner restaurants and quarter of a million active users each year. As foodpanda continues to gain ground in the Philippines, competition is also getting tougher every month. However, Rovere said fooodpanda Philippines would exert all efforts to stay present and on-topic to retain its market share dominance.After the city expansion, well expect and continue to maintain our dominance in the market by achieving a 500-percent growth by end of the year and adding more restaurants on board, he said. Foodpandas delivery service started in Davao on May 16. The foodpanda app powered by the tech giants, Delivery Hero and Rocket Internet, is available on the App Store and Google Play Store for free. Through the foodpanda website or via the new iOS and Android apps, customers can enter their address and view a curated list of restaurants serving their neighborhood. Once they have found their meal of choice, they can place an order in the comfort of their home or office, paying online or cash on delivery through foodpandas secure platform. The order is then carefully prepared by the restaurant, picked up by the foodpanda rider and delivered straight to their doorstep.
Nestle S.A. CEO Mark Schneider (second from right) with Fishers and Changemakers Inc. founderS (from left) Jet Ong, Noi Quesada and DhangTecson.

A social enterprise in Cebu called Fishers and Changemakers Inc. which works with fisher folk is the joint winner of Nestles global Creating Shared Value Prize for 2018, along with Mumm from Egypt, an online platform and delivery service offering healthy homemade food while empowering women. Established in 2014, FCI is a social enterprise that teams up with fishing communities to produce and distribute high-quality Balangays Best Seafood Products. The two winning social entrepreneurs have been awarded CHF 150,000 (over P8 million) each for their outstanding work in rural development and nutrition.The prize will enable the winners to help scale up their projects, making them viable business initiatives with a lasting impact on peoples lives. Some 1,072 entries from 106 countries were received for the 2018 competition, with 56 applicants shortlisted and six finalists selected to pitch their ideas at the 2018 Creating Shared Value Forum in Brazilia, Brazil. The winners were announced during the prize ceremony at the CSV Forum, with Nestle S.A. chief executive Marck Schneider presenting the prize to the winners.FCI empowers fishermen to build sustainable seafood businesses through savings clubs, aiming to increase the income of fishing families by enabling them to produce sustainably-sourced goods. With the help of the NGO Rare, fishermen are trained in sustainable fishing practices. Further, they are trained to process dried seafood. FCI assists in marketing, distributing and selling the packed food to consumer markets. The enterprise works with 150 fishing families in seven municipalities in Cebu, Occidental Mindoro, Negros Oriental and Surigao del Sur.FCI does not only offer fisher folk a higher price for their catch, thereby improving their economic situation and social conditions; it also encourages them to save through savings clubs. Furthermore, with the help of NGOs like Rare, the program facilitates efforts to care for the marine environment. CSV is defined as harnessing the power of private enterprise to address social challenges with business solutions, a philosophy that drives decision-making at Nestle and is reflected in the companys purpose of enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future. In line with this philosophy, Nestle S.A. devotes time and effort to find and support entrepreneurs who exemplify CSV through their business ideas and actions. Harnessing these innovations will put new solutions on the table while helping to spread wealth and prosperity. To recognize and promote the work of pioneers in this field, the Nestle Creating Shared Value Prize was first launched in 2010. Through the CSV Prize, Nestle hopes to profile the power of innovation, showing how the right approach to business can deliver commercial success along with greater returns for society as a whole. In order to deepen engagement with social entrepreneurs, this year, Nestle teamed up with Ashoka, the worlds leading network of systems-changing social entrepreneurs.
Metro Pacific Investments Corp. said it received offers for its stake in a large natural gas-fired power plant in Jurong Island, Singapore. MPIC chief finance officer David Nicol said the group received several offers for possible merger and structural solutions to reduce the current excess power capacity in Singapore. The group has a majority stake in a two 400-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Jurong. There is a lot of surplus capacity in Singapore market as of the moment. The Singapore government with good reason encouraged lots of investments in power generation and the private sector responded. Now there is so much that prices are difficult. It is has to see anybody making making money, and so there are talks of combining to try reduce the surplus capacity, Nicol said. We might [accept] merger, but we have received so many offers and we have not made a choice, he said.Nicol said the power generation industry in Singapore needed a structural solution to retire capacity. First Pacific Investments Corp., the parent company of MPIC, and Meralco PowerGen Corp., the power generation arm of Manila Electric Co., acquired 70 percent of GMR Energy (Singapore) Pte Ltd., a company building a power plant located on Jurong Island from GMR Infrastructure for $488 million in cash in 2013, with a further committed $49-million equity contribution into the project. The project was the first built in Singapore since the Keppel Merlimau Plant in 2007 and among the most efficient combined cycle power plants built in Singapore.
Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy will not stand in the next general election.

After informing the Taoiseach of his intentions yesterday afternoon, the Cork North Central TD sent a letter to local members confirming that he would not contest a selection convention next month, and will step down at the next election.

Mr Murphy served as Lord Mayor in 2009 and was elected to the Dail in 2011. He served as Minister of State for Europe from 2014 under Enda Kenny, but was dropped by Leo Varadkar when he became Taoiseach.

I would like to thank you, all members of Fine Gael, for your continued support over the last 20 years that I have been involved in local and national politics, reads the letter he sent to members.

He described his term as Lord Mayor as an immense honour and said it was a privilege to represent Ireland in Europe as a Junior Minister.

Deputy Murphy said: "This was a most interesting and challenging time, particularly with Brexit. I am very grateful for your immense support throughout this period.

He also reiterated his support for his party.

"I would like to underline my unequivocal support for the Taoiseach, this Fine Gael-led government and the Fine Gael party.

It has unquestionably been the case that since our election into government in 2011, Fine Gael has delivered a period of excellent governance, through very difficult times.

"This leadership has now transformed our country and brought confidence back to our people. It has been a deep honour for me to represent the people of Cork and indeed our country during this time," he said.

Mr Murphy is expected to focus on organising the European election campaign for the European People's Party, Fine Gael's EU affiliate. He is a Vice President of the party and was appointed director of elections last year.

The attention of local members will now turn to the party's Cork North Central selection convention on Monday, June 18.

Senator Colm Burke and Mr Murphy's 2016 running mate, barrister Julie O'Leary, are both expected to contest the convention. The party has always run at least two candidates in the constituency.

Evening Echo
Archbishop Eamon Martin has issued a pastoral message ahead of Friday's referendum.

In the address, the Archbishop of Armagh urges voters to "think of two lives".

"When I wrote to you in January about protecting the Eighth Amendment, I invited you to spread the word about the precious gift of life from the first moment of conception until the moment of natural death. I encouraged you to be 'missionaries for the cause of life'.

"Since then the Supreme Court has clarified that if the Eighth Amendment is repealed, unborn children in Ireland will have absolutely no constitutional rights.

"A vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment on 25 May would therefore pave the way for a very liberal abortion regime in Ireland, including completely unrestricted access to abortion during the first three months of pregnancy.

What a departure this is from the Eighth Amendment where the equality of life of a mother and her unborn baby is written into our Constitution.

"Womens lives are precious, to be loved, valued and protected. Their babies lives are precious, to be loved, valued and protected. Both lives deserve protection from the tragedy and irreversible decision of abortion.

"To be against abortion is not simply a Catholic thing. The innate dignity of every human life is a value for the whole of society - for people of all faiths and none. It is rooted in reason as well as in faith. To take away an innocent human life can never be simply a matter of personal choice.

"In recent months we have been reminded about the miracle of life in the womb - how your heart started beating from around week five, or your unique fingerprint began to form only ten to twelve weeks after conception.

"That little unborn child who moves her fingers or kicks around in the ultrasound scan is the same baby that will be born and grow further through infancy to adolescence to adulthood to old age - all that is needed for that life to grow, is time, nourishment, love, and a chance to survive.

When you go inside the voting booth on 25 May, pause and think of two lives - the life of the mother and the life of her baby - two hearts beating; two lives which are both precious and deserving of compassion and protection. Love them both. Pray for both. Choose Life for them both.

"Say NO to repealing the Eighth Amendment and then do everything you can to ensure that our country will always provide the best possible care and support for all mothers and their unborn children."

The Archbishop's message comes as two polls released today show the yes campaign is ahead.

A Sunday Times Behaviour and Attitudes poll of 935 people between May 3 and 15 shows a five point increase for the yes vote in urban areas, with a surge of 12 points in Dublin to 67% and up 11 points to 54 % in the rest of Leinster.

Meanwhile a Sunday Business Post/Red C poll of 1,000 adults between May 10 and 16 also has the yes campaign ahead, up 3 points to 56%, against the no side, up one on 27%.

Digital Desk
Fast-food giant McDonald's has defended its long-standing practice of paying hundreds of millions of dollars of royalties offshore, which reduces its local taxes, as a legitimate business practice.

The American company's latest financial accounts for the year ending December 31, 2017, show McDonald's paid its head entity  previously based in Singapore but now based in Britain  a "service fee" amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. Payment of the fee reduced McDonald's Australia's tax bill because it lowered its taxable profit.

McDonald's Australia reported paying a service fee of $388.8 million to related entity McDonald's Asia Pacific (up from $374.6 million in 2016). The company confirmed the entire $388.8 million was a royalty fee.

Global fast-food giant McDonald's cut its local tax bill by about half in 2017.

By paying that fee offshore, the company's Australian income tax bill was reduced to $131.9 million (slightly up from $114 million in 2016).
Could Telstra be the next target of offshore activist investors? The idea has been discussed at the highest levels of the company.

Shareholder activism, one of the many misnomers in an industry full of them, refers to the breed of investors who build stakes in companies and try to agitate for significant changes to unlock value. (It's about making money  and has nothing to do with environment or social activism).

Australia got its first true taste of full-throated investor activism last year when US hedge fund Elliott Management launched a ferocious campaign for change at the nations most iconic corporation  BHP.

Telstra's CEO Andy Penn is under fire. Credit:Pat Scala

Among other things, Elliott called for board and management changes at the miner, for it to divest assets and cancel an outdated structure that sees its shares traded in both Australia and London.
PAY

Flipping Bangers

A&E, 3.30pm

Affable British car lovers Gus Gregory and Will Trickett have quit their jobs, pooled their savings and rented a workshop, and they aim to make a living by buying cars that nobody else wants and fixing them up. Today's project is an unlovely, "turd-brown" Porsche 924. This entry-level "poor man's Porsche" features '70s styling, a little two-litre engine and several decades' worth of wear and tear. But Gregory and Trickett are sure they can spruce it up with penny-pinching attention to detail. The lengths they go to are certainly impressive  Trickett is soon sewing new panels for the ruined upholstery, while Gregory is pulling out the faded carpets and dyeing them with a cheap dye meant for cotton. They don't neglect to provide useful little hints for the home viewer  such as how not to smack yourself in the nose when pulling a steering wheel off the column. Brad Newsome

Jason Silva guides us through a sweep of human history in Origins: The Journey of Humankind on SBS. Credit:SBS

Origins: The Story of Humankind

SBS, 7.30pm

No fact is so interesting that it shouldn't be embellished with EXPLODING GRAPHICS and a presenter who talks in CAPITAL LETTERS. That seems to be the guiding principle of this shouty documentary series about key moments in history that shaped humanity. There is plenty of fascinating material to work with. The first episode, which focuses on the discovery and use of fire, and its social consequences, begins with prehistoric society and moves on to examine everything from the invention of gunpowder to early rocket technology. But why would you let history speak for itself when you can add fanciful and melodramatic scenes of pseudo-history, including one particularly silly moment in which actors dressed as cavemen are attacked by wolves while a pregnant women goes into labour. The production values are high. From the look of things, a lot of money has been spent in an effort to appeal to an audience that might not usually watch history or science documentaries. The involvement of creator John Boswell, aka YouTube star Melodysheep, suggests Millennials are the target audience. But speaking as a Millennial (albeit a crusty one) I like a documentary that treats me like a grown-up. Louise Schwartzkoff
CAMP OLIVAS, PampangaThree regional police offices are teaming up to put a stop to motorcycle-riding suspects across their areas. In a joint tactical and strategic meeting here, regional police directors Chief Supt. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan of the National Capital Region, Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar of Region 4-A or Calabarzon, and Chief Supt. Amador Corpus of Region 3 or Central Luzon set their sights eliminating crimes usually perpetrated by two men riding on motorcycles. Under their plan, the three police regions will issue unified stickers and color coding system for motorcycles in a bit to rid their areas of MRS, Corpus said. Considering the proximity of the regions to each other and the prevalence of motorcycle-riding suspects, there is a need for a coordinated effort to stop them in the three regions, he added. Because of the high speed and maneuverability of a motorcycle, it is the favorite vehicle of suspects in the commission of crimes that can easily elude pursuing police operatives, Corpus said. It is high time to stop this notorious crime modus operandi of the riding-in-tandem suspects, he added At present, Police Regional Office 3 is now implementing Oplan Clean Riders Alpha and PRO 4A has Oplan Checkmate both aimed at ridding their regions of suspects on bikes. A total of 228 crimes were committed by riding-in-tandem suspects in Central Luzon, but 42 cases were already solved, Corpus added. Meanwhile, an incumbent barangay captain was arrested by police authorities for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act in Tarlac City on Sunday. Arrested was Edison Diaz, 41, married, and the incumbent chairman of Barangay Lourdes, Tarlac City. Diaz was arrested based on a warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 64 for violation of Republic Act 9165. Diaz is now under the custody of Tarlac City Police.The days of the motorcycles riding in tandem suspects are now numbered. This developed as three regional commanders of the Philippines National Police including the National Capital Regional Police Officer put their heads together to find a solution to Motorcycle Riding Suspects in the country. Police Chief Supt. Amador Corpus of PRO 3 said that because of the high speed of the motorcycle, it is the favorite vehicle of suspects in the commission of crimes that can easily elude pursuing police operatives, Corpus said. During their joint tactical and strategic meeting here, the three police chief superintendents namely Regional Director PDIR Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, Police Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar of Regional Office 4-A and Corpus of Police Regional Office 3 set their sights on the goal to eliminate this crime usually perpetrated by two men riding in a motorcycle. Corpus said that considering the proximity of the regions to each others and the prevalence of motorcycle riding suspects there is a need for coordinated effort to stop the MRS in the regions. Under the plan, the three police officials will issue unified stickers and color coding system for a motorcycle as a strategy to rid their areas of motorcycle riding criminals, Corpus said. He said that it is high time that a stop is put on this notorious crime modus operandi of the riding tandem suspects. At present PRO 3 is now implementing Oplan Clean Riders Alpha and PRO 4A Oplan Checkmate both aimed to rid the regions for MRS. Corpus added that a total of 228 crimes were committed by riding in tandem suspects in the region, but 42 cases were already solved.
PAY

Stripped USA

Style, 12.30pm

This series strips Americans of all their possessions  clothes, phones, toothbrushes, the lot  and gives them 21 days to have a good, hard think about their lives. Each day, though, they get to visit a storage container and retrieve one item to make their lives a little easier. Today we meet goofy sisters Autianna and Jaseena, who both have university degrees and career ambitions but have spent years drifting along as bartenders in Los Angeles, spending everything they earn on clothes, perfumes and restaurant food. Once they've recovered from the shock of the removalists having taken everything, they seem stubbornly opposed to epiphany  they refuse to eat the rations supplied by the show's producers and instead focus on begging for more restaurant food. But with parents and grandmother providing some sound advice the girls are soon sorting out their priorities. Surprisingly engaging. Brad Newsome

Sir David Attenborough guides us through the mysterious realm of ants. Credit:ABC

MOVIE

Need for Speed

7Mate, 6pm

There have been few more surprising characters in recent pop culture than Jesse Pinkman, the hot-headed young meth dealer played by Aaron Paul in Breaking Bad. Initially Jesse came off as an obnoxious brat, yet he turned out to be a surprisingly soulful guy and, ultimately, the heart of the show. This was thanks in large part to Paul's capacity for almost childlike emotional directness, a trait he also displays in the role of mechanic and race driver Tobey Marshall, the hero of Scott Waugh's Need For Speed. A video-game adaptation, it aims to muscle in on the action of the Fast and The Furious franchise. Usually these kinds of films centre on hard-boiled guys sitting stony-faced behind the wheel, but Tobey lets it all hang out: when he's angry he scowls, when he's abashed he looks at the ground, and when he's happy he breaks into a huge grin. Aside from some needlessly frantic editing, the main drawback here is an unwillingness to admit that the impulses being celebrated are basically anti-social. The script repeatedly insists that Tobey truly cares about other people, yet his actions show an unrepentant willingness to risk the lives of cops, fellow motorists and anyone else who gets in his way. Jake Wilson
The wedding of Meghan Markle to Prince Harry was a momentous occasion for many reasons - the preacher and the semi-solo stroll down the aisle to name a few. But it was also the day a halter gown made history.

Again.

As the new couple departed Windsor Castle for their private reception at Frogmore House, Markle wore a halter, mock-necked gown made in silk crepe by British designer Stella McCartney.

"The bride's evening dress is designed by Stella McCartney and is a bespoke lily white high neck gown made of silk crepe. The bride is wearing shoes from Aquazurra made in silky satin, with nude mesh, with soles painted in baby blue," a palace spokesperson said.
Dancing With My Spirit. Archie Roach & Tiddas. The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre.Sunday, May 27, 8pm. Tickets $50-$75. BAD APPLES MUSIC HOUSE PARTY, featuring Briggs, Birdz, Omar Musa, Nooky, Alice Skye, Tasman Keith, Kobie Dee, and Hosted by Hau (Triple J). 9.30pm till late. $30. The Canberra Theatre Centre Bar. canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 62752700.

Archie Roach and Karen Mundine will perform in Canberra as part of the Reconciliation Day Eve concert. Credit:Karleen Minney

Starting this year, the ACT will observe a public holiday honouring the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum on May 28. The night before will be a couple of celebratory musical events at The Canberra Theatre Centre.

The chief executive officer of Reconciliation Australia, Karen Mundine, says, "We're really excited that this National Reconciliation Week, we will start the week with a public holiday to celebrate and acknowledge reconciliation in our modern society."

The ACT is the first jurisdiction to declare the day a public holiday and Mundine says, "We're certainly applauding the ACT for leading the way, being the first."
But new research from the University of Canberra has de-bunked the common perception that pregnancy is a trigger for long-term weight gain in women.

Professor of midwifery at the University of Canberra and ACT Health Deborah Davis who led the research, and expectant mother and midwife Sam Lawry (right) Credit:Dion Georgopoulos

The Canberra midwife is 22 weeks pregnant with her first child and very aware of the risks of gaining too much weight before childbirth.

Expectant mother Sam Lawry is sick of being told she's "eating for two".

"It was a shock because what we experience as women seems to be...you've got two kids but you also have an extra 10 kilos hanging around," Professor Davis said.

"We blame babies for our pelvic floors and the like, but it seems we can't blame them for this."

The study, which sampled more than 8000 Australian women over a 16-year-period, found the two factors that put women most at risk of weight gain were depression and not having a paid job, regardless of income.

Women who had had five babies or more were significantly heavier than other women in the study but, once factors such as education and socioeconomic status were taken into consideration, Professor Davis said the difference was not statistically significant.

While all women in the study did gradually put on a few kilos over time, a university education and high levels of exercise were strong protective factors against long-term weight gain.
A woman has been charged with manslaughter after the death of a man in Sydneys south on Sunday morning.

Just before 1am on Sunday, police were called to a home on General Homes Drive in Brighton-le-Sands.

When they arrived, they found a 51-year-old man unconscious.

He has been named as Gilbert Caetano, a panel beater.
A top robotics conference has chosen Brisbane to host its inaugural Australian venture and the military will establish a research centre in Brisbane to develop artificial intelligence technology.

The river city was given a taste of the robotics revolution on Sunday, with Robowars Australia putting on a show in South Bank and showcasing some of the country's top fighting machines.

Robowars Australia co-ordinator Steve Martin with some of the battle bots at South Bank Piazza. Credit:Toby Crockford - Fairfax Media

The Queensland government has made a $50 million investment to ensure the Australia Defence Force will establish a research centre, the first of its kind in the country, in Brisbane where trusted autonomy will be developed.

University of Queensland's head of information technology and electrical engineering Michael Bruenig said the concept of trusted autonomy involved developing robots that can make decisions based on limited information and don't just rely on a pre-programmed plan.
Reducing south-east congestion, upgrading hospitals and expanding north Queensland infrastructure are the top priorities of the state budget due to be officially unveiled next month.

Notable inclusions were funding for Bruce Highway and M1 upgrades, Cross River Rail, Cairns Convention Centre and Townsville Port expansions and construction of Townsville Stadium.

Upgrading major south-east motorways is one of the top priorities of this year's budget, in order to bust congestion. Credit:Glenn Hunt

Other projects factored into this year's budget include the expansion of Ipswich, Caboolture and Logan hospitals, the troublesome New Generation Rollingstock trains which were still being paid off, as well as stage three of the Gold Coast Light Rail project.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Treasurer Jackie Trad announced on Sunday $45 billion over four years would be put towards the state's infrastructure and support 38,000 jobs annually.
Canberra patients in need of urgent psychiatric care are being told to wait for months just for an initial appointment.

It comes amid calls for urgent action to address the territory's deepening mental health crisis after years of "talk and no action".

Mental Health Minister Shane Rattenbury Credit:Karleen Minney

Canberra man Stephen, who asked his surname not be published, said he waited almost six months to be seen by a psychiatrist after he was discharged from the adult mental health ward following a suicide attempt last year.

He said while the care he received in the unit was good, it was clear they were stretched, being treated only by locums who asked if he could seek treatment in Sydney.
Labor will end a long-running freeze out of One Nation to talk income tax cuts and the budget as it seeks to firm up the numbers against the government's take-it-or-leave-it seven-year tax plan.

The rare detente comes as senators prepare to grill bureaucrats over the federal government's $140 billion income tax cuts and the crossbench digs in against the final stage of the proposal.

A spokesman for One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said she was "very pleased" to be approached by Labor's deputy leader in the Senate, Don Farrell, "for the first time in a long time" for formal talks in Canberra this week.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson controls three crucial votes in the Senate. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

While One Nation has "no problem" swinging its crucial votes behind the first two tranches of the government's income tax cuts, it remains concerned the third stage - eliminating the 37 per cent marginal tax rate - is "just too far down the track", the spokesman said.
London: Twelve months ago Nihad Barakat al-Awsi's eyes were heavy with sadness.

Sharing her story with Fairfax Media, Nihad told of the brutality she had endured when she was kidnapped by Islamic State and sold into sexual slavery. She has never again seen the baby boy, Issa, she gave birth to at just 15, and probably never will. She spoke of a sadness so deep she feared the trauma would never leave.

Today, Nihad's face is a happier picture. Three weeks ago she received a call that would change her life. Her application for Australia's protection had been accepted.

"I will go and I will change everything; I will start a new life there. I will remove it all from my mind," the 19-year old said from Iraq.
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a presidential proclamation to protect 50,000 hectares of the Philippine Rise including the pristine Benham Bank, where some areas have 100-percent coral cover, as a strict protection zone. Duterte in a media briefing aboard BRP Davao Del Sur off the coast in Aurora, which is the nearest port to Benham Bank, said the protected area includes Benham Bank which is around 17,000 hectares declared as a no-take zone, and will be closed to any human activities except for scientific research. An additional 300,000 hectares will also be declared as a fisheries management area. Fishing using active gears is banned in FMAs under RA 10654 which amended the Fisheries Code. A fisheries management area is subject to protective measures to ensure that there will be no illegal fishing and overexploitation of the marine resources. The Philippine Rise is a 24.4 million hectare undersea region located east of Luzon, which includes a 13.4 million hectare outer section that was validated by the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLOS) as part of the Philippine territory in 2012. In 2016, Oceana joined an expedition in Benham Bank, the shallowest portion of the Philippine Rise with a depth of 40 meters. The team documented 100% coral cover in the surveyed areas with at least 170 species of fish recorded. The protection of Benham Bank and the greater Philippine Rise means that this national heritage will be preserved for the present and future generations. Plates of foliose corals look like terraces in Benham Bank. This is a common sight on a bank, and a characteristic of mesophotic or twilight reefs, which are found at depths from 30 meters to 150 meters. The Presidential proclamation is expected to set the legal framework for the protection and sustainable management of the Philippine Rise as it is automatically subject to the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act, RA 7586. According to Senator Loren Legarda, President Duterte is likewise expected to sign soon into law the bill amending RA 7586, the proposed Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act, which seeks to increase the number of Congress-declared protected areas. The bill has been approved by the bicameral conference committee.This is a remarkable event, especially for the protection of our oceans and ensuring seafood security for future generations, amidst the growing threats of climate change and overfishing, said Marianne Pan Saniano, marine scientist for Oceana Philippines. Saniano said that the protection of the Philippine Rise was achieved through the pooled efforts of government agencies and advocates, who supported the urgent call to protect the Philippine Rise, and especially declare the Benham Bank as a strict protection zone. When we went to Benham Bank in 2016 with our government scientists, navy and coast guards, we saw terraces of corals, as far as the eye could see. We still have such a vast and pristine coral reef ecosystem within Philippine territory which we still need to protect, Saniano said. Scientists said that the Philippine Rise is also the spawning site of the Pacific Bluefin tuna, one of the most expensive fish in the world. Lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Vice President of Oceana in the Philippines, commended President Duterte and the government officials and partners from the civil society and private sectors who worked tirelessly to protect the Philippine Rise. She adds that The presidential proclamation is much awaited as it paves the way for the conservation, management and protection of corals, fisheries and the rich biodiversity in the iconic place. It is now subject to the governance structure and requirements under the National Integrated Protected Areas System. This is much needed to protect fragile marine habitats, address food security and increase the resiliency of our marine ecosystems to the impacts of climate change . She emphasized that the proclamation is a highly significant event happening this year declared as the International Year of the Reef and the month of May, as the Month of the Ocean. Ramos adds that It is noteworthy that in 1998, declared as the International Year of the Ocean, then President Estrada likewise issued Proclamation No. 57 declaring the Month of May of every year as the Month of the Ocean in the Philippines.
Ramallah: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been hospitalised in the West Bank, Palestinian officials said on Sunday, giving conflicting accounts on the leader's condition.

It was the third time Abbas, 82, had been hospitalised in a week. He underwent minor ear surgery on Tuesday and was hospitalised again briefly overnight on Saturday, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is a heavy smoker and has a long history of health issues. He has not announced a preferred successor. Credit:AP

One Palestinian official said Abbas went back into hospital again on Sunday due to complications after Tuesday's ear surgery. Abbas' temperature was high, he said.
Washington: The special counsel plans to finish by September 1 its investigation into whether President Donald Trump obstructed the Russia inquiry, according to the president's lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who said on Sunday that waiting any longer would risk improperly influencing voters in the midterm elections in November.

The office of the special counsel, Robert Mueller, shared its timeline about two weeks ago amid negotiations over whether Trump will be questioned by investigators, Giuliani said in an interview. A spokesman for the special counsel's office declined to comment.

Giuliani's comments were an apparent attempt to publicly pressure Mueller amid their interview negotiations. He urged that the investigation be wrapped up as soon as possible, pointing as a cautionary tale to the revelation by former FBI Director James Comey in the last days of the 2016 presidential race that he was reopening the investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Comey's announcement is widely blamed by Democrats for costing her the election. The FBI found no wrongdoing.

"You don't want another repeat of the 2016 election where you get contrary reports at the end and you don't know how it affected the election," Giuliani said.
Latest News Data expert explains how Byrons property market has exploded Near 30% rise in some areas, double digit across the board  inside the Aussie property boom

Everything brokers need to know about last weeks Open Banking rule changes New rules came in last week that change how brokers and customers share data  heres what you need to know

A local mortgage brokers in northern Sydney is celebrating as best financial services company to cap off a great six months.

Following on from Zippy Financials director and principal broker Louisa Sanghera winning the Outstanding Business Person of the Year award at the North Shore Local Business Awards last November, the group has continued to see success. Sangheras networking organisation Connect for Success was also nominated.

Most recently Sanghera was a finalist in the Innovator of the Year category at the Women in Finance Awards. She was also a finalist in two categories at the MFAA industry awards and on 26 April scooped the Best Financial Services Company Award at the national Small Business Champions of Australia awards event.

Sanghera said, I have been overwhelmed at the wave of support and congratulations, both from the local community and the finance industry.

Im so grateful to have been named Winner of these incredible awards and feel humbled to share nominations with some truly outstanding businesses. Building my businesses over the last three years has required a lot of hours and hard work, meaning time away from my family and friends, who have been amazingly supportive.

Id like to thank Precedent Productions for organising the Local Business Awards and the national Small Business Champions Awards and creating an environment for businesses like mine to be recognised and rewarded for their efforts. I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of such a wonderful community of local businesses and will continue to do everything in my power to support them.

Sanghera grew her business from being a sole broker just three years ago, into a team of 4. She is now employing three brokers and an admin/marketing manager and works closely with an external team of loan processors and external consultants.

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20 May 2018, 10:28 PM

1. OnePlus 6 launched in India at Rs 34,999

The OnePlus 6 was finally launched around the world and India earlier this week. In India, the smartphone will be available in two configurations - 6GB RAM and 64GB internal storage priced at Rs 34,999, and 8GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage at Rs 39,999. OnePlus did not mention anything about the 256GB internal storage variant during the launch event.

Along with this, the Avengers: Infinity War limited edition of OnePlus 6 has also been released. The phone is available in 8GB RAM, 256GB internal storage configuration. The limited edition variant is available at Rs 44,999.

The OnePlus 6 runs the Snapdragon 845 under the hood, comes with Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box, and will one of the first devices to receive Android P Beta. In the optics department, the OnePlus 6 boasts a dual rear camera setup with a 20MP and a 16 MP sensors and a 16MP front shooter. The pixel size has been increased 19 per cent for better low light photography.

The standard variants have been launched in mirror black, midnight black and a silk white colour option that will be launched later. The OnePlus 6 Avengers: Infinity War comes with a carbon black rear panel. The OnePlus is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 at both front and back.

2. Nokia to launch new devices in Moscow on May 29

HMD Global will host an event at Moscow on May 29. The Nokia 5.1, Nokia 3.1 and Nokia 2.1 might be released during this event. The company had promised new versions of Nokia 5, Nokia 3 and Nokia 2 at Mobile World Congress earlier this year.

3. Nokia X6 launched in China, may come to global markets later

Nokia launched its first notched device, Nokia X6, in China earlier this week. The device runs the latest Snapdragon 636, comes with up to 6GB of RAM and up to 64GB internal storage, a dual camera setup at the back with 16MP and 5MP units and a 16MP selfie camera at the front. The Nokia X6 was earlier intended to be a China-exclusive device at first, but HMD Global might be planning to bring it to global markets sometime later. Company's CPO Juho Sarvikas is running a Twitter poll asking his followers whether the Nokia X6 should be made global or not.

4. Oppo revealed Realme 1, priced between Rs 8,990 and Rs 13,990

Oppo revealed the Realme 1, the first device under its sub-brand Realme. The India-exclusive device will be available through online channels only and has been priced between Rs 8,990 and Rs 13,990. The Realme 1 is powered by a Mediatek Helio P60 and comes in three configurations - 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage, 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage, and 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. The Relame 1 has a 13MP rear camera and a 8MP front camera.

5. Google employees quit for company's links to military project

At least 12 Google employees have resigned over the company's involvement in the controversial Project Maven. Run by the US Department of Defense, the Project Maven uses Google's machine learning and image recognition expertise to identify people and objects of interest by assessing footage from military drones. While Google has said that this is for non-offensive purposes only, its employees have strongly stated that the company should not be in the 'business of war'.

6. Redmi S2/Y2 to be launched in India during June

Xiaomi might be planning to bring its Redmi S2 to India on June 7 as Redmi Y2, the successor to the selfie-centred Redmi Y1. Xiaomi claims that this is their best selfie phone so far. The Redmi S2 boasts a 16MP front camera with AI capabilities and a pixel size of 2 microns for good low light selfies.
The state-owned Bank of India (BoI) would be able to realise around Rs 1993 crore from the first successful NCLT resolution concerning Tata Steel and Bhushan Steel, an official said.

The amount would not include hair-cuts, BoI managing director and chief executive officer D Mohapatra said. The realisation of the amount would lead to NPA reduction and increase profitability of the bank, he added.

"The first successful NCLT resolution involving Tata Steel and Bhushan Steel will help in realise Rs 1993 crore. If there are haircuts, the amount will be written back from provisioning," Mohapatra said in a news conference.

In the first list of 12 accounts sent to NCLT for resolution under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), BoI's exposure was Rs 8300 crore. In the second list of 27 accounts, the exposure was Rs 3000 crore, he said.

"Once all the resolutions are successfully completed that are expected in FY 2019, the bank will see a rise in profitability," he added.

Under the Standby Letter of Credit (SLOC) scheme, the bank was able to recover Rs 9000 crore and some Rs 500 crore remains.

Mohapatra said that Punjab National Bank (PNB) had returned Rs 2500 crore to BoI which it had honoured in the Nirav Modi scam.

The bank was also in the process of rationalising the number of ATMs based on cost-benefit analysis, he said.

Retail, agri and MSME advances constituted more than 50 per cent of the total lending of the bank, Mohapatra said.
1. OnePlus 6 launched in India at Rs 34,999

The OnePlus 6 was finally launched around the world and India earlier this week. In India, the smartphone will be available in two configurations - 6GB RAM and 64GB internal storage priced at Rs 34,999, and 8GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage at Rs 39,999. OnePlus did not mention anything about the 256GB internal storage variant during the launch event.

Along with this, the Avengers: Infinity War limited edition of OnePlus 6 has also been released. The phone is available in 8GB RAM, 256GB internal storage configuration. The limited edition variant is available at Rs 44,999.

The OnePlus 6 runs the Snapdragon 845 under the hood, comes with Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box, and will one of the first devices to receive Android P Beta. In the optics department, the OnePlus 6 boasts a dual rear camera setup with a 20MP and a 16 MP sensors and a 16MP front shooter. The pixel size has been increased 19 per cent for better low light photography.

The standard variants have been launched in mirror black, midnight black and a silk white colour option that will be launched later. The OnePlus 6 Avengers: Infinity War comes with a carbon black rear panel. The OnePlus is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 at both front and back.

2. Nokia to launch new devices in Moscow on May 29

HMD Global will host an event at Moscow on May 29. The Nokia 5.1, Nokia 3.1 and Nokia 2.1 might be released during this event. The company had promised new versions of Nokia 5, Nokia 3 and Nokia 2 at Mobile World Congress earlier this year.

3. Nokia X6 launched in China, may come to global markets later

Nokia launched its first notched device, Nokia X6, in China earlier this week. The device runs the latest Snapdragon 636, comes with up to 6GB of RAM and up to 64GB internal storage, a dual camera setup at the back with 16MP and 5MP units and a 16MP selfie camera at the front. The Nokia X6 was earlier intended to be a China-exclusive device at first, but HMD Global might be planning to bring it to global markets sometime later. Company's CPO Juho Sarvikas is running a Twitter poll asking his followers whether the Nokia X6 should be made global or not.

4. Oppo revealed Realme 1, priced between Rs 8,990 and Rs 13,990

Oppo revealed the Realme 1, the first device under its sub-brand Realme. The India-exclusive device will be available through online channels only and has been priced between Rs 8,990 and Rs 13,990. The Realme 1 is powered by a Mediatek Helio P60 and comes in three configurations - 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage, 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage, and 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. The Relame 1 has a 13MP rear camera and a 8MP front camera.

5. Google employees quit for company's links to military project

At least 12 Google employees have resigned over the company's involvement in the controversial Project Maven. Run by the US Department of Defense, the Project Maven uses Google's machine learning and image recognition expertise to identify people and objects of interest by assessing footage from military drones. While Google has said that this is for non-offensive purposes only, its employees have strongly stated that the company should not be in the 'business of war'.

6. Redmi S2/Y2 to be launched in India during June

Xiaomi might be planning to bring its Redmi S2 to India on June 7 as Redmi Y2, the successor to the selfie-centred Redmi Y1. Xiaomi claims that this is their best selfie phone so far. The Redmi S2 boasts a 16MP front camera with AI capabilities and a pixel size of 2 microns for good low light selfies.

Also Watch: OnePlus 6 launched in India and more news this week




Chinese Vice Premier Liu He at an interview in Washington on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua

China and the U.S. have agreed to avoid a trade war and refrain from imposing protective tariffs on each other, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He told the media on Saturday in Washington.

Liu made the remarks shortly before the Chinese trade talks delegation he led jointly issued a statement with the U.S. on substantially reducing the U.S. trade deficit, particularly by increasing U.S. exports of agricultural and energy goods to China.

Liu, who was also President Xi Jinpings special envoy to head Chinas delegation in the two-day trade talks in Washington last week, said the two sides have reached consensus in developing a healthy trade relationship, according to a report from the official Xinhua News Agency.

China and the U.S. will strengthen cooperation in energy, agriculture, healthcare, technology, finance and other areas, Liu said.

The U.S. will send a team to China to work out more details.

The two sides also talked about creating favorable conditions to expand trade in manufactured goods and services, according to the joint statement.

U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened to impose tariffs on up to $150 billion on Chinese goods to combat what his administration says is Beijings misappropriation of U.S. intellectual property through joint venture requirements and other policies that force technology transfers.

Beijing denies such coercion and has threatened equal retaliation, including tariffs on some of its largest U.S. imports - among them aircraft, soybeans and autos.

During an initial round of talks earlier this month in Beijing, Washington demanded that China reduce its trade surplus by $200 billion  a figure most economists say is impossible to achieve because it would require a massive change in the composition of commerce between the two countries.

As of late Thursday, U.S. officials were still pressing China to agree to that size reduction.

But economists say that level would be extremely difficult to achieve, especially as U.S. tax cuts are spurring demand for more imports. The $200 billion figure is equivalent to about 90 percent of Boeing Co.s annual aircraft production and is larger than all of the United States global annual agricultural and oil exports.

Eswar Prasad, a Cornell University trade professor and former head of the International Monetary Funds China division, said that Beijing had clearly balked at a specific quantitative commitment.

It is a very limited and tentative agreement mainly designed to deescalate tensions, Prasad said of the joint statement.

IP vagueness

The statement was vague on the Trump administrations core intellectual property complaints, saying that both countries attach paramount importance to intellectual property protections ... China will advance relevant amendments to its laws and regulations, including the Patent Law.

There are concerns among some legislators and trade experts that Trump could give priority to a narrower trade deficit over tackling what they say is Chinas abuse of intellectual property rights. Any deal under which China would import more goods could easily be reversed, economists say.

The statement made no mention of whether there would be a relaxation of paralyzing restrictions on Chinese telecommunications equipment maker ZTE Corp. imposed last month by the U.S. Commerce Department.

The action, related to violation of U.S. sanctions on Iran, banned American companies from selling semiconductors and other components to ZTE, causing the Shenzhen-based company to cease operations.

Earlier this week, Trump tweeted that he directed the Commerce Department to put ZTE back in business and said the companys situation was part of an overall trade deal with China.

Caixin  Reuters
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The popularity of urban beekeeping is taking off in Canberra in the wake of a worldwide bee shortage. There are currently more than 400 registered amateur beekeepers in the capital, up from about 100 just a few years ago. This year, the inaugural World Bee Day is being held on Sunday to promote the importance of bees in nature, and to encourage more people to take up beekeeping as a hobby. Canberra Urban Honey director Carmen Pearce-Brown has dedicated the past six years to helping introduce and mentor new beekeepers in the ACT. She spreads the word that without bees, who cross-pollinate plants helping them grow, many crops and plants would die. Our view is that beekeeping brings the community together, and its a way of promoting sustainability in cities, which is really critical, Ms Pearce-Brown said. She said urban beekeeping was really taking off in the capital. Beekeeping in Canberra is really hard, the environment is harsh, but having access to mentors and people with knowledge of the environment is critical to the success of amateaur beekeeping. When Slovenian Ambassador Helena Drnovsek Zorko heard about the bee shortage in Canberra, she asked Ms Pearce-Brown to help introduce two hives to the embassy in OMalley. On Sunday, the public is being welcomed to the grounds of the Slovenian embassy and the Swiss Embassy to celebrate World Bee Day. We were really concerned about the bee population and the decline of the bee population in Slovenia and around the world, the ambassador said. In Slovenia, beekeeping is a way of life. Every third household in Slovenia has a hive. At the Slovenian Embassy and with the help of Ms Pearce-Brown, the ambassador said everyone takes part in learning about the hive, the bees and the honey process. We think its quite special and we will keep the honey for special occasions, but we also eat it of course, she said. May 20 was declared World Bee Day in 2017 by the United Nations. The date holds a special place in the hearts of Slovenians as the day they celebrate the birthday of Slovenian apiarist Anton Jansa, the pioneer of modern beekeeping. The Slovenian Embassy in OMalley will host a traditional honey breakfast, honey jarring and plenty of childrens activities from 9.45am to 1pm. From 1pm, the Embassy of Sweden in Yarralumla will host an afternoon of festivities from 1-4pm. At 5pm the Embassy of Switzerland presents a film about beekeeping at Coombs Theatre at the ANU. The documentary More than Honey will be followed by a panel discussion. Find out about these events and more by searching World Bee Day Australia on Facebook.

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SECURITY TIES. National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. meets with Secretary Nikolay P. Patrushev of the Security Council of the Russian Federation during bilateral talks in Russia to enhance security cooperation between the Philippines and Russia.

National Security Adviser and Director General of the National Security Council Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr., led a high-level interagency delegation in talks with top Russian security officials held Friday in Moscow. Esperon and his Russian counterpart, Secretary Nikolay P. Patrushev of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, noted that the Philippines-Russia security relations are moving on the right track following the conclusion last year of key framework agreements on security, defense, military-technical, law enforcement, and legal cooperation. Our security relations have indeed grown since President Rodrigo Roa Duterte decided to elevate Russia to become one of our important bilateral partners. Much has been achieved in the past two years, but there is still so much room for growth. We see more avenues for enhanced security cooperation between our military and law enforcement agencies, Esperon stressed. At the second NSC-SCRF consultations, the Philippines and Russia reaffirmed their mutual interest in strengthening cooperation in the fight against international terrorism, drug-trafficking, transnational crimes, and cybercrimes, among others.Both countries, Esperon said, are committed to pursue regular dialogue at the senior official and technical level, information and database-sharing, as well as training and other capacity-building activities. They likewise exchanged views on regional and international issues.The Philippines is interested in looking at Russian defense technologies for its security agencies. Russia is known for its high quality yet relatively affordable equipment. It can be a reliable partner in this regard, Esperon added. Esperon, was joined by National Defense Undersecretary Cesar B. Yano, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Bernardo C. Florece Jr., Justice Undersecretary Antonio T. Kho Jr., National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Director General Alex Paul I. Monteagudo, Philippine Coast Guard Admiral Elson Hermogino, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Officer-in-Charge Ruel M. Lasala, Philippine National Police Chief Superintendent Ma.O R. Aplasca, and Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta. Secretary Esperons visit to Moscow comes immediately after Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano early this week. That two top Cabinet Secretaries, accompanied by a high-ranking delegation, trooped to Moscow in succession within a span of one week is a strong indication that the Philippines is indeed serious in engaging Russia. We will continue to work hard to facilitate the implementation of agreements, Sorreta said. Esperon noted that Fridays talks followed up on the first NSC-SCRF Consultations held in Davao City on Feb. 15 to 17, 2017.
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ACT paramedics are being assaulted on the job in record numbers, with last year being the most dangerous for officers on Canberra streets. In 2017, 16 paramedics were assaulted while out on a shift. A spokeswoman for the ACT Emergency Services Agency said the figure represents instances of verbal threats towards paramedics as well as physical violence. Over the past four years, assaults on frontline paramedic staff has steadily risen, after a slight fall from seven in 2013 to five the following year. Since then, the number of assaults have continued to climb, remaining stable in 2015 before doubling to 10 in 2016 and rising again to 16 last year. The ESA spokeswoman confirmed already in 2018 four paramedics have been the victim of assault while helping to treat vulnerable patients. ACT Ambulance Service chief officer Howard Wren said while assaults on staff had jumped in 2017, it still represents a fraction of all interactions between paramedics and patients. "Unfortunately, there's always a risk of exposure to assault, and that's just an unfortunate reality," Mr Wren said. "It doesn't mean that we're condoning or excusing this behaviour, but in an unstructured and robust environment, there is going to be a risk." Mr Wren said a majority of the incidents recorded occur on weekends at night, where alcohol plays a large factor. "I don't think it's a secret that if you're dealing with intoxicated people that it's going to increase the likelihood of assault," he said. "It's also extremely complicated when you're dealing with people with disordered thought or who may be confused because of a medical condition. There may be no intention to commit an assault, but the end result could be that someone may be assaulted." Mr Wren said the increase in assaults coincides with an increase in the number of callouts being received by the ambulance service. Mr Wren said call volumes are increasing around 6 per cent per year, with the number of calls to triple zero reaching a record high last year in the ACT. "There's lots of ongoing discussions about a range of items with ambulance services, and occupational violence has always been an agenda item," he said. "It's fair to say there's an increase in assaults, but to a large extent, it also comes with an increase in the workload." Last year's jump in the number of assaults on paramedics in the ACT comes as similar incidences in both NSW and Victoria are on the rise. Paramedics in Victoria have recently painted anti-violence messages on its ambulances, as the state government promised to implement tough new laws on those who assault a paramedic. Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy said work has started on new laws that would make it more likely that anyone found guilty of assaulting a paramedic would be jailed, following community outrage over a judge's decision to quash the sentences of two Victorian women who attacked a paramedic. Transport Workers Union official Ben Sweaney said while 2018 is on track to record fewer assaults on paramedics than the year before, more needs to be done to assist staff. "Additional resources are required to ensure police have the ability to assist paramedics in dealing with aggressive and abusive patients," he said. "Paramedics should be free to provide the very best level of pre-hospital care of any jurisdiction in Australia without the threat of violence and abuse." Mr Wren said a range of support services are available for ACT paramedic staff who are the victims of assault while on the job, including more peer-support officers being rostered on to help frontline staff. "They're there as a first-support contact, and there's a range of government employee assistant programs," he said. Do you know more? Email: andrewbrown@fairfaxmedia.com.au

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Chabad ACT hopes to open Canberra's first Jewish school as early as next year after signalling its intention to apply for registration with the Education Directorate. The organisation this month applied for in-principle support to later apply for registration to run a kindergarten to year three campus near its existing early learning and childcare centre in Giralang. Rabbi Shmueli Feldman and wife Chasia moved from Sydney to Canberra in 2013 to build Jewish infrastructure within the ACT. They've since opened a mikveh (ritual bath), synagogue, community centre, kosher shop and preschool and early childhood centre, leaving only a school on their list of must-haves. Were completing the infrastructural package thats required for a Jewish-Australian family to live in Canberra and to retain their cultural diversity and heritage, while at the same time living here as good and proud upstanding Canberra citizens," Rabbi Feldman said. The low-fee school would at first be limited to 40 students so would likely offer composite kindergarten to year one and year two and three classes, Rabbi Feldman said. Students would learn the Australian curriculum, Hebrew, and Jewish thinking, learning, culture and history. Rabbi Feldman said it was hoped the school's year-level offerings would grow with its students. Because the proposed school would be located next to the established Gan Yisroel community and childcare centre there would be the chance for each campus to share resources, lowering costs, Rabbi Feldman said. He added: Were blessed to have members of the community - both in Canberra and interstate - who believe in what were doing here and will help us out financially. We have a very good donor base." Rabbi Feldman said the school would plug a huge gap that has seen Jewish families leave Canberra once their children reached school age and others already interstate reject a move to the ACT. Chabad ACT has had a relationship with some schools in educating Jewish students on their faith but had been refused visits by others, he said. Rabbi Feldman said he hoped the local and federal education departments would fast-track Chabad ACT's application for a school, noting the high demand among the Jewish community. Starting this school provides an option for families with Jewish children who would prefer to have a Jewish education in a Jewish environment," Rabbi Feldman said. "Part of the Jewish approach is to ensure that children will excel at general studies as well, so they wont be lacking anything." About 650 Canberrans identified as Jews in the 2016 Census, but Rabbi Feldman said he believed there were up to 1500 in the ACT, noting many were reluctant to publicly mark their religion, particularly Holocaust survivors and their families. Comments on Chabad ACT's application for in-principle support to apply for provisional registration close July 13.

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Canberrans lost more than $60,000 last year to scammers, according to new data. Figures released by the ACCC's ScamWatch to coincide with Scams Awareness Week, which begins on Sunday, showed 752 reports were made to the watchdog last year. The most money was lost through remote access scams - where residents are told by a scammer pretending to be from a telecommunications company that they need software to fix a virus - with $47,000 forfeited. The data also showed $12,000 was lost to threats to life scams and was the most reported scam in 2017, while just under $2000 was lost due to reclaim scams. It seems Canberrans are sceptical of Nigerian princes, however, with just one report made during the last calendar year and no money lost. An ACT government spokesman said Canberrans are being urged to look out for threat-based impersonation scams. "In these scams, scammers might call or email you and pretend to be from a government agency or well-known, trusted business," the spokesman said. "They then use threats to pressure or scare you into giving them your money or personal information." At a national level, ScamWwatch said it received almost 33,000 reports of threat-based scams during last year. More than $4.7 million was reported lost as a result, with more 2800 people giving up their personal information. The government spokesman said there are many things that Canberrans can do to keep themselves safe from the threat of scammers. "Ask yourself whether the person or business that's contacted you out of the blue is who they say they are. Verify the identity of the contact through an independent source. Don't use the contact details provided by the caller," the spokesman said. "Know that a government agency or trusted business will never ask you to pay them with gift or store cards, iTunes cards, wire transfers or bitcoin."

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THEY HAVE LANDED. China has for the first time landed several bombers, including the long-range, nuclear strike capable H-6K on an island in the disputed South China Sea. Washington warned that Beijing would face unspecified 'consequences' over its militarization of the South China Sea, and said it had raised the issue with China. CSIS Photo

BEIJINGChina has for the first time landed several bombers on an island in the disputed South China Sea, a move that could provoke renewed tensions between countries bordering the strategically vital maritime region. This is particularly near the five military bases of the Philippines, according to official sources. Several bombers of various typesincluding the long-range, nuclear strike capable H-6Kcarried out landing and takeoff drills at an unidentified island airfield after carrying out simulated strike training on targets at sea, the Chinese airforce said in a statement Friday. Wang Mingliang, a defense expert cited in the statement, said the takeoff and landing exercises on islands in the South China Sea will help the air force strengthen its combat capability to deal with maritime security threats. In a report, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of the Center of Strategic and International Studies warned the H-6 aircraft or even Chinas basic bombers taking off from Woody Island could cover the entire South China Sea where some Asean member countries have overlapping claims.Nearly all of the Philippines falls within the radius of the bombers, including Manila and all five Philippine military bases earmarked for development under the US-Philippines Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, the AMTI warned. The Xian H-6K, an updated version of the H-6 medium-range bomber, made its first flight in 2007 and entered service in 2009. The long-range bombers are among estimated 15 bombers that China operates designed for long-range attacks and stand-off attacks. The AMTI said Woody Island would be used as a blueprint for eventual deployments to the Spratly Islands farther south. So far, the Department of Foreign Affairs has yet to comment on the issue, which said it had previously asked the public for diplomatic space, a new diplomatic phrase regularly used by the present non-career-foreign-chief expressing his way not commenting on the matter. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, on the other hand, also refused to comment and deferred to Cayetano. Cayetano, however, is currently in Honolulu, Hawaii for an official visit. Maritime expert and professor Jay Batongbacal said the Philippines continuing silence with respect to Chinas actions means the country was allowing and accepting Chinas control over the disputed South China Sea. Impliedly, it is also surrendering any and all hope of pursuing any of its rights and claims in the South China Sea, both now and in the future, Batongbacal said. Batongbacal warned that China would keep on claiming the whole waters and its features. They will just keep going. Without unity within the region, they have no reason not to, he said. The AMTI said that China had built large hangars at all three of its Big 3 outposts in the Spratlys, particularly Subi, Mischief, and Fiery Cross Reefs, that could accommodate bombers like the H-6 series, as well as the large transport, patrol, and refueling aircraft. The American think tank said that future deployments to the Big 3 in the Spratlys would bring Singapore and much of Indonesia within range of even Chinas lower-end bombers, while the H-6Ks could reach northern Australia or US defense facilities on Guam. H-6K, which has nuclear strike capability, is capable of attacking US carrier battle groups and priority targets in Asia. Chinese long-range bomber consists of new engines, can carry more fuel for longer range, and contains revised forward fuselage. The H-6K has rear 23 mm guns and gunner which is made of electronic components. The bombers landing comes weeks after US network CNBC reported that China had installed anti-ship and air-to-air defenses on outposts in the Spratly Islands that are also claimed by Vietnam and the Philippines, citing sources close to US intelligence. Washington warned that Beijing would face unspecified consequences over its militarization of the South China Sea, and said it had raised the issue with China. I believe this is the first time a bomber has landed in the #SouthChinaSea, Bonnieh Glaser, a China expert at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, tweeted.In an analysis published on its website, CSIS said the location of the runway was believed to be Woody Island, Chinas largest base in the Paracel Islands, which is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. The South China Sea issue has been brewing for years, with China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam making competing claims in waters with vital global shipping routes and what are believed to be significant oil and natural gas deposits. China has engaged in years of land-reclamation efforts on reefs it controls in the region and built both civilian and military facilities in the contested area. Chinese military facilities include air bases, radar and communications systems, naval facilities and defensive weaponry including landing strips able to accommodate military planes. The bombers, according to experts, can at least each carry 6 air-launcher cruise missiles under its wings. One bomber can carry CJ-10A cruise missiles with conventional or nuclear warheads; and YL-12 anti-ship missiles. It can reach a range of 2000 to 2200 kilometers and 400 km, respectively. The CJ-10 missile was specially designed to counter the US Navys carrier battle groups, the expert said. The CJ-10 is the first long-range land attack missile, developed in China. It was specially designed to counter the US Navys carrier battle groups. The air-launcher CJ-10A has a range of 2 000-2 200 km. It can also carry YL-12 anti-ship missiles with a range of around 400 km. This news comes on the heels of other recent deployments of Chinese military platforms in the South China Sea, including Y-8 military transport planes, YJ-12B cruise missiles, and HQ-9B surface-to-air missile systems on each of the Big 3. This development comes two days after President Rodrigo Duterte said he was aware of Chinas missiles deployment and military assets on its built-up islands in the disputed sea. But he said there was no point in questioning Chinas actions there. There is an airport. There are missiles there installed. There are military equipment already in place. So whats the point of questioning whether the planes land there or not? Theres an airstrip, Duterte said. International observers, however, said the landing of H-6K bomber on Woody Island was another recent move by China that further escalates the tension in the region. Over the past years, China has claimed some of the features of the disputed South China Sea particularly the Philippine-owned-reefs-turned-islands in the Kalayaan Group of Islands (Spratlys) where Beijing has installed weapon system in the region. The reclamation in the South China Sea started when a standoff happened between the Philippines and China after Manila caught Beijing for catching live turtles and other resources within the countrys territory. Chinas activities over the disputed sea became more visible when the Philippines filed a case before the Arbitral Tribunal and ruled in favor of Manila three years after declaring Beijings 9-dash line claim as excessive and illegal. The Philippines has won an arbitration case against China on July 12, 2016 invalidating Beijings nine dash line of its so-called Chinese ancient map. China, on the other hand, slammed the order and said it would not recognize the Tribunal ruling, stressing its claim to the sea was indisputable. Manilas arbitration case is limited to determining the role of historic rights and the source of maritime entitlements in the South China Sea and did not tackle territorial ownership. The Permanent Court of Arbitrations mandate is limited to the interpretation or application of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea. Duterte set aside the ruling to forge better ties with China, but vowed to raise it at a proper time during his presidency which ends in 2022.
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Its the closest any of us will be to life in the Middle Ages.

The third annual Osoyoos Medieval Faire is taking place this weekend at Desert Park, giving the public a chance to take in a medieval atmosphere and watch jousters clash.

And the knights in shining armour on horseback are doing it the same way it was done in medieval times.

"It is real. You know, I first thought maybe it was a bit phoney, maybe these are knights in fibreglass outfits. But no, they're custom-made steel. The guys really are daredevils," Bruce Fuller says, president of the Desert Park Exhibition Society which hosts the event.

In its short-lived history, Fuller says the medieval faire in Osoyoos has grown in popularity each year.

Fuller says hes talked to people in attendance from throughout the Okanagan, the Lower Mainland and Alberta. He says its the only faire of its kind in western Canada.

Fitting, Fuller adds, that this year's event is taking place the same weekend as the Royal Wedding.

"They're showing all the castles on television and it goes back to those kind of ages, those times. Those castles were built at this [medieval] time.

"It's kind of neat, it's a peek into the past for sure."

The faire concludes on Sunday, running from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with tickets available for $25 at the gate or $20 online here. Proceeds from the event go to the non-profit Desert Park Exhibition Society.
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are officially husband and wife. After months of waiting, we watched the beautiful royal couple tie the knot during a lush ceremony at St.Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle where Prince Charles walked his new daughter-in-law down the aisle. Now that their big day is over, the royal couple has time to decompress, and look forward to a lifetime of happiness together.

From new royal titles, the perfect honeymoon location, and even starting a family, heres whats next for the duchess and the prince.

Shiny new titles

Now that they are husband and wife, Prince Harry and Markle will get shiny new regal titles. Like her sister-in-law, Duchess Kate Middleton, Markle does not have royal blood, so she wont be a princess like her late mother-in-law Princess Diana. However, she will get a title that goes along with the dukedom that Queen Elizabeth II grants Prince Harry.

Rumor has it that Prince Harry will be granted the vacant Dukedom of Sussex. This means that Markles official title is Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex.

Next: Mini-vacations are a necessity

Weekends away

Unfortunately, the duchess and Prince Harry wont have much time to themselves just yet. In fact, they will be jumping right into work as newlyweds. A Kensington Palace Spokesperson revealed, The couple will be going on honeymoon, but not straightaway. They will have their first engagement as a married couple in the week after the wedding.

Luckily, the couple has been known to get out of town for the weekend. Theyve gone to, Harrys father Prince Charles Gloucestershire estate. The two have also visited the Cotswolds on occasion and have stayed at the Soho Farmhouse, which is a popular spot for Londons elite.

Next: Jumping right into work



The Royal Foundation

Though Markle has officially retired from her life as an actress, shes already diving in head first with her new job at The Royal Foundation. The foundation was founded in 2009 by her husband, Prince William and Middleton to focus on helping the armed forces, conservation, and mental health. Markles focus will be to empower women.

In February 2018 at the foundations first forum she said, Women dont need to find a voice  they have a voice. They need to feel empowered to use it, and people need to be encouraged to listen.

Next: A delayed honeymoon

A honeymoon in Nambia

Though Kensington Palace has not released the royal couples honeymoon destination (for obvious reasons), Travel + Leisure reported that the pair will be spending their magical time together in Namibia. The duo is said to be staying at Hoanib Valley Camp.

According to Travel + Leisure its, a luxury $660 per person, per night camp that is surrounded by towering mountains, sand dunes and huge expanses of desert. The couple might also stop in Botswana, the country where they fell in love as they slept under the stars.

Next: A much bigger apartment

A major move

Now that they are husband and wife, Markleand Prince Harry are also moving. The pair has packed up their two-bedroom flat at Nottingham Cottage, and are moving into Kensington Palace, Apartment 1. According to House Beautiful, It has 21 rooms, a major upgrade from their current home, where Harry has actually lived for four years. 

Apartment 1 is right next door to Duchess Kate, Prince William and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who live in Apartment 1A. So the family will clearly be spending a ton of time together.

Next: Having the duchess best friend near

Room for a mother-in-law

It should be noted that just a week before the royal wedding, Markles mother, Doria Ragland, resigned from her job at a Los Angeles mental health clinic. A source told US Weekly, Doria is no longer working at the mental health clinic  It was Dorias decision to leave. She has talked about starting her own private practice, focusing on working with elderly patients.

Could Ragland be making a major move across the pond? Since Markle is especially close to her mother, it would make sense that Ragland would consider moving closer to the royal couple. In a 2017 essay for Glamour called, Ten Women Who Changed My Life, the duchess wrote of her mom, We can just have so much fun together, and yet, Ill still find so much solace in her support. That duality coexists the same way it would in a best friend.

Next: Prepping for a baby

Starting a family right away

It looks like Markle and Prince Harry are also keen to start a family as soon as possible. Royal expert Katie Nicholl, who authored the book, Harry: Life, Loss, and Love explained, My sources are saying that Prince Harry, particularly, is very keen to start a family, pretty soon after the royal wedding. Hes made no secret about wanting children.

Many are guessing that we may get a royal baby announcement around Thanksgiving 2018.

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BEIJINGWashington and Beijing have agreed to abandon any trade war and back off from imposing tariffs on each other, Chinese state media reported Sunday. The announcement came after high-level talks in the US capital and followed months of tensions over what President Donald Trump has blasted as an unfair commercial relationship between the two economic giants. Vice-Premier Liu He, who led Chinese negotiators in Washington said: The two sides reached a consensus, will not fight a trade war, and will stop increasing tariffs on each other, state-run news agency Xinhua reported Sunday. Liu called the agreement a necessity, but added: At the same time it must be realized that unfreezing the ice cannot be done in a day, solving the structural problems of the economic and trade relations between the two countries will take time. An earlier joint statement issued in Washington said Beijing would significantly increase its purchases of American goods, but offered few details. The apparent detente comes after months of increasing tensions that have set markets on edge over fears of a damaging trade war. Trump has repeatedly railed against his countrys trade deficit with China, describing it as a danger to US national security and threatening to impose tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods. US levies on $50 billion of Chinese imports could have come into effect as early as next week. The talks in Washington were between delegations led by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Liu, who also met Thursday with Trump. The sides had met earlier in Beijing. There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the United States trade deficit in goods with China, the joint statement said. To meet the growing consumption needs of the Chinese people and the need for high-quality economic development, China will significantly increase purchases of United States goods and services. Last year, the United States had a $375.2 billion trade deficit with China, with populist politicians blaming the Asian powerhouse for the leeching of American jobs over the last few decades. Washington reportedly had demanded the deficit be slashed by at least $200 billion by 2020. However, the joint statement held no indication that China had assented to that target.It said both sides had agreed on meaningful increases in US agriculture and energy exports. Liu said the new trade cooperation would extend to medical care, high-tech products, and finance, according to Xinhua. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation on protecting intellectual propertya long-standing source of US discontent. The two countries, their economies enormously interlinked, opened the delicate negotiations a few weeks ago. Trump had threatened China with tariffs on up to $150 billion of imports, prompting Beijing to warn it would target US agricultural exports, aircraft, and even whiskey. The White House is wary of hurting largely Republican-voting farm states or damaging the economy before legislative elections this November. But Trump is also keen to appear tough on trade. On Thursday, he unleashed a barrage of criticism against former US administrations, saying they had allowed Beijing to take advantage of the United States. We have been ripped off by China. And an evacuation of wealth like no country has ever seen before given to another country thats rebuilt itself based on a lot of the money that theyve taken out of the United States, he said. China has become very spoiled. The trade issue is complicated by the impending summit meeting in Singapore between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has consulted with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. China is North Koreas biggest trade partner, and Trump has called on it repeatedly to press Pyongyang to rein in its nuclear and missile programs. The joint statement made no mention of Chinese telecom giant ZTE, which had suspended operations after US sanctions were imposed to punish it for exporting sensitive materials to Iran and North Korea. Trump took observers by surprise last week when he tweeted that he and Xi were working together to find a way to help ZTE get back into business, fast. If the US and China face further difficulties in the future, Liu said: We must look at them calmly, maintain dialogue and properly handle them.
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SM Foundation bagged the Gold Anvil Award for Public Relations Programs on a Sustained Basis Education from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines recently. Its Tech-Voc Scholarship Grants for Gainful Employment Program was recognized for providing 1,000 technical-vocational scholarship grants, which was an 800% increase from previous years. The technical vocational scholarship program of SM Foundation started in 2007. In 2016, it took in 1,000 scholars with the implementation of the governments K+12 education program to address an urgent need for the youth who cannot afford a college education to acquire employable skills. With the tech-voc scholarship, the youth are given the option to finish two-year technical-vocational courses in areas with great demand in the market, thus ensuring them better opportunities in life. Today, SM Foundations tech-voc scholarship program is benefitting 2,000 scholars.SM Foundations tech-voc scholars have the option to pursue specialization in the areas of Food and Beverage, Automobile Mechanic, Fitter Machinist, Electro-Mechanical Technician, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning, Small Arc Welding and Electromechanics. They enjoy full tuition subsidy, on the job internship, referral to industry partners after course completion and activities to help improve their personalities. SM Foundation has been partnering with Don Bosco systems since 2007. Today, its partner schools are located throughout the country. Aside from the Don Bosco systems, SM Foundation has also partnered with Punlaan School in San Juan, Anihan Technical Institute (Calamba), Dualtech Training Center (Laguna), Baguio City School of Arts and Trades, MFI, Monark Foundation Institute (Laguna and Cagayan de Oro) and the Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (Davao), School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor and Leadership and Service (Cebu) and the Banilad Center for Professional Development (Cebu), among others.
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"I could not be more proud of the police officer and the way he responded to the situation. With shots ringing out through the hallways of the school, he charged toward the suspect and confronted him head on. Because of his heroic action, countless lives were saved."

This is how Steve Howell Jr., police chief of Dixon, Illinois, described the actions of Mark Dallas, a school resource officer who stopped a shooting Wednesday. The suspect, a nineteen-year-old former student named Matthew Milby, opened fire inside Dixon High School. The officer then confronted him near the school gym, where seniors were gathering for a graduation rehearsal.

The gunman ran out of the building after Dallas approached him. When the officer gave chase, the suspect fired several rounds at him. The officer returned fire at the gunman, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is now in custody.

Mark Dallas is truly a hero. However, real heroes don't generally see themselves that way. They say they were just doing their job or doing what anyone would do. The fact that they believe they're not heroes is one of the reasons they are.

Here's another example: a truck driver in Oklahoma bought a cheeseburger and left his waitress a $1,000 tip. He returned an hour later to order pie and left her another $1,000 tip.

His explanation: "We talked about the Lord and about her life and her children. I got the impression that she was having a hard time of it, so I thought I'd just help her out a little bit."

Rats in the cellar

In our culture, fame is often confused with heroism.

It's not that athletes, movie stars, and politicians cannot be heroic. It's that they're not heroes simply for being athletes, movie stars, or politicians.

Heroism happens in the moment. We can train and prepare, but when the challenge comes, we must decide. In that moment, what we do defines who we are.

C. S. Lewis noted: "Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point." Martin Luther King Jr. agreed: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

Lewis again: "Surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of a man he is? Surely what pops out before the man has time to put on a disguise is the truth?

"If there are rats in a cellar you are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly. But the suddenness does not create the rats: it only prevents them from hiding. In the same way the suddenness of the provocation does not make me an ill-tempered man; it only shows me what an ill-tempered man I am. The rats are always there in the cellar, but if you go in shouting and noisily they will have taken cover before you switch on the light" (Mere Christianity).

How to be a hero

Heroism is doing the right thing at the right moment for the right reason, regardless of the cost. Consider four commitments essential to true heroism.

One: Don't try to be a hero.

Heroism finds uswe don't find it. No true heroes sought to be what they became. They chose in the moment to do what we call heroic.

Two: Stay surrendered to the Holy Spirit.

Scripture commands us to "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). This means to live in constant submission to the Holy Spirit, asking him to lead us, empower us, and use us.

Start your day by surrendering it to the Spirit. Walk through the day in his presence. He will then use you for heroic purposes when human crisis and divine providence intersect.

Three: Pray for courage to act when you're afraid.

Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, an American fighter ace in World War I: "Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared." Publilius Syrus, writing in the first century before Christ: "Valor grows by daring, fear by holding back."

Claim this fact: "God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7). Ask your Father for the power to do what is right, whatever the cost.

Four: Know that God knows.

Robert Louis Stevenson: "Everyday courage has few witnesses. But yours is no less noble because no drum beats for you and no crowds shout your name."

Heroic service is often performed in ways few people see. Risking rejection to share your faith; surrendering limited resources with sacrificial trust; following God's call into an unknown future (Hebrews 11:8)these are acts of heroism our fallen culture neither sees nor rewards.

But you are surrounded by "a great cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1 NIV), including your Father in heaven. What you do for his glory is what matters most.

Will you be the one?

If Christians are to stand for Jesus in this broken culture where we are so often in the minority, we must do so with heroic courage. But Andrew Jackson was right: "One man with courage makes a majority."

That's because the truism is true: "God and one are a majority." Will you be the one today?

Originally posted at Denison Forum.
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What teachings of the scriptures encapsulate the requirements for eternal life? We're going to look at some scriptures, and some instructions in those scriptures for how to receive eternal life, live it out on Earth, and how to be found as a faithful servant when we meet Jesus in heaven.

This could be said to be the most important topic imaginable because it deals directly with how we are to come to receive eternal life, and an eternal inheritance.

What is the equation in the scriptures that shows us how to inherit eternal life in the new City of God? Let's take a look at some of these aspects. We won't be defaulting back to any established theological framework, instead we're just going to look directly to the scriptures, emphasizing the New Testament, which is our current covenant, while also understanding that the scriptures are a consummate reflection of a saga played out in the context of the Old Testament. Let's start.

Christ Alone

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

There is only one way that we can receive forgiveness for all our past sins. There is only one way we can be reborn. There is only one way we can receive the Holy Spirit who lives in us. There is only one way that we can live a holy life, and receive forgiveness for future sins, as they come along. And all of those only statements are answered by one person: Jesus Christ.

We must receive Christ. We must trust in Christ. We must declare our complete allegiance to Christ. We must give everything to Christ. We must confess our sins and ask Christ for forgiveness. And when we trust in Christ, and trust in His perfect life, death, and resurrection, and believe that Jesus died in our place on the cross, to remove our sins, and to give us His righteousness, then we are truly saved.

And if we died a moment after believing these truths, like the thief on the cross who declared that he was a sinner and Christ was a pure savior, then we would go to heaven and be with Christ in paradise. And that leads us into our next area.

Repentance Toward God

2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

We must repent of all sin and repent in the ideas in our minds. The thief on the cross repented in that he acknowledged his own sinfulness and he acknowledged the blameless nature of Jesus Christ. He said,"We are judged justly. But this man is innocent. Remember me Jesus when you go into your kingdom." And Jesus replied,"Truly I tell you on this day you will be with me in paradise." And Jesus spoke the truth. That is repentance of mind, to admit our sinfulness and Christ's perfection.

But to repent also means to lay aside our sins, and to embrace a new lifestyle. Because most of us won't die instantly after meeting Jesus.

Living in the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-18 ESV But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The question could quickly be: How can I live a life of freedom from sin, when I'm so addicted to sin and so powerless over sin?

The answer to that question is life in the Spirit. When we live the Spirit life, we deny the flesh, and take up our cross and follow Jesus. When we live in the Spirit we surrender all to the Spirit of God, and He leads us into all righteousness. When we live in the Spirit, we crucify the flesh, and recognize over time, often months and years, that we are dead, and our lives are no longer our own. If we continue to yield to sin, the Spirit will convict us, that to continue in sin will lead us out of the arms of Christ, and into the depths of hell. In the fear of the Lord, then we repent truly, yield ourselves to the Spirit and we find our shackles have been broken and the Spirit is at last reigning in us. Access all of these blessings through constant desperate prayer. God will answer, in time. Keep appealing.

Abiding in Christ

John 15:1-10 ESV "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love."

Just as John 15 says, we must abide (or remain) in Christ. To abide in Christ means that we choose freely to love God above ourselves. It means we love with true love. And what is true biblical love? It's not a wishy washy worldly love. Love in a biblical sense is to keep the commandments of God, the ten commandments, which are summed up by Jesus to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love others as yourself.

Repentance From All Sin

Ezekiel 18:21-23 ESV "But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?"

Galatians 5:19-21 ESV Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Don't let anyone deceive you with words: To sin means to fail God. We must trust in Jesus, and trust in the grace of Christ to free us from all sin. If we continue in sin, we can't expect to have any inheritance with Christ. But if we cry out to God, and ask for freedom from sin, He is just and righteous to free us from all sin.

Antinomianism is absolutely rampant in the churches of today. Antinomianism is the idea that we receive salvation in Christ, and then we continue sinning and don't live differently than we used to. To have Christ as savior must be married with full repentance from sin. If it's not, then it's not a legitimate salvation. It's a dead salvation. To sin daily is to be lost, plain and simple. This isn't a popular teaching, but it's the truth.

Total Sanctification

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 ESV For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God"

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 ESV Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

Sanctification is a process that we go through from the moment we receive justification, and new birth; it continues until we receive glorification in heaven after our death. Glorification is when we are fully redeemed, with a new spiritual body that is not prone to sin. But in this life we are being sanctified over a lifetime process, from initial sanctification which occurs when we are justified in Christ, and then the next milestone which is called "entire sanctification." This is what Wesleyan's call the "second blessing."

In Wesley's mind, a great preacher of holiness theology, the second blessing of entire sanctification was a work done by God, in which perfect love entered the heart of the Christian, allowing the believer to have the mind of Christ, to live as Christ lived, and to love with the same love that Christ loved with.

To me, this is a moment of surrender and submission. It's often tied to a crisis of some sort, a realization that I need to give all of myself to God, not just some, but all. So we yield completely to God almighty, giving all to Him, and we are filled with the perfect love of Christ, by the Spirit, who makes us to love as Christ loved, humbly, and beautifully. This does not mean we become perfect in our actions, or never struggle with sin, but it does mean that our fundamental desires have been changed, and we desire wholeheartedly to do the will of God always.



Matthew 25

There are three parables in Matthew chapter twenty-five that I believe are absolutely essential for these last days. Open your Bible and spend some time carefully studying these parables. They communicate to us directly Christ's expectations for His children on Earth.

The Parable of the Oil and the Lamps (Matthew 25:1-13)

Meaning: True disciples of Jesus will remain watchful, and remain active in their faith. If we "fall asleep" in the Christian life, become inactive, they won't go to heaven.

The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)

Meaning: Each disciple of Jesus is given gifts (like writing, speaking, artistic abilities, scientific skills, medical ability, serving ability) and if we don't use those gifts for God's glory, even a little bit, then we won't go to heaven.

The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:21-36)

Meaning: If we aren't active in serving the poor, feeding the hungry, giving clothing to those who need it, visiting prisoners, and providing shelter to the homeless, then we won't share in eternal life. We'll be rejected.

The Messages to the 7 Churches

Church 1  Ephesus

Practice the simple first-love, true love of Christ, don't engage in legalism.

Church 2  Smyrna

Do not fear the suffering you must endure for Christ, even imprisonment. Endure to the end.

Church 3  Pergamum

Repent of sexual sin, evade idolatry, overcome sin by repenting.

Church 4  Thyatira

Avoid Sexual Immorality, the Jezebel attitude, and the "deeper things" of Satan.

Church 5  Sardis

Wake up! You think your alive, but your dead. Complete the works that you are called to.



Church 6  Philadelphia

Hold fast to what you have! You have little strength, but keep persevering.

Church 7  Laodicea

Lukewarm, if your lukewarm realize that you probably aren't even saved. You think your OK, but your actually poor (no riches being gathered for eternal life) blind (no discernment), and naked (not robed in the righteousness of Christ).

I believe the teachings to churches six and seven are vitally important for our day and age. For true Christians, church six, we're struggling in a world overflowing with sin, and we have little strength, so we need to keep persevering.

The seventh church is important because the church in Laodicea was very, very wealthy. But they looked a lot like the world, and they weren't really on fire for Jesus. They were lukewarm. This is exceedingly true of American and European Christianity. We need to wake up, encounter the true Christ, have our riches stored up in heaven, have our eyes opened to the spiritual realities of life, and robed with the perfect righteousness of Christ.

But all seven messages are vitally important: Think about how prominent sexual immorality is in our day and age (churches 3 and 4). Think of how some can become dry and legalistic (church 1), and think about how many Christians worldwide are suffering and in prison for their faith (church 2). Think about how many seem like they are dead in their faith? How many do have real faith, but they haven't really repented of active sins in their lives? Their work before God is incomplete (church 5).

We can see how these messages are relevant for all of us, at various points in our spiritual journey from justification all the way along the years of the pilgrims progress, all the way to our death, glorification, and eternal life. We see how these messages to the churches are relevant to us today.

Objections

Legalism  Unfortunately in the contemporary evangelical church, when anyone brings up repentance, or sin, or living out our faith, the instant charge is "legalism." But this isn't legalism. What is biblical legalism? Biblical legalism is the false idea that Christians today have to keep the old testament law of Moses with all of it's commands. That's not what I've done here. I've simply cited the scriptures, almost all of which are from the New Testament. These teachings are for us today, and don't constitute legalism, but honest biblical exegesis. Today I think we've become preachers of antinomianism in many circles, a free gift gospel, where we leave out repentance and freedom from sin. That is not a gospel at all, it's a lie.

Adding to Salvation  This is something that Christians will do, to try to paint you into a corner and say your trying to add something to what Jesus did. That's not true though. Jesus Christ has completed the work of atoning for our sins. But our part is to repent, and ask for forgiveness. The work of the Christian life is done by the power of the Holy Spirit. We simply cooperate with the Spirit in the process. But our response to Christ's free gift is to repent at our moment of salvation, and also to live a lifestyle of repentance.

Kinship Salvation  This is the idea that once Jesus saves us, we are given charge over our salvation and have to maintain it. That isn't what the idea is here. The idea is here that God preserves us in our salvation, but that we have to respond in continuous repentance and service to the needy, just as the scriptures instruct us to. Our salvation is preserved in the heavenly realm with Christ. But we can always fall away, into sin, and end up with shipwrecked faith.

Conclusion

The equation of Christianity isn't as simple as we'd like to make it out to be. But Christ alone is our salvation, and gives us forgiveness of sin. We must always remember that. What we do in response is simply to live out the Christian life, in holiness and freedom from sin. But we should strive to do that wisely. Heaven is real and hell is real. We must be holy as He is holy. God is good. He will help us. And we can do it, in Christ we can do all things. Trust in Him. Amen.

Justin Steckbauer is the founder of Lifestyleofpeace.com. He is a graduate magna cum laude from Liberty University, currently holding an associates degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a bachelors degree in the study of Religion. He is currently a graduate student at Olivet Nazarene University working on a masters degree in the study of Ministry. He is a cadet in training at the Salvation Army College for Officer's training (CFOT) as well.
Christian businessman builds mosque as Ramadan gift to Muslim workers in UAE

A Christian businessman from India built a mosque costing Dh1.3 million (US$350,000) as a gift for Muslim workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this Ramadan.

Saji Cheriyan, who came to the UAE in 2003, said that he decided to build it for the workers after he saw them taking taxis to pray at the nearest mosque.

"They have to spend at least Dh20 to go to Fujairah city or another industrial area to attend the Juma prayer in a mosque. So, I thought it will make them happy if I build a mosque here next to their accommodation," the businessman said, according to Gulf News.

The mosque was built in the East Ville Real Estate complex in Al Hayl Industrial Area, near the worker accommodation he was renting out to 53 companies in Fujairah.

Cheriyan said that people had offered to donate money and construction materials for the mosque after they heard about his efforts, but he refused because he said that he would like to pay for the building from his own pocket.

The mosque, which began construction over a year ago, will be named Mariam, Umm Eisa (Mary, the Mother of Jesus).

Gulf News reported that plans are underway to invite prominent personalities to the inauguration of the new place of worship.

The new building will be able to accommodate 250 worshippers at a time. Another 700 people will be able to pray on an interlocked courtyard, which will be shaded by the time the mosque opens.

Cheriyan, who was born an orthodox Christian, had previously built a church in Dibba and has opened up a multipurpose hall for Christians of various denominations in the East Ville complex.

"I have grown up seeing communities living together in utmost harmony. We celebrate all religions' festivals and I don't judge or treat people based on religion, caste, colour or nationality. The UAE is another example of communal harmony and tolerance," Cheriyan said, according to Gulf News.

The businessman said that he took a big risk when he bought the plot of land in the Al Hayl Industrial Area in 2013 because his previous business had just failed at the time.

"I was Dh16 million in debt. Some 450 cheques had bounced. But I did not run away. I fought back and worked harder," he recalled, as reported by Gulf News.

Cheriyan said that he bought construction materials on an installment basis to build a 70-room worker accommodation on the complex. By the time the construction was completed, a client offered one million dirhams (US$270,000) as rent payment.

The Christian businessman, who now owns Dh68 million (US$18.51 million) worth of assets, credited his success to his wife, Elsy, who assists him in his business.
Justin Welby: Curry's Royal wedding sermon 'blew the place open'

The archbishop of Canterbury has praised the sermon preached by Most Rev Michael Curry, primate of the Episcopal Church in the US (TEC), at the Royal wedding yesterday.

The sermon has been widely praised for its passion and truthfulness to the gospel. In conversation with Curry for Sky News, Justin Welby told him: 'I think what we saw in that is that preaching is not a past art, that the use of language to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ just blew the place open. It was fantastic. And you could see people just caught up in it and excited by it.'

The two both spoke warmly of the service itself and the happiness of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with Welby  who led them in exchanging vows  saying: 'Everything went perfectly, the couple  it was a proper wedding, this was not theatre with a couple of pretty beautiful people in the middle, it was two young people profoundly in love with each other, committing to each other. It was just  it was tear-jerking, it was really beautiful.'

Curry said: 'They were making eye contact throughout, they were  one of the things I've learned as I've been ordained a long time, is, that when you do a wedding, talk to the couple. And they, their eyes and their smiles and their reactions were talking back. It was non-verbal communication throughout the whole thing. And you could watch them look at each other, and even when when they weren't talking, the way they looked at each each other, just sent the message, these people were in love. For real.'
Pope Francis admits he has reflected on resigning

Pope Francis, 81, has thought about resigning as the leader of the Catholic Church.

In a comment during a morning homily at the Vatican on Tuesday, His Holiness said that he has thought about when it is his time to "take leave" as he reflected on the life of St. Paul.

In the Scriptures, St. Paul left the Church of Ephesus and went to Jerusalem upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Pope reflected that it was a decision that came from the heart and served as an example for every bishop.

"When I read this, I think about myself," the Pope said. "Because I am a bishop and I must take my leave and step down."

The Pope ended his homily with a prayer for all bishops serving the Catholic Church. He said, "May the Lord grant all of us the grace to be able to take our leave and step down in this way (like Paul), with that spirit, with that strength, with that love for Jesus Christ and this faith in the Holy Spirit."

In 2014, the Pope said that he doesn't expect his papacy to be a long one because of his age and his health. He explained that if he is too old and weak to perform his duties, then he is open to stepping down in the same way that his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, did in 2013.

The remarks came as Pope Francis concluded a three-day meeting with 34 Chilean bishops summoned to the Vatican to answer for their handling of the sexual abuse scandals in Latin America. Reports indicated that there could be departures but the Vatican has yet to reveal any specific firing or resignation.

The Vatican television showed Bishop Juan Barros kissing the hand of the pope after the summit ended. He has denied claims that he covered up for his mentor, Father Fernando Karadim, who was found guilty of sexual abuse in 2011 by the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith.
Donna Shalala's opponents spent the last week hammering her for skipping debates and appearing reluctant to publicly discuss her policy positions and defend her long political history.

They finally got her in a room Saturday  and treated her with kid gloves.

Without having to play much defense, Shalala killed the "she-won't-debate" line of attack lobbed at her all week and showed she can hold her own against four opponents who'll need to knock the front-runner back to claim the Democratic nomination in Florida's 27th congressional district. In the friendly confines of the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall at the University of Miami  where she was president for 14 years  Shalala swatted away skepticism about her enthusiasm for gun-control, went whole-hog on recreational marijuana, and promoted her record on the environment.

"I've never been afraid of coming to debate," Shalala said after the forum. "It's no big thing."

Shalala had been chided all week by Matt Haggman, Michael Hepburn, state Rep. David Richardson and Miami Beach Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez for missing a forum held Tuesday by the Miami-Dade Democratic Party  a controversy fueled by the party's decision to withhold her planned absence from the other candidates until the last minute. Shalala skipped the event to attend a screening of a Pets' Trust documentary, and in her absence her empty chair was asked questions about criminal justice, guns and why the University of Miami sold protected pine rocklands to a developer during her time as president.

The Miami-Dade Young Democrats, who hosted Saturday's forum, said Shalala initially declined an invitation to the debate before changing her mind late in the week. Tuesday's debate was the first of the campaign.

"It took a lot of effort on my part and a few others to get her to the table," Richardson said Saturday. "We had to shame her a bit publicly."

But Shalala's empty chair received tougher questions this week than Shalala herself did Saturday.

To read the rest, click here.
One day after a fiery explosion at a Pasadena plastics plant injured 21 people, attorneys for a badly burned worker filed a $1 million lawsuit against Kuraray American Eval, accusing the multi-national company of gross negligence, failure to read safety policies and neglecting to create safety guidelines.

Workers doing welding and pipefitting work caused the explosion just after 10 a.m. Saturday, the suit alleges. As a team tinkered on an insulation tower, a safety release valve failed and caused an over-pressurization in the piping, which sparked the explosion and sent a fireball into the sky.

Eduardo Rodriguez was working on top of a scaffold at the time. He ended up badly burned and was forced to jump 25 feet down to the ground, the suit alleges.

Now, Houston attorney Anthony Buzbee is representing Rodriguez in a claim filed over the weekend in Harris County court.

The suit repeatedly dings Kuraray for allegedly failing to create a safe work environment and overlooking safety considerations that increased risks.

"Defendants had actual subjective awareness of the risk involved, but nevertheless proceeded in conscious indifference to the rights, safety, and/or welfare of others, including Plaintiff," the suit alleges.

"Defendants knew or should have known of the risk associated with using incorrect, insufficient, or defective piping and valves for this job."

The legal claim asks for money to cover medical expenses, attorney fees, interest and more.

A representative for Kuraray did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Crews quickly doused the Saturday morning blaze, and company officials stressed that it didn't result in any environmental releases.

None of the injuries were considered life-threatening, though two people were flown to hospitals with burns.

"We send our thoughts and prayers to those who were injured and impacted by today's incident," said Eric Bass, EVAL plant manager said Saturday. "Our team is committed to determining the cause of the incident."

The EVAL plant opened in 1986. It's now the world's largest ethylene vinyl alcohol plant, capable of producing 47,000 tons annually. There are four production lines on site.

In 2016, the company opened its third and largest local facility in the Bayport area. That plant employs about 100 people and produces polyvinyl alcohol for paper, textiles and other uses.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Chemical Safety Board records show no past violations at the site.

Company officials said it would take at least a couple days to assess the damage and determine when operations can resume.

Katherine Blunt contributed to this report.
Craig Wilems has already contemplated what he would do if someone with a gun opened fire inside Pasadena ISDs Rick Schneider Middle School.

The fifth-grade science teacher said he would block the door to his class and try to shield his students from the spray of bullets. He said a recent spate of school shootings made him realize deserting his students to confront the gunman could do them more harm than good.

My job is to protect the kids in my room. Some may call that cowardly, but they didnt give me a bullet proof vest, Wilems said. Im a teacher, not a soldier.

A day after 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis allegedly killed 10 at Santa Fe High School, concerns over school safety and security were on the lips of parents, students and teachers gathered at a rally in Discovery Green Saturday.

Schools around Houston, like in most other places nationwide, saw a spike in the number of threats and lockdowns after the Florida massacre at Stoneman Douglas High School in February. Concerned parents flooded school board meetings and education officials inboxes to ask more be done to protect their students.

Some districts and law enforcement agencies have already acted. A day after the Parkland shooting, Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman tasked deputies with checking on schools in the Klein, Humble, Tomball and Cypress-Fairbanks school districts each day. Katy ISDs Board of Education approved in April a three-year contract with Social Sentinel to screen public social media posts for threats against any of its 68 campuses. Before Parkland, Aldine ISD already installed metal detectors in each of its 76 schools, and students in grades 6 through 12 must be screened as they enter the campuses.

Still, education leaders and teacher union officials at Saturdays rally, which the Texas American Federation of Teachers organized weeks before Fridays shooting, said more must be done at the state level. Speakers told the crowd of more than 400 that public schools suffer a lack of funding from Austin and pleaded with elected officials to better fund school safety initiatives.

These are children, and theyre not in some far away state or country, theyre not just somebody elses kids or somebody elses family, said Zoe Nansen, a student at Houston ISDs Carnegie Vanguard High School and an organizer of Houston Youth Walkout. This is our community, these are our children, and they deserve the right to walk into classrooms to learn without the fear of being murdered.

Some state politicians have pledged that prayers for those affected will be followed by action. Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday he would begin to hold round-table meetings to discuss guns and school safety next week.

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Trustee John Ogletree Jr. said any pledges to secure schools must include the money to do so. Cash-strapped school districts would need more resources to pay for additional surveillance cameras, security devices and safety officers, he asked.

Sybil Hunter, a Houston ISD food service employee and union leader of Houston Educational Support Personnel, agreed.

I can tell you right now what can be done - you can release some of those funds, send them to our schools so our kids can be safe, Hunter told those gathered in Discovery Green, so our local schools can get the things they need to put in their schools such as gates and metal detectors.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said the Santa Fe High School shooting presents voters with a moral imperative to act.

Kids are more fearful of school shootings than they are hopeful for their futures, Weingarten said. We are at the crossroads here in our country. We are at the crossroads here in Texas. We have to decide what matters more  kids or the NRA.

*8:38 p.m.: This story was updated to reflect that Zoe Nansen was an organizer for the Houston Youth Walkout, not March For Our Lives Houston.

shelby.webb@chron.com

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Les lunettes de marque ne sont pas ce qui manque dans les commerces. Il y en a de toutes les sortes dont les lunettes de []
Vous etes confrontes a une infestation par la puce, la punaise de lit ? Voici plusieurs actions qui sont a mettre en uvre pour faire []
Some explosives found in connection to the Santa Fe High School mass shooting that killed 10 Friday were functional -- a revelation that could result in federal charges against 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis, authorities said Sunday.

Early reports indicated that bomb materials -- CO2 canisters wrapped with duct tape -- were non-operational. Testing by experts concluded that at least some of them were functional, officials said.

Explosives were reportedly found at the high school, at the teen's home and in a vehicle. Officials did not say where the functional devices were found.

Federal agents are continuing to investigate the shooting and test evidence, according to a source familiar with the investigation. The Justice Department is considering filing additional charges against Pagourtzis, who is facing charges of capital murder and aggravated assault of a police officer.

Because he is only 17 he is not eligible for the death penalty or life in prison without parole. If convicted on the state charges, Pagourtzis could theoretically be eligible for parole in 40 years.

Federal law enforcement could submit separate federal charges if the evidence indicates that the materials that went into making the devices were purchased using a credit or debit card or online and the transactions crossed state lines.

Santa Fe ISD warned community members to avoid suspicious items Friday.

"There have been explosives devices found in the high school and surrounding areas adjacent to the high school," Santa Fe ISD tweeted around noon on Friday. "Because of the threat of explosive items, community members should be on the look-out for suspicious packages and anything that looks out of place."

Gabrielle Banks covers federal court for the Houston Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter and send her email at gabrielle.banks@chron.com.
A suspect was arrested Saturday afternoon just hours after police say he killed a woman by running over her several times at a Northeast Side elementary school parking lot, prompting two bystanders to open fire on the mans vehicle.

San Antonio Police Department Sgt. David Renn said John Bogard, 89, was arrested by Windcrest Police around 6 p.m. in the 8400 block of Corto Circle. He was in Bexar County Jail on Saturday night; bail was set at $100,000.

We had an idea where he was, Renn said. Windcrest police found the vehicle there and they took him into custody without incident.

RELATED: Woman found with gunshot wound to face after triple shooting at East Side bar

Earlier, Renn said the two bystanders opened fire on a silver Ford Fusion when they saw it hit the unnamed woman in her 50s, about 2:50 p.m. in the parking lot of Walzem Elementary School, 4618 Walzem Road.

He was apparently driving over her, backing up, driving over her, backing up, Renn said.

The school was closed for the weekend and the parking lot was empty. The bystanders were driving by when they saw the attack on the woman. They pulled over and started firing at the vehicle, police said.

One of the bystanders managed to flatten the Fusions front tire, but the driver was able to get away, investigators said.

No one was injured by the bystanders shooting. Northeast Independent School District officials confirmed that there were no activities at the school Saturday.

Police said moments before the incident occurred, the woman had been walking away from a home in the 4500 block of Walzem.

The victim is a transient here in the area, Renn said. The suspect ... allows various transients to stay at a house here.

Investigators said the suspect had gone to the house Saturday afternoon and began arguing with the woman before the incident occurred. Renn said there are other transients who often stay at the home, and that there were several witnesses to Saturdays incident, including the victims husband.

EMS arrived moments after the attack, but the woman died in the parking lot as a result of her injuries, Renn said.

The two bystanders who intervened and fired shots at the man each have a license to carry a handgun, police said. The two are being treated as witnesses in the case.

jbeltran@express-news.net
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The Middleburg Heights Women's Club has announced the names of three high school graduates who have been awarded the club's 2018 college scholarships.

Nicole Sable, from Holy Name High School, will attend the University of Akron. Megan Baranuk, also of Holy Name, will attend Cleveland State University. Berea-Midpark High School graduate Dakota Bichara will attend Youngstown State University.

Women's Club spokeswoman Nina Stein extended the scholarship recipients a "wish for much success as they head off to college to pursue their careers."

A total of $6,700 was awarded by the club this year.

Scholarships have been awarded since 1962, and to date, the organization has awarded a total of $224,300 in scholarships to female graduates in the Middleburg Heights community.

Funds for the scholarships are generated from an annual club fundraiser held in November.

Memorial Day honors: The City of Berea will host its 150th Memorial Day Observance beginning at 6:30 a.m. May 28, when the Post 91 Ladies' Auxiliary will prepare breakfast for Post canteen participants.

The Color Guard will raise the American Flag at 8 a.m. sharp, then lower it to half mast. The Honor Guard will fire one volley as a salute to all American veterans.

Following the flag raising, those assembled will move to Berea's Adams Street Cemetery, where Color Guard and Honor Guard units will arrive and prepare to honor the dead.

A chaplain will offer prayer and Berea Mayor Cyril Kleem will remind everyone of the meaning of Memorial Day, followed by an Honor Guard 21-gun salute.

Ceremonies in honor of the dead will be repeated at 9 a.m. at Woodvale Cemetery, located at Fowles and Eastland roads in Middleburg Heights.

The annual Memorial Day Parade will assemble in the parking area south of the Berea Commons.

The parade will step off at approximately 10:30 a.m., taking a course through the streets of Berea's town center and ending at Berea Commons' McKelvey Park.

Ceremonies at the park willl begin with the National Anthem, performed by the Berea Midpark High School Band, followed by Posting of the Colors by the American Legion Post 91 Memorial Squad.

The master of ceremonies will lead the Pledge of Allegiance with the invocation and welcome.

The reading of John Logan's Order, greetings from Mayor Kleem and a Memorial Day address by guest speaker Major Chris Zurawski, U.S. Army, will follow.

A 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps will follow the decoration of war monuments, and ceremonies will conclude with "America the Beautiful," performed by the Berea-Midpark High School band.

Coffee Chats: Veterans are invited to a Veterans' Coffee Chat from 10 a.m. to noon every third Saturday of the month (except July) with Veterans Outreach Coordinator Chaplain Willie Springer.

The coffee chats provide veterans with a place to connect and are held at the Berea Recreation Center's Senior Room, 451 Front St.

Plan to drop in for coffee, donuts and conversation.

For more information, visit online at cityofberea.org (click on Community and Services, then click on Veterans Outreach), or contact Veterans Outreach Volunteer Social Worker Norma Kleem at 440-973-4567.

Big Band Concert: Division 24 Kiwanis will sponsor a concert from 7 to 9 p.m. June 21 in the Berea-Midpark High School auditorium, 165 East Bagley Road.

The band, know as The Cleveland TOPs, plays classic big band music for seniors by seniors.

The band is made up of former big-band musicians.

Tickets are $20 each and will be available at the door, or in advance by emailing Jeff Haas at jhaas49@yahoo.com.

Reservations are recommended. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Division 24 Kiwanis Clubs include Berea, Brecksville, Brooklyn, Brunswick, Garfield Heights, Independence, Middleburg Heights, Nordonia, North Royalton, Parma and Strongsville.

Middleburg Heights pantry: The Middleburg Heights Food Pantry at 7000 Paula Drive is open to serve clients from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays.

Berea pantry hours: The Berea Community Outreach Food Pantry, 535 Wyleswood Drive (at front of Smith School), is open from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, call 440-826-4891.

SCAN has regular hours: The SCAN Hunger Pantry, 398 W. Bagley Road, Suite 7, in Berea, has regular hours of operation from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second Friday of the month and from 4 to 7 p.m. on the fourth Friday of the month.

Contact SCAN by phone at 440-260-7226.

Please email information (people photos, too. include ID's) on items you'd like to see included in this column to richatsun@gmail.com.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Jack Grover has long watched his brother suffer in pain from cerebral palsy.

The motor disorder makes it difficult for his brother to control movements, coordination and posture. Grover doesn't need a study to make him a proponent of medical marijuana. He's a witness.

Grover said he'll never forget the relief that came over his brother from ingesting marijuana.

"He was hunched over and really tight. He had muscle spasms and it was visible how much pain and discomfort he was in," Grover said. "But the pain went away with marijuana. Right away, I saw how powerful the plant is as a medicine that's used to help people. I instantly became an advocate for cannabis reform so more people can have access to it."

He didn't realize it then, but that moment planted the seed for a business idea. Between a visit to a friend's dispensary in Colorado - noticing that packaging came from various industries - to talks with a college friend who spent years working in cultivation, Grove Bags was launched two years ago.

Grove Bags COO Ryan Carnevale, and CEO Jack Grover, photographed in Cleveland, OH, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Their company offers packaging for marijuana. (Marvin Fong / The Plain Dealer)

"A lot of dispensaries use repackaging from other industries, using bags that are not engineered for cannabis. A lot of them use aluminum bags that are made for coffee. But while they work as a barrier for odor, the problem is the packaging doesn't allow the product to breathe and sweat, and it increases the chance for mold," said Grover, 26, who co-founded Grove Bags with college friend, Ryan Carnevale, after leaving jobs in banking and technology. "Our bags protect the product and maintain weight."

This is one in an occasional series of stories about the businesses based around medical marijuana in Ohio.

With more states legalizing marijuana for medical use, Grover is among hundreds of Ohio entrepreneurs who are identifying challenges and working on solutions for the fast-growing medical marijuana industry.

An insurance agency. A school. A staffing company. A media/web development company. Entrepreneurs in the marijuana sector are building a wide variety of startup companies.

As Ohio joins 28 other states with comprehensive medical marijuana programs, some startups are focused strictly on doing business in Ohio, while others are casting a much wider net to other states.

Either way, these entrepreneurs are optimistic that the risks will pay off, despite frustrations about the slow process of Ohio trying to meet the September deadline for growers, product manufacturers and dispensaries to be up and running.

At a time when unsuccessful applicants are suing the state, with more than 60 appeals alleging failures in the licensing process, industry observers and supporters doubt this new industry will be fully functional here by early fall.

Grover and his business partner have attended trade shows, visited cultivators, packaging distributors, dispensaries and wholesalers. They're working hard to tout their bags that range in size from a 55-gallon drum liner all the way down to a gram bag.

What started with self-funding led to an investment, and so far their risks are paying off faster than they could have imagined.

"Right now we have products in places like Paraguay, Israel, Australia, the Netherlands, Spain and Canada," Grover said, of his Cleveland-based business.

Meet some other area medical marijuana based startups:

Finding Mary Jane jobs



A new staffing agency, called Mary Jane Agency, is another startup that allows interested workers to get a start in an indMary Jaustry that is expected to reach an employment rate of 250,000 people nationwide within the next two years.

Michelle Blank, co-founder of MaryJane Agency

"We have invested heavily in the latest technology to make sure we are offering the absolute best to our clients and candidates - including a sophisticated video interviewing platform," said Michelle Blank, co-founder of the new staffing agency she helped to create after running another employment agency for more than 25 years.

She's using the Ohio program's delayed time schedule to attend trade shows to learn more about medical marijuana and to network.

"I've learned so much more than I could ever have imagined in the past seven months, and I am so excited to be part of Ohio's new Medicinal Marijuana Program.

"Not only are we betting the farm, but we are betting the horses, the chickens and the eggs!" she joked.

Providing peace of mind

Michael Bush, a partner at National Cannabis Insurance Services in Chagrin Falls, said his year-old company is among a handful of insurance businesses nationwide that strictly works with the cannabis industry.

Michael Bush, a partner at National Cannabis Insurance Services in Chagrin Falls

The company helps cannabis growers, processors and dispensaries protect their businesses with a variety of insurance plans.

Bush, 41, who is new to the medical marijuana industry like many others, is applying his years of experience.

"We work with cannabis business owners to review their exposures and provide insurance options for them to determine what is best for their business."

Getting the word out

Some suppliers liken the fast-growing medical marijuana industry to the California Gold Rush days when more fortunes were made by merchants than by miners.

John "Johnny Science" Lutz, founder of OhioCannabis.com, a startup news and web development business, said if the California Gold Rush taught us anything, it's that a substantial portion of this large fortune will go to businessmen starting and investing in ancillary businesses.

John "Johnny Science" Lutz, founder of Cannabis.com, a start-up news and web development business

He said a notable businessman that capitalized on the gold boom was German-born tailor Levi Strauss. The tailor arrived in San Francisco with plans to open a store that would sell wagon covers to miners. Instead, he recognized an opportunity to provide miners with sturdy work pants that would withstand the long arduous days in the mines.

OhioCannabis.com is a marijuana design studio that specializes in video production, web development, graphic design, marketing, branding and consulting.

"Whatever you become really good at doing, move it over to cannabis and become an expert for the license holders in this industry," he said.

Learning the trade

The Cleveland School of Cannabis in Independence provides practical education in Cannabis and offers certificate programs in cannabis business, cannabis horticulture, medical applications for cannabis and cannabis executive.

Program costs range from $6,500 to $12,500, with single classes starting at $350.

Austin Briggs, founder of the Cleveland School of Cannabis

Founder Austin Briggs said he started the school because he realized that education was not available for the new Ohio industry, primarily because of funding. A lot of big schools are not participating in the industry, he said, because of fear.

"Really there's no qualified workforce and there's a huge need from employers to get trained people," Briggs said.

The school's four-state approved certificate programs are only the second one in the country that has state approval, he said. The Cleveland School of Cannabis received state approval in November.

So far 126 people are taking classes, with the first graduation at the end of June.

"We have a lot of people who are leaving their current careers," Briggs said. "Our horticulture classes skew younger, with most participants under age 25. They're interested in growing plants and want to work at cultivation facilities."

So far, a lot of nurses, caregivers and home health aids are taking part in the medical track too. People who take those classes are generally interested in "budtender" roles at dispensaries - similar to the role of a pharmacist at a drugstore.

People who sign up for the business program are interested in learning how to operate a dispensary. "It's basically a business 101 class," Briggs said. So far, 40 people are enrolled in the executive program, which encompasses all aspects of the program.

Solomon Zaraa, a partner at Compassionate Cleveland

Solomon Zaraa, founder and medical director of Compassionate Cleveland, is among the first 36 physicians approved to recommend medical marijuana to Ohio patients. He attended classes at the Cleveland School of Cannabis.

Zaraa is now helping Briggs develop a more comprehensive program.

"We're very interested in educating and recruiting physicians throughout the state to meet the needs of Ohioans who suffer from qualified conditions," he said.
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio - Richmond Heights High School had a night to remember at their magical prom night in the city at the Tudor Arms Hotel. Their theme, "A Night At The Awards," shown through not only in the decor, but came alive in students' attire as well. Ladies were decked out in long, elegant gowns and young men in slick tuxedos.

Highlights included their very own Hollywood "Walk Of Fame" on the floor of the entrance, complimentary professional photographs for each couple and a running slideshow of photos showcasing memories from the entire 2017-2018 school year.

The night was a great send off for senior students and a lavish way to celebrate all of their high school accomplishments. - Mira Kuhar

You can check out photos from other Northeast Ohio proms at cleveland.com/prom.
KENT, Ohio -- Kent State University is one of the healthiest campuses in America, according to mental health organization Active Minds.

The university is one of seven campuses across the country that received a "2018 Healthy Campus" award from Active Minds.

"Kent State University stands out because it invests in students' physical and mental health on a comprehensive scale and for the long term," Alison Malmon, executive director and founder of Active Minds, said in a press release. "They are a model of what's possible when a college prioritizes a holistic approach to student success through a campus culture of health, resiliency and well-being."

A team of prominent researchers and health and higher education experts decided between nominated schools. Campuses had outstanding access to healthcare and prioritized mental and physical health equally.

The other schools receiving awards were:

Arizona State University

Duke University

Jefferson Community College (New York)

University of Oregon

University of South Carolina

University of South Florida

Kent State launched a mental health campaign called "Step Up and Speak Out" in 2013 to help educate its community on mental health resources.

The university also has a comprehensive wellness plan which addresses priorities such as mental health, physical activity, nutrition, smoking and tobacco use, alcohol and drug use, preventive care, sexual health and safety. It became a tobacco-free campus in 2017.
DAYTON, Ohio - The Memphis Belle, a newly restored World War II bomber unveiled Thursday at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, is more than just a renovated relic of aerial combat.

It's a metallic moment in time, with the experiences of its crew indelibly etched into the aluminum of this B-17 that was celebrated as the first to beat the deadly odds and complete 25 bombing missions in Europe.

It's gazing through the windscreen where pilot Robert Morgan sat, once watching as a German fighter attacked the bomber head-on.

According to published accounts, Morgan pulled Belle into a climb, sending the fighter's bullets into its tail where gunner John Quinlin, who'd named his twin .50-calibers "Pete" and "Repeat," watched the rounds tear into the B-17.

He shouted over the mike that the back end of the plane was ablaze. Then, moments later Quinlin reported the fire had gone out, the tail endured, and the Memphis Belle survived to become one of the most iconic aircraft of the war.

Thursday, the sounds were not searing fighter rounds or exploding anti-aircraft shells, the frantic calls of crewmen over the intercom, or the constant roar of 1,200hp engines.

The sounds were appreciative murmurs from a crowd of more than 1,000 visitors, praises of the Memphis Belle crew, and salutes to the B-17 and all the bombers and crews of the war.

The aircraft was unveiled in a preview Wednesday before the official public ribbon-cutting on Thursday, the 75th anniversary of the B-17's last combat mission.

Jeff Duford, museum curator and project manager for the exhibit, told the preview audience of several hundred people that the Memphis Belle "is a timeless American icon that represents the tens of thousands of heavy bomber crewmen who served and sacrificed in the fight against Nazi Germany.

"The strategic bombing campaign that these young airmen conducted played a critical part in ending the war," he added. "They broke the back of the German air force, which allowed D-Day to happen."

The Memphis Belle was not the first to complete 25 combat missions, but it was the first to reach that total in missions over Europe and return home for a cross-country tour promoting the sale of war bonds in 1943.

The unveiling was part of three days of events at the museum that included guest speakers, movies, an encampment of vintage World War II vehicles, a static display of still-flying aircraft from that era, and memorabilia and artifact exhibits.

During the Wednesday preview, World War II veteran Gailard "Red" Ketcham, 92, of Dayton, said he has been following the restoration of the Belle at the museum since it started in 2005.

"I've been watching the restoration ever since it came in here, and I'm looking forward to seeing it," he said prior to the unveiling.

Ketcham trained as a B-17 ball turret gunner during the war and arrived for combat duty in England in April of 1945. The war ended in early May.

"The Germans found out I was coming, so they quit," Ketcham quipped.

Special guests attending the preview included descendants of Wilbur and Orville Wright, here in the "birthplace of aviation," and family members of the original Memphis Belle crew.

The daughters of waist gunner Scott Miller - Marcy Matherne and Mary Butler - attended the preview opening and described the exhibit as "Perfect!"

Matherne noted that she thought her late father would be honored by the display. "However, he would probably be the first to say that the real heroes did not come home," she added.

Robert Morgan Jr., son of the Belle's pilot, said he would have wanted his father to see the unveiling before he died. "Obviously, I wish he were here," he said. "It means everything to me and my family. He's here in spirit."

"I promised him when he was dying . . . that I would do anything I could to keep the plane alive," Morgan added. "He knew before he passed that the plane was going to come to the museum. He knew it would be preserved here, he knew it would be restored here. He was extremely glad it was going to be here."

The bomber hangs suspended above surrounding display panels showcasing the strategic bombing effort in Europe, and photos and artifacts of the Memphis Belle and crew.

The artifacts range from uniforms, insignia, ID bracelets, flight boots and goggles to B-17 turrets and a Norden bombsight.

The audience prior to Thursday's ribbon-cutting included Lou Swanson, 87, of Dayton, who said he helped as a volunteer with restoration of the bomber.

When the B-17 first came to the museum, the Air Force veteran (1951-54) said it was in pretty bad shape. "Oh, it was terrible. We had the wings off, the engines, you wouldn't recognize it until now," Swanson said.

"Everything needed to be repainted, the engines had to be worked on," he added. "It was a major, major restoration."

And the results? "Beautiful," Swanson said with a smile.

Pam Appleyard, of Lancaster, Ohio, said she wanted to see the Memphis Belle because her father served as a B-17 pilot and bombardier during the war.

"So it means a lot to me to just see things he would have been in," she said. "It's beautiful. It's gorgeous. It almost looks like it was never real."

Howard Hunt, 96, who piloted the plane on part of the Memphis Belle homecoming/war bond tour in 1943, came all the way from Anchorage, Alaska, to see the plane again.

He recalled that he enjoyed those flights aboard the Memphis Belle, and said, "Oh, it's a beautiful airplane. It's easy to fly. You trim it up, and it just stays there."

The importance of the exhibit goes beyond its historical value, according to Hunt who believed it could inspire future generations of pilots.

"Oh yeah, the younger people, we've got to train some more pilots. We're running out of them," Hunt said.

The Belle certainly worked that magic on Curt Chadwick, of Haddam, Conneticut, who came to the exhibit to see the plane that inspired him to get into aviation and become a pilot, currently for Delta Airlines.

"It had a large part to do with it," Chadwick said. "Growing up I loved the movie ["Memphis Belle"] that came out in the early 90s, and I loved the story of the Memphis Belle as well, and World War II aviation in general. It was one of the things that definitely launched my interest in aviation."

As for his 10-year-old son Andrew, who clutched a B-17 model while gazing up at the real thing, it was all just so "Cool!"

His thoughts were echoed by Jessica Steinke, 11, of Green Bay Wisconsin. She said she liked the exhibit because "I like planes and it, the Memphis Belle, is cool and really, really big."

She knows about World War II because her great-grandfather served in the Navy during that conflict, and "I know we won."

Others saw a deeper impact in the display that will become part of the museum's permanent collection.

A group of World War II re-enactors - the War Birds Living History Group of Milwaukee, Wisconsin - dressed in appropriate period dresses and uniforms for the event.

"Each plane, each truck, each ship tells a story of those who came before us," said Matt Milligan, whose father served in the 8th Air Force during World War II.

"We need to tell it to this generation and those to come," said Karen Bates. "What happened and why. So it's not forgotten. "

Nodding to the Memphis Belle, she added, "It's amazing that they all flew in this. They were boys on bombing missions over Germany. That just takes my breath away. They were so brave."

Air Force Lt. Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, guest speaker for both the preview and ribbon cutting, said the Memphis Belle "represents the Greatest Generation - the service, the sacrifice, the determination, the resiliency of a nation, of those who built her, who ferried her over, who flew her, who maintained her and brought her home, and preserved her for history."

The Memphis Belle and its crew "exemplify the strength and spirit of our nation," she noted. "We're a better Air Force, a better nation and a better world because they answered the call."

(The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton. The museum offers free admission and parking, and features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles, and thousands of artifacts displayed in more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.)
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Season after season, eclecticism has always been the brand of the Beck Center for the Arts. But in 2018-19, artistic director Scott Spence may well have outdone himself.

Spence describes the seven-show lineup best: "Lots of locally produced premieres, stuff that's really heady and a little bit of 'Holy cow! Look at that!' "

Going out on a limb, methinks the "holy cow" part might be following a production of "King Lear" with "Matilda the Musical." But it's just a guess.

"I'm really excited by the variety," says Spence.

He had reason to be more audacious and ambitious in this, the Beck's first full season as a member of Actors' Equity, the labor union representing American actors and stage managers in the theater.

"It was important to me to reach out and define that we're up to these sort of challenges," says Spence.

Times, tickets and more

All performances are at theaters inside the Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, with free onsite parking.

Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays, except where noted. Previews are 8 p.m. the Thursday before opening night, with general-admission seating for $10.

Season tickets and flex passes range in price from $100 to $288. Single tickets are $33 (adults), $29 (for seniors 65 and older) and $12 for students with valid ID. A $3 service fee per single ticket will be applied at time of purchase.

2018-19 Beck Center for the Arts Mainstage Season

The following descriptions are based on information provided by the Beck and the reporter's own notebook.

Friday, Sept. 14- Sunday, Oct. 7, Mackey Theater: "An Act of God." Written by David Javerbaum. Directed by William Roudebush. Regional premiere.

Who knew the Almighty was so chatty? God, with the help of his devoted angels, answers some of the deepest questions that have plagued mankind since Creation. The One with the first and last word on everything is setting the record straight - and he's not holding back.

From the brain of the former head writer of "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," this Q&A with the Creator is "slightly irreverent but certainly not overly snarky," says Spence. "It's just very funny and strangely meaningful at times as well."

It's also headed for the Beck's largest venue. "It needs the grandiose, symposium feel," says Spence. "It's not a small lecture - God doesn't do small lectures."

Friday, Oct. 5-Sunday, Nov. 4, Studio Theater: "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" Written by Edward Albee. Director to be announced at a later date.

George, a professor at a small college, and his wife, Martha, have just returned home, very drunk, from a party. Martha, much to George's displeasure, has invited the opportunistic new professor and his wife over for a night cap. As the evening progresses, George and Martha use their guests as pawns in increasingly cruel mind games, leading to a devastating revelation.

This masterwork of American theater earned its place in the pantheon for its unforgettable characters and dazzling verbal repartee that elevates marital bickering to operatic levels of nastiness.

"I love a lot of Albee's stuff, but it's just always been my favorite of his," says Spence. "There's so much grit - and I love the dysfunction."

Brian d'Arcy James, left, as Shrek and Daniel Breaker as Donkey in "Shrek the Musical."

Friday, Dec. 7-Sunday, Jan. 6, Mackey: "Shrek the Musical." Book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. Music by Jeanine Tesori. Based on the DreamWorks animated film and the book by William Steig. Choreography by Martin Cespedes. Musical direction by Larry Goodpaster. Directed by Scott Spence.

An unlikely hero finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and more than a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got a crowd-pleasing hit with a message that's hard to resist: Let your freak flag fly.

"It really is a universal piece - a half of the material speaks very clearly to an adult audience," says Spence. Audiences of all ages should expect a production that's "big and fun and flashy."

They'll also see a familiar face under that famous green makeup - Gilgamesh Taggett, who played Daddy Warbucks at the Beck for two seasons in "Annie" before landing the same role in the national tour.

After a three-year run as the billionaire industrialist, Taggett was primed for a new gig. "He'll totally be my ogre," says Spence.

Friday, Feb. 8-Sunday, Feb. 24, Mackey: "Once." Music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. Based on the film written by John Carney. Directed by Victoria Bussert. In collaboration with Baldwin Wallace University music theater program. Locally produced premiere, with special Wednesday and Thursday evening performances Feb. 14, 20 and 21.

At the center of this bittersweet love story set in Dublin, Ireland, is Guy's passion for Girl, her yen for him, and their shared ardor for music.

Famously, "Once" requires its cast to sing and act and play a host of instruments, too.

Not a problem, says Spence. The Baldwin Wallace students who will fill out the ensemble are already hard at work becoming proficient on violin, guitar and more.

Friday, March 15-Sunday, April 14, Studio: "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill." Written by Lanie Robertson. Directed by Scott Spence.

In 1959 at a small Philadelphia club, Billie Holiday takes the stage for one of the last shows of her accomplished, turbulent life. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by saxophonist Lester Young, the legend interlaces more than a dozen musical numbers, including "God Bless the Child" and "Strange Fruit," with salty, humorous reminiscences.

To get audiences in the cabaret mood, "we're going to turn the Studio Theater into a dive bar/nightclub," says Spence, complete with some onstage seating.

The U.S. touring company of "Once" make a joyful noise.

Friday, May 31-Sunday, June 30, 2019, Studio: "King Lear." Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by Eric Schmeidl.

Aging, arrogant King Lear prepares to divide his estate among his three daughters, ultimately refusing his youngest and favorite her share because she won't publicly proclaim her love for him. The decision triggers chaos in the kingdom and madness for its monarch.

"No man will ever write a better tragedy than 'Lear,' " George Bernard Shaw opined, which is good news for the ladies. But that's another matter. A Lakewood "Lear" promises to be an event on a more human scale. Staged in the smaller, more intimate confines of the Studio Theater, "we're going to pare it down to 10,12, 14 people and do some prudent doubling," says Spence. "Putting classics in your face is something that excites me."

July 12-Aug. 11, 2019, Mackey: "Matilda the Musical."

Book by Dennis Kelly. Music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. Based on the novel by Roald Dahl. Choreography by Martin Cespedes. Musical direction by Larry Goodpaster. Directed by Scott Spence. Locally produced premiere.

Matilda is an extraordinary girl with a vivid imagination and sharp mind whose talents are constantly belittled by her awful parents and horrid headmistress. Dreaming of a better life, she dares to take a stand against these oppressive forces with help from her loving teacher Miss Honey and a little telekinesis.

Spence responded to Minchin's score, the over-the-top villains and strong female roles as well as the quirky off-centeredness that characterizes all of Roald Dahl's work.

"I saw it three times," says Spence. "I never see anything three times in New York - mostly because I can't afford to!"
It begs credulity to believe that longtime Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority board president George Dixon III could rack up more than $1.1 million in alleged unpaid health premiums, unmerited health benefits and unreimbursed personal cellphone costs without it coming to the attention of senior RTA officials.

The bottom line is an appalling breach of public trust for a troubled agency that relies on taxpayer generosity.

It's also an implicit indictment of RTA's senior leadership for allowing this abuse to go on for what the RTA board's internal probe suggests was two decades.

Dixon, a well-known Cleveland restaurateur who served as RTA trustee for 26 years and was RTA board president for 24 of them, resigned in late March amid the RTA board investigation.

Yet the findings of that internal probe, released Tuesday, appear to implicate only unnamed small fry in RTA's human resources and accounting departments. An RTA news release said the accounting employees "most directly responsible" have left RTA.

But what of the culpability of senior RTA leadership?

A completely independent investigation of this failed oversight is needed.

RTA CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese, who joined the agency in 2000, said in an interview on WCPN 90.3-FM Thursday that a similar lapse occurred early in his tenure. At that time, he said Dixon was brought current on his health premiums.

Surely that incident should have waved a red flag to RTA officials that their board chairman's handling of his privileges needed to be scrutinized in an effective way. Obviously, it wasn't.

When questioned, RTA provided the following statement from Calabrese to the editorial board:

"In 2003 this was identified as a risk and I tasked senior leadership to oversee compliance. I had no reason to believe that they hadn't followed my directive, and staff never gave me any indication that there was an issue. And now, a result of the investigation, we discovered that controls were circumvented. Do I wish I had been informed? You bet I do. It happened on my watch and I'm outraged."

But outrage won't repay more than $1.1 million or answer why Calabrese himself didn't ensure compliance.

On Tuesday, the RTA board voted to turn over the findings of its internal probe, led by RTA internal auditor Anthony Garofoli and Ralph Cascarilla, managing partner of the Cleveland law firm of Walter Haverfield, to the Cuyahoga County prosecutor, the Ohio auditor and the Ohio Ethics Commission.

Those agencies should ensure that a fully independent investigation is carried out.

RTA trustee and South Euclid Mayor Georgine Welo said in a statement Tuesday that the internal probe found that Dixon enrolled in the RTA health plan in April 1994 but "after 1997 never fully paid his premiums in accordance with board policies."

She added that he "actively manipulated the system," apparently to cover his tracks, and she promised that the board would "do whatever it takes" to recover RTA money.

The Plain Dealer's Grant Segall quoted RTA officials saying Dixon has offered to pay $141,000 - his unpaid premiums plus interest owed since 2003 -- but that RTA is holding out for reimbursement of an estimated $970,000 in medical, dental and vision benefits he allegedly collected over that time. RTA is self-insured.

RTA says the probe also found Dixon failed to reimburse the agency for "extensive personal use" of his RTA-issued cellphone over the last decade.

At the time of Dixon's resignation, he was the only trustee taking RTA health benefits. On Tuesday, the RTA board voted to cease offering such benefits to trustees. Last January, the board initiated a process to change its bylaws to create term limits for its board president and vice president. Both are wise moves.

But beyond all, the public needs to be assured that senior RTA officials' responsibility in this sorry episode of, at best, sloppy oversight, and at worst, malfeasance, is fully investigated.

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.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio's well-documented "talent gap" is more than just the latest workforce challenge. It's a looming crisis.

Our ability to attract and retain jobs is the key to Ohio's economic future and hinges to a large degree on the educational attainment levels of our citizens.

The urgency is apparent in view of Ohio's substantial shortage of adequately prepared workforce. Studies indicate that, by 2025, about two-thirds of jobs in Ohio will require postsecondary certificates or above. The big problem is that currently, just 44 percent of working-age Ohioans have a certificate or above.

In response to the gap, the state of Ohio has formally adopted "Ohio Attainment Goal 2025." This state policy asserts that 65 percent of working-age Ohioans will have a degree, certificate or other post-secondary workforce credential of value in the workplace by 2025.

That is why maintaining a high-quality public higher education system is so important. College-level learning is key to individual opportunity, competitive advantage and economic prosperity - for individuals, for businesses, and for the state. Public universities will produce the majority of skilled workers Ohio must have to meet employers' needs. Consider, for example, that 81 of the top 100 highest-paying, in-demand jobs in Ohio require a baccalaureate degree or above.

A recent statewide public opinion poll found that 89 percent of Ohioans want their own children and grandchildren to go to college; 87 percent agree that Ohio should have a top-rate university system; and 85 percent agree that a four-year degree from a public university in Ohio prepares students for a good job in today's economy.

On May 14, Ohio's 14 public universities launched a statewide communication campaign called Forward Ohio. The purpose of the campaign is to raise public awareness of the value of public higher education - and especially, the many ways our universities are helping to address the talent gap and moving Ohio forward.

The value of public higher education in Ohio can be expressed in terms of five high-impact commitments.

We help Ohioans prosper. In today's economy, a university degree will help you secure your first career opportunity, advance in your current career, or transition to a new one. By dramatically improving your ability to earn a good living, an investment in higher education is still the best path to achieving the American Dream.

We develop Ohio's workforce. College degrees are great assets not only for individuals, but also for the communities in which they live. Communities with more educated workforces tend to be healthier, wealthier and better able to compete in today's global economy. States with more educated workforces are better positioned to attract business investment and job creation.

We spur Ohio's economy. University research and development, technology transfer and commercialization activities, along with a culture of entrepreneurship on university campuses, help drive Ohio's innovation economy. Universities have ramped up these efforts to ensure Ohio remains a center for private and federal investment.

We tackle society's toughest issues. Basic university research improves our lives and the world. It provides tremendous experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, training the next generation of researchers who will make future contributions that will improve public health, the economy and our communities, nation and world.

And we work to keep college affordable. Our universities are committed to keeping college within financial reach. We are a national leader in containing college costs, ranking 46th out of 50 states for slowest rate of growth in tuition and fees over the past five years - one percent. We are adopting new measures and programs to reduce student debt, increase degree completion, and quicken the time it takes to earn a degree.

The presidents of Ohio's public universities invite you to visit the campaign website, www.forwardohio.org. You'll find facts and figures that may surprise you as well as authentic stories of personal growth, invention, creativity and collaboration that will inspire you.

Ohio's talent gap is real, substantial and threatening. Look to Ohio's public universities for a committed partner in achieving Ohio Attainment Goal 2025 and closing Ohio's talent gap. Your advocacy for public higher education is both welcome and indispensable.

Jay Gershen is president of the Northeast Ohio Medical University. Bruce Johnson is president of the Inter-University Council of Ohio, an association of Ohio's 14 public universities.

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Saving up to buy a house can now get you a tax break. Across the country, state legislatures are authorizing "first-time home buyer savings accounts," which come with varying tax advantages. Oregon and Alabama recently joined about a half-dozen other states that have passed bills creating these options in recent years. Others are actively considering them. "The accounts are designed to provide renters with a tax-advantaged opportunity to save for their down payment," said Jared Walczak, a senior policy analyst for the Tax Foundation. "In some states, it's not just for first-time buyers, but for those who haven't owned a home in a number of years," Walczak said.

Photo by Bloomberg via Getty Images

First-time buyers are a shrinking portion of home sales. Last year, the share stood at 32 percent, according to a 2017 survey by the National Association of Realtors. That's lower than the long-term average of 40 percent. "That's statistically important," said Todd Umbenhauer, president of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors. "Far fewer first-time home buyers are entering the market." In Umbenhauer's state, there is bipartisan support for pending legislation that would create the tax-advantaged accounts. Specifically, first-time homebuyers or people re-entering the housing market in Pennsylvania would be able to put up to $50,000 over 10 years in a designated account. Yearly contributions  which would be tax-deductible on state returns  would be limited to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for married couples who file joint tax returns. Earnings also would be tax-free.

Expenses delaying saving for home purchase Expense All buyers Age 37 & younger Age 38-52 Age 53-62 Age 63-71 Age 72-92 Student Loans 49% 53% 25% 8% 8% <1% Credit cards 42% 32% 41% 30% 18% 14% Car loans 37% 32% 24% 14% 6% 3% Child care 20% 16% 18% 2% 2% 3% Health care 19% 12% 14% 19% 8% 6% Other 17% 19% 29% 46% 70% 78%

Accounts could be designated at any financial institution operating in the state, such as banks and brokerages. Savers could open an account and name themselves or someone else the beneficiary. Like other states' programs, there would penalties for not using the money in a specified time, and the funds would be subject to other rules governing things like transferring the account to another bank. In other words, these accounts operate similarly to 529 college savings plans, including the stipulation that the funds must be used only for qualified expenses. For example, a down payment and closing costs are among the home-buying costs that would be fair game. Nationally, the median home price  half are above, half below  stood at $250,400 in March, up 5.8 percent from $236,600 a year earlier, according to recent data from the National Association of Realtors.

While putting 20 percent down at that price to avoid paying mortgage insurance would mean coming up with $50,800, many homebuyers get into a home with much less. Additionally, there are government programs that can financially assist would-be homeowners. Supporters of the first-time home buyer savings accounts say factors like rising home prices and debt  often of the student loan variety  stand in the way of homeownership and these programs will help. Others question whether they will end up getting used by their target audience or become another tax shelter for the wealthy. "In Oregon, in some areas, the rent is so high that middle-class families can't save anything for a down payment," said Daniel Hauser, a policy analyst with the Oregon Center for Public Policy. "This [Oregon program] says if you save for a down payment, we'll give you a tax benefit. But you can't get that benefit if you can't save." More from Personal Finance:

This is how much of a home $300,000 will buy you across the US

Homeowners are bullish on prices, while buyers may find there's no inventory

How to make sure your summer vacation won't wreck your finances The Oregon program, signed into law last month, will let individuals deduct up to $5,000 in contributions ($10,000 for married couples filing joint tax returns) per year beginning in 2019. The state also ended up imposing income limits for who can get the tax benefit: It starts phasing out for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is $149,000 or higher. Most of these state programs have come into existence in the last several years, including Iowa, Mississippi, Colorado and Minnesota. Montana was the trailblazer, establishing the accounts in 1998. In Virginia, where the accounts have been around since 2014, few taxpayers have claimed the allowed deduction for contributions, according to data provided by the state's Department of Taxation.

One of the challenges of these programs is that they aren't widely known. Jared Walczak Senior policy analyst for the Tax Foundation
to the homelessness, including one who wants to force people on streets into state-run institutions.

A homeless man sits by the waterfront with the San Francisco Bay Bridge in the background in San Francisco, California. Getty Images

With about one quarter of the nation's homeless population in California, the state's next governor will face the formidable challenge of how to make a dent in the crisis. As of 2017, California had about 134,000 homeless people, up nearly 14 percent from the prior year, according to a U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department report. And California accounted for almost half of country's unsheltered population during 2017. "Among the state's progressives and the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, homelessness is rising on the agenda," said Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a professor of the practice of public policy communication at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. "The betting by Republican leaders is that their electorate will be energized by immigration, by opposition to sanctuary cities and the sanctuary state law."

Today, homeless individuals sleeping on benches, doorways, sidewalks and under freeways are common sights in major cities up and down the state. Some of those people get off the street and into homeless shelters, but hurdles to building more and a chronic shortage of affordable housing and rental units is only exacerbating the situation.

Off the streets and into institutions

"This problem has been left unaddressed for decades," said Travis Allen, a California assemblyman from Orange County and a Republican candidate for governor. "It's about time the state steps in and takes its proper role to take care of California's most vulnerable and to clean up the streets of California." Allen's plan to address the homeless problem is to build "statewide institutions" where homeless would be forced to go. He said they could receive mental health services, substance abuse treatment if needed or job assistance at these state-run facilities. "No longer will we allow people to break our laws and sleep on our sidewalks, under our bridges and beside our roads," he said in an interview. "California has laws against loitering, vagrancy and public camping  and those laws will be enforced." Homeless advocates caution that mandating people to go into institutions wouldn't make economic sense and would also face a host of legal obstacles if it's enforced against someone's free will. But Allen counters that his solution will be "vastly less expensive than the current situation today. Homelessness in California has a massive public cost in terms of the stress it's putting on our medical system and our justice system. It's also dramatically impacting the quality of life for California citizens."

Hot topic in the gubernatorial race

In all, there are 27 candidates vying to be elected governor of California to replace Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, but only the top two finishers in the June 5 primary, regardless of party affiliation, will go on to the general election. While Democrat Gavin Newsom has been out front in the polls, the rest of the candidates have been slugging it out for the second-place spot. San Diego businessman John H. Cox, a Republican running for governor, has emerged in polls in second place with 18 percent after Newsom's 30 percent showing, according to a poll released last month by UC Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies. Allen garnered 16 percent support among those surveyed in Berkeley's IGS Poll. Cox, who Friday received an endorsement from President Donald Trump in a tweet, blames the homeless problem on the lack of affordable housing in the state and substance abuse. Former President Barack Obama has not formally endorsed any of the candidates for governor. "The regulations and politicians have driven up the cost of housing and kicked people out of their homes," Cox said in a gubernatorial debate last week in San Jose hosted by NBC Bay Area and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. According to Cox, repeal of the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, would go a long way to help easing the shortage of affordable housing, including apartments. CEQA requires that state and local agencies determine if there are significant environmental impacts of proposed development projects, and to avoid or mitigate those impacts.

Cox, who is in the housing business, said during the debate that he can build apartments for $80,000 in Indiana but it costs $700,000 in the San Francisco Bay area. "Every builder I talk to says it's because of the politicians here have driven up the costs with impact fees, regulation, litigation, the delay," he said.

Newsom's inconsistent record

Cox also took a swipe at frontrunner Newsom, who is the state's current lieutenant governor and former mayor of San Francisco. As a supervisor in San Francisco, Newsom championed an initiative called "Care Not Cash" designed to curb homelessness by slashing welfare payments to the city's homeless and instead favoring housing and other social services. "Gavin Newsom's solution was to throw money at the problem and in return San Francisco is littered with human waste and used needles," Cox said in a statement to CNBC. However, Newsom  mayor of San Francisco from 2004 until early 2011  defends his record in city government. "In San Francisco we were successful in reducing our street population 40 percent," Newsom said last week during the debate. "We got 12,000 people off the street." PolitiFact, meanwhile, calls Newsom's claim about cutting homelessness by 40 percent only "half true," pointing out that it doesn't include the city's overall homeless population but only a subset. The homeless count stood at 6,248 in early 2005, and by 2011, when he left to become lieutenant governor, it was at 6,455. The year after Newsom exited as mayor, the homeless population topped 7,300; last year it was nearly 7,500 people. Paul Boden, executive director of the Western Regional Advocacy Project in San Francisco, describes Newsom as "more PR than substance." He recalls seeing the former San Francisco mayor washing the feet of homeless people with hordes of media cameras to catch the scene. Boden, whose group advocates for homeless people, said that Newsom and City Hall in general has done a "lousy job and only redirected money and taken it from people. We still have many people suffering out there."

Kids on the street

Homeless advocates say the problem of homeless youth is especially troubling in the state, with some students going to school and living in homeless encampments at night or sleeping in alleys. They say more should be done to address the issue in Sacramento. The problem of kids living on the street is especially apparent in Los Angeles, where there are more than double the number of homeless youth than the next largest American city. The public school system in Los Angeles estimated the homeless student population jumped more than 50 percent in 2016. At community colleges in the region, some estimates are roughly one out of every five students has been homeless. If elected governor, Newsom promises to name a cabinet-level secretary to oversee an interagency council on homelessness. "What lacks is leadership in the state," Newsom said last week. He said the position of state homelessness secretary would "break through the morass and lead the effort across the state." One of Newsom's rivals, Antonio Villaraigosa, was mayor of the city of Los Angeles from 2005 until 2013. Villaraigosa said that his plan to address homelessness includes a "permanent support of services" around housing.

A homeless woman walks with her belongings in the East Village area of Downtown San Diego, California. Sandy Huffaker | The Washington Post | Getty Images

"We need to build dramatically more housing," Villaraigosa said in a statement. "We need to provide the mental health and substance abuse care to address the reasons so many people end up on the street. And we need to have the health care workforce to make this care a reality." Moreover, the former Los Angeles mayor said the state needs to add "more good jobs. And we need to keep fighting this fight even though it seems impossible  because basic human dignity tells us we do not leave our brothers and sisters on the streets." When Villaraigosa was mayor, the city's homeless population went from 65,287 in 2005 to 44,359 in 2015, a decline of some 32 percent, according to figures from the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.

Homeless encampments in Los Angeles

Still, some community leaders are critical of how Villaraigosa handled the homeless issue, especially the increasing number of encampments in neighborhoods such as Venice. There also are homeless at encampments in other parts of the city and some have been blamed for causing destructive brush fires. "Villaraigosa was AWOL when he was mayor on dealing with the structural problem, which is there is not enough affordable housing," said Mark Ryavec, president of Venice Stakeholders Association, a nonprofit community advocacy group. Ryavec, a former chief deputy assessor for Los Angeles County, also faults the former mayor for "giving away the store to city employees with a 5 percent increase [in pay] for four years. That was approved just before the recession started." But Villaraigosa claims he made progress in addressing the homeless issue and affordable housing.

When I was mayor, we didn't shy from the big challenges before us. We took them on and made progress. Antonio Villaraigosa Democratic candidate for governor, former L.A. mayor

Six months after becoming L.A.'s mayor, Villaraigosa announced plans to build more than 2,500 new subsidized apartments for primarily homeless people while also offering them counseling, job training and medical care. He also set a goal of 20,000 new rental units for families and claims to have exceeded that goal within four years. "When I was mayor, we didn't shy from the big challenges before us," said Villaraigosa. "We took them on and made progress."

More funds for housing
New York resident Rodney Nelson said that his 77-year-old mother receives medical support from her one-bedroom apartment in the Upper West Side of Manhattan.



Under her Medicare plan she is able to have a trained home aide come to visit her daily to help with tasks such as cooking and cleaning, Nelson said. The aide will also check in on Nelson's mother and provide social support. Every three months, a registered nurse will visit to evaluate her health.

"If she feels she needs to see her nurse sooner, she can call her primary-care physician from her smartphone and that may trigger an earlier evaluation," Nelson told CNBC.

Nelson said the home accommodations, set up between him and his mother's health-care providers, allow her to maintain her independence while also getting the support she needs. He said his mother, who is now retired, preferred to stay at home rather than in a hospital or a skilled nursing facility.

This situation is one example of how health care looks for the elderly and disabled patients at home in the U.S., some of whom are reporting signs of increased quality of care.

A recent report from The Commonwealth Fund found the percentage of home-health patients who got better at walking or moving around, a key measure of quality of care, rose in every state from 2013 to 2016. The group, which tracks performance in health systems nationwide, also found that hospital readmission rates for elderly Medicare beneficiaries continued to fall in nearly half the states from 2012 to 2015.

The improvement in care at home comes at a time when hospitals are forced to alter the way they deliver care, which can include providing more outpatient services or consulting patients online. Hospital admissions and length of stays have slumped in the U.S. over the years as more people are seeking cheaper alternatives or looking to fulfill their health-care needs more conveniently.

Additionally, the improvement in home-based care comes as incentives created under the 2010 Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare, are encouraging cooperation among health-care providers, including hospitals, to reduce unnecessary health costs and keep people from being readmitted.

Under the Medicare Shared Savings Program, providers can form what is known as an Accountable Care Organization, or ACO. Under ACOs, health-care providers take on the responsibility for coordinating medical care for patients from the doctor's office to home care, in an effort to improve health outcomes and reduce overall costs. ACOs that successfully lower costs for their patient population are rewarded through bonuses.
On Sunday, CNBC "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer delivered a commencement speech to students at Bucknell University, urging the 2018 graduating class to push past failure in order to achieve success. "There are two lessons that I learned from my life that I want you to know without having to suffer through them," he told the students. "First lesson, it is okay to fail, but it is not okay to quit." Cramer told the graduating seniors that they have more physical and mental strength than they know, and that it is important for them to not feel defeated by any challenges they face. As a 1977 magna cum laude graduate from Harvard University, he spoke about being denied his diploma for a controversial article he had written during his senior year as head of the student newspaper, The Crimson.

CNBC's Jim Cramer delivers the 2018 commencement address at Bucknell University. Emily Paine / Bucknell University

Rather than allowing his setback to stop him, Cramer said he drove home with his parents and immediately started applying to jobs in order to make his journalism dreams a reality. He said he received rejection letters from 48 newspapers, and was told by his parents that he needed to seek a "real job" instead of a journalism career. "Pops didn't even believe that being a writer was a profession," he said. "We didn't have much and he wanted me to get an honest job."

'Swallow that pride'
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein added that "if anyone did infiltrate or surveil participants in a presidential campaign for inappropriate purposes, we need to know about it and take appropriate action."

In a statement, the Department of Justice said it would ask the Inspector General "to expand the ongoing review of the [Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act] application process to include determining whether there was any impropriety or political motivation in how the FBI conducted its counterintelligence investigation of persons suspected of involvement with the Russian agents who interfered in the 2016 presidential election."

Ramping up a public war of words between the Oval Office and the law enforcement agency, the president said that he would formally request the Department of Justice probe the FBI's role in investigating his campaign. His remarks come amid reports that the agency had placed a confidential informant somewhere in the Trump campaign's orbit, while he was a still candidate.

President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would demand an investigation into whether the FBI had placed surveillance on his 2016 campaign  and whether such activity was ordered by members of the Obama administration.

Trump's assertions of a mole, either inside or outside his campaign, have yet to be confirmed. On Saturday, The New York Times reported that FBI agents sent an informant to talk to two Trump campaign advisers, after receiving evidence that they had made contacts linked to Russia during the campaign that were deemed suspicious.

On separate occasions, the unnamed operative met with George Papadopoulos and Carter Page, The Times noted. Trump has attempted to cast the source as a spy.

Trump's implication of Barack Obama, also renews a fight the president picked early in his tenure with his predecessor. In March of 2017, Trump boldly asserted that Obama of ordering surveillance of Trump's residence during the 2016 campaign  an accusation which the former president flatly denied. The FBI, then led by James Comey, said there was no information to support the claim.

Last week, Trump reacted to the suggestion of potential FBI spying as being "bigger than Watergate." Meanwhile, The Washington Post reported this week that allies close to the president were working to expose the source.

Trump big deal

Trump and the FBI have been locked in an unprecedented public battle. The president and his allies have long complained about a "deep state" agenda of government officials actively working to undermine his presidency.

The controversy has also stirred angst among other members of the Trump administration, with Rosenstein reportedly telling close confidantes that he was preparing to be fired for his role in the Russia inquiry, NBC News reported last month. The president has repeatedly and pointedly criticized Attorney General Jeff Sessions for recusing himself from the matter.

In an interview with The Post last week, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani  Trump's personal lawyer  accused law enforcement officials of "covering" for actions committed by the Obama administration.

Meanwhile, Giuliani told The Wall Street Journal in an interview published Sunday that the president shouldn't consent to an interview with Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading the probe into alleged ties between Russia and the Trump campaign, unless the role of a suspected FBI informant was made clear.

Otherwise, the former mayor told the publication, Trump could be "walking into a trap."
Veterans care in America gets a pretty bad rap.

While the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is rooted in noble intentions, it has been plagued with controversy for years. The VA has faced reports of excessive and contradictory spending, allegations of inadequate health care, a massive backlog of benefits claims and a secretary position that nobody can seem to hold down. But it hasn't always been this way. The agency was elevated to federal administration status in 1930, with the intention to honor and care for the men and women who served in battle. Since then, the U.S. has been involved in a growing list of military operations, including a 17-year-long war in Afghanistan. The VA is struggling to keep up as the need for veterans care continues to mount.

Pedestrians walk past the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) headquarters in Washington, D.C. Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Some veterans can't get to care centers because they live so far away. The VA's Office of Rural Health is working to address the problem through solutions like Telehealth and transportation services. Other veterans are facing wait times of months, or even years, just to get an appointment at their VA care center. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-Texas, is trying to solve that problem in his own district. In 2015 O'Rourke introduced a proposal to improve the El Paso VA Health Care System. The VA backed the plan and approved it for a pilot test, which O'Rourke says has been going well. And he doesn't rely on the VA itself to tell him how things are going. O'Rourke's team conducts its own annual survey to gauge how accessible the VA really is to veterans in El Paso. "We don't trust the VA to tell us how the VA is doing, we trust veterans to tell us how the VA is doing," said O'Rourke, who is also running to take on Republican Sen. Ted Cruz this fall.

Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-Texas Bill Clark | CQ Roll Call | Getty Images
The U.S. economy seems to be on solid footing, according to one unusual indicator: vacation searches on the internet.

Google searches for the term "vacation" rose 10 percent in April on a year-over-year basis, said Nicholas Colas, co-founder of DataTrek Research, using Google Trends data. This is positive for the U.S. economy, Colas said, as U.S. workers are usually reluctant to take time off from work.

"There's no way around it: Americans have a complicated relationship with the concept of vacation," said Colas in a note this week. "According to an annual survey done by the US Travel Association, more than half of US workers do not use all their paid-for vacation days."

Two of the most common reasons Americans cite for not using all of their vacation days every year are the fear "looking replaceable" and the cost of travel, Colas said citing figures from the U.S. Travel Association.

"To say you don't take vacation for fear of being fired speaks to job security," he noted. "Cost of travel relates to income and consumer confidence."

The U.S. jobs market is currently in a healthy state. Weekly jobless claims  which refer to the number of unemployment applications filed for a particular week  totaled just 222,000 the week ending May 12, around their lowest levels since the early 1970s. Meanwhile, the market has added jobs for 88 straight months through April, marking one of the longest expansions in U.S. history.

"The US economy is still on solid footing going into the end of Q2," wrote Colas. "It takes a lot to get Americans out of the office, and the Google Trends data shows they are gearing up for summer vacation season," Colas said. "That's not just a function of disposable income. US workers feel secure enough in their jobs to actually step away from them for a week."
Microsoft made Windows 10 version 1803 available for download - and pushed to seekers - on April 30. It started sending the OS out to the unprotected masses on May 8. Shortly after, we started hearing complaints from Surface Pro (2017) owners that the upgrade to 1803 froze their machines. By May 11, we figured out that Surface Pro (2017) hardware with Intel SSD6 solid state drives were failing because, somehow, somebody at Microsoft forgot to test them.

In a case of deja vu, it now looks like the version 1803 upgrade is failing on at least some of those expensive Microsoft Surface Studio all-in-ones.

ChrisCork posted on the Microsoft Answers forum:

Has anyone else experienced the mouse keep disconnecting on their Surface Studio since the April 2018 update? It's so annoying. If I touch the screen when it happens a few seconds later it comes back. Does Microsoft not test their premium devices with new updates or something?!

Many Surface Studio users have chimed in with similar experiences. One customer posts:

I have also noticed that when the mouse stops working, the keyboard also stops working, but like you stated, if you touch the screen, the mouse and keyboard start working again.

David Bader, a Microsoft Agent, appended this to a post:

We are currently working on a solution that will be provided in a future Windows Update. Please continue to check for Surface and Windows Updates to ensure your device has the most current firmware and software available.

Thats a great thing to tell someone whos shelled out a premium price for a Surface Pro, and wants to upgrade to the latest flagship version of Windows.

Poster Marius has a different (possibly related?) problem:

When I paring an Fitbit Ionic the Bluetooth was completely away. Only with a restart I can work and the paring of Ionic i must disconnect the Ionic. In the Log I seen an entry "Low Energy" was not supported.

I have to ask: Is anybody at Microsoft testing this stuff?

Thx Bogdan Poppa at Softpedia.

Dont you just LOVE your Surface Studio? Join us on the AskWoody Lounge.
Conservative MPs preparing for snap election

future trading relationship with the EU that would appease both sides of the warring party.  Sunday Times

Tories take five-point lead over Labour  The Observer

Conservative MPs are preparing for another snap general election as they fear the Brexit deadlock will become insurmountable for the prime minister. Some have spoken to their local party associations asking to be readopted as prospective parliamentary candidates in readiness for an autumn election. The back-bench MPs acted after meeting Theresa May last week for a private Brexit briefing as she tried to stop a row over Britains future customs relationship with the European Union tearing the party apart. But far from being reassured by meeting the prime minister, they left Downing Street convinced that another election could be around the corner. One Tory Brexiteer said he could not see how the government could square the circle and come up with a solution on Britains

More Brexit:

Boles warns of rebellion if Customs Union membership is not extended  Sunday Express

Government incompetence is Mays pro-EU strategy, claims Tory donor  Sunday Telegraph

UN warns UK to implement green Brexit  The Observer

Tories accuse Labour of preparing u-turn on second referendum  Sunday Express

Comment:

Tribal MPs are doing Brussels dirty work  Daniel Hannan MEP, Sunday Telegraph

Careful Taoiseach, we could just walk away  Dominic Lawson, Sunday Times

Return to common market principles is best way to leave the EU  Stephen Hammond MP, The Observer

>Today: ToryDiary: Boiling the Brexiteer frog

Technology 1) May makes AI pledge to the NHS

Theresa May will pledge, in a speech this week, to use artificial intelligence (AI) in the NHS to give people five more years of healthy life by 2030. The prime minister will say five more years of peoples lives will be healthy, independent and active, and vow to narrow the health gap between rich and poor. She will also commit to a data revolution in the NHS so that AI can be used to transform early diagnosis of diseases such as cancer. Ministers have already ploughed 210m into the new technology. The speech, designed to highlight four grand challenges in the governments industrial strategy, also outlines plans to make all buildings twice as energy efficient by 2030 and for Britain to become a world leader in the manufacture of zero-emission vehicles.  Sunday Times

Technology 2) Hancock and Javid announce internet crackdown

Social media companies threatened with tax to counter online crime  Sunday Telegraph

Brokenshire unveils measures to make renting more affordable

Ministers pledged tough new laws today to rein in the Wild West internet and make Britain the worlds safest country to be online. Cyberbullies, child groomers and terrorists will be the main targets in the crackdown. But proposals outlined last year for a levy on social media firms like Facebook and Twitter to fund anti-online harm measures have not yet been confirmed. Digital Secretary Matt Hancock and Home Secretary Sajid Javid announced the move after releasing new research showing that internet users often felt threatened, with six in ten seeing harmful or inappropriate content. Mr Hancock said: Digital technology is overwhelmingly a force for good, but we have to address the Wild West elements of the internet through legislation.'  Mail on Sunday

Rip-off letting fees are to be banned in a move that will save tenants hundreds of pounds every time they move. Housing Secretary James Brokenshire will this week unveil a package of measures to end hidden charges and make renting more affordable. Tenants currently have no power to negotiate and landlords often demand extortionate deposits or unexpected letting fees. But under new rules, families will be able to shop around knowing the price they see is what they pay. The Tenant Fees Bill will give renters total peace of mind, saving them a total 240 million a year. Mr Brokenshire said: It is unacceptable that hard-working tenants can be stung by hidden charges and unexpected costs. I will clamp down on landlords and agents who impose unfair letting fees and ensure hundreds of pounds goes back into tenants pockets.  Sun on Sunday

>Today: Philip Booth in Comment: Why the Universal Basic Income is a very bad idea

Russian computer firm accused of spying on British troops

Pro-Brexit billionaire accused of trying to bully MPs over Russia links  Mail on Sunday

A Russian computer firm at the centre of a cyber-spying row is targeting thousands of British troops with cut-price security software. Kaspersky Lab is offering servicemen and women a 50 per cent discount on its anti-virus kit. US President Donald Trump has already banned it from all federal agencies amid claims it was used to steal classified information. But it is being offered to 310,000 British troops, veterans and police who hold a Rewards for Forces discount card. Last night a Labour MP warned it could give spies a back door into their computers. Former Armed Forces minister Kevan Jones said: The MoD should as a matter of urgency give advice to Armed Forces members about the risks of anti-virus software.  Sun on Sunday

Comment:

Londons financial markets help Putin spread instability  Tom Tugendhat MP, Sunday Times

Euan McColm: Labour and the SNP will unite to block Davidson from becoming First Minister

Could the animosity between these two parties  both competing for what we might describe as the social democrat vote  really be overcome? In the name of preventing a Tory government at Holyrood it most certainly could. As one SNP source put it, if the Conservative Party manages to leapfrog the nationalists in 2021, it will be up to Labour to decide whether it does nothing and lets Davidson into office or it supports the SNP, either formally or informally. The SNP and Scottish Labour have previously worked together on a number of councils but the national narrative remains that they hold fundamentally different values. Further success for the Tories will only show how inaccurate that view is It is not only SNP and Labour politicians who see the prospect of their cooperation at Holyrood becoming increasingly likely. Tories, too, fear the only flaw in Davidsons plan is that fact that her opponents are as one on their hatred of their party.  Scotland on Sunday

Labour select Lewisham candidate

Corbyn sparks Tory fury over plans for Northern Ireland visit

The deputy mayor of Lewisham council has been chosen by Labour to fight a byelection in the area in June. Janet Daby, viewed as a moderate in the party, beat two other candidates after a hustings on Saturday to be selected as the candidate for the ultra-safe Labour seat of Lewisham East. The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said Daby was a great campaigner and he looked forward to working with her. The selection followed Heidi Alexanders decision to stand down from parliament after being confirmed as Londons deputy mayor for transport. Daby, who has been a councillor in the area since 2010, is also director of the Whitefoot and Downham Community Food + Project, which tackles food poverty, and previously worked in social care. = The Observer

A new row over Jeremy Corbyns alleged IRA sympathies erupted last night over plans to make his first visit to Northern Ireland as Labour leader. Mr Corbyn is this week expected to exploit Tory divisions over Brexit by travelling to Belfast and visiting the border with the Republic. But the Opposition leader, whose links with the IRA as a backbench MP were monitored by the intelligence services, sparked Tory fury over a planned event during his visit. Labour insiders said that the party leader was expected to speak at Queens University, Belfast, where the IRA shot dead a lecturer at the height of the Troubles. Tory Party deputy chairman James Cleverly accused Mr Corbyn of a callousness and deep lack of respect, while Democratic Unionist MP Ian Paisley Jnr challenged him to condemn all IRA violence.  Mail on Sunday

Stormzy rejects chance to play at Labour music festival  Sunday Times

Comment:

Corbyn isnt as unelectable as you think  Dia Chakravarty, Sunday Telegraph

Female MPs demand apology from Bercow over Leadsom remarks

Speaker branded psychopathic by aide  Sun on Sunday

John Bercow faces a pincer movement from female MPs who are demanding he apologise over his alleged stupid woman jibe at a senior Tory Minister. The Commons Speaker was challenged by women from both Labour and Tory benches to say sorry for the remark. Mr Bercow has so far refused to deny he branded Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom a stupid woman and useless last week. The row deepened yesterday amid reports that he called Ms Leadsom a liar when she privately challenged him over the alleged insult. And last night, senior Labour MP Kate Hoey and Tory Vicky Ford both called on the Speaker to apologise.  Mail on Sunday

Comment:

Double fault, Mr Speaker, now go  Adam Boulton, Sunday Times

>Yesterday: ToryDiary: Bercows shortcomings as Speaker were distilled in his abandoning the regalia

Prince Charles moves guests to tears with wedding speech

The Prince of Wales described how emotional he felt watching his youngest son, whom he still remembers so clearly as a baby, marrying the love of his life. As he addressed 600 guests gathered at the reception St Georges Hall, there was barely a dry eye as he spoke so warmly about his darling old Harry and the man he had grown into. The Prince described how moving it was, at this point in his life, to watch his little boy move on. A little boy, whom he had winded so often as a baby and whom, he joked, might still have a bit of wind today. Guests described how warmly he welcomed Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland, to Windsor and into his family. Frequently, throughout the course of the reception, he was spotted with his arm around Mrs Ragland.  Sunday Telegraph

News in Brief:
As irony would have it, the patriotic razzle-dazzle of yesterdays royal wedding capped the worst week for Brexiteers since Britain voted to leave the EU almost two years ago.

To understand why, think on to six months or so after that referendum, and look again at the speech in which Theresa May first set out her renegotiation aims.

Announcing that Article 50 would be moved the following spring, the Prime Minister proclaimed Global Britain  our ambitious vision for Britain after Brexit. Britain would look beyond our continent and to the opportunities in the wider world: that is what the country voted for, she told the Conservative Party Conference.

The following January at Lancaster House, she spelt out what this would mean in more detail. Exit from Single Market membership. Exit from the Customs Union. (I do not want us to be bound by the Common External Tariff.) I am clear that no deal for Britain is better than a bad deal for Britain, she told her audience. In case anyone had missed the theme of that first speech, a vision of a Global Britain, she opened this second one with the heading: a Global Britain.

That destination will fade to vanishing-point if last weeks Cabinet committee agreement on the UK/Ireland border backstop is implemented. And it is difficult to see how it wont be.

Driven by fear of losing DUP support, with the consequent collapse of her Government  and doubtless too by genuine Unionist conviction  the committee reiterated that there must be no east-west border in the Irish sea. What applies to Northern Ireland must also apply to the rest of the United Kingdom. As last Decembers UK/EU agreement puts it, in the absence of agreed solutions, the United Kingdom will maintain full alignment with those rules of the Internal Market and the Customs Union which, now or in the future, support North-South cooperation, the all-island economy and the protection of the 1998 Agreement.

The EU view is that full alignment, a phrase with no legal meaning, is nothing less than full regulatory alignment, which most certainly has one. It is also that almost any aspect of the Single Market can be brought within this definition. To cut to the chase, the EU take is that the backstop would see the UK bound to the rules of the Single Market in manufactured goods and agriculture.

And while it would remove us from the Common Commercial Policy  i.e: leave us at liberty to negotiate and ratify trade deals  the backstop would not, please note, free us from the Common External Tariff. This would stifle the incentive for non-EU countries agreeing those deals in the first place. Why do so when they would have to pay EU tariff rates on their goods?

In short, the backstop effectively places regulation for manufactures in the first of the Governments proposed three baskets, whereby we align to EU ends by the same means  but with no possibility of divergence. Britain remains bound to the Single Market, the Customs Union and the EU economies. The Prime Ministers original vision of a free-trading Global Britain vanishes, like Prosperos masque in the Tempest: The cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces, / The solemn temples, the great globe itself  / Yea, all which it inherit  shall dissolve, / And like this insubstantial pageant faded, / Leave not a rack behind.

There is more.

If the backstop kicks in, the Government, you could argue, will at least maintain control of immigration. But the EU will doubtless claim that if the UK is to remain bound to the freedom of movement in goods, it must also be bound to freedom of movement for people. And what will the dispute resolution mechanism be in relation to full regulatory alignment? The EU will push hard to make it the European Court of Justice, or at least to give the court some formal role.

Now you may say that all this will only take place in the event of the backstop kicking in  in the absence of agreed solutions, as last Decembers text has it. This brings us to the heart of the matter.

If the UK and the EU reach a deal, it will be formalised in a Withdrawal Agreement before the end of next March, when Brexit takes place, and then enshrined here in a Withdrawal Act and in treaty acts. But there will not necessarily be a fully-fledged free trade deal by then. Thats the way the negotiation works.

In other words, the EU will be able, if a withdrawal deal and agreement is reached, to keep stalling, if it wants to, on that elusive trade deal  after March next year and on into the future. In which case, the backstop would kick in.

All this adds up less to Canada Plus, let alone Plus Plus Plus, than Norway Minus  EEA lite. Readers will remember that, as Home Secretary, Theresa May took Britain out of 135 criminal justice measures only to opt us back in to 35 of them. The backstop would be a version of the same process (though perhaps without the ECJ having a formal role).

You may now ask: why are David Davis, Liam Fox, Michael Gove and Boris Johnson  let alone the 80 or so strong European Research Group (ERG) of Conservative MPs  putting up with all this?

There are several answers, some of them good ones. One is that the EU itself is very unhappy, at least in some quarters, about the backstop  which can be seen as cherry-picking on a grand scale. It worries about the mirror image of an issue we sketch out above  i.e: the UK getting access to freedom of movement for goods without conceding freedom of movement for labour.

Another is that we may somehow get that trade deal before next March, after all, rendering the backstop irrelevant. David Davis is pushing hard for this, hence the promise of a White Paper soon on our post-Brexit future. And for mutual recogniton of different regulatory regimes to prevail. Another still is that May and her Government may fight off a formal role for the ECJ.

However, there are other reasons that have less to do with the sweep of high policy than the skullduggery of low politics. Brexiteer MPs could seek to force a leadership challenge. But the ERG is divided about what to do. In any event, it doesnt represent all the 129 Tory MPs on record as having backed Leave. May might, if challenged, sweep a ballot anyway  thus strengthening a Prime Minister that most Conservative MPs, and over half our panel of Party members, believe should stand down before the next election. And were she to be deposed, some say, why would anything change? A Prime Minister Johnson or Gove would still face a Commons in which most MPs voted Remain.

But there is another factor at work which is less political than psychological.

It is not so long since May declared that No Deal would be better than a Bad Deal. But a year and a bit is a long time in politics. Most Tory MPs and many Brexiteers have stopped believing that No Deal is possible  almost without thinking about it. Perhaps the reason is that the December Agreement persuaded them that the EU will compromise; that it believes it has enough problems to be going on with without a disorderly Brexit on its north-west frontier. (Our panel approved of the deal by a comfortable margin.) Maybe a fear of Corbyns Labour is the driver. Perhaps there is a weariness with the whole process. Maybe there is a sinking realisation that there is no Commons majority for the WTO option. Perhaps the core thought of pro-Leave MPs is: lets get through to Brexit Day. Once were out, then we can have one more heave. This site will write more about that tomorrow.

However, it is hard not to conclude, as one mulls over the events of this year  the Chequers summit, Downing Streets push for the customs partnership, last weeks committee agreement on the backstop  that May is slowly boiling the ERG frog. A furtive twitch of the dial is more effective than a frantic wrench. Gently does it. And talking of keeping a low profile: wheres the Chancellor?
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CORNWALL, Ontario  The cultures of the world gathered at St. Peters Parish in Cornwall this Pentecostal Sunday to share food dishes and costumes.

Nancy Tranchemontagne and Lazzarina Tantalo organized the event with the help of numerous businesses and the parish itself.

The people like this type of event, they never see it anywhere else, so just the comradery and the tasting of the food of course, explained Lazzarina.

The church was able to bring 20 different cultures to their table and donations by Farmboy, Casa Paolo, and Philos.

Similar to a potluck, several members of the parish brought a dish and when they all came together they were able to fill their table with the cuisine of the world.
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company announced it had welcomed 17,000 cruisers from the Carnival Ecstasy, MSC Seaside, Carnival Magic and Harmony of the Seas earlier this week.

The visits were expected to generate $1.5 million in local revenue, according to a statement.

Puerto Ricos cruise industry is a promising one and new vessels will arrive later in the year including the Carnival Horizon next month; the Celebrity Eclipse in November; and the Symphony of the Seas and the Celebrity Edge in December.

In addition, the Freedom of the Seas will homeport out of San Juan for the 2018-2019 season.

"The new vessel is expected to have a $40 million impact for the local economy. All-in-all, for the next cruising season, we expect a record breaking 1.7 million passengers, which equates to approximately $250 million dollars in revenue," said a statement.
LITCHFIELD  State Police reported that a Litchfield man was taken into custody after allegedly threatening other people in the three-family building where he lives on Andre Drive.

Troopers say that Robert Fisher, 28, was taken into custody by the State Police Tactical Team after he didnt initially cooperate with the first responders and it was learned that he had multiple weapons. However, he was taken into custody without incident.
For Subscribers What we learned: Windber tested; Berlin's bright future; Hemminger leads way; Shirley making plays

A look at what we learned in Week 7 of the high school football season. Windber gets test. Berlin will be good for a while. Somerset senior leading way. Township QB is playmaker.
The hurly burly in Karnataka is done, the battle is lost and won. In a late discovery of the virtues of acceptance, BJP chief minister BS Yeddyurappa resigned on May 19, just before his party was to take the floor test in the Assembly, which it never had the numbers to win.

However, this is by no means the end of the story  in fact, it is just the beginning. The Karnataka battle has officially marked the beginning of the 2019 war, the contest for the Lok Sabha elections has come alive and exciting.

On your mark: The contest for the Lok Sabha elections has come alive and exciting. Photo: PTI

The three years since the 2014 general elections had seen a steady spread of saffron  state after state fell to the seemingly invincible Narendra Modi-Amit Shah combination, as a listless Opposition stirred feebly and ineffectively.

The Bihar Assembly election in 2015 did jolt the BJP, but the star of that show was the regional satrap Lalu Yadav, and the popular CM Nitish Kumar, who once had ambitions of leading an anti-Modi front nationally, later joined hands with the BJP.

The principal Opposition party, the Congress, first showed signs of life in Gujarat in 2017, where it gave the BJP a tough fight in the PMs home state. Now, in Karnataka in 2018, the Grand Old Party has finally shown that the fight has not gone out of it, and it can still combat the BJP, move for move.

As a Bollywood movie said  ab dangal hoga.

BJP and Congress fight with different weapons

The Karnataka election was never about the state alone, it was muscle-flexing, a floor test of political might for all parties concerned. The way the battle was fought, and its result, has thrown up important pointers for 2019.

The Karnataka battle was won in the Supreme Court, with Abhishek Manu Singhvi leading the charge. Photo: PTI

The tussle has thrown into sharp focus the BJP's and the Congress style of fighting. The BJP is the undisputed leader on the ground, in terms of cadre and masterful campaigning. The Congress has tried to combat it by rallying institutional mechanisms  the Constitution, the Supreme Court  which the BJP distrusts and tries to subvert.

Both are important elements in a democracy. However, elections at the end should be about winning over voters. Not about stagecraft versus statecraft.

Regional parties cannot be ignored

Karnataka, after Bihar and the UP by-polls, has shown that the role of regional parties cannot be ignored. They have ground-level cadre, an understanding of local issues, a better grip on the identity calculations.

If it wishes to taste more victories, the Congress needs to shed its pretensions of being the main Opposition party and be ready to play the bit role where required.

King and king-maker: HD Kumaraswamy of the JD(S) will get the CM's chair thanks to the efforts of the Congress' DK Shivakumar. Photo: PTI

The BJP, much though it likes to fight as the lone wolf, needs to remember that pebbles and not rocks trip the grandest of chariots.

While the continued relevance of regional parties is great news for a plural society like India, coalitions should not come down to identity collectives. Parties need to unite on ideology and manifesto, not caste community calculations.

Religious polarisation versus caste polarisation will only mean more fragmentation, and take the discourse further away from issues of development and welfare.

Dirty tricks and masterstrokes

The Karnataka fight was clearly between two political camps, with the voter left entirely out of the equation.

The aftermath of the vote counting saw hectic activity, most of it improper and immoral, if not out-rightly illegal. All of it was hailed as great strategy, Chanakya neeti. Dirty tricks have always been part of political games. As we move towards a highly charged, high-stakes general elections, parties will become more desperate.

But underhand means need to be called just that. They should not be normalised, and even celebrated, as we saw in Karnataka.

BJP, learn grace in victory, and in defeat

Karnataka saw the BJPs strongman style of winning elections played out to its limit. The saffron party loves brawn, and flaunts it. It is a sour loser, and cannot hide it.

While Yeddyurappa, like Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1996, tried to turn his resignation into an emotional moment, the BJP has moved far away from Vajpayees statesmanship. Photo: Twitter

In Karnataka, it did not even try to pretend at fair play. Vajubhai Vala, and old BJP hand but holding the apolitical office of governor, took three brazen decisions in two days  inviting the single largest party, the BJP, to form a government when it was clearly short of a majority and the Opposition was clearly not, nominating an Anglo-Indian MLA, and appointing a pro-tem speaker. MLAs were lost and found, audio clips of BJP purportedly trying to bribe Congress legislators were floating around till May 19 afternoon.

While Yeddyurappa did try to turn his resignation into an emotional moment, like Atal Bihari Vajpayee had in 1996, the BJP has moved far away from Vajpayees statesmanship.

For one state, the party was willing to throw away its avowed position of being an anti-corruption party, make very obvious its disregard for institutions. This is dangerous for the BJP, and even more so for the democracy it rules with a massive mandate.

The silver lining

One undisputed silver lining of the Karnataka story is that the strength of the Indian democracy lies in its robust institutions, and not in political parties or leaders. The Supreme Court, by hearing the Congress-JD(S) appeal post-midnight, by not stopping the swearing-in, but ordering a quick floor test, by not interfering with the appointment of the pro-tem speaker, rose above politics and upheld democracy.

The saga shows how no political party will ever become greater than Indias democracy, and there will always be checks and balances in place.

The Karnataka battle saw all the players involved pull out all their weapons. While it has well and truly blown the bugle for 2019, it has also given out warning bells. All political parties, and voters, have much to watch and learn.

Also read: The day Rahul Gandhi did a Modi and took bhakts and critics by surprise
In a bold move, the Centre has announced a unilateral ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan. The Union government has asked security forces not to launch operations in Jammu and Kashmir during Ramzan, but said that the forces could retaliate if attacked, or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people.

Union home minister Rajnath Singh called up J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and conveyed the government decision. Visibly happy with this move, the CM hoped positive response from Pakistan. Mention of Pakistan while praising PM Narendra Modi by the chief minister for this initiative, implies that J&K leaders continue to be wary about the terrorists from across the border trying to vitiate the atmosphere as that does not suit their agenda of seeing full-time peace prevailing in the Valley as also cessation of any hostility.

Giving peace another chance

This peace initiative assumes enormous significance in the light of the prime ministers impending visit to Srinagar on May 19 and that too coinciding with the ongoing Ramzan. CM Mehbooba Mufti has expressed her gratitude to PM Modi for taking personal interest in notifying the ceasefire which is intended to signal the Kashmiris that the government really means well to implement peace process in letter and spirit.

Earlier, at the behest of Mehbooba Mufti, almost all leaders and political parties in the state had met and wanted the central government to announce the ceasefire which the government obliged raising hopes of creation of a conducive atmosphere as part of the confidence building measures (CBMs), which could subsequently pave the way for negotiations.

Meanwhile, according to separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, his immediate separatist colleagues Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Yasin Malik are expected to meet shortly and react on the announcement. This is obviously a ploy to gain time and consult their mentors and handlers in Pakistan for the next roadmap to be followed in view of this bold stand by the Indian government.

In another move, terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba has outrightly rejected the ceasefire, describing the move as nothing but a drama. It has also avowed to fight until the last drop of blood. Such belligerent statements from the Lashkar and its ilk are not altogether surprising as they are hell-bent on derailing any peace initiative that the government tries to usher in.

Such negativities and threat notwithstanding, the Indian government to its credit is making this move amid likely criticism by anti-peace forces from within who are demonstratively against any peace move.

Last time such a unilateral initiative was taken during the premiership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the Ramzan in 2000.

As far as the Indian armed forces are concerned, Army chief General Bipin Rawat was taken into confidence before this significant decision was arrived at. Similarly, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman was also on board as well as other functionaries and offices relevant to the ceasefire. It is, therefore, seen as a well-coordinated action by the government, working in perfect concert, taking everyone along. Hence its not hasty and preliminary responses to the initiative are expected to be noticed during PM Modis visit to J&K in a couple of days.

Also, all possibilities and consequences have been taken into account keeping in mind possible violent reaction by the terror forces to spoil the very spirit of festivity to discredit New Delhi and Mehbooba Mufti government in an attempt to wean away the pacifist elements from government proximity.

Regarding the exigency plan on part of the Indian security forces, it has been made amply clear that "security forces reserve the right to retaliate if attacked".

The government has also appealed to all quarters to cooperate in this initiative and what it said to help the Muslim brothers and sisters to observe Ramzan peacefully and without any difficulties. The government notification has also added rather candidly that it is important to isolate the forces that bring a bad name to Islam by resorting to mindless violence and terror.

Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah, in the meantime, has said that if the militants dont respond favourably to this peace initiative, they would stand exposed as the true enemies of the people. So all important people (those who matter) are on board in this well-crafted government move.

Pakistan and its notorious ISI might feel frustrated by such a forthright and bold peace initiative and it may try its best to foil the peace moves. With the government determined and with all possible safeguards in place, one can hope the move will succeed.

Also read: Why Modi government has gone back on its 'muscular Kashmir policy'
"The house Negro usually lived close to his master. He dressed like his master. He wore his masters second-hand clothes. He ate food that his master left on the tableWhen the master would be sick, the house Negro identified himself so much with the master, hed say, 'Whats the matter, boss, we sick?The house Negro was in a minority. The field Negroes were the masses. They were in the majority. When the master got sick, they prayed that hed die. If his house caught fire, theyd pray for a wind to come along and fan the breeze."

I have often thought about these prescient words, uttered more than fifty years ago and the man who spoke them, prominent African American, Muslim activist, Malcolm X, who was born ninety-three years ago today, and later assassinated in a public execution, his eventful life cut short, orchestrated by the cult he formerly belonged to, the Nation of Islam (NOI).

In an America that Barack Obama had once fancifully termed "post-racial", it is now fashionable to talk of Malcolm X as an African American, but his Muslim identity was equally important to him, especially in the final years of his life, when he was breaking away from the segregationist views undoubtedly instilled within him owing to his long association with the NOI and reaching for a revolutionary new alliance with whites, locally and with African revolutionaries, internationally.

Born in 1925 to a preacher father who is believed to have been murdered by white segregationists and a tough Grenadian mother who later ended up in an asylum, young Malcolm Little was one of the dropouts of the much-vaunted American dream. After a failed childhood peppered with indifferent schooling, petty crimes and repeated attempts to be the house Negro which he would later denounce as a fiery activist, Malcolm ended up in prison for committing a series of thefts in 1946.

His time in prison was to have a decisive impact on him  and African American politics. He became a voracious reader of everything from the Koran to Kant, as well as about the origins of his race from Africa. When he was eventually released, he was a changed man, determined to change the face of his people in virulently racist America.

These details are lovingly recounted in Malcolms Autobiography, which in addition to CLR James' magnum opus on the Haitian Revolution, The Black Jacobins, was a crucial reference point for me in situating the plight of African Americans and their slave predecessors in colonial Haiti. Spike Lees iconic film on the man, and recently the late Manning Marables Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention fill any remaining gaps about his life and legacy.

The Nation of Islam was one of the fastest-growing cults among African American in the United States, benefitting from the decline in the previously-dominant one initiated by Marcus Garvey (I had an opportunity to learn more about this fascinating and polarising figure during my studies in the US) on one hand, and the conservatism and gradualism of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) led Booker T Washington on the other.

Malcolm came in contact with the NOI during his time in jail and became its rising star upon release, quickly cementing his place in the organisation with his wonderful oratorical and organisational skills, and contributing to the immense popularity of the NOI itself. He emerged an uncompromising critic of integration with white America, and a champion of segregation and African American self-determination and self-defence, not unreasonably.

It was inevitable that sooner or later, whether through the attempts of jealous detractors within the NOI or due to his own foresight, Malcolm would come to see the utter irreconcilability of the NOIs absurd founding fictions of the origins of the African American and the universalism of the Islamic worldview, not to mention the unethical practices of its self-styled Prophet, Elijah Muhammad.

After Malcolm confronted Muhammad over the latters immoral sexual practices  impregnating multiple young secretaries  and later describing John F Kennedys assassination as "chickens coming home to roost", he was suspended and forbidden to be the public voice of the NOI.

His most important decision came in 1964 when he broke away from the NOI and set up two important organisations, the Muslim Mosque Inc and the Organization of African American Unity (OAAU), thus bringing together the two strands in his thought: the liberation of the Africa-American as well as solidarity with the liberation movements of Africa.

He embarked on a pan African tour that same year beginning with the Hajj pilgrimage, which decisively swung his view from militant separatist to a black nationalist not averse to making progressive coalitions with whites who would listen; and his visits to Egypt, Ghana, Tanzania and other countries which were the lodestars of the Non-Aligned movement helped him reach a mature understanding of colonialism and to make connections between institutionalised racism at home and imperialism abroad.

This was also the time that he publicly advocated for the Chinese and Cuban models and the socialist model which these revolutions adopted. Even nominally placid Britain benefitted from Malcolms wisdom when he came to attend a debate at the Oxford Union, supporting the motion "Extremism in the Defense of Liberty is No Vice; Moderation in the Pursuit of Justice is No Virtue".

With the progression in his political maturity, his enemies also multiplied and on that afternoon in 1965 he was shot down by three assassins from the NOI while addressing a meeting of the OAAU in Harlem, his eventful life cut-short at just 39 years.

Throughout his life, his detractors had held up his rival for African American leadership, Martin Luther King as the voice of reason, "I have a dream"; and Malcolm as the hatemonger forever associated with the misunderstood quote "by any means necessary".

Yet King met the same fate: three years after Malcolms assassination, King himself was murdered for voicing pretty much the same concerns as the former: opposition to war and abandoning the American political establishment to become an independent voice on his own.

It is a fairy tale of intrigue and assassination that we in South Asia know only too well; after all, the fiery communist Bhagat Singh was executed by the British while his pacifist rival, Mohandas Gandhi too met a violent end at the hands of a Hindu fundamentalist. Both India and America mourn inconsolably.

What is the legacy of Malcolm X on the occasion of his 93rd birthday and more than fifty years after his untimely assassination?

An African American did indeed occupy the White House once, but the plight of the ordinary African American has never been more miserable: as the recent incidents involving Travyon Martin and Michael Brown and Eric Garner in Ferguson, Cleveland and New York in 2012 and 2014, respectively, amply demonstrate.

If Malcolm had somehow lived to be 93 this year, he would have seen his approach greatly vindicated: violence only begets violence and African Americans have a right to self-defence. He would have pointed angrily to the field Negroes like Martin and Brown and the house Negro once ensconced in the White House and would have questioned Obamas commitment to "post-racialism" in the wake of the fact that in 2011 the number of African Americans incarcerated in US prisons was the same as the slave population in 1860.

Not to mention the fine line of executions carried out by state functionaries whether the Black Power or Panther successors or their more recent incarnations like Mothers of the Movement and Black Lives Matter. In keeping with his anti-imperialist convictions, Malcolm would also have denounced Obamas imperial adventures in Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as his attempts at regime change in Latin America.

Meanwhile, the African American leadership is hopelessly divided between the toothlessness of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton on one hand and the charlatan Louis Farrakhan on the other.

And what of the Muslim world? Malcolms Muslim identity was undoubtedly important to him, as was pan-African solidarity. But in the same speech which I have quoted above, he shattered the nonsense regarding the alleged Arab origins of African-Americans, something we in Pakistan who love to demonstrate our debt to our Saudi benefactors now and then, could learn from as the basis of a progressive South Asian identity.

Malcolm would have enthusiastically welcomed the dawn of the Arab uprisings but would have denounced the murderous sectarianisms and dictatorships they seem to have morphed into, perhaps due to the fact that these momentous upheavals do not seek to build alliances or learn from other struggles.

But perhaps more than any other, the identity that was really Malcolms, was perhaps not his much-vaunted journey from a colonial Little to a slave X, rather the successful transition which he embodied more than most, from a house Negro to a field Negro in his unfortunate death perhaps more than in his tumultuous life.

Also read: What message did Bollywood send by staying away from #MeToo march at Cannes 2018?
Tailored Brands, Inc. (NYSE:TLRD) announced its earnings results on Wednesday, March, 18th. The company reported ($0.46) EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.54) by $0.08. The business had revenue of $690.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $708.46 million. Tailored Brands had a negative trailing twelve-month return on equity of 138.49% and a negative net margin of 14.39%. The company's revenue was down 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted ($0.28) EPS.

View Tailored Brands' earnings history.
Magna International Inc. designs, engineers, and manufactures components, assemblies, systems, subsystems, and modules for original equipment manufacturers of vehicles and light trucks worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Body Exteriors & Structures, Power & Vision, Seating Systems, and Complete Vehicles. Its Body Exteriors & Structures segment provides body and chassis systems, as well as engineering and testing services; exterior systems, including fascia and trims, front end modules, front integration panels, liftgate modules, active aerodynamics, engineered glass, running boards, truck bed access products, and side doors; and roof systems, such as modular and textile folding roofs, and hard and soft tops. The company's Power & Vision segment offers dedicated hybrid, dual and e-clutch, and manual transmissions; engine drive plates and accessories; AWD/4WD products, rear drive modules, and hybrid and battery electric drive systems; transmission, engine, and driveline components; advanced driver assistance systems, camera systems, ultrasonic sensors, and electronic controllers; interior and exterior mirrors, actuators, door handles, overhead consoles, and camera monitoring systems; head, tail, and fog lamps; signal and other lighting products; and latching systems, door modules, window systems, power closure systems, hinges and wire forming, and handle assemblies. Its Seating Systems segment provides seat structures, mechanism and hardware solutions, and foam and trim products. The company's Complete Vehicles segment offers vehicle manufacturing and engineering services. It also designs, engineers, and manufactures tooling products. Magna International Inc. was founded in 1957 and is headquartered in Aurora, Canada.

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Rogers Communications Inc. operates as a communications and media company in Canada. It operates through three segments: Wireless, Cable, and Media. The company offers mobile Internet access, wireless voice and enhanced voice, device and accessory financing, wireless home phone, device protection, text messaging, e-mail, global voice and data roaming, bridging landline, machine-to-machine and Internet of Things solutions, and advanced wireless solutions for businesses, as well as device delivery services; and postpaid and prepaid services under the Rogers, Fido, and chatr brands to approximately 10.9 million subscribers. It also provides Internet and WiFi services; smart home monitoring services, such as monitoring, security, automation, energy efficiency, and smart control through a smartphone app. In addition, the company offers local and network TV; on-demand television; cloud-based digital video recorders; voice-activated remote controls, and integrated apps; personal video recorders; linear and time-shifted programming; digital specialty channels; 4K television programming; and televised content on smartphones, tablets, and personal computers, as well as operates Ignite TV and Ignite TV app. Further, it provides residential and small business local telephony services; calling features, such as voicemail, call waiting, and long distance; voice, data networking, Internet protocol, and Ethernet services; private networking, Internet, IP voice, and cloud solutions; optical wave and multi-protocol label switching services; IT and network technologies; and cable access network services. The company also owns Toronto Blue Jays and the Rogers Centre event venue; and operates Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet World, Citytv, OMNI, FX (Canada), FXX (Canada), and OLN television networks, as well as 55 AM and FM radio stations. Rogers Communications Inc. was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Molina Healthcare: Aetna & Humana - Medicare Advantage, Affinity Health Plan, AmericanWork Inc., Better Health Network, Camelot Care Centers Inc, Children's Behavioral Health Inc., Choices Group Inc., College Community Services, Dockside Services Inc, Family Preservation Services Inc., Family Preservation Services of Florida Inc., Family Preservation Services of North Carolina Inc., Family Preservation Services of Washington D.C. Inc., Family Preservation Services of West Virginia Inc., Florida NetPASS LLC, Hclb Inc., Magellan Complete Care, Maple Star Nevada Inc., Maple Star Oregon Inc., Mercy CarePlus, Molina Clinical Services LLC, Molina Healthcare Data Center Inc., Molina Healthcare of Arizona Inc., Molina Healthcare of California, Molina Healthcare of Florida Inc., Molina Healthcare of Georgia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Illinois Inc., Molina Healthcare of Iowa Inc., Molina Healthcare of Louisiana Inc., Molina Healthcare of Maryland Inc., Molina Healthcare of Michigan Inc., Molina Healthcare of Mississippi Inc., Molina Healthcare of Nevada Inc., Molina Healthcare of New Mexico Inc., Molina Healthcare of New York Inc., Molina Healthcare of North Carolina Inc., Molina Healthcare of Ohio Inc., Molina Healthcare of Oklahoma Inc., Molina Healthcare of Pennsylvania Inc., Molina Healthcare of Puerto Rico Inc., Molina Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, Molina Healthcare of Texas Inc., Molina Healthcare of Texas Insurance Company, Molina Healthcare of Utah Inc., Molina Healthcare of Virginia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Washington Inc., Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin Inc., Molina Holdings Corporation, Molina Hospital Management LLC, Molina Information Systems LLC dba Molina Medicaid Solutions, Molina Medical Management Inc., Molina Pathways LLC, Molina Pathways of Texas Inc., Molina Youth Academy, NextLevel Health Illinois, Pathways Community Corrections Inc., Pathways Community Services LLC, Pathways Community Support of Texas Inc., Pathways Health and Community Support LLC, Pathways Human Services LLC., Pathways of Arizona Inc., Pathways of Delaware Inc., Pathways of Idaho LLC, Pathways of Maine Inc., Pathways of Massachusetts LLC, Pathways of Oklahoma Inc., Pathways of Washington Inc., Providence Community Services, Providence Human Services, Raystown Developmental Services Inc., The Game of Work LLC, The RedCo Group Inc., Total Care Medicaid plan, Transitional Family Services Inc., Unisys -Health Information Management, and YourCare Health Plan.
Systemax Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a direct marketer of brand name and private label industrial and business equipment and supplies in North America. It sells a range of maintenance, repair, and operation products, including storage and shelving, material handling, janitorial and maintenance products, furniture and office products, workbenches and shop desks, HVAC/R and fans, safety and security products, outdoor and grounds maintenance products, tools and instruments, and office and school supplies. The company also sells plumbing products and pumps, packaging products and supplies, electrical and lighting products, food service products and appliances, raw materials and building supplies, motors and power transmission products, pneumatics and hydraulics, medical and laboratory equipment, metalworking and cutting tools, vehicle maintenance products, and fasteners and hardware. It offers its products under the Global, GlobalIndustrial.com, Nexel Paramount, and Interion brand names. The company offers its products to businesses, educational organizations, and government entities through relationship marketers, catalogs, and e-commerce sites. Systemax Inc. was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Port Washington, New York.

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Norbord Inc. manufactures and sells wood-based panels for retail chains, contractor supply yards, and industrial manufacturers primarily in North America and Europe. The company offers oriented strand boards for use in sheathing, flooring, and roofing in home construction applications; particleboards that are used in flooring and other construction applications; and medium density fiberboards for use in cabinet doors, moldings, and interior wall paneling applications, as well as related value-added products for use in the construction of new homes, and renovation and repair of existing structures. It markets its products under the Durastrand pointSIX, Pinnacle, Stabledge, TruFlor pointSIX and TruFlor, Rimboard, SteadiTred, QuakeZone, Tallwall, Trubord and Windstorm, SolarBord, TruDeck, StableDec, SterlingOSB, Caberwood MDF, Conti, and Caberboard brand names. The company was formerly known as Nexfor Inc. and changed its name to Norbord Inc. in June 2004. Norbord Inc. was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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EPL Oil & Gas, Inc., formerly Energy Partners, Ltd., is an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company based in New Orleans, Louisiana and Houston, Texas. The Company's operations are concentrated in the United States, Gulf of Mexico shelf focusing on state and federal waters offshore Louisiana, which it considers its core area. On February 14, 2011, the Company acquired an asset package consisting of certain shallow-water Gulf of Mexico shelf oil and natural gas interests surrounding the Mississippi River delta and a related gathering system (the ASOP Properties) from Anglo-Suisse Offshore Partners, LLC (ASOP). In April 2013, it sold certain non-operated assets. In June 2014, Energy XXI (Bermuda) Limited completed the acquisition of EPL Oil & Gas Inc.

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10:48

Petrol price today touched a record high of Rs 76.24 per litre and diesel climbed to its highest ever level of Rs 67.57 as the oil PSUs passed on four weeks of relentless rise in international oil prices to consumers.

Petrol price today increased by 33 paisa a litre in Delhi -- the highest since the daily price revision came into force in mid-June 2017, and diesel by 26 paisa, according to price notification issued by state-owned oil firms.

Rates vary from state to state depending on the incidence of local sales tax or VAT. Prices in Delhi are the cheapest in all metros and most state capitals.

With this increase, petrol has touched an all time-high, breaching the previous high of Rs 76.06 touched in Delhi on September 14, 2013. Diesel rates are also at the all-time high level.





This is the seventh straight day of price increase since oil PSUs on May 14 resumed daily price revision after a 19-day pre-Karnataka poll hiatus. In all, petrol price has been raised by Rs 1.61 a litre and diesel by 1.64 in last one week.

In India, petrol is the costliest in Mumbai where high local taxes has led a price of Rs 84.07 per litre. Petrol has breached Rs 80 mark in Bhopal (Rs 81.83 a litre), Patna (Rs 81.73), Hyderabad (Rs 80.76) and Srinagar (Rs 80.35), according to the price notification.

Petrol in Kolkatta costs Rs 78.91 per litre while it is priced at Rs 79.13 in Chennai.





The cheapest petrol is available in Panjim where a litre comes for Rs 70.26.

Diesel is the costliest in Hyderabad were it is priced at Rs 73.45 a litre due to high local taxes. It is priced at Rs 73.34 in Trivandrum. Other cities where diesel rates have crossed Rs 70 mark are Raipur (Rs 72.96 a litre), Gandhinagar (Rs 72.63), Bhubhaneswar (Rs 72.43), Patna (Rs 72.24), Jaipur (Rs 71.97), Ranchi (Rs 71.35), Bhopal (Rs 71.12) and Srinagar (Rs 70.96)

A litre of diesel costs Rs 71.94 in Mumbai, Rs 70.12 in Kolkatta and Rs 71.32 in Chennai, the notification said. -- PTI
Cash-rich companies have been acquiring smaller companies for either technology or marketshare. While entrepreneurs slog it out initially to make the company or the product take root, these global companies acquire them at the drop of a hat. Walmart acquiring Flipkart is billed as the biggest global acquisition in e-commerce space.

The takeover of Flipkart, Indias largest start-up and biggest e-commerce company, by the US giant Walmart, has created concern in some quarters about the future of Indian companies that do not have deep pockets.

Flipkart was not a hostile takeover; it was sold because Flipkarts owner/founders, Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal did not have the deep pockets and resources needed to take the online company to the next level. Additionally, its investors wanted to exit the company which was making losses.

The sale has created pessimism in some quarters about the future of Indian companies that are vulnerable and forced to sell as they dont have the money to go forward. Raghav Bahl, founder and chairman, Quintillion Media, has expressed dismay at the sale of Flipkart, coming as it does on the heels of Google and Facebook already dominating in India. He is in a way right in sounding the alarm but looking to the government to help out is not the answer.

Young lawyer Aditya Pratap is of the view that in this era of globalisation there is no room for complacency. Let the best player win, he says, and adds, Its a sport. He prefers the word sport to competition. The only caution necessary is for the Competition Commission to see that no duopoly is created because that is as dangerous as a monopoly. Prices, he says, need to be monitored.

It is true that the Bansals sold their stake at a hefty premium as they did not have financial support. A country such as the United States helps its entrepreneurs through various forums as it recognises the critical role they play in promoting economic growth and creating jobs. The government has policies and programmes that support the development of talent, entrepreneurial culture and capital for small and medium enterprises. The United States also supports pioneering initiatives to provide women with access to business networks and global markets, to promote womens inclusion in the economy and to provide training for women entrepreneurs. Interestingly, their work is not restricted to the US but spreads overseas, particularly in developing economies.

India does not have this innovation-friendly environment. Of course there are institutions for medium, small and micro enterprises and there are trade bodies like the chambers of commerce etc. But it is not easy for newcomers to get funds.

India does not encourage innovators and this situation has prevailed over the years. One reason could be that sections of people feel threatened by innovation and feel that innovators could scuttle their chances because of their clout with the powers that be. These are people who put self- interest before the countrys interest. Indian investors are hesitant to put in money unless they see profits on the horizon and start-ups are not expected to deliver profits for some years. Foreign investors are different and see potential in and recognise innovation.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his Swachh Bharat programme, concentrated on building toilets, Indian businessmen failed to see the importance. It was only after the Bill Gates Foundation and other foreign groups came in to support the programme that they woke up to do their bit.

The government can help entrepreneurs in India through creating an environment where business can function. Red tape, which is the hallmark of our bureaucracy, still prevails. The recent push for ease of doing business is welcome, but there is still a long way to go before a genuinely business-friendly atmosphere is created. There are so many institutions and local bodies involved in giving permissions that it is a drain on the energies of an entrepreneur. Corruption is also a major problem.

So, how does an Indian entrepreneur strengthen his position so that he can retain his independence?

He should ensure that he does not dilute his shareholding which should be preferably 51 per cent in a company, says Ambareesh Baliga, an independent market analyst. The minute he goes to the market to raise funds he dilutes his shareholding. In a way one has to balance ownership and growth, Mr Baliga says. Earlier, promoters could issue warrants but this was stopped by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), which insisted that the warrants have to be converted to equity within 18 months from the date of issue at current market prices. This acts as a disincentive, Mr Baliga says.

However, entrepreneurs like Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg and media mogul Rupert Murdoch have meagre shareholding in their companies but retain control through shares that have different voting rights. Zuckerberg and his group have about 18 per cent shareholding. But their Class B shares have 10 votes per share while the Class A shares that are traded have only one vote per share. This way he and the insider group have the majority voting rights. The trick is to have shares that have dual voting-class structure that enables owners/insiders to control voting shares.

The same is the case with News Corp where Rupert Murdoch has all of the voting power in Class B shares while the Class A shares that trade have no voting rights.

After much dilly-dallying, the Companies Act, 2013, now recognises the concept of shares with differential rights, although SEBI has imposed further curbs on the ability of public listed companies to issue shares with superior rights. The regulators view is that it is not fair to ordinary shareholders. The advantage of a dual-class structure is that it allows companies to raise capital while allowing founders and insiders to still retain control.

Going forward, SEBI needs to reconsider its position or find a middle path through which both sides can benefit.
An international arbitration tribunal will in February next year begin hearing in British telecom giant Vodafone's challenge to India using a retrospective legislation to seek Rs 22,100 crore in taxes. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: An international arbitration tribunal will in February next year begin hearing in British telecom giant Vodafone's challenge to India using a retrospective legislation to seek Rs 22,100 crore in taxes.

The tribunal, headed by Sir Franklin Berman, will hear the government's objection to tax matters being covered under the Netherlands-India Bilateral Investment Treaty, which was used by Vodafone to trigger an arbitration over the tax demand, a senior official with direct knowledge of the development said. India has also challenged tribunal's jurisdiction to decide on such matters, he said.

While Vodafone is supposed to file its response to the government objection by July, India will respond to this by December, he said, adding that thereafter the tribunal will begin hearing in February 2019.

Vodafone has challenged India using a 2012 legislation that gave it powers to retrospective tax deals like Vodafone's USD 11-billion acquisition of 67 per cent stake in the mobile phone business owned by Hutchison Whampoa in 2007.

It has challenged the demand of Rs 7,990 crore in capital gains taxes (Rs 22,100 crore after including interest and penalty) under the treaty. Tax authorities had in September 2007 served notice to Vodafone International Holdings BV for its alleged failure to deduct withholding tax from consideration paid to the Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd.

Vodafone challenged this in the Supreme Court, which in January 2012 set it aside saying the transaction was not taxable in India and so the company had no obligation to withhold tax.

In May that year, Parliament passed the Finance Act 2012 that amended various provisions of the Income Tax Act 1961 with retrospective effect to tax any gain on transfer of shares in a non-Indian company, which derives substantial value from underlying Indian assets.

The company was in January 2013 served a tax notice of Rs 14,200 crore after including interest on the principal amount. A year later, Vodafone challenged the tax demand under the Dutch BIT. The official said the company in April 2014 served the notice of arbitration after out-of-the-court dispute resolution talks failed.

The tax department in February 2016 served a demand notice of Rs 22,100 crore, including interest accruing since the date of the original demand. Vodafone has maintained that there is no liability and that it will "continue to defend vigorously any allegation that VIHBV or Vodafone India Ltd is liable to pay tax in connection with the transaction with Hutchison and will continue to exercise all rights to seek redress".
Optimal IQ's for Various Groups

BY ROBERT A. LINDSAY | DECEMBER 23, 2011  11:08 PM

Hey Rob! The 106 figure given for East Asians is highly suspicious. It seems like these are taken directly from SAT's in which East Asians are overrepresented vs. all other groups that are underrepresented (save Jews and Indians).

105 in fact seems to be the absolute bottom end of East Asian IQ, which what poorest provinces of China as well as Mongolia get.

Zhejiangs IQ was determined to be 115-116 (Ravens).

This is Zhejiangs (52 million people) performance on the recent PISA. Its roughly 1 full SD over the highest white scores.

Koreans and Japanese reaction times far outperform their alleged 105-106 IQs (110-112 for adults has been found, and most recently 110 was found for Nagoya or another city in Japan)

WNs, neo-Nazis and Klansmen grudgingly admit to higher East Asian IQs but refuse to acknowledge that

1) Chinese and Sino-Tibetans are genetically distinct from other high IQ groups like the Koreans and Japanese

2) the North Chinese and Mongols are far more pure-blooded as far as East Asians go than either Koreans or Japanese

3) the place where Chinese most likely evolved into what they are, Tibet, is one of the coldest places on earth. Its called the third pole for a reason.

4) IQ tests are biased in their age norming

5) the dumbest whites simply are not tested

6) East Asian societies are far more egalitarian than people realize, which means theres much less of a rural-urban gap and much less selection bias

All non-white IQs are essentially grossly understated due to some combination of bias or poor nutrition.

Id put optimal genotype IQ as follows:

North Coastal China: 115-118

South Coastal China: 112-116

Generalized Japanese/Korean: 110-112

Generalized Northern Euros: 97-102

Generalized Southern Euros: 92-102

Generalized Indian: 92-96 (they suffer from poor environment)

Sub-Saharan Africans: 85ish (malnutrition and poor education, but age bias favors them)

Everyone else (excl. Ashkenazi/Eastern Euros) Id take Lynns latest and then tack on some 5-10 points. The IQ of Chinese in the traditional centers of learning and wealth are grossly underestimated.

This is nice stuff. Finally, an optimistic post about IQ. It is amazing that the people of Zhejiang have IQs of 116, but it doesnt necessarily surprise me. I had always heard that the E. Asian IQ was 105, but the East Asians I kept meeting seemed so much smarter than that. A lot of them seemed smarter than I was! The numbers just did not seem to add up.

Another thing I noticed was the effortlessness of E. Asian achievement. My East Asian friends used to laugh at me for studying.

Bob? Why do you study? We never study. Haha. They got straight As.

You never study? I would ask.

Maybe a little bit, the night before a test.

This is something I have always known about smart people. My Mom used to work for a psychologist as a secretary. He administered IQ tests, among other tests.

He was brought up to believe that the high scorers studied all the time. So he would ask them if they studied a lot. The highest scorers often said that they hardly ever studied because the work was simply too easy. Often those scoring much lower said that they studied all the time, but still struggled to barely make good grades. He was getting ready to throw out the whole People are smart because they study all the time, thing.

He was also very liberal. But after giving IQ tests for 25 years, he was starting to wonder. The Jews and Asians scored highest, then the Whites, and then the Blacks. He also said that Mormons were very nice, but dumb. Welcome President Romney.

Asian scores may indeed be higher than what they seem, but this remains to be demonstrated. Surely the Zhejiang scores are very high. This makes the Zhejiang people as smart as Jews, with 3 times the population. The Protocols of the Elders of Zhejiang anyone?

It is interesting that the Chinese may have evolved in Tibet, one of the coldest places on Earth. That is if we are to put any weight on the cold = high IQ theory of IQ. I am not sure about huaxs points 4-6. I am also not sure about his optimized phenotypic IQ scores for Asia. However, the ones for Europe may be about right.

For India, he may be onto something. Indian IQs are low  at 82, lower than US Blacks at 87. However when Indians move to the West, the resulting scores tend to be ~92-96. There is of course the question of selection bias  that we are only getting the smartest of Indians. Yet Indian IQs are just as high in the UK, where any old Indian can immigrate, and they have not had boatloads of IT immigrants.

The optimal Black IQ may indeed be ~85. The US Black IQ is 87, but they have 15% White admixture. The UK Black IQ (mostly Jamaican) is 86, but they have 9% White admixture. At any rate, African and Caribbean IQs can conceivably rise to ~85 under optimal conditions. A lot of people are pessimistic about Africa, but in terms of IQ, the future may indeed be bright. We could be seeing substantial IQ rise in Africa in the future. Considering all of Africas problems, rising IQ can only benefit the continent.

Its depressing to think that Black IQ may have ceilinged out in the US and UK. Nevertheless, Western Blacks have benefited greatly from moving to the West. If they had stayed in Africa or the Caribbean, their IQs would be 67-71. They love to complain about Western racism, but it looks like in addition to a lot of racism, we also donated about 15 IQ points to them. And youre welcome.

46 responses to Optimal IQs for Various Groups

Raskolnikov

December 24, 2011 at 8:07 AM

I think 105-107 for East Asians is more accurate. PISA is not an IQ test after all. Singapore Chinese score 107, the same as Chinese in Hong Kong.

I saw a news article on Thai IQ not long ago, Thailand now scores 99, with Bangkok scoring an impressive 104. One Thai province. Thai IQ is a lot higher than it was in 1997 when it was in the low 90s. One Thai province scored a whopping 109.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/07/08/national/Thai-students-found-below-global-average-30159779.html

Reply

huax

December 24, 2011 at 8:47 AM

I believe that cold climate alone only accounts partially for higher IQ. High group IQs are the results of the following (in no specific order), I believe:

1) Food scarcity, extreme climate, anything that challenges the typical person to use intelligence to survive

2) Genocide, esp selective genocide, kinda ties in with the first

3) Civilization and cultural selection

4) Malnutrition, especially iodine deficiency, are huge

5) Education is minor but significant in all of the tests Ive looked at

Southern India (and Northern India) have been settled for a long time. Many Indian caste subgroups are highly intelligent despite climate, in my opinion, because they have been self-segregated, literate and social for thousands of years. Intelligent people when given the chance to compete will inevitably win out and have more children. Even now the smartest Indians are richer than god and the least intelligent ones are (sadly) dying by the millions.

Likewise I imagine Arabs and East Africans have average IQs of at least 90. I would personally put Eskimos at 100+, but I agree that their IQ has been limited by small population size and thus a lack of specialization and social competition.

To explain China you have to understand that theyve been a meritocratic society for thousands of years. The rich and powerful would scour the countryside for promising young men and then basically pay their way to success in return for favor once they became officials, which for Chinese men usually means lots of children at the end (though not so often with multiple wives, that was usually reserved for emperors).

Not only that, but whenever nomads committed mass murder against sinicized settlements (usually part Chinese and part non-Chinese) they would more or less kill everyone that wasnt an intellectual or that they couldnt recruit into their army.

China and East Asia in general is an extremely tough environment in general, resource poor, relatively little good agricultural land, no natural resources, miserable coastline, unpredictable weather, lots of earthquakes, etc.

Raskolnikov

I think 105-107 for East Asians is more accurate. PISA is not an IQ test after all. Singapore Chinese score 107, the same as Chinese in Hong Kong.

afaik Singaporean Chinese are at 108, but Singaporean Chinese are the descendants of Hokkien laborers with a small number of elite migrants thrown in, but also significant Malay admixture. Lee Kuan Yew himself made mention of this when speaking with a Chinese delegation, and as with many things he was right, China is indeed growing a lot faster than Singapore was as at a similar period in time.

PISA, TIMSS, SAT scores all support a higher-than-106 IQ score for East Asians in general. But what about wealth?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_wealth

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/12/the-200-trillion-world-who-owns-all-the-wealth/249788/

When WNs tabulated GDPs vs IQ they were relatively satisfied with their results, but offered a lot of crackpot theories on why East Asians underperformed. The truth is, developed East Asia has an average per capita net worth of ~120-240, not counting the balance owed to them via international investments.

If you look at the link, 127 million Japanese own 27 trillion (+ net 3 trillion from their overseas assets minus money owed domestically to foreigners). 300 million Americans own 58 trillion, and 450 million West Euros own 55 trillion.

The average Hong Konger or Singaporean Chinese is even richer than the average Japanese. Hong Kong is so rich that if they took JUST the money foreigners owed them, bought everything they owned domestically, and then split the remainder among the citizenry, theyd be able to write a check for $115,000 to every single man, woman, child and baby in Hong Kong. And thats in nominal terms. 10% of Singaporean and Hong Kong Chinese are also dollar millionaires.

Taiwan is similar, on a nominal basis they have $120k per capita, but PPP becomes $240k. Likewise, Chinas GDP has been growing 8-10% but their *wealth* has grown 15% or more every year.

The problem with using GDP as a proxy for success in IQ debates is that GDP is not wealth. If you earn $100,000 and waste 80% of it, youre not smarter than a guy who lives just as well with half your income. GDP also includes the cost of crime and damages, which is why GDP always rises sharply after natural disasters or during wars.

Reply

Hacienda

December 24, 2011 at 10:35 AM

GDP also includes the cost of crime and damages, which is why GDP always rises sharply after natural disasters or during wars.

Most Americans couldnt tell you what GDP stands for. But if you wave a flag in front of them, they enlist and fight to topple statues. Its actually far, far simpler than anything you learned in school. FAR simpler.

In fact school is confusing because you do the things you just did above. Like try to explain away a confusion about GDP. My point is there is no confusion because nobody thinks about it in the first place. Not in America, anyway.

I believe the solution to the worlds problem is an updated form of Gehghis Kahn. Lots of fucking for Asian men. But this time we dont have to do the messy business of killing Eurasians. :Just do it.

Reply

huax

December 24, 2011 at 10:39 AM

This is targeted specifically at the WNs/HBers and other faux intellectual frauds who smugly use GDP as a measure of value or wealth, when it is neither.

And I definitely do not want to see East Asian men screwing around with women of other races including Southeast Asians.

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Hacienda

December 24, 2011 at 10:43 AM

And I definitely do not want to see East Asian men screwing around with women of other races including Southeast Asians.

I think I know why, but why?

huax

December 24, 2011 at 11:08 AM

Because the women are usually brought back into the husbands nation, and their offspring will be lower IQ, less healthy, more prone to crime, etc. East Asia is far too small as it is, as small groups of herders and hunters were forced off their land by teeming Caucasoid hordes.

I guess as long as you dont do it in East Asian land and keep the half-breeds away theres no harm to it.

Hacienda

December 25, 2011 at 9:04 AM

keep the half-breeds away

Thats remarkably passive approach to life.

How then do you settle the woman shortage in China? If women leave and the men stay?

Ive met lots of Chinese men in my life, truth is very few, very very few of them strike me as being remarkable. Actually very humdrum. Blacks are far more interesting personality wise than Asian men. On the excitement scale I rank blacks>whites>Asian men. On the thoughtfulness scale, the opposite. An thoughtfulness is boring, anyway. Whites seem to be the best at being Grecian. Building statues and geometric things, beauty contests, organized judging, being mounted by tuxedoes and other garments.

huax

December 25, 2011 at 9:03 PM

There is a woman shortage everywhere.

huax

December 24, 2011 at 8:49 AM

Lots of redundancy and poor editing in that post but I think its still readable

Reply

NonKoolAidDrinker

December 25, 2011 at 2:45 PM

When did Caucasoid hordes force East Asians off their land? Are you talking about Russians in Siberia? You guys stole Southeast Asia from Australoid people and Central Asia from Caucasoid people. The average Caucasoid has more East Asian dna than the other way around. Do the math.

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huax

December 25, 2011 at 9:02 PM

Nope, everything from Northeastern Europe to Argentina was Amerind or Northeast or East Asian territory until the natives were swarmed and genocided by Caucasoids.

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NonKoolAidDrinker

July 25, 2012 at 8:20 PM

What a pathetic lie. Central Asia was Caucasoid until the eastern expansion of Mongoloid groups like the Huns and Mongols. Southeast Asia and Austroneasia was Austroloid and Negrito until Mongoloid people migrated south from Southern China.

I dont think NE Europe was ever Mongoloid majority. It was probably the western edge of a gradational Cauc/Mong mixed area that extended from northern Scandinavia to Eastern Siberia. Most Arctic Eurasians are somewhat mixed between Caucasoid and Mongoloid to varying degrees.

huax

December 24, 2011 at 8:55 AM

Well I just looked at the data and supposedly Taiwanese have $180,000 per capita nominal, which would be $360,000 in PPP, which sounds insane to me but I havent investigated for several years now.

My general stance on IQ is that its far malleable than WNs want to believe. Its highly variable over the years even for whole groups of people. If only the smartest blacks were given aid or assistance their average IQ would probably rise to 90-100 in a few generations.

Reply

Raskolnikov

December 24, 2011 at 9:19 AM

Yeah youre right, Singapore Chinese score 108 while Singapore Malays score 92, I predict that Singapore Indians would score in between given their academic performance which is between that of Chinese and Malays, though I dont see any evidence that their labourer ancestry makes any difference. The English middle class are mostly descended from English labourers, who in turn descend from peasants, it doesnt seem to have affected their IQ.

Reply

huax

December 24, 2011 at 9:27 AM

One thing is that Chinese laborers derive from a well-established (thousands of years) underclass. Likewise they already had some degree of Southeast Asian admixture (as do I) even before they intermingled with the Malays.

Both of these factors are likely to lower IQ significantly.

Reply

Bay Area Guy

December 24, 2011 at 11:45 AM

Ah, everyones favorite East Asian equivalent of a nordicist HBDer is back. Ill let other commenters have at it.

Reply

anonymous

December 24, 2011 at 2:48 PM

Reply

Robert Lindsay

December 24, 2011 at 4:57 PM

LOL.

Reply

Raskolnikov

December 24, 2011 at 12:04 PM

Korean dont seem to be any more intelligent than South Chinese, so I dont know where huax is getting this Southeast Asian admixture lowering IQ from. Also note the article I linked to on Thailands IQ, that brings into the question the assumption that Southeast Asians have a genetically lower IQ.

Here it is again.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/07/08/national/Thai-students-found-below-global-average-30159779.html

Thats a near 7 point rise since 1997.

Reply

huax

December 24, 2011 at 2:51 PM

Southeast Asians arent stupid. But yes, they do have a genetically lower IQ than North and East Asians. Ive always said that the Viets and possibly Thais are smarter than whites. That said North Chinese and Koreans arent the same thing, the mixtures are different  and Koreans as a whole have a significant amount of Ainuid/Southeast Asian blood as the Japanese do.

BAG

Ah, everyones favorite East Asian equivalent of a nordicist HBDer is back. Ill let other commenters have at it.

I brought some tampons and kleenex because I knew you might show up, but Ill take that straw man off of your hands. Merry Christmas.

Reply

Gay State Girl

December 24, 2011 at 4:44 PM

Huax

If this is so, why the need to prove it? Why not shut up and enjoy your high IQs without flaunting it. That is what I find most admirable about East Asian society. I always said that hubris would be the undoing of the West.

I have a feeling that the majority of pure East Asians wouldnt even look at you. The rejects of society become its biggest patriots.

Reply

huax

December 24, 2011 at 9:43 PM

Because most East Asians deny it. East Asians need to realize that their IQ is a rare gift and that other races are more prone to violence due to nature and that they wont just change for the better with time.

That said even if someone is a moron, it doesnt mean they dont deserve to live. Thats where East Asians and whites differ, whites and blacks love to feel superior.

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Bay Area Guy

December 25, 2011 at 8:06 AM

whites and blacks love to feel superior.

Sounds like a certain commenter on this blog.

Bay Area Guy

December 24, 2011 at 7:10 PM

@ GSG

Agreed. If Huax were really so secure about the supremacy of East Asians, he wouldnt feel the need to come onto predominantly white blogs and throw temper tantrums in the process of defending his precious Asians. He sounds just like the whiny, hysterical WNs he claims to hate so much.

And Huax keeps accusing me of strawmen arguments. Is there anything I really say about Huax that is a strawman?

I mean lets see. I say that Huax is an East Asian chauvinist and the East Asian equivalent of an HBDer.

Am I wrong? Huax has CONSISTENTLY said that East Asians are the most intelligent, moral race. He consistently says that both blacks and whites are dumb, inferior and subhuman races. He doesnt have a high opinion of Southeast Asians either, and sees them as low IQ people who cant compete with the Chinese. And of course, he thinks that East Asians are that much better because of their genes.

He thinks that Chinese people are absolutely perfect in terms of their intelligence, morals, etc (his only critique of the Chinese is that theyre too kind to outsiders, which he highlights as evidence of their supreme morality). And again, this is due to genes.

So come on, Huax. What strawman have I burned down? Do you really deny the above? If so, I can fish out plenty of statements youve made in the past.

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huax

December 24, 2011 at 9:47 PM

East Asian chauvinist and the East Asian equivalent of an HBDer.

Dont exist.

Huax has CONSISTENTLY said that East Asians are the most intelligent, moral race

So? Its true. Even if I were black or a talking dolphin I would still say the same.

He doesnt have a high opinion of Southeast Asians either, and sees them as low IQ people who cant compete with the Chinese.

I said before that I like most Southeast Asians. But its true that their IQ is 90-100ish.

He thinks that Chinese people are absolutely perfect in terms of their intelligence, morals

Nope. Straw man. I said East Asians are the most intelligent and moral. That says almost nothing considering people in general can be pretty bad.

And again, Huax, are you so fucking thick that you dont see the irony that all youre doing is regurgitating what WHITE scientific racists of the past believed?

Dont cry so much

LOL, you cant even demonize whites without resorting to HBD arguments that WHITES came up with in the first place.

You mean whites came up with the concept of creativity? Thats classical white delusion. HBers say it because theyre idiots and dont know their heads from their asses. I say it because its true.

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anonymous

December 24, 2011 at 11:00 PM

Im curious, why do you claim that Asians are the most moral? How are you quantifying morality?

huax

December 24, 2011 at 11:04 PM

Lowest murder rates, lowest rape rates, lowest spousal and child abuse rates, doesnt steal money from poorer nations, havent started any wars recently, dont pollute as much.

Generally dont lie, cheat or steal as much, and dont need a fake god to behave themselves.

huax

December 24, 2011 at 11:04 PM

And they tend to do well on the wallet/cell phone test, esp. adjusted for population density

pam32

December 25, 2011 at 12:33 AM

Quote: he (Huox) thinks that East Asians are that much better because of their genes.

Bruce (Lahn) we know its not driven by personal bias. That is because Asians dont score at the top in the frequency of the brain-gene mutations

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB115040765329081636-T5DQ4jvnwqOdVvsP_XSVG_lvgik_20060628.html?mod=blogs

Reply

huax

December 26, 2011 at 9:54 AM

Yep  Asian isnt a race, but if taken as a whole this is true. Whites and caucasoids in general also have many mutations that lower IQ.

Bay Area Guy

December 25, 2011 at 8:10 AM

Dont exist.

Besides the one Chinese dipshit Im conversing with right now, apparently not.

Dont cry so much

Huax, dont flatter yourself. Im not crying at all. I just think youre one of the most delusional, insane people Ive ever met, and its fun tweaking you.

Reply

huax

December 26, 2011 at 9:54 AM

Youre the only one mad here, as usual. We can tell because youve already declared five or six times that youd never talk to me again, which is the internet equivalent of rescinding invitations to your tea party.

Bay Area Guy

December 24, 2011 at 7:11 PM

And again, Huax, are you so fucking thick that you dont see the irony that all youre doing is regurgitating what WHITE scientific racists of the past believed?

So much for Asian creativity. LOL, you cant even demonize whites without resorting to HBD arguments that WHITES came up with in the first place.

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LoveUk

December 24, 2011 at 8:50 PM

Just personal observation from what I have witnessed in contemporary American Schools in large metropolitan areas such as New York. Highest SAT scores and ability to enter best Universities such as (MIT, Harvard)

1. Japanese (smallest group)

2. Chinese (largest group) Vietnamese

3. Koreans

4. American Jews

5. Hindus / Pakis

6. Eastern European Immigrants (including Russian Jews)

7. Affluent Whites

Ditto for Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Blacks, Italian Americans, Trailer Trash Whites other Latinos including Brazilians

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Raskolnikov

December 24, 2011 at 4:20 PM

It seems that these mythical pure East Asians with ultra high IQs exist neither in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Singapore. There maybe an isolated group living close to the Arctic circle with extreme epicanthic eye folds that have yet to be discovered yet with genetic IQs in excess of 115, practicing an advanced primitive culture. Please go and look for them.

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huax

December 24, 2011 at 9:51 PM

Korea + Japan + Taiwan + Hong Kong + Singapore = 235 million, hey, that accounts for the other 1,365 million, because I desperately want to believe it!

Read what I said before, Koreans and Japanese are a nationality made up of several distinct ethnic groups just as Chinese are. But Koreans and Japanese are less likely to distinguish themselves based on very obvious phenotypical differences, whereas Chinese are separated based on sheer geographic size. The purer East Asians are concentrated in pockets of China (around 700 million of them) that most whites dont have exposure to.

Reply

Raskolnikov

December 25, 2011 at 10:20 AM

huax where are you getting these numbers from? Can you link me to a study that shows that e.g. Koreans are impure East Asians while some Chinese are pure?

You sound a lot like Nordicist (not to mention a Chinese nationalist!) when you talk about purer East Asians in pockets of China. I suppose you can identify them by physical features alone right!

According to you, South Chinese arent pure East Asian either. So who are these fabled creatures?

Reply

huax

December 25, 2011 at 11:14 AM

Sound like a Nordicist? Thats deeply insulting because Nordicists are fucking retards. Perhaps the biggest retards to ever live. But yes, I may sound like it on the surface.

But I dont assign anything special to purity. North Chinese are relatively pure for better or worse and only by chance. But its the slightly mixed ones that do the best on IQ tests (coasts), like in Shandong where they are mixed North Chinese and a little Altaic, or in the classical South where they are partially Austronesian.

South Koreans are likewise not pure, you can see this simply by moving around in South Korea. The way they see it at least is that there are dark and light skinned Koreans, to me thats Southeast Asian/Ainuid admixture. That doesnt mean there arent pockets of pure Altaic Koreans, there are and there are millions upon millions of them. Same goes for the Japanese. However, if were talking nations taken as a whole then yes Japan and Korea are almost as heterogeneous as China as a whole is.

As far as where the pure Chinese are, theyre in a relatively limited corridor from North Sichuan to the Loess Plateau. Theyve had relatively little interaction with sizable non-East Asian groups. Id say there are roughly 200, 300 million of them.

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Raskolnikov

December 25, 2011 at 12:52 PM

So you arent basing it on genetic studies? Everything Ive seen puts Koreans and North Chinese in the same cluster East Asian cluster. A darker skin doesnt imply admixture either.

Reply

huax

December 25, 2011 at 9:01 PM

Theyre relatively close with some points touching. Its the Northeast and Coastal North Chinese that are closer to Koreans, the Northerners are close to Tibetans, Yi, Naxi, etc.

NonKoolAidDrinker

December 25, 2011 at 3:23 PM

Lowest murder rates, lowest rape rates, lowest spousal and child abuse rates, doesnt steal money from poorer nations, havent started any wars recently, dont pollute as much.

Generally dont lie, cheat or steal as much, and dont need a fake god to behave themselves.

LOL!!! YEAH, THE MONGOLS WERE VERY MORAL PEOPLE. THEY NEVER STOLE ANYTHING FROM WEAKER TRIBES/NATIONS. THE HUNS WERE VERY MORAL PEOPLE. THE IMPERIAL JAPANESE WERE VERY MORAL PEOPLE.

EAST ASIANS ARENT MORALLY SUPERIOR, THEYRE JUST CONFORMISTS. IF THEIR SOCIETY IS LAW ABIDING THEN THEYRE LAW ABIDING. IF THEIR SOCIETY IS WARLIKE THEN THEYRE WARLIKE.

Reply

Gay State Girl

December 25, 2011 at 4:13 PM

dont need a fake god to behave themselves.

Perhaps you could explain the growing popularity of Christianity in East Asian countries and among EA immigrants in the West.

Reply

huax

December 25, 2011 at 9:00 PM

Yes, its so popular that 1-2% of the population of China and Japan are Christian.

Reply

vivek

December 25, 2011 at 6:53 PM

I went to two different primary schools in Kenya- one with a lot of very poor black kids whose parents werent educated and one with kids of Ministers and senior officials. What struck me was that the poor black kids seemed way smarter than us privileged middle class types. But, theyd have to drop out by age ten. A few could get to High School as pupil-teachers (this is also how things happened in the U.K back in the Nineteenth Century) but that meant spending the better part of their career out in some remote village being bossed around by the Tribal elders.

Is low IQ a defence against being shat upon by life? If its really true that India and Thailand have lower average IQ than China, maybe its because both countries had a worse caste system. In the Indian case, stupidity is actually considered something divine and were happy paying a lot of money to really stupid Godmen or women to learn the profound Yoga of being stupid.

Frankly, the way things are now in Europe, with Post Grads unable to get jobs, pay off their student loans, get a mortgage, get married and so on- theyd have been better off investing in glue sniffing or solvent abuse rather than hitting the books.

Reply

Shawn

December 26, 2011 at 4:26 PM

I made a comment about intro/extroversion and where E. Asians fit (a little off topic but interesting). Here is my comment if you are interested:

http://infoproc.blogspot.com/2011/12/asian-admissions-statistical-prediction.html#comment-393766127

Reply

Mike Pereira

April 15, 2012 at 12:16 AM

I believe there is a strong genetic component. From what I have read, the IQ of males is strongly linked to the x chromosome inherited from the mother. Ive had about a million autosomal base pairs of my DNA tested in addition to the X chromosome and it appears that my X chromosome is about 75% East Asian (Chinese). My brother did not inherit this chromosome and he is of average intelligence like most of my family (mestizos).
Morocco has strongly condemned the recent provocative actions carried out by the Polisario in the locality of Tifariti, to the east of the Moroccan defense berm, reiterating its unwavering determination to defend its territorial integrity and its national unity throughout the country.

The Kingdom of Morocco considers this provocation a new and serious violation of the ceasefire and a blatant challenge to the authority of the Security Council, said the Foreign Ministry in a statement issued in the early hours of Sunday.

The Security Council had called, in a resolution adopted in April, on the Polisario to withdraw immediately from the buffer zone and warned that Polisarios military incursions are a violation of the ceasefire agreement and a serious threat to the political process which UN Secretary Generals Personal Envoy Horst Kohler is trying to launch.

Ignoring the Security Council warning and in blatant violation of UN agreements the Algeria-backed Polisario separatists announced the organization this May 20 of military parades and drills in the locality of Tifarity.

Morocco, which has officially alerted the President and the members of the Security Council, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and MINURSO, has asked them to assume their responsibilities and to take the necessary measures against these unacceptable actions, the statement said.

Actually, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, made it clear Saturday that no action should be taken that may constitute a change to the status quo on the ground.

The Secretary-General is closely following the developments in the Sahara. In accordance with Security Council Resolution 2414 adopted on 27 April 2018, and in order to maintain an environment conducive to the resumption of dialogue under the auspices of his Personal Envoy Horst Kohler, the Secretary-General calls for maximum restraint, a statement issued the UN Chiefs Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, said.

Antonio Guterres insists that No action should be taken, which may constitute a change to the status quo, Dujarric pointed out.

In this connection, the statement by the Moroccan Foreign Ministry underscored that at a time when the Security Council calls for the relaunch of the political process with a view to reaching a realistic, pragmatic and sustainable solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, these acts of provocation by the other parties seriously undermine the efforts of the United Nations. The statement added that Morocco asks the United Nations, and more particularly MINURSO, to fulfill its mandate in the face of the repeated violations of the ceasefire.

Morocco regrets that this escalation unfolds with the blessing and complicity of a neighboring country. This neighboring country, Algeria, is member of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), but it violates the unions charter, by closing its borders with Morocco and by sheltering on its soil an armed movement, that threatens the territorial integrity of another AMU member.

Algeria, instead of respecting the values of neighborliness and the imperatives of regional stability, continues to encourage the Polisario mercenaries in their destabilizing action, in violation of international legality.

Actually, the international community is increasingly aware of Algerias responsibility in perpetuating the Sahara conflict and as the conflict drags, the thousands of Sahrawis held forcibly in the Polisario-run Tindouf camps continue to live in appalling conditions.

By the way, Morocco has officially requested the UN authorities concerned to launch an international inquiry to shed light on the situation in these camps.
Averting a trade war, China and the US on Sunday struck a deal under which Beijing will "significantly increase" its purchases of American goods and services. (Photo: AFP)

Washington: Averting a trade war, China and the US on Sunday struck a deal under which Beijing will "significantly increase" its purchases of American goods and services to reduce the whopping USD 375 billion trade deficit with Washington.

After lengthy second round of talks in Washington, the two sides issued a joint statement early on Sunday vowing not to launch a trade war against each other.

"There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the US trade deficit in goods with China," the joint statement said. "To meet the growing consumption needs of the Chinese people and the need for high-quality economic development, China will significantly increase purchases of United States goods and services," it added.

This will help support growth and employment in the United States. US President Donald Trump has threatened punitive measures against Chinese goods if Beijing does not cut down the trade deficit by USD 100 billion in a month and USD 200 billion by 2020. US says it has USD 375 billion trade deficit in USD 636 billion total trade last year.

China says the trade deficit is around USD 200 billion. China too threatened a tit-for-tat retaliation but blinked in the end with a categorical undertaking to import more goods from US.

The two sides agreed on meaningful increases in United States agriculture and energy exports. The United States will send a team to China to work out the details, said the joint statement at the conclusion of the trade delegation level talks between the two countries.

The United States delegation included Secretary of the Treasury Steven T Mnuchin, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross, and United States Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer.

The Chinese delegation was led by Vice Premier Liu He, the Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping. The two sides also discussed expanding trade in manufactured goods and services.

There was consensus on the need to create favourable conditions to increase trade in these areas. The two nations attach great importance to the protection of intellectual property rights and agreed to strengthen cooperation.

China will advance relevant amendments to its laws and regulations in this area, including the Patent Law, the joint statement said.

The two trade delegations also agreed to encourage two-way investment and to strive to create a fair, level playing field for competition. "Both sides agreed to continue to engage at high levels on these issues and to seek to resolve their economic and trade concerns in a proactive manner," the statement said.

Liu told state-run China Daily in an interview that the trade talks are "quite successful, very meaningful and very fruitful". Asked about what will be followed up in the coming months, Liu said that the two sides will see where "we have reached the consensus", and that they have already established some working groups, including the agricultural group, for consultations on concrete areas.

"Maybe some ministers from the US government will lead the groups to Beijing and will meet our colleagues to have deeper discussions with us and try to make concrete deals," he said.

The agreement came after reports that China has agreed to cut the deficit by USD 200 billion. A draft framework of US demands include China to cut the trade deficit by at least USD 200 billion by the end of 2020.

Washington also demanded Beijing halt subsidies for industries under the "Made in China 2025" plan, and that China should not resort to retaliatory measures against the US.

The trade spat between the top two economies of the world began last month with Trump imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports into US. China retaliated by imposing additional tariffs worth about USD three billion on 128 US products. Trump, while demanding China to reduce the USD 375 billion by USD 100 billion retaliated with USD 50 billion tariffs on Chinese products.

In retaliation, China announced plans to impose new tariffs of 25 per cent worth USD 50 billion on 106 American products including items like soybeans which could hurt American farmers.

The two countries have not yet implemented their tariff increases. Meanwhile, the opposition Democratic party criticised the Trump Administration of having failed to make much progress in trade disputes with China.

"The key to a strong agreement is protecting our intellectual property here in America and stopping the Chinese from keeping out our best goods until we hand over our trade secrets and know how in such things as required joint ventures. The joint statement has nothing specific on those fronts and no amount of immediate and short-term purchases of American goods will make up for that," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

"Furthermore, there is no mention of ZTE. If the administration capitulates on ZTE and allows it to continue to exist, even if they are fined - they've been fined once already - that will signal to President Xi that we are weak negotiators," Schumer alleged.

Last month, the US Commerce Department moved to block the ZTE Corp., a major supplier of telecoms networks and smartphones based in China, from importing American components for seven years, accusing it of misleading American regulators after the company settled charges of violating sanctions against North Korea and Iran.

In a surprising overture to China, President Trump had said he would help the Chinese telecommunications company get "back into business".
Disha Patani got a pretty good debut with M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story and then she starred with her alleged beau Tiger Shroff in Baaghi 2.

The super success of the movie seems to have opened doors for Disha. The actress, who has recently been confirmed as one of the actresses in Bharat, will reportedly also be seen in Hrithik Roshans movie.

The movie in talks is Dishoom director Rohit Dhawan and Hrithiks collaboration, which is slated to go on floors by the end of next year.

Reveals a source to Pinkvilla, Rohit Dhawan has been working on the script for a while now. Hrithik is on board with him and they were on a hunt for the leading lady. For the same, they have approached Disha Patani. The paperwork hasnt taken place yet. But the initial talks have happened and from the looks of it, the actress has given her nod. Things will be finalised by next month and an official announcement is slated to happen in June or July.

Adds another source, Hrithik Roshan is currently working on Super 30. Once that movie wraps up, he will begin shooting for the YRF movie that stars Tiger Shroff along with him. That is expected to wrap up by year-end. Post that Hrithik and Disha will begin work on this movie. It is slated to roll out in December or January next year. Sajid Nadiadwala, who is the producer of this movie, wants to release the movie sometime in 2019.

Disha, who is currently shooting for Sanghamitra, was in the news for posting an image of her washboard abs on social media.
Cannes: The irony of these words and the cussed Quixotic determination of director Terry Gilliam was not lost on anyone on Friday night when, at the relatively smaller Salle Bazin theatre at Cannes Palais des Festivals, his film, 'The Man Who Killed Don Quixote', was shown to world press for the first time.

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, a film that has been in the making for 29 years and is often called "the most cursed production in cinematic history", opened with the warning that its rights are subject to current court proceedings, inviting boos, hoots and laughter from journalists.

Portuguese producer Paulo Branco, who worked with Gilliam on the film at some point, claims he too has rights to the movie and has sued Cannes organisers in a French court, insisting that the film not be screened. On Wednesday, a Paris court gave Cannes and Gilliam the go-ahead to show the film, with the caveat that the last leg of the court battle continues.

Gilliams film, which is an adaptation of Cervantes novel Don Quixote and stars Jonathan Pryce (better known as High Sparrow in 'Game of Thrones') as Quixote and Adam Driver as Toby Grisoni/Sancho Panza, will premiere at Cannes as the festivals closing film on Saturday night.

Gilliam's film, very American in its adaptation and narrative style, with a generous sprinkling of slapstick humour, is a grand, fun but silly spectacle. Most of its charm and significance lies in the stories of tragedies and mishaps the film has suffered repeatedly, including the death of two actors who, at different stages, were set to play Quixote.

Gilliam, now 77, first announced 'The Man Who Killed Don Quixote' in 1998, at the premiere of his film, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

However, due to funding issues, the shooting could begin only in 2000, with Johnny Depp playing Toby Grisoni, an American director of TV commercials who returns to a village in Spain 10 years after he had shot his student film there and meets the man who had played his Quixote, setting off the films chain of crazed events where he has to take on the role of Sancho Panza.

French actor Jean Rochefort was playing Quixote and Vanessa Paradis was the female lead.

But, on the first day of the shooting, the loud roar of jets from a nearby NATO airbase kept creating sound issues and the next day a violent storm struck the set, leading to flooding and equipment got washed away into a gully. By the time the set dried up, Jean Rochefort was hospitalised with a back injury. Few weeks later, Rochefort informed Gilliam that he would not be able to return. He died in October 2017 from a prostate infection.

This story, of Gilliams first star-crossed attempts to make The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, was turned into a documentary, Lost in La Mancha, by Keith Fluton and Louis Pepe. The film released in 2002.

Since then various names, from Robert Duvall to Ewan McGregor, from Gerard Depardieu to John Hurt, have been part of the project at various times. None could stay on due to various issues to see the film through. In September 2015, Hurt, who was to play Quixote, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He passed away last year.

Speaking to the press at Cannes, Gilliam said, I just kept going on and on. Ive never been able to explain why I was so determined, obsessed to make it. After a point I realised that if youre going to do Quixote youve got to become Quixote. Youve got to have ups and downs.

He Dreamed of Giants, a follow-up documentary by Fluton and Pepe, chronicling Gilliams post-2002 attempts to make Don Quixote as a parallel to Quixote's own quest to become a hero, is set to release alongside 'The Man Who Killed Don Quixote'.
The biopic Mahanati is a super hit, the audience has loved it but Dr Kamala Selvaraj, a well known gynecologist from Chennai, who is the daughter of Gemini Ganeshans first wife Babuji, has objected to few scenes in the film. Theyve just glorified Savitri, ignored others, and portrayed my father in a poor light, she said.

Actress Savitri was Gemini Ganeshans third wife. Interestingly, all the step siblings from Gemini Ganeshans three marriages, which includes Bollywood actress Rekha and her sister too, share a very warm relationship. Which is why Ganeshans daughter with Savitri  Vijaya Chamundeswari  who is very happy with the way the film has turned out, doesnt want to contradict her step sisters feelings. I maintain good relations with my sister, Dr Kamala. We meet regularly in Chennai. I dont want to spoil our relationship. Whatever she has said is her perception, I dont want to comment or condemn it, Vijaya said.

Nag Ashwin, Swapna and Priyanka Dutt, the director and producers of the film, met Vijaya and asked for her inputs while developing the script. Yes, they came to me and I gave them inputs about my mother and my father. I have seen the film and I am extremely happy with the way all the characters have been portrayed in it, she said.

According to a source, the makers even met with Dr Kamala and explained to her what they had planned. They told her that while there was no doubt that Gemini Ganeshnan was one of the best actors of his time, it was a well-known fact that he was also a womaniser.

Savitri and Gemini Ganeshan

Ironically, though Dr Kamala feels that her father has been shown in a negative light, Telugu audiences felt the opposite  that he has been shown in a more positive character than he really was.

Director Nag Ashwin refused to comment, saying the story is based on historical facts that everyone knows about. I cant say anything about Dr Kamala; it is her perception. History is public, Savitris story is public, and now, the movie is also public. I cant say anything more, he said.

Pasupuleti Rama Rao, a senior journalist who travelled with Savitri for nearly 18 years and was with her in her last days, is also of the opinion that Ganeshan did let Savitri down. He says, The first mistake she made was to marry a person who was already married and had children. Many people in the industry cautioned her against it, but she didnt listen. They were in love and they got married. Gemini loved Savitri very much, but when she was in a coma, he didnt take much care of her.

He adds that her drinking habit was the second cause of her ruin. Initially, both Savitri and Gemini drank socially. Later, she became an addict, he said.

Dr Kamala Selvaraj
Britain's Prince Harry speaks to his bride, Meghan Markle, during their wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo: AP)

WINDSOR, England: Meghan Markle picked a sleek sculpted dress by the British designer of couture house Givenchy for her marriage to Prince Harry on Saturday, worn with a five-metre long veil and a sparkling diamond tiara lent by Queen Elizabeth.

The pure white long-sleeved gown with a boat neck had been eagerly anticipated by royal fans around the world, with speculation over which designer would be chosen starting soon after the couple announced their engagement in November. As the bride stepped out of her classic Rolls-Royce, Kensington Palace announced that Clare Waight Keller, who became the first female artistic director at famed French house Givenchy last year, had secured the coveted role of making the dress.

The 47-year-old, previously at Pringle of Scotland and Chloe, met Meghan earlier this year and the two worked together on the design, which epitomises a timeless minimal elegance, Kensington Palace said.

The focus of the dress is the graphic open bateau neckline that gracefully frames the shoulders and emphasises the slender sculpted waist, the palace said in a statement. The lines of the dress extend towards the back where the train flows in soft round folds cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. The slim three-quarter sleeves add a note of refined modernity.

The gown made of double bonded cady silk with a sweeping train was simple in style, which won praise from fashionistas. Edward Enninful, the editor of British Vogue, called the dress beautiful while bridal designer Raishma said the gown was an example of couture design at its most classic and timeless.

It was not a Cinderella choice, not one that spoke of fantasy or old-fashioned fairy tales, but one that placed the woman proudly front and center, Vanessa Friedman, fashion director and chief fashion critic at The New York Times, wrote. It underscored Ms. Markles own independence by divesting her of frippery, while also respecting tradition and keeping her covered up.

On social media, fans mainly showered the bride, who wore her hair up, with compliments, some even posting an image of Cinderella. Outside the wedding venue in Windsor, well-wishers were divided over its simplicity. It was simple and elegant, 23-year-old Emily Devaney from New Zealand said. Its probably hard to dress for a royal wedding - you probably dont have much you can go with but I thought she looked beautiful.

Nursing student Linda ODwyer said it was very modern and classy and she preferred it to the lace-embroidered gown Kate Middleton wore at her 2011 wedding to Prince William. It was like (Meghan) didnt want it to be too over the top with lots of embroidery. It really suited her style, she said.

However spectator Jennifer Hill, 69, described it as very plain. Im not surprised but slightly disappointed, she said. I thought it might be a little more flamboyant but it was very simplistic. I prefer her hair down.

COMMONWEALTH TRIBUTE

The well-kept secret over who would design the dress had kept royal fans and fashionistas guessing for months. Among the those cited as contenders were labels Ralph & Russo and Burberry as well as designer Stella McCartney. Waight Keller, whose name has now been catapulted into the global spotlight, described the chance to work on the historic occasion as an honour.

We wanted to create a timeless piece that would emphasise the iconic codes of Givenchy throughout its history, as well as convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts, she said in a statement.

Meghans long veil, made of silk tulle, was decorated with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza, the palace said, and paid tribute to the 53 countries of the Commonwealth. Ms. Waight Keller designed a veil representing the distinctive flora of each Commonwealth country united in one spectacular floral composition, the palace said.

Prince Harry last month was appointed a Commonwealth youth ambassador. Queen Elizabeth lent the 36-year-old bride a historic tiara for the occasion. Made in 1932 for Elizabeths grandmother Queen Mary, the sparkling diamond and platinum bandeau has a centre brooch dating from 1893.

Meghan, now to be called the Duchess of Sussex, also wore Cartier earrings and bracelet, and silk duchess satin shoes. For the evening wedding reception, Meghan changed into a Stella McCartney design - a slinky silk crepe dress in lily white, with a high neck.
One of the most anticipated weddings of the decade took place on May 19 and it was larger than life, as expected. But the most unexpected was the presence of an all black choir and an African-American pastor, Michael Curry. People gushed about how Megan Markle paid a tribute to her roots by calling them in as a part of her family, who are black, could not be there.

The choir was a delight. But the show stealer was Pastor Curry. His reverberating speech  at least some thought so before it went on and on  just didnt seem to stop. He started off by quoting Martin Luther King, the civil rights icon. We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will be able to make of this old world a new world. Love is the only way.

This was just the beginning. His extempore speech, addressing the guests as brothers and sisters, also highlighted social justice issues, LGBT rights and more.

The Royal family was taken aback. The Queen wasnt amused, Prince William was seen cracking up and Kate Middleton couldnt keep a straight face. Princess Beatrice and Eugenie were both seen giggling.

Sky News journalist Mark Austin reportedly said: Lovely moment as the preacher takes the Royals to the edge of their comfort zone.

Pastor Curry became an instant hit on social media. Twitter had some fantastic memes and responses.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

ANNIE DREA@AnnieDreaXO

Megan said my black family aint coming but my black pastor is, praise God, hallelujah

MphoRamphele@Mphora10

Amen Bishop Curry. The royal family is shook. The man behind the bishop...is he alive or awake? #RoyalWedding

C. S. Hamilton@3choiprodigy

Lol- yes Zara Phillips did look bored but in her defense she's about 8mths pregnant. So it's safe to say hard wooded seats, 3/4in heals, and long sermons (no matter how good) are not her back (and bladder's) friends at the moment. #royalwedding

Amy Donaldson@Dajh23

Haha Im loving the faces of some of the ppl at the #RoyalWedding. Lets get on with the wedding already Who is getting fired?? Im so lost! Lmao #PastorCurry

matt burton @burt0602

Is this a wedding or a lecture ?? #RoyalWedding #RoyalWedding2018 #Royal WeddingTODAY

Tunku Varadarajan@tunkuv

Couldnt they have found a nice English pastor?? This love/lerv-energy-talk is starting to annoy me...

Nirupama Menon Rao@NMenonRao

Agree totally.Too much about all of Gods children and love is the way and a new Heaven and a New Earth and a New World and a new family. The Look on the faces of Prince Charles and Camilla is a give away. And now hes talking about fire. Good Lord in Heaven. Make him stop soon.

DSG@DS07051622

Wish I had overs in how many times this guy would say love in this wedding. He went on and on...

Steph Whitaker@CosIsaysodammit

I thought it was a lovely message but way too long and a over performed. I think some of the Royal family behaved very badly opening sniggering at him, especially the York girls

Felicia@wellheeled

Watching the re-airing of the #RoyalWedding

The expressions of the Brits during #PastorCurry's sermon is a years worth of memes.

David Lammy@DavidLammy

What power what courage what preaching with a global audience in witness. When love is the way.. poverty will become History The redemptive power of Love. Well done Bishop Curry. #RoyalWeddding

Becky@becky_beadle

Watching the royals trying to keep a straight face whilst listening to the American preacher is what I live for #royalwedding

Elamin Abdelmahmoud@elamin88

A black reverend preaching to British royalty about the resilience of faith during slavery is 10000000% not what I thought I was waking up for, the royal wedding is good.

Wadzanai@Mama__Africa

African American Reverend, Michael Curry, quoted MLK and made reference to slavery at the #RoyalWedding, in front of the colonisers themselves. A black choir sang Stand By Me. Someone ululated during the vows. I told myself I wouldn't watch it, but here I am...

Krystal Forbes@_KrystalForbes

Bishop Michael Curry really lit my whole heart up with his message. He was ready to do a whole sermon and I was ready for it. And then #MyPeople came through and blessed the world with #StandByMe. #RoyalWedding. Lord thank you for all of this beauty this early in the morning.

naeemak@naeemak66208515

If you really think rambling on for 10 minutes about fire was adding 'life' to the ceremony, I feel sorry for you.
Hyderabad: Twenty-five beggars, seven insurance agents and other miscreants were picked up by the East Zone police in a cordon and search in Osmania General Hospital on Saturday.

A total of 150 police personnel questioned and searched 800 patients in the building. Of them 25 beggars who had out-patient slips were picked up as they came in the morning and late in the evening and camped in the corridors of the hospital. Homeless and abandoned people who were in the parking areas and in the corridors and walkaways between two buildings were picked up. They are to be sent to Anand Ashram.

The search operation came as a major surprise for everyone. A senior official said, Insurance agents position themselves near the outpatient department of the emergency wing and whenever an accident case comes they meet the family and assure them of claims.

OGH superintendent Dr Nagander said, The operation was conducted so that patients who are actually ailing and sick can feel safe. There have always been complaints of theft. Due to so many gates it is difficult to monitor. The recent rape case has got the police to come here and inspect the premises.

The police has also chalked out a list of suggestions like CCTV cameras, checking of patients after 2.30 in the afternoon and not allowing any person with out-patient slips after out-patient hours.

Junior doctors for long state that they have not been feeling safe and there are petty thefts which occur very regularly inside the hospital premises. They have for long been demanding that there must be better security arrangements.

There are 40 security men presently inside the campus but their efficiency is a cause of concern. A senior doctor on condition of anonymity explained, "During peak hours, the security is monitoring at the gate. But they also have to move around and check the area regularly. The work has to be round the clock. Only waiting at the gate does not help. We find a lot of people jumping over the parapet walls and coming inside the campus. A lot of people get old people from the bus stop at night and abandon them inside the premises. This is a very regular affair and this has now become a habit."
Prasad died on the spot due to severe head injuries and the driver of the water tanker fled the spot after abandoning the vehicle. (Representational Image)

Bengaluru: A 33-year-old techie died on the spot after a speeding water tanker crashed into his bike in Whitefield traffic police limits on Friday night.

The deceased, Prasad Rane, was a resident of Siddapura and hailed from Dandeli in Uttara Karnataka. He was working as a software engineer at a private company in Mahadevapura.

Around 10 pm, Prasad was returning home from work on his bike when the speeding tanker knocked him down on Ramagondanahalli Main Road. He died on the spot due to severe head injuries and the driver of the water tanker fled the spot after abandoning the vehicle.

The Whitefield traffic police registered a case and seized the tanker. The police are examining the CCTV footage to identify and nab the accused.
On Friday evening, the city police seized gutka products concealed in eight sacks from a load auto near Puzhal. (Representational Image)

Chennai: Unable to pull wool over railway officials eyes, desperate gutka (tobacco products) smugglers have resorted to using lorries to smuggle the contraband into the state, where sales and consumption are banned.

According to police sources, two businessmen operating from Delhi and Bengaluru are the kingpins of the smuggling. These two businessmen are smuggling the products into the state through agents, police said. However, police refused to disclose the names.

The revelation came after the Chennai Police raided two shops near Porur on Friday. Earlier the smugglers were using trains to smuggle the contraband. But after the railway police increased vigil, they resorted to lorries. The smugglers also pay a hefty sum to the lorry owners and agents in the state, the police added.

On Friday evening, the city police seized gutka products concealed in eight sacks from a load auto near Puzhal. The interrogation with driver S. Muthu (22) of Nazereth in Tuticorin district led the police to a construction material shop in Porur and a packaged drinking water plant in Periyapaniseri.

During surprise raids at two locations, the Mangadu police also had seized five tonnne of gutka products and foreign cigarettes worth Rs 2 crore, apart from arresting four employees.

Meanwhile, main accused Kanagalingam, who stocked the products, escaped the police arrest and is absconding. The police also added that Kanagalingam had, reportedly, received Rs 1.50 lakh as commission excluding the transportation charges from the businessmen.

The gutka network has turned intricate and agents across many parts of the state are running the illegal business unabated. The network will be nabbed once the kingpins arrested, the police said. At the same time, the police also have initiated a hunt for the two businessmen, who are underground.
The accused took out a pistol and tried to open fire when the bullet got stuck in the firearm. He was overpowered by policemen and arrested.(Representational Image)

New Delhi: A 45-year-old man, who had come to visit his wife with an intention to kill her for filing a cheating case against him and his family, was arrested from northeast Delhi's Maujpur area, police said on Saturday.

Manish Kaul alias Varun Kaul alias Ashutosh Marwa alias Vishesh Dheeman alias Sanjeev Chaddha tried to fire at a policeman but the bullet got stuck in the pistol, they added.

In March, a woman doctor had filed a cheating case against Kaul. She alleged that she came in contact with Kaul via a matrimonial website in 2015, when he introduced himself as a doctor, police said. She said she married Kaul the same year and her father gave gold ornaments worth Rs 20 lakh to her in-laws as dowry and spent nearly Rs 50 lakh on their wedding, they said.

After the wedding, her in-laws started demanding more dowry. Her father-in-law, who had claimed that he retired from the Indian Air Force as a doctor, molested her twice, she said.

Also, he never worked in the Indian Air Force, police said.

Later, she came to know that her husband's real name was Varun Kaul and that he was not a doctor. She also came to know that he has various cases filed against him in Delhi, Chandigarh, Goa and Maharashtra.

After she approached the Delhi Police, a team from Moti Nagar police station conducted raid in Panchkula and two women were nabbed, they said, adding the accused and his father had escaped.

On Friday, Kaul visited his wife's clinic with an intention to harm her, but she was not present at the clinic. Kaul then threatened one of her colleagues with a pistol, police said.

A police team immediately reached the clinic and noticed Kaul walking away briskly. A policeman chased him and asked him to surrender but he took out the pistol and tried to open fire when the bullet got stuck in the firearm. He was overpowered by policemen and arrested.

During interrogation, the accused revealed that he is a BAMS degree holder and not an MBBS degree holder as claimed by him, said Vijay Kumar, deputy commissioner of police (West). He had committed a number of frauds by purchasing new luxury cars on bogus demand drafts.

He and his father were arrested in September 2008 by the Mumbai Police in connection with cheating cases registered in Hauz Khas and Rohini in Delhi.

The accused had also cheated two other women by promising to marry.
Dan Patrick will not take away your guns. Photo: Rodger Mallison/TNS via Getty Images

After a horrific school shooting in Texas left ten dead on Friday, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick sensibly proposed door reform as a possible solution for preventing future massacres, conveniently leaving out Americas addiction to guns from the equation.

Patrick continued in this mode on ABCs This Week Sunday morning, framing Americas moral sickness as the root of the school-shooting epidemic, and firearm-toting teachers as part of the solution.

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick on the Second Amendment: "Our teachers are part of that well-run militia." pic.twitter.com/9GJOs8Z1XE  Axios (@axios) May 20, 2018

An impassioned Patrick told George Stephanopoulos that we cannot sit back and say its the gun,  exhorting Americans to look inward at yourself at a nation as they pray on Sunday.

Stephanopoulos countered that looking inward would reveal the fact that guns are more available here, in greater numbers, in greater lethality than any other developed country in the world.

Patrick agreed, but said said that guns are just part of the American fabric. They are a part of who we are as a nation, he said. It is our Second Amendment  you know, it talks about a well-run militia  our teachers are part of that well-run militia.

The notion that teachers should double as snipers is popular on the right, as it the idea that its Americas moral benightednessess, not easy access to firearms, that explains the countrys unique problem with gun violence.

New NRA president and populist hero Oliver North advanced this line of thinking in an even more extreme fashion on Fox News on Sunday. He blamed a culture of violence for Fridays shooting, and even more nonsensically, invoked ADHD drugs as a possible factor. These young boys have been on Ritalin since they were in kindergarten, he said.

Incoming NRA President Oliver North discussing the cause of school shootings: "If you look at what has happened to young people, many of these young boys have been on Ritalin since they were in kindergarten." pic.twitter.com/Vkn0hIstNJ  Axios (@axios) May 20, 2018

Occurring as it did in a heavily conservative area of Texas, Fridays shooting has not sparked the same loud local calls for gun reform that were widespread in liberal Parkland, Florida, after the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February. Governor Greg Abbott has gestured toward tweaking some gun laws, though, including speeding up background checks and banning people who pose immediate danger from buying weapons.
The police have arrested four people and filed cases of attempt to murder against them. (Photo: Twitter/ANI)

Bhopal: Tension has gripped Madhya Pradeshs Satna district after a man was allegedly beaten to death by villagers on suspicion of cattle slaughter.

The incident took place late on Wednesday night when villagers, armed with sticks and stones, allegedly attacked a group of men while accusing them of slaughtering a cow.

Riaz, 45, died on the spot while his friend Shakeel, 33, was seriously injured in the assault. The others in the group reportedly fled the spot.

Following the incident, security has been stepped up in the area. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit Satna on Sunday as part of his two-day visit to the state.

The police have arrested four people and filed cases of attempt to murder against them.

During the investigation, police found a slaughtered bull and meat of two other bulls packed in sacks from the spot.

The four accused have been identified as Pawan Singh Gond, Vijay Singh Gond, Phool Singh Gond and Narayan Singh Gond.

A case has also been filed against Shakeel - who is in coma in a hospital in Jabalpur - for cow slaughter. However, the families of Shakeel and Riaz have denied cow slaughter charges, say reports.
COIMBATORE: A 22-year-old Engineering student was held at Coimbatore airport on Saturday for allegedly peddling 50 grams of ganja. Airport sources said, Mohamed Tariq Salik Sadole, a youth from Sudan staying in the city and studying final year in a private Engineering college here, was allegedly in possession of the stuff.

Mohamed Tariq was about to fly to Sharjah by Air Arabia flight around 3 am in the wee hours today. During baggage check the officials found 50 grams of ganja packet inside his hand bag luggage.

The youth was denied permission to fly along with the narcotic packet and was handed over to Peelamedu police along with the seized ganja packet, sources said. Peelamedu police have lodged a complaint and started further investigations.
Bengaluru: Although workplace should be safe for women employees, the city has seen a rise in the number of cases regarding violence, assault and harassment in workplaces. In light of the recent sexual harassment case filed against an employee of a major IT firm in Electronics City by a female colleague, city dwellers are distressed yet again.

Ms Keerthana, the HR head of StatsMetrika, an IT company offering various services says, Things like harassment or other crimes against women are usually blamed on the victim herself, on the basis of illogical things like her clothing, the timings of her work and so on. This is not right, only the person who has committed the crime should be blamed."

"I too was harassed", she continues, "people in higher positions tend to abuse their position and treat the juniors unequally, they may even go till the extent of harassment. I was uncomfortable in that environment and could not take it anymore, I complained to our CEO, who looked into the matter immediately and took strict action. For this I am very grateful, because not many companies take matters like these into notice but here we have strict policies where even jokes with such inclinations are not tolerated. That being said, we don't just follow allegations, we investigate into matters and take action. We follow policies like Workplace Harassment Policy and the Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal Act of 2013 strictly and try to prevent these cases as much as possible."

Ms Manjula, an auditor for renowned firm Ernst and Young says, "Here we have platforms for all our employees to raise their concerns at, it is a safe environment. We have a separate council to address harassment. As for workplace harassment or violence against women, I think what is necessary is that the victims must speak up. Speaking up is something most women do not do and that is what gives these crimes more leverage. Do not delay speaking up, even if the person harassing you is in a high position."

Director of Synergos, a company providing digital marketing strategically, Mr Vishal says, In our company, we try to end discrimination. Here women are treated equally. They hold as many leading positions as men and are equally responsible for day to the day workings of the company. We do not hesitate to go the extra mile for women and their concerns, we offer things like work from home for women and do whatever we can to help them. Till now, we haven't come across cases of workplace harassment and hope not to either, but if such situations come up, we will do our best, ask the parties involved to keep away till we investigate and then take action."

Apart from workers and employees of companies, young students too have voiced their concerns about situations regarding workplace harassment, especially crime against women in workplaces. An engineering student of Oxford College of Engineering and an aspiring software engineer, Ms. Nihala Sadeen talks about her expectations from her future workplaces and speaks for the student population.

The basic expectation from any healthy workplace is that there must be respect and equality amongst male and female staff, while this is widely claimed by many companies, very few follow up with it. Workplaces need to be professional, no matter how laidback they aim their environment to be. If come up with such situations, women must speak out immediately, but first they should be aware about the things happening to them, hence awareness is of utmost importance. The companies should probe and take action instantly.

Bengaluru attracts a large number of young and aspiring employees as well as students. Having a safe workplace is a necessity for most workers, especially female staff. While most workplaces adhere strictly to their policies and aim at taking immediate and just action, some may lack at it. This could become a porthole to unfortunate events.
The victim said that while going for a prayer meeting she had left with Srikanth and he lured her to have a physical relationship

Hyderabad: The Saidabad police have arrested a man on Saturday who was allegedly involved in kidnapping a 17-year-old and sexually assaulting her.

The accused has been identified as G. Srikanth, 25, a water supply boy from Champapet. The victim went out for a prayer meeting on April 29 and never returned. The mother of the victim filed a missing complaint with the Saidabad police and expressed her doubt that a man named G. Srikanth might have kidnapped her daughter, said K. Sattaiah, inspector of police Saidabad.

However, on May 19, the police apprehended the accused along with the victim. The victim said that while going for a prayer meeting she had left with Srikanth and he lured her to have a physical relationship.

The accused also confessed to the crime and has been sent to judicial remand for further investigation. The accused has been charged under POCSO Act. If convicted, he will face 10 years imprisonment along with a fine decided by the court.
'This is a victory of the public mandate, a victory for our Institutions and the ideals enshrined in our Constitution,' tweeted former Karnataka CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Barely 55 hours after he took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka and promised to form BJP government in the southern state, B S Yeddyurappa resigned from his post, minutes before the much-awaited floor test today.

In an emotional speech in Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru that lasted for about 20 minutes, Yeddyurappa said it was his dream to be Chief Minister and work with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the people of the country. "I will lose nothing if I lose power, my life is for the people," he said.

Soon after his address, Yeddyurappa walked out and headed for Raj Bhavan to submit his resignation to Governor Vajubhai Vala.

According to reports, the decision was taken by the BJP leadership that didn't want the partys image to be tainted over horse-trading charges ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Yeddyurappa concluded his speech with a promise to "get 28 out of 28 seats in Lok Sabha".

Soon after B S Yedyurappa quit from the post, former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said that the BJP's "Operation Lotus" to poach legislators from other parties has failed and democracy has won in Karnataka.

Siddaramaiah tweeted, "Today, Karnataka has safeguarded democracy! We have ousted corrupt and unconstitutional politics."

Today, Karnataka has safeguarded democracy! We have ousted the BJPs corrupt & unconstitutional politics.



I am confident that this is the start towards building a National Alliance of progressive & secular forces for 2019.  Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 19, 2018

Democracy has won in Karnataka!



This is a victory of the public mandate, a victory for our Institutions and the ideals enshrined in our Constitution.



My hearty Congratulations to every member of the Congress & JD(S) for sticking to the path of truth. #SatyamevaJayate  Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 19, 2018

"With the proceedings live and every citizen becoming a pro-tem Speaker, democracy in Karnataka was saved -- for the time bring (sic)," tweeted former Union minister P Chidambaram.

"Poor Mr Yeddyurappa. When the puppeteers fail, the puppet falls and breaks," Chidambaram further said.

Poor Mr Yeddyurappa. When the puppeteers fail, the puppet falls and breaks.  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) May 19, 2018

Congress's Randeep Singh Surjewala said that BJP's Mission "'Hijack Karnataka Assembly Failed' as People's Power won over 'Muscle Power'". B S Yeddyurappa remains 2 day CM as the country predicted, breaking his own record of being 7 days CM," Surjewala said.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee was quick to agree with Mr Siddaramaiah and said, "Congratulations Karnataka. Congratulations DeveGowda Ji, Kumaraswamy Ji, Congress and others. Victory of the 'regional' front."

I just spoke with Kumaraswamy Ji and congratulated him. He invited me for the oath taking ceremony on Monday @hd_kumaraswamy  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 19, 2018

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said, All those who believe in democracy are happy.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was among the first ones who tweeted. In his Twitter the Aam Aadmi Party supremo said, BJP's attempts to subvert democracy have miserably failed in Karnataka. BJP's lust for power through foul means stands completely exposed. Will BJP learn any lesson now?"

Kejriwal also appreciated the role played by the Supreme Court and said, "India's judiciary has risen to the occasion and has safeguarded our democracy."

BJPs attempts to subvert democracy have miserably failed in Karnataka. BJP's lust for power through foul means stands completely exposed. Will BJP learn any lesson now ?



India's judiciary has risen to the occasion and has safeguarded our democracy.  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 19, 2018

"This is a big blow for the BJP and I think what they had been planning all along for 2019 has failed. They will now have to rethink and change their strategies," Dalit leader and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati said.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also reacted to the turn of events in Karnataka. He tweeted: "As I take off from Auckland, news comes in of BSY's resignation. That so many MLAs proved impervious to the BJP's blandishments is an encouraging sign for Indian democracy. And that the party with the highest percentage of votes will now form the government w/an ally is gr8 news!"

As I take off from Auckland, news comes in of BSYs resignation. That so many MLAs proved impervious to the BJPs blandishments is an encouraging sign for Indian democracy. And that the party with the highest percentage of votes will now form the government w/an ally is gr8 news!  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 19, 2018

Congress's official handle posted, "Democracy has finally won the battle against the unholy politics of intimidation, corruption and lies. Congratulations Karnataka!"

Democracy won again today, and this is a major shot in the arm for this country, and an open warning to the BJP to mend its wicked ways. #CongressDefeatsBJP https://t.co/Fhz7aq7D4N  Congress (@INCIndia) May 19, 2018

Congress's Karnataka unit, too, called it a win not for any particular party, but for the state. "BJP's unconstitutional efforts to rule have failed. Their illegal means of manufacturing a majority stands exposed. Congress & JD(S) have fought & upheld democracy. Karnataka will now get a stable Govt that will focus on Development."

Karnataka has won.



BJP's unconstitutional efforts to rule have failed. Their illegal means of manufacturing a majority stands exposed.



Congress & JD(S) have fought & upheld democracy. Karnataka will now get a stable Govt that will focus on Development.#CongressDefeatsBJP  Karnataka Congress (@INCKarnataka) May 19, 2018

"Truth can never be defeated! Truth will always defeat a lie or liar!" said Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav.
The dead jawans were travelling through Cholnar village in a police vehicle which blew up after hitting an IED device. (Photo: ANI/Twitter)

New Delhi: At least six jawans were killed and one was injured in an IED blast on a police vehicle in Dantewadas Cholnar village.

The dead jawans were from the Chhattisgarh Armed Force and District Force and were travelling through Cholnar village in a police vehicle which blew up after hitting an IED device.

Troops of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were rushed to the spot where the attack took place.

"6 jawans dead, 1 injured according to preliminary investigation. Search operation is being held by security forces. Blast could be of high intensity, but the exact details will come after the investigation," said Sunder Raj, DIG Anti-Naxal Operation on Dantewada attack.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressed grief over the incident and said, "It is a sad incident where 6 jawans were killed in an IED blast in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada. The naxals targeted the jawans by planting IED rather than fighting them face to face."

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said, "Naxals are against development and they usually target our soldiers. We will strongly retaliate against such incidents."

(With ANI inputs)
Residents of Iblur and Green Glen Layout form human chain on Outer Ring Road on Saturday to protest against chopping of 25 tress to improve visibility of a hoarding (Image: DC)

Bengaluru: Over 200 citizens took to the streets for a peaceful protest on Outer Ring Road at Bellandur to protest against the chopping of 25 trees on May 9.

The residents of Iblur and Green Glen Layout, who were planting and nurturing trees with regular plantation drives to increase the tree cover, were distressed with the overnight chopping of several flowering trees to increase the visibility for hoardings.

Though the Lokayukta in June 2017 had said, If any advertising agencies or representative of such agencies are causing damage to the trees, it is needless to mention that the authorities of the BBMP are required to remove such hoardings and cancel the permission/license granted to such agencies.

It also directed the BBMP and forest department to ensure that no advertising agency should cause any damage even to a branch of a tree. Vijay Nishanth, tree doctor, who has been advising residents on saving the trees and preventing such chopping down of trees, said, This is the fourth case in a series, all linked to commercial interest to increase visibility for hoardings, and cases are on with the Lokayukta.

FIR in this case was filed on May 16

Odette Katrak, a Bellandur resident and activist, said, What is heartening is that we had the presence today of tree lovers from across the city, proving that the city indeed loves its tree cover and is willing to take on those wishing to destroy trees for commercial gains. We residents are monitoring the health of the stumps applying regular fungicide under Mr Nishants instruction and we hope the trees still have a chance.After an uproar by citizens, the hoarding was brought down, but on Friday, the residents were appalled to see the Sobha Builder hoarding back again.

Sonali Singh, another resident-activist, said, Todays protest is to make a stand that we citizens love our trees. We are watching and will not allow murder of our trees. The perpetrator must be brought to book
Rajahmundry: Launching a scathing attack on TD government for ignoring the interests of tribals for a long time, YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy promised a series of sops to benefit them once his party comes into power.

Interacting with the tribals during his ongoing Praja Sankalpa Yatra at Prakasaraopelam village under Gopalapuram Assembly segment in West Godavari on Saturday, Mr Jagan wanted to recognise tribal hamlets having population of nearly 500 families as gram panchayats so that several amenities could be developed for their benefit. He said that though it was the prerogative of the Centre to upgrade tribal hamlets as gram panchayats, they would pursue with the Centre to fulfil the long pending demand of tribals to do so. He alleged that as the TD government was not showing any interest to develop tribal hamlets, they were having no medical, education and other amenities causing hardships to the tribals.

Meanwhile, tension mounted as activists from YSR Congress and Telugu Desam clashed and raised slogans against each other at Venkata Ramannagudem.

As YSRC chief along with his supporters is taking part in padayatra, he arrived to Venkata Ramannaugudem. At the same, West Godavari Zilla Parishad chairman (TD) Mullapudi Bapiraju was proceeding with his supporters to attend Mini Mahanadu scheduled to be held at Tadepalligudem. The vehicles of ZP chairman and his supporters got stuck up in the padayatra of YSR Congress chief Jagan Mmohan Reddy.
OOTY: The week-long pre-monsoon animal population estimation and habitat evaluation at the buffer zone areas of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve(MTR), that includes Singara, Segur and Thengumarahada reserve forests, has got underway on Saturday with the foresters and volunteers off into the woods.

Talking to DC, Mr. Pushpakaran, deputy director of MTR (Buffer Zone), said that as per the National Tiger Conservation Authority norms, the tiger reserves have to conduct two biannual animal population estimation, one during the pre-monsoon and then in post-monsoon period to evaluate the health of the habitat and the population of animals.

For this years pre-monsoon animal population estimation purpose, the MTR buffer zone woods have been divided into 30 transect lines. Nearly around 70 persons, including the MTR staff and volunteers from green organisations and student volunteers are taking part in the in the evaluation exercise inside the buffer zone woods.

The teams in different transect lines would study the movement of animals in the respective transect lines and the wealth of the prey base for the tiger and other carnivores, the wealth of flora, fodder availability and water sources in the respective transects. This would give a comprehensive data on the population and movement of big cats and also other animals in the MTR in the pre-monsoon period, as south west monsoon is about to set in here in June he explained.

The foresters at MTR would analyse the data and compare it with the figures of the previous estimation to ascertain the health and wealth of the wildlife and also find out if there is any abnormal changes in any areas to take necessary remedial measures, Mr. Pushpakaran noted. He further added that various parameters like direct sighting, identifying footprints and droppings would be taken into account to record the movement of animals in each of the transect zones.
Paras Chandra Jain seen on video making these remarks at an event in Khandwa, around 250 kilometres from state capital Bhopal. (Photo: Twitter/@parasjainonline)

New Delhi: If you want to have a successful career in politics then stay single, a Madhya Pradesh minister Paras Chandra Jain. Jain, who is the energy minister in Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government, also said: Only those who are unmarried should be made legislators and ministers".

The minister, who himself is married, is seen on video making these remarks at an event in Khandwa, around 250 kilometres from state capital Bhopal.

According to a report in NDTV, the minister further explained why unmarried people had a better chance at being successful in politics. He said that once people got married, they started worrying about family.

"Then the family grows in size. Then they start worrying about weddings," he said, as he laughed away. "But those who have nothing to worry about, they only worry about Bharat (India)," Jain said.

"Yeh mere mann ki baat hai (this is my inner voice)," the minister added.

Jain further praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who lives alone.

"If someone has done work to increase respect of our country abroad, it is the Prime Minister of our country, Narendra Modi," NDTV quoted him as saying.

Jain is facing allegations of illegally favouring a firm owned by his family. It is reportedly said that Infinit Energy Solutions was given contracts worth crores, in contravention of rules, to install rooftop solar panels in the state's Ujjain division. The company is owned by the minister's daughter Swati Jain and daughter-in-law Puja Jain.

Denying the allegations, Jain has said that his daughter and daughter-in-law formed the company when he was the state's education minister. "Running a business is not a crime... They never got all the tenders," the minister added.
Friends again? Photo: AFP Contributor/AFP/Getty Images

Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin told Fox News on Sunday that the U.S.-China trade war is on hold while we try to execute the framework for a larger deal between the two countries.

Following multiple days of meetings between Chinese and U.S. trade representatives in Washington this week, the two countries issued a joint statement on Saturday that appeared optimistic about a less confrontational, more pragmatic approach going forward between the two countries.

But the Wall Street Journal reported that its sunny tone contrasted with the tug-of-war going on behind the scenes. The paper reported that the two days of deliberations in Washington ended with both sides arguing all night on Friday over what to say in the statement, according to people briefed on the meetings.

In the end, China pledged to significantly increase purchases from the U.S., which would fulfill a key American demand.

But Trump, who has railed against what he considers unfair Chinese trade practices for decades, had demanded that China buy $200 additional billion worth of American goods to shore up the trade deficit between the countries  a number that struck many experts as both unrealistic and impractical.

China stopped short of committing to that number. But on Saturday, the Chinese news agency Xinhua said that the countries had agreed not to impose retaliatory tariffs going forward  at least for now  which Mnuchin appeared to confirm on Sunday. This would be a major step in ratcheting down tensions, and is likely to soothe worried markets and investors, even if China and the U.S. remain far from a broader agreement.

The U.S. has already imposed steel and aluminum tariffs on China, and has threatened up to $150 billion more on other products. China has retaliated by, among other things, purchasing its soybeans elsewhere to punish American farmers, and threatening strict duties on major U.S. imports. If the tariff war is (temporarily) over, its not clear what will happen to the ones that have already gone into effect.

In the statement, the two countries also agreed to work together on issues around intellectual property, another key sticking point on the American side. (Not mentioned was ZTE, the sanctioned Chinese tech company Trump had suddenly promised to rescue from collapse.)

Attendees of this weeks talks included Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, Mnuchin, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.
Despite several measures taken by state health department in Tamil Nadu to control vector-borne diseases, the state recorded 1,451 cases of dengue and one death, 603 cases of malaria.

Chennai: The recent report by National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme revealed the increase in all vector-borne diseases including malaria, acute ensephalitis syndrome and Japanese encephalitis in the state this year, with highest number of dengue cases in the country.

Despite several measures taken by state health department in Tamil Nadu to control vector-borne diseases, the state recorded 1,451 cases of dengue and one death, 603 cases of malaria, 83 chikungunya cases and 25 and 234 cases of Japanese encephalitis and acute encephalitis syndrome respectively as per National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme till April 29, 2018.

Till May last year, Tamil Nadu recorded 3,259 dengue cases recorded while malaria cases numbered to 1,538, chikungunya, and JE were 35 and 13. By the year-end last year, dengue led to 63 deaths and 23,035 people were affected. There were more than 5,142 Malaria cases reported throughout the state and the number of cases of chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis and acute encephalitis syndrome was 113, 99 and 1198 in 2017.

Looking at the data till April 29 this year, there are strong indications of the numbers to likely rise with the upcoming monsoons that would lead to a spike in the mosquito population, and ultimately mosquito-borne diseases.

Southern districts of Tamil Nadu including Dindigul, Madurai, Sivagangai and Virudhunagar have reported dengue and chikungunya outbreaks since the beginning of the year. While Dindigul had the highest number of chikungunya cases, Tiruvallur, had reported highest number of dengue cases. Virudhunagar and Ariyalur districts have also reported a high incidence of dengue.

State health department need to intensify vector borne diseases control programme to prevent the havoc caused by these diseases last year.

Public health director Dr K. Kolandaisamy stressed that the environmental factors can affect the incidences of infectious diseases. However, the state health department is closely monitoring all the diseases, especially anti-dengue measures are under implementation and the situation is under control.
Several men from Hyderabad, including gangster Ayub Khan, who was released from prison, had stayed in the UAE after obtaining a work visa before his arrest in 2017.

Hyderabad: Thanks to the UAE governments new system, criminals from the city who flee and hide in the emirate can no longer find a legal job there. Those coming for work must obtain a good conduct and behaviour certificate from their home country.

The rule was implemented in February and the special branch authorities here are receiving requests to issue the certificate. Several men from Hyderabad, including gangster Ayub Khan, who was released from prison, had stayed in the UAE after obtaining a work visa before his arrest in 2017.

The rule will help ensure that the criminals do not get shelter in the UAE easily. Otherwise, they evade the police due to legal tangles and diplomatic efforts, a senior police official said.

Expats applying for new work visas in the UAE are subjected to security background checks and required to submit a police clearance from their home countries, or the country of their residence for the past five years.

The term varies between countries but the certificate is mandatory to show that the applicant has never committed a crime. The move marks as one of the most significant changes to the UAE's visa system and has resulted in a flood of queries to the authorities and expats home embassies, said Mr Y. Dheeraj, a city-based lawyer.

The Centre, too, is serious in taking strong action against economic offenders who flee the country, and a Bill to this effect would be bought in Parliament, home minister Rajnath Singh said in a meeting earlier last month.
Karnataka issued a circular last year through its anti-child marriage committee which stated that hospitals must conduct x-ray examination of the couple-to-be to certify their age.

Hyderabad: After the Women and Child Welfare department of Uttar Pradesh issued orders to mandatorily mention the age of the bride and groom on the wedding card in order to curb child marriages, child activists from Telangana State want a similar rule to be implemented here.

An official mention of the age of the bride and groom will be very useful because many parents falsify the age to get around the ban on underage marriages. It will also be easier to give a police complaint and stop the marriage, say child rights activists.

According to the new rule implemented in UP, parents will have to submit age proof of bride and bridegroom to the owners of the printing press for printing of marriage invitation cards. Without age proof, the owners of the printing press will not allow printing of invitation cards.

The invitation cards will carry the age and date of birth of both the bride and groom to certify that the marrying couples are adults and legally entitled to tie the nuptial knot. The printing press owners will keep a record of documents furnished as age proof, according to the instructions issued by the Women and Child Welfare department in UP.

Karnataka issued a circular last year through its anti-child marriage committee which stated that hospitals must conduct x-ray examination of the couple-to-be and certify their age. Until now, the birth certificate or other document with proof of age was enough for government medical officers to issue age-determination certificates.

Ediga Venkatesh, a child rights activist from MVF Foundation told this newspaper, There are many challenges when it comes to curb child marriages so this mandatory mention of age of bride and groom will be very beneficial for stopping a child marriage. Whenever we get information about a child marriage the biggest challenge is to collect proof of age. By mentioning the age on the invite the parents are themselves declaring the age.

He adds that even if parents declare the age to be legal, inquiries can still be made. Even priests should perform the marriage only after confirming the age of the couple, Mr Venkatesh said.

D Prakash, secretary of the Telangana Child Rights Protection Forum says We have demanded many times that priests, qazis, wedding organisers, the printing press should help to prevent child marriages in the state. The orders issued by the UP government are very effective in preventing child marriages. The Telangana government should also issue such orders.

However, the Telangana women development and child welfare department and senior police officials believe that it's better to register the marriage instead of mentioning the age in the wedding card.

Mrs Laxmi Devi, Director of Women Development and Child Welfare said, ''Though we don't have a rule of mentioning the age in the wedding card in Telangana state but we have made marriage registration mandatory irrespective of the age,caste and creed. We have also contacted the E-seva so that now marriage registrations can be done through E-seva. To curb child marriages we have taken this step, we are booking FIRs against the parents if they are not registering the marriages and also if they are caught during the marriage registrations for performing the marriage of minors. If the parents are caught during marriage registrations we are sending them to child homes and sending them their spouses or parents only once they turn majors''.

Mr Mahesh Bhagwat, Rachakonda Police Commissioner who have rescued more than 40 child marriages in last eight months, told the newspaper, If the new rules in UP bring some changes in preventing child marriages then we can also implement the same but currently we have stringent laws against the culprits behind the child marriages as per The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. Instead of mentioning the age in the wedding card its better to register the marriage because the child marriage will be exposed easily.
Hyderabad: The Union defence ministry on Sunday directed the reopening of all roads closed by the Local Military Authority (MLA) in all 62 cantonments, including in Secunderabad, bringing relief to lakhs of civilians who were having to take long detours to reach their destinations.

The order issued by defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman marked the end of a four-year-long battle waged by residents, for whom the arterial roads lay in the Secunderabad Cantonment and were closed by the LMA.

As many as 16 roads were closed by the LMA in Secunderabad; the night-time restrictions on four other roads were lifted recently. Residents were uncertain if the order would be limited to the AOC roads and would not cover the closed roads in the TS and Andhra sub area in Bolarum and Yapral, which account for nearly 80 per cent of the closed roads.

Officials were yet to clarify on the orders. The order followed the meeting that Ms Sitharaman had held on May 4 with representatives of all cantonments. It said Ms Sitharaman had discussed the issue with Army chief General Bipin Rawat and defence secretary Sanjay Mitra. For the residents of SCB, it marked the end of an effort that saw many signature campaigns and shramdhans and repeated knocking on the doors of the LMA.
KOCHI: Actor-turned politician Kamal Hassan said that the failure of the BJP to form a government in Karnataka is the beginning of the democratic forces joining hands to beat back the fascist elements. Speaking to reporters after having a nearly 30-minute minute meeting with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Kochi on Sunday Kamal Hassan stressed the importance of the unity of democratic and secular forces.

He said he called on Pinarayi to invite him for the inaugural function of his party Makkal Neeti Mayyam scheduled to be held in Coimbatore. The date of the function will be decided later. Praising the two-years ruling by the LDF government in the state, he said the Pinarayi has offered full support to his political party. On the possibility of his party joining the LDF in Kerala he said his party is too young for such an alliance. On resolving the Cauvery water issue he said the attempt is to form the unity of the farmers.
BJP chief Amit Shah is likely to visit Telangana next month to assess the political situation and plan for the elections, state BJP chief K Laxman said. (Photo: File/PTI)

Hyderabad: With the election process in Karnataka coming to a close, Telangana would be one of the focus states for BJP and the party was gearing up for the polls in 2019, state BJP president K Laxman has said.

Legislative Assembly polls in Telangana would be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections in 2019.

"Recently, a meeting was held in Delhi under the leadership of president Amit Shah ji. He focused on Telangana. He clearly told that now elections are over in the states which are bound to take place. Now, the focus will be on Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa," he told news agency PTI here.

Shah is likely to visit Telangana next month to assess the political situation and plan for the elections, he said.

Laxman said the BJP is organisationally strong in the state and that it will adopt the model of constituting 'Panna Pramukhs' at polling booth level to strengthen itself in the state.

'Panna Pramukhs' is a successful model followed by the BJP in different states in which the incharge of a 'Panna' (literal meaning page) reaches out to the voters' families who are part of his list.

"As far as 'Panna Pramukhs' are concerned, out of 119 assembly constituencies, nearly 40-50 assemblies the 'Panna Pramukh' exercise is over. Rest of the assemblies also, we will finish within one or two months...," he said.

The party is taking other steps as well to boost its organisational strength in the state.

BJP would go to the people highlighting the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government, the funds given by Centre to Telangana in areas like highways, railway projects, Ujwala (free gas connections scheme), he said.

It would also highlight the alleged failure of TRS government in Telangana to keep its promises, including employment generation, providing two bedroom houses to poor and distribution of three acres of land to Dalits, he added.

The BJP leader said the party would come out with a clear manifesto for various sections, including SCs, backward classes and youth after holding discussions with all sections of society in the state.

BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav, Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Bihar Minister Mangal Pandey have been given charge of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana and they would visit the state, he noted.

At the time of elections, the party's central leadership would focus on the states where it is not in power as the respective Chief Ministers would lead the party in states where it is in power, he added.

The three-day-old BJP government in Karnataka had collapsed on Saturday, minutes before the scheduled trust vote, with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa resigning in a tame anticlimax to what promised to be on the edge of seat political thriller.
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu lambasted the BJP for its power politics in Karnataka. Speaking here on Saturday, the CM alleged that the BJP in Karnataka was using the same strategy that it used in Tamil Nadu, and that the party may set its sights next on Andhra Pradesh.

Mr Naidu said that Karnatakas Telugu population responded positively to his call to not vote for the BJP. The winner in the end was democracy, he observed. BJP president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi prompted me to sit for a Dharma Porata Deeksha on my birthday, Mr Naidu said.

The CM came down heavily on the BJP, accusing it of initiating unethical politics in Karnataka, and urged party cadre and leaders to be cautious about the partys moves. With Yeddyurappa resigning as CM, the Karnataka BJP lost its ground in the South, Mr Naidu reportedly shared his views with available ministers in the Capital. The CM also reminded party men about the BJPs warnings to the TD after the Karnataka elections. The people of Karnataka have taught a lesson to the BJP and also the Telugu voters have given a perfect verdict by defeating BJP candidates, wherever there was a Telugu presence, Mr Naidu observed.

He also suggested party leaders to display videos of PM Narendra Modis Tirupati visit, on all possible platforms. The Prime Minister had promised Lord Venkateshwara that he would implement all promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act in letter and spirit, Mr Naidu said, and added that the video should be circulated at every village. By doing so, in this election year, we should sensitise people, he said.

The CM also wants to send out a message as to how a world-class capital could be constructed at Amaravati with just Rs 1,500 crore. He also said people should question how spending Rs 2,500 on a statue in Gujarat can be justified. The CM also pressed for the need for the party to intensify its social media presence and expose the betrayal politics of the BJP.
Leaders from the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) will be meeting on Sunday to discuss the future of the alliance in the state assembly. (Photo: File/DC)

Bengaluru: With H D Kumaraswamy all set to take oath as the Karnataka Chief Minister on May 23, leaders from the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) will be meeting on Sunday to discuss the future of the alliance in the state assembly.

The elected MLAs from both the parties are expected to attend the meeting.

On Saturday, Kumaraswamy was invited by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala to form the government in the state, after BJPs B S Yeddyurappa stepped down ahead of the floor test in the state assembly.

While Kumaraswamy was earlier expected to swear-in as Karnataka Chief Minister on May 21, the ceremony later got pushed to May 23 due to the death anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

"We are going to take oath on Wednesday as Monday is Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary. That is not a proper date. In the entire country, all the Congress workers will be attending death anniversary functions. Conducting oath taking ceremony at that time is not good. In the today's meeting we discussed about this only. On Monday, we will discuss about the oath ceremony," Kumaraswamy told news agency ANI.

On Saturday, Yeddyurappa announced his resignation as the chief minister ahead of the floor test in the Karnataka assembly.

However, in his speech inside the Vidhana Soudha, he said he will fight for the rights of the people of Karnataka till his last breath, even if he did not get the required mandate.

On Friday, the Supreme Court while hearing a petition of the Congress-JDS alliance reduced the 15-day time given by Governor Vala to the BJP to prove its majority in the house and asked the party to hold the trust vote on Saturday at 4 pm.

The top court on Saturday quashed the Congress-JD(S) petition to remove K A Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker ahead of the floor test and appoint the senior most legislator R V Deshmukh in his place.

The apex court also ordered a live broadcast of the floor test to ensure transparency of proceedings.

While BJP managed 105 MLAs (including one Independent seat), they were still short of the halfway mark of 112 by seven MLAs.

Meanwhile, the Congress and the JD(S), apart from their own members, have claimed the support of one BSP member and an independent taking the total number with them to 117.
Bengaluru: With their parties putting together a post-poll alliance, Janata Dal (Secular) Chief Ministerial candidate, H.D. Kumaraswamy and senior Congress leader, D.K. Shivakumar, both prominent Vokkaliga leaders, appear to have called a truce.

Known as the snake and mongoose of state politics for years, the duo seem to have now become bhai-bhai. On Saturday, they shook hands and showed the victory sign after Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa anno-unced his resignation after just two days in office.

In fact, since the day that the Congress extended its support to the JD(S) with its 37 seats in a House of 222 , Mr Shivakumar has been involved in negotiating a post-poll alliance with it, and also personally supervising the shifting of both Congress and JD(S) legislators to resorts and hotels to check their poaching by the BJP.

But till last year, he often had spats in the Assembly with the JD(S) leader and they never spoke to each other outside it. When Mr Kumaraswamy tried to take control of Ramanagaram, Mr Shivakumar flexed his muscles to snub him. And the JD(S) leader held him responsible the defeat of his wife, Anita in Channapatna in the 2013 Assembly polls.

Despite his strained relations with Kumaraswamy, Mr Shivakumar remained respectful to his father and JD(S) supremo, Deve Gowda, even falling at his feet in full public view at a function organised by the Karnataka Vokkaliga Sangha.

The Congress leader finally broke the ice with Mr Kumaraswamy when he personally went to take his signature on a report on power purchase that was tabled in the legislature, although the JD(S) leader had lambasted him for the constitution of the legislature committee to probe the alleged irregularities in power purchase during the BJP-JDS coalition government.
D(S) state chief H D Kumaraswamy will take oath as Karnataka Chief Minister on May 23. (Photo: File/KPN)

Bengaluru: As the political drama over government formation in Karnataka came to an end on Saturday, JD(S) state chief H D Kumaraswamy is now preparing to take oath as the chief minister on May 23. The swearing-in ceremony will be held in Bengalurus sprawling Kanteevera stadium on Wednesday.

However, the event is likely to serve more than one purpose. The occasion will serve as a show of unity for opposition leaders thereby hinting that an alliance is possible at the regional as well as national level to fight the BJP.

Kumaraswamy said that he will personally invite Congress president Rahul Gandhi as well as several other senior regional leaders.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, who contested Karnataka polls in alliance with the JD(S) is likely to attend the event. Samajwadi Partys Akhilesh Yadav will also be invited. Chief Ministers of two neighbouring states, Andhra Paradeshs Chandrababu Naidu and Telanganas k Chandrashekhar Rao, will also be present at the event.

TRS party sources said Kumaraswamy telephoned Rao and invited him for the oath-taking ceremony.

West Bengals Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will also attend the event. Banerjee was the one who announced Kumaraswamys plan to hold oath-taking ceremony on Monday.

I just spoke with Kumaraswamy Ji and congratulated him. He invited me for the oath taking ceremony on Monday @hd_kumaraswamy  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 19, 2018

However, the date was later shifted to May 23 as May 21 happens to be the death anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, and Kumaraswamy said that he felt it would not be appropriate to hold the ceremony on that date.

After BJPs B S Yeddyurappa stepped down as Karanataka Chief Minister on Saturday, Governor Vajubhai Vala invited Kumaraswamy, the leader of Congress-JD(S) joint legislature party, to form the government.

Yeddyurappa resigned without facing the floor test in the assembly as the BJP fell short of numbers.

In the assembly election results, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 seats. However, it fell short of 8 seats to reach the majority mark of 112.

Congress which came second with 78 seats wasted no time and formed an alliance with the JD(S), a distant third with 38 seats.

The post-election alliance claimed support of 117 members.
Donald Trump Jr. was at it again. Photo: John Moore/Getty Images

It seems the Russians werent the only foreign power trying to hook up with Donald Trump Jr. and give a boost to the Trump campaign ahead of the 2016 election. The New York Times reported on Saturday there was yet another secret Trump Tower meeting during the campaign where the presidents son and aides met with shadowy foreigners offering to help Make America Great Again. On August 3, 2016, instead of Russians offering dirt on Hillary Clinton, an emissary for the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said the de facto rulers were eager to help Trump win the White House,

and the offer reportedly got an approving response from Trump Jr. An Israeli expert in social media manipulation was there too, and explained how his company could give the Trump campaign an advantage. Both offers, if accepted, would have violated U.S. election laws, and special counsel Robert Muellers investigators have already been looking into this and other subsequent meetings.

Heres what we do and dont know about the newly revealed meeting, how big a deal it is, and how, unlike with Russia, these new potential colluders have already gotten what theyve wanted out of Trump:

Who Was There

The Gulf state emissary was George Nader, the Lebanese-American businessman whose ties to Trumpworld have already fallen under the scrutiny of the Mueller investigation. Nader has worked as a close adviser to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, known as MBZ, who essentially rules the United Arab Emirates. The Times reports that as soon as Trump locked up the Republican nomination in 2016, Nader began making inquiries as to how MBZ could support Trumps campaign. Nader also said at the meeting that we was an emissary of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, or MBS, who pulled off a stunning power grab to consolidate his control of Saudi Arabia last fall.

Also present at the meeting was Joel Zamel, an Israeli businessman with close ties to top Emirati officials. Zamel owns some private consulting firms focused on social media, war games, and intel gathering. One of those companies, Psy-Group, is staffed by several former Israeli intelligence officers and specializes in collecting information and conducting manipulation using social media and other tactics. (Shape reality is their official slogan, and one of the many services they offer in their marketing materials is honey traps.) Another company in Zamels portfolio, Wikistrat, uses a network of experts to analyze geopolitical problems and was contracted to conduct war game scenarios on Islamist political movements in Yemen for the UAE, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The man who arranged for Trump Jr. to meet the two men was GOP donor and informal Trump adviser Erik Prince, the founder of the controversial private security firm Blackwater and brother of current education secretary Betsy DeVos. Prince knew Nader because he had worked as a business agent for Blackwater in Iraq following the U.S. invasion. Prince has also repeatedly done business with the UAE

Its not clear what other Trump campaign aides attended the meeting, but President Trumps senior policy advisor, Stephen Miller was reportedly present in Trump Jr.s office when Prince, Nader, and Zamel arrived.

George Nader speaking at a Middle East Insight event in Washington, DC on March 18, 1999. Photo: Ron Sachs/Picture-Alliance/DPA/AP

What Happened at the Meeting

After being introduced by Prince as someone who was close with Arab world leaders, Nader reportedly told Donald Trump Jr. that MBZ and MBS were eager to help his father win election as president. According to Nader, the crown princes thought Trump would be a strong leader who would fill the power vacuum that they believed Mr. Obama had left in the Middle East and that he and his friends would be glad to support Mr. Trump as much as they could.

Zamel reportedly marketed his services as a social media specialist. Whats not clear, however, is if Zamel referenced the proposal that the Times reports his company, Psy-Group, had already prepared for a covert multimillion-dollar online manipulation campaign to help elect Mr. Trump that would use thousands of fake social media accounts to promote Mr. Trumps candidacy on platforms like Facebook. It is also not clear who commissioned that proposal, or if it was ultimately executed, but the plan obviously sounds remarkably similar to Russias efforts to interfere in the election on behalf of Trump  efforts which were already well underway at that point. (Zamels lawyer now says no pitch was made, or accepted.)

Trump Jr. responded approvingly to the two mens offers, per the report. If he or the campaign ultimately accepted either of them, it almost certainly would have been illegal. Foreign nationals are banned from contributing to or coordinating with U.S. political campaigns. Zamels Psy-Group reportedly knew that too, as it did some due diligence with a U.S. law firm on the subject.

The meeting lasted about a half hour and ended with an exchange of business cards. Nader apparently offered to set up a meeting between Trump Jr. and MBZ, but the presidents son declined. No one publicly disclosed the meeting, even after an earlier Trump Tower meeting with assistance-offering foreigners came to light early last year. In that instance, two months prior to the meeting with Nader, Trump Jr. had met with Russian nationals who allegedly told him and other Trump officials they could provide incriminating information on Hillary Clinton. As two people familiar with the meetings explained in an understatement to the Times, Trump campaign officials did not appear bothered by the idea of cooperation with foreigners.

Trump Tower. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

What Happened After the Meeting

Whether Trump Jr. or other campaign aides embraced Nader and Zamels offers or not, the meeting clearly got Nader into Trumpworld. He went on to frequently meet with members of Trumps inner circle, including son-in law Jared Kushner, national security adviser Michael Flynn, and Trump campaign chairman Steve Bannon. His relationship these top officials later intensified in the final weeks of the election and afterwards during the transition.

Then on December 15, 2016, Kushner, Flynn, and Bannon secretly met at Trump Tower with Nader and MBZ. That meeting, which the crown prince did not give advance notice about to the Obama administration, set off red flags national security officials at the time. It was also one of several meetings with foreign officials that Kushner failed to later disclose on his security clearance request form.

The Times notes as Nader was meeting with the Trump officials, he was also promoting a secret plan to destabilize Iran, the primary enemy of the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East. The Emiratis and Team Trump shared an interest in driving a wedge between Iran and Russia, and the Washington Post has reported that after the Trump Tower meeting in December, Erik Prince approached MBZ on behalf of Trump to suggest MBZ set up a backchannel meeting with a Putin associate in the Seychelles. The meeting happened right before Trumps inauguration. Prince later told the House Intelligence Committee that it was nothing more than a chance encounter, but that seems unlikely at this point.

Over the next year, Nader visited the White House several times to meet with Trump officials, and the Times reports that on one of those occasions, he again came with Zamel to meet with Kushner and Bannon.

The Trump Jr. meeting may have paid off for Joel Zamel too, though its not yet clear why he was paid. The Times reports that Nader paid Zamel as much as $2 million after the election, but heard conflicting accounts as to what it was for, while a source told the Journal that the payment was not related to the Trump campaign. The Times also reports that, less than two months after the election, Nader reportedly hired a third company linked to Zamel, a Philippines-based firm called WhiteKnight, to create a presentation demonstrating the impact of social media campaigns on Mr. Trumps electoral victory. Why such a presentation was needed, or who it was intended for, has not been revealed.

Robert Mueller. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Yeah, Mueller Knows About All This

This past January, Nader returned to the U.S. with the intention of traveling to the Trump familys Mar-a-Lago resort to celebrate the one year anniversary of the presidents inauguration. Instead, shortly after landing in Washington, D.C., the FBI served him with search warrants and a grand jury subpoena, seized his personal devices, and questioned him for two hours. He was then requestioned numerous times about his meetings with Trump officials during the campaign, transition, and after Trumps inauguration, as well as about the meeting in the Seychelles. Nader appears to be cooperating with the Mueller investigation and gave testimony before a grand jury less than two months ago.

Zamel has also been questioned by Muellers investigators about the Trump Tower meeting, and the Times reports that at least two FBI agents have traveled to Israel to interview employees who worked on the Trump campaign proposal at Psy-Group, and that the Israeli police have seized computers from one of Zamels companies at the special counsels request. That other Israel-based company may be Wikistrat, which is also drawing Muellers attention, and which had rented office space in Washington, D.C. to pass for an American firm, even though most of its employees were in Israel, according to the Journal.

So far, the Mueller probe looks like a vast espionage inquiry intersecting with multiple corruption investigations in a scope bigger than both Watergate and Abscam.  Ali H. Soufan (@Ali_H_Soufan) May 19, 2018

The Denials, Pushback, and Suggestion That Don Jr. Is Just a Big Dumb Softie

According to one of Donald Trump Jr.s lawyers, Alan Futerfas, Prior to the 2016 election, [Trump Jr.] recalls a meeting with Erik Prince, George Nader and another individual who may be Joel Zamel. They pitched Mr. Trump Jr. on a social media platform or marketing strategy. He was not interested and that was the end of it.

On Sunday morning, Trump whisperer Mike Allen reported at Axios that a source close to Donald Jr. claimed that the presidents son barely remembers the meeting and that nothing came of it, explaining that Don Jr. is just kind of dumb like that:

 The source says Don Jr. is the king of people wanting to leave a meeting happy, whether or not he intends to follow up.  Even now, someone will walk up to Don Jr. at the Trump International Hotel in D.C. and want to take a selfie, and a friend will have to warn: Not that person.  The source told me: He just trusts people way too much.

Meanwhile, one of George Naders lawyers, Kathryn Ruemmler, told the Times that Nader has fully cooperated with the special counsels investigation and will continue to do so. And a senior Saudi official claimed that the kingdom has never employed Nader and that he has never been authorized to speak on behalf of the countrys crown price.

Joel Zamel offered nothing to the Trump campaign, received nothing from the Trump campaign, delivered nothing to the Trump campaign and was not solicited by, or asked to do anything for, the Trump campaign, according to a statement his lawyer, Marc L. Mukasey, gave to CNN. The lawyer disputed the idea that Zamel was involved in social media manipulation, as his companies only harvest publicly available information for lawful use.

The [Department of Justice] clarified from Day 1 that Joel and his companies have never been a target of the investigation. My client provided full cooperation to the government to assist with their investigation, Mukasey also told the Times. The Zamel-linked company WhiteKnight said that it does not talk about any of its clients.

Neither Erik Prince, nor the White House, have thus far responded to requests for to comment on the report, but President Trump launched a tweet storm on Sunday morning. Trumps six-part response began by complaining that the long and boring report from the Failing and Crooked (but not as Crooked as Hillary Clinton) New York Times just meant that the Worlds most expensive Witch Hunt has found nothing on Russia and me so now they are looking at the rest of the World! Trump then proceeded to blame the Mueller investigation and list other, better witch hunts like the never-ending quest for Clintons emails.

Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater. Photo: Chuck Kennedy/TNS via Getty Images

Yes, There are Russia Connections

George Nader traveled to Moscow at least twice during the 2016 presidential campaign as part of his work as an emissary for MBZ, according to the Times. He also seems to have played a role in some of Trump officials alleged attempts to set up backchannel communications with Russia.

Days before Trumps inauguration, Nader helped organize the secret meeting in the Seychelles between Erik Prince, UAE officials, and Kirill Dmitriev, a financier who is close to Russian president Vladimir Putin. Under the plan, apparently revealed by Nader during his testimony in cooperation with the Mueller investigation, Prince would speak on behalf of Trump, and Dmitriev on behalf of Putin. The goal for both the Emiratis and Team Trump was to convince Russia to end its support for Iran, possibly in exchange for loosening U.S. sanctions on Russia. The UAE and MBZ were already familiar with Dmitriev, as they had invested billions of dollars into a Russian infrastructure fund he managed for Putin, and Dmitriev had become a regular visitor to Abu Dhabi. Put another way, the Emiratis seem to have thought they had found a way to buy access to a world leader by funding his pet projects.

The meeting also came weeks after Jared Kushner and Michael Flynn had infamously talked to Sergey Kislyak, Russias then ambassador to the U.S., about setting up a line of communications outside of normal diplomatic channels and arranging a meeting between a representative of Trump and a Russian contact in a third country, according to the Washington Post.

Prince reportedly approached the Emiratis about the meeting, asking MBZ to set it up with the Russians, though he denied that and the other reports about the meeting in testimony before the House Intelligence Committee. Instead, he claimed the meeting with Dmitriev was a chance encounter over drinks at a hotel bar after MBZ had invited him to the island.

Theres another Russia connection, too. One of Joel Zamels companies has reportedly worked for oligarchs Oleg Deripaska and Dmitry Rybolovlev, who both have close ties to Putin and reportedly hired Zamels firm to go after their business rivals. They also have connections to Trumpworld.

Deripaska, a billionaire aluminum magnate, did millions of dollars of business with former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his business partner Rick Gates, but eventually sued them for stealing $1.1 million. Manafort also allegedly offered to provide Deripaska with personal briefings about the 2016 U.S. election less than two weeks before Trump accepted the Republican Partys nomination for president. (Manafort and Gates have both been indicted by Mueller, and Gates has been flipped.)

Rybolovlev, a billionaire fertilizer magnate, bought a beachfront mansion in Florida from President Trump in 2008 for $95 million, more than twice what Trump had paid for the property just four years before. (Im good at real estate, Trump bragged to Politico in July 2016, when asked about the deal.) A spokesman for Rybolovlev rejects to the reported connection to Zamel, however: Neither Dmitry Rybolovlev nor any of his employees or representatives have ever contacted Mr. Joel Zamel, or had any relationship with him and his companies whatsoever.

The Times reports that, unsurprisingly, Naders visits to Russia and the work Mr. Zamels companies did for the Russians have both been a subject of interest to the special counsels investigators, according to people familiar with witness interviews.

The Iran Connection

Nader was also reportedly trying to convince officials in the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to drop $300 million on a plan to destabilize Iran using private contractors and economic sabotage in the hope of forcing the Islamic Republic to abandon its nuclear program. The Times says that Nader directly pitched the plan to Saudi Arabia, and he even tried to get Jared Kushner to personally endorse the idea to MBS. Nader also apparently worked on a plan with Erik Prince to convince the Saudis to fund a $2 billion private army to fight a proxy war with Iran in Yemen.

Iran is also a big part of the most troubling aftermath of the meeting: how U.S. policy has become almost perfectly aligned with the Saudis and Emiratis since Trumps inauguration.

President Trump welcomes Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates at the White House on May 15, 2017. Photo: Xinhua News Agency/Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images

Collusion or Not, Saudi Arabia and the UAE Are Getting Everything They Want From Trump

The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are longtime U.S. allies, but neither was happy with the Obama administrations foreign policy. President Obama not only set up the landmark nuclear deal with Iran, their enemy, but supported the Arab Spring  a groundswell movement which targeted the regions dictatorships  and opted against intervening more forcefully in the Syrian civil war. During the first year plus of the Trump administration, however, the two countries have gotten virtually everything they wanted.

President Trump has closely aligned himself with both countries, making Saudi Arabia the bizarre first stop of his first foreign trip as president. Almost right after he left, the U.S. shockingly abandoned another key ally in the Gulf, Qatar, as Saudi Arabia and the UAE led an effort to isolate, punish, and contain the rival country, cutting off all economic and diplomatic ties, and even hacking into Qatari state media and planting fake news to spur the crisis. Trump supported the blockade, despite well-reasoned pushback from State Department and Defense Department officials, and despite the fact that Qatar is probably Americas most important military ally in the Gulf, as the U.S. Central Command maintains its forward headquarters there. While officials scrambled to contain the damage, Trump nonchalantly tweeted that Qatar was funding terrorism, echoing the Saudi and Emirati line. Instead of bringing Qatar back into the fold and easing tensions, the blockade drove Qatar deeper into the open arms of Iran.

Jared Kushner is seen at the Royal Court after US President Donald Trump received the Order of Abdulaziz al-Saud medal in Riyadh on May 20, 2017. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

In March, we also learned that White House senior aide Jared Kushner had backed the blockade of Qatar just weeks after the countrys minister of finance had refused to invest money in his family business most important distressed real estate asset in Manhattan. Qatari officials even reportedly considered bringing evidence to the Mueller investigation that Kushner had worked with their Gulf neighbors to hurt their country, but ultimately decided against it.

(Last week, the investor who runs Qatars sovereign wealth fund claimed that Trumps personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, had unsuccessfully tried to shake him him down for a million dollars after he reached out to Cohen to discuss how to spend an up to $50 billion Qatari infrastructure fund  surely because Michael Cohen is considered an expert on such matters.)

Also in March, MBS, the Saudi Crown Prince, allegedly bragged that he had Jared Kushner in his pocket  a plausible claim when you look at the year-long bromance between the Trumps son-in-law and the burgeoning authoritarian.

Trump speaks while Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabias crown prince, left, listens during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on March 20, 2018. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Bloomberg via Getty Images

President Trump also gave MBZ and MBS their greatest wish when he recently announced that the U.S. was going to walk away from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and reimpose sanctions on the regime, again against the advice of pretty much everyone who actually understood the situation. This was, of course, something Trump had long promised to do, but he was held back by cooler heads in his administration for more than a year. Iran is Saudi Arabia and the UAEs biggest regional rival, and they have been fighting a cold war which has only gotten hotter in recent years amid proxy fighting in Syria, Yemen, and Bahrain.

Indeed, the U.S. has also either looked the other way or provided assistance as the countries have conducted a brutal proxy war with Iran in the already devastated Yemen. And Trump expressed his support for MBSs unprecedented authoritarian power grab within the Saudi royal family in November.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE were also left off the presidents so-called travel ban, which mostly targeted Muslim majority countries, yet didnt include the two nations where 17 of the 19 terrorists who conducted the 9/11 attacks were from.

Regardless of how they obtained it, the influence the Saudis and Emiratis have on Trump has been hard to miss.

Also, Erik Prince May Have Perjured Himself

Prince certainly seems to have his own unique version of what happened at the meeting in the Seychelles, testifying that it was not pre-planned, when all the other accounts indicate that it was. The question now is, does Nader or someone else have proof that it was planned, and that Prince was aware of, or a part of, that plan.

Also, Prince testified that he had no formal communications or contact with the Trump campaign, a claim the Times report contradicts.

And at Least Five Shady Foreign Firms are Now Linked to Trump

The three firms connected to Joel Zamel, Psy-Group, Wikistrat, and WhiteKnight, arent the first shadowy foreign companies to get associated with Trump.

There is also Cambridge Analytica, the controversial data firm which was founded by Steve Bannon and Trump mega-donors Robert and Rebekah Mercer and then subsequently hired by the Trump campaign in 2016. The firm harvested and misused the personal data of tens of millions of U.S. Facebook users in an attempt to build psychographic profiles of voters in order to influence them, and a company whistleblower has accused the firm and its parent company, SCL, of far worse  including interference in foreign elections. SCL also reportedly did business in Russia.

And then there is Black Cube, another private Israeli intel agency (and Psy-Group rival) staffed by former Mossad agents which was reportedly hired to dig up dirt on former Obama administration officials in an effort to discredit the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. One report vaguely linked the May 2017 operation to people associated with President Trump, while other reports indicate it was for a private sector client looking to profit off of sanctions on Iran. Now that we have learned about George Naders efforts to target Iran, and his and Erik Princes pitch to deploy a $2 billion private army against Iran-backed forces in Yemen, the possible link between Black Cubes Iran deal op and someone in Trumps orbit seems a little more plausible.

The orb. Photo: Bandar Algaloud/Saudi Royal Council/Andalou Agency/Getty Images

So Is This a Big Deal? Is There Some Concrete Evidence of Collusion?

Not in this new report. No evidence has been revealed showing that the Trump campaign directly worked with the UAE or Saudi Arabia. But the story nonetheless adds to the pile of very troubling questions about how Trump officials have conducted themselves over the past few years. It also underlines what is surely a widespread perception of the president in many parts of the world, which is that he is someone who is corrupt, or corruptible. The report suggests that multiple foreign governments not only saw an opportunity to interfere in the U.S. democracy in 2016, but that they figured there was a good chance Trump and the people who surrounded him would be receptive to their advances.

Its possible that Nader met with Trump Jr. as a representative of the crown princes and was making some kind of offer on their behalf, but its also possible he was just name dropping in an effort to ingratiate himself with what was, by most accounts, as an easy to impress audience. Nader reportedly pulled out his phone and showed Trump Jr. pictures of him with the crown princes, insisting they were his friends. Nader clearly has longstanding links to MBZ, but his connection to MBS is not well established. Furthermore, perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the Trump campaign and administration has been its ability to attract bullshit artists, starting at the very top.

But whatever Nader said or offered, and however Trumps inner circle responded, the bottom line is that Nader was subsequently awarded with continued access to the highest reaches of the U.S. government for more than a year, and seems to have helped set up at least two secret meetings between Trump aides and foreign governments. Looking at U.S. foreign policy over that time, there were also several important victories for the governments he claimed to be representing at the meeting. Nader and his potential backers may not have ultimately paid anything, but the Trump Tower meeting clearly paid off.

This post has been updated to include a statement from Dmitry Rybolovlevs spokesman.
Bengaluru: Calling the Congress and JD(S) alliance opportunistic, Union Minister for Human Resources Development, Prakash Javadekar regretted on Saturday that despite losing the people's mandate, the Congress was clinging to power through the backdoor in the state.

Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, he said while the BJP's popularity grew by 250 percent and the number of its MLAs shot up from 40 to 104 in the recent assembly pll, the Congress's numbers went from 122 to 78 and those of the JD(S) from 40 to 37. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself lost in Chamundeshwari with a huge margin and could scrape through only in Badami, he noted.

As many as 14 ministers lost the election and yet, the grand old party's desperation for power is such that it has totally surrendered to a junior partner, And what's funny is that the Congress is celebrating as if it has registered a thumping victory," he added.

Ridiculing Congress president, Rahul Gandhi's statement that the Opposition parties would together defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll, he contended that the coming together of parties without a common ideology and pursuit of negative politics against an individual would never succeed.

He also took objection to Mr Gandhi's comment that the BJP had weakened the Constitutional positions and curtailed the freedom of the media. "It is the other way round. No one has forgotten who imposed Emergency on the nation and curtailed all the fundamental rights ,including freedom of speech. The Congress party did not spare even the judiciary. It degraded Constitutional institutions such as the Election Commission of India and Controller and Auditor General of India and didn't allow Parliament to function," he said.
New Delhi: A day after BJPs B S Yeddyurappa stepped down as Karnataka chief minister without facing trust vote thereby paving way for H D Kumaraswamy to take over the reins, the JD(S) state chief said that he will prove majority in the Assembly within 24 hours after taking oath.

Just 24 hours after the oath, I'll prove the majority," he said.

Kumaraswamy will also be visiting Delhi on Monday to meet Sonia Gandhi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to chalk out plan to ensure a stable government in the state, including decision on allocation of portfolios.

Tomorrow (Monday) I will be going to Delhi, where I will meet Sonia ji and Rahul ji. We will decide about cabinet expansion. I will discuss everything with them on how to give a stable government for the next 5 year, he said.

The Karnataka chief minister designate faces a delicate balancing act in allocating portfolios in his coalition government.

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said on Sunday that they being a national party supported a regional one so there ought to be a "give and take" equation.

However, the incoming chief minister has denied rotational chief minister arrangement with the Congress.

According to a report in NDTV, when asked if his party has a rotational agreement with the Congress, Kumaraswamy responded in the negative.

Following the Karnataka Assembly election result, in which BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 seats, the Congress offered an unconditional support to the JD(S).

Despite getting more seats than the JD(S), the Congress agreed to make Kumaraswamy states chief minister.

The alliance came together with the only aim to keep the BJP out of power.

Also Read: H D Kumaraswamy to take oath on May 23; event to display Oppn unity

However, this is not the first time that the two parties have joined hands.

In 2004 Karnataka Assembly election, after the BJP failed to form government despite being the single largest party, the Congress and JD(S) formed a coalition government with Dharam Singh of the Congress as the chief minister.. However, the government proved to be unstable.

The JD(S) withdrew its support to the government in early 2006. It then formed an alliance with the BJP instead. Kumaraswamy became the chief minister with the BJP's support.

The two parties entered into a rotational chief minister according to which Kumaraswamy would be the CM for the first 20 months while B S Yeddyurappa of would succeed him for the remaining 20 months.

However, the alliance failed in October 2007 after Kumaraswamy refused to let Yeddyurappa take over as the chief minister.

Following this situation, President's rule was imposed in the state and elections were called.
CHENNAI: Contending that the vexatious Cauvery issue has been resolved in favour of Tamil Nadu, Union Minister of State for Finance and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan has claimed the people of Tamil Nadu should be grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for solving the 150-year-old problem.

The Cauvery issue has been concluded. The Centre has addressed the wishes of the TN people and ensured a favourable solution to the 150-year-old problem, thanks to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We should be thankful to the PM as long as the Tamil society lasts, Mr. Radhakrishnan told reporters in Nagercoil on Saturday.

Allaying the apprehensions of the people, he said following the Centres submission in the Supreme Court on the issue, obtaining Cauvery water for TN will be a reality soon.

Expressing in similar vein, BJP state president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan has appealed to the people of the state to be little patient and allow the Centres scheme to translate into deeds soon.

Meanwhile, Tamil Culture Minister K. Pandiarajan, during an informal chat with reporters here on Saturday said discussion on the nomenclature was insignificant because what is of paramount importance is that TN should get Cauvery water. I am hopeful that we will obtain the Cauvry water soon, he added.

Cong, JD (S) construe their members as trading commodities:

Lashing out at the Congress for accusing the BJP of indulging in horse trading in Karnataka to sustain in power, Mr. Radhakrishnan said there was no need for his BJP to indulge in horse trading. Perhaps, the Congress and JD (S) may construe their elected members are commodities or horses to be traded. So, they would have expressed that their members would be traded. But there is no need for the BJP to indulge in horse trading, he said reacting to the allegation.
Bengaluru: After successfully ensuring the exit of the fledgling BJP government led by B.S. Yeddyurappa on Saturday, Chief Minister designate of the JD(S)-Congress coalition H.D. Kumaraswamy will meet Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Monday to discuss the modalities of government formation ahead of his swearing-in on Wednesday.

Mr Kumaraswamy had earlier intended to take the oath of office on Monday (May 21) but deferred it as this happens to be the death anniversary of former PM and Rahuls father Rajiv Gandhi.

The JD(S) president while taking to reporters in Bengaluru, made it clear that no discussion has taken place so far on the allocation of ministerial berths. He also termed reports on the power-sharing formula of 30 months each between the two parties as bogus.

There were reports about both parties heading the government for 30 months each on rotation, similar to the 20:20 month power sharing agreement in 2006 between the JD (S) and BJP.

It ended on a disastrous note with the JD(S) reneging on its commitment to share power with the BJP and refusing to hand over the mantle to Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa, leading to the collapse of the government. The Congress attacked the BJP for allegedly attempting horse-trading in Karnataka and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi order a probe into efforts made by his party leaders to bribe and induce Congress and JD(S) legislators ahead of Saturdays trust vote.

HDK to prove strength in 24 hours

After successfully ensuring the exit of the fledgling BJP government led by B.S. Yeddyurappa on Saturday, Chief Minister designate of the JD(S)-Congress coalition H.D. Kumaraswamy will meet Congress leaders Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Monday to discuss the modalities of government formation ahead of his swearing-in on Wednesday.

The CM nominee said that within 24 hours of taking the oath, he would prove the majority on the floor of the House. He denied reports that talks were held with Congress leaders regarding the bypoll in Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Jayanagar assembly constituencies on fighting the BJP unitedly.
Bengaluru: Congress General Secretary and Karnataka In-charge K.C. Venugopal, on Sunday expressed the hope that the JD(S)-Congress coalition would continue for the crucial 2019 parliament polls too.

When posed the question during an interview with Deccan Chronicle, Mr Venugopal replied, "Why not? There is no harm in having an alliance with the JD(S) since it is a party identified with the anti-BJP front created to prevent the BJP-led NDA from coming back to power in 2019. I am sure that our ghatbandhan will continue even in Karnataka to oust the Modi government.

However, the Congress is yet to decide on fighting the coming Assembly bypolls in Jayanagar and Rajarajeshwari Nagar jointly with the JD(S) to foil the BJP. "I am hopeful that a positive decision will be taken," was all Mr Venugopal would say. He was also confident that issues pertaining to cabinet formation would be trashed out soon.

On whether the coalition would have two Deputy CMs with the Veerashiava-Lingayat community upping the ante to make veteran Congressman Shamanur Shivashankarappa one of them, the Congress leader replied that this was a policy decision which would be taken by Congress president Rahul Gandhi in consultation with CM-elect H.D. Kumaraswamy and Mr Deve Gowda.
The arrogant belief of the BJP that it was electorally unassailable and that money power could turn any defeat into a victory has taken a knock in Karnataka. Party president Amit Shahs swagger henceforth is bound to be more pretence than real. The events of Karnataka have also dented the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a finisher  the star batsman who comes in towards the end of the match and scores quickly in a high-pressure situation to deliver victory to his team. He fell short in Karnataka. The impact of this will not be limited to one state. The BJP needed to turn the outcome in its favour to send two signals. One, that it can attract the requisite numbers should it face a similar shortfall in the 2019 general election. Two, that it remains unassailable under the leadership of the Modi-Shah duo. Its failure has suddenly made it vulnerable in the public mind.

After the event, people will begin to wonder whether the BJP might fall short of a majority in 2019 and its subsequent options. Its re-election will not be taken for granted. Within the BJP doubts will also arise about the ability of the Modi-Shah duo to deliver victory. As it is, at an individual level, both are resented as neither possesses a likeable persona. Their intimidating personalities and arrogant body language were tolerated largely as they managed electoral victories. This is likely to change in the run-up to 2019. Mr Modi is given to making tall, unrealistic and astounding claims about his abilities and attributes. Public incredulity about these claims is not something that he can easily work with. And increasingly, the public has begun to disbelieve the narrative he has spun. He is seen as an uneducated, glib liar who constantly shifts the blame for his governments shortcomings to others, mostly on to the shoulders of tall historical figures long since dead.

This is the first time that the Modi-Shah duo has been outsmarted by their political rivals. Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya had shown that it did not matter who won the election because the BJP could always cobble together the numbers and grab power. That pattern has been broken. This is, therefore, an unprecedented setback for them in the run-up to the general election. It would be a mistake, however, to conclude from the Karnataka events that money power has lost influence in government formation. The fate of the BJP was only sealed the moment the Supreme Court checked the misuse of discretion by an openly partisan governor, Vajubhai Vala. Instead of allowing a leisurely 15 days to bribe potential defectors from the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular), it set a 24-hour deadline for proving its majority. Since the elected rival MLAs were already quarantined and incommunicado, the machinations of Messrs Shah and company were thwarted.

So this was no ideological victory for the Congress and the JD(S). The offer of loaves and fishes did not work because there was no time for negotiations and the fear of attracting disqualification for defection. Defecting MLAs might not have had the appetite for another election quite so soon. More than the political parties, it is the Supreme Court that has redeemed itself after a series of misadventures. It must be thanked for saving Indian democracy by shielding it from the vagaries of money power. But it remains to be seen in the course of ongoing hearings whether it circumscribes the discretionary powers of governors.

Karnataka also augurs well for Opposition unity. Opposition unity had already been initiated by the coming together of the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party in the Phulpur and Gorakhpur Lok Sabha byelections in Uttar Pradesh. For all practical purposes, the intent of the Opposition parties to mount a unified challenge to the BJP in 2019 was already there. What Karnataka has proven is that if the Opposition works in unison and is on the ball, it is more than a match for the BJP.

There is a lesson in Karnataka for the Congress  that it should be ready to subordinate itself to regional parties to defeat the BJP. That a depleted Congress with a shrinking geography is not going to be the magnet for Opposition unity has been clear for quite some time. It may now be more willing to work in with other Opposition parties to keep the BJP out in 2019, without laying claim to leadership as a precondition. The new strategy will be tested a few months from now in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram. Although the Congress is the main challenger in these states, it would be a mistake for it to ignore the other anti-BJP Opposition parties, taking into account the consolidation of dalits, Other Backward Castes and Muslims on the ground. However small they may seem to the Congress, which still pretends to be a giant, it would have to take on board whichever political forces represent them before the election.

This is not going to be an easy task for a party convinced that it is on the verge of returning to power in Rajasthan and perhaps even in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. If it makes the same mistake to fight the elections alone, as it did in similar circumstances in Karnataka, it may come to rue that decision. Only if it shows generosity and accommodation towards others in the Opposition will the Congress be able to stand together at the national level with any anti-BJP political formation. After Karnataka, the BJP will also have appreciated the importance of investing in social coalitions for 2019. Under the Modi-Shah leadership, the BJP does not attract allies very easily. Their leadership lacks the collegiality and communication skills necessary to keep their allies happy. They rely instead on the crumbs falling off the table to keep them satisfied. And yet, having witnessed the Karnataka debacle, the BJP may spring a few surprises.
It is not possible to exaggerate the respect that Faiz Ahmed Faiz enjoys in India; his poems inspired and lifted the morale of many of those who were imprisoned during the 1970s Emergency. One of the dailies quoted, with unconscious irony, his famous line: bol ke lab azad hain tere (speak for your lips are free). It is a shame, then, that his daughter Moneeza Hashmi was denied permission to speak at the 15th Asia Media Summit in Delhi after being invited to do so. This is not the first time that his two daughters faced such uncivilised behaviour. Only recently, both were invited to an event in Lucknow to celebrate Faizs birth anniversary in February. Only Salima Hashmi was given the visa  that, too, only two days before the event, to ensure her absence.

Representatives from nearly 40 countries participated in the recent summit. The organisers claimed ignorance of why Moneeza Hashmi was not allowed to speak. One of the co-hosts was the Indian governments information and broadcasting ministry. Another was the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development, based in Kuala Lumpur, which is an intergovernmental organisation serving countries of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in the field of electronic media. Could the US refuse visas to delegates to the UN General Assembly? This year, Indian invitees to the prestigious Karachi Literary Festival faced an unprecedented hurdle. Since direct flights to Pakistan were off, they could only fly and return via Dubai. These are not isolated instances. They form part of a pattern in a policy of confrontation. Confrontations can make sense only under four conditions. First, world opinion must support the policy because it perceives it to be justified. Second, the power equation must be very largely in favour of the state that launches the policy.

Third, the demands that it makes must be susceptible to compromise and are not surrender terms. Lastly, that the state under coercion is not isolated. Cuba could survive American coercion for decades because it was backed by the Soviet Union. A deliberate policy of confrontation was launched, at stages, almost immediately after Narendra Modi came to power in 2014. Cancelling the foreign secretaries talks in 2014, on specious grounds, was intended to convey a message: the BJP is fundamentally different from the Congress. The policy evolved since then to reach its menacing proportions of today. But they were always in view. Confrontation with Pakistan is part of a two-pronged strategy. Its author, reportedly, is Ajit Doval, former head of the Intelligence Bureau and now Narendra Modis closest adviser. The Doval doctrine is now in full play. Over a year ago, the Indian Army launched Operation All-Out, described by a correspondent as a relentless no-holds barred offensive against militancy in Kashmir. Both prongs are doomed to failure.

Even if armed militancy is crushed, the peoples alienation from India will not subside; it will become deeper, only to fuel the revival of militancy later. There is not the remotest possibility of militancy being crushed either; the entire populace supports it. Modi wants to settle Kashmir before the elections of 2019. As for confrontation with Pakistan, its military prowess apart, it is not diplomatically isolated, despite Indias prolonged efforts over the last few years. The fate of Saarc provides a graphic illustration. On October 26, 2017, Indian foreign secretary Dr S. Jaishankar said, (T)he Saarc vehicle has sort of jammed because of two big issues  terrorism and connectivity. The 19th Saarc summit, which was due to be held in Islamabad in November 2016, was indefinitely postponed after India, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh pulled out of the event. The last two are unlikely to decline for long. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) cannot replace Saarc  or spell Pakistani isolation.

Last month, India spread word that the time is still not ripe for a Saarc summit. But on the eve of PM Modis visit to Nepal on May 11, Nepalese foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali declared his countrys support for reviving Saarc. We cannot compare Saarc and Bimstec. Countries merrily join India in denouncing militancy in joint statements, but do not let it affect their relations with Pakistan. What has the policy of confrontation through isolation achieved? Russias relations with Pakistan have improved markedly. Neither Pakistan nor India is isolated in the councils of the world. True, Indias clout has risen. But every great power seeks friendship with Pakistan in its own interest. It cannot be quarantined. The policy is not based on cool rational calculation but on the worst of emotions  hate. It is a matter of time before the confrontation is ended. Meanwhile, it will be pursued with the gaucheness that has always been its companion; Faiz sahibs daughters had a taste of it.

By arrangement with Dawn
There is some light at the end of the tunnel after all. The long-festering dispute over the Cauvery waters might have a kind of workable solution if all parties are willing to follow the rules laid down for sharing of waters through the new authority being formed, to be called the Cauvery Water Management Authority. The Centre has also been told to give effect to the 10-member authority before the onset of the southwest monsoon, which is just a couple of weeks away. But given the number of years that have stretched since the awards in 2007 and 2013, the time has come to try and end the dispute and the squabbling. Of course, the solution will depend less on the mechanics of dispute resolution and more on the willingness of the upper riparian state, Karnataka, to understand and accept the need to share the water as per the Supreme Courts order.

The bench has called for implementation of the scheme to mitigate the distress in Tamil Nadu, which is quite apparent in the basin as well as the delta, where the river has gone bone dry and there are concerns over the health of the river system itself. The February 16 ruling will be the cornerstone of this final process of setting up an authority to oversee the measuring and sharing of water. An annoyed Supreme Court has dismissed the objections from Karnataka and Kerala about the methodology of making indents for quantity of water in reservoirs. They were clearly told that the objections were devoid of merit and that there must be equitability for just and reasonable use of allocated water. No one can afford a relapse into the old habit of challenging everything before the nations highest court.

Karnatakas political imbroglio has been sorted out but a particular problem may crop up as the popular base of the Janata Dal (Secular), which will head the incoming government, is the Cauvery basin region and the party will be under heavy pressure in granting water release as per the final award. It is clear that the Centre must be a stern arbiter, but not necessarily an authoritarian one. It must ensure water management is ruled by the courts direction to find reasonable use of water from the allocable water on equitable basis. That may be a politically tricky task as the equations have drastically changed since the Karnataka polls. The courts anxiety that the authority must be in place before the monsoon season starts is not misplaced. Unless the scheme in accordance with the final verdict is in place before the water starts flowing in, it may leave the situation ripe for further appeals. A 15-year solution is being offered and it would be in the interest of all four states to grab it before the situation gets vexatious for those waiting for water for crops and use as drinking water.
Prime Minister Narendra Modis informal summit with Russias President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia, on Monday is in the backdrop of global uncertainties and negative perceptions about bilateral relations. The global uncertainties are all around us. The United States and Russia are in an acrimonious faceoff in multiple conflict zones. Americas ambivalence about its commitment to the security of the Indo-Pacific region has encouraged China to establish its dominance in the area. US President Donald Trumps decision to hold a direct dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has raised questions about the future balance of forces in that region. The US decision to pull out of the multilateral nuclear deal with Iran has upset its allies. Making matters worse are the most recent US sanctions, which target foreign companies with energy or defence links with Iran or Russia.

Given these circumstances, it is important for India to calibrate relations with major powers to maximise its room for manoeuvre. The reset with China was part of this exercise. The journey to Sochi is even more important. The strategic partnership with Russia needs to be insulated  to the extent possible  from the US-Russia Cold War. The main elements of our relations with Russia are well known. They include a similarity of political outlook on major global issues. Defence cooperation remains crucial: 60-70 per cent of the equipment of our armed forces are of Russian/Soviet origin. Notwithstanding the recent increase in defence imports from the United States and elsewhere, statistics show that in the last five years, 62 per cent of Indias arms imports were from Russia.

The US contributed 15 per cent. Moreover, we do not have alternative suppliers of equipment equivalent to the Russian S-400 air defence system or of other major technologies that the Russians transfer. There are significant two-way investments in hydrocarbons. Russia is the only foreign country in Indias nuclear energy sector. Efforts to broad-base the economic partnership continue. While these are objective facts, public perceptions are of a drift in relations. An Indian narrative is that a weakened Russia, under pressure from the West and deferential to China, is less sensitive towards Indias concerns. The corresponding Russian narrative is that Indias worldview is aligning with Americas global objectives. In reassessing perceptions about Russia, it is useful to recognise a few ground realities: One, Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a major military power, with a large nuclear weapons arsenal.

Two, it is an energy superpower with a significant share of global supplies of oil, gas and uranium fuel. It supplies about 30 per cent of Europes gas and nuclear fuel requirements. Three, the impact of Western economic sanctions on Russia is waning, as confirmed by World Bank assessments. Many countries (including European) have found ways around them. Finally, Russia straddles the Eurasian land mass, with political and economic linkages with countries in our near and extended neighbourhood. Geography is an important determinant of foreign policy. Considerations of economic self-interest, geopolitical balance and regional security have led Eurasian leaders to remain engaged with Russia.

France and Germany sustain a regular dialogue. Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Russia last week; while French President Emmanuel Macron will do so this week. The trade and investment turnover with Russia of both countries has increased significantly in 2017. They have both criticised US sanctions against European energy links with Russia. Japan, a key US ally, worries about the geopolitical implications of the Russia-China partnership. Japanese PM Shinzo Abe is a frequent visitor to Russia, seeking to resolve their territorial dispute over the Kurile Islands in the Pacific Ocean and move on to closer political and economic engagement. After its military intervention in Syria in 2015, Russia now plays a major role in West Asia. Nato member Turkey has joined Russia and Iran to mediate in the civil war in Syria. Saudi Arabia, another US ally, coordinates with Russia to regulate global oil production. Both these countries  traditionally Western arms importers  are negotiating for military supplies from Moscow. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, another firm US ally, maintains a regular dialogue with President Putin on Israels interests in West Asia. He was in Sochi about two weeks ago.

Prime Minister Modi and President Putin are expected to share their perspectives on global developments. They could discuss, in an atmosphere of easy informality, differing perceptions on matters of bilateral concern. Indias global vision is for a multipolar world order, in which we see an important role for Russia. Neither a unipolar, nor a bipolar order  in which China may want to enlist Russia as a junior partner  is in the interests of our two countries. There needs to be an understanding that Indias relations with the United States would not prejudice Russias interests. Equally, in relations with China or its proxy war with the US in Afghanistan (where Pakistan plays a role), Russia would be sensitive to Indias security concerns. Both sides have to accept the reality that in todays world, there cannot be an exclusivity of relations or total congruence of interests. The leaders could discuss how to rectify perceptions of the strategic partnership and encourage a broader economic engagement.

The Sochi visit also sends out the message that India will not be scared of Russia by the American sanctions. As the Europeans have pointed out, extra-territorial application of sanctions infringes sovereign decision-making. In Indias case, sanctions restricting defence cooperation with Russia would severely affect our defence preparedness. As a strategic partner interested in Indias economic and military strength, the US should not impose measures to weaken India. This message would have been conveyed during the recent Indian high-level visits to the US. The Sochi visit will reinforce it. Formal summits focus on structured agendas and bilateral deliverables. They do not give leaders the opportunity for in-depth discussions of global developments and for better understanding of mutual perceptions. Western leaders have developed the practice of frequent, informal summit meetings for such brainstorming. Protocol-conscious Asian leaders have not yet embraced this idea. The Sochi and Wuhan meetings set a good precedent in this respect.
I am a cultural documentary photographer, a park ranger, and a wilderness guide. My background includes work in intercultural studies and theology. I have travelled widely as a US Peace Corps Volunteer in Papua New Guinea. I previously lived in the Himalayan region of India and spent many days with the nomads of Ladakhs Changtang Plateau and my most recent adventure was to visit the Nenets Reindeer Herders of Siberia.

Nenets Father and Son.

A man descends the steps in his home during the morning of Diwali in Jodhpur, the Blue City, India.

My photographic journey started soon after I began travelling internationally. I had long been interested in photography, and I travelled into Tibet about 20 years ago with two really old cameras, one with a faulty light meter, and came back with very few images. One of the guys travelling with me said, Its better to have one camera that works than two that dont. I decided right then Id invest in some proper equipment so that Id be able to share future journeys and properly document what I was seeing. While I still spend money on flights and travel before investing in new equipment, I do make sure that the gear I travel with works well.

Aurora Borealis over Nenets Chumnomadruss copy.

Young girl with tanaka.

What do I look for in a frame these days? I look for what I can subtract from the frame. I prefer images that are clean, with little distraction. It follows a philosophy of less is more. I tend towards being a minimalist. Im careful to look at the edges of the frame and make sure to subtract anything that could form a distraction.

Max Woody in his workshop, McDowell County, North Carolina.

Scanning for the herd.

Good photography to me is photography that invokes emotion in the viewer. Weve all seen images that we remember, that we return to time and again. I hope Ive made one or two such images along the way.

In the kitchen, Burma.

My photography is first, for me. I photograph to engage with the culture, people, or the land Im photographing. I photograph what I find of interest. Then I photograph to share with others. By photographing for myself, I dont have to concern myself with how many likes a photograph receives on Instagram. I dont allow its value to be found there. I would like to see my work in a major gallery one day. Thanks for letting me share them with you today.
~ Author: Ben Weaver

Saturday May 19th, 2018 - The period instrument ensemble Freiburg Baroque Orchestra (above) has been a favorite of mine on records for some time. I was glad to finally be able to hear them live - along with one of my favorite pianists, Kristian Bezuidenhout at the fortepiano. This concert of works by Haydn, J.C. Bach and Mozart was part of Lincoln Centers Great Performers series.

Conducting from the keyboard in the uncomfortably warm Alice Tully Hall, Mr. Bezuidenhout launched the Freiburg Barockorchester into the opening chords of Haydns Symphony No. 74 (composed in 1781) with great enthusiasm. The musicians, standing around the fortepiano, all wore black and played beautifully.

Period instruments can be an acquired taste. These instruments can go out of tune easily, and there is sometimes a nasal quality to the sound of the strings. But personally I love it, errant pitches and all. Though it should be noted that for the Freiburg Baroque musicians pitch was not an issue. Their ensemble work is flawless and the small number of players do not surrender anything in fullness and richness of sound. For this concert the orchestra was made up of 9 violinists, 3 violas, 2 cellos and 1 double-bass; with an assortment of winds and 2 horns.

Haydns 74th Symphony was one of the first works he was able to publish independently and for his own profit while working for the Esterhazys in Eisenstadt, Austria. It may be true that many of Haydns symphonies can be a bit workmanlike, but the 74th is one of his finest works, filled with lovely melodies and inventive orchestration. The second movement especially is lovely: an Adagio of muted violins playing lovely theme and variations over the cello playing a repeated motif, like a guitar accompanying a serenade. A lively Trio leads to an exciting whirlwind of the Allegro finale.

Johann Christian Bach (above) was the youngest of Johann Sebastian Bachs sons and formed a direct link from the great Baroque master to the soon-to-be most important composer of the Classical era. When the Mozarts visited London in 1764, Wolfgang was 8 years old and J.C. Bach, recognizing talent in the young boy, played duets with him on the harpsichord and let him borrow music. Two years later, when Mozart tried his hand at composing piano concertos, he used J.C. Bachs music as the foundation: 10 year old Mozarts first 3 Piano Concertos are based on Johann Christians themes. And when Mozart heard of J.C. Bachs death in 1782 he was in the middle of composing his 12th Piano Concerto. Mozart paid tribute to his old friend by basing the slow movement of the concerto on a melody from one of Bachs operas, La calamita del cuore.

While Johann Christian could never eclipse his father - a true titan - as a composer, he nonetheless became a very respectable musician in his own right. More than that, Johann Christians Symphony in G minor, Op. 6, No. 6 is something of a trailblazer of the symphonic repertoire. Composed some time in the 1760s, the G minor Symphony went beyond the usual sunny allegros and dances of other composers. Johann Christian offered something of a sturm und drang darkness in this work that would reach the peak of passion with Beethoven. The symphony opens with stormy strings and horns call to arms. There is an urgency to the music that an older Mozart and then Beethoven would bring over the edge. The slow movement, the Symphonys longest movement, brings respite from urgency, but not darkness. Menacing horns return in the final Allegro molto. In this movement you can hear the winds Beethoven would one day raise in his Pastoral Symphony. But strangest of all is the Symphonys conclusion: it simply stops, unresolved, in the middle of a thought. This is something no composer would seriously attempt until the end of the 19th century.

Both Haydn and J.C. Bach were friends and mentors to the young Wolfgang Mozart. All 3 men composed memorable piano concertos, but Mozarts compositions in the genre surpassed anyone who came before. Mozarts 9th Piano Concerto, composed in Salzburg in 1777, is one of his most important compositions. It was the largest and most substantial composition of his to date, and it launched Mozarts extraordinary development of the Piano Concerto into a centerpiece of not only his own output, but of the genre overall. The musicologist Alfred Einstein once called it Mozarts Eroica.

For many years the concerto was incorrectly called Jeunehomme. Nobody really knew who Jeunehomme was and it is only in 2004 that historian Michael Lorenz established that the confusion arose from the incorrect spelling of Victoire Jenamy, the highly regarded pianist and daughter of famous dancer and balletmaster Jean-Georges Noverre. The Mozarts had known the Noverres for some time, and Wolfgang gave the concerto to Ms. Jenamy as a gift of friendship between the two families when she stopped in Salzburg on her way to Paris from Vienna in 1777.

The concerto opens with an unusual, almost instant entry of the fortepiano. Typically concertos began with extended orchestral introductions; indeed, most of Mozarts own piano concertos do. But here Mozart wasted no time for the soloist. Its a feature other major composers would not attempt until Beethovens 4th and 5th Piano Concertos a quarter century later. Composers like Grieg, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff celebrated this invention with unforgettable results in their own times. The second movement, a lovely Andantino, contains magnificent writing for the piano, written almost like for a singing voice, and the final Rondo contains a surprising slow Minuet, perhaps Mozarts nod to Ms. Jenamys fathers dancing career.

The 17th Piano Concerto, written in 1784, may be from the early stages of Mozarts maturity as a composer, but it is a fully developed and wonderful work. The orchestra begins the piece with a lively and extended introduction, like most of Mozarts concertos. But once the pianoforte enters, Mozart displays an unerring sense of balance between the solo instrument and orchestra, the play between them, passing of melodies from one to the other - and to other solo instruments within the orchestra - was something few could do with the confidence of Mozart. The beautiful Andante is in a long line of unforgettable Mozart slow movements, at once charming and sad, with flashes of light and sudden clouds. Beautiful writing for the winds in the movement is particularly moving as well. The exuberant final movement is a reminder that Mozart often sounds easy - effortless - but, in fact, requires extraordinary virtuosity.

Kristian Bezuidenhout (above, in a Marco Borggreve) portrait played these works magnificently. He played, of course, on a period fortepiano and hearing these concertos played on an instrument Mozart would have recognized is a fascinating experience. We are so used to the behemoth sound created by the modern Steinway Grand in a concert hall (accompanied by a far larger ensemble) that we forget how light and almost fragile these sounds originally were. The instrument (alas, the Playbill does not mention the specific period it replicates) has a pearly, mildly hollow sound. There are, of course, no pedals, so the sound produced is uniform and it is up to the player to truly create the effect he/she wishes to present. Mechanical trickery is not an option. Mr. Bezuidenhout is a magician in this regard. He may well be our most brilliant interpreter of Mozarts music today. Undaunted by technical demands, he manages to conjure universes out of a small wooden box and a few strings. The rapport between him and Freiburg Baroque players is obvious; they have perfectly synced tempos and dynamics, and there were the warm glances and smiles exchanged as cues and between movements.

The players all sat down on the risers to hear Mr. Bezuidenhout play an encore, a magical Allemande from Mozarts unfinished Suite in C major (sounding like Papa Bach by way of Mozart).

~ Ben Weaver
In this July 1, 2013, file photo, a communication technician works at a phone and internet cable closet, at the European Council building in Brussels. New data and privacy rules take effect in Europe a week from Friday, clarifying rights that people have over how companies around the world collect and analyze personal data for targeted advertising and other tasks. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe, File)

Europes new data and privacy rules take effect a week from Friday, clarifying individual rights to the personal data collected by companies around the world for targeted advertising and other purposes.

Years in the making, the rules are prompting companies to rewrite their privacy policies and in some cases, apply the European Unions tougher standards even in the US and other regions where privacy laws are weak. Although they take effect as Facebook faces an enormous privacy crisis, that timing is largely coincidental.

Not much will change for you, at least right away; companies will keep on collecting and analyzing personal data from your phone, the apps you use and the sites you visit. The big difference is that now, the companies will have to justify why theyre collecting and using that information.

So now companies are flooding their users with notices that aim to better explain their practices and the privacy choices they offer. European Union regulators have new powers to go after companies that get too grabby or that dont tell you clearly what theyre doing with your data.

Heres a look at what the rules say and what they mean for consumers in the EU and elsewhere.

The big deal with May 25

Thats when the EUs General Data Protection Regulation takes effect. Instead of separate rules in separate nations across Europe, theres now a single set for the entire EU.

The new rules apply to all users in the 28-nation EU, regardless of where the companies collecting, analyzing and using their data are located. So the rules will affect giants such as Facebook and Google and small US businesses with just one European client alike.

What do the new rules say?

Companies have to use plain language to explain how they collect and use data. While companies generally arent changing what theyre doing, they are revising privacy policies to eliminate legalese. Google is embedding video (from its YouTube service, of course) to further explain the concepts.

GDPR spells out six specific ways that companies can justify the processing, or use, of personal data. Some are obvious, such as to fulfil contractual obligations  for instance, when an insurer pays out a claim. For other uses, such as ad targeting, companies can seek your consent. Those that arent sure they got consent properly are now going back to users.

Theres also a somewhat vague category called legitimate interests. Its a catch-all justification that companies can fall back on to keep using data, though the company must show that its needs outweigh potential impact on users privacy, said David Martin, a senior legal officer for the European consumer group BEUC.

Companies are also required to give EU users the ability to access and delete data and to object to data use under one of the claimed reasons. Firms have to clarify how long they retain data.

And the rules force companies that suffer data breaches to disclose them within 72 hours. By contrast, it took Yahoo more than two years to reveal a breach that ultimately involved three billion users.

For companies outside Europe

Facebook, Google and their ilk may be headquartered in Silicon Valley, but they have millions of users in Europe  and so have to comply with the new rules. Violators face fines of up to 20 million euros ($24 million) or 4 percent of annual global revenue  whichever is greater. Thats an incentive for companies to take these rules seriously.

What about users outside the EU?

Companies based in the EU have to offer these privacy protections to all their users, not just EU residents. Beyond that, the EU rules merely say they apply to data subjects who are in the Union.

But its an open question how the rules will affect visitors to Europe. Ailidh Callander of the London-based group Privacy International says many questions will be tested in courts and further rulemaking.

Whats clear is that companies wont have to be as aggressive getting consent for data collection outside of Europe. (Absent regulation, companies typically assume consent unless a user says otherwise.) They can hold off seeking affirmative consent until you visit the EU, at which point you might confront a pop-up notice.

A global double standard

Some companies are extending at least some EU-style protections to all users. But they wont face legal repercussions or fines if they fail to follow through with users outside the EU.

So unless the US and other countries adopt privacy rules similar to those in the EU something thats not likely any time soon  many companies are likely to maintain double privacy standards.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, for instance, promised global settings and controls for users during his US congressional testimony in April, but was otherwise vague on the subject. When asked if US users would have the same rights Europeans have to object to the use of data, Zuckerberg said, Im not sure how were going to implement that yet.

But segmenting EU customers from the rest of the world isnt easy, especially for smaller companies without Facebooks or Googles technical prowess. It might seem like a smart move, but in some cases, its more work, said Larry Ponemon, founder of the private research firm Ponemon Institute.

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The feature is now available on the app through the App Store, Play Store and Windows Store.

happn, a French dating app has announced a new update for its app called  'Invisible Mode,' which enables users to make their profiles invisible during certain points in the day and allows them to hide their profile from others during scenarios where they might not want to make any new crushes. happn also announced that they have surpassed 10 million users on the app in India within a year of its launch.

The feature is customisable and can be activated for 8 hours or scheduled for certain times throughout the day or the week. There's also an option that allows users to set up happn and disable crossovers during working hours (from Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 6:30 pm for example) or late at night when they are at home. Another feature in happn allows users to choose what information they do or do not want to display on their profile. This includes their age, last active date and approximate distance from potential crushes.

The feature is now available on the app through the App Store, Play Store and Windows Store. Its included in the subscription offer, along with the list of peoples profiles who have liked yours.

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 a phone conversation on Sunday, Trump and Moon "exchanged views on various actions taken by North Korea recently", Moon's office said in a statement. (Photo: AFP)

Seoul: President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Sunday discussed North Korea's recent threats to cancel its unprecedented summit with Washington, Seoul's presidential office said.

After weeks of warm words and diplomatic backslapping, Pyongyang abruptly threatened to pull out of the planned summit next month because of US demands for "unilateral nuclear abandonment", according to the North's official KCNA news agency.

Read: N Korea threatens to cancel summit if US seeks 'one-sided' demands to give up nukes

North Korea also cancelled at the last minute a high-level meeting with the South, protesting joint military drills between Seoul and Washington.

Read: North Korea suspends talks with South scheduled for today

In a phone conversation on Sunday, Trump and Moon "exchanged views on various actions taken by North Korea recently", Moon's office said in a statement.

The two leaders agreed to "work closely" for the success of the landmark summit in Singapore on June 12, which would be the first meeting between a sitting US President and a North Korean leader.

They are due to meet in Washington on Tuesday.

North Korea's sudden shift in attitude followed a weeks-long charm offensive that has seen leader Kim Jong Un hold a historic summit with Moon and meet twice with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

At a dramatic summit last month in the Demilitarised Zone dividing their two countries, Kim and Moon pledged to pursue nuclear disarmament and a peace treaty.

Pyongyang also raised hopes ahead of the US summit by announcing it will destroy its nuclear testing site next week.

But the promise is open to interpretation on both sides and the North has spent decades developing its atomic arsenal, culminating last year in its sixth nuclear test -- by far its biggest to date -- and the launch of missiles capable of reaching the US.
Eight cases of "honour killings" were registered in Jacobabad - the highest in any district of Sindh over the nine months up to March, the report quoted a recent government study. (Photo: File | Representational)

Karachi: An 18-year-old girl and a man were gunned down allegedly by her brother in the name of "honour" in Pakistan's Sindh province, police said on Sunday.

The two were shot dead with a Kalashnikov automatic rifle in Jacobabad city yesterday, Dawn reported. The suspect committed the crime over suspicion of an illicit relationship between his sister and his 20-year-old close relative Allah Bakhsh Dahani, senior police officer Jan Muhammad Soomro said. Police registered a murder case and arrested him.

The suspect confessed that he killed them for "honour", police said. His father and an unknown person were also named in the case. Honour killings are a major menace in the rural areas of Pakistan's four provinces of Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa.

Eight cases of "honour killings" were registered in Jacobabad - the highest in any district of Sindh over the nine months up to March, the report quoted a recent government study. A total of 1,643 cases of various types of violent acts - from honour killing to custody of children and maintenance - have been filed by women across the province since July 2017, the report added.
As the Congress-JD(S) coalition government prepares to take over the helm of affairs, citizen activists have demanded that the two parties start with fulfilling their promise of empowering the mayor.

Both the Congress and JD(S) had promised in their manifestos to empower the mayor, instead of appointing a Bengaluru development minister.

The Citizens for Bengaluru (CfB) has urged the government to bring all the agencies responsible for civic services under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), with the mayor heading it.

Appointing a city development minister is the opposite of decentralisation. There is no such thing as a city minister in the state government. They created the post because they wanted to control the city projects. What we really need to do is strengthen the Palike and directly elect the mayor for a term of five years. This is a long-standing demand from citizens, and political parties had agreed to it in their manifestos, said Srinivas Alavilli, co-founder, Citizens for Bengaluru.

Three-tier system

The CfB wants the government to adhere to the three-tier system.

We have a three-tier government model: the Union government, state government and municipal corporation or gram panchayats. Hence, the government should allow the city to be run by locally elected people and not by state government representatives, he added.

Sanjeev V Dyamannavar, a member of the citizen-driven advocacy group Praja RAAG, said: When there is an urban development minister in the state government, there is no point in having a separate development minister for Bengaluru.

Noting that the one-year tenure was too short for the mayor, the CfB demanded that more power and time be granted to the mayor to plan and take up developmental works.

Alavilli said that the mayor cant execute any plans in a short time of one year. The mayor should be elected by the people for a five-year term. Candidates should compete with each other in earning our votes by presenting their vision and their plans to make our cities thrive.

The CfB also conducted a poll on Facebook on Sunday, where a majority of respondents voted against the appointment of a city development minister. They demanded an empowered mayor and the BBMP, as was promised in the manifestos of the Congress and the JD(S).
Nepal will close the Indian Embassy's field office in the near future as it has "outlived its purpose", Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has said.

India was permitted to set up the temporary field office in 2008 to issue passes to vehicles for plying on Indian roads in the bordering regions after Koshi floods severely damaged a 17-km stretch of the east-west highway.

Initially set up in the eastern Sunsari district, it was later shifted to the nearby Biratnagar city, about 375 km from here, along with the Koshi Highway.

Speaking at the first parliamentary party meeting of the newly-formed Nepal Communist Party here, party's co-chairman Oli said The office would be removed as it had "outlived its purpose".

After repair of the damaged portion of the highway, Nepal had asked India to shut down the camp office but the Indian side did not comply.

The Indian flag was hoisted on the office building while India started distributing scholarships and got involved in various social activities using the facility, the Kathmandu Post reported.

India in 2014 sought the government's permission to establish a Consulate General Office in Biratnagar by upgrading the field office, the report said.

The Nepali government had tried to remove the field office six years ago when then Maoist leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha was the foreign minister.

In 2011, then Baburam Bhattarai-led government issued two diplomatic notes to New Delhi seeking removal of the office, according to officials.

"The prime minister's statement suggests that there is no need for such field offices in a small country," Communist Party of Nepal leader Janardan Sharma was quoted as saying by Post.
International media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the disruption in the distribution of Pakistan's oldest newspaper Dawn after it published an interview suggesting that Pakistani militants were behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The comments by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif sparked a firestorm at home and in India.

Sharif approached what is seen as a red line in the country by touching on criticism of Pakistan's armed forces, especially their alleged use of proxies in India.

RSF said distribution of the country's leading English-language newspaper had been restricted in much of the country.

"The interview, which reportedly displeased the Pakistani military, appeared in the 12 May issue and the blocking began on 15 May. According to RSF's information, distribution is being disrupted in most of Baluchistan province, in many cities in Sindh province and in all military cantonments," said a statement issued Friday.

The Press Council of Pakistan had notified Dawn's editor that the newspaper breached the ethical code by publishing content that "may bring into contempt Pakistan or its people or tends to undermine its sovereignty or integrity as an independent country", the watchdog said.

"The unwarranted blocking of the distribution of one of the main independent newspapers has yet again shown that the military are determined to maintain their grip on access to news and information in Pakistan," RSF said.

"It is clear that the military high command does not want to allow a democratic debate in the months preceding a general election. We call on the authorities to stop interfering in the dissemination of independent media and to restore distribution of Dawn throughout Pakistan."

The 2008 Mumbai attacks killed 166 people. Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba stands accused of masterminding them.

India has long said there is evidence that "official agencies" in Pakistan were involved but Islamabad denies the charge.

Since being ousted by the Supreme Court last July, Sharif and his supporters have repeatedly suggested they are the victims of a conspiracy driven by the military and the courts.

According to RSF, last month the military was said to have given unofficial instructions to cable TV operators to stop carrying the Geo TV network's channels, including Geo News, in most of the country. One reason was the airtime that it had dedicated to Sharif.
Navies of India and Vietnam will next week practice their first war game in the South China Sea that continues to remain a source of flashpoint in the region.

Two Indian warships INS Sahyadri and INS Kamorta along with fleet tanker INS Shakti will make a port call at Tien Sa Port, Danang between May 21 and 25.

On completion of the harbour phase of the drill, the warships of the two navies will head to the high sea to practice some manoeuvres in the Vietnamese water of the South China Sea.

The first ever Indo-Vietnam naval war game will be followed by a visit from Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to the Ho Chi Minh next month.

The heads of Vietnam Army and navy will also be travelling to India to build up on the new comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations, a naval spokesperson said in a statement.

In 2016, during the official visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the relations between the two countries were elevated to the strategic level.

It was reciprocated by Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who travelled to New Delhi in January 2018 as one of the chief guests for the Republic Day parade and for ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit.

It was soon followed by a state visit from the President of Vietnam, Tran Dai Quang in March 2018 signifying the momentum of the bilateral relationship.

The fast progress in Indo-Vietnam relations as a part of India's Look East policy comes at a time when China is keeping a close eye on the activities in the South China Sea because of the disputes that the Communist country have with other nations in the region.

The naval drill comes months after the two conducted their first-ever exercise in January at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.
The army on Saturday recovered body of one more militant killed in a gunfight in forests of Vilgam, Handwara in north Kashmir's Kupwara district, taking the death toll of militants to four.

An army official confirmed the development. The operation in the dense woods is still on. It appears, at least two more militants are hiding in the forest area. They fired intermittently at the forces today (Saturday) morning, which was retaliated, he said.

The official said the slain militants apparently are foreigners and their identity would be established by police. From the material carried by them, it seems the group belonged to the Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit," the officer said.

Three militants were killed in the same area on Friday. The encounter broke out after the soldiers of 15-Rashtriya Rifles intercepted a group of militants believed to be infiltrating from Brinjal forest adjacent to Shahnagar Jat Gali, Vilgam.

In a separate incident, militants on Saturday lobbed a grenade on joint party of CRPF and police at Muran Chowk in south Kashmir's Pulwama district. However, it did not explode and was later defused by a bomb disposal squad, reports said.

The killings and attacks come close on the heels of unilateral ceasefire announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs during Ramazan which entered its third day. The Ministry said the security forces, however, reserve the right to retaliate if attacked or to protect the lives of innocent people.

On Friday, suspected militants decamped with three service rifles from a police post at Dalgate in heart of the Srinagar city. Earlier on Thursday, militants decamped with service rifle from a policeman near Kashmir University.
The National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) which aims to provide healthcare access through insurance to 50 crore families is seen as a milestone towards Universal Healthcare (UHC). However, to arrive at a conclusion whether such announcements are progressive steps towards the wellbeing of the people requires a comprehensive scrutiny.

Recently, several issues surfaced such as not enough dosages of medicines available to treat Tuberculosis (TB) patients, the Delhi High Court judgement against genetic discrimination and cases with regard to sheer exploitation by the private hospital industry. These three issues represent multiple hardships that pose challenges to the healthcare system in India.

The TB Case: India bears the highest burden of TB disease across the world and has incidences of all the three types of TB  TB, TB with HIV, multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB. The World Health Organisation (WHO) approved the use of Bedaquiline and Delaminid drugs in adults respectively in 2013 and 2014 to treat MDR TB and recognised them as a part of essential medicines in the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines.

India has fewer than 1,000 patients on it and just 81 patients have access to Delaminid. One of the primary reasons associated with the low availability of these drugs is the patent protection accorded to the molecules (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) used in these drugs. The World Trade Organisations (WTO), Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement signed in 1995 and implemented in 2005 led to an exorbitant rise in drug prices, escalating the healthcare costs in India.

In the case of Bedaquiline and Delaminid, the manufactures Janssen (US), Otsuka Pharmaceuticals (Japan) hold patents and only if they allow for voluntary licensing can the domestic companies in India manufacture them. In case, they deny voluntary licensing, then the Indian government can go for compulsory licensing (CL), a provision under WTO TRIPS agreement provided to member countries to override patent rules under life-threatening conditions.

Till now, only once in 2012, the provision of CL has been put to use in the case of Bayers anti-cancer drug Nexvar, which has reduced the price of the drug by 97%. It is such dichotomous relationship between the public health prospects and Intellectual Property Rights that the country, in general, is facing and specifically more so in the context of infectious diseases like TB which are in most cases life-threatening.

The case of genetic discrimination: In the developed countries, the advancement in genomics knowledge is put to use by insurance companies to discriminate its buyers on the basis of their genetic profile.

For insurance, companies that work on the principle of risk pooling, such discrimination will reduce the number of cases that have to be covered, thereby, earning them more profits. Particularly, in the context of epidemiological transition taking place in India, where there is a steep rise in the number of cases of NCDs, genetic tests are going to increase and it is important that the state proactively tackles such profit motive practices.

The recent judgement by the Delhi High Court is just an interim relief to the patients. The ruling was based on the argument that appropriate genetic testing has not been done in India. However, with the rampant spread of genomic centres that sell genomic tests, the insurance companies are only going to obligate their customers to provide their genetic information. Given such a scenario, a comprehensive law to prohibit such discrimination is essential in India, where currently none exists. Countries such as the US, the UK, and Canada already have stringent mechanisms in place to put an end to the practice of genetic discrimination.

The private hospital industry: While the political regimes, both at the Centre and states, have done very little in improving the conditions of the public hospitals, they actively encouraged the establishment of private hospitals as part of their perusal of neo-liberal agenda.

According to a high-level expert committee in 2012, the private sector accounts for 82% of all outpatient visits and 52% of hospitalisation. While the world average of out of pocket spending on health expenditure is 18.2%, in India it is 62.4%. An estimate by the National Health Policy 2015 suggests that nearly 6.3 crore people face poverty due to catastrophic health expenditure.

The recent move of the government in transferring Bhupendra Singh from the post of chairman of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority for exposing how private hospitals were making excessively high profits, indicates the extent of power the private hospital industry lobby yields.

The report is a result of an investigation after the death of seven-year-old Adya Singh, who was admitted for dengue in a private hospital in Gurugram. The private hospital industry was mostly self-regulated until the passing of Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010.

This regulatory Act was passed by the central government which has initially come into force in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, and all Union Territories except Delhi from March 2012. Health, being a state subject, the Act becomes applicable to a state, only if the respective state legislature passes a resolution adopting it in accordance with Article 252 of the Constitution.

How far are we from UHC?

The WHO constitution of 1948, which declares health as a fundamental right, and the health for all agenda by Alma-Ata declaration in 1978 envisages universal health coverage (UHC) as, that all people and communities can use the promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services they need, of sufficient quality to be effective, while also ensuring that the use of these services does not expose the user to financial hardship.

The three cases mentioned above are in deep contrast with the objectives under the UHC. The NHPS which aims to provide health insurance up to Rs 5 lakh to 50 crore families, though is a welcome initiative by the state, is not enough and a lot needs to be done in terms of enacting laws to curb issues as mentioned above. Only such measures can truly ensure a sustainable path towards UHC.

(The writer is a research scholar with ISEC, Bengaluru)
Twenty-five budding fashion entrepreneurs were passed out last Thursday following intense training under British Council Uganda.

This was part of the East Africa Arts Creative Enterprise Training programme that saw fashion designers from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sudan and Tanzania undergo training.

Some of the participants

They explored a wide range of innovative business ideas, connected and learnt from the industry experts in order to grow their individual brands. This was the second cohort.

East Africa Arts promotes new art, shares skills and ignites partnerships between the UK and East Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Sudan and South Sudan) through programmes such as New Art New Audiences, skills and networking events and In Motion, a mobility programme that offers three different grants for artists and cultural practitioners to travel and participate in events and activities in East Africa and the UK.

The three-day workshop that culminated into the colourful event on Thursday had mentors including Anita Beryl of Beryl Qouture, Ras Kasozi of Kas Wear and SEED Show, among others.

Its main focus was to help creative young entrepreneurs to craft their fashion business blueprint and to get their businesses into the future.

Charles Semanda, winner of SEED Show 2016, described the workshop as an eye-opener and that the knowledge will have a lasting impact on his label  Say-manda  as he positions himself to export to the UK.

The event held at Resilient Africa Network in Kololo also had In Place of War as co-organisers. In Place of War also runs a creative and social entrepreneurship programme.

barangasam@gmail.com
OGDEN  A couple has been ordered to stand trial on an aggravated murder charge in the abuse death of their daughter, who was found so malnourished and neglected she was compared to a holocaust victim.

In an order filed Friday following a hearing earlier in the week, 2nd District Judge Michael DiReda found there was probable cause to support the first-degree felony charge, outlining the prolonged abuse and neglect that was so extensive, no single cause of death could be pinpointed in the death of 3-year-old Angelina Costello.

According to evidence presented during a preliminary hearing in February, Angelina experienced "extreme emaciation" and extensive "non-accidental trauma" while in the care of her parents, Miller Eric Costello, 26, and his wife Brenda Emile, 23, DiReda wrote in his decision.

"Based upon the evidence, the court reasonably infers that the injuries  including the injuries to the brain and pancreas, the burns, the abrasions, the contusions, the whipping of her body, the extreme malnutrition, and the poor hygiene  were inflicted by, encouraged by, or permitted by both defendants," DiReda wrote.

Costello and Emile are both charged with aggravated murder, a first-degree felony and a potential capital offense, in Angelina's death. With the case bound over, prosecutors have 60 days to decide whether to pursue a death penalty in the case.

On July 6 police were called to the Ogden home on 2800 block of Grant Avenue where the couple had lived for less than a week, finding Angelina's cold, emaciated body wrapped in a pink blanket and covered in a layer of pasty makeup allegedly applied to disguise her injuries.

Two Ogden police officers who investigated Angelina's death compared the girl to a Holocaust victim, a 13-pound skeletal figure with sunken eyes, thinning hair and little to no muscle on her frame.

Prosecutors during the hearing presented photos and videos from the couple's phones that showed Angelina appearing increasingly bruised and injured as she seemed to waste away physically in the last months of her life, even as her two siblings remained healthy. In some of the images, Emile seemed to taunt Angelina with food, while in others, Costello quizzed the toddler about whether she hated him and asked if she is "evil."

The couple has "self-proclaimed ties to a transient Romanian gypsy community" and were found to have more than a dozen alternative names and addresses in multiple states for each of them, according to prosecutors. They are both being held without bail Saturday in the Weber County Jail.

The couple is next due in court on July 19.
The commissioner for basic education at the ministry of Education, Dr Daniel Nkaada has discouraged head teachers under universal primary education (UPE) schools from setting up boarding facilities.

Nkaada said such an arrangement would be aimed at charging illegal hefty fees from parents yet government does not sponsor children in primary level for boarding.

New classroom blocks at Kokopchaya primary school in Bukwo district. The ministry of Education says such UPE schools shouldn't have boarding sections

We understand that children trek long distances to schools but we have to bear with that for a time being rather than denying children space for learning with fixing boarding sections, Nkaada said.

We strictly want buildings for classroom activities because once boarding sections are introduced, children will be forced to study under trees.

He added that young children are supposed to be with their parents until such a time when they are old enough to be able to stay away from daily parental guidance.

The commissioner was responding to a joint request submitted by head teachers from nine UPE schools that have been refurbished under the Uganda Teacher and School Effectiveness Project (UTSEP) in Bukwo district. These are; Chekwir, Ndilai, Aryowet, Koikoi, Tuyobei, Kokopchaya, Kapsekek, Muton and Kapchemoken primary schools.

Through Sam Cherotwo, the head teacher Kokopchaya primary school, the head teachers wanted government to give them a green light to utilizing part of the new structures to set up boarding facilities.

I must thank government for being focused and remembering education deep in Bukwo district. However, most of the children and teachers are delayed to reach school due to the rough, rocky terrain of this area. When it rains, the roads get more slippery for young children, Cherotwo said raising applause from his colleagues before the request was turned down.

In 2014, government secured a $100 million grant from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to construct 138 schools in 31 districts with World Bank as the supervising entity.

So far, 54 schools have been handed over in six districts of Arua, Kapchorwa, Bukwo, Isingiro, Ibanda and Alebtong. Construction of 84 other schools is underway and is expected to be finalized by December 2018.

Also the coordinator of the GPE project, Nkaada insisted that all the new structures countrywide will not get boarding facilities despite the fact that they are located in hard-to-reach and stay areas.

If a school wants a boarding section, that will be a private arrangement agreed upon by the school management committees and the district. Even then, they have to construct new facilities but not to utilise what we have given schools through the grant, he said.

His views were echoed by the state minister for primary education, Rosemary Seninde, that such an arrangement would fail the UPE programme.

If we are still challenged with feeding in UPE schools, why do we run into creating boarding sections? Seninde asked urging parents to provide lunch to learners because even when we construct classes but with children are not feeding, it will be useless.

Meanwhile, of the 54 completed schools, Bukwo is the only district that has received nine teachers houses. Seninde said without teachers accommodation, the new schools in Bukwo would turn into white elephants hence children dropping out of school.

At the same event, Seninde commended a one Dinah Chemotos Juma for donating five acres of land on which new structures at Kokopchaya primary school were constructed.

Minister Seninde chats with Dinah Chemotos Juma, who donated the land for construction, as Bukwo woman MP Evelyn Chemutai (C) looks on

The school was founded in 2007 by the community in an internally displaced persons camp following sporadic cattle rustling that resulted into massive killings in 1960s.

She asked her to write a memorandum of understanding giving away the land as the ministry has had challenges where land is donated but when people pass on, their children demolish schools.

Also appreciated were the contractors; Excel construction limited and Sumadhura Technologies Ltd, for braving the bumpy mountainous landscape of the area to construct the schools.

We have been sending money in form of school facilitation grants (SFG) to districts but they do shoddy work with cracked new buildings that also collapse in the shortest time, Seninde said. We have wasted a lot of money on SFG but this has been lesson to use competent contractors in order not to end up being disappointed.

COMPLETED SCHOOLS IN BUKWO DISTRICT SCHOOL CLASSES ADMIN BLOCKS 5-STANCE LATRINES 2-STANCE LATRINES TEACHER HOUSES WATER TANKS Chekwir PS 7 1 2 2 1 2 Ndilai PS 7 1 2 2 1 2 Aryowet PS 7 1 2 2 1 2 Koikoi PS 7 1 2 2 1 2 Tuyobei PS 7 1 2 2 1 2 Kokopchaya PS 7 1 2 2 1 2 Kapsekek PS 7 1 2 2 1 2 Muton PS 7 1 2 2 1 2 Kapchemoken PS 7 1 2 2 1 2 GRAND TOTAL 63 9 18 18 9 18



nangonzi@observer.ug
SALT LAKE CITY  Ride-hailing service Lyft is offering a new, subscription-based service for frequent users in Utah, and it's one that may be a foreshadowing of networked transportation companies playing a bigger role in daily commute options.

Lyft announced this week it's starting a waiting list for those interested in a monthly subscription service that gives participants 30 rides for $200. All destinations served by Lyft are eligible, though individual rides need to be a $15-or-under fare. Those eligible for the program will be notified via the Lyft app, according to a company spokesman.

Rates for short trips with ride hailing services in Utah are still generally more expensive, depending on distance, than an adult fare on bus/TRAX service, currently $2.50 for a one-way journey or $5 for a round-trip.

However, the new Lyft pass comes closer to going head-to-head with transit options. A "premium" monthly pass, which includes passage on all bus, TRAX and Frontrunner services, retails for $198, according to information posted on the Utah Transit Authority's website.

An interesting new twist  one that combines some of the convenience and immediacy of ride hailing services with the more economical option of public transit  are experiments in new hybrid programs that are embracing the best of both to solve long-running issues for non-car commuters.

Monrovia, California just launched a partnership in March with Lyft that gives residents of the L.A. suburb access to 50 cent rides within the city and to connect with existing public transportation infrastructure. The GoMonrovia effort includes a bikeshare program that also gives residents $1 fares on 30-minute bike rides. In a statement, Monrovia City Manager Oliver Chi said the program was the result of the city's effort to identify private sector partners that could help improve transit options for its residents.

"As we assessed the situation, we realized early on that widely adopted technology platforms could facilitate a new public transportation model for our suburban community, Chi said.

Private sector firms such as Lyft and LimeBike have created tremendous technologies that enable them to provide a personalized and on-demand transportation service. We knew that from a user perspective, existing public transit options just cant compete with the speed and convenience offered by these new tech platforms.

"And so instead of fighting, we looked to see how we could leverage what these companies do best in order for us to better serve the community, Chi said.

And that's an idea very much on the radar of Salt Lake City transportation officials as they continue to seek ways to help residents in neighborhoods where there is a dearth of public transit service.

Julianne Sabula, Salt Lake City's transit program manager, said the city, in its new transit master plan, identified the need to innovate solutions to get people in the city's "transit deserts" connected with public transportation nodes.

Sabula said networked transportation companies could play a role in solving the first-mile/last-mile connection dilemma.

"Access to some type of on-demand service that gets people from their front doors to transit and from transit, home could really help open up these neighborhoods," Sabula said.

The city, in partnership with the Utah Transit Authority, is hoping to assemble a pilot program in the next six months that would test the efficiency and effectiveness of a public-private partnership that incorporated some version of an on-demand transit connector service, Sabula said. A city request for information has already been posted and Sabula said while she can't reveal who has responded until the process is complete, the intent is to harvest ideas for the program from relevant entities, including networked transportation companies.

Sabula said the city has also reached out to other municipalities that are trying out new hybrid systems aiming to merge ride-hailing with public transit, though most of the efforts are brand new, like Monrovia's. It's one of the challenges, Sabula said, of working to incorporate new technology in formulating transit solutions. She also noted the importance of pilot programs in vetting new ideas.

"This is a landscape that's changing, and evolving, very quickly," Sabula said. "When we do tests and pilots with new ideas, it's the best way to test the market and find out, from those who use the system, how it's working and whether we've found a long-term solution."

While Lyft has partnered with numerous municipalities across the U.S. in transit connection efforts, whether or not they are a potential Salt Lake partner remains to be seen. Data provided by the company for Salt Lake City users of its service shows that 19 percent are already using Lyft for connecting to transit, 31 percent use it to get around when public transit isn't operating and 33 percent use it to commute to work.

Lyft spokesman Jeremy Neigher said the company has found great success in Utah, citing 100 percent growth rate, year-over-year. He also said the company wants to be a part of solving residents' transportation challenges as the state continues its high-octane growth cycle.

"We see the growth that's taken place all along the Wasatch Front and want to be a part of the logistical solutions," Niegher said.

The intersection of private and public transportation interests is the quest to design and implement systems that are simultaneously affordable, convenient and reliable and it may be on this basis alone that the two merge to the greater public benefit.

In Monrovia, the hope is they've found a system that's just too effortless to ignore.

The challenge we were trying to solve in developing the GoMonrovia initiative was to see if we could create an affordable transportation program that was so easy to use that the broader community might seriously consider public transit in Monrovia as a real option, said Chi.
SALT LAKE CITY  I won't bury the lead: Anxiety has become a crippling problem  especially for Utah teens. And the Deseret News is launching an initiative through in-depth reporting, analysis, expert commentary and events to identify this growing problem and find the solutions that will help our teenagers manage it and become happy, productive adults.

My Deseret News colleague, reporter Lois Collins, and others on our staff are researching and reporting on what has become of paramount importance to individuals and families suffering from anxiety and issues related to it.

Lois puts it this way:

"Anxiety is a challenge of degrees, from making one stumble to freezing one in place. And it has traveling companions, frequently accompanied by depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic, or post-traumatic stress.

"The issues that arise vary depending on age, but like a snowball, it grows and speeds up, cutting an increasingly large swath through a young life, unless its progress is checked.

"According to the 2015 Child Mind Institute Childrens Mental Health Report, 80 percent of teens with a diagnosable anxiety issue do not get help, though help is available. Heres a sampling of why thats bad news for youths, their families and their futures: Untreated anxiety predicts later panic attacks, depression, separation anxiety disorder, behavior problems, social phobias and even suicide.

"On U.S. college campuses last year, 71 percent of the 161,014 mental health visits seeking treatment included anxiety as a key complaint. Experts say anxiety that is not dealt with can stall the launch into adulthood. It impacts whether young people finish school, serve LDS missions, get good jobs, marry and more. It impacts not just their future, but that of the entire nation."

So what's to be done?

The Deseret News has tried to bring the crisis of suicide into the open and has explored contributing causes and solutions, which it continues to do. Last year we committed to in-depth work on the opioid crisis gripping the nation, which had particular resonance and an outsized impact in Utah. That work was widely praised for bringing understanding and solutions to the state.

This year we are exploring solutions to anxiety, beginning first with an exploration of just what it is. Years ago we didn't even have the language to deal with it. What's the difference between anxiety and stress? If one was stressed, the response was often, "buck up" or "get over it." Is there any merit to that today? Or does such an attitude contribute to problems that lead to dire consequences?

With skills, practice and support, anxiety doesnt have to rewrite a teens future. For some, it may become a rough patch they look back on as a learning experience, while for others, it may be an ongoing, but manageable challenge. The key is that it has to be faced head on.

As Lois notes: "Every source imaginable agrees that anxiety and depression are the No. 1 and No. 2 complaint in terms of mental health challenges."

As part of the launch of this initiative, the Deseret News is hosting two screenings of the film "Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety" by IndieFlix, for parents and teens. We are showing it in Park City and in Herriman, two communities tragically touched most recently by suicide.

After the screenings, Boyd Matheson, Deseret News opinion editor will moderate a panel that includes Karin Gornick, producer of the film, and Jenny Howe, licensed therapist with degrees in psychology and child and family studies.

The screenings and discussion will provide parents and teens with insight and resources to better deal with anxiety. The events are free to attend but registration is required. Follow this series at www.deseretnews.com/anxiety for more information and registration.

To submit questions for the panel discussion, explore ways to bring the event to your community or other questions contact Kylie Neslen at kneslen@deseretnews.com.

 In Park City Tuesday, May 29, 7 p.m. Jim Santy Auditorium, Park City Library. 1255 Park Ave. To register online for Park City, click here.

 In Herriman Wednesday, May 30, 6;30 p.m. Fort Herriman Middle School 14058 Mirabella Drive. To register online for Herriman, click here.
SPANISH FORK  Students at Maple Mountain High School used some pretty strong words to describe the Red Devils at Springville High School in their yearbook this year.

So strong that administrators were forced to take action.

"I feel so bad," Anika Broberg, a junior at Maple Mountain High, said Saturday. "I don't want Springville to think we said these words, because it's not true."

The page contained a word cloud in the shape of Springville's logo, with one-word descriptions of the school under the heading, "Describe Springville." Words included "snobby," "egotistic," "stupid," "lame," "satanic," "trash," "annoying" and more.

Several in the community are outraged about it, but Nebo School District officials say they are working to rectify the problem and the potential issues it might create.

"As sometimes happens, students might think something is funny but this definitely is not funny. This is something we take very serious," Lana Hiskey, district community relations specialist, said Saturday.

She said a sticker is being created to put over the "inappropriate page" in the books that haven't yet been handed out.

About 500 or so books, however, are already in the hands of students.

Hiskey said the school will ask that those books be returned to cover the page that she believes did not get approval from advisers on the yearbook staff prior to its printing.

"No one saw the page before it went to print," she said, adding that there will be more checkpoints put into place to prevent such an incident from happening again.

"We would never condone anything like this," Hiskey said. She said the district is working on various projects, including having T-shirts made that promote unity between the two schools, which stand less than five miles apart in Utah County.

"Never have I met anyone who was defined as any of those words," said Kilee Hullinger, a cheerleader and junior at Maple Mountain High School. She said her friends at Springville High School are "fun, loving, compassionate."

"It was meant as a prank, but somehow it got through," she said.

"They're our friends and our family and that's the words they should be described as, not the words that they were," Kilee said. "I'm sorry those words were said about them."

Administrators at both schools met together late Friday after realizing what had happened and are continuing to work at a solution.

"We are truly sorry that we have hurt our dear friends and neighbors that we love and respect," wrote the Maple Mountain High School administration. "We acknowledge and accept responsibility for our mistake. We are taking action to resolve the situation and to ensure that something like this doesn't happen in the future."

They said the words don't represent their student body and community, adding their hope that students who grow up and play and learn together will continue to do so in the future.

Hiskey said the students involved are being disciplined and that the entire student body will be brought together to discuss it on Monday.

"We're concerned that students don't see this as serious," she said. "Maybe more teaching needs to happen. Something like this is never appropriate."

She hopes the sentiment doesn't perpetuate further discord on social media.

Springville High School Principal Everett Kelepolo called it an "unfortunate mistake."

"We appreciate that the Maple Mountain High School administration is taking steps to rectify the situation," he said. "We hope that we can all move forward in a positive direction."

Contributing: Alex Cabrero
OGDEN  A hundred Utah Cold War veterans, whose service largely went unacknowledged in a war that was largely invisible, now have Cold War Victory Medals.

I think its a great honor, said Vietnam War veteran Larry Kerr, who along with his chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, organized the distribution of the medals Friday at the George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home.

While the Cold War was an undeclared confrontation, veterans went through the motions of being in a war.

Kennedy and the Russians were going at it tooth and nail, Air Force veteran Tex Crawford said. That little light up in the corner of our operations room indicated that we were at DEFCON 4. We thought we were going to war.

Tension with the Soviet Union meant there was a constant threat of war. Crawford, who served in the Air Force from 1958 to 1966, worked radar operations scanning the skies for the enemy around the clock.

We spent hours and hours watching our radar, especially in Canada, getting ready for whatever was coming, Crawford said.

World War II, Korean War and the Vietnam War veterans were recognized with medals for their service, but not the men and women who served during the Cold War.

We did lose ships and submarines to the Cold War, Kerr said. We lost aircraft and pilots due to the Cold War, and they never really got any recognition for that at all.

Utah is the fourth state to offer the Cold War Victory Medal to its veterans. Its given for honorable service in the U.S. military between 1946 and the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Air Force veteran Pat Crawford, no relation to veteran Tex Crawford, served just shy of 30 years in the Air Force. He was stationed all over the world. He was a ground equipment repairmen and technician but ended up serving in many capacities. He said receiving the medal meant a lot.

I have to think about my wife and family and all the sacrifices they made more than me, Pat Crawford said.

The Hill Air Force thrift shop stepped up with a $1,000 donation, and the Disabled American Veterans chipped in the other $500 to buy the 100 medals.

Congress first approved a Cold War service medal in 2001, but then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld declined to authorize it.

The idea of the Cold War Victory Medal began after Texas became the first state to authorize its own medal in 2013. Louisiana and Alaska soon followed suit.

Approximately 100,000 Utahns served in the military during the Cold War in various places, from Alaska to Germany to the Korean Demilitarized Zone, according to Kraig Thorne, senior vice commander of VFW Post 4918.

All the medals are paid for by donations from individuals and charitable organizations. The medals are made locally.

If you would like to make a donation, Kerr asks that you contact your local Disable American Veterans or Veterans of Foreign Wars office and tell them you would like to nominate a veteran for the Cold War Victory Medal and make a donation to pay for the medal. You can also contact Kerr at 801-776-4230.

Contributing: Viviane Vo-Duc
SALT LAKE CITY  The Utah Pride Center finally has a home of its own.

Friends and supporters gathered Saturday for the ribbon cutting of its new home at 1380 S. Main, just south of Smith's Ballpark.

"It's just such a fabulous day for us. When I say us, I'm talking about our community. We waited a long time, I think since the early '90s, to have a place to call our own that we own, that we can grow all of our programs and save lives and make life entertaining. Now we have it," said Carol Gnade, who recently retired as the center's executive director.

The building, which was once a bank (the vault remains inside) and the Mexican Consulate, features an open flow and is flooded with natural light. The center includes meeting spaces, inviting common areas and offices for small groups and individual counseling.

Sue Robbins, who leads the center's board of directors, described pride centers as beacons for the LGBT community.

"It's where our community comes together, where we find community. If you don't know where else to go, you go to your pride center. You move to another city, you come to the pride center. It's our safe place, if you can call any place a safe place," she said.

Robbins added, "This amazing building is our beacon. This is the place."

The Utah Pride Center offers a wide variety of services to youth and adults, including mental health services as well as support groups for people who have attempted suicide, transgender youths and adults and others.

It is a "safe and welcoming space for education, partnerships, services and events which advance our collective health, wellness and success," a Utah Pride Center press release center says.

Rob Moolman, the Utah Pride Center executive director, explained his accent is "deep, deep South," which in his case means South Africa.

Moolman borrowed a term often used by Nelson Mandela, a political leader and anti-apartheid revolutionary, ubuntu, which is from the Nguni Bantu.

"Ubuntu means, I am because we are. Another way to look at it is, a person is a person through other people," Moolman said.

"We are here because we are connected. We are connected through our history, through the struggle, through our highs, through our lows, through love and through joy. We stand here because we see each other."

Moolman, in a prepared statement, said the Utah Pride Center is "thrilled to share this gift with everyone. This building will help ensure our ability to provide critical life-saving programs and services.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah  Youth in the Jordan River Utah Temple district gathered for a once in a lifetime experience in the Conference Center on Saturday, May 19, to sing, dance, and show they are ready  the theme for the event  for their temple to be open again.

There was this sense of being part of a huge, big thing, said Adriana Stout, 16, from Riverton, Utah. There was a band, orchestra, choir, and dancers  each instrument had a purpose in being there. It made me realize we each have a purpose in the bigger plan.

Prior to the program, President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency greeted the youth and offered brief remarks.

My prayer is that this experience will lead to a lifetime of choices to make the temple the guiding star on your journey home to live forever in loving families with Heavenly Father and His beloved Son, he said. I am grateful to be on the journey with you, thank you for your companionship today, and may this celebration be another step along our way.

Read the full Church News article here.
WASHINGTON  In West Virginia, Republican Senate candidate Don Blankenship accused Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of creating jobs for "China people" and getting donations from his "China family" (McConnell's wife, Elaine Chao, was born in Taiwan). In Georgia, Republican gubernatorial candidate Michael Williams drives around in a bus he promises to fill with "illegals" who will be deported to Mexico. On the rear is stamped: "Murderers, rapists, kidnappers, child molesters, and other criminals on board." In Arizona, Republican Senate candidate (and former sheriff) Joe Arpaio is a proud "birther" with a history of profiling and abusing Hispanic migrants. Vice President Mike Pence recently called Arpaio "a great friend of this president, a tireless champion of strong borders and the rule of law." In Wisconsin, Republican House candidate Paul Nehlen runs as a "pro-white Christian American candidate."

Yes, these are fringe figures. But they are fringe figures in a political atmosphere they correctly view as favorable. In the Republican Party, cranks and bigots are closer to legitimacy than at any time since William F. Buckley banished the John Birch Society.

For some of us, this was a concern from the beginning of Donald Trump's rise  not just the policies he would adopt but the attitudes he would encourage and the passions he would provoke.

The problem is one of social psychology. Human beings are wired to favor their ingroup and to view people in outgroups as interchangeable and dispensable. We are willing to form ingroups at the drop of a hat, based even on minor characteristics. We tend to believe that bad things that happen to people in our ingroup are bum luck, while bad things that happen to people in outgroups are evidence of a just universe. Because we are inherently predisposed toward stereotyping, we are particularly vulnerable to propaganda.

Whatever else Trumpism may be, it is the systematic organization of resentment against outgroups. His record is rich in dehumanization. It was evident when Trump called Mexican migrants "criminals" and "rapists." When Trump claimed legal mistreatment from a judge because "he's a Mexican" (Judge Gonzalo Curiel was born in Indiana). When he proposed a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States." When Trump attacked Muslim Gold Star parents. When he sidestepped opportunities to criticize former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. When he referred to "very fine people" among the white supremacist protesters in Charlottesville. When he expressed a preference for Norwegian immigrants above those from non-white countries.

This is more than a disturbing pattern; it is an organizing political principle. And it has resulted in a series of radiating consequences.

First, it has given permission for the public expression of shameful sentiments. People such as Blankenship, Williams, Arpaio and Nehlen are part of a relatively (and thankfully) small political group. But the president has set boundaries of political discourse that include them and encourage them. Even when Trump opposes their candidacies, he has enabled the bolder, more confident expression of their bigotry. The Trump era is a renaissance of half-witted intolerance. Trump's Christian supporters in particular must be so proud.

Second, Trump's attacks on outgroups have revealed the cowardice of a much broader faction within the GOP  those who know better but say little. Some leaders (see House Speaker Paul Ryan) have been willing to criticize specific instances of Trump's prejudice. But few  and very few with a political future  have been willing to draw the obvious conclusion that Trump is prejudiced, or to publicly resist the trend toward prejudice among the GOP base.

Third, Trump's attitudes toward diversity have moved the center of gravity of the whole GOP toward immigration restrictionism. In Republican Senate primaries such as the one in Indiana, candidates have engaged in a competition of who can be the most exclusionary. Mainstream attitudes toward refugees and legal immigration have become more xenophobic. Trump has not only given permission to those on the fringes; he has changed the Republican mean to be more mean.

The good news about bias against outgroups is that it can be mitigated. And that, in fact, describes the high calling of a democratic leader  to set an aspiration of unity, to speak the language of empathy, to emphasize our common goals, our common values and our common fate as a people. The GOP waits on leaders who will make these tasks their own.
Recent newspaper layoffs in Utah raise questions about the rapidly changing communications world and what it means for our local news media. We explore the ramifications.

What do the layoffs and low media approval ratings say about our news media locally and nationally?

Pignanelli: "Fifty percent of people won't vote, and fifty percent don't read newspapers. I hope it's the same fifty percent."  Gore Vidal

Our constitutional rights of freedom of speech and press are sacred fundamentals. Therefore, as a good Italian I must use a food analogy to highlight their importance. These protections are the vegetables of the American body politic providing nutrients, fiber and healthy regeneration. Although not always tasty, without them everything else withers.

The endless Twitter disparagement by President Donald Trump is often blamed for the challenges confronting news media. Yet, Trump is an amateur compared to his predecessors. Richard Nixon worked the IRS and the Justice Department to harass the media. A prominent constitutional law scholar (aka Barack Obama) subpoenaed reporters, targeted leakers and unreasonably limited access to information. Founding Father John Adams pushed the Alien and Sedition Acts to criminalize newspaper conduct. The businesses of newspapers are struggling not because of Trump, but because of what underlies Trumps success  the internet.

Utahs relatively small population supports two major statewide and many regional newspapers. This indicates Utahns still consider periodicals critical to understanding local and national current events.

So, Utahns love and want their vegetables, but no longer in the traditional recipes.

Webb: It is actually quite remarkable that Salt Lake City has two competing newspapers. Few, if any, similar markets anywhere in the country have two papers. The only reason both papers survive is they operate under an agreement allowing them to share a lot of operations and expenses. In other industries, such an arrangement would violate antitrust laws, but newspapers were given an exemption.

Many years ago, I was in a meeting with the top leadership of the Deseret News and the Salt Lake Tribune. Tribune Publisher Dominic Welch, who was also president of the Newspaper Agency Corporation, made this statement: One day there will only be one newspaper in this city  and it wont be the Deseret News. How wrong he was.

I believe the LDS Church really does want the Tribune to survive. The church is subject to criticism for dominating Utahs culture and society, so having a dissenting voice in the state is actually good for the church.

As long as the Tribune is there, the church can say, See, theres a lot of diversity and alternative voices in Utah. We dont really dominate.

How important are newspapers and other media in supplying reliable information to the public about politics and elections?

Pignanelli: The biggest stories of the last two years (Weinstein and other sexual harassment revelations, Russian meddling, payments to porn stars, etc.) were revealed by newspapers and magazines. Utahs daily publications continue to shed an important light on legislative, executive and local governmental activities. The press, in traditional and new formats, continues to provide the valuable check on the powerful.

Dystopian futures are frequent scenarios for the movies and television. But the real nightmare is the void of free speech. Journalists are the greatest soldiers and defenders of this right, and we need to keep them engaged whether through newspapers, magazines, blogs, television, YouTube, paid subscriptions or whatever. The health of our democracy depends on them.

Those who want their news for free all the time are sacrificing freedom to save pennies.

Webb: Despite their challenges, the traditional media still set the agenda. Most social media posts and online media stories link back to traditional media. And despite their obvious biases, the traditional media still produce the most reliable and factual stories.

Are newspapers, in particular, dinosaurs awaiting extinction, or will they make a comeback?

Pignanelli: The Facebook controversy taught Americans an invaluable lesson  nothing is free. So paying a minimal fee to participate in privacy secured social networking platforms will eventually prompt customers to subscribe to media outlets for their news consumption. Entrepreneurs will discover multiple methods to publish newspapers at a profit.

Webb: The Deseret News has a chance to survive because it is part of a family of communications-related businesses, including KSL TV, KSL Radio, KSL.com, LDS Church News, Deseret Digital Media, DeseretNews.com and Deseret Book.

Those relationships provide synergies and collaboration that a stand-alone newspaper doesnt enjoy. Reporters, editors, photographers, etc., can provide and share content across a number of print, online and broadcast platforms, which provides a lot of economies.

Unlike the Tribune, the Deseret News and its sister companies also have a worldwide audience, providing news and information to millions of members of the church. Thats a big market.

Republican LaVarr Webb is a political consultant and lobbyist. Previously he was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. Email: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. Pignanelli served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as minority leader. His spouse, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is the president/CEO of the Special Olympics of Utah. Email: frankp@xmission.com.
Coal is in the news again, thanks to the Trump administration. But this time theres a new wrinkle. The administration is aiming for a high-tech approach that could appeal to climate change activists looking to secure realistic reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.

The Department of Energy has announced that it is considering investment in the development of small-scale, modular coal plants that some are calling the power plants of the future. These compact generating stations can achieve extremely high energy efficiencies and would be doubly clean when paired with new, cutting-edge systems to enhance the capture of exhaust emissions.

Its clear that President Donald Trump is standing behind his commitment to revitalize Americas coal sector. But technological advances are emerging that may indeed validate his decision  including an array of systems to fine-tune the trapping of exhaust gases and particulate matter.

To date, Americas coal fleet has invested more than $122 billion on such specialized scrubbing equipment. But coal could transition further into the realm of high-tech now that supercritical and ultrasupercritical power plants are coming online to burn coal at far higher temperatures. Under such intense heat and pressure, coal burns more efficiently, yielding lower carbon dioxide emissions per kilowatt generated.

Theres one problem, though: The Obama administrations focus on eliminating coal through hefty regulations discouraged utilities from moving toward higher-efficiency systems. As a result, Americas coal fleet is aging, and the U.S. now trails China, Japan and the European Union in fully implementing these technologies.

Its not that the U.S. lacks the technological prowess to move forward on advanced coal plants, however. But many are still asking, Why coal?

As the nation is now learning after a particularly brutal winter, coal proved unexpectedly crucial in keeping the lights on. According to a recent Department of Energy report, without ample coal-fired power the eastern United States would have suffered severe electricity shortages, likely leading to widespread blackouts. Coal plants delivered 55 percent of incremental daily U.S. power generation this winter and provided three times the incremental generation of natural gas and 12 times that of nuclear units.

This raises the wider issue of fuel diversity. The U.S. is poised to export more of its natural gas to Europe. And rising demand overseas will undoubtedly lead to higher prices and tighter supplies domestically. Southern California is already facing its own looming problem as it decides whether to continue drawing natural gas from a facility that spewed a massive leak in 2015. And New England is grappling with its own pipeline capacity issues; this winters bitter cold snap forced some utilities to resort to oil-powered generation when gas supplies lagged during peak demand.

Theres a need to ensure a diverse energy mix in the United States, particularly when electricity demand is projected to increase annually, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In response, the Trump administration is right to safeguard fuel variety for the nations power grid. Coal is plentiful and affordable, which augurs well for investing in compact, high-tech modules that can increase efficiency and reduce emissions in a realistic manner. That would yield both economic benefits and more reliable electricity  two things that will matter greatly to an ever-growing nation in the years ahead.
PLEASANT GROVE  For Audrey Kent, some memories never fade.

"I was working at LDS Hospital, and they had a lot of signs saying they needed nurses and doctors," she said. "So I thought, 'Well, I should sign up.'"

That's how she spent three years working as a nurse in a San Francisco operating room, right through the height of World War II  all on her very first trip out of Utah.

"They took care of all the soldiers from the South Pacific that would come in, and we would try to get them as well as possible," Kent said. "Then we'd put them on a train and take them back East, closer to their homes."

She met her husband while working at the hospital, which was a bit of a surprise to her family.

"He worked in surgery, same as I did," Kent said with a smile. " I just had to send them a letter, to tell them I was getting married. My mother and sisters came out to be at the wedding."

After the war, her small family began to grow  and Audrey shares a special bond with one of her children.

"These are some of the landing zones," said Audrey's son Mike Kent, gesturing to a photo in a small album. "That's a Huey right there, outside of my door."

For Audrey, the country eventually came calling again. Mike Kent was sent to Vietnam, where he spent 11 long months serving as a door gunner in a helicopter.

"We did everything," he said. "We inserted the troops, we resupplied them, did reconnaissance for them, took them their mail, their meals  you name it, we did it."

But he wasn't the only one of Audrey's sons who served in Vietnam. Doug Kent enlisted six months before his brother was drafted. Doug Kent was stationed at a base, repairing helicopters  Mike Kent was supposed to join him.

"You land, you go into a processing center," Mike Kent said. "I was trying to explain that I was supposed to go be with him, but it took them 11 days to find me. He was killed the same day I got there."

"They were testing out a helicopter," said Audrey Kent. Something happened, and it crashed  exploded. Someone came to our door, a service person, and told us he had crashed and was declared missing in action. And then the next day, we had another man come, and said that it was confirmed that he was killed."

"The chaplain sent for me, and told me," Mike Kent said. "I was supposed to have the dangerous job."

It's been decades  but they've never forgotten that day. Kent still talks about exchanging letters with his brother and the stack of undelivered mail the family received after his death.

To help remember Doug, his mother made a cross stitch of his section of the wall at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They've seen pictures, spoken to those who've visited, and gone to see traveling replicas  but neither she nor her son has actually been able to make the trip to see the names on the memorial in person.

But that's about to change. Mother and son are heading to Washington, D.C., together, as part of the Utah Honor Flight. The program provides free trips to veterans, to see the memorials built in their honor. Their trip, sponsored by the BYU College of Nursing, is scheduled for next month.

"I'd seen it on television, I was hoping I could participate in it," Audrey Kent said. "But I never got around to doing anything about it. So Michael's friend got an application, and we filled it out, and they accepted us."

"I just want to see all the memorials," Mike Kent said. "The Unknown Soldier, I want to see that really bad."

But there's one thing they both want to see more than anything.

"I want to see my brother's name on the wall," Kent said.

Mother and son hope to learn for themselves that their memories aren't the only place where Doug Kent's name will never fade.

"Oh, I'm thrilled," said Audrey Kent. "I'm excited. You know, I feel close to him all the time anyway."

To donate to the Utah Honor Flight or to apply for a trip, visit utahhonorflight.org.
UTAH STATE PRISON  Utah Board of Pardons and Parole Chairwoman Chyleen Arbon admits she and her colleagues have a difficult decision to make.

"We either have to lock you up for life or we need to help you succeed, she told Colton Jesse Louder in a recording of a recent parole hearing.

On May 8, Louder, 34, appeared before Arbon to make his case asking that he be released from the Utah State Prison for a third time.

In 2009, Louder, of Lehi, shot and killed his uncle, Jeff Ackerman, in a Pleasant Grove neighborhood. In court, attorneys noted that both men were using methamphetamine that day, and that when Louder uses drugs he becomes paranoid. When Ackerman used drugs, he became angry. The combination led to the fatal confrontation.

Louder pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter, a first-degree felony, and was sentenced to five years to life in prison.

But after being paroled, he was convicted of DUI just 13 months later and was sent back to prison in 2016. In 2017, he was sent back to prison again after he believed a "stranger in the shadows" told him to cut off his GPS ankle monitor, according to Arbon.

During his most recent parole hearing, Arbon said she isn't sure what is going to happen.

"I'm not sure how to make sense of this," she said. "When you use substances, it affects you mentally.  I am a little puzzled as to what to do, because our first duty is to protect the public and weve got three (cases) now of you doing the exact same thing."

Louder's family has supported him throughout the court proceedings and again at his latest parole hearing.

After his first parole, Louder said his decision to drink and drive "was stupid. Theres no other way to put it."

His second unsuccessful parole, he said, was due in part to being in a downtown Salt Lake halfway house which he said was a "high risk environment."

"I can only be around it so long without doing it, he conceded.

But Louder said in the past, he would make up "little rules" in his head like only drinking on Friday nights. Now, he said he realizes no matter how much or how little he does, "If I keep doing the same things Ill keep getting the same results."

"Im getting older and I want more out of life than this, he said. "If I get out and drink or get high, it might be quick, it might be slow, but Ill be back here.

"Im sure my family is sick of it. Im sick of it. I cant imagine any rational, normal person not being sick of it," Louder continued. "Its hard to look at your behavior and know how toxic it can be, how destructive it can be.  I want to start building a life that Im proud of and I want to start building a life I wouldnt imagine sacrificing by being high."

Arbon told Louder it's clear that when he drinks or does drugs, he engages in high risk behavior. She noted that the board gave him a huge break with his original release. But if the full five-member board were to release him again, it would need assurance he won't ever drink or take drugs again.

"Youre going to have to be at 'not a drop of anything' for the rest of your life, she said.

The full board is expected to make a decision in a few weeks.
UTAH STATE PRISON  Travis Telford cried as he recalled the shooting and killing of Troy Michael Weston, 20, at Willard Bay on March 12, 1994.

"He was laying on the ground, and he was trying to talk. And all that was coming out was big bubbles of blood. But he was trying to say, Why? And I didnt know, Telford said during his recent parole hearing.

Telford was 23, and Brandon Dahlquist was 20 when they shot Weston multiple times for allegedly selling them diluted drugs. At trial, prosecutors described both men as hardcore drug users. Both were convicted of murder and sentenced to five years to life at the Utah State Prison.

On May 8, Telford had his first parole hearing in 20 years.

During a recording of the hearing, board member Angela Micklos noted that Telford had had nearly two dozen write-ups since being in prison. And he admitted he had relapsed on drugs while incarcerated in December due to the death of his mother.

"I didnt know how to deal with my grief, he said.

But after being in prison for nearly a quarter-century, Telford, now 46, said he has learned impulse control.

"I try to base my decisions on rational instead of emotional," he said, while also joking, "I crochet up a storm" when asked how he deals with stress now.

Telford, who has struggled with drugs since he was juvenile, admitted that continued drug treatment would be very important should he be released.

"I would need that support to make sure I dont become a bonehead like all the people I live around and just come through the revolving gate. Because that is my biggest fear if you grant me parole, is coming back, he said.

His other fear, he admitted, is adapting to a world that has changed since the last time he was a free man.

"I dont know society," he said. "I wouldnt know how to act. Ive been locked up so long, it blows people away that Ive never been on the internet."

The full five-member board will vote on whether to grant parole. A decision is expected in a few weeks.

Dahlquist's conviction was overturned in 1997 by the Utah Court of Appeals, which determined an incriminating statement he gave to police was in violation of his Miranda rights. During his re-trial, Dahlquist was acquitted by a jury. Since then, he has been convicted on several other crimes, according to court records, including being found guilty last week of interfering with an arrest.
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The Royal Wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wasnt just about the dress, the kiss or the long list of A-list celebrities in attendance at Windsor Castle

Before all the pomp and ceremony occurred at St Georges Chapel, the Royals  and others - had to get to the church on time in a fleet of fancy cars.

1950 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV State Car

Markles long ride from Clivedon House to St Georges Chapel was in the lap of luxury, a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce that is among the rarest of its kind.

The 1950 Phantom IV (above), with a hand-built body by H. J Mulliner, was purchased by Queen Elizabeth when she was still a princess and became her preferred State Limousine upon her Coronation in 1952.

Just 18 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV models were built between 1950 and 1956, each powered by a 5.7-litre straight eight-cylinder engine and were exclusively available to Heads of State or members of ruling Royal Families.

Bentley Mulsanne
NSW Police has locked in BMW and Chrysler sedans to replace Holden and Ford machines on the state highway patrol fleet.

BMW will supply special 530d sedans in what the brand describes as a specific authority specification stripped of some luxuries. The sedans are equipped with special equipment including M Sport brakes and suspension, as well as comfort seats.

Victoria Police have already signed on to use the 5-Series, which may find its way into other states.

BMW Australia chief executive Marc Werner says the brand already supplies emergency service vehicles to a number of countries, and he is pleased to see our brand continue this proud tradition in Australia.
A protest that was held in Dundalk on Friday in solidarity with the people of Palestine, heard calls for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador out of Ireland as well as a boycott of Israeli goods and services. Over 60 protesters were killed on one day alone last week by Israeli forces, with many more injured.

The protest was held by Dundalk Sinn Fein at the Market square, where speaking at the event, Councillor Ruairi O Murchu repeated calls to expel the Israeli Ambassador out of Ireland and formally recognise the State of Palestine.

There have been mass killings of Palestinians this week by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) and the world is standing by, said Councillor OMurchu, Turkey have recalled their ambassador and sent the Israeli Ambassador home. We need to do the same.

In a statement released following the protest in Dundalk, Cllr OMurchu referred to a claim made earlier in the week by Taoiseach Leo Varadker, where the Taoiseach said that to expel the Israeli Ambassador was against the principle and imperative of dialogue.

Cllr O Murchu refuted that claim and said the Irish government only recently expelled a Russian diplomat on no evidence whatsoever, just at the behest of the British Government, who lets face, are not exactly a reliable source.

So when they are faced with all this evidence of brutal slaughter of innocent Palestinians, suddenly they have a problem expelling the Israeli ambassador?

The Sinn Fein councillor continued, We need to stand with the people of Palestine and the onus is on our government to formally recognise the state of Palestine as agreed by the Dail and the Seanad.

"Israeli settlers are stealing and living on Palestinian land and it seems that the world is standing idly by. Palestinians are living under constant siege. Remember, Gaza is about the same size as County Louth."

In his statement, the Dundalk councillor shared the following statistics about conditions in Gaza:

95% of the water is undrinkable

4 hours per day of electricity

45% unemployment

46% of children suffer acute anaemia

2 million people are denied freedom of movement

Cllr O'Murchu said that "the worst point of all, and the most shocking, is that 50% of children have expressed no will to live.

The councillor has a motion before Louth County Council this month calling for Louth to be free from goods and services produced in illegal Israeli settlements on stolen Palestinian land.

He said I am asking everyone who supports Palestine and opposes the slaughter that is happening, to boycott Israeli goods.

"We opposed apartheid in South Africa through boycott and now we can oppose apartheid in Palestine through the same method.

"Check your produce when you are shopping. Fruit and vegetables origins are stated on packaging and Israeli bar codes start with 729. Show your support, do your bit, stand against apartheid and slaughter, stand with Palestine.
Irish charity, Family Carers Ireland, has launched its CarePlus Carer of the Year awards. People are now being urged to nominate a Family Carer from Louth who they think could be awarded the title of Louth Carer of the Year 2018.

According to Family Carers Ireland, one in twenty people in Ireland is a family carer, and there are now over 5,352 family carers in Louth saving the Government 10bn in unpaid care nationwide each year.

Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Carer Engagement with Family Carers Ireland said,

Family carers across Ireland make extraordinary sacrifices and work very hard, sometimes 24 hours a day, to provide care for their loved ones, safely, in their own homes.

"With limited access to services and particularly respite, carers in Louth are over stretched and receive little acknowledgement for their unpaid work which saves the State 10bn each year.

Family Carers Ireland is delighted to celebrate and recognise the enormous contribution that family carers make through the CarePlus Carers of the Year Awards.

"We are encouraging people to nominate a deserving carer or young carer from Louth for one of these awards, concluded Catherine.

Niamh Lynch, Commercial Director of CarePlus Pharmacy said CarePlus Pharmacy is honoured to sponsor the Family Carer of the Year awards, which recognises the tireless efforts of thousands of people across the country.

"Carers are the heart of every community and meet our pharmacy owners and staff every day. We look forward to working closely with Family Carers Ireland and supporting the awards throughout our fifty community pharmacies nationwide.

This year, the CarePlus Carer of the Year awards form part of Family Carers Irelands national Carers in Crisis campaign and will acknowledge the contribution of Family Carers throughout Ireland. The awards will highlight the sacrifices Family Carers make and the services they provide to the State.

CarePlus Pharmacy, a network of 50 franchised pharmacies, is sponsoring the event for the second year running and is now sponsoring the CarePlus Young Carers of the Year Awards 2018 which recognises the role that young people play in providing care to their loved ones at home.

Nomination forms for the Louth CarePlus Carer of the Year are available online at www.familycarers.ie, from Family Carers Ireland resource centres, CarePlus Pharmacies or via the Freephone Careline 1800 24 07 24.

The CarePlus Carer of the Year Awards will be presented in Dublin in November.
Sinn Fein TD for Louth Gerry Adams has condemned the HSE following confirmation that commitments to expand the services provided by the Minor Injuries Unit at Louth County Hospital Dundalk are now in jeopardy.

The Louth TD, who says he is 'gravely concerned' over the matter said: Simon Harris came to Dundalk in November 2017 and announced that by February 2018 the Minor Injuries Unit at the Louth Hospital would begin seeing additional paediatric patients by reducing the current age threshold of 14 years old to 5 years old.

In January I submitted a parliamentary question regarding the progress of this development and in response the RCSI Hospital Group, which runs health facilities in Louth, Meath and North Dublin, said: It is envisaged that the Local Injuries Unit at the Louth County Hospital will be in a position to start seeing patients over five years of age with minor injuries in Quarter 2 2018. This change in practice remains dependent on staffing and appropriate staff mix".

Mr Adams added: I submitted a further parliamentary question this month and the RCSI Hospital Group now tell me that the agreed start time for this service will be delayed due to unanticipated resignations.

Furthermore the response goes on to state that while the Louth Hospitals continue to endeavour to recruit the compliment of staff that is required to establish a safe level of service, they are not in a position to provide an updated time frame at this time.

From these responses it is clear to me that there is a real threat that this expanded service for those over 5 years old may never become operational. I am shocked that the Minister for Health would make such a grand announcement without any of the necessary ground work being complete.

I have asked the Minister for Health what recruitment campaign has been undertaken to ensure that the staff are in place to operate this service and I urge him to honour the commitments he has made to Dundalk.

My colleague councillor Anne Campbell will also be raising this matter at the next meeting of the Dublin North East Regional Health Forum, at which representatives of the RCSI Hospital Group will be present.

In a social media post Councillor Anne Campbell said she vowed that she would continue working on the issue until "we have what we were promised - the age for treatment at the Minor Injuries Unit at the Louth Hospital to be reduced to 5 years".
ATS 2018, San Diego, CA - A long-term study of the health of Canadian children has found that exposure to ozone (O3), a common air pollutant, at birth was associated with an 82 percent increased risk of developing asthma by age three. The study, which was a 10-year follow-up to the 2006 Toronto Child Health Evaluation Questionnaire (T-CHEQ), was presented at the 2018 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

"Our findings show that the hazard ratios for ozone measured at birth as a single pollutant showed statistically significant higher risks for development of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema," said lead author Teresa To, PhD, senior scientist, Child Health Evaluative Services at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, Ontario, Canada. "The results of our study are important because the study examines the effect of pollution on health outcomes in early childhood, and has the longest longitudinal follow-up of a cohort of school-aged children in Canada."

A hazard ratio is a statistical formula used to determine risk.

For this part of the T-CHEQ study, 1,881 children were followed from birth to 17 years of age, on average. Amongst these children, 31 percent developed asthma, 42 percent had allergic rhinitis and 76 percent had eczema. An 82 percent higher risk of developing asthma was associated with each 10 parts per billion, or ppb increase in exposure to ozone at birth. A similar risk was not observed in association with exposure to nitrogen dioxide or PM2.5, a type of pollutant.

The researcher team took annual average concentrations of pollutants from fixed monitoring stations across Ontario. They assigned these measurements based on study participants' postal codes at birth. Development of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema were determined based on any records of health services used for these conditions. The researchers adjusted for variables such as parental history of asthma and early home exposure to pollutants.

Some studies have shown that ozone depletes antioxidant activity and increases indications of inflammation in the respiratory tract fluid lining and affects lung growth.

"We examined O3 and NO2, as well as particulate matter PM2.5 and ultrafine particulates (UFP - not discussed in this abstract), because these are the key pollutants that have been suggested in the literature to exacerbate asthma, diabetes, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)," said Dr. To, who is also a professor in the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. "It is well supported by research findings that short-term and long-term exposure to NO2 and particulate matter can increase asthma exacerbations, respiratory symptoms, hospitalizations and even mortality. Similarly, short-term exposure to O3 can decrease lung function and increase the risk of respiratory infections in children."

Children are at a higher risk because their lungs and other respiratory organs are smaller, and they spend more time in outdoor physical activities that make them breathe faster and more deeply. Poor air quality may have a larger impact on them.

"The quality of air in Ontario, Canada is relatively good on most days of the year, yet we observed an adverse effect on health outcomes in children who were exposed to air pollution at birth and in early life," said Dr. To. "This has significant implications for other countries that have higher levels of pollution. It is well established that short-term exposure to pollutants such as ozone can decrease lung function, exacerbate asthma and increase the risk of respiratory infections. There is now mounting evidence that long-term exposure can lead to disease progression, such as from asthma to COPD and could increase the risk of death."

The World Health Organization (WHO) 2016 report on air pollution and health indicated that 92 percent of the world's population lives in places where air quality levels exceeded WHO limits. According to WHO, one in eight deaths in the world is a result of air pollution exposure, making air pollution the single largest global environmental health risk.

"Air pollution isn't only one or a few countries' problems, but rather a global public health concern," Dr. To said. "While there are individual actions one can consider to reduce exposure to air pollutants, it also requires action by public authorities at the national, regional and international levels. Reducing air pollution could save millions of lives."

###

The study was funded by Health Canada and the SickKids Foundation.

Contact for Media:

The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) contact: Jessamine Luck, jessamine.luck@sickkids.ca, (416) 813-7654 ext. 201436

Abstract Number: 10834

Title: Association of Air Pollution with Incidence of Asthma , Allergic Rhinitis and Eczema: 10-Year Follow-Up of the Toronto Child Health Evaluation Questionnaire (T-CHEQ) Study

Authors: T. M. To1, N. Gray1, J. Zhu1, D. Stieb2, S. D. Dell1; 1Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada, 2Air Quality Health Effects Research Section, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

Rationale: There is growing evidence for a role of air pollution in the development of childhood asthma and other allergic diseases. In this follow-up study to the 2006 Toronto Child Health Evaluation Questionnaire (T-CHEQ) study, our objective was to examine the associations between ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) exposures at birth and incidence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in childhood through adolescence.

Methods: In the 2006 T-CHEQ study, 5,619 children aged 5-9 were recruited from randomly-selected public schools in Toronto, Ontario. T-CHEQ participants were included in this study if they were born in Ontario and gave consent to have their health card number used for data linkage. Baseline questionnaire data were linked to health administrative databases housed at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. Yearly mean values of NO2 and O3 were acquired from air pollution fixed monitoring stations across Ontario and assigned to participants based on their postal codes at birth, using inverse distance weighting. The primary outcome was incidence of physician-diagnosed asthma, measured using a validated health administrative definition. Secondary outcomes included incidence of allergic rhinitis and eczema, measured by any health services use for these conditions. Participants were followed from birth until outcome, March 31, 2016, or loss-to-follow-up. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate the associations between air pollutants and outcomes, while adjusting for important confounding variables, such as parental history of asthma and early-life home exposures.

Results: The cohort contained 1,881 children (48% boys) who were followed from birth for an average of 13 years. Almost one third (31%) of children developed asthma during the study period (Table 1). The average age at asthma incidence was 3 years. A 10-unit increase in exposure to O3 at birth was associated with an 82% increased hazard of asthma (HR: 1.82; 95%CI: 1.05, 3.18), while exposure to NO2 was not associated with asthma (HR: 1.02; 95%CI: 0.53, 1.98) (Table 1). Similarly, for both allergic rhinitis and eczema, a 10-unit increase in O3 was associated with increased hazard of disease, while NO2 was not associated.

Conclusion: In Ontario, ambient air exposure to O3, but not NO2, was associated with a significantly increased risk of incident asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema. This suggests that improving air quality and increasing awareness about the risks of air pollution may have beneficial effects on the prevention of asthma and other allergic disease development in childhood and adolescence

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Dacia Morris

dmorris@thoracic.org

ATS Office 212-315-8620 (until May 17)

Cell Phone 917-561-6545

Session A16: Air Pollution and Pediatric Asthma

Abstract Presentation Time: May 20, 10:15 a.m. PST

Location: San Diego Convention Center, Room 30 A-B (Upper Level)
Shahid Khaqan reiterated Pakistans support to Palestinian people

ISTANBUL: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has reiterated Pakistans support to Palestinian people in the face of tyranny and said member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should enlist other countries support to put an end to killings of Palestinians and help establish an independent and contiguous state of Palestine on the basis of internationally agreed parameters and with Al Quds as its capital.



In a statement at the seventh extraordinary summit of the OIC on Friday night, which was held to discuss the recent killings of over 100 Palestinians in Gaza, Mr Abbasi said: It is no longer a question of choice but of necessity  to rise above our differences, demonstrate solidarity and support for the people of Palestine and above all ensure that international law is upheld without exception.



He said the OIC member countries should demand that the UN Security Council fulfil its responsibility of ensuring implementation of its existing resolutions. They should make it clear that the councils credibility would be questioned if it did not deliver on its duties.



The prime minister said if the council was unable or unwilling to act, the Muslim countries should mobilise support in the UN General Assembly for rejection of revisionist decisions and ensuring accountability of violators of international law.



We must also set aside our political differences. Even more important is to faithfully implement the OIC plans of action that are already in place in diverse areas, he said. Only by taking these steps could the Muslim countries take their destinies in their own hands.



He also suggested that member countries should seek opinion of the International Court of Justice about the atrocities Israel perpetrated along the Gaza border.



The prime minister said the recent killings represented yet another brazen chapter in the 70 years of injustice to the people of Palestine.



He also raised the issue of India-held Kashmir, and said the people residing there have also been facing tyranny and oppression for the last 70 years.



For seven decades, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been subjected to illegal Indian occupation and blatant violation of fundamental rights, including their right to self-determination, said the prime minister.



As in the case of Palestine, the UN Security Council resolutions continue to be defied and the just struggle for freedom conveniently branded as terrorism.



The summit condemned the criminal actions of Israeli forces against the Palestinian people in the occupied territory, particularly in the Gaza Strip, where unarmed Palestinian civilians were exercising their right to peaceful protest against the illegal Israeli occupation.



The communique issued at the conclusion of the OIC summit held Israel as fully accountable for the grave atrocities in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly for the willful killing of 60 civilians on May 14.



It called for protection of the Palestinian population, including through the dispatch of an international protection force.



The communique requested the OIC General Secretariat to immediately establish an independent committee of international experts to investigate the crimes and massacres committed by the Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.
Higher levels of belly fat are associated with lower vitamin D levels in obese individuals, according to data presented in Barcelona at the European Society of Endocrinology annual meeting, ECE 2018

Higher levels of belly fat are associated with lower vitamin D levels in obese individuals, according to data presented in Barcelona at the European Society of Endocrinology annual meeting, ECE 2018. The study reports that vitamin D levels are lower in individuals with higher levels of belly fat, and suggests that individuals, particularly the overweight with larger waistlines should have their vitamin D levels checked, to avoid any potentially health damaging effects.

Obesity is a global epidemic and contributes to an estimated 2.8 million deaths per year worldwide. Vitamin D deficiency is typically associated with impaired bone health but in recent years has also been linked with higher risks of acute respiratory tract infections, auto-immune diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Low vitamin D levels could therefore have wide-ranging and undetected adverse effects, although more research is required to confirm the role of vitamin D in these conditions. A link between low vitamin D levels and obesity has previously been reported but whether this effect is more associated with the type and location of fat was undetermined.

In this study Rachida Rafiq and colleagues from the VU University Medical Center and Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands examined how the amount of total body fat and abdominal fat measured in participants of the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study related to their vitamin D levels. After adjusting for a number of possible influencing factors, including chronic disease, alcohol intake and levels of physical activity, they found that the amounts of both total and abdominal fat were associated with lower vitamin D levels in women, although abdominal fat had a greater impact. However, in men abdominal fat and liver fat, was associated with lower vitamin D levels. In all cases the greater the amount of belly fat, the lower the levels of detected vitamin D.

Rachida Rafiq comments, "Although we did not measure vitamin D deficiency in our study, the strong relationship between increasing amounts of abdominal fat and lower levels of vitamin D suggests that individuals with larger waistlines are at a greater risk of developing deficiency, and should consider having their vitamin D levels checked."

The researchers now plan to investigate what may underlie this strong association between vitamin D levels and obesity - whether a lack of vitamin D is predisposing individuals to store fat, or whether increased fat levels are decreasing vitamin D levels is not yet clear. However, this research points to a more important role for abdominal fat in the relationship, and a place to focus future studies on.

As Rachida Rafiq says, "Due to the observational nature of this study, we cannot draw a conclusion on the direction or cause of the association between obesity and vitamin D levels. However, this strong association may point to a possible role for vitamin D in abdominal fat storage and function."

###

Abstract

OC6.5

Associations of different body fat deposits with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations

Rachida Rafiq , Floor Walschot, Paul Lips, Hildo Lamb, Albert de Roos, Frits Rosendaal, Martin den Heijer1,2, Renate de Jongh, Renee de Mutsert

VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.

Introduction

Overall and abdominal obesity are both well-established risk factors of vitamin D deficiency. However, it is unclear which fat depot is most strongly related to serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations.

Objective

This study aims to distinguish specific contributions of total body fat, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (aSAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and hepatic fat on 25(OH)D concentrations.

Methods

This study is a cross-sectional analysis of the baseline measurements of the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study, a population-based cohort study in men and women aged between 45 and 65 years. We used linear regression analyses to examine associations of total body fat, aSAT, VAT (n=2441) and hepatic fat (n=1980) with serum 25(OH)D concentrations. In the analyses we adjusted for age, ethnicity, education, chronic diseases, smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity. Standardized values were used to compare the different adiposity measures.

Results

Mean (SD) age and serum 25(OH)D concentrations of the study population was 56 (6) years and 70.8 (24.2) nmol/L, respectively. Total body fat was inversely associated with 25(OH)D concentrations in women, but not in men. One percent higher total body fat was associated with 0.40 nmol/L (95%CI: -0.67 to -0.13) lower 25(OH)D. VAT was inversely associated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations in both men and women. One cm2 higher VAT was associated with 0.05 nmol/L (-0.09 to -0.02) lower 25(OH)D in men, and 0.06 nmol/L (-0.10 to -0.01) lower 25(OH)D in women. Hepatic fat was only associated with 25(OH)D in men. A tenfold increase in hepatic fat was associated with 6.21 nmol/L (-10.70 to -1.73) lower 25(OH)D. aSAT was not associated with 25(OH)D concentrations in both men and women. Regressions with standardized values showed VAT was most strongly related to serum 25(OH)D concentrations.

Conclusions

The relationship between different adiposity measures and 25(OH)D concentrations was different for men and women. In women, total body fat and VAT were inversely related to 25(OH)D concentrations. In men, VAT and hepatic fat were related to 25(OH)D concentrations. In both men and women, VAT was most strongly associated with 25(OH)D concentrations. This implies that specific attention for vitamin D deficiency should be given to individuals with a high amount of VAT.
Nanoparticles derived from tea leaves inhibit the growth of lung cancer cells, destroying up to 80% of them, new research by a joint Swansea University and Indian team has shown.

The team made the discovery while they were testing out a new method of producing a type of nanoparticle called quantum dots. These are tiny particles which measure less than 10 nanometres. A human hair is 40,000 nanometres thick.

Although nanoparticles are already used in healthcare, quantum dots have only recently attracted researchers' attention. Already they are showing promise for use in different applications, from computers and solar cells to tumour imaging and treating cancer.

Quantum dots can be made chemically, but this is complicated and expensive and has toxic side effects. The Swansea-led research team were therefore exploring a non-toxic plant-based alternative method of producing the dots, using tea leaf extract.

Tea leaves contain a wide variety of compounds, including polyphenols, amino acids, vitamins and antioxidants. The researchers mixed tea leaf extract with cadmium sulphate (CdSO4) and sodium sulphide (Na2S) and allowed the solution to incubate, a process which causes quantum dots to form. They then applied the dots to lung cancer cells.

They found:

Tea leaves are a simpler, cheaper and less toxic method of producing quantum dots, compared with using chemicals, confirming the results of other research in the field.

Quantum dots produced from tea leaves inhibit the growth of lung cancer cells. They penetrated into the nanopores of the cancer cells and destroyed up to 80% of them. This was a brand new finding, and came as a surprise to the team.

The research, published in Applied Nano Materials, is a collaborative venture between Swansea University experts and colleagues from two Indian universities.

Dr Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu of Swansea University, lead researcher on the project, and a Ser Cymru-II Rising Star Fellow, said:

"Our research confirmed previous evidence that tea leaf extract can be a non-toxic alternative to making quantum dots using chemicals.

The real surprise, however, was that the dots actively inhibited the growth of the lung cancer cells. We hadn't been expecting this.

The CdS quantum dots derived from tea leaf extract showed exceptional fluorescence emission in cancer cell bioimaging compared to conventional CdS nanoparticles.

Quantum dots are therefore a very promising avenue to explore for developing new cancer treatments.

They also have other possible applications, for example in anti-microbial paint used in operating theatres, or in sun creams."

Dr Pitchaimuthu outlined the next steps for research:

"Building on this exciting discovery, the next step is to scale up our operation, hopefully with the help of other collaborators. We want to investigate the role of tea leaf extract in cancer cell imaging, and the interface between quantum dots and the cancer cell.

We would like to set up a "quantum dot factory" which will allow us to explore more fully the ways in which they can be used."

###

Notes to editors:

The research: the paper is called "Green-Synthesis-Derived CdS Quantum Dots Using Tea Leaf Extract:Antimicrobial, BioImaging and Therapeutic Applications in Lung Cancer Cells". Published in Applied Nano Materials, April 2018

The authors: Kavitha Shivaji, Suganya Mani, Mythili Gnanamangai Balasubramanian (K. S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Tamil Nadu, India); Ponnosamy Ponmurugan (Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India); Catherine Suenne De Castro, Matthew Lloyd Davies, Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu (SPECIFIC, Materials Research Centre, Swansea University).

Lung cancer mortality: survival rates for lung cancer are generally lower than for other cancers. Cancer Research reports that the 5 year survival rate is less than 10%.

Ser Cymru ("Welsh Stars") is a Welsh Government programme that brings scientific talent into research posts in Wales.

Swansea University is a world-class, research-led, dual campus university. The University was established in 1920 and was the first campus university in the UK. It currently offers around 350 undergraduate courses and 350 postgraduate courses to circa 20,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The University's 46-acre Singleton Park Campus is located in beautiful parkland with views across Swansea Bay. The University's 65-acre science and innovation Bay Campus, which opened in September 2015, is located a few miles away on the eastern approach to the city. It has the distinction of having direct access to a beach and its own seafront promenade. Both campuses are close to the Gower Peninsula, the UK's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Swansea is ranked the top university in Wales and is currently The Times and The Sunday Times 'Welsh University of the Year' for 2017. It is also ranked within the top 350 best universities in the world in the Times Higher Education World University rankings.

The results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 showed the University has achieved its ambition to be a top 30 research University, soaring up the league table to 26th in the UK, with the 'biggest leap among research-intensive institutions' (Times Higher Education, December 2014) in the UK.

The University has ambitious expansion plans as it moves towards its centenary in 2020, as it continues to extend its global reach and realising its domestic and international ambitions.

Swansea University is a registered charity. No.1138342. Visit http://www.swansea.ac.uk.

For more information, please contact:

Swansea University Public Relations Office:

Kevin Sullivan, Tel: 01792 513245: k.g.sullivan@swansea.ac.uk

Ben Donovan, Tel 01792 512382: b.j.e.donovan@swansea.ac.uk

Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SwanseaUni

Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/swanseauniversity
The UN said Friday it was "acutely concerned" for a teenager sentenced to death in Sudan for killing her rapist husband, warning her trial did not appear to have been fair.

Noura Hussein, 19, received the sentence last week for the intentional murder of the man her father had forced her to marry and who she said raped her.

Discrimination and violence, including sexual violence, against women and girls in Sudan has been brought into stark focus with this case, UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva.

We have received information that Husseins forced marriage, rape, and other forms of gender-based violence against her were not taken into account by the court as evidence to mitigate the sentence, and that the most stringent guarantees of a fair trial and due process were not fulfilled in this case, she said.

Husseins case has triggered outrage, with activists launching a campaign called Justice For Noura and the United Nations womens agency appealing for clemency.

Rights group Amnesty International says Hussein was forcibly married at the age of 16, and that when she refused to consummate the marriage, her husband invited two of his brothers and a male cousin to help him rape her.

When he tried to rape her a second time, she stabbed him to death, said Amnesty.

Sudanese law allows children above 10 to be married.

Shamdasani warned that since Husseins case had drawn international attention, the UN rights office had become acutely concerned about her safety and that of her lawyer and other supporters.

We urge the authorities to ensure full protection for Husseins physical and psychological integrity during her detention, as well as full respect for her rights to a fair trial and appeal, she said.

She pointed out that in trials where capital punishment is at stake, scrupulous respect for fair trial guarantees is particularly crucial.

We call on the authorities to fully take into consideration Husseins claim of self-defence against the attempt by the man to rape her, she said, also questioning why Hussein was given just 15 days to appeal her death sentence.

She urged Sudan to amend its laws to criminalise domestic violence and marital rape, and stressed that it had the opportunity with Husseins case to send a clear message that gender-based violence will not be tolerated in the country.
An increasing number of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are being pulled over for motoring offences at border crossings. Customs officials have reported 83% more violations in the last eight years, rising from 17,997 on 2010 to 32,967 last year.

A further 24,464 fines and cautions were issued against HGVs according to the SonntagsZeitung newspaper. Most infringements concerned overloadedvehicles, followed by sanctions against drivers who did not get enough rest. Some 100 drivers were caught drink-driving.

Most drivers come from Eastern Europe, where working conditions are getting worse, Jon Pult, president of the Alpine Initiative told the newspaper. Its understandable that exploited drivers cant take rest periods into account.

Voters passed an initiative in 1994 to reduce the number of freight vehicles travelling through Switzerland to no more than 650,000. But last year the number still stood at 975,000 trips despite rail routes being beefed up in the alpine country, including the Gotthard base railway tunnel.

Last year the Federal Council confirmed earlier statements that Switzerland would not be able to reach the 650,000 limit by the end of this year despite more freight being transported by rail.
These are some of the stories were following in the week of May 21.

Monday

They may be young but children sometimes have to take on the burden of caring for a loved one. How many such juvenile carers exist in Switzerland and how does the responsibility affect them?

Tuesday

Switzerland has one of the highest concentrations of charitable foundations in the world  and the sector is growing strongly. Last year, over 13,000 foundations were registered with a combined fortune of almost CHF100 billion ($100 billion)  a 30% increase since 2012. Well reporton whats behind the recent dynamism.

Wednesday

Recycled flats may become the norm in the future but in the past most Swiss lived in grim conditions. An outdoor museum hosts a collection of cramped houses from the 18th and 19th century to help shed light on a less prosperous time.

Thursday

Global democracy correspondent Bruno Kaufmann has completed an incredible 200-day tour of the world to examine the state of democracy on four continents. We retrace his journey and insights on an interactive map.

Sunday

A foundation to help poor mountain farmers is still going strong after 75 years thanks to donations from city folk. Why do urban Swiss feel the need to support Swiss Mountain Aid in the era of government subsidies?

What you may have missed:













swissinfo.ch






Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel put on a rare show of unity Friday defending the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, criticised by Ukraine and threatened by US sanctions.

The two leaders held their first face-to-face meeting in a year in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi where they also discussed the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine and the Iran nuclear deal.

The pair showed a united front on the construction of the pipeline linking the two countries via the Baltic Sea, a project several EU countries oppose.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that the US administration has increased pressure on Europe to abandon the deal in exchange for avoiding a trade war.

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline would call further into question Ukraines role as a key transit nation for Russian gas to Europe, but Putin sought to reassure shipments would continue in any case.

We will continue gas shipments (via Ukraine) as long as they are economically justified, Putin said during a press conference with Merkel.

For her part, Merkel said that Germany believes Ukraines role as a transit country should continue after the construction of Nord Stream 2 it has a strategic importance.

She added that Germany was ready to help ensure such an outcome.

Germany has supported plans by Russias Gazprom to build Nord Stream 2, for which preparatory works have begun and should be completed in 2019.

 Iran nuclear deal 

Putin and Merkel also discussed the Iranian nuclear deal following US President Donald Trumps decision to withdraw from the historic 2015 agreement.

Germany, Britain, France and all our EU colleagues support this deal and will continue to support it, Merkel said.

The deal is not perfect, but it is better than a lack of a deal. It guarantees more control and more security, she added.

As part of the deal, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of some international sanctions.

The Europeans now want to avoid at all costs Tehran abandoning the deal and relaunching its programme to acquire a nuclear weapon.

They also want to protect their economic interests in Iran, threatened by Washingtons reintroduction of sanctions.

Merkel said the European Union is currently discussing a law that would block US sanctions on European companies wanting to invest in Iran.

The Kremlin has in recent days increased its diplomatic efforts to try to maintain the agreement it described as crucial for regional stability and for the stability of the entire world.

 Syria and Ukraine 

The fallout over the Iran deal is a rare topic for rapprochement between Europe and Moscow, whose relations are marred by disagreements over the Syria conflict, Moscows 2014 annexation of Crimea and the subsequent war in eastern Ukraine.

These tensions have only worsened in recent months following the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Britain that led to an unprecedented wave of expulsions of Russian diplomats from Western countries.

On Friday Putin wished Skripal good health after he was discharged from a British hospital following his poisoning in March.

The two leaders also pledged to relaunch the political peace process in Syria, where Russia has intervened militarily to support President Bashar al-Assads regime.

On the eve of Merkels visit, Putin had hosted Assad in a rare meeting in his Sochi residence.

The pair also discussed the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which has seen an uptick in fighting this week.

Berlin and Moscow, along with Paris, signed peace agreements in Minsk in 2015 that aimed to put an end to a conflict that has left more than 10,000 dead since it began in April 2014.

Putin on Friday said no date has been set for the leaders of the four countries to meet. He added that there is no alternative to the Minsk agreement to regulate the conflict.

The last summit between the four countries, known as the Normandy Quartet, was held in October 2016 and was inconclusive.

Putin is due to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron next week.
Catalonia's new president Quim Torra on Saturday named two former ministers, jailed by Madrid for backing independence from Spain, together with two others who fled into exile, to his regional government.

Torra appointed his government by decree but it could still be blocked by Spain, which has insisted his administration be legal and viable after it imposed direct rule on the region in October when the then Catalan government declared independence.

Torra named 13 advisors to his government, including Jordi Turull and Josep Rull who are currently being held in custody just outside Madrid.

Two others, Toni Comin and Lluis Puig, are in exile in Belgium, where they fled with deposed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont.

Turull and Rull both accepted their nominations on Twitter.

Torra was elected by the Catalan parliament on Monday and sworn in Thursday, in a move that marks the end of nearly seven months of political limbo in the northeastern Spanish region, which has been under direct rule from Madrid since the central government deposed Puigdemont following a failed declaration of independence on October 27.

Torra, a 55-year-old editor who has long campaigned for independence, described himself as a caretaker president as he awaits the return of Puigdemont, whom he considers the legitimate leader.

Puigdemont, who first fled to Belgium, was detained in Germany in March after Spain issued a European arrest warrant against him.

Madrid wants him extradited to Spain to try him on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds for staging an independence referendum in Catalonia on October 1 even though the courts had ruled it unconstitutional.

A German court last month dismissed the extradition request for Puigdemont on the rebellion allegations and released him on bail.

Spanish prosecutors have since handed over new information to Germany they hope will prove the use of violence, to justify the rebellion charge and their extradition request.
With consensus on sensitive issues such as Iran, Syria or the Palestinians appearing elusive, G20 foreign ministers will focus on the fight against terrorism and climate change when they meet Monday in Buenos Aires, France said.

The talks will seek to strengthen cooperation on the big issues on the international agenda, in particular the fight against terrorism and the fight against climate change, the French foreign ministry said Sunday.

At the initiative of Argentina and the United States, a statement will be issued on Sundays election in crisis-hit Venezuela, in which President Nicolas Maduro is seeking a second term but which has been boycotted by the opposition.

While Syria, Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be on the agenda, ministers are not expecting to reach consensus.

Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will represent the United States.

In the absence of EUs foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva, whose country holds the bodys rotating presidency, will be attending.

It is only the second meeting of foreign ministers from the G20  its state leaders, finance ministers and central bankers meet much more often  following talks in Hamburg in 2017.

This years G20 summit will take place in Buenos Aires November 30-December 1.
Sunday, May 20, 2018

Laze and Vogs are created by natural pollution and covered in GLOBE Elementary Storybooks

It's national "asthma and allergy awareness" month. It's clear that swimming can help in stabilized asthma patients. It's not clear that children, teachers and families are as informed about the tiny particles that impact the health of human lungs. These can come from natural or unnatural fumes, vapors, particles, and spouts. Kids at Kids First So Cal will join children from 120 countries studying air quality this week (www.kidsfirst.la) and send their data by phone or ipad up to GLOBE satellites.

Today new natural eruptions are ongoing and the lava from Fissure 20 is hitting the surf on Hilo in Puna. While much of Hawaii is not impacted, still Puna needs its economy to continue despite the fact that the volcano is now generating LAZE.

This is a chemical reaction that releases on impact with the sea water a noxious gas mixed with glass like ash particles. For young children, the elderly, the chronic copd or asthma sufferer this is not good. Humans with damaged lungs or asthma are vulnerable to breathing difficulties already and the addition of hydrochloric acid and lava ash may force health officials to act by evacuating those in danger of dirty air, hot lava, or flying embers. Safety, chemistry, and earth sciences are interlinked in today's news and in tracking the volcanoe's eruption and magma flow progress on a phone or ipad, this becomes a teachable moment for hands on scientists and GLOBE educator volunteers

Fascinating to watch; it's even more necessary to send to donations to sites like Kalani or to look on social media to see how to help. Children are fascinated by volcanoes and it's a perfect time to send in aerosol measurements to GLOBE. By joining the virtual aerosol campaign, school is way more cool and scientific than just reading a book. What better way than to take daily measurements, make predictions, look for impact, then to embrace science in our daily lives using our phones or notebooks. Your child can learn to keep a science journal of the colors in sunsets and simultaneously gain skills while preparing for for nontraditional careers?

GLOBE.gov Storybooks and worksheets:

https://www.globe.gov/documents/348830/348842/ElementaryGLOBE_ImplementationGuide_en.pdf/68e74005-f752-447c-9f7f-78f8fefd03f6

https://www.expertclick.com/NewsRelease/GLOBE-hands-on-sciences-makes-Air-Quality-understandable-in-Elementary-grades-Bo-Lebo-NEO,In,2018157243.aspx

Oahu:

Prel.org

GLOBE:



https://www.globe.gov/web/elementary-globe/overview/air-quality



https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Aerosols/page5.php



https://scool.larc.nasa.gov/overpass.html



https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/calipso/main/index.html



From the port to the airport, new studies and sites will inform us:



https://www.colorado.edu/today/2013/06/06/cu-boulder-prof-lead-nasa-campaign-study-north-american-air-quality



Biofuels in United Planes and for sale:



http://www.ufsupply.com/



Donate now to give children summer science programs after school:



www.kidsfirst.la



Studying and sharing findings:



https://www.coursehero.com/file/6424158/slides-sample-and-study-guide/





What are aerosols?:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160401145037.htm

http://earthwatch.urbanresiliency.org/operation-healthy-air-participants/



Protocols:



https://www.globe.gov/documents/348614/e9acbb7a-5e1f-444a-bdd3-acff62b50759



Researching Earth's Energy:



https://www.wired.com/2017/04/worlds-10-dangerous-volcanoes-ranked/

Tourism:

https://www.lovebigisland.com/destinations-on-big-island/

https://www.globe.gov/news-events/meetings_symposia/globe-learning-expeditions/2018-killarney-ireland

Laze and Pele's lava flow news and interactive maps:

https://hawaiicountygis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=3428cd9282ff431c865eb32761793078

Lava

flows reaching the ocean, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory officials report sulfur dioxide levels have tripled, and are reminding residents to take precautionary steps to limit exposure.

Fissure 20:

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/38231824/with-lava-inching-toward-the-ocean-the-newest-concern-laze

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/38231824/with-lava-inching-toward-the-ocean-the-newest-concern-laze

Nocs, Vocs, Vogs, LAZE and Ash:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/05/04/hawaiis-kilauea-volcano-finally-erupts-evacuations-underway-as-lava-threatens-communities/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.229273fd2c8c

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44174455

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/hawaii-community-clings-to-life-in-shadow-of-fiery-volcano/ar-AAxrcfQ

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_videos.html

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/observatories.html

Kids tell us:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/44129022

Doctors, researchers, and moms tell us:

https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/pdfs/strategies_for_addressing_asthma_in_schools_508.pdf

https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/living-with-asthma/exercise-and-activities/

http://www.swimming.org/learntoswim/swimming-and-asthma/

https://clearcomfort.com/why-asthma-allergy-sufferers-should-avoid-chlorine-pools/

http://www.cochrane.org/CD009607/AIRWAYS_swimming-training-for-asthma-in-children-and-adolescents-aged-18-years-and-under

https://momsagainstcooties.com/chlorinated-swimming-pools-children-asthma/

https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-015-0023-x

S'cool:

https://scool.larc.nasa.gov/overpass.html

Economy of Northern Ireland:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Northern_Ireland

https://www.environmental-expert.com/companies/location-northern-ireland

https://www.investni.com/invest-in-northern-ireland/creative-and-digital.html

Aerosols:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerosol

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/environment/breathe-easy-air-quality-in-northern-ireland-improving-28505916.html

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/crime/suspended-sentence-for-son-who-bit-and-threatened-father-with-hammer-1-8461049

https://rebezi.com/2018/02/21/chemtrails-even-residents-little-northern-ireland-get-battered-toxic-particles-stratospheric-aerosol-injection/

Professionals and Aerosols:

https://www.yell.com/biz/blaze-fx-belfast-7184087/

Rules about working with VOCs:

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/printing_industry/index.html

https://dnr.mo.gov/pubs/pub459.pdf

https://www.screenprintersblog.com/screen-printing-safety-compliance/

VOGs:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vog

https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs169-97/

http://webcams.volcanodiscovery.com/Kilauea

Asthma Awareness Month:

http://health.hawaii.gov/asthma/home/hawaii-asthma-control-program-2/

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/38153847/healthier-hawaii-asthma-awareness

Pulmonologist:

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/clip/14335663/healthier-hawaii-asthma-awareness

https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/
From: American Evaluation Association (AEA) For Immediate Release: Dateline: Washington , DC Sunday, May 20, 2018

Annette L Gardner and I am a faculty member at the University of California, San Francisco. Developing information-rich case studies can be one of the most rewarding evaluation methods. Not only do they speak to stakeholders on a deep level but as described below they can create a legacy that endures and has the potential to reach a broad base of stakeholders.

In 2012, The Veterans Administration Office Of Academic Affairs launched the Centers of Excellence in Primary Care Education (CoPCE) to seek and implement improvement strategies for interprofessional, patient-centered clinical education and methods to prepare health professions team leaders. A mixed-method was conducted to assess implementation, trainee outcomes and new approaches to team-based interprofessional care.

I worked closely with CoEPCE Coordinating Center and the five Centers to develop

Boise VA Medical Center and the CoEPCEsInterprofessional Case Conferences for High Risk/High Need Patients- The PACT ICU Model

Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and the CoEPCEsDyad Model

San Francisco VA Health Care System and the CoEPCEsHuddling for Higher Performing Teams

VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division CoEPCEPanel management Model

Connecticut VA Health Care System West Haven Campus CoEPCEInitiative to Minimize Pharmaceutical Risk in Older Veterans (IMPROVE) Polypharmacy Model Hot Tips: So what makes these cases different from other case studies? For starters, these cases were developed in an environment that values experimental designs and has the sample sizes to support them. Sensitivity to stakeholder perceptions of evidence were critical. A contributing factor to the positive reception of these cases may have the been the sharing these case study initiatives across sites and with VA leadership prior to the development of the compendium. Their preparation represents a partnership effort with high Center involvement. Second, there was a strong desire to support adoption in other training settings. The VA took dissemination very seriously and launched an aggressive campaign to distribute the compondium through multiple platforms, including the VA web-site, Government Printing Office, LinkedIn, and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Playbook. Third, VA staff are monitoring the uptake and use of the cases, a rare occurrance in evaluation design, and are soliciting input using an impact using online questionnaire.

Lessons Learned: Partnerships and a creative approach to dissemination have the potential to keep evaluation findings from being consigned to the dustbin of history and facilitate learning beyond the immediate program stakeholders.

Rad Resource: VA CoEPCE Case Studies Quality Improvement Questionnaire

The American Evaluation Association is celebrating MVE TIG Week with our colleagues in the Military and Veterans Issues Topical Interest Group. The contributions all this week to aea365 come from our MVE TIG members. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the



About AEA The American Evaluation Association is an international professional association and the largest in its field. Evaluation involves assessing the strengths and weaknesses of programs, policies, personnel, products and organizations to improve their effectiveness. AEAs mission is to improve evaluation practices and methods worldwide, to increase evaluation use, promote evaluation as a profession and support the contribution of evaluation to the generation of theory and knowledge about effective human action. For more information about AEA, visit www.eval.org. I amand I am a faculty member at the University of California, San Francisco. Developing information-rich case studies can be one of the most rewarding evaluation methods. Not only do they speak to stakeholders on a deep level but as described below they can create a legacy that endures and has the potential to reach a broad base of stakeholders.In 2012, The Veterans Administration Office Of Academic Affairs launched the Centers of Excellence in Primary Care Education (CoPCE) to seek and implement improvement strategies for interprofessional, patient-centered clinical education and methods to prepare health professions team leaders. A mixed-method was conducted to assess implementation, trainee outcomes and new approaches to team-based interprofessional care.I worked closely with CoEPCE Coordinating Center and the five Centers to develop The Centers of Excellence in Primary Care Education Compendium of Five Case Studies: Lessons for Interprofessional Teamwork in Education and Clinical Learning Environments 2011-2016. Each case describes the contextual and developmental issues behind five unique examples of integrated interprofessional curriculum to support the clinical education workplace. Peer-reviewed by the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education, this compendium provides tools and resources to help prepare professionals for interprofessional collaborative practice. These cases include:So what makes these cases different from other case studies? For starters, these cases were developed in an environment that values experimental designs and has the sample sizes to support them. Sensitivity to stakeholder perceptions of evidence were critical. A contributing factor to the positive reception of these cases may have the been the sharing these case study initiatives across sites and with VA leadership prior to the development of the compendium. Their preparation represents a partnership effort with high Center involvement. Second, there was a strong desire to support adoption in other training settings. The VA took dissemination very seriously and launched an aggressive campaign to distribute the compondium through multiple platforms, including the VA web-site, Government Printing Office, LinkedIn, and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Playbook. Third, VA staff are monitoring the uptake and use of the cases, a rare occurrance in evaluation design, and are soliciting input using an impact using online questionnaire.Partnerships and a creative approach to dissemination have the potential to keep evaluation findings from being consigned to the dustbin of history and facilitate learning beyond the immediate program stakeholders.The American Evaluation Association is celebratingwith our colleagues in the. The contributions all this week to aea365 come from our MVE TIG members. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the aea365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an aea365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to aea365@eval.org . aea365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators.


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...
I have been trying to find someone who knows something about a time capsule that was put at the base of Tower of the Americas in 1968 by the Boy Scouts. My son was in the Scouts at the time and has asked me to look into when it will be opened  it was to be opened this year. I have tried the SA 300, HemisFair Association, Tower of Americas, and the city of San Antonio. No one seems to know anything about it. I thought the Express-News may have some archives on it.

 Meridel Prentiss

There may not be a time capsule to unearth, but your question sure opened up a can of worms.

The Half-Century Time Capsule, as it was called, was to contain a passenger list of all Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Explorers in the Alamo Area Council. Their names were to be carried into the year 2018, when (the capsule) will be opened during San Antonios 300th birthday, according to an unidentified, undated newspaper clipping in a scrapbook kept at the councils headquarters.

The Scouts names were to be placed on scrolls, one for each unit, to be microfilmed and placed in a capsule, which would be entombed in the pedestal of a six-foot Boy Scout statue in connection with HemisFair. The effort was publicized in papers all over South and Central Texas, with an eye toward recruitment, urging Scout leaders to contact boys who might be interested in joining, so their names could be received by the Dec. 31, 1967, deadline to make it into the capsule.

We dont want anyone disappointed by not having his name in the capsule, James Pettus, chairman of the Alamo Areas Likabee District told the Beeville Bee-Picayune, Dec. 21, 1967, adding that he would like to be around to see the thrill they will get at seeing their names after half a century, when many of the boys would be middle age or older. Tom Smith of the Guada-Coma District provided an identical quote to the New Braunfels Herald (it was not yet the Herald-Zeitung) on the same day.

The project had been announced the previous summer, when Council Commissioner Jim Cummins lifted the cover on the Boy Scouts involvement in San Antonios worlds fair for the San Antonio Express, Aug. 20, 1967. Scouts would volunteer at information booths on the grounds and also would send their names into the future in a capsule to be permanently sealed and preserved in a site yet to be selected and not opened untilhalf a century after HemisFair.

The capsule project, besides thrilling future middle-age men, seems to have been planned to aid the goal of organizing 30 percent of the 426 new units needed in the Alamo Area Council during Fall 1967, as stated in the Express, Aug. 27, 1967. The Scouts lost their way, however, when they ran up against the HemisFair executive committee, which ruled all would-be participants in or out.

Advised by HemisFairs cultural committee, organizers turned thumbs-down on the Scouts plan to place a 6-foot statue of a Boy Scout with an embedded time capsule when they met Nov. 27, 1967, with council representatives. The proposed statue was designed by Robert Tait McKenzie, a physician, sculptor and Scout leader who had known Lord Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts. The local council had offered to pay for the $4,000 statue and a $5,000 rest area nearby.

McKenzie first was commissioned in 1914 by the Philadelphia (now Cradle of Liberty) Council to create an 18-inch statuette of the Ideal Boy Scout. The council sold out an edition of 10 for $100, and the artist presented the council with the copyright to his design. With some variations, replicas in plaster, bronze and epoxy have been sold ever since, according to a history of the Ideal Scout on the Cradle of Liberty Councils website, colbsa.org. The first 6-foot version was cast by McKenzie when the council moved to new headquarters. It stood in front of the building at 22nd and Winter streets in Philadelphia from its unveiling in 1937 until the organization moved in 2013 to Wayne, Pa.

At the time of the Alamo Area proposal to HemisFair, there were only three other life-size replicas of the statue at Scout headquarters across the nation. That didnt impress the HemisFair committee, who pointed out  multiple times, according to the San Antonio Light, Nov. 21, 1967  that any sculpture installed at the fair must have been by sculptors whose work is collected by at least two major museums. The Scouting representatives offered to return for another meeting with a picture of McKenzies statue  Its kind of our emblem, said local Boy Scout Chief Executive George Holland  but were told by Mary Jane Houston, What anybody would think of the look of it had nothing to do with it being turned down.

Although regional newspapers continued to invoke the time capsule to push the membership drive, the Scouts vs. HemisFair conflict dropped out of the San Antonio papers after Nov. 28, 1967, when San Antonio News columnist Tom Nickell declared that the two-museum rule seems to imply that the people of San Antonio have no taste and must depend on two distant museum directors tastes in order to arrive at what is presentable in San Antonio.

HemisFair 68 opened April 6. 1968; there are no mentions of the time capsule before or after the opening in local papers and nothing further about it in the scrapbook at Alamo Area Council headquarters.

While the statue wasnt erected at HemisFair, it did make its way to San Antonio. It was installed at the local councils new headquarters at McGimsey Scout Park north of Castle Hills in 1969, making San Antonio the fifth city in the Southwest to have one, reported the Express, May 4, 1969. There were then only nine more in other areas of the nation and one in Canada.

This statue is still in place, along with a plaque that traces the history of its design, which has been modified over the years to conform to changing Scout insignia. The sculptor, who died in 1938, was eventually collected by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, among others.

So what about the time capsule?

Of what Ive found so far, there are no records of the Scouts names being microfilmed and kept somewhere outside of the mention in the 1967 (news) articles that its in the base of the statue, said Angel Martinez, Alamo Area Council communications director. The only way to know for sure is to turn the statue over  and its heavy  to see if theres an access panel.

Anyone who remembers hearing about the disposition of the Scouts HemisFair time-capsule project may contact this column. Replies will be forwarded and may be featured in a future column.

historycolumn@yahoo.com | Twitter: @sahistorycolumn | Facebook: SanAntoniohistorycolumn
Democrats seeking to capitalize on the angry energy stirred in their ranks by President Donald Trump are finding their gubernatorial candidates to be imperfect standard-bearers for opposing views of the path to progress.

Former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez and Houston businessman Andrew White have pointed differences in their approach but similar positions on major issues, including gun control measures and increased spending on education.

For more than a few Democrats, choosing between the two in the runoff for the gubernatorial nomination has been a difficult decision.

I feel like hes electable, and Im not sure she is. Because shes a woman. Shes a bit abrasive, said Kathryn Jones, 58, after voting early for White at Lions Field Adult and Senior Activity Center last week.

I like her personally. Im just not sure that Texas is ready to elect a Hispanic female governor, unfortunately, said Jones, a student at the University of Texas at San Antonio. I am really torn.

Related: Election Day for primary runoffs follows low early voting turnout

Juan Zapata, 63, voted early for Valdez during his break at Wonderland of the Americas Mall, where he works at one of his two custodial jobs.

Diversity is important to him, and he likes that Valdezs elected office was one serving her local community.

Shes not a politician, he said.

No matter how the field shakes out in Tuesdays runoff election, political experts and die-hard Democrats see scant hope for a November victory.

A Democrat hasnt won statewide office in Texas in nearly a quarter of a century, and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott at last count had a campaign war chest topping $41 million. That dwarfs the amount raised so far by either Democrat hoping to challenge him in November.

Zapata doesnt see Valdez beating Abbott if she gets the nomination. Still, it would be a step in the right direction, he suggested.

Its breaking the ice for the blue wave. For instance, watch out with the Castros, said Zapata, referring to U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro and his twin brother, former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, also a former Housing and Urban Development secretary.

The Castros decided against running for statewide office this year, but Julian Castro is mulling a run for president in 2020. Both long have been at the top of Texas Democrats candidate wish list. Both have endorsed Valdez.

Peggy Marchbanks voted for White. She likes his business experience and paid attention when Latino group Jolt endorsed him over Valdez after the former sheriff didnt give an answer that satisfied its members on her record as sheriff. But Marchbanks gave an answer similar to Zavalas when asked whether White would have a chance to prevail if he is the nominee.

Get up to speed for the runoff with the Express-News Voter Guide

No, said Marchbanks, 79, who once worked in the Carter administration as personal assistant to the presidents secretary. But hope springs eternal.

But there are some optimistic Democrats out there.

Kellis Chandler, an artist in ceramics, sculpture and photography, cast his vote for White. He remembers the candidates father, the late Democratic former Gov. Mark White, as an excellent governor.

Its gotten to the point where the Democratic Party, I think, needs to choose candidates that can win against Republicans. ... I think White has a chance. I think that theres enough hacked-off people that are disillusioned. Call it the Trump factor, Chandler said. He called Valdez an excellent candidate but said that I just felt like White has a better opportunity to win more votes.

Alice Trevino showed no qualms in voting for Valdez.

I think we need more women, said Trevino, 68, a retired business owner. Thats my main reason.

Valdez, the first woman and first Hispanic elected sheriff of Dallas County, has been seen as a prime candidate to carry a progressive message to a base already angered on a daily basis by Trump.

But Valdez now is fighting accusations that she was too ready to cooperate with federal officials on detaining immigrants. In addition, questions over her readiness to engage with Abbott have been fueled when she has stumbled over questions or given vague answers to policy questions.

White sells himself as the sort of common-sense candidate who can appeal not only to moderate Democrats but Republicans who dont see their values reflected in an increasingly hard-right GOP.

But White stirred suspicion among Democrats early on by saying he didnt care if people called him a conservative Democrat or moderate Republican and by describing himself as personally anti-abortion.

Some influential Democrats have been unmoved by his promise that if elected governor, he would veto any legislation that infringes on a womans right to choose, despite his personal beliefs. And Jones, the voter who described herself as torn, said, I dont like his abortion beliefs.

In general, both candidates have similar policy positions  although Whites proposals have been more detailed while Valdez has been filling in some specifics as she goes.

Both want more access to health care, more investment in education and a repeal of the sanctuary cities ban. Both want measures to protect people from gun violence, an issue that again was spotlighted with Fridays school shooting in Santa Fe.

Read more: Abortion remains a flashpoint in the Democratic race for governor

With regard to guns, both support items such as universal background checks and closing loopholes so domestic abusers dont have access to guns.

On the day after the shooting, White said Abbott should seek immediate approval in a special session to shift the hundreds of millions of state dollars spent on border security to school security. Its a new twist on Whites long-held position that state border security funding instead should be spent on public schools because guarding the border is a federal responsibility.

Because the Democrats have had little money to spend to get the word out about their positions, however, the nuances may be lost on voters.

I went by my instincts. I didnt see any commercials, said Zapata, adding that even though he voted for Valdez, he would support White if he wins the nomination.

Le Reta McDavid  who was collecting petition signatures outside a polling place to try to put a proposal on the November ballot in San Antonio to require businesses to offer paid sick leave  said she planned to vote for Valdez because she sees the Democratic Party as supporting the former sheriffs candidacy.

Although the party itself is officially neutral, Democratic insiders have encouraged and backed Valdez.

Thats who my partys going with, McDavid said. I usually follow my party pretty closely.

Michelle DiGiacomo, a retired childrens librarian who voted for White, added a bipartisan plea to her comments.

Even if youre Republican, come out and vote, said DiGiacomo, 72. Thats the only conversation we have in a way, is through the voting booth  even if I think youre all wrong.

pfikac@express-news.net @pfikac
Days after 10 people were shot and killed in a Texas high school , Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called for more armed teachers, which are already permitted under the states laws.

We need our teachers to be armed, Patrick said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union. When youre facing someone who is an active shooter, the best way to take that shooter down is with a gun. But even better than that is four or five guns to one. And yesterday, or Friday, because of the heroic action of our two officers on the campus who were armed and a roving officer and a state trooper who showed up very quickly, they were able to stop the shooter from killing more.

A 17-year-old male student opened fire inside Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, Friday, killing 10 peoplemost of the studentsand injuring 13 others. Police say two school-based police officers engaged the gunman, and one was injured.

The debate over arming teachers has surged in recent months. President Donald Trump recommended training and arming some educators after the mass shooting of 17 students and educators in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14.

Supporters of arming teachers say an increase in armed adults will serve as a deterrent to would-be shooters and will allow for a quicker response in the event of an attack. Criticsincluding teachers whove survived school shootings and groups that represent school policesay arming teachers could create new safety concerns, and that it would not be possible for educators to keep up with the level of ongoing training necessary to respond to complicated active shooter events.

A number of states, including Texas, allow districts to arm some teachers, but school safety experts say many school boards opt not to. Since the Parkland shooting, many states have considered plans to arm school staff or loosen restrictions on concealed carry in school zones. Most of those efforts have failed.

Florida quickly passed a multi-faceted schools safety bill that included some restrictions on gun sales and a voluntary measure that allows districts to train and arm some school staff. The Broward County schools, which include Parkland, voted against arming some staff.

Texas arms school staff through a school marshal program developed after the 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Modeled after air marshals, who carry weapons anonymously on airplanes, the program requires a psychological evaluation and 80 hours of firearms instruction. Texas school districts can also pass local plans to arm school staff.

Santa Fes district leaders agreed last fall to eventually arm teachers and staff under the states school marshal program, the Washington Post reports. The school had followed many best practices for school security, including the use of an active shooter plan to prepare for the unlikely event, the Post reports.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) plans to hold discussions about school safety this week. Abbott and Patrick have both suggested limiting the number of school entrances to reduce entry points for would-be attackers.

Complicating the resurgence of the gun debate that followed the Parkland shootings, police said the Santa Fe gunman used a legally purchased pistol and shotgun owned by his father to carry out the attack. Those guns, and the way they were purchased, have not been the focus of the proposed gun restrictions championed by student activists in recent months.

On CNN, Patrick urged gun owners to keep their guns locked away so they wouldnt be misused by others. But he dodged a question about whether Texas should adopt a law requiring owners to secure guns and holding them liable if they are used in an attack.

Every parent out there needs to understand, every gun owner needs to understand, you must control your guns at home and make sure they are locked up and and keep others from getting your guns, Patrick told CNNs Jake Tapper.

In another appearance on ABCs This Week, Patrick told anchor George Stephanopoulos that school violence is a multi-facted problem that cant be blamed on guns. He pointed the finger at video games, bullying, and a culture that devalues life.

Its not any one issue, Patrick said. But we, again, we have to look at our culture of violence, just our violent society, our Facebook, our Twitter, the bullying of adults on adults, and children on children. We have to look at ourselves, George, its not about the guns, its about us.

Two parents who lost their children in school shootings pushed back on Patricks statements.

Those are idiotic comments, Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jaime was killed in Parkland, said on This Week. I am raging right now.



Guttenberg has pushed for new gun laws, and hes also supported efforts to improve school security and to identify and address students who may harm themselves or others.

We want to talk about all of it, because to solve this problem, we must, Guttenberg said.

Nicole Hockley, whose son Dylan died in the Newtown shooting, said its important for schools and policy measures to adopt prevention strategies in addition to physical security measures. Hockleys organization, Sandy Hook Promise, has advanced threat assessment strategies and created an anonymous tipline that allows students to report concerns.

This was a hard school already, Hockley said on This Week. There were a lot of safety measures in place...Were simply focusing on the wrong thing here. School control of gun safety measures, that is a mitigation, that is not about prevention.

Follow @evieblad on Twitter or subscribe to Rules for Engagement to get blog posts delivered directly to your inbox.
Productivity on UK farms has improved significantly, according to new figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The figures, in the report 'Total factor productivity of the UK agriculture industry', provides the first estimate for 2017.

It shows that total factor productivity - a measure of how well inputs are converted into outputs, giving an indication of the efficiency and competitiveness of the agriculture industry - was up by 2.9 per cent last year.

This, says the report's authors, raised productivity to the highest level recorded. "This is driven by an increase in overall levels of production, partly offset by a smaller rise in volumes of inputs," they say.

"The volume of all outputs increased by 3.6 per cent from the low levels seen in 2016," says the report. This was driven by a 7.3 per cent increase for all crops, a 0.5 per cent increase for livestock meat outputs and a four per cent increase for livestock product outputs, say the authors.

In comparison, the volume of all inputs increased by only 0.7 per cent - significantly lower than the increase in output volumes.

'Tremendous potential'

The report follows a warning earlier this year by the AHDB, who said that British farming was failing to keep pace with other countries.

Tom Hind, chief strategy officer with AHDB produced a report suggesting that, whilst the United Kingdom has some of the best farmers in the world, the industry could be doing better in terms of productivity.

He called on farmers and Government to work together to close the gap on the country's competitors.

"The UK agricultural industry has tremendous potential, with some of the worlds best farmers and growers," he said in the report entitled 'Driving Productivity Growth Together.'

But he said: "Productivity growth in agriculture and horticulture has failed to keep up with that of our major competitors. If our rate of growth had kept pace with the US since 2000, the contribution of UK farming to the rural economy would have been 4.3 billion higher by 2013.

"Low productivity growth reduces our industrys long-term ability to compete, grow new markets and improve our natural capital. Understanding what is holding us back and how we can solve the problems is critical to the success of our farmers, growers and food industry."

'Capital intensive'

Defra Secretary Michael Gove suggested during a speech to the Oxford Farming Conference in January that a new support scheme for British agriculture following the country's withdrawal from the European Union could seek to improve agricultural productivity.

He said that the Government wanted to incentivise farmers to "invest in more capital intensive and productive methods of producing food or processing food."

During the conference he was questioned about the continued availability of European migrant labour following Brexit - labour upon which British farms have come to rely.

He said: "We want to ensure that every part of the food chain gets the labour it needs to secure a return on its investment but I also make the point that, ultimately, if you rely for too long on relatively cheap labour then your business is likely to be overtaken in competitiveness by those who invest in more capital intensive and productive methods of producing food or processing food."

"We want to recognise that you cannot rely on an endless supply of cheap labour in order to maintain your competitive edge."

The Secretary of State added: "We should build on the innovations pioneered by our superb higher education institutions like Harper Adams University by investing more in automation and machine learning, moving from the hands-free hectare to the hands-free farm, with drilling, harvesting, picking and packaging all automated, precision mapping of every inch under cultivation with targeted laser treatment of pests and weeds and highly-focussed application of any other treatment required."

He said: "We should invest more in the sensor technology that can tell where, when and how livestock should be fed, housed and bred to maximise both yield and individual animal health and welfare."

Emerging tech

During the NFU annual conference in February Business Secretary Greg Clarke announced that the Government would invest 90 million in agricultural technology to boost the productivity of British farming.

He said that since the mid-1990s productivity growth in UK agriculture and horticulture had lagged behind that of other countries.

It had grown at just one third of the rate of the United States and the Netherlands, said the Secretary of State, who pointed to the AHDB report by Tom Hind that highlighted the productivity problems of British farming.

However, the new Defra figures indicate that productivity in British agriculture is improving. The Defra report says that the 2.9 per cent increase in total factor productivity has improved performance to a level slightly higher than that of 2015.

Despite annual fluctuations, the long term trend is one of steady improvement although the rate of improvement is slow, say the report's authors.
Technavio's latest market research report on the global helicopter market provides an analysis of the most important trends expected to impact the market during the forecast period. Technavio foresees an emerging trend as a major factor that has the potential to significantly impact the market and contribute to its growth or decline.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180520005030/en/

Technavio has published a new market research report on the global helicopter market from 2018-2022. (Graphic: Business Wire)

The global helicopter market is expected to grow to USD 31 billion by 2022, according to Technavio analysts. One of the key factors driving the market's growth is the advancement in avionics leading to enhanced safety features. Helicopters usually operate in remote applications and must comply with both visual flight rules (VFR) and instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) for day-and-night operations. These rotorcrafts are often operated at very low altitudes in visually challenging conditions and unfamiliar locations that can be stressful for flight crews.

This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing

Save more with Technavio. Buy2 reports and get the third for FREEView all Technavio's current offers

In this report, Technavio highlights the development of 3D-printed soluble cores for rotorcraft blade prototype tooling as one of the key emerging trends in the global helicopter market:

Development of 3D-printed soluble cores for rotorcraft blade prototype tooling

AM is a process in which digital 3D design data is used to build a component in layers by depositing material. It allows the use of different materials such as metals, polymers, and composites. The advancements in this technique have increased its applications in aerospace manufacturing, including component manufacturing, making cores, and prototype tooling.

"A major vendor started using the soluble core to manufacture the cores required for prototype tooling. These cores were manufactured within a week and allowed unprecedented levels of complexity in design. The core was made of soluble breakaway support and the blade support model was 3D printed with the thermoplastic material," says a senior analyst at Technavio for research on aerospace

Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report

Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

Helicopter market segmentation analysis and forecast

This market research report segments the global helicopter market into the following applications (military and civil and commercial) and key regions (the Americas, APAC, and EMEA).

The military segment held the largest market share in 2017, contributing to nearly 68% of the market. The market share for this application is expected to decrease to some extent by 2022. However, this segment will dominate the global market throughout the forecast period.

The Americas led the global helicopter market in 2017, accounting for a market share of more than 42%. This region is anticipated to grow steadily and dominate the market throughout the forecast period.

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AMSTERDAM (dpa-AFX) - Royal Philips (PHG) announced new data suggesting that combining home oxygen therapy or HOT with home non-invasive ventilation or HMV as treatment for chronically hypercapnic COPD patients is more effective and less expensive than HOT alone. Comparing the accumulated costs of devices, doctor visits, medication, and hospitalizations to HOT alone using a US economic model, HOT-HMV exhibited an average annual cost savings of $3,927 per patient. The data were gleaned by an economic analysis of a Philips-sponsored, randomized clinical trial of 116 patients in the UK carried out by respiratory experts at St Thomas' Hospital in London. Results of the five-year, multi-center study were announced at ATS 2017 and published in the Journal of American Medical Association, but the potential health economic impact was previously unknown. The original trial data were used to develop an economic model from the US payer perspective. This analysis indicated the base-case incremental cost per quality adjusted life year or QALY gained was negative $50,856, suggesting HOT-HMV as a dominant strategy to both save costs and improve quality of life compared to HOT alone. A similar UK analysis demonstrated greater device costs, a savings of 2,328 per patient in doctor visits, medication and hospitalizations costs, and also indicated cost effectiveness. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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The dust storm have caused a decline in temperature during May. Now we have to wait till June to know how the monsoon will be this year.

Jammu: Skalzang Angmo was only nine years old in August 2010 when her house in Choglamsar, a small village in the arid desert of Ladakh, was washed away during flash floods caused by a cloudburst, forcing her and her mother to take refuge in the relief camp in nearby Solar Colony.

More than 200 people died during the flash floods, with maximum impact on Angmos village. Parts of Leh town were washed away on the midnight of 6 August. The country was left surprised as to how flash floods were possible in an arid desert in India's northern most state.

On 16 May, 2018, 18-year-old Aslam died in New Delhi after the wall of an adjacent house collapsed on his home, crushing him after a dust storm hit the national capital.

While the incidents in Ladakh and New Delhi are different in nature, they are manifestations of a series of changes the climate is witnessing during the past many years, although these warning bells have been ignored so far.

'India most vulnerable to climate change'

According to a World Bank report, India is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. "It (India) has one of the highest densities of economic activity in the world, and very large numbers of poor people who rely on the natural resource base for their livelihoods, with a high dependence on rainfall. By 2020, pressure on India's water, air, soil and forests is expected to become the highest in the world."

The report states that one of the most significant ways that climate change will impact India is through water resources. "While water sustains life, it all too often wreaks havoc through devastating floods and droughts. A changing climate will only aggravate these shocks," the report states.

The world is relating climatic changes in India to an economy that is largely dependent on agriculture. According to a report by HSBC Bank, that was acknowledged by the World Economic Forum, India is the most vulnerable to climate change, followed by Pakistan, the Philippines and Bangladesh. Climate change could cut India's agricultural incomes, and non-irrigated areas, particularly, would be hit hardest by rising temperatures and decline in rainfall.

Impact on monsoon

Former Deputy Director General of the Indian Meteorological Department, Dr Kanti Prasad said that data from previous years was not available to be compared with this year's dust and thunderstorms, but agreed that the intensity and frequency of these storms is very high. "Dust storms are very common from March to June, but this year's conditions are different. The prevailing climatic conditions include increased frequency of western disturbances that are causing these dust storms," said Dr Prasad.

Winds along with dust are blowing at the speed of 65 kilometres per hour uprooting trees and electricity poles across the country. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a warning across India to be prepared for thunderstorms, accompanied by squalls.

Experts believe that lower temperatures due to sand and thunderstorms could have an immediate impact on the monsoon this year. KK Gill, an agricultural meteorologist at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana, says that for a good monsoon, it is very important that temperatures are high during May and June.

"The dust and thunderstorms have caused a decline in temperature during May. Now we have to wait till June to know how the monsoon will be this year," said Gill.

When West Asia was stormed with dust

In January 2015, a dust storm had hit the West Asian nations, making the world think it was due to the Syrian war. However, researchers found out that the dust storm was actually due to changing climatic conditions and extremely high temperature, and not the war. Many deaths were reported due to the thick dust.

According to NASA, the dust first emerged in Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite imagery in Syria on 6 September, 2015. By 7 September, a thick plume swept across Syria, the Mafraq region of Jordan, and part of Turkey's Mediterranean coast. By 8 September, dust had enveloped all of Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Cyprus, and the Palestinian Territories.

'Axing trees, concrete development spike avg temp'

The Government of India has already launched the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) that includes eight national missions  the National Solar Mission, National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, National Water Mission, National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, National Mission for a Green India, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.

The NAPCC document states that the government has created an advisory council on climate change, chaired by the Prime Minister. The council has broad-based representation from key stakeholders, including the government, industry and civil society, and sets out broad directions for action.

Mahesh Palawat, chief meteorologist with Skymet Weather, a private weather forecasting company based in Noida, said that this year, dust storms are rather unusual as high velocity winds are blowing along with dust, due to the average increase in the earth's surface temperature.

"Western disturbances bring cyclonic conditions and moisture with them. At a time when temperatures in many parts is over 40 degrees (Celsius), western disturbances along with winds from the Bay of Bengal are increasing moisture over many states, causing dust storms and thunderstorms, said Palawat. He believes that the axing of trees and developmental activities have increased the average surface temperature.

No alarm yet in Jammu and Kashmir

Experts in Jammu & Kashmir say the state is also witnessing climatic variations, and believe the situation might have changed but has not gone beyond control, and there is still time to correct things.

Professor at Earth Sciences Department at the University of Kashmir, Shakil Romshoo writes (on Facebook), "Understanding the climate variation gives us a broad sense of what we can expect in future, but we need to be very clear about its short-term impacts at the local level."

He writes that increase in the surface temperature in Jammu and Kashmir's Himalayas, beyond the bounds of natural variability, has become evident since the 1970s. The 1990s, 2000s and 2010s have so far been the warmest decades, particularly during winter. "Surprisingly, I am hearing people at government meetings talking about the need to draw up drought plans for Kashmir, in light of the long and dry spell in autumn (2017) and winter (2018). No doubt we have seen a significant depletion of streamflows in western rivers (Jhelum, Chenab and Indus) but the situation is not reached such a point yet," he says.

(Arjun Sharma is a Ludhiana-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters)
Three spells of thunderstorm wreaked havoc in various parts of India until 15 May, destroying the Mango crop in addition to the loss of life and property.

Lucknow: Kumari Kamini, a 17-year-old resident of Farauli village in Etah district, has left her school and is looking for small jobs to earn her livelihood. She is now responsible for her two younger sisters and a brother. Her parents died after a wall collapsed on them during the thunderstorm on 13 May. The children have been assured of a compensation by the government of Uttar Pradesh.

Though discharged from the government-run hospital, Kamini has been advised strict bed rest for 10 days. Covered in bandages, she stands with the help of a stick to make a meal for her siblings. "My elder sister and her husband are helping me with whatever they can do. I have lost my parents and everything in the thunderstorm, and I know that I will have to start working for my siblings. Otherwise, they will die of hunger," she says.

Three spells of thunderstorm wreaked havoc in various parts of India until 15 May. In wake of the alert sounded by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), respective district magistrates ordered the closing of schools and colleges. Uttar Pradesh, with 141 deaths, and Rajasthan, with 40 deaths, were the worst affected.

Compensations have been promised, but with IMD officials sounding a fresh thunderstorm warning for the national capital region on Saturday, people are keeping their fingers crossed. The thunderstorm, accompanied with heavy rain, killed three more people in Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad on Saturday.

Mango crop suffers a hit

JP Gupta, director of the Uttar Pradesh unit of IMD, says, "There was a western disturbance over the state along with cyclonic circulation which resulted in the thunderstorm. It was the cyclonic circulation due to which the speed of winds increased and it turned out into a killer thunderstorm. Otherwise, storms, dust storms or thunderstorms keep occurring in summers due to the low air pressure."

In Uttar Pradesh, mango cultivation is undertaken in an area of around 2.5 lakh hectares in Lucknow, Bulandshahr, Pratapgarh, Faizabad, Moradabad, Meerut, Unnao, Gorakhpur, Basti, Mathura and Saharanpur. Kaleem Ullah Khan, a Padma Shri recipient who's famously known as 'Mango Man' for his accomplishments in breeding the fruit, says the mango belt of Uttar Pradesh has already lost a big share of the crops in the thunderstorms.

"We were happy with the soaring mercury up until February and March but a big share of Kairi, Amiya (raw mangoes) has come down due to the thunderstorm. Farmers are going to suffer losses, and people will suffer because the rate of mangoes will definitely go high due to the low production," he says. Khan further informs that farmers from western Uttar Pradesh have suffered the most and have lost more than 60 percent of their crops.

UP, Rajasthan face Rs 500-crore loss

GS Nagralaya, chief of IMD's Rajasthan unit, says, "We can issue an alert 24 hours before the storm, but the intensity of the storm can only be predicted two hours before it takes place. The increase in temperature by 0.3 degrees has led to an increase in moisture from the Arabian sea, which caused the thunderstorm."

He says contingency funds have been released to the respective district administration in Rajasthan. Nagralaya also informs that a compensation of Rs four lakh will be given to family members of the deceased, Rs two lakh to those sustaining 60 percent injuries and Rs 60,000 to those with 40-50 percent injuries. In Uttar Pradesh, the kin of the deceased will be given Rs two lakh and those injured have been promised Rs 50,000.

Arvind Mohan, a Lucknow-based economist, estimates the losses in both Rajasthan and UP to be no less than Rs 500 crore. "I have read the reports of damage to life, damage to property and damage to crops in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. All I can say that the loss is no less than Rs 500 crore." Mohan says he isn't taking into account the Varanasi flyover collapse, which has been attributed by officials to the thunderstorm. But he warns that the losses could be even bigger.

Despite suffering in the previous spell of thunderstorms, states have not communicated a plan to reduce damage if the situation arises again. The Uttar Pradesh relief commissioner's office dodged the question by saying how can anyone know where lightning may strike or where walls will collapse. Officials in Rajasthan, however, say they would try their best to relocate people when warned of another storm. "This can happen only with the support of people, which we expect," says an official.

The author is a Lucknow-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters.
Four jawans of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force and two jawans of the Chhattisgarh Police's District Force were killed while one was greviously injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast on a police vehicle in Dantewada's Cholnar village.

Four jawans of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force and two jawans of the Chhattisgarh Police's District Force were killed while one was greviously injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast on a police vehicle in Dantewada's Cholnar village.

The SUV carrying the seven security personnel was crossing the area when the explosive took off near there vehicle. While five of them died on the spot, the other two were taken to the nearby medical facility as CRPF rushed in with reinforcement, reported CNNNews18. One of the injured jawans later succumbed to his injuries.

Sunder Raj P, DIG Anti-Naxal Operation told ANI that search operation was being held by security forces. "Blast could be of high intensity, but the exact details will come after the investigation", the DIG said.

While more details are awaited on this latest incident of Maoist-inflicted violence, this is not the first time the security forces have come under explosive attacks from rebel groups.

In May, two jawans of the district force were killed in another IED blast in the Gariaband district.

A Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) jawan had sustained injuries in an IED blast in Dantewada district in April. While similar attacks were carried out by Naxals on 25 March in Sukma's Sirsatti when four district reserve guard jawans were injured.

Also, on 13 March, nine CRPF jawans of the 212 Battalion were killed and two were severely injured in an IED blast.

CRPF recovered 14 IEDs planted by Maoists with total weight of 82 kgs during its anti-insurgency operations in various districts of Bastar during the month of November 2017, the CRPF monthly action data had informed.

Meanwhile, chief minister Raman Singh is scheduled to visit this area on the 22 May while Home Minister Rajnath Singh is also coming to the state on Monday as part of a pre-planned visit.
Narendra Modi said that his talks with Vladimir Putin will strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that his talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin will strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries.

"Greetings to the friendly people of Russia. I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow (Monday) and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him," Modi said prior to his visit to Russia.

"I am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia," Modi said.

Modi is travelling to Russia at Putin's invitation for an informal summit in Sochi, the government has said.

The informal summit was in keeping with the tradition of regular consultations between India and Russia at the highest level.

Modi's visit to Russia will be an important occasion for him and Putin to exchange views on international matters in a broad and long-term perspective in order to further strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnership.

Both leaders will discuss their respective national developmental priorities and bilateral matters.
A nine-year-old boy was seriously injured during clashes between a group of youth and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district.

Srinagar: A nine-year-old boy was seriously injured during clashes between a group of youth and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district, police said on Sunday.

According to the police, Rizwan Ahmad was injured in Arampora in Sopore late on Saturday when a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) vehicle was attacked with stones by a group of youth.

Doctors treating the injured minor said he had been hit by a rubber bullet in his head.

"He was referred to SKIMS in Srinagar for specialised treatment", doctors said.

The police said they have registered a case in this incident.

The Centre had on Wednesday announced a ceasefire in the troubled state, asking security forces to halt their operations during the Ramzan to help "peace-loving Muslims" observe the holy month in a peaceful environment.
SC, which had to conduct emergency hearings on the bitter power tussle in Karnataka, apprehended on Saturday that it might be forced to do it again.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court, which had to conduct emergency hearings on the bitter power tussle in Karnataka, on Saturday apprehended that it might be forced to do it again if this legal fight is not put to rest.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Congress-JD(S) combine, at the outset expressed his regret to a three-judge bench headed by Justice AK Sikri for being forced to sit on the first day of summer vacation to hear its plea against Pro Tem Speaker KG Bopaiah.

"First of all, I must apologise to the bench for this inconvenience of assembling on a Saturday," Sibal said.

When the bench, also comprising justices SA Bobde and Ashok Bhushan, was about to rise after ordering live telecast of crucial Karnataka floor test, another senior advocate AM Singhvi, representing the alliance, said, "We hope that we will not disturb the bench on Sunday."

"That is what we were also talking about," the bench said.

During the hearing, Attorney General KK Venugopal made a request to the bench to use microphones as the scribes standing behind in the courtroom were unable to hear the observations.

The bench promptly obliged the attorney general and all the three judges switched on their microphones.

Later, when the bench was about to dictate the order, Sibal again requested Justice Sikri, heading the bench, to switch on the mike and said, "As politicians, we know how to make ourselves heard...". "But we are not politicians. We don't care," the bench responded.

In a historic pre-dawn hearing which started at 2:11 am and concluded at 5.28 am, the apex court on 17 May had refused to stay Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to administer the oath of office to BS Yeddyurappa as chief minister.

Last night, the alliance again moved a fresh plea for an emergency hearing to challenge the appointment of Bopaiah as the pro tem speaker which got listed on Saturday, a holiday.
The malaise in the Himachal Pradesh police force began much before Kasauli and even before the botched investigation of the Kotkhai rape and murder.

As per popular perception, Himachal Pradesh is a quiet, serene place with minimal crime. Its police outposts, perched on lush green hills in far-flung small towns, have very little to do, so they occupy themselves in traffic management duties or book people for petty offences just to perk up their crime-busting records.

But, when earlier this week, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur cracked the whip on the top brass of the police force, telling them bluntly, "Either you perform, or tell me you can't do it". It indicated that something is very wrong in the idyllic khaki universe of the state. In less than a year, the state police hit national headlines twice for its unprofessional conduct and the sharp words of the chief minister whipped across the state's thanas like a cutlass.

Thakur has good reason to give his men and women in khaki a mouthful. A special inquiry by the Divisional Commissioner of Shimla, who was tasked to probe the sensational shooting of a government official on duty in Kasauli on 3 May, has laid most of the blame at the door of a lackadaisical police, who barely reacted when the firing took place.

Shail Bala, the assistant town planner, and a PWD employee both died when Vijay Singh, the owner of a guest house whose illegal portions were being demolished under the supervision of Shail, fired at them on 3 May. Shail was executing orders of the Supreme Court to demolish illegal construction by hotels and guest houses in Kasauli, and her death sent shock waves across the nation and moved the apex court to take suo motu notice of it.

The chief minister is particularly anguished that the accused Singh managed to flee the spot after the shooting, despite the presence of policemen and a Quick Reaction Team (QRT) on the spot. It turns out that one Station House Officer who gave chase had to back off because he was without his service weapons.

The two QRT personnel who did have AK 47 rifles, also failed to react after Singh opened fire. There is also anger at the initial police attempt to cover up the failing by saying that Shail went to the demolition spot without informing the police, which was to provide security to her. The inquiry has reportedly indicted the Superintendent of Police, Solan and the two SHOs among others.

For the newly appointed chief minister, who has been in charge of the state for barely five months, the Kasauli shooting is a shameful blot on his government and he has promised that heads will roll.

What should worry him more as state's home minister, though, is that the rot which has set into the police is so deep that even its shameful conduct last year, which led to the arrest of nine police officers including an Inspector General, has not encouraged the top brass to introduce corrective measures.

The matter relates to the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl in Kotkhai last July, which created a furore in the state. When one of those arrested for the crime died in custody, it triggered off violent protests in the state and the Himachal Pradesh High Court handed over to the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

It is the CBI, which zeroed in on the police officers and found that not one of the five persons arrested by the police for the crime were involved in it. Among those held responsible for the custodial death of an accused Nepali labourer, are the head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), an IG, the Senior Superintendent of Police heading the district and a DSP.

The BJP, then in Opposition, had whipped up anger across the state and the Kotkhai rape became a major issue in December 2017 and during the election to the state Assembly, in which the party emerged the winner.

One of the first acts of the new chief minister Thakur was to change the Director General of Police in January. So, Somesh Goyal, who was the DGP during the Kotkhai incident was replaced by SR Mardi, a Kannadiga who is said to be close to the chief minister's wife, a party worker from Karnataka.

Since then, the working of the police force became characterised more by political manoeuvrings and one-upmanship in the higher echelons, which had an impact on the already deteriorating work ethic down the chain. "Petty politics and infighting between two camps have permeated the force so deeply that even routine policing is given short shrift," said an officer in the know.

In February, the entire market of the small town of Rajgarh in the backward Sirmaur district marched in anger against the SHO of the local thana. They were angry at the propensity of the trigger-happy official to book people on frivolous charges or beat them up for imagined offences.

The protest was sparked off when the SHO beat up a shopkeeper who was smoking inside his shop, accusing him of smoking in a public place. The public pressure forced him to apologise before the market and admit that he had gone too far by taking unwarranted action against the shopkeeper.

Unsurprisingly, no action was taken against the errant cop and the message which went down the line is that abuse of authority is not a transgression serious enough to attract disciplinary action.

Now that the Supreme Court is monitoring the investigation into the Kasauli shootout, the state government is under pressure to show that it is proactive. Thakur blamed the police for 'damaging the image of his government' and undoing the work which he has done in the last few months.

But the malaise in the police force began much before Kasauli and even before the botched investigation of the Kotkhai rape and murder. In many ways, both the Kasauli and Kotkhai blots are symptoms of the deeper malaise which is breeding unprofessionalism.

Shortage of staff and a relatively low crime rate in previous years bred lethargy and complacency. Political influence in transfers and postings has taken a toll, impacting the work culture.

What has gone unnoticed is, that in recent years, people from other states have begun coming to Himachal Pradesh to live and work, as a result of which the crime pattern has registered an upswing. But police functioning hasn't caught up and remains lethargic and demotivated.

Crime against women, in particular, is on the radar. As against 1,261 crimes against women in 2016 the police registered 2,060 in 2017. Of this, approximately 250 rapes have begun to take place in the small state each year, according to figures released by the state police early this year.

Thakur has given the police 15 days to come up with an action plan to combat crime more effectively. That may be just the beginning.
A Maoist leader has been arrested from the Aurangabad district of Bihar during a police raid, a senior officer said.

Aurangabad: A Maoist leader has been arrested from the Aurangabad district of Bihar during a police raid, a senior officer said.

Acting on a tip-off, a special police team nabbed the self-styled commander of CPI(Maoist) on Saturday near a brick kiln in the district, Superintendent of Police Satya Prakash said.

"We received information that around a dozen Maoists have gathered in the area for a meeting. Three special teams were immediately constituted to carry out the raid. One of the teams managed to arrest the self-styled commander," he said, adding that the other rebels escaped into a nearby forest.

The arrested leftwing extremist has been identified as Sarju Ram, a resident of Banahi village in Pouthu police station area of the district, the SP said.

Ram, a history-sheeter, has several criminal cases filed against him in Goh and Bandeya police stations.

A country-made carbine, a modifier, two live cartridges and Rs 880 in cash were recovered from the Ram's possession, the officer added.
Forward troops of the Border Security Force (BSF) have responded in force to firing from across the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Border Security Force (BSF) said Pakistani Rangers called them up to plead for a ceasefire after a heavy artillery attack left a trooper dead across the border, according to several media reports. The BSF was targeting a Pakistani bunker in retaliation to several ceasefire violations.

According to a report News18, the BSF released a 19-second clip of thermal imagery showing a rocket flying towards its target: A Pakistani bunker.

"If they are targeting us, they are getting an appropriate reply. We were expecting such an incident because the harvesting season is over and once the harvesting season gets over, they always do such mischief", BSF Inspector General Ram Awtar said on Friday, reported NDTV.

The BSF fired the rocket at the target in the highly strategic "Chicken Neck" area  surrounded on three sides by Pakistani forces  in Akhnoor, some 30 kilometres from Jammu, according to the report.

As per a report in The Eonomic Times, Pakistani forces had been shelling Indian positions with heavy mortars before India responded to the threat. On Friday, a BSF jawan was killed and another was injured in Pakistani firing in Jammu's Arnia sector.

Sitaram Upadhyay, 28, who joined the Border Security Force in 2011, was killed in the firing and another BSF jawan, Devender Singh, was killed in Pakistani firing on 15 May, according to the report.

The incidents of violence had reported an increase in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state on Saturday amid heightened security. Separatist leaders had also asked Modi to hold open talks with him in the Valley over the Kashmir issue. But Modi was clear in his message to the youth of Kashmir when he said that "every stone picked by misguided youths destabilises Valley", encouraging them to join in the development and progress of mainstream India.

With inputs from agencies
The battalion is named 'Bastariya' as its members are from the Bastar region in southern Chhattisgarh, bordering Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana, the official said.

Raipur: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will on Monday attend the commissioning of the much talked-about 'Bastariya' battalion of the CRPF, created for the first-time with more than 534 tribal youths from Chhattisgarh, in Raipur.

Singh reached the Ambikapur-based camp of the Central Reserve Police Force in the state this evening after attending an event in Satna district in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.

The squad that will pass out tomorrow has 33 percent representation of women combatants with 189 'mahila' constables.

PTI first reported on 17 May about the squad set to getting operational. The new battalion has been numbered 241. Singh will award the best performers of the new unit after they present him with a guard of honour and a military parade.

The hardcore, localised battalion of the young combatants will be immediately deployed for anti-naxal operations in some of the worst Left Wing Extremism-hit areas such as Sukma, Dantewada and Bijapur, a senior official said.

The unique battalion  recruited from Sukma, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Bijapur districts of undivided Bastar  has been raised with a specific purpose to strengthen security forces' operations in areas where they have witnessed maximum reverses for a few years owing to a lack of concrete intelligence and familiarisation with locals, and the topography.

The battalion is named 'Bastariya' as its members are from the Bastar region in southern Chhattisgarh, bordering Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana, the official said.

The 534 troops will get their ranks of constables and take up arms against the naxals tomorrow. The recruits have been trained for about 44 weeks in jungle warfare, weapons firing, map reading, police laws and unarmed combat, the official said.

"These jawans, after the PoP (Passing Out Parade), will be deployed in core areas of Chhattisgarh to fight naxals alongside the normal CRPF and CoBRA battalions," a CRPF statement said.

After the event, the home minister is expected to hold an LWE review meeting in the state capital Raipur before returning to Delhi.

Seven Chhattisgarh police jawans were today killed when naxals triggered an improvised explosive device and ambushed their vehicle in Dantewada district of the state.

The Centre had sanctioned the battalion in July last year. The concept to raise the team was mooted with the aim that the recruits, mostly tribals, will help address local issues such as unemployment, provide tactical advantage to CRPF in operations, intelligence collection and language benefits.

The CRPF is the lead anti-naxal operation force and has deployed over 35,000 personnel in Chhattisgarh.
Seven police personnel were killed after Naxals blew up their vehicle in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, police said. The attack took place on a day when Union Home Minister Rajanth Singh is scheduled to arrive in the state.

Raipur: Seven police personnel were killed after Naxals blew up their vehicle in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, police said. The attack took place on a day when Union Home Minister Rajanth Singh is scheduled to arrive in the state.

Naxals carried out a land mine blast around 12 noon when a joint team of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and the District Force (DF) was patrolling the Cholnar-Kirandul road to provide security to trucks carrying construction material for road works between Kirandul and Palnar villages, a senior police official said.

The intensity of the blast, which took place near a culvert, was strong enough to toss the police vehicle in a roadside ditch, he said. Five personnel died on the spot and two were rushed to the National Mineral Development Corporation's hospital at Kirandul. One of them died during treatment at the hospital and another was airlifted to Raipur, where he died, the official said.

Those killed from the DF were identified as Head Constable Ramkumar Yadav, Constable Tikeshwar Dhruv and Assistant Constable Shalik Ram Sinha, he said. The official said that from the CAF's 16th battalion, Head Constable Vikram Yadav and constables Rajesh Kumar Singh and Ravinath Patel were killed in the attack.

CAF Constable Arjun Rajbhar, who was airlifted to state capital Raipur, died during treatment, he said. Naxals looted six automatic weapons  two AK-47s and as many INSAS and self loading rifles  of the deceased personnel, he said. Police sources believe that the attack was in retaliation to the recent encounters in Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), Malkangiri (Odisha) and Bijapur (Chhattisgarh), where Maoists suffered major casualties.

Combing operations have been intensified in the area following the attack, the official said. Condemning the attack, Chief Minister Raman Singh termed it "cowardly" and said it exposed the rebels' anti-people and anti-development mindset.

"Our police personnel have sacrificed their lives while guarding a road construction site. Their sacrifice will always be remembered," he said.

"This proves that Naxalites do not want villagers and tribal people of this district to have access to even basic facilities such as roads. Incidents like these cannot dampen the courage and determination of our police force and officials, employees and labourers associated with road construction," Singh said.

"We are committed to provide all-weather transportation facility by developing a network of roads in the entire Bastar division, including Dantewada," the chief minister said. Earlier, Naxals had carried out a land mine blast in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on March 13 in which nine CRPF personnel were killed.

Rajanth Singh is scheduled to arrive in Surguja district this evening to attend the passing out parade of the CRPF's Bastariya battalion on Monday.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the dais at a function in Srinagar, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday took a dig at Pakistan for not responding positively to India's 'goodwill gesture' of Ramadan ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the dais at a function in Srinagar, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday took a dig at Pakistan for not responding positively to India's "goodwill gesture" of Ramadan ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir.

"It takes a large heart and a position of strength to declare the Ramadan ceasefire. You have tried to dress the wounds of our people and I assure you that your positive step will be reciprocated by 10 positive steps by our people," Mehbooba Mufti said.

She was addressing the function at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar where Modi inaugurated the 330-megawatt Kishenganga hydro-electric power project and also laid the foundation of the Srinagar Ring Road to de-congest the city.

"It is unfortunate that Pakistan has not responded to this goodwill gesture. Had they responded positively then precious lives would not have been lost in yesterday's firing by Pakistan on the border in Jammu," the chief minister said.

She said the prime minister had the mandate and the stature to solve all the problems of the people in the state, recalling that remedies were in the agenda of an alliance between the PDP and the BJP. "There are solutions to problems faced by west Pakistan refugees, by migrant Pandits and also for the problems faced by the state because of the Indus Water Treaty. "You have the mandate and the capacity to solve the problems of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and I am sure you have the stature to solve all the problems faced by us."

The chief minister said Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had been very kind to address the developmental problems of the state. "My late father would say even if we build roads of gold in Kashmir, it is all lost once an innocent life is lost here," she said.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) says it has found telling evidence that BJP legislator Kuldeep Singh Sengar implicated the father of the girl who has accused him of rape.

Lucknow: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) says it has found telling evidence that BJP legislator Kuldeep Singh Sengar implicated the father of the girl who has accused him of rape.

Sengar, a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Bangermau in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district, is in jail facing rape charges. In June last year, a minor girl had accused Singh and his brother of raping her. She had told the court that the police were not allowing her to name Sengar as an accused in her statement.

Complaining of police harassment, her family had left the village within a month of filing the plaint. On 3 April, the girl's family came to Unnao for hearing of the case, which was when the MLA's brother Atul Singh Sengar and his aides reportedly assaulted her father.

The girl's father was handed over to the police, which booked him on the charges of illegally possessing a firearm. Five days later, the girl attempted suicide in front of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's house in Lucknow, demanding an FIR against the MLA. The next day, her father passed away within hours of being shifted to the district hospital for treatment of his injuries.

The CBI, which was asked to probe the case, sifted through the phone call records of the MLA, his wife and a few policemen of Makhi police station in Unnao.

Requesting anonymity, a senior investigating official said the findings point at a collusion between Sengar and the policemen to frame the girl's father.

He said two policemen  station house officer Ashok Singh Bhadauria and sub-inspection Kamta Prasad Singh  posted at Makhi police station called Sengar and his close aide Tinku Singh more than 15 times in the four days following the arrest of the girl's father. These policemen were arrested on Wednesday.

Stating that probe is still under way, the officer said they have major evidence about the custodial death. He said the CBI pored over the documents about the arrest of the girl's father and found they were forged. He informed that the FIR the police has filed against the girl's father says he was brandishing a country-made pistol, firing shots in the air, hurling abuses and creating a ruckus in the village. He said no weapon was recovered from the girl's father and it was apparent that he was wrongly booked and jailed. He further informed that it is Sengar's aforesaid aide who lodged the police complaint against the girl's father. He's an accountant at a brick kiln.

Also, while the police report says the girl's father was arrested from the village, the complainant's statement says the villagers had brought him to the police station. The CBI intends to grill the policemen in question over such inconsistencies.

The CBI officer said they would interrogate Sengar again over the custodial death. The investigating agency is also planing to bring the MLA and the policemen face-to-face for questioning. Also, the CBI has issued notice to 14 villagers of Makhi and summoned them to Lucknow on Monday for questioning them regarding the circumstances of the girl's father's arrest.

Victim's family upbeat

The rape survivor's uncle expressed satisfaction with the CBI's probe and said it validates what they have been claiming from the beginning, that policemen killed his brother in the jail at Sengar's behest. He said nobody heeded them at first but now their claim stands vindicated. He exuded confidence that the CBI would soon find out how the police framed and killed his brother, who was merely fighting for his daughter. He highlighted that although his brother was booked for possessing a firearm, the police could not produce the pistol in question.

He said this shows how low the policemen can stoop to be in the good books of their masters.

The rape survivor's uncle also said the family is now waiting for the CBI probe to get over, after which they will seek legal advice on how to ensure maximum punishment for the guilty.

Meanwhile, the MLA's nephew Prakhar Singh told Firstpost that it was his uncle who was being framed by the girl and her family. He insisted that all the allegations against the MLA are false, politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing his reputation. He highlighted that his uncle could have easily left Unnao if he were guilty but instead he surrendered and was cooperating in the investigation.

Asked to comment on these developments, BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said saying anything at this stage would be premature. He noted that investigation is still under way and people should wait for the final report. He further questioned that what if the rape charges were proven to be false. He added that the BJP is not protecting the MLA in any manner and pointed out that it is the state government that ordered the CBI inquiry. He said senior leaders will take a call on whether or not to keep Sengar in the partyfold.

Saurabh Sharma is a Lucknow-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Rs 6,809 crore Zojila tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmirs Leh, kickstarting the work for Asiaa longest and strategic bi-directional tunnel, which will provide all-weather connectivity between Jammu and Kashmirs Srinagar, Kargil and Leh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Rs 6,809 crore Zojila tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmirs Leh, kickstarting the work for Asiaa longest and strategic bi-directional tunnel, which will provide all-weather connectivity between Jammu and Kashmirs Srinagar, Kargil and Leh.

The project is expected to be finished within five years. "I'm confident that it will be completed during your (Modi's) tenure as prime minister," Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said at the closing ceremony for the birth centenary celebration of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche.

Addressing a large congregation gathered for the occasion, the prime minister said that the tunnel would help in connecting the region with the rest of the country, a dream of the Buddhist spiritual guru.

Unveiling a plaque for commencing the work for the tunnel, Modi said, "Zojila tunnel is not a mere tunnel but a modern day marvel."

The Zojila pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National highway and remains closed during winters due to heavy snowfall, cutting off Ladakh region from Kashmir. Thus, this project aims at the construction of 14.15 km long two-lane bi-directional single tube tunnel with a parallel 14.2 km long egress tunnel. The tunnel would cut down the 3.5 hours of drive through the mountainous Zojila to 15 minutes.

Modi said it would provide connectivity to the region besides employment to the local youths. He said the carbon dioxide would be removed from the tunnel through a tower, seven times higher than the Qutub Minar.

This pass is most strategic for the entire Kargil sector which has seen intrusion and war in the past and thus as Modi said would help the armed forces for round-the-clock supplies.

The project will further increase the employment potential for the local labourers for the project activities. On its completion, it will lead to an enormous boost in employment as local businesses get linked to national market and tourist traffic increases.

Meanwhile, Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, who was also present for the inauguration, in his address said that 90 percent of employment would be provided to local youths in the construction of the tunnel.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired Modi had in January, approved the construction of the tunnel. And while Gadkari had given a time of seven years for completion of the tunnel, the prime minister asked him to ensure that it be completed in next five years.

The civil construction cost of the project which is implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H) through the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) is Rs 4,899.42 crore. As per a report in The Indian Express, The total capital cost of the project is Rs 6,808.69 crore and this includes the cost towards land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities as well as maintenance and operation cost of the tunnel for four years.

"The Zojila tunnel has been planned as a smart tunnel. It will have latest safety features like fully transverse ventilation system, uninterrupted power supply (UPS), tunnel emergency lighting, CCTV monitoring, variable message signs (VMS), traffic logging equipment, over height vehicle detection, tunnel radio system, etc," NDTV quoted a spokesperson.

IL&FS Transportation had emerged as the lowest bidder for the project in July 2017.

With inputs from PTI
With the election process in Karnataka coming to a close, Telangana would be one of the focus states for BJP and the party was gearing up for the polls in 2019, state BJP president K Laxman has said.

Hyderabad: With the election process in Karnataka coming to a close, Telangana would be one of the focus states for BJP and the party was gearing up for the polls in 2019, state BJP president K Laxman has said.

Legislative Assembly polls in Telangana would be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections in 2019.

"Recently, a meeting was held in Delhi under the leadership of president Amit Shah ji. He focused on Telangana. He clearly told that now elections are over in the states which are bound to take place. Now, the focus will be on Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa," he told PTI in Hyderabad.

Shah is likely to visit Telangana next month to assess the political situation and plan for the elections, he said.

Laxman said the BJP is organisationally strong in the state and that it will adopt the model of constituting 'Panna Pramukhs' at polling booth level to strengthen itself in the state.

'Panna Pramukhs' is a successful model followed by the BJP in different states in which the incharge of a 'Panna' (literal meaning page) reaches out to the voters' families who are part of his list.

"As far as 'Panna Pramukhs' are concerned, out of 119 Assembly constituencies, nearly 40-50 assemblies the 'Panna Pramukh' exercise is over. Rest of the assemblies also, we will finish within one or two months...," he said.

The party is taking other steps as well to boost its organisational strength in the state.

BJP would go to the people highlighting the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government, the funds given by Centre to Telangana in areas like highways, railway projects, Ujjwala (free gas connections scheme), he said.

It would also highlight the alleged failure of TRS government in Telangana to keep its promises, including employment generation, providing two bedroom houses to poor and distribution of three acres of land to Dalits, he added.

The BJP leader said the party would come out with a clear manifesto for various sections, including Scheduled Castes, backward classes and youth after holding discussions with all sections of society in the state.

BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav, Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Bihar minister Mangal Pandey have been given charge of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana and they would visit the state, he noted.

At the time of elections, the party's central leadership would focus on the states where it is not in power as the respective chief ministers would lead the party in states where it is in power, he added.

The three-day-old BJP government in Karnataka had collapsed on Saturday, minutes before the scheduled trust vote, with Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa resigning in a tame anticlimax to what promised to be on the edge of seat political thriller.
The CPM and the Congress are trying to take maximum mileage from BJP's Karnataka fiasco by widely circulating the audio clips in which BJP leaders were heard offering ministerial position and money to JD(S) and Congress MLAs

Demonitisation and GST were the main weapon that Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) had been using against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the bypoll at Chengannur in Central Kerala on 28 May.

After the Karnataka poll fiasco, the weapon has become sharper with the two parties adding horse-trading allegations to the pile. CPM Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat has set the ball rolling, saying that crores of rupees that BJP flaunted for purchasing MLAs in Karnataka have come from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "ill-conceived" demonitisation drive.

"While the common man faced hardships and poverty due to demonetisation, BJP's account was filled with money. BJP had used black money for horse-trading in Karnataka. The party is also pumping money into Chengannur," Brinda said while addressing a women's assembly in connection with the by-election.

Congress Party has picked up the thread by using horse-trading allegations to make a hole in the anti-corruption plank that helped BJP to reap rich electoral dividend in many states. BJP candidate PS Sreedharan Pillai, who came close to victory in 2016 by securing 42,682 votes, is also banking heavily on the 'clean' track record of his party's government at the Centre to win this bypoll.

Horse-trading allegations leveled by Congress in the neigbouring state against senior BJP leaders, including former chief minister BS Yedyurappa and his son BY Raghavendra, has come as a dampener to the BJP in Chengannur.

CPM and Congress are trying to take maximum mileage from these allegations by widely circulating audio clips in which BJP leaders were heard offering ministerial position and money to JD(S) and Congress MLAs in the constituency.

The allegations have added teeth to the ongoing Congress and CPM attack on the BJP-led central government over the bank scams and its failure to bring back black money stashed in tax havens outside the country.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi's attempt to put Prime Minister Modi in the dock over corruption allegations has added to the woes of BJP. Rahul's comment that Modi himself is corruption is being played up by Congress to prevent BJP from cashing in on his image, which helped the party win elections in many states.

In fact, BJP's hopes to win the seat on Modi power had started receding after it failed to take the party's tally in Karnataka beyond the half way mark despite the prime minister addressing 21 rallies across the state.

George Joseph, a voter at Chengannur, said that the prime minister's name was less heard in the campaign front this time compared to the last election, in which Modi did two rounds of campaigning in the state. He had also addressed a rally in Alappuzha district, under which Chengannur constituency comes.

Alappuzha district Congress committee (DCC) president, M Liju said that his party will get the benefit of the Karnataka fiasco as it was Congress that prevented BJP from capturing power by subverting democracy. He claimed that this will boost the morale of voters in Chengannur and Congress will win the seat.

However, CPM is not ready to give credit to the Congress. Karat said that the party had no right to make such a claim as it had acted as 'B' team of the RSS. The CPM Polit Bureau member is apparently trying to reinforce her party's claim that it's only the CPM that can check the onslaught of BJP.

However, political observers feel that perception may change after Karnataka polls as it was Congress' decision to forge a post-poll alliance with JD(S) that kept BJP away from power in Karnataka.

"BJP had viewed Karnataka as the gateway to other southern states. The Congress can take credit for stopping the party at the gateway through its swift move. If the party is ready to play second fiddle in other states, where regional parties hold strong sway, BJP's further march can be checked," says Jacob George, a political analyst based in Thiruvananthpuaram.

He told Firstpost that Karnataka election can lead to a consolidation of Opposition and upset BJP's 2019 apple cart. He has viewed the solidarity expressed in favour of the JD(S)-Congress alliance in Karnataka by regional satraps like Mamta Banerjee, Mayawati, Chandrahsekhara Rao and Chandra Babu Naidu as a positive sign towards the formation of a 'mahagatbandhan' of anti-BJP parties.

Jacob feels that Congress can also demolish the anti-corruption plank of the BJP if the party takes their horse-trading allegations against senior leaders of BJP to its logical conclusion. He said that the party may pursue their allegations as those embroiled include Yedyurappa, who is their main foe.

"Yedyurappa is gearing up to play the victim card by undertaking a tour of the state with an eye on the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The Congres can counter this if they subject the audio tape attributed to him to forensic verification and file a case against him," feels Jacob.

He said that the Karnataka setback would also have its impact in Kerala, where the BJP has targeted 12 seats in the coming Lok Sabha election. The by-election at Chengannur is crucial for the party since party chief Amit Shah's plan to make the country 'communist-mukt' after its incredible victory in Tripura also hinges heavily on the outcome of the by-election.

The BJP candidate said that the recent developments will not affect his chances. He said that he had increased the party's votes from a mere 6 percent in 2011 to 16 percent in 2016 with the support of all sections of people, including the Christians, who account for 30 percent of the electorate in Chengannur.

His confidence stems from the support he got from a section of Christians in the constituency. Aby Mathew, a member of the Syrian Jacobite Church, said that the BJP candidate had got the support of a section of the Christians belonging to the Orthodox Church in 2016 because of the personal connection the church Metropolitan Thomas Mar Athanasius has with the prime minister.

The metropolitan, who had pursued his higher studies in Modi's home state of Gujarat, has been supporting BJP as the church has several institutions in the western state. Aby Mathew feels that this support may not be enough for Pillai to bridge the gap of over 10,000 votes he needed to win the Chengannur seat.

A defeat in the by-election will throw the grand plans of Amit Shah in Kerala haywire.
Of late, it seems like Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been making determined efforts to hone his skills in gaslighting India.

Gaslighting is an insidious technique of deception and psychological manipulation politicians use in order to exercise overweening influence on citizens, especially voters. Narcissist autocrats the world over are known to have perfected this technique into a fine art as superbly etched out by Amanda Carpenter in relation to Donald Trump in her latest book Gaslighting America.

Of late, it seems like Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been making determined efforts to hone his skills in gaslighting India.

Look at the manner in which he held the press conference after BS Yeddyurappa threw in the towel on Saturday. Yeddyurappa was heading the single largest party which missed the majority mark by just seven seats. The very act of trying to form a government was perfectly in conformity with constitutional propriety. If there was any impropriety in the way he tried to achieve that, it was clear he failed miserably.

There was nothing wrong if Rahul tried to score political points by attacking the BJP for these efforts. But he went way beyond. He said, prime minister is corruption and referred to BJP president Amit Shah as an accused in murder. From a public platform, he brazenly lied on both counts, betraying a sense of entitlement that he could get away by saying anything.

Coming from the man who heads Indias Grand Old Party  the Indian National Congress  Rahul has been claiming to speak for the truth which is not just rich but a patent lie.

Prime minister is corruption is not an accusation which can be levelled casually. Every trick the BJP may have tried to shore up its numbers  all learnt over decades of watching Congress' fine art of political perfidy  it is reasonable to assume the Congress and JD(S) countered successfully only by their political saintliness. It's inconceivable to think that while Shah was promising legislators Rs 100 crore each, Rahul was merely reading them lessons in political morality. And even more incredulous that his exhortations were so forceful that they actually worked. Obviously, it helps sell Rahul's lies better to pretend like he does not know about the existence of a certain DK Shivakumar, that Congress philanthropist who convinces legislators to stick with the party  no matter what the temptation  just by giving them free stay at his Eagleton resort every once in a while. In Rahul's book, if "Modi is corruption", Shivakumar must be an angel.

It seems like Rahul did not hear of cash for votes either in which MPs were bought by none other than the then prime minister Manmohan Singh with the full backing of the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi. That was in UPA-I, Rahul's years of political sleepwalking. There is no point in trying to jog Rahul's memory about his party's shenanigans in the shameful story of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) bribery case in which the then prime minister PV Narasimha Rao was personally involved. Why even mention the various shady persons Rahul's grandmother Indira liked to surround herself with, such as Yashpal Kapoor because only "Narendra Modi is corruption"?

Similarly, his description of Shah as murder accused. It is an attempt at psychological manipulation of peoples opinion. Shah was made an accused in an encounter-killing by the Gujarat Police when he was the states home minister. This was done at a time when Rahuls party was at the helm in Delhi and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was being used to implicate the then chief minister Narendra Modi. Shah was collateral damage in the Congress overzealousness to crush Modi.

Shah was exonerated after a special CBI court in Mumbai dropped all charges. He is not accused in any crime in any police stations anywhere in the country except in Rahuls estimation. To call Shah a murder accused is certainly defamatory but Rahul is least bothered because if Shah presses charges, Rahul would leverage it for political advantage. That is precisely what he did when he accused the RSS of having a hand in the killing of Mahatma Gandhi.

Perhaps the Congress president has been led to believe that his aggression combined with bluster would be a sound political strategy to hide the electoral drubbing his party received in Karnataka, the first under his charge as Congress boss. He is increasingly relying more on semantics and less on substance. Missing from public space since 15 May, when his party lost the last big state, he appeared within the hour of Yeddyurappas defeat to grab all credit for "victory". What he claims as victory in Karnataka is as untruthful as his allegations against Modi and Shah.

Look at the manner in which Congress ceded political ground to a party, JD(S), which has less than half the size of the Congress in the state Assembly. In a so-called Congress bastion, the party would be playing second fiddle to a small regional party. Congress' history of coalition politics show that it has irretrievably lost ground in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and wherever else it ceded space to regional players.

Rahul has a lot of worrying to do about the future of coalition politics and where it will leave his own party. Spreading aggressive falsehoods about Modi and Shah will not be enough to manipulate peoples psychology, like Amanda Carpenter says Donald Trump has succeeded in doing with America. But Rahul is not Trump, Modi is no political novice and India is not the United States.
The rise of JD(S) in Karnataka may act as a platform to unite opposition parties, especially the regional parties to play a bigger role in the national arena during parliamentary elections in 2019

Bengaluru: The rise of Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka may act as a platform to unite opposition parties, especially the regional parties to play a bigger role in the national arena during parliamentary elections in 2019, JD(S) has indicated.

Indicative of this is the invitation extended to leaders of regional parties to attend the swearing-in of the JDS-Congress coalition government in Karnataka.

UPA chief Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi would be invited to the swearing-in ceremony, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, who would be sworn in as the next chief minister of Karnataka, told reporters.

"We have invited Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, west Bengal chief minister Mamata Bannerjee, BSP leader Mayawati, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu and other leaders from regional parties," Kumaraswamy said

JD(S) spokesperson Ramesh Babu told PTI, "The national political scenario favours the regional parties today... Congress party's tie-up with regional parties in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and now in Karnataka indicate that the regional parties will take a centrestage in the national politics. They will all come in one platform."

Babu said the right time has arrived for the secular forces to unite due to the "undeclared emergency" in the country.

"It is the attitude of the central government, which made it inevitable for the regional parties to unite the secular forces and fight against BJP and save democracy.

For that Karnataka will lead. We will see to it that regional parties play a vital role in 2019 elections," Babu said.

He said JD(S) has invited Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, who are its coalition partners in Karnataka.

"The event (swearing-in ceremony) will set a trend for the parliamentary elections in 2019.

Under the leadership of our leader HD Deve Gowda, it is our privilege to provide platform to all secular parties and regional parties in Karnataka," he added.
Stressing on a 'give and take equation' with the JD(S), Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that the national party supported a regional party to 'uphold Constitutional principles and democracy'.

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However, Kumaraswamy later in the evening said the swearing-in would be held on 23 May as 21 May happens to be the death anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, and therefore it would not be appropriate to hold the ceremony on that date. Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, in 1991.

Governor Vajubhai Vala today invited Kumaraswamy, the leader of Congress-JD(S) joint legislature party, to form the government on Saturday. After meeting the governor, Kumaraswamy had said the swearing-in ceremony would take place tentatively between 12 and 1.50 pm at Kanteerava stadium on 21 May.

She further added that with the "defeat" in Karnataka, the BJP's "dream" of capturing every state has suffered a setback. "The governors appointed by them are under pressure of working according to the party," she alleged, adding that the dignity of the office they hold is under criticism.

Mayawati said that the use of money power and state machinery is not always helpful, as she asked the BJP to take lessons from the fall of its government in Karnataka.

Soon after BS Yeddyurappa, the 2-day Chief Minister of Karnataka, resigned from his post after the speech at the Karnataka Assembly, Opposition leaders, including, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, KCR, Chandrababu Naidu, Mayawati congratulated the Congress-JDS combine on their victory in the state and said that "democracy has won."

Many prominent political leaders from the Opposition  like Congress president Rahul Gandhi, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, BSP chief Mayawati  have been invited for the swearing-in ceremony.

"Everything will be decided in Delhi tomorrow (Sunday), when the top leaders of the party will hold discussions with Rahul Gandhi," a Congress leader told PTI on Saturday.

According to sources, senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ashok Gehlot will arrive in Delhi on Sunday morning and hold discussions with party chief Rahul Gandhi, before finalising the power-sharing arrangement with the JD(S) in the Karnataka government. The two leaders were stationed in Bengaluru to steer the party's strategy ahead of the floor test in the Karnataka Assembly on Saturday, where BJP's BS Yeddyurappa resigned as chief minister.

A day after BJP's BS Yeddyurappa resigned before the floor test took place, the new chief minister-designate JD(S)' HD Kumaraswamy confirmed he'll be meeting Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday. "Yes, tomorrow morning I'm going to Delhi. I'll meet Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. Just 24 hours after the oath, I'll prove the majority," he told ANI.

"High command will take decision. We, being a national party, supported JD(S)  a regional party  to uphold Constitutional principles and democracy. Keeping everything in mind, there ought to be a 'give & take' equation," says Mallikarjun Kharge on Karnataka cabinet formation.

Congress' Kharge says 'ought to be give and take' equation with JDS

"We hope the prime minister orders probe into corruption which their MLAs were indulging in. The prime minister should prove to nation his commitment to fight against corruption and launch probe against those who called Congress and JD(S) MLAs, offered bribe to break the rock solid coalition," said Shergill.

Speaking to reporters, Congress leader Jaiveer Shergill on Sunday said that the party hoped Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take action against BJP MLA who tried to indulge in horse trading ahead of the trust vote on Saturday.

Signs of discord have begun to appear in the JD(S) and Congress alliance with party leaders struggling to work out a coalition formula that satisfies both parties' MLAs. To iron out the existing differences, HD Kumaraswamy is rushing to Delhi to meet Sonia and Rahul Gandhi ahead of government formation in Karnataka.

JD(S)' HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday said his meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday will include discussions on Cabinet expansion and how to establish a stable government in Karnataka. "Tomorrow, I will be going to Delhi, where I will meet Sonia ji and Rahul ji. We will decide about Cabinet expansion. I will discuss everything with them on how to give a stable government for the next five years," he told ANI.

Even after BJP bowed out of the race to CM in Karnataka, Congress is still vary of its opponent's attempts to lure its MLAs. According to CNN-News18, the party has decided to keep its flock together and all the MLAs are lodged at the Hilton hotel near Bengaluru. Kumaraswamy has said he will prove his majority within 24 hours of his swearing-in, which is scheduled for Wednesday.

Even as BJP bows out of CM race, Congress keeps MLAs 'safe' at Hilton Hotel

While some may say that this a big blow to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) morale before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, others argue that the story may be far from over for the once invincible Narendra Modi-Amit Shah combo.

The lines have been drawn. The verdict is out. But there is no clear winner to the political pandemonium that the Karnataka Assembly elections 2018 were.

Many gainers and losers but no clear winner in the political 'chanakyaniti'; all eyes now on 2019

JD(S) spokesperson Danish Ali told ANI that the Congress-JD(S) alliance will last for a long time and grow stronger during the 2019 general elections. "The alliance of Congress and JD(S) will be really long. You'll see the alliance grow stronger in the Lok Sabha elections too," he said.

#Karnataka is a classic David versus Goliath story. @INCIndia fought hard & won relying only on constitutional means. As for @RahulGandhi , he has demonstrated that he can outsmart & outmanoeuvre even the most formidable opponents with grace & agility

What happened in #Karnataka yesterday was a win for democracy. BJP asking for some more time & Governor giving 15 days time was a mockery of democracy. I would like to thank Supreme Court for its order, which upheld the democracy: Rajinikanth in Chennai. pic.twitter.com/n7TEHIsGtJ

"What happened in Karnataka yesterday was a win for democracy. BJP asking for some more time and governor giving 15 days time was a mockery of democracy. I would like to thank Supreme Court for its order, which upheld the democracy," said actor Rajinikanth.

He began his political career during his college days and by the time he was 25 years old, he contested against seasoned politician HD Deve Gowda in Sathnur but lost by a thin margin.

Doddalahalli Kempegowda Shivakumar is a Congress master strategist and Vokkaliga leader who ensured no horse-trading took place within the Congress ranks before the scheduled trust vote on Saturday. He is credited with keeping all the MLAs together, including ferrying them to Hyderabad and back, while ensuring the Congress-JD(S) alliance remained intact.

BJP sources told NDTV , that the saffron party knew it could not gather the numbers it needed to win the floor test and wanted to retain "moral ground". BS Yeddyurappa received the message from the on Saturday morning. Following the Supreme Court order which directed that live streaming the Assembly proceedings was the best way to ensure transparency, the party started preparing for a dramatic resignation speech before the trust vote.

Signs of discord have begun to appear in the JD(S) and Congress alliance with party leaders struggling to work out a coalition formula that satisfies both parties' MLAs. To iron out the existing differences, HD Kumaraswamy is rushing to Delhi to meet Sonia and Rahul Gandhi ahead of government formation in Karnataka.

Tomorrow I will be going to Delhi, where I will meet Sonia ji and Rahul ji. We will decide about cabinet expansion. I will discuss everything with them on how to give a stable government for the next 5 years: HD Kumaraswamy, #Karnataka CM designate pic.twitter.com/f4H4mgaZhP

JD(S)' HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday said his meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday will include discussions on Cabinet expansion and how to establish a stable government in Karnataka. "Tomorrow, I will be going to Delhi, where I will meet Sonia ji and Rahul ji. We will decide about Cabinet expansion. I will discuss everything with them on how to give a stable government for the next five years," he told ANI.

Rahul has a lot of worrying to do about the future of coalition politics and where it will leave his own party. Spreading aggressive falsehoods about Modi and Shah will not be enough to manipulate peoples psychology, like Amanda Carpenter (in her latest book Gaslighting America) says Donald Trump has succeeded in doing with America. But Rahul is not Trump, Modi is no political novice and India is not the United States.

Look at the manner in which he held the press conference after BS Yeddyurappa threw in the towel on Saturday. There was nothing wrong if Rahul tried to score political points by attacking the BJP for these efforts. But he went way beyond. He said, prime minister is corruption and referred to BJP president Amit Shah as an accused in murder. From a public platform, he brazenly lied on both counts, betraying a sense of entitlement that he could get away by saying anything.

Of late, it seems like Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been making determined efforts to hone his skills in gaslighting India .

Gaslighting India: Rahul Gandhi is not Donald Trump, Narendra Modi is not a novice and India is definitely not America

Even after BJP bowed out of the race to CM in Karnataka, Congress is still vary of its opponent's attempts to lure its MLAs. According to CNN-News18, the party has decided to keep its flock together and all the MLAs are lodged at the Hilton hotel near Bengaluru. Kumaraswamy has said he will prove his majority within 24 hours of his swearing-in, which is scheduled for Wednesday.

Even as BJP bows out of CM race, Congress keeps MLAs 'safe' at Hilton Hotel

Karnataka New Government Formation Latest Updates: Signs of discord have begun to appear in the JD(S) and Congress alliance with party leaders struggling to work out a coalition formula that satisfies both parties' MLAs. To iron out the existing differences, HD Kumaraswamy is rushing to Delhi to meet Sonia and Rahul Gandhi ahead of government formation in Karnataka.

Speaking to ANI, JD(S) chief ministerial candidate HD Kumaraswamy said he will prove his majority in the Assembly within 24 hours of swearing-in.

Stressing on a "give and take equation" with the JD(S), Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that the national party supported a regional party to "uphold Constitutional principles and democracy". On Saturday, chief minister-designate HD Kumaraswamy said a coordination committee would be formed to prepare a common minimum programme to implement the promises made by the JD(S)-Congress coalition. The oath taking ceremony is on 23 May where the new Karnataka Cabinet will be sworn in. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, BSP chief Mayawati, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana chief minister Chandrashekar Rao and other regional leaders are expected to attend the ceremony.

A day after BJP's BS Yeddyurappa resigned before the floor test took place in the Karnataka Assembly, the new chief minister-designate JD(S)' HD Kumaraswamy confirmed he'll be meeting Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday.

According to sources, senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ashok Gehlot will arrive in Delhi on Sunday morning and hold discussions with party chief Rahul Gandhi, before finalising the power-sharing arrangement with the JD(S) in the Karnataka government.

After meeting the governor on Saturday, chief minister-designate HD Kumaraswamy said his swearing-in ceremony would take place on 21 May. However, he later said the swearing-in would be held on 23 May as 21 May happens to be the death anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

With the fall of BJP's three-day-old government in Karnataka, HD Kumaraswamy heading the Congress-JD(S) coalition is set to become the chief minister for a second time on 23 May.

Governor Vajubhai Vala today invited Kumaraswamy, the leader of Congress-JD(S) joint legislature party, to form the government.

"On the invitation of the Governor I have met him on the basis of the request we had submitted on May 15 for the formation of Congress-JD(S) coalition government....he has invited us to form the government," Kumaraswamy, also state JD(S) chief, said.

Talking to reporters after meeting Vala, he said the Governor has directed him to prove the majority on the floor of the House in 15 days but he would do it much before. After meeting the governor, Kumaraswamy had said the swearing-in ceremony would take place tentatively between 12 and 1.50 pm at Kanteerava stadium on 21 May.

However, Kumaraswamy later in the evening said the swearing-in would be held on 23 May as 21 May happens to be the death anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, and therefore it would not be appropriate to hold the ceremony on that date. Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, in 1991.

After a meeting with Congress leaders, Kumaraswamy said they also discussed about moving the confidence of motion on 24 May. He said he would meet Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on May 21 to extend his gratitude to them. "I will also discuss how many Congress and JD(S) MLAs will become ministers," said Kumaraswamy.

He said a coordination committee would be formed to prepare a common minimum programme to implement the promises made by the two coalition partners. Kumaraswamy said there were no other discussions with the coalition partners other than winning the confidence vote.

His meeting with the Governor came hours after B S Yeddyurappa stepped down as Chief Minister without facing the floor test in the assembly as the BJP fell short of numbers. The post-election stitched alliance of JD(S) and Congress, which claims the support of 117 members, has already staked its claim to form the government and said it would be headed by Kumaraswamy.

The third son of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda had earlier headed the BJP-JD(S) coalition government for twenty months from January 2006.

Kumaraswamy said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, BSP chief Mayawati, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao and several other regional leaders would be invited for the swearing-in ceremony.

Asked by when he will prove majority, Kumaraswamy said, "As soon as possible we will call the assembly session to prove majority... though Governor has given 15 days, we will not require that much time."

Expressing apprehension that the BJP would again indulge in "operation Kamala (poaching on MLAs)", he said: "I'm aware of it that they will create problem. JD(S) and Congress leaders will take all precautionary measures for it."

He also ruled out any kind of differences among the party cadres on alliance with the Congress.
Shivakumar too is an influential Vokkaliga leader in the state, a fact that could go against him, given that Lingayats are the second largest bloc of MLAs among 78 victorious Congress candidates.

A Lingayat body has demanded the post of deputy chief minister for its president and a larger role in the Karnataka cabinet even as the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) continue to work on the modalities (read cabinet berth sharing formula) of their newly-forged alliance, according to several media reports.

Ahead of HD Kumaraswamy's swearing-in on Wednesday, the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha has written an open letter demanding that the body's president Shamanur Shivshankrappa be made deputy chief minister, CNN-News18 reported.

According to a report in India Today, the letter stated that Shivshankrappa, who won on a Congress ticket from Davangere South Assembly constituency, should be made deputy chief minister as he resisted the BJP's pressure to desert the Congress ahead of trust vote and join the saffron party.

Reward for loyalty

The 87-year-old veteran Lingayat leader is now demanding rewards for his loyalty, as he was opposed to the Siddaramaiah government's move to grant religious minority status to Lingayats, but later set aside his differences with party and contested and won on a Congress ticket.

The demand comes amid speculations that the party, being the larger partner in the coalition, is likely to negotiate hard for the deputy chief minister's post along with a lion's share of the cabinet berths in return for giving up the chief minister's post.

An India Today report claimed that the parties are negotiating for a 20-13 formula; Congress with its 78 MLAs is likely to get 20 portfolios while JD(S) with its 37 MLAs is likely to retain 13 apart from the chief minister's post. Earlier, there were reports that the post may go to Congress strongman DK Shivakumar, who was credited with the post-electoral maneuvers that helped his party transform a loss into a victory. He was also tasked with thwarting BJP's attempt to lure away party's MLAs and keeping the flock together, a job that he accomplished.

Lingayat vs Vokkaliga

However, Shivakumar too is an influential Vokkaliga leader in the state, a fact that could go against him, given that Lingayats are the second largest bloc of MLAs among 78 victorious Congress candidates. The two communities in Karnataka have been at loggerheads even in the pre-independence days.

According to a News18 article, after Independence the Vokkaliga had opposed the merger of all Kannada speaking areas with the old Mysore state fearing Lingayat domination in politics. Vokkaligas are dominant in the old Mysuru area, roughly constituting around 11 to 12 percent of the total population of Karnataka, while Lingayats are are heavily concentrated in north Karnataka, with traces of their population found in south Karnataka too.

After Independence, when the question of reorganising Karnataka arose, the then chief minister of old Mysore state and a tall Vokkaliga leader Kengal Hanumanthaiah had fully backed the unification, undermining the objections raised by his community leaders. Ironically, he was removed from the chief minister's post and a tall Lingayat leader S Nijalingappa became the first chief minister of united Karnataka in 1956, the News18 report said. After that the community had to wait for 38 years to see a Vokkaliga chief minister in HD Deve Gowda.

Now, with his son set to takeover the reigns, amid words of Congress' star leader Shivakumar slated to play an important role, the broader Lingayat community's demand for a bigger role in the coalition, including the post of deputy chief minister, cannot be ruled out.

The fact that the BJP left no stone unturned in wooing a large chunk of Lingayat MLAs to cross over to the saffron party, will make matters worse for the Congress. The Lingayats, who resisted the call to switch, will likely want their share of the pie in return for their loyalty.
The BJP's opposition to Gandhi family is nothing but to remove the only long term impediment in their desire to grab power. BJP's nationalistic rhetoric, their love for Hinduism, their so-called anti-corruption stand has been exposed time and again.

I have been a strident critic of Rahul Gandhi and of Sonia Gandhi's desire to push him into politics. I loathed her desire to anoint him on the throne, which all parents do. This was till early 2017. She still went ahead and anointed him the president of the grand old party in a sham of an election. We were left with no choice. Maybe, she wasnt left with a choice too.

On the other hand, a massive effort was mounted by the BJP to de-legitimise all opposition. The BJP's path to 2019 starts with making opposition look incapable, incompetent and corrupt. In 2014, they succeeded with the 'pappu' jibe and in 2019, they will come up with the Khichdi theory.

Meanwhile, aided by his anointment, Rahul came into his own. He grew. He took control. He was free. He was decisive. He was aggressive. He was throwing punches unheard of earlier. He was combative. He hit the road like no other. At the same time, he was thoughtful and compassionate. He had empathy. He accepted his mistakes. He knew his failings. He worked on his weakness. Most importantly, he had his heart at the right place. He was no longer behaving like a typical Indian politician. He was surrounded by wisdom. He shrugged off the old style of politicians that surrounded Congress power centres. His attitude was refreshing.

He showed the hunger to win, the fire to rule while not looking like a greedy power hungry politician. He was not taking the baits thrown at him and behave petty. He took the blows on his chin and rose to fight, again. And he took on the mantle of congress to stand tall in Gujarat and Karnataka. Yes, Gujarat too. He took the BJP by its horns  alone  against the combined might of the BJP, its Cabinet, its top leadership, the Narendra Modi magic, and the forceful Amit Shah. He took on the Reddy brothers. He took on every gauntlet thrown at him with elan.

The BJP's opposition to Gandhi family is nothing but to remove the only long term impediment in their desire to grab power. BJP's nationalistic rhetoric, their love for Hinduism, their so-called anti-corruption stand has been exposed time and again. They walk out on the national anthem, use religious places as a business model and invite every corrupt politician to their ranks to grab power. Ayodhya is the route to Delhi and 'border' the route to Parliament. This level of greed for power is neither seen nor heard of by any other political party. Everything that comes in its way is de-legitimised or eliminated. The Mahatma, the Gandhis, the Nehrus, the Dalits and the Muslims are a threat for them. The soldier and the devout are an instruments in their power grab.

The Gandhis are much maligned like no other political family. Conspiracies, corruption and character assassination  all abused to pull them down. We are 48 months into this government, and NAMo and BJP, with all the Janam Pathris they claim to have of the Gandhis, with all the investigative powers, all the law enforcement agencies at their command, BJP has drawn a blank. Every allegation against the Gandhis continues to be an allegation and will be repeated in 2019, again. The bank statements with (US) $ 600 billion that the Gandhi's allegedly amassed hasnt been found. The National Herald case remains where it was in 2014. In fact, The National Herald case is a textbook case where every politician who is a trustee will get convicted, if the same rules are applied. And I have seen far too many politicians with cases against them, right from the prime minister to Amit Shah to all the ministers and chief ministers ruling the country to deem it a disqualification. Like Vadra, the sons of BJP supremos have taken over too. Like UPA, companies owned by families of BJP ministers have amassed wealth. And the added paradigm in BJP is the money bags business man - represented by the Reddy brothers, Mehul Choksi, Sujana Chowdhury and even Nirav Modi.

Add to the insult is the injury. The 2G accused are freed under a sham of a prosecution. The Mallyas have been flown out. Nirav Modi showed us the middle finger. The Saradha scam accused have become clean after joining BJP. Lalit Modi remains allusive. Dawood still rules from Islamabad. Narayan Rane is now BJP. Sukhram is BJP. And so are the Reddy Brothers. Trump is making Indians suffer in America. Nepal, the only Hindu state, has drifted towards China and communists. Even Vadra, No.1 enemy of BJP and a clear case of crony capitalism roams free. Karnataka has shown the mirror to Modi and Modi's India.

The hatred to the aristocracy, the first family, the khangress, the sickular, the Italian connection, are drugs injected into our subconscious with clinical precision. And the weak amongst us remain drugged. The hatred to the Gandhi family shrouds their judgement of what is good for India. They want Gandhis punished more than India benefitting. The vendetta is more. The malice is more. The hatred is more. And wishing well for India is to that extent lesser.

Modi was a choice many of us made, me included. He was perceived to be aggressive, pro-development, exuded the right intent, had his heart in the right place. But this was a perception sold to us again with clinical precision. A team of young smart and intelligent people, led by Arun Shourie, sold this to all of us. This has been proven beyond doubt as a false narrative.

And what have we got. We have China eating into our pride. We have Senas being born on every issue, this after seeing Pakistan self-destruct itself having created such outfits. We have mobs ruling us. Your young daughter having a coffee with a Muslim friend could be beaten up. Your young son sitting in a restaurant that served beef could by lynched. Your handicapped mother that couldnt stand for the national anthem could be beaten. A Supreme Court order doesnt carry any weight. The corrupt still thrive, and if you join the BJP, come clean too.

The rich have become richer and the poor poorer. The stock markets have shot up about 50 percent while the economy has slipped massively. Jobs have shrunk. The youth have no direction. SSIs, MSMEs suffer. The so called black money in Swiss banks remains in the vaults, still. We still await the Rs 15 lakh in the bank. We have more soldiers dying at our borders than ever. Kasmir has more strife than ever. Vadra is still roaming free.

One can argue that Modi is not responsible for all the lawlessness even in BJP-ruled states, but is definitely responsible for the silence that he so obstinately practices on such matters. His Twitter following of the rioters emboldens the fringe and the fanatical. If you want to be noticed, you need to attack the Muslims, the Dalits and fight for our culture. And the essence of culture is as defined by them. THEM. We are creating armies of humans to protect GOD.

We now live in a country where the government talks culture, priests talk governance; philosophers talk administration; babas preach peace; HRD ministry imposes patriotism; technology institutes talk vedas; medical institutes talk anything than science and Smriti Irani rules media and HRD. We live in an India where the mobs determine law; judicial orders remain on paper and law submits itself to the mobs.; where constitution is at the mercy of fringe philosophy and judiciary begging for freedom and independence to be themselves. We have the PM serenading the fringe with his silence and victims cries for justice lost in the chorus of the power hungry. We live in a nation where the citizen works for the government and democracy works against the people. We survive in a nation where the fissures and friction can devour each of us for no fault of us, where we would be the next victim in a grand conspiracy not of our doing. We can be a victim of violence or a riot that is not our doing nor our interest.

In the circumstances, what do we do? Can we let our hatred against a family win over what is good for the country and its people? Neither is the hatred of the Gandhi family so deserved nor is our love and belief in Modi so deserved. We need to swing the pendulum back. We need to bring objectivity in our assessment. We need to bring balance in our support for any political party, ideology and the people heading them. We need to punish those in power for being silent when the situation demands that they speak. We need to judge action and not intent; we need to judge performance not promise, we need to judge policy not ideology and demand peace than violence.

It is time we reclaim our life, our space, our freedom. It is time we show the middle finger to those in power for bringing us to this stage. It is time for us to speak for India and not for those who rule it. It is time to be the people we were than the citizens they want us to be.

It is time to be us.
FP Staff

In the days of GPS, Google Maps and Google Earth, it is almost unthinkable of finding out ways or navigating through places without relying on the Internet.

400 years ago, a man named Abraham Ortelius, born in Antwerp, Belgium, on 4 April, 1527, devised world's first atlas. As we know, an atlas is an aggregation of maps and forms a unified global view, Ortelius put together latest information from various scientists, geographers, and cartographers around the world and came up with what we today know as an atlas.

Google celebrated Ortelius and his first atlas by dedicating the Google Doodle to him on 20 May.

"The atlas, titled Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theatre of the World), was first published on 20 May, 1570 and is significant for a couple reasons. Within these pages, we see the first evidence of someone imagining continental drift - the theory that continents were joined together before drifting apart to their present-day positions. Flipping through the pages, you may also notice a sea monster or two in the water  these mythical creatures were a subject of fascination in Ortelius generation, and often appeared alongside the ever-changing landscapes of the atlas maps," mentions Google in its special note to Ortelius.

NDTV, in its report, also states that Ortelius was also the first person to support the theory of 'continental drift', according to which it is believed that all the continents were part of a single landmass, and over the years, drifted apart to form seven different landmasses, the way we know or recognise them to be.

It is also reported that Ortelius' atlas had 53 maps in its first edition; it was a huge find during the 16th century as it made possible for general people to know where they are, what the world possibly looks like, and also in communicating other important things. The last edition of the atlas was published in 1622; it had 167 maps.
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - A federal judge in Brazil has ruled that striking truck drivers cannot block traffic during a demonstration planned for Monday in the state of Parana to protest higher fuel prices. Drivers can only protest in multiple-lane highways, using no more than half of the lanes, according to the judges decision. The judge also limited the protest to the morning hours.

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - A federal judge in Brazil has ruled that striking truck drivers cannot block traffic during a demonstration planned for Monday in the state of Parana to protest higher fuel prices.

Drivers can only protest in multiple-lane highways, using no more than half of the lanes, according to the judges decision. The judge also limited the protest to the morning hours.

Truckers' unions are subjected to a fine of 100,000 reais ($26,757) per hour if they disobey the decision.

Farmers are struggling worldwide as the rise in diesel prices has hurt profits in the agricultural sector. In Brazil, truckers complain that diesel prices have climbed 43 percent since July 2017.

On Friday, Brazilian Mines and Energy Minister Wellington Moreira Franco, said the government is discussing possible tax cuts to reduce diesel prices.

($1 = 3.7374 reais)

(Reporting by Iuri Dantas; Writing by Carolina Mandl; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
China and the United States have issued a joint statement on economic and trade consultations, vowing not to launch a trade war against each other.

China and the United States have issued a joint statement on economic and trade consultations, vowing not to launch a trade war against each other.

Based on the directions of Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, the Chinese and US delegations conducted constructive consultations on trade issues on Thursday and Friday, the statement said on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The two sides agreed to take effective measures to substantially decrease the US trade deficit in goods with China.

China will significantly increase its purchase of US goods and service to meet the consumption needs of the Chinese people and propel the high-quality economic development of China, which also helps support the US economic development and employment, according to the statement.

The two nations agreed to meaningfully increase the export of US agriculture and energy products. The US side will send a delegation to China for further consultations.

The two sides talked about the expansion of trade on manufactured goods and service, and have reached consensuses to create favourable conditions to increase trade in those areas. The statement said that the two sides highly valued intellectual property protection and agreed to promote cooperation in this regard.

China will promote revision of related laws and regulations including the Patent Law, according to the statement. The two sides also agreed to encourage the two-way investment and committed to creating a business environment for fair competition.

The two nations agreed to maintain high-level contracts in this regard and actively seek to resolve their economic and trade concerns.

The Chinese delegation was led by Xi's special envoy and Vice Premier Liu He, and the US officials included Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.

Liu arrived in Washington on Tuesday afternoon for economic and trade consultations with the US side at the invitation of the US government.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chief of the Chinese side of the China-US comprehensive economic dialogue, leads a delegation whose members come from major economic sectors of the Chinese government.
110 have died including five children in Cuba's worst aviation disaster in three decades.

The only three survivors of Cuba's worst aviation disaster in three decades were clinging to life on Sunday, a day after their passenger jet crashed in a fireball in Havana's rural outskirts with 113 people on board.

In the first official death toll provided by authorities, transportation minister Adel Yzquierdo Rodriguez said 110 had died including five children. He also announced that a flight recorder from the plane had been located.

Carlos Alberto Martinez, director of Havana's Calixto Garcia Hospital where the survivors were being treated, said doctors are always hopeful that their patients will recover, but he acknowledged that the three Cuban women were in extremely grave condition. "We must be conscious that they present severe injuries," Martinez told a small group of journalists. "They are in a critical state." Cuban officials identified the women as Maylen Diaz, 19, of Holguin; Grettel Landrovell, 23, of Havana; and Emiley Sanchez, 39, of Holguin.

Martinez said Sanchez was conscious and communicating, Diaz conscious and sedated and Ladrovell was in a coma.

Landrovell's mother, Amparo Font, told reporters that her daughter is a flamenco dancer and engineering student on the verge of graduation. "My daughter is an angel," Font said. "They have to save her."

Meanwhile, relatives of the dead gathered at a morgue in the capital, weeping and embracing each other, as investigators tried to piece together why the ageing Boeing 737 went down and erupted in flames shortly after takeoff early Friday afternoon.

Yzquierdo said those on board included 102 Cubans, three tourists, two foreign residents and six crew members, who were from Mexico.

Maite Quesada, a member of the Cuban Council of Churches, announced that 20 pastors from an evangelical church were among the dead. They had spent several days at a meeting in the capital and were returning to their homes and places of worship in the province of Holguin.

Skies were overcast and rainy at the airport at the time of Cuba's third major air accident since 2010, and state television said the 39-year-old jet veered sharply to the right after departing on a domestic flight to the eastern city of Holguin. Eyewitness and private salon owner Rocio Martinez said she heard a strange noise and looked up to see the plane with a turbine on fire. "In flames, here it comes falling toward the ground, and it seems (the pilot) saw it was an area that was too residential and makes a sharp turn," Martinez said. "To avoid (the houses) ... to avoid a tragedy, because there would have been a massacre." Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said a special commission had been formed to find the cause of the crash. The plane had 104 passengers and six crew members.

State airline Cubana, which operated the flight, has had a generally good safety record but is notorious for delays and cancellations and has taken many of its planes out of service because of maintenance problems in recent months, prompting it to hire charter aircraft from other companies. Mexican officials said the Boeing 737-201 was built in 1979 and rented by Cubana from Aerolineas Damojh, a small charter company that also goes by the name Global Air. Aviation authorities in Guyana last year stopped the same aircraft from conducting charter flights because of serious safety concerns, including fears about excessive baggage overloading and other issues.

In November 2010 a Global Air flight originating in Mexico City made an emergency landing in Puerto Vallarta because its front landing gear did not deploy. The fire was quickly extinguished, and none of the 104 people aboard were injured. That plane was a 737 first put into service in 1975.

Mexican aviation authorities said a team of experts would fly to Cuba today to take part in the investigation. While, Argentina's foreign ministry said two of its citizens had died in the crash.
About Me Scott Because prophetic scriptures are found throughout the bible, it is obvious that a comprehensive, systematic approach would be useful, if not necessary, for the understanding of prophecy. Past prophecies have been fulfilled in a literal manner, as confirmed by the dating of these writings and historical records of confirmation. These past prophecies also serve as a model of how to interpret future prophecies. A literal view of prophecy clearly indicates a certain sequence of events will occur within a single generation, concluding with the Tribulation and Second Advent and these events will be obvious. The prophetic signs appear to be present in this generation and we believe these signs are revealed in the news from around the world. View my complete profile
Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear accord and re-impose sanctions threatens to derail a project to help build Afghanistan's economy.

Washington/Kabul: US president Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear accord and re-impose sanctions on Tehran threatens to derail a project to help build Afghanistans economy, endangering a key goal of the US strategy to end America's longest war.

The Indian-backed Chabahar port complex in Iran is being developed as part of a new transportation corridor for land-locked Afghanistan that could potentially open the way for millions of dollars in trade and cut its dependence on Pakistan, its sometimes-hostile neighbour.

Building Afghanistan's economy would also slash Kabul's dependence on foreign aid and put a major dent in the illicit opium trade, the Talibans main revenue source.

But Trumps decision to re-impose sanctions on Iran and penalise financial institutions for doing business with Tehran is clouding Chabahars viability as banks, nervous they could be hit with crippling penalties, pull back from financing.

President Trumps decision has brought us back to the drawing board and we will have to renegotiate terms and conditions on using Chabahar, a senior Indian diplomat said. It is a route that can change the way India-Iran-Afghanistan do business, but for now everything is in a state of uncertainty.

The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Launched in 2016, the joint Iran-India-Afghanistan Chabahar project already was facing holdups. It has yet to see significant traffic apart from some containers of donated wheat from India, and the first shipments of Afghan dried fruit to India are not expected before July.

At least three contracts to build infrastructure at the port now have been delayed, with two Chinese companies and a Finnish group left hanging while bankers seek clarity from Washington before approving guarantees, a person close to the project said.

In addition, Afghan traders, who were hoping for an alternative to Pakistans port of Karachi, now find themselves cut off from funding and forced to rely on the traditional hawala money transfer system, which is insufficient on its own to transform an economy.

Hawala is a trust-based system commonly used in Afghanistan that involves the movement of funds between agents in different countries.

We know our correspondent banks would not let us pay for imports coming through that port, said a senior executive at one major Afghan lender.

Chabahar is among a number of projects of transport and energy networks projects designed to boost Afghanistans trade and lay the foundations for a mining industry capable of exploiting its billions of dollars in untapped mineral reserves.

Bypassing the border with Pakistan, which last year was closed for some 50 days over various disputes, Chabahar is seen as a way for Afghanistan to consolidate its relationships with India and other regional powers.

The only way to get India more involved in Afghanistans economic development is through Chabahar, said Barnett Rubin, an expert with New York Universitys Center for International Cooperation and a former adviser to the State Department and the United Nations. Our Iran policy is headed for a train wreck with our Afghanistan policy.

Foreign aid

Some 17 years after the US-led invasion to oust the Taliban from power, Afghanistan remains one of the worlds poorest countries, highly dependent on foreign aid.

Apart from illegal opium exports estimated at some $2 billion by the International Monetary Fund, its main products are dried and fresh fruits, and carpets, none of which amount to more than a fraction of the value of the drugs trade.

Initially, Afghanistan would export agricultural produce  such as pomegranates and grapes - through Chabahar, utilising a section of a road India paid for and then an extension to the Iranian border that New Delhi built, experts said.

Eventually, those exports could expand to mineral resources, something Trump has expressed an interest in gaining for US firms. For India, this would mean using a planned railroad to Chabahar to export iron ore from two tracts at the Hajigak iron mine in central Afghanistan that it won the rights to exploit, the experts said.

"The economic piece is really important to get a glimmer of hope for Afghanistan to move beyond a land-locked, poppy-based economy. We are now shooting that in the head," said Thomas Lynch, a National Defense University expert and a former US Army officer who advised the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on South Asia policy.

There is no other legitimate and reliable way to do that. You cant do it by air, you cant do it through Pakistan because they just extort for everything they do, said Lynch. The lifeline runs through Chabahar.

In addition, by hindering the development of Chabahar, the United States will leave Afghanistan dependent on Pakistan, historically its main trade partner and outlet to the world.

That would undermine another Trump goal of pressuring Islamabad to shutter Afghan insurgent sanctuaries on its side of the border and force the militants into peace talks.

Afghan officials have lobbied hard for exemptions to the sanctions for Afghan companies operating through Chabahar without success and are waiting for clarity from Washington.

Now the uncertainty is that we dont know whats going to happen with Chabahar, said Atiqullah Nusrat, Chief Executive of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. We havent heard anything so we have to wait and see what happens.
WINDSOR, England (Reuters) - Prince Harry, the grandson of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, marries his fiancee, U.S.

WINDSOR, England (Reuters) - Prince Harry, the grandson of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, marries his fiancee, U.S. actress Meghan Markle, at the monarch's home in Windsor on May 19.

Here are some brief facts about the prince.

- Harry was born on Sept. 15, 1984 at St Mary's Hospital in central London. He is the second son of heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles and his late first wife Princess Diana, the younger brother of Prince William. He is currently sixth-in-line to the throne.

- Harry went to the exclusive Eton College school. He was considered a royal wild child and admitted dabbling in marijuana and under-age drinking, and also made headlines when he donned a Nazi uniform to a costume party.

- After school he joined the army in 2003. After completing his training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals).

- He undertook two tours in Afghanistan but was forced to return early from the first in 2008 after news leaked out that he was serving as a combat soldier there. He returned in 2012 as a gunner in Apache attack helicopters.

- He moved to a desk job and quit the army, where he was known as Captain Harry Wales, in 2015. He now focuses his time on carrying out royal duties and charitable work, particularly focused on military veterans, mental health, AIDS/HIV and African conservation.

- After his marriage to Markle, the couple will live at Nottingham Cottage, located in the grounds of Kensington Palace in central London, the home of William, his wife Kate and their children George, Charlotte and Louis.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Andrew Heavens)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
China's air force has landed bombers on islands and reefs in South China Sea as part of a training exercise in the disputed region, it said in a statement.

Shanghai: China's air force has landed bombers on islands and reefs in the South China Sea as part of a training exercise in the disputed region, it said in a statement.

A division of the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) recently organised multiple bombers such as the H-6K to conduct take-off and landing training on islands and reefs in the South China Sea in order to improve our ability to reach all territory, conduct strikes at any time and strike in all directions, it said in the statement issued on Friday.

It said the pilot of the H-6K bomber conducted assault training on a designated sea target and then carried out take-offs and landings at an airport in the area, describing the exercise as preparation for the West Pacific and the battle for the South China Sea.

The notice, published on the PLAAFs Weibo microblogging account, did not provide the precise location of the exercise.

The United States has dispatched warships to disputed areas of the South China Sea in a bid to challenge Chinas extensive sovereignty claims in the territory, which is subject to various claims by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia.

The United States remains committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Logan told Reuters.

We have seen these same reports and Chinas continued militarisation of disputed features in the South China Sea only serves to raise tensions and destabilise the region.

Philippine opposition lawmakers condemned Chinas militarisation of the South China Sea and what they said was the inaction of their own government.

Senator Risa Hontiveros sought an end to Manilas subservience to China, while Congressman Gary Alejano said the issue of Chinas militarization in the South China Sea is a global concern.

By placing our country within striking distance of its nuclear-capable bombers, China has virtually threatened us with nuclear war over the West Philippine Sea, Hontiveros said in a statement, using the local name for South China Sea.

With the silence and subservience of the Philippine government to China, we are placing in grave danger not only our country but also our neighbouring nations, Alejano said in a statement.

China says its military facilities in the Spratlys are purely defensive, and that it can do what it likes on its own territory.

Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte defended his position not to confront China and reiterated his openness to undertake joint exploration and development in waters believed to be rich in oil and natural gas.

You know they have the planes, not stationed in Spratlys but near the provinces facing  Chinese provinces facing the Spratlys and the China Sea, he said in a speech late on Saturday.

It was not clear if he was aware of the news about Chinas bombers landing on islands and reefs in the South China Sea.

And with their hypersonic, they can reach Manila within seven to ten minutes. If we will go to a full-blown war, where would the Philippines end up? Duterte said.
MARSEILLES, France (Reuters) - French authorities briefly evacuated Marseilles train station on Saturday, as they arrested a man seen behaving suspiciously in the area.

MARSEILLES, France (Reuters) - French authorities briefly evacuated Marseilles train station on Saturday, as they arrested a man seen behaving suspiciously in the area.

Soldiers had been alerted to him due to the fact that he had a bag containing batteries and electric cables, although the individual denied they were explosive devices, said police.

No further details were immediately available, and the station was subsequently re-opened. France is on high security alert, with more than 240 people killed on French soil over the past three years in attacks launched by Islamist militants or individuals inspired by groups such as Islamic State.

(Reporting by Jean-Francois Rosnoblet, Simon Carraud, Emmanuel Jarry; Writing by Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Peter Graff)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Pakistan's Punjab province government has released Rs 20 million to renovate a Krishna temple in Rawalpindi city and expand it to accommodate more Hindu worshippers on festivals and religious occasions, a media report said on Sunday

Islamabad: Pakistan's Punjab province government has released Rs 20 million to renovate a Krishna temple in Rawalpindi city and expand it to accommodate more Hindu worshippers on festivals and religious occasions, a media report said on Sunday.

Krishna temple is the only functioning Hindu temple in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. There are two prayers held at the temple every day  one in the morning and one in the evening  which are attended by six or seven people.

Mohammad Asif, the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Deputy Administrator, said the government has released Rs 20 million to reconstruct the temple at the request of a Member of Provincial Assembly, Dawn reported.

He said reconstruction work would begin soon. A team has visited the site and pointed out a plan to start work. The main room where idols are kept will be sealed until reconstruction ends, the paper said. "Once reconstructed, the temple will be able to accommodate more people," Asif was quoted as saying by the paper.

The official said the temple could accommodate the local Hindu community from the twin cities and nearby areas. The small temple was built by Kanji Mal and Ujagar Mal Ram Rachpal in 1897 to serve people in nearby areas. However, after Partition the street temple in Saddar became the only place of worship for Rawalpindi's Hindus.

The temple was reopened after partition in 1949; it was operated by local Hindus before being handed over to the ETPB in 1970. Until the 1980s, even diplomats living in Islamabad visited the temple to pray. Local Hindus have said the temple's area should be expanded.

Jag Mohan Arora said the temple courtyard, which can only accommodate 100 or so people, should be expanded, and shops next to the temple that the ETPB has leased to local traders should be retrieved to expand the front of the building. "At present the front of the temple is very small. The ETPB should vacate nearby shops that have been rented," Arora said.
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has agreed to release 1,000 Ethiopian nationals who have been in prison in the Gulf state for a variety of offences, Ethiopian state affiliated media said on Saturday. The decision was made following a request by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who was in Riyadh on an official visit this week, Fana Broadcasting Corporation reported. The agency said among the detainees were 100 women

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has agreed to release 1,000 Ethiopian nationals who have been in prison in the Gulf state for a variety of offences, Ethiopian state affiliated media said on Saturday.

The decision was made following a request by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who was in Riyadh on an official visit this week, Fana Broadcasting Corporation reported.

The agency said among the detainees were 100 women. It did not disclose what the charges were. Hundreds of thousands of Ethiopian nationals live in the Gulf region, mostly in Saudi Arabia.

Officials in Riyadh are in the process of deporting more than 500,000 illegal Ethiopian migrants. So far, 160,000 have arrived back in the Horn of Africa country.

(Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Editing by Peter Graff)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
CASABLANCA, Morocco (Reuters) - More than 10,000 Moroccans chanting 'Death to Israel' took to the streets of Casablanca on Sunday to protest against the U.S.

CASABLANCA, Morocco (Reuters) - More than 10,000 Moroccans chanting "Death to Israel" took to the streets of Casablanca on Sunday to protest against the U.S. decision to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

The marchers carried Palestinian flags and placards that read "Al Quds (Jerusalem) Palestine's eternal capital". Most appeared to be Islamists, with women wearing headscarves and marching separately from men.

The United States opened its embassy in Jerusalem on May 14, moving it from Tel Aviv, a move that reversed decades of U.S. policy and delighted Israel and infuriated Palestinians.

The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest obstacles to forging a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, who with broad international backing want East Jerusalem, captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, as their capital.

Israel regards all of the city, including the eastern sector it annexed after the 1967 conflict, as its capital. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has said the city's final borders should be decided by the parties.

On the day the United States opened its new embassy, Israeli troops killed 60 Palestinian demonstrators near the border in Gaza. Israel says the violence was incited by Hamas, the Islamist group that runs Gaza. Hamas denies blame.

The Casablanca protest had been called by a coalition of four parties including the Islamist opposition group al-Adl Wal Ihsan which is seen as Morocco's most powerful opposition group in terms of rallying supporters on the street.

(Reporting by Ahmed ElJechtimi and Youssef Boudlal, Editing by Ulf Laessing, William Maclean)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Pakistan has said that the United Nations Security Council must end 'selectivity' in implementing its resolutions, especially long-standing 'disputes' such as Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.

United Nations: Pakistan has said that the United Nations Security Council must end "selectivity" in implementing its resolutions, especially long-standing "disputes" such as Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi made the remarks during a Security Council debate here last week on 'upholding international law within the context of the maintenance of international peace and security.'

"The Council needs to be more consistent and unbiased in its actions. Selectivity in the implementation of its resolutions and decisions, especially on long-standing disputes, notably Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine must end. There can, after all, be no peace without justice," Lodhi said.

Lodhi and the Pakistani delegation consistently rakes up the Kashmir issue in various UN platforms.

Earlier this month, Pakistan's delegate Masood Anwar, addressing a session of Committee on Information, raised the issue of Kashmir saying that alleged human rights violations are taking place against the people of Kashmir.

India had strongly rejected Anwar's reference to Kashmir, saying his remarks are irrelevant to the work of the Committee.

"We have seen another attempt here today to make reference to issues extraneous to the agenda of the Committee. We completely reject these remarks as they have no relevance to the work of the Committee," S Srinivas Prasad, Minister in the Indian Mission to the UN, had said.
Oil driller ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) is benefiting from rising oil prices and rewarding investors with dividend hikes. However, the company's drilling-focused business hasn't been able to sustain a high dividend in the past, cutting the payment in 2016 amid low oil prices. This suggests that dividend investors will end up disappointed if highly volatile oil prices fall again. Here are two stocks with higher yields today and strong histories of rewarding investors through good times and bad: ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) and The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG).

1. The energy patch's real dividend play

Exxon is one of the largest oil and natural gas companies in the world. It has increased its dividend every year for 36 consecutive years, an incredible record given the highly cyclical nature of the energy patch. Its current yield is roughly 4.2%, well above ConocoPhillips' 1.6%. A more impressive dividend history and a higher yield is a good start, but there's more to like than that.

For example, while Conoco is focused only on drilling, Exxon's business is diversified across drilling, chemicals, and refining. Although the latter two businesses aren't as large as the drilling operation, they provide an offset when oil prices are low. For example, in 2015, when Exxon's oil business experienced a 75% earnings drop, its downstream earnings more than doubled. The increase in earnings at the chemicals and refining businesses was largely related to lower input costs (falling oil prices). That wasn't enough to completely offset the impact from declining oil prices, but it softened the blow considerably. ConocoPhillips doesn't have that balance.

That said, Exxon is an industry laggard today. Its oil production has fallen over the last two years, and its return on capital employed figures have dropped into the middle of the pack after years of leading the industry. This is an opportunity for long-term investors to pick up a high yield while others are thinking short term. Exxon has a series of projects that should alleviate the production drop, including a plan to expand onshore U.S. oil and gas drilling, offshore oil in Guyana and Brazil, and natural gas in Mozambique. Meanwhile, the company is planning on taking control of more projects so it can put its expertise in running large projects to better use, and increase its return on capital employed numbers.

The plans are solid, but Exxon is a giant ship, and it will take a little time to turn it. If you're a dividend investor, forget about ConocoPhillips and pick up Exxon's much larger yield. Once Exxon starts to turn the corner, investors are likely to reward it with a higher price, and the fat yield available today will be gone.

2. This consumer giant isn't getting much respect

The next dividend stock to consider hails from outside of the oil patch: Procter & Gamble. The stock's yield is currently around 3.9%, the high end of its historical range. The dividend has been increased annually for an incredible 62 consecutive years. It has a long history of successfully creating and marketing consumer products, including megabrands like Pampers, Tide, and Bounty.

There are three big issues facing Procter & Gamble today. The first is a shift in consumer habits, as people move toward products deemed to be healthier and more natural. The company is aware of the trend and has been introducing new versions of its products to compete. The second issue is pricing competition from new delivery methods, notably in the razor category. Procter & Gamble took the one-time hit of lowering pricing in its industry-leading Gillette line, a price cut that will anniversary this year. It also introduced new delivery methods (a subscription service) to match new industry entrants.

The third issue is a bit larger: Procter & Gamble recently reshaped its business by selling off smaller, underperforming brands to focus on its best assets. The benefits of this change have been overshadowed by industrywide headwinds, leaving investors concerned that Procter & Gamble has lost its way. However, one of the main goals of the move was to improve margins. That's happened, with operating margin increasing from 18.5% in fiscal 2015 to 21.5% in fiscal 2017. It's true that industry headwinds have left organic growth weaker than hoped, but the streamlining effort is far from a failed effort.

History suggests that P&G will work through the current industry malaise and remain a dominant consumer products company. Investors willing to think long term while others are thinking short term will not only be rewarded with a fat dividend yield, but likely a higher stock price, as well, when Procter & Gamble's efforts to adjust with the times start to bear more fruit.

Think long-term

Investors tend to focus on the here and now a little too much, forgetting that the future is often more important. In the case of ConocoPhillips, rising oil prices are attracting investors since the driller is a direct play on the space -- with a focus on returning cash to investors via a growing dividend. But the next oil downturn is likely to lead to a dividend cut, since the company isn't diversified like higher-yielding ExxonMobil. Exxon, meanwhile, is investing for the long term and will, eventually, resolve the investor concerns that have its stock in a funk.

Procter & Gamble hails from a totally different industry than ConocoPhillips, but it's being hit by the same short-term investor mentality. Yes, the consumer products company is dealing with headwinds, but it is addressing them. History suggests it will be successful, and early results from its business overhaul are actually showing some promise. While investors are punishing the stock, pushing the yield to relative highs, you can get on board and benefit.
Everything You Need to Know About Social Security Benefits

Social Security forms an important part of most people's retirement plans, but the program itself does much more than just that. In a nutshell, Social Security is designed to support disabled and retired workers and their families by providing a guaranteed source of lifetime income for those who meet certain criteria. Here's a closer look at how the program works, the different types of Social Security benefits available, and what you can expect when you're ready to claim benefits.

How Social Security works Social Security is a government program that collects taxes from working Americans and distributes these funds to qualifying disabled workers, retirees, and their families to help them remain financially secure. A worker typically must earn 40 credits to qualify for Social Security, though if they die or are disabled young, they may qualify with fewer credits. A credit in 2020 is defined as $1,410 in earned income, and you may earn up to four credits per year. You may claim Social Security based on your own work record, if you've earned enough credits, or you may be eligible to claim spousal benefits based on your current or ex-spouse's work record if this amount is larger than what you're entitled to on your own. Dependent children and other family members may also qualify for family benefits in certain circumstances. When you're ready to apply for Social Security, you must fill out an application online or at your local Social Security Administration office. A government representative will verify the information in your application to determine if you qualify and then you'll begin receiving monthly checks.

Types of Social Security benefits There are three main types of Social Security benefits: Retirement benefits

Disability benefits

Survivors benefits

Retirement benefits Social Security retirement benefits are for workers 62 and older who have earned at least 40 credits. The size of your benefit checks depends on your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) over your 35 highest-earning years, and the age at which you begin benefits. You must wait until your full retirement age (FRA) to claim your standard benefit based on your AIME. Your FRA is 66 if you were born between 1943 and 1954, then it rises by two months every year thereafter until it reaches 67 for those born in 1960 or later.

Be Aware Claiming benefits before your full retirement age (FRA) reduces your checks.

If you begin claiming at 62, you'll get only 70% of your standard benefit if your FRA is 67 or 75% if your FRA is 66. Every month you delay benefits increases your checks slightly until you reach the maximum benefit at 70. This is 124% of your standard benefit if your FRA is 67 or 132% if your FRA is 66. Receiving Social Security benefits under your FRA could cause you to lose some of that money back to the government if your income is high enough. The Social Security Earnings Test withholds $1 from your checks for every $2 you earn above $18,240 in 2020 if you will be under your FRA all year. If you'll reach your FRA in 2020, it'll take $1 for every $3 you earn over $48,600 if you reach this amount before your FRA. Once you're past your FRA, the government recalculates your benefit to include the amount it withheld. Certain family members can claim benefits on your work record if doing so would give them more money than they're eligible for on their own work record. Eligible family members include: Spouses

Ex-spouses, if the marriage lasted for at least 10 years and they have not remarried

Children under 18, or up to 19 if still enrolled in high school

Children of any age who were disabled before 22 -- that is, not earning more than $1,260 per month in 2020, having a medical condition that results in severe functional limitations and that is expected to last 12 months or longer or result in death Spouses and ex-spouses must be at least 62 in order to claim benefits, and spouses and children must wait for the worker to begin claiming benefits themselves before they can claim family benefits on their record. Disability benefits Social Security disability benefits are available to adults 18 or older who are unable to work due to a physical or mental disability that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. You may still be eligible even if you haven't earned 40 credits, depending upon your age at the time of your disability. Your benefit is determined by your average lifetime earnings, so individuals who earned more while they were working will receive larger disability checks. You must provide the government with information about your work history and your medical condition, including relevant supporting documents, when you apply. The Social Security Administration will review your case to decide if you are eligible. If it rules in your favor, you'll receive disability checks for as long as your disability lasts or the rest of your life, depending on the condition. If it rules against you, you may request a reconsideration or appeal to an administrative law judge. Family members may be able to claim benefits on a disabled workers work record if they are: A spouse 62 or older or of any age if caring for a disabled workers disabled child or child 16 or younger

Ex-spouses who were married to the disabled worker for at least 10 years and have not remarried if they meet the same criteria as spouses

Unmarried children up to 18, or 19 if still attending high school

Children of any age who were disabled before 22 Survivors benefits Survivors benefits are benefits for the family members of deceased workers who qualified for Social Security.

Did you know? The amount of the survivors benefit depends on the deceased worker's average income, adjusted for inflation, and their relationship to the deceased.

Surviving spouses who are 60 or older (50 or older if disabled) may claim survivors benefits, as can surviving spouses of any age if they are caring for the deceased worker's child who is under 16 or disabled. The same rules apply for ex-spouses as long as they were married to the deceased worker for at least 10 years and have not remarried. The deceased worker's children under 18, or up to 19 if still enrolled in high school, are eligible for benefits, as are disabled children of any age if they were disabled before 22. Parents of the deceased worker may also qualify for benefits if the deceased was providing 50% or more of their financial support before they died. In addition to these benefits, the surviving spouse or children may be eligible for a one-time death benefit of $255.
Hi i get my Parts and start the troubleshoting,

- change the IAC = no effect

- change the TPS = no effect (what makes me wondering is that the engine still runs nearly the same as before, when the TPS is not coneceted to the wiring ???)



I let the Engine idle for ca. 5 minutes and that i see that the Exhaust in front of the Cat is start to glow red ? so i stop and dont let it warm up longer, nexst step will be to look for the Ignition Timing because the car gets a new Distributor in the USA before shipping! and than i will look at the MAP Sensor



I still search in the Dark and dont realy have an Idea



Best regards



Torsten
Read out the news for you

If you ask Google Assistant to "Play the news" after activating it by long pressing the home button, it will start reading out the news to you. This is not just simple text-to-speech conversion, you can actually listen to the news.

You can switch news sources and control the playback by saying terms like "Next," or "Pause" or "Stop." You can also play the news from a single source of your choice by asking Google Assistant to play the news from that particular news source.

To set particular news sources, you can open Google Assistant, tap on Settings and then select News. You will be able to select your news sources like NDTV, Times of India and India Today. There are a ton of news sources out there that have spoken coverage of news which you can listen to.

Remind you about things

In addition to setting alarms and adding reminders, you also have the option of making Google Assistant have reminders that are location based.

Simple things like "Remember to turn off the AC" can be set which will prompt the Assistant to do so as you leave a building.

Translate things

Google Assistant works in conjunction with Google Translate to translate not just words, but entire sentences into the language of your choice. The translated word or phrase will be shown on screen and will also be read out at the same time.

You can use it as a converter

Measurements and currency units can be converted in a few seconds, all you have to do is ask them for it. You can ask Assistant to convert a certain amount of currency from unit to another or ask what time it will be in one place when it's a particular time in another location.

Navigation and traffic updates

Real-time navigation which is aided by live traffic updates ensures that the amount of traffic in a certain location is taken into account for determining how much time it will take to travel to the target location. The live updates will ensure that you aren't stuck in traffic jams.

Play music and videos

You can play Music through Google Play Music or YouTube using the Assistant. You can also tweak third-party apps like Saavn and Gaana to play music for you as well. You need to head over to settings, then select Music, and finally, you need to pick your default provider.

You can also turn the volume up or play the next track by telling it to do so.

Find places to eat, drink or shop.

Asking Google Assistant to "Find nearby restaurants" or "Find nearby stores" will show you a list of the places along with their star ratings.

Make a shopping list.

You can add things to your list by saying "Add (this) to your shopping list" which will add the item to the shopping list in your Google Keep or to the online Google Shopping list that you have. You can review the items in your list by saying "What's on my shopping list?"
95% screen-to-body ratio

The Lenovo Group VP revealed a few photos showing that the front of the smartphone will be dominated by the display. The all-display design is possible with almost negligible bezels at the sides, top and bottom. It has to be noted that there is no notch at the top of the screen. Moreover, the device appears to have a screen-to-body ratio of 95%, which is enough screen space.

Flip-up selfie camera

In one of the teasers, Cheng claimed that the Z5 is a result of four technological breakthroughs and 18 patented technologies. If this is not just a marketing gimmick, then the company might have found a way to house the sensors and speakers on the screen. Vivo APEX, the recent concept phone has a vibrating screen to play audio, a pop-out selfie camera and an in-screen fingerprint sensor. Likewise, the Lenovo phone is also expected to feature an innovative flip-up selfie camera. One of the recent teasers hinted at the presence of a whopping 4TB of storage space.

Dual rear cameras

Though we have seen some Z5 photos and sketches, none of shown us the rear panel of the device. While we are yet to know what the company has to offer on this front, the concept render shows the presence of a dual-camera module.

In-display fingerprint sensor

As mentioned above, an in-display fingerprint sensor is expected to be seen on the Lenovo Z5. There are very few smartphones with this technology. As of now, it is seen in a few Vivo smartphones and some upcoming devices such as the Xiaomi Mi 7 are rumored to arrive with such a fingerprint sensor.

Lenovo Z5 release date

The company's VP pointed out that the Lenovo flagship could be unveiled on June 14 in China. The company is yet to confirm if this smartphone would be announced globally or is meant only for the Chinese market. However, it is speculated that the Z5 is meant to compete with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5.
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GREENWICH  The new assistant principal joining the team at Central Middle School has more than a decade of experience in the Greenwich Public Schools.

Lindsey Pontieri has been appointed to the job, effective July 1, Superintendent of Schools Jill Gildea announced Friday.

Currently a special education teacher at Western Middle School, Pontieri has been with the GPS since 2007. She has served as a site supervisor for the summer school program and also taught at Greenwich High School.

I'm thrilled to be joining the Central Middle School community, Pontieri said. While I'll miss Western, I'm excited for this next phase of my career in the Greenwich Public Schools.

CMS Principal Tom Healy welcomed her to the job.

"Ms. Pontieri's student-centered philosophy and clear understanding of the importance of the middle school years made her the ideal candidate for this position, Healy said. Her professional experience has afforded her the knowledge and skill set necessary to step into the assistant principal role and have an immediate impact on student learning and growth. I look forward to having her join our school leadership team and work collaboratively with our school community to continue our efforts to transform teaching and learning to the benefit of every child."

Pontieri has been a special education, history and social sciences teacher at the secondary level with the Greenwich Public Schools since she began teaching in 2007. She has been a teacher at Greenwich Alternative High School, Greenwich High School and Western Middle School. As a TEAM Mentor since 2015, Pontieri has provided support for first-year teachers in curriculum planning, time management, and best practices for instruction.

She received a bachelor of arts in political science from SUNY Oswego in Oswego, N.Y., in 2002, a master of science in special education from Dowling College in Oakdale, N.Y., in 2007, and a Connecticut intermediate administration and supervision certification from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield in 2016.
Published on 2018/05/20 | Source

The "Me Too" movement that swept Hollywood and other celebrity hubs has divided Korea, where every day seems to bring new assertions of fierce girl power in the traditionally patriarchal society.

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On the feminist website Womad on Wednesday, a post promised hidden camera shots of men on the toilet -- a dig at the thousands of similar clips of women on offer on porn sites.

Under a picture of a man in a T-shirt sitting on the toilet, the poster wrote, "I took this hidden camera photo in the men's restroom at Korea University. I can post six photos and nine video clips showing male genitalia".

Some 20 hidden-camera clips of naked men are already available on the website, which only allows women to subscribe. All this comes after a woman was arrested on charges of leaking photographs of a nude male model from an art class at Hongik University.

The battle is heating up, with more and more women setting up websites with hidden-camera footage of men, accusing them of being "potential rapists or molesters".

It seems to be a backlash against a backlash in Korea's notoriously aggressive society. Many traditionally minded men feel emancipation has gone too far, and more and more are venting their fury online and even taking it out with assaults on women in real life.

Ahn Yi-hwan, who heads a gender equality research center, said, "People's anger management problems are spilling over into hostility toward the opposite sex, and expressions of these emotions are getting worse".

Police have launched an investigation into the hidden-camera posts.
Published on 2018/05/20 | Source

Director Kim Gyoo-min-I talks to the Chosun Ilbo in his office in Seoul on Tuesday.

"The Gift of Love", a film highlighting the human rights abuses the North Korean people suffer, has been nominated for best movie and best actress at the Milan International Film Festival, which takes place from May 21 to June 13.

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Directed by Kim Gyoo-min-I, himself a North Korean defector, the film follows a disabled veteran who was fiercely loyal to the North Korean leader and the Workers Party and his wife who ends up in prostitution to support her family.

Kim said he made the film based on true stories that he witnessed in North Korea.

"The story is about a family in Hwanghae Province but is really representative of all North Korean people. I wanted to the world to know that what they saw during the recent inter-Korean summit is not the whole truth about North Korea".

Born in North Korea in 1974, Kim worked as an actor in a troupe under the Workers Party. After the great famine of the 1990s, Kim fled in 2000 and settled in South Korea the following year.

He graduated in filmmaking at Hanyang University in Seoul in 2006, and has been making films on human rights issues in North Korea ever since.

One wall of his office in Seoul is packed with books on human rights in North Korea. Kim said he interviewed over 100 North Korean defectors before he started making the film.

"I wanted it to be as real and vivid as possible in portraying the horrific conditions in which North Korean people live", he said. "There is no humor in my films. I want to depict reality in North Korea as it is, without worrying about commercial success".

Kim said he could not watch TV for some time after the historic summit between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. He felt helpless as he watched the North Korean regime being glamorized.

"Many people were fascinated by the images of Kim Jong-un smiling and shaking hands with Moon. It felt like all my efforts trying to let the world know about terrible human rights abuses in North Korea were going down the drain", Kim said.

"I was shocked at reading some online comments that human rights should not be discussed as this would be an obstacle to achieving peace in the Korean Peninsula. It pains me to see how films on North Korean human rights are more appreciated outside South Korea".

The winners will be announced during the festival, around the time when the first ever summit between a North Korean leader and a U.S. president takes place in Singapore on June 12.

It could not be more timely. "I'm grateful that a big international film festival is paying attention to the suffering of North Koreans at this time", Kim said. "I hope to contribute to reunification by continuing to make films on North Korean human rights issues. If I keep making my voice heard, I'm sure the day will come sooner".
By Panos Kotzathanasis | Published on 2018/05/19

As we saw in the review of his debut, "Chilsu and Mansu", Park Kwang-soo explored the socioeconomical and political aftermath of the Gwangju massacre, in a style filled with realism and pessimistic drama, which has nothing to do with the kind of happy-go-lucky approach of current movies about the subject, such as "A Taxi Driver". This approach is even more intense and pessimistic in "Black Republic".

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The story takes place soon after the aforementioned events, and revolves around a student demonstrator named Gi-yeong, who is wanted by the police for his actions during the protests, and ends up in a remote mining town in Gangwon Province, where, under a fake name, he is soon hired by a mining company. The company is run by an elderly president, but it is his son, Seong-cheol, who frequently causes problems with his reckless behaviour, which involves taking money from the counter whenever he feels like it, running like a madman through the streets with his motorcycle, drinking and being violent, particularly towards women and people who owe his father money. Seong-cheol meets Gi-yeong one night in a local bar, and takes a liking to him, even suggesting for him to spend some time with the local prostitute, Yeong-sook. Gi-yeong is initially disinterested in her, but eventually the two of them form a deeper connection.

Park Kwang-soo directs and pens an intensely bleak film, where hope is nowhere to be found, neither for the workers and the women, who form the lowest ranks of the society depicted, nor the privileged of the new generation. The setting of the filled with dust and dirt mining town, serves his purpose quite adequately, with Yoo Young-gil's cinematography highlighting this bleakness, both in the "foggy" exteriors and the dark interiors, with a very fitting approach.

In essence, the town is a metaphor for the Korean society of the time (to say the least), where the lowest ranks (as mentioned above) are almost constantly subjected to oppression by the authorities and the "capital", with their disillusionment about the fact playing absolutely no role in their circumstances. In this setting, love seems to provide a thin ray of hope, but even this does not last for long, as the inevitable violence resulting from reality, eventually erases even this minor optimism, as depicted, quite eloquently, during the finale.

Another point of excellence in the film is the comments that Park manages to include throughout its duration, through a very subtle tactic, usually via a small conversation here and there. "Why should I go to school when I have the skills for a job", a fellow worker of Gi-yeong says at one point, in one example of this tendency, while the comments also include the comparison between Hollywood and Korean melodrama (with Park implying that the then quality of Korean cinema led to the youths turning towards American movies), the failure of the supposedly new ideology, and a number of others.

The melodrama is not missing completely from here, as it is presented through the story of Seong-cheol and Yeong-sook, although the political aspects of the movie place it in the background.

Two scenes stand out, both involving violence, but through a different approach: the one in the bar during the end, where an intense fight breaks out, and the one in the interrogation room, both of which synopsize the context and the aesthetics of the movie in the most impactful way. The intensity they emit is heightened even more by the exceptional editing of Kim Hyun-II, which, additionally, allows the film to move in a relatively fast pace that serves it very well.

The acting is also on a very high level, with Moon Sung-geun as Kim Gi-yeong presenting a young man who has nowhere to go, with his hopelessness leading him to worse and worse situations. Shim Hye-jin is quite convincing as the embodiment of victimization, in the role of Yeong-sook, The one who steals the show, though, is Park Joong-hoon as Seong-cheol, with his erratic behaviour, filled with alcohol, violence, and a sense of superiority that eventually comes crushing onto him, being one of the best assets of the film.

"Black Republic" is an impressive movie, filled with context and artistry, and one of the fines samples of the Korean New Wave.

Review by Panos Kotzathanasis

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"Black Republic" is directed by Park Kwang-soo and features Moon Sung-geun, Park Joong-hoon and Shim Hye-jin.
Published on 2018/05/20 | Source

Korean corporate culture remains woefully inefficient due to outdated practices and top-down management, a survey by the Korea Chamber for Commerce and Industry and global consulting firm McKinsey finds.

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They surveyed 2,000 office workers and found that the country's notoriously long working hours, wasteful office meetings and pyramidal hierarchy have improved somewhat but still fail to meet global standards.

Asked if they feel actual improvements in corporate culture, 59 percent ticked the answer, "There have been some changes but no real improvements". Another 28 percent said changes were often one-off events. Only 12.2 percent of respondents said they felt fundamental improvements.

KCCI and McKinsey assessed Korea's top eight corporations and four of them ranked in the lowest group among multinationals worldwide. Three ranked in the middle and only one in the middle to top group. No Korean company beat its foreign rivals.

Korean companies received high marks in terms of accountability and motivation but lagged behind in most categories, especially leadership, coordination and capabilities.

The KCCI cited three factors that harm Korean corporate culture -- inefficient work processes, irrational performance rewards and a lack of competent leadership.

Workers complained that changes were often purely cosmetic, and even if their boss wore jeans on Casual Friday, he kept the old domineering or niggling attitudes.
Published on 2018/05/20 | Source

/Newsis

Workers at U.S. computer technology company Oracle's Korean branch launched a general strike on Wednesday demanding higher wages and job security. A vote by unionized workers last week showed 96 percent supported a strike.

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They are holding a protest rally in front of Oracle Korea's offices in Samseong-dong, Seoul. Kim Chul-soo, the head of Oracle's labor union, said, "Most of the 1,000 employees have not had a pay raise since they joined the company in 2009. A section director who joined the company in 2009 earns just W2.3 million a month, while a worker who was hired later makes W4 million a month" (US$1=W1,075).

Kim said this prompted some workers to quit and try to rejoin the company to get better pay.

On top of that, Oracle has been downsizing since last year, shifting its focus from servers to the cloud, which resulted in the loss of around 200 jobs. More than 100 claim that they were shown the door against their will.

Oracle said the downsizing came at the orders of headquarters and it is "negotiating possible wage hikes" with workers.

The strike exposes the ugly underbelly of what it is like to work for a foreign company that was once praised for its modern approach and strict adherence to the nine-to-five workday. In reality, workers often find themselves anxious for their jobs and little better off than cyber-serfs.

One IT industry source said, "Most foreign IT companies have key operations like R&D based overseas and only the marketing operations are based in Korea. As a result, poor results or a shift in the main area of business results in downsizing and layoff pressures".

The Korean operations of global IT companies whose earnings have waned face a similar predicament. Microsoft realigned its main business structure from software to cloud and has been downsizing its workforce since last year. Workers formed a labor union in July last year in an attempt to stem job losses, but around 50 were fired.

"As soon as an employee is hired, he or she faces immediate pressure to generate earnings and suffers extreme stress", a Microsoft Korea staffer said.

Hewlett Packard Korea let 400 workers go over the last three years, 120 of them last year. Kim Yong-hwan, head of the labor union, said, "There are around 20 more workers who have been placed on standby".

At IBM Korea, which once boasted a staff of 2,700, the workforce has shrunk to 1,500. The company started an early retirement scheme in March to get rid of workers.

One person who worked for IBM for 20 years said, "After earnings growth slowed considerably since 2010, an order was issued to each department to lay off a set number of workers. Staff were assigned to do marketing on companies that lack buying power or were dispatched to call centers".

Such measures would have drawn a huge public outcry if they were committed by a Korean company.

Moreover, foreign companies are not obligated to reveal their earnings figures, wages and dividends since they usually operate as limited-liability firms. They take advantage of this rule to transfer the money they earn in Korea to headquarters while failing to pay proper taxes in Korea.

Oracle Korea was slapped with a W300 billion penalty tax last year for transferring domestic earnings to headquarters overseas. It denies the allegations and has filed a lawsuit.

The National Tax Service believes the branch transferred W2 trillion to headquarters from 2008 to 2014. The union at Oracle Korea said, "All of the profits generated from Korea are sent to headquarters in the U.S. Workers in Korea are being denied their rightful compensation because of this opaque management style".

The heads of the Korean operations of Apple, Google and Facebook appeared in a National Assembly hearing last year and were unable to tell lawmakers how much their companies earn in Korea.

Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes and other foreign luxury labels are also guilty of such practices at their Korean offices. Unionized workers at Chanel Korea, which consists of around 300 sales staff, went to work in T-shirts displaying slogans saying "higher wages" and "more staff" instead of their uniforms in March and April.

Chanel Korea's labor union claims that 70 percent of its members earn less than minimum wage and do not benefit from pay-scale increases according to their experience.

The strike ended in April with management agreeing to raise the base wage and relocating workers. But the controversy over how foreign luxury companies treat Korean staff despite massive profits here still lingers.
Where to go to see this fall's foliage show in the Tri-State area

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Two chargesheets have been filed against 15 people in connection with the killings of Punjab Shiv Sena leaders Satpal Sharma and Durga Prasad Gupta by operatives of terror group Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), the NIA said on Sunday.

The charge sheets were filed in a special court in Mohali on Saturday under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Arms Act, the National Investigation Agency said.

Sharma and his son Kumar, who were followers of Dera Sacha Sauda, were killed on February 25 last year at Naam Charcha Ghar in Jageda area in Ludhiana, while Gupta was shot dead on April 23, 2016 in Khanna, also in Ludhiana.

The NIA said that during investigation, it was found that the killings of Sharma, his son and Gupta were part of a trans-national conspiracy hatched by the senior leadership of the KLF.

Eight incidents of killings or attempted killings were executed as part of this conspiracy between January, 2016 and October, 2017 in Punjab, it said, adding a chargesheet was filed in this connection earlier this month.

The objective of the conspiracy was to destabilise the law and order situation in Punjab and to revive the fledgling terrorism in the state, the agency said.

The conspiracy had its footprints in several countries including Pakistan, the UK, Australia, France, Italy and the UAE, the NIA said.

Also Read: NIA submits chargesheet in Ludhiana RSS leader Ravinder Gosains murder case

As part of the conspiracy, large amounts of funds were supplied through Italy, Australia and the UK to the perpetrators of the killings  Hardeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh.

These funds were used by them to purchase weapons for executing the killings and other logistics, it said.

The conspiracy included recruitment and training of Hardeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh in Italy, Dubai and the UAE, the agency said.

The NIA said while Singh is the permanent resident of Italy, Ramandeep Singh belongs to Ludhiana.

Both these persons were trained by one Gursharanbir Singh, a UK national. Another UK national, Jagtar Singh Johal, who has been arrested in the case, was involved in the funding of the conspiracy, it said.

The NIA said day-to-day coordination of the conspiracy was done by Pakistan-based Harmeet Singh alias PhD.

The chargesheets were based on the evidences collected from oral, documentary, material and electronic sources, it said.
To give a boost to high-end tourism in the scenic spots dotting Uttarakhands hilly landscape, the government will soon launch a scheme, under which 128 trekking routes and nearby mountain villages will be provided internet connectivity.

Of the six districts where the project will be launched, four are along Indias international borders with China and Nepal.

The six districts are Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar and Champavat. Barring Bageshwar and Rudraprayag, the rest are border districts.

Under the project, the 128 trekking routes in those six hill districts will be provided the WI-FI facility whereas people in all nearby villages will get internet connections, said Amit Sinha director, Information Technology Development Agency (ITDA).

He added that the twin online facilities will help serve several key objectives.

The initiative, he said, will help boost the high end tourism in the scenic but remote hilly areas giving a fillip to the locals income.

Besides, the internet connectivity to be provided to remote villages will open a number of self-employment opportunities like the online trading for the local youth, Sinha said.

The boost in the economy of the people in remote areas will help check forced migration from the hills, which would be the biggest advantage of that scheme, he said in an interview to HT.

The online facility will also double up as a lifeline for the locals as well as tourists and trekkers visiting the remote hilly areas during emergency situations like natural disasters.

The mountain state owing to its geological volatility is vulnerable to natural calamities like earthquakes, flash floods and landslides, Sinha said.

During such emergencies occurring in remote areas tourists often land in serious situations as they are not able to contact the agencies concerned for help in absence of the dependable communication facilities like Wi-Fi and internet.

The Wi-Fi and internet connectivity to be provided in the remote hilly areas along the trekking routes will help bridge that gap.

The online facilities will fill that difference as they will come in handy to tourists and the locals in emergency situations as they will be solar powered, Sinha said, adding that the equipment fitted atop towers will propel the Wi-Fi and internet connectivity.

The equipment will be kept in rugged casings so that they will remain unaffected by natural calamities and continue to propel the online facility

The internet connectivity, he said, would give a boost to tourism in remote villages benefiting the locals besides opening up several self employment opportunities for the youth.

Thats what we observed at Ghesh, a remote border village in Chamoli in the past about four months after its residents were provided the internet connections in March, Sinha said.

The online facility would help give a boost to tourism, especially homestay tourism in remote villages, which would soon be provided the internet facility.

We are planning to create separate portals for each household so that people in those remote villages could upload on their websites the homestay facilities they will provide, he said.

Tourists will be able to easily access those facilities besides getting their houses booked for homestays.

For the local youth, the official clarified, the facility will open the floodgates of self-employment opportunities through common service centres equipped with online facilities to be set up in the remote areas.

Through these centres the local youth may earn money by getting railway and air tickets booked for tourists or by facilitating online delivery of various documents like birth and death certificates to the locals.

The online facility would also help keep them updated on the happenings around the world, which would add to their knowledge.

Thanks to online facilities, they will also be able to access timely information about various government jobs and apply for them, Sinha said.

Besides, they can access online, the study material they need to prepare for various written tests and interviews they need to clear to land jobs.
A 15-year-old girl, whose dismembered body parts were found in a drain in outer Delhi a fortnight ago, was murdered for demanding her monthly salary, the police said on Sunday after arresting one of the killers from Nangloi.

The arrested accused was identified as Manjeet Karketa.

The killers had chopped the victim, identified as Soni Kumaris, body into at least 12 pieces after killing her.

The victim, a native of a village near Ranchi, was hired as a domestic help for a monthly salary of Rs 6,500, but did not receive a single penny for the three years that she worked in Delhi, said Rajender Singh Sagar, additional deputy commissioner of police (outer). She worked as a full-time help at a businessmans house in south Delhis East of Kailash area, said the officer.

The employer would pay the monthly salary, but the people who brought her to Delhi were pocketing the money, said the officer.

Police said four persons, including a woman who works as a domestic help and the arrested accused Manjeet Karketa, were involved in the girls murder. The alleged motive behind the murder emerged after police arrested one of the suspects from Jharkhand on Thursday.

The girls father had died many years ago. Kumari lived with her mother and two brothers in Malgo village in Jharkhands Ranchi district. Three years ago, she had been brought to Delhi with promises of a high-paying job, said the additional DCP.

The people who allegedly lured her to Delhi included Karketa, 30, and his associates Sahu and Gauri.

Police said the trio did not operate any formal placement agency, but would regularly bring girls from Jharkhand and get them employed as domestic helps in Delhi homes.

Kumari worked at a few homes in the city before being hired by a businessmans family in East of Kailash. But her monthly salary would be pocketed by the people who brought her to Delhi. Karketa would justify pocketing the money by telling her employer that he was Kumaris brother. It also helped prevent the girl from escaping, said an investigator.

After the first year in Delhi, Kumari had begun demanding that she be paid her dues, and that she be sent back to her home.

Over the past few weeks, she had become more persistent with her demand. Karketa and his associates owned her more than ?2 lakh. They also feared being reported to the police. So, the trio planned to kill Kumari and roped in a fourth partner, Rakesh, said the investigator.

On May 3, the suspects took her away from her employers home on the pretext of sending her back to her village. Instead, they brought her to a house in outer Delhis Nangloi.

The killers first hit her on her head. They then severed her neck before dismembering her limbs and torso. They packed her body parts into bags and dumped them into a drain in Mianwali, said the investigator.

When the body parts were discovered by a passerby the next day, police had a task at hand as they had to first identify the victim, before tracking down her killers. A CCTV camera had recorded two suspects carrying the body parts in a bag, but their faces were not clear.

So, the police photographed the victims head before launching a door-to-door search in Mianwali and neighbouring areas. We visited 2,500 homes and particularly focused on 200 houses before zeroing in on a house whose two occupants had been missing since the day of the murder. Neighbours were shown the girls photo and they confirmed that she was seen there on May 3, said the investigator.

Once the suspects were identified, police sent teams to Jharkhand villages to nab them. We searched 45 villages in Gumla and neighbouring areas before finding Karketas home, said the investigator. Karketa was finally nabbed on Thursday evening after police were tipped off that he would be visiting his rented home in Nangloi.
An Indian, who travelled over 10,000 km through 11 countries across central America  from Brazil to Mexico  in a month in order to enter the United States illegally in 2016, was deported back after he was caught staying there illegally.

He was handed over to the Delhi Police by the immigration department after he arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday.

According to the immigration department, the man was identified as Harpreet Singh, a resident of Punjabs Kapurthala district. Singh was detained during the early hours of Saturday after he arrived in Delhi by a United Airlines flight UA82 as a deportee, said an officer on the condition of anonymity.

The man took flight ET887 from the IGI Airport to Brazil on August 20, 2016, on a valid passport. Thereafter, he started his illegal journey to the US. Questioning revealed that after arriving in Brazil, Singh went to Bolivia where he contacted some associates of his travel agent, back in his hometown in Punjab. There he sought assistance to travel by road, north to the US, the officer said.

From Bolivia, Singh arrived in Lima, Peru. Thereafter he managed to reach Costa Rica passing through Ecuador, Columbia and Panama. From Costa Rica he entered Honduras and went to Guatemala and finally arrived in Mexico, the officer said.

From Mexico, he then managed to reach the US illegally on a boat. He took more than a month to complete this journey, he said.

Deputy commissioner of police (IGI Airport) Sanjay Bhatia said, When he was en-route to the US, his belongings along with his original passport were taken away by local miscreants. He then approached his agent in India who arranged a fake Indian passport for him. Singh also identified his agent as one Rana, a resident of Jalandhar in Punjab.

After reaching the US, Singh worked for 15 months at a department store in a town in the US state of Louisiana before being apprehended for staying there illegally, Bhatia said.

Police officials said the accused revealed that he sneaked into the United States illegally because he wanted US citizenship.

A case under sections 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using forged document or electronic record as genuine) and passport act, has been registered against the accused and he has been arrested, DCP Bhatia said.
The narcotics control bureau (NCB) has arrested a 25-year-old Brazillian woman with 106 capsules of cocaine in her stomach from Indira Gandhi international (IGI) airport.

According to Vishwa Vijay, superintendent of NCBs Delhi unit, the woman was caught on May 14 soon after she landed at the Delhi airport in a flight from Sao Paulo in Brazil based on prior information.

The 106 capsules weighing around 930 grams of pure South American cocaine and worth around Rs 6 crore were extracted from her body between May 14 and 20 by administering her laxatives at the Safdarjung Hospital, NCB officials said.

This is the highest number of capsules of cocaine extracted from any professional drugs swallower by the NCBs Delhi bureau, said Vijay.

NCB officials have refused to reveal the name of the arrested Brazilian woman.

The consignment of the cocaine was to be delivered to a Nigerian national in Delhi.

The woman told NCB officials that her handler in Sao Paulo had asked her to reach a hotel in Karol Bagh and stay there till further orders.

The Nigerian national, who had to accept the consignment, was supposed to meet her in the hotel. The woman was promised USD 5,000 for successfully delivering the consignment of cocaine, said a senior NCB official.

On Sunday, the woman was produced before a city court that sent her to Tihar jail. The NCB official said the Brazilian woman is a professional swallower of drugs and had visited India at least three times in the past.

Each time, she was travelling on a tourist Visa. Her passport details have shown that her last visit to Delhi was in February this year, said the official.

During interrogation, superintendent Vijay said the woman disclosed that she was brought into the drug trafficking trade by her second husband, who is a drug dealer based in Brazil. She had separated from her first husband a few years ago.

NCB officials said they have received some leads about the India-based members of this international drug syndicate. We are putting in efforts to identify and nab them, the official said.
The triumphalism on display from opposition parties of all hues over recent happenings in Karnataka can be attributed to the psychological and electoral dominance the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has had over them (with a few exceptions) since late 2013. The BJP wins from losing positions, so to see it lose from a winning one, something most people associated with other parties, including the Congress, is strange.

Understandably, given the rarity of such victories, the Opposition will likely treat this weeks swearing-in of HD Kumaraswamy as Karnataka chief minister as both a show of strength and an important get-together ahead of 2019.

Theres been a lot of talk in recent months of a Congress-led unified, multi-party front, and, separately, of a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front to take on the BJP in 2019.

The Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party seem to have already sewed up an alliance, with the former focusing on the Lok Sabha and the latter on the assembly, if the whispers coming out of Lucknow are any indication. Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Telangana Rashtra Samithi head and Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao have been trying to mobilise support for a united third front. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) seems to be over its internal differences and open to allying with parties of all shades to take down the BJP. It is a party whose influence and political relationships far exceed its electoral punching power. Indeed, with the exception of the TMC, it probably has a good equation with most regional parties.

The natural problem in any alternative front to the BJP is one of leadership. Just ahead of the election in Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi expressed his willingness to be prime minister, a move that immediately made him a rival to the BSPs Ms Mayawati and TMCs Ms Banerjee , both of whom entertain similar ambitions. By agreeing to be the minor partner in the alliance in Karnataka to the Janata Dal (Secular), despite having more than double the number of seats the latter has in the assembly, the Congress may have undone some of the damage wrought by this comment, but the larger leadership question remains unresolved.

Resolving that question ahead of 2019 will be key, but that will provide the BJP little comfort. By being the dominant force in Indian politics since 2013, the BJP has managed to become the common enemy. Its electoral successes since then have convinced most opposition parties that they do not have a chance on their own. In effect, it has created its own opposition.

Theres another important aspect about Karnataka  it has highlighted the fact that the BJP isnt invincible. The partys inability to form a government despite having the largest number of seats in the House is unlikely to have gone unnoticed.

The BJPs futile quest to form its 21st state government has made 2019 interesting.
The Rajasthan Board for Secondary Education (RBSE) declared the result of the Class 12 board science and commerce examinations on Wednesday, May 23. Minister of state for education Vasudev Devnani announced the result at the boards office. No merit list has been published this year.

Students can check their results by clicking here. Students can also check their result on the Boards official website: rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in

Earlier, RBSE secretary, Meghna Chudhary, had told HT on May 18 that the Rajasthan Board Result 2018 should be declared latest by May 21.

Meeting of our results announcing committee could not be held today [on Friday] because of some inevitable circumstances. So there will be a delay by a day or two, said Chudhary. The result was earlier expected to be out on May 19 (Saturday).

According to RBSE spokesperson Rajendra Gupta, the Rajasthan Board Results 2018 for Class 12 science and commerce stream will be announced first followed by humanities. He said the Rajasthan Board Results 2018 for Class 10 will be declared either in the last week of May or the first week of June.

Read More | RBSE Rajasthan 12th result will be delayed, says board official

The Class 12 exams were held at 5,507 centres across the state. More than 826,200 students enrolled for Class 12 exams and out of which 42,665 students registered in commerce stream, 246,254 in science and 5,37,359 in humanities.

The board identified 415 centres as sensitive and made elaborate security arrangements to stop students from cheating at these centres. It also installed close-circuit television or CCTV cameras and recorded the exams on camera.

Last year, 89.05% students out of the 565,930 candidates from the humanities stream cleared the Class 12 exam. Girls did better than boys as 91.35% were declared successful. Among the boys, 87.04% passed.

Girls also outscored boys in science and commerce streams with a pass percentage of 93.4 and 95.5 respectively. The pass percentage for boys was 90.03 and 89.45 respectively.

In the science stream, 229,351 students appeared in the exams and out of which 80.46% girls and 67.7% boys got the first division. Similarly, in commerce 46,877 students appeared in the exams and 71.48% girls and 44.59% got the first division.
Its been 50 years since Jil Sander founded her own fashion house as a plucky twenty-something in postwar Germany, creating modern, minimalist clothes that would go on to redefine the working womans wardrobe.

But although she took her last runway bow in 2013, fashions Queen of Less isnt resting on her laurels yet.

The 74-year-old recently delved into her archives for her first-ever solo exhibition in Frankfurt, a large-scale retrospective spanning the breadth of her career and an unexpected move by the publicity-shy designer.

I was positively surprised by the fact that many of the designs didnt seem dated to me, Sander told AFP in a rare interview by email.

The exhibition, whose six-month run ended this month, showcased everything from Sanders expertly tailored coats and dresses to her popular cosmetics line and artistic collaborations, highlighting her lasting impact on what is considered modern in fashion even today.

Matthias Wagner K, the director of Frankfurts Museum Angewandte Kunst (Museum of Applied Arts) who persuaded Sander to do the show, said the artist always had a knack for capturing the zeitgeist while staying true to herself.

To me, Jil Sander is one of the most important fashion designers of her generation, he said.

Drawing over 100,000 visitors, the Jil Sander: Present Tense exhibition has been one of the museums most successful to date and Wagner K is in talks to bring the show to Japan and the United States next.

Practical business woman

Just 24 years old when she created her label in her native Hamburg in 1968, Sander says it was her own need for elegant, no-nonsense business clothes that spurred her on.

In the 60s, as a woman, you couldnt find a decent pair of trousers. In order to be taken serious, I felt, I needed a less ornamented wardrobe.

Marvelling now at the naive confidence with which she built her brand, she says she was emboldened by the sense of renewal that swept through Germany in the decades after World War II, the hope that things could be constructed with the back to the past.

Perhaps ahead of her time, it wasnt until the 1980s and 1990s that her muted palette and menswear-inspired look really took off, turning the Jil Sander name into a global brand.

In 1999, Sander sold a controlling stake in her company to the Prada Group. Almost immediately, she fell out with her new bosses and famously quit soon after. She was wooed back in 2003 to boost disappointing sales, before walking out again the following year.

A Jil Sander store in Milan. (Shutterstock)

The company then changed hands twice, with current owner, Tokyo-based Onward Holdings, buying it for 167 million euros in 2008. Sander returned to the label in 2012 but stepped down for good three seasons later, citing personal reasons.

According to German media she wanted to be with her long-term partner Angelica Mommsen, who was battling cancer and died in 2014.

Sander says she still feels very connected to her eponymous brand despite no longer being professionally linked to it - likening it to rooting for the children after a divorce.

You want them to strive and be in a good place.

Reluctant feminist

Often hailed as a feminist icon for giving women a practical, feminine wardrobe that eschews overt sexiness, Sander herself demurs at the moniker.

I would hesitate to call myself a feminist, because my nature isnt militant. We should work together, Sander said, stressing that she never felt at a disadvantage to male colleagues.

Sander says she has been troubled by the accounts of sexual harassment and assault in the fashion industry that have emerged in the #MeToo era - setting her apart from compatriot Karl Lagerfeld who recently said he was fed up with the moaning.

It should be possible to deal respectfully with models, Sander said.

New projects

Despite retiring from her own brand, Sander isnt done nurturing her creative side.

My mind doesnt stop playing and experimenting with ideas, she said.

She continues to visit textile fairs and is still very much involved with contemporary art, a longtime source of inspiration.

And of course, she cant help but pay attention to what women are wearing today.

Im happy to see that overdressing is no longer popular, she said.

You dont need much grooming, knowing what works for you and employing pieces with great fit and comfort, no matter how basic, does a lot.

And while she made her name as a luxury designer, Sander insists quality doesnt have to be expensive.

The low-cost clothes she designed for high-street retailer Uniqlo between 2009 and 2011 are among her all-time favourites, and she still wears them.

But Im slowly getting desperate for new pieces.

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The royal wedding was seen as a moment of modernization for the royal family. It was a melding of cultures and, while still steeped in tradition, often broke from the expected. One such surprise was the brides wedding gown, the singular defining style the world was waiting to see. And it was no fairy tale princess dress.

Meghan Markle chose a simple, sculptural design by Givenchy that was absolutely elegant. Made of double bonded silk cady, it had a wide bateau neck just easing over the edge of each shoulder. It was topped by a five-meter-long veil of silk tulle trimmed in hand-embroidered flowers. The American brides flowing train heightened the drama as she strode past the friends, family and celebrities in attendance to meet Prince Harry in St. Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Other couture labels got shout-outs at the wedding as well, thanks to the star-studded guest list. Their entrances had all the buzz of a Hollywood red carpet. Serena Williams wore a pink Versace dress, Amal Clooney wore custom Stella McCartney, and Priyanka Chopra wore a grey suit from Vivienne Westwood. But Meghan was the star.

A royal wedding-stamp of approval means spectacular exposure for a fashion designer, given the familys powerful influence on fashion as representatives of sophistication and glamour. When Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, or Markle, her new sister-in-law, wear an outfit in public, its quickly dissected by the glossies and made shoppable for all thanks to an army of knockoffs. This massive commercial enterprise even applies to the clothing worn by the royal children, seen at the wedding Saturday trailing Markle down the aisle. Of course, all of these items often sell out in a hurry.

For designers, its not just money that flows from the sartorial choices of the royalstheres also recognition. In 2011, Kate Middleton wore a dress by Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen, when she tied the knot with Prince William. Burton won designer of the year accolades at that years British Fashion Awards and The Fashion Museum Bath declared her creation the dress of the year.

The newly married Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, leaving Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House, hosted by the Prince of Windsor. (REUTERS)

Rumors about what Markle would wear ran rampant in the months before the event, with tabloid and fashion magazine reports that she would don a number from London label Ralph & Russo, British designer Stella McCartney or storied fashion brand Burberry. Gamblers placed bets on whod end up designing the dress (the royals were expected to attract a total of $4 million in various bets this year). Vogue Paris told the to-be Duchess to listen up and suggested haute couture looks from Christian Dior, Chanel and Valentino.

Markles dress is now such a cultural focal point that even before the wedding copycats prepared to duplicate it. Los Angeles-based bridal brand Floravere announced in the run-up to the wedding that itd be designing its own remake of the gown immediately following the nuptials. Itll have a sample conjured in less than a week. Dresses will be available for purchase within six to eight weeks.

Fashion critics loved Markles choice of Givenchy. The New York Times Vanessa Friedman said it was everything people had hoped. The Washington Posts Robin Givhan pronounced it very chic.

After the ceremony, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex got in a carriage, waved to the throngs gathered as they rolled past, then returned to a lunch with their wedding guests of slow-roasted pork belly, fine wines and lemon elderflower cake. Traditionally, the royals eat fruit cake at their weddings. Yet another tradition set aside on a day that saw many discarded as the British monarchy continued its pivot into the 21st century.

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Seven state police jawans were killed on Sunday morning when Maoists allegedly blew up their vehicle with an improvised explosive device (IED) in Dantewada district, the police said. The Maoists also looted six automatic rifles of the police personnel after the blast and fled into the jungles.

The injured policeman has been airlifted to Raipur and his condition is said to be critical, the police said.

Special director general of police (anti-Naxal operations) DM Awasthi confirmed the deaths in Dantewada, adding that the Maoists targeted the team of state police jawans who were escorting a truck carrying material for road construction in the area.

For the last one year, construction of the Kirandul and Arangpur road was stopped but we have restarted it just a few days ago. The jawans were escorting a truck which was laden with building material when the Maoists targeted them at a culvert between Cholnar and Kirandul village, said Awasthi.

The Maoists have looted two Insas rifles, two SLRs and two AK-47 and other equipments from the spot, Awasthi added.

The jawans who were killed in the blast have been identified as Ram Kumar Yadav (head constable), Tikeshwar Dhruve (constable), Saligraam (assistant constable), Vikram Yadav (assistant constable), Rajesh Singh (constable ) and VIrendra Singh (constable).

In April, security forces had killed eight Maoists, including five women, in a forest in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur district. This followed a major operation in neighbouring Maharashtras Gadchiroli that left 39 rebels dead.

Following Sundays blast, joint operations to hunt down the Maoists in the area have been launched by the Sukma and Dantewada police.

I have given instructions to both Sukma and Dantewada SPs to start operations in the jungles after the incident. We are hoping for positive results in next few hours, claimed Awasthi.

(With inputs from agencies)
The ministries of home, defence and tourism have agreed, in principle, to open up restricted areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim for foreign tourists, tourism minister KJ Alphons said. A formal announcement to this effect will come only after consultation with the state governments involved that need to sign off on the plan.

On May 17, senior officials from the three ministries and the Intelligence Bureau met under the chairmanship of special secretary, Border Management, and unanimously agreed to open these areas for tourists.

At present, Arunachal Pradesh and some parts of Sikkim have restrictions on access and free movement of foreign tourists by way of permits such as Protected Areas Permit (PAP) and Restricted Areas Permit (RAP).

The only consideration before taking a final decision is to assess security concerns and tourism potential in consultation with the respective state governments, said Alphons, arguing that opening these areas will provide a huge boost to tourism in India.

He added: The removal of restrictions in these areas is a security-sensitive issue. So a common consensus is to involve state governments for setting up some kind of robust mechanism or lets say a standard operating procedure so that they can monitor the entry, exit and movement of foreign tourists.

The ministry of tourism has for long demanded the opening up of restricted areas in these states. It first got the home ministrys nod to do so on March 22, 2018 in the first meeting of senior government officials of the concerned ministries.

If this exercise is successful in North-Eastern states, we will consider opening up of (similar restricted) border areas in other states such as Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, said Alphons.

Tourism industry executives have hailed the governments initiative and cited the examples of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland which have witnessed a surge in foreign tourist influx after the home ministry lifted restrictions on January 1, 2011.

SK Mishra, former tourism secretary, said: In principle, I am in favour of the governments decision to open up Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim for tourism, but subject to security conditions. I think its also a sound decision to take the state governments view before arriving at a final decision.
Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh wants a dialogue with Maoists and believes most thorny issues can be resolved through development.

Talking to PTI a day before six Chhattisgarh Police personnel were killed and one injured when Maoists blew up their vehicle in Dantewada district, Singh said his government would be ready for talks with the Maoists if their leaders took take part in the meeting.

We are ready for a dialogue with the top leadership of the Maoists but it should include their politburo members. Only then can conclusive talks take place, he said.

Singh, who is touring the state under the aegis of Vikas Yatra, said the Centre and state government are making efforts to bring development to Maoist-affected areas.

Efforts were also on to strengthen communication networks in these areas and to bring people into the mainstream through development, he said.

National and state highways are being constructed which have led to a fall in Maoist activities, the chief minister said.

In the 2013 assembly elections, Singh said, The Congress had won more seats in Maoist-hit Bastar region but this time we will get much better results.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last month launched a phase of Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Scheme from Bijapur district of Bastar region.

The chief minister claimed there were no challenges before PM Modi because the artificial unity of the opposition parties would crumble due to their infighting.

No challenges appear to be there for PM Modi right now. The Congress is trying to exist in Karnataka with the help of crutches. Today, the opposition is displaying its artificial unity. This artificial unity will crumble due to infighting, Singh said.

The Congress has been restricted to just 10% area of the country and now appears to be a regional party, the CM said.

On the upcoming Chhattisgarh election, he said BJP president Amit Shah has given a target of 65 plus seats of the 91-seat Assembly to the party.

We have confidence over our development work. We will achieve the target and form a government for the fourth consecutive time in the state after the elections, he said.
A class 10 student was allegedly gang raped for three days in a jungle in Mandsaur district, while a minor girl was suspected to have been raped before she was murdered in Satna, the police said on Sunday.

In a third incident, a Bhopal woman preparing for civil services exam alleged that she was raped for two years by a man on the pretext of marriage, the police said.

The gang rape victim lived in a village of Mandsaur and had gone to her school to collect her mark sheet on May 15. On her way back home, she was offered a lift by two of her acquaintances on a bike. Later, three others joined them and took her to a jungle where she was gang raped for three days, according to the complaint filed with the police.

The girls parents lodged a missing person report with Seetamau police station on May 15 night, but the police, parents and their relatives could not locate the girl. She returned home on May 18 and narrated her ordeal to her parents.

Mandsaur superintendent of police Manoj Singh said all the five accused in the case had been arrested.

Additional superintendent of police Sunder Singh Kanesh said the first two accused who took the girl on their bike were Dashrath and Phul Singh, residents of the girls village. The three other accused who live in nearby villages were arrested later. Medical examination of the girl had been conducted and interrogation of the accused was going on.

In the Satna incident, the semi-naked body of a minor girl was found on the terrace of her house by her parents on Saturday night, the police said.

According to police, the 14-year-old girls parents were not at home when the incident happened. When they returned in the night they found the main door of the house open. They later found their daughters body on the terrace, wrapped in a bed-sheet and with only her upper garments.

Police suspect it to be a case of rape and murder. But Satna superintendent of police Rajesh Hingankar said the body had been sent for post-mortem and only after the report comes will they be able to say if the girl was raped before being murdered.

In Bhopal, a 27-year-old woman preparing for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination lodged a report with MP Nagar police station alleging that she was blackmailed and raped by one Rishabh Sahu for two years on the basis of an MMS. The accused had established physical relations with her on the pretext of marriage, but started blackmailing her with a video he surreptitiously made of their sex act, the police said. The accused is yet to be arrested.

Bhopal South superintendent of police Rahul Lodha said investigation was on and the accused was yet to be arrested.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday voiced the hope his talks with President Vladimir Putin would further strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia.

In a series of tweets -- in Russian and then in English -- on the eve of his visit to Russia, Modi said he looked forward to his meeting with Putin.

Greetings to the friendly people of Russia. I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him, Modi tweeted.

During their informal summit in the Russian city of Sochi on Monday, the two leaders will primarily focus on global and regional issues, including the impact of the US decision to withdraw from a nuclear deal with Iran.

Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia, Modi said in another tweet.

Official sources said the two leaders would meet for 4-6 hours for the agendaless talks where deliberations on bilateral issues were likely to be limited.

They said the issues on the table might include the economic impact on India and Russia in the wake of the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal, the situation in Afghanistan and Syria, the threat of terrorism and matters relating to the upcoming SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) and BRICS summits.

The sources said the possible impact of the US sanctions against Russia under the Countering Americas Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) on Indo-Russia defence cooperation may also figure during the talks between Modi and Putin.

India is not going to allow its defence engagement with Russia to be dictated by any other country, the sources said, adding New Delhi has been lobbying with the Trump administration on the issue.

The aim of the informal summit is to use the friendship and trust between the two countries to create convergence on key global and regional issues, the sources said.

The two leaders may also deliberate on extending the Indo-Russia civil nuclear cooperation to third countries, possible areas for cooperation for the International North-South Transport Corridor project, Indias engagement with the five-nation Eurasian Economic Union and the situation in the Korean peninsula.
The city police had to intervene after Congress party workers protested against members of a right-wing group that was celebrating the birth anniversary of Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, in a locality of Bhopal on Saturday evening.

Godses followers, led by PK Tiwari from the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha, assembled under the Veer Savarkar Setu at RRL triangular crossing. They garlanded Godses photo and started serving sharbat (sweetened drink) among passersby when a group of youth Congress workers led by state youth Congress spokesperson Krishna Ghadge reached there and objected to the celebration.

The youth Congress workers raised slogans for Mahatma Gandhi and against Nathuram Godse. They said they would not allow any function that celebrates the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi.

Later, a police team reached there and persuaded both sides to maintain harmony. The Hindu Mahasabha activists removed the table, photo, etc, from the spot and left the place.

Talking to media persons, Tiwari said they were celebrating Godse birth anniversary in a peaceful manner. It was the Congress workers who created a ruckus and disturbed the programme.

Ghadge said such a celebration was an insult to the Mahatma and they would not allow such functions in Madhya Pradesh.

In Gwalior, too, Mahasabha members celebrated Godse birth anniversary at their office on Saturday.

In November last year, the district administration had to intervene and remove a temple of Godse built inside the Mahasabha office by its members.
Cracks are appearing in the Naga Peoples Front (NPF) with its Manipur unit saying that it has no problems with the BJP-led Manipur government and will continue to be a part of it despite NPF president and former chief minister of Nagaland Shurhozelie Liezietsus diktat to withdraw support on Friday.

The Manipur unit of the NPF has said that it has not received any official communication from party president.

In another clear sign of division in the partys ranks, NPFs Manipur leaders also took part in Sundays North East Democratic Alliance or NEDA (the BJP-led umbrella of regional parties) conclave in Guwahati even as senior NPF leaders from Nagaland decided to stay away.

BJP president Amit Shah attended the conclave along with other senior leaders of regional parties, including Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, Manipurs N Biren Singh, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, Meghalayas chief minister Conrad Sangma, Biplab Deb from Tripura. Sikkim chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling didnt turn up at the conclave and deputed states lone MP Prem Das Ray.

We have read it in the papers. But there is no official communication, said Awangbow Newmai, who heads the NPF in Manipur and is one of the four NPF MLAs who have lent support to the N Biren Singh-led coalition government.

We have no problems with the Manipur government we will continue to be a part of it, Newmai insisted.

The BJP has 21 seats in the 60member house, the NPF and the National Peoples Party have four each. The LJP and Trinamool Congress have once each and there is one Independent MLA. The Congress is the largest party with 28 seats.

On Friday, Shurhozelie Liezietsu had said that there was no reason for the NPF Manipur to continue with the government.

The statement came after former chief minister and leader of the Opposition TR Zeliang, citing the political drama in Karnataka, came out against the Nagaland governor and asked why the NPF was not allowed to form the government even when it emerged as the single largest party with 26 MLAs. The Governor had invited the pre poll coalition of Neiphiu Rios NDPP and BJP with 30 MLAs to form the government. The coalition managed to cobble up the support of three other MLAs to take it past the majority mark.

Zeliang is expected to stake claim to form the government in Nagaland on Monday. We are busy with by-polls. But we will approach the governor on Monday and ask him to invite us to form the government since we are the single largest party, Sebastian Zumvu, NPF spokesperson said.

He also confirmed that the party president has asked the Manipur MLAs to withdraw support.

Asked if the NPF--which has been an ally of the BJP for the last 15 years till the recent Nagaland pollshas officially withdrawn from the NEDA, Zumvu says there is nothing official about it but effectively the party is out of NEDA.

He explained how the party is keeping a distance from the BJP and how NPFs lone member of Rajya Sabha KG Kenye recently requested the Chairman of the House to allot him a seat in the opposition benches.
The success of the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance in Karnataka in stopping the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emboldened the votaries of a united Opposition to take on the ruling party in 2019 and given regional parties hope that the Congress would be willing to play an important role without letting its ambitions come in the way.

Analysts, however, caution that the power balance between the Congress and non-Congress parties in each state will need to be negotiated carefully and a common message projected for any such grouping to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, an active proponent of the Federal Front, tweeted, soon after BJPs two-day chief minister BS Yeddyuruppas resigned: Democracy wins. Congratulations Karnataka. Congratulations Deve Gowdaji, Kumaraswamyji, Congress and others. Victory of the regional front.

The alliances CM candidate, HD Kumaraswamy, also spoke to her on the phone and invited her for the swearing-in ceremony on Monday, the Trinamool Congress president later said in another tweet.

Banerjees rival, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, who was among the leaders in touch with JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda and encouraged him to ally with the Congress, tweeted, The corrupt and criminal designs of the BJP have been defeated. This shows the Governors decision to invite the BJP to form a government was mala fide and against his constitutional mandate. Yechury has also advocated an understanding with the Congress within his own party.

Manoj Jha, Rajya Sabha MP from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), said there were significant takeaways from the Karnataka elections for parties that wanted to challenge the BJP.

The first message is that on the basis of vote share, the Congress and the dominant regional party of the state have to decide who will occupy the front line and who will occupy the second line in each state. The second lesson is that we need to offer an alternative programme. The third is that we must make elections issue-, and not personality-centred.

When asked if these lessons offered a model for 2019, Jha reiterated, The broad model is the player best positioned to take on BJP in a state has to do so. For instance, in Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan or Chhattisgarh, it is the Congress. But they must take into account civil society groups and social formations. In other states, it could be regional parties with Congress playing the supportive role.

This balance is what analysts flag on the issue of a Federal Front against the BJP.

Milan Vaishnav, political scientist at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said, This victory marks a turning point for the Congress only if it learns the right lesson: it needs the help of coalition allies. It must subordinate its own ego and standing in service of a larger good. This will likely not be a national enterprise, but a state-by-state one. Congress is not used to playing second fiddle. It must learn.

Sanjay Kumar of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies said the biggest takeaway from Karnataka is precisely the sign from the Congress to the rest of the Opposition parties that it is open to all adjustments to keep the BJP out.

This signal was missing in the past. There were instead indications they want to lead. What you see now is an energised opposition, and a strong desire among many of the constituents to form a coalition.

Zoya Hasan, a political scientist who has extensively studied the Congress, agreed. What I found significant is that the Congress was willing to accept Kumaraswamy as (Karnataka) chief minister.

This shows that the party is willing to stoop to conquer. In 2019, what the opposition will need is adjustment at the level of each state and then a post-poll alliance. I dont see a pan-India front at the pre-poll stage.

Rajya Sabha MP and head of BJP media cell, Anil Baluni said, We are already fighting in different states the parties who propose to form a federal front against the BJP. We are challenging Mamata in Bengal, Lalu Prasad in Bihar, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh. They do not have base outside their state. Do you think the TDP will go to Bengal or Lalu to Tamil Nadu? Such a front will not pose any challenge.
The Kumbh mela will start with the first shahi snan of Makar Sankranti on January 15 next year and conclude with the last bathing of Mahashivratri on March 4 here, making it a 49-day affair.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath along with office bearers of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) announced the dates of shahi snan on Saturday. It was the first time that a serving chief minister joined the ABAP office bearers in announcing the dates of the mega religious event. Usually Akhara Parishad office bearers announce the dates.

Adityanath along with ABAP president Mahant Narendragiri and general secretary Swami Harigiri announced the dates of Shahi Snan after an hour-long meeting with officials of Prayagraj Mela Authority and saints of different akharas in Circuit House in the evening.

According to the schedule, the second shahi snan will be on Mauni Amavasya on February 4 and the third on Basant Panchami on February 10.

The other three official bathing dates will fall on Paush Purnima on January 21, Maghi Purnima on February 19 and Mahasivratri on March 4. Earlier, the CM arrived from Lucknow at Police Lines helipad and reviewed the ongoing construction of 1.1 kilometre long flyover between Cariappa Dwar and Eklavya crossing.

Sadhus of Kriya Yog Akhara take out religious procession at the bank of Sangam ahead of Maha Kumbh Mela (festival), in Allahabad. (Arvind Yadav/Hindustan Times)

Adityanath directed officials of UP Bridge Corporation to complete the construction by November and ensure quality work. The UP Bridge Corporation had come under fire last week after a flyover under construction collapsed in Varanasi killing 15 people and injuring dozens of others.

Adityanath also reviewed ongoing work of widening of Nawab Yusuf road besides other preparations for the Kumbh mela at Fire Brigade and Bakshi Band crossings and at Sangam.

The CM later chaired a joint meeting of ABAP, office bearers of Prayagraj Mela Pradhikaran and senior administrative officials besides BJP MLAs at Circuit House.

Postal Department To Deploy Boats

Meanwhile, the Postal Department has decided to provide its services on boats to facilitate thousands of Kalpvasis who live an austere and minimalist life during the Kumbh mela.

Under the initiative, the postal department plans to install letter boxes on boats to collect letters from Kalpvasis camping in different sectors of the tent city during the mega religious event. The department will set up 12 temporary post offices in the mela kshetra for the convenience of millions of pilgrims arriving during Kumbh.

Officials feel that the arrangement will especially be helpful to thousands of Kalpvasis who will be camping in the tent city for more than one month during the Kumbh.

As thousands of devotees do Kalpvas for long one month to attain salvation during Kumbh, they hardly want to move from one place to another. They want to devote their time in meditation and other kind of religious activities. Under this arrangement, they can drop their letters in a much convenient way, saving precious time, said senior post master, General Post Office, Allahabad RN Yadav.

He said that there will also be one postman each deputed on boats to collect letters from Kalpvasis and guide them accordingly.
Weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modis informal summit with President Xi Jinping in the Chinese city of Wuhan to reset bilateral relations, the two countries are attempting to boost tourism and cultural ties

On May 9, tourism minister KJ Alphons attended a conference on tourism in Wuhan for delegates to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which also groups China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

Within a week, culture minister Mahesh Sharma, led an Indian delegation to attend a two-day meeting of ministers from the eight SCO member states in Sanya. Both ministers said they visited China on Modis instructions and planned to aggressively promote cultural and tourism ties with China.

I visited China under the Honble PMs instruction as it will be a major focus area to promote tourism, said Alphons.

Sharma said his visit was part of an initiative by the prime minister e to strengthen cultural relations between the two countries.

The Honble Prime Minister asked me to visit China and I am proud to say that all SCO member states gave a warm welcome to us, he said.

Modi and Xi met in late April for the informal summit aimed at resetting bilateral relations marred by a 73-day military standoff at the India-China-Bhutan trijunction in Doklam.The standoff was resolved through diplomatic channels.

Sharma said that the two countries have reached an agreement to increase cultural exchange programmes. I, with my Chinese counterpart, decided to increase cultural exchanges, shows and events... he said.

Around 850,000 Indian tourists visit China every year whereas only 280,000 Chinese travel to India. The Chinese tourists outbound traffic across the world is 122 million. If I can get 10% of that... its more than what we get from all over the world... said Alphons.
The Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) legislators will meet in Bengaluru on Sunday to chalk out the details of the alliance, a day after BJPs Yeddyurappa resigned as Karnataka chief minister after an emotional speech without facing the floor test in the assembly as the BJP fell short of numbers.

The post-election alliance of the JD(S) and Congress, which claims the support of 117 members, has already staked its claim to form the government and said it would be headed by Kumaraswamy, the son of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda. The new chief minister will take oath at Kanteerava stadium on May 23, tentatively between 12 noon and 1.50pm.

The incoming chief minister, who faces a delicate balancing act in allocating portfolios in his coalition government, may keep the finance portfolio with himself. People familiar with the matter said Congress leader G Parameshwara is likely to become the deputy chief minister and home minister, reports news agency ANI.

After a meeting with Congress leaders on Saturday, Kumaraswamy said they also discussed moving the confidence motion on May 24. He said a coordination committee would be formed to prepare a common minimum programme to implement the promises made by the two coalition partners.

Kumaraswamy was earlier expected to be sworn-in as chief minister on May 21. But the day being former prime minister Rajiv Gandhis death anniversary, the ceremony got pushed to May 23.

We are going to take oath on Wednesday as Monday is Rajiv Gandhis death anniversary. That is not a proper date. In the entire country, all the Congress workers will be attending death anniversary functions. Conducting oath taking ceremony at that time is not good. In the todays meeting we discussed about this only. On Monday, we will discuss about the oath ceremony, Kumaraswamy told ANI.

Kumaraswamy has invited various political leaders for his oath ceremony.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, and Telangana chief minister KC Rao congratulated me. Mayawati ji has also blessed me. I have invited all regional leaders for oath ceremony. Ive also invited Sonia Gandhi ji and Rahul Gandhi ji personally, he told reporters after meeting the Karnataka governor.

He said he would meet Sonia Gandhi and Rahul on May 21 to extend his gratitude to them. I will also discuss how many Congress and JD(S) MLAs will become ministers, said Kumaraswamy.

He also clarified that no discussion has taken place so far on the allocation of ministerial berths. Kumaraswamy termed reports on the power-sharing formula of 30 months each between the parties as bogus.

While making it clear that there have been no discussions yet on the portfolio allocation, Kumaraswamy requested the media not to create confusion among the public and MLAs with such speculative reports.

He also asserted that within 24 hours of taking oath, he would prove the majority on the floor of the House.

Mostly on Wednesday there will be oath-taking ceremony after that on Thursday we will complete the process of Speakers election and trust vote, he added.

Yeddyurappa resigned on Saturday without facing the floor test that was ordered by the Supreme Court on a petition by the Congress and JD(S) challenging governor Valas decision inviting Yeddyurappa to form the government and prove his majority in 15 days after election results were announced on Tuesday.

The Congress won 78 seats and the JD(S) 37. One seat went to JD(S) ally BSP, and the others to a local party and an independent. Voting was held on May 12 in 222 out of the states 224 seats.

(With agency inputs)
Former finance minister Yashwant Sinha on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not the issue, but the problems faced by the people of the country are.

Speaking during a media interaction, Sinha, who was in Chandigarh as part of nation-wide meetings of the National Forum or Rashtra Manch he floated along with actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, said, Farming and farmers are in a crisis and the countrys financial health is gloomy. Through the National Forum, we are raising these issues. We are not talking about personalities but just trying to tell what is wrong with the government.

Sinha quit the BJP in April this year.

Flanked by Shatrughan Sinha and former Union minister Harmohan Dhawan, Sinha added, In 2019, people will not vote on the basis of what Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi or Manmohan Singh had done, they will vote on basis of what the BJP government in last five years did.

He said all promises the BJP made before the 2014 polls have fallen flat and the next 11 months are very crucial for the Indian polity.

I can talk openly about the issues when out of party. Its not the BJP what it was before 2014. Its Narendra Modi government. The party is being run by just two persons, he said, in an oblique reference to Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah.

Responding to a query, Sinha said Pakistan had befooled India and they have been diplomatically clever. Pak-sponsored terrorism and cross-border firing continue despite the efforts by Modi.

As to which political leader would take on Modi during the 2019 general elections, Sinha said that leaders are not made but they evolve. Modi was a chief minister before becoming prime minister. There many capable chief ministers who potentially can be prime ministerial choices, he said.

Will not leave BJP: Shatrughan

BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha said he would not leave the party which he joined when it had just two MPs. But the party can leave me if they wish to. I will accept their diktat. I can work better within the party fold, he said.

Bitter over not having been invited to campaign in the Bihar assembly polls, the MP said, I was a star campaigner when I joined the party. But I was not allowed to go to Bihar for campaigning in the 2014 polls.

Why the BJP is not taking action against me? Its because theres nothing against me. Theres no allegation of corruption or misconduct, he said.

Will neither resign nor campaign for BJP: Dhawan

Former Union minister and senior BJP leader Harmohan Dhawan said he will neither resign from the party not campaign for it in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Dhawan said, In Chandigarh, I am not known by the BJP, but by my work for the city. I have been to jail 10 times in my 40 years political career. Its unfortunate that in the past four years, Chandigarh BJP leaders did not fulfil any promise, and now people are questioning us.
The NDA government has taken steps and will do its best to render justice to each and every family that has suffered during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, a senior BJP leader has said.

I stand before you to assure the community that we will do our best to render justice to each and every family that has suffered during those unfortunate years, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav said amidst applause from the few hundred Sikh Americans who had gathered in a Maryland suburb of Washington DC to celebrate Vaisakhi.

He said the NDA government has decided to go to any extent to punish the guilty in the crimes that were perpetrated against the Sikh community during the 1984 riots.

The Justice Dhingra Commission is actively looking into 186 serious cases of crime against the Sikh community in 1984, he said, noting that a number of FIRs have been filed again.

In fact, arrest warrants have been issued against the leaders who were in the forefront of this whole crime against the community, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a special message, said that observing the Vaisakhi festival abroad is a glowing sign of the traditions and the values that the Sikh community continues to cherish.

We are proud of the achievements of the Sikh community in North America, which has contributed significantly to the growth and prosperity in its adopted home. It is commendable that the community has also preserved its traditions and ethos, and is a living bridge with India, he said.

Madhav also said that Indian-Americans are playing a pivotal role in building Indias strategic ties with the US.

We are not just political, strategic allies, we are natural allies because we are two people who share a very strong bond between us, he said.

People of Indian origin who live in this country are an important pivot of this relationship. We value your contribution to strengthen this relationship, he said.
Even as Congress and its new alliance partner Janata Dal (Secular) continued to celebrate the fall of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Karnataka, which lasted just 55 hours, both parties have started hard bargaining behind the scenes on portfolios and power distribution.

JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, who will be leading the coalition as chief minister, declared on Sunday that there was no dissension within our party and all members had authorised him to take necessary steps for smooth formation of the government.

He said this after meeting his party legislators, who are camping at a leading hotel in Bengaluru. He also denied reports that the chief ministership would be rotated between the Congress and JD(S) or that any discussion had taken place on portfolio allocation. Kumaraswamy will take the oath of office as the 25th CM of Karnataka on May 23.

Kumaraswamy said he would be meeting with United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Monday to invite them for the swearing-in ceremony. Declaring that he would prove his majority within 24 hours of taking the oath, he said portfolio allocation would be decided after talks with senior Congress leaders. Kumaraswamy also said that no discussion had taken place with Congress on putting up a joint candidate against the BJP for the Jaynagara and RR Nagar seats, elections for which had been postponed.

Senior Congress leader and its leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjuna Kharge, said that his party had extended support to JD(S) to uphold constitutional principles and democracy. He also said that keeping everything in mind, there ought to be a policy of give and take.

There are already some demands within the local Congress leadership that the deputy chief ministership should be given to a person from northern Karnataka as Kumaraswamy has won from south Karnataka, where JD(S) got the maximum number of seats. Also, to ensure a caste balance, there is a demand for a Lingayat to be made deputy CM. Congress has 16 Lingayat MLAs and JD(S) 4.

JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy greets former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and his son Yathindra in Bengaluru. (PTI Photo)

The All-India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, whose president is senior Congress MLA Shamnur Shiva Shankrappa, has written to Kumaraswamy demanding that a Lingayat be made the deputy chief minister and adequate representation be given to the community in the new cabinet.

While Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President G Parameshwara, a Dalit, is being considered by the party as its likely deputy chief minister, other senior Lingayat leaders such as HK Patil and MB Patil from north Karnataka are also eyeing the post. The Congress is also believed to be asking for 20 of the maximum 34 ministerial berths possible, including the deputy chief ministership. Officially though, both parties maintain the stance that negotiations have not yet started and will be conducted smoothly.

Senior political analyst Mahadev Prakash said that bargaining for lucrative portfolios and for individual candidates was natural in a coalition. While JD(S) can make almost every third MLA from the party a minister, Congress, which has more legislators, will see more bargaining.

As reported on Saturday, a galaxy of national Opposition leaders are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government.
Guwahati: A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost out to the Congress-led alliance in Karnataka, party president Amit Shah slammed the grand old partys briefcase politics and claimed his party had brought development to the Northeast.

Earlier Northeast was lampooned for being corrupt. Congress governments were neck deep in corruption. Since BJP government came to power in Northeast states, from briefcase politics, it is now marching ahead on development politics, he said.

Shah listed how the Narendra Modi government at the Centre has worked for the Northeast. Modis mantra of sabka saath sabka vikas has ensured that Northeast has no place for secessionist powers, he said.

Shah also spoke about how Mizoram will be Congress-mukt soon and how the Congress leaders have amassed huge properties.

His comments came at the conclave of the BJP-led North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) in Guwahati which had six chief ministers, MPs, MLAs and representatives of regional parties, NDPP, NPP, Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF), Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), Ganashakti Party and others.

The umbrella alliance aims to win 21 out of 25 seats in the next Lok Sabha polls.

However, the NEDA has been affected by the strained relationships between BJP and the Naga Peoples Front (NPF) in Nagalanad and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in Assam.

While the former has distanced itself from the alliance after BJP formed the government with its new ally the National Democratic Progressive Party led by Neiphiu Rio, the AGP has threatened to withdraw support in Assam if the Centre continues to push the Citizenship (Amendment) bill.

However, during his address, Shah steered clear of these points of disagreement.

We have marched ahead even from the objective we set when we formed NEDA in 2016, he said.

In the last meeting in Delhi, one of the six resolutions adopted by this regional alliance said Congress-Mukt Northeast.

Shah then launched an attack on the Congress. Congress always saw the Northeast merely as a resource to cobble up a majority. But BJP, whether it was Atal Bihari Vajpayees government or Narendra Modis government, they have acknowledged Northeasts right. The rights which other states have on the countrys resources, Northeast should have more. This is what the BJP has done, shah said.

With Narendra Modis mantra, within a decade or two, the Northeast is going to be the biggest contributor to national growth, he said as he went on to narrate how the BJP government has been successful in securing the borders, be it infiltration from Bangladesh, weapons smuggling or encounters with militant groups in Myanmar.

During the conclave, AGP chief Atul Bora was quick to draw Shahs attention to the situation in Assam after protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) bill.

It is a danger to the identity of the local people. It will change the demography of Assam. And there cannot be any division on the basis of religion, Bora said in his address against the Bill which seeks to grant citizenship to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Nagalands chief minister Neiphiu Rio, Meghlayas Conrad Sangma, Tripuras Biplab Deb, Assams Sarbananda Sonowal, Manipurs N Biren Singh and Arunachal Pradeshs Pema Khandu attended the conclave.

Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling could not attend the conclave.

In an informal interaction with the leaders, issues of governance and how to make the implementation of schemes better came up. A source said nothing specific was discussed about the 2019 polls except how everyone needs to work hard.

Interestingly, according to this source, the Assam chief minister, Sarbananda Sonowal or the NEDA convener, Himanta Biswa Sarma did not bring up the burning issue of Citizenship (Amendment) bill which has led to widespread protests in the state.

The NEDA conclave venue saw protests by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), a farmers body opposing the bill.

KMSS leaders and supporters, who had appealed to the people to hoist black flags on houses and buildings, public places and vehicles, also protested near the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra where the conclave took place.

Police arrested KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi but released him later.

(With input from agencies)
The global fallout of US sanctions on Russia and Iran will dominate Prime Minister Narendra Modis informal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Sochi on Monday even as New Delhi will try to make its position clear that it would like Moscow to invest much more in the bilateral relationship with India rather than in Europe.

South Block officials familiar with the forthcoming Sochi dialogue told Hindustan Times that Prime Minister Modis focus will be to exchange notes with Russia, which, along with France, Germany and the European Union, wants to pursue the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran after the US walked out of the agreement and imposed sanctions on the West Asian country earlier this month.

The US has also imposed sanctions on Russia for its role in Syria and for allegedly trying to manipulate the US presidential elections, with Europe caught in the cleft stick.

Bilateral issues may also find a mention in Sochi with PM Modi looking towards an all-round relationship with Russia rather than merely a transactional one between a seller and buyer of military hardware. While India will continue to buy military equipment from Russia without any default on payments, the worry for India is Iranian crude imports as the trading currency under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JSPOA) with Iran is the US dollar. India had reduced oil imports to nearly 6% before JSPOA kicked in. Now, Indian imports of crude from Iran stand at 17% . Any wrong move, and oil prices will shoot up in India with serious domestic ramifications, say analysts. With elections due in 2019, the government would like to avoid that.

India has, meanwhile, allayed Russian concerns over its partnership with the US, with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval making no less than three visits to Moscow in the past two months and making it clear that both relationships are mutually exclusive and not interlinked. It has been conveyed to Russia that India has stood with Moscow through thick and thin in the past 70 years and has never objected to its close relationship with China. The only time when we object is when Russian military equipment is supplied to Pakistan directly or through third-party that is China. Our worry is that Russian equipment will be used against India by Pakistan and not by China as the latter would prefer dialogue rather than conflict with India. In fact, Chinas alliance with the US since the 1970s was aimed at the erstwhile Soviet Union and then its successor Russia. India has never been part of any such project to derail Russia, said a senior government official asking not to be identified.

Russias grouse with India is that it is directly buying military hardware from the US on the so-called G2G or government-togovernment route, while asking Moscow to participate in the tenders. Indias concern is that after the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia has focused its diplomatic energies towards Europe without any investment in relations with Delhi. This is despite PM Modis personal assurance to President Putin in their first meeting in 2014 that Russia would always remain a close ally of India. In fact, it was at this meeting the two decided to nominate NSA Doval and Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary, Security Council of Russia, as principal interlocutors because both have a common background in intelligence.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi has expressed anguish over the death of seven policemen in a Maoist attack in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh on Sunday.

The Maoists carried out a land mine blast around 12 noon to target a vehicle of the policemen. The intensity of the blast, which took place near a culvert, was strong enough to toss the vehicle in a roadside ditch.

The death of six jawans in the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh is extremely sad. My sympathies are with the bereaved family members, he said in a tweet.

Five personnel had died on the spot and two were rushed to the National Mineral Development Corporations hospital at Kirandul. One of them died during treatment at the hospital and another was airlifted to Raipur, where he died, officials said.

The Maoists had attacked a joint team of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and the District Force (DF) which was patrolling the Cholnar-Kirandul road to provide security to trucks carrying construction material for road works between Kirandul and Palnar villages, a senior police official said.
Joining issue with actor Rajinikanth over his comments on release of Cauvery water by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy on invited him to come to the state and see the situation for himself.

If there is water in Karnataka, it is possible for us to give them water. I request Rajinikanth, please come and see the situation in our dams, what has happened to our farmers. After seeing that, if you (Rajinikanth) still want water, lets discuss, Kumaraswamy said.

He was responding to a question about the reported statement by the actor-politician in Chennai asking the new government in Karnataka to release to Tamil Nadu its share of Cauvery river water as mandated by the Supreme Court verdict.

... on seeing the situation here, I think he (Rajinikanth) will change his stand, the JD(S) leader told reporters in Bengaluru.

Rajinikanth said on Sunday after a meeting

with the womens wing functionaries of Rajini Makkal Mandram (Rajini peoples forum) that the verdict of the Supreme Court on the Cauvery issue should be implemented in letter and spirit.

Asked what he felt the Congress-JD(S) coalition should do on the river water issue as the alliance would assume power shortly, he said, Whatever the Supreme Court has said must be implemented and it is their (Karnatakas) duty.

It is my humble opinion that it will be good if the control over the dams (in Karnataka) is with the (proposed) Cauvery authority, he said.

Kumaraswamy is set to take over as the Karnataka chief minister on May 23.

As the leader of Congress-JD(S) joint legislature party, he was on Saturday invited by Governor Vajubhai Vala to form the government, following the fall of three-day-old BJP government with the resignation of BS Yeddyurappa as chief minister.
A Russian man was apprehended at the Delhi airport on Sunday after an Indian woman alleged that he had masturbated sitting beside her on board a flight from Istanbul, officials said.

The security control room at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) was informed in the early hours on Sunday that there was an unruly passenger on board a Turkish airline flight approaching Delhi.

Personnel of the CISF, which guards the airport, reached the flight (TK-716) upon landing and were informed that the woman had, in the meantime, made a distress call to Delhi Police alleging sexual harassment by a co-passenger.

It was learnt that the male passenger, a Russian, was sitting next to the woman in the flight and allegedly unzipped his trouser and started masturbating in front of her, a senior official said.

When the woman complained to the cabin crew, the male passenger was shifted to another seat, he said.

The man was later handed over to the Delhi Police, which also reached the Terminal-III area of the airport. He has been booked under section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of IPC, police said.
More than 18 months after he crossed the line of control (LoC) into Pakistan and was captured, Indian soldier sepoy Chandu Chavan has expressed his desire to quit the Indian Army.

Chavan, who is now under observation in the psychiatry ward at Military Hospital, Khadki, has written a letter to his seniors seeking a premature discharge from duties, multiple sources said.

The 24-year-old had strayed into Pakistan on September 29, 2016, the day India conducted surgical strikes on the terror launch pads across the LoC. The strikes were in retaliation to an attack by suspected Pakistani militants on a camp in Uri that killed 19 soldiers 11 days earlier.

Four months later, Chavan was handed over to India.

After returning to India, Chavan faced a court of inquiry and served a sentence for leaving camp with weapons while not informing superiors. Later, he was sent to the Armoured Corps Centre and School, Ahmednagar.

Around three weeks ago, Chavan was sent to the Military hospital by his unit, citing that he needs to be observed for some days for behavioural issues.

From the hospital, Chavan wrote a letter to his seniors seeking discharge from his duties.

I have been here at the Military Hospitals psychiatry ward since the last 20 days. Three days ago, I wrote letters to my seniors requesting them to relieve me from duty as it has become very taxing for me after whatever happened some time ago, Chavan said, referring to his captivity under the Pakistan Army.

According to Chavan, he would like to lead a normal life once he gets relieved from the Army.

An email to the defence PRO seeking response on Chavans letter went unanswered, while an official from the Southern Command headquarters said she would need time to get back with details.

Sources at the Military Hospital said Chavan underwent some tests, the reports of which were normal and he would be discharged in a day or two.

After his return from Pakistan, Chavan, who hails from Bohrivir village of Dhule district, looked incoherent. After his return, he served in Jammu and Kashmir and was later sentenced for 89 days as a part of disciplinary action for his mistake.
On Tuesday evening, hours after the results to the Karnataka assembly were announced, and two days before the swearing in of BS Yeddyurappa as the chief minister of Karnataka, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary was dismissive of the chances of the post-poll Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance and said: The Karnataka chapter is over. We make a government with two MLAs; you think we wont be able to make it with 104 MLAs. It is time to focus on the next election.

On Saturday evening, a few hours after Yeddyurappas resignation on the floor of the house, another BJP leader closely involved with the partys Karnataka affairs, said, Things did not work out. We tried but failed in getting the numbers.

In that journey from Tuesday to Saturday lies the BJPs political failure in Karnataka, despite achieving relative electoral success. Conversations with a set of BJP functionaries and associates, all of whom wished to remain anonymous, reveal multiple layers of miscalculations.

For one, the BJP never thought that the Congress and the JD(S) would come together so quickly. We had begun celebrating. The mandate was clearly against the Congress. In fact, we were cheering when the JD(S) was doing well in the Vokkaliga belt, because it meant a dip in Congress seats. We hadnt thought that the Congress would so quickly offer chief ministership to HD Kumaraswamy, said the first BJP leader.

But despite the alliance, the BJP felt that it had a natural claim to power. Two views are visible in the party on this issue in retrospect. The leader quoted above said with 104 seats, it was the BJPs responsibility to demand that popular mandate be respected, and this was a party which did not cede power. We felt we would easily get the numbers. How could we not stake claim? But a second functionary said, Maybe we should have let Congress and JD S) form the government and told people from day one that we had been cheated. That was the second mistake.

The third setback for the BJP was the Congresss decision to legally challenge governor Vajubhai Valas invitation to Yeddyuruppa and Chief Justice of India Dipak Mishras decision to constitute a bench for an urgent hearing. We were happy that the swearing-in was not held back. But the legal challenge was the turning point because eventually the SC gave us only a day (to prove our majority). One day was just not enough to win over enough MLAs from the other side, especially when they were inaccessible, said a second BJP leader.

The fourth miscalculation was that the party severely underestimated the Congress. We did not think that the Congress would be able to keep its MLAs together, that they would keep them in locations where we could not reach them. The Congress was able to convince its flock that they will form the government. That confidence helped them retain support. In other states, we have often been able to play on this inevitability that we will form the government, the second leader added.

The BJP also hoped that once Yeddyurappa had been sworn in as chief minister he could, with the help of the Lingayat mutt leaders in the state, be able to convince Lingayat members of the Congress to switch. That never happened. Meanwhile, it seemed as if everyone in the BJP who had a connection to someone in the Congress was reaching out; the Congress released a rash of audio recordings, purportedly of these discussions in progress, although the authenticity of these needs to be established.

It was this mix of factors -- the failure to anticipate and prevent a Congress-JD(S) alliance; the decision to stake claim despite not having the majority; the challenge of preserving their own set of MLAs while winning over opposition MLAs within 48 hours; and the inability to do so despite incentives -- that finally convinced the party leadership that the battle was lost.

But the BJP believes that despite losing the battle, it may still win the 2019 war in the state. The message is straightforward. We have been cheated. Peoples wishes have been subverted. This is a fragile government. We will be a very strong opposition. The aim is a sweep in the Lok Sabha now, said the second functionary. The setback for now however is real. Does it mark the end of the perception of its invincibility?

Sanjay Kumar of the Centre for Study of Developing Societies said, Karnataka does not mark the end of the notion that BJP is electorally invincible but it marks the end of the notion that irrespective of whether they win or lose, they will form the government. The whole idea, Kumar argued, that by using money and power, you could win MLAs has received a jolt. They couldnt correctly assess the mood of the electorate, which may not question the credibility of the PM or the functioning of the government but does not like the high-handedness and these tactical short cuts that the party adopts to win power at all costs. This was their miscalculation.

Milan Vaishnav, political scientist at the Carnegie Endowment for International?Peace, said, Anytime you fail to form the government, it is a setback. The BJP has reason to be pleased with its performance: it significantly improved on its 2013 showing. However, despite calling on myriad levers of power, it could not win the necessary numbers. In its quest for power, it also compromised its integrity. Is the party with a difference just a different party? He added the invincibility of the BJP has been punctured before, in Delhi, Bihar, and the UP bypolls. But the timing of this setback could not be worse as the pivot to the general election has begun.
The Tripura government will introduce 10% quota for women at all levels in the police department to combat crime against women and other vulnerable sections. Women currently have 5% representation in the state police against a national figure of 7.28%.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs had asked all the state governments to introduce reservation for women in police after 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape case in Delhi.

Initially, we will start with 10% reservation to fight crime against women. We may hike it later depending on the feedback, law minister Ratan Lal Nath said after cabinet meeting on Saturday.

According to National Crime records Bureau (NCRB) Tripura ranked 14 in crimes against women in 2016. The BJP had made womens safety an election campaign issue earlier this year.

The government also declared of fresh recruitment policy for all departments by making written test mandatory for recruitment. Recruitment ranging from Group D to Group A would be based on written test. In some cases, 10% marks would be for an interview that would be video-graphed. The decision was taken to ensure transparency and avoid recommendations of influential people, said the Law Minister.

Deputy chief minister Jishnu Dev Varma in his last interaction at BJP party headquarters few days ago said that the revised recruitment rules would be decided in the cabinet.

BJP welcomed the decisions saying that the governments decisions are pro-people.

The government has fulfilled the pre-poll promise by introducing new recruitment policy with the provision of written test. Finally, the nepotism prevailed since the erstwhile government will come to an end. Also, women reservation in police force is encouraged, BJP spokesperson Mrinal Kanti Deb.

The CPM denied the allegation of nepotism and said the poor people would not be benefited from the new revised policy.

The Left government had given preference while recruiting women in police service. Secondly, the new recruitment policy would be helpful for the rich people as a large section of BPL people cant fight their economic crisis through it, said CPM central committee leader Goutam Das.
Union health minister JP Nadda on Sunday directed the director of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to visit Keralas Kozhikode district to assist the state government in the wake of deaths of eight people due to an unknown virus there.

Reviewed the situation of deaths related to nipah virus in Kerala with secretary, health. I have directed director, NCDC to visit the district and initiate required steps as warranted by the protocol for the disease in consultation with the state government, Nadda said in a tweet.

Reviewed the situation of deaths related to nipah virus in Kerala with Secreatry Health. I have directed Director NCDC to visit the district and initiate required steps as warranted by the protocol for the disease in consultation with state government.  Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) May 20, 2018

The Kerala government on Sunday urged the Centre to rush a team of experts after panic gripped many areas of the northern part of the state following the death of eight people in Perambra in Kozhikode district in the last two weeks after they were infected with an unknown virus.

An official of the health department said eight people are critical while 25 others are under observation. Kerala health minister KK Shailaja on Sunday said the cause of death remains to be ascertained, and urged people not to spread false news about a rare virus being responsible.

The samples of the infected have been collected and sent to the National Institute of Virology (in Pune). We are expecting results in a couple of days.

The health department has opened an isolation ward in Kozhikode medical college and hospital, and formed a task force headed by district collector UV Jose. The state government has also cancelled the leaves of the doctors and the paramedical staff, and has sought help from the private hospitals.

Among those undergoing treatment are a nurse who attended to one of the deceased and four other family members. Of the dead, three belong to a family  Mohammed Sadik, 26; his brother Mohamed Saliah, 28; and their paternal aunt Mariumma, 50. Three others of a family, who were on ventilators and who have not been identified yet, died on Sunday, officials said.

Virology experts from Manipal and Apollo hospitals have visited the area and collected blood samples of those affected.

An official has been deputed to prepare a list of those who interacted with the deceased and keep them under observation.

Meanwhile, doctors suspect it may be viral encephalitis-induced myocarditis (a disease marked by inflammation and damage of the heart muscle). But they are not sure about how the virus spread, and suspect it could have through birds or animals. People have been advised not to eat fruits and other food items bitten by birds or animals.

(With PTI inputs)
Withdrawal of cases pertaining to the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots is turning out to be a major poll plank in the Kairana by-election scheduled for May 28. Almost all political parties are promising relief from the numerous false cases registered in the aftermath of the riots.

After Samajwadi Party MLA Nahid Hasan, now Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Ajit Singh has assured people that he would take up the responsibility of withdrawing cases by facilitating dialogue between the affected communities.

He also said that such a step would be possible only if people showed their trust on the methods adopted by his father and former prime minister Charan Singh who worked tirelessly to strengthen relations among different castes and communities.

Singhs remarks are seen by political pundits as an effort to revive the partys sagging equation with Jats and Muslims.

Kairana has over five lakh Muslims, two lakh Jats and two lakh Dalits. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, a sizeable Jat population had voted for the BJP, resulting in embarrassing defeats for Singh and his son Jayant Choudhary who contested from Baghpat and Mathura, respectively. Now, RLD leaders are trying to win back their traditional vote bank of Jats.

As many as 6,879 people were named in riot cases but the special investigation team dropped charges against 5,172 people.

Responding to the RLD chiefs accusation that the Bharatiya Janata Party was lying to public about withdrawing riot cases, BJP leader and former minister Sanjeev Balyan, himself an accused, said that many of the accused were out on bail. As many as 1,479 people are out of prison, with the exception of Sansar Singh of Mohammadpur Rai village, he said Saturday.

Baliyan also claimed that the process of withdrawing 114 cases was underway, and reports from local administrations in 49 cases had already been received.

Reports were summoned from respective district administrations after a delegation of Khap, led by me, called upon chief minister Adityanath a few months ago, he said, adding that the BJP wanted the cases withdrawn for restoration of peace and harmony in the area.
A woman in West Bengals West Midnapore district was allegedly assaulted and forced to walk around the village wearing a garland of shoes by Trinamool activists for purportedly protesting against the party during the May 14 panchayat elections.

Even as district party leaders promised to take action against those found guilty, the local workers who had committed the act remained unrepentant and threatened to punish those who acted against the party.

The woman, in her thirties, is the wife of a former Trinamool Congress member of the Kankabati gram panchayat.

She had protested against booth capturing in her Bagdubi village by Trinamool activists on the polling day and had asked them to fight elections democratically.

However, she said it made them think that I was supporting the independent candidate.

The independent candidate, Sikha Paria went on to win a seat in the panchayat, which also saw Trinamool getting 11 seats and BJP 4.

Angry Trinamool activists allegedly called her to the party office in the village and punished her by abusing her and making her wear a garland of shoes and walk around the village. They also assaulted her and forced her to do sit-ups holding her ears, she told media persons.

It is also alleged that Asish Patra, the booth president of the area, was present at the spot while she was humiliated. However, he claimed that no such incident had happened.

But the others, who were there then, were unrepentant. She had insulted the party leaders and we will not spare if any one dares to do such, said a Trinamool activist.

The woman has not yet filed a complaint with the police out of fear. District BJP president Samit Das has offered support in taking legal action against the accused.

Villagers who were disgusted by the act did not dare to protest out of fear.

The incident happened on Friday afternoon and came to light on Saturday, triggering a wave of criticisms against Trinamool on social media.

After being informed about the incident, I have asked the local leadership to give me a detailed report. We are looking into the matter and we will not spare the offenders, said Ajit Maity, president of West Midnapore district Trinamool Congress committee.

The woman said her actions were mistaken and hence I was ridiculed in such a manner.

Her husband said they were supporters of Trinamool Congress, but were apprehensive of continuing with the party after this incident.

BJP and Congress said the Trinamool activists had crossed all limits.

During nomination, the state had seen that the women were not spared by the Trinamool Congress activists and in many places the women were beaten up. But what had happened at Bagdudi had crossed all limits. The administration should take strong steps against those who had humiliated her, Arup Das, a BJP leader in Midnapore said.

It is a matter of great shame. Trinamool Congress did not even think before insulting a woman in such a way, said Anil Sikaria, a district Congress leader.
The agriculture department is trying to introduce production of Chia seeds in the state to boost farmers income.

Chia seed, a costly crop, is also known as runners or warriors food due to its high nutritional value. The seeds, which are full of fibre, magnesium, potassium, iron and are low in fat and are popular in Mexico.

Now, the agriculture department is cultivating the crop at both places in the state to see the results.

Agriculture and animal husbandry minister Prabhulal Saini said, The agriculture department has cultivated Chia seeds on one-hectare land area at the Agriculture University in Jodhpur and Center of Excellence (CoE) for Guava in Tonk district during the Rabi season.

He said that eight varieties of Chia seeds have been cultivated each at both the places. Since Chia seeds are a high-value crop (with rates as high as Rs 1 lakh per quintal), its cultivation can significantly increase the income of our farmers.

Speaking about the nutritional value of Chia seeds, Saini said, Chia is known for its nutritious value since it is also known as warrior crop or runners food. He said that Chia seed has the potential to help cure 13 types of diseases, including obesity, cancer, stress and bone diseases.

Chia has several kinds of vitamin, including Vitamin A, B, C, D. It also contains Omega 3 plus anti-oxidant.

The minister said that the results of the chia cultivation will be analysed after which it will be introduced in the state.

He said that Rajasthan has already cultivated another cash crop, Quinoa, in the state.
Starting next week, flights from Ajmers Kishangarh airport will be operating under the regional air connectivity scheme, UDAN, a top official said on Friday.

Under the new aviation policy of Centre, the regional connectivity scheme, UDAN, has been launched, where Rajasthan was the first state to sign a memorandum of understanding, said state director of civil aviation Kesari Singh.

UDAN or ude desh ka aam naagrik, aims to connect un-served and underserved airports across the country. Rajasthan has 18 state-owned airfields apart from the airports owned by the Airports Authority of India, defence airfields and private airstrips, Singh said.

Across the country a number tourist regions have been identified for air connectivity and in Rajasthan-- Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Uttarlai (Barmer) and Kishangarh--were identified, he said.

Flights between Delhi- Jaipur- Bikaner has started with Alliance airlines and SpiceJet has started operating between Jaisalmer and Jaipur. Flights from Kishangarh will be operational by next week and by the year end from Barmer by Zoom Airlines.

Singh further said that the state government is providing land, security, inter-land connectivity, ambulance and fire services at the airports.

The air services are and will be provided at affordable fares between  1,500 and 2,500.

Sources in the state civil aviation department said everything is set and time has been sought from the chief minister for inaugurate the flight, which probably will be next week.

Meanwhile, the Kota-Delhi flight, launched on April 11, was discontinued a couple days later on April 14, and the flights still remain suspended.

Kota airport officials said the low-cost airline that was operating the flights, had not obtained the mandatory clearances from the Airports Authority of India.

The Vasundhara Raje government has ambitious plans to start air services connecting all major heritage properties, forts and palaces through air connectivity in all the districts of the states.

The government is working on plans to upgrade the existing airstrips to boost air connectivity, which include strengthening, extension and licensing of state-owned airstrips to make them compatible for operation of regular commercial flights.

Sources in the aviation department said flights from Sri Ganganagar are also under consideration.
In a joint operation, the Border Security Force, the intelligence unit of Rajasthan police and the Sriganganagar police arrested three people from PunjabsTarantaran district for their alleged involvement in smuggling in the border area.

The accused have been identified as Jasvindra Singh alias Sonu, Jagraj Singh alias Billa and Ratanbeer Singh alias Ratan. The joint team also recovered two sophisticated pistols and two cartridges.

SP Harendra Mahavar said the team was working on some input and following the leads the arrests were made. The police are expecting a big breakthrough in the coming time.

Police sources said in February 2017, the Gajsinghpur police recovered two packets (1 Kg each) of unclaimed heroin on the Zero line near 5 FD post of BFS between India and Pakistan border. The mystery is unsolved till today.

Sources said that the pistols recovered from the accused are advanced and expensive products of China. The team also discovered that the smugglers have developed an ingenious technique of delivering weapons and drugs between the border fencing. Sources confirmed that the police have recovered a pipe that is 10 feet long and is 4 inches in diameter.

Sources said the smugglers used to insert the pipe between fencing and exchange the contraband arms and drugs through the pipe. According to the police sources, the BSF observed some activity near Naggi post on India-Pakistan border and found footmarks.

The incident was reported to Karanpur police station and the police registered a case under section 3/6 of passport act and 13/14 foreigners act.

Jitendra Nangal, deputy commandant of BSF G branch in Sriganganagar said, Our teams are working on different clues and the outcome of the interrogation. We are also gathering information and confirming the facts.

BSF officers said although the border is well fenced and properly guarded, the stretch is too large to totally eliminate illegal activities.
Could a Ramzan fast be broken if the rozedar dyed hair or took an injection during the fast?

Can one observe fast and offer namaz with an open wound?

These are some of the many queries flooding the Ramzan helplines in Uttar Pradesh .

Colouring hair has nothing to do with the intestine or the food pipe. And injected medicines are fine as along as they dont enter the digestive track, explained Sunni cleric maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali to the caller concerned. But no sooner did he keep his phone down, than it buzzed again.

Launched on Friday (May 18), the Ramzan helpline for Sunni Muslims has received many calls .

People want to know the minutest of details, such as, if the iftari (evening meal) ritual could be performed by taking medicines! The imam of Aishbagh Eidgah patiently explained to the caller, Iftari is best done through dates. If dates are not there, you can use water. And if water is also not available, then you can use whatever edibles you have.

Another rozedar called up to inquire if he could observe fast and offer namaz with an open wound. The maulana said that while the wound would not affect fasting, the rozedar should make sure to offer namaz only after performing wazu (ablutions).

The situation is no different at the Shia helpline, which is also deluged with queries -- many of them of peculiar nature. Shia cleric maulana Saif Abbas said a caller asked him if a person snatched someone elses water in haste to perform wazu, would the ablutions be considered genuine! Speaking to HT, he said, I told him that it wouldnt be right, as the water should be taken only with the owners permission.

Another caller, he said, asked him if a rozedar consumed edibles by mistake, would that result in the fast becoming void? My answer was that if it was done by mistake, then the roza would not be considered void, he said.

The Ramzan helplines have been launched to assist rozedars and address all their queries.

The helpline for Shias is 9335280700, and the helplines for Sunnis, launched by maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, are 9335929670, 7007705774 and 9415102947.
Home buyers are disappointed with the Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UPRERA), which they say, has failed to protect their interests and ensure developers accountability.

In the absence of a full-time chairman and members, the real estate watchdog lacks the teeth to get its orders implemented.

Consequently, whatever orders have been passed by the authority have been challenged in court by erring developers, who continue to exploit legal loopholes.

Experts say UPRERA is not a priority of the state government due to which its implementation has remained sluggish and flawed, a year after it was set up in UP.

Principal secretary, housing, continues to be the interim chairman of UPRERA. He has delegated most of his powers to vice-chairmen of development authorities and secretary of the authority. It is a sorry state of affairs, said an official associated with the office of the chairman.

It has been years since I booked a flat with a developer. I lodged a complaint with UPRERA in October last year. But forget any relief, all I have got so far are dates from the regulator as the case lingers on, said Arvind Kumar, a resident of Jankipuram Colony on Sitapur Road.

He said even if the regulator passes an order, the realtor says it would have no legal implications, as only an officer of district judge level is authorised to deal with such complaints, as per the Act.

Kumar is not alone. Hundreds of harried home buyers are facing a similar situation.

When I booked a flat with this same developer in Lucknow, I was assured of possession in three years. But eight years have passed and not a single brick has been laid at the site by the realtor, said Ruchi G.

An erring developer went to the extent of blaming the delay in project delivery to economic slowdown and demonetisation. The economic slowdown and demonetisation have severely hit the real estate industry, which is passing through its toughest time. Considering the conditions, the respondent (developer) is entitled for extension of time, pleaded the builders lawyer before the regulator.

A senior UPRERA official, requesting anonymity, said they had delivered verdicts in more than 200 cases out of the 1,500 complaints.

Lucknow figured third on the number of complaints made with the authority, with Noida and Ghaziabad occupying first and second slot.

Only last week, we issued recovery challans against five developers, four of Gautam Buddh Nagar and one in Ghaziabad after they failed to comply with the authoritys order, he said.

But with the realtors challenging the very authority of the chairman of UPRERA, who they say, cannot delegate his powers to his subordinates and plans to move court on the issue, such orders are unlikely to provide any succour to home buyers.

Home buyers allege that a full-fledged UPRERA is not a priority for the UP government despite the promise made by UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath to protect their interest.

The officer quoted above admitted that they were bogged down with the surfeit of complaints in the absence of proper office, staff and infrastructure.

In July, the state government had invited applications from both retired and serving officers for appointing chairman of UPRERA and its members. We got 13 applications for the post of chairman and 37 for the post of members, said an official associated with the selection process.

The selection panel, he said, was headed by chief justice of Allahabad high court, who would recommend names of two candidates to the UP CM, of which one of them would be appointed as the chairman of the authority.
A conch shell, which the 18th century ruler of Mysore Tipu Sultan is said have blown to signal at the beginning or end of a battle, has now become a big draw for visitors at Bharat Kala Bhavan, a museum at Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

The conch shell was exhibited in the central hall of the museum on the occasion of International Museum Day on May 18 (Friday).

Bharat Kala Bhavan director, Professor AK Singh said, Preserved at the Bharat Kala Bhavan, this conch shell is of the late 18th century. It is 15 inches long and 10 inches high. Tipu Sultan used to blow this conch shell before the beginning and the end of a battle.

As visitors came to know about the artifacts association with Tipu Sultan, who offered stiff resistance to the British, they expressed keenness to know more about it.

Dr RP Singh, a consultant at Bharat Kala Bhavan, said: This is a unique conch shell. It is comparatively big. It has been preserved in a transparent glass box on a table. According to information available, it remained in possession of one of the trusted commanders of Tipu Sultan.

People with Tipu Sultans conch shell at Bharat Kala Bhavan in Varanasi on Saturday (HT Photo)

Following the huge public interest in the conch shell, Bharat Kala Bhavan has decided to make it a permanent exhibit.

It is exhibited at the central hall for few days at Central Hall. But we have decided to exhibit it permanently in a gallery of the museum so that the visitors may see it, Dr RP Singh said.

Tipu Sultans military commanders carried the conch shell and presented it him as and when required. The conch shell remained in the Mysore rulers possession till his death.

Dr Singh said Shah Vanshavali, a history book published in 1969, mentioned that after Tipu was killed in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore war in 1799, Lord Cornwallis presented his conch shell, a sword, a dagger and a cymbal to Shah Manohar Das, a supplier of rations to the East India Company. Cornwallis provided these articles to Das as he was impressed with his services to the company.

Dr Singh said Rai Krishnadas, one of the founders of Bharat Kala Bhavan, later received the conch shell from the descendants of Shah in the early 1960s.

It was registered in the museum on November 22, 1994. Before that too, it was preserved unnumbered at Bharat Kala Bhavan and hence not many knew about it.

The tradition of blowing conch shell began during Mahabharat era. Shankhnad or blowing conch shell was a common practice that was followed by rulers in different parts of India. When the Mughals established their rule in India, they used a trumpet (turahi) to signal the beginning of a battle. Tipu Sultan, however, used conch shell as he was an Indian and knew Indian traditions, said Professor Rajiv Srivastava of BHU.

Tipu Sultan evokes intense admiration and hate in equal measure. He is hailed as a freedom fighter for fighting the British, but his critics  the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Sangh Parivar -- say he killed Hindus and Christians during his expansion into the region in the late 1700s.
If you lived in Delhi way back in time, as I did off and on, you would have seen a small fire with people huddled around it in some residential colonies of the city. These were areas where refugees from Punjab were relocated. In many of these neighbourhoods, there were community tandoors. Women of the house, or often the children, would take some kneaded dough and go to the tandoor, and there a man would turn the atta into hot, baked rotis for a few coins. My first Punjabi-style dal came from there, too  it was simple, but delicious because it had been cooked over a slow fire.

If you look at Delhi now, its difficult to imagine how there were hardly any restaurants in the city then. But among the first to come up  and stay in peoples hearts  were Kake Da Hotel and Bhape Da Hotel in Yusuf Zai Market, facing the outer circle of Connaught Place. We used to go to the two dhabas for chicken curry and saag meat.

I went back to Bhape Da Hotel for its saag meat and recalled, with great pleasure, the meals we had there when we wore our hair long, and our flares wide. The meat dish is as good as ever, even though the place is tiny, with narrow spaces where tables and chairs are placed for people to have a quick, but hearty meal.

The food here is robust. It is cooked with good amounts of oil and some basic spices. The dishes are kept in large utensils in the front of the dhaba, and the servers come carrying stacks of hot and crisp tandoori rotis, being baked somewhere at the back.

The menu is small. It includes saag meat, butter chicken, dahi-wallah roganjosh and brain curry, and some vegetarian dishes such as palak paneer, palak kofta and tomato paneer.

But people mostly go there for the lamb cooked with spinach leaves or the butter chicken, cooked in oodles of butter and with tomatoes and cream.

I like saag meat, and try it out often at home. The spinach leaves, which I shred as well as puree, add colour, consistency and taste to the gravy. And because its a green-leafy vegetable, you dont feel all that guilty about consuming red meat.

Bhapes saag meat has not buckled under pressure. It brings alive a slice of the citys history. (HT photo)

The saag meat at Bhape Da Hotel is prepared with finely blended spinach leaves, which really thicken the gravy. What I like about it is that its not very spicy. And what adds to the taste is the fact that its hot and served with kadak rotis just off the tandoor.

It reminds me a bit of Sardarji meat-walley, who sat behind a gate in Kashmiri Gate, cooking rotis on a tawa, and doling out his kofta and mutton with a saag curry.

Likewise, saag meat is one of Bhape Da hotels USPs. Along with Kake Da Hotel, it is one of the icons of Delhi. The city may have changed, but Bhapes saag meat has not buckled under pressure. It brings alive a slice of the citys history.

RECIPE: Saag meat

Ingredients: 1 kg mutton, cut into small pieces, 750g spinach, oil as required, salt to taste, 3 tomatoes chopped, 2 onions chopped, 1 tbsp ginger and garlic paste, 1tsp red chili powder,  tsp turmeric powder, 5 black peppercorns, 2 cloves, 1-inch piece of cinnamon, 2 large cardamoms, 1/2tsp cumin seeds, 2 green chilies

Method: Steam the spinach. Blend it in a mixer. Keep aside. Heat oil in a wok. Fry onions till brown, and then add the ginger-garlic paste. Put all the whole masalas and stir. Add the powdered masalas and stir some more. Put the tomatoes and fry till the oil comes up. Now add the lamb and cook well. Put 3 cups of water and cover. Cook on slow heat, stirring occasionally. When almost done, put the spinach in the gravy. Let it simmer. Stir till the water evaporates. Garnish with chopped green chilies.
Between April 2017 and March this year, 9,191 people across India died of animal bites and stings from snakes and scorpions  the highest in five years  a reply from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to a Right to Information (RTI) query revealed.

This is an average of 766 deaths a month over 12 months. The latest data showed that from April 2018, there were 143 animal bite deaths in India, and 140 of them were from rural areas.

From April 2017 to March 2018, 8,759 of the 9,191 deaths  over 95% of the cases  were reported from rural areas.

According to Mumbai advocate Tushar Ramesh Bhosale, who filed the RTI, the number of deaths is indicative of poor medical facilities in Indias rural regions.

This data is only a glimpse of what is actually happening on ground, and the number of deaths will only increase if anti-venom or anti-rabies vaccinations are not provided to the most remote healthcare facilities, he said.

Madhya Pradesh recorded the most deaths  1,472  while Bengal and Maharashtra followed with 1,101 and 905 deaths respectively.

Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Odisha recorded between 400 and 700 deaths.

The number of deaths between April 2016 and March 2017 was 7,556, and between April 2015 and March 2016, 8,354 people died from animal bites and stings.

Anti-venom is not being distributed, said Romulus Whitaker, a Padma Shri award winner and world-renowned herpetologist, wildlife conservationist and founder of the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology, Chennai. There are more than 50,000 snake bite deaths a year in India, which is a shame for the government as hardly any steps are being taken to control it.

Ministry officials said the data was from their web-based portal of health management information system (HMIS) collected and compiled primarily at the peripheral levels, such as sub-centres, primary health centres, urban family welfare and post-partum centres, and hospitals and dispensaries.

The data shows a gradual fluctuation between 2013 and 2016, with 7,000-8,000 cases every year. However, as we have incorporated more public and private health facilities, especially in rural areas, better reporting of incidents from across the country, have highlighted more cases over the past year, said a senior officer from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

He said the data compiled by the ministry was only indicative of the number of deaths but did not collate which animals or reptiles were responsible for these deaths. We can estimate that between 2013 and 2018, most of the cases were due to dog bites, followed by snake bites and monkey attacks. These are the primary causes of deaths. However, the data is also indicative of attacks by wild animals such as bears, jackals, leopards, wild boars, tigers, elephants, etc, and from rat bites, bull, cow, horse or other cattle attack incidents, the official said.
The Shivaji Park police on Saturday arrested a 29-year-old man, a former assistant executive producer with a film production house, in a mobile theft case.

The accused, Jignesh Dilip Koil, a resident of Titwala, called an aspiring actor for an audition and ended up robbing his mobile phone, according to the police.

The actor, Niranjan Joshi, 22, an Andheri resident, subsequently filed a complaint with the police. It was registered under section 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code.

We have recovered the mobile phone and suspect his involvement in many other such cases, said Shivaji Patil, a sub-inspector at the Shivaji Park police station.

While investigating the case, police found that Koil used to be an assistant executive producer with a private film house and had a list of aspiring actors. He tracked them using their online profiles and arranged meetings at different restaurants and cafes, said a police official.

When Joshi received a call, it was from Koil who used an alias, claiming he worked for Rajshri Productions. Koil told Joshi that he had seen his online profile and wanted a debutant for his upcoming movie. He first met Joshi at an Andheri cafe and then at Dadar. Koil pretended something was wrong with his mobile phone and borrowed Joshis to make a call. When Joshi went to the cafe counter to get their order, Koil fled with the mobile phone, said Gangadhar Sonawane, senior police inspector, Shivaji Park police station.

The police suspect that Koil is involved in five other mobile phone thefts.
The LT Marg police are on the lookout for a man, who duped a 60-year-old jeweller of 60 lakh. According to police, Jagdischandra Rawal owns a jewellery store  RV Jewellers  at Kalbadevi in Churchgate.

Between May 7, 2015 and May 16, 2018 he gave the accused 2,071.560grams of gold ornaments, worth 60 lakh. Rawal had worked with the accused earlier. He gave the jewellery to the accused so he could find potential jewellers and get a good price for it in the market or find potential customers. Over the last three years, when the jeweller did not get any profits from the accused, he asked him to either return the ornaments or pay the price for them. However, the accused cut off all communication with him, after which, Rawal approached the police.

The LT Marg police then registered an FIR under Section 408 (criminal breach of trust by clerk or servant) of the IPC. A police official from the LT Marg police station said, The accused was not found at his residence. We are on the lookout.
The Khar police have arrested a 26-year-old Dhule resident for allegedly possessing around 5.5 kgs of cannabis (Ganja) worth 55,000 on Saturday. Police are probing further to find out from where the accused, Suresh Koli, brought the drugs.

Senior police inspector Ramchandra Jadhav, from Khar police station said, The accused hails from Dhule. We are trying to find out where did he buy the drugs from and whom was he was going to sell the contraband.

Koli was arrested after the police had received a tip off about drugs peddlers operating in their jurisdiction. Acting on the information, officers from Khar polices detection team laid a trap to nab the accused from Shirley Rajan road in Pali Hill area.

Around 1.30pm the Koli arrived at the location. The police officers were already present at the location in civil clothes. On frisking him, they found the banned drugs in his possession. The contraband was seized and Koli was placed under arrest, deputy commissioner of police, zone 9, Paramjit Singh Dahiya informed.

The police have ascertained that Koli had come to sell drugs to high-profile customers in the Bandra-Khar belt.

The accused was produced before a magistrate court and has been remanded to police custody, Jadhav said.

The police are also checking if the accused has been arrested earlier in any other drug peddling case.
Mumbai: Amboli police have arrested three men for allegedly stealing motorbikes from Andheri and Jogeshwari. So far, they have recovered nine vehicles registred stolen in the last few months.

The accused have been identified as Nawab Shaikh, 22, Aftab Ansari, 23, and Abu Bakar Sayyad, 24. Shaikh lives in Bhagat Singh Nagar, Goregaon (west) while Ansari and Sayyad lilve in Behrambaugh in Jogeshwari (west).

After questioning them, the police managed to first recover six motorbikes (which include high-speed models).

Shaikh and Ansari were handed over to the Oshiwara police on Friday as some of the stolen vehicles came under their jurisdiction. On further interrogation, Oshiwara police managed to recover three more stolen motorbikes.

Sayyad was arrested only after Shaikh and Ansari outed his name. He was nabbed by Amboli police. Assistant inspector Ravindra Kalamkar from that station said his team has been questioning Sayyad and also a few other suspects. Once we confirm their invovlement, we will arrest them too, he said.

According to the police, the trio roamed around at nighttime and lifted motorbikes from the roadside as well as parking lots of several apartments. They would then change the vehicle license plates. One of the high-end models they stole was allegedly used for joyrides for up to a month and then abandoned at random places, according to the police.

Shaikh, Ansari and Sayyad also sold a few of the stolen motorbikes to their relatives. The police claim they have recovered all of them.

The police added that the trio, who have no past criminal records, have been actively stealing motorbikes for the past six months from areas such as Andheri and Jogeshwari.
The mass leave of 400 resident doctors at JJ Hospital entered the second day on Sunday, despite the state governments assurance to deploy 1,100 security guards in state hospitals.

As a mark of solidarity, resident doctors of Sion Hospital will also bunk work on Monday.

The doctors are not using the word strike to avoid legal implications. However, patients were not affected by the strike as fewer people visited hospital on Sunday and leave of senior doctors was cancelled. The doctors, who went on an indefinite strike after two of their colleagues were assaulted on Saturday, claimed that they had not received any written assurance from the medical education department to resolve the security issue. As they remained absent from emergency and out of patient (OPD) wards of JJ Hospital, the administration has cancelled summer vacations of more than 110 senior doctors.

Multiple meetings were organised with the members of Maharashtra As

sociation of Resident Doctors (MARD), the public health department, the medical education department and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis over the weekend, to increase the security of hospitals.

In a meeting attended by public health minister Deepak Sawant and officials, we decided that 1,100 security personnel will be appointed in the next 15 days. Until then, adequate police protection will be provided at hospitals. We will inform the Bombay HC about the decision, said state medical education minister Girish Mahajan. However, MARD refused to call off the strike unless it gets a written assurance from the state government.

We held two to three meetings with the state medical education department and directorate of medical education and research, but the authorities are not taking our demands seriously. They dont understand the urgency of the issue. We will not resume work until there is a written assurance, said MARD president Dr Sarang Donarkar.

Doctors have demanded immediate installation of centralised alarm system to alert security personnel; and deployment of at least two guards for each ward. They have renewed their demands after Dr Atish Parikh and Dr Shefali Dharmadhikari along with a nurse and a relative of another patient who tried to intervene were attacked by relatives of a 45-year-old patient Zahidabibi Shah, who died early on Saturday.

Dr S Nandankar, dean of JJ Hospital, said he had cancelled vacations of more than 110 senior doctors to ensure that patients were not inconvenienced. JJ Hospital has 220 doctors.

According to the demand, apart from the existing 180 security personnel, we will need 200 more. We will send the proposal to the state government. Even the alarm system will be hopefully installed immediately, said Dr Nandankar.

A senior doctor said more than 180 guards have been manning the premises since the 2017 strike, covering all entry and exit points, elevators and six major wards. He said it was impossible to depute guards at all 44 wards.
The city police crime branch have arrested seven people for allegedly selling falsely branded cosmetics products of a renowned Mumbai-based Indian consumer goods company.

The police were acting on the orders of the Bombay high court, which observed that prima facie an offence could be made out from the facts placed before it.

Police said that one Habibul Khan, a brand protection consultant at the company found out that the accused, Abdul Wahab Syed and Devaji Rabari, were selling the companys duplicate cosmetic products in wholesale.

Subsequently, in November 2017, Khan hired a private investigator, Shashank Tagarsi, to investigate the matter and verify the information.

Following an inquiry, Tagarsi submitted a report which stated that the samples collected during the probe were checked in laboratories and were confirmed to be fakes.

In February this year, a civil suit was filed by the legal representative of Khans company with HC on the basis of Tagarsis report.

In the first week of March, seven places were raided by court receivers. Of these, five places were found to be selling these products, said a police source. The court receiver then served notices to the sellers and sealed the goods.

The high court noted that from the evidence presented by the complainant, an offence can be made out and directed the city police to lodge a fresh complaint against the accused.

A first information report (FIR) had been registered at the Sewri police station and the matter was then transferred to the property cell of the Mumbai crime branch.

Crime branch officials then arrested Abdul Wahab Syed, Rajesh Desai, Ramdas Rahate, Nitin Pore, Kishore Tamanekar, Raghu Patel and Abdulla Ansari on Sunday early morning. Rabari is absconding.

They misused the complainant companys logo, packed duplicate cosmetic products bearing the companys name, and sold the product as original in the market. This caused a loss to the complainant company and customers were cheated, said a police official who did not wish to be named.

All the accused have been charged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, Copyright Act and Trademark Act for cheating, forgery and violations of various laws pertaining to the illegal use of official company logos.
Investigations by Team HT have revealed the daily theft of thousands of litres of potable water from the Pune Municipal Corporations (PMC) water tanker filling stations.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, civic officials have themselves admitted to enormous corruption and mismanagement at the water filling stations. According to one official, tanker operators manage to fill up more than one tanker on a single pass issued to them. Also, PMC is clueless about the amount of water being filled in tankers as the water metres can be easily manipulated.

A visit to PMCs Parvati water filling station by HT team early this week revealed that the water metres were switched off. These metres have a on/off switch with which the civic staff switches them on and off as they desire. The CCTV cameras were either damaged or pointing in the wrong direction.

The entries in the register of water tankers that filled water were also found to be faulty. Although 37 water tankers had filled water on May 7 between 2.30 pm to 4.20 pm, the register showed only 21 entries. There was no entry for 1.6 lakh litres of water filled by 16 tankers on that day, as verified by HT.

Shopkeepers in the vicinity of the filling station said it was open knowledge that many water tanker operators were paying regular bribes to fill their tankers without any record.

If 15 tankers were filled illegally in just a two hour span, the extent of theft of water during a 10-hour day can well be estimated. The water is then sold at exorbitant rates to water-starved areas of Pune city.

On Saturday, the CCTV cameras were readjusted in the proper direction and a water metre was installed at water outlet number three after a visit by the Saurabh Rao, Pune municipal commissioner .

PMCs water tanker filling stations

The Pune Municipal Corporation has seven water tanker filling stations located at various locations in the city. This is from where tankers, in capacities ranging from 10,000 litres to 20,000 litres, fill potable water by paying Rs 497 for 10,000 litres, Rs 783 (15,000 litres) and Rs 1,103 for 20,000 litres.

They then head out to various water-starved parts of Pune city and provide water to housing societies, IT Parks, commercial establishments, educational complexes, malls and multiplexes. The selling rates vary from Rs 1,200 per tanker of 10,000 litres to even R 5,000 to commercial establishments, which are willing to pay any amount for an assured supply.

According to Vishal Jagtap, nodal officer at PMCs water supply department, PMC maintains a list of tanker operators and issues passes for filling water tankers, with one pass being valid for only one filling.

Water tankers in contract with PMC are supposed to supply water free of charge to designated locations in outlying areas such as Sus, Pashan, Narhe, Uruli Devachi, Phursungi, Bavdhan Budruk, Lohegaon, Hadapsar and Mundhwa, among other areas. They also supply water to civic hospitals, including Kamla Nehru hospital at Mangalwar peth and Dr Naidu contagious diseases hospital, near Pune railway station, on request .

Rigging of water metres in the past

Sajag Nagrik Manch, a voluntary group of citizen activists, had raised the issue of manipulation of water metres in the past. Speaking to HT, Vivek Velankar, the groups founder, questioned the provision of an on/off switch for the water metres. This clearly indicates that the staff deployed at the filling stations does not want to monitor and record the precise amount of water being supplied to water tankers, he said.

Having raised the issue of gross malpractices at the filling stations, it was at the instance of the Sajag Nagrik Manch that the PMC finally installed water metres and CCTV cameras at the filling stations.

Velankar, has, however, demanded that flow metres which cannot be manipulated be installed to record the precise supply of water to the tankers.

Will PMC prevent corruption?

When these irregularities were pointed out by HT to VG Kulkarni, head of PMCs water supply department, Kulkarni said that strict action would be taken against those found guilty.

If you have any such information of malpractices, please share it with us. If anybody is found indulging in illegalities involving water tankers, we will take strong action against that person. As far as CCTV cameras and water metres are concerned, we have decided to install automatic boom barriers at every filling station to keep surveillance on water tankers at various stations, he said.
The growth of illegal colonies around Chandigarh has put a question mark on the citys sustainability. According to a recent survey of the Punjab government, which preceded formulation of a policy for regularisation of unauthorised colonies, out of 8,000 illegal colonies in the state, 395 are on Chandigarhs periphery, including Kharar, Zirakpur, Dera Bassi and Nayagaon.

Unplanned and devoid of requisite government approvals, such as environment clearances, these colonies  that house lakhs of people  lack basic amenities and infrastructure and are marked by haphazard growth.

Most illegal colonies have mushroomed in violation of the Punjab New Capital Periphery Control Act 1952, which designates a belt of 16km around Chandigarh as controlled area.

There are already restrictions under the periphery act but state governments failed in its effective implementation. Illegal colonies on the periphery prove that, said UT chief architect Kapil Setia.

Illegal colonies are not equipped to handle basic social, educational, health and recreational needs of residents, and so the burden passes on to the mother city, Chandigarh, said Setia.

SD Sharma, who was architect of Chandigarh Project from 1963 to 1973, said the citys infrastructure capacity wasnt planned keeping in mind the future mushrooming of illegal colonies on its periphery.

Now, residents of these colonies have to rush to Chandigarh for even meeting their basic needs. Such a scenario is not sustainable, both socially and ecologically, he said.

Who is to blame?

At the time of state reorganisation, in 1966, only 3% of the controlled area came under Chandigarh, 23% went with Haryana and 74% fell under Punjab control, said Jit Kumar Gupta, former director, College of Architecture, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Bhaddal.

As most of the peripheral areas came under Punjabs jurisdiction, it was Punjab governments responsibility to preserve it. But, it failed to do so, and instead, regularised these colonies, said Surinder Bahga, architect, Saakaar Foundation.

Meanwhile, Chandigarh authorities express helplessness.

We have repeatedly requested the state governments to go for coordinated planned development but that hasnt happened, said Setia.

Authorities turned blind eye

First, the authorities turn a blind eye to illegal development around villages on the citys periphery. Then on the pretext of providing civic amenities to residents, a new municipal area is formulated or limits of the existing municipalities are extended, leading to creation of vicious cycle of unauthorised urbanisation, said MS Aujla, former director, town planning, Punjab local government department.

By repeatedly bringing regularisation policies, an impetus is given to illegal urban expansion, he said, adding that not even a single violator has been identified or action taken by the committees constituted for the purpose.

Rather, now the violations taken place till March 19, 2018 have been covered under the policy, said Aujla.

In order to check future expansion of illegal colonies, Punjab local government minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said: Exact inventory and mapping of illegal colonies must be done.

Only resident welfare associations should be encouraged to legalise unauthorised colonies and not the colonisers, who created the mess, he said.

Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, housing and urban development minister, Punjab, said: The state government is committed to end the menace of illegal colonies once and for all. We are looking to bring in law to put a stop to growth of illegal colonies. When questioned on laws being there but their effective implementation lacking, he said: We will bring more effective and stringent laws.
Director general (DG) of the Border Security Force (BSF) KK Sharma said here on Saturday that in case of ceasefire violation from the other side of the border, India will retaliate with full force.

Addressing a press conference at the BSF training camp at Kharkan, 20 km from here, he said India was a peaceful country and did not want bloodshed but, if challenged, its security forces give a befitting reply to the enemy. The DG had come to the Kharkan camp to attend the passing-out ceremony of 315 women constables of the BSF.

Terming the government's announcement of ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir during the month of Ramzan as a welcome step, the DG said there was always a room for specific operations, if it was necessary for self-defence or protection of civilians. Dismissing speculations that terrorists might use the ceasefire period to regroup, he said the security forces had suspended proactive operations only. He said the misguided youth should accept the government's offer and return to the mainstream.

Expressing grief over the recent martyrdom of two BSF personnel in firing along the international border, the DG said it will only strengthen the resolve to wipe out terrorism from the country.

Responding to queries on cross-border smuggling of drugs, he said that with the co-operation of the police and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the BSF was undertaking successful joint operations to check the flow of drugs. "Heavy seizures are being regularly made, yet drugs find their way to the country. We are trying to tackle cross- border linkages and have intensified surveillance", he claimed. He said there might be a few moles in the force aiding drug smugglers but, by and large, the BSF had maintained utmost integrity.

The DG said the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS), the high-tech virtual fencing system to guard the borders, is expected to go operational by the second week of June at two places in Jammu.

We need technology as a force multiplier for improved border management. The CIBMS will help counter infiltration. The technology will be deployed along Pakistan and Bangladesh borders, he added.
For Prof Balkrishna Doshi, there is a sense of fulfilment: After over six decades of inhabiting the space, he received the fields highest honour, the Pritzker Prize at a ceremony in Toronto, making him the first Indian to be awarded the so-called Nobel of architecture.

It is one of the rarest things one could expect in life, he said in an interview the morning after receiving the award at a ceremony in the Aga Khan Museum. What more do you expect? This is a crowning glory. So at the age of 90, if I get that kind of a thing, what more can I expect? Im fulfilled.

Doshi, who was born in Pune and lives in Ahmedabad, has collected numerous accolades during his distinguished career but the Pritzker is special since it also brings recognition to Indian architecture.

That will be extremely significant in the Indian context because architecture as a profession doesnt have a kind of status in India today except marketing. I mean, architect is synonymous with developers.

First time, there is the recognition that architecture is a discipline which is extremely important in a civilised society. So there will be respect for architecture, he said.

Doshi joins a roster of impressive, if not legendary names among architects who have won the Pritzker since it was established in 1979, such as Zaha Hadid, Rem Koolhaas, Frank Gehry, IM Pei and Oscar Niemeyer.

He became aware of the selection when the Prizes executive director Martha Thorne called him in January. Thorne said she was in a delicate way seeking to inquire if he could travel to collect the award in Toronto since that is among the mandatory conditions for recipients. Doshi responded, Of course I can travel. I was happy about the award, so I could have gone to the moon or to the deserts.

Doshi was born into a family running a furniture business and he said he came into architecture by chance. He started studying the discipline as India gained Independence. Favourable coincidences helped me in my life, he said. Among those was being associated with Le Corbusier, the visionary French architect renowned for his projects in creating the modern city of Chandigarh and in Ahmedabad. Doshi describes Le Corbusier as his guru. In his official statement accepting the Prize, Doshi said, His teachings led me to question identity and compelled me to discover new regionally adopted contemporary expression for a sustainable holistic habitat.

His work is described as a symphony, engaging the elements.

His work explores the relationships between fundamental needs of human life, connectivity to self and culture, and understanding of social traditions, within the context of a place and its environment, and through a response to Modernism, a release from the Pritzker Prize noted. Childhood recollections, from the rhythms of the weather to the ringing of temple bells, inform his designs.

Among his multiple endeavours are the Aranya low-cost housing project in Indore, the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore, Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology in Ahmedabad as well as cultural spaces such as Tagore Memorial Hall and the Institute of Indology, also in that city, as well as his own studio, Sangath. He continues to be with Vastushilpa, the consultancy he founded.

Doshi is hopeful this award will have a long-lasting impact rather than one that is momentary. As India looks for affordable and quality housing for its population, there is a role for creative solutions.

In the condition in which we are now, talking about urbanisation, planning, rural development, economy, employment, this is the discipline through which other countries have worked and taken their guidance, he said.

So now perhaps the government and authorities will look at architects, and significant architects, not necessarily foreign architects, and ask them to work with them.
China will buy significantly more goods and services from the United States, with the two countries announcing their resolve to defuse economic and trade differences in a proactive manner, addressing on Sunday the fears of a tariff war.

A joint statement issued by the countries after a meeting of their trade officials did not mention a specific figure for how much more China will buy to reduce its $375 billion in trade surplus over the US. Larry Kudlow, the US presidents chief economic adviser, had suggested earlier it would be at least $200 billion.

The Chinese will ramp up their purchases in US agriculture and energy sectors, the statement said, adding that a US team will visit China to work out the details. For now, the two sides agreed to continue to engage at high levels on these issues and to seek to resolve their economic and trade concerns in a proactive manner, the statement read.

It averted the danger of a trade war fuelled by rising rhetoric and tariff hike threats.

The Trump administration had initiated talks with China, with treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin leading a high-level team to Beijing earlier in May. The visit came after a series of threats of tariff hikes over the last few weeks.

The US had threatened to levy $150 billion in additional tariff over Chinese goods, and Beijing had hit back with measures that not only raised tariff but targeted goods and sectors designed to hurt Trumps political base.

We are putting the trade war on hold. Right now, we have agreed to put the tariffs on hold while we try to execute the framework, Mnuchin said in a television interview on Fox News Sunday.

A Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Liu He, who is a close adviser to President Xi Jinping, held a series of talks with American trade officials in the US this week.

The negotiations progressed smoothly after a White House presentation by the visitors on Thursday, US negotiators said.

There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the United States trade deficit in goods with China, the joint statement said on Sunday, addressing a key issue for Trump, which he had railed against as a candidate for the White House and which he cited to initiate a series of trade actions against China after taking office.

The statement reflected attempts to address other issues the United States has raised with China  intellectual property rights and uneven playing field for American companies operating in China.

Both sides attach paramount importance to intellectual property protections, and agreed to strengthen cooperation, it noted, adding: China will advance relevant amendments to its laws and regulations in this area, including the Patent Law.

There was an agreement to create a fair, level playing field for competition. Americans have complained, for instance, their companies are forced to transfer technological know-how to their local partners as a precondition for doing business.

Global Times, a Chinese state-owned media outlet, called the joint statement a win-win for both parties.

The US will have the opportunity to reduce its trade deficit with China, while China will achieve the consistent purchase of US goods to benefit the development of the country and its peoples life.

It added: The US has promised to break its control of energy exports to China, which will diversify Chinas energy import channels. The US will sell more agricultural products to China, which is equivalent to exporting agricultural nature and technologies to China.
The final results of Iraqs elections confirmed Saturday a breakthrough for nationalist cleric Moqtada Sadr, who was in the lead, ahead of internationally favoured prime minister Haider al-Abadi.

But the possibilities for alliances to form a coalition government remain wide open.

None of the three leading groups won more than 55 of the 329 seats up for grabs in parliament at the May 12 vote, which saw record high abstentions with just 44.52 percent turnout -- the lowest since the first multiparty elections in 2005.

In a system calibrated to divide parliament after the fall of dictator Saddam Hussein following the American-led invasion of 2003, Moqtada Sadrs Marching Towards Reform alliance is far from assured of governing Iraq for the next four years.

Sadr, who has ruled himself out of becoming prime minister, is looking to be the kingmaker and to cobble together a technocrat government from a dozen parties.

But despite leading the tally, his alliance falls short of a majority and it will take lengthy wrangling to forge a coalition.

Negotiations to form a coalition government began as soon as the vote ended a week ago, with the involvement of the US and Iran -- who both oppose the firebrand Shiite leader.

- Tricky negotiations -

Last week was the agreement of principles, and now we enter the phase of forming coalitions, properly speaking, Iraqi political commentator Hicham al-Hachemi told AFP.

The alliance between the populist Shiite preacher and Iraqs communists won 54 seats.

In second place is the Conquest Alliance, made up of ex-fighters from mainly Iran-backed paramilitary units that battled IS, which won 47 seats, ahead of the Victory Alliance, headed by Abadi, which had 42.

The vote was a slap in the face to the widely reviled elite that has dominated Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.

Sadr rose to prominence in the wake of the US invasion, when his militia fought a bloody insurgency against American troops.

After years on the sidelines, he has reinvented himself as a champion of the poor and linked up with secularists to battle corruption.

He is one of the few Iraqi politicians opposed to both the presence of American troops and the heavy influence that neighbouring Iran exercises over Iraq.

Sadr declared on Twitter that the results showed reform has won and corruption is weakened, but he faces a tricky regional context as he begins coalition negotiations.

The protracted horse-trading comes at a time of high tensions after Washingtons withdrawal from a landmark nuclear deal with Tehran and fears of a tug-of-war over Iraq.

Even before Sadrs victory was confirmed, Iran had already been convening meetings to try to block him from forming a government.

Iran dispatched the powerful general Qassem Soleimani to Baghdad, who has met with several members of Iraqs old guard including Abadi and his predecessor Nuri al-Maliki.

According to officials, Soleimani has ruled out any alliance with Sadr, who surprised many last year by visiting Irans regional foe Saudi Arabia as Riyadh seeks increased involvement in Iraq.

Soleimanis shuttle diplomacy is aimed at gathering enough parties opposed to Sadr to deny his alliance a governable majority and a route to the powerful position of prime minister -- though Sadr himself is not in the running for the top job.

Sadr has already ruled out governing with either Maliki or the pro-Tehran head of the Conquest Alliance Hadi al-Ameri.

He called instead for a technocratic government that can begin to tackle Iraqs rampant corruption and the mammoth rebuilding task left from the battle against IS.
US presidents eldest son Donald Trump Jr had met an emissary of the governments of Saudi Arabia and the UAE with an offer of their help for his fathers presidential campaign three months ahead of elections in 2016, The New York Times has reported.

The meeting took place at Trump Tower, Trumps home and business and campaign headquarters in Manhattan, New York City, on August 3, 2016.

This is the first instance of foreign governments other than of Russia seeking to influence the 2016 election. And the newspaper reported this meeting was one of the focus of Special Counsel Robert Muellers ongoing investigation into Russian meddling and possible collusion by members of the Trump campaign.

The meeting was organized by Erik Prince, a controversial security consultant, and the emissary, George Nader, told Trump Jr that Crown Prince Mohammad bin-Salman of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, the de facto ruler of the UAE, whom he had called my friends, had offered to help his father win the election. A third person at the meeting, Joel Zamel, an Israeli social media specialist, had reportedly offered to put together a package for the campaign to shape support for Trump.

The outcome of the meeting was not clear from the report, which, however, noted that Trump Jr had responded approvingly.

Nader went on to forge close relationships with other members of Trumps team such son-in-law and trusted adviser Jared Kushner and future National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.

Muellers team has interviewed both Nader, who is cooperating with the investigation, and Zamel. FBI agents are reported to have visited Zamels firm in Israel and spoken to his employees.

Alan Futerfas, a lawyer for Trump Jr told the Times in a statement that prior to the 2016 election, Donald Trump Jr. recalls a meeting with Erik Prince, George Nader and another individual who may be Joel Zamel. They pitched Mr. Trump Jr. on a social media platform or marketing strategy. He was not interested and that was the end of it.

Trump Jr has been under scrutiny for another Trump Tower meeting in which he and other senior members of the campaign Paul Manafort and Kushner had met a Russian lawyer who had offered political dirt on Trumps Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, much before WikiLeaks began releasing hacked documents from Democratic partys computer system.

The Times noted, however, no such evidence had emerged about the August 3 meeting.

Referring to the two crown princes as my friends, Nader told Trump Jr they viewed Trump as a strong leader who would fill the vacuum left behind by President Barack Obama and they would be glad to help Trump, the newspaper reported citing persons with knowledge of the meeting.

Once again, its not publicly known what transpired after the meeting and how much help was actually extended and accepted, if at all. After taking office, Trumps first overseas visit was to Riyadh, and threw his support solidly behind Saudi Arabia and UAE in the bitter rivalry against Qatar, which hosts a large American military base, going against the advice of his own defense and state departments.
Pakistans top civil and military leaders have decided to give greater administrative and financial authority to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the region through which the controversial $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes.

During a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) -- the top civil and military body -- Sartaj Aziz, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan, on Saturday briefed the Committee on the PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan reform proposals, an official statement said.

The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi reviewed these proposals and after detailed deliberations a consensus was reached on the devolution of greater administrative authority and financial powers to the PoK government and the Gilgit-Baltistan government, according to the statement.

The details of administrative and financial reform have not been shared so far.

However, there was also consensus over retention of the PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan Councils as advisory bodies; and the grant of a five-year tax holiday to Gilgit-Baltistan so as to create adequate incentives for the development of the region and bring it at par with the other areas of Pakistan.

Gilgit-Baltistan is treated as a separate geographical entity by Pakistan. Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh are four provinces of Pakistan.

India has termed as entirely unacceptable any possible attempt by Pakistan to declare the Gilgit-Baltistan region, bordering the disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as the fifth province. India has protested to China over the CPEC which goes through Gilgit-Baltistan region.

It is believed that Chinas concerns about the unsettled status of Gilgit-Baltistan prompted Pakistan to change its status.

Earlier media reports had said that Pakistan plans to elevate the constitutional status of the region to provide legal cover to the CPEC.

The NSC also endorsed that FATA shall be merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa along with the introduction of the administrative and judicial institutional structures and laws of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the statement said.

The Committee directed the concerned ministries to work out the constitutional, legal and administrative modalities for the merger in consultation with all parties in the Parliament.

The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Defence & Foreign Affairs Khurram Dastgir Khan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval and Air forces, ISI chief and other senior civil and military officials.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)
Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover took centre-stage as newly-wed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, headed to their wedding reception in Windsor.

A silver-blue classic 1960s Jaguar E-Type, remodelled into Jaguar Land Rovers (JLR) electric-powered Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero, was waiting for Harry last evening to drive his new wife to Frogmore House for an intimate wedding reception for 200 friends and family being hosted by his father Prince Charles.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex depart Windsor Castle for a reception hosted by The Prince of Wales at Frogmore House, in a silver blue Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero. This vehicle was originally manufactured in 1968, and has since been converted to electric power #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/hRrxEUlFlJ  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018

The car bore a special registration number in honour of the royal wedding  E190518  marking the date of their wedding.

With the tag line of the most beautiful electric car in the world, the vehicle symbolised the couples eco-friendly side.

Our aim with Concept Zero is to give Classic Jaguars a sustainable future in changing environmental and economic conditions, said Tim Hannig, Director of Jaguar Land Rover Classic.

As she stepped out hand-in-hand with Harry in a formal suit, Markle had changed into a white Stella McCartney halter-neck silk crepe gown and Aquazzura shoes with baby blue soles for the black-tie reception.

In a break from tradition, she gave a speech at the event to thank her father-in-law the Prince of Wales for stepping into the role of walking her down the aisle at St Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle earlier in the day after her own father Thomas Markle was a no-show due to health reasons.

The 36-year-old former actress also wore a special wedding gift from her new husband in memory of his mother Princess Diana  an emerald-cut aquamarine ring which belonged to the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra, one of Markles close friends invited to the wedding, took to social media to post a special tribute to the new bride and congratulate the newly-weds.

In an emotional Instagram post alongside a series of images of the new couple, she wrote, Every once in a while there is a moment when time stands still... That happened today...You, my friend, were the epitome of grace, love and beauty.

Every choice made at this wedding by you both will go down in history, not just because it was your wedding but because this incredible wedding stood for change and hope. Both things that the world needs desperately. Thank you for being the perfect picture of all things good, she wrote.

The 33-year-old actress, now famous in Hollywood for her role as Agent Alex Parish in Quantico, changed her lavender Vivian Westwood suit from earlier in the day to a golden Dior gown for the evening reception.

After performing some of his classics at the lunch reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at St Georges Hall in Windsor Castle soon after the wedding ceremony at the chapel, pop star Elton John paid tribute to the couple on Twitter, quoting the poet Maya Angelou: Love recognises no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination, full of hope.

The highlight of the Queens reception was John singing his hits Your Song and Tiny Dancer, both of which he had previously sung at a benefit concert for Diana organised by Prince Harry and Prince William in honour of their mother in 2007.

William, his brothers best man at the wedding ceremony, later struck a poignant note in memory of their mother during his speech at the evening reception. The couple had selected celebrity DJ Sam Totolee to get the guests dancing into the night.

They have put off their honeymoon for now and plan to spend some time in the UK before a getaway.
Last month, when Taylor Swift decided to put her own twist on a cookout staple by remixing Earth, Wind & Fires September with a stripped-down country version, the co-writer of the original track Allee Willis was among those giving Taylor her props for the track.

September was my first hit and favorite song of mine I ever have had the joy of being a part of, Willis told Billboard after Swifts version was released. Taylor Swift is the absolute cherry on top of a very soulful and happy sundae.

But according to Billboard, Willis was never feeling the track to begin with and made it known during a performance at Detroits City Theatre on Friday (May 19th) and in a lengthy explanation, the Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee broke down her sentiments for her audience.

On the same day things happened in Syria, the FBI broke into Michael Cohen's office... the worst thing that happened as far as the internet was concerned on this 449th day of all of our brains feeling like they've been hurled back and forth like squash balls, the top-trending topic on Twitter was the Taylor Swift cut of 'September,'" said Willis. I didn't really think she did a horrible job. Yes, I felt it was as lethargic as a drunk turtle dozing under a sunflower after ingesting a bottle of Valium, and I thought it had all the build of a one-story motel, but, I mean, the girl didn't kill anybody. She didn't run over your foot. She just cut a very calm and somewhat boring take of one of the peppiest, happiest, most popular songs in history.

Swifts cover was met with a mix of responses, seemingly split half way down the middle with the opposition echoing Willis statements on Swifts choice to tone the track down and even switch up a few lyrics.

I was thrilled Taylor Swift cut 'September,'" added Willis. "I'm imagining she's going to give it a kind of jagged, 'Shake It Off' kind of feel and it's gonna be great. So I got to sleep happy and excited, but by the time I wake up -- on Friday the 13th, I might add -- the Internet was already a 28-alarm fire [] everyone has a right to do with a song what they please, so go on with your own bad self, Taylor Swift. I'm honored you'd choose to do my song and that it meant enough to you that you wanted to personalize it to the goddamn 28th night of September, that you wanted to cover it with banjo... and that you changed the sacred ba-de-ya to the more Caucasian ah-ah-ah and make it sound more like a field of daffodils than a Soul Train line."
"EAT" is Gunna's second major guest appearance in a week. The Atlanta rapper already contributed to one of the strongest tracks on Playboi Carti's new album Die Lit, and he's also making a strong impression on Nav's new project. The track has the zoned-out, hypnotic sound of much of the Toronto rapper's music, but the back-and-forth dynamic between the two emcees gives the track a boost of energy that makes it stand out from the other records. It comes off Nav's new album Reckless, which arrived with short notice on Friday. The two previously collaborated on "Car Sick," which appeared on Gunna's underrated Drip Season 3. More than ever before, Gunna feels like he's having a moment, so when Nav suggests it's the rapper's "time to eat," it couldn't ring more true.



The album also features guest appearances from Travis Scott, Quavo, and Lil Uzi Vert, as well as production fro, Maaly Raw, Foreign Teck, Wheezy, Turbo, Nav, Rex Kudo, Ben Billions and more. Stream it here.

Quotable Lyrics:

I told Gunna its your time to eat

These rappers cornballs

They telling lies on beats

Fuck a suit and tie, I got drip on me

Bitch, we got mob ties

Better not flip on me

Bitch, we got frog eyes

On that Bentley B

Im rocking minks

And chinchillas to my knees

My brother NAV told me

Its our time to eat
While one of Tekashi 6ix9ine's beefs continues to escalate, an other, more potentially violent, beef seems to have come to an end, as Tekashi and Casanova have finally set aside their differences and ended their feud.

The two of them posted up together outside club LoveLust in New York, in a video posted on Tekashi's Instagram. In the caption, Tekashi brags about keeping all his teeth, and how New York is about to be a problem now that the two of them are friends.

In a surprising show of support, some older rappers have weighed in on the situation, and have nothing but praise for the two young emcees. Meek Mill, who since his release from prison, has become a crusader for social progress. He went onto Instagram to congratulate the two of them for ending their feud, saying "Having a conversation is apart of being thorough never forget that! Kill all that us on us shit! #brooklyn."

Some New York rappers also praised the two of them. Fat Joe said, "Love this," and even 50 Cent, who is more than willing to star beefs of his own, enjoyed the sight of 6ix9ine and Casanova together. "The little homies good now,l love this," 50 wrote on Instagram. "Shit Yal was making it hot,LOL get the strap"

It seems that Tekashi may finally be learning that beef isn't as cool as he thinks it is. Though chances are we'll be getting a new one from him by this time next week.
Today, Chicago rapper Montana of 300 released his latest album, Pray For The Devil, consisting of 11 bars stuffed to the brink with nothing but #BARS. Montana has a gift for making every single line count, and nowhere is this more true than on his album closer, "The Crow."

The production, handled by Pezey Crack, sets the tone nicely. Lead solely with a pitched up organ melody and punctuated with the cawing screeches of crows, the beat is sparce enough to give Montana enough room to let his pronunciation hit it's mark, while giving him the impression that he's rapping to you straight from the gateway to the underworld.

There isn't a wasted syllable here, as every line acts as its own self-contained punch line. Chances are, every time you hear it, you'll pick up something new.

Quotable Lyrics

We stopped what I'm doin' like hold up a second

No PlayStation game, I was loading that tech in

My opps caught them bullets with no interception

I shot the crap out 'em like rolling a seven




It seems that Trippie Redd is becoming better known for his feuds and his antics more so than his music these days, especially his public, long-lasting feud with Tekashi 6ix9ine, which appears to be reaching the outer limits of how ridiculous an online rap beef could possibly get.

TMZ recently caught up with Trippie leaving the Delilah restaurant in West Hollywood (if you want a measure of how well Trippie is living, an appetizer of chicken tenders there costs $24), and he spared some time to give his opinions on some of the most controversial figures in the rap world today.

The first was President of the United States, Donald Trump, who recently had a meeting cancelled on him with Meek Mill where they were supposed to discuss prison reform. Unlike Meek, Trippie doesn't seem to have any compunctions about meeting the President, though he wants to make it clear that that doesn't mean that he supports his policies. "I see him as a troll," Trippie says.

He then moves on to Lil Tay and Tekashi 6ix 9ine, two very controversial figures in their own right. Lil Tay gets a pass from Trippie, saying that he'd kick it with her but probably wouldn't make a song together. Tekashi gets called a goof ball because of his claimed Blood status, and yet he's going to the Crips for help with his beefs.

The aftermath of that conversation shows Trippie and his crew getting into a brief altercation with the security at the restaurant. While Trippie manages to drive away, the bouncer stops his entourage from leaving, allegedly due to a fight that took place inside the restaurant that they were involved in.

Check out the videos below.
Ashley Barnes was busy sending students at RJ Wollam Elementary School in Santa Fe home early Friday after reports of a shooting at the school districts high school. Thats when a Santa Fe ISD police officer arrived and said, You need to come with me.

The 41-year-old assistant principal tried to stay calm. Shed heard rumors that an officer had been shot but that it wasnt her husband, John Barnes, whod been working for the district as a school police officer for just four months after a long and distinguished career with the Houston Police Department.

Shed even assured her son that his dad was fine. But the officers sudden visit changed everything.

I was freaking out, she said. As soon as she got me, I knew it was John. I just needed her to tell me he wasnt dead.

As it happened, Barnes had rushed into Santa Fe High School with other officers after a gunman started shooting students in two art rooms in the back of the campus.

Inside, the officers had confronted 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis, the student accused of shooting and killing eight students and two teachers.

It was a relief  if ever so slight  to be told that he had been shot in the elbow. Who dies of a gunshot wound to the arm?

But when she arrived at University of Texas Medical Branch, she learned Barnes had coded  that his heart had stopped twice.

Pagourtzis fired his Remington shotgun at Barnes. The blast hit his right elbow, shredding veins and bone and sending blood spraying out onto the ground.

His elbow is completely messed up, Barnes said.

A fellow officer pulled him out of harms way and applied a tourniquet to try to stanch the bleeding. Paramedics arrived soon after and rushed Barnes to UTMB. He flatlined on the way to the hospital, and again in surgery, where doctors rushed to restart his heart, stop the bleeding and reconnect blood vessels.

They sedated Barnes to make it easier for him to rest and recover. But some of Barnes friends worried he might lose his arm.

In the midst of that panic, Ashley Barnes called to have their two kids  a 10-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy  picked up and brought to the hospital.

After seven hours in surgery, Barnes was moved to the ICU. On Saturday, Ashley said he was still sedated but on the mend.

It was one of the few bits of good news in a tragedy that has devastated the small town of Santa Fe.

As he was undergoing surgery, many praised Barnes for confronting the shooter.

Ashley Barnes said she appreciates the recognition her husband has received, but his actions Friday werent any different from his previous years in law enforcement.

John is not a hero from Friday, she said. John has been a hero every day he put on a police uniform.

He loves kids and he loves watching out for them, she said. It was why hed devoted a decade investigating sex crimes against children. Working for a school police department had been a natural choice after his career at HPD.

Since coming out of surgery, he has shaken his head yes or no when doctors and family members asked him questions. He lifted his arm and wiggled some fingers. Doctors found a pulse in his hand.

He will remain sedated for a few more days to allow the swelling to subside, his wife said. Then, orthopedic surgeons will attempt to rebuild his elbow.

It was in very bad shape, she said. Theyre going to have multiple surgeries, and they hope hell have full range of motion by the end, but they cant promise that.

He faces months of recovery and rehab. And he will have to learn the extent of what took place inside Santa Fe High School.

He is going to be really upset that they lost those kids and the teachers, she said. Its going to hurt him.

st.john.smith@chron.com
2005-2021 All contents of this blog are the property of Bonnie K. Hunter, and cannot be reproduced in any way without prior written consent.
AUSTIN  By most measures, the Democrats hoped-for blue wave in the race for governor has had an inauspicious start as Texans wrap up the primary election season with Tuesdays runoffs.

Neither contender has mustered much momentum.

Lupe Valdez, the former Dallas sheriff who finished first in the March 6 primary, is routinely criticized for not understanding fully how state government works.

She has suggested that state officials should set property tax rates, apparently unaware that local jurisdictions do that. In an interview with her hometown newspaper, she famously admitted not knowing whether the state was spending $8 million or $8 billion on border security  when the actual sum is about $800 million. And her incomplete responses to questions about her handling of jailed immigrants prompted a Latino activist group to endorse her opponent, an Anglo.

READ MORE: See how Valdez, White differ on key issues

Her runoff foe, Houston entrepreneur Andrew White, has faced controversy over his church membership in a denomination that is pro-life and anti-gay, and for his ownership of a company that makes border-security gear used to apprehend undocumented immigrants.

His first policy proposal was a complicated mix of gas-station signs listing how much Texas oil was being pumped and self-driving cars as a mass transit solution, a wonkish plan that has barely been mentioned since. And his performance at the one-and-only debate was less than stellar.

On Tuesday, when Democrats decide which candidate will face formidable incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, political experts will be watching to see which one stumbles forward into the November election in a state where the party has its longest drought in winning a statewide office  24 years.

No great choice

No one is suggesting either can win against the much better-funded Abbott, except their own campaigns.

With a reduced turnout, its expected that Valdez will emerge as the winner on Tuesday, said Cal Jillson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University in Dallas who has been studying Texas politics for decades, as far back as when Democrats were in charge.

Valdez appears ill-equipped in a number of ways  familiarity with the issues and a lack of a statewide campaign organization to name two  and that will end up to an election cycle where Democratic hopes will rest almost entirely at the top of the ticket, with Beto O'Rourke (running against GOP U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz), for any gains they make this year.

Fellow politics-watcher Brandon Rottinghaus, a political scientist at the University of Houston, agreed: Both of these candidates are six months behind where they should be at this point in their campaigns, and its so hard to catch up when you're the underdog.

OPINION: White is too white, Valdez is too green

To Texans like Carl Chastain, 71, a lifelong Austin Democrat, the predictions ring true. The party is left with no great choice. Neither one can probably win short of a miracle, he lamented after a recent Austin debate between Valdez and White.

For their part, both campaigns insist those predictions are way wrong.

Don't tell me this Latina can't work her you-know-what off and win, to make things the way they should be, Valdez said, stressing that her grassroots organizing Democrats across Texas  slow though it may be  will prevail over Abbott in a November surprise.

For his part, White has been telling campaign crowds for months that he is the only Democrat who stands a chance against Abbott, despite the long odds.

Both he and Valdez have targeted the ultra-right conservative views of Abbott and the states Republican leadership to argue that the time has arrived for political change. Even so, Valdez, an openly gay Latina, appeals to the partys liberal base and not to the centrist, more moderate factions  even some disaffected Republicans  where White has cachet.

Flub fallout

Aside from a lack of street appeal, running short of cash can be a huge detriment.

Both Valdez and White jumped into the race at the last minute in December after much-better-known candidates declined to run, not wanting to be the latest Democratic roadkill after Wendy Davis four years ago became the latest to lose to Republicans  despite a high-promise campaign that raised nearly $40 million and still got whipped by about 20 percentage points.

By traditional measures, experts believe a Democrat must be able to spend at least $3 million a week against Abbott at the end of the campaign to get their message out and to react to an expected fusillade of final attacks from Abbott.

So far, Valdez has been unable to raise more than $500,000. White, by contrast, has raised more than $1.7 million, but that includes a $1 million loan to himself.

TALLY UP: Voter turnout expected to be lower than usual

Even though the winner of the runoff is likely to get some boost in fundraising as Democrats coalesce around their nominee, it will likely be far less than Abbott already has in the bank: $41 million and counting.

And, it will be far less than other Democratic gubernatorial candidates raised in recent years  perhaps the lowest amount in a decade, say consultants and campaign officials not affiliated with their current campaign.

This year, I think, will be their lowest point in history, Jillson said. The big donors have gotten tired of writing checks to a losing campaign. The credible candidates know this is not an election cycle the Democrats can win, and they didn't get in. So far, (Valdez) hasn't been able the raise the bar.

Even in the closing days of the runoff, missteps have continued to underscore the not-ready-for-primetime aura of both campaigns.

Last week, Valdez announced that she had raised about $290,600 since February, out-raising White, and had $258,000 in cash in her account. Within hours, citing an unexplained administrative error, she had to amend her report downward to show she had raised just $208,000  just a tad more than White  and had only $115,200 on hand.

WHERE WE STAND: Houston Chronicle Editorial Board endorsements

For his part, White waged a brief Twitter fight with Cecile Richards, the former national head of Planned Parenthood, over him quoting her during the debate as saying there is room for people like him in her movement. Planned Parenthood is a big supporter of Valdez.

White, who says he is personally pro-life but would protect abortion rights if elected governor, had declared during an Austin debate last Friday that Richards said theres room for people like him in her movement.

Rule #1. Dont speak for someone else, especially a woman youve never met or talked to, like me. Rule #2. Thats also why women dont like politicians telling us what to do with our bodies, Richards, daughter of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, said in a tweet on Thursday that quickly caught fire in Texas political community.

White tweeted back: I was quoting you and agreeing with you in this recent video. (Also, we met a long time ago).

After reports that White was not spending his accumulated $1 million in campaign donations, giving the appearance he may have given up, White announced that he was going up on TV in the Austin market with an ad that will air through Tuesday  a spot that touts his rescue heroics in a small fishing boat during Hurricane Harvey.

Campaigning to the end

Both candidates in the closing days have continued making campaign appearances in key areas  Valdez in South Texas, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and the Houston area; White in Dallas, Houston, Austin and perhaps San Antonio, Valdezs hometown.

In downtown Austin on Friday, several groups of Democrats who said they had voted in the primary for either Valdez or White said they were uncertain whether they would vote in the runoff.

It just doesnt look like either campaign has a chance and, frankly, neither (candidate) looks great  even in a year when Democrats are supposed to be the great choice, said Jillian Romero, 34, a therapist from Pflugerville who said she has been doing volunteer work in a local Democratic legislative race.

Earlier this month, the liberal Austin Chronicle, which had endorsed Valdez in the primary, hinted at much the same thing as they withdrew that endorsement in the runoff.

We sincerely hope and frankly urge Texas Democrats to see this gubernatorial election as a true wake-up call, and to work harder to motivate and enlist formidable candidates during the next election cycle, the weekly paper said.
After the worst disaster in our citys history, cant we all get along?

Apparently our political leaders cant. Our governor just wrote a couple of oddly irate and high-handed letters lecturing local elected officials on how theyre handling disaster recovery dollars. At a time when a lot of people around here are still hanging drywall in their flood-ravaged homes, this petty and public squabbling is not what we need.

Heres how it all started. On Wednesday, dozens of local mayors and county judges sent a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott asking the state for money, maybe from the Rainy Day Fund, to help them match federal funds for FEMAs Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. They pointed out the idea is not all that unusual because at least seven other states, including Florida and Georgia, have done the same thing.

EDITORIAL: Abbott must act, and now is the time!

If Abbott is ever going to open the Rainy Day Fund for significant post-Harvey recovery, matching federal dollars seems like a pretty good excuse.

This FEMA grant program is standard stuff after every federal disaster. Texas will get about $1.1 billion in mitigation money, about $500 million of which is available for local governments right now. But local leaders have to compete for the money and kick in a 25 percent match for selected projects. Its a good deal for those local governments, because FEMA covers the other 75 percent.

The letter was signed by 57 different elected officials, representing literally millions of Texans, from the mayors of Rockport and Kountze to the county judge of Bee County. Among them were Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

RELATED: Abbott's obstinance undermines federal hurricane recovery efforts

Apparently, it touched a nerve with the governor, who sent Houstons mayor a couple of snippy letters in response. (The governors office also sent the letters to reporters, which may explain why they read like combative news releases.) Abbott claimed the city hasnt spent the hurricane relief money thats already been made available and hasnt even applied for some other funds. He also said the city should use federal money to bankroll the 25 percent match for flood mitigation. And he claimed that Houston is dragging its feet and doing substantially worse than the state government on providing housing to hurricane victims.

That ticked off a lot of local officials, who said that Abbotts letter referred to hundreds of millions of dollars that are the same sort of federal funds they need money to match. Emmett criticized the governors idea of cannibalizing one pool of federal funds dedicated to flood relief and prevention to match other federal dollars. He also knocked the tone of the governors letter and said he thinks it doesnt recognize reality.

The details are deep in the weeds, a bunch of bureaucratic gobbledygook thats hard for average Texans to sort out. But its troubling that our state and local officials are at odds over what ought to be the mutually agreed priorities of helping hurricane victims and protecting Texans from future disasters.

EMMETT: Act now on flood prevention  with or without a comprehensive plan

At the same time, we have to wonder where our state legislators are when we need them. Despite the dysfunction in Washington, many members of our congressional delegation have scrambled to obtain federal funding for disaster relief. But at a time when our mayors and county judges could use some advocates in Austin, most of our state lawmakers seem strangely absent.

Check the calendar. Hurricane season is now less than two weeks away. We need our governor, our mayors and our county judges working together, not only to help us recover from last years disaster but also to protect us from the storms to come.
James Nielsen/Freelance

BMC Software Inc. is working with advisers to weigh a sale, according to people familiar with the matter, five years after Bain Capital and Golden Gate Capital took it private in a $6.9 billion deal.

The information technology management provider has drawn interest from private equity firms including Thoma Bravo, which is considering acquiring it through portfolio company Compuware Corp., said the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter isnt public. KKR & Co. has also expressed interest, they said.
By Rachel Robboy



Rachel Robboy is chief of portfolio management at the Inter-American Investment Corporation, where she is responsible for a portfolio of more than $12 billion in assets under management in infrastructure projects, corporate clients, financial institutions, and trade finance.

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Many aspects of the Panama Canal expansion make it stand out. The 7-year project to add a third lane to accommodate giant ships with triple the cargo capacity is the largest infrastructure project in Latin America and the Caribbean, costing over $5 billion. It brings in 22 percent of Panama's national gross domestic product, allowing the country to grow at 6 percent in a year when the rest of the region is slowing down.

Plus, this project is run by one of the most sophisticated state-owned enterprises in the world. How the Panama Canal Authority managed its recent expansion, which the country inaugurated on June 26, provides lessons for private and state-owned infrastructure companies in Latin America and beyond.

1. Prioritize good corporate governance

When I first started analyzing financing for the Panama Canal expansion nearly a decade ago, I was most struck by the Panama Canal Authority's approach to corporate governance. Ensuring that management and control of a public entity do not depend on political cycles or interests can be difficult. However, research shows that state-owned enterprises that can remain autonomous are more likely to avoid corruption, financial problems, and inefficiency. The Authority's management has created an independent board of directors and elects members on a phased schedule, voting on three new directors every three years. The Authority also has financial and administrative independence, including its own equity capital.

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2. Leverage your strengths

From the beginning of the expansion, the Panama Canal Authority recognized where it could excel and where it should collaborate. For the design and construction of the new locks, the Authority sought proposals from international companies. After an open procurement process, the winning contract went to the consortium of four experienced contractors: Sacyr of Spain, Impregilo of Italy, Jan de Nul of Belgium, and Constructora Urbana of Panama.

Leveraging its dredging and commercial operations experience, the Panama Canal Authority directly managed a portion of the dredging required for the expansion, and training of pilots. For example, local Panamanian pilots had so much expertise navigating ships through the 48-mile canal that canal operators globally began to seek their advice. This led to the opening of a training school. The Panama Canal Center for Simulation, Research, and Maritime Development includes a virtual-reality experience and a practice lake to simulate severe weather patterns and unexpected scenarios to train pilots and tugboat captains.

Therefore, the Panama Canal Authority focused on investing in its core strengthens, and in some cases, transformed them into market leadership.

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Panama Canal Authority

3. Tailor financing only for what you need

When the request to finance this project first came to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group, I assumed it would be similar to every other mega infrastructure deal and require sophisticated project financing with a solid package of guarantees, to help ensure repayment of the loan. However, as the Panama Canal Authority was already operational and generating income for almost a hundred years, it had extremely solid operating and financial track records. Given this cash flow and strong historical performance, in conjunction with solid future demand projections, the IDB Group--through its unit that handled private-sector transactions at that time--structured a 20-year, $400 million unsecured corporate loan. Because we tailored financing for what was needed, we ended up with efficient and concise loan documentation. We worked together with a group of development finance institutions, including the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).



4. Have alternatives

The Panama Canal Authority demonstrated that having a plan B strengthens negotiations. During the expansion of the canal, construction did not always go as planned. There were leaks, construction delays, labor disputes, and other serious challenges. For example, when issues with the main construction consortium became complicated, the Panama Canal Authority worked to develop viable alternatives with new vendors and contractors. The Authority recognized the change might cause delays or cost overruns. They were also prepared to respect the construction contracts' dispute resolution processes. Given strong contingency planning, the Authority had the capacity to implement its Plan B should it need to. In the end, it arrived at a solution with the main contractor and didn't resort to the Plan B. Nonetheless, the Authority clearly demonstrated sound management by having real contingency plans in place.

5. Look toward the future

According to 2015 financial statements, the Panama Canal Authority brought in $2.6 billion and kept operating costs at around $1.2 billion. Getting this equation right for an infrastructure company that transports 14,000 ships a year and aims to triple capacity is tricky.

Behind these numbers are state-of-the-art price-setting methodologies. The Authority invests significant resources to analyze the interplay of factors from ship size, cargo, time of year, frequency of travel, and weights. This both increases transit volume and improves value for its customers.

For example, analysts initially estimated that the canal would transport mainly containers, dry bulk, and vehicle carriers. However, revised projections include the transport of liquid natural gas. The Authority's responsive modeling allowed it to adjust pricing of the cost of passing through the locks to accommodate the ships carrying liquid natural gas.

Originating, structuring, and then closely monitoring the Panama Canal Authority's administration has taught us lessons about infrastructure finance, good corporate governance, effective management, and how to work with state-owned enterprises.

Just because the Panama Canal expansion was a mega deal did not mean it needed to be mega complicated. State-owned enterprises and private companies could benefit from the Panama Canal Authority's experience.

A version of this post appeared originally on the Inter-American Investment Corporation's Sustainable Business blog.
Imperial Valley News Center

Cyber-Criminal Residing in Latvia Convicted for Role in Operation of Counter Antivirus Service Scan4you

Washington, DC - A federal jury Wednesday convicted a Latvian non-citizen, meaning a citizen of the former USSR who had been residing in Riga, Latvia, of three counts related to his operation of Scan4you, an online counter antivirus service that helped computer hackers to determine whether the computer viruses and other malicious software they created would be detected by antivirus software, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Tracey Doherty-McCormick of the Eastern District of Virginia and Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno of the FBI Washington Field Offices Criminal Division.

Ruslans Bondars, 37, was convicted after a five-day jury trial of one count of conspiracy to violate the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of computer intrusion with intent to cause damage and aiding and abetting. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 21.

Ruslans Bondars helped hackers test and improve the malware they then used to inflict hundreds of millions of dollars in losses on American companies and consumers, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan. Todays verdict should serve as a warning to those who aid and abet criminal hackers: the Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners consider you to be just as culpable as the hackers whose crimes you enableand we will work tirelessly to identify you, prosecute you, and seek stiff sentences that reflect the seriousness of your crimes.

Ruslan Bondars designed and operated a service that provided essential aid to some of the worlds most destructive hackers, said Acting U.S. Attorney Doherty-McCormick. This verdict demonstrates our commitment to holding such actors accountable. I commend the work of the agents and prosecutors, both in the United States and in Latvia, who worked together to bring him to justice.

According to testimony at trial and court documents, from at least 2009 until 2016, Bondars operated Scan4you, which for a fee provided computer hackers with information they used to determine whether their malware would be detected by antivirus software, including and especially by antivirus software used to protect major U.S. retailers, financial institutions and government agencies from computer intrusions.

For example, one Scan4you customer used the service to test malware that was subsequently used to steal approximately 40 million credit and debit card numbers, as well as approximately 70 million addresses, phone numbers and other pieces of personal identifying information, from retail store locations throughout the United States, causing one retailer approximately $292 million in expenses resulting from the intrusion.

Another Scan4you customer used the service to assist the development of Citadel, a widely used malware strain that was used to infect over 11 million computers worldwide, including in the United States, and resulted in over $500 million in fraud-related losses. The Citadel developer took advantage of a special feature of Scan4you that allowed its integration directly into the Citadel malware toolkit through an Application Programming Interface, or API. The API tool allowed Scan4you users the flexibility to scan malware without the need to directly submit the malware to Scan4yous website.

At its height, Scan4you was one of the largest services of its kind and had at least thousands of users. Malware developed with the assistance of Scan4you included some of the most prolific malware known to the FBI and was used in major computer intrusions committed against American businesses.

Scan4you differed from legitimate antivirus scanning services in multiple ways. For example, while legitimate scanning services share data about uploaded files with the antivirus community and notify their users that they will do so, Scan4you instead informed its users that they could upload files anonymously and promised not to share information about the uploaded files with the antivirus community.

The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case. Trial Attorneys C. Alden Pelker and Ryan Dickey of the Criminal Divisions Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kellen Dwyer and Laura Fong of the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case. The Government of Latvia, including the Latvia State Police International Cooperation Department, the Latvia State Police Cybercrime Unit, and the General Prosecutors Office of the Republic of Latvia  International Cooperation Division, provided assistance and support during the investigation. Additional assistance was provided by the Criminal Divisions Office of International Affairs, the FBIs Atlanta and Minneapolis Field Offices and the Operational Technology Division, and the U.S. Attorneys Offices for the District of Minnesota and the Northern District of Georgia.
Imperial Valley News Center

Oregon Missionary Found Guilty of Sexually Abusing Six Cambodian Children at Orphanage

Portland, Oregon - A Coos Bay, Oregon man, who was a Christian missionary running an orphanage in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, was found guilty by a federal jury of six counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place, traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and aggravated sexual abuse.

Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams of the District of Oregon, and Special Agent in Charge Loren G. Cannon of the FBI, Portland Division, made the announcement after the verdict was accepted by U.S. District Judge Michael J. McShane of the District of Oregon.

Daniel Stephen Johnson, 40, was charged in December 2014 after serving a one-year sentence in Cambodia for sexually abusing some of the same victims. According to evidence at trial, Johnson was a Christian missionary who traveled between the United States and Cambodia, along with other countries in Southeast Asia. He started an orphanage in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, that housed several Cambodian children. Over a period of years beginning in 2005, Johnson engaged in sexual abuse and attempted to sexually abuse at least nine children who resided at his orphanage. The victims ranged in age from eight to 17-years-old. The sexual abuse continued until December 2013 when Johnson was arrested by the Cambodian National Police. Based on disclosures made by children at the orphanage, Cambodian officials charged Johnson and detained him pending trial. In May 2014, Johnson was convicted by a Cambodian judge of performing indecent acts on one or more children at the orphanage and sentenced to one year in prison. Following his release from prison, Johnson was escorted back to the United States by the FBI. He will be sentenced on Aug. 22 before U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. McShane.

While Stephen Johnson held himself out as a selfless missionary helping orphans in Cambodia, in reality he exploited that cover to sexually abuse the children entrusted to his care, said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Cronan. Todays conviction is a testament both to the courage of the victims, who traveled to the United States to provide critical testimony against their abuser, and to the steadfast commitment of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners to seeing that Johnson be held to account for his terrible crimes.

The despicable nature of this defendants conduct is beyond understanding, said U.S. Attorney Williams. Whether you are abusing children in this country or abroad, you will be pursued and held accountable in a court of law. The fact that this defendant abused children under the guise of being a missionary and orphanage operator is appalling.

Daniel Johnsons promises of charity and a better life were nothing more than lies as he dragged these children into his dark world of abuse, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Cannon. This case should serve as warning to those predators who believe they can hide their crimes  whether here at home or half-a-world-away. We will always stand with the victims, and we will always work to bring justice in their names.

According to evidence presented at trial, while in custody awaiting trial, Johnson made multiple efforts to tamper with witnesses and obstruct justice. Johnson contacted his victims online, encouraging them to lie and offering money and gifts. One message, sent via his relatives Facebook account to an adult in Cambodia, discussed visiting a victims family and encouraging them to convince the victim to retract their statement, potentially in exchange for $10,000. Another message explains the need for a victim to say they were under duress and pushed by police to thumbprint a document.

The FBI investigated the case. Trial Attorney Lauren E. Britsch of the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey S. Sweet and Ravi Sinha of the District of Oregon prosecuted the case with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy E. Potter for the District of Oregon. The Criminal Divisions Office of International Affairs also provided assistance in this case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Imperial Valley News Center

Rabobank NA Sentenced for Conspiring to Impair, Impede, and Obstruct Its Primary Regulator

Imperial, California - Rabobank National Association (Rabobank), a Roseville, California subsidiary of the Netherlands-based Cooperatieve Rabobank U.A., was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey T. Miller of the Southern District of California for impairing, impeding and obstructing its primary regulator, the Department of the Treasurys Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the OCC), by concealing deficiencies in its anti-money laundering (AML) program and for obstructing the OCCs examination of Rabobank. Rabobank was sentenced to a two-year term of probation, and ordered to pay the statutory maximum fine of $500,000. Additionally, as part of its guilty plea, Rabobank forfeited $368,701,259 to the United States as a result of allowing illicit funds to be processed through the bank.

Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Adam L. Braverman for the Southern District of California, Special Agent in Charge Dave Shaw of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in San Diego and Special Agent in Charge R. Damon Rowe of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Los Angeles Field Office made the announcement.

Rabobanks branches on the Mexican border processed hundreds of millions of dollars in suspicious transactions likely tied to international narcotics trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan. Instead of filing reports that would have alerted law enforcement to the suspicious activity, as required by law, the bank looked the other way and then compounded its misconduct by conspiring to cover-up its failures and deceiving its regulator. Todays sentence and the related forfeiture demonstrate that the Department of Justice will use all the tools at our disposal to combat drug trafficking and transnational crimeincluding prosecuting financial institutions that turn a blind eye to illicit proceeds moving through their customers accounts.

The U.S. Attorneys Office is intent on securing our border and preventing the laundering of narco-dollars through financial institutions like Rabobank, said U.S. Attorney Braverman. In doing so we will safeguard our communities and protect our citizens from drug traffickers and corporate criminals alike.

It is the responsibility of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to monitor and investigate illicit activity that exploits the global infrastructure, particularly in financial systems, said HSI San Diego Special Agent in Charge, Dave Shaw. This complex investigation revealed, and Rabobank admits, that Rabobank was aware of the extreme risk involved in processing million dollar financial transactions linked to transnational crime and international money laundering  activity which plagues the southwest border. Todays sentencing and the significant forfeitures in this case sends a strong message to financial institutions that illicit financial activity inside banking institutions will not be tolerated.

Rabobanks sentencing today is a victory for all Americans and sends a strong message about the need for transparency in banking and ultimately contributes to the fight against money laundering, said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Rowe. IRS-Criminal Investigation works diligently with our law enforcement partners to ensure funds obtained through illegal means do not find their way into our financial institutions.

On Feb. 7, Rabobank pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and to corruptly obstruct an examination of a financial institution. Specifically, Rabobank admitted to conspiring with several former executives to defraud the United States by unlawfully impeding the OCCs ability to regulate the bank and to obstruct the OCCs 2012 examination of Rabobanks Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)/AML compliance program. In connection with that guilty plea, Rabobank admitted that between 2009 and 2012 it implemented BSA/AML policies and procedures that precluded and suppressed its investigations into potentially suspicious transactions near the U.S.-Mexico border, much of which was conducted by customers and through accounts that Rabobank had previously designated High-Risk.

As a result of its BSA/AML failures, Rabobank admitted that certain customer accounts were involved in not less than $368,701,259 in suspicious transactions that were either unreported or untimely reported to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), as required by the BSA. These transactions included high-volume cash deposits and withdrawals, check transactions, electronic transfers, and wire transfers that were consistent with illegal activity such as trade-based money laundering, bulk cash smuggling, structuring, and the black market peso exchange.

According to its statement of facts, Rabobanks branches in Imperial County, California were heavily dependent on cash sourced from Mexico  cash the bank knew was likely tied to narcotics trafficking and organized crime. In particular, Rabobanks Calexico, California branch, located approximately two blocks from the U.S.-Mexico border, was the highest performing branch in the Imperial Valley region due to its receipt of cash from Mexico. Rabobank continued soliciting cash-intensive customers from Mexico, while failing to employ appropriate BSA/AML policies and procedures to address the heightened risk, until approximately May 2013, when Rabobank placed a moratorium on originating new account relationships for Mexico-based businesses entities.

Rabobank also admitted that the bank, through at least three executives, knowingly obstructed the OCCs 2012 examination by responding to the OCCs February 2013 initial report of examination with false and misleading information about the state of Rabobanks BSA/AML program and by making false and misleading statements to the OCC regarding the existence of reports developed by a third-party consultant that described the deficiencies and resulting ineffectiveness of Rabobanks BSA/AML program. In furtherance of the scheme to defraud the OCC, Rabobank also demoted or terminated two RNA employees who provided information to the OCC regarding Rabobanks BSA/AML deficiencies.

The investigation was conducted by HSI, IRS-CI, and the Financial Investigations and Border Crimes Task Force (the FIBC), a multiagency Task Force based in San Diego and Imperial Counties, and funded by the Treasury Executive Office of Asset Forfeiture (TEOAF). The investigation occurred in parallel with regulatory investigations by the OCC, Office of General Counsel, and FinCEN, Enforcement Division. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Kevin G. Mosley and Maria K. Vento of the Criminal Divisions Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, Bank Integrity Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel C. Silva, Mark W. Pletcher and David J. Rawls of the Southern District of California.
Imperial Valley News Center

Glendale Police Officer Arrested on Federal Charges of Lying to Federal Agents Investigating His Ties to Organized Crime

Los Angeles, California - Agents and officers associated with an FBI-led task force late this afternoon arrested a Glendale Police officer on federal charges of making false statements during interviews with investigators who were probing his connections to the Mexican Mafia and Armenian organized crime.

Detective John Saro Balian, 45, of Seal Beach, was taken into custody without incident at his residence.

Balian, who is charged in a criminal complaint with making false statements to investigators during an interview last year, is expected to make his initial appearance Wednesday afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles.

According to the complaint, which was filed Monday and unsealed after his arrest, Balian was interviewed by several law enforcement agencies over a six-month period in 2017 and repeatedly made false statements and misrepresentations about his links to criminal figures.

For example, Balian lied during an April 2017 interview with an FBI agent and Los Angeles Police Detectives in an effort to hide his associations and criminal collaborations with gang members, the Mexican Mafia and Armenian organized crime, according to an affidavit signed by a special agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The complaint alleges that Balian lied to mislead investigators about his relationship with a gang member  Jose Loza, a Mexican Mafia member and the shotcaller of the Canta Ranas street gang, who is currently facing federal racketeering charges  even though at the time Balian was communicating with Loza via a burner cell phone to discuss jointly undertaken criminal activities.

During a second interview in June 2017 with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General, Balian allegedly lied about accepting money to locate individuals who may have been associated with a burglary at the offices of a convicted felon who later became an informant. According to the affidavit, not only did the informant report paying Balian to locate two men who may have stolen property from the informants office, Balian sought to obtain information about one of the men from a deputy United States marshal, and text messages between the informant and Balian documented the arrangement.

The complaint also accuses Balian of lying during an August 2017 interview with authorities who asked about his receipt of money from the informant and Balians relationships with several Hispanic gang members. Balian not only knew Hispanic gang members, including Loza, he also texted them, provided them pre-paid cellular phones, and met with them in person, the affidavit states.

During a fourth interview in October 2017 with an HSI agent and an FBI task force officer, Balian allegedly lied, among other things, about previously having met Loza, the complaint alleges. This conduct forms the basis for the false statements charge alleged in the complaint.

Cases involving corrupt public officials  and particularly those involving crimes allegedly committed by police officers  are among the most difficult and troubling matters we see, said United States Attorney Nicola T. Hanna. We rely on law enforcement officers to uphold their oaths to faithfully serve their communities. If the allegations in this case are proven, this police officer provided meaningful support to criminal enterprises, and his attempts to cover up his associations served to obstruct justice.

The defendant swore to uphold an oath to enforce the law, but instead chose to break the law, said Paul Delacourt, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBIs Los Angeles Field Office. Mr. Balian moved in criminal circles and operated as though he was above the law by repeatedly lying to hide his criminal activity and that of others. His alleged actions impeded legitimate investigations into organized violent crime and consequently presented a threat to public safety.

Enforcing the laws of our nation and our communities is a calling like no other. All law enforcement professionals are held to a higher standard, said Joseph Macias, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in Los Angeles. HSI stands with all of our partners in our commitment to ensuring that corrupt law enforcement officers who break our laws, violate public trust and compromise safety are prosecuted to the fullest extent. The public deserves no less.

In addition to the false statements Balian allegedly made over the course of several months last year, the affidavit contains allegations that the police officer worked with a local street gang member and Mexican Mafia associate after Loza was taken into federal custody. This gangster provided information to authorities indicating that Balian disclosed information about another federal racketeering case that allowed the lead defendant to avoid arrest during the takedown and remain a fugitive for a month, according to the affidavit. Balian regularly communicated with the gangster-turned-informant though pre-paid burner cell phones, with Balian relaying law enforcement information about planned searches at marijuana grows and instructing the gangster to hit them before law enforcement executed the search warrants, the affidavit states. The gangster also reported that Balian was involved in disposing of a firearm used in a shooting, extortion plots, and the gangster said he acted as the bagman on at least two extortions.

A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

If Balian were to be convicted of the charge of making false statements to federal investigators, he would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

The case against Balian is the result of an ongoing investigation by the Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force, which is made up of special agents with the FBI, HSI, IRS Criminal Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, as well as officers with the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, the Glendale Police Department, the Burbank Police Department and the California Department of Health Care Services.

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Mitchell of the Violent and Organized Crime Section.
Imperial Valley News Center

Arrest Made During Investigation Into Aliso Viejo Bombing

Aliso Viejo, California - During the course of the investigation into the May 15 explosion in Aliso Viejo, investigators found a destructive device during the service of a search warrant at a Long Beach residence.

The resident, Stephen Beal, 59, of Long Beach, was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of an unregistered destructive device. Mr. Beal is not being charged in connection with the explosion. He is expected to make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana this afternoon. No additional details will be made available until Mr. Beal is officially charged in a federal criminal complaint later Wednesday, at which time officials will provide additional details.
Missouri Man Pleads Guilty in $3.4 Million Real Estate Investment Scheme that Targeted Orange County Investors

Santa Ana, California - A Missouri man who formerly served as a law enforcement reservist has pleaded guilty to a federal fraud offense and admitted operating a real estate scheme in Orange County that bilked dozens of Southern California investors who collectively suffered approximately $3.4 million in losses.

Shawn Patrick Watkins, 48  who resided in Layton, Utah during the course of the fraud, but has since relocated to Branson, Missouri  pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of mail fraud.

Watkins pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Cormac J. Carney, who scheduled a sentencing hearing for November 19.

A second person involved in the scheme  Angel Bronsgeest, 55, of Lake Forest  previously pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and is also scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Carney on November 19.

According to court documents, Watkins promoted himself as a real estate expert with a background in law enforcement and engineered a scheme that defrauded more than 50 victims. Watkins admitted in his plea agreement that he conducted monthly seminars in which he offered investments in his company, The Equity Growth Group (TEGG) from at least 2007 to at least October 2013. Victims were told their money would be used to acquire or to repair properties. Some investors were asked to provide bridge loans to allow TEGG to acquire certain properties when money from another investor had not been received.

Watkins made a number of false promises to investors. For example, investors were falsely advised that TEGG controlled hundreds of properties that generated rental income and that TEGG would continue its growth by acquiring new properties. Investors were led to believe that they would receive substantial interest payments and that their money would be secured by collateral through the filing of deeds of trust on properties.

In reality, over the course of several years leading up to the collapse of TEGG, the company was not acquiring new properties and had a negative cash flow. Investor money was not used to acquire new properties, nor were investments secured by collateral, and many victims did not receive interest payments. In fact, money that was paid to some victims as purported interest or a return on their investment came from investments made by other victims. Investor funds also were used to pay salaries and other expenses, including mortgages on three homes Watkins purchased and were being occupied by Watkins, his parents and his estranged wife and children.

As a result of his guilty plea, Watkins faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

The cases against Watkins and Bronsgeest are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The prosecution of these cases is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Greg Staples of the Santa Ana Branch Office.
New Mexico Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Directing Computer Attacks Against Websites of Dozens of Victims and Felon-In-Possession Charges

St. Paul, Minnesota - A New Mexico man was sentenced Thursday in St. Paul, Minnesota, for directing computer attacks against the websites of his prior employers, business competitors and public services, and felon-in-possession of a firearm charges. Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Department of Justices Criminal Division; United States Attorney Gregory G. Brooker of the District of Minnesota; and Special Agent in Charge Jill Sanborn of the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Minneapolis Field Office made the announcement.

John Kelsey Gammell was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright of the District of Minnesota. Restitution to the victims of his computer attacks will be determined at a later date. Gammell pleaded guilty on Jan. 17, to one count of conspiracy to cause intentional damage to a protected computer and two counts of being a felon-in-possession of a firearm.

According to admissions made in connection with his plea, from at least in or about July 2015 through in or about March 2017, Gammell engaged in a campaign of distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks on websites throughout the United States. A DDoS attack is a malicious attempt to disable or interrupt service to a computer or website, usually by causing large amounts of Internet traffic to be directed to the computer or website. Gammell directed DDoS attacks at a number of victims websites, including websites operated by companies he used to work for, companies that declined to hire him, competitors of his business, and websites for law enforcement agencies and courts, among others.

Gammell admitted that he caused DDoS attacks by using computer programs on his own computers, as well as by directing DDoS-for-hire companies from which he purchased services to launch the DDoS attacks. Gammell purchased subscriptions to multiple DDoS-for-hire companies, including VDoS, CStress, Inboot, Booter.xyz, and IPStresser. He initiated attacks using these DDoS-for-hire companies against dozens of victims, including but not limited to Washburn Computer Group, the Minnesota State Courts, Dakota County Technical College, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, the Hennepin County Sheriffs Office, and others. Gammell took a variety of steps to avoid detection and circumvent his victims DDoS attack mitigation efforts, such as using IP address anonymization services to mask his identity and location, using cryptocurrency in payment for DDoS-for-hire services, using multiple DDoS-for-hire services at once to amplify his attacks, using spoofed emails to conceal his conduct, and using encryption and drive-cleaning tools to conceal digital evidence of his conduct on his computers.

Gammell, who is a convicted felon, also admitted that he possessed parts for use in the building of AR-15 assault rifles, upper and lower receivers, a pistol grip, a trigger guard, 15 high-capacity magazines, a buttstock, a buffer tube, and 420 rounds of 5.56 x 45mm full metal jacket rifle ammunition in Colorado, where he worked. He further admitted that he possessed a Heckler & Koch P2000 handgun, and a Springfield Armory model 1911-A1, .45 caliber handgun, as well as hundreds of rounds of ammunition in New Mexico, where he resided.

This case was investigated by the FBIs Minneapolis Field Office. Trial Attorney Aaron R. Cooper of the Criminal Divisions Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Rank of the District of Minnesota are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorneys Offices for the District of Colorado and the District of New Mexico also provided substantial assistance in this matter.
CBP Lands New Port Director in Houston

Houston, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection at George Bush Intercontinental Airport welcomed a new port director to head CBP operations at one of the nations busiest international airports.

CBP Area Port Director

Raymond Polley

Raymond S. Polley, 26-year CBP veteran, assumed the reins of leadership, April 23, and has spent his first few weeks becoming familiar with an international airport listed among the top 50 busiest airports by passenger traffic.

Houston is a great place to be, Polley said. I am very happy to be here and look forward to working with the various stakeholders.

Polley, who hails from Eastern Kentucky, joined U.S. Customs Service in 1992 after serving as an infantryman in the U.S. Army. While in the Army, Polley graduated from the Armys Jungle School, Airborne School and Air Assault Schools. In his four years with the Army, Polley earned the Combat Infantry Badge and the Jungle Expert Badge.

When I made the decision to join the military, I wanted to be in the thick of it, he said with a grin. When I was searching for my next career, I came across a vacancy with U.S. Customs Service and felt that my skillset would transfer pretty easy.

Polleys decision to continue in public service has taken him across the country including duty locations in Cincinnati, Ohio; Memphis, Tennessee; Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, Louisiana.

I did a six-month temporary duty in New Orleans immediately after Hurricane Katrina to assist the agency in its recovery efforts, he explained. I returned to a far more recovered city in 2013.

After spending two years as the CBP area port director in the Big Easy and immediately before his selection to Houston, Polley spent three years at CBP headquarters where he directed programs related to improving physical and personal security, use of force policy, the Canine Program for the Office of Field Operations and their Anti-Terrorism and Contraband Enforcement Teams.

I am very pleased to welcome Mr. Polley to CBPs team in Houston, said Houston CBP Director of Field Operations Judson W. Murdock II. He is a well-rounded, experienced and proven leader who will hit the ground running. He will definitely add value to our already impressive team.

Polley will over see CBP operations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby International Airport. He is a graduate of Morehead State University and attended the University of Kentucky. He is also a graduate of the CBP Leadership Institute at the University of Chicagos Booth School of Business.
U.S. Border Patrol Arrests Convicted Felon

Detroit, Michigan - U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Detroit Sector arrested a previously removed Mexican national near Lake Township, Ohio, on Wednesday morning.

Border Patrol agents from the Sandusky Bay Station were contacted by Ohio State Highway Patrol at approximately 9:15 a.m. requesting assistance with identifying a subject. The man, identified as Marcos Mendez-Rabelez, admitted to the responding Border Patrol agents that he was from Mexico and did not possess U.S.-issued immigration documents allowing him to be or remain in the United States.

During processing at the Border Patrol station in Port Clinton, record checks revealed that he had been formally removed on four separate occasions. He was convicted of 8 USC 1326 Illegal Re-entry After Removal in 2015, and sentenced to 180 days in jail. He also had been sentenced, in 2010, to three years in prison for a conviction on transportation of marijuana. During questioning the man claimed to be a member of the Border Brothers gang.

This arrest is an example of the benefit of our working relationships with other law enforcement agencies in the area, said Chief Patrol Agent Douglas Harrison. These partnerships are valuable because we work together to remove criminal aliens from our communities. I am proud of all the agents in Detroit Sector who work daily as the front line of defense for our country.

Anyone with information on suspicious activity is asked to call the Detroit Sector Border Patrol Border Watch telephone number toll-free at 800-537-3220.
Asia Argento used her moment on stage at the Cannes Film Festival closing ceremony, there to present Best Actress alongside Ava DuVernay, to make a stirring indictment.

Not only of Harvey Weinstein  Argento was one of the first to publicly accuse him of sexual assault  but of Cannes itself, which she painted as Weinsteins hunting ground.

In 1997, I was raped by Harvey Weinstein here at Cannes, she said. I was 21 years old. This festival was his hunting ground. I want to make a prediction. Harvey Weinstein will never be welcomed here ever again. He will live in disgrace, shunned by a film community that embraced him and covered up for his crimes.

The Cannes Film Festival has been criticised for its lack of firm response to the #MeToo movement and its call for reform within the film industry. The festival declined to update its code of conduct to explicitly outlaw sexual harassment, instead working with the French government to create a telephone hotline.

Argentos concluding statement looked to future justice to be brought: And even tonight, sitting among you, there are those who still have to be held accountable for their conduct against women. For behaviour that does not belong in this industry, does not belong in any industry or any workplace.



"You know who you are. You do not belong in this industry. But most importantly, we know who you are, and were not going to allow you to get away with it any longer.

Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Show all 42 1 /42 Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Harvey Weinstein Harry Weinsteins reputation as one of Hollywoods leading executives was long cemented in stone. The acclaimed movie mogul, who produced Oscar-winning films Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient, and The Artist, clocked up box office successes and accolades aplenty. But this has quickly changed since a chorus of women have come forward to accuse the Hollywood producer of sexual harassment and assault. Since the New York Times bombshell report disclosed sexual harassment and rape allegations against the film mogul dating back decades, Weinstein has been fired from his namesake company, expelled from the Oscars and has had his wife leave him. Weinstein has apologised for having caused a lot of pain but has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Annabella Sciorra The Sopranos actor alleged Weinstein raped her after shooting The Night We Never Met, a 1993 movie that Weinstein produced. Similar to the stories told by other women, Weinstein drove the actor home, only to reportedly burst into Sciorra's apartment and start unbuttoning his shirt. He shoved me onto the bed, and he got on top of me, Sciorra said. I kicked and I yelled. Weinstein then allegedly locked her arms and forced sexual intercourse on her. After the incident, Sciorra found it increasingly hard to get work, many filmmakers saying 'We heard you were difficult', something the actor claims was because of the 'Weinstein-machine'. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Natassia Malthe The model and actress, who has appeared in around 50 films, said she met Weinstein at a BAFTA after party in 2008 while she was working as a spokeswoman for LG. She told a press conference in New York that she felt pressured into telling Weinstein she was staying at the Sanderson Hotel after being put on the spot. Malthe, now 43, said after her shift on February 10 she went back to her room and went to sleep, but was awoken by "repeated pounding" on her door, from someone yelling: "Open the door Natassia Malthe, it's Harvey Weinstein." Feeling humiliated, she said she opened the door. She alleged Weinstein began implying sex would get her a role in an upcoming film while semi-undressed and then he began to masturbate. "I was sitting on the bed talking to Harvey when he pushed me back and forced himself onto me. It was not consensual. He did not use a condom," she said. AP Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Sean Young The actor, best known for her role in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, said that Weinstein exposed himself to her in the early 1990s, when she was starring in the Miramax-produced Love Crimes - a production company that Weinstein headed at the time. "I personally experienced him pulling his you-know-what out of his pants to shock me," she said. "My basic response was, 'You know, Harvey, I really dont think you should be pulling that thing out, its not very pretty.'" Young never worked with Weinstein again after the incident. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mimi Haleyi Mimi Haleyi said she was assaulted by Weinstein in what appeared to be a child's bedroom in his New York City apartment in 2006 when she was in her 20s. She said she was aspiring to work in television and film production when she was first introduced to him at the London premiere of The Aviator around two years earlier and he helped her get experience on the set of a TV show being produced by The Weinstein Company. But, she added, he repeatedly hassled her and even tried to force himself through her front door in an effort to get her to join him on a trip to Paris. At one point he allegedly forcibly performed oral sex on an aspiring production assistant while she was on her period. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lupita Nyong'o In an op-ed for The New York Times, the Oscar-winning actor said she was invited to Weinsteins family home in Connecticut on the premise of watching a film shortly after they met in 2011. But she said shortly after it started he "insisted" in front of his children that she follow him and she was led to his bedroom. The Kenyan-Mexican actress, now 34, said she felt pressured into giving him a massage after he offered her one. "Before long he said he wanted to take off his pants," she wrote."I told him not to do that and informed him that it would make me extremely uncomfortable. He got up anyway to do so and I headed for the door, saying that I was not at all comfortable with that." Over the years that followed, he continued to get in touch, Nyong'o said, and when she declined another proposition she felt her career was threatened. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lena Headey Writing on social media, the Game of Thrones actor claims she first met Weinstein at the Venice Film Festival in 2005 where, after taking her for a walk by the water, he made some suggestive comment and gesture. Headey claims she bumped into Weinstein years later where he kept asking her questions about her love life. She alleges that, when Weinstein invited her to his hotel room to show her a script, the "energy shifted. The actor notes how, after saying she was not interesting in anything but the work, Weinstein was furious, apparently marching her back to a lift, "grabbing and holding tightly to the back of [her] arm." She claims that, after paying for her car, he whispered in her ear: "Don't tell anyone about this, not your manager, not your agent. Headey finished the post, writing: I got in the car and I cried. Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lucia Evans The actor told The New Yorker that after a meeting to discuss casting her in various projects, Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him. I said, over and over, I dont want to do this, stop, dont. She added: Hes a big guy. He overpowered me. I just sort of gave up. Thats the most horrible part of it, and thats why hes been able to do this for so long to so many women: people give up, and then they feel like its their fault. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Laura Madden Madden, a production assistant who worked at Miramax for a decade, told the Times that Weinstein allegedly prodded her for massages at hotels, a common theme among the sources the Timess reporters spoke with. On one occasion, she claims she locked herself in his hotel bathroom, sobbing Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ashley Judd Judd recounted for the Times how Weinstein allegedly harassed her while she was filming Kiss the Girls in 1996, inviting her to his hotel room and asking her for a massage, then inviting her to watch him shower. Judd first went public with the allegations in a 2015 interview with Variety during which she discussed the experience without naming the producer involved. She described Weinsteins alleged behaviour as coercive bargaining; I said no, a lot of ways, a lot of times, and he always came back at me with some new ask, she told the Times AFP/Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Rose McGowan McGowan reportedly reached a previously undisclosed $100,000 settlement with Weinstein in 1997, over an incident that occurred in a hotel room Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mimi Haleyi Mimi Haleyi said she was assaulted by Weinstein in what appeared to be a child's bedroom in his New York City apartment in 2006 when she was in her 20s. She said she was aspiring to work in television and film production when she was first introduced to him at the London premiere of The Aviator around two years earlier and he helped her get experience on the set of a TV show being produced by The Weinstein Company. But, she added, he repeatedly hassled her and even tried to force himself through her front door in an effort to get her to join him on a trip to Paris. At one point he allegedly forcibly performed oral sex on an aspiring production assistant while she was on her period. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Emily Nestor Nestor had been temping at the Weinstein Company for only one day in 2014 when Weinstein allegedly offered to boost her career in return for sexual favours, according to the Times. She declined and reportedly complained of his behaviour to colleagues, who later passed the information on to senior executives. An internal Weinstein Company document cited by the Times describes Nestors encounter with Weinstein as follows: She said he was very persistent and focused though she kept saying no for over an hour Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ambra Battilana In March 2015, Battilana, an aspiring model and actress, was reportedly summoned to Weinsteins office on a Friday night to discuss her career. According to a police report cited by the Times, Battilana claimed she was assaulted by Weinstein, who grabbed her breasts after asking if they were real and put his hands up her skirt. Weinstein later claimed that Battilana had set him up, according to colleagues of his who were interviewed by the Times. The Manhattan District Attorney, Cyrus Vance, later declined to press charges, and according to the Times, made a payment to Battilana. On 5 October, the International Business Times reported that after Vance dropped the charges, he received $10,000 from Weinsteins lawyer Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lauren OConnor Lauren OConnor, an employee of the Weinstein Company, penned a memo to executives alleging a toxic environment for women at the company. The memo cited numerous incidents of Weinstein harassing or coercing women who worked for him. She expressed fear that Weinstein was using her and other female employees to facilitate liaisons with vulnerable women who hope he will get them work. That same year, Weinstein allegedly reached a settlement with OConnor Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Kate Beckinsale The actor, who starred in the Weinstein Company films Serendipity and The Aviator, alleges that she was invited to Weinsteins hotel room at the age of just 17. When she approached the door, the producer reportedly greeted her dressed in just a dressing gown. I was incredibly naive and young and it did not cross my mind that this older, unattractive man would expect me to have any sexual interest in him, she wrote on Instagram. After declining alcohol and announcing that I had school in the morning I left, uneasy but unscathed. Theo Wargo/Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Gwyneth Paltrow The actor alleges that after he cast her in the title role of the film Emma when she was 22, he took her to his hotel room, placed his hands on her and suggested massages. I was a kid, I was signed up, I was petrified, Paltrow told the New York Times. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Asia Argento Italian actress Asia Argento has alleged that in 1997 Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her as she repeatedly told him to stop. When I see him, it makes me feel little and stupid and weak, Argento told The New Yorker. After the rape, he won. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Cara Delevigne The British model and actress penning an Instagram post claiming that Weinstein had ordered her to kiss another woman in his hotel room, and tried to kiss her on the lips. AFP/Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ashley Judd Ashley Judd said she rebuffed Harvey Weinsteins unwanted sexual advances by offering to consent only after she had won an Oscar. When she was initially invited to a meeting with Weinstein, Judd said, she was surprised to learn the producer was in his hotel room - a tactic that recurs in other womens accounts. Echoing the accounts of other women, Judd said Weinstein suggested she give him a massage and then invited her to watch him shower. After a volley of nos she said she would only after she wins an Oscar, fleeing after making the comments. Reuters/Mike Segar Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Judith Godreche French actress Judith Godreche said when she was 24 Weinstein invited her to his hotel room and asked to give her a massage. The next thing I know, hes pressing against me and pulling off my sweater, she told the New York Times. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mira Sorvino The Oscar-winning actor said she found herself in a hotel room with Weinstein in 1995 where he started massaging my shoulders, which made me very uncomfortable, and then tried to get more physical, sort of chasing me around. According to an interview in The New Yorker Weinstein subsequently arrived at her apartment late at night and she had to call a friend to come over to pose as her boyfriend in order to get Weinstein out of the house. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Katherine Kendall The actress said Weinstein undressed and chased her around a living room when she was just 23. She subsequently felt that telling others meant Ill never work again and no one is going to care or believe me, she told the New York Times. WireImage Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Tomi-Anne Roberts As an aspiring actress and working in a restaurant in New York, Tomi-Ann Roberts encountered Weinstein who encouraged her to audition for one of his films back in 1984. She subsequently went to meet him and found him naked in the bath and invited her to get naked and get into the bath with him, she told the New York Times. She said she left feeling manipulated. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Myleen Klass It has also been alleged that the disgraced film producer propositioned Myleene Klass with a sex contract at Cannes Film Festival in 2010. One of the singer and television personalitys friends reportedly told The Sun, Klass had told Weinstein to f*** off. Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Sophie Dix Sophie Dix, best known for her role as Captain Sadie Williams in Soldier Soldier, described her encounter with Weinstein when she was 23 as the single most damaging thing thats happened in my life. She told The Guardian Weinstein had pushed her to her bed and was tugging at her clothes. She rushed to the bathroom to escape, but when she came out she found him standing there masturbating. I quickly closed the door again and locked it, she said. Then when I heard room service come to the door I just ran. Rex Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lea Seydoux The actor and director claims she had to fight off Weinstein after he brought her to his hotel room during what she remembers to be 2012. He suddenly jumped on me and tried to kiss me. I had to defend myself. Hes big and fat, so I had to be forceful to resist him. I left his room, thoroughly disgusted, she wrote in The Guardian. AFP/Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Claire Forlani British actress Claire Forlani wrote on Twitter that she had evaded Weinsteins advances on five occasions at the age of 25. At meetings with the Hollywood a-lister, she says massage was suggested, and that Weinstein had boasted of all the women hed had sex with. Mark Douet Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Florence Darel French actress Florence Darel claimed Weinstein relentlessly pursued her in the mid 1990's and propositioned her while Eve Chilton, his wife at the time, was in the hotel room next door. I was astonished, she told People magazine. When you have someone so physically disgusting in front of you, continuing and continuing as though this was all perfectly normal What happened to me may not be illegal but it was inappropriate. Very inappropriate. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lysette Anthony Lysette Anthony, who starred as Marnie Nightingale in Hollyoaks, has claimed Weinstein raped her in the late 1980's after turning up to her London home in the late 1980s. She described the disgraced film producers alleged attack as pathetic and revolting and said it left her feeling disgusted and embarrassed. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Dawn Dunning Dunning said she met Weinstein in 2003 when she was 24-years-old and the disgraced film producer suggested she have a threesome with him and someone else. She told the New York Times Weinstein got angry when she refused. Youll never make it in this business, she said he told her as she left. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Rosanna Arquette Rosanna Arquette was already well known for her role in Desperately Seeking Susan, when she said she met Weinstein at his hotel to pick up a script in the early nineties. Weinstein was dressed only in a dressing gown, and tried to put her hand on his erect penis. Speaking to the New York Times, Arquette said as she left she told him: I will never be that girl. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Emma de Caunes Caunes, a French actor, claimed Weinstein took her to his hotel room in 2010 supposedly to retrieve a book he was making into a film, but once there he went into the bathroom. De Caunes said he then emerged naked, with an erection and told her to lie on the bed. She fled the room. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Zoe Brock Model Zoe claimed that she had to lock herself in a bathroom at Weinsteins hotel in 1997, after the mogul had sent all of the assistants out of the room, and then appeared naked. I was alone with Weinstein, she told ITVs This Morning programme. He very quickly left the room and came back naked. He chased me naked. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Jessica Barth Actress Jessica Barth described an encounter with Weinstein in 2011 in an interview with The New Yorker in which she said Weinstein veered between offering her roles in films and demanding a naked massage. She alleges the producer said to her: So, what would happen if, say, were having some champagne and I take my clothes off and you give me a massage? When she tried to leave, he then promised to give her the number of a female executive at the company. He gave me her number, and I walked out and I started bawling, Barth said. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Romola Garai The actress told The Guardian she felt violated after she went to a meeting with Weinstein at the age of 18 and he met her in his hotel room wearing nothing but a dressing gown. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Heather Graham Graham claimed that during a casting opportunity in the early 2000's Weinstein had told her he had an open relationship with his wife. He could sleep with whomever he wanted when he was out of town. I walked out of the meeting feeling uneasy, Graham told Variety. There was no explicit mention that to star in one of those films I had to sleep with him, but the subtext was there. Graham was never hired to work in a Weinstein film. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Jessica Hynes Spaced and W1A star Jessica Hynes tweeted about an encounter with Weinstein earlier this week, but subsequently deleted the tweet. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lucia Evans The actor told The New Yorker that after a meeting to discuss casting her in various projects, Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him. I said, over and over, I dont want to do this, stop, dont. She added: Hes a big guy. He overpowered me. I just sort of gave up. Thats the most horrible part of it, and thats why hes been able to do this for so long to so many women: people give up, and then they feel like its their fault. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Louisette Geiss The former actress said she met Weinstein to pitch a film script she was working on. During the meeting, Weinstein allegedly went out and reappeared naked and got into a jacuzzi where he masturbated in front of her and said he would make the script into a film if she stayed and watched. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Liza Campbell Liza Campbell, a British writer and artist, alleged that Olympically ugly Weinstein asked her to join him in the bath and began getting undressed at a hotel. In a piece for The Times, Campbell claimed she was forced to sprint to the door to escape. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Louise Godbold Writing in a blog post, Louise Godbold, a non-profit director in Los Angeles, said her encounter with Weinstein took the form of an office tour that became an occasion to trap me in an empty meeting room. She said then Weinstein was begging for a massage, his hands on my shoulders as I attempted to beat a retreat.



The Italian actor was amongst the women who came forward with allegations against Weinstein in Ronan Farrows 2017 New Yorker article, one that sparked a flood of further allegations against the producer. Weinstein has said that all sexual acts were consensual, while his legal team have called a number of the other allegations false.

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Sam Selvon was one of the first fiction writers to give voice to the Windrush generation.

His ground-breaking 1956 novel The Lonely Londoners is as important today as it ever was, regaling the story of Caribbean immigrants who arrived in Britain full of hope and found themselves struggling in isolation.

The Trinidad-born author, who is celebrated by a Google Doodle on the 95th anniversary of his birth, was writing from personal experience.

Recommended The tales of human misery among the Windrush generation defy belief

After serving as wireless operator with the Royal Navy during the Second World War, Selvon worked as a journalist for the Trinidad Guardian before moving to London in 1950 to seek fame and fortune.

He found neither, instead struggling to make ends meet as he lived in an immigrants hostel and later a basement flat in Notting Hill.

But this was to prove a formative period, turning a writer of romantic accounts of Trinidad into a sharp observer of the vagaries of immigrant city life.

In 1952 he published the novel A Brighter Sun, and glowing reviews encouraged him to become a full-time writer.

While he continued to write about his Caribbean homeland, Selvon is remembered best for The Lonely Londoners, in which his characters struggle with a failed sense of promise. They do so in a city which, as protagonist Moses puts it, divide[s] up in little worlds, and you stay in the world where you belong to and you dont know anything about what happening in the other ones except what you read in the papers

The novel pioneered the use of Caribbean Creole in its narrative, helping to stimulate the linguistic liberation of non-British writing from the bonds of standard English.

I tried to recapture a certain quality in West Indian everyday life, Selvon later said. I had in store a number of wonderful anecdotes and could put them into focus, but I had difficulty starting the novel in straight English.

The people I wanted to describe were entertaining people indeed, but I could not really move. At that stage, I had written the narrative in English and most of the dialogues in dialect. Then I started both narrative and dialogue in dialect and the novel just shot along.

Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Show all 15 1 /15 Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK The ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush' arriving at Tilbury Docks from Jamaica, with 482 Jamaicans on board, emigrating to Britain. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Jamaican immigrants being welcomed by RAF officials from the Colonial Office after the ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush' landed them at Tilbury. PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Alford Gardner who arrived in Britain in 1948 on the first Windrush ship to dock in Tilbury, Essex, speaking at his home in Leeds PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Alford Gardner in Leeds shortly after he arrived in Britain in 1948 on the first Windrush ship to dock in Tilbury, Essex PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Gardner was 22 years old when he boarded the ship in Kingston, Jamaica, with his brother Gladstone before they and hundreds of Caribbean migrants called on to rebuild post-war Britain disembarked the ship in Tilbury Docks PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Alford Gardner (right), during his RAF service in 1947 PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK The son of Ruth Williams, a Windrush-generation immigrant, wants to the leave the country after threats of deportation. According to his mother, Mr Haynes applied for British citizenship in 2016 but was rejected, despite Ms Williams having lived in the UK almost permanently since arriving from St Vincent and the Grenadines in 1959. Ruth Williams, 75, said she felt "betrayed" by Britain after the Home Office twice turned down applications for her 35-year-old son, Mozi Haynes, to remain in the country. Ms Williams is understood to have cancer and said she relies heavily on her son for support. PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK The British liner 'Empire Windrush' at port in 1954. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Ruth Williams, 75, with her British passport. "I feel betrayed and a second class citizen in my own country," she said. "This makes me so sad and the Home Office must show some compassion. "I am unwell and almost 75, I live on my own and I need my son to stay here. I need my family around me and I cant face being alone. He has applied to the Home Office and been refused twice." PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK From the top, hopeful Jamaican boxers Charles Smith, Ten Ansel, Essi Reid, John Hazel, Boy Solas and manager Mortimer Martin arrive at Tilbury on the Empire Windrush in the hope of finding work in Britain. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Jamaicans reading a newspaper whilst on board the ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush' bound for Tilbury docks in Essex. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK After half a century in Britain, Anthony Bryan decided it was time to go abroad. But the decision set off a nightmare that saw him lose his job, detained twice and almost deported to Jamaica. AFP/Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Jamaica-born Anthony Bryan poses outside his home in Edmonton, north London. Now 60 and a grandfather, Bryan thought the issue could be resolved swiftly, as he legally moved to Britain with his family as part of the Windrush generation of Caribbean migrants after World War II. In 1948, the ship Windrush brought the first group of migrants from the West Indies to help rebuild post-war Britain, and many others followed from around the Commonwealth. A 1971 law gave them indefinite leave to remain, but many never formalised their status, often because they were children who came over on their parents' passports and then never applied for their own. AFP/Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Three Jamaican immigrants (left to right) John Hazel, a 21-year-old boxer, Harold Wilmot, 32, and John Richards, a 22-year-old carpenter, arriving at Tilbury on board the ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush', smartly dressed in zoot suits and trilby hats. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Newly arrived Jamaican immigrants on board the 'Empire Windrush' at Tilbury in 1948. Getty

The novels sequels Moses Ascending (1975) and Moses Migrating (1983) also depicted immigrant life, as did many of Selvons short stories.

A lyrical and witty writer, he received numerous literary awards and honorary doctorates from the universities of West Indies and Warwick - even after relocating to Canada, where his work received little attention  before his death in 1994.

Despite writing of exile and alienation, Selvons work frequently has a way of capturing the humour in the situation, noted writer Helon Habila in 2007.

He added: The message of The Lonely Londoners is even more vital today than in 50s Britain: that, although we live in societies increasingly divided along racial, ideological and religious lines, we must remember what we still have in common  our humanity".
World Goth Day takes place on 22 May, an occasion for the pale and morbidly-inclined to emerge squinting into the sunlight to celebrate their individuality.

Goths in black hoodies, band t-shirts, panda eye shadow and even Victorian funeral weeds and moderate fetish wear are a common sight in market town centres across the country these days. Most people now understand that the look is nothing to be intimidated by, not necessarily a symptom of depression and much more than just a phase that teenagers drawn to occultism and pagan symbols will grow out of.

Wearing black is actually a clear indication of a melancholic personality type as old as the Elizabethan malcontent and Goth turns out to be a healthily inclusive tribal movement that shuns prescribed gender expectations and unrealistic physical ideals, placing an unfashionable premium on reading. All reasons its adherents, predominantly middle class and white, deserve respect rather than ridicule.

Primarily an offshoot of the punk era  although there were pre-1977 proto-Goths such as Screaming Lord Sutch and Alice Cooper and plenty of rockabilly groups toying with graveyard motifs  bands like The Damned, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Misfits all adopted Halloween dressing-up box aesthetics for shock effect.

The first Goth song proper is generally agreed to be Bela Lugosis Dead by Bauhaus, a nine-minute ode to the Hungarian actor so famous for playing Dracula that he was buried in his costume cape in 1956. The piece is known to many from its ominous use at the beginning of The Hunger (1983), Tony Scotts vampire movie starring Catherine Deneuve and David Bowie.

Peter Murphy of Bauhaus in The Hunger (MGM/UA/Kobal/Rex/Shutterstock)

Subsequent bands took the style in different directions throughout the 1980s, from the scary antics of garage rockers The Birthday Party and The Cramps to the gloom pop of The Sisters of Mercy and The Cure. Killing Joke and Depeche Mode led matters in an industrial direction culminating in Nine Inch Nails and the cybergoth rave scene, while others pushed on into dark metal territory, hence Cradle of Filth and Marilyn Manson.

Gliding swiftly past My Chemical Romance, Panic! At The Disco and the genuinely horrifying world of Emily the Strange merchandise, a track like Jenny Hvals dreamy Female Vampire from 2016 shows what can still be achieved within the confines of the genre.

Before the punks, cinema had long catered to the same taste for the macabre, from Universals monster pantheon of the 1930s to the atomic age American B-movies of the 1950s, Hammer Horror, Italian giallo and the suburban slasher films of the 1970s. Tracks like I Was a Teenage Werewolf by The Cramps or Night of the Living Dead by Misfits directly referenced the key films that informed these Goth taste-makers.

Lux Interior of The Cramps on stage in 2004 (Getty) (Getty Images)

Tim Burton subsequently picked up the megaphone, himself hugely influenced by the shlock disasterpieces of Ed Wood and Roger Cormans series of Edgar Allan Poe adaptations starring Vincent Price. His early films, notably Beetlejuice (1988), Edward Scissorhands (1991) and particularly The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), are all Goth favourites, their melancholy protagonists obsessed by their own outsider status, a mood he made the subject of two Batman features.

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Neil Gaimans Sandman (1989-96) and James OBarrs The Crow (1989-) graphic novels are required reading. The central characters of Morpheus, the Lord of Dreams, in the former and undead avenger Eric Draven in the latter were both modelled on the gaunt figure and pronounced cheekbones of Peter Murphy, frontman of Bauhuas, AKA the Godfather of Goth.

Theres room for humour in all of this, incidentally. Goths are drawn to the morosely funny artwork of Edward Gorey and Charles Addams, the TV and film spin-offs of the latters New Yorker cartoons, re-runs of The Munsters (1964-66) and novelty records like Bobby Boris Picketts Monster Mash. Even Nick Caves The Birthday Party, whose heroin-fuelled gigs earned notoriety at the turn of the 1980s, sent themselves up riotously on Release the Bats.

Or how about Jonathan Richmans affectionate spoof Vampire Girl?: Does she cook beans? Does she cook rice? Is she into ritual sacrifice?

Anjelica Huston as Morticia Addams in Addams Family Values (1993) (Paramount/Kobal/Rex)

Prior to its late blooming in 20th-century pop culture, the Gothic really emerged as an aesthetic in the Romantic literature, architecture and painting of the 18th and 19th century.

Bram Stokers Dracula (1897) is, obviously, the ur-text of modern Goth but the subcultures roots go back further to the stories of Robert Louis Stevenson, Poe and Sheridan LeFanu and the haunted summer of 1816 when Mary Shelley conceived the central idea for Frankenstein during an evening of ghost story recitals on Lake Geneva with her poet husband Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron and Dr John Polidari, whose own tale that stormy night, The Vampyre, would directly influence Stoker.

Even before this, there was Horace Walpoles The Castle of Otranto (1764), Matthew Lewiss The Monk (1775), William Beckfords Vathek (1786) and the supernatural mystery novels of Ann Radcliffe (1764-1823), works satirised by Jane Austen in Northanger Abbey (1817).

Walpole, an MP and the son of prime minister Sir Robert Walpole, was so enraptured with the Gothic that he had his own mansion built in order to live it, a lavish vanilla Viennetta of battlements and spires known as Strawberry Hill in Twickenham. His influence sparked a fashion that continued throughout the following century when many of Londons most recognisable landmarks, from the Palace of Westminster, London Bridge and St Pancras Station, were constructed.

Walpoles taste was neo-Gothic, strictly speaking, drawing on an architectural movement that first flourished in continental Europe between the 12th and 16th centuries, characterised by cavernous masonry, rib vaults, pointed archways and stained glass. The Basilica of St Denis and Chartres Cathedral in Paris are two fine surviving examples.

Henry Fuselis The Nightmare, painted in 1781 (Detroit Institute of the Arts)

None of this has anything much to do with the historical Goths, by the way. These were the East Germanic people, divided into Visigoths and Ostrogoths, who fought the might of the Roman Empire. The term Gothic has been applied to architecture retroactively, thought to be because of the melancholy connotations associated with these tribes as harbingers of darkness for the Romans, responsible for the sun setting on the early superpowers dominance of Western Europe.

There was no coherent Gothic movement in painting per se but the German landscape painter Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840), a specialist in misty ruins and lone figures adrift in the sublime, certainly fits the bill: I have to stay alone in order to fully contemplate and feel nature.

The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters by Francisco Goya (The Art Archive/Rex/Shutterstock)

Other artists who exorcised their personal demons on canvas long before there was a name for it include Henry Fuseli (1741-1825), best known for his disturbing and erotic The Nightmare (1781), and Francisco Goya (1746-1828), whose etching The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters (1799) externalises the inner torment many feel but struggle to express.

A style as deathless as its heroes, Goth is an entirely positive movement because it enables its followers to find solace in the like-minded, who are clearly demarcated by their outfits, and because the genre is loaded with stone-cold bangers like This Corrosion by The Sisters of Mercy.

And everyone looks good in black. Or, as Dwight Pullen put it: You really look sharp wearing sunglasses after dark.
The Who frontman Roger Daltrey has expressed his own distaste for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Jeremy Corbyn is not a socialist, he told Event magazine. Hes a communist. Be honest about that and see how many votes you get, Jeremy, because otherwise, youre going to be moving in to Downing Street under a false premise.

The interview rattled through several of the most controversial debated topics of today. On Brexit, he had this to say: What Im against is Brussels, not the EU. I cant live with that because we lost people in my family fighting for our right to be democratic.

He also disparaged the #MeToo movement, claiming rock stars are too desirable to women to commit sexual harassment or assault.

Why would any rock star need to push themselves on women? he said. Usually, its the other way around. Id like to have 1 for every woman that screws my ass. Mick Jagger would be a billionaire out of it.

If it was going to be in the rock business, it wouldve been out by now. It wouldve been out a long time ago, he added. I find this whole thing so obnoxious. Its always allegations and its just salacious crap.

The musician is about to release his first solo album in over 25 years, As Long As I Have You, released on 1 June, which is described as a love letter to his wife of 47 years, Heather Taylor.

He credits the longevity of their marriage to the open nature of their relationship during his tour days, adding: She knew what business I was in. Was she ever going to believe me coming back from a three-month tour that Id been a good boy? I mean, come on. Men are men.

No one needed to say anything, it was all open and it worked. That kind of relationship worked for the aristocracy for centuries. Its remarkable that we have survived, but weve survived because she understood.

Its not been all easy and there have been times when Ive hurt her and thats upset me, but you cant go backwards, you have to go forwards. Weve hung in there and what I love about being married this long is you get the value added.

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Cremant, which many have described as Frances best kept sparkling wine secret, is a secret no more. In fact, it is having a bit of a moment, with sales in Britain suddenly rising almost exponentially. According to Waitrose, sales in 2017 rose a whopping 72 per cent over the previous year and are already 62 per cent up this year. According to official French figures, exports to the UK of cremant from Burgundy and the Loire rose by 98 per cent and 25 per cent respectively in the 12 months to the end of March.

There is a massive potential market. We have long been in thrall to Champagne, English sparking  of which more next week  is booming and we are now consuming so much prosecco the lake is in danger of drying up.

Carving a decent share is more difficult, which is why cremant has possibly been a bit below the radar until now. But proseccos very ubiquity has both awakened many people to the idea of a more everyday sparkler  picnics, barbecues or to brighten up a takeaway  as opposed to a special occasion one, while it has also prompted consumers to search for, dare one say it, classier alternatives, without pushing the boat out. Normally priced somewhere between 10 and 16 and with a readily identifiable name, cremant fits that bill admirably. All are easily drinkable as party wines, aperitifs and with food, particularly fish and shellfish.

As a wine, cremant style is also probably more approachable than many champagnes  generally lighter, sometimes floral, always refreshing and less austere  and certainly drier than most proseccos. It is also, as the name suggests, sometimes quite creamy and frothy, but without being sweet.

There is also a very dependable quality: in a country where the individuality of locality is paramount, cremant is arguably the only national French wine style, with eight very different areas all of which are governed by regulations designed to ensure standards: grapes handpicked, pressing controlled to achieve the right concentration of juice, made according to the time honoured methode traditionale used for Champagne (and most English sparkling) and aged for a minimum of 12 months. The individuality, trumping homogenised prosecco, comes from the local grape varieties used in each of these areas to impart different aromas and flavours.

So, off we go on a quick trip around France, starting in the northeast, in Alsace, near the German border, which produces around 50 per cent of French cremant, but the canny locals keep most of it themselves, although some are available in UK. Try the Arthur Metz CremantdAlsace Brut (11.24 Ocado.com, until June 12; normally 14.99; 15.99 Henningswine.co.uk) made by the biggest player in the region mostly from the slightly less well known pinot blanc grape, with some pinot noir, pinot gris and riesling in the mix, its a richer, yeasty, more complex style, which tends to be the Alsace trademark. Ocado  which does have a good range of cremants  also does the terrific pinot noir Arthur Metz Brut Rose and the slightly creamier, chardonnay-dominated organic version, Arthur Metz Cremant dAlsace Brut Biologique (both 11.24 Ocado.com, until June 12; normally 14.99).

Lighter and more playful than champagne, drier than prosecco: cremant is the perfect middle ground

The cremant regions form a rough circle around France extremities, so, moving anticlockwise and south to the mountainous Jura region, one of the great cremant bargains is the Exquisite Collection Cremant du Jura (7.99 Aldi.co.uk) which punches so far above its price point its almost ridiculous  a 100 per cent chardonnay, its refreshing, creamy, elegant and balanced, ideal for both parties and the dinner table. Production in the Jura is small and demand high, so Aldi has gone to the same respected regional producer, Maison du Vigneron, for a cremant dAlsace which will share the same space on its shelves from next year; watch out for it. Also from Maison du Vigneron is the very classy Marcel Cabelier Cremant du Jura Brut, (13.99 Ocado.com) made from chardonnay and the local red grapes, poulsard and trousseau, which has floral, lemon curd and brioche flavours and a long, slightly earthy finish: again, something of a trademark style.

Moving west to Burgundy, the Le Caves des Hautes Cotes Cremant de Bourgogne (12 Marksandspencher.com) is on the creamy side, with the local aligote grape in the mix of pinot noir and chardonnay. Burgundy, with its long tradition of ageing wines, is also introducing two new classifications of aged cremants  Eminent for 24 months minimum and Grand Eminent for 36 months, although theyre not yet on the market here.

Bypassing the tiny appellations of Savoie and Die, whose wines do not really make the UK off-trade although you might be lucky to find the odd one in a restaurant  the next stop is Limoux in the shadow of the Pyrenees in the Languedoc, which has a long tradition of making sparklers. One of the reasons for the Waitrose sales increase may be the excellent Cuvee Royale Brut Cremant de Limoux (11.99 Waitrose.com; Ocado.com) a chardonnay, chenin blanc and pinot noir combination that is a typical light and refreshing limoux.

Jumping over Bordeaux, where again cremant production is smallish, (but look out for a budget Bordeaux cremant in Lidl later this month) we come finally to the Loire, the second-biggest sparkling area after Champagne, although not all designated cremant. The quince and apricot flavours of chenin blanc and the richer structure of red cabernet franc come into play here, and there is a good choice for UK buyers. Waitrose also has the pear and apple flavoured Prince Alexandre Cremant de Loire (9.74; until 5 June; normally 12.99 Waitrose.com); Sainsburys has peaches and honeysuckle scented Taste the Difference Cremant de Loire (11 Sainsburys.co.uk) from one of the top producers in the region, Bouvet Ladubey; and the Wine Society has The Societys Celebration Cremant de Loire (12.95 Winesociety.com), made for them by another leader in the field, Gratien and Meyer. For something just a cut above, the Sauvion Cremant de Loire Brut (13.35 Addisonwines.com; 13.99 Flagshipwines.co.uk): slightly richer, creamy and satisfying. There is also a really lovely raspberry inflected cabernet franc pink, Sauvion Cremant de Loire Brut Rose (13.35 Addisonwines.com; 15.53 Gpbrands.eu).

Also: keep an eye open for the Marquis de Goulaine Cremant de Loire Tete de Cuvee, coming to Marks and Spencer next month (price to be confirmed) and a sure sign cremant is on the march. And if thats not enough to wean you off prosecco, I give up.
Donald Trump has demanded a federal investigation of allegations that law enforcement monitored his campaign for political purposes.

I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes - and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration! the president said in a tweet.

Reports in recent days that federal authorities used an information to gather information on Trump campaign officials have fanned the presidents distrust of the Department of Justice and the FBI, whom he accuses of pursuing a politically tainted witch hunt investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

The Department of Justice released a statement saying its internal inspector general would expand an existing review of surveillance procedures to include determining whether there was any impropriety or political motivation in how the FBI conducted its counterintelligence investigation of persons suspected of involvement with the Russian agents who interfered in the 2016 presidential election.

If anyone did infiltrate or surveil participants in a presidential campaign for inappropriate purposes, we need to know about it and take appropriate action, deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein - who oversees Mr Muellers probe - said in a statement.

Multiple stories have described federal law enforcement enlisting an informant to learn more about Trump aides believed to have connections to Russia. The FBI's investigative guidelines bar politically motivated inquiries, and reports have cited anonymous sources who said investigators followed those rules in seeking information on Trump campaign associates.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

But Mr Trump has issued an escalating series of attacks on what he has called a potentially all time biggest political scandal. As that presidential assault has unfolded, federal authorities have reportedly been working to limit the fallout if the confidential source's identity is revealed.

A federal investigation into Russian election meddling began during the election and has continued through Mr Trumps presidency, with special counsel Robert Mueller tasked with delving into Russian efforts and any potential links to the Trump campaign.

While Mr Muellers probe has already produced indictments of multiple former campaign aides, Mr Trump and his Republican allies in Congress have consistently blasted the probe as a partisan charade and have sought to discredit federal officials.

After it emerged that federal investigators had obtained permission to surveil former campaign aide Carter Page, congressional Republicans led an attempt - with Mr Trumps backing - to publish what they called evidence that authorities had concealed the partisan origins of their suspicions.

Law enforcement officials and Democrats have rejected that contention, saying authorities were forthright with a judge about having relied in part on a dossier compiled by a British spy who was receiving funding from the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee.

The Justice Department's internal watchdog earlier this year announced it had opened an investigation into the surveillance of Mr Page.

The president has made a habit of calling for Justice Department investigations. Among the subjects he has suggested federal law enforcement target are pharmaceutical companies, Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi.
We first saw it as a little blob on a picture of a distant moon. And now it might be one of our best hopes of finding alien life in our own solar system.

Scientists announced this week that there is a water plume coming out of Europa, a moon of Jupiter and one of the prime candidates for life in our solar system.

This comes in the wake of discovering plumes on Saturns moon Enceladus, during the Cassini mission, which suggested the strange moon has the building blocks of life.

While the discovery about Europa is brand new, the data used to deduce it was old. The plume itself might be ancient, and could help us to finally solve the mystery of whether are alone in the universe  or even alone in our little patch of it: the Solar System.

Thats because, while the plume themselves might be thrilling, theyre more exciting for what they might mean. They are spewing out water that would otherwise be hidden beneath the moons thick icy crust, and which would therefore be very difficult to access.

If Europa has plumes erupting into space, that really provides a new window for future exploration, says Xianzhe Jia, a space physicist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and the lead author on the new study. We might be able to find out whats going on in the ocean.

The awareness that there might be a plume arrived gradually: first in pictures taken from the Hubble Space Telescope that seemed to suggest something strange was happening, and then through further, clearer Hubble pictures. One of those later sets of images sent Jia and his team back to the data  which already been collected all the way back in 1997, from a spacecraft that set off in 1989.

We already had the data; we had a flyby over this region, he says, and the scientists resolved to look more carefully at the data we have.

It worked. In fact, when we look at the data more carefully  at the closest approach to the plume, we did detect strange changes which had not been explained before in the past, he says.

Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Show all 30 1 /30 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An image from Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows a 200,000 mile long solar filament ripping through the Sun's corona in September 2013 Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa Celebrates 50 Years of Spacewalking For 50 years, NASA has been "suiting up" for spacewalking. In this 1984 photograph of the first untethered spacewalk, NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless is in the midst of the first "field" tryout of a nitrogen-propelled backpack device called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Hubble Cosmic Couple The spectacular cosmic pairing of the star Hen 2-427  more commonly known as WR 124  and the nebula M1-67 which surrounds it ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Veil Nebula Supernova Remnant Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled in stunning detail a small section of the Veil Nebula - expanding remains of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago Nasa's most stunning pictures of space The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launch The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, carrying three new astronauts to the International Space Station. It also took caviar, ready for the satellite's inhabitants to celebrate the holidays Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth from the ISS From the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry W. Virts took this photograph of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Gulf Coast at sunset Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Black Hole Friday Nasa celebrated Black Friday by looking into space instead  sharing pictures of black holes Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space NuSTAR X-rays stream off the sun in this image showing observations from by NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, overlaid on a picture taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Cassiopeia A c A false colour image of Cassiopeia A comprised with data from the Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes and the Chandra X-Ray observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Orion Capsule splashes down The Orion capsule jetted off into space before heading back a few hours later  having proved that it can be used, one day, to carry humans to Mars Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth Observations From Gemini IV in 1965 This photograph of the Florida Straits and Grand Bahama Bank was taken during the Gemini IV mission during orbit no. 19 in 1965. The Gemini IV crew conducted scientific experiments, including photography of Earth's weather and terrain, for the remainder of their four-day mission following Ed White's historic spacewalk on June 3 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Frosty slopes of Mars This image of an area on the surface of Mars, approximately 1.5 by 3 kilometers in size, shows frosted gullies on a south-facing slope within a crater. The image was taken by Nasa's HiRISE camera, which is mounted on its Mars Reconaissance Orbiter Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Yellowstone from space NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shared this image of Yellowstone via his twitter account Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Saturn This near-infrared color image shows a specular reflection, or sunglint, off of a hydrocarbon lake named Kivu Lacus on Saturn's moon Titan Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Worlds Apart Although Mimas and Pandora, shown here, both orbit Saturn, they are very different moons. Pandora, "small" by moon standards (50 miles or 81 kilometers across) is elongated and irregular in shape. Mimas (246 miles or 396 kilometers across), a "medium-sized" moon, formed into a sphere due to self-gravity imposed by its higher mass Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An X1.6 class solar flare flashes in the middle of the sun in this image taken 10 September, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy An image of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy seen in infrared light by the Herschel Space Observatory. Regions of space such as this are where new stars are born from a mixture of elements and cosmic dust Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Mars Rover Spirit Nasa's Mars Rover Spirit took the first picture from Spirit since problems with communications began a week earlier. The image shows the robotic arm extended to the rock called Adirondack Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Morning Aurora From the Space Station Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station Nasa/Scott Kelly Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Launch of History - Making STS-41G Mission in 1984 The Space Shuttle Challenger launches from Florida at dawn. On this mission, Kathryn Sullivan became the first U.S. woman to perform a spacewalk and Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space. The crew of seven was the largest to fly on a spacecraft at that time, and STS-41G was the first flight to include two female astronauts Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Fresh Perspective on an Extraordinary Cluster of Galaxies Galaxy clusters are often described by superlatives. After all, they are huge conglomerations of galaxies, hot gas, and dark matter and represent the largest structures in the Universe held together by gravity Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Sees a Galactic Sunflower The arrangement of the spiral arms in the galaxy Messier 63, seen here in an image from the Nasa Hubble Space Telescope, recall the pattern at the center of a sunflower ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Pluto image Four images from New Horizons Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) were combined with colour data from the Ralph instrument to create this enhanced colour global view of Pluto Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Fresh Crater Near Sirenum Fossae Region of Mars The HiRISE camera aboard Nasa's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter acquired this closeup image of a "fresh" (on a geological scale, though quite old on a human scale) impact crater in the Sirenum Fossae region of Mars. This impact crater appears relatively recent as it has a sharp rim and well-preserved ejecta Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Peers into the Most Crowded Place in the Milky Way This Nasa Hubble Space Telescope image presents the Arches Cluster, the densest known star cluster in the Milky Way NASA & ESA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space An Astronaut's View from Space Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman tweeted this photo from the International Space Station on 2 September 2014 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Giant Landform on Mars On Mars, we can observe four classes of sandy landforms formed by the wind, or aeolian bedforms: ripples, transverse aeolian ridges, dunes, and what are called draa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Expedition 39 Landing A sokol suit helmet can be seen against the window of the Soyuz TMA-11M capsule shortly after the spacecraft landed with Expedition 39 Commander Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Jupiter's Great Red Spot Viewed by Voyager I Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and perhaps the most majestic. Vibrant bands of clouds carried by winds that can exceed 400 mph continuously circle the planet's atmosphere Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Chandra Observatory Sees a Heart in the Darkness This Chandra X-Ray Observatory image of the young star cluster NGC 346 highlights a heart-shaped cloud of 8 million-degree Celsius gas in the central region

So we looked at another data set, from around the time, which seem to indicate that during this interval the spacecraft is in a very different plasma environment. These two pieces of information immediately stood up  seeming to tell us that this minimal signal is being produced by a localised source, of particles.

In scientific terms, the team had a very good hunch that something was going on. But they needed to prove it, so they used extensive computer modelling to work out whether the data lined up with what would be be expected if there were a plume  and it did, with what Jia calls stunning precision.

Thats why, thought the data is fairly old, the discovery could never have been made at the time. Only with a hunch, and brand new modelling techniques, could scientists make sense of it.

Twenty years ago, you might have had the idea that this was related to the plume, he says. But the models of the time wouldnt allow you to draw that conclusion  wed have to wait for better images from future missions.

The Cassini mission to Enceladus (which Jia was not involved in) has already given scientists an understanding that they can bring to other plumes.

The knowledge that has been developed on the Enceladus missions and the studies gives us a very good idea about, if you do have water plumes in space, how would that change the magnetic and the plasma environment?

One of the central disappointments of the Cassini mission was that much of what it learnt about Enceladus suggested this strange moon was worthy of much more study  but its mission was imminently coming to a close.

That is not the case with Europa. Both Nasa and the European Space Agency are gearing up to send missions to Jupiter and the system that orbits around it.

The ESA hopes to send its Juice mission to Jupiters moons in 2022  and it will look at the other moons that are thought to have large oceans hiding beneath their surfaces, Ganymede and Callisto, as well as Europa. Nasas Europa Clipper mission is being prepared for launch the same year.

If plumes exist, and we can directly sample whats coming from the interior of Europa, then we can more easily get at whether Europa has the ingredients for life, said Robert Pappalardo, Europa Clipper project scientist at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Thats what the mission is after. Thats the big picture.

Nasa unveils space tourism posters Show all 6 1 /6 Nasa unveils space tourism posters Nasa unveils space tourism posters Nasa space tourism posters Nasa's canny decision to commission sumptuous vintage-inspired posters by Seattle design firm Invisible Creature has firmly placed space travel back where it belongs: in the imagination of travellers Nasa Nasa unveils space tourism posters Nasa space tourism posters It is particularly fitting that the Nasa commission went to Don and Ryan Clark, who have been running Invisible Creature since 2006, undertaking projects for the likes of Nike and Target Nasa Nasa unveils space tourism posters Nasa space tourism posters "We were ecstatic, just because our grandfather was an illustrator at Nasa for 30 years," says Clark Nasa Nasa unveils space tourism posters Nasa space tourism posters The artwork harks back to the Jet Age-era posters commissioned by Howard Hughes' Trans World Airlines and its rival United in the 1950s and 1960s, when the work of David Klein (for TWA) and Stan Galli (for United) glamorised and essentially branded this new age of air travel Nasa Nasa unveils space tourism posters Nasa space tourism posters It doesn't matter that Nasa has no plans for a "Grand Tour" of Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus Nasa Nasa unveils space tourism posters Nasa space tourism posters If global travel is for daydreamers, going beyond the atmosphere is for true space cadets Nasa

The two spacecrafts will be very well prepared for finding the plume if they do: they will be carrying a whole host of instruments that will be perfect for coming to understand whether the strange world would have the ability to host alien life. They will also be carrying radars that can see down beneath the ice to help us learn more about where the plume is coming from  and also about the mysterious watery world that it is erupting up and out of.

Habitable conditions require a certain balance of chemical elements: on Earth, life doesnt want it to be too acidic, too alkaline, though there are a range of conditions in which life could potentially exist, says Leigh Fletcher, senior research fellow in planetary science at the University of Leicester.

The more favourable it is, the more likely it is they would be there.

Weve already had a go at some of this, on Enceladus, where we were able to detect the so-called building blocks of life. Such a discovery doesnt prove there is aliens hiding in our own solar system, but it does suggest they could be.

The time around, on Europa, were going to get an even better look.

The Cassini mission was able to characterise in exquisite detail what is happening on Enceladus, says Fletcher. I would say that has been our testing ground, with a spacecraft that was based on 1980s, 1990s technology.

Now we know what were looking for in the Europa environment. Its been a fantastically useful thing.

He adds: One wonders if we ever went out to Saturn and Neptune, with their icy moons, would we be able to see these plumes? These places are barely explored.

It shows that this geophysical activity  this activity in a place where you would expect it to be dead  is happening, and things are changing, today.
Bereaved relatives of Grenfell Tower victims who are set to be core participants in the inquiry into the blaze are still waiting to be granted formal rights to be in the UK, as the probe gets underway.

Tributes from family and friends remembering those who died were heard by the public inquiry as its first phase began in London on Monday.

But one Moroccan man whose sister perished in the fire was unable to attend the start of the public inquiry because, despite applying for a UK visa months ago, the Home Office did not grant him one on time.

It was only when The Independent contacted the Home Office on Friday that Karim Khalloufi and his mother were granted visas so that they could act as core participants in the inquiry, but they will not be printed until Wednesday  two days after the start of the hearing.

Other bereaved families who came to Britain in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy are still waiting to hear whether their visas will be renewed, meaning they face continuing uncertainty over their status.

Over the two weeks, a series of pre-recorded videos and statements will be delivered by the bereaved and on their behalf.

Chairman of the inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, led a silence of 72 seconds in honour of the 72 victims - including one former resident who died in January - the inquiry will commemorate.

He said: "In terms of loss of life the fire was the single greatest tragedy to befall this city since the end of the Second World War.

"The sight of the building engulfed in flame is indelibly printed on the memories of those who experienced an event of unimaginable horror."

Tributes will be paid to six victims on Monday - Logan Gomes, Denis Murphy, Mohamed Amied Neda, Joseph Daniels and mother and daughter Mary Mendy and Khadija Saye.

The family of Logan - a baby stillborn after his mother escaped from the 21st floor - were the first relatives to speak at the central London hearing.

The words "twinkle, twinkle, little star, do you know how loved you are?" were displayed on screen, which, his father Marcio said, had been on the wall of the child's room-to-be.

However lawyers representing some of the families said that despite pressing the Home Office for months on the mounting urgency to process visas, they have had no response, leaving grieving family members in limbo over their rights to pay their respects and seek justice.

Labours shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, accused the government of failing the families, claiming that it should not be difficult to offer visas to the relatively small number of bereaved relatives who have been granted core participant status.

The public inquiry has granted 532 individuals and organisations core participants  504 of which are bereaved, survivors and local residents. As well as establishing the causes of the fire that claimed 72 lives, it will aim to give bereaved relatives to the chance to pay their respects and seek justice for their lost loved ones.

Guidance published by the Home Office on 23 March states that decisions on applications from core participants for leave to enter or remain in the UK must be timely to ensure that relatives are able to attend.

It adds that not all relatives with core participant status will be required to attend in person, stating that the sessions will be live-streamed, enabling those who wish to view it to do so from outside the UK.

Mr Khalloufi, whose sister Khadija died in the fire, said on Friday he felt crushed after waiting for months to hear back from the Home Office about a visa he applied for in December. He and his mother had been granted six-month visas in the aftermath of the tragedy, but returned to Morocco when these expired, in the belief that they could successfully reapply to come back for the inquiry.

Karim Khalloufi pictured with his mother Zohra Rabbae and son Ali in Londons Hyde Park in September (Karim Khalloufi)

Shortly after The Independent contacted the Home Office on Friday, he received a phone call to say his visa would be printed and ready to collect from the British embassy in Rabat on Wednesday.

Mr Khalloufi, who had spent 1,200 to have his and his mothers applications processed, said: Im happy that I can attend at least some of the inquiry. Lets hope that they dont delay it anymore. Im angry it took so long; there was no reason for this delay. We have been suffering, waiting; they have been confusing us.

I dont even think my mum will come now. After all this, she is afraid to go back to Britain. Shes afraid there will be more issues.

The familys lawyer, Balvinder Khan, said she had made repeated attempts to contact the Home Office about the familys applications, but had received no clarification. The Independent informed her of the Home Offices decision to grant a visa on Friday.

Its great news, but its ridiculous that the matter wasnt resolved before. I  along with Diane Abbotts office and other MPs  have been trying to sort this out with the Home Office for months, and heard nothing from them, she said.

Ms Khan and other solicitors representing bereaved relatives had been under the impression that the Home Office was going to introduce a new policy to automatically grant family members who had been granted core participant status the right to be in the UK.

But following the cabinet reshuffle in December, the Home Office dropped plans for such a policy. While this was never made public, an email from a member staff at the governments Grenfell victims unit to a lawyer at North Kensington Law Centre, seen by The Independent, confirmed the policy would not be introduced.

Relatives would be able to stay in the UK for a maximum of six months, after which time they would be expected to return home or apply for time limited leave under an existing immigration route, stated the email.

The North Kensington Law Centre, a free legal service which has provided advice to the community following the blaze, is currently representing five bereaved relatives who are core participants but are still awaiting a response to their visa application.

A lawyer from the organisation said: The Home Office should have dealt with these individuals with compassion and sensitivity. Instead, with just days until the Grenfell Inquiry starts, it is outrageous that theyve been left in limbo and are still unsure whether they can stay in the country to participate in the Inquiry in which they are core participants.

Weve been pressing the Home Office on this for months. These people are grieving for lost loved ones who died in the Grenfell fire. They want to be able to pay their respects and seek justice for their lost family members.

It is completely unacceptable that the Home Office still has not given these bereaved family members a clear answer. Home Office ministers need to urgently step in sort this out immediately.

In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Show all 51 1 /51 In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police have released images from inside the tower where at least 58 people have died Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A still from a video shared by polices what appears to be a stationary bicycle sitting among the ashes In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A still from a video shared by police shows the remnants of a burnt-out bathroom In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Picture showing the lifts on an unknown floor Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emergency crews outside the front entrance to the tower Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Fire crews inspecting flats in the burnt out tower London Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Grenfell Tower is seen in the distance PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A drone flies near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire 'Theresa May Stay Away' message written on the messages of support at Latymer Community Church for those affected by the fire Ray Tang/REX In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire An aerial view of the area surrounding Grenfall tower Getty In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Donated shoes sit in the Westway Sports Centre near to the site of the Grenfell Tower fire Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Messages of support for those affected by the massive fire in Grenfell Tower are displayed on a well near the tower in London AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A local resident stands on her balcony by the gutted Grenfell Tower in Latimer Road Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Messages of condolence are left at a relief centre close to the scene of the fire that broke out at Grenfell Tower, EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A police officer stands by a security cordon outside Latimer Road station Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Firemen examine the scorched facade of the Grenfell Tower in London on a huge ladder AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A search dog is led through the rubble of the Grenfell Tower in London as firefighting continue to damp-down the deadly fire AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn comforts a local resident (name not given) at St Clement's Church in west London where volunteers have provided shelter and support for people affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower David Mirzoeff/PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn hugs councillor Mushtaq Lasharie as he arrives at St Clement's Church in Latimer Road, where volunteers have provided shelter and support for people affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn meeting staff and volunteers at St Clementis Church in Latimer Road David Mirzoeff/PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Firefighters with a dog walk around the base of the Grenfell Tower REUTERS/Peter Nicholls In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emotions run high as people attend a candle lit vigil outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near the 24 storey residential Grenfell Tower block in Latimer Road, West London Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Debris hangs from the blackened exterior of Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman speaks to Mayor of London Sadiq Khan outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman holds a missing person posters near the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Sadiq Khan speaking with a resident James Gourley/REX In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Ken Livingstone walks near the scene of the Grenfell Tower fire Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is confronted by Kai Ramos, 7, near Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Mayor of London Sadiq Khan speaks to a woman outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers distribute aid near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People attend a vigil at Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People gather to observe a vigil outside St Clement's Church following the blaze at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People light candles as they observe a vigil outside St Clement's Church following the blaze at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People attend a vigil at Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A man distributes food from the back of a van near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A firefighter is cheered near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A T-shirt with a written message from the London Fire Brigade hangs from a fence near The Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A young girl on her way to lay flowers near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire The remains of residential tower block Grenfell Tower are seen from Dixon House a nearby tower block Getty In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers prepare supplies for people affected by the Grenfell Tower block which was destroyed in a fire REUTERS/Neil Hall In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers move a car to make space for a lorry picking up supplies for people affected by the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People distribute boxes of food near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower bloc REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman touches a missing poster for 12-year-old Jessica Urbano on a tribute wall after laying flowers on the side of Latymer Community Church next to the fire-gutted Grenfell Tower AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A man looks at messages written on a wall near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Candles and messages of condolence near where the fire broke out at Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police carry a stretcher towards Grenfell Tower Rick Findler/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emergency services at Grenfell Tower Rick Findler/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police carry out a body from Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Rick Findler/PA Wire

Ms Abbott said: It is simply not right that bereaved relatives who are core participants have not been granted visas for the inquiry. It would be easy for the Home Secretary to grant visas to a handful of people.

The Grenfell families had to lobby hard even to get a partial panel, although Theresa May said she would leave no stone unturned in this inquiry. She also promised victims would not suffer, irrespective of their immigration status, but is now failing the families once more.

The Home Office said it did not routinely comment on individual cases but that family members of the bereaved and survivors of the tragedy who were coming to the end of their visa were able to apply to extend their stay under existing immigration policies. They added that applications would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The United Nations has urged Britain to show environmental leadership amid fears Brexit could significantly weaken its green protections.

Erik Solheim, the UNs environment head, urged environment secretary Michael Gove to honour his promise to deliver a green Brexit.

He called on Mr Gove to ensure that Britains departure from the European Union, and the institutions regulatory framework, does not lead the UK to ditch the environmental standards it currently has in place.

Michael Gove promised that [..] there would be no reduction of standards of any sort, Mr Solheim told the Observer.

He even added that any change would be to better standards. There was a strong commitment to that from the government. Some of the opponents of the government had doubts about such statements, but that is the stated position from the government and it is a very good one.

Any dilution and the UK reputation would be damaged. People in government need to make sure that does not happen. We need to make sure they have those standards or improve them, or meet the ones under the European Union.

Campaigners fear that the UK could end up with less environmental protections that the US after it leaves the EU.

Whitehall is divided on whether to directly transfer the tranche of EU environmental laws upon Brexit.

Mr Gove has publicly said that he favours providing the post-Brexit environmental watchdog with the same powers currently held by the European commission, but the Treasury is understood to be pushing back against the idea due to fears it could impact post-Brexit growth.

In another signal of the divisions within the Conservative Party on the issue, Tory peers helped to inflict the governments 15th defeat in the Lords last week on an amendment to the EU withdrawal bill which aims to strengthen environmental protections.

Theresa May must now consider whether to allow the bill to pass with the accompanying commitment.

Michael Gove promised a green Brexit, but as things stand, his toothless watchdog would leave us with a weaker enforcement agency than Trumps America, said John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK.

This intervention from the UN environment chief is a sign of growing concern and shows the world is watching. Nobody voted for a dirty Brexit that leaves our beaches, water and air quality worse off.

Despite the widespread fears, and uncertainty within government, Mr Gove maintained that Brexit would not threaten the environment.

We will not weaken environmental protections when we leave the EU, he told the Observer. A new environmental principles and governance bill will ensure core environmental principles remain central to government policy and decision-making. This will help us to deliver a green Brexit and the vision set out in our 25-year environment plan.

But we will only achieve our aims by also creating a strong and objective voice that champions and enforces environmental standards. Thats why our bill will also create an independent and statutory watchdog. This will hold governments to account for delivering their commitments to the natural world.

The UK was referred to the European Court of Justice last week for its failure to combat illegal levels of air pollution and could face multi million pound fines,
Work is one of the first things that crosses Britons minds as they wake up in the morning, a new study has found.

The impact of the weather and money worries also appeared at the top of the poll, with household chores also another common task the public think about first thing in the morning.

Others declared that checking social media and group chat is their number one priority in the morning.

It also emerged Brits are stirred from their sleep before their alarm sounds by work woes at least twice a week.

Despite being a nation of early risers, getting out of bed at an average time of 6.16am on a workday, it will take 29 minutes before we feel fully awake, alert and ready to start the day.

The average adult also takes 62 minutes to get ready in the morning, from the second they wake up to the moment they step out the door, according to the study.

As a result, 36 per cent spend more than half of the working week feeling rushed and pressured for time.

Two thirds feel overwhelmed with the number of tasks on their to-do list when contemplating the day ahead, while 40 per cent of the 2,000 surveyed said they skip tasks like breakfast or exercise.

A spokesperson for The New York Bakery Co, which commissioned the study, said: Mornings can be a hectic time, especially with pressures hitting us first thing, such as getting the kids ready for school or making it to work on time.

It seems many of us leave just enough time to get the morning essentials done, while neglecting what we see as luxuries, like making time for breakfast or a quick session at the gym ahead of the work day.

Breakfast is also the most neglected meal of the day, with seven in 10 Brits dedicating more care to lunch and dinner, while just 11 minutes each day are dedicated to breakfast on average.

More than one in 10 said they have no time for breakfast at all at the start of their day.

Nearly a quarter of the UKs workforce are forced to eat their first meal of the day either on their morning commute or at their desk.

Breakfast options lacking in excitement were on the menu for most, with a third quickly scoffing a bowl of cereal and one in eight opting for a slice of buttered toast.

But due to time constraints we will skip breakfast once a week in order to fit everything into our busy morning schedules.

Over the Bank Holiday, The New York Bakery Co is encouraging families and friends to stop shunning breakfast and start giving it the time it deserves by giving away free breakfast bagels and injecting some fun back into our morning routine.

Dubbed The Big Breakfast Break, the New York inspired bagel bar will be opening its doors for two days in Shoreditch, east London, on Saturday 26 May and Sunday 27 May.

The pop-up eatery will be situated at 133 Bethnal Green Road from 8am until 2pm on both days.

Christina Honigfort, head of marketing for The New York Bakery Co, added: We hope that the experience will encourage Brits to slow down and think differently around breakfast.

By showing Brits how variety and fresh thinking in the morning can set you up for the day to come, dull and mundane breakfasts will be a thing of the past.
Britons will be at risk of languishing for years awaiting trial in a foreign jail when a crucial protection is lost after Brexit, ministers have been warned.

A safeguard to stamp out lengthy pre-trial detention in other EU countries  secured personally by Theresa May four years ago  is poised to disappear when the UK leaves, a leading extradition lawyer says.

A second hard-fought protection, to prevent extradition if a person can be tried in the UK for the alleged offence, is also likely to be removed, he and other legal experts predict.

The government is fighting to remain in the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) after Brexit  acknowledging it plays a vital role in fighting cross-border crime.

But Nick Vamos, a former head of extradition at the Crown Prosecution Service, told The Independent that the price would be the loss of Britains unique safety net, curbing the powers of foreign courts.

Significantly, Michel Barnier, the EUs chief Brexit negotiator, recently warned it cannot be business as usual when talks finally start on a new security treaty.

MEPs have also said the UK must not be allowed to pick and choose which elements of the criminal justice setup it opts into  fearing a precedent for future treaties with other countries.

The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Show all 8 1 /8 The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Post-Brexit immigration workers sorting radishes on a production line at a farm in Norfolk. One possible post-Brexit immigration scheme could struggle to channel workers towards less attractive roles - while another may heighten the risk of labour exploitation, a new report warns. PA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Customs union A key point in the negotiations remains Britain's access to, or withdrawal from, the EU customs union. Since the referendum there has been hot debate over the meaning of Brexit: would it entail a full withdrawal from the existing agreement, known as hard Brexit, or the soft version in which we would remain part of a common customs area for most goods, as Turkey does? No 10 has so far insisted that Brexit means Brexit and that Britain will be leaving the customs union, but may be inclined to change its position once the potential risks to the UKs economic outlook become clearer. Alamy The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Northern Ireland-Irish border Though progress was made last year, there has still been no solid agreement on whether there should be a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. To ensure borderless travel on the island, the countries must be in regulatory alignment and therefore adhere to the same rules as the customs union. In December, the Conservative Partys coalition partners, the DUP, refused a draft agreement that would place the UK/EU border in the Irish Sea due to its potential to undermine the union. May has promised that would not be the case and has suggested that a specific solution would need to be found. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Transition period Despite protests from a small number of Conservative MPs, the Government and the EU are largely in agreement that a transitional period is needed after Brexit. The talks, however, have reached an impasse. Though May has agreed that the UK will continue to contribute to the EU budget until 2021, the PM wants to be able to select which laws made during this time the UK will have to adhere to. Chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said the UK must adopt all of the laws passed during the transition, without any input from British ministers or MEPs. EPA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Rights of EU citizens living the UK The Prime Minister has promised EU citizens already living in the UK the right to live and work here after Brexit, but the rights of those who arrive after Brexit day remains unclear. May insists that those who arrive during the transition period should not be allowed to stay, whereas the EU believe the cut-off point should be later. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Future trade agreement (with the EU) Despite this being a key issue in negotiations, the Government has yet to lay out exactly what it wants from a trade deal with the EU. Infighting within the Cabinet has prevented a solid position from being reached, with some MPs content that "no deal is better than a bad deal" while others rally behind single market access. The EU has already confirmed that access to the single market would be impossible without the UK remaining in the customs union. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Future trade agreements (internationally) The Government has already begun trying to woo foreign leaders into prospective trade agreements, with various high profile state visits to China, India and Canada for May, and the now infamous invitation to US President Donald Trump to visit London. However the UK cannot make trade agreements with another country while it is still a member of the EU, and the potential loss of trade with the world's major powers is a source of anxiety for the PM. The EU has said the UK cannot secure trade deals during the transition period. EPA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Financial services Banks in the UK will be hit hard regardless of the Brexit outcome. The EU has refused to give British banks passporting rights to trade within the EU, dashing hopes of a special City deal. However according to new reports Germany has suggested allowing trade on the condition that the UK continues paying into the EU budget even after the transition period. Getty

Mr Vamos said: There was a perceived problem that Britons were at risk of spending 18 months or two years awaiting trial in what might be a horrible foreign prison, before being acquitted  or maybe the trial wouldnt proceed.

The UK was able to secure a protection against that while we were in the tent, adapting the European Arrest Warrant to better suit our own legal system.

But, after Brexit day, when we are starting from scratch, I dont think there will be any incentive for the EU to agree we can still have that  to tolerate such divergence.

Mr Vamos said the second protection  used by alleged computer hacker Lauri Love to block his extradition to the US  was also at grave risk in any new security treaty.

An ironic result of any new deal may be that it ties us closer to our EU neighbours than we ever were before, added Mr Vamos, now a partner at the law firm Peters & Peters Solicitors.

Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said: It would be humiliating for Theresa May to have to surrender on protections for British citizens she herself had only recently obtained.

For the government to have to admit the European Arrest Warrant is a good thing we should keep must be difficult enough for Brexiteers to swallow. To have to keep this European policy and also give up important protections for British citizens leaves the Brexiteers looking utterly foolish.

And Mark Malloch-Brown, the chairman of the anti-Brexit Best for Britain group, warned: This is another example of how we are so keen to get our sovereignty back that we end up giving it away at every turn

Brexit so far: in pictures Show all 53 1 /53 Brexit so far: in pictures Brexit so far: in pictures Brexit campaign Boris Johnson led the VoteLeave campaign PA Brexit so far: in pictures Brexit campaign Boris Johnson MP, Labour MP Gisela Stuart and UKIP MP Douglas Carswell address the people of Stafford in Market Square during the Vote Leave Brexit Battle Bus tour on 17 May 2016. Their lead line on the tour was: We send the EU 350 million a week, let's fund our NHS instead. Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Voting day A man shelters from the rain as he arrives at a polling station in London on 23 June 2016. Millions of Britons voted in the referendum on whether to stay in or leave the European Union AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Referendum results Leader of Ukip, Nigel Farage, reacts at the Leave EU referendum party at Millbank Tower in central London as results indicated that it was likely the UK would leave the European Union AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Protesting the result A young couple painted as EU flags and a man with a sign reading Im not leaving protest outside Downing Street against the voters decision to leave the EU on 24 June 2016 Getty Brexit so far: in pictures David Cameron resigns British Prime Minister David Cameron resigns on the steps of 10 Downing Street on 24 June 2016 after the results of the EU referendum were declared and the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Theresa May Becomes the new Conservative Party leader Theresa May receives a kiss from her husband Philip, after becoming the new Conservative Party leader on 11 July 2016. May became Prime Minister two days later and although she voted to remain in the referendum was keen to lead Britains Brexit talks after her only rival in the race to succeed David Cameron pulled out unexpectedly. May was left as the only contender standing after the withdrawal from the leadership race of Andrea Leadsom, who faced criticism for suggesting she was more qualified to be prime minister because she had children AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Lancaster House keynote speech on Brexit British Prime Minister Theresa May delivers her keynote speech on Brexit at Lancaster House in London on 17 January 2017. Where she spoke about her offer to introduce a transition period after the UK formally leaves the European Union in March 2019. Despite repeating the pro-Brexit mantra of no deal is better than a bad deal, the Prime Minister claimed she wanted a tone of trust between the negotiators and said Britain was leaving the EU but not Europe. She said there should be a clear double lock needed for the transitional period to make sure businesses had time to prepare for changes to their trading relationships with the EU Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Triggering of Article 50 British Prime Minister Theresa May in the cabinet, sitting below a painting of Britain's first Prime Minister Robert Walpole, signs the official letter to European Council President Donald Tusk invoking Article 50 and the United Kingdom's intention to leave the EU on 29 March 2017 Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Gibraltar nonsense Tensions have risen over Brexit negotiations for the Rock of Gibraltar. The European Council has said Gibraltar would be included in a trade deal between London and Brussels only with the agreement of Spain. While former Conservative leader Michael Howard claimed that Theresa May would be prepared to go to war to protect the territory. Spain's foreign minister stepped in only to assert that there was no need for the dispute Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Shock snap election Soon after triggering Article 50, Theresa May called on 18 April 2017 for a snap general election. The election would be on 8 June and it came as a shock move to many, with her reasoning to try to bolster her position before tough talks on leaving the EU AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Dissolution of Parliament for General Election Campaign Prime Minister Theresa May makes a statement in Downing Street after returning from Buckingham Palace on 3 May 2017. The Prime Minister visited the Queen to ask for the dissolution of Parliament signalling the official start to the general election campaign Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Conservatives lose parliamentary majority An arrangement of British daily newspapers showing front page stories about the exit poll results of the snap general election. British Prime Minister Theresa May faced pressure to resign on 9 June 2017 after losing her parliamentary majority, plunging the country into uncertainty as Brexit talks loomed. The pound fell sharply amid fears the Conservative leader would be unable to form a government AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Labour gains Britains opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn gives a tumbs up as he arrives at Labour headquarters in central London on 9 June 2017 after the snap general election results showed a hung parliament with Labour gains and the Conservatives losing their majority AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Brexit negotiations begin Brexit Minister David Davis and European Commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations Michel Barnier address a press conference at the end of the first day of Brexit negotiations in Brussels on 19 June 2017 AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures May speaks in Florence British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks on 22 September 2017, in Florence. May sought to unlock Brexit talks after Brussels demanded more clarity on the crunch issues of budget payments and EU citizens' rights AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures EU council summit  insufficient progress German Chancellor Angela Merkel joins other EU leaders for a breakfast meeting during an EU summit in Brussels on 20 October 2017. The EU spoke about Brexit and announced that insufficient progress had been made AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures DUP derails settlement on the withdrawal part of Brexit DUP Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds walks off after speaking to members of the media as a protester holding flags shouts after him outside the Houses of Parliament on 5 December 2017. British Prime Minister Theresa May was forced to pull out of a deal with Brussels after the DUP said it would not accept terms which see Northern Ireland treated differently from the rest of the UK Getty Brexit so far: in pictures May suffers defeat over EU (Withdrawal) Bill Theresa May suffers defeat in parliament over EU (Withdrawal) Bill on 13 December 2017. The Government was defeated by Conservative rebels and Labour MPs in a vote on its key piece of Brexit legislation. MPs amended the EU (Withdrawal) Bill against Theresa May's will, guaranteeing Parliament a meaningful vote on any Brexit deal she agrees with Brussels. Ms May's whips applied pressure on Conservative rebels who remained defiant in the Commons throughout the day and in the end the Government was defeated by 309 votes to 305 Brexit so far: in pictures EU council summit  sufficient progress Britain's Prime minister Theresa May arrives to attend the first day of a European union summit in Brussels on 14 December 2017. European leaders discussed Brexit and announced there was finally sufficient progress at the end of the two days AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures The game moves to transition Brexit Secretary David Davis gives evidence on developments in European Union divorce talks to the Commons Exiting the EU Committee in Portcullis House, London, on 24 January 2018 PA Brexit so far: in pictures Trade deal is what May wants French President Emmanuel Macron gestures to Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May after they hold a press conference at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, on 18 January 2018. May and Macron agreed a new border security deal, through which the UK will pay more to France to stop migrants trying to reach British shores on 18 January 2018 AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Transition period agreed The UK and EU agree terms for Brexit transition period on 19 March, 2018 Reuters Brexit so far: in pictures No agreement on Irish border The EU and UK however failed to reach an agreement on the Irish border during the successful talks on other Brexit issues AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures EU attacks Mays fantasy strategy For months after the March deal is struck there is little significant progress in talks. One senior EU official tears into Britains fantasy negotiating strategy and accuses Theresa May of not even having a position on a variety of important issue Getty Brexit so far: in pictures UK releases Ireland plan Britain releases a new customs plan to solve the Northern Ireland border but Michel Barnier says it leaves unanswered questions and would not prevent a hard border EbS Brexit so far: in pictures Chequers plan agreed The cabinet agrees on a plan known as the "Chequers deal" on July 6 2018. The plan seeks regulatory alignment on goods and food, divergence on services, freedom from the European Courts of Justice and an end to free movement. Many were surprised that the hard Brexiteers of the cabinet would agree to this plan PA Brexit so far: in pictures Chequers plan sparks resignations Brexit Secretary David Davis and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and numerous ministers resign in the days following the Chequers agreement Reuters Brexit so far: in pictures Davis out, Raab in On 9 July, Dominic Raab replaces David Davis as Brexit Secretary. Raab is a keen Brexiteer and was a housing minister before taking over from Davis Reuters Brexit so far: in pictures Barnier's "deal like no other" EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier claims on August 29 2018 that they are prepared to offer Britain a trade deal like no other, though he stressed that they will not divide or change the single market to accommodate Britain AP Brexit so far: in pictures "My deal or no deal" In an interview on Panorama on September 17, the Prime Minister insists that any Brexit deal will be offered to the EU on her terms. She asserts this amongst continued attacks on her approach to Brexit by Boris Johnson and the European Research Group, headed by Jacob Rees Mogg BBC/Jeff Overs Brexit so far: in pictures EU leaders reject Chequers Quite the blow was dealt to the Prime Minister at a EU leaders summit in Salzburg on September 20. European Council President Donald Tusk stated that the Chequers deal "will not work" Reuters Brexit so far: in pictures May demands respect Following the rejection of her Chequers plan the day before, the Prime Minister voiced her anger that the EU had dismissed it without offering an alternative. She stated that throughout this process, I have treated the EU with nothing but respect. The UK expects the same. A good relationship at the end of this process depends on it." Getty Brexit so far: in pictures People's Vote march As the People's Vote campaign and The Independent's Final Say campaign gain traction, 700,000 people turn out in London to demand a final say on the UK's Brexit deal on October 20 2018 PA Brexit so far: in pictures More resignations As the Prime Minister settles on a Brexit deal, Brexit secretary Dominic Raab resigns along with Work and Pensions secretary Esther McVey and many other ministers Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Final Say petitions delivered to Downing Street People's Vote supporting MPs Chukka Umunna, Justine Greening and Caroline Lucas and The Independent editor Christian Broughton deliver over a million signatures in favour of a People's Vote to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street on December 3 2018 PA Brexit so far: in pictures May delays vote On December 10, the Prime Minister delayed the vote on her Brexit deal as it was near certain not to pass through the Commons due to Tory rebels and lack of DUP support AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures No confidence motion Tory MPs triggered a confidence vote in the Prime Minister on December 12. She won by 200 votes to 117 Reuters Brexit so far: in pictures Commons rejects the deal Following the delay, the Prime Minister's deal was rejected in the Commons by a historic 230 votes AFP Brexit so far: in pictures Corbyn tables a no confidence motion Following the rejection of the Prime Minister's deal, opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn tabled a motion of no confidence in the government, which the government won by a margin of 19 AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Plan B The Prime Minister won the support of the commons to return to Brussels to renegotiate the backstop on January 29. In the same sitting, MPs also voted against a no-deal Brexit in a non-legally binding motion PA Brexit so far: in pictures EU council president savages Brexit campaigners who failed to plan for departure: Special place in hell There is a special place in hell for pro-Brexit campaigners who demanded Britain leave the EU without explaining how it should happen, Donald Tusk has said. The European Council president launched the scathing attack as he accused anti-EU campaigners of pushing for Brexit without even a sketch of a plan how to carry it out safely. Mr Tusk also dismissed suggestions that the EU could reopen negotiations over the controversial Northern Ireland backstop, dealing a blow to Theresa Mays hopes of securing fresh concessions as she tries to get her exit deal through parliament. Speaking in Brussels alongside Irish taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Mr Tusk said: Ive been wondering what a special place in hell looks like for people who promoted Brexit without even a sketch of a plan how to carry it out safely. He also tweeted the accusation moments later Getty Brexit so far: in pictures EU and UK announce talks to restart after Theresa May visits Brussels Both have agreed to restart Brexit talks to find a way through the deadlock in Westminster, following a visit by Theresa May to Brussels. In a joint statement the British government and European Commission said Ms May had had a robust but constructive meeting with president Jean-Claude Juncker, and that the pair would meet again before the end of the month. But the EU again refused to reopen the withdrawal agreement and its controversial backstop  with any negotiations expected to focus on the future relationship between the UK and EU instead Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Brexit strategy lost MPs voted down May's Brext plans, with a majority of 45. The prime minister did not appear in parliament to see another defeat PA Brexit so far: in pictures Labour and Conservative MPs resign and create the Independent Group Back row of Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker, Chuka Umunna and Mike Gapes, middle row of Angela Smith, Luciana Berger and Ann Coffey and front row of Sarah Wollaston, Heidi Allen, Anna Soubry and Joan Ryan PA Brexit so far: in pictures Non-biding votes on amendments to Brexit motion On February 27 he house held a series of votes, unanimously calling for the UK and EU to guarantee citizens rights in a no-deal scenario AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Attorney General publishes legal advice A hammer blow for May as Geoffrey Cox said her renegotiated deal can still leave UK in backstop against its will. Mr Cox did say the prime ministers efforts had reduced the risk of the UK being trapped in the backstop indefinitely. MPs went on to vote against her deal by 391 to 242 UK Parliament/PA Brexit so far: in pictures No-deal off the table MPs rejected a no-deal Brexit by 43 votes on March 13, with cabinet ministers rebelling in another humiliating defeat for Theresa May. A day later they voted in favour of the prime minister seeking an extension to Article 50 AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures House speaker bans May from third Commons vote on same Brexit deal John Bercow sensationally told Theresa May he would stop her making another attempt to pass her Brexit deal unless she has secured changes. The Speaker said a further meaningful vote would be ruled out of order if the motion was the same or substantially the same  under an ancient convention to stop the government bullying parliament on issues MPs have rejected Parliament Live Brexit so far: in pictures May writes to Tusk The prime minister wrote to Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, to ask for a three-month extension to give her more time to try to get her deal through parliament. However the European Commission advises the EU27 should offer a short extension to May 23 or a longer one meaning the UK would participate in European elections 10 Downing Street/AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures European Council summit Theresa Mays request to extend triggering Article 50 until the end of June was rejected by the EU, and instead offered a shorter time frame. She accepted the offer of a delay until May 22 if her withdrawal deal is approved by Parliament. If MPs rejected it for a third time, the EU said Britain must propose a new plan by April 12. Ms May said she will not support a long delay because it would mean Britain participating in elections for the European Parliament Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Brussels confirms preparations for a no-deal Brexit are completed They warned that it is increasingly likely the UK will crash out. In a statement the European Commission (EC) said preparedness and contingency work, which the EC has been conducting since December 2017, was now finished. The announcement came days after EU leaders agreed to a request by Theresa May to extend the UKs Brexit date AFP Brexit so far: in pictures May resigns Reuters

The looming clash threatens embarrassment for the prime minister, who personally claimed the credit for securing the protections when home secretary.

At the time, Ms Mays determination to keep the arrest warrant was threatened by a huge Tory backbench revolt  because of the belief that extradition of British citizens to other EU countries was too easy.

To calm the rebellion, she promised there would be no repeat of the notorious case of Andrew Symeou, a student who spent nearly a year in a maximum-security Greek prison before being acquitted of a manslaughter charge.

Our reforms of the arrest warrant mean that, when the requesting country is not trial-ready, we will not extradite people, Ms May told MPs, in November 2014.

 EU minister says little progress has been made on Brexit since March

It was now possible for cases to be heard in the requesting country before an extradition hearing, either by video conference or by temporary transfer, she said.

Insisting it was nonsense to argue there was no oversight of arrest warrants, the then-home secretary added: Thanks to our reforms, British judges are now better able to protect the interests of British citizens.

But Mr Vamos, the head of extradition at the CPS between 2012 and 2015, said other lawyers shared his view that Britain would have to conform with the existing rules of the club after Brexit.

Negotiations are yet to begin on a post-Brexit security treaty, because the cabinet must first agree a united position on the divorce terms that satisfies Brussels.

However, in proposals earlier this month, the UK made clear it viewed the arrest warrant as part of crucial practical cooperation it was desperate to keep.

The warrant had transformed extradition and mutual legal assistance arrangements, moving away from more complex, lengthy and often frustrating old-fashioned processes, the document said.

It pointed to the help given in fighting terror, including a French man who trained with jihadists in Syria before staying with relatives in the UK to avoid prosecution in his home country.

He was arrested on the EAW and surrendered to France just 47 days after his arrest. He was sentenced to 6 years in prison, the document said.

It also hailed the extra benefits for Britain, saying: For every person arrested on a UK issued EAW, UK arrests 8 individuals on EU EAWs, it said.

A Government spokesperson said: Both the UK and EU have made clear our shared commitment to keep all our citizens safe and continue the deep level of cooperation we have on security, law enforcement and criminal justice after Brexit.

Security cooperation with the EU will continue through the implementation period up to December 2020  and we are looking to secure a comprehensive new treaty on internal security cooperation that can begin directly after.

The precise details of how this will work are of course a matter for negotiations with the EU but we continue to seek input from operational partners.
Theresa Mays Conservatives must find new ways to broaden their appeal or risk forfeiting the partys political relevance, a new think tank set up by a former aide to the prime minister has warned.

The plea for a change in direction comes ahead of the launch of Onward, a centre-right think tank, on Monday, with the environment secretary, Michael Gove, and the Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson both expected to make appearances.

It has been set up by Will Tanner, formerly deputy head of Ms Mays policy unit in Downing Street, and the Conservative MP Neil OBrien, who both suggest the party could be finished for at least a generation unless it finds fresh ways to respond to ordinary voters concerns.

Mr Tanner left his position in Downing Street in June last year following the prime ministers failed election gamble, with younger voters flocking to Jeremy Corbyns Labour Party.

On Monday, the founders of the think tank will point to a recent YouGov poll that found that nearly half of 18 to 24-year-olds would never vote for the Tories and just 9 per cent of those between 25 and 39 will definitely vote for the party at the next general election.

They will add that fewer than one in five minority ethnic voters cast their ballot for the Tories at the snap general election in June 2017 while the proportion of BAME voters is expected to double in the coming decades.

The Conservative Party will not win from its ideological fringes, Mr Tanner said. It can only regain a serious majority by putting forward a positive agenda in the mainstream of public opinion and appealing to as broad a range of people as possible.

Recommended Ruth Davidson urges Tories to embrace more liberal outlook

We need to be the party of both traditional working class who are disillusioned with Corbyns Labour and the party of younger, metropolitan voters at ease with the modern world. If we dont we will forfeit our political relevance and be finished for at least a generation.

Mr OBrien added: We are the only party committed to delivering Brexit. We must also be the party which brings prosperity to parts of the country that feel left behind, ensures a strong NHS, and takes action to reduce the cost of living.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 7 October 2021 British comedian Jo Brand poses with cut-out silhouettes representing women outside the Metropolitan Police headquarters New Scotland Yard, to highlight violence against women by male police officers or former police officers AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 6 October 2021 A protester, wearing a mask of Johnson, holds a sign reading Question it all on the final day of the Tory conference Getty UK news in pictures 5 October 2021 Members of Insulate Britain outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, before a hearing over the injunction banning the environmental activists from blocking the M25 PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2021 A delegate passes a street cleaner on the second day of the annual Conservative Party Conference being held at the Manchester Central convention centre AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2021 Margaret Thatcher-themed mugs for sale at the annual Conservative Party conference in Manchester EPA UK news in pictures 2 October 2021 A couple make their way through a flooded underpass in Bristol as a yellow weather warning for rain and wind is issued for parts of the UK Tom Wren/SWNS UK news in pictures 1 October 2021 A driver talks to members of the media after passing his HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) driving test at National Driving Centre in Croydon, south London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 30 September 2021 The centrepiece One Thousand Springs by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota is seen ahead of the beginning of the Japan Festival, a celebration of the countrys plants, art and culture running from 2-31 October, at Kew Gardens in London PA 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

Ms Davidson also made similar remarks at the weekend as she urged her party to embrace a more liberal outlook in order to attract younger voters who currently view the party as anathema.

She claimed that voting for the Conservatives has become countercultural for many people in Britain and that the crash generation simply dont trust the motivation of the right.
A mountain biker has died and a second person was seriously injured after they were attacked by a cougar on a remote trail in Washington state.

The men had been riding together in a remote forest area near the city of North Bend, around 30 miles from Seattle, when they encountered the animal on Saturday morning.

Police said the animal pounced, mauling the first cyclist and inflicting deep scratches before fleeing, only to return and fatally wound his friend.

He jumped the first victim and attacked him, said Sergeant Ryan Abbott, of the King County Sheriff's Office.

The second victim turned and started to run away. The cougar saw that and went after the second victim.

The first victim saw his friend being pulled by the cougar. He got on his bike and started to bike away.

Police said the injured man rode for roughly two miles before getting mobile phone coverage and calling 911.

Sgt Abbott said when rescuers arrived it took around 30 minutes to locate the second victim, who was dead with the cougar standing on top of him.

Local police opened fire on the animal, which caused it to run away.

Police on the scene of the attack in North Bend, near Seattle (AP)

Officers from the Washington Department of Fish and Game tracked the cat through the forest for several hours before finally locating it and shooting it dead.

Neither man involved in the attack has been named, although police said the survivor, understood to be in his 40s, was taken to hospital with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries.

Rich Beausoleil, the states official bear and cougar specialist, said the death was only the second caused by cougars in Washington in the last 94 years.

But it's one too many, he added.

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

Fatal cougar attacks are extremely rare in North America, with less than 25 recorded in the last century, most of them involving children.

Cougars are the fourth largest cat species in the world. An adult female can weigh up to 10 stone (64 kilos), while males can weigh as much as 15-and-a-half stone (100 kilos).

Usually ambush hunters, the animals are not normally known to attack humans unless they are cornered.

Additional reporting by Reuters
A man has been charged with first degree murder after police say he drove his car into a North Carolina restaurant where members of his family were sitting, killing his daughter and daughter-in-law.

Witnesses and police said a driver rammed his vehicle into the Surf and Turf Lodge restaurant in the town of Bessemer City around noon local time on Sunday.

An officer arrived to the scene to find a car completely in the building, Bessemer City police chief Thomas Ellis told reporters. Early evidence indicated it was intentional.

The driver was arrested at the scene, Mr Ellis said, and was later identified as Roger Self.

His daughter, a 26-year-old Gaston County Sheriffs Department deputy who was off-duty at the time, was identified as one of the victims. Katelyn Self had been with the department for four years, climbing the ranks after starting as a detention officer.

The other victim was identified as Amanda Self, a nurse. The Gaston Gazette reported Amanda Self was the wife of Roger Self's son, Gaston County Police Officer Josh Self, who also was seriously injured. Roger Self's wife, Diane, and the 13-year-old daughter of Josh and Amanda Self, were also hurt in the crash. They are all expected to survive their injuries.

Local media reported that the suspect entered the restaurant and seated his family before leaving and getting behind the wheel.

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 homicide investigation has been opened but police gave no initial indication of what circumstances led up to the crash that sent stunned patrons scrambling for safety.

Caleb Martin, a 14-year-old who identified himself as a busboy at the restaurant, said he saw the crash and was stunned by the suddenness of it all.

"I walked over to my station and I heard a loud boom," Caleb told WSOC-TV. He said he did not know what to do at first, but quickly joined arriving first responders in helping those injured by clearing debris and tables away. "The one guy I could help in back, he was pretty hurt."

Footage from the restaurant scene showed emergency responders treating people on the ground outside as shocked patrons milled about Sunday afternoon. Photographs showed a shattered opening in a restaurant wall.

"He drove his car into the building, killing people, so that's why we took him into custody immediately," Bessemer City Police Chief Thomas Ellis Jr said.

The sheriff's office tweeted a photograph of the deputy Katelyn Self via social media, adding "Our hearts are broken" and saying the agency requested thoughts and prayers not only for the deputy's family and friends but for her "brothers and sisters in uniform."

Additional reporting by AP
Investigators at the incident site in Cuba. Photo: AP





HAVANA: The only three survivors of a plane crash in Cuba remained in grave condition Saturday as investigators tried to determine why an aging Boeing 737 carrying 110 people went down and erupted in flames shortly after takeoff in Havana.





It was Cubas worst aviation disaster in three decades and its third major air accident since 2010. Skies were overcast and rainy at the airport at the time of Fridays disaster and Cuban state television said the 39-year-old jet veered sharply to the right after departing on a domestic flight to the eastern city of Holguin.

The only thing we heard, when we were checking in, an explosion, the lights went out in the airport and we looked out and saw black smoke rising and they told us a plane had crashed, Argentine tourist Brian Horanbuena told The Associated Press at the airport.





Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said a special commission had been formed to find the cause of the crash. The plane had 104 mainly Cuban passengers and six crew members.





Things have been organized, the fire has been put out, and the remains are being identified, he said.





State airline Cubana, which operated the flight, has had a generally good safety record but is notorious for delays and cancellations and has taken many of its planes out of service because of maintenance problems in recent months, prompting it to hire charter aircraft from other companies.





A Cuban airliner with 113 people on board plummeted into a yuca field just after takeoff from Havanas international airport on Friday. There was no immediate word on casualties. (May 18)





Mexican officials said the Boeing 737-201 was built in 1979 and rented by Cubana from Aerolineas Damojh, a small charter company that also goes by the name Global Air.





Aviation authorities in Guyana last year stopped the same aircraft from conducting charter flights because of serious safety concerns, including fears about excessive baggage overloading and other issues.





Cubana Flight 972 went down just after noon a short distance from the end of the runway at Jose Marti International Airport. Firefighters rushed to extinguish the flames that engulfed the debris left where the jet hit the ground in a cassava field.





Four crash survivors were taken to a Havana hospital, and three remained alive as of late Friday. State media reports stopped short of openly declaring that the rest on board were dead, but there was no word of other survivors by Friday night.





Relatives of those aboard were ushered into a private area at the terminal to await word on their loved ones.





My daughter is 24, my God, shes only 24! cried Beatriz Pantoja, whose daughter Leticia was on the plane.





A statement from Mexicos Transportation Department identified the pilot and co-pilot as Capt. Jorge Luis Nunez Santos and first officer Miguel Angel Arreola Ramirez. It said the flight attendants were Maria Daniela Rios, Abigail Hernandez Garcia and Beatriz Limon. Global Air said maintenance worker Marco Antonio Lopez Perez was also aboard.





Outside the companys Mexico City offices, former Global Air flight attendant Ana Marlen Covarrubias said she had worked for the company for over seven years and knows nearly all the crew members.





I dont have the words. Im very sad. Were in mourning, she said in tears. It was something really, really, really terrible; a tragedy for us.





In addition to the Mexican crew, Cuban Communist Party newspaper Granma reported that the passengers were mostly Cubans plus five foreigners from countries it did not identify. Argentinas Foreign Ministry said two of its citizens had died in the crash.





In November 2010 a Global Air flight originating in Mexico City made an emergency landing in Puerto Vallarta because its front landing gear did not deploy. The fire was quickly extinguished, and none of the 104 people aboard were injured. That plane was a 737 first put into service in 1975.





Mexican aviation authorities said a team of experts would fly to Cuba on Saturday to take part in the investigation.





First Vice President Salvador Valdes Mesa had met with Cubana officials on Thursday to discuss improvements to its service. The airline blames its spotty record on a lack of parts and airplanes because of the US trade embargo against the communist-run country.





Last year a Cuban military plane crashed into a hillside in the western province of Artemisa, killing eight soldiers. In 2010, an AeroCaribbean flight from Santiago to Havana went down in bad weather, killing all 68 people on board, including 28 foreigners, in what was the countrys worst air disaster in more than two decades.




The US will hold off on imposing steep tariffs on China that ignited fears of a trade war as both sides pursue a broader deal, a top economic official said.

Were putting the trade war on hold, Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin said during an appearance on Fox News Sunday. We have agreed to put the tariffs on hold.

The announcement of a detente in the escalating trade dispute came after Chinese officials visited Washington last week, leading the White House to release an optimistic statement about both sides agreeing to take measures to substantially reduce the United States trade deficit in goods with China and to work on expanding trade and protecting intellectual property.

Donald Trump has railed against trade imbalances, particularly with China, as he seeks to renegotiate Americas economic relationship with other nations he accuses of exploiting the US.

Breaking with some of his top economic advisers, Mr Trump announced earlier this year that he would levy tariffs on steel and aluminium. He also signed a memorandum seeking tariffs on $60bn worth of Chinese goods.

China responded with retaliatory tariffs on food imports from the US. While the nascent standoff between the worlds dominant economies rattled markets and vexed many economists, Mr Trump evinced little worry about the consequences.

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

Trade wars are good, and easy to win, Mr Trump tweeted earlier this year.

But Mr Mnuchin signalled that America was using the leverage from tariff threats to pivot to negotiation, saying talks with Chinese officials had produced very meaningful progress - including a Very productive oval office meeting between Mr Trump and a top Chinese official.

 Missouri soy farmers fear the implications of a trade war with China after Trump announces trade tariffs

As the administration continues to focus on slimming Americas trade deficit with China, Mr Mnuchin said, officials will press for very hard commitments in increased agricultural and energy exports to China.
Venezuela goes to the polls on Sunday, with incumbent president Nicolas Maduro expected to win a second term in spite of the countrys spiralling economic crisis.

Mr Maduro is set to secure another six-year term on behalf of the ruling Socialist party, but the election takes place under a cloud of controversy with the rulers main rivals set to boycott the vote.

More than a million Venezuelans have fled the country in search of a better life abroad as the nations once robust oil industry has crumbled, leaving widespread shortages of food and medicines.

Polls suggest voters overwhelmingly blame Mr Maduro for their mounting problems, with many of those who stayed behind now unable to withdraw cash and forced to queue for hours in breadlines.

Recommended Venezuelan oil industry stands on brink of collapse

But the president is likely to emerge victorious after the main opposition party, the Democratic Unity coalition, refused to contest the election as popular candidates were either barred from running or exiled.

The US, the EU, the UN Humans Rights Council and neighbouring South American countries have all voiced concerns over potential vote manipulation in the lead up to the poll.

Mr Maduro, 55, ended his campaign on Thursday dancing on stage before a cheering crowd in Caracas while blaming Venezuela's increasingly dire outlook on a US-orchestrated economic war.

I extend my hands to all Venezuelans so that we can move forward together with love and take back our homeland, he told supporters.

I have seen the future of Venezuela and a historic victory awaits us.

Mr Maduro, who rose to power on the death of his mentor, Hugo Chavez in 2013, has seen his rule coincide with an increase in problems with crime and poverty in the country.

Around 80 per cent of Venezuelans believe the president is doing a bad job, although little more than a third are expected to vote, according to recent polling.

Mr Maduro's main rival, independent candidate Henri Falcon, has been hamstrung by the challenge of running against a powerful incumbent while trying to offer sceptical voters a reason to defy the boycott.

Blasting Mr Maduro as the candidate of hunger, he has campaigned on a promise to accept humanitarian aid and seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund  all proposals Mr Maduro has rejected as tantamount to surrendering to the US empire.

I swear that I will liberate Venezuela from this dictatorship, Mr Falcon shouted to supporters at his final campaign rally on Thursday in his home city of Barquisimeto. I swear it in the name of God.

Also on the ballot is television evangelist Javier Bertucci, who has cut into Mr Falcon's support by providing free soup at rallies.

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

Javier Corrales, a Venezuela expert at Amherst College, warned the opposition's sit-out strategy could be as disastrous as its boycott of congressional elections in 2005.

On that occasion, the ruling party swept all seats, giving it the ability to pass legislation removing presidential term limits that further strengthened Mr Chavez's grip on power.

The irony is that this is the least democratic election of all but it's also the best chance the opposition has ever had, said Mr Corrales.

If Maduro wins by a large margin, he'll take it is as a green light to continue radicalising and moving in the direction of completely destroying the private sector.

Additional reporting by AP
An Indian engineer who repeatedly skipped work told his employers he was too busy being the 10th incarnation of the god Vishnu.

Rameschandra Fefar made the claim after being served with an official notice asking why he had only attended his office in Gujarat for 16 days over eight months.

I am Lord Vishnus 10th incarnation as Kalki, he responded in writing. I am doing penance at home by entering into the fifth dimension to change the global conscience.

This work I cannot do in the office. Thus I dont remain physically present in the office.

The engineer repeated his claim that he is an avatar of the Hindu god, usually depicted as having four arms and blue skin, when questioned on Indian TV on Saturday.

Even if you dont believe, I am indeed the tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and I will prove it in coming days, he told reporters.

I realised that I am Kalki avatar when I was in my office in March 2010. Since then, I am having divine powers.

Just like everybody laughed at me at the time of Mahabharata, you guys are doing the same because youre unable to see God in me.

He also claimed he was saving the country from drought, adding: Just because I am Kalki avatar, India got good rains.

Fefar was appointed superintending engineer with the Sardar Sarovar dam project on the Narmadar river near Navagam in Gujarat in September 2017.

This month his employers at the Sardar Sarovar Punah-Vasvat Agency sent him an official notice warning him he faced disciplinary action.

You have remained highly erratic ever since you joined duty on September 22, 2017, the notice read.

You have remained absent without any authorisation. This kind of conduct is not befitting a government official.

Your absence from duty has adversely impacted the working of rehabilitation which is in its final stages as you are not available for providing guidance to the subordinates.

Mr Fefar was ordered to provide an explanation within seven days.

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

We have received the report and our administrative department is processing it, a spokesman Sardar Sarovar Punah-Vasvat Agency told the Times of India.

The file will be put up before the commissioner in a day or two and the matter will be taken up with the officers parent department  the water resources department.
A victim of clerical sex abuse has said Pope Francis told him God made him gay and his sexuality does not matter.

Juan Carlos Cruz spoke privately with the pontiff last week about the abuse he suffered at the hands of a prominent Chilean priest.

After his sexuality came up in conversation, Francis reportedly told him: Juan Carlos, that you are gay does not matter. God made you like that and loves you like this and I dont care. The Pope loves you like this. You have to be happy with who you are.

The comments are arguably the most explicit acceptance of homosexuality publicly spoken by a head of the Roman Catholic church, which teaches that gay sex is a sin.

It is not the first time Francis remarks have suggested a shift in attitudes. In 2013, he told reporters: If someone is gay and is looking for the Lord, who am I to judge him? You should not discriminate against or marginalise these people.

The subject of homosexuality arose in Mr Cruzs conversation with Francis because some of Chiles bishops had sought to portray him as a pervert who was lying about the abuse, he told El Pais.

His abuser, Fernando Karadima, now 87, was found guilty by the Vatican of sexually assaulting children in 2011. He was barred from clerical duties and sentenced to a lifetime of penance and prayer but has never faced a criminal trial.

Juan Carlos Cruz was a key whistleblower in Chiles clerical sex abuse scandal (AP)

This week all of Chiles 34 Roman Catholic bishops offered the pope their resignation over a sex abuse and cover-up scandal that has rocked the countrys churches.

It is not yet clear whether Francis has accepted their offer to step down.

Mr Cruz said the Pope had personally apologised to him for the abuse he suffered during their meeting this week.

I was thrilled that he took what we talked about so seriously, he added. I felt the visit was not just a matter of protocol, of public relations.

The Vatican has not yet commented on the Popes reported remarks on homosexuality.
A man has been shot in Dublin as Irish police search for a missing woman feared abducted.

A Garda helicopter, cars, support units and ambulances were at the scene at a business park.

Gardai interacted with the driver of a vehicle at around 8pm on Sunday evening in the Cherrywood area of the Irish capital and fired a weapon.

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They had received a report of a woman being forced into a car in Co Wicklow.

Jastine Valdez, 24, from Enniskerry, was last seen when she left her home on Saturday afternoon.

A Garda statement said: Gardai investigating the disappearance of Jastine Valdez interacted with the driver of a vehicle at approximately 8pm this evening the 20th May 2018 in the Cherrywood area of Dublin.

An official Garda firearm was discharged.

Contact has stopped so we are very, extremely concerned for her safety.Garda spokesman

The incident has been referred to the watchdog, Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), for investigation.

The statement added: Gardai have located a 171 D Nissan Qashqui they had earlier appealed for at the scene of the shooting.

Gardai continue to appeal for Jastine Valdez and also for anyone who may have seen the movements of the 171 D Nissan Qashqui since yesterday to 8pm today the 20th May 2018.

Earlier, the force said it was extremely concerned for her safety.

A Garda statement said she normally regularly contacted her family using social media.

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Contact has stopped so we are very, extremely concerned for her safety. If anybody can help us to locate her we would very much appreciate it.

Gardai told Irish state broadcaster RTE she was on her way home to Enniskerry when the suspected abduction happened.

We are looking at that at the moment, trying to clarify her last movements on CCTV and taking statements from witnesses.

We have a large investigation team working on it.

She was reported missing by her family late on Saturday night.

Jastine is around 5ft, of slight build with long black hair and brown eyes. When last seen she was wearing a dark coloured jacket, white T-shirt, grey leggings and runners.
The European chief negotiator for the UK exiting the EU, Michel Barnier, has stated that the solution to Ireland's border issue must be found before June's European Council summit, if there is to be any hope of completing the final withdrawal agreement by October. However, this now seems unlikely.

For quite some time, there have been mumblings from Westminster, Europe and Dublin that negotiations to resolve the future of the Irish Border are a long way from concluding and a finish date in June seems improbable.

Tanaiste Simon Coveney confirmed his feelings of the same last Thursday, saying that "if we're going to have a crisis, we might as well have it now".

It's no secret that UK Prime Minister Theresa May, is struggling to find a border proposal which her cabinet can unite behind; this statement from the Tanaiste is unlikely to ease matters.

At present, trading between Midleton and Middlesex is as easy as trading from Castlebar to Cobh. The only barrier is physical geography. However, this will change if the UK leaves the EU Customs Union and Single Market. Regardless of the current 'negotiation crisis', time is limited and Irish businesses must act now to protect themselves.

The most important thing businesses can do right now is map out their supply chain, understand their UK purchases and sales, and assess the impact of both of these on tax duties and logistics.

For example, if you buy plastic packaging from a UK supplier to import to Ireland to use in your production, you have a risk of 6.5pc duty (if there is no free trade agreement).

More importantly, however, you will have to lodge an export declaration with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to export the product from the UK, lodge an import declaration in Ireland to import the product into Ireland, pay an agent to lodge these declarations, pay import Vat on arrival to Ireland and face the risk of delays at the Border.

Similarly, if you export your product to the UK, you now have to repeat the process. You also need to be aware that you are probably going to have to be the importer into the UK, as your supplier only wants your goods delivered to their door and does not want any involvement in getting them there.

The first step in identifying these costs and managing the potential impact on your business is to map out all your purchases and sales in order to identify what the duty and compliance costs will be, whether you need to renegotiate your contracts, or identify the impact of potential delays, and what new import Vat requirements there will be.

Until you have done this, you cannot determine your next steps or how long it will take to address the issues that may arise from any trade agreement.

You will also need to consider obtaining "trusted trader status". Trusted traders will be the ones who keep documents on all their procedures and movement of goods and who will therefore be perceived as less of a risk by customs.

Trusted trader status is used by 90pc of companies which import and export outside of the EU. It enables quicker clearance through customs, minimises delays at borders, and allows you to qualify for a number of customs simplifications and duty-saving procedures. It is therefore going to be an essential requirement for anyone trading with a non-EU UK.

We estimate that the vast majority of Irish businesses which trade with the UK do not have trusted trader status.

This is where customs expertise comes in. There may be customs experts with direct knowledge of your products or your fields of business, who can provide tailored advice in order to reduce costs and delays.

Attaining trusted trader status is a very comprehensive and time-consuming process, similar to that required for the International Organization for Standardization certification. In our experience, it takes six months to prepare an application and put in place the required procedures. Following the application, it can take another six months to actually obtain authorisation. Due to this you would need to start this process a year before you require authorisation.

Achieving authorisation for March 2019 will therefore be challenging for any company that has not started on the process already.

Brexit will present a myriad of challenges, and nobody is entirely clear what the final agreement will look like.

However, the forward-thinking businesses which start to prepare early will gain a competitive advantage. If you can ensure you are better prepared than your competitors, you can identify new potential costs, and amend your strategy accordingly, and in time, you may retain your UK market.

Carol Lynch is a partner in BDO Customs and International Trade
Students from a Belfast grammar school travelled to the Balmoral Show to collect an unusual competition prize - five Aberdeen Angus-cross calves.

But the calves won't be grazing the turf in the grounds of Belfast Royal Academy; instead, they will be cared for at the Stewartstown farm of biology teacher Andrew Bell.

The five students were among 16 pupils from across Northern Ireland who have been presented with calves by processing firm ABP at the Balmoral Show.

The pupils, from four schools in Northern Ireland, will now rear the calves as part of the final stage of an agri-food skills competition for young people, the ABP Angus Youth Challenge.

The farm-to-fork project will see the pupils rear the calves through to finishing and then sell them back to ABP, sharing the net profit among the group. Each group has also been assigned a special project to develop over the next 18 months, exploring innovative proposals for the benefit of future meat production in Northern Ireland.

Mr Bell explained why he entered Belfast Royal Academy (BRA) into the competition, even though none of the team has a farming background.

"I decided it would be something interesting to apply for outside what we normally do," he said.

"Our pupils will come up to the farm to see how the calves are doing, and the calves will be brought down to the school at some point so the whole school can get involved.

"We are doing a project called City Farming where it tries to link investors from the city to farmers to help with their cash flow.

"Investors get a percentage increase in their investment and the farmers would get help with their cash flow."

BRA student Hannah Hill (16), who wants to train as a vet, said she thought it would be a good experience to get involved in the project. Four calves have been named after the school's houses, Shaw, Currie, Cairns and Pottinger, and the fifth has been named Crombie after the founder.

"We've been learning more about agriculture lately and the beef process, how important it is that the farm is financially supported through the process," she said.

Meanwhile, the Balmoral Show looks set to at least equal last year's visitor tally of 115,000 over the four days, according to the new Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) chief executive, Alan Crowe.

"The extra day worked so well last year that we continued to do it this year. We had over 115,000 last year and there is no reason to believe it's going to be any different this year," he said.

"It's like holding four Premier League matches over four days in a row. One of the things we are trying to do is to improve the road link to put the venue into the international dimension."

Mr Crowe said the new role of RUAS chief executive was like coming home. "I used to work with NFU Mutual in the 80s and 90s and I stood on one of the stands for several years on the old King's Hall site. I feel like I'm coming home and reacquainting myself with everything. I've come across so many people from the past, it's wonderful.

"I find it absolutely exhilarating. You feel the buzz that's going on around here - it's wonderful. It's a lovely feeling to see lots of families here. That is the next generation and they are not all from a rural background.

"Coming here feeds their interest in agriculture and exposes them to more career opportunities that perhaps they may not have considered," Mr Crowe added.
Chinas purchases of US corn have slowed significantly due to worries the grain might be drawn into the trade spat between the worlds two largest economies, and as Chinese customs keeps the brakes on clearances for cargoes, four traders told Reuters.

Chinese buyers have canceled multiple cargoes of corn so far this year, the latest product roiled by the China-U.S. trade tensions, traders and industry sources said.

Now some traders say they have halted buying from the United States completely despite signs some of the trade tensions may be starting to ease. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He met officials this week in Washington for talks aimed at resolving the tensions, and Beijing announced on Friday it was dropping its probe into U.S. sorghum imports.

The waning appetite from one of the worlds top consumers of corn will unnerve U.S. farmers, who have been hit hard by the prolonged trade spat between Washington and Beijing.

Some Chinese corn buyers switched to rival supplier Ukraine earlier this year, as Beijing tightened controls on processing genetically modified strains of the crop. Corn from the United States is mostly genetically modified.

I have washed out more than 20,000 tonnes of U.S. corn in the recent couple of months because getting a GMO processing certificate has still been impossible, and the situation is very unclear with the ongoing Sino-U.S. trade war, said a trader based in southern China.

The Ministry of Agriculture, the General Administration of Customs, and the Ministry of Commerce did not respond to requests for comment.

U.S. pork, apples, logs and Ford Motor Co vehicles are still being held up at Chinese ports as customs increased scrutiny of goods shipped from Chinas top trading partner.

The United States was the second-largest exporter of corn behind Ukraine into China last year, shipping in just over 750,000 tonnes worth about $180 million.

Shipments have been noticeably slower this year.

There havent been many offers of U.S. corn in the market. Few buyers would consider buying from America, as there is a risk, said Cherry Zhang, an analyst with Shanghai JC Intelligence.

Another trader who canceled over 10,000 tonnes of U.S. corn in February and bought from Ukraine instead, has stayed away from shipments from the United States since.

You just cant get the GMO processing permit. There might be some political calculations, given the Sino-U.S. trade tension, the trader said.

U.S. President Donald Trump proposed 25 percent tariffs on some 1,300 Chinese products in early April, and China shot back a list of similar duties on major American imports, including soybeans, planes, cars, beef and chemicals.

Soon after America proposed 25-percent tariffs on some Chinese products, many of our clients washed out their (corn) cargoes, said a source at an international trading house.

We are not trading U.S. corn now. No one is willing to take the risk, the source said.

Chinas purchases of U.S. soybeans have also come to a grinding halt, as fears grow that Beijing will take further action to curb imports of U.S. crops.
Thomas Reid hit the headlines when he took on the might of the IDA over its attempt to compulsory purchase his 72-acre farm in Kildare just yards from tech giant Intel's massive Leixlip campus.

It took him six years of dogged determination and, some might say, blind resolve to win his case. A multi-million euro offer was never a runner for Thomas - his fight was never about the money.

Even an initial loss in the High Court didn't deter him. When his legal team said he should spend a few days thinking about things after losing on all counts in the High Court, Thomas instructed the team to appeal to the highest court in the land straight away.

If he'd lost, the CPO would no doubt have made him a very wealthy man. He would have been well able to cover his legal fees, but by winning he kept his farm and the opposing side took care of his fees. After winning his appeal, the farmer who travelled in by bus to the court each day to observe proceedings stood on the steps of the Supreme Court and said it was a "good day for Ireland" that his appeal had been upheld.

Thomas cycled to meet us and was armed with a bag of legal documents from his case.

Engage

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Not that he needs them. He knows the date of every letter he received from the IDA inviting him to engage with them and can direct us to the exact pages in the pile of documents that are addressed to his mother.

Along with his four brothers, Thomas grew up on the farm, which has been in the family since his grandparents bought it in the early 1900s. It was buried well into the countryside outside Dublin at that time, but today it is in a prime location on the outskirts of Leixlip.

The homestead, built in the 1700s, now stands between the opulent Carton House estate and the tech giant Intel's sprawling Leixlip site, where over 4,000 people are employed.

In 2017, Intel generated a record $22 billion cash from its operations and returned nearly $9bn to its shareholders.

On its Irish website, it boasts that it has invested over $13.9bn since turning a 360-acre former stud farm into one of the most technologically advanced manufacturing locations in all of Europe.

A small country road demarcates two separate worlds - on one side a semi-conductor wafer fabrication facility which produces latest-generation silicon microprocessors; on the other, the humble Reid family farm.

And, according to Thomas, his own, solitary job on his farm is as important to him.

"It's the principle of the matter," he explains. "Some guy in the 1980s tried to buy it from my father and it wasn't for sale then either."

Reid's initial head-in-the-sand approach included homemade signs outside his property, for all who passed on the busy road to see. His farm was not for sale.

A neighbour advised him of a good solicitor, he says, and while he doesn't buy the newspapers often - his friends and neighbours bring them to him - he's incredibly well read.

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And he's as comfortable talking about the fodder crisis and his own cattle on the farm as he is about his legal wrangling with the IDA.

Thomas says his land is not a site but a farm. However, he admits the legal wrangling from 2011 took its toll on him during the case.

"I barely slept while this was going on," he reveals. "I'd be half asleep during the day as I couldn't sleep at night and would get up to read."

He's spent hours reading over legal documents and knows the details of his case back to front. Some might say that wouldn't be difficult as he had one simple stance - his farm was not for sale - but taking the farm from him against his will proved impossible.

Blocked

Physical protection for Thomas has meant erecting homemade signs outside his property and tyres blocking the entrance, and he even blocked his letterbox to stop the intrusion.

Living alone in the house that's been in his family for over 100 years, Thomas says his main solace was in music on the radio, and he tells how he would phone radio stations to request tunes.

"I told one radio station that my New Year's resolution was to become a billionaire," he tells us, laughing no doubt at the irony of it all. His farm is, no doubt, worth millions.

However, Thomas is worried that proposals afoot to give the IDA increased powers to acquire land will mean others, and possibly him, could see their property taken off them with no course to challenge it.

"If you allow those fellows move the goalposts they can do what they want," he said of the IDA.

For that reason, he did not engage with the IDA when they approached him to look at acquiring his land in 2011.

"If they put a value on the land, the goalposts are set," he says and he didn't want that to happen.

The State spent 1.4m fighting him for his land, and the value of the land under a CPO would have made Reid a very wealthy person.

But, for him, it's not about the money but about his civil rights.

"Landowners do not have any legal rights. There should be an investigation into Irish planning laws," he says.

New bill clarifies IDA's land acquisition powers

Thomas Reid lost his case in the High Court in 2013 when Justice John Hedigan dismissed his challenge saying the compulsory purchase order was provided for by law.

At the ruling, the judge said the area was of national and economic importance to Ireland in the struggle to win further foreign direct investment. He also said that the national interest must outweigh the individual.

However, the Supreme Court and Justice Liam McKechnie overturned the High Court judgment on the case, saying the 1986 Act did not confer power on the IDA to acquire lands they had no immediate use for.

They were in effect just acquiring a land bank for potential and prospective future use, stated Justice McKechnie.

The Government has now said that the new proposed bill (Industrial Development (Amendment) Bill 2018) addresses the implications of this Supreme Court judgement and will ensure that IDA Ireland can continue to purchase property for the purposes of industrial development. It says this is essential if the agency is to provide the property solutions to companies that will help attract future investment to Ireland, particularly to the regions, and therefore generate jobs throughout the country.

According to the Government, the bill makes it clear that the IDA Ireland can continue to acquire property by agreement  that is, not compulsorily  in circumstances where the property is not for immediate use, and whether or not a specific industrial undertaking has been identified in advance.

The Government says the bill does not equip IDA Ireland with strengthened powers, but says the aim is simply to put in place an updated and modernised process that incorporates a full role for An Bord Pleanala in compulsory acquisitions so that IDA Ireland retains its industrial development property purchasing powers.

It says IDA Ireland will continue to have the capacity to acquire property compulsorily on an exceptional basis in limited circumstances and subject to strict requirements.
Alan O'Neill is a change consultant and non-executive director. For 25-plus years he has been supporting global and iconic brands through change. Alan-oneill.com. Business advice questions for Alan can be sent to sundaybusiness@independent.ie. Stock image

Most good wines do improve with time, but it's a misconception that all wine gets better with age. It's also a fallacy that wine sales are growing in Ireland.

As a nation we experienced significant growth in wine consumption over the last 30 years. But that growth has now almost flatlined as it becomes more normal to drink beer with food. Millennials, in particular, enjoy craft beers. Exchequer receipts in 2017 from excise duty were 1.2bn, of which wine made up 382m. The rest of the market is made up of beer, spirits and cider.

I find it fascinating to see that 80pc of all wine sales are in the 'off-trade' (stores and off-licences). That tells a lot about how our preferences have changed over the years.

In 2015, Valeo Foods bought Findlater & Co from DCC. Now the biggest distributor of wine in Ireland, they've come a long way from their humble beginnings in 1824 as a bottler of Scottish whisky. They offer a unique and exclusive portfolio of some of the most sought-after producers from across the wine world.

This includes iconic wine producers such as Bollinger, Jadot, Chapoutier and Penfolds, with new stars like Fedellos do Couto, Gut Oggau and Le Grappin. It was one of the first Irish importers to introduce new world wines.

Servicing the 'on-trade' (restaurants, pubs and hotels) and the 'off-trade', they are a leader in the industry. They provide their customers with a dynamic portfolio supported with market insights and extensive wine knowledge. Employing 80, they have a highly experienced team of on- and off-trade professionals and sommeliers. They have a strong reputation for supporting restaurants in developing a wine list engineered for commercial success. And they will soon launch a B2B online business.

Despite their size, heritage and track record, up to a few years ago, Findlater & Co became less relevant and their market share declined.

In their attempt to be all things to all men, they sold the same portfolio of wine to both the on-trade and the off-trade.

The impact of that was that the consumer would often complain about paying 25-30 for a bottle of wine that they recognised from the supermarket shelf, at 10. If you owned a restaurant, what would you do?

Also the industry had become more commercially sophisticated. There was an abundance of basket-level data about consumer preferences, that was not being turned into actionable insights to drive more sales.

There was another issue as well. "Although we had a strong core team of great people, as leaders in the industry we felt that we needed more people with global expertise," said managing director Oliver Sutherland.

This became a catalyst for changing their business model.

Change Tips: how Findlater & Co became relevant again

1 Build credibility through expertise

Findlater & Co made some key appointments. Shane Murphy, an Aussie 'with wine in his veins', joined as category director, coming from La Rousse where he had developed their on-trade business. They also added global influencer of wine Mick O'Connell, Master of Wine, along with additional highly-qualified sales people.

2 Develop a strong product portfolio for each customer segment

Findlater & Co refreshed its ranges for both on and off-trade so each sector has its own portfolio and identity. This applied not only to recognisable brands like Wolf Blass but to grape varieties too. By avoiding crossover, restaurants in particular had more differentiation and received much less consumer price resistance.

3 Invest in basket-level data that gives real insights into how people shop

One trend that was identified in the insights was that consumers purchased a more expensive bottle of wine in the off-trade at the weekends. However, there was little choice at the 15-a-bottle level. They enhanced the 'wine price ladder' and added more premium wines for the off-trade. They also discovered that consumers in restaurants were becoming more adventurous in their willingness to try new grape varieties. So they also expanded the on-trade portfolio and supported that by providing intensive product knowledge training for restaurants. As the world continues to change, I see commoditisation becoming more of an issue in business. For example, a man with a van could quite easily sail to Roscoff every weekend and fill his van with a great collection of French wine to sell to restaurants.

There is an increase in globalisation and barriers to entry are lowering across the board for many industries. Consequently differentiation in the marketplace is a challenge for most of us, regardless of our sector. Why should customers buy from you in particular?

What makes you more relevant than your competitor? This is a real issue that I see wherever I travel. For example, there is no growth in the Lebanese local economy due to political turmoil and the huge influx of Syrian refugees. Their best hope for growth is in import substitution and export markets. But because the economy is in a downturn, business owners are stressed and sometimes can't see the wood for the trees.

In the last few weeks I have been to Beirut supporting a university which is championing a growth agenda in their business community. My speaking events and workshops with local businesses were heavily focused on how to differentiate and 'be more relevant' in both a local and global market.

The issue of relevance is not just for developing countries like Lebanon. It applies to every organisation too, regardless of industry or size.

Alan O'Neill is a change consultant and non-executive director. For 25-plus years he has been supporting global and iconic brands through change. Alan-oneill.com. Business advice questions for Alan can be sent to sundaybusiness@independent.ie
Cork serial entrepreneur Pat Phelan has co-founded Sisu Aesthetic Clinic, a doctor-led chain of aesthetic beauty clinics that aims to open in at least 100 locations here and in the UK and Europe within the next three years.

Partnering with Cork doctors Brian and James Cotter, he has raised 1m in seed funding from fellow Corkonian investors PCH founder Liam Casey and Voxpro founders Linda Kiely, who is joining Sisu's board, and her husband Dan.

Other investors include a senior player in Dublin's property sector and Barry O'Brien of Silicon Valley Bank.

Between them, Phelan, who is the CEO, and the Cotters own a majority stake in the business. It currently has 12 employees including them and a former brand manager from car-maker Ford.

Long-time friends of Phelan, the Cotters founded Cork-based Visage Clinics, which have been rebranded as Sisu ones in an asset fold-in deal.

Sisu - a Finnish term meaning rational strength of will in the face of adversity - has already prompted interest from several European venture capital funds and established clinics in the US. The business will raise growth capital to scale up when the time is right, Phelan said.

"We have a 200m opportunity to be the go-to brand in this sector. We've got the right doctor-led model and the right marketing strategy. We want to become the established, reputable safe, patient-centric clinic brand that people will choose first. It's an extraordinary chance to become the Starbucks of cosmetic treatment," he said.

For Phelan - whose last business, payment fraud detection firm Trustev sold to Transunion for $44m in late 2015 - there is a hint of irony associated with Sisu. In his earlier startup, Cubic Telecom, he and his Trustev co-founder Chris Kennedy worked together from a spare room in a waxing, tanning and nail salon.

Now Phelan is launching a global beauty chain aiming to raise treatment standards to the highest levels. "We're talking to UK organisations about this, and if we become big enough we'd like to drive better regulation," he said.

Among the treatments that Sisu will offer, priced from 300, are lip and dermal fillers, Botox facelifts, and jaw and chin reshaping. The company says 30pc of patients at Sisu's Cork clinic are men.

The global market for such treatments could be worth over 6bn by 2025, and is growing by 10pc a year, industry analysts say.

With three existing clinics in Cork, Dublin and Killarney, the chain will open in at least 10 UK city locations, with Lisbon, Berlin and Stockholm and others to follow in the Nordics, central Europe and Spain.

A hundred Sisu clinics, requiring about 150 doctors, could generate upwards of 50m of sales within three years, with similar or higher figures applying to the US market.

Doctors will be self-employed, while Sisu will own the clinics, Phelan added.
Healthcare business the Ditchley Group has bought rival company Talacare for almost 10m. Stock image

Healthcare business the Ditchley Group has bought rival company Talacare for almost 10m.

Talacare is the developer and operator of a primary care centre in Tallaght in Dublin that also provides academic facilities for trainee medical professionals.

The 75,000 sq ft centre houses local GP practices, HSE local services, out-of-hours services and a community pharmacy.

An academic centre has also been established to accommodate Trinity College Dublin's Institute of Population Health. It also delivers undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, including GP training.

It's the sixth investment by Ditchley, which owns five nursing homes in counties Kerry, Galway, Cork and Kilkenny. The deal brings the value of Ditchley's portfolio to more than 40m.

"The state-of-the-art centre greatly enhances health and patient care for the people of Tallaght and the surrounding area with its wide range of healthcare services," said Ditchley CEO John Minihan.

"This centre successfully demonstrates how privately-funded investment can significantly expand and enhance health and patient care in Ireland.

"We look forward to working with the HSE, local GPs and Trinity College to deliver world-class healthcare and academic research services."

Ditchley employs 325 staff and is looking to expand further. Formerly know as iNua Health, its executive chairman is Noel Creedon, who runs the iNua hospitality arm.

That business has bought a number of hotels including the Muckross Park in Killarney.

The private healthcare sector has been a hotbed of investment activity in recent times.

The State-backed Irish Infrastructure Fund (IIF) has said it is working on plans to consolidate the Irish private hospital market.

The IIF recently told the Sunday Independent it also plans to spend 100m on primary care centres over the next three years, via its Valley Healthcare arm. IIF principal Philip Doyle said it would look to build and manage centres across rural Ireland.

"The private hospital space in Ireland is fragmented, and there is an opportunity for a capable investor to consolidate these assets to deliver economies of scale and deliver improved health services more efficiently," Doyle added.

Also active in the primary care sector is Richard Barrett's Bartra Capital. Barrett was a key player alongside Johnny Ronan in Treasury Holdings.

Bartra chief executive Michael Flannery said in December that the firm is on target to deliver 1,000 nursing home beds by 2019, with planning for 462 of those secured. It wants to deliver 2,000 nursing home beds by 2020.

"Bartra is pursuing a number of other opportunities including the acquisition of further sites for development and the purchase of existing nursing homes," he said.
Dublin-listed Donegal Investment Group has put its speciality dairy business, Nomadic, on the block. Stock photo

Dublin-listed Donegal Investment Group has put its speciality dairy business, Nomadic, on the block.

A corporate finance adviser has been appointed to lead the disposal of the business, which makes a variety of yogurt products.

Donegal managing director Ian Ireland told the Sunday Independent that preliminary discussions have been held with a number of suitors and that an information pack is to be sent to potential buyers in the coming weeks.

Ireland has led a strategy that has seen the company dispose of a number of assets, across a wide variety of sectors, to focus on its seed potato business; Nomadic; and an animal feed business.

The shares have hit record levels this year and have gone from 5.50 to almost 9 in the last 12 months, fuelled by the sale of a stake in Monaghan Mushrooms, and the disposal of a property asset.

Some 62.5m in sale proceeds has been realised in the last 12 months and shareholders have approved a plan to return around 45m to investors on the back of the Monaghan sale.

The potential sale of Nomadic has come about on foot of a shareholder agreement, where a minority shareholder in that business has triggered his right to seek an exit.

As a result, the Nomadic board decided to embark on the current process.

Donegal is also engaged in a strategic review regarding the future of its remaining assets.

Ireland said the seed potato business is performing well and the company is aiming to grow it organically.

"It's a good business, but we have to assess that against the requirements of our shareholders," Ireland added.

"What we've said is we're going to look at it [in terms of a strategic review]."

"We've gone through a lot of change and the market has responded well. I don't think shareholders want us to adopt a reactive strategy and the share price to go back to 5," he said.
Dublin's newest tourist attraction, The Vaults, could be replicated across a number of international cities if it proves successful when it opens for business next month, according to its backers.

The 5.3m walk-through venue will combine live performances and special effects to tell a series of historical and imagined events to up to 450,000 visitors a year.

The attraction will open later this summer in the newly-renovated old Augustinian St John's National School, just off Dublin's Thomas Street.

The team behind the new attraction has already begun early exploratory discussions in Paris and earmarked other cities as far apart as Washington DC, Brussels and Sydney as potential locations in the future.

"This is a concept that will travel," said Vaults co-founder, broadcaster and entrepreneur Paul Blanchfield. "We'll have proof of concept in Dublin and that will give us the confidence to take it to other cities."

He has joined forces with Gerald Heffernan, a former independent producer who founded Irish production company Frontier Films. The pair have financed the project and developed the concepts for the show themselves.

The scripts for the various scenes - which include Dracula, Vikings, Oliver Cromwell, and a singing lesson with Molly Malone - were written by film director Peter Sheridan and have a strong emphasis on fun.

The hour-long show - which will run up to four times every hour simultaneously- encompasses "a series of scenes from Irish history, with a twist," said Blanchfield. "It's a lot of fun and very immersive. There's a lot of comedy in it. Visitors will find themselves in incredibly detailed sets full of actors, lighting and special effects.

"We have just finished a three-week casting and we are currently sending contracts to 28 actors after having over 550 applications," he said. "It's a fantastic opportunity for actors and I think we will be the biggest employer of actors in Ireland."

Blanchfield said if the Dublin venue proves successful it was more likely that further expansion would be abroad rather than in another Irish city.

"I don't think Cork or Limerick would have the volume for this. It is a very expensive project from the point of view of fixed costs," he said.

"From all the research we have done into this market, we see that what people want from a tourism attraction is storytelling, authenticity, immersion - a memorable experience. They want to be entertained. We can achieve that through the format we have used and the Vaults in Dublin could be as easily the Vaults in Boston, Brussels or Paris by adapting the stories to the really rich histories that are in all of those places."

Blanchfield has experience developing tourist complexes in the south of France and said that developing The Vaults concept there would be much more expensive than in Dublin, but that there is a huge opportunity.

"We have had an initial look at Paris. There isn't an attraction like the Vaults in Paris that is in English and when you go to Paris you realise how little there is aimed at English-speaking tourists with no French.

"The scenes we would design would still be very French and incredibly immersive, as will be the case in Dublin, but there would be shows in English as well as in French. You have a phenomenal tourist market in Paris and plenty of room for new things to do."

The Dublin venue is being built to have a capacity to host 450,000 visitors a year but it is projected that the attraction will see 130,000 visitors in year one, rising to just over 300,000 a year by its fifth year of operation.

"We know we won't get a large amount of overseas visitors in the first year because we are not yet in the various distribution channels. So our primary target market in the first year is Irish people."

Finding a suitable location for the Vaults took a two-and-a-half year search, said Blanchfield.

"We are a startup and, regardless of what money you put on the table, landlords are wary of startups. And, worse, we are a startup in tourism. It is very unusual for an attraction like this to be in the private sector. Most tourist attractions are state-run."

Blanchfield said that the pair had targeted Dublin's Thomas Street area as the key location for the attraction because at least one million tourists walk along it each year on their way from the city centre to the nearby Guinness Storehouse.

Nevertheless, Blanchfield was critical at the lack of progress that has been made with a long-promised regeneration plan for the area.

"We spent a long time searching for a site like this. Thomas Street is a fantastic area with amazing potential but it has to be brought back to its former glory and that hasn't happened yet. From the point of view of Dublin City Council I don't understand why that is the case.

"The footpaths need to be double the size and street furniture is needed, for example. I have seen the City Council's plans for what Thomas Street could become and they are fantastic but I don't understand why that has not happened yet and why the potential is not being realised."
A lobby group representing many of the country's biggest oil and petrol retailers has accused the state agency charged with promoting clean energy of having an "anti-oil bias" in its administration of a lucrative grant system. Stock photo

A lobby group representing many of the country's biggest oil and petrol retailers has accused the state agency charged with promoting clean energy of having an "anti-oil bias" in its administration of a lucrative grant system.

Irish Petroleum Industry Association (IPIA) secretary Michael Forde wrote to the director general for energy at the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment (DCCAE) to complain about the handling by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) of the Better Energy Communities programme.

The lobby group claimed that because oil heating is "particularly prevalent in rural Ireland" SEAI's new approach is "effectively penalising consumers in rural/off-grid areas and preventing them from reducing their carbon footprint".

The grant programme pays out as much as 28m annually to a range of projects SEAI believes support new approaches to achieving energy efficiency in Irish communities.

But Forde wrote that his organisation - which represents major brands such as Texaco, Applegreen, Emo, Circle K and Maxol - had become aware that SEAI had "initiated a process of eliminating any projects which have an element of oil utilisation included in them" from consideration from the grant programme.

Forde cited examples from an SEAI presentation that said "oil will be viewed negatively" and that "oil being deployed in any part of the application will result in Nil points for renewables". This, he said, clearly showed an "anti-oil bias".

"The presentation you gave at the Brexit briefing clearly identified the significance of oil to the Irish economy," wrote Forde in his letter to department official Michael Manley.

"We are fully cognisant of the drive for decarbonisation across the EU, which DCCAE actively supports," it continued. But Forde said "the reality" was that "oil will continue to play a major role in the Irish economy for some decades to come.

"While that is the case, surely energy efficiencies should be pursued as vigorously in the oil sector rather [than] removed from consideration?"

The letter requested that the department review the situation around eligibility for the grants "to ensure they are equally applicable to oil installations."

A spokesman for SEAI said that "as part of the 2002 Sustainable Energy Act, a core principle of the SEAI mandate is the decarbonisation of Ireland's energy supply".

"Reliance on fossil fuels is simply not sustainable in the long term. SEAI through its programmes will continue to support and promote a sustainable transition away from carbon-intensive fuels," he said.
Irish car-sharing company GoCar is to launch a new corporate service allowing businesses to offer a pool car to employees or clients.

Irish car-sharing company GoCar is to launch a new corporate service allowing businesses to offer a pool car to employees or clients.

The new service, which will utilise an increasing number of electric vehicles, will give companies dedicated access to vehicles for office hours but allow those vehicles to be rented at evenings and weekends to local businesses and residents.

GoCar, a subsidiary of car rental company Europcar, last year invested 3m in growing its consumer-focused business. It now offers over 400 vehicles across 300 locations in 15 counties to its 30,000 members here.

A similar amount is likely to be invested this year in new services, including the corporate service and a new long-distance sharing model for consumers, it is understood.

A small number of companies are already taking part in a pilot scheme with GoCar and it plans to have up to 100 corporate shared cars and vans in operation by the end of the year.

"The market is moving very quickly but GoCar has doubled its fleet year-on-year since 2015, so we're ready to invest to capitalise on potential growth," said GoCar managing director Colm Brady, adding that the new service would reduce taxi, fleet and short-term rental expenses.
The pumped hydro-power storage scheme involved using excess or off-peak wind power, such as when the wind energy blows at night, to pump seawater into a reservoir in a flooded coastal valley that would be dammed at the end closest to the sea. Photo: PA

Statkraft, a 5bn Norwegian energy giant, spurned an opportunity to invest in a 1.5bn pumped hydro power storage scheme in the west of Ireland in 2013, the Sunday Independent has learned.

The information emerged in light of interest from Norway's state oil and gas giant, Statoil - which owns the Corrib gas field and has six exploration blocks off the south-west coast - in developing floating wind farms off the west coast.

The pumped hydro-power storage scheme involved using excess or off-peak wind power, such as when the wind energy blows at night, to pump seawater into a reservoir in a flooded coastal valley that would be dammed at the end closest to the sea.

The water could then be released to flow down to the sea during peak times to turn large turbines in order to generate electricity.

A spokesman for Statkraft said: "I can confirm that in the spring of 2013 we received information about the project and that we did some calculations around it.

"Based on an evaluation of a number of aspects, we didn't express further interest in investing in the project, but showed continued interest in the trading and market aspects of it." Oslo-based, Norwegian state-owned Statkraft has annual revenues of 5bn and is the Nordic region's second largest power firm.

It generates hydro, wind, solar and gas power at 370 installations.

Industry sources added that a number of successful Irish entrepreneurs who were approached - including billionaire JP McManus - declined to invest in the hydro power storage project, which was known as 'The Spirit of Ireland'.

US investment bank Morgan Stanley was involved in the fundraising for it at one stage, the sources added. However, other investors also spurned the scheme, whose first phase would have cost 1.5bn. These are understood to have included another Scandinavian utility, and a number of unnamed sovereign wealth funds and global investment firms.

The Spirit of Ireland project was originally conceived by electrical engineer Graham O'Donnell and Igor Shvets, a professor of applied physics at Trinity College.

After a launch in 2009 and despite a team of architects, geologists, accountants, engineers and other experts working on it, the project never got off the ground and Mr O'Donnell stopped working on it several years later, it is understood.
The price of petrol and diesel has now hit a three-year high. According to AA Ireland, a litre of petrol costs 141c on average, up from 137.6c per litre last month. Stock image Photo: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

These are worrying times for car users in this country. The cost of petrol and diesel is rising, public transport options are becoming more difficult by the day due to overcrowded trains and buses, there are fears that the tax on diesel will rise in the next Budget, and insurance costs continue to be high.

The price of petrol and diesel has now hit a three-year high. According to AA Ireland, a litre of petrol costs 141c on average, up from 137.6c per litre last month.

Diesel costs have gone from an average of 127.1c a litre in April to a price of 131c.

These rises mean a litre of petrol is now at its most expensive since August 2015, while diesel sits at its highest rate since July of the same year.

Rising costs of crude oil are being cited as one of the main factors contributing to the latest surge in prices at the pumps.

In the past month, crude oil has increased from a low of approximately $67 per barrel to its current price of over $77.

Higher fuel costs are a major problem for those who rely on their car for their daily commute and for those in isolated areas with limited or no public transport.

According to the AA, an average motorist who drives 12,000 miles a year (19,200 km) at a fuel consumption rate of 30 miles per gallon (9.42 litres per 100 km), will use 150 litres of fuel per month.

Current prices mean this motorist will pay 211.50 a month for petrol. Some 130.71 of this is tax. That means around 60pc of cost of filling up goes to the State in excise duties, VAT and the levy to ensure the State has a 90-day reserve of oil stocks.

A motorist driving a diesel-powered vehicle will spend 196.50 per month, of which 111.61 is tax.

It is high time that the Government looked at the huge amount of tax being siphoned off motorists when they buy fuel.

AA director of consumer affairs Conor Faughnan is right when he says that for many people across the country, their car is their only option when it comes to getting to work, in part due to a woeful history of under-investment in urban and rural public transport.

Instead of coming down there is every possibility that the tax on diesel will go up. This is because the Government is under pressure from the European Union to equalise the excise duty on diesel and petrol.

That is all hard-pressed drivers of diesel cars need.

Rather than higher taxes on diesel, the tax on both petrol and diesel should be lowered. Extracting 60c for every 1 spent on petrol from drivers is unreasonable and unfair.
'It takes a very long time to develop a brand which people trust. Yet it only takes a moment to bring it down.' Stock image

Whatever your business, whatever your career, you need a combination of skills, networking and timing. But above everything else, real success depends on trust. And yet...

The Washington Post reported earlier this month that US President Donald Trump has now told a whopping 3,000 documented lies since taking office. And Facebook reluctantly admitted the enormous user data breach from its business with Cambridge Analytica.

And, of course, tragically, here in Ireland, the scandal enveloping the national health service continues to unfold over its decision not to tell women the truth about their Cervical Check smear tests which terminally-ill Vicky Phelan, a former patient, poignantly described as "an appalling breach of trust".

In a world of post-truth, fake news, alternative facts, data breaches, Russian bots and trolls, we are living in a crisis of trust.

Sure, elected officials may be voted out. An unseemly company may fold, as with Cambridge Analytica. Or top leaders of organisations may step down - as in the case of HSE's now-former director Tony O'Brien.

Yet, what happens when a new leader steps in, and processes remain the same? What if the shuttered company rebrands under a different name, as reports have suggested Cambridge Analytica appears to be doing in the form of Emerdata. What reassurance do customers have?

But first, does trust really matter? Yes, according to a myriad of research and surveys. The Harvard Business Review reports that employees in high-trust companies are more productive and stay with their employees longer. Customers are more loyal. Trust is the basis of any relationship.

So, then, what does it take to establish and maintain trust?

I talked with global affairs analyst Michael Bociurkiw, who regularly guides large institutions through emergencies. Notably, he served as a spokesperson for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

"It takes a very long time to develop a brand which people trust. Yet it only takes a moment to bring it down," he said. "If you've made a mistake, own up to it immediately. Even if you don't have all the facts, it is better to sound contrite or empathetic than unapologetic or insensitive. Just ask the CEO of United Airlines if he'd do things differently after the airline took a terrible PR blow when one of its passengers was dragged off one of its oversold flights - all recorded on smartphones and sent around the world on social media and TV screens. Adopt the mentality that the customer always comes first."

The people-first mentality or mindset is the key. This past week, I had the privilege of facilitating a three-day cyber-security conference in London. There, Jyrki Rosenberg of host company F-Secure, a Helsinki-based global privacy company, said: "Being trusted and trustworthy must become the collective mindset of your organisation from top to bottom."

Establishing and nurturing an integrated mindset of trust can be divided in three parts:

1 Ethics

People must believe in you and your organisation's motives. They must be convinced that your intentions are good. That your values are grounded and all actions are guided by a moral compass. You must share your common goals and vision purposefully and thoughtfully with your employees and customers. You walk the talk. When you work in an ethical way, you need to do it consistently, when it's difficult and when no one else is watching.

2 Excellence

It's not enough if we believe your intentions are good, we must also trust that you can deliver. Does your company have the capabilities to provide the proper service, product or solution? This is all about having the abilities to achieve what you say you can do.

3 Empathy

This is the willingness, desire and passion to truly try to understand the customers, the people you claim to serve. Whoever they are. As real human beings with hopes, dreams and fears. This is done by creating opportunities for genuine dialogues. Have conversations. Find ways to engage and ask for feedback. Listen. Then act accordingly.

Trust can only be fully demonstrated through the tests of time. And speaking of time, if you lose trust, experts agree that it can be recovered. But it takes time. How much of it depends on the level of severity of the breach and the efforts taken to address the mistake.

Bociurkiw cites the way Starbucks management handled the wave of bad PR from last month's arrest of two African-American men in one of its stores in Philadelphia.

The men had sat at a table without buying anything, saying they were waiting for friends. The manager called police and the arrests sparked protests.

"Starbucks' CEO took action immediately, saying their removal was unjustified and this is not the way they treat customers," said Bociurkiw. He paid a visit to Philadelphia and announced the very bold decision to close more than 8,000 of its US stores on May 29 for racial-bias training for all its staff, using credible, outside sources to conduct those trainings. And just last week, Starbucks' chairman Howard Schultz said all are welcome to use its store washrooms, even if they haven't bought anything. A great customer-first move!"

For trust to be built or rebuilt, actions always will speak louder than words.
Its 240 cheaper to buy an iPhone X in the US than it is in Ireland

Q: I'm wondering if I might save money by buying an iPhone abroad? I don't want to buy one as part of a contract but it seems like they're a lot cheaper in some other countries, especially America. My sister lives in New York and I'm going to visit her there this summer. Are there any downsides to buying one there as opposed to over here?

A: In general, tech products are noticeably cheaper in the US than in Ireland. You specifically mention an iPhone, so I'll start with that. I'll use the flagship (and most expensive) 'iPhone X' model to illustrate the difference - other iPhone models won't have as much of a saving attached.

In Ireland, the iPhone X costs 1,179 wherever you buy it. And it's the same price in all other euro-currency countries. In Britain, it's roughly this price too - 999, which is 1,132 before your currency-trading fee is counted (this will bring it up to around the same price as Ireland).

Now look at the price in the US: $999 (834). Of course, US states have sales tax to be added to this. In New York, where you say you plan to visit, sales tax is 8.875pc. That amounts to an overall price of $1,087, which is 907.43. Add around 30 to the exchange rate cost and you end up with something in the region of 940.

In other words, it's 240 cheaper to buy an iPhone X in the US than it is in Ireland, or anywhere else in Europe.

The savings are similar, in percentage terms, right down the range.

For example, an entry level iPhone SE costs 419 here or around 330 in the US, taking into account the same sales tax and currency conversion costs as above.

So yes, in pure financial terms, you will save considerably if you buy a phone outright in the US rather than in Ireland. This is especially the case if you happen to buy your device in a state with low sales tax (or ones with no sales tax at all, such as New Hampshire).

Are there other considerations?

Undoubtedly. What if something goes wrong? Who do you call or take it into?

Apple is an outlier here and generally has good after-sales support, regardless of where you bought the item in question. So if you buy an iPhone in the US, Apple should take it back in Ireland and repair it or replace it (although my understanding is that they won't offer a refund, as that remains an issue with the retailer).

If you're worried, Apple offers an extended, more in-depth warranty service called Applecare that explicitly takes in global repairs and returns.

It is also worth mentioning that the Revenue Commissioners advise that goods purchased outside the European Union are generally liable for Vat and Customs duty when re-entering the EU.

Implementation of this appears to be haphazard on small electronics goods, especially with so much available to buy in duty free shops at the outgoing airports. However, those rules are there.

There are some other minor issues with buying electrical equipment in the US for use in Ireland. An obvious one is plugs and power leads. Sometimes, a power adaptor will have the local country's plug configuration welded on to the cord. However, this generally isn't a problem for phone or tablet chargers, where the lead is usually separate from the plug.

RECOMMENDATION: You'll save money on the headline price but bear in mind Customs and import duties

Email your questions to caomahony@independent.ie

Two to try

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When you hear about smart homes, this is one of the gadgets everyone means. Googles Home Mini is capable of being paired with a growing number of connected gadgets, such as lightbulbs and heating systems. All you do is speak a command out loud and the Google Home gadget executes it. You can also use it to play radio or music, as well as checking or adding to your Google Calendar.

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I rate Huaweis P20 Pro as arguably the single best cameraphone out there at present, because of the technology behind its 40-megapixel triple-lens set-up. Its junior sibling, the P20, isnt far behind, despite only having two camera lenses (but no optical zoom) on the rear. The 5.8-inch phone is beautifully styled, has good battery life (3,400mAh) and a whopping 128GB of internal storage memory.
Much of the debate around the Eighth is on social media platforms. Photo: Arthur Carron

It used to be said that real politics doesn't happen on social media. If there's one thing that this referendum proves, it's that this just isn't true any more.

When (or if!) the dust settles on next weekend's vote, one of the big analysis points might be the extent to which online social channels, and search engines were suddenly acknowledged as critical to political outcomes in this country.

Arguably the biggest single campaigning issue in the referendum has been a decision by Google and Facebook to change their advertising policies.

For those who missed the finer points of it (and I'm not sure many did), the two companies did slightly different things.

Facebook simply restricted ads to internally placed cash, cutting out any foreign sources of advertising.

Google, though, made a much more unusual policy change to cease all referendum ads. It was an about-turn that took many by surprise and was greeted as a significant event.

This decision was described in the Irish Times by its political editor, Pat Leahy, as "an important moment" in the campaign.

Leahy, who I worked with previously at a newspaper, is not known for being dazzled by technology or online fora.

But it's increasingly clear that platforms such as Facebook and Google (through YouTube) are where large numbers of Irish citizens now spend more time than any other single format, including conventional television.

This doesn't mean you can win an election on Twitter. But it's starting to look like you can lose one on Facebook and Google.

And it's not just the big utility platforms such as Facebook, Whatsapp and YouTube where digital media is now penetrative.

The most talked-about referendum-related issue last week was a confrontation on Eamon Dunphy's 'The Stand' podcast between Dunphy and the veteran journalist and 'No' campaigner, John Waters.

Having become worked up about a line of questioning he objected to, Waters stormed out of the podcast on Thursday, calling Dunphy a "f***ing b******s" as he did so. Dunphy pleaded with Waters not to leave, assuring Waters that he, too, is a 'No' voter.

It was painful listening, but compulsive and authentic.

The podcast segment was pre-recorded. But Dunphy released it anyway, saying he wanted his listeners to "make up their own minds".

Within hours, it was the main talking point of that day's campaign coverage.

(By the time you read this media column, it will likely have surpassed one million streams, putting it ahead of virtually any radio or television segment during the same week.)

A freak one-off moment of audio voyeurism?

Probably not. Podcasts are now a permanent, under-reported, facet of media consumption.

The country's most listened-to Irish podcasts pull in over 100,000 streams each and every week. That's more than all but a handful of radio shows.

(A disclaimer: I host a tech podcast, 'The Big Tech Show'. It's not yet quite at 100,000 streams.)

Will the ad moves by Google and Facebook bear further scrutiny when the referendum is over?

I think they will, regardless of the outcome.

It is precisely because of the power that Google wields that its decision, in particular, was an extraordinary one.

Remember that Google and Facebook, between them, control around half of all online advertising. Google has the bigger share, thanks to the combination of its search words and YouTube video ads.

The consequences of its decisions around what it will or will not allow now arguably goes beyond the scope of a single private entity.

The European Commission may probably get around to this, as they are already scoping out the company's dominance in search.

No one in Google was willing to talk on the record about the decision to axe all ads relating to the referendum. But the nervousness around the issue, even from Google staff talking on background, was unusual.

As for the decision itself, it does look like Google executives took a pre-emptive step to avoid getting embroiled in a blame game should the referendum on the Eighth Amendment be defeated.

From a commercial and regulatory perspective, that's a smart (if crude) move.

From a civic standpoint, it throws up altogether different issues to be considered, going forward, about the role and provenance of utility-like platforms such as Google and Facebook in democratic elections.

Twitter, in case you were wondering, doesn't accept ads around the referendum either.

But that was a decision it took from the start, rather than a couple of weeks from the actual poll.

(In any case, Twitter is considered less important - to everyone except journalists - both because it has more partisan public users and because it has a far lower user base than either Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram or YouTube.)

The extent to which these platforms have now entered - and, in some cases, overtaken - some mainstream media channels could result in further moments of clarity.

One of these may be when Facebook releases more (much-awaited) data around advertising penetration for those who spend money on the platform.

In the meantime, I don't think we've heard the last of the ad policies around the Irish Eighth referendum.

Five years ago, a decision by any social platform around this would have been seen as peripheral.

Today, it is undeniably central.

We need to start setting out some clearer rules about what the big online platforms can and can't do.
Jeffery Deaver's newest and almost certainly sure-fire bestseller begins on what should have been a red-letter day for engaged couple William and Anna. While visiting diamond merchant Jatil Patel's Manhattan store to pick up her $16,000 engagement ring, they and the owner are slain by a box-knife wielding intruder.

But Patel's young assistant Vimal Lahori surprises the killer as he is ransacking the store. Wounded by a gunshot, Vimal flees with the remorseless killer on his trail. Wheelchair-bound criminologist Lincoln Rhyme, recently married to NYPD detective Amelia Sachs, is asked by his former police partner Lon Sellitto to consult on the case.

Using his formidable deductive powers, his state-of-the-art technology and Amelia's investigative muscle, Rhyme soon suspects that this is anything but a botched robbery.

The killer was looking for something specific, and is ruthlessly torturing and killing anyone who might lead him to Lahori. The suspect, apparently a Russian with a grudge against people who wear diamonds, is causing mayhem by attacking diamond-wearers of either sex.

Meanwhile, a series of seemingly unrelated mini earthquakes are causing death and distress in Manhattan, seemingly centred on a midtown geothermal drilling site developing a renewable energy power station. But Rhyme's forensic examination of microscopic residue found at the various crime scenes suggests that, however unlikely it seems, the two events could be linked. What's more, he begins to wonder if the earthquakes might not presage an even more cataclysmic event.

If dealing with all this was not enough, Rhyme is retained rather surprisingly by a high-powered Mexican lawyer on behalf of Mexican drug lord, Eduardo Capilla, known as El Halcon. Capilla had entered the US illegally to formalise a new criminal enterprise in New York.

However, the FBI and the NYPD had learned of his presence in the city, and after a shootout in which several people were killed, he was captured and standing trial for murder. Rhyme's task was to prove forensically that Capilla's claim was hiding in a toilet during the shootout is true. However, Rhyme's involvement in Capilla's trial does not sit easily with Henry Bishop, the US Attorney prosecuting the case.

He determines to arrest Rhyme and throw him, wheelchair and all, into jail without the support of Thom, his personal carer.

In this, the 14th Rhyme/Sachs investigation, master storyteller Jeffery Deaver has huge fun in seamlessly knitting together the tangled skein of the multiple threads of his Gordian knot-like storyline.

The narrative is also chock-a-block full of his signature fascination for research into arcane topics - who knew, for instance, that plotting, cleaving, sawing, bruting and brillianteering are the five stages of turning a rough diamond into a flawless gemstone. We are also effortlessly diverted down paths that teach us how to solve complex cryptic crossword puzzles, understand geothermal heat exchange technology, and marvel at the recent hi-tech advances that have been made in facial recognition software.

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The nerve-jangling resolution of Deaver's latest chiller is as sparkling as any of the gems at the centre of The Cutting Edge, but he also manages in the final couple of pages to deliver one of the most vertiginous cliffhangers any fan of the Lincoln Rhyme stories could ever wish for.
Afternoon TV is a strange place. In the 1960s, when television first came to Ireland, a great many more women were stuck in the house all day than is now the case. The lack of women in the workforce during that decade can be gauged by the fact that one in 20 females in the Irish workplace was a nun.

Men ran the broadcasting service, and since those same men were out at work all day, they saw no good reason to show programmes for housewives or children. Teilifis Eireann opened at five o'clock on Saturdays, later on weekdays.

The attitude of Ireland's broadcasters hadn't much modernised by the time they eventually gave us daytime TV in the 1970s. The afternoon flagship was Going Strong hosted by Bunny Carr and was as geriatric as its title suggests.

And now, filling the same slot in the broadcasting doldrums we have Today with Maura and Daithi (RTE1). It's pretty pointless to criticise the frothy show or its cheery hosts. It is what it is. On the other hand, Pointless (BBC1) is a brilliant quiz show made less brilliant by a pair of smarmy presenters, Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman.

Maura and Daithi perfectly fits the stereotype brilliantly parodied by The Simpsons with 'Afternoon Yak'. Typical of the fluff featured this week was an item on why Irish men are the least good looking on the planet, while Irish women are amongst the most beautiful.

Maura and Daithi did turn up one fascinating item. A spokesperson for the Concern aid agency revisited the foundation of the enterprise exactly 50 years ago in 1968. The organisation started out under the title Africa Concern, and the target of its efforts was war-torn Biafra which had split from Nigeria, bringing down a terrible wrath. Two million Biafrans were killed in the conflict which flashed across Irish TV screens on a nightly basis. The Holy Ghost Fathers of Ireland mobilised a huge aid effort.

You could not go to the shops without being reminded of Biafra. That reminder, on every counter was the 'black babies box' featuring a black baby. The mere thought of such a thing today would induce squirming, but those boxes had an iconic place in mid-20th century Irish society.

That place was on the counter of every newsagent, every drapers, every grocers and at every church entrance. The fascination with black babies by Irish society began in the 1930s as a proud but penniless newly independent nation fastened on one of the very few good news stories it had to tell - that of its Catholic missionaries.

It was something warm and exotic to feel a part of. You could even say it was trendy. In a Lonely Hearts column from 1933, 'Black Baby' from Dublin described herself as "a girl of exceptional ability, sincere, earnest and interesting". After reciting a long list of personal qualities, she signed off: "Regards her work as a stop-gap occupation until matrimony claims her".

The slogan 'A Penny for the Black Babies' was as much part of the lexicon as 'Put a Tiger in Your Tank' or 'Vote, Vote, Vote for De Valera'.

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Then, almost overnight, sometime in the late 1970s, the boxes vanished from sight. The sincerely felt special relationship that the Irish people believed they had with the 'black babies' became the love that dared not speak its name.

In the early 1960s a great wave of decolonisation swept Africa, and the word started coming back to Ireland that maybe the black babies box was beginning to seem like a remnant of an old-fashioned patronising colonialism, however well intentioned.

A road paved with good intentions had come to an end but the message took time to filter down - in 1970 a greyhound called Black Baby finished a disappointing fifth of six runners at Shelbourne Park. As the 1980s dawned, however, the nation was ready to slip into a state of collective amnesia.

Limitless (RTE2) is a gas, although why the national broadcaster is screening it way past the witching hour is anybody's guess. Although if you were to guess, you might suspect it has something to do with drugs. Starring Jake McDorman as Brian Finch, a slacker musician whose life takes a remarkable turn, it began life as a novel, The Dark Fields, by Dubliner Alan Glynn before becoming a powerful big-screen thriller starring Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro. The spin-off TV series recasts Cooper in occasional cameos as a bad senator who has ambitions of moving into the Oval Office. What distinguishes the TV series from the movie is that it injects blasts of unexpected comedy involving surreal fantasy sequences.

The storyline pivots around the central character's exposure to a miracle drug, NZT, which unlocks the full potential of his brain, turning him from slouchy zero to problem-solving hero. Brian's recurring dilemma is that the evil senator has a secret hold over him and expects him to spy on his new employers, the FBI. A neat blend of suspenseful drama and comedy - or dramedy, as its makers would call it - Limitless has great fun playing around with the format.

So too does Patrick Melrose (Sky Atlantic), which also revolves around drugs and enjoys itself enormously. Can Benedict Cumberbatch do no wrong? The answer seems to be no. His portrayal of an aristocratic heroin addict is utterly compelling. He inhabits the character. Patrick Melrose is very scary and deeply funny.

Mike Murphy, the original presenter of Winning Streak (RTE1), once disclosed that the unbreakable rule of the show is that absolutely no skill is permitted. Enough said.

Damian Corless
Commuters have been warned to expect severe curtailment of services as DART disruption caused by a fire on Friday is set to last all week.

Services have been suspended all weekend between Dalkey and Bray/Greystones after fire damage to signalling equipment on Friday.

As a result, there will be no rail services between Greystones and Bray. There will be limited bus transfers available between Greystones/Bray for DART services. A bus transfer will also be in operation for Rosslare/Wexford services.

There will be limited DART services running from Bray to Dalkey, however commuters have been warned there will be a reduced timetable and capacity, while journey time will be increased. It will take 30 minutes for the DART to travel from Bray to Dalkey.

Morning services operating will be:

06.30 Bray to Howth

07.00 Bray to Howth

07.30 Bray to Connolly

08.00 Bray to Connolly

08.30 Bray to Connolly

Southbound services will terminate at Dalkey during the morning peak.

Off-peak services will be:

09.00, 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00, 16.00 Bray to Dalkey.

09.30, 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 13.30, 14.30, 15.30, 16.30 Dalkey to Bray.

Evening peak services will be:

16.05 Malahide to Bray (departs Dalkey 17.00, arrives Bray 17.30)

16.45 Howth to Bray (departs Dalkey 17.41, arrives Bray 18.10)

17.15 Howth to Bray (departs Dalkey 18.16, arrives Bray 18.45)

18.00 Howth to Bray (departs Dalkey 19.00, arrives Bray 19.30)

18.45 Howth to Bray (departs Dalkey 19.41, arrives Bray 20.10)

There will be no DART services from Dalkey to Bray after the evening peak to allow repair works.

Customers should note Dublin Bus will continue to accept rail tickets at all times for journeys to/from areas south of Dalkey. Customers can connect to/from Dublin Bus services in city centre, Blackrock and Dun Laoghaire.
In the three weeks since Vicky Phelan exposed the failings in CervicalCheck cancer screening programme, a conveyor belt of health managers appeared before six Oireachtas committees.

The head of the health service and the clinical director of the cervical screening programme have resigned. And last week, hundreds of pages of records released by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) peeled back another layer of information, revealing the breadth of knowledge about the audit process and the problems that arose.

The records show that four of the HSE's 20-strong "leadership team" were told about the dispute between CervicalCheck and consultants over who was responsible for telling women with cancer of errors in their original screens.

The dispute over whether doctors or the screening service should inform the women with cervical cancer about screening errors dragged on from 2016 for more than a year and a half and effectively meant that 162 women with cervical cancer were not informed.

The dispute has its origins in Limerick, where Kevin Hickey, a consultant, was told by Dr Grainne Flannelly, clinical director of CervicalCheck, that he was to use his clinical judgment in informing 10 patients who had cervical cancer that the results of their original screenings were incorrect.

One these women was Vicky Phelan, who exposed the failings last month after settling her legal action against the US lab that missed the suspected squamous cell carcinoma in her original smear test.

Ms Phelan ensured that the "over and back" letters between Dr Flannelly and her consultant who insisted it was CervicalCheck's place to inform women were published after the settlement, largely because she resisted a confidentiality clause.

The records released last week show that this was not only a spat between two consultants. The new records show that Colette Cowen, chief executive of University Hospital Limerick, found the issue "very concerning". She emailed Liam Woods, the national director of acute hospitals, and Patrick Lynch, who was National Director, Quality Assurance Verification Division. Mr Lynch is now heading the Serious Incident Management Review Team that is organising the HSE's efforts to contact women and deal with the crisis. Colette Cowen copied them in correspondence and advised that the "issue" may arise in other hospital groups, too.

Minutes of a meeting in September show Kevin Hickey was not alone in his concerns. Nine consultant gynaecologists had "robust" discussion on the issue, according the minutes. One raised the difficulty in consultants communicating "complex information of this type" to women diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Consultants were being "put at a disadvantage" when deciding which women should or should not be "offered a close out meeting" - or in other words, should be told. The consensus at that meeting was that CervicalCheck should tell women about the audit process around the time they were diagnosed, and "if appropriate", communicate the results directly to her.

The two other members of the HSE's leadership team who knew about this issue were Dr Colm Henry, the HSE's chief clinical adviser, and Dr Peter McKenna, who heads the HSE's Women and Infants Programme. They were made aware of the row through Limerick Hospital last July.

A fifth member of the HSE's leadership team, Dr Stephanie O'Keeffe, the national director of Health and Wellbeing, who was CervicalCheck's line manager, knew nothing about the row at all. None of the four national directors informed her and nor did anyone at CervicalCheck, she told the Oireachtas committee last week, despite attending monthly meetings and receiving regular briefing documents that she shared with the then director General, Tony O'Brien and the Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Health, Tony Holohan. She thought that legal cases outlined in one briefing document - four solicitors' letters from women seeking their files and a fifth who was taking legal action - meant the "process was working" because women were being told. "I did not think anything was going wrong. Perhaps I should have, but I didn't," she said.

The Oireachtas meetings last week heard management speak about failures of "closing out" and "feedback loops" in explaining why no one ensured that women had actually received the information health managers claimed they always intended to give them.

Jonathan O'Brien, the Sinn Fein TD, asked John Gleeson, programme manager of CervicalCheck, and Dr O'Keeffe, effectively his boss, whose responsibility it was to ensure that "the loop was closed". Neither acknowledged responsibility.

"Mr Gleeson is not sure it was his responsibility. Dr O'Keeffe is saying it was the responsibility of the people under her to pass that information up to her," he said.
A young Irishman who has had a "miracle" recovery after being hit by a car in the US and sustaining a serious brain injury has said that he is now stranded over there and is desperate to return to Ireland.

Philip Leavy (30) was struck by a car in Orange County, California on February 1 and suffered a life-threatening head injury.

Philip, who had travelled to the US just weeks earlier on a graduate visa, has made remarkable progress and is now hoping to travel home to his Maynooth, Co Kildare.

He told Independent.ie: "I was walking to the shop one day at around 12pm and that's the last thing I can remember from that day.

"The police and friends have told me that I was legally crossing at an intersection when I was hit by a car.

"I was brought to hospital and within eleven minutes of arriving there I had an emergency craniotomy operation, I was then put into an induced coma.

"The doctors have told me that if I arrived at the hospital even fifteen minutes later I would have been a goner."

Philip woke up from his coma after two weeks and said it was a bizarre experience as he was convinced he was still in Ireland.

"I hadn't a clue where I was or what had happened, I initially thought I was in Maynooth and I wouldn't believed anyone who said I was in California.

"I only clicked when my brother showed me my location on Google Maps, my jaw dropped to the floor in shock, it was completely surreal," he recalls.

Other than his brain injury, Philip said there "wasn't a mark" on him after the accident.

He left hospital after a month and then spent eight days at a rehabilitation clinic in LA.

He is still taking a lot of medication and suffers from headaches daily.

Philip said: "Doctors have told me that it will take about a year for me to feel like myself again, I won't be allowed to work or drive or socialise until next February but it could be a lot worse, it's a miracle I'm here."

His travel insurance paid for his initial medical bills but not for his living expenses or medication.

He is staying with his friend Mary Spadoni in California, who has set up a Go Fund Me page to help cover these costs and to help sustain him when he eventually gets to fly home to Irealnd.

She told Independent.ie: "He is a very special young man and I feel lucky to have him in my life, I feel like I'm his adopted American grandmother.

"We're doing everything we can to support him and when he returns to Ireland he won't be able to work for a year so it's important that he has financial security."

The fundraiser has raised almost $14,000 (12,000) in just eight days and Philip said he is stunned by people's generosity.

"It's given me a boost to know that people would even go to that effort.

"People over here and all the hospital and rehab staff have been so good to me but I'm desperately homesick.

"I'm going to see a neurologist for a second opinion tomorrow about when I can get a second brain surgery that I need, from there he will be able to assess when it's safe for me to go home.

"I think it will take about eight weeks and I'm looking forward to going back to Ireland."

For more information or to donate please visit here
The site of the well now

There is "unbelievable anger" after a holy well that some believe has helped to cure cancer has been removed and access to the site curtailed.

Pilgrims have visited St John's Well in Warrenstown, Co Meath since the seventeenth century and an annual ceremony is held there every June to honour St John's Day.

The Salesian Order sold the land where the well sits to a man called Francis Smith in 2015 and some people are furious by changes that he has made to the structure.

Concerned John Hegarty told Independent.ie: "Since the owner took over around three years ago he has gradually been making it more difficult to access the well.

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"It started slowly with bales of silage at the back of the well, then he took down the fencing that surrounded it and put a lock on the front gate to access it.

"There were still two side gates that he left open.

"Two side gates and the main gate are padlocked, there was another gate further in and that was padlocked.

"The grotto surrounding the well was demolished, the steps and wall are all pulled down and levelled off, the water that normally flows out had been covered over, a well liner was put in place and covered with a small manhole.

"The cross that was on top of the grotto has been taken down and set in concrete in the ground, there's also now a plaque in the ground."

Mr Hegarty said that many people visit the well as they believe it has some healing properties.

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"I had cancer in 2003 and it had spread to my liver, I had a tumour removed from my bowel and I had chemotherapy.

"I had four tumours on one lobe on my liver and after visiting the well they went away and are still gone, it wasn't the chemo that worked.

"Fourteen years ago there wasn't much that could be done for liver cancer and I was given six months.

"A neighbour suggested I go there so with nothing to lose I headed down, I drank some of the water from the well and said, 'I'm John, you're John, I don't want to die' and then I said some prayers.

"I honestly have no doubt it worked, I'm still here, doctors have said I shouldn't be here," he claimed.

"There are quite a number of people who believe it heals, you often meet people there collecting water for other sick people.

"A lot of people don't put much faith in belief but in my case it worked."

He continued to say that people are hurt and angry over the changes.

Mr Hegarty noted: "A lot of pilgrims would go it regularly, years ago there used to be huge crowds, the anger surrounding the changes is unbelievable.

"We don't know if the pilgrimage for St John's Day can go ahead because the owner is just not communicating with us."

A spokeswoman from Meath County Council said: "St. Johns Well is not listed as a Protected Structure with Meath County Council.

"However, it is listed as a Stone Head with a National Monument number ME01694. "

A separate spokesman told Independent.ie: "St John's Well is a National Monument and is therefore afforded more protection than a Protected Structure.

"It is illegal to make any changes to a National Monument without the written permission of the minister, I believe there is an investigation into this."

When contacted by Independent.ie, Mr Smith declined to comment on the issue.
Jane Brennan, with her sister Catherine Brennan, follows the coffin of her husband Tom Murphy into the Mansion House for his funeral service. Behind her is Toms first wife Mary Murphy Photos: Tony Gavin

Sitting over a pint in The Flowing Tide pub, Tom Murphy leaned back expansively as he discussed "the dhrink".

He liked, he said, to keep a case of Champagne in the house, because "It's handy if someone drops by on a Sunday". On other occasions, he would refer to himself as being "just a plain boy from Tuam". In other words, Tom Murphy was a divil, and also a highly sophisticated man of the world.

Above all, he was a playwright of genius, an angry observer and analyst of the Irish psyche, and an excavator of the soul who made you understand the depths of the grave in which we bury ourselves, often before our time.

Born in Tuam, Co Galway, the youngest of 10 children, all of whom emigrated save for himself, the shadow of emigration hangs over all his work. His characters are dispossessed, sometimes from the reality of homeland, and always from the peace of a tranquil soul. The result, in most of his work, is a scenario of blood-curdling savagery that never tries to make excuses for itself. Murphy never sentimentally excused the Irish character, or tried to paint it in "justifiable" victimhood.

In The Morning After Optimism, first staged in 1971 at the Abbey, a surreal fairytale of the search for innocence, the central character, a retired pimp, says he believes in ignorance, and it should never be confused with innocence. That's what hypocrites do, he says. And in one searing speech, the author debunks a great deal of Irish writing which so heavily leans towards the identification of the two with each other, just as deprivation is confused with spirituality, that sure-fire essence of fascism everywhere.

Tom Murphy's first play was On the Outside - a prophetic title: he remained an outsider who did not identify with the Irish self-identification with innate nobility of soul. He saw our violent ugliness and made no excuses for it.

It is much quoted that the Abbey turned down his first major play - A Whistle in the Dark - in 1961. It depicted an Irish emigrant family in Coventry, where with the arrival of the paterfamilias from the homeland, the vicious hatreds and predatory greed simmering below the surface break out and end in tragedy. The play is unrelentingly cruel and hate-filled. It was certainly not part of the pattern of Irish writing which presented the uneducated Irish abroad as put-upon and discriminated against merely for their race. In the context of policy at the time, where the national theatre was seen as the cultural arm of the civil service, charged with presenting a desirable image of our character and society, humbly content to be free, unworldly and deeply spiritual, A Whistle was heresy.

It electrified London when staged by Joan Littlewood at Stratford East, and the heretic was on his way.

Seven years later, he took on the great tragedy which sears our national consciousness to this day. Murphy was now an internationally acclaimed playwright, his work the subject of academic criticism as well as popular interrogation.

Were it not for his unyielding integrity, one might have said that Famine was written almost impishly. It ran against the semi-official Irish narrative of deliberate starvation of a captive people by a brutish imperial power.

The play denies none of the historical facts as it gives us a single family at the centre of the horror. But they are at the centre of a vortex of bureaucratic incompetence rather than an attempt at near-genocide. And (the heretic again) equally complicit and possibly more blameworthy are the snivelling Irish of the gombeen class, exploiting their fellow countrymen to line their own pockets.

Conversations on a Homecoming - arguably Murphy's most popular play, with its theme of blighted hopes in an encroaching darkness of the soul - originally had a companion piece: the overall title was The White House, again staged at the Abbey, with the second piece portraying the disillusioned characters when they were still full of exuberant joy, encouraged by the local publican who bore a passing resemblance to John F Kennedy, and in whom the young people saw an obvious heroic leader. But leaders are fallible, as Murphy devastatingly showed.

Tom Murphy had many successes, some of them more muted than others as he continued his surgeon's work on the Irish psyche. But it was to his roots that he returned for his final play. Brigit, a commission for Druid with whom he had a long and fruitful association, is a prequel to Bailegangaire, and its central character mirrored the experience endured by Murphy's own father: denied work in a sanctimonious community due to his anti-clericalism, he finds his own salvation in the pride of craft: the carving of a statue of St Brigid, only to have it destroyed verbally by the callousness of the local nuns.

We could not wish Tom Murphy back: he had been ill for several years, looked after devotedly by his wife Jane Brennan.

With her own soaring acting talent, theirs was a match made in theatrical heaven, and the world to which Tom gave so much enrichment joins her in mourning the loss of a colossus.
Cancer victim Emma Mhic Mhathuna has reacted angrily to a proposal that she would meet the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and help "choreograph" the CervicalCheck scandal "in the Government's favour".

Ms Mhic Mhathuna said that she felt "manipulated" after a Fine Gael businessman with close links to her local TD, Minister of State Brendan Griffin, sent her a memorandum outlining how she could become a "government advocate" for cancer patients.

Last week, publican Sean O'Connor sent the terminally ill mother-of-five a draft letter which he intended to also send to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

Two weeks earlier, Mr O'Connor, also known as O Conchuir, had organised a private meeting between the young woman and Mr Griffin.

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In the draft letter, it is suggested Ms Mhic Mhathuna would be willing to give the Government "positive praise" if her legal case of medical negligence against the HSE could be fast-tracked.

"There is an opportunity to choreograph this situation in the Government's favour with cooperation from both sides," Mr O'Connor wrote.

Ms Mhic Mhathuna said she was shaken by the correspondence and immediately rejected the proposal from the Fine Gael activist. Speaking to the Sunday Independent, she said: "All they are looking for is votes at the next election and I will not be bought.

"I would rather die with no money because I know my kids will be looked after. I just wanted to make a change for the other women in Ireland so this can never happen again," she added.

Mr Griffin holds monthly clinics in Mr O'Connor's Tigh TP pub in Ballydavid, Co Kerry, and the local Fine Gael member also canvassed for him during the last two general election campaigns.

However, Mr Griffin yesterday denied he knew anything about the proposal and insisted he had "no hand, act or part" in composing the draft letter. "This is a private matter between Sean and Emma and I knew nothing about it and the Government knew nothing about it," Mr Griffin said.

Mr O'Connor also insisted he had not shown Mr Griffin the memo before he sent it to Ms Mhic Mhathuna.

A government spokesman said the Taoiseach was "disgusted" by the proposal set out in the letter. "The approach is insensitive and stupid, especially in light of all that has emerged," a spokesperson said. "The Taoiseach does not know this individual and has had no contact with him directly or indirectly."

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When shown a photograph of Mr Varadkar with Mr O'Connor, understood to have been taken in 2013, the Taoiseach's spokesman said that there had been no contact directly or indirectly "on this matter".

Two weeks ago, Mr O'Connor arranged a meeting to be held in his pub/restaurant which was attended by the minister, Ms Mhic Mhathuna and members of her family. At the meeting, Mr Griffin proposed a meeting between Ms Mhic Mhathuna and the Taoiseach which she turned down.

Yesterday, Mr Griffin confirmed the meeting took place but said he did not want to discuss details of the conversation for confidentiality reasons. He said he was always ready to offer support to constituents who find themselves in difficult situations.

Then last Friday, at 8.26pm, Ms Mhic Mhathuna received the draft letter by text message from Mr O'Connor, which he hoped to send to the Taoiseach.

"In the week of a referendum the Government can turn this challenge into an opportunity for a cervical victim to advocate the Government's steps to improve this testing journey for future patients," he wrote. "At this stage I believe that Emma can become that Government advocate despite her pain."

The letter continued: "It is inevitable, as night follows day, that Emma will receive a substantial settlement of damages from the HSE for their negligence.

"Emma does not need the pain of days on the quays in Dublin painfully giving evidence in the Four Courts.

"This Government does not need a negative media circus snowballing after another substantial financial settlement.

"This is a cut-and-dry case and the opportunity is with the Government to fast-track negotiations with Emma's representatives to reach a mutually acceptable settlement which will not create further negative publicity."

Mr O'Connor also suggested Ms Mhic Mhathuna could meet with the Taoiseach and Minister for Health Simon Harris in the "strictest of privacy" for an "honest and confidential" conversation about the cancer scandal.

"Emma can then later meet with An Taoiseach and the Minister at the Merrion Hotel for a public briefing where Emma can speak about the sympathetic approach by Government as well as their proactive approach to solving the issue into the future," he wrote.

"Emma can also outline that Leo Varadkar was not the doctor who was over the testing and he can not be blamed for this. We, as a nation, are lucky to have a doctor as Taoiseach who comprehends the medical situation and who can demand rapid corrective action for the future," he added.

He said the "action required" to receive this support from Ms Mhic Mhathuna would be for the Government to "fast-track inevitable payment of damages to Emma so that Emma can enjoy her dying days with the assurance her family can be cared for and properly reared after her premature and avoidable passing.

"The benefit to Government is a credible advocate to carry them through this storm rather than an angry gale blowing into their noses and in turn toppling a performing government", he added.

Yesterday, Mr O'Connor defended the letter and insisted he was trying to make life "stress-free" for Ms Mhic Mhathuna, who he considers a close friend. "All I was trying to do was figure out ways she could be living in her house with her kids and everything set up in place before she dies," he said.

Ms Mhic Mhathuna said she does not want to be contacted by a politician or anyone associated from here on. "That this is a human rights issue not a political 'let's gain votes' issue," she said.

Mr Griffin said the priority of Government was to help the women affected by the cancer scandal and hold people to account as soon as possible.

"There has never been and will never be any attempt within Government to seek anything in return for what should naturally be available to these women at this terrible time," he added.
Commandant Seamus Hennessy, who presided over the execution and secret burial, photographed during the Civil War

IN A TIME OF WAR: Above, last weeks prayer service at Ennistymon Church attended by relatives of George Chalmers

The stone which had been laid over the burial site by local people

A windswept bog guarded the secret of the disappearance of George Chalmers for 97 years.

Early on Monday morning last, the mystery was brought to an official end when his remains were raised from beneath the sod.

He was 18 when his captors shot him. The teenager was wearing his British Army uniform as he walked alone along a country road in Co Clare in June 1921 to visit his 15-year-old Irish girlfriend, a version of the story goes.

It appeared to be foolhardly to hop from a military lorry in the Lavoureen area and set off alone to seek a local girl named Louisa.

After all, he was alone in his Royal Scots uniform in broad daylight while the whole country was in the bloody grip of the War of Independence.

Despite it being just a month before the Truce would come into effect, the level of violence in West Clare was high. Six weeks earlier, Chalmers had been wounded when 40 IRA volunteers carried out an ambush on four British military lorries. Chalmers was awarded 100 for his injuries.

As he walked to Louisa's home, he was captured by local IRA volunteers not much older than himself. He was interrogated, accused of gathering intelligence, court-martialed, and shot. He refused to the very end to give them his name.

He was nameless to those who buried him in a shallow grave on a boggy hillside at Drumbaun, near Moy.

He was never listed as dead by the British authorities and some officials assumed that Private Chalmers may have "absconded".

The locations of bodies were not revealed to avoid military reprisals locally.

Years and decades went by and some stopped believing in local lore that an unnamed soldier lay buried somewhere in the bog. A wooden cross was said to stand at the wilderness site. It was local historian Dr Padraig Og O'Ruairc, author of Blood On The Banner and Truce: Murder, Myth, and the Last Days of the War of Independence whose research in recent years proved his identity was George Duff Chalmers, an Edinburgh teenager orphaned at the age of eight.

Local people, aware of the location of the grave, used this new information to lay a stone slab to mark the spot with the words: George Chalmers, British Soldier, 11-6-1921.

As a result of Dr O'Ruairc's findings, relatives of the dead teenager finally learned of his fate and his last resting place.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) was made aware of the existence of the grave in August 2016. A CWGC statement said: "A review of the case by the British Ministry of Defence saw Private Chalmers officially recognised and CWGC records were amended."

Clare historian Dr Tomas Mac Conmara said the shooting of Private Chalmers took place at a time when there was "incredible violence" by both sides during Ireland's War of Independence. There were summary 'executions' on both sides. Many prisoners held by the military were shot in custody and listed as "attempting to escape".

In response to lethal attacks, the military took part in bloody reprisals which resulted in the deaths of many people in the Clare region which caused very strong feelings locally against the military, including Scottish regiments, he said.

Guerrilla war, by its nature, is "nasty, violent and intimate", he added.

Last year, relatives contacted the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and asked for his body to be exhumed.

At 7am last Monday, the exhumation process began. The remains of George Chalmers were placed in a wooden coffin. A hearse took the remains to Ennistymon where he had been stationed. There was a short prayer service outside the Church of Our Lady and Saint Michael.

The parish Facebook page referred to him as: 'Sadly a casualty of the unrest in our area of Clare in the early part of the 20th Century.'

The parish page contained a statement from a Peter Chalmers who said his family research showed George was a cousin of his grandfather.

Mr Chalmers stated: "When I first discovered what had happened to George, I spent many a sleepless night thinking about where he was buried. I thought of leaving his body where it was and I thought about what I would have done if he was my son or my father. Eventually... I decided to seek help to enable his body to be moved and to receive a Christian burial."

The family are "eternally grateful" to members of the local community "for having looked after his grave".

His remains were taken from Ennistymon to Grangegorman Military Cemetery in Dublin, where that same evening he was re-interred near the graves of many other British soldiers killed in the War of Independence.

The family was "extremely grateful" to all involved in the exhumation, including Clare Co Council, the OPW, gardai and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Later this year, a new headstone will be dedicated in a military ceremony at the final resting place of Private George Chalmers.
Cuckoos and yellowhammers - have I taken off, like the ancient Greeks, for cloud-cuckoo land? But readers have reported sightings and sounds of both species.

I have a vivid memory of standing at a cottage doorway in Leitrim last May, listening to a cuckoo calling across a valley of old lazy-bed outlines, as house martins buzzed above my head.

Yellowhammers were busy in a field in Co Louth and cuckoo activity was reported from Waterford, Kerry and Clare. Near Drumshanbo, I recall a sheep farmer reciting schoolday verses: "In April I open my bill/In May I sing night and day/In June I change my tune/In July far, far I fly/In August away I must."

I had seen yellowhammers near a rural lane where scrub had been burning after a clean-up - an unapproved activity, but old practices die hard. At this time, tiny common blue butterflies have been plentiful and foragers may pull young nettle shoots for soup-making, as the almost forgotten folkloric Feile na Nauntog has passed when young people used to chase and sting one another amid screams and laughter.

Where there are mature tree-lines, floral candlesticks of horse chestnut indicate a bumper conker crop ahead and "sumer is icumen in, Lhude sing cuccu", as a 13th Century monk wrote.

Cuculus canorus, whose procreating behaviour is called obligate brood parasitism, is here from Africa and the male bird is singing to find a partner. Time is precious. The search for a host nest is more difficult as songbird numbers have fallen along with earlier nesting of meadow pipits, robins, wagtails and warblers.

The female cuckoo removes an egg and squirts in one of her own while clinging to the nest rim. Every other day this is repeated, suitable locations being found. The usurper chick grows rapidly, fed by unsuspecting foster parents, and throws out eggs and chicks competing for food. It's a ruthless business.

About 4,000 adult birds arrive each year and feed voraciously on hairy caterpillars - which other birds avoid - the cuckoos having a protective stomach lining, which can be expelled and renewed.

Yellowhammers, or 'yorlings', as they are known in Scotland and parts of Ulster, are of the bunting family. Numbers appear to be centred in pockets after fears for their future because of habitat loss. These birds are rare now - but once their sounds of 'little-bit-of-bread-and-no-cheese' were familiar.

They lay interesting eggs with dark spots and 'scribbles' which made them the subjects of old wives' tales. William Allingham, poet of the ducks-in-a-pond, wrote of "the plaintive yellow bird sighing in the sultry fields around - chary, chary, chary, chee, only the grasshopper and the bee".

Will such summer sounds be familiar again? Changes in the CAP may not provide solutions. Brussels sceptics say EU agriculture ministers are still pushing for 'business as usual' as the drastic decline in numbers of birds and insects continues. Ariel Brunner, policy head of BirdLife Europe, says greening is 'fake environmental spending' with wildlife-friendly measures shredded by loopholes.

Cloud-cuckoo land, indeed.
'Ive found Sicilys best kept secret,' says Pol O Conghaile. And its not Palermo or Taormina...

Sicily isnt easy to fall in love with.

Roads are frequently festooned with rubbish. People can seem distrustful, towns and villages crammed with derelict buildings that look ready to crumble in the heat.

Of course, the sea is stunningly clear  but its that way around lots of other Mediterranean islands too. The hilltop resort of Taormina is breathtaking, but in truth, its about as Sicilian as Sorrento.

Then theres Syracuse.

Back in the first century BC, Cicero said this was the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all. I stumbled across it almost by accident, and fell in love off the bat.

From the water, its old town, Ortygia, looks as dramatic as Dubrovnik. Ancient, gnarled Doric columns are lodged in the cathedral walls. At sunset, Baroque buildings light up in peaches and pinks. The Piazza del Duomo offers some of the best people-watching in Italy. Blossoms play off the faded grandeur of old palazzos.

But heres the thing. Syracuse is touristy, but it feels real. It blends Sicilys grit and glamour brilliantly. Old women peep from doorways amidst un-tatty souvenir shops. Prices are cheaper than Taormina. Youll score with street food (try the sticky arancini) as much as plaza restaurants, and there isnt a Daily Mail or inflatable dolphin in sight. Its 2,700 years old, and the waters are crystal-clear (boat cruises are available).

Chalk it down for a city break, significant birthday or romantic surprise. Like Sienna or Granada, its an off-radar gem youll talk about for years to come.

Food, Glorious Food

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Sicilian food, like the island itself, is not an easy nut to crack.

It takes work finding the best pizzas and pasta, gelatos arent often homemade, and resort restaurants can be variable, to say the least.

In Syracuse, however, the Mediterranean, Arabic and Italian influences shine through. Try Cannoli del Re (Piazza del Duomo 6) for crispy tubes of ricotta-filled loveliness near the cathedral, fresh seafood pretty much anywhere (check out the daily market), or stuffed antipasta plates at Mokrita (via Picherali 11, overlooking the Aretusa Fountain).

Get there

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July and August are peak months in Sicily  both for tourist crowds and stinging heat. Prices and temperatures fall in September and October, and Aer Lingus (aerlingus.com) continues flying to Catania  a 45-minute drive from Syracuse  up to November 5.

The city can also be visited from resorts like Taormina and Giardini Naxos, which are offered as package holidays by Sunway (sunway.ie) and Topflight (topflight.ie). Going to press, seven nights in September started from around 575pp, including flights and two-star accommodation.

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Norwegian's new US flights bring you straight to New York's Orange County. Thomas Breathnach takes a reconnaissance trip.

Set the mood

"Come back and visit us in a few years!", says Cooper Boone, owner of the latest it-spot to hit Orange County, Foundry42+.

The cafe and home store (think antlers and Americanos; f42home.com) is just one domino in the gentrification of Port Jervis, a former end-of-the-line out-post on the Pennsylvania border, now jostling with every upstate NY town to become "the next Brooklyn".

So what's with the love affair?

Orange County (named after the prince, not the citrus), offers everything from the outdoors to the outlets, wilderness and wineries, plus a kooky granola daily grind marked by the likes of pumpkin-picking and crafternoons.

And, being base to Stewart Airport, hub for Norwegian's new US flights, New York's own O.C. has never been more in season.

Guilty Pleasure

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Orange County's fertile valleys are blanketed by America's original vineyards. If you've got a nose for something vintage, why not visit America's oldest winery of all? Established in 1839, Brother-hood winery (above, brotherhood-winery.com) has been producing zesty Rieslings for the Hudson Valley hoi polloi for over a century.

Ten bucks (8.30) gets you a generous tasting flight, souvenir glass plus a tour through the country's largest network of underground cellars. Art more your vice? Storm King Art Centre, a 500-acre sculpture park, is a unfiltered paradise for the thinking Instagrammer (stormking.org, $18/15).

Cheap Kick

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Cornwall-on-Hudson is both a chocolate box village on the riverfront and the region's launchpad for some epic kayaking. I grabbed my paddle for a three-hour leisurely crossing with Storm King Adventures (main photo, above), crossing to the banks of eerie Bannerman's Island and the ruins of its extraordinary castle.

Above me, a pair of nesting ospreys fished for lunch, while on the horizon, a bald eagle soared over the ridges. I'm still just an hour from NYC, right? See stormkingadventuretours.com; from $60/50.

Insider Intel

Overnighting away from the big city, you're likely in search of peace, solitude and an upstate state of mind. I found mine at the historic Bear Mountain Inn, where the likes of Eleanor Roosevelt vacationed during its golden era. The hotel gets busy, so check into the rustic Overlook Lodge for downtime. It's sequestered atop a winding mountain road with dramatic lake views (visitbearmountain.com; 75pps).

Top Tip

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Who needs Manhattan for the perfect rooftop? The Thayer Hotel's Zulu Time bar and lounge (thethayerhotel.com), set in the grounds of the West Point army academy, is a spectacular spot for Hudson sundowners.

N.B. security is tight, so don't forget your passport!

Glitches

Orange County offers landscapes worthy of any fall calendar shoot. That draws crowds, and being so close to NYC, lots of them! To really escape the masses, take advantage of the region's dream Appalachian hiking trails.

Get me there

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Norwegian recently launched direct flights from Dublin, Belfast and Shannon to Stewart International Airport from around 129 each way (norwegian.com). Carry-on luggage is free but a checked-in 20kg bag will add 70 to your return fare.

From Stewart, it's a 40-minute (60km) drive to Port Jervice in Orange County, or an 80-minute ride to New York's Port Authority (bus transfers are synced to Norwegian's international flights for $40/33 return). For more info on the county, see orangetourism.org.

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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.
It's difficult to truly put yourself in someone else's shoes. To imagine the distress they may be in, to envisage their internal turmoil, to fully appreciate the impact their circumstances may have on their life and that of their family.

Before you vote on Friday, I would urge you to put yourself in the shoes of a woman in crisis. That woman could be your daughter, your sister, your wife, or your best friend. Then ask yourself, how would you want her to be treated?

Irish people are compassionate and caring. We have shown ourselves to be open-minded and progressive, willing to confront some of the most difficult issues from our past. For too long, our society was characterised by judgment rather than understanding. Too many lives have suffered as a consequence; some women's lives have been lost. Friday's vote is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change that.

I don't believe any woman ever sets out wanting to have an abortion. It's an outcome most would prefer to avoid. Sometimes it is a devastating end to a much-wanted pregnancy.

In the 35 years since its insertion into the Constitution, despite its intentions, the Eighth Amendment has not saved lives, it has failed lives. It has not stopped Irish women having abortions. They take place every day - even if we don't see them - and they will continue to take place even if we would prefer not to think about them.

Between now and Friday, about 45 women will travel to Britain for an abortion, and a further 15 will take the abortion pill, bought online, without any medical advice or any discussion about alternative options. A No vote on Friday will not stop abortion in Ireland. It will only allow us to hide behind a fiction, turning our back on the women in our lives at the very moment when they need us most.

Like many people, my views on this topic have changed. Life experience has made me realise that this is not a black-and-white issue. In between the extremes on either side of the argument, there are shades of grey.

As Minister for Health, I was horrified by the case of Miss P, a woman who was clinically dead but on life-support because the child she was carrying was still alive. Doctors were uncertain as to whether they could take her off life support. Her family's wishes didn't matter. They looked at the Constitution rather than medical journals for guidance. It was decided in court. I am still haunted by that case. Today in Ireland, because of the Eighth Amendment, pregnant women must be on the brink of death before doctors can intervene.

Many readers may agree that we need to deal with the hardest of cases - the fatal foetal abnormalities, the cases of rape - but might struggle with the concept of terminations being available up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. The truth is that we cannot deal with the most difficult cases without voting Yes on Friday to remove the Eighth Amendment from the Constitution.

Having rape or incest as a specific 'reason' for a termination is completely unworkable, as has been pointed out by several former attorneys general. Requiring a woman or young girl to somehow prove she had been raped within the confines of early pregnancy is not possible and would almost certainly risk re-traumatising the victim.

Today in Ireland, a 15-year-old girl who is raped and in pain cannot end her pregnancy, and anybody who helps her can be sent to prison for 14 years. So could she. Today in Ireland, the only option for this young rape victim is to continue with the pregnancy.

Under the Government's proposals, in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, a woman can make her own decision - a personal and private decision - whether to proceed with that pregnancy or not. It won't be on demand. You will need to see a doctor who will confirm the pregnancy is less than 10 weeks' gestation. You'll be offered counselling about alternatives and there will be a pause period for reflection.

After the 12-week point (which is 10 weeks after conception), a termination will only be permitted if the women's health or life is at serious risk. This must be certified by two doctors, one of whom must be an obstetrician. Even in these very difficult circumstances, some women may decide to risk their own health in order to go ahead with the pregnancy. That is a decision a woman should make herself, in consultation with her doctor, not a decision that should be made for her. These are not broad grounds. They reserve lawful abortion after the first trimester to only the most serious of cases. Twelve weeks is the limit in 18 other European countries like France, Germany, Spain and Italy. In Britain and the Netherlands it's much less restrictive at 24 weeks.

Terminations would also be possible in the heartbreaking cases where the baby will not survive outside the womb, where expectant parents have been told their much-wanted baby is not going to make it. Again, many couples may choose to continue with that pregnancy, and we will support them in doing so. For those who wish to end the pregnancy through a compassionate early delivery, with family and friends by their side, they should be able to do so here, in their own country.

Some have suggested that a Yes vote will lead to late term abortions. It is claimed that the Government, the medical profession, and the women of Ireland will conspire to abort healthy babies up to six months' gestation and beyond based on flimsy health grounds. I wonder who these women are, as I have certainly never met any of them.

The legislation clearly sets out that after 12 weeks of pregnancy, terminations will only be available on health grounds and if viability has not been reached. That means if the baby can survive outside the womb, it will be delivered early and offered all possible medical care.

There are only a few days left in this referendum campaign. Whatever the result, the Government will respect the democratic will of the people.

To those of you who are still unsure how to vote, I encourage you to focus on the facts. To focus on the reality that between 3,000 and 4,000 women will travel to Britain and beyond for a termination this year, and about 2,000 more will take pills they got online. To think of the couple who have to travel to Liverpool to compassionately end their much-wanted pregnancy.

We have ignored this for long enough. We can no longer hide our conscience behind the Constitution.

I want in particular to appeal to Irish men to think of the women in their lives - their wives, sisters and daughters.

We can help make a positive change so the women in our lives can deal with their crisis pregnancies here at home, not in a foreign country or alone without any medical help or advice.

It's time to put an end to the secrecy and the shame surrounding women in crisis pregnancies. To stop stigmatising women and start treating them with compassion. It's time we trusted women to make decisions about their own healthcare. If you agree, please vote Yes on Friday.
Seguin, TX (78155)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low 68F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph, becoming NNW and decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low 68F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph, becoming NNW and decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Higher wind gusts possible.
With Ed Sheeran otherwise engaged, every other pop star in the world is taking the opportunity to release a single in the hope of becoming 2018's song of the summer.

Last week saw the release of countless slick, autotuned earworms - designed to get into your head and never leave, to be played driving on a sunny day with the windows rolled down. Pharrell, Diplo, Black Eyed Peas, Christina Aguilera, J.Lo and even, tragically, The Backstreet Boys have all crawled out of Sheeran-winter hibernation to compete for a place in our hearts and summers.

But this joyous time has been marred by controversy. Rita Ora has rubbed some people up the wrong way with her offering, Girls, which features the lyrics, "Sometimes, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls/Red wine, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls".

Upon its release, Hayley Kiyoko, a former Disney Channel star whose fans call her pop music's "lesbian Jesus", tweeted to criticise the song, saying she fully supports artists opening up about their sexuality, but felt "a song like this just fuels the male gaze while marginalising the idea of women loving women".

The tweet soon gained traction. Some didn't see the big deal, while others believed it to be entrenching a fetishised view of gay and bisexual women. Mostly, it didn't sit well that a straight artist was making money off the queer experience.

Before the backlash, Ora had said that Girls was meant to dispel labels and send a message "about freedom and acceptance... It's not actually that deep. It really is just about that. It's a free message, and for me, really fun."

When asked if the song, which opens with the lyrics "I ain't one-sided, I'm open-minded/I'm 50/50, and I'm never gonna hide it", revealed anything about her own sexuality, she said: "If people look at it like that, it's very narrow-minded, and I don't think that's what this record is. I don't think that that even matters."

However, soon it would matter a whole lot, and she would have to change her tune. The criticism forced her to tweet her own wordy explanation, writing: "Girls was written to represent my truth and is an accurate account of a very real and honest experience in my life. I have had romantic relationships with women and men throughout my life and this is my personal journey."

Was this a coming-out? I really wasn't sure. Did I know that Rita Ora actually liked kissing girls sometimes, or had I just assumed? In any case, the public response was a resounding ''meh''. We could barely rouse ourselves to raise an eyebrow when Harry Styles released his own ''bi anthem'' last month, so pretending to be in any way moved by Rita's ''revelation'' was too much to ask. Once upon a time there were rumours about her and Cara Delevingne - but sure what red-blooded millennial woman wouldn't make a move on Cara if they had half a chance?

There were some who saw her admission as pure ass-covering, because when confronted with accusations of homophobia, isn't it as easy to just say you're a bit gay? Most millennials are loath to admit that they're totally straight anyway - those of us who haven't done anything remotely gay-ish still like to believe that we would or we could.

I can see why Rita Ora didn't think she needed to come out.

However, this is all probably moot. Because Rita Ora didn't write the song - it was written mostly by straight men. So critiquing the male gaze and how it portrays bi women in pop culture is very much allowed - it might even be necessary. Sure, a close reading of the song reveals some problematic lyrics and sentiments. But this isn't Leaving Cert English - the bit we'll all have stuck in our head, whether we like it or not, is Rita Ora joyfully singing, ''I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls''. And maybe that counts for something.

Either way, one thing's for sure - Sheeran would never get mixed up in this stuff.

*******

Last week, millennials read the news that an exploding vape killed a man in America.

The autopsy report was fairly harrowing: the vape hurled fragments into the man's head, killing him and starting a fire that burned most of his body. And yet we had mixed emotions.

You see, vapes just are really really lame. And making fun of the dragon-people who use them is a generational hobby we can all enjoy - unlike the music of Rita Ora.

The vape has become the millennial trilby - a decisive outward sign that you're a dick. Sure, we all know in our hearts that the biggest dickheads are still the real smokers, but there's something unbearably smug about the vaper, who whips out their ridiculous cyber-flute in the pub, while the miserable bastards still on Camel Blues slink outside to be pelted by judgemental rain.

The problem is, you've never looked at a person smoking a Marlboro and thought: "God that looks stupid." You have to admit it: smoking retains an element of cool. Entering the room in a literal cloud of smoke like Dumbledore on The Flying Scotsman is not cool.

Now came the time for the rest of us to feel smug: we sparked up a ciggie knowing that while they will inevitably kill us slowly and agonisingly 20 years from now, they will never explode our faces off. The comfort.

*******

Since Vogue Williams's whirlwind engagement and pregnancy announcement, my alarming addiction to her social media output has intensified beyond all imagining.

Vogue's been very busy: she's away filming Getaways for RTE, interviewing her little heart out, and keeping up with her gruelling personal training schedule. The latter, I watch every day with Hobnobs and grim fascination.

She mentioned that Spencer was getting all excited, putting the foetus's name down at his old schools. His old school is, naturally, Eton. Something in us instinctively rankles at the idea of Ireland's own royal baby being sent to that most English-in-the-derogatory-sense-of-the-word of establishments. Can the fruit of Vogue's most pure and Irish loins possibly be sullied by English public school? Of course, these are the conversations you have to have when a baby comes, and compromises have to be made.

Co-parenting a child with an Englishman, the whole of Ireland and 290,000 Instagram followers isn't always going to be easy. But we can do this, Vogue - though haven't you thought about coming home for it?
The newly married Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, leaving Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House, hosted by the Prince of Wales (Steve Parsons/PA)

Newlyweds Harry and Meghan are danced the night away with 200 guests at a glamorous reception in Windsor last night  with the bride wearing a ring which belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales.

Harry appears to have given his bride a poignant wedding day gift  an impressive, emerald cut aquamarine ring which belonged to his late, beloved mother.

Expand Close GOLDEN COUPLE: Meghan and Harry leaving for the evening reception at Frogmore House. Picture: Reuters / Facebook

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Meghan was spotted with the large gem on her right hand as the couple made their way to their evening do.

Diana died when Harry was just 12 after she was killed in a tragic car crash in Paris.

Meghan switched from her stunning elegant, formal pure white wedding gown by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, to a glamorous lily white halter neck by Stella McCartney for the black tie evening do.

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The US star  now a duchess and an HRH  is giving a speech at the party, which is being hosted by her father-in-law the Prince of Wales.

Harry drove his new wife from Windsor Castle in a silver blue classic convertible Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero which was originally manufactured in 1968 and has been converted to electric power.

The happy couple waved and smiled as they headed to meet their friends at the celebration, which is expected to stretch into the early hours.

Meghan wore shoes from Aquazurra made in silky satin, with nude mesh, with soles painted in baby blue.

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Her hair  in a relaxed up do  was styled for the reception by George Northwood.

The cars number plate bore the date of the wedding  E190518.

Guests were able to rest and change before the start of the evening celebrations following the lunchtime reception in the castles medieval St Georges Hall hosted by the Queen.

The closest friends of the newlyweds will be among those in attendance including Canadian stylist Jessica Mulroney and other confidantes such as Benita Litt and designer Misha Nonoo.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex depart Windsor Castle for a reception hosted by The Prince of Wales at Frogmore House, in a silver blue Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero. This vehicle was originally manufactured in 1968, and has since been converted to electric power #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/hRrxEUlFlJ  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018

The 17th century royal residence stands about half a mile south of Windsor Castle in Windsor Home Park.

It offers the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex the privacy to celebrate their marriage away for the cameras.

The name Frogmore is derived from the frogs which have always lived in the low lying marshy area.

It was built in around 1680 by Charles IIs architect and in 1923, the Queens parents  the future George VI and Queen Elizabeth  spent part of their honeymoon there.

It is only open for people to view on three ticketed charity open days a year, as well to pre-booked groups in August.
The delirium that engulfed the pretty market town of Windsor last week was impossible to escape. It swept you up and spat you out in a stream of miniature flags, H&M embossed teaspoons, and Union Jack bunting.

Yesterday, in the baking Berkshire midday heat, 150,000 people gathered in the town to watch the Royal Wedding 2.0.

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exchanged their solemn vows. Or, as the countless American TV reporters roaming the streets of Windsor preferred to call it, created ''a modern day fairytale''.

For the Royal Watchers, who had camped out in collapsing chairs since Tuesday, it felt like Christmas morning.

"This is it!" a woman with two flags shoved into her bra said cheerfully. "The day we've all been waiting for!"

Another bystander on the crowded High Street believed that "now Ant and Dec have split, the Royal Family are all we have left".

The few days preceding the wedding had been delightfully and disarmingly ridiculous. People dressed up as Queen Victoria stood on street corners practising their royal waves.

Three rival town criers (including Britain's Official Unofficial Royal Crier) vied for attention. Marks & Spencer had been rebranded ''Markle & Sparkle'', and the Windsor branch of KFC had served up a limited edition Royal bargain bucket (which, by all accounts, is Prince Harry's favourite snack).

This was coupled with extensive - and, at times, invasive - coverage of Markle's family. This had focused, in particular, on her father Thomas's absence.

But the speculation and silliness gave way to an extraordinary spectacle yesterday.

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As the Irish Guards Band marched through the centre of town, details start to trickle out. They would become the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Oprah was coming, and she was wearing a Philip Treacy hat! The Clooneys, the Beckhams and Elton John had also flown in.

The heat was beginning to make the crowd wilt, but some showbiz spark seemed to liven them up again. The PA system told us that Prince Harry had arrived, and I rushed to a nearby shop to watch the action on a TV screen.

Throughout the week, everyone in Windsor had spoken about Harry with a huge degree of affection.

Patrick O'Neill (28), from Andersonstown in West Belfast, had camped outside the Palace since Tuesday to see Harry's Big Day.

"I lost my mammy when I was 13, Harry was 12 when he lost his mammy Princess Diana so I have a connection with him," he explained.

"That's why I am so very Royalist."

Others described Harry as ''down to earth'', ''relatable'', ''grounded'' and ''just like us''.

I scribbled all this in my notebook.

"You think Prince Harry, sixth in line to the British throne, is just like you?" I asked Bernadette Christie, a 64-year-old retiree from Alberta, Canada. "Yes, everyone can connect with Harry."

His openness was evident as he sat next to William - smiling and joking one minute, and biting his bottom lip with nerves the next.

At 12 minutes to noon, Markle left Clivedon House for Saint George's Chapel.

"It's long sleeved!" one woman noted as we saw fleeting glimpses of the dress.

Once all the baby bridesmaids and page boys - including Prince George and Princess Charlotte - had toddled up the steps, Meghan arrived. Flying solo.

Her Givenchy dress was discreetly understated and elegant: the veil was anything but, and seemed to stretch on for weeks behind her.

In one of a number of breaks with tradition, she began to walk up the aisle on her own.

Prince Charles met her half way down the aisle, and accompanied her to the top of the nave where she met her Prince.

It's easy to be cynical about weddings, but there is, and always will be, something moving about watching two people completely in love make very serious and deeply idealistic vows of fidelity, loyalty and respect to each other.

And in this case, they were making those vows in front of several million people who were watching in every corner of the world.

In other ways, Meghan and Harry's marriage is a radical departure from the norm. She is, after all, bi-racial, a divorcee and American.

The last time an American divorcee married into the British Royal family, it led the abdication of Edward VIII.

The ceremony reflected both their diverse and shared backgrounds, and as a consequence felt much more contemporary than Prince William and Kate Middleton's 2011 ceremony.

The gospel choir, and the different ethnic inputs to the Anglican service was considered a step forward for many.

American Bishop Michael Curry was an unexpected star of proceedings. The Primate of the Episcopal Church in the US delivered a passionate lesson to the 600-strong congregation.

"There's power, power in love!" he preached. I half-expected someone to call out: "Tell it like it is, brother!"

Watching Zara Phillips's and Elton John's expressions of utter bemusement during his sermon also provided some comic relief.

There was a monumental cheer in the streets in Windsor when Harry and Meghan exchanged vows and began walking down the nave. People wiped away tears, and raised glasses of Prosecco.

"At home, our attitude to the Royals seems more complex.

An announcement of a Royal Wedding stirs up equal amounts of hot air and hot heads.

This month, RTE were forced to defend its decision to broadcast the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after some individuals took umbrage.

Sinn Fein Fingal councillor Paul Donnelly stated is was a 'disgraceful waste of taxpayers money' adding "surely there's something happening in Ireland more worthy" of broadcast.

RTE had to clarify that all the coverage was being provided for free.

In Buncrana, the Inishowen Gateway Hotel was forced to cancel a Royal Wedding-themed afternoon tea event after intense threats from republican groups.

But the Irish who had travelled over for the festivities seemed to be having a good time. Hazel Kearney (45) and Michelle Browne (43) from Ballina were among the crow,d and encouraged an American group named The Travelling Divas to chant ''Mayo For Sam'' instead of ''God Save The Queen''.

They shrugged off any talk of hostility between republican values and royalist obsession. "Sure, what harm is there in enjoying a wedding?"

That's true. We all love weddings: after all, they show the triumph of hope over experience.
Millie Bobby Brown has invited Leonardo DiCaprio to star in Stranger Things as Eleven's long-lost brother (PBG/PA Wire/PA Images)

Millie Bobby Brown has invited Leonardo DiCaprio to star in Stranger Things as Elevens long-lost brother.

The 14-year-old English star  who earlier this year became the youngest person ever to feature on Time magazines 100 most influential people list  shot to fame after playing Eleven, a young girl with psychokinetic abilities.

Brown was asked which celebrity she would like to have a guest role in Netflixs science fiction series.

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She told the Press Association: Leonardo DiCaprio. Leonardo is Elevens long-lost brother. I have already made a story line. Leo, if you want to be in Stranger Things, heres the contract.

Filming is currently under way for season three of Stranger Things, which also stars Finn Wolfhard, Winona Ryder, Noah Schnapp, Caleb Mclaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo.

Set in the 1980s, it follows the residents of the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, as they battle a monster from another dimension.

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Details for the upcoming season are thin on the ground, but producer Shawn Levy has indicated it will be set during the summer of 1985, a year after the conclusion of season two.

Writers the Duffer brothers also suggested the new episodes would deal with the issue of the young cast members reaching puberty.

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Brown  who starred in the first season of Stranger Things aged just 12  said it was amazing and wonderful to be back filming and praised the writers.

She said: The Duffer brothers and Shawn Levy and Netflix really know how to grow with the characters so its very good.

They know how to write to us and how were growing and our voices are changing and our mindsets are changing and we are maturing every day.

Her 13-year-old co-star Schnapp told the Press Association fans of the show can expect excitement in season three of Stranger Things.

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Schnapp, who plays Will Byers on the show, said the latest episodes would bring a mix of playfulness and scary scenes.

He added Tom Hanks would be his choice of celebrity on the show, predicting he would form a partnership with police chief Jim Hopper, played by David Harbour.
There's an old Best Man's line that jokes about marriage being an institution but who would ever want to live in an institution?

When - with the kerfuffle over her father's plans behind her - Meghan Markle walks back down the aisle alongside her new husband today, with a new title and tiara, she will indeed have married not just the man, but one of the oldest institutions in the world.

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It has existed for a thousand years and will probably continue long after she is gone, but to what extent, if any, can she reshape it to avoid it becoming a 21st-century anachronism?

The royal family, or The Firm as it's known to insiders, is run much like a country, by a coterie of civil servants, or courtiers. The monarch is not as important as the continuation of the establishment. The current queen, now 92, has sailed a steady ship for 65 years, saying nothing of any consequence whatsoever.

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She has reigned seamlessly through several wars, the loss of empire, overseen republics reformed from colonies, side-stepped politics and created a line of succession which will see three kings proceed in her wake over the next century. A wry and dry wit in private, she is known to firmly ground any smart-alecky new prime minister by reminding them that Winston Churchill was her first and her favourite. There have been 13 since and she has outlived nine of them.

No pressure, then.

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But for Harry, marrying his love today, there never was the same pressure. A 'second son', the 'spare' to the heir, he is bound to have an easier, less scrutinised life than his brother, born to rule. But second sons pose a problem. What are they to do with themselves? Get a compliant wife from the upper orders, have children and spend their days cutting ribbons is the time-honoured tradition.

So what role then, for an ambitious, classless, independent American divorcee used to speaking her mind and getting what she wants?

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The last one who ticked all those boxes almost brought down the entire monarchy. Meghan is no Wallis Simpson, but there must be more than a few courtiers quaking in their stockings at the prospect.

Royals across Europe prefer their consorts acquiescent and dutiful, and in the televisual age, beautiful. Above all, apolitical and never destabilising. Clever is fine; smart is not. The Duchess of Cambridge, Queen Letizia of Spain and Princess Mary of Denmark set the bar high. All 'commoners' before their marriage, they understood the expectations made of them.

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But former media darlings like Diana Spencer and Sarah Ferguson who became argumentative, divisive and ultimately too troublesome to be handled, were both at first considered a 'breath of fresh air' into the stuffy royal dynasty. Just like Meghan.

Where will she fit in this dysfunctional and paradoxical realm that is to be her new family? It is one which is an anachronism of the modern era, an oxymoron to contemporary Britain. Yet in poll after poll, the latest held in 2015, the Brits need their royals. The last YouGov research revealed a robust 71pc wanting to keep (and pay for) the institution with just 18pc preferring an elected head of state. 62pc believed the Crown would exist in the next 100 years.

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Brand Finance, a UK business valuation consultancy, calculates the royal family to be worth 67.5bn to the British economy, earning 1.8bn a year. It costs 56p per citizen per year to fund, a price they seem happy to pay.

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But do the British see their new princess as a symbol of badly needed diversity or merely an alternate cover girl for Hello! magazine? To be sure, there are street parties today in Brixton and other melting pot towns which weren't evident when William married Kate and commentary as she tentatively carried out her early public engagements focused on her easy chit-chat and penchant for hugs - both Diana attributes which tagged her as 'different' nearly 40 years ago.

In Meghan's case, there is the added curiosity of race.

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When she was small, struggling with her identity in a (literally) black and white world, Meghan's father gave her a gift of a Barbie doll family to mirror her own: a white Ken, a black Barbie and a baby of each colour. He did so by buying two packs and mixing them up, encouraging her to 'draw her own box' when asked to tick on forms whether she was 'Caucasian' or 'African American'.

It imbued her with a fierce feminism, a loud voice to call out inequality and created a zealous political animal. But this is a surfeit of powerful attributes in danger of tipping over the sense and purpose of monarchy. Soft power has always been the bedrock of royalty with forthrightness and candour discouraged.

Intriguingly, Brexit has created paradoxical opportunities for Meghan. The British public, in voting to leave the EU did so overwhelmingly on a nostalgia-driven, anti-immigration wave. Meghan is surely the ultimate immigrant; a biracial republican. She even has to pass a citizenship test before she can join the 'family' which sets the tone for others.

She has been called the N-word online, slammed for 'polluting' the royal line and has seen the wrath of middle England heaped upon her.

Yet, in a move of singular genius, the Queen recently created Harry as her youth ambassador to the Commonwealth - the 53-strong 'family' of nations of which the Queen is titular head and the 16 of which she is Constitutional monarch, many of them poor, black countries. That means Meghan will be bowled over with opportunities to accept flowers and hugs from children of colour which, if she does it well, cements the misty-eyed nostalgia Brexiteers yearn for. Without the immigrants themselves.

But Dr Kehinde Andrews, sociologist with the University of Birmingham's Black Studies programme is dismissive of her impact.

"The idea that this is good for race relations is frankly offensive", he told The Guardian. Meghan Markle is a beautiful woman but the royal family doesn't change because you have a splash of coffee, she isn't a dark-skinned woman with an Afro, she looks like Pippa [Middleton] and dresses like Diana."

Asked whether Meghan has the capacity to be a binding force, bringing into the fold women who feel ostracised as Britons because of their colour, he said, "It doesn't change anything. It just shows Harry has good taste in women.

Meghan of course, has more immediate concerns. Her life, already extraordinary in any number of ways from other royal wives, is about to change utterly in a way she cannot, no matter how carefully steered, ever imagine.

Court life is insufferable in many ways; almost feudal. There are strict rules on entering rooms, curtseying, sitting by hierarchy, making conversation and greeting lines, even for non-public family events. She will always get second billing to her husband, and forever to her sister-in-law who will one day be Queen. "Equality" is an unknown convention.

There is no possibility of her ignoring it, laughing at it or changing it. It just is.

Charles is even more a stickler for protocol than his mother, so any notion of the 'Swedish' or 'Dutch' model where the royals wheel around on bicycles in jeans is not an option. Meghan will need to confine any changes she wants to Harry's wardrobe and her safe causes. She will be treated with suspicion and hostility if she attempts to do otherwise. Her job will be to support the Crown in trust for the people.

Meaningful role

But can she be more than a clothes hanger, albeit one to champion the British fashion industry? Can she carve out a meaningful role for herself and her husband which side-steps politics but makes a difference? Her walking of this fine line will be crucial.

It is absolutely not her job to save the world, or even a tiny part of it. It is her job to support her husband, however anachronistic that seems in 2018, because her new firm is steadfastly rooted in the tradition and habits of a former time.

Can she handle scrutiny not just to her public life, with which she is already accustomed, but to her every waking moment?

Will she completely wig out like Diana or trim her impulses? Is she in danger of her celebrity overshadowing the dull but worthy workload and will people tire of the Californian gushing sentiment which she is wont to display?

The British public can be two-faced. On one hand they claim to want modern men or women-of-the-people in their royal family, wearing high-street clothes and visiting the East End. But in truth they have a burning desire for the mystery of royalty, the pomp, ceremony and tradition. The palaces, regimental guards and ribbon-cutting.

Meghan, who grew up straddling both sides of every fence, may just be the one to get the balance right.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for an "international peace force" to protect Palestinians after dozens were shot dead by Israeli forces on the Gaza border.

Speaking at the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which was hosted in Istanbul on Friday, Erdogan said Israel should be held accountable for the killings.

"To take action for Palestinians massacred by Israeli bandits is to show the whole world that humanity is not dead," Erdogan said.

Muslim leaders pledged to take "appropriate political [and] economic measures" against countries that followed the US in moving their Israel embassies to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

Erdogan, who is campaigning for re-election next month, used the summit to verbally attack Israel. He also castigated America, saying its decision to move its embassy had emboldened Israel to put down the protests at the border with Gaza with excessive force.

Most countries say the status of Jerusalem - a sacred city to Jews, Muslims and Christians - should be determined in a final peace settlement between Israel and Palestinians and that moving their embassies now would prejudge any such deal.

Donald Trump's step to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the embassy there reversed decades of US policy, upsetting the Arab world and Western allies. Guatemala last week became the second country to move its embassy to Jerusalem, and Paraguay said it would follow suit this month.

The final declaration of the meeting of the OIC described the killing of 60 Palestinians, protesting against the embassy move on Monday, as "savage crimes committed by the Israeli forces with the backing of the US administration".

It said the violence should be put on the agenda of the UN Security Council and General Assembly, and called on the United Nations to investigate the killings.

The summit was attended by Jordan's King Abdullah, a US ally whose Hashemite dynasty is custodian of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
The boss of challenger bank CYBG has said the group's digital banking business could one day overtake its high street brands as he mulls over a takeover of Virgin Money.

The boss of Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banking Group has said the groups digital business could one day overtake its high street brands as it leads an online push.

Chief executive David Duffy  who is currently mulling over a takeover of rival Virgin Money  told the Press Association the lenders digital brand B had already secured more than 170,000 customers and 1.6 billion deposits after its digital-only current account launched last year.

He said it was certainly an option for B to eventually become bigger than traditional Clydesdale and Yorkshire brands as it invests heavily in open banking and its digital offering.

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We already have regional brands, but B is geographically neutral and more focused on millennials, he said.

The comments come as CYBG is considering a formal takeover of rival challenger Virgin Money, having recently revealed talks over a potential 1.6 billion deal.

Sir Richard Bransons Virgin Money is also looking to become a player in digital banking, having spent 38.3 million last year developing an app-only offer, adding to the rationale behind a tie-up between the two.

Virgin Moneys digital offering is expected to launch in the second half of the year.

The tie-up between CYBG and Virgin Money comes at a crucial time for challenger banks as they look to gain scale to take on the might of the major lenders.

Mr Duffy said: Theres a bit of a traditional view that big banks are better than small banks, but the world has changed dramatically.

We see scale as an opportunity, but thats not our primary goal, he said.

The digital capabilities of the challenger players is helping set them apart from their larger counterparts, he added.

CYBG has developed what he describes as agile AI (artificial intelligence) based technology.

While the big banks are struggling to retrospectively add digital banking offerings, many smaller lenders have been able to develop these platforms at a faster pace.

CYBGs B account enables customers to secure in-app loans and offers budgeting tools, while it will also launch a new money management aggregation service, called B Aggregator, later this month.

This will allow customers to access all their bank accounts, as well as offer a password keeper and provide utility comparison and switching functions, based on an analysis of spend from customer bank data.

As with many of the UKs retail banks, CYBG has been axing branches as more customers bank online.

The group is targeting more than 100 million of cost savings by 2019  a drive which saw the group announce plans in January to shut around a third of its branch network in 2017 and axe 400 jobs.

But it has been opening a handful of B branches as it continues to expand the brand, in central and south London, as well as Birmingham and Manchester.

CYBGs recent interim results showed the group fell into the red with losses of 95 million after taking a further hit on the payment protection insurance (PPI) scandal, although underlying profits lifted 28% to 158 million.
Two friends on a morning mountain bike ride near Seattle have been attacked by a cougar, killing one of the men and leaving the second in hospital.

The cougar was later found up a tree near the dead mans body, where agents for the states Fish and Wildlife police shot and killed it hours after the Saturday attack, the Seattle Times reported.

The names of neither man were immediately released. The injured man was said to be in a satisfactory condition at a hospital.

Authorities say the cougar initially attacked him before running away. Moments later, it returned with deadly results.

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He jumped the first victim and attacked him, said Sgt Ryan Abbott, of the King County Sheriffs Office.

The second victim turned and started to run away. The cougar saw that and went after the second victim. The first victim saw his friend being pulled by the cougar. He got on his bike and started to bike away.

The injured man rode for about two miles before getting mobile phone coverage and calling 911.

Sgt Abbott said when rescuers arrived it took them about 30 minutes to locate the second victim, who was dead with the cougar standing on top of him.

The deputies shot at him and spooked him, and he ran off, he said.

It took several hours before authorities found the cougar up a tree 50 to 200 yards away and killed it.

While the cougar was being hunted, rescuers had to wait to retrieve the dead mans body.

Rich Beausoleil, the states bear and cougar specialist, said it was only the second fatality in the state in the last 94 years. But its one too many, he said.

Cougars, also known as mountain lions and pumas, are a protected species, the Times reported. Each year, the state allows 250 cougars to be hunted and killed in 50 designated zones.
Its first batch of farm exports comprise yellow sweet potato, purple sweet potato, dragon fruit, dried fruits, and rice paper.



It follows joint efforts by the supermarket and farmers in provinces of Lam Dong and Binh Thuan and other places to meet the quality requirements of business partners.



Phidsanu Pongwatana, Managing Director of MM Mega Market Vietnam, said: As soon as we got the export licence, we moved quickly to understand the needs of our business partners in Thailand and look for domestic goods with a competitive edge that we can supply.



This does not only offer a richly diversified and competitive source of supply to the Big C system in Thailand, but can also help Vietnamese farmers bring their quality agricultural products to other countries in the region.



While dragon fruit is the main item in the consignment, it also has more than 45 tonnes of sweet potatoes.



The purchasing division in Thailand has said Vietnamese agricultural products have unique advantages, especially sweet potatoes, whose supply is reliable and offers high quality and safety standards.



Vietnamese farm products are therefore likely to see large orders and for long terms.



In addition to steady orders of over 100 tonnes a month, we are also working on exporting an average of 50 tonnes of frozen catfish filet a month, Pongwatana said.



He said the potential for Vietnamese exports looked great because of the 700-plus malls and supermarket distribution channel of Big C.



MM Mega Market Vietnams export strategy is built on a professional platform system and direct interaction with farmers to create a quality and diverse source of supply.



The company has three hubs, which it calls "platforms": for fruits and vegetables in Da Lat, for fish in Can Tho, and for pork in Dong Nai. A fruit hub is taking shape in Ben Tre.



These facilities, which also include warehouses, not only supply the companys 19-store domestic distribution system but also help provide quality products for exports.



Besides exporting, MM also provides technical assistance and market research to local exporters trying to reach the Thai market.



It helped export more than 1,200 tonnes of dragon fruit and several other agricultural products last year.

Vietnamplus
Heavens above! Beat that, brothers and sisters, as I suppose embarrassed Anglicans must now learn to call themselves.

The wedding of Harry and Meghan had threatened to go awry all week - the 'Markle Debacle' insiders were calling it - but fears and cynicism were vanquished yesterday by a wonderful and uplifting ceremony.

It somehow managed to combine traditional and modern, accessibility and elitism, British and American, black and white, Thomas Tallis and Ben E King, young and old, Serena Williams and Prince Philip, skimmed-milk C of E and full-throttle Episcopalian, heart-stopping beauty and stifled giggles, George Clooney and a heavily-bearded rhino-conservationist from Botswana who was wearing a suit for the first time.

Doubters who may have tuned in to scoff ended up with a Prince Harry tear rolling down their cheek. It was less pomp and circumstance, more land of hope and glorious frocks.

Even the weather cooperated, laying on a soaring Goldilocks Day. "Not too cold and not too hot. Just right," beamed the BBC forecaster around quarter to eight. "An estimated worldwide audience of 1.9 billion," said Kirsty Young who was on the sofa for the BBC with Dermot O'Leary. Over on ITV, Julie Etchingham and Phillip Schofield were weighing up the vital question of the moment, "Who will she be wearing?"

Many of us had watched the wedding of William and Harry's father and mother, so perilously young, though we hardly gave it a thought back then. We saw both boys come into the world. Too soon, we saw them at their mother's funeral. Twelve-year-old Harry, shell-shocked, clasping his hands like the men walking beside him, his handwritten card on her coffin. "Mummy".

Diana's ghost was never far away yesterday. She was there in the reading from the Song of Solomon by her sister, Lady Jane Fellowes; in a beloved hymn, Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer (Harry broke down during it), and she was present in her favourite flowers which her younger son had picked for his bride's bouquet, including forget-me-nots.

Yesterday was the Prince's happily ever after and everyone knew it. No wonder the flags waved and the people cheered for their beloved young royal. However wretched he was feeling, Harry always made us smile. "There used to be a lot of volatility, but Meghan has really calmed him down and she's great for him," his friend Tom Bradby said outside the chapel. Behind Bradby, a lofty woman stalked by wearing an entire peacock on her head.

"If they're tall and thin they're aristocrats, if they're small and thin they're actresses," ITV's Eve Pollard, always brilliant value on these occasions, explained.

Real royalty was now up against Hollywood royalty. The invited crowd outside was much more excited by the arrival of Oprah and Idris Elba than Eugenie and Beatrice. Hopes that the princesses would top their legendary Kate'n'Wills wedding appurtenances and wear hats of the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera House respectively were sadly disappointed.

While most of us got into the party atmosphere, the BBC conducted endless virtue-signalling interviews about Meghan Markle's "diversity" when all anyone wanted was to stare at the frocks and the famous. Victoria Beckham was perfectly dressed. For a funeral. Her navy outfit was as glum as her expression, which didn't even change inside the church when kind people tried to show her to her seat. (If she thinks it makes her look cool, it doesn't; it makes her look rude.) Amal Clooney showed how it should be done, going head to head with her in an outfit of Colman's mustard yellow and emerging triumphant. The absence of heads of state made for a much nicer, less stuffy atmosphere.

In his dark Blues and Royals uniform, Harry looked like the foxiest Salvation Army sergeant ever, but he appeared pensive and nervous in a way we've never seen him before (since his mother's funeral). Seated beside him, Prince William did his best to reassure his brother.

Outside, the excitement and anticipation were off the scale. "Let's get back to the important thing," insisted Kirsty Young. "The Dress! There is the car! Here she comes!"

Well, it was worth waiting for. The Rolls-Royce Phantom 4 pulled up and the bride emerged. If cynics were expecting the biracial American actress to lower the tone - and the neckline - they were instantly confounded. The Dress was a reminder of the style of the last American actress who married into European royalty. The Givenchy gown had a, Grace-Kelly-like simplicity and fierce elegance, its boat neck revealing Meghan's beautifully articulated collarbone.

All 10 bridesmaids and pageboys, corralled by their mothers, were enchanting. I was rather hoping seven-year-old Brian (one of the Mulroney twins) would run amok with the lace train, but he did his duty like a trooper. The smile (of relief, of joy) Prince Harry gave when he finally glimpsed his future wife caused delighted uproar on social media. "Find me someone who looks at me like Harry looks at Meghan," cried the women of Twitter.

Honestly, if Walt Disney had spent 50 years at the drawing board, he could not have come up with a better princess. Meghan had a look of glistening adoration on her face that must have made the man on the receiving end of it feel like a god, never mind a prince.

When the Archbishop asked if there was anyone present who knew of any reason why the couple might not lawfully marry, there was a tense 30 seconds when you half expected one of the rogue Markle step-siblings to pop up from behind a pillar. Mercifully, none came and, with a reassuring smile from the bride, vows were exchanged.

Harry palmed the tears from his cheek. Meghan, the leading lady, had found her perfect role. Her mother Doria Ragland had a face full of emotion, but cut a lonely figure without anyone to support her and remind her of home.

She didn't have to wait long. Next up was an extraordinary address by Bishop Michael Bruce Curry from Chicago. In "The Power of Love", which he wrote specifically for the wedding, Bishop Curry took in slavery (Meghan's ancestors were owned by a master called Ragland) and Martin Luther King. "Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave," said the Bishop, gesturing exuberantly, "Its flashes are flashes of fire."

The candle in front of him swayed dangerously in the tornadic gusts of his enthusiasm. A new kind of candle in the wind.

The English upper classes famously struggle with any heartfelt emotion which isn't related to racing horses or chasing foxes. As Doria and the American guests nodded approval, the camera inspected the Royal family, some of whom were struggling to keep a straight face. It was fortunate the Duchess of Cornwall was wearing such a large hat.

After that, it was straight into a gospel choir and a magnificent rendition of Ben E King's Stand By Me. All things considered, it was a good thing there wasn't a sing-off between the Church of England choristers and The Kingdom Choir - both being heavenly, but in drastically different ways.

Favourite moments? Hard to say, though perhaps when Harry drew back the veil. The couple actually looked blissfully in love, which is never a given at a royal wedding. Harry would not struggle to articulate "whatever love means". Love is Meghan holding your hand and promising to cherish you for the rest of your days.

An astonishing occasion. Not just the most loved-up wedding in Windsor history, but a huge shift in the British monarchy. What must the Queen have thought? Her uncle abdicated to marry an American divorcee; her sister had to give up the man she loved because he'd been married. All changed, changed utterly. And for the better.

"We've got a sister in the palace," a black woman in the crowd had cried joyfully. And Harry has a wife of his own. "In Hollywood, brides keep the bouquets and throw away the groom," quipped Groucho Marx. Not this time.

For a day it was even possible to believe the bishop: "Sacrificial, redemptive love changes lives and can change this world."

Amen to that, brothers and sisters.

 Telegraph

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
It may seem presumptuous to second-guess how someone might have felt about a situation, were they here with us today. But having known Diana, Princess of Wales well, I find it hard to imagine she would be anything other than enormously happy about Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle, and extremely proud of her younger son.

The man we saw slip a ring on to the finger of his new wife yesterday has gone from strength to strength: from new recruit to fine soldier, and from soldier to creator and leader of the Invictus Games - from a boy left reeling by the loss of his mother while the whole world watched, to a man who has done great work helping others, improving lives and changing conversations.

Diana said: "I want my boys to have an understanding of people's emotions, their insecurities, people's distress, and their hopes and dreams."

Her wish has clearly been granted. But then, she was always proud of her boys and the way they worked so well together.

Since they lost her, they have continued to do her memory proud. William has taken on his role brilliantly, while Harry has defied the entire concept of the two princes as "heir and spare" and ably forged his own path.

It would have warmed Diana's heart no end to see how her sons supported each other on their wedding days; how both have grown into roles that are not easy, within the constraints of the British establishment.

Harry has his mother's ability to mix across the full spectrum of humanity, his interactions so often characterised by his humour and wit. Diana, likewise, could "tune in" remarkably quickly to complete strangers and show the same sort of empathy that's endeared her son to so many.

Diana, I'm sure, would have been deeply gratified by the fine following he has generated over the past few years, manifested in the public enthusiasm around his wedding.

When asked if his late mother would have approved of Harry's choice of wife, my answer must be: "I feel that she would be thrilled with Meghan."

As one delightful lady from my old home in Ireland put it recently, "That smile, that warmth, she's a real dote" - a high compliment indeed in Cork, and one that sums up the reaction of many.

His bride is a beautiful woman and that would have appealed to Diana.

So too would her confidence and grounding, as someone who has also experienced less easy times in the past.

This was a wedding of so many firsts and like his mother, Harry was never going to follow a strictly traditional path.

One of my early recollections of him dates from a lunch I was having with Diana at Kensington Palace.

Without warning, the door burst open and in charged a young Harry, aged about five or six, festooned with police radios he had "borrowed" from what looked to be the whole of the Kensington Palace police contingent. That sense of fun and mischief has not been lost in the intervening years.

But there's a serious side to him, too.

Aside from his obvious talent for encouraging people to realise abilities they would not otherwise have recognised in themselves, he has a knack for achieving outcomes by taking his own approach. He sets his own targets and sweeps others along with him.

Above all, I think Diana would be hugely proud that Harry has taken what he learnt from her and built on the foundation she helped to lay for him. He has inherited her gift for the human touch and displayed it again and again. Contributing something useful to the world has become one of his great aims, and already he has made a magnificent impact.

His mother would be delighted that he has found a companion who will challenge and support him superbly, so that the strength of their combined team will be far greater than the sum of its parts. Like his brother, he has turned his own misfortune in losing his mother into a life that reflects so well on his country. What more could any parent hope for?

James Colthurst met Diana when she was 17 and remained a close friend until her death in 1997
Abdul Aziz Sheikh, father of Sabika Sheikh, shows a picture of his daughter in Karachi, Pakistan (Fareed Khan/AP)

The first funeral for one of the 10 people shot dead at Santa Fe High School in Texas is due to be held.

Services for 17-year-old Pakistani exchange student Sabika Sheikh are scheduled for a mosque in Houston, said the Islamic Society for Greater Houston.

She had been attending classes at the school since last August when she was killed on Friday.

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Her body is to be returned to her family in Karachi, Pakistan.

Her father, Abdul Aziz Sheikh, described his daughter as a hard-working and accomplished student who aspired to work in civil service and hoped one day to join Pakistans Foreign Office.

Meanwhile, Texas Lt Gov Dan Patrick has urged a hardening of school buildings in the wake of the shooting on Friday.

Mr Patrick blamed a US culture of violence and said more needs to be done to keep shooters away from students, such as restricting school entrances and arming teachers with guns.

He told CNN: When youre facing someone whos an active shooter, the best way to take that shooter down is with a gun. But even better than that is four to five guns to one.

Mr Patrick told network ABC he supports background checks for gun purchasers but added that gun regulation starts at home.

A 17-year-old student is being held on murder charges.
Lava erupts in the Leilani Estates subdivision near Pahoa, Hawaii (Jae C Hong/AP)

Residents in parts of Hawaii are being warned that lava may cross a highway in the coming hours as a flow heads towards the ocean.

The lava had mostly been spattering up since a fissure opened earlier this month with nearly 2,000 people forced to evacuate as lava claimed 40 structures.

But the flow changed dramatically on Friday afternoon as one fissure ramped up, destroying four more homes and isolating residents, some of whom had to be airlifted to safety.

Kilauea Update: Moderate eruption of lava continues from multiple points along active fissure system; gas emissions remain elevated. At the summit, no explosive eruption of ash since May 17. https://t.co/7ovigoIyC1 pic.twitter.com/J3bSVHj5gn  USGS Volcanoes (@USGSVolcanoes) May 18, 2018

The change is attributed to new magma mixing with 1955-era magma in the ground, creating hotter and more fluid flows, scientists said.

Theres much more stuff coming out of the ground and its going to produce flows that move further away, said Wendy Stovall, a US Geological Survey (USGS) volcanologist.

By Saturday morning, two of 22 fissures had merged, creating a wide flow advancing at rates of up to 300 yards (274 metres) per hour.

Aerial footage from the USGS showed fast-moving lava advancing to the southeast. The flow was 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres) from the ocean, scientists said.

If lava threatens main roads, more people will be told to prepare for voluntary evacuation.

Hawaii County Civil Defense Evacuation message | Active lava flows have caused brush fires to spread from the flow front toward Kamaili Road. Residents on Kamaili Road need to evacuate the area immediately. https://t.co/sXbdr1Ugym  USGS Volcanoes (@USGSVolcanoes) May 20, 2018

A lava flow was less than a mile away from Highway 137 and would reach it in a matter of hours, officials warned on Saturday afternoon.

No-one lives in its path and another highway remained open as an escape route, said Hawaii County spokeswoman Janet Snyder.

A handful of people were trapped when lava crossed a road on Friday and some of them needed to be airlifted to safety.

They shouldnt be in that area, said County Managing Director Wil Okabe.

Edwin Montoya, who lives with his daughter on her farm near the site where lava crossed the road and cut off access, said the fissure opened and grew quickly.

It was just a little crack in the ground, with a little lava coming out, he said. Now its a big crater that opened up where the small little crack in the ground was.

Experts are uncertain about when the volcano might calm down.

As of Saturday, more than 22 fissures from the #Kilauea volcano are active on the Big Island of Hawaii. Four people were airlifted to safety on Friday as a fast-moving lava flow threatened an area in lower Puna. pic.twitter.com/SBobQBomCX  The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) May 20, 2018

The Big Island volcano released a small explosion at its summit just before midnight on Friday, sending an ash cloud 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) into the sky. The USGSs Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said eruptions that create even minor amounts of ashfall could occur at any time.

This follows the more explosive eruption on Thursday, which emitted ash and rocks thousands of feet into the sky. No-one was injured and there were no reports of damaged property.

Several open fissure vents are still producing lava splatter and flow in evacuated areas. Gas is also pouring from the vents, cloaking homes and trees in smoke.

Meanwhile, more explosive eruptions from the summit are possible.

We have no way of knowing whether this is really the beginning or toward the end of this eruption, said Tom Shea, a volcanologist at the University of Hawaii. Were kind of all right now in this world of uncertainty.
Malaysias ex-prime minister has reportedly sought police protection due to concern about his familys safety after the launch of an inquiry into him over a huge corruption scandal.

A spokesman for Najib Razak said he asked for protection for himself and his family as they fear for their safety.

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His long-ruling coalition suffered a shocking defeat in the May 9 elections amid anger over at least 4.5 billion dollars (3.3 billion) that investigators say was looted and laundered by his associates from a state investment fund he set up.

The new government has reopened an investigation into the case, with police raiding Mr Najibs properties and seizing cash, jewellery and other valuables.
Medic Hussain Al-Smairy checks on a man inside an ambulance. There were 56 injuries reported among Gaza protesters Friday, mostly from tear gas, in contrast to thousands Monday. Photo by Wissam Nassar for The Washington Post

The first patients don't come until 5:39pm. They crowd around the ambulance, choking on tear gas.

Israeli soldiers, just a few hundred yards away on the other side of the boundary fence, had fired a volley of hissing cans at the protesters.

Hussein al Sumeiri, a 31-year-old paramedic, hands out cotton wool treated with alcohol and saline for them to wipe their stinging eyes. One 10-year-old in jeans and a yellow T-shirt has tears streaming down his cheeks and is struggling for breath. He is brought inside the ambulance to be given oxygen. Sumeiri logs it as the day's first injury.

Friday was the quietest protest day of the past eight weeks for the paramedics in ambulance No. 414. The 'Great March of Return', as the demonstrations have been dubbed, reached their peak Monday. Then, 62 Palestinians were killed by Israeli soldiers, according to Gaza health authorities, on the bloodiest day here since the 2014 war between Israel and the militant group Hamas, which controls the territory.

As the paramedics worked, the UN Human Rights Council was voting Friday to set up a probe of the killings in Gaza and accusing Israel of excessive use of force.

Medics like Sumeiri have witnessed the brunt of the violence. His ambulance treated more than 50 patients with gunshot wounds Monday.

The medics have been in the line of fire themselves, with one paramedic among those killed Monday. They list the names of several colleagues who have been shot.

The crowds are thin Friday, swelling only after late-afternoon prayers, when several busloads arrive. It's the first day of Ramadan, the holy month when Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset, and temperatures are near a sweat-inducing 35C.

The medics are working on empty.

At 5:45pm, the crowd runs from more tear gas, and Sumeiri gets out saline solution to wash the eyes of those who arrive. A teenager carrying a slingshot, his head wrapped in a traditional Palestinian scarf, is brought in for oxygen. Another man is carried in barely conscious.

"Close the door, close the door!" yells Sumeiri, and the ambulance pulls off to a field hospital.

After dropping its load, it receives two more men with injuries from tear gas canisters. The ambulance screams though the Gaza streets to al-Shifa hospital, its beds still stuffed with those injured at earlier protests. On previous days, these men wouldn't have been taken to the hospital. Those shot were given priority.

As sunset nears, Sumeiri watches from the ambulance as Hamas leaders come to speak to the crowd. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says the demonstrations have "shaken the pillars" of Israel's 11-year "siege" of Gaza. Israel has accused Hamas of organizing the protests and using them as cover to carry out attacks. Israel says at least 24 of those killed Monday were militants.

Sumeiri and his driver, 31-year-old Ahmed al-Madhoun, have worked together throughout the unrest and say the use of force has been shocking. They both say it's taken a psychological toll.

"I notice when I'm talking to my neighbours or my family, I get angry easily," said Sumeiri. It doesn't compare to the stress of the 2014 war though, when he spent his days in the ambulance worrying about his family's safety as Gaza came under heavy air bombardment from Israel and Hamas fired rockets back.

He saw his wife and three children only twice during that 50-day conflict, his family temporarily moving from their home near the territory's edges because it was too dangerous. His family hasn't been at the latest demonstrations.

"No, no, no," he said. "It's not safe."

The day closes with just 56 injuries across Gaza, largely from tear gas, though some gunshot wounds are reported. A final volley of tear gas canisters lands farther back from the fence, where families have gathered in tents.

Sumeiri's brother-in-law calls to check.

"A good day," he reports back. "A day of gas."

 Washington Post
The European Union's energy chief sought to reassure Iran yesterday that the bloc remained committed to salvaging a nuclear deal with Tehran despite Donald Trump's decision to exit the accord and reimpose sanctions.

Miguel Arias Canete delivered the message on a visit to Tehran and also said the 28-nation EU, once the biggest importer of Iranian oil, hoped to strengthen trade with Iran.

"We have sent a message to our Iranian friends that as long as they are sticking to the [nuclear] agreement the Europeans will... fulfil their commitment. And they said the same thing on the other side," Arias Canete, European Commissioner for energy and climate, told reporters after talks with Iran's nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi.

Salehi said it would be disastrous if EU efforts failed to preserve the 2015 deal, in which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear work in return for the lifting of most Western sanctions. He said the ball was in the EU leaders' court. "We hope their efforts materialise," Salehi said

Since Trump's announcement of the US exit on May 8, EU leaders have pledged to try to keep Iran's oil trade and investment flowing but admitted that will not be easy to do.

Britain, France and Germany back the deal as the best way of stopping Tehran getting nuclear weapons, but have called on Iran to limit its regional influence and curb the missile programme.

"The EU's adopted mechanisms ... should be enforced by August 8, when US sanctions begin to take effect," Iranian TV quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, as saying.

A collapse of the accord could tip the balance of power in Iran's faction-ridden political establishment in favour of President Hassan Rouhani's hardline rivals, who have fiercely criticised the president's failure to deliver greater economic prosperity.

Salehi said Iran had several options, including resuming its 20 pc uranium enrichment, if the European countries failed to keep the pact alive. He said the EU had only a few weeks to deliver on its promises.

"If the other side keeps itself committed to its promises we also will. ...We hope the situation will not arise to the point that we will have to go back to the worst option," Salehi told reporters in English.

"There are all kind of possibilities, we can ... start the 20pc enrichment."

Under the 2015 deal, Iran's level of enrichment must remain at around 3.6pc. Iran stopped producing 20pc enriched uranium and gave up the majority of its stockpile as part of the agreement.

Uranium refined to 20pc fissile purity is well beyond the 5pc normally required to fuel civilian nuclear power plants, although still well short of the highly enriched, or 80pc to 90pc, purity needed for a nuclear bomb. EU sources say Iranian government officials have warned they are under pressure from those who say Iran has traded away its nuclear sovereignty without reaping any economic benefits.

Iran has struggled to cash in on the accord, partly because remaining unilateral US sanctions have deterred major Western investors from doing business with Tehran.

Rouhani has tried to assure ordinary Iranians, frustrated by high unemployment and stagnant living standards, that Trump's decision would have no impact on Iran's oil-reliant economy.

"Unfortunately because of the negative interferences of the US, we were not able to reap the fruits of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Actions) we expected," Salehi said. "Public opinion is not as supportive as it was before and if the other side does not deliver... we will keep losing the support of our people for the JCPOA."

Iran's clerical rulers fear a revival of January's anti-government protests that underlined the establishment's vulnerability to popular anger fuelled by economic hardship.

 Reuters
An Israeli soldier at an outpost used for visitors to view the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, near the border with Syria (Ariel Schalit/AP)

A war monitor said buses evacuated Islamic State fighters from an enclave south of Damascus on Sunday in a withdrawal deal, though state media denied the report and said the Syrian army was fighting to finish off the insurgents.

The recovery of the enclave south of Damascus will mark another milestone in President Bashar al-Assad's war effort, crushing the last besieged rebel enclave in western Syria.

Swathes of territory at the borders with Iraq, Turkey and Jordan, however, remain outside state control.

Syrian government forces and their allies have been battling to recover the enclave south of Damascus since defeating rebels in eastern Ghouta, also near the capital, in April.

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The area is centred around the al-Hajar al-Aswad district and the adjoining Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk.

In a live broadcast, a reporter with Syrian state TV said the Syrian army operations in the Hajar al-Aswad area were nearing their end and insurgent lines were collapsing as columns of smoke rose from the area behind him.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights earlier said buses had entered the enclave after midnight to take out fighters and their families. They had left towards the Syrian Badia, a sparsely populated expanse of territory east of the capital that extends to the border with Jordan and Iraq, it said.

Islamic State militants had torched their offices in the Yarmouk enclave, the Observatory said.

Negotiated withdrawals have been a common feature of the Syrian war in recent years as the government, aided by the Russian military and Iran-backed forces, has steadily clawed back territory.

The rebels have mostly been given safe passage to northwestern Syria. In the last two months alone, the United Nations says 110,000 people have been evacuated to northwestern Syria and rebel-held areas north of Aleppo.

The opposition has called it a policy of forced displacement amounting to demographic change to drive out Assad's opponents. The Syrian government has said nobody is forced to leave and those who stay must accept state rule.

While Assad has vowed to win back "every inch" of Syria, the map of the conflict suggests a more complicated time ahead from now on.

The U.S. military is in much of the east and northeast, which is controlled by Kurdish groups that want autonomy from Damascus. It has used force to defend the territory from pro-Assad forces.

Turkey has sent forces into the northwest to counter those same Kurdish groups, carving out a buffer zone where anti-Assad rebels have regrouped.

In the southwest, where rebels hold territory at the Israeli and Jordanian border, Assad faces the risk of conflict with Israel, which wants his Iranian-backed allies kept well away from the frontier and has mounted air strikes in Syria.
Linh from the northern city of Hai Phong stands 1.74m tall, measures 86cm-63cm-91cm and weighs 52kg. She was among the top 10 in the Super Model Vietnam contest in 2010.



Camila Reis (28), Miss TQI Brazil, was crowned Miss Tourism Queen International 2018. Beauties from Tatarstan, Belgium, Romania, and Thailand were given the first, second, third, and fourth runner-up places, respectively.

More than sixty candidates from around the world were converging in Bangkok, Thailand for the 2018 Miss Tourism Queen International pageant.

Started in 2004, Miss Tourism Queen International pageant is ranked fifth among world beauty contests. The event aims at enhancing tourism, friendship amongst different countries, and fostering international cultural exchange.





By KHAC THI  Translated by Kim Khanh
Towards this, both TimesPro and Monash College formally signed a MoU on Sunday to establish a collaboration. Monash College International Pathways is designed for students who wish to pursue the undergraduate program in business at Monash University.

The program will be conducted over eight months in India and will offer a guaranteed place in the second year at Monash University Australia or Malaysia with full credit for first year studies.

Commenting on the partnership, Jo Mithen, Board Member and Chief Executive Officer, Monash College Pty Ltd said, Education is undergoing a transition not only in terms of content but also in terms of its delivery. World class universities are more than plush campuses  they are embodiment of ideas and knowledge  which has the power to transcend boundaries and reach out to those who wish to imbibe them."

"However, campus life too is an essential to understand, experience and learn cultures, diversity and build deeper bonds. Monash College International Pathways is one such effort  to offer best of both worlds. We are proud to partner with TimesPro in our quest to impart quality education to millions of aspiring Indian students, Mithen said.

Given Indias demographic and cultural bent towards education, it is the second-biggest growth driver in international education market after China. Indian students are thriving in universities across US, UK, Australia, Singapore, etc. However, the cost of education and stayhave made the dream of quality international education unachievable for many aspirants.

Announcing the development, Anish Srikrishna, President - Times Professional Learning, said, Times Professional Learning is proud to associate with Monash College, Australia, to offer the innovative international pathways program and guide students towards a truly international education experience. The association is in keeping with our vision at Times Professional Learning: to bring world-class education to India by making it both accessible and affordable."

"TimesPro, working with Monash College, has envisioned a pathways program that offers parents and students quality guidance, convenience and affordability to make their international education dreams come true. TimesPro and Monash College, Australia, are pleased to enter into this MoU and have agreed to establish a co-operative education program through a curriculum licencing agreement. We look forward to a long and multifaceted relationship with Monash College and Monash University, said.
New Delhi, May 20 (IBNS): Former diplomat Madhuri Gupta has been sentenced to three-year imprisonment by a Delhi court for spying and passing on sensitive information to Pakistan's ISI.

Gupta was the Second Secretary (Press & Information) at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

She was arrested on April 22, 2010 by the special cell of the Delhi Police.

On Saturday, the court gave her the maximum sentence for offenses related to spying.

She has been convicted under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act.

However the court has granted her bail to allow to appeal against the conviction and the sentence.
Bangalore, May 20 (IBNS): With HD Kumaraswamy all set to take oath as the new Karnataka Chief Minister, Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) leaders are scheduled to meet on Sunday for a meeting.

The elected MLAs from both the parties are likely to attend the meeting, said reports.

The meeting reportedly will discuss the future of the alliance in Karnataka.

Kumaraswamy's party stitched an alliance with the Congress to install the new state government with the support of 117 lawmakers and will succeed Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) BS Yeddyurappa, who had resigned on Saturday after failing to get the majority of 111 seats.

Yeddyurappa was controversially sworn in as the CM on Thursday though his party was short of six seats to majority despite being the single largest political outfit in Karnataka.

In a dramatic turnaround, Yeddyurappa, who had earlier exuded confidence in proving majority, resigned on Saturday even before the floor test, which was scheduled to begin at 4 pm.

For the swearing-in ceremony on Monday, several opposition leaders including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati have been invited by Kumaraswamy.

The ceremony will be held on Wednesday.

The opposition leaders have already reacted to the latest development in the southern state, where the Congress-JD(S) are in a position to form the next government.

Rahul Gandhi said: "We have protected the mandate of Karnataka's people. If BJP had complete majority, we would have let them form the government. But, our alliance with the JD(S) has more votes. If you calculate our vote share, there is not competition at all."

Mamata Banerjee, who is also the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief, tweeted, "Democracy wins. Congratulations Karnataka. Congratulations DeveGowda Ji, Kumaraswamy Ji, Congress and others. Victory of the 'regional' front"

Telegu Desam Party (TDP) supremo Chandrababu Naidu tweeted, "Resignation of BS Yeddyurappa as Karnataka's CM is a true victory for democracy. Entire nation is happy with the current turn of events. As a Chief Minister and a firm believer of democracy, I am expressing my happiness."




Mohali, May 20 (IBNS): President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday addressed the 7th convocation of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Mohali in Punjab.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that though a young institution, IISER is an extremely important centre of higher education and research in our country.

"This Institute has quickly become one of northern Indias foremost destinations for students and faculty interested in the pursuit of scientific advance. It is well on its way to fulfilling its mandate of promoting and providing facilities for basic science research and integrating these with the needs of India and of our wider society," said he.

The President said that today Mohali is a hub for the knowledge economy, for Information Technology, biotechnology and bioinformatics and related fields.

"It is critical therefore that we see IISER as not just a standalone institution but as the fulcrum of an entire ecosystem. That is how this institution must grow and develop," Kovind said.

The President said that the purpose of scientific research is three-fold. First, science and technology must continue to play a role in nation building.

"As our nation evolves and as our society changes, our needs too are transformed. Yet, science and technology will always be required to find answers to developmental questions," the President noted.

"Today, the questions before us range from battling climate change to provide low-cost but effective healthcare solutions. And from helping our farmers overcome productivity and water-scarcity challenges to building sustainable cities and houses that are socially inclusive and provide a life of dignity to the last family in the last mohalla. The IISER network must immerse itself in these tasks," he added.

Second, the President said, science and technology have a symbiotic relationship with business and industry.

"Product invention and process innovation; converting the learning of the lab into commercially viable products; using technology to promote efficiency, enterprise and employment  there is so much science and commerce can do together. The combination of research institutions, technology start-ups incubated in campuses, and a knowledge-based business culture can be transformational. Silicon Valley in California and Bengaluru in India are examples of this. IISER must strive to play a similar role in Mohali and neighbouring cities," said Kovind.

Third, the President said, institutions of scientific education and research are important in themselves for blue-sky innovation and for expanding the frontiers of knowledge.

"This is the fundamental and most critical value of scientific research. It is to keep alive the instinct of curiosity that is at the root of our civilisation. As the history of science tells us, this route requires patience. But it can lead to unexpected and dramatic leaps in human imagination," said he.

The President urged students of IISER to keep these three motivations in mind as they climb higher.

He said that in their own way, these three motivations of science and research will help them to serve our fellow citizens, to serve our society and country, and to serve the larger cause of humanity.
Guwahati, May 20 (IBNS): Lieutenant General Abhay Krishna, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Command, undertook assessment of Assam Rifles operations along the Indo- Myanmar International Border in Nagaland on Sunday, as part of his ongoing visit of Spear Corps Zone.

General Krishna visited the Assam Rifles post at Lungwa as well as the Assam Rifles Sector Headquarters at Tuensang.

At these locations the General was briefed on ongoing operations by Assam Rifles commanders responsible for border management operations on the ground.

Kohima based Defence PRO, Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer, said that the General Officer also interacted with the locals of these areas during the visit.

For this visit General Krishna was accompanied by Lieutenant General Gopal R, General Officer Commanding Spear Corps.

Following his visit, the General departed for Kolkata in the evening.

The earlier scheduled visit of the Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, to Spear Corps Zone, however, did not materialise due to unforeseen technical contingencies.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)


Guwahati, May 20 (IBNS): Security forces apprehended at least two militants affiliated to the banned NSCN (K) outfit and recovered arms and ammunition in Nagaland on Saturday, officials said on Sunday.

According to the reports, one militant was apprehended by the Medziphema battalion of Assam Rifles, who had established a check post in Jharnapani near Medziphema.

The aforementioned militant, identified as Hapang Konyak, was nabbed while he was travelling from Kohima to Dimapur.

One .22 pistol, two live rounds and a motorcycle was recovered from his possession.

During interrogation, the militant revealed that he had been undertaking extortion activities in Dimapur and Kohima.

Later, he along with the recovered items, were handed over to Medziphema police station for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the second militant was nabbed by the Kohima battalion of Assam Rifles, who had launched an operation based on specific information, in Tinpatti, Kohima district, along with police officers in Kohima.

He has been identified as Tsiinuo Pienyii alias Khrielelie Pienyii.

Security personnel have recovered one cash recipt and four extortion slips amounting to Rs 1,00,000.

He too, along with his possession, were handed over to North Police Station, Kohima for further investigation.

In a separate operation, the Assam Rifles have recovered a .22 auto pistol along with one magazine from the residence of Kezhalezo Ciesotsu at Merima near Kohima.

The recovered items were deposited to North Police Station and an FIR was lodged against the concerned individual.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)




Kolkata, May 20 (IBNS): GiMA Award-winning musician-composer-percussionist Pt. Prodyut Mukherjee recently paid a musical tribute to late legendary composer R D Burman in his 80th year at Calcutta Club through is fusion project Rhythm Express's latest production PANCHAM BEATS.

It was all about R. D. Burman's timeless compositions, which were performed with a twist, said Mukherjee, known for his Rhythm Express Fusion performances at international venues with celebrated performers of the world.

The mukhra of songs was followed by fusion in which all the instruments were used in a different way. R. D. himself did a lot of experiments in his lifetime be it the quality of the recording or inventing fresh ideas to enrich music by any means.

Songs like " Tujse Naraj", " Roz Roz Ankho tale", " Kuch Na Kaho", " Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi", were performed.

Musicians who performed include Pt. Prodyut Mukherjee ( Tabla & Mouth Percussion ) , Shouvik Mukherjee ( Sitar), Sandipan Ganguly ( Violin), Ray Ari ( Drums), Sourav Chakraborty & Debdut Chatterjee ( Keyboard), Ashish Chatterjee ( Taan Sar Gam), Dibbendu Santra ( Bass Guitar).

Pt. Mukherjee said: "It's my tribute to the music maestro who was simply ahead of times. He was truly global music maker from India. His timeless creations will be remembered by the ages to come ".

Rhythm Express is Prodyut Mukherjee's contribution towards a new form of fusion with depth & soul. Some of the famed compositions of Rhythm Express are Journey, Indian blues, within you, without you, and more.
Travel Secure is designed to make travel insurance highly customisable, convenient and comprehensive for diverse customer segments  leisure travellers, business travellers, senior citizens and students.

Travel Secure has several options of sum insured, levels of coverage to suit different age groups for travel days starting from 1 to 180 days.

Commenting on the launch, M.S. Sreedhar, Managing Director, Royal Sundaram General Insurance Co. Limited said, Travel is the buzzword and the number of Indians travelling abroad is growing at 20% annually and on an average two crore Indians are going abroad each year for leisure or business. Based on market research and valuable feedback from our customers and business partners we have tailor-made a product for different segments of travellers. Travel Secure therefore aims to deliver a hassle-free, crisp experience for our customers during their travel.

Nikhil Apte, Chief Product Officer, Product Factory said, Any overseas travel always comes with a feeling of excitement to explore new destinations, cultures, food, people etc. However, it also comes with a slew of worries like unexpected medical expenses or hospitalisation, instances of loss or damage of baggage, hijacking, delay or curtailment of trip due to medical exigencies etc. With Travel Secure we have made the entire customer experience of buying travel insurance seamless and user-friendly through digital engagement. The policy can be bought online in five minutes and can be carried on your smart phone.
London, May 20 (IBNS): The British Royal Family has thanked everyone for their support, following the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday.

The mega event at Windsor Castle was attended by 200 of the royal couple's closest friends and relatives.

Thanking them, the Twitter account of the Royal Family read: "Thank you to everyone who came to Windsor and those who followed from around the UK, the Commonwealth, and the world today. Congratulations once again to the newly-married Duke and Duchess of Sussex. #royalwedding."

According to the BBC, over 13 million people watched the programme live on TV.

Following their wedding, Harry and Meghan will now be formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Reports have stated that the Duke of Sussex has gifted his wife an emerald-cut aquamarine ring, which belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales, Harry's late mother.

The royal couple, who spent the night at Windsor Castle, will not be leaving for their honeymoon soon.



Image: twitter.com/RoyalFamily
The Trump Campaign announced that President Trump will appear at a Make America Great Again campaign rally in Nashville, on Tuesday, May 29, at 7 p.m. CT. The rally will be at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. This is the fifth rally that President Trump has held in Tennessee and the third rally in the Nashville area since he first began his race for president in June, 2015.

Officials said, "At the rally, President Trump will join with patriotic Tennesseans to celebrate the booming economy that is helping families throughout the state thanks to his historic tax cuts and job-creating policies."

Making the announcement, Michael S. Glassner, chief operating officer of Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., said, We are pleased to announce that on May 29, President Trump will appear at a Make America Great Again rally in Nashville. The President looks forward to being with patriotic Tennesseans once again as he celebrates this booming economy thats helping families throughout the state thanks to his historic tax cuts and job-creating policies.

Doors will open for general admission at 4 p.m.
The enterprises include Japan Airport Consultants, Inc. ; ADP Ingenierie ; Nippon Koei Co., LTd. ; Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd. ; Airport Design and Construction Consultancy One Member Limited Liability Company; Transport Engineering Design Inc.



ACV has also nominated South Korean Heerim Architects & Planners Co. Ltd. which won the design contest for a terminal at Long Thanh International Airport with a lotus-inspired design (LT-03), to become the special sub-contractor building the basic design for the terminal.



Airport Corporations of Vietnam (ACV) will report to the Ministry of Transport about the selection of contractors and consultancy firms for the project of Long Thanh International Airport in a session in October, 2019.

Construction of Long Thanh International Airport is expected to begin in 2020 with completion in 2025.





By TAM DUC  Translated by Kim Khanh
This year's Janakeeyam 2018 happening at the Marine Drive in Kochi is seeing hundreds of people flocking the premises looking to buy something new, something different. This exhibition cum trade fair has become city's go-to point where people come to experience a novel experience through numerous products and services.

While a lot of unique things are enamouring the city crowd, a stall by Kerala police is clearly hogging the limelight. This stall is to educate visitors about self-defence.

Stall of #Kerala police "Janakeeyam 2018" set up in Kochi, where visitors were trained in self-defence by police cadets so that they could protect themselves if attacked by snatchers, thieves, eve-teasers, or in other adverse situations pic.twitter.com/yBN27eUI5J  ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2018

Police cadets have taken it upon themselves to teach and impart knowledge to people on how they can fight a predator in case they are in trouble. With their help, people will know how to protect themselves if attacked by a snatcher, thief or eve-teaser.

Good initiative of #KeralaPolice!

Stall of #Kerala police "Janakeeyam 2018" set up in Kochi, where visitors were trained in self-defence by police cadets so that they could protect themselves if attacked by snatchers, thieves, eve-teasers, or in other adverse situations. https://t.co/Xb4F5EPDO3  Vivekanand Singh (@Journo_vivek) May 20, 2018

This one of its kind initiatives has attracted many people who are just glad that they are being taught by the police about these protective measures. We all know that crime in India is at its all-time high evilness taking many names and forms.
Sexual harassment at workplaces is not a new thing but coming out and speaking about it is something Hollywood saw first. The Harvey Weinstein scandal has a separate Wikipedia page on google that list down the number of women who reported sexual abuse against him.

An executive producer who had international fame, misused his position to quite an advantage. One of the first actresses to accuse him of his misbehavior was Italian actress Asia Argento.

Twitter

The actress was present at Cannes and made a powerful and fiery speech during the closing ceremony of the festival. It definitely is the need of the hour.

"In 1997, I was raped by Harvey Weinstein here at Cannes," the actor said before presenting the Best Actress Award. "I was 21 years old. This festival was his hunting ground. I want to make a prediction: Harvey Weinstein will never be welcomed here ever again."

This is the speech I wrote and spoke out loud tonight at Cannes. For all the brave women who came forward denouncing their predators, and for all the brave women who will come forward in the future. We got the power #metoo pic.twitter.com/ttJN1pNFxR  Asia Argento (@AsiaArgento) May 19, 2018



Argento added, "He will live in disgrace, shunned by a film community that once embraced him and covered up for his crimes."

She continued by pointing out that Weinstein was not the only predator in the industry and ended her speech with a message that offenders will no longer be able to get away with inappropriate behaviour.

Twitter



"And even tonight, sitting among you, there are those who still have to be held accountable for their conduct against women. For behaviour that does not belong in this industry, does not belong in any industry or any workplace. You know who you are. You do not belong in this industry. But most importantly, we know who you are, and we're not going to allow you to get away with it any longer."

Argento first revealed that she had been raped by Weinstein in The New Yorker expose about the Weinstein Company producer's history of sexual assault. Argento also admitted that an attempted rape scene in her 2000 film "Scarlet Diva" was based on the incident.

People took to Twitter to applaud her for the strength and courage Asia had during the phenomenal speech.

Wonderful and powerful speech of @AsiaArgento in Cannes. Well done girl! Well done!!! https://t.co/XZOsNacTYR  Alessandra Sestito (@AleSestito1) May 20, 2018

I love you my righteous sister in survival. Bring that fire. End the hunting grounds. @Festival_Cannes Keep cleaning house, be brave. Its time. & to you @AsiaArgento my love, my sister. I sing your praise to the galaxy and thank Mother Earth you are here to care for us all  pic.twitter.com/FDeHTe8liu  rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) May 19, 2018

Really proud of her. @AsiaArgento powerful speech at Cannes on being raped by Weinstein.

"For all the brave women who came forward denouncing their predators, and 4 all the brave women who will come fwrd in the future" Spread her message. @VictimRight @marie_skou @WeToo_Japan pic.twitter.com/4YfS6PanuK  Ray Andrew Koh (@RayKK) May 19, 2018

You Are An Inspiration To All Those Brave Women Who Have Come Forward And Those Who Havent Yet Found The Strength Asia! We Are All Behind You.  #MeToo  JAY K (@JaykemJason) May 19, 2018

Asia Argento is every superhero rolled into one, every hope bringer, every agent of good. She is strong and in turn inspires strength.

"In 1997, I was raped by Harvey Weinstein here at Cannes. I was 21 years old. This festival was his hunting ground."pic.twitter.com/aXgAML5nWz https://t.co/3hfn6Q31R2  Aaron Dries (@AaronDries) May 20, 2018

Solidarity with my dear @AsiaArgento who said out loud what has to be said on the main stage of #Cannes festival . Let the revolution keep going. There are millions of us. #metoo #timesup pic.twitter.com/KGa8vW0VUW  inna shevchenko (@femeninna) May 19, 2018

Solidarity with my dear @AsiaArgento who said out loud what has to be said on the main stage of #Cannes festival . Let the revolution keep going. There are millions of us. #metoo #timesup pic.twitter.com/KGa8vW0VUW  inna shevchenko (@femeninna) May 19, 2018

A lot of nervous, guilty looking faces in that crowd tonight. That's for sure. Congrats on your powerful very needed speech.  Tommy Pistol (@TommyPistol) May 20, 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markles royal wedding kept us glued to our TV screens. After all, we witnessed what fairy-tales look like in real life. Who would have imagined that a 15-year-old girl who posed outside Buckingham Palace would fall in love with Prince one day and would marry in a royal affair. Meghan Markle made us believe in fairy-tales all over again.

While we were gushing over the royal wedding and celebrating love and hope, Indians, on the other hand couldnt get enough of the extravaganza. They took to social media to out pour their desi reactions, and they are cracking us up. Take a look:

#1 *singing Kaala Chashma*

What ??? Meghan did NOT wear aviators and didnt come dancing to the wedding ? Kya Yaar #RoyalWedding  Batla (@Batla_G) May 19, 2018

#2 No, we don't even want to imagine this!

Tbh is it even a shaadi agar prince Charles daaru pike band valo pe paise na udaye? #RoyalWedding  Falguni (@Inuglafi) May 19, 2018

#3 How can you forget the Karnataka elections saga?

#4 Joote lo paise do!

Priyanka Chopra has been invited to the #RoyalWedding her chief job is to steal the shoes of Prince Harry, and talk about this exotic Indian tradition at Jimmy Fallon's next week.  Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) May 19, 2018

#5 Is it even a wedding without Nagin dance?

Was expecting "mere yaar ki shadi hai" "braazeeel" and some nagin dance at #RoyalWedding  TweetZaade active since 2012 (@TweetZaade) May 19, 2018

#6 It was playing in my mind though!

Seeing a wedding after a long time where the bride is not walking the aisle to the tune of Din Shagna #RoyalWedding  Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) May 19, 2018

#6 HAHA! Remeber this viral video?

#7 Ghar se nikalte hi jokes aren't getting old anytime soon.

Ghar se Kuch Dur

nikalte Chalte

hi.. hi..#RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/H7ZuSwMLoS  Babar Latoo (@latoo_b) May 20, 2018

#8 LOL! No, please don't say that.

Tom Hardy looks like he wants to die  #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/vvQachfHgo  Mohamed ElFiky  (@_MFekki) May 19, 2018

#9 Highly awaited

India's #RoyalWedding will happen at the end of the year when the Ambani kids get married.  Atul Khatri (@one_by_two) May 19, 2018

#10 What?!

#11 Because Taimur jokes are mandatory.

Zoom TV: Dekhiye taimoor ki dhamakedaar entry royal wedding mai. pic.twitter.com/tigpNgveto  Angoor Stark  (@ladywithflaws) May 19, 2018

And just in case you didn't know, PETA wanted to gift a bull to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their wedding. However, since that wasn't possible for the bull named Merry (after Meghan and Harry) to travel all the way to Britain, PETA decided to send a portrait instead along with the rescue story. Merry was rescued with a severe wound on the neck from a market in Sangli district of Maharashtra.

It's practically impossible to gift Merry as it belongs to India,so PETA decided to gift them a portrait of Merry with its rescue story. As they've decided not to accept gifts but donations for charity on their wedding,we tried to send a message with our gift:S Bangera,PETA India pic.twitter.com/pyFacek18D  ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2018

While this is a good gesture, of course, but this also became a laughing stock.

I don't think the royal couple are vegans tho. The cow will make good steak. pic.twitter.com/8ns99GxMCg  Idris Mustapha (@AugustFlare) May 16, 2018

Make sure they don't eat beef meal   (@Sakthivel_Murug) May 18, 2018

Bye the way where are you @PetaIndia people found ? when thousands of innocent animals get slaughtered for Halaal foods in Ramadan ?    () (@Veer_Yoddha) May 18, 2018

This is how PETA kind of Western Animal Rights groups smuggle native Indian Species ...  Bhavya Teja Kota (@bhavya13071993) May 17, 2018

Time to go back to obsessing over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's sweet love!
1. Indians React To Prince Harry & Meghan Markles Royal Wedding In Typical Desi Style & Its Cracking Us Up

While we were gushing over the royal wedding and celebrating love and hope, Indians, on the other hand couldnt get enough of the extravaganza. They took to social media to out pour their desi reactions, and they are cracking us up.

2. Leaked Picture From Game Of Thrones Hints This Main Character Will Die Very Soon In Season 8

While we are still engrossed in the Marvel film, this leaked picture from Game Of Thrones season 8 has left us all in shock. Our favourite shows and films are leaving us all devastated.

3. Japan Is Obsessing Over Baahubalis Kumar Varma, Turns The Character Into An Emoticon

If you cannot recall, Kumar Varma  a character played by actor Subbaraju  was Baahubali and Devasenas confidante. He played a pivotal role in the magnum opus. He played the role with utmost sincerity. So much so, that Japan is obsessive over him, and now he has become an emoticon or emoticons.

4. Priyanka Chopra Dresses Like A Princess For The Royal Wedding Reception, Writes An Emotional Note For BFF Meghan Markle

@priyankachopra x @dior #styledbymimicuttrell A post shared by Mimi Cuttrell (@mimicuttrell) on May 19, 2018 at 10:56am PDT

For the wedding reception hosted by the Prince of Wales and Harry's father, Priyanka Chopra arrived a gorgeous attire.

Salman Khan has roped in all his friends into the film. From Jacqueline Fernandez, Daisy Shah and Bobby Deol, he's reviving quote a few careers with this upcoming film. Daisy Shah can be seen cat-fighting with Jacqueline in one shot and in the other, she is seen saying, "Our business is our business, none of your business." And well, as expected all hell broke loose.
The words 'job interview' can send a shiver down anyone's spine. It's the one meeting that can decide if you're going to be working at a particular place, experiencing their work culture and getting ahead in your professional life. Because it is the first step to a successful career, it is rather important that you be fully prepared for it.

It is very important to be calm, composed and confident during an interview. It may seem difficult but is actually just a matter of training your mind. Here are some psychological tricks that will help you ace your interview and land that dream job:

1. Choose the color of your clothes according to the image you want to portray.

CareerBuilder, an online employment website, conducted a survey and found out that it is best to stick to neutral colors like black, blue or grey for interviews. In fact, 23 per cent of the respondents, all of who were HR mangers, said that blue represents a calm person and also exhibits the qualities of a team player.

Unsplash

2. Mirroring

According to psychology, we tend to like those people who seem to have the same body language as us. This is called the 'chameleon effect.' Make sure you're not copying the interviewer but you have to keep it subtle. If the interviewer has placed their hands on the table, feel free to do so but say, the interviewer runs their hand through their hair, try not to do that because then it would come across as creepy.

Unsplash

3. Don't smile too much

You don't need to look angry or avoid smiling altogether but make sure you don't have a grin plastered over your face at all times. A research that comes from the University of Lausanne shows that people who smiled too much during interviews for managerial positions and corporate jobs were less likely to get selected.





ftta.com

4. Make sure there is eye contact

Make sure you make eye contact with your interviewer the moment they enter the room and introduce themselves. It helps to make you look confident. Avoid looking downwards or into your phone during the interview because that comes across as rude. In addition, a study by Northeastern University proved that those who made eye contact also came across as more intelligent to the person sitting across.

Unsplash

5. Choose 10:30am on a Tuesday

Glassdoor, a review website for employees and employers, recommends that if you're given a choice, you should always choose to schedule your interview of 10: 30 am on a Tuesday. Now, it isn't the best time for you but for the interviewer. It is likely the time that the interviewer is slightly less occupied. The Monday chaos is over and the relaxed Friday feeling is far away. On a Tuesday, an interviewer would be more ready for an interview.

Unsplash

6. Cut out 'err,' 'umm' and other such fillers

It is a given that a good candidate is someone who is confident and shows clarity in their thought. If you use a lot of 'err', 'umm', 'uhh' or any other fillers, you're just coming across as unprepared. Make a conscious effort to not do this.

Unsplash

7. Here's the best way to place your hands during an interview

If you've studied body language, you'll be aware that showing your palms shows sincerity and pressing the finger tips of both your hands together shows confidence. You may want to use any of these poses while you're in an interview. However, avoid putting your hands downwards because that shows dominance.

Foreign Policy

Keep these in mind and you'll be acing your interview!
Tavishi Perara may be India's first 'child without a father', or that's how her birth certificate will read, thanks to Madras high court's direction to authorities to keep the column blank.

The relief, however, did not come easy for the child's mother, Mathumitha Ramesh, who had to wage two rounds of litigation to ensure her daughter got a birth certificate without the father's name.

Romper/Representational Image

Mathumitha was separated from her husband Charan Raj by mutual consent, and Tavishi was born in April 2017 through intrauterine fertility treatment with the help of a semen donor.

The Trichy Corporation commissioner, however, issued a certificate showing one Manish Madanpal Meena as the child's 'father', as he had helped Mathumitha during her treatment. When she approached authorities seeking removal of Meena's name, it was rejected on the ground that errors in a name could only be rectified, while removal was not possible.

Representational Image

Assailing the September 4, 2017 order, Mathumitha moved the HC, which directed revenue officials to rectify the certificate. But her application to the revenue divisional officer was rejected again on the ground that it was the registrar of births and deaths which was the competent authority to settle the issue. Mathumitha approached the court again, where her counsel argued that Meena's name had "erroneously crept" into the certificate.

Interestingly, both Meena and Mathumitha's estranged husband Charan Raj filed separate affidavits stating that neither of them was the child's father.

Justice M S Ramesh granted Mathumitha's demand after it was clear that she had become pregnant through intrauterine fertility treatment with donated semen.

Representational Image

Narrating these facts and directing the chief health officer of Trichy corporation to remove Meenas name from the fathers name column, which would now be left blank, justice Ramesh restrained the official from demanding name of the father for the purpose of filling the column.

I have made these observations consciously in order to restrain the chief health officer from insisting on any other name in the birth certificate on the fathers name column, the judge said, and posted the case to June 11 for compliance of the order.
Madhya Pradesh minister Paras Chandra Jain has a formula to succeed in politics. Jain, who is the energy minister in Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government, also said: Only those who are unmarried should be made legislators and ministers".

The minister is himself married and is seen on video making such remarks at an event in Khandwa, around 250 kilometres from state capital Bhopal.

A report in NDTV says that the minister went on to explain why unmarried people had a better chance at being successful in politics. He said that once people got married, they start worrying about family.

"Then the family grows in size. Then they start worrying about weddings," he said, as he laughed away. "But those who have nothing to worry about, they only worry about Bharat (India)," Jain said.

"Yeh mere mann ki baat hai (this is my inner voice)," the minister added.

He also praised prime minister Narendra Modi, who also stays alone.

"If someone has done work to increase respect of our country abroad, it is the Prime Minister of our country, Narendra Modi," NDTV quoted him as saying.
Eight months after India enforced a no-fly list (NFL) for disruptive passengers, Birju Kishore Salla - the Mumbai jeweller who created a hijack scare on a Jet Airways' flight last year - has become the first person to be put on the same.

Salla's act of leaving a hijack message in the business class lavatory of a Mumbai-Delhi flight on October 30, 2017, which had forced the plane to divert to Ahmedabad, has led Jet to ban him from flying its planes for five years.

BCCL/Representational Image

"This is the first case of an Indian carrier putting someone on the NFL. Jet Airways has informed us that after following due procedure, they have banned him (Salla) for five years with effect from November 2017 for breach of security. It is the airline's responsibility to inform other carriers and then it is up to them whether they also put the person on their NFLs. We will continue to maintain a database for such passengers," said a senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Despite repeated attempts, Jet did not comment on this issue.

Salla has been banned from flying under the highest level (three) of on-board unruly behaviour that entails grounding from two years to a lifetime. This level covers life-threatening behaviour like damage to aircraft operating systems, serious physical violence and attempted or actual breach of cockpit. Level one covers unruly behaviour like physical gestures. Punishment under this level can be grounding of up to three months. The second level is for physically abusive behaviour like pushing and sexual harassment, where grounding is up to six months. Under each level, grounding time is doubled for subsequent offences.

BCCL/Representational Image

On October 30 last year, Salla was flying on seat 1A of 9W 339, a Mumbai-Delhi flight. He allegedly left a note in the business class lavatory which read: "9W 339 is covered by hijackers and a/c (aircraft) should not land and (be) flown straight to POK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir). 12 ppl on board. If you put landing you can hear the noise of people dying. Don't take it as a joke. Cargo area contains explosive bombs and will blast if you land in DEL (Delhi)."

The plane was diverted to Ahmedabad where it landed safely. Checks by the bomb disposal squad found no explosive in the plane and that the note was a hoax.
Pakistans Punjab province government has released Rs 20 million to help renovate a Krishna temple in Rawalpindi city. The aim is also to expand it to accommodate more Hindu worshippers on festivals and religious occasions.

Krishna temple is the only functioning Hindu temple in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. There are two prayers held at the temple every day - one in the morning and one in the evening - which are attended by six or seven people.

Mohammad Asif, the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Deputy Administrator, said the government has released the money to reconstruct the temple at the request of a Member of Provincial Assembly, Dawn reported.

He added that constructed work would begin soon. The main room where idols are seated will be sealed until reconstruction ends.

The Express Tribune

"Once reconstructed, the temple will be able to accommodate more people," Mohammad Asif was quoted as saying by the paper. The official said the temple could accommodate the local Hindu community from the twin cities and nearby areas.

The small temple was built by Kanji Mal and Ujagar Mal Ram Rachpal in 1897 to serve people in nearby areas. However, after partition, the street temple in Saddar became the only place of worship for Rawalpindi's Hindus.

The temple was reopened after partition in 1949; it was operated by local Hindus before being handed over to the ETPB in 1970. Until the 1980s, even diplomats living in Islamabad visited the temple to pray.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has revealed in a report that the Government of Pakistan has blocked the further publication of the Dawn, one of the country's leading English dailies, for publishing a controversial interview that it did with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

In that interview last week, Sharif had acknowledged that the terror attacks launched on Mumbai between November 26 and November 29, 2008, were carried out by Pakistan-born terrorists.

The remarks by Sharif created ripples in the country's political civilian government, military and intelligence establishnents, so much so, that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has had to preside over two National Security Council (NSC) meetings in the last couple of days to review its impact and the response to be taken thereof.

According to a report by the RSF, the 'temporary ban' came into effect from Tuesday, after the Pakistani military forces were reportedly unhappy with the newspaper's publishing of the interview.

AFP

The RSF reported that Dawn's circulation has been disrupted in most parts of Balochistan province, major cities in Sindh province and in all military cantonments.

The Press Council of Pakistan has notified Dawn's editor that the newspaper breached the ethical code of practice by publishing content that "may bring into contempt Pakistan or its people or tends to undermine its sovereignty or integrity as an independent country."

"The unwarranted blocking of the distribution of one of the main independent newspapers has yet again shown that the military are determined to maintain their grip on access to news and information in Pakistan," RSF said in a statement.

AFP

"It is clear that the military high command does not want to allow a democratic debate in the months preceding a general election. We call on the authorities to stop interfering in the dissemination of independent media and to restore distribution of Dawn throughout Pakistan," it added.

Sharif's remarks were immediately picked up by Indian media, which termed the former prime minister's statement as a confession of Pakistan's role in the Mumbai attacks that left 166 people dead.

It was also being seen as an admission of Pakistan's involvement in the 26/11 terrorist attacks.
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Update - 10.04pm: The man who was shot by Gardai this evening has died.

Officers searching for missing Jastine Valdez went to the area when a phone mast there registered his phone.

He had been brought to St Vincent's Hospital where he was in a critical condition, but he has since died.

Photographer Peter Varga said the scene was under armed guard and tearful and shocked witnesses were leaving the car park where the incident happened.

The targeted vehicle was still at the scene and had its windows down. A Garda car with its door open sat beside it, Mr Varga added.

Update - 8.30pm: A man in his forties has been shot and seriously injured in Cherrywood in South Dublin - as Gardai search for missing Jastine Valdez.

The man is understood to be a father-of-two from the Wicklow area and it is believed he was shot a number of times..

It happened during an armed garda operation at the former Dell factory in the area at around 8pm this evening.

Scene from Cherrywood Business Park following shots fired in search for Jastine Valdez pic.twitter.com/qoI5s5QB84  James McNamara (@jimmymacRTE) May 20, 2018

Officers had been searching for a black Nissan Qashqai in connection with her disappearance, and officers have now found that car.

Gardai are continuing to appeal for Jastine Valdez and also for anyone who may have seen the movements of the 171 D Nissan Qashqui since yesterday to 8pm today to contact them.

It has been reported by witnesses that the man threatened someone with a knife and was shot by Gardai.

There are multiple garda cars, a Garda helicopter and ambulances at the scene which has been cordoned off.

Update - 8.23pm: The young woman feared abducted in Wicklow left her mobile phone at the scene, Gardai have said.

Gardai say they are extremely concerned for the safety of 24-year-old Jastine Valdez who disappeared last night amid reports that a female pedestrian was seen being forced into a car outside Enniskerry at around 6.15pm.

Garda Superintendent Paul Hogan says search teams and the Civil Defence are being assisted by a Garda air-support unit as the hunt for Jastine continues.

Supt Paul Hogan, leading investigation into suspected abduction of Jastine Valdez at Enniskerry, appealing for sightings of black Nissan Qashqai reg 171 D 20419. People asked to ring 999 and not to approach car #IEstaff pic.twitter.com/zq8zOFqiXt  Cormac O'Keeffe (@CormacJOKeeffe) May 20, 2018

He said: "Her mobile phone was recovered at the side of the road by a search team, so we're working very diligently trying to find out where she is.

"It's unusual obviously for a young person to be without their mobile phone. We had the air support unit here earlier on, we have search teams out and we are asking the public for their support."

Jastine Valdez.

4.45pm: Gardai investigating disappearance of Wicklow woman issue registration number of connected car

Gardai in Bray have issued the full registration number for a car in connection with the disappearance of Jastine Valdez from Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.

They say they are looking for a black Nissan Qashqai which has a registration number of 171 D 20419.

They have also asked anyone who sees the car not to approach it, but to ring Gardai immediately on 999 or 112.

12.50pm: Gardai investigating disappearance of woman, 24, from Wicklow

Gardai in Bray are appealing for information following the disappearance of a woman from Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.

Jastine Valdez, 24, was last seen when she left her home yesterday afternoon.

She was reported missing to gardai by her family late last night.

Her reported disappearance followed an earlier incident near Enniskerry when shortly after 6.15pm Gardai received a report of a female pedestrian being forced into a car on the R760 south of Enniskerry.

The car involved in this incident was described to gardai as a dark coloured Nissan SUV.

Jastine is described as approximately 5ft in height, of slight build with long black hair and brown eyes.

When last seen she was wearing a dark coloured jacket, white t-shirt, grey leggings and runners.

Investigating gardai are appealing for anyone with information in relation to the disappearance of Jastine to contact them.

They are particularly appealing for information on or sightings of a dark coloured Nissan SUV partial registration 171-D-2****.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bray Garda Station 01-6665300 the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

The scene on the R760 is currently preserved and local traffic diversions are in place. An incident room has been established at Bray Garda Station. A case conference has been held by investigators and gardai are liaising closely with her family.

The investigation is ongoing.

Digital Desk
Nurcan Baysal has been accused of treachery, terrorism and spreading hate on Twitter. She tells Caroline ODoherty her fight against human rights abuses in Turkey will go on

Nurcan Baysal was meant to be in court, defending herself against charges of trying to destroy the state of Turkey, but she slipped out to Ireland to pick up a human rights award instead.

It was a calculated gamble as she risked angering an already prickly prosecution by sending her lawyer to seek an adjournment.

But the publicity she gets from being named recipient of the 2018 Front Line Defenders Global Laureate award may just save her from a three-year prison term when the case resumes in October this year.

So what is it that Nurcan, a slight, smiling United Nations employee turned journalist has done to so upset the powers that be in Turkey?

They accuser her of terrorism and treachery but, in reality, tweeting is more her thing.

I am charged with threatening the indivisible unity of Turkey, she says brightly.

Because of the things I tweet and write. I should be complimented that they think I am so powerful.

Nurcan is from south-eastern Turkey, otherwise known as Kurdistan, although thats not a name the Turkish government allows its citizens to use.

The region is home to 20m Kurds, a people with their own language and culture, among whom there are some who have taken up arms in a struggle for independence, and many who simply want the right to speak their own language and honour their own traditions within an equal and diverse Turkey.

Turkish leaders have never looked favourably on Kurdish aspirations, but after the attempted coup by members of his own military in 2016, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unleashed a dramatic crackdown on journalists, academics, activists, opposition politicians and anyone else deemed to be capable of critical thinking. Thousands were sacked or jailed and many remain in detention.

That crackdown, severe as it was in Ankara and Istanbul, was even more so in Kurdistan. Erdogan sent in his troops, bombing, burning, shooting and shelling as they went. They killed members of the main militant group, the PKK, which also managed to inflict casualties on the state forces, but several hundred civilians also died while many more have been left injured, homeless and frightened.

Nurcan was relatively new to writing at the time. From a family of 10, raised by a greengrocer father and housewife mother, she had fulfilled the dream of all Kurdish parents and got herself a university education that led to a job in the United Nations Development Programme.

But she also did voluntary work on the side, quietly undertaking activities that might be deemed political.

Such as?

I would teach children about landmines  how to identify them, what to do if they find one in the fields. That could be considered helping the militants so I couldnt say much about it. Sometimes you have to work in silence.

But Nurcan also worked quietly with Yazidi women living in camps after fleeing persecution by IS in Iraq, and visited villages made to suffer for resisting being turned into military bases for the Turkish forces, and eventually she felt there was too much silence.

She left the UN and began to write  books, blogs, columns, and those oh so subversive tweets.

It was in the wake of the 2016 attacks that her writing shifted up a gear as she chronicled the devastation, particularly in the town of Cizre where even before the coup, Turkish forces had mounted a major operation ostensibly aimed at PKK.

Nurcan witnessed the aftermath and interviewed survivors as they sifted through the ruins of their homes where at least 189 adults and children were trapped in cellars for two months, before being burned alive in a targeted shelling campaign.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has since collected the same testimonies and condemned Turkey for deliberately demolishing the buildings to prevent recovery of the bodies and frustrate investigators.

Nurcan has continued to write about this and other human rights abuses and early this year, she was sentenced to 10 months in prison for an article expressing her opposition to military operations.

The charge against her was that she was spreading hatred. In Turkey it is a crime to call for peace, she says.

The sentence was suspended on the grounds that she refrain for expressing such views again but of course, she hasnt, and she now stands accused of threatening national unity through her tweets.

The first time she was arrested, 20 officers with kalashnikovs forced their way into her home after midnight, terrifying her two young sons. She regularly receives death threats, her husbands small business has suffered and her parents often plead with her to take a step back. But she refuses to be frightened into submission.

I dont think about what they can do to me because if they want to hurt me, they will do it. I cant stop them, she says.

It is so important that journalists record what is happening  especially in Turkey where so much of the media was shut down and people only hear what the government wants them to hear.

The restrictions on broadcasters and print journalists make social media all the more valuable  or dangerous as the state sees it  but getting the word out internationally is also very important.

So potentially annoying a judge by coming to Dublin to receive the Front Line Defenders Award is worth the risk. What happens to me in October will depend on the solidarity I have from international NGOs and journalist organisations, she says.

Also, I want to show people in Kurdistan that I am not afraid so they will speak out too. I always smile in photographs, even if the subject is serious, because we dont have power or money or weapons, but we have strength and belief and courage. And if you have courage, why not use it?
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The biggest change in laws governing data protection is due to take effect in the European Union on 25 May and a seasoned practitioner of the law in the UK says the most important part of the General Data Protection Regulation is the overall protection of data in what is an "uncertain and insecure cyber world".

Rashda Rana, a senior counsel in the UK, told iTWire in a detailed interview that management consulting firm Oliver Wyman had estimated that the EU would reap about US$6 billion in fines from organisations that were not in compliance during the first year of the GDPR. This, despite all parties having had two years to fall in line with the regulation.

A high-profile lawyer in the UK, Rana (above) has also had extensive experience in international commercial litigation and arbitration as counsel and arbitrator in other jurisdictions including Australia, New York, Paris, Milan, Brazil, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and China.

She has significant in-house experience as general counsel at one of the worlds leading project management, design and construction companies which operates in more than 30 countries.

Rana has worked as an adjunct professor, teaching law at Sydney University Law School, having devised the undergraduate course in international commercial arbitration, the first of its kind in Australia.

She has functioned as arbitrator in many domestic and international commercial disputes, both institutional and ad hoc, and is an experienced CEDR-accredited mediator who has conducted mediations around the world. In September 2017, she was appointed to the ICSID Panel of Conciliators by the chairman of the World Bank.

An active member of a number of significant industry associations, she was co-founder of The Alliance for Equality in Dispute Resolution, a past president of ArbitralWomen, founding secretary of the Society of Construction Law Australia and the first female president of the Australian branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).

At what must be an incredibly busy time for her, Rana was gracious enough to agree to a detailed interview by email.

iTWire: What is the GDPR? Why is it needed?

Rashda Rana: GDPR is the new EU directive, General Data Protection Regulation, that provides a new framework for data protection laws. It requires businesses to protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens for transactions that occur within EU member states. The GDPR also regulates the export of personal data outside the EU. The GDPRs overall aim is to give European residents greater control and visibility over their personal data, thereby also strengthening data protection.

What will the penalties be for not falling in line and what are the deadlines?

The GDPR allows for steep penalties of up to 20 million or 4% of global annual turnover, whichever is higher, for non-compliance. According to a report from Ovum, 52% of companies believe they will be fined for non-compliance.

Management consulting firm Oliver Wyman predicts that the EU could collect as much as US$6 billion in fines and penalties in the first year. There are some areas in which there remains some room for interpretation.

How will penalties be assessed? For instance, it provides that companies must provide a reasonable level of protection for personal data, but does not define what constitutes reasonable". This may leave open the possibility of fines being levied where it is deemed that protection of personal data was not reasonable in the circumstances.

For example, how will fines differ for a breach that has minimal impact on individuals versus one where their exposed PII (personally identifiable information) results in actual damage? The consensus is that the regulators will quickly act on a few companies found to be not in compliance early on, to send a message. Then, organisations can make a better assessment of what to expect in the event of a non-compliance finding.

For now, the ability to show a good-faith effort to comply should protect companies from harsh penalties. In a recent speech, Elizabeth Denham, the UK information commissioner, had this to say to organisations concerned about GDPR fines:

I hope by now you know that enforcement is a last resort. I have no intention of changing the ICOs (Information Commission Offices) proportionate and pragmatic approach after 25th of May. Hefty fines will be reserved for those organisations that persistently, deliberately or negligently flout the law. Those organisations that self-report, engage with us to resolve issues, and demonstrate an effective accountability arrangement can expect this to be a factor when we consider any regulatory action.

Is there something wrong with existing data protection laws in the EU? Is that why the change was needed?

The existing data protection laws are outdated and have not kept abreast of changes in technology and data collection/data protection. The European Parliament adopted the GDPR in April 2016, replacing an outdated data protection directive from 1995. After publication of the GDPR in the EU Official Journal in May 2016, it will come into force on 25 May.

The two-year preparation period has given businesses and public bodies covered by the regulation time to prepare for the changes. The change was needed because of public concern over privacy. The amount of data we produce now wasn't foreseeable when current data protection laws were drawn up in the late 1990s.

For instance, according to the RSA Data Privacy & Security report, (comprising a survey of 7500 consumers in France, Germany, Italy, the UK and the US), 80% of consumers said lost banking and financial data is a top concern. Lost security information (e.g., passwords) and identity information (eg, passports or driving licences) was cited as a concern of 76% of the respondents. The reports authors concluded that, As consumers become better informed, they expect more transparency and responsiveness from the stewards of their data.

Rashda Rana: "By now, companies should have thought of and implemented the requirements of GDPR".

What would be the likely effect of the GDPR on the UK after Brexit?

Currently, the provisions are consistent across all 28 EU member states, which means that companies have just one standard to meet within the EU. However, that standard is quite high and will require most companies to make a large investment to meet and to administer. The UK introduced a new Data Protection Bill in August 2017, which largely includes all the provisions of the GDPR. There are some small changes but the UK law will be largely the same.

The laws will obviously affect international companies doing business in the EU. How will it affect them?

Any company that stores or processes personal information about EU citizens within EU states must comply with the GDPR, even if they do not have a business presence within the EU. Specific criteria for companies required to comply are:

A presence in an EU country.

No presence in the EU, but it processes personal data of European residents.

More than 250 employees: there's a need to have documentation of why people's information is being collected and processed, descriptions of the information that's held, how long it's being kept for and descriptions of technical security measures in place.

Fewer than 250 employees but its data-processing impacts the rights and freedoms of data subjects, is not occasional, or includes certain types of sensitive personal data. That effectively means almost all companies. For instance, a PwC survey showed that 92% of US companies consider GDPR a top data protection priority.

Under GDPR, the "destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure of, or access to" people's data has to be reported to a country's data protection regulator  in the case of the UK, the ICO  where it could have a detrimental impact on those who it is about. This can include, but isn't limited to, financial loss, confidentiality breaches, damage to reputation and more. The ICO has to be told about a breach 72 hours after an organisation finds out about it and the people it impacts also need to be told.

What kind of companies/organisations, if any, will be exempt from the laws?

See above.

There are some who claim that the GDPR will add to lack of digital security by allowing people to hide details of things like domain registrations which they now have to display. Do you subscribe to this view?

No, I dont. The Data Protection Bill in the UK, for instance, proposes to modernise current data protection regulations by expanding the definition of personal data to include IP addresses, Internet cookies, and DNA.

In addition, controllers must ensure personal data is processed lawfully, transparently, and for a specific purpose. Once that purpose is fulfilled and the data is no longer required, it should be deleted. "Lawfully" has a range of alternative meanings, not all of which need apply. Firstly, it could be lawful if the subject has consented to their data being processed. Alternatively, lawful can mean to comply with a contract or legal obligation; to protect an interest that is "essential for the life of" the subject; if processing the data is in the public interest; or if doing so is in the controller's legitimate interest - such as preventing fraud.

At least one of these justifications must apply in order to process data. The GDPR gives users/consumers greater access and control. For instance, not only does it impose obligations on companies collecting personal data but also gives individuals greater power to access the information that's held about them. Currently, for instance, in the UK a Subject Access Request allows businesses and public bodies to charge 10 for disclosing information held about individuals.

Under the GDPR this is being scrapped and requests for personal information can be made free-of-charge. When someone asks a business for their data, they must stump up the information within one month. Everyone will have the right to get confirmation that an organisation has information about them, access to this information and any other supplementary information. This means that companies, regardless of size (the tech giants as well as start-ups), will have to comply by giving users more control over their data.

As well as this the GDPR bolsters a person's rights around automated processing of data. The ICO says individuals "have the right not to be subject to a decision" if it is automatic and it produces a significant effect on a person. There are certain exceptions but generally people must be provided with an explanation of a decision made about them.

The new regulation also gives individuals the power to get their personal data erased in some circumstances (the right to be forgotten). This includes where it is no longer necessary for the purpose it was collected, if consent is withdrawn, there's no legitimate interest, and if it was unlawfully processed.

Does the GDPR make a distinction between personal data and commercial data?

The GDPR covers various types of data:

Basic identity information such as name, address and ID numbers;

Web data such as location, IP address, cookie data and RFID tags;

Health and genetic data;

Biometric data;

Racial or ethnic data;

Political opinions; and

Sexual orientation.

The GDPR and other data protection laws rely on the term "personal data" to discuss information about individuals. In the UK, for instance, there are two key types of personal data and they cover different categories of information. Personal data can be anything that allows a living person to be directly or indirectly identified. This may be a name, an address, or even an IP address. It includes automated personal data and can also encompass information which has been pseudonymised if a person can be identified from it.

In addition, sensitive personal data falls into "special categories" of information. These include trade union membership, religious beliefs, political opinions, racial information, and sexual orientation.

Companies that have "regular and systematic monitoring" of individuals at a large scale or process a lot of sensitive personal data have to employ a data protection officer. For many organisations covered by GDPR, this may mean having to hire a new member of staff  although larger businesses and public authorities may already have people in this role. In this job, the person has to report to senior members of staff, monitor compliance with GDPR and be a point of contact for employees and customers. It means the data protection will be a boardroom issue in a way it hasn't in the past combined.

There's also a requirement for businesses to obtain consent to process data in some situations. When an organisation is relying on consent to lawfully use a person's information they have to clearly explain that consent is being given and there has to be a "positive opt-in".

How will the GDPR affect data which is in the cloud  for example, say the data of an Australian company being stored in a server which is physically located in Germany?

The relevant element is whose data is it and to what use is it being put? The GDPR targets personal data regardless of where it is held. If the company which collected the personal data is caught by the regulations then it doesnt matter where it is stored.

The GDPR includes an accountability principle, which requires companies to document how theyve become compliant. "Controllers" and "processors" of data need to abide by the GDPR. A data controller is responsible for stating how and why personal data is processed, while a processor is the party doing the actual processing of the data. So the controller could be any organisation, from a profit-seeking company to a charity or government. A processor could be an IT firm doing the actual data processing.

Take, for example, ADP, which is a company that provides cloud-based human capital management and business outsourcing services to more than 650,000 companies globally. ADP holds PII for millions of people around the world, and its clients expect the company to be GDPR-compliant and to help them do the same. If ADP is found non-compliant with GDPR, it risks not only fines but loss of business from clients expecting ADP to have them covered.

Even if controllers and processors are based outside the EU, the GDPR will still apply to them so long as they're dealing with data belonging to EU residents.

It is the controller's responsibility to ensure their processor abides by data protection law and processors must themselves abide by rules to maintain records of their processing activities. If processors are involved in a data breach, they are far more liable under GDPR than they were under earlier legislation.

What about the financial costs of compliance? Would governments be aiding companies in any way with this?

No, and by now they should have thought of and implemented the requirements of GDPR!!

In your view, what is the most important part of the legislation?

The overall protection of personal data in an uncertain and insecure cyber world.
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Review of Bernard Lewis What Went Wrong: Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response

by Juan Cole

Reprinted from Global Dialogue, vol. 4, no. 4, Autumn 2002.

Bernard Lewis. What Went Wrong: Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. 172 pp. Index to p. 180. Hard covers, $23.

Bernard Lewiss What Went Wrong? is a very bad book from a usually very good author. How a profoundly learned and highly respected historian, whose career spans some sixty years, could produce such a hodgepodge of muddled thinking, inaccurate assertions and one-sided punditry is a profound mystery. While I cannot hope to resolve the puzzle, I can explain why I come to this conclusion.

Lewis never defines his terms, and he paints with a brush so broad that he may as well have brought a broom to the easel. He begins by speaking of the Islamic world, and of what went wrong with it. He contrasts this culture region to the West, and implies that things went right with the latter. But what does he mean by the Islamic world? He seldom speaks of the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent, who form a very substantial proportion of the whole. Malaysia and Indonesia are never instanced. He seems to mean the Muslim Middle East, but if so he would have been better advised to say so. With regard to the Middle East, what does he mean by the question what went wrong? Does he mean to ask about economic underdevelopment? About lack of democracy? About a failure to contribute to scientific and technological advances? About ethnocentrism? All of these themes are mentioned in passing, but none is formulated as a research design. If what went wrong was mainly economic, political and scientific, then why pose the question with regard to a religious category? Lewis straightforwardly says that Islam in and of itself cannot be blamed for what went wrong (whatever that was). Since Islam is not the independent variable in his explanation, why make the Islamic world the unit of analysis? Discerning exactly what Lewis is attempting to explain, and what he thinks the variables are that might explain it, is like trying to nail jelly to the wall.

Lewis has a tendency to lump things under a broad rubric together that are actually diverse and perhaps not much related to one another. Speaking of classical Islam, presumably about 632-1258, Lewis says that the armies of Islam at the very same time, were invading Europe and Africa, India and China (p. 6). Here he makes it sound as though Islam was a single unit with a unified military. Later, (p. 12) he actually speaks of the Crusaders successes impressing Muslim war departments, as if medieval institutions were so reified. In fact, Moroccan Berbers fighting in Spain are highly unlikely even to have known about the Turkic raids down into India. Nor is it clear that those Turks were motivated primarily by Islam (pastoralists have been invading India from Central Asia for millennia). Moreover, tribal alliances across religious boundaries bring into question the firmness of the military boundaries suggested by speaking of Islam. Even the early Ottoman conquests in Anatolia were accomplished in part through alliances with Christians. Finally, much of the advance of Islam occurred quite peacefully, through Sufi missionary work for example.

When discussing some European fears of the Ottomans (p. 9), Lewis lets it slip that the Iranian Safavids sought alliances with the Europeans against their Ottoman enemies. Lewis does not tell us that the Ottomans also made Protestant alliances in the Balkans against Catholic powers. Since Europeans were fighting amongst themselves, and Muslim powers were fighting amongst themselves, and each was willing to make tactical alliances across religious boundaries, it is not clear what is gained by setting up a dichotomy in the early modern period between the West and Islam.

When speaking of Ottoman military weakness, Lewis generally skips over the brilliant fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, when the Ottomans won wars in Europe handily in part because they quickly took up field artillery and their Janissary infantry was an early adopter of the matchlock. Military historians do not think central and western European armies began having a technological and organizational advantage over the Ottomans until after 1680. From Lewiss account here one would have thought that the Ottomans were all along somehow backward.

When Lewis does speak of the military advances of the Europeans in the 18th century, he does not specify what they were, and he does not say why the Ottomans failed to adapt, merely noting the failure. Comparative historians have long held that Western Europe was innovative in warfare and technology in this period because it consisted of many small states constantly at war with one another. Many small states, moreover, could not stifle innovation or impose censorship effectively, since if only one broke ranks the innovation could be introduced. Large empires such as those of the Ottomans, the Mughals and the Qing tended to be more complacent, simply because they faced fewer powerful challenges. The Mughals never much improved their casting of cannon over two centuries, for instance, because it was perfectly serviceable against the rebellious clans they faced. And the regulatory power of these great empires was vast. Lewis, by neglecting to discuss such social and structural explanations, implicitly displaces the question onto character or culture. The Ottomans were hidebound, he implies, because Muslims look askance at learning from the infidel. How such an explanation could hold given the innovations adopted by the Ottoman military in the sixteenth century is not clear.

Lewis repeats his often stated contrast between curious Europeans who established chairs in Arabic and tried to learn about the Orient, and remarkably self-satisfied Muslims who did not interest themselves in the outside world. In fact, the primary impetus for the study of Arabic in Europe until the twentieth century was that it helped in deciphering biblical Hebrew, a matter of interest to European Christians for internal reasons. Further, since al-Biruni learned Sanskrit to write about India, Shahristani created an encyclopedia of the world religions, and Qadi `Abd al-Jabbar and many other Muslim theologians engaged at length with Christian doctrine, Lewis cannot mean to suggest that such a lack of curiosity was characteristic of Islam or Muslims all along. He must surely mean to say that after 1492 there was relatively little such curiosity.

In fact, after that date the Spanish Inquisition forcibly converted hundreds of thousands of Muslims in Andalusia and ruthlessly executed the recalcitrant. The Andalusians had been key transmitters of knowledge between civilizations, and now they were gone. The eminent medieval historian R. I. Moore has called Europe in this period the persecuting society. In the age of the Spanish and Roman Inquisitions the sort of access Muslims would have needed to Europe for a study program in Occidentalism was largely denied them. (Lewis admits this briefly on p. 42 but elsewhere keeps blaming Muslims for being unduly insular in this regard!) They were confined to a few trading enclaves in places like Venice, and even there a debate raged about whether they should be allowed. In contrast, Christian Europeans lived freely in Muslim lands. Rather than blaming Muslims for knowing so little of Europe in the age of the Inquisitions and the Wars of Religion, one might well view that continent as isolated from the rest of the world in that period by its own paroxysms of religious intolerance. Lewis notes abstract juridical reasoning by muftis about whether a Muslim should live in a state ruled by non-Muslims (the jurists said no), but does not take into account realities on the ground. Real Muslims in fact paid no attention to such strictures when living under Christian rule in southern Spain before 1492. Muslims also lived under Hindu and later British rule in India despite what jurists may have said.

Lewis creates a problematic West/Islam dichotomy virtually everywhere. When he comes to Bonapartes invasion of Egypt in 1798 and the expulsion of the French in 1801, he says that the French were forced to leave  not by the Egyptians nor by their Turkish Suzerains, but by a squadron of the Royal Navy  In fact, the Egyptian populace revolted more than once against French rule, and the British and the Ottomans allied to expel the French from Egypt. While the role of the British navy was pivotal, significant Ottoman land forces at Akka and in Egypt also fought crucial battles that helped convince the French to surrender. A joint British-Ottoman military alliance to expel the French, however, complicates the story he wants to tell. The Ottomans are reduced to the burghers of Hamelin, forced to call upon a British pied piper who would rid them of the French rats. In fact, the British needed the Ottoman alliance against the French to protect their Indian routes as much as the Ottomans needed the British.

In discussing nineteenth-century Muslim responses to the new superiority of Europe, Lewis says that they could not consider science and philosophy the secret of success because they reduced philosophy to the handmaiden of theology. Yet, it is the hallmark of the thought of the Egyptian Rifa`ah al-Tahtawi (1801-1873) that he views European advances in practical philosophy to be the major reason for their flourishing civilization. Similar views were held by Sayyid Jamal al-Din al-Afghani. It is unaccountable that Lewis does not know this. Lewis goes on to discuss attempts to found factories in the Middle East, and simply says the effort failed, and most of the early factories became derelict (p. 47). He maintains that these efforts were largely aimed at equipping armies. While it is true that the Egyptian textile industries ultimately failed, at their height they employed some 40,000 workers and were involved in rather more than making uniforms. Later silk factories in Lebanon were also highly successful for a period of thirty or forty years. Debate rages as to why early attempts at industrialization failed in the Middle East in the long run. Some blame the restrictions European powers placed on tariffs in the treaties of 1838 and 1840, while others point to Egypts lack of coal for energy, and of trained mechanics who could perform maintenance on the imported machines. Middle Eastern silk industries fell behind Europe in part because Pasteur invented a way of quarantining healthy silkworms against diseased ones, while Lebanese and Iranian worms suffered from such outbreaks. Lewis here as elsewhere attempts no explanation, simply noting the failure of industrialization in the region.

He then adds that later attempts to catch up with the Industrial Revolution fared little better (p. 47), linking the present-day with the 1840s without any segue. In fact, the 1960s and after witnessed extensive industrialization in the Middle East. The decade of the 1960s saw a substantial rise in living standards for Egyptians, after a wage stagnation 1910-1950. Everywhere in the region industry now makes up a significant part of local economies, which are no longer primarily agricultural. Light textiles have been a relative success story in Turkey and even in Pakistan. There are real problems with the economies of the Middle East, but to say that the development efforts of the past fifty years have been no more successful than those of the nineteenth century is frankly bizarre. That the rise of Israel put pressure on Arab budgets, when a different sort of neighbor might have allowed them to invest the money in more fruitful areas than the military, is never considered. Among the biggest problems for Middle Eastern economies have been high rates of population growth, which Lewis does not even mention. That is, Pakistans economy has grown a respectable 5 percent per annum or so in the past twenty years, rather better than Hindu Indias 3 percent, but the population growth rate is so great that the per capita increase remains small in both countries. Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country, has done even better than Pakistan economically, and does not have a similar population problem. Lewis does not mention Muslim countries like Malaysia. He is not writing analytical history here, with a view to explaining particular problems by isolating independent variables. He is writing moral history, which is tautological. He seems to insist on erasing any successes they have had, and to imply that the Muslims have failed because they are failures.

The supercilious air of the bemused put-down suffuses this book. Lewis tells us that it is sadly appropriate that the first telegraph sent from the Middle East to the outside world concerned a military event, the fall of Sebastopol. He adds, with drop-dead timing, that it is also sadly appropriate in that it was inaccurate; it hadnt yet fallen (p. 51). What sort of history writing is this? The clear implication is that the important news about the Middle East has for some time been military. The other clear implication is that the military news coming out of the region is full of falsehoods. The use of clever asides to create such a latticework of calumny has more in common with the techniques of propaganda than with academic history. Has Europe witnessed fewer wars than the Middle East in the past two centuries? Surely the comparative death toll from wars is about 100 to one in that period in Europes favor. Even the Crimean War, the butt of the joke, was primarily a European conflict in which France and Britain objected to Russias aggressive invasion of the Principalities (Romania) and riposted with Ottoman help in Russias Crimea. As for the inaccuracy, it was more premature than false. It is not clear that Middle Eastern wars generate more lies and propaganda than other wars, in any case. Truth is the first casualty of war, the saying goes. It does not specify Middle Eastern war.

Lewis virtually ignores European colonization of the modern Middle East. He alleges (p. 153) that it was comparatively brief and ended half a century ago. The French ruled Algeria 1830 to 1962. The British were in what is now Bangladesh from 1757 to 1947. While Britain only formally ruled Egypt 1882 to 1922, it was already making and breaking its rulers in the 1870s, and continued to play a heavy-handed role in Egyptian politics and in the Suez Canal until 1956. Radical Islamism was first provoked to terrorism in Egypt precisely by the arrogance of British power there, beginning a genealogy of violence that leads through Ayman al-Zawahiri directly to September 11, 2001. In a marvelous bit of misdirection, Lewis praises the Chamber of Deputies that British colonial administrators allowed to the Egyptians, which was merely an ineffectual debating society. He neglects to inform the reader that in 1880-1881 a popular Egyptian movement arose that imposed on the dictatorial Ottoman governor a real parliament with the purview of budgetary oversight, and that in 1882 the British invaded to overthrow this democratic experiment and put the autocratic Khedive back on his throne as their puppet. In any case, Franco-British involvement in the Middle East was not brief. If we include various forms of economic imperialism with actual colonization, the period would be even longer.

Nor is the length of European rule the only important factor. How deeply did they affect the local economy and society? The French powerfully shaped Algeria in ways that certainly contribute to its current travails, including substantial expropriation of land from owners and peasants and the creation of a comprador bourgeoisie. While one certainly cheers the British for giving refuge in Palestine to Jews fleeing Hitler, it would have been nobler yet to admit them to the British Isles rather than saddling a small, poor peasant country with 500,000 immigrants hungry to make the place their own. Nor was it a good idea, having created such a situation, to simply leave and let the two populations fight it out. The British exit from South Asia was similarly botched, leaving us with the Kashmir dispute as a nuclear flashpoint. Lewiss attempt to virtually erase two centuries of European imperialism and all its long-term consequences with a wave of the hand is breathtaking. Nor did all significant decolonization end half a century ago. The French did not leave Algeria until 1962, and the British did not leave the Persian Gulf until 1969.

Lewis repeats the tired saw (p. 62) that there was widespread support in the Middle East for fascism in the 1930s. That some urban groups admired Mussolini in particular is true, but they were hardly widespread, and not all of them were Muslim. Young Egypt, a minor fascist-inspired party, had its analogue in the Phalange Party of some Maronite Christians in Lebanon, and later on in the Stern Gang and other Revisionist Zionist movements. Israel Gershoni has shown that Egyptian mainstream intellectuals roundly condemned fascism in the 1930s. Moreover, since the vast majority of Middle Easterners at the time were illiterate peasants, and the transistor radio had not yet been invented, the likelihood is that most of them had never heard of fascism or Mussolini, much less leaning toward them. Lewis alleges that Muslims developed no secularist movement of their own (p. 103). It is difficult to understand what this could possibly mean. Obviously, if he is referring to believing Muslims, they would not be secularists. If he means persons of Muslim background, then the secularist wing of Irans National Front in the 1940s and 1950s was developed by Muslims; the secularist policies of Muhammad Reza Pahlevi were developed by his circle of Muslim technocrats; Turkeys secularist movement was developed and promoted by Muslims; and although the Baath Party was initially the brainchild of Christian Arabs, its secularist ideology was taken up with alacrity by Syrian and Iraqi Muslims in large numbers. Nor is it true that a separation of religion and state never occurred in Islam, in contrast to Christianity. Ira Lapidus dates such a separation from the classical period of Islamic civilization.

A final question has to do with Europe, the explicit contrast for the Muslim Middle East in this book. Why does he think things went right in the West? I should have thought that the slaughter of World War I, the rise of fascism and communism, the 61 million butchered in World War II, the savage European repression of anticolonial movements in places like Vietnam and Algeria, and the hundreds of millions held hostage by the Cold War nuclear doctrine of mutually assured destruction  that all this might have raised at least a few eyebrows among emeriti historians looking for things that went wrong. It is true that the East Asian and European economies have flourished in the past 50 years under a Pax Americana, but this development hardly seems intrinsic to the West as a whole. Political and economic instability relentlessly stalked Europe in the first half of the twentieth century, and it was divided against itself in a bitter ideological battle for much of the second half. That is, even the Western European efflorescence of recent decades took place against the backdrop of a deadly Cold War that could have wiped us all out in an instant. In contrast to the massive death toll racked up by Europeans in the past century, Muslim powers in the second half of the twentieth century have probably killed only a little more than a million persons in war (mainly in the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s). The Middle East has its problems and Muslims have theirs. Lewiss analytical views of what those problems are, why they have come about, and how to resolve them, would have been most welcome, given his vast erudition. Instead, he has chosen to play a different role in this book.
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Props to CNNs D. J. Judd, who pointed out a historical irony:

The last Duke of Sussex, named in 1801, advocated for abolishing the slave trade and for religious minorities. Today, Meghan Markle, a biracial American actress and philanthropist descended from slaves, became the Duchess of Sussex. I think thats cool.https://t.co/doKzQtWZ8m  DJ Judd (@juddzeez) May 19, 2018

But on reflection, some of our sense of irony on this issue is misplaced, because observers assume that British aristocracy is a bastion of whiteness. (This remark is not aimed at Mr. Judd, who is obviously sophisticated about these issues).

Im just saying that whiteness itself as a term of racial and class privilege and exclusion has been constructed and has a storied history. Its meaning has changed radically over time.

I pointed out in response to a silly Ann Coulter tweet,

Benjamin Franklin was extremely worried about whites being overwhelmed. He said in Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind, Peopling of Countries, etc. (1751): Which leads me to add one Remark: That the Number of purely white People in the World is proportionably very small. All Africa is black or tawny. Asia chiefly tawny. America (exclusive of the new Comers) wholly so. And in Europe, the Spaniards, Italians, French, Russians and Swedes, are generally of what we call a swarthy Complexion; as are the Germans also, the Saxons only excepted, who with the English, make the principal Body of White People on the Face of the Earth. I could wish their Numbers were increased. So get this. Some of the eighteenth century founding fathers only thought English and Danish people were white. Even Swedes and Germans were swarthy. French certainly were. So Franklin would not have considered me white, since my family is French and German. Were swarthy. We do have some Scottish, but if the Swedish are swarthy I suspect he thought the Scottish were, too. Since Coulter is in part Irish and German, Ben Franklin wouldnt have accepted her as white, either, and was worried about the German part of her family acting like barbarians and interfering in elections. You can only imagine what he would have thought of German grifters like Donald Trumps grandfather.

That identification of Englishness with whiteness in the American racial imaginary is nowhere more evident than racialist imaginings of the British royal family. Though note that they substantially German, of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, so Ben Franklin would have looked down on them. And there was a long tradition in medieval Britain of yeomen looking down on the royal family, whom they saw as Norman invaders, complaining about the Norman Yoke, a trope that fed into the American Revolution, as historian Christopher Hill argued.

Of course, any notion of racial purity is a myth. The gene pool gets all mixed up over time. Some 5-10% of self-identified whites in the American deep south have recent African ancestors, and over time all whites will.

Even further back, Europe was mostly empty of people during the last Ice Age, which only ended some 12,000 years ago, and was repopulated in part from Africa and Syria. Genetic history finds bronze age Spanish and Britons to have been black, and they were the ancestors of contemporary Europeans. (Northern lattitudes select for fair skin over thousands of years because embryos in the mothers womb need enough UV rays to make vitamin D, and it is hard for those rays to get through dark skin). All this is not to mention that European royal houses have extensively intermarried and are therefore international.

I once observed,

But whiteness is an illusion. Because the crowned heads of Europe intermarried over centuries and because Spanish nobility was in the mix, and because in turn Spaniards and other southwestern Europeans are up to 20% North African in heritage as well as having substantial genetic endowments from Jews and various other Muslim peoples, not to mention Phoenicians and sub-saharan Africans actually all European royal families have been mixed-race for a very long time. In fact, some genealogists allege that Prince Harry is descended from the Prophet Muhammad the residual category of white. . . was used [in the early 20th century) by working class Catholics in a desperate bid to distinguish themselves from Latinos and African-Americans. But really. Why are Italian-Americans from Sicily white in America, but people from Latin America whose ancestors lived in Catalonia are brown? In the medieval era, for a while, both Catalonia and Sicily were in the same country, ruled by the crown of Aragon! The popular press in America is confused about such issues because many writers do not realize that there is no such thing as race in the 19th century biological sense. You have 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 16 great-grandparents, and by the time you get back to 1400 you have a million ancestors. For someone who hails from Europe, how likely is it that none of them were Arabs and Berbers from southern Spain who had been forced to convert and then married Catholics? Europes population in 1400 was only 78 million or so and [each modern is] descended from a million of them. And Arabs in southern Spain were in turn intermarried with Berbers and Africans. After 50 generations (a generation is 24 years), most of the worlds genes get shared around. Everyone in the Mediterranean basin shares common ancestors from only a few thousand years ago, including Tunisians and Egyptians and Spanish and Italians. The claim about Prince Harry and Muhammad is a little bit of a trick, since most contemporary Europeans are probably descended from Muhammad.

Whiteness is not solely a Western phenomenon, but where it occurs elsewhere it always also has a history and social context. In India conquerors tended to bring heavy horse cavalry through passes in the Hindu Kush mountain ranges that form a border with Afghanistan. Horses did not flourish in tropical India and therefore the invaders had an advantage. Whether Huns, or later Muslim Turks and Iranians, the invaders formed a privileged elite and their fair skin therefore was often prized. In subsaharan African kingdoms, in contrast, blackness was celebrated. But whiteness was never about skin color. Most northern Europeans are sort of pink, and our primary exemplar of white privilege today, the US president, is orange. Whiteness is about a conception of race based on the imaginary characteristics thought to go along with an idealized complexion.

What I fondly hope is that the whole American conception of whiteness in the 20th century, with its attempt permanently to divide the working class and artificially to denigrate people of African and Hispanic antecedents while artificially elevating Irish-Americans and Italian-Americans (not to mention German-Americans and English-Americans) as part of a supposedly superior race, is falling apart among the millennials. It wont happen over night, but we might be seeing the beginning of its end. And that Harry and Meghan are playing an important symbolic role in furthering that process.

Were human beings, not races, and the genetic differences among human beings are too few and too inconstant to account virtually for anything at all.

Featured photo: POOL/AFP / Steve Parsons. Meghan later changed into a sleek lily white halterneck silk crepe gown and wore an emerald-cut aquamarine ring formerly owned by Diana.
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Having a mentor leads to a more successful and satisfying career for doctors. So how does one go about finding a mentor mid-training or after training? Many medical schools and residency programs have mentorship requirements for trainees. But those mentorship needs may change if a student or resident (like myself!) changes their mind about what they want to be when they grow up. I have been enthusiastic about a different specialty every one to two years during training which led to frequent frantic searches for mentors. Even now as an attending four to five years into my career, I continue to seek advice from peers and more experienced colleagues. Here is what I have learned.

Finding mentors in medical school

I started with a devotion to emergency medicine, migrated to surgery and then, surprisingly to me, ended up in pediatrics. I had to find mentors at each stage because my assigned advisor was not in any of those fields. The first activity I joined as a medical student was the Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG, anyone?). Many other specialties have interest groups as well and invite attendings to talk about their career paths and usually leave their contact information for medical students to get in touch. Interest groups may also keep a list of attendings willing to speak to trainees about their careers one on one.

When I became curious about surgery, I reached out to a few surgeons via the schools directory and asked to shadow a surgery during the summer between first and second year of medical school. My first experience in the operating room was a kidney transplant. My brain that day had so many questions and so much excitement! I became more interested in cardiothoracic surgery, a small department, where everyone there became my mentor  all male. I also went to the cardiothoracic surgery website to contact and meet up with two female cardiothoracic surgeons from different programs to pick their brilliant minds.

Finally, when I realized my interest in pediatrics (last rotation in third year, of course), I didnt have much time to find a mentor. I talked to the clerkship director about my interests in pediatric emergency medicine, and he set me up with more time in the pediatric section of the emergency department at our hospital during my rotation. I also kept in touch with two of my inpatient attendings and many years later, emailed them about job opportunities and career questions.

Finding mentors in residency

During residency, I was so very sure I would finish and go on to a pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellowship. I reached out to a PEM attending and asked to collaborate with him on a research project. I got started on doing chart reviews and collecting data on bronchiolitis admissions from the emergency department. Then July of second year rolled around and, huh, I didnt even sweat missing the deadline for fellowship application, and thats when I realized what my peers knew all along, my calling was in primary care pediatrics. All the attendings at my continuity clinic played some role in mentoring me and answering my questions about career development. As I looked for a job, one of the inpatient directors also gave me very practical advice and feedback about interviewing and emotional intelligence.

Finding mentors post training

Once I found a job, I was focused on survival for a few years. Recently, however, a community pediatrician retired. I have been interested in her advocacy work, so I used the opportunity to send her an email congratulating her on retirement and asking to meet her over coffee, lunch, or breakfast, specifically as a mentor. She was so thrilled, and I was so excited to absorb her passion and to brainstorm with her some future projects. Furthermore, through my professional organizations (American Academy of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania Medical Society), I have found a few more seasoned pediatricians to run by questions about difficult cases, career development and compensation and advice for communicating with the media and blogging.

Final tips on finding mentors

Research strongly shows that mentorship matters  especially for women and minorities. Dont wait for a mentor to appear in the seat across from you at the coffee shop. Reach out. Even for introverts, you can start the process from the comfort of sitting alone on your laptop. Find mentors through interest groups, hospital directories, specialty websites, and professional organizations. Also, make your interests known to let those around you help gets you connected, because the medical community is sometimes a small world, and chances are someone you know knows someone who could be a potential mentor.

Joannie Yeh is a pediatrician who blogs at Betamomma.com and is a founding member, Girl Med Media, Inc. She can be reached on Twitter @Betamomma.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Kilkenny boasts three walking trails  out of a total of 39 nationwide - all of which are supported by 1,905 landowners across the country who receive total payments in the region of 1.8m for their work on the scheme.

The information was published in response to questions from Sinn Feins Martin Kenny who asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development about his plans to increase the number of rural recreation officers employed by his Department by appointing one in each county.

Minister Michael Rings Department administers the Walks Scheme which facilitates the development and maintenance of many of Irelands walking trails.

The scheme involves landholders as key participants in the provision of high quality walking trails, by contracting them to undertake maintenance work on sections of National Way Marked Ways and other priority walks that traverse their lands.

Minister Ring said: Participating landholders receive modest payments for maintenance work undertaken, in line with agreed work plans.

The Walks Scheme is currently operating on 39 trails supported by 1,905 landowners who receive total payments in the region of 1.8m for their work on the scheme.

It is a national scheme involving all landholders on National Waymarked Ways, Looped Walking Routes and Heritage Routes, along with other trails that have been approved by the National Trails Office.

It ensures that National Waymarked Ways and priority walks that traverse public and private lands are maintained and accessible. Participants in the Walks Scheme undertake to complete the enhancement and maintenance of the trails.

According to data published on the Departments website, Kilkenny boasts three such trails under the scheme and they are: OGormans Lane, Freshford loop, Nore Valley.

The Minister added: The Scheme is largely implemented on the Departments behalf by 12 Rural Recreation Officers in counties Clare, Donegal, Kilkenny, Wicklow, Kerry, Sligo, Mayo, Cork, Tipperary, Galway, Laois and Roscommon.

"These Officers are employed by Local Development Companies who administer the Walks Scheme, together with a host of ancillary initiatives under Service Level Agreements with my Department.

The Programme for Partnership Government and the Action Plan for Rural Development include a commitment to increase the number of trails covered by the Walks Scheme and my officials are working towards this objective.

I intend to initiate a comprehensive review of the schemes operation this year in order to determine how best to expand the scheme and maximise the impact of the resources available to me.

This review will inform any decisions to be made regarding bringing any new walks or Rural Recreation Officers into the operation of the scheme.
Ormonde College of Further Education will next week open its doors for its annual End of Year Show.

The show will display an enormous range of work completed by students of the Art with Animation, Art (Portfolio Preparation) and Advanced Certificate in Fine Art courses. The studios will be filled with a huge amount of work including drawings, paintings, photography, animations, storyboards, fine art prints, 3D combined media and digital art.

Students are strongly encouraged to record their explorations and thoughts in sketchbooks, and these will be available for browsing.

Artwork by Lee Shanahan

This year has been a particularly successful year for art students applying to third level colleges around the country, with multiple students scoring maximum points for portfolio interviews at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design, & Technology, and Limerick School of Art & Design.

Students have also had successful applications to National College of Art & Design, Crawford College of Art & Design, Waterford Institute of Technology and Carlow Institute of Technology. Others will carry on their studies at Ormonde College on the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Art course, which will offer an added Animation option from next year.

The OCFE End of Year Show 2018 will be held this Thursday, May 24 at 6pm at Ormonde College of Further Education, Ormonde Road, Kilkenny. All are welcome to come along.

Ormonde College is currently accepting applications for all of their courses. Application forms will be available on the night of the show, or visit the website to apply online.
The ABC reports:

Disgraced Darling Range MP Barry Urban has resigned from the WA Parliament after a powerful committee recommended he be expelled for repeatedly lying about his past.

The Legislative Assemblys Procedure and Privileges Committee made the rare recommendation in a report examining the truth of statements Mr Urban made in the Parliament.

The report found Mr Urban lied to the public and Parliament for years about his police service and his education history.

Among his background details rubbished by the committee was Mr Urbans claim he served as a war crimes investigator in the Balkans.
A front view of the floor plan of MMCA Deoksugung circa 1936-37, then named the Yi Royal Family Museum of Art / Courtesy of MMCA



Masterpieces on display at MMCA Deoksugung



By Kwon Mee-yoo



At Deoksugung Palace, one of the five royal palaces of Seoul, there is a series of Western-style buildings alongside traditional Korean buildings, creating an atmosphere unique to the palace.



One of the Western classical structures is the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) Deoksugung, a branch of the nation's flagship art museum. MMCA Deoksugung celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and an exhibition looks back at the museum's turbulent history.



Jung Chan-young's "Peacock" (1935) / Courtesy of MMCA



The "Birth of the Modern Art Museum: Art and Architecture of MMCA Deoksugung" exhibition features some 90 works of art from the museum's collection highlighting Korea's history of modern art and about 30 architectural documents related to the museum building designed by Japanese architect Nakamura Yoshihei in 1938.



The year 2018 also marks the 80th anniversary of the Yi Royal Family Museum of Art, the beginning of the building's glorious and shameful history. Upon opening in 1938 as the Yi Royal Family Museum of Art, the museum mainly showcased antiques, while Japan boasted its artistic advancements through works of modern art in the nearby Seokjojeon Hall, now the Daehan Empire Historical Museum.



After Korea's liberation, the National Museum of Korea used the building, until the MMCA took charge and held the annual National Art Exhibitions in the building from 1973 to 1986. Various government agencies later used the building until MMCA reopened a branch in 1998.



Korea's first modern museum



The exhibition consists of two parts  the architectural design of MMCA Deoksugung and the modern art collection of MMCA.



"This is the first modern building in Korea built for the purpose of an art museum. Luckily we were able to find 646 sheets of floor plans and blueprints as well as telegrams and postcards that were used during its construction," said Kim Jong-hun, professor of architecture at Pai Chai University. "These blueprints are in amazing detail, designs of each window and even lampshades of ceiling fixtures. The museum building itself is a modern masterpiece."



According to Kim, the museum building is designed based on the mathematical structure of a cube of 3 by 3 by 3 meters and every detail including width, height, elevation and even pillars is controlled by the numbers.



"The alignment of its colonnades is like notes on a musical score, emphasizing the essence of Classical architecture," the professor said.

Kim said the most notable characteristics of the building are its central hall which was originally designed to house a statue of the Buddha.



"The exhibition halls and display stands extend horizontally and vertically from the central hall. However, there was a disjunction between the modern aesthetics of the building and the antiques displayed at the museum when it first opened in 1938. We organized this exhibit to match the modern architecture with modern art."



However, it is somewhat ironic that this architectural masterpiece "is perfectly symmetrical and represents the aesthetics of classism the best in Korea," as described by Kim, as it is designed by a Japanese architect and located in one of the royal palaces of the Joseon Kingdom.



The building is a vestige of Japanese imperialism, but it holds the significance as the first modern building in Korea designed to serve as a museum.





Go Hui-dong's "Self-portrait" (1915) / Courtesy of MMCA
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping / AFP



Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with visiting North Korean ruling party officials and emphasized the importance of advancing a friendship "sealed in blood" between the two countries, the North's state-run media reported Thursday.

The group led by Pak Thae-song, a member of the Political Bureau and vice chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, arrived in Beijing on Monday. He is accompanied by senior party officials representing major provinces and cities.

"Welcoming the friendship group's visit to China, Xi Jinping said that China is attaching very importance to the work to propel the traditional friendship between the two countries sealed in blood to a higher stage as required by the new era," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in an English report.

"He noted with pleasure that he met Chairman Kim Jong-un two times and exchanged the comprehensive and detailed views on the matters of concern including the development of the relations between the two parties and the two countries and the regional and international situation," it added.

During the meeting held on Wednesday, Pak said that the party officials' trip to China would serve as an important chance to further relations between the two countries. He also emphasized that North Korea is "concentrating all their efforts" on economic development.

Since arriving Monday, the North Koreans have reportedly toured major industrial and economic areas, including the Zhongguancun High-tech Zone, known as China's Silicon Valley.

According to sources, they also met with Song Tao, head of the international liaison department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party on Monday, during which the Chinese official proposed increasing cooperation and exchanges between the two countries in diverse areas including agriculture, education and science technology.

The sources added that Pak explained he and other officials came to China to push for follow-up measures to the summits by the leaders of the two countries and also expressed a willingness to learn from the experience China has accumulated in its economic construction and opening.

Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian and met with Xi. It was their second meeting and followed Kim's surprise March visit to Beijing.

Ties between North Korea and China are showing signs of improvement after going through a tough patch for several years caused by the North's defiant advancement of its nuclear and missile programs.

North Korean leader Kim is set to hold an unprecedented summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore on June 12, with denuclearization likely to top the agenda. The meeting follows his historic inter-Korean summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in last month. (Yonhap)


By Oh Young-jin







Korea's ties with the United Arab Emirates look closer than ever but it may run a diplomatic risk in the complicated regional politics of the Middle East.







Korea's Vice Minister of National Defense Seo Ju-seok called the country a "brother" nation and declared that the brotherhood will last for "centuries," during his congratulatory speech at a ceremony to celebrate the UAE's Armed Forces Day, at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, Monday.







Seo attended the function on behalf of Defense Minister Song Young-moo and read the speech for him.







"Korea and UAE are brother nations to one another, sharing a strong and special relationship," Seo said. "We will continue to stand by each other for centuries to come."







The vice minister also stated that the relationship is based on defense and defense industry cooperation.







It is rare for a senior government official to confer brotherhood on another country. It apparently reflects a mega-deal Korea has for the construction of nuclear power plants in the UAE.







The current government discovered that the deal, made by former President Lee Myung-bak, had secret agreements, one obligating Seoul to come to the UAE's rescue in times of trouble. The revelation jeopardized the deal but the government managed to save it and President Moon Jae-in's visit to the UAE strengthened ties with the country.







But it is suspected that it may come at a cost in the Middle East that is influenced by two rivals, Saudi Arabia and Iran. UAE is close to the Saudis.


Bamako, May 21 (AFP) At least 12 civilians were killed in northern Mali in an attack on a market that also involved the shooting of a Malian soldier, military sources said today.

The attack took place Saturday in the town of Boulekessi near the border with Burkina Faso.

"Malian troops under the G5 Sahel command are at the centre of this incident," a military source from the joint force of soldiers from five Sahel countries told AFP.

"One of the soldiers had been attacked by an armed man at the market in Boulekessi. Afterwards, in circumstances not yet clear, at least 12 civilians at the site were killed," the source said.

A Malian military source added that it was difficult to contact the region by phone and that an investigation was under way "to find out exactly how many civilians were killed and who shot the soldier." Contacted by AFP, a former Malian minister, who comes from the region, said that witnesses had claimed the incident was due to military "blunders" and that "more than 15 civilians were killed".

"According to two witnesses, an armed man shot a Malian soldier who was now fighting for his life," the ex-minister said, adding that he was waiting for confirmation of the details of the incident.

Mali's defence minister Tienan Coulibaly could not been reached for comment.

The Malian army is often accused of making arbitrary arrests and carrying out extra-judicial executions in its fight against jihadists in the north of the country. France intervened militarily in Mali in 2013 to help government forces drive Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists out of the north.

But large tracts of the country remain lawless despite a peace accord signed with ethnic Tuareg leaders in mid-2015 aimed at isolating the jihadists. The violence has also spilled over into both Burkina Faso and Niger. (AFP) CHT

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Colombo [Sri Lanka], May 20 (ANI): Sri Lanka called for a two-state solution to end an on-going war between Israel and Palestine in Gaza.

As reported by Colombo Page on Saturday, Sri Lanka suggested a two-state theory at a special session of the United Nations Human Rights Council and called for a dialogue-based solution.

Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Ambassador A.L.A. Azeez, while delivering a statement on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, emphasised on focusing on the security of all civilians in the conflict-ridden territory as he said that civilian's human rights must be upheld and be protected at all times.

"We take this opportunity to call for an end to violence and violation of the right to life and dignity of all persons as well as respect for the International Law, "Ambassador Azeez said.

He rallied for the need of dialogue to help solve the crises at hand and ensure peace to civilians.

The ambassador further showed his faith in diplomacy and political leadership who might consider the option for two-state.

Since March 30, more than 1,000 children have been injured by Israeli forces in the besieged Gaza Strip during demonstrations, according to UN Children's Fund.

On March 14 Israel and Palestine again clashed against each other at the Gaza Strip when at least 62 Palestinian demonstrators lost their lives and more than hundred were injured. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], May 20 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has termed the resignation of B S Yeddyurappa as Karnataka Chief Minister a 'victory of democracy'.

"This is a victory of democracy. As a chief minister and as someone who believes in democracy, I am welcoming this. Everyone in the country will be happy about this development," Naidu said.

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP National President Amit Shah of trying to 'deride the democracy' in Karnataka, Naidu asked as to what message the Prime Minister and the BJP President have given to the nation and the youth.

"Prime Minister told he will be honest, will bring back black money from Swiss Bank and abroad. But, BJP bribed upto Rs10,000 for each vote in the Karnataka elections.BJP brought back Gali Janardhan Reddy who looted the mineral wealth in the country to the forefront and did politics, gave them seats," Naidu added.

He went on and added that BJP tried 'misusing the institution of Governor' in Karnataka.

H. D. Kumaraswamy will now take oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on May 23 after he was invited by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai R. Vala to form the government in the state.

Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) B.S. Yeddyurappa stepped down ahead of the floor test in the state assembly on Saturday. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chennai, May 20: Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth on Sunday hailed the turn of events in the Karnataka assembly, terming them a "win for democracy". He also criticised the 15-day time given to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala to prove majority on the floor of the house as "mockery of democracy."

"What happened in Karnataka yesterday was a win for democracy. BJP asking for some more time and Governor giving 15 days time was a mockery of democracy. I would like to thank Supreme Court for its order, which upheld the democracy," Rajinikanth said while talking to media here.

Further, on contesting elections in 2019, the Tamil superstar said the decision will be taken after the elections are announced. "The decision for contesting elections in 2019 will be taken at the time when the elections are announced. The party is not yet launched, but we are ready for anything. Also, it is too early to talk about any kind of alliance," he added.

Rajinikanth was speaking to media after attending a meeting of women workers of Rajini People's Forum. Yesterday, the Karnataka government led by B.S. Yeddyurappa resigned before going in for the floor test in the Vidhan Soudha.

The floor test was to be conducted on the instructions of the Vala after the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance also claimed the right to form the government in the state on the basis of the 117 seats it had as compared to the 104 seats that the BJP had.

On Friday, while hearing a petition of the Congress-JD(S) alliance, the Supreme Court reduced the 15-day original time given by Governor Vala to the BJP to prove its majority in the house and asked the party to hold the trust vote on Saturday at 4 p.m.
The process to enter the United States can get a little tedious but a man from Punjab took an illegal route and travelled through not one but 11 countries. In a bid to enter the US, a man from Punjab identified as Harpreet Singh crossed over 10,000 km from Brazil to Mexico in 2016. He has been deported after he was caught living illegally. The Delhi Police took charge of him from the immigration department. He arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday, May 19.

Harpreet hails from Kaputhala district in Punjab, informed the immigration department. He arrived in Delhi by a United Airlines flight UA82 as a deportee. The man took flight ET887 from the IGI Airport to Brazil on August 20, 2016, on a valid passport. Thereafter, he started his illegal journey to the US. Questioning revealed that after arriving in Brazil, Singh went to Bolivia where he contacted some associates of his travel agent, back in his hometown in Punjab. There he sought assistance to travel by road, north to the US, the officer from immigration department said to a leading daily.

Singh's journey started on August 20, 2016, when he took his first flight from Delhi's Indira Gandi airport to Brazil on a valid passport. From there on he started planning his journey to enter the US. From Brazil he went to Bolivia and contacted some travel agents back home. He took assistance on how to reach the US by road. From Bolivia, he went to Lima, Peru. He managed to reach Costa Rica passing through Ecuador, Columbia and Panama. From Costa Rica, he entered Honduras and went to Guatemala and finally arrived in Mexico, as informed by the officer. Singh took a boat to reach the US from Mexico. For all of this, he took almost a month long.

Deputy commissioner of police (IGI Airport) Sanjay Bhatia said, When he was en-route to the US, his belongings along with his original passport were taken away by local miscreants. He then approached his agent in India who arranged a fake Indian passport for him. Singh also identified his agent as one Rana, a resident of Jalandhar in Punjab. In the US, Singh worked at a departmental store in the state of Louisiana. He was apprehended for staying there illegally.

Police officials said that the accused agreed his sneaking into the United States illegally because he wanted to seek a US citizenship. Singh is now charged with multiple sections under the Indian Penal Code. He has been booked under sections 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using forged document or electronic record as genuine) and passport act, informed Bhatia.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 20, 2018 03:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
New Delhi, May 20: Two charge sheets have been filed against 15 people in connection with the killings of Shiv Sena's Punjab-based leaders Satpal Sharma and Durga Prasad Gupta by operatives of terror group Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), the NIA said today.

The charge sheets were filed in a special court in Mohali yesterday in under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Arms Act, the National Investigation Agency said.

Sharma and his son Kumar, who were followers of Dera Sacha Sauda, were killed on February 25 last year at 'Naam Charcha Ghar' in Jagoda area in Ludhiana, while Gupta was shot dead on April 23, 2016, in Khanna, also in Ludhiana.

The NIA said during the investigation it was found that killings of Sharma, his son and Gupta were part of a trans-national conspiracy hatched by the senior leadership of the KLF.

"Eight incidents of killings or attempted killings were executed as part of this conspiracy between January 2016 and October 2017 in Punjab," it said, adding a charge sheet was filed in this connection earlier this month.

"The objective of the conspiracy was to destabilise the law and order situation in Punjab and to revive the fledgeling terrorism in the state," the agency said.

The conspiracy had its foot-prints in several countries including Pakistan, the UK, Australia, France, Italy and the UAE, the NIA said.

"As part of the conspiracy, large amounts of funds were supplied through Italy, Australia and the UK to the perpetrators of the killings -- Hardeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh. "These funds were used by them to purchase weapons for executing the killings and other logistics," it said.

The conspiracy included recruitment and training of Hardeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh in Italy, Dubai and the UA, the agency said. The NIA said while Singh is the permanent resident of Italy, Ramandeep Singh belongs to Ludhiana.

"Both these persons were trained by one Gursharanbir Singh, a UK national. Another UK national, Jagtar Singh Johal, who has been arrested in the case, was involved in the funding of the conspiracy," it said.

The NIA said day-to-day coordination of the conspiracy was done by Pakistan-based Harmeet Singh alias 'PhD'. The charge sheets were based on the evidence collected from oral, documentary, material and electronic sources, it said.
BMW's X8 flagship comes into focus

May 20, 2018, 10:49am ET

If approved for production, the X8 likely won\'t arrive before 2020.

BMW remains on track to introduce a flagship SUV named X8, according to a recent report. Insiders don't deny the possibility of a model positioned above the upcoming X7 but they stress a decision hasn't been made yet.

"There is room for X8 - especially in markets like China - but there are no decisions yet. Each car must have a distinct character, and these are the sort of areas that take time to evaluate," BMW development boss Klaus Fro?hlich told British magazine Autocar.

That's only part of the story, according to the magazine. It reports BMW has already started working on the model, though it's still at the embryonic stage of the project. Officials are still unsure whether the X8 should take the form of a swoopier X7 with a fastback-like roof line like the X6 or become a long-wheelbase SUV. Either way, it will offer only two rows of seats instead of three in the more family-oriented X7 it will share at least part of its platform with.

Power will come from either the 6.6-liter, 600-horsepower V12 engine found in the 7 Series or from a gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain. BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system will come standard regardless of what's under the hood.

Fully loaded, the X8 will compete in the same segment as the Lamborghini Urus, and the Bentley Bentayga. Entry-level variants will carry a more down-to-earth base price tag, though they still won't be cheap.

We'll learn more about the model (and its chances for production) when BMW introduces the X7 later this year. If approved for production, the X8 likely won't arrive before 2020.

Note: BMW X7 iPerformance concept pictured. Photography by Ronan Glon.
May 19, 2018, 2:01pm ET

Citroen's DS luxury brand debuts cafe racer inspired car

It\'s a luxury French hatchback inspired by vintage British bike culture.

DS, Citroen's upscale luxury brand, announced a DS3 Cafe Racer inspired by customized classic motorcycles.

The limited edition is based on the company's compact 3-door hatchback, but glamorized with design elements from the cafe racer renaissance. In the 1960s, cafe racers were groups of British motorcyclists that stripped their bikes for speed and gathered at cafes in the London area. Soon, the style of their Nortons, Triumphs, and later Hondas were picked up by other industries like music and fashion and still resonates today.

"This deep fascination with the Cafe Racer movement, with the glamour of rock'n'roll and the alluring vehicles of the past, with the beauty of unique and personal objects, led us to create this rare limited edition," said DS product and development chief Eric Apode. Specifically, the press release notes famed bike builder Shinya Kimura, the "Japanese philosophy of life," and events such as Wheels and Waves.

Essentially an appearance package, the DS3 Cafe Racer comes with a cream-colored roof inspired by a vintage color called Parthenon, adorned with retro designs by Studio BMD. The pattern is repeated on the DS3's unique "floating" B-pillar. Only three contrast colors for the body are available  black, blue, and gray. Parthenon also appears on the DS3 Cafe Racer's exclusive 17-inch wheels, cabin stitching, and dash pad. Gloss black side mirrors and door handles finish off the package.

While the DS3 Cafe Racer sees no performance enhancements, it's interesting to see a French company take inspiration from the world of vintage British bikes. Of course, there is one more accessory that is included with the car to complete the cafe racer look  a silk black and Parthenon scarf.
May 20, 2018, 4:40pm ET

Toyota fast-tracks EV crossover in China with GAC badge

Toyota will equip the GAC ix4 with its electric powertrain to meet Chinese quotas.

Toyota has found an unusual solution to one of the auto industry's largest challenges, that of meeting China's strict "new-energy" vehicle quotas. It has elected to sell its electric powertrains in cars branded as GACs.

According to Reuters, the electric crossover will be called the GAC Toyota ix4, and will not feature Toyota's triple-ellipse badge anywhere. The vehicle will be based on the GAC Trumpchi GS4, which the company has displayed at the Detroit Auto Show.

As the article states, the deal "will give GAC access to the Japanese carmaker's stringent quality control, prestige and sales channel. For Toyota, it presents a quick way to meet Beijing's requirements that such vehicles represent 10 percent of an auto manufacturer's production by 2019."

That quota for so-called new-energy vehicles  fully electric and plug-in electric-hybrids  increases to 12 percent by 2020, and automakers are scrambling to meet the requirements. Reuters also states that Toyota's own EV will be ready for the Chinese market in 2020.

Toyota has previously made unconventional partnerships with companies that were typically seen as rivals. In 1980s in the US, it formed a joint-venture with GM to produce Corollas under the Chevrolet and Geo names. Toyota's partnership with GAC goes back to 2004.
in the glorious sunshine of the weekend of May 4 to 7, over 10 scouts (12-15-years) in thirteen teams of eight competed for the Annual South Kildare County Shield Competition, held in St Lawrences GAA grounds, Narraghmore, Athy.

The Scout Section from the 4th Kildare Town Scout Group beat thirteen other scout teams from around Scouting Irelands South Kildare.

Over the long Bank Holiday weekend, the teams had to build their own campsite unaided by scouter adults, including a table and washstand, cook a test meal and complete a number of challenges like first aid, pioneering and the commissioners challenge.

4th Kildare Town Scouts Novice and Senior teams both won their respective Shields along with other awards for best test meal and log book.

The Senior team will now go on to represent South Kildare against the other winning teams from around Ireland in The Phoenix Challenge from 16 19 August in Salesian College, Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick. Novice team scout leader, Deborah Bonnie said, We are so proud of all the scouts who took part, its a tough competition that requires a very high level of commitment and effort from scouts and scouters. All their hard work paid off, we will now focus on fun and games for the remainder of the scout year.
THE number of collisions at Court Cross, between Mungret and Kildimo, is double the national average, a survey carried out by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has revealed.

Between 2009 and 2016, there were a total of 11 incidents in the vicinity of the cross, eight at the cross itself with the remainder at the Bog Road cross a few hundred metres away.

Now, councillors in the Adare Rathkeale Municipal District were told last week, TII is proposing to provide a right-turning lane on approach from Mungret. The roads authority also wants to realign the side road and provide a five-metre grass margin on the southern side of the road to improve visibility and relocate access to a field away from the bend.

Mayor Stephen Keary, however, argued that it was incomprehensible that a right turning lane would not be provided at Bog Road cross at the same time. He was also critical of the fact that no traffic calming measures were not included in the proposed works.This is a lucky dip job, he said. Why dont you go that extra 200 metres and include Bog Road? It is extremely short-sighted.

Cllr Richard ODonoghue agreed and accused TII of tunnel vision in dealing only with Court Cross and not Bog Road Cross where the number of collisions was the national average. They are ticking their own boxes, he said and he argued the plan would put Bog Road people at more risk because people tend to accelerate after a junction.

It never ceases to amaze me, the thinking behind the desks in Dublin, Cllr Kevin Sheahan said, pointing out that the TII was now taking action at Court Cross at the same time we are spending millions on a new road from Limerick to Foynes.

Many collisions are never reported and instead become silent statistics, he added.

It is a sad reflection we had to wait for TII to come to us, Cllr Adam Teskey.
When it was learned the UnifiEd Foundation was a left-wing crowd of political organizers rather than a group with the sole intent of bettering public education in Hamilton County, several other liberal groups fell under scrutiny and it is uncanny how many of the same few people are intertwined in a county of 360,000 people. Or, as one critic succinctly said, They are all from the same family tree . and there aint no fork in it!

My goodness gracious, it is shocking to me at the total lack of political diversity in the civic leadership circles that the elite liberals have forced on Chattanoogas public education effort. Further, if I may be so bold, it is surprising how, in truth, I find there is virtually no equality in what these birds of the same feather want us to blindly believe what they so valiantly espouse. This is total hypocrisy and the culprits who have altered the course of public education should be tarred, feathered, and run out of town on a rail.

On Saturday, in a Chattanoogan.com story, UnifiEds key political activist, former Obama organizer Jonas Barriere, was quoted as saying, "Over the course of the last several months, UnifiEd Action PAC has been working to ensure that those who represent us are focused on one thing - that every child in Hamilton County has access to an excellent public education.

That is total bunk, another UnifiEd lie. Do you actually think -- in a state as red as Tennessee is  any group claiming to be focused on access in education, would suggest six liberal Democrats in seven contested races on the County Commission? That is absurd, but the bigger wonder is how the liberal elite has been allowed to completely take over what should be a fair and even educational process in recent years. It is way past time for common sense to prevail.

Youve just watched these flamers clamor for new leadership, but when you look for it among Chattanoogas so-called benevolent groups, youll find this crowd all sings from the same (and only) page in the hymn book. Thats because there are virtually no conservatives, no checks and balances, new ideas, or progress to show. Really. Let me give you a look at one of the main reasons public education is stalled in Chattanooga.

Take Edna Varner, who is the board chair of the now-disgraced Unifi-Ed. She is also vice chair of the Chattanooga State Foundation. Yet in the way a bumblebee might disperse pollen, Edna is a senior advisor for Leading And Learning at the murky Public Education Foundation. Yet there is more, much more

Additionally, Varner claims leadership in the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, United Way, Siskin Childrens Institute, Read 20, UnifiEd, Rotary, The Aim Center, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, The Links, Incorporated, Thrive 2055, Chattanooga State Foundation, Girls Inc., Chattanooga Housing Authority, YMCA, The Mayors Council for Women, The Womens Fund, Ballet Tennessee, Habitat gala committee, Chattanooga 2.0 and WTCI. (Man, thats a lot of pollen  what if you could control it?)

Then there is Paul Brock: He has one of seven seats on the powerful Benwood Foundation, a philanthropic blessing for Chattanooga with the latest reported assets of $102,204,032 (2015). Brock is the president of the UnifiEd Action Committee, as well as a board member of UnifiEds Action PAC  which we have learned uses public school students as political pawns. The PAC has contributed dollars in a shameful fashion in local political races  and has forced its heavy hand in the liberal fabric that holds our public education in a well-controlled stranglehold grip. (Worry not about the opponent, vote anti-UnifiEd, I am telling you.)

Next comes Alison Lebovitz, an active UnifiED board member who was accused of steering questions in recent school board debates until she was acrimoniously replaced last week. Alison is also the Board Chair and Trustee of the Lyndwood Foundation, a philanthropic blessing for Chattanooga with the latest reported assets of $125,831,644 (2015). She is on the board of United Way, not to be confused with shopping-mall genius Michael Lebovitz, who is her brother-in-law. Her husband, Alan Lebovitz, is a Board Member of the Public Education Foundation in Chattanooga. Alison hosts a TV talk show on WTCI.

Are you getting this picture? You havent noticed this, and it is hardly intentional, but up until this point in this story I have listed over 20 groups, the two largest philanthropic organizations we have  and just six or seven peoples names  no wonder why there is no fork in the tree.

Here are some quick out-takes:

WADE HINTON  City Attorney for the city of Chattanooga, also sits on the Benwood Foundation Board and is believed to have aspirations of being the next mayor to follow Andy Berke. Some believe that UnifiEds heavy endorsement of Democratic candidates is an effort to both propel and protect Hintons quest of City Hall. Hinton, never forget, was the one who with Mayor Berke enabled the city to abandon our Confederate Cemetery.

DANA PERRY  A brilliant lawyer, she is the chair of the WTCI board of directors but has now turned up as the secretary on the highly polarized UnifiEd Action PAC board. Whats that about? She serves on the River City board as well.

WAYNE BROWN  A board member at UnifiEd, he was just chosen by the state of Tennessee to serve as one of seven members on The Tennessee Department of Educations Partnership Network Advisory Board to help struggling schools in Chattanooga. Oddly, he was a state choice  not one of three local people chosen on the all-black partnership group.

The question is, how do we get shed of these liberal elites? I think there is still enough savvy on the School Board to request UnifiEd to cease and desist and obviously the County Commission has had its fill of organizers. If either party hasnt the stomach, lets put it on the ballot.

But, most of all, it is time for better leadership among the non-profits who ask the same from us. Trust me . About 10-to-15 people in Chattanooga have made a great big mess and should be pressured to clean it up. The liberal elites would be well-advised to find one task and to do it well, rather than poking their noses into anothers business because experts they aint. Just look around.

royexum@aol.com
Date: Saturday, May 19

Venue: Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs

Graduates: 672

Featured speakers: The class of 2018 heard remarks from distinguished honorary degree recipients Alison Bechdel, acclaimed author, cartoonist, MacArthur fellow and Tony Award winner; and Albany native Robert S.D. Higgins, Johns Hopkins Hospital's surgeon-in-chief and world-renowned authority in the field of heart and lung transplantation and coronary bypass surgery.

Notable: Of the graduates, 87 are first-generation college students. The class represents 29 countries and 29 states. The gowns worn by Skidmore College graduates were made of recycled materials, as a symbol of Skidmore College's commitment to environmental sustainability. The commencement event was livestreamed on the college's website and watched by hundreds of viewers as far away as Australia, Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom.
Sabika Sheikh grew up in Pakistan - a country that is intimately familiar with deadly attacks on schools. Between 2007 and 2015, there were 867 attacks on educational institutions in Pakistan, according to the Global Terrorism Database.

But Sheikh was not killed by the Taliban. Instead, the teenage exchange student died at Santa Fe High School in Texas on Friday, when Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a 17-year-old student armed with a shotgun and pistol, allegedly opened fire and killed 10 people before surrendering to police.

The Embassy of Pakistan confirmed her death on Friday evening. Another exchange student at the school, Sayyed Zaman Haider, said Sheikh was in the country through the State Department-funded Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program.

Sheikh had just about 20 days left in the country before the school year was due to wrap up. She planned to head home to Karachi for the summer. In a phone call with the Los Angeles Times on Saturday, the student's father, Aziz Sheikh, called his daughter "the lifeline of our family," and said her goal was to join Pakistan's foreign service.

Sheikh's family had sent her to an American school that thought it had done all that was necessary to prevent a deadly attack like the one Pagourtzis allegedly carried out. In the small town outside of Houston, there were armed police officers on campus, and an active-shooter plan was in place. Despite measures school officials took to keep students safe, the high school on Friday became the site of the nation's fourth-deadliest school shooting.

In Pakistan, there are an estimated 25 million students out of school, Human Rights Watch says. In certain regions, the Taliban has repeatedly targeted schools and prevented young people - especially girls - from pursuing an education. The militant group's war on education gained newfound notoriety when they targeted Malala Yousafzai, a young campaigner for girls' education, and shot her in the head. She survived and in 2014 became the world's youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

In one of the Taliban's deadliest attacks, militants killed 149 people, mostly children, at a military-run primary and secondary school in Peshawar in 2014. Earlier, after taking over parts of Swat Valley in 2007, the Taliban forced around 900 girls' schools to close. Between there and other areas the group has attacked, hundreds of thousands of students have had to drop out of school.

Karachi, where Sheikh was from, is not entirely free from the threat of the group. In 2014, heavily armed gunmen attacked the city's major international airport and killed dozens.

But despite any dangers they may have encountered, Sheikh's family deeply prioritized their daughter's education. Sheikh's father told Al Jazeera that his daughter was "extraordinary, genius, and talented."

"One should not lose his heart by such kind of incidents," her father told the Associated Press. "One should not stop going for education to the U.S. or U.K. or China, or anywhere. One must go for education undeterred."
A Washington Elementary School fifth-graders positive feelings toward police have been reinforced.

Carter Berkley, the 11-year-old son of Jamie Berkley of Jacksonville and the late Sarah Waterman, was one of two fifth-graders whose essay, How Our Community Benefits from a Trusted Police Presence, was chosen last week as the top essay from among 107 submissions from fifth-graders in all of Jacksonvilles public, private, state and home schools.

The Jacksonville Police Department sponsored the essay contest in recognition of National Law Enforcement Week.

The other winner was Alexis Seymour of South Jacksonville Elementary School.

I was very shocked that my essay was chosen as one of the winners, Carter said. I enjoyed writing a positive essay about Jacksonville police. I know how hard they work to keep Jacksonville a safe community.

Carters teacher, Karmen Birdsell, was pleased that one of her students was chosen.

Carter is such a great student who works very hard in every area  from academics to his behavior. He is an all-around good student, Birdsell said. It was great to see his proud moment when I told the class that he was the essay winner. The class was very supportive of him.

In honor of Carters winning essay, the police department delivered pizzas to him and his classmates Friday, and Police Chief Adam Mefford presented Carter with a certificate of recognition.

Mefford said, to his knowledge, this was the first time the police department had sponsored an essay contest.

He said police department chaplain Alan Bradish approached him in April with the essay contest idea.

Alan wanted to do the essay contest, and I thought it was a good idea, but I wanted to expand on it by sponsoring a pizza party for the winners class, delivering the pizzas by squad car, Mefford said.

He added that he was grateful for the support of School District 117 Superintendent Steve Ptacek and his staff for allowing the police department to have the essay contest.

This essay contest is just another way to continue to build relationships with our local youth, Mefford said.

South Jacksonville Police Chief Tim Mann will deliver pizzas and a certificate of recognition to the other essay winner, Alexis Seymour, and Charity Karrs fifth-grade class at noon Monday at South Jacksonville Elementary School.



Washington Elementary

Carter Berkley winning essay

Jacksonville has a community that benefits from a trusted and great police organization. The police will make our community even better.

My community has fewer crimes due to the polices great look out. The police are watching every 24 hours for any crimes they can stop. Police are patrolling more than usual to stop crimes. We dont have to worry about criminals breaking into our shops because police can stop them. This will make our community better.

Our trusted police can handle any of our situations. The most important situation is if someone is threatening me or a crime against me. Police will come right to the school if a bad situation is happening. If there is a car accident or any accident, cops will be right there to see what happened. We wont have to handle situations by ourselves.

Since a lot of cops are around, I know my property will be safe. The police will stop anyone who will break or destroy my house. I dont have to worry about leaving my car parked down the street. Robbers will be stopped if they try to steal something from me. We do not have to worry about our property getting broke.

Due to Jacksonvilles trusted police, our community will be better. We wont have all these crimes now.



South Jacksonville Elementary

Alexis Seymours winning essay

Here are some ways our community benefits from our trusted police officers. If anyone is in trouble or is hurt, a police officer will come to their rescue and help them with what they need. One time, I actually witnessed when two kids were getting into a fight and the police officer calmly walked over to the situation and figured out what had happened and why they were fighting. He got the situation under control so the kids wouldnt fight anymore. Every day when I walk home from school, a police officer is waiting at the crosswalk so the kids can cross safely and dont get hit. Another way is that if there is a race the cops will block off the roads so no one will get hit by a car. Lastly, if there is a funeral, the cops will follow behind the family members to pay their respects. These are the ways our community benefits from a trusted police presence.

Greg Olson can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1224, or on Twitter @JCNews_Greg.
Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan pushed a radical idea on Twitter: Parents should pull their children out of school until elected officials pass stricter gun control laws.

His tweet came hours after a shooting rampage at a Houston-area high school Friday killed 10 people - a mass shooting that came just three months after 17 students and staffers were slain at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

When Peter Cunningham, a former education department employee, tweeted that it may be time for parents to pull their children out of school until gun laws are changed, Duncan, the education secretary under former President Barack Obama, responded that his family "is in."

"This is brilliant, and tragically necessary," Duncan tweeted. "What if no children went to school until gun laws changed to keep them safe? My family is all in if we can do this at scale. Parents, will you please join us?"

Duncan said in an interview Saturday that the idea was intended to be provocative, but that an aggressive approach like a school boycott is needed if gun laws are ever going to change. He has school-aged children and said if this idea were to gain traction, his family would participate.

"It's wildly impractical and difficult," Duncan said. "But I think it's wildly impractical and difficult that kids are shot when they are sent to school."

Those killed in Texas were at Sante Fe High School.

More for you Gun lobby backing efforts to boost U.S. firearms exports

Duncan is the managing partner of Chicago Cred, an organization that works to curb gun violence in Chicago.

A school boycott, Duncan said, is just one suggestion, and he'd consider other creative ideas that could impel policy changes.

"I'm open to other ideas, I'm open to different ideas, but I'm not open to doing nothing," Duncan said. "We will see whether this gains traction, or something does, but we have to think radically."

The boycott proposition received momentum online, including support from parents and the founder of Teacher for America.

Others questioned the practicality of the idea, saying it may be hard for single parents and low-income families to participate.

Still, some chimed in and said they would volunteer to watch children in their homes while they boycotted school.

"I'm in - let's pick a date and start a movement no politician can ignore," replied Jim Manly, the superintendent of KIPP Public Charter Schools in New York City.

The former secretary called the country "morally bankrupt" and said people can't become numb to these mass shootings.

"This is not rocket science," Duncan said. "This is not a difficult intellectual issue. What we have lacked is political courage and we need to create the tension that allows us to breakthrough on this issue."
Two weeks ago, the Government officially opened a new and improved Faleolo International Airport in grand style.

The $147 million tala facility is fully funded by China  one of many projects in Samoa that are only made possible by Chinas endless streams of monies.

At the official opening, Prime Minister Tuilaepa was naturally a proud man. And why not? He said facility would take Samoa a step further to becoming the aviation hub of the Pacific.

Its a lofty goal; one Fijis brand new airport in Nadi might have something to say about it. Still, in Tuilaepas mind, Samoa is moving up the ladder.

As envisioned by Government, these new terminal buildings will assist tourism growth in our country, in addition to boosting economic development through air transport facilitation and trade, he said.

We couldnt agree more. These facilities are critical to the development of Samoa. But does it need to cost $147 million? Thats the big question.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Tuilaepa had a warning for airport users. Said he: For those who will be using these new airport buildings, its longevity can only be assured through appropriate usage, care and maintenance.

It is your Governments hope that this upgrade project will meet our countrys airport needs for the next 50 years.

Again, we couldnt agree more. For such an expensive facility, we need to treat it with absolute care. But 50 years? Lets hope so. Looking at the rapid rate with which some of the Chinese funded projects in Apia are deteriorating, Prime Minister Tuilaepa is sure optimistic.

But its aid money.

And today, it is fair to say there is so much of its about the only word we can think of at the moment. Whether its in education, sports, environment, health, you name it, there is aid everywhere.

Now fast forward to this week, China has moved to provide Samoa with some doctors, which should at least alleviate the chronic shortage of doctors at the local hospitals.

Through an agreement called the Chinese Medical Team (C.M.T.) Agreement signed yesterday, Chinese doctors will be brought in to work at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital  and other places in Samoa where they are needed.

The agreement was signed by Minister for Health, Tuitama Dr. Leao Talalelei Tuitama and Chinas Ambassador to Samoa, Wang Xuefeng.

Tuitama hailed the agreement as a step in the right direction. He also quashed fears about language barriers assuring the Government would ensure the issue is addressed through the use of translators.

This is a significant contribution provided by the Government of China to complement the efforts by the Government of Samoa to address the shortage of medical doctors in a number of specialisations, increase opportunities for capacity building and to equip the hospitals for services delivery throughout the country, Tuitama said.

China continues to make significant contributions to developments in the health sector. The construction of the new hospital, office premises and facilities reflects Chinas responsiveness to address Samoas needs for a healthy population.

Tuitama couldnt have said it better. Which brings us to the point; what will Samoa ever do without China? And what will we do without aid for that matter? Imagine the day when all this aid dries up? What will our leaders do?

But its not just China we are benefitting from. Aid seems to be coming from everywhere. Now look at the front page of the paper you are reading.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa is returning from Japan with more aid. He is not just coming back as the latest recipient of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun. He is also bringing back a pledge of $4.6million by Japan.

Now isnt that wonderful? Isnt it fascinating how we just go one from one country to another with an open palm, begging?

To Prime Minister Tuilaepa and his administrations credit, they must be doing something right since Samoa appears to be darling of all these donor countries.

But what does it mean for our people in the long run? Where do they stand when these so called generous donors come back calling for a return on the favour? Keep in mind there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Today, lets remember the troubles of the Maldives whose massive debts are threatening to force the country to cede territory to China.

We cant pay the $1.5 to 2 billion debt to China, warned former President Mohamed Nasheed. As of January, obligations to China accounted for nearly 80% of the Maldives foreign debt, according to Nasheed. Much of the money went into infrastructure, including roads, bridges and airports.

But these are vanity projects, according to Nasheed: roads going to nowhere, airports that [will sit] empty. All the while, the Maldives debts are accruing interest at high rates, Nasheed said.

The rest of the story is pretty bleak but you get the picture.

There will be people of course who would ask what do the Maldives and Samoa have in common? And what does this have to do with us?

Well there are a lot of similarities.

The biggest denominator is the fact we are a group of islands just like the Maldives and our debt to foreign rulers  including China  is increasing by the day.

And isnt it interesting that the Maldives debt has been racked up building infrastructure, including roads, bridges and airports. Doesnt that sound awfully familiar to what is happening in Samoa today?

Our debt, status of the economy, alienation of customary land, political decisions and fear of a new type of colonialism that is coming through chequebook diplomacy. We see it so often, some times on a daily basis.

They are all related since it concerns the future of this nation and our people  including the unborn.

The question is; are we paying attention? Do we care?

But then with all that wonderful aid, who has time to worry?

Have a restful Sunday Samoa, God bless!
No matter the time of year, it is always trial lawyer season in Texas. But one particular type of trial lawyer  the storm chaser  is especially prevalent these days.

Never ones to pass up an opportunity to make a buck off their fellow Texans, storm-chasing lawyers have been swooping into Texas communities after hail storms and hurricanes for a decade, scamming property owners into filing lawsuits that will allow them to skim massive lawyers fees off the top.

These unnecessary lawsuits had nearly bankrupted the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) after Hurricane Ike, and more recently, have been causing private insurers to stop offering coverage or raise premiums and deductibles in parts of the state.

The Texas Legislature had no choice but to shut down this abusive and predatory activity. Imagine how catastrophic Hurricane Harvey would have been if TWIA and private insurance had been forced to abandon the Texas coast because of these trial lawyers tactics?

Not only do the common-sense bills passed by the Legislature in 2011, 2015 and 2017 protect Texans from lawyers trolling for clients, they also protect policyholders from bad insurance companies by preserving the strongest consumer protections in the nation.

Thats a win-win for Texans. But the storm-chasers are hopping mad the Legislature took away their easy money.

Case in point: you may have recently seen an opinion piece in this newspaper from Texas Watch, a self-described consumer protection group, about Hurricane Harvey damage in Rockport. In it, the author paints a bleak picture of the status of insurance claims during the recovery, blaming the Legislature for passing bills that allegedly hurt property owners.

What Texas Watch purposely doesnt tell you is that its using months-old data to prop up its talking points and mislead Texans about the Legislatures actions.

Texas Watch uses information from the Texas Department of Insurances (TDI) Data Call about the number of claims paid and the number of claims closed without payment after Hurricane Harvey. TDIs report presents data through Oct. 31, 2017 [LN1] , merely two months after Hurricane Harvey made landfall  not current data, as Texas Watch implies. New data wont be available until July.

In addition, Texas Watch attempts to compare apples and oranges by using data from other parts of the state to skew its figures about recovery in Rockport. In the Coastal Bend, 56 percent of claims had been paid and closed within two months of the hurricane [LN2] , according to TDI. No doubt that number has increased in the six months since the data was collected.

Texas Watch, however, cites data that includes closed claims from the Houston area, where the vast majority of damage was caused by flooding. Because TWIA and private insurance dont cover flooding, those claims must be made to FEMAs National Flood Insurance Program, so it stands to reason that flood claims made to TWIA and private insurance were correctly closed without payment.

Texas Watch has a record of supporting storm-chasing lawyers and their agents who solicit clients door-to-door after natural disasters, telling Texans the best way to get insurance money is by hiring a lawyer.

What Texas Watch doesnt tell you is that the vast majority of insurance claims are resolved without requiring the assistance of a lawyer or filing a lawsuit.

Texas Watch also fails to mention that nothing keeps a blue tarp on a roof longer than a lawsuit. Based on previous data provided by TDI, we know that when a lawyer gets involved in a claim, it takes seven times longer to be resolved.

Despite what Texas Watch wants you to believe, the Legislature has passed balanced laws that keep property owners in the drivers seat when it comes to insurance claims. They simply removed the incentive for storm-chasing lawyers to be unnecessary backseat drivers in the process.

Our friends and neighbors on the coast deserve better from Texas Watch, which promotes itself as an organization interested in protecting consumers. And so do hard-working and conscientious legislators who enacted common-sense legislation to end weather-related lawsuit abuse.

Lucy Nashed is the communications director at Texans for Lawsuit Reform, a bipartisan, volunteer-led coalition with 16,300 supporters in more than 900 Texas communities.
1 Cannes festival: Hirokazu Kore-Eda became the first Japanese director in 21 years to win the Cannes Film Festivals Palme dOr for best film. Kore-Eda was awarded the prize for Shoplifters, which tells a heartbreaking story about a family of petty criminals. Headed by the Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett, the nine-member jury awarded this years Grand Prix to U.S director Spike Lee for his latest take on race relations in the United States, Blackkklansman. The festival also awarded a new prize, a special Palme dOr, to Swiss-French director Jean-Luc Godard for what Blanchett said was his role in redefining cinema.

2 Macedonia dispute: Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said he is ready to go ahead with a new name for his country to solve a decades-long name dispute with Greece and pave the way for full integration of the small Balkan country into the European Union and NATO. But Greek political leaders briefed by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras rejected the proposed name, Republic of Ilindenska Macedonia, outright, and the Greek government itself, in a response to Zaevs remarks, was evasive about the particular name proposal. Macedonia was a part of the former Yugoslavia and declared independence in 1991. Greece claims the countrys name implies territorial designs on its northern province of Macedonia.
A second enterprise hub is being envisaged for Edgeworthstown as local authority officials close in on a deal to secure the town's former Ulster Bank offices.

Longford County Council confirmed last week that it was in advanced talks over the proposed purchase of the landmark building which was home to its Ulster Bank operation for over a century.

In a statement, Longford County Council said it planned to work in tandem with Edgeworthstown District Development Association to develop an Enterprise Hub with a view to stimulating and supporting job creation.

Read more: Huge blow to Longford as Ulster Bank in Edgeworthstown set to close after 102 years

Should those aspirations come to pass, it would be the second such facility earmarked for the county following hot on the heels of a proposed innovation and digital hub in Longford town.

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Councillor Martin Mulleady welcomed the decision, saying: "The decision by Ulster Bank to close its branch in Edgeworthstown after over 100 years at the heart of the community has had a dramatic affect on the people and businesses in the town and its hinterland.

Read more: Sad day for Edgeworthstown as Ulster Bank closes

"However, by developing an Enterprise Hub at the Ulster Bank premises, Longford County Council and the Edgeworthstown District Development Association will be able to make a significant contribution to the economic regeneration of Edgeworthstown".

Chief Executive of Longford County Council Paddy Mahon said by handing over the property to the council, the bank would leave a lasting legacy to a town it has called home for over 100 years.

Read more: Longford County Council close in on deal to purchase Edgeworthstown's former Ulster Bank building
If like me, you enjoy the occasional bowl of pasta with fresh tomato sauce, then Ive got great news for you. Research fresh out of the pan has found that cooked tomato sauce helps to improve the activity of probiotics in the gut.

Share on Pinterest Does tomato sauce boost gut health? And if so, should we choose raw or cooked?

Over the past few years, researchers and consumers alike have been taking interest in whether or not the foods that eventually reach our tables are functional. But what are functional foods?

All foods are functional to some extent because all foods provide taste, aroma, and nutritive value, explains researcher Clare Hasler in a Journal of Nutrition article .

However, she goes on to clarify, foods are now being examined intensively for added physiologic benefits, which may reduce chronic disease risk or otherwise optimize health. And those foods seen to bring specific health benefits are deemed functional.

Probiotic foods  such as certain types of yogurt, kefir, or kimchi  fall into this category, as they boost the population of good bacteria in our guts, which contribute to our overall health in many ways.

Now, however, researchers from the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia in Spain are looking at how gut bacteria interact with antioxidants in the gut.

Specifically, senior researcher Ana Belen Heredia and her team were interested in seeing how tomato sauce  rich in antioxidants  would behave in the presence of good bacteria in the gut.

And, since tomato sauce can be served raw or cooked, they wanted to understand what effect this would have on the antioxidant-gut bacteria interaction.
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"Many drugs are aimed at stopping cancer growth and killing cancer cells," said co-author Juan Marugan, Ph.D., group leader of the NIH's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Chemical Genomics Center. "However, there is no single approved drug specifically aimed at treating metastasis. Our results show metarrestin is a very promising agent that we should continue to investigate against metastasis."In patients, metarrestin potentially could be effective as a therapy after cancer surgery. Because advanced cancers are difficult to completely remove with surgery, doctors typically give chemotherapy to try to kill undetected cancer cells left behind and prevent the cancer from coming back. Metarrestin could be added to such standard drug therapy.Metarrestin breaks down an incompletely understood component of cancer cells called the perinucleolar compartment (PNC). PNCs are found only in cancer cells, and in a higher number of cells in advanced cancer, when it has spread to other sites in the body.Co-author Sui Huang, M.D., Ph.D., and her colleagues at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, showed early on that the more cancer cells with PNCs in a tumor, the more likely it would spread. Her findings suggested that reducing PNCs might translate to less cancer progression and possibly better outcomes in patients.To test these ideas, Huang approached Marugan to tap into NCATS' expertise in screening, chemistry, compound development and testing to evaluate more than 140,000 compounds for their potential effectiveness in eliminating PNCs in cells in advanced cancer.While nearly 100 compounds initially showed some activity, the investigators identified one compound that could effectively break down PNCs in advanced prostate cancer cells. With the help of researchers at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, they modified the compound to make it work better as a potential drug and evaluated the effects of the molecule in different assays, or tests, in the laboratory. They found that metarrestin could block the way prostate and pancreatic cancer cells spread.In collaboration with co-author Udo Rudloff, M.D., Ph.D., from NIH's National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Center for Cancer Research, the group evaluated the effects -- including toxicity -- of metarrestin in pancreatic cancer mouse models. The investigators found that it prevented the further spread of pancreatic cancer by disrupting the protein-making machinery of cancer cells, and mice treated with metarrestin lived longer than mice without treatment."Cancer cells are rapidly dividing and need to make more proteins than healthy cells to help carry out various activities, including the ability to spread," Rudloff said. "Interfering with the system stalls cancer cell metastasis."Rudloff and his NCI group currently are working with scientists at the NCATS-led Bridging Interventional Development Gaps program to collect the pre-clinical data on metarrestin needed to further its development as a candidate drug. The scientists plan to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application in the fall with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA IND approval is necessary before a candidate drug can be tested in patients.Source: Eurekalert
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To make thing easier for patients, Dr. Gretzer and Sunchin Kim, MD, a resident at the UA College of Medicine - Tucson, are investigating a new technique that may one day allow patients to use their smartphones to record the data necessary to diagnose the blockage. The two presented their findings in San Francisco today at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association.A normal uroflow test measures the amount of urine passed, its speed and the time it takes to pass the urine. Patients take this test using a toilet or urinal that's fitted with a special measuring device that records this data.Dr. Gretzer hypothesized that a technique to bypass this tool could be high-speed photography. Photos, he thought, could capture subtle differences between a normal steady stream of liquid and a stream of liquid with an obstruction.To test the theory, the team created a model of a urethral stricture using tubing hooked to a saline bag that could drain through. Then, saline fluid was passed through the tubing with and without blockages. Blockages were created using 3D printed strictures that were placed within the tubing. High-speed photography captured both the regular and blocked stream of liquid exiting the tube."We showed that you can see a difference in the images," Dr. Gretzer said. "Photos can be used to test for urethral strictures."As fluid exits an opening, a natural breakpoint occurs where the liquid stream forms droplets. But with obstructions in place, this breakpoint changes. The team found that by analyzing photos, they could measure the length to this point of droplet formation. This length then directly related to the presence of an obstruction in the tube.The team's next step is to test high-speed photography's accuracy in patients with actual urethral strictures. Photos will be captured before and after a surgical repair known as urethroplasty.Once clinical studies confirm the hypothesis, Dr. Gretzer plans to create an app that patients can download on their phones."All patients would need to do is take high-speed images of their urine flow using a strobe light," he says. "Strobe light apps are readily available right now for people to use on their phones."Dr. Gretzer envisions people sending him these images to analyze and make the diagnosis. But the team also may develop an algorithm that can make the diagnosis within the app itself.Source: Eurekalert
Even before the movie has gone on the floors, Salman Khan's 'Bharat' is creating a buzz for all the right reasons. And why not? After all, we will be seeing Priyanka Chopra back in B-town after two years. For some time now, 'Bharat' has been one of the most talked-about films as it will bring Salman Khan in a never-seen-before avatar.

(c) Twitter

While many are thinking what is 'Bharat' all about, let us give you some information. It is an official adaptation of the South Korean movie, 'Ode To My Father'. The movie will trace the history of the country from the 1950s till date. The subject sounds quite interesting and we bet it will be a treat for all bhai fans.

It is being said that this will be one of the most challenging roles to date for Salman Khan as his character will transform five times and we will see his journey from the age of 18 to 70. Age reducing technique & prosthetics will be used to make him look young in the movie. The thought of watching Salman in different shades us already making us pretty excited.

(c) YRF

All this while, we knew that Salman will be seen romancing Priyanka and Disha, but now joining the cast is Katrina Kaif. While people here find romancing one actor on-screen difficult, Salman is all set to put the screen on fire with three most desirable divas.

(c) Instagram

Disha will be romancing the teenage Salman, while Priyanka and Katrina will be seen with him during the mid-age. It goes without saying that Priyanka will have more screen time compared to other actresses. Well, people totally love Katrina and Salman together, but we are more excited about seeing PeeCee and Salman reuniting after 14 years.

(c) YRF

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the movie is expected to go on floor by mid-2018 and the team is prepping up for the shoot already.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Kotzias, will meet in Washington D.C., on Monday, 21 May, with the Secretary of State of the United States of America, Michael Pompeo. Discussion will focus on issues concerning bilateral relations and matters of regional interest, with emphasis on the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean. A meeting with Assistant Secretary of State Wess Mitchell will take place earlier.

On Tuesday, 22 May, Mr. Kotzias will meet with the U.S. Presidents National SecurityAdvisor, John Bolton.

Mr. Kotzias will also have meetings with leading members of the U.S. Congress, including the Co-chairs of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus and the Congressional Hellenic Israeli Alliance (CHIA), and representatives of the academic community.

He will then travel to New York City, where, on Wednesday, 23 May, he will meet with the Secretary-General of the UN, Antonio Guterres. The talks will focus on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue and on the ongoing negotiations on the resolution the fYROM name issue. Progress in the UN reforms will also be discussed.

On the same day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will have a working luncheon with the President of the UN General Assembly and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, Miroslav Lajcak.

On Thursday and Friday, 24 and 25 May, in New York City, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will meet anew with his fYROM counterpart, Nikola Dimitrov, with the UN Secretary-Generals personal envoy, Matthew Nimetz, in attendance.
HARTFORD  Democrats started the second day of their state nominating convention by endorsing Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, who is seeking re-election to a third term.

The moment I knew I needed to run again was the moment when Donald Trump came after your personal information, Merrill said during her acceptance speech Saturday at at the Connecticut Convention Center. I said, No. We arent done yet. Were going to fight until every eligible voter is registered, and every registered voter votes.

Karen Talamelli Cusick, Democratic town chairwoman in Woodbridge, challenged Merrill for the partys endorsement. Cusick is finance director for Project Service LLC, which owns and operates the 23 Connecticut Service Plazas along Intersate 95, the Merritt Parkway and Interstate 395.

Though Merrill, 69, easily sailed past Cusick  taking in 89 percent of the vote to Cusicks 11 percent  it was a bumpy ride as the state Democratic Party tested out a new electronic tally system and took in more votes than there were delegates in the first vote of the day.

The irony of it being the election for the secretary of the state has not escaped me, said Merrill, who is the states chief elections official. She lives in Hartford.

Former New Fairfield First Selectman Susan Chapman last week accepted the unanimous support of GOP delegates for her bid to challenge Merrill in the general election.

Comptroller

State Comptroller Kevin Lembo, who went unchallenged in his bid for the partys endorsement for his re-election bid, used his acceptance speech to go after Republicans, bringing the crowd to its feet.

To the leadership of the Connecticut Republican Party, be forewarned: your silence in the face of the historically outrageous behavior, language and policies of Donald Trump is complicity. Tour silence is assent. Your silence is approval, and thereby, your silence diminishes your own dignity  your own humanity  and, your own qualification to lead, said Lembo, who lives in Guilford.

Lembo briefly considered a run for governor but opted to seek a third four-year term as the so-called state data nerd instead. His tenure has been marked by key policy departures with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, a record that could serve Lembo well during an election season when many Democrats are distancing themselves from the retiring governor.

In the general election, Lembo will likely face Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller, who last week took the GOP nomination for state comptroller, handily beating Litchfield businessman Mark Greenberg. Greenberg also qualified for the GOP primary.

kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt
The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless.



The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well.







By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism.
The commander of a Marine Corps battalion currently deployed with a Marine expeditionary unit in the U.S. 5th Fleet was abruptly released from his duties due to "loss of trust and confidence in his ability to continue to lead the battalion," Marine officials announced today.

Lt. Col. Marcus Mainz, commander of battalion landing team 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, was removed from his post Saturday, according to a release from II Marine Expeditionary Force. He was relieved of command by Brig. Gen. Francis Donovan, commander of Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, a Bahrain-based command.

While 2/6 typically falls under the purview of II MEF, based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the unit has been deployed since February as the ground element of the 26th MEU. A spokesman for II MEF, Lt. Col. Michael Armistead, confirmed to Military.com that Mainz had been deployed with his unit in the 5th Fleet, a region that encompasses the Middle East, when he was relieved.

It wasn't immediately clear if Mainz would be sent home to the states or remain with the unit on deployment.

Lt. Col. Christopher Bopp, who formerly commanded 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion out of 2nd Marine Division, has replaced Mainz as commander of 2/6, according to the release.

Mainz, an infantry officer, received his commission in 1999, according to his official biography.

He deployed to Ramadi, Iraq as a company commander in 2008 and served as the future operations planner for II MEF prior to taking command of 2/6 in June 2016.

In the past year, Mainz served as a public face for the 26th MEU when his battalion deployed with the unit on a relief mission to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean to provide humanitarian assistance in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Mainz will be reassigned within II MEF, according to the release.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
This Sikh Marine Is Ready to Sue the Service to Wear a Beard and Turban at All Times

First Lt. Sukhbir Toor applied in March for a religious accommodation to wear a beard and turban and to not cut his hair.
Two North Koreans -- a military officer and a civilian -- reportedly defected to South Korea early Saturday.

According to South Korea's Yonhap Nedws Agency, South Korean military personnel spotted the defectors on a boat in the Yellow Sea, between China's mainland and the Korean Peninsula.

The defectors showed an apparent willingness to flee the North, Reuters reported, citing an unnamed source.

It was the first defection involving a military officer since 2008 and the 14th involving a soldier since 2000, DW News reported.

The defection also came during a time of delicate diplomacy between the two Koreas.

In late April, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met for a historic summit to discuss the North's denuclearization and a formal peace treaty.

But North Korea "indefinitely" called off future talks with the South and threatened to cancel a scheduled summit in Singapore with President Donald Trump, in response to a routine series of U.S.-South Korea military drills that the North has repeatedly condemned as a "dress rehearsal" for invasion.

Trump has remained steadfast in his insistence that U.N. sanctions won't be lifted unless the North significantly denuclearizes.

In retaliation for the joint military exercises, North Korea barred South Korean journalists from observing the rogue state's planned closure of nuclear test sites next Friday.
How to use the mindat.org media viewer

Click/touch this help panel to close it.

Welcome to the mindat.org media viewer. Here is a quick guide to some of the options available to you. Different controls are available depending on the type of media being shown (photo, video, animation, 3d image)

Controls - all media types

Zoom in and out of media using your mousewheel or with a two-finger 'resize' action on a touch device.

Use the mouse or your finger to drag the image or the view area of the image around the screen.

< and > at the left and right hand side of the screen move forwards and backwards for the other images associated with the media you selected. Usually this is used for previous/next photo in a gallery, in an article or in search results. Keyboard shortcuts: use shift + the left and right arrow keys.

< and > in the bottom center are used for switching between the photos of the same specimen. Keyboard shortcuts: use the left and right arrow keys.

> in the bottom center, raises the information box giving details and further options for the media, < at the top of this box then hides it. Keyboard shortcuts: use the up and down arrow keys.

? opens this help window. Keyboard shortcuts: use the H key or the ? key.

Other keyboard shortcuts:

1 Fit image to screen 2 Fill screen with image 5 Display at full resolution < Make background darker > Make background lighter space Hide/dim titles and buttons

Scalebar

If the field of view (FOV) is specified for the photo, the scalebar appears in the left bottom corner of the viewer. The scalebar is draggable and resizeable. Drag the right edge to resize it. Double click will reset the scalebar to it's default size and position. If the scalebar is in default position, double click will make it circular.

Controls - Video

Video files have a standard set of video controls: - Reset to start, - Skip back, - Play, - Pause, - Skip forwards. Keyboard shortcuts: You can stop/start video play with the P key.

Controls - Animation (Spin Rotation)

Animation (usually 360 degree spin rotations) have their own controls: - enable spin mode. Note that while images are loading this option will not be available but will be automatically activated when the animation has loaded. Once active you can spin the image/change the animation by moving your mouse or finger on the image left/right or by pressing the [ or ] keys.

The button switches to move mode so that you can use your mouse/fingers to move the image around the screen as with other media types.

The button, or the P key will start playing the animation directly, you can interrupt this by using the mouse or finger on the image to regain manual movement control.

Controls - 3D Stereoscopic images

If a stereoscopic 3D image is opened in the viewer, the 3D button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "3D settings" menu. The 3D images can be viewed in several ways:

- without any special equipment using cross-eyed or parallel-eyed method

- with stereoscope

- with anaglyph glasses.

- on a suitable 3D TV or monitor (passive 3D system)

For details about 3D refer to: Mindat manuals: Mindat Media Viewer: 3D

To enable/disable 3D stereo display of a compatible stereo pair image press the 3 key. If the left/right images are reversed on your display (this often happens in full-screen mode) press the 4 key to reverse them.

Controls - photo comparison mode

If a photo with activated comparison mode is opened in the viewer, the button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "Comparison mode settings" menu.

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Greg Hollands short tenure with the Cardinals took another disastrous turn Saturday when the once-dominant reliever got the loss against the Phillies, who scored twice on him in 2/3 of an inning. Holland, whom the Cards guaranteed $14MM after he went through spring training unemployed, has now pitched to a sky-high 7.30 ERA with astoundingly poor strikeout and walk rates (6.57 K/9, 10.22 BB/9) across 12 1/3 innings this season. Nevertheless, theres no indication the the Cardinals will ask him to head to the minors to work through his issues, Joe Trezza of MLB.com tweets. Even if the Redbirds were interested in demoting Holland, theyd need the 32-year-olds consent to do so. It doesnt appear theyd receive it, though, as Holland flatly denounced the idea of going down, Trezza writes.
Le Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme  La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza.



Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres.




Shaheed Al-Hafed, May 20, 2018 (SPS) - The Ministry of the Occupied Territories and Community Abroad has condemned, in a statement, the brutal assassination carried out Friday by the Moroccan of forces repression of Sahrawi student Abdel-Rahim Badri on the Ibn Zuhr University site in the Moroccan city of Agadir.



The statement called for the need to conduct an international investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assassination of Sahrawi student Abdel-Rahim Badri and to punish those responsible. The ministry also expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased and through them to all the Saharawi people. (SPS)



062/SPS/TRA
Stakes season is officially underway at Woodbine Mohawk Park thanks to the three-year-old fillies that battled in Saturdays SBOA Finals.

Illusioneesta celebrated the biggest victory of her career thanks to her facile triumph in the $113,792 SBOA Final for trotters.

Dalliance Seelster shot to the early lead before making a break going into the opening turn, and that left the top spot to Miss Mimi. She rolled by the opening quarter in :29.2 before race favourite Illusioneesta pocket-popped and sped to the top. She put the field to sleep through middle fractions of 1:00.2 and 1:29.4, but then stormed home in :28.2 to win by two lengths over Miss Mimi in 1:58.1. Taking home third prize was Apprentice M.

Harbor Racing Stable LLC and ASA Farm share ownership on the three-year-old daughter of Kadabra-Shesa Priority who is trained by Per Henriksen. After going 0-for-10 as a rookie, Illusioneesta has put together a 2-2-0 record from four starts this season. Her bankroll climbed to $178,568 with the win.

Percy Bluechip was bet off the board in her SBOA Final, and she didnt disappoint for the tandem of driver Sylvain Filion and trainer Dr. Ian Moore.

The OBrien Award-winning lass was roughed up to make the front, however, as Quite A Sight left her parked out past the quarter pole in :26.2. The battle raged on as they entered the backstretch, and it wasnt until about the three-eighths pole before Percy Bluechip clawed her way to the front.

The daughter of Shadow Play-Advantest had the field chasing her through middle panels of :54.1 and 1:23.4 before she kicked it into another gear and powered home in :28 to win by 2-3/4 lengths over Sudden Passing in 1:51.4. Quite A Sight weakened late and settled for third.

I can tell you right now I like her very much, said Filion. It was her first start of the year and we got stung a bit to the quarter, but when she cleared she felt very good and when I asked her around the last turn she just took off.

Shadow Two Stable, Hudson Standrdbrd Stb Inc and James & Wilma MacKenzie share ownership on the six-time winner who lifted her lifetime earnings to $498,691 with the triumph.

Mcwicked thwarted Easy Lover Hanovers bid for a 10th straight score thanks to his off-the-pace triumph in Saturdays $34,000 Preferred Pace.

Mcwicked got away fourth in his 2018 debut while Nirvana Seelster fired to the front and threw down the opening quarter in :26.3. Easy Lover Hanover, who got away second, sprinted to the lead in the backstretch and proceeded to chop out the new two panels of :55 and 1:23.4. Bob McClure hustled Mcwicked first-over in the backstretch, and the veteran chipped away at the leader before grabbing the top spot and drawing clear to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:50.1. Isitfridayyet came on late to nab second, while Nirvana Seelster re-emerged to be third. Easy Lover Hanover faded late and wound up finishing fourth.

Casie Coleman trains the seven-year-old son of Mcardle-Western Sahara for S S G Stables of North Boston, NY. It was the 23rd lifetime triumph for the career winner of $2,404,601.

(With quotes from WEG)

To view results for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results  Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Vodafone

An international arbitration tribunal will in February next year begin hearing in British telecom giant Vodafone's challenge to India using a retrospective legislation to seek Rs 22,100 crore in taxes.

The tribunal, headed by Sir Franklin Berman, will hear the government's objection to tax matters being covered under the Netherlands-India Bilateral Investment Treaty, which was used by Vodafone to trigger an arbitration over the tax demand, a senior official with direct knowledge of the development said.

India has also challenged tribunal's jurisdiction to decide on such matters, he said.

While Vodafone is supposed to file its response to the government objection by July, India will respond to this by December, he said, adding that thereafter the tribunal will begin hearing in February 2019.

Vodafone has challenged India using a 2012 legislation that gave it powers to retrospective tax deals like Vodafone's USD 11-billion acquisition of 67 per cent stake in the mobile phone business owned by Hutchison Whampoa in 2007.

It has challenged the demand of Rs 7,990 crore in capital gains taxes (Rs 22,100 crore after including interest and penalty) under the treaty.

Tax authorities had in September 2007 served notice to Vodafone International Holdings BV for its alleged failure to deduct withholding tax from consideration paid to the Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd.

Vodafone challenged this in the Supreme Court, which in January 2012 set it aside saying the transaction was not taxable in India and so the company had no obligation to withhold tax.

In May that year, Parliament passed the Finance Act 2012 that amended various provisions of the Income Tax Act 1961 with retrospective effect to tax any gain on transfer of shares in a non-Indian company, which derives substantial value from underlying Indian assets.

The company was in January 2013 served a tax notice of Rs 14,200 crore after including interest on the principal amount. A year later, Vodafone challenged the tax demand under the Dutch BIT.

The official said the company in April 2014 served the notice of arbitration after out-of-the-court dispute resolution talks failed.

The tax department in February 2016 served a demand notice of Rs 22,100 crore, including interest accruing since the date of the original demand.

Vodafone has maintained that there is no liability and that it will "continue to defend vigorously any allegation that VIHBV or Vodafone India Ltd is liable to pay tax in connection with the transaction with Hutchison and will continue to exercise all rights to seek redress".
Marion Marauder ($6.40), 2016 Trotting Triple Crown champion, made his five-year-old debut a winning one in his $30,000 Great Northeast Series event on Sunday afternoon (May 20) at Harrahs Philadelphia.

After floating from the outside post 7 and landing in fourth behind a hotly contested pace, Marion Marauder angled out to chase a brushing Crazy Wow (David Miller) en route to a :54.1 half mile before being left uncovered up the far side. The son of Muscle Hill sustained his gradual ascent through a :28.1 third quarter and put away Crazy Wow with ease a quarter from home before being driven out by Scott Zeron to keep the second-over Meladys Monet (Brett Miller) 1-1/2 lengths at bay in 1:52.1. Opulent Yankee (Andy Miller) overcame mid-race traffic trouble to save third, another 1-1/4 lengths back.

Paula Wellwood trains 15-time winner Marion Marauder for owners Marion Wellwood and Devin Keeling.

In the first $30,000 Great Northeast event for pacing mares, Blue Moon Stride ($5.40) parried a strong first-over challenge from Darlinonthebeach to capture the first $30,000 Great Northeast split for pacing mares in 1:49.4. Corey Callahan sent the five-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover to the fore immediately as the gates sprung, and the pair controlled strong early fractions of :26.2 and :54.4 before millionaire Darlinonthebeach (David Miller) emerged from fourth up the far side. Despite being subject to intensifying pressure off the far turn, Blue Moon Stride held her ground stoutly in the final sixteenth and edged away to defeat Darlinonthebeach by a length. Divas Image (Tim Tetrick) followed second-over cover into a third-place finish.

Mark Harder trains 16-time winner Blue Moon Stride, now a career millionaire, for Emilio and Maria Rosati.

In the other distaff pacing division, Agent Q ($4.80) earned a second win in as many starts as a four-year-old, once again eclipsing Pure Country but this time doing so after advancing without cover from midfield. David Miller put the daughter of Western Terror in motion from fourth after Pure Country (Mark MacDonald) clicked off a :55.1 half mile. The two dueled on the far turn before Agent Q asserted at head-stretch and edged away to prevail by a length in 1:50.3. Twinkle (Andy McCarthy) rose to reach second narrowly over Pure Country.

Chris Oakes trains 15-time winner Agent Q for Crawford Farms LLC, Rochetti Cassar Racing, and R. K. Muscara.

(Harrah's Philadelphia)
Coal imports by power utilities fell by 22.23 percent to 3.73 million tonnes in April mainly due to decline in shipments by imported coal based power projects in the country.

According to latest data compiled by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), coal imports by the power utilities came down to 3.731 million tonnes (MT) in April this year from 4.798 MT in April 2017 mainly due to lower deliveries at imported coal based plants.

In April 2018, however, the total coal imports by power utilities for blending with domestic coal rose to 1.427 MT from 1.078 MT in April last year.

The scope of reducing coal import is always more at power plants using domestic coal as they use high gross calorific value imported fuel for blending.

The data shows that the coal imports came down by imported coal based power plants in April this year. These plants imported 2.304 MT of coal in April 2018 down from 3.720 MT in the same month a year ago.

Experts think that higher international coal prices may have been affecting imports by the power plants based on imported coal.

During April, among imported coal based plants, Tata Power's Mundra Ultra Mega Power Project received 0.509 MT compared to 0.689 MT in the same month a year ago. Similarly, Adani's 4620 MW Mundra Plant received 0.091 MT imported coal down from 1.322 MT a year ago.

Essar's 1200 MW Salaya plant and Simhapuri Energy 600 MW plant did not get any imported coal during April this year. However, the two plants had received 0.109 MT and 0.004 MT imported coal during April last year.

Coal imports by power utilities in January, February and March this year stood at 4.339 MT, 4.060 MT, 4.396 MT respectively, which indicates a good start in April this year.

However, the power sector experts said that there may be increase in coal imports by not only power utilities but by other sectors as well mainly due to transportation issues.

They say that the availability of rakes for supplying coal has been an issue for sometime and private sector power plants do not get priority in this.

The government, however, is doing everything needed to reduce dependence on coal imports particularly by power sector in view of shortage of the dry fuel faced by those.

As per the official estimates on the basis of power consumption growth, the requirement of domestic coal in 2018-19 would be about 615 million tonnes, which means that 288 rakes of coal per day would be required from Coal India Ltd (CIL).

During January 3 to 22, 2018, as against a loading plan of 274 rakes, the average supply of rake by CIL was about 259 rakes per day.

In a recent report on coal, CARE Ratings said that total coal production may stagnate during the year given no visible improvement in availability of rakes or increase in evacuation infrastructure for mined coal.

It expects the total domestic coal production to grow in the range of 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent (705 to 712) MT for financial year 2018-19.

It stressed that there is an immediate requirement to auction private coal blocks of coking and steam coal for 50 MT per annum, in order to control import of steam and coking coal. Power plants import steam coal.

Total import of coal including coking coal and steam coal could touch 235 to 245 MT if the government approves an order to ban use of pet coke which is a feedstock in cement industry. Additional 35 to 40 MT of imported steam coal would be required to compensate for the pet coke ban, it had said.
Its done. The British Royal familys Prince Harry and American TV actress Meghan Markle have been proclaimed husband and wife.

The Indian memories of the British monarchy and the royals may not be very pleasant but the British love them and want to learn every little detail about the royalty, especially the weddings.

Several others, however, arent too chuffed about the idea of a royal family in a democracy and how British taxpayers pay out of their pockets to keep it running.

In fact, in the week prior to the wedding, 32,000 signatures were handed over to British MPs as part of a petition calling for the government to not spend any public money on the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, including the cost of policing and security.

Bridebook.co.uk  a wedding planning service in the UK - puts Harry and Meghans wedding bill close to 32 million pounds (approximately Rs 295 crore).

Another estimate pegs the expenditure at around 36 million pounds (approximately Rs 331 crore).

The cost of security arrangements is to be paid by the British taxpayer, states the BBC in this report.

Bridebooks estimates put the cost of security arrangements at a whopping 30 million pounds. The Royal family will take care of the leftover costs of the other private elements of the wedding.

However, if one goes by the numbers, this royal wedding may actually be credit positive for the British economy.

As per Centre for Retail Research  an independent research firm that tracks global trends in the retail sector  the union of Prince Harry & Meghan Markle is going to generate retail sales of an estimated four times the money spent on the wedding. The report states that an estimated 120 million pounds of retail sales will emanate from the wedding.

The sales worth 120 million pounds comprise 30 million of memorabilia sales (globally), 35 million of celebrations primarily on food and drink, 10 million of newspaper and book sales including souvenir issues and a whopping 45 million worth of fashion sales - meaning bridal wear/clothing and luxury items before and after the wedding.

Now if the last number about fashion sales is a little difficult to digest for you, some information about the 'Meghan Effect' will help you understand the economics of the wedding better.

In December 2017, Meghan carried a 495 pound (Rs 45,480) worth leather tote bag from a hitherto little known company from Scotland - Strathberry - at her first royal outing with Prince Harry.

Within minutes, the bag was sold out. Guy and Leeanne Hundleby - the husband-wife co-founders of Strathberry - who gave up their jobs to launch the firm had to scramble attending to phone calls as sales went through the roof.

A similar thing happened when Meghan wore an alpaca coat from Bojana Sentaler on last year's Christmas church service in the UK. The coat was sold out and the demand sprung up from all across the world.

Another British company  a ceramics manufacturer  Emma Bridgewater sold 1,000 Harry & Meghan mugs within 24 hours of their engagement at 20 pounds apiece.

Brand Finance - a brand valuation and consulting firm - has gone on to say that the Royal wedding would translate to an over $1 billion boost for the British economy in total. This includes an estimated amount of PR value and tourism generated from the wedding aside from retail sales and merchandise.

Apart from merchandise, the valuables from the wedding day often themselves become collectables and are auctioned later.

In fact, a guest present at the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981 managed to save a piece of cake from the event and will be auctioning it for sale now!

Similarly, the wedding menu of Prince William and Kate Middletons wedding in 2011 fetched 800 pounds (approximately Rs 73,500) four years later at an auction.

The exclusivity of the weddings and the royals, perhaps, lends a Midas touch to everything about them.

Call it frenzy or a fad, in business parlance, the wedding is surely an activity that generates high economic value.
May 25, 2018 / 03:52 PM IST

Yeddyurappa used impolite words: Kumaraswamy

Replying to Yeddyurappa's speech, chief minister Kumaraswamy said, I have listened to Yeddyurappa's speech carefully. But he has given wrong information and used impolite words in the House. I will not indulge in personal attacks. Listening to him, I feel the people will not give the BJP power and his speech was perhaps a rehearsal for some drama company, according to The Hindu.
Congress

The Congress will chalk out its strategy and power-sharing arrangement with the JD(S) in Karnataka today, when its top leaders will hold discussions with party chief Rahul Gandhi in the national capital, ahead of the swearing-in of H D Kumaraswamy as the chief minister of the southern state.

According to sources, senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ashok Gehlot will arrive in Delhi tomorrow morning and hold discussions with Gandhi, before finalising the power-sharing arrangement with the JD(S) in the Karnataka government.

The two leaders were stationed in Bengaluru to steer the party's strategy ahead of the floor test in the Karnataka Assembly today.

The BJP's B S Yeddyurappa, however, resigned as the Karnataka chief minister without taking the floor test.

"Everything will be decided in Delhi tomorrow, when the top leaders of the party will hold discussions with Rahul Gandhi," a Congress leader said.

The Congress has extended support to the JD(S) to form a government in the southern state under a power-sharing agreement. While Kumaraswamy will be the chief minister, the deputy chief minister is expected to be from the Congress and a Dalit is likely to be appointed to the post.

The Congress has 78 MLAs in the 224-member House and the JD(S) has 37. The H D Deve Gowda-led party had a pre-poll tie-up with the BSP, which has one MLA.
Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad, Iraq May 20, 2018. Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via REUTERS

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi met with Moqtada al-Sadr on Saturday, less than 24 hours after the Shi'ite cleric's bloc was declared winner of Iraq's parliamentary election, the clearest sign yet they could work together to form a coalition.

"During our meeting, we agreed to work together and with other parties to expedite the process of forming a new Iraqi government," Abadi said at a joint press conference.

"It will be a strong government, capable of providing to its citizens services, security and economic prosperity."

Sadr, a long-time adversary of the United States who also opposes Iranian influence in Iraq, cannot become prime minister because he did not run in the election.

However, his bloc's victory puts him in a position to have a strong say in negotiations. His Sairoon electoral list captured 54 parliamentary seats, 12 more than Abadi's.

"Our door is open to anyone as long as they want to build the nation, and that it be an Iraqi decision," Sadr said.

A bloc led by Hadi al-Amiri, one of the most powerful figures in Iraq, came in second. Amiri, who leads an umbrella of paramilitary groups, has maintained close ties with Iran for decades.

Before the election, Tehran publicly stated it would not allow Sadrs bloc to govern close ally Iraq, with which it shares a border. Iran has influenced the choice for prime minister in the past.

Winning the largest number of seats does not automatically guarantee that Sadr will be able to hand-pick a prime minister.

Parties will have to align themselves to try and form a bloc large enough for the parliamentary majority necessary to nominate a candidate. The government should be formed within 90 days of the official results, but negotiations are expected to drag on for months.

The election dealt a blow to Abadi, but he could still emerge as a compromise candidate palatable to all sides because he has managed the competing interests of the United States and Iran - unwitting allies in the war against Islamic State - during his term in office.

In recent days, Sadr also met with Ammar al-Hakim, whose Hikma Movement trailed in seventh place, as well as with ambassadors from Iraq's neighboring countries including Saudi Arabia, Tehran's main rival in the Middle East.
U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his wife Melania pose for photographers on the red carpet as they arrive for the TIME 100 Gala in Manhattan, New York, April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX2BSVF

President Donald Trump's wife, Melania Trump, returned to the White House on Saturday after undergoing a surgical procedure this week to treat a benign kidney condition, her office said.

The first lady, 48, had been recovering at Walter Reed medical center since Monday, when she underwent an embolization procedure to treat the kidney condition.

Spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement that Melania Trump returned to the White House on Saturday morning.

"She is resting comfortably and remains in high spirits," Grisham said. "Our office has received thousands of calls and emails wishing Mrs. Trump well, and we thank everyone who has taken the time to reach out."

An embolization is a minimally invasive procedure often used to block the flow of blood to a tumor or an abnormal area of tissue.

Donald Trump tweeted on Saturday that it was "great to have our incredible First Lady back home in the White House."

In an initial tweet he misspelled her first name, writing that "Melanie is feeling and doing really well," before writing a subsequent tweet with her name's correct spelling.
The LG logo is seen on a building roof in Minsk, Belarus, September 12, 2016. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko - D1BEUBPVXQAA

South Korea's fourth-largest conglomerate LG Group said its Chairman Koo Bon-moo passed away on Sunday due to illness.

Koo, 73, had been struggling with an illness for a year, LG Group said in a statement.

"Becoming the third chairman of LG at the age of 50 in 1995, Koo established key three businesses - electronics, chemicals and telecommunications - led a global company LG, and contributed to driving (South Korea's) industrial competitiveness and national economic development," LG said.

A group official said Koo had been unwell for a year and had undergone surgery. The official declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Prior to its chairman's death, LG Group had established a holding company in order to streamline ownership structure and begin the process of succession.

LG Corp, a holding company of the electronics-to-chemicals conglomerate, said on Thursday its longtime chairman was unwell and planned to nominate his son to its board of directors in preparation for a leadership succession.

Heir apparent Koo Kwang-mo is from the fourth generation of LG Group's controlling family. He owns 6 percent of LG Corp and works as a senior official at LG Electronics Inc.

The senior Koo's funeral will be held privately at the request of the family, the company said.
Richwood, TX (77531)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Low 77F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Low 77F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Higher wind gusts possible.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center has a presence in many West Texas communities but not in Midland. The Midland Development Corp. is on a mission to improve education and health care in the Tall City. Together, theyre working on a deal to fill the need created by the influx of young families moving into the area.

According to a contract received by the Reporter-Telegram, the MDC and TTUHSC are looking to create an outpatient child and adolescent psychiatric fellowship program to serve the mental health needs of children and families in West Texas and to train future psychiatrists in hopes that they settle in the region.

Per the contract, TTUHSC will see a minimum of 9,720 patients each year to be served by four fellows and up to 16 medical residents. In return, the MDC will help fund the program with $8.4 million to be disbursed in $1 million installments each year, with an extra $400,000 in the first year to go toward renovating the programs home, 2301 W. Michigan Ave., adjacent to Midland Memorial Hospital. TTUHSC will lease the facility from the hospital. The Scharbauer Foundation also will help underwrite renovation costs.

When we recruit businesses like Weir, they want to talk about the school system, they want to talk about health care, and thats it  those are our two main questions we get from the corporate side: school district and health care, MDC board member Keith Stretcher told the Reporter-Telegram. We can tell people who want to relocate here that if you come, your children will be taken care of if they have special needs. Youre not going to have to drive to Dallas; youre not going to have to drive to El Paso. You can come right here.

Dr. Shailesh Jain, who will head the program, said there is great need for child and adolescent psychiatry in West Texas, particularly as the hot economy draws more people to the area. I can count how many board-certified child psychiatrists are in this area: myself, Dr. (Muhamad) Zafar, Dr. (Shanthi) Thangam, Dr. (Shamsuddin) Pepermintwala  I can think of only four who are board-certified child psychiatrists in an area of about 250,000 people.

Fridays high school shooting near Houston, which left at least 10 dead and 10 injured, further amplifies the urgency for more and better psychiatric services, Jain said. Every school shooting is a missed opportunity to see a child who struggles with emotional problems.

West Texans currently have few options. People currently must travel to TTUHSCs facility in El Paso, about four hours west of Midland, or to Dallas, about five hours east, to receive these services. If approved, Midland will become the hub for child and adolescent psychiatry in West Texas.

Jain said becoming a child psychiatrist is very difficult. The process requires four years of medical school and at least three years of adult psychiatry during residency. Afterward, residents must spend two additional years in child psychiatry.

It takes a special breed of doctor to become psychiatrists in the first place, he said. Of adult psychiatrists, not many like child psychiatry.

He said many of his peers suffer frustrations because childrens needs can themselves be very frustrating. Jain finds the field challenging but rewarding. He also recognizes the need in West Texas for such services. This is very much a specialty, and in a place like ours that attracts young families ... this is why we have overcrowding in schools and shortages of psychiatrists. The mental-health needs are not being met.

The four fellows will be doctors with training certificates and work for TTUHSC. The residents will be pulled from Midland Memorial Hospital and Medical Center Hospital in Odessa. Per the contract, the program must have a minimum of four residents to a maximum of 16. Jain said there will be 12 adult psychiatry residents by July and 16 by July 2019. At this point in time, we add four more every July until we cap at 16. Every year, well graduate four adult residents and add four adult residents. He added that not every resident will seek child psychiatry training.

The program also will have a coordinator, a nurse, a licensed professional counselor and a social worker, according to a budget outline. The total program cost will be nearly $1.28 million the first year and about $1.15 million in year eight.

The deal itself has been in the works for six months, Stretcher said. MDC Chairman Brent Hilliard, county judge candidate James Beauchamp and Stretcher approached TTUHSC and discussed with Chancellor Robert Duncan and health sciences center President Tedd Mitchell about Techs No. 1 priority and its No. 1 need in Midland. Tech said child and adolescent psychiatry topped its list. Jain told the Reporter-Telegram that TTUHSC had been trying for many years to align the talent and funding to get a program such as this established.

Several proposals were traded between Tech and the MDC, but with the contract written, the partnership appears to be full-steam ahead.

We are very fortunate to have the MDC's support for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin, Mitchell said in a statement. This substantial investment will allow us to bring additional health care professionals and support services to Midland and the communities they serve. Our pediatric psychiatry fellowship aligns with TTUHSCs mission to enrich lives by educating students to become collaborative health care professionals and providing excellent patient care.

State Rep. Tom Craddick told the Reporter-Telegram he also has been active in the process. (The project) is a real plus for the Permian Basin and for Midland. We have psychiatric needs and we dont have the people to care for those needs.

In underwriting renovation costs, Scharbauer Foundation Executive Director Grant Billingsley told the Reporter-Telegram that the foundation is a proud supporter of this initiative because it seeks to increase awareness about mental health issues in our community and help fill gaps in local services so people dealing with a mental or behavioral health crisis can get the help they need.

An agenda hasnt yet been posted for the MDCs June 5 board meeting; however, Stretcher said this item likely will be discussed and voted on. It also must be approved by the City Council.

Editor Stewart Doreen contributed to this report.

** ** **

AT A GLANCE

There are a lot of parts to the agreement between Midland Development Corp. and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center on a proposed child and adolescent psychiatric fellowship Here is a brief rundown of the deal, per the contract received by the Reporter-Telegram.

WHAT MDC OFFERS

 The MDC will give TTTUHSC $8.4 million to be disbursed over eight years. The first disbursement of $1.4 million will be made on or before Aug. 1; $400,000 of it will go toward renovations. Each year thereafter, the MDC will disburse $1 million on or before Aug. 1.

 The MDC can furnish more money at its discretion and agrees to hear requests by TTUHSC for increased funding.

WHAT TTUHSC OFFERS

 TTUHSC will establish a child and adolescent psychiatric fellowship program in Midland. TTUHSC must staff two fellows the first year and four each year thereafter, one assistant professor, a minimum of three essential personnel and a minimum of four or maximum of 16 residents. Residents are medical school graduates engaged in specialized practice and research under the supervision of TTUHSC.

 The program will support 9,720 patients per year, or about 40 patients per day.

 TTUHSC will lease the facility at 2301 W. Michigan Ave., adjacent to Midland Memorial Hospital, from the Midland County Hospital District. Equipment and furnishings must be purchased in the city of Midland.

 TTUHSC must annually provide the MDC invoices, receipts and other documentation for promotional expenditures made for the program. Promotional expenditures must not exceed $400,000 annually.

 TTUHSC will set aside 1 percent of its yearly distribution for miscellaneous renovation costs.

IF THE REQUIREMENTS ARENT MET

 If TTUHSC fails to meet its payroll requirements, the MDC has the option to reduce the next years payment in a proportional amount. If the failure occurs after year eight, the MDC can request a refund equal to the amount that TTUHSC budgeted for but otherwise failed to comply.

** ** **

::: NOTE: The spreadsheet itself is in Photo Shared and slugged MDC-TTUHSC budget.xlsx

BY THE NUMBERS

The following is the proposed budget for a child and adolescent psychiatric fellowship program to be established in Midland.

Year OneYear TwoYear threeYear fourYear fiveYear sixYear sevenYear eight

Base rent$68,544 $69,914.88$71,285.76$72,713.76$74,141.76$75,626.88$77,112$78,654.24

Utilities$15,000 $15,000 $15,000$15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000

Initial renovations, furniture and equipment$400,000

Assistant professor (salary plus expenses)$312,500 $312,500 $312,500 $312,500 $312,500 $312,500 $312,500 $312,500

Fellows (salary plus expenses)*$160,000 $326,400 $332,928 $339,587 $346,379 $353,307 $360,373 $367,580

Program coordinator (salary)$45,000 $45,900 $46,818 $47,754 $48,709 $49,683 $50,676 $51,689

Nurse (salary)$32,000 $32,640 $33,292 $33,957 $34,636 $35,328 $36,034.00$36,754

Licensed professional counselor (salary)$50,000 $51,000 $52,020 $53,060$54,111 $55,193 $56,296 $57,421

Social worker (salary)$30,000$30,600 $31,212 $31,836$32,472 $33,121$33,783 $34,458

Essential personnel expenses (fringe benefits)$134,500 $137,190 $139,934 $142,733 $145,588$148,500 $151,470 $154,499

Continuing education ($1,500 per fellow)$3,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000

Travel$15,000 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000.00$30,000 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000

Misc. renovation costs (1 percent of yearly distribution)$14,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000$10,000

Totals$1,279,544.00$1,067,144.88$1,080,989.76$1,095,140.76$1,109,536.76$1,124,258.88$1,139,244.00$1,154,555.24

* There will be two fellows in year one and four fellows in years two through eight
The high school junior accused of gunning down 10 students and teachers at a Santa Fe school is facing a capital murder charge - but hell never face the death penalty, even in Texas.

Some day, hell even be eligible for parole.

Though Dimitrios Pagourtzis was charged as an adult and jailed without bond, even if hes found guilty he cant be sentenced to death because of a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. And in the Lone Star State, he cant be sentenced to life without parole as the result of a 2013 law that banned the practice for minors.

In Texas, after the Supreme Courts decision, they passed a law that basically says that its a life sentence if youre under 18 at the time of the crime, said attorney Amanda Marzullo, executive director of Texas Defender Services. The Court has said that it is cruel and unusual to execute an individual who is under 18 at the time of the offense.

The Santa Fe High School student admitted to the mass shooting that killed 10 and wounded at least 10 others early Friday, according to court documents. He planted fake explosives and selected his targets so as to spare the students he liked, he later told police.

READ MORE: Perry forced to commute teens' death sentences

For an adult, that sort of crime could lead to the death chamber. Murders involving multiple victims can be charged as capital offenses, and for adults that leaves two options: death or life without parole.

At one time, those options were both on the table for teens, too. But then in 2005, Christopher Simmons, a Missouri killer condemned to die, won a landmark case in the Supreme Court.

After surveying practices in death penalty states, the justices decided that the national consensus was against executing minors. Only a few states - including Texas - were the outliers still carrying out death sentences for those convicted of crimes committed as minors.

Aside from considering prevailing norms, the court weighed in on traits that make teenage criminals different - and possibly more sympathetic - than their adult counterparts.

The court looked at teen offenders and said that juveniles are categorically different from adults in several very important ways, said Robert Dunham of the Death Penalty Information Center.

Among those considerations: teens were more immature, more prone to peer pressure and more likely to have a shot at rehabilitation, the justices said.

The court was aware that some kids may do horrible things, Dunham said. And some individual kids might have sufficient moral culpability to be punished as adults. But as a class, the courts said, the distinctions between juveniles and adults were so significant that juveniles should not be subject to the death penalty.

Before the courts decision, Texas had been the biggest executioner of juvenile offenders, Dunham said. Across the nation, there were 22 convicts executed for crimes committed as juveniles - and more than half of them were in Texas.

After the court eliminated the practice, in June 2005 Gov. Rick Perry commuted a slew of death sentences to life, removing 28 prisoners from death row, including 12 from Harris County.

Then in 2012, the Supreme Court took it one step further when the justices struck down mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles. The following year, Texas legislators passed a law making life with parole - instead of life without parole - the only sentencing option for minors charged with capital crimes.

For life sentences where parole is an option, Marzullo said, the first chance at release comes after 40 years in prison.

Whether or not hes ultimately convicted, the accused Santa Fe shooter will be behind bars for the foreseeable future.

During his first court appearance Friday night, a judge opted to hold him without bond.

"At the moment he's in solitary confinement," Judge Mark Henry said after the teen's first court appearance Friday evening. "He's going to be here a while."
A 59-year-old man allegedly punched a pregnant woman, who is also deaf, and her service dog during a Frontier Airlines flight from Colorado Springs to Orlando on Thursday.

The Orlando Police Department told the Orlando Sentinel that Timothy Manley was traveling with his family and was seated near a deaf couple with a service dog.

According to police, Manley's wife complained about being allergic to dogs after the plane landed and taxied towards the gate. Manley told police he felt the family's service dog, a Great Dane, "took up more space than [he] felt it deserved." He then reportedly punched the animal with a closed fist.

The dog let out a yelp and hid underneath a seat, which caused the couple to try to express anger at Manley.

Manley then "got into the man's face" and punched the woman, who is 20 weeks pregnant, according to the Sentinel.

The altercation continued as the two families exited the plane and entered the terminal, where the pregnant woman's fiance tackled Manley and held him there until police arrived.

Police said that the case has been turned over to the FBI.

Using sign language, the pregnant woman told ABC affiliate WFTV that her fiance only tackled the man because he hurt their service dog.

"My fiance started yelling at the man and said, 'Don't you ever touch our dog. Don't touch a service animal ever,'" she said. "'That's not OK.'"

However, Manley's wife told WFTV that the whole incident was a "misunderstanding."

Manley's wife said that her husband "accidentally swatted the [service dog] when it startled him, but he couldn't convey that" to the couple.
A Tennessee Cash player in South Pittsburg won a near-record jackpot of $2,060,705 on Friday night.

A Knoxville Powerball player won $50,000 Saturday night by matching four of the five white numbers drawn plus the red Powerball.

No information is available about the winners until the prizes are claimed.




For decades, a central feature of more than 100 Illinois communities was the Carnegie Library, a gift of steel magnate Andrew Carnegie around the turn of the 20th century. Though declining in number, dozens still exist today.

Some 105 Carnegie public libraries were built in Illinois, trailing only Indiana and California. Several communities in the Jacksonville region were beneficiaries, and some still are using those libraries today, more than a century later.

Though he is lambasted today for his harsh treatment of workers and his unyielding lust for money and power, Carnegie, a native Scotsman, is remembered for his interest in libraries. Some 1,412 communities nationwide used Carnegie funds to build libraries between 1889 and 1923, and 108 academic library buildings also were constructed with Carnegie donations, though they usually are mispronounced today. Commonly called CAR-nuh-ghee, the actual pronunciation is car-NAY-ghee.

In all, Carnegie used more than $56.1 million to erect 2,509 library buildings in English-speaking countries. Applicants normally wrote to Carnegie through his secretary, James Bertram, who sometimes responded in less than cordial terms.

Carnegies donations came with caveats. The community was required to provide suitable land and formally agree to support the library with local taxation. As in his other charitable endeavors, Carnegie was more inclined to help those who helped themselves.

In Jacksonville, the effort to secure Carnegie funding for a library was spearheaded by local attorney Lawrence O. Vaught, who initiated the correspondence with Bertram. In February 1901, Vaught received the approval of $40,000 from Carnegie. Elated, Vaught responded that Yours of the 6th with good tidings received. I wish you could have heard the yell I gave.

The library board bought the building site with a $5,000 loan. Patton and Miller, a Chicago architectural firm that created a number of Carnegie libraries across Illinois, handled the design. The new library, at 201 W. College Ave., opened on Feb. 23, 1903.

Barbara Love was named director of Kewanee Public Library, a Carnegie facility in northwestern Illinois, in December 2016 after serving in a similar role in a Carnegie library at Farmington in Fulton County. She notes the special needs of housing a library in older surroundings.

Carnegie libraries were built in a much different way than libraries of today, said Love, who joined the Kewanee staff in 2015. They have high ceilings and arent as energy-efficient as new buildings. As a result, you really have to look for little ways to increase your energy efficiency.

Many smaller Carnegie libraries also have floor plans that are best described as chopped-up, a contrast to the open floor design that dominates most newer libraries today. Space also is a severe issue in the Carnegies today, as libraries struggle to keep up with growing collections, increasing technology and a need for public meeting areas.

A lot of Carnegie libraries are landlocked, said Love, who has worked in four Carnegie libraries in her career. They dont have room to expand, and they dont have enough parking. Accessibility also is a real issue at a lot of Carnegie buildings, because they werent built with the handicapped in mind.

Still, they are a mainstay of their respective communities and are revered for their charm and elegance. In Carrollton, future U.S. House Speaker Henry Rainey was a driving force in securing a $10,000 Carnegie grant. The library, at 509 S. Main St., opened in January 1903.

In Pike County, the Pittsfield Public Library, at 205 N. Memorial St., was designed by renowned Bloomington architect Paul O. Moratz, who created 16 Carnegies statewide. The Pittsfield library was dedicated on May 9, 1907.

Nearby, Griggsville had to settle for a smaller building than planned when the Carnegie gift of $5,000 forced reductions. Bertram had been critical of the original design plans  an increasing occurrence in Carnegies later gift requests  and offered pointed advice on the size of the main floor and basement.

Still, the Griggsville library, which opened in 1916 at 119 S. Corey St., was well-maintained. In 1945, the sister of the head librarian wrote to the Carnegie Corp. that our library is in splendid condition.

In Winchester, a Carnegie gift of $7,500 resulted in a library at 215 N. Main St. that was dedicated on June 1, 1910. Waverly, though, nearly declined a Carnegie offer when several councilmen balked at the necessary requirements to support a library. The matter ended up in court before the gift was accepted, and the library opened in 1913 at 291 N. Pearl St.

In 1991, some 83 communities in Illinois still were using Carnegie libraries, a number that since has dropped by more than 20. One example is Beardstown, where the 1903 Carnegie library at 105 W. Third St. was replaced in 2000. The Carnegie building now is used as city hall. Rushville broke ground for a new library building in 2013, 100 years after its Carnegie library opened at 104 N. Monroe St.

In Loves former hometown, Farmington replaced its 1907 Carnegie library in 2014 with a beautiful new facility on the west edge of town.

Sadly, some Carnegie libraries meet a less glorious end. The Carnegie facility in Galesburg, which opened in 1902, was wiped out in a fire on May 9, 1958. It ranks among the worst library disasters in state history. A new library was dedicated on the same site in November 1961.

Though some are being phased out, there is plenty of sentimental attachment to the old Carnegie libraries.

It is a very hard decision to leave a Carnegie library, Love said. Theres nothing easy about it. But in many cases, its less expensive to build a new building than it is to renovate the older one.

In Morris, the Carnegie library was demolished in 1969, but not without regret. That librarys director wrote in 1982 that to this day there are many residents angry about its demolition. Similar sentiments linger in Decatur, where a 2015 account noted that the demolition of the Carnegie library in 1972 is still a sore subject for many.

Others fondly recall memories of the library staff at the Carnegies. In Farmington, Miss Minta Schoonover became the head librarian in 1917, when she was 48, and remained in the position for 50 years, retiring at the age of 98. She then was a regular patron until her death at 106.

Tom Emery is a freelance writer and historical researcher from Carlinville. He may be reached at 217-710-8392 or ilcivilwar@yahoo.com.
People must be involved in the ...
NOTE: This story originally published in 2015.

With the devastating storms that flooded Central Texas over Memorial Day weekend, San Marcos has been on the national stage as one of the hardest hit river towns, next to neighboring Wimberley.

RELATED: Central Texas storms cause record rain, flooding in San Marcos, Hays County

At one time, this college town was largely overlooked as little more than the runt sibling of San Antonio and Austin, a transient stop along the I-35 corridor.

But for the past three years in a row, San Marcos has clocked in as the fastest growing city in the nation, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Reaching to almost 59,000, the population has spiked 8 percent from July 2013 to July 2014.

In the gallery above, photographs from the San Antonio Express-News archives reflect how San Marcos has developed around a foothold in education mixed with the hook of sparkling swimming holes, rivers and springs.

What many people know today as Texas State University, the anchor of San Marcos, has been through several name changes dating back to 1899 as the Southwest Texas Normal School. It trained public school teachers for the state of Texas. Established in 1907, San Marcos Academy is one of the oldest boarding schools in Texas. But it was the Coronal Institute, founded by a San Antonio teacher, that launched the business of higher learning for San Marcos back in 1868.

RELATED: Old school photos of S.A. college kids before student debt was a thing

Of course, students (and their profs) need a rowdy splash of fun, and this town was forged on the banks of the San Marcos River flowing from the San Marcos Springs, formerly known as Aquarena Springs. It's here that one of the most glamorous, art deco lake resorts in Texas shined with swimsuit beauty contests and ritzy rooftop parties.

And Sewell Park, first named Riverside Park, was largely the work of math professor nicknamed "Froggy" at the university during the Jazz Age.

Click through the gallery, and you'll see the earliest rumblings of what has led to the reputation of San Marcos today. We've come a long way since bathing suits were made of wool.

jmscott@mysa.com

Editor's note: This story is one in a continuing series celebrating the 150th anniversary of the San Antonio Express-News. To commemorate the milestone, mySA.com is looking back at the city's rich history with stories, photos, video and graphics, remembering some of the most noteworthy events that have taken place or were covered by this publication during those 150 years. To read more stories like this, visit the 150th anniversary section of mySA.com or the 150th anniversary section of ExpressNews.com.
From wild weekend getaways to relaxing senior retirements, San Antonians have cut loose to Canyon Lake and Medina Lake for generations.

When Canyon State Park first opened in the mid-1960s, the San Antonio Express-News lauded it as "a sparkling $20 million gem of the outdoors." A collaboration between the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, Canyon Lake is a combination of flood control, water conservation and recreation. The development turned over farm and ranch land in the Guadalupe River Valley, forever transforming the economy and character of that community.
Some, as usual, were naked.

Others decided it was a good idea to run the annual Bay to Breakers 12-kilometer race Sunday as a unicorn, gorilla, dinosaur, superhero or whatever else suited their only-in-San Francisco fancy. And there were the outliers dressed as runners.

For the 107th time, a crowd gathered at the Embarcadero and then took off running west, up and over a few hills and through Golden Gate Park before hitting the finish line at the Pacific Ocean.

The very first Bay to Breakers in 1912 included 181 runners at the starting line and 121 who made it to the finish. William Howard Taft was president, and it appears no one ran naked that day. But times have changed.

An estimated 40,000 or so folks ran the route this year, many in costumes, including one who decided to run the race as a naked Harry Potter, with a fully clothed Dumbledore by his side.

Yet it was Jim Doxsee, 55, of Pleasanton who drew stares at the start line. He had a paper bag over his head with Trump is president so Im ashamed written on the back and front, with a cutout for his face.

I dont actually like politics, but I feel like its my duty to be politically active, Doxsee said as he huddled among the colorful masses in the Financial District before the 8 a.m. start near the Embarcadero.

He was arguably among a minority in the patriotic duty department Sunday.

On the dreaded Hayes Street Hill, which slows even the fleetest of foot, 80s dance tunes boomed, a hula hooper shimmied and runners stopped to bust a few moves before continuing up toward the summit.

While it was a party for many, there are actual racers in the event  and winners.

Philemon Cheboi, with a time of 35:41, came in first for the men Sunday  his second win in a row  while Jane Kibii took first place in the womens division with a time of 40:27.

This year, Barbara Cavanagh and Andrea Lockett, both of Vallejo, were well behind that pace, given that they ran the race as ketchup and mustard bottles. About 30 minutes before the start, they said they were looking for hot dogs  or technically people dressed as hot dogs.

The condiment costumes were standouts in the crowd, with the two friends posing for pictures at the request of fellow runners.

Ive heard so much about the costumes being crazy, Im surprised so many people have wanted pictures of ketchup and mustard, Cavanagh said.

Somewhere, nearby in the masses, and dressed in a monkey suit, 28-year-old Haley Sausner appropriately brought a banana along  albeit in the form of her boyfriend, Todd Newkirk.

Newkirk noted that they needed attire that wouldnt trip or slip them up while running. Ironically: The banana suit is surprisingly good for that.

Unlike a lot of participants, they planned to run the whole course  or as much as they physically could, Sausner said.

Such best-laid plans usually get stymied at the Hayes Street Hill, with its 128-foot elevation gain, which might not sound that bad, but it is. From the bottom at Laguna to the top took 17 minutes for most people who walked at a fairly brisk pace, but stopped to dance or grab a drink at parties that poured out of Victorian houses.

Just over the crest of Hayes Street Hill, Ketan Kothari, 54, of Palo Alto was sweating but not out of breath. He had conquered the monster hill, but he had conquered death about seven months earlier.

This isnt my first time running, he said, but its the first time since I had a triple bypass in October.

While the event is considered a fun run for most, city officials took it very seriously. The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management activated the citys Emergency Operations Center to support event operations, coordinate city resources, and provide public information as necessary.

Officials asked participants and spectators to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Aside from the usual confiscated bottles of alcohol and reminders that public urination is not nice or legal, there were no serious problems or major injuries during the official five-hour event, race organizers said.

Participants did leave behind a trail of trash as they streamed across the city, with a large cleanup crew trailing behind. Last year, city workers collected 15 tons of trash along the race course.

At the starting line, there were tortillas everywhere  a scene of culinary devastation amid other debris: inflatable beach balls, discarded sweatpants and half-filled water bottles. Along the route were food wrappers, signs, shirts and even lawn chairs, city officials said.

The cleanup followed the runners, the process honed to military precision. After a line of police motorcycles cleared the streets, directing people to the sidewalks and the park, a crew removed temporary fencing and stacked it on the back of a flatbed truck.

A brigade of parks and public works employees with leaf blowers followed, pushing trash, mostly paper and plastic cups and some lost costume pieces, into the center of the street. Street sweepers and hand crews picked up the detritus, and a water truck sprayed down the streets, leaving them cleaner than usual.

Its a well-choreographed operation, said Rachel Gordon, spokeswoman for the Department of Public Works. No hill is too steep to keep our crews from getting the job done for this only-in-San Francisco footrace/moving party.

At the finish line, at the Great Highway along Ocean Beach, hours after the first-place finishers, some ran but most walked through the finish line. Crowds lingered to the music as volunteers handed out water bottles, bananas and medals to the finishers.

By 1 p.m., the race officially ended, with any stragglers no longer eligible for a race medal after five hours.

Jay Dougherty, 59, and Greg Johnson, 55, arrived well before the deadline and stood by while waiting for their wives to complete the course.

Dougherty spoke highly of his first exposure to Bay to Breakers chaotic scene. He loved the costumes, though he didnt wear one this year, and said he will be back.

Ill wear a costume next time if I can convince my wife, Dougherty said.

The Walnut Creek resident said he wouldnt call himself a serious runner, instead describing it as a hobby. He said Bay to Breakers, with the huge number of participants, was fun but chaotic.

I dont think this is the race for you, he said, if youre gonna be a serious runner.

Annie Ma, Michael Cabanatuan and Jill Tucker are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: ama@sfchronicle.com, mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com, jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @anniema15, @ctuan, @jtucker
WASHINGTON - Under pressure from President Donald Trump, the Justice Department on Sunday asked its inspector general to assess whether political motivation tainted the FBI investigation into ties between Russia and Trump's campaign - a remarkable step officials hoped might avert a larger clash between the president and federal law enforcement officials.

Trump, who spent much of Sunday railing against the year-old special counsel probe, tweeted in the afternoon that "I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes - and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!"

Hours later, the Justice Department responded by saying it had asked its inspector general to expand an ongoing review of the applications to monitor a former Trump campaign adviser "to include determining whether there was any impropriety or political motivation in how the FBI conducted its counterintelligence investigation of persons suspected of involvement with the Russian agents who interfered in the 2016 presidential election."

The department noted that a U.S. attorney would be consulted if evidence of criminal conduct was found.

"If anyone did infiltrate or surveil participants in a presidential campaign for inappropriate purposes, we need to know about it and take appropriate action," Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said in a statement.

Sunday's developments came in the wake of reports that a longtime U.S. intelligence source assisted the investigation into Russian election interference now overseen by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The Washington Post reported Friday that the source, a retired American professor, had contacts with three Trump advisers during the 2016 campaign.

Trump and his allies have seized on the informant's role to claim that the FBI spied on his campaign. There is no evidence to indicate an intelligence source was embedded within the campaign, as the president has suggested.

The quick move Sunday by the Justice Department could forestall a bigger showdown.

Late last month, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., issued a subpoena to the Justice Department seeking all documents related to the professor. So far, he has been rebuffed by department officials, who have said that exposing the source or the source's work could put him and his contacts in danger and jeopardize international intelligence partnerships.

Law enforcement officials consider the informant's identity so sensitive that the FBI had been working over the past two weeks to mitigate the potential damage if his name was revealed, according to several people familiar with the matter.

Some Justice Department officials feared that the president's tweet signaled that he might overrule them and order the department to turn over the material Nunes seeks. If that occurs, it is possible that senior officials could resign in protest - or refuse the president's order and force him to fire them.

Stephen Vladeck, a law professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said that while Trump has the authority to order Justice Department officials, those officials also have the right to quit rather than follow his direction.

"If the president is basically saying, 'I want you guys to investigate yourselves, to convince me that you weren't spying on me,' there comes a point where DOJ has to say, 'We'll refer to the IG, but that's all we're doing,' " Vladeck said.

The furor over the role played by the professor in the Russia investigation could further complicate the sporadic negotiations between Trump's legal team and the special counsel over the prospect of a presidential interview.

Mueller has sought a sit-down with the president to conclude the portion of his investigation examining whether Trump or any officials sought to obstruct the probe.

In an interview with The Post on Sunday, Rudy Giuliani, one of the president's attorneys, said that Trump's lawyers would like questions about the source "to be cleared up before we even approach the idea of doing an interview."

Giuliani also said that Mueller, in pressing for that interview, told him in a late April meeting that the investigation into president's conduct and possible obstruction of justice could be completed by Sept. 1 if Trump agreed to sit down with investigators.

Giuliani said Mueller "put it out there as an incentive that if we do the interview, we can have more control over the termination date."

Giuliani acknowledged, though, the timeline could change significantly if the president did not cooperate.

"It would depend on if they subpoena him. And if they subpoena him, there will be litigation. So no timeline on that," Giuliani said. "That'd be unfortunate, but it could happen."

Throughout the weekend, Trump appeared consumed by the revelations about the role played by the FBI source in the Russia investigation, repeatedly tweeting about the matter and consulting by phone with Giuliani.

"He called me very early, 6:30 a.m., and we spoke Saturday night," Giuliani said. "We concluded last night that he should do something to ask the Justice Department."

Trump was "doing what the president should do," Giuliani added. "He's telling the Justice Department the obvious, which is - they should turn over information gleaned from this source."

But later in the conversation, Giuliani seemed to note that the president had not yet given a formal order. He said he expected a letter would be issued Monday.

"He's not commanding them at this point but asking them to reveal the substance of this and clear it up," Giuliani said.

Giuliani said he was not worried about that sparking a possible crisis at the Justice Department, remarking, "I have a hard time believing they won't go along. They have to eventually reveal something about this. This is a serious issue."

In emails and phone calls Sunday afternoon, GOP lawmakers close to Trump conferred and tried to interpret his position. They wondered, in particular, whether he would forcefully demand the Justice Department to hand over documents to Congress or whether he would simply push the department to eventually share more information from its ongoing probes led by its inspector general, according to three people familiar with the discussions.

On Sunday, Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., wrote on Twitter, "DOJ can't be trusted to investigate themselves--Congress needs the documents too. Rod Rosenstein: where are the documents? Show Americans the truth."

There was also concern among Trump-aligned lawmakers that White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and White House counsel Donald McGahn may be trying to "water down" the president's position as a way of avoiding a potential crisis over highly sensitive materials that the Justice Department has long been wary of releasing, according to one person close to those Republicans.

"What's in the letter on Monday and what it tells DOJ to do is going to be everything for us. Not the tweets," said the person, speaking on the condition of anonymity to talk about a topic the person was not authorized to discuss publicly.

The president's tweet - and the Justice Department's quick response - left open the possibility that a larger conflict could be averted.

Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz announced in March that he would explore controversial applications to surveil former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page, along with the department's relationship with a former British intelligence officer who provided information cited for those requests.

That review will assess whether the FBI and the Justice Department complied with the law and their own policies in requesting and carrying out the surveillance. Horowitz also said that he would examine other matters that might arise from his work.

It is possible that Horowitz's review might have led him to look at the FBI's use of the confidential source, who had contact with Page, in the Russia investigation. The Justice Department's response to the president's tweet indicated that, no matter the case, Horowitz's investigation could now broaden.

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The Washington Post's Devlin Barrett and Ellen Nakashima contributed to this report.

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Video: It's been a year since special counsel Robert S. Mueller III was appointed to investigate the Trump campaign's ties to Russia - and since President Trump's barbs at his probe started.(Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

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A 16-year-old boy held at a juvenile lock-up died overnight at a youth prison in south Texas, officials said Saturday.

It's not clear what caused the death and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department did not immediately identify the Nueces County teen.

"I am heartbroken to announce that a youth was discovered unresponsive last night at the Evins Regional Juvenile Center and was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital," said Camille Cain, TJJD executive director.

"Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, the youth could not be revived and was pronounced dead."

The agency is notifying the parents and the Office of the Inspector General will launch an investigation.

READ MORE: Teens who escaped Texas juvenile prison captured in Montgomery County

"I will provide additional information as it becomes available, and our thoughts and prayers are with the youth's family and friends," Cain added.

News of the death comes just weeks after a pair of teenage felons escaped from a TJJD facility between Austin and Houston, only to be captured less than a day later.

The two Houston-area 16-year-olds - Brice Ryan Karalis and Bryan Ernando Villanueva - slipped out of their dorm at the Giddings State School and stole an unlocked car, officials said. They were spotted in a local park later that night before fleeing to Montgomery County, where they were picked up.

The past year has been a trying time for the troubled juvenile justice agency. TJJD saw a string of officer arrests in 2017, when a number of staffers were accused of having or trying to have sex with youths in their care.

In the months that followed, the state's juvenile justice system weathered a number of high-level shake-ups, including the appointment of a new executive director, the ouster of the longtime independent ombudsman, and the replacement of the board chair.

In February, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced the arrest of four current and former juvenile justice employees accused of tampering with records and using excessive force in handling jailed teens. Weeks later, a leaked email revealed more departures and restructuring.
Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHoods assertion that he was unaware of the speedy dismissal of DWI charges against a prominent businesswoman is just as troubling and problematic as the initial impression the dismissal made  that the local district attorneys office was doling out unequal justice based on social status.

The fact that the criminal charges against Catherine Amato, 63, for driving while intoxicated were dismissed less than two months after her arrest raised serious concerns about the administration of justice by LaHoods office.

The district attorneys said later that it was his staff, working independently without his knowledge. But this raises other questions. The DA  who lost the primary election to Democratic challenger Joe Gonzales  should have been aware. There was a breakdown somewhere and the office is still his responsibility.

In a news release issued after details of Amatos case came to light in an Express-News column by Brian Chasnoff, LaHood said he had been personally unaware of this situation.

Once this matter was brought to my attention, I had our office conduct an immediate review of all the evidence in this case. I do not agree with the manner in which the original prosecutor handled this case and arrived at his decision, LaHood said in his written statement.

Jacob Kemmy, the prosecutor who dismissed the case, told the Express-News he took the action independently because he believed the arresting San Antonio Police Department officer, Jason Portillo, made false statements in both a police report and a search warrant affidavit.

Kemmy, however, acknowledged the video of the arrest shows Amato weaving and veering out of her traffic lane. He resigned the day after talking to the newspaper.

LaHood directed the case be refiled in the interest of justice.

However, even the way the office first tried to refile the case contained errors. His staff tried to refile under the old case number, but the county clerk refused to accept it  and for good reason.

Refiling the case under the old file would have set up the case for automatic dismissal due to double jeopardy laws. Kudos to the county clerks staff for catching the error.

A probable cause affidavit filed with the new case indicates Amatos blood alcohol level at the time of her arrest was 0.12, which is over the legal limit of .08 for driving.

High profile cases do not move quietly through the justice system. It stretches the imagination to think the Amato case moved as far and as quickly as it did without getting on LaHoods radar or that of others at senior levels. And if it didnt, why not?

Amato is the owner and operator of multiple Subway sandwich shops and Ruby Tuesday restaurants. She is also the estranged wife of businessman Charlie Amato, chairman and co-founder of SWBC and a Spurs shareholder. The couple has filed for divorce.

Many of the DWI cases filed based on late February arrests occurring at about the same time as Amatos are still making it slowly through the criminal justice system. Judges who handle DWI cases on a daily basis say it is not unusual to wait months for results of blood analysis, the primary evidence in these type of cases.

Amato was arrested on Feb. 26 and the charges were dismissed on April 24. The case was set for an expunction hearing next month to consider a defense motion to have records in the case sealed.

Between the time of Amatos arrest and the dismissal of her case, LaHood lost his political partys nomination for a place on the November ballot in his bid for a second term.

Technically, there is no one to hold LaHood accountable anymore, but that doesnt mean his job as the highest ranking elected law enforcement official in Bexar County is done.

The decision to refile was warranted. But theres also this: Elected officials need to remain accountable and do the job they were elected to do regardless of the political winds, especially if they have a role in ensuring access to equal justice.
ZIMBABWE should move towards establishing a law that regulates the conduct of se_x workers, and guards against the participation of young girls in the worlds oldest profession.

Responding to questions from women at a round table discussion titled Womens conversation on legislation with HE Mnangagwa in Harare yesterday, Mnangagwa said there was need for a better formula to increase women representation in governance.

We cannot allow this to happen young girls are being involved in se_x work. Am not saying that I approve older people, I am saying that it is worse when young girls are involved, we need possible legislation relating to this area of human participation.

It is unlawful. I dont know whether these things are happening and the police do not know about these things, Mnangagwa told over 40 women organisation leaders at the event.

He said the government needed to have dialogue with tertiary students to understand the scourge of abuse in institutions of higher learning.

With regards to se_xual harassment in institutions of higher learning, again, this gives bad repute (sic) to our institutions. You suggest that we, perhaps, should include in the charter of these universities regulations for the prohibition of se_xual harassment.

I have taken note and see how we can deal with this. I believe it is necessary for the ministry of Justice permanent secretary (Virginia) Mabhiza is here, to have a conversation with girls in higher institutions so that we understand how it is perpetuated in order to adequately deal with it. We need to have dialogue both at management and student body level, the President said.

In the wake of Zanu PF primary elections, in which no more than 10% of candidates were women, Mnangagwa said he had been disappointed by the democratic process that has failed women.

It was quite disappointing because the process was open in a democratic way where the winner is elected. The result is what we have that only 10% women won, he said.

As a political party, we have discussed that we need a formula that will guarantee reasonable representation of women. The current democratic process cannot yield the desired results.

If you look at the number of political parties, when I said I wanted to meet political party leaders at the time I was looking at between six to 11, but now we have 125 political parties and of these, only three have women presidents. So again you can see women are very shy to form political parties. But that should not be reason for my political party not to find a way a model that brings more women into parliament.

He said political parties had realised the difficulties women face in the cut throat political playfield and created a womens quota of 60 seats that are not contested by men.

As regards concerns of an exclusionary government sponsored loan facility in higher education, Mnangagwa promised to look into the issue to create better conditions for poor learners to access educational funding.

I did not know the details you are telling me. I was also in the former administration, I also carry the burden of guilt in that respect.

We thought we were assisting the students by allowing them to access loans, but I was not aware they had such stringent conditions, which are excluding a lot of students.

I take note of your concerns so I will talk to minister (Higher and Tertiary Education Amon) Murwira so we can remove those conditions, he said to applause.

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MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa on Thursday said the upcoming general election is a platform for the electorate to regain independence from Zanu PF chefs, who are siphoning the countrys resources at the expense of the majority.

Addressing hundreds of supporters at Maboleni business centre in Vungu, Lower Gwelo, Chamisa said although Zimbabwe gained political independence from Britain in 1980, the majority of the people were forced into poverty by greedy Zanu PF politicians.

In 2018, we are going to the elections to get back our independence from the few blacks, who have been benefiting from the countrys resources for the past 38 years, he said.

We might have got our flag (in 1980), but we still have leaders who are chefs, while the people they lead are servants. The people should be the chefs and the leaders servants of the people.

Chamisa slammed President Emmerson Mnangagwas leadership style, saying he was feared by the people, rather than liked and respected.

He, however, urged his supporters to desist from denigrating Mnangagwa, saying he is a transitional President.

He is there to bridge the gap between myself and (former) President (Robert) Mugabe. Mugabe represented the old order and I represent the new order and so Mnangagwa is the link between the two generations. We thank him for accepting to take the baton from Mugabe and then we take it from there forward, Chamisa said. He said the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission should be independent, with a specialised unit that has arresting powers.

We are going to introduce stiffer penalties for those who steal from government coffers, the MDC Alliance leader said.

There is also need to protect whistleblowers when they report corruption.

Chamisa dismissed allegations by the ruling party that his vision for the country was based on fantasy.

He said the country was rich and had vast resources that if properly channelled, could turnaround the economic fortunes of the country.

Meanwhile, renowned academic, Ibbo Mandaza has said broken, tattered and fractured Zanu PF has lost the support base, hence, it cannot win the forthcoming elections.

Speaking at a symposium on peace and the 2018 harmonised elections organised by the Election Resource Centre (ERC) and the University of Zimbabwe on Thursday, Mandaza said Zanu PF lost its base from the 1980s and has not been able to regain it.

Its a fair conclusion to make that the party of revolution is broken, tattered, fractured and cannot possibly win elections in 2018. Its impossible, he said.

Mandaza said the November coup, which ousted Mugabe, ironically represented change in the disintegration of Zanu PF and not restoration as claimed by presidential spokesperson, George Charamba.

There is disintegration, therefore, the apparent freedom that you are experiencing in rural areas, the extent to which the opposition has been able to hold rallies in areas they have never been able to have rallies before is not through the benevolence of this new dispensation, he said.

It is because the state is disintegrated they are no longer able to control it. The State is divided army versus police, army versus CIO [Central Intelligence Organisation]. Its a fractured State.

 NewsDay

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The National Open University of Nigeria is provided to be one of the best educational institutions in the country. This institution offers accessible, flexible, functional and cost-effective education to Nigerians. What are the primary requirements for the admission here?

The National Open University of Nigeria

This university has already provided admission application and registration form for 2018. Its necessary to notify all persons, candidates, friends, relatives, parents, guardians who are interested in the admission process of the university. If you are interested in studying there, then you must read the following information.

READ ALSO: Factors affecting curriculum implementation in Nigeria

If you dont know the full list of National Open University courses, then keep reading. All prospective candidates should be aware of the sales of forms for the National Open University Academic Session.

Available programmes at the University of Nigeria

Its almost impossible to get in one post the full list of available programmes for the National Open University, however the official website for the university may provide you with the following information:

Undergraduate and Postgraduate available courses in 2018/2019

The full list of Accredited Programmes and Courses for the National Open University

Your only chance of getting admitted to the National Open University of Nigeria is through the purchasing of the application and registration form.The sale date is announced by the school board. The same board provides the price for the courses. The full details of the available programmes for this institution will be provided on the official website. If you want to be admitted to the institution you will need to check the following steps:

Notes about getting National Open University Admission

Do not forget that the whole registration process is to be done exclusively online. There is no need of visiting the school or study centers. The NOUN Portal (National Open University Nigeria), may provide you the whole information about getting admission to the university.

Please, take the whole admission course through the official website. Its open seven days a week and 24 hours a day.

What should you do before filling the papers?

Before getting to the application form, you are required to pay a registration fee, visit one of the following banks to pay your registration fee:

Skye Bank

Zenith Bank

Ecobank

First City Monument Bank.

Steps to getting the National Open University Admission

1. Pay a fee

According to the National Open University requirements, you ought to pay the following fees for admission:

Doctors Programme  N10,000

Postgraduate Programmes  N7,500

Undergraduate Programmes  N5,000

2. NOUN Teller

When you pay, you need to make sure that your customer support is made specifically for NOUN Teller. Its required for NOUN registration.

3. Application PIN

When you have gotten through the payment procedure, you will need to collect PIN Code. It equals the paid amount from your bank.

4. Main Registration

When you have done the above-mentioned steps, you need to follow to the official website of the National Open University of Nigeria  www.noun.edu.ng. You will click on the title Application Form.

5. Application of the webpage

When the application from the official webpage gets to your computer, you will need to proceed using the application code. It will access your personalized account for the NOUN online application.

6. Fill the registration form

Its a pretty easy task. You just need to look through the questions given in the application form. According to these questions, you will need to provide the personalized information about yourself. Do not forget that you need to fill in your information correctly.

7. Upon the successful registration

When you have successfully registered for the application, take a note of how easy you can navigate through the process application. You can also edit your data whenever its necessary. Just do it before you apply.

8. Check everything

When you have completed the registration form, you will need to double check it. Do not forget that you cant edit anything when you have submitted your file. When everything good, you just need to select the submit button. Its displayed on your screen.

9. Proceed and print

When you have done the above-mentioned steps, you may print your provisional admission letter.

The National Open University is one of the best educational institutions in Nigeria. You will never regret studying there.

READ ALSO: Work and live in Canada from Nigeria: 10 important facts

Source: Legit.ng
- Former president Olusegun Obasanjo's father-in-law, Dr Christopher Abebe, has been buried in his hometown, Iruekpen

- The late Abebe, who was the father of a former first lady, Mrs Stella Obasanjo died on March 22 at the age of 99

- Present at the ceremony were Obasanjo, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo and his Oyo state counterpart, Abiola Ajimobi

The father-in-law of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr Christopher Abebe, was on Friday, May 18, buried in his hometown, Iruekpen, in Esan west local government area of Edo.

The late Abebe, who died on March 22 at the age of 99, was the father of a former first lady, Mrs Stella Obasanjo.

The late Abebe served as the pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing councils of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Calabar, and University of Benin.

He joined the United African Company Nigeria Limited as a young clerk and rose to become the first Nigerian Chairman and Managing Director of the company.

READ ALSO: FG to expand N-Power programme - Osinbajo

Abebe on his retirement became the first Nigerian chairman of the Nigerian Breweries.

The deceased was also a Papal Knight of the St. Gregorys and Supreme Knight of St. Mulumba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that tears flowed on Friday as his body was interred at about 3:30 pm in a mausoleum where his late father, Chief Abebe Ogbekhiulu, who died on October 26, 1956, was buried in his compound.

Earlier, family and friends had gathered at the Stella Maris Catholic Church where a funeral Mass was held in his honour and presided over by the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and Archbishop of Benin, Most Rev. Augustine Akubeze.

Present at the ceremony were Obasanjo, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo and his Oyo state counterpart, Abiola Ajimobi, who was accompanied by his wife, Florence.

Others included the senator representing Edo central, Clifford Ordia; the member representing Esan north-east/Esan south-east in the House of Representatives, Sergius Ogun; former Edo governor, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor; and a former chairman of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Dr Felix Ohiwerei.

In his tribute, the eldest son of the deceased and president of St. Gregorys College Old Boys Association, John, described his late father as his hero who instilled discipline in his children.

He said that he never found fault in his late father who lived a humble life.

I am approaching 70 years (of age) now. In all my life, I have never found fault in my father, he said.

He commended Obasanjo for honouring his father-in-law and the family in spite of the death of their sister, late Stella.

The younger Abebe also thanked the states governor for his support toward the burial rites of his later father.

He said his father:  Left a legacy of being honest, of being totally above board, of being humble and of doing things at the right time always. He did bring us all up from day one to be like him.

 If you ask my friends who know me will tell you that I will never accept things not done properly or being swept under the carpet. I will never, for instance, think of accepting bribe for anything I do.

So, his legacy will be sustained because we also have brought up our children in a similar manner, he added.

On his part, Obasanjo said that his late father-in-law would be fondly remembered for his courage and submission to Gods will in many strange circumstances.

I recall how he bore with equanimity the death of my wife, Stella, his daughter, and that of four other of her siblings.

For anyone at the twilight of his life, these irreparable and calamitous losses would have shattered anybody.

But papa faced life and soldiered on till he was almost 100 years, remaining focused, patently honest, forthright and down-to-earth and as a great Christian.

 I believe that the Almighty destined my amiable father-in-law to impact generations the way he did, he said.

Earlier in his sermon, the Bishop of Uromi Diocese, Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, said that the late Abebe lived an exemplary life, adding that his humility stood him out as he remained respectful in spite of his old age.

Ogun said that the late nonagenarian was a good community leader and a devout Christian.

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Legit.ng had earlier reported that Christopher Abebe, the father of the late wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo died at the age of 99.

John Abebe, the deceaseds son and president of St. Gregorys College Old Boys association, in a statement confirmed that Abebe died on Thursday, March 22.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo explains why Nigeria needs to be treated like love - On Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit
- A source has disclosed that political and social connections may have led to the six suspects linked with cult-related murders in Kwara being transferred out of the state to Abuja

- Senate President Bukola Saraki had previously accused IGP Ibrahim Idris of staging a plot to link him to the suspects

- According to the source, the father of one of the suspects was the spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force in Kwara state before he retired

The suspects allegedly involved in cult-related murders who were transferred to Abuja recently, may have been taken out of Kwara state due to their political and social connections, The Nation reports.

The six suspects are currently being held by the Police, over alleged murders in Kwara, in the last few years.

READ ALSO: Royal wedding: 30 interesting facts about Prince Harry of Wales

Legit.ng notes that earlier in the week, Senate President Bukola Saraki had alleged that Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris, was staging a plot to link him and the Kwara state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, to the suspects.

The Police however said the suspects were transferred out of Kwara state for further investigations.

An anonymous source with knowledge about the matter reportedly stated: While all suspects deserve to be treated as innocent until found guilty, some of them have very solid connections within and outside the Police Force.

According to the source, one of the suspects has a father who holds a high chieftaincy position in Ilorin and he was for many years, the spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force in Kwara state before he retired.

He continued: The same suspect has a brother who is the head of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in one of the south-west states.

As we speak, a deputy commissioner of Police in Kwara state is being transferred out of the station for reasons best known to higher authorities in Abuja.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Police was asked by the chief registrar of the Kwara State Judiciary, to bring back some criminal suspects who had been transferred to Abuja on Wednesday, May 16.

The suspects were accused of being involved in murder and criminal conspiracies; and the spokesperson for the Nigerian Police Force, Jimoh Moshood, stated that they were transferred to the nations capital for further investigation into the matter.

Are Nigerian policemen the worst in the world? - on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit
- APC faction loyal to Bola Tinubu elects Alhaji Tunde Balogun as Lagos chairman

- Another faction reelects Fuad Oki as its chairman

- Abia state congress APC ends exercise without rancor

A faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos state has defied a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by holding a separate state congress at the Ikeja Airport Hotel, different from the one held at the partys secretariat on Acme Road, also in Ikeja.

Vanguard reports that while the main congress at the state secretariat produced Alhaji Tunde Balogun, a former commissioner as chairman, the other faction reelected Fuad Oki as its chairman.

READ ALSO: FG planning clampdown on opposition leaders - PDP alleges

At the congress conducted at the party secretariat on ACME Road, the following executives emerged: Chief Sunny Ajose became the deputy chairman, Chief Funsho Ologunde vice-chairman west, Kayode Olusanya vice-chairman east), Hakeem Bamigbala vice-chaiman central, Wale Ahmed secretary, Olasunmbo treasurer, Barrister Joana Adebobuyi assistant treasurer, Joe Igbokwe publicity secretary, Abiodun Salami assistant publicity secretary, Ademola Sadiq legal adviser.

However, at the parallel congress held at Lagos Hotel, Ikeja, Fuad Oki, a former campaign director for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Raji Fashola and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, emerged as the chairman, while Sanni Oloye and Wole Oshodi became deputy chairman and secretary respectively.

But in separate interviews, the chairman of the Tinubu faction, Alhaji Balogun; spokesman, Joe Igbokwe and member of the House of Representatives, Abiodun Faleke, dismissed the congress by the Oki faction.

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They said any congress held outside the party office was null and void.

Meanwhile, Umuahia, the state capital of Abia state witnessed an unprecedented crowd of APC faithfuls as the party held its state congress today, Saturday, May 19.

Legit.ng gathered that the hitch-free exercise started with the state delegates welcoming the members of Abia state congress committee from Abuja led by secretary of the committee, Hajya Rabbi Gambari.

The party faithfuls were led to the venue of the congresses by the newly elected chairmen from the 17 local government areas of the state leading their delegates and numerous supporters of the party who came to witness the momentous and historic occasion.

APC official tells why his party could be voted out in 2019 on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng
- A former governor of Anambra has again warned President Muhammadu Buhari against contesting for Presidency in 2019

- Chukwuemeka Ezeife said age is no longer on the side of the president

- According to Ezeife, he would continue to pray for God to change the president's heart towards contesting in 2019

An elder statesman and former governor of Anambra state, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek a second term in the forthcoming 2019 presidential election.

Ezeife while speaking to Sunday Punch, said age is no longer on the side of the president.

The former governor also said that the stress associated with the office of the Presidency was already having negative effects on his health.

He said he prays God would change President Buhari's heart to dump his ambition to run for a second term.

READ ALSO: Igbo man in Imo converts from Christianity to Islam (photos)

Ezeife said: Let us pray so that God would stop Buhari from talking about a second-term and instead, begin a six-month emergency restructuring of Nigeria.

It is not a matter of whether he is fit or qualified, age is important. He claims to be 75, he may be 82. Even at 75, he is too old to be in that office.

The second consideration is his comprehensive failure in the first term. If you recorded a failure like that, why do you want to seek a second term? the former governor asked.

Speaking on the same issue, the chairman of the Northern Elders Council, Tanko Yakasai, said he had never supported Buhari to become President of Nigeria.

READ ALSO: 3 police officers in arrested for killing a young man in Delta

Buhari and his party (All Progressives Congress) were not prepared to rule Nigeria in the first instance. Therefore, in my opinion, he should not have contested at all," Yakasai said.

Also, a former minister of Health, A. B. C Nwosu, said although it is President Buhari's constitutional right to seek any office in Nigeria, he would never support his ambition to run for presidency again.

Nwosu said: It is his (Buharis) constitutional right to seek any office just like anybody else. We need to organise ourselves to provide an alternative with a clear set objective that will make life better for Nigerians.

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Legit.ng earlier reported that the president of the Nigeria Youth Organisation (NYO), Abdullahi Wali, had threatened to sue President Buhari should he fail to contest for presidency in 2019.

Wali said he wondered why the president would say he needed time to decide whether he would run for presidency in 2019 or not.

The youth leader said he would be happy to have the privilege of procuring the form for Buhari.

President Buhari commissions first Nigerian drone - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng
- A Nigerian man who visited the British Museum says he Benin artifacts in the museum were stolen in 1897

- The man shared photos of the artifacts he saw at the museum on social media

- He revealed that his visit to the museum was worth more than anything to him because he requested that the artifacts should be returned to Nigeria

A Nigerian man identified as Ambassador Dion Osagie from Edo state has revealed that he visited the British Museum to request that the Benin artifacts should be returned to Nigeria.

The entrepreneur and philanthropist stated that he made the visit during the days leading to the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Megan Markle. He stated that the artifacts were stolen in 1897.

He said: "In the process leading to the royal wedding of Prince Harry, I visited the British Museum to request that our Benin kingdom artifacts stolen since 1897 to be returned with immediate effect. If I didnt not achieve anything on my tour. My visit to the museum was worth more than anything to me. We will continue to speak and take proper or legal action about it."

Nigerian man shares photos of Benin artifacts spotted in British museum Photo source: Facebook user Dion Osagie

READ ALSO: Royal wedding: Daddy Freeze compares Prince Harry to pastors who are fed by their congregations

He claims the artifacts were stolen in 1897 Photo source: Facebook user Dion Osagie

The artifacts are bronze sculptures Photo source: Facebook user Dion Osagie

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According to history, Britain had attempted to wipe out the kingdom of Benin in the 19th century. The attempt was known as the "punitive expedition".

Britain had sent about 1,200 soldiers to destroy Benin when the ruler at the time, Oba Ovonramwen, had imposed customs duties on goods leaving the kingdom.

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It was gathered that the city was set on fire and over hundred artifacts and valuables were stolen.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the British Museum plans to host a summit with other European museums to discuss the return of the artifacts that were allegedly looted in 1897.

African Drum Festival 2018: Nigerian youths show Buhari that they are not lazy | Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit
- A representative of the Pope will be leading a team of 50 bishop to Benue mass funeral

- The funeral will take place on Tuesday, may 22, for two Catholic priests and 17 parishioners killed by suspected herdsmen

- There will also be a simultaneous celebration of Catholic masses across Nigeria on the same day of the mass burial

Fifty bishops led by a papal team would be at the mass funeral of the two priest and parishioners killed in Mbalon community in Gwer East local government area of Benue state.

The mass burial will take place on Tuesday, May 22, at 10 am.

Punch reports that there will be a simultaneous celebration of Catholic masses across Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory on the said day.

Also, Christians across the nation will embark on a procession as a mark of solidarity with the Makurdi diocese on the event.

READ ALSO: Video of policemen struggling to disarm NSCDC official goes viral

Speaking on the forthcoming event, the director of communications at the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Reverend Father Moses Iorapuu on Saturday, May 20 said the date of the mass burial was chosen by the bishops conference in Rome.

Iorapuu said the chosen date coincides with the date the anti-open grazing law was passed by the Benue State House of Assembly.

The local church here (Benue) was under attack as the bishops were in a conference in Rome; so the Pope got primary information," Iorapuu said.

It was there the decision was taken with the local church and they fixed the burial for May 22. All the bishops agreed, the divine coincidence of this is that it was May 22, 2017 that the anti-open grazing bill was passed by the state assembly.

READ ALSO: Igbo man from Imo state converts from Christianity to Islam changes name to Muhammad Mustapha (photos)

Exactly after one year, this is what we have to show; the priests and many others who were killed. The bishops will be here in their numbers but what they have done is to be sure that the burial has wider coverage and wider participation," he said.

He added that all the diocese across Nigeria have been directed to organise vigils and at 10am on Tuesday, May 22, there would be a simultaneous celebration across the country in solidarity with the Makurdi diocese over those killed.

Some bishops will be leading ceremonies, others will be coming. The Popes representative in Nigeria will be present. The Abuja Archbishop, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has also arranged that there should be a well-organised procession in Abuja, he noted.

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Legit.ng earlier reported that there were impromptu protests in major areas of Makurdi, the Benue state capital.

The protest followed the killing of two Catholic priest and 17 parishioners at the at St Ignatius Quasi Parish.

The victims were said to have been killed by some suspected herdsmen.

TY Danjuma, Nigerian army and the herdsmen crisis | Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit
- Two Nigerians, Emmanuel Mmaduike and Olawale Kashimawo, have been jailed by the UK authority

- The Mmaduike and Kashimawo, both 31 years of age, have been involved in cyber crimes for three years

- According to security agency in the UK the duo have stolen over 1m

After being arrested by the security authority of the United Kingdom (UK) for stealing more than 1m, Emmanuel Mmaduike and Olawale Kashimawo, both 31, have been jailed. Mmaduike and Kashimawo operated a London-based cyber crime gang.

The UK National Crime Agency reported that they both spent the money on a lavish lifestyle; in fact, the Sky News stated about the duo: "The pair hired a helicopter and drove flash cars, and posed for photographs of themselves with wads of money, expensive watches and drinking champagne.

READ ALSO: How civilians stopped female bomber from denoting bomb in Yobe mosque - Army

Their fraudulent activities spanned from southeast London after obtaining thousands of business email addresses and passwords employed they used to divert funds from registered companies to themselves.

Officially described as business email compromise (BEC), the crime involves the criminal taking on the identity of a senior executive and attempting to convince the victim to transfer funds.

Emmanuel Mmaduike, one of the criminals (Photo Credit:Sky News)

Olawale Kashimawo, Mmaduike's accomplice (Photo Credit: Sky News)

UKs National Cyber Security Centre said BEC scams are one of the fastest growing forms of cyber crime.A 2017 report by networking company Cisco, cyber criminals made $5.3bn (3.9bn) from BEC in just three years.

The role of Mmaduikerole was to access the victims email accounts and alter invoices so that payments were directed to mule bank accounts run by Kashimawo.

His accomplice in turn concealled the origins of the cash by arranging withdrawals and international bank transfers which were carried out by other fraudsters.

The agency said that so for, the criminals have allegedly carried out more than 1m of fraud and money laundering between April 2015 and November 2015.

Mmaduike was jailed in March 2017 for six years and 10 months after he admitted money laundering and fraud. He also admitted perverting the course of justice in relation to a sham marriage to a Dutch national.

On Thursday, May 17, his accomplice Kashimawo was jailed at Kingston Crown Court for six years and nine months after admitting two counts of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Tony Adams, the head of investigations at the NCAs National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU), said: UK businesses should exercise caution when authorising significant transactions  particularly if there is a last-minute change of account details.

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If in doubt speak to the intended recipient of the funds on the phone prior to making a large payment. Keep passwords safe and do not use the same passwords for multiple online accounts.

The NCA and our partners are continuing to tackle business email fraud and money laundering. It is imperative victims report such compromises as soon as possible and retain all evidence.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the British government had announced that it had started making plans to build a new wing in a Nigerian prison so that it can transfer Nigerian prisoners there.

Legit.ng gathered that the new wing would be built at Kirikiri Prison in Lagos. The proposed 112-bed wing, which would cost 700,000 and be compliant with United Nations standard, would make it easier for Britain to adhere with a prisoner transfer agreement it made with Nigeria in 2014.

See the faces of newly arrested criminals in Lagos State - On Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit
In this Real News Network interview, white-collar criminologist and associate professor of economics and law at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, Bill Black discusses Education Secretary Betsy DeVoss decision to stop investigating for-profit colleges and educational institutions for fraudulent practices.

GREGORY WILPERT: Its The Real News Network. Im Greg Wilpert, coming to you from Quito, Ecuador. The U.S. Department of Education, under the leadership of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, is halting investigations into fraudulent practices of for-profit colleges, according to a report that the New York Times released last Sunday. The Obama administrations Education Department had placed a special team in charge of investigating false advertising, deceptive recruitment practices, and false job placement claims at for-profit colleges. One of the most prominent investigations was the DeVry Education Group, recently renamed Adtalem Global Education, which is one of the largest for-profit educational companies in the world, with nearly two billion dollars in annual revenues.

Joining me to analyze the consequences of abandoning these investigations into for-profit colleges is Bill Black. Bill is a white-collar criminologist, former financial regulator, and associate professor of economics and law at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Hes also the author of the book, The Best Way to Rob a Bank Is to Own One. Thanks for joining us again, Bill.

BILL BLACK: Thank you.

GREGORY WILPERT: So, one interesting aspect of the story is that Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos, hired several people from for-profit education institutions to work in the Department of Education. These include Robert Eitel, her senior counselor, Diane Auer Jones, a senior advisor on post-secondary education, and Carlos Muniz, as the departments general counsel. Whats going on here? Shouldnt these appointments be considered conflict of interest and ring all kinds of ethics bills?

BILL BLACK: So first, ten seconds of personal privilege to welcome into the world, three hours ago, Heidi Weaver, our new granddaughter. Second, I made the easiest prediction of my life, after Trump was elected, that Warren Harding and Ulysses Grant could rest easy in the history books because there would no longer be a debate about the most corrupt administration in U.S. history. It would clearly be the Trump administration. Theres been a lot of focus on Scott Pruitt over at the EPA, in terms of corruption. But Betsy DeVos is giving him a consistent run for the money, just more under the radar.

So, heres the background. First, out of the great financial crisis of 2008, one of the extraordinary things was that the most devastated people, in terms of loss of wealth, were not folks without college degrees, but actually folks with college degrees, who were either Latinx or Black. If you were Latinx, your average loss of wealth during the financial crisis, if you had a college degree, was nearly eighty percent. And it was roughly sixty percent if you were Black. That reversed the pattern for whites, where if you had a college degree, your percentage loss of wealth was lower than whites who had no college degree.

Now, part of that, of course, is the mortgage markets- being put into predatory mortgages at the worst possible time, at the peak of the bubble. But another thing, major thing, in terms of Blacks and Latinos, is that they are- disproportionately, they go to for-profit universities. And for-profit universities, characteristically- and this isnt just recently, this goes back to World War II era, just after World War II when for-profit colleges first became a substantial deal.

And heres the triple-whammy you get. One, they are much more expensive than regular universities. Two, you get a- statistically, a much, much worse education. That means your prospects in terms of jobs are far worse. And third, youre left in massive debt because of the combination of the first two things. So that, instead of being the route to success, it is, as those overall statistics I cited, been an enormously good way of losing extraordinary amount of wealth between the mortgage markets and these for-profit universities.

So, long before the Obama administration came in, people have been writing about the really high incidents of fraud in these for-profit universities. The GAO actually sent undercover investigators that pretended to be people applying for college, which is, of course, really easy to send in testers of that kind. In every single case- so, I think they send them into the eight largest. In every single case, the supposed student was induced to do something that would be a false representation, which is to say, a crime.

In three of the eight cases, at least, the college counselor for the for-profit university consciously, expressly told them to lie and how to lie. Subsequent investigations under the Obama administration have documented the widespread layers of fraud, and for-profit universities have finally begun to experience what they should, which is that its very difficult- its more difficult to con people, and the government was finally cracking down. And that was- the problem was finally being reduced, and indeed there was some remedy at the federal level.

Because, after all, these are students had been induced by fraud to get into situations where they were literally driven bankrupt by the combination of expenses, debts, and limited increased employment prospects. And as viewers will, I hope, remember, the Republicans changed the bankruptcy laws so that student debt is not dischargeable in bankruptcy. So this, you know, is a cloud that stays over your entire life if it forces you into bankruptcy, from which you make never economically recover.

So, finally there was some recognition at the federal level that it was completely inappropriate to allow these entities to drive you bankrupt through what had been fraudulent misrepresentations to the students. And all for-profit universities live- I mean, and I mean almost totally live on federal grants to the students for education. Without those federal grants, no major chain of for-profit universities could exist. So, were really subsidizing all of these fraudulent entities through federal grants. And you would think an administration that A, promised to drain the swamp, and B, to stop these kind of rip-offs of the public sector, would crack down. But of course, none of us is surprised at this point to learn that its exactly the opposite.

The metaphor usually used is that DeVos has put the fox in charge of the chicken coop. But its really more- the way these for-profit universities operate, its more like you would put the vampires in charge of the blood bank, because they are basically sopping up the lifeblood of middle and working-class, and even poor people, through this device of the for-profit fraudulent rip-offs. And Betsy DeVos is now ensuring that the vampires can do this with absolute impunity from the laws.

GREGORY WILPERT: Now, Bill. The New Jersey attorney general complained on Thursday that the Department of Education is halting these investigations into for-profit educational institutions and is not even sharing information with states. So, Im just wondering- maybe we could into a little bit of detail as to what kinds of shady practices these for-profit colleges are known for. And why is it so important to have the U.S. Department of Education investigate these practices, instead of having individual states in which they operate do these investigations and prosecutions?

BILL BLACK: So, Ill take the last question first, because its the easiest. Only at the federal level can you shut down these fraudulent operations through a single action where they operate, which is typical, these chains of for-profit schools often operate in many states, sometimes all fifty states. Education also has, the Department of Education, all of the key data, because they go at the federal level, and they can and should share that with federal- sorry, state regulators and prosecutors.

And what were seeing is, again, akin to the 2008 financial crisis, where the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Office of Thrift Supervision deliberately, and I mean that absolutely, deliberately- theres no if ands or buts, sought to prevent effective regulation and enforcement, and even prosecutions, by state authorities. And we all know how disastrously that ended up.

As to the kinds of frauds, they are myriad. So, one, you are frequently taught, as an applicant, to file false financial information, with the idea of maximizing the federal scholarship. Two, the institutions do not deliver the promised education. They make all kinds of promises. As almost everybody in the United States knows, these for-profit schools are major advertisers, and its a bad sign. Its usually on cable television after 11:00 PM, when a very high percentage of the ads are frauds. And these promise transformations, and they talk about the graduation rates, they talk about what kind of salary increase that you can expect. And there have now been hundreds of successful lawsuits against these, demonstrating in great detail- but only if you have the data, and hence DeVos action- that none of these promises come close to being met.

So, for example, they would talk about characteristic increases in your income after you get a degree of fifty, sixty thousand dollars. And they knew that A, the typical person entering these doesnt complete the program, because A, they discover the program is so bad, but B, they frequently discover that they, in fact, dont have the abilities in those particular programs. And the educational institution isnt there to help and succeed. It is there solely to take money from them.

So, its the combination of types of frauds that, again, leave you- most typically, when you come out of these universities with no significant increase in your ability to get employed, and certainly no substantial salary increase- but again, most of the folks dont even get the flaky degree and end up simply in debt and, not infrequently, in bankruptcy type situations.

GREGORY WILPERT: Of course, we need to remember that Donald Trump himself was a major owner of Trump University- the owner and the person behind Trump University, which itself has been accused of many of these practices. But unfortunately, weve run out of time. So, were going to have to stop here for now. I was speaking to Bill Black, associate professor of economics and law at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Thanks again Bill for having joined us today, and congratulations on your granddaughter.

BILL BLACK: Feliz.

GREGORY WILPERT: And thank you for joining The Real News Network.
(Natural News) The American Fork Canyon in Utah is drawing in more people who enjoy its great beauty. But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is concerned about the abandoned mines that dot the upper canyon. In a report from The Salt Lake Tribune, the soils around those sites have been contaminated with heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury.

The EPA completed its investigation of the soil around the old mines in the upper parts of the canyon in March 2018. They reported that all the samples showed arsenic levels that greatly exceeded the EPAs safe levels.

Lead was also present in high concentrations at the abandoned mines. The worst offenders  and therefore the most dangerous ones for outdoor enthusiasts  were the Yankee and Globe mines. (Related: Is the Grand Canyon being put in danger by nearby uranium mining?)

The heavy metals from the old mines are not yet threatening populated areas in the American Fork Canyon. Other tests suggested that the water in the canyon remains safe for the most part.

Old mines are leaking heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and zinc

EPA official Ryan Dunham explained that federal agencies knew about the problem for several years. However, they also presumed the affected areas were difficult to access for the most part.

The canyons growing fame as a recreational destination has forced the EPA to reassess the situation. The agency is concerned about people who are repeatedly exposed to heavy metals.

Durnham said contaminated dust is the most serious threat to health. Activities like ATV riding could disturb the polluted soil and raise clouds of dust that get inhaled.

There are no plans to decontaminate the old mines. Instead, workers from the nearby Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort have posted warning signs at many of the sites.

Snowbird spokesperson Brian Brown explained that the resort started putting up those signs in 2017. More markers will be set up during 2018 with the help of recreation groups.

Brown said the signs directed people into taking different paths to popular parts of the American Fork Canyon. This way, they could reduce their exposure to heavy metals.

Snowbird owns a number of the mines. The resort is almost finished with its own two-year-long study that looked into the possibility of toxic heavy metals from those mines getting into important waterways.

So far, the study has only produced one location that showed higher levels of zinc. This heavy metal is potentially dangerous for aquatic animals.

Brown added that Snowbird is not considering any expansion into polluted parts of the American Fork Canyon. The company is not planning to clean up the contaminated soil any time soon.

Utah officials are still cleaning up heavy metal contamination from 2016 spill

State official Scott Anderson said they were still dealing with the aftermath of the Tibble Fork Reservoir accident back in August 2016. The spill involved 5,000 cubic yards of sediment that contained large amounts of heavy metals.

Utah officials have not yet figured out how far the contaminated sediment has gotten or how long the spread lasted. The American Fork River travels through a number of residential areas and could have brought tainted sediment to any or even all of them.

Anderson also said the state isnt planning to find out if irrigation water has contaminated populated areas. They also didnt plan to clean up the mines in the upper portion of the canyon.

The EPA intends to return to American Fork Canyon later in 2018 for further testing. Durham said that the federal environmental agency plans to make sure that the water in the area is safe from heavy metal contamination.

Find out if your favorite outdoor recreation spot is affected by heavy metal contamination at Metals.news.

Sources include:

SLTrib.com

KSL.com
(Natural News) Experts say you need to get around 2 liters of fluids every day to be healthy and hydrated, but one unexpected ingredient found in bottled water could actually be working against you even as you try to enhance your health: microplastic.

A recent CBC marketplace investigation into bottled water on the market found plastic contamination in 30 of the 50 water bottles tested, and it was even found in bottled water that came in glass containers. Some of the plastics found included rayon and polyethylene.

In a similar study, State University of New York researchers tested 259 bottles of some of the worlds most popular brands of water including Evian, San Pellegrino, Dasani, Nestle Pure Life and Aquafina. The water they tested had 325 pieces of microplastics per liter on average, with more than 10 of these pieces exceeding 100 microns in size. Overall, 93 percent of the bottles that were tested contained some type of microplastic, including polystyrene, nylon, PET and polypropylene.

In that study, the most contaminated brand was Nestle Pure Life. A sample of this water was found to contain 10,390 particles per liter. The least contaminated brand wasnt exactly perfect, however; San Pellegrino had 74 particles per liter.

How microplastic damages your health

These pieces of plastic are so small that you cant see them unaided. Researchers used a dye that binds to the plastic and infrared light to make the particles visible under a microscope. But just because you cant see it, that doesnt mean its not hurting you  quite the opposite, in fact.

Some particles can get lodged in the walls of your intestines, while others can be taken in by intestinal tissue, from where they can make their way through your lymphatic system. The smaller particles  those of around 20 microns  enter the bloodstream before lodging in the liver and kidneys. Particles measuring 110 microns can get into the hepatic portal vein, which is responsible for transporting blood from your intestines, pancreas and gall bladder into your liver.

Microplastics come from the breakdown of the plastic waste found in oceans and landfills, although some are produced deliberately, like the microbeads in skincare products. Its not exactly clear how plastic is making its way into the bottled water, but experts theorize it comes from the water source, the air, the processes of manufacturing and bottling, or even some plastic chipping off the cap when opening up the bottle.

Plastics can take hundreds of years to break down, and some never fully degrade. Compounding the problem is their tendency to act like sponges, absorbing and releasing chemicals that can harm people and animals.

Drinking safe water

Right now, there are no permissible limits for microplastics in the bottled water sold in the U.S., Canada and Europe. The World Health Organization has launched a review into the risks of plastics in drinking water in response to these studies. The group plans to study the short-term and long-term risks to human health of consuming water that contains microplastics and to determine what levels can be considered dangerous.

There are already around 150 million tons of plastic contaminating the worlds oceans. Experts say that within the next 30 years, our oceans will contain more plastics than fish. Plastic already exceeds plankton in some areas by 6 to 1.

If youre concerned about plastics in water  and you should be  consider forgoing bottled water altogether and invest in a reputable water filter system for your home. You can put this water in your own reusable bottles made of safer materials for drinking on the go. Its also a good idea to reduce your use of plastic in general, whether it means skipping straws, getting reusable grocery bags, or trading out your Tupperware for glass storage containers.

Sources for this article include:

WakingTimes.com

CBC.ca

TheGuardian.com
(Natural News) A branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has come under fire for the ruthless killing of wild animals. Known as the Wildlife Services, the department is responsible for millions of wildlife deaths every year  a fact that is rather ironic, given that the USDA is charged with animal welfare. The death toll for 2017 reached a peak of approximately 2.3 million animals. Of those, 1.3 million were native species. How many animals have to die to make room for Big Ag?

While the USDA website describes its Wildlife Services program as a means to help people resolve wildlife damage to a wide variety of resources and to reduce threats to human health and safety, the fact of the matter is that their services are largely intended to benefit the agricultural industry. There is little regard for animal welfare in this sense, as the flat-out massacring of adult animals and their young is beyond reprehensible. As Global Research notes, Wildlife Services does not account for the number of baby animals that it destroys  only adults. Nearly 42,000 dens were destroyed  and with them, an unreported number of young animals.

As sources report:

According to the latest report, the federal program last year killed 357 gray wolves; 69,041 adult coyotes, plus an unknown number of coyote pups in 393 destroyed dens; 624,845 red-winged blackbirds; 552 black bears; 319 mountain lions; 1,001 bobcats; 675 river otters, including 587 killed unintentionally; 3,827 foxes, plus an unknown number of fox pups in 128 dens; and 23,646 beavers.

Thousands of prairie dogs and their dens (and an untold number of pups) were also destroyed, alongside thousands of unintentionally destroyed species. Some 3,000 animals were accidentally killed in just one year.

All told, the USDA is effectively destroying over 6,000 animals per day  though there are suspicions that number could be far higher. And thats not including the recent kitten scandal involving the USDA, either.

As sources note, many of these deaths occur due to the indiscriminate (and outdated) tactics Wildlife Services officials are using to manage wildlife populations. These tactics include leg traps, poisons, strangulation snares and other techniques.

Coyotes: Why killing them doesnt work

While there are thousands of species being massacred at the behest of the USDA, coyotes are one of their prime targets. Nearly 70,000 coyotes were slaughtered in 2017, but numerous studies have shown that killing coyotes is not the best way to manage their populations. Coyotes are intelligent, highly adaptable animals. Even when their numbers are culled by up to 70 percent, they manage to repopulate at a rapid pace.

As the Humane Society explains, when coyote populations dwindle, they start reproducing at a younger age and have more pups per litter. In other words, killing them is causing their population to grow faster. This effect is well-documented and has been studied by one of the worlds most respected wildlife ecologists, Dr. Robert L. Crabtree.

The Humane Society states, It is nearly impossible to completely eradicate coyotes from an area. Despite bounties and large-scale efforts to kill coyotes over the last 100 years, coyotes have in fact expanded their range throughout the U.S. and Canada tremendously. One study even found that killing 75 percent of a coyote population every year for 50 years would still not exterminate the population.

This, combined with the fact that Wildlife Services is decimating the populations of coyotes natural predators (wolves, bears and mountain lions are all on the governments hit list), it really shouldnt be that surprising. As Predator Defense notes, reintroducing wolves into an area has been shown to reduce coyote populations by up to 50 percent. Why then, did the U.S. government kill 357 wolves last year?

Moreover, Predator Defense states Dr. Crabtrees research has shown that when coyotes are producing larger litters, they are more likely to go after larger, unnatural prey  like livestock. Lethal efforts to control their population actually drives coyotes to push for their own survival; whod have thought?

The needless slaughter of wild animals needs to end. Not only are these practices outdated, most research shows these efforts are useless. The U.S. government is putting the demands of special interest groups ahead of actual science, as usual. When will we learn? Read more about ridiculous policies at BigGovernment.news.

Sources for this article include:

GlobalResearch.ca

APHIS.USDA.gov

PredatorDefense.org

MountainJournal.com
(Natural News) While its true that Americas founding fathers were all white and that the Constitution was not evenly applied throughout our history, subsequent generations of citizens, legislators and jurists made sure that the Bill of Rights was meant for everyone.

Today, for instance, it matters not what your skin color is or where you came from: If youre a citizen, you can own a firearm, worship the god of your choosing, attend political rallies, and expect not to be hassled by the police unless they suspect you of having committed a crime.

You can also speak your mind freely  without persecution or prosecution  and people of all skin colors and ethnicities do, every single day, throughout our country.

But one goofy professor at the University of Toronto has posited that freedom of speech is really nothing more than a white supremacist construct, despite the fact that the First Amendment contains no caveats or restrictions involving race.

As Breitbart News reports, Prof. Rinaldo Walcott, director of the Women & Gender Studies Institute (yeah, thats a real thing) has argued for some time that free speech is really all about upholding and promoting white supremacy.

His viewpoints about speech and academic freedom were highlighted recently by the activist group Far Left Watch in a blog post published on the site. The post noted that Walcott was scheduled to speak at a white privilege conference soon at Ryerson University in Canada.

Walcott argued in a series of tweets that both concepts  academic freedom and free speech  were grounded in white supremacy.

Lets be clear: free speech and academic freedom, both of them, as presently constituted and defended are white supremacist speech. It is clear as day. (And I aint down with either of them), he wrote.

Far Left Watch, in its blog post, noted the utter hypocrisy in Walcotts claims; though he says universities are bastions of white supremacy and there is no academic freedom, he receives invitations and speaks often on college campuses to spew his Left-wing garbage.

According to this University of Toronto professor, free speech and academic freedom are white supremacist speech. Educators like this are why we are losing an entire generation to social justice extremism, Far Left Watch tweeted.

According to this University of Toronto professor, free speech and academic freedom are "white supremacist speech". Educators like this are why we are losing an entire generation to social justice extremism. pic.twitter.com/Ze2UHlncN2  Far Left Watch (@FarLeftWatch) December 9, 2017

The blog post noted further:

The great irony is that this Professor who claims that universities are white supremacists institutions is giving a keynote speech at a multi-day White Privilege Conference at a state funded university. Walcott is just one of many Professors who use their position and influence in academia to advance an ideology that only views the world through the lens of victim vs. oppressor, and like many other far-left Professors, the criteria he uses to define white supremacy appears to get broader by the day.

White privilege is a made-up construct intended to divide

There is nothing oppressive about freedom. Whats oppressive is singling out certain ethnicities for specific criticism and invented concepts of dominance. (Related: Liberals destroy all MERIT: Will the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB now halt all tryouts and let anyone join their teams?)

There is no white privilege, for instance. It simply doesnt exist, and if you think differently, you should take a drive through the Appalachian Mountains sometime. Or tell that to a white mother whos just lost her teenage son to an opioid overdose. Or a school shooter.

Whites dont receive preferential treatment for jobs or university applications. There are no quotas to hire whites.

Whites dont have special days or entire months to celebrate their history.

In fact, most holidays and observances that are attributable to whites are under assault. They include Columbus Day  the Left is trying to rename it Indigenous Peoples Day  and Christmas.

Statutes of white figures and related historical markers are defaced or torn down.

To insinuate that basic human rights  to speak freely and to learn in an open environment  are in any way attached to race is not simply wrong, its divisive.

But then thats the Lefts primary objective: Division.

Read more about the insanity of the Left at LeftCult.com.

J.D. Heyes is editor of The National Sentinel and a senior writer for Natural News and News Target.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

FarLeftWatch.com

TheNationalSentinel.com
(Natural News) There has been a loud outcry in recent years against the use of chemical weapons in countries like Iraq and Syria, and rightly so. Utterly destructive and created to kill indiscriminately, these weapons often kill children and the most helpless in society. Chemical weapons make use of chemical mixtures to harm or kill humans, and can be dispersed in liquid, gas or solid form. They are especially cruel because they often kill or harm far more than just the intended victims. Chemical weapons are considered weapons of mass destruction and include nerve agents and blister (vesicant) agents like sulfur mustard.

Experts believe that Syria, which has been developing chemical weapons since the 1980s, is sitting on a massive stockpile of such weapons, and the countrys leaders have shown that they are not afraid to use them.

While the worlds governments and media panic about just how many of these weapons have been stockpiled by Syria and other countries, however, Bayer  the company that developed the poisonous gases used prolifically during World War I (WWI)  has refused to acknowledge its role in the deaths of an estimated 60,000 soldiers and others. In fact, the company went on to profit heavily off the production of similar weapons during World War II, just a few years after the end of the first world war.

They have neither taken responsibility for the destruction they have caused nor have they been held to account by the powers that be.

A poisonous history

In 1907, the Hague Convention Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land banned the use of chemical weapons. Nonetheless, in 1914, a commission chaired by Carl Duisberg of Bayer, Fritz Haber who was director of the Kaiser Wilhelm-Institut at the time, and a chemist named Walter Nernst, started looking into ways to dispose of the poisonous waste created by the chemical industry. They were delighted to turn this waste into financial advantage by creating chemical weapons.

The enemy wont even know when an area has been sprayed with it and will remain quietly in place until the consequences occur, Duisberg enthused at the time. He added, This phosgene is the meanest weapon I know. I strongly recommend that we not let the opportunity of this war pass without also testing gas grenades. (Related: For more stories like these see Twisted.news.)

The Global Research Centre notes that Duisberg was so proud of his accomplishments in this regard that he had a series of paintings commissioned by the painter Otto Bollhagen depicting the testing of chemical weapons and gas masks near the city of Cologne.

No remorse

Over the years, Bayer has failed to show any remorse for the consequences of choices made by the companys leaders. Nor have they distanced themselves from Duisberg, even as pressure has mounted on them to do so, with several cities in Germany  including Frankfurt, Bonn, Marl and Wuppertal  recently taking the decision to rename streets which were previously named after this infamous war criminal. (Related: The former chairman of Bayer, maker of childrens aspirin, was found guilty of Nazi war crimes and sentenced to prison.)

The Coalition against BAYER dangers notes:

The name BAYER particularly stands for the development and production of poison gas. Nevertheless the company has not come to terms with its involvement in the atrocities of the First World War. BAYER has not even distanced itself from Carl Duisbergs crimes.

Taking their evil war crimes to the next level, Bayer became Germanys largest explosives producer during World War II and got in on the production of gas masks, which made the company immensely wealthy. Bayer also assisted the Third Reich with research into poisonous gases in their laboratories, and Dr. Gerhard Schrader  the inventor of the infamous SARIN and TABUN gases  went on to become head of the companys pesticides department after the war.

And now this evil company is merging with the worlds most evil corporation: Monsanto  a collaboration that is sure to take them to even greater heights (or depths) of villainy. (Related: Monsanto-Bayer merger gets the green light  Farmers are worried, as they should be.)

Read ChemicalViolence.com to see more news on the chemical weapons that target humanity.

Sources include:

GlobalResearch.ca

BBC.com
(Natural News) Vaccines are one of the most hotly debated topics today, and their defenders often ask those who voice concerns about vaccines to furnish evidence that theyre bad. While there is no shortage of studies showing the harm they cause, a recent incident reminds us that there is likely a lot more information out there about vaccine dangers that never sees the light of day.

Recently, the home of a pair of world-renowned scientists who found contaminants in several common vaccines was raided, and authorities confiscated documents related to their findings along with computers, flash drives, and years of research.

After publishing a study exposing nanoparticulate contaminants in vaccines, Dr. Antonietta Gatti and her husband, Dr. Stefano Montanari, attracted the attention of authorities in Italy, Europe and the U.S. Dr. Gatti showed that vaccines contain inorganic adjuvants such as steel, tungsten and copper  components that arent declared in the vaccines labels.

They likely got there during the vaccine creation process or through polluted components. Once injected into a persons tissue, their danger grows because they become trapped in the tissue and cause permanent inflammation. Is this really something we want injected into anybody, much less babies and toddlers whose bodies are still developing?

Dr. Montanari likened these particles to a bullet. If youre shot in the heart, he says, it doesnt matter whether the bullet was made of iron or titanium  youve got a hole in your heart either way, and thats never a good thing. Dr. Gatti was about to testify before the Italian parliament about the dangers of these vaccine contaminants when her home was raided.

How often does this happen?

How many times has this happened before? What else about vaccines have those in power used questionable means to keep under wraps? The truth is that we have no way of knowing, but this and other stories certainly give us a lot to worry about. For example, a scientist who had been researching the link between autism and vaccines, Dr. James Bradstreet, was found floating in a river, dead with a gunshot wound in his chest in 2015. The Georgia doctor was an expert witness in federal court for vaccine-injured families, and just before his death, his office was subjected to a multi-agency raid that was led by the FBI.

Another prominent vaccine truth advocate was also targeted for murder. Dr. Suzanne Humphries reports that after speaking out about the spike in kidney conditions she had seen connected to flu shots, she found herself on the receiving end of death threats. On one occasion, the brake lines in her car were clamped; a service station attendant told her it was clearly a malicious act. Other incidents involved finding a crossbow arrow stuck into her front lawn, someone breaking into her home and turning the gas line on, and somebody spraying her dog with a chemical that temporarily blinded him. Law enforcement was unhelpful, and they havent investigated the threats against her.

A 2009 CBS report showed emails from vaccine maker Merck that expressed a desire to discredit, neutralize or destroy doctors who went against their interests. Instead of investigating these findings and trying to make improvements, they find it easier to simply attack their detractors.

While its comforting to know that there are researchers out there trying to get to the bottom of what were really injecting into our bodies, theyre fighting an uphill battle given Big Pharmas far reach in the government as well as the mainstream media.

Sources for this article include:

WakingTimes.com

NaturalNews.com
Government agencies, businesses and other organizations in Arizona plan to participate in an exercise to practice how the state would respond to a migration of 400,000 people following a catastrophic earthquake in Southern California.

The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs says participants in the National Mass Care Exercise in the coming week will tackle how to organize operations such as providing food, shelter and medical services.

The department says its planning for the exercise has been underway for nearly a year.

The State Emergency Operations Center in Phoenix along with many county, tribal and municipal emergency operations centers will activate during the exercise to test activation procedures and staff training.
The famous day of running and revelry once again returned to the streets of San Francisco Sunday morning.

Racers of all levels, from the fine-tuned athletes to the costume-wearing average Joes, hit the pavement in the city by the bay to take part in the 107th running of the annual Bay to Breakers footrace.

As runners broke through the finish line after dashing across the rolling San Francisco landscape, it seemed at though few were actually worried about their times. It was more about who wore what.

One competitor ditched a traditional T-shirt and running shorts for a full body giraffe costume. Another broke out a banana suit and captured the finish line with a post-race selfie. People dressed as fruits  watermelon, kiwi and grapes to name a few  breathed a sweet sigh of relief after conquering the streets of San Francisco.

"It wasn't a 'grape' idea, but I 'pressed' through," Henry Patricio joked after completing the course in a grape costume. "No 'wine-ing' at all until here."

Racers Sport Ingenious Costumes for 2017 Bay to Breakers

Superheroes also came out in full force. While keeping a watchful eye on the safety of the city, The Flash and Batman duked it out for bragging rights on the course. The Flash, tapping into his lightning-quick speed, came out on top, but it wasn't all bad news for Batman. He trounced Superman.

"Man of steel ran out of gas," runner Rafael Amezcua said. "But it was a fun race. It's one of the funnest ones that's offered around here."

While much of the race remained the same  12km course spanning from the edge of the Bay Bridge to Ocean Beach  this year's event featured an added 3km stretch along the Great Highway for those runners interested in pushing the envelope.

Runners started to hit the pavement at 8 a.m. from the intersection of Main and Howard streets. From there, they ran west along Howard Street, attempted to defeat Hayes Hill and its steepest grade of 11 percent, snaked through Golden Gate Park and finished with a sprint to the Ocean Beach parking lot.

Bay to Breakers Revelry

Aside from receiving cheers at the finish line, Beth Goya and her group representing Lady Liberty said they were showered with praise as they ran embracing the #MeToo movement.

"It was super fun," Goya said. "We got a lot of cheers along the course that we were inspiring their daughters."

For the second year in a row, Philemon Cheboi broke the tape first for the men, finishing this year's race with a time of 35:41, according to event organizers. Jane Kibii crossed the finish line first on the female side, ending her race at the 40:27 mark.

Bay to Breakers 2015

Racers were not allowed to run with any bags, backpacks or containers. The only exception was if the bag, backpack or container was clear and smaller than 8.5 x 11 x 4 inches.

Participants were able to wear running belts and fanny packs, but they were not allowed to bring CamelBak hydration backpacks or hydration vests that could be worn over the shoulder.

Alcohol and any illegal substances were also forbidden on the race course.

For a complete breakdown of Sunday's event, visit the Bay to Breakers website.
A Bay Area student is urging valedictorians across the country to include a minute-long message addressing gun violence following the Santa Fe High School shooting in Texas that left 10 dead Friday.

More than 100 commencement speakers across the nation have already agreed to include a 60-second speech at graduation. A Bellarmine High School student working on the project hopes the school's valedictorian will mention it when seniors graduate Thursday.

"It does use things like 'we are the adults now, we need to take action,'" student Ronan Macrunnels said. "'We will no longer be apathetic, we will work to change the world around us.'"

Ronan is joining forces with other high school leaders for the Donate 60 project. They hope what starts at commencement will end at the ballot box. Bay Area Congresswoman Jackie Speier agrees and says the action is imperative.

"We are the only country on the planet that has so many deaths associated with gun violence and it's not that hard to do better background checks, eliminate bump stocks and ban assault weapons," Speier said.

Students hope high school commencements really will mark the commencement of change.

"There are 17 million of us graduating and we will be eligible to vote," Macrunnels said.

The Donate 60 speech also includes a reference to climate change and fighting sexual assault.

To help Ronan with his message, check out a Facebook page dedicated to his cause.
A man is in moderate condition after falling from a cliff in San Francisco Saturday afternoon, the San Francisco Fire Department reported.

The male reportedly fell about 50 feet from a Fort Funston Cliff onto the beach after attempting to rescue his dog.

He was transported to a trauma center with moderate injuries and his dog, who is safe, was transported to an animal control facility.

No other information was immediately available.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf met with neighbors outside a barbershop Saturday to hear their concerns as part of her Mobile Mayor program.

"Lots of times I get thanked for warning my community about an impending ICE raid but sometimes, people just want to talk about the pothole on their street," said Schaaf.

This comes after President Donald Trumps comments suggesting the Department of Justice should investigate her for possible obstruction of justice.

"You talk about obstruction of justice I would recommend that you look into obstruction of justice for the mayor Oakland California Jeff," Trump said.

Schaaf responded to the presidents remark in a Washington Post opinion piece published Saturday morning. In it, she says she is not obstructing justice, but seeking it.

"Im surprised the president continues to obsess with his vindictiveness about trying to hold me up on charges," she said. "We understand our communities best. What I did was protect my community."

Schaaf said she has not heard directly from the Administration about the matter but is prepared and takes the allegations seriously.
What to Know A Cuban airliner with 113 people on board plummeted into a yuca field just after takeoff from Havana's international airport on Friday

There was no immediate word on casualties, though residents told The AP they saw at least some survivors being taken away in ambulances

The Cuban Council of Churches says 20 priests from an evangelical church are among the dead in the Havana plane crash on Friday.

"On that plane were 10 couples of pastors. 20 people. All of the Nazarene Church in the eastern region," confirmed Maite Quesada, a member of the council.

The group spent several days at a meeting in the capital and were returning to their homes and places of worship in the province of Holguin.

The plane, a 39-year-old airliner with 110 people aboard, crashed and burned in a cassava field just after taking off from the Havana airport Friday, leaving three survivors in Cuba's worst aviation disaster in three decades, officials said.

The Boeing 737 went down just after noon a short distance from the end of the runway at Jose Marti International Airport while on a short-hop flight to the eastern city of Holguin. Firefighters rushed to extinguish the flames that engulfed the field of debris left where Cubana Flight 972 hit the ground.

"There is a high number of people who appear to have died," Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said from the scene. "Things have been organized, the fire has been put out, and the remains are being identified."

Relatives of those aboard were ushered into a private area at the terminal to await word on their loved ones.

"My daughter is 24, my God, she's only 24!" cried Beatriz Pantoja, whose daughter Leticia was on the plane.

State TV said the jet veered sharply to the right after takeoff, and Diaz-Canel said a special commission had been formed to investigate the cause of the crash.

"The only thing we heard, when we were checking in, an explosion, the lights went out in the airport and we looked out and saw black smoke rising and they told us a plane had crashed," Argentine tourist Brian Horanbuena told The Associated Press at the airport.

Skies were overcast and rainy at the airport at the time of the incident, with winds reportedly around 4 mph (6 kph).

Authorities said there were 104 passengers and six crew members on the flight operated by the Cuban state airline. Cuban media reported that five children were among those on board the plane.

Mexican authorities said the Boeing 737-201 was built in 1979 and rented by Cubana from Aerolineas Damojh, a small charter company that also goes by the name Global Air.

A statement from the country's Transportation Department identified the pilot and co-pilot as Capt. Jorge Luis Nunez Santos and first officer Miguel Angel Arreola Ramirez. It said the flight attendants were Maria Daniela Rios, Abigail Hernandez Garcia and Beatriz Limon. Global Air said maintenance worker Marco Antonio Lopez Perez was also aboard.

Outside the company's Mexico City offices, former Global Air flight attendant Ana Marlen Covarrubias said she had worked for the company for over seven years and knows nearly all the crew members.

"I don't have the words. I'm very sad. We're in mourning," a she said in tears. "It was something really, really, really terrible; a tragedy for us."

In addition to the Mexican crew, Cuban Communist Party newspaper Granma reported that the passengers were mostly Cubans plus five foreigners from countries it did not identify. Argentina's Foreign Ministry said two of its citizens had died in the crash.

In November 2010 a Global Air flight originating in Mexico City made an emergency landing in Puerto Vallarta because its front landing gear did not deploy. The fire was quickly extinguished, and none of the 104 people aboard were injured. That plane was a 737 first put into service in 1975.

Cubana has had a generally good safety record but is notorious for delays and cancellations and has taken many of its planes out of service because of maintenance problems in recent months, prompting it to hire charter aircraft from other companies.

Four crash survivors were taken to a Havana hospital, and three remained alive as of mid-afternoon, hospital director Martinez Blanco told Cuban state TV.

State media reports stopped short of openly declaring the rest on board were dead, but there was no word of other survivors by Friday evening.

Cuban First Vice President Salvador Valdes Mesa had met with Cubana officials on Thursday to discuss improvements to its service. The airline blames its spotty record on a lack of parts and airplanes because of the U.S. trade embargo against the communist-run country.

It was Cuba's third major aviation accident since 2010.

Last year a Cuban military plane crashed into a hillside in the western province of Artemisa, killing eight soldiers. In 2010, an AeroCaribbean flight from Santiago to Havana went down in bad weather, killing all 68 people aboard, including 28 foreigners, in what was the country's worst air disaster in more than two decades.

The last deadly accident involving a Cubana-operated plane was in 1989, when a charter flight from Havana to Milan, Italy, crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 126 people on board and at least two dozen on the ground.

Cubana's director general, Capt. Hermes Hernandez Dumas, told state media last month that the airline's domestic flights had carried 11,700 more passengers than planned between January and April.

He said 64 percent of flights took off on time, up from 59 percent the previous year.

Associated Press writer Amy Guthrie contributed to this report.
The storms that spawned four tornadoes, a macroburst and several microbursts in Connecticut on Tuesday caused more damage to the state's electrical grid than Superstorm Sandy, according to Eversource.

Tuesday's storms brought winds up to 110 mph to the state while Sandy's winds reached 85 mph.

Nearly 1,700 utility poles were broken during Sandy. Tuesday's storms broke more than 1,800 statewide, Eversource said in a Facebook post on Sunday.

There were 288 miles of electrical wires torn down on Tuesday compared to 105 miles of wires during Sandy, Eversource said.

With the extensive damage, Eversource pushed back its deadline for full power restoration from Sunday to midnight on Monday.

The company released a statement Saturday explaining their crews are now accessing the toughest areas to reconnect in some of the towns hardest hit by Tuesdays tornadoes and severe storms, and said, we understand how trying it is for our customers to be without power and we truly appreciate their support and understanding throughout this power restoration.

On Saturday night, scores of bucket trucks poured into parking lots at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain as more than 800 electrical workers from Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire arrived to join the repair effort. Those workers are spending the night in CCSUs dormitories.

In Oxford, where a tornado ripped trees from the ground and where 30 percent of residents remained without electricity for much of the day, lights are gradually coming back on.

Deirdre Virgalla celebrated her family homes reconnection just in time for her sons birthday, telling NBC Connecticut, thank you Eversource, were so excited.

Across town, Joan Cox is still waiting for Eversource crews to reach the broken pole a few hundred feet from her home. Her family relied on a generator to get through the week and is also supplying power to a neighbor.

Cox said shes just happy her family is safe, and shes ready to ride it out, as long as her generator stays online.
There aren't a whole lot of sandy beaches in North Texas. On weekends, Little Elm Beach gets busy.[[483078801,R]]

Beginning Memorial Day weekend, folks who want to park in the lot at the beach will have to pay a ten dollar fee on Saturdays and Sundays.

"This place is terrific," said Debbie Urban of Denton, as she watched over a small group of kids, including her own, playing in the water.

It's that water  and rare-to-this-area sand  which draws a crowd. Especially on weekends.

"We're out here as many times as we can," said Urban.

Town Manager Matt Mueller said the money raised from the parking fee will help pay for extra trash pickup, maintenance and extra police patrols necessary because of the big crowds.

"To me it would be worth it." said Urban. "It's a great facility. They keep it clean, so if that means ten dollars for parking I say go for it."

Most beachgoers we spoke to agree.

"If it's going to the community, and they're giving us such a great amazing park, why would we care?" asked Mike McQuade of Little Elm, who says he comes to the beach about three times a week.

Some people who didn't want to go on camera said they think the fee is a bad idea. One man called it "ridiculous." Another said he'd likely take his family elsewhere. Some slammed the idea on social media sites.

The town previously charged a smaller fee for beach parking, said Mueller, but did away with it about five years ago.

For those who don't want to pay, there are other parking options, and a shuttle, which can bring folks to the beach. Town of Little Elm residents also have the option of buying a $25 season pass. For non-residents, the cost is $75.

Urban says that's okay with her.

"It's great," she said. "We love it here, and we're gonna be here all summer long."


A decade before his ex-girlfriend was killed in what investigators say was a targeted explosion, Stephen Beal's wife died in what a coroner deemed a "mysterious case."

Christine Beal's death in 2008 came a few weeks after she fell down a flight of stairs in their Long Beach home while carrying a heavy piece of furniture with her husband. The bureau landed on her pelvic and hip area.

The Los Angeles County coroner's office said it was not clear if the death was related to trauma, but said there were no signs of foul play and ruled the manner "undetermined." An autopsy said her death was caused by pancreatitis, electrolyte imbalance and chronic lead intoxication.

Stephen Beal won $550,000 in a lawsuit against a life insurance company that denied his claim after asserting the death was not an accident.

On Wednesday, Beal was arrested and accused of possessing an unregistered destructive device by FBI agents investigating the bomb blast that killed his former girlfriend inside the day spa she owned in a medical office building in Aliso Viejo, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Los Angeles.

Beal, a 59-year-old actor and model rocket enthusiast, was not charged with the fatal explosion, but he remains in custody as authorities search for a motive and suspect.

Ildiko Krajnyak, 48 and a native of Hungary, had dated Beal until recently and they were business partners. She was killed when she opened a cardboard box Tuesday afternoon. Two patrons, a mother and daughter, were seriously injured.

Beal told authorities he hadn't made any bombs and that he didn't possess enough explosive material for a blast the size of the one that ripped a corner out of the building and shook the neighborhood.

He was arrested after a search of his home found two improvised explosive devices, three guns and more than 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of explosive material, according to court documents.

Stephen Young, a friend and nearby neighbor, said he couldn't imagine Beal doing anything violent. He rejected suspicions in the neighborhood about the death of Christine Beal and said it was a tragic accident.

"If there was anything unusual about that she certainly had time to confide in a nurse or someone like that," he said. "I have no doubt it was truly an accident. I think he really suffered from the loss of his wife for several years."

After the death of Christine Beal, 48, a coroner's investigator wrote that Beal was "uncooperative, not wanting to 'reveal' information to the hospital staff about (his wife)," according to a copy of her autopsy report obtained by The Associated Press.

A toxicology screening showed she had benzodiazepine in her system, a medication commonly used for anxiety.

The tests showed her blood lead level was 24 times greater than the number set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and 100 times greater than the average for adults in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The autopsy report said medical examiners couldn't conclusively say whether the fall contributed to her death and said it was a "mysterious case."

"Death is probably natural, maybe trauma contributed but this is not known," the report said.

Beal filed a lawsuit against his employer and insurance company after they denied his claim. A doctor hired by the insurance company said it was unlikely the death was "solely by an accident."

Ultimately, Beal prevailed in his suit against Marsh & McLennan, his former employer, and American Life Insurance Company of New York.

Beal and Krajnyak met online in June 2016 and dated for about 18 months. Photos on his Facebook page showed them vacationing in Cuba, Portugal and Mexico.

Beal spoke frequently of Krajnyak and seemed happy after the difficulty of losing his wife and having his adult children move out of the house, Young said.

The couple's romance cooled earlier this year after disputes over exclusivity and finances, authorities said.

Beal called sheriff's deputies in Orange County about two hours after Tuesday's explosion, at the urging of his current girlfriend who had heard about the blast on news reports and knew he had a business in the building.

Beal didn't enter a plea during an initial court appearance Thursday and was due back in court on Monday. His public defender would not comment on the case.

___

Associated Press journalists Amanda Lee Myers in Long Beach and Brian Melley in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
Heavy rain is causing severe flooding and some flight delays across South Florida.

A flood watch for Broward County is in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday. Miami-Dade County is also experiencing on-and-off showers and storms as the muggy day continues.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport advised those flying to check with their airline about flight status before coming to the airport.

"FLL is experiencing delays due to severe weather," the airport said. "Please use the main entrance to the airport and avoid East Perimeter Road due to flooding."

In Dania Beach, streets resembled rivers Sunday morning as parked cars sat in several inches of water. Video shows significant flooding in the area of SE 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue, specifically.

Workers with the City of Dania Beach are checking on residents and advising them to move their cars to higher ground. Crews will be arriving with water pumps in an effort to ease the flooding.

Not far away, in Fort Lauderdale, more than five inches of rainfall was reported since midnight. Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Coral Springs and other Broward cities also saw severe flooding Sunday.

"Our area has seen record rainfall since midnight (over 5")," the Coral Springs - Parkland Fire Department said on Twitter. "Don't go out onto the roads unless absolutely necessary. Conditions are very dangerous."

Hallandale Beach Fire Rescue said crews are currently working on pumps as rain continues to saturate the region.

Authorities urge those walking or driving in areas under a flood watch or advisory to be aware of their surroundings. Deep puddles and standing water can be a driving hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says as little as six inches of water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

The City of Hollywood also noted that the levels of water can be deceptive.

"Avoid driving through flood waters - there is no way of telling how deep it is just by looking and you don't wawnt to get stuck," the City said.

Download the free NBC 6 app to stay up-to-date with the latest watches, warnings and advisories and to track storms with First Alert Doppler 6000.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gazed into each other's eyes and pledged their eternal love Saturday as they married at St. George's Chapel in front of hundreds of celebrity guests and millions of viewers around the world.

The American actress arrived to a fanfare and walked down the aisle accompanied part of the way by Prince Charles and by 10 young page boys and bridesmaids. The children included 4-year-old Prince George and 3-year-old Princess Charlotte, children of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.

The royal newlyweds, now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, took a short trip through Windsor in a horse-drawn carriage, to the delight of thousands of well-wishers. The couple and some of their guests then headed to a post-wedding reception, where Sir Elton John performed.

Royal entrances, the exchanging of vows and an emotional tear. These are the best moments from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding.

The crowd roared as Harry and Meghan emerged from St. George's Chapel and kissed at the top of the steps.

Markle's sleek white dress, designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller, had a boat neck and was made of silk. Her veil came to her waist in front and billowed out for many feet behind her long train, while her tiara from Queen Mary was lent to her by Harry's grandmother.

[NATL] Royal Wedding 2018: Best Moments From Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's Wedding

Harry and best man Prince William wore dark formal military dress, with white gloves and the frock coat uniforms of the Blues and Royals, and Harry kept his full red beard intact. As Charles and Meghan drew close to the altar, Harry said: "Thank you, Pa."

To Meghan, Harry said: "You look amazing."

Markle seemed poised and confident as she delivered her vows without so much as a quiver in her voice. She smiled broadly as the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby declared them husband and wife. Harry seemed a bit nervous  but happy.

The chapel service reflected Markle's American roots and married the pomp and circumstance of Britain's most sacred institution with elements of black culture. The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, the African-American leader of the Episcopal Church, delivered the sermon, and the musical selections included versions of Ben. E. King's "Stand By Me" and Etta James' "Amen/This Little Light of Mine."

At the end, teen cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason performed works including Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria."

The wedding was a global event, thanks to Harry's status as a senior British royal and Markle's celebrity after starring on the U.S. television series "Suits" for seven years. The wedding pomp and ceremony  complete with Anglican prayers and tradition, classical music, a gospel choir and a horse-drawn carriage ride through Windsor  was beamed live to tens of millions of TV viewers across the world.

[NATL]Stars at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

A host of celebrities and athletes  including Oprah Winfrey, Idris Elba, Elton John, George and Amal Clooney, Serena Williams, James Corden and David and Victoria Beckham  watched the ceremony in the gothic chapel at Windsor Castle.

Relatives at the ceremony included Charles Spencer and Jane Fellowes, the brother and sister of Harry's late mother Princess Diana. Fellowes gave a reading during the ceremony, honoring the memory of Diana. Harry's cousin Zara Tindall and her husband were also in attendance, as well as the family of Prince William's wife Kate: Parents Carole and Michael Middleton, sister Pippa Middleton and brother James Middleton.

Harry invited buddies from his 10 years of military service  which included tours of duty in Afghanistan  and from many of the charities he supports, which have focused on helping wounded veterans or encouraging a more open discussion of mental health issues.

Harry's ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy was also among the congregation, as was Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, the ex-wife of Harry's uncle Prince Andrew.

Following the ceremony, the royal family hosted two gala receptions. The afternoon gathering was hosted by the queen  with finger foods, wine and champagne. The second, smaller reception was being thrown by Charles. A three-hour break in between allowed for a rest and a change of outfits for the lucky 200 invited to the evening soiree.

The newlyweds drove to the second, private reception from Windsor Castle to Frogmore House in a silver-blue Jaguar E-Type Zero with the license plate E190519, their wedding date in English format. The car was manufactured in 1968 and was later converted to electric power.

Meghan's evening dress was designed by Stella McCartney  a white bespoke lily high neck gown made of silk crepe. She was wearing shoes from Aquazurra made in silky satin, with nude mesh and baby blue soles.

[[481042911, C]]



Outside the castle, thousands of fans had crammed the streets of Windsor. Irene Bowdry, a lawyer from California, was aboard the jammed early train to Windsor. She booked her trip to England as soon as the wedding date was announced.

"An American in the royal family, isn't that so exciting?" she said.

The weather was balmy and clear, bathing the ancient stones of Windsor Castle in a beautiful spring light. Royal fans had been camping outside the castle for days, and British police have stepped up security, with sniffer dogs, barricades and patrols all over town.

"Windsor is absolutely bursting with excitement," said royal historian Hugo Vickers. "There are cardboard cutouts of Meghan and Harry in every shop window, virtually. There's bunting all over the place. I've never seen so many people in the streets of Windsor."

It is a time of transition for the British monarchy, one that seems filled with hope as William and Harry  the two sons of Charles and the late Princess Diana  step ever more confidently into the limelight. Many in the crowd, like Ana Karukin, a Brazilian nurse living in Florida, said they came to witness a moment of history.

"We've got to be here for him and for her, my Meghan, my special girl, to support them, because it's a beautiful time," she said. "I wish that Diana was here, but she's in heaven watching over them."

The brothers had found the time amid the wedding hoopla to stroll outside the castle Friday evening to thank fans for coming. A smiling Harry gave a thumb's up and answered "Great, thank you!" when asked how he was feeling on the eve of his wedding.

And it seems to be a time of joy for 92-year-old queen and her 96-year-old husband, Prince Philip, who attended the ceremony despite his recent hip replacement surgery. She saw her grandson marry a woman who clearly has brought him the happiness he's often said was missing from his life after his mother's premature death.

The family tableau played out on the broadest possible stage. Dozens of broadcasters set up on the castle grounds for a visual feast. The chapel itself is a masterpiece of the late Gothic style, and Windsor Castle has been home to British sovereigns for nearly 1,000 years.
What to Know At least 16 people in Brooklyn required medical assistance Saturday due to possible K2 use, police said

Emergency personnel responded to several locations on the border of Bedford-Stuyvesant and Bushwick

Six people were taken to local hospitals, the FDNY said

More than a dozen people were hospitalized after overdosing on K2 in Brooklyn, authorities said.

Emergency personnel responded to several locations near the intersection of Broadway and Myrtle Avenue, on the border of Bedford-Stuyvesant and Bushwick, around 7:30 p.m. Saturday after at least 16 people in the vicinity experienced symptoms including difficulty breathing and falling unconscious that may have been due to K2 use, police said.

Around 14 people were taken to local hospitals for overdosing on the drug, the NYPD said.

There were no fatalities in connection with the overdoses, according to police.

Four people have been arrested in connection with the overdoses, including three who were picked up for untaxed cigarettes and a fourth person who was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, the NYPD said.

The intersection on the border of Bedford-Stuyvesant and Bushwick has garnered a reputation as the epicenter of the K2  or synthetic marijuana  epidemic. In July 2016, 33 people were hospitalized after smoking a bad batch of K2 in the area.

Many of them were found staggering around or lying on the streets and sidewalks. Police have previously raided shops in the neighborhoods searching for the drug.
A 3-year-old boy slipped out of the house while his mother was asleep Sunday morning and wondered the streets in Brooklyn alone, police said.

The toddler was found on the sidewalk of Avenue K near 98th Street in Canarsie, the NYPD said.

The boy was taken to Kings County hospital for a checkup and is in good health, police said.

His mother was outside looking for the child when she found a police car. Officer's brought her to the hospital where she was reunited with her son.

The Administration for Children's Services was called but it didn't appear the mother would be charged, police said.
A Southwest Airlines flight traveling from Las Vegas to Philadelphia diverted to Indianapolis Saturday afternoon due to a warning light.

Flight 5913 was headed to Philadelphia when the pressurization indicator light turned on, according to a Southwest Airlines spokesperson. The spokesperson said the flight never actually lost pressure however.

"My head was just going in and out and my ears were really hurting but they got us on the ground," Terry Walker, one of the passengers, told NBC10.

No one needed oxygen masks during the incident, according to the husband of another passenger.



The flight landed safely at Indianapolis International Airport as a precaution. No serious injuries were reported.

"We had a couple of people taken out by ambulance because of anxiety attacks," John Pocino, one of the passengers, told NBC10.

The passengers were accommodated and arrived in Philadelphia around 9:30 p.m. The diverted flight will undergo a maintenance review.

The incident occurred a little more than a month after a Southwest Boeing 737 made an emergency landing in Philadelphia following a mid-flight engine explosion that blew out a window. A woman on the aircraft died after she was partially sucked out of the window.

In response to the explosion, the FAA ordered hundreds of similar Boeing 737 engines to be inspected. Under the April 20 order, all CFM 56-7B engines that went through at least 30,000 takeoffs or landings had to be inspected within 20 days.


Judge Aaron Persky says he has no regrets.

The Northern California judge says he would handle the sexual assault case of former Stanford University swimmer Brock Turner the same way today as he did almost two years ago, though its the reason he is the target of a June 5 recall election and has become the self-described "most hated man on the internet."

In a lengthy interview with The Associated Press, the wiry 56-year-old former college lacrosse player argued the Santa Clara County recall effort is "fundamentally unfair" because it boils down a thick criminal case to Twitter hashtags. He gets a little teary-eyed when he talks about being turned into a one-dimensional caricature as the judge who condones rape.

"I expected some negative reaction," Persky said. "But not this."

The recall effort comes amid the growing influence of the #MeToo movement, and observers say it will serve as a bellwether of the movements influence on national politics.

Persky says he has resisted friends call to quit and relieve the mounting pressure on his wife and two young sons because judicial independence is at stake. He is fighting the effort, he says, because recalling judges over unpopular rulings threatens the integrity of the judiciary.

"To get justice from a judge, they need someone who follows the rules. The basic rule is the rule of law," he said. "The problem with this recall is it will pressure judges to follow the rule of public opinion as opposed to the rule of law."

On June 2, 2016, Persky followed the county probation departments recommendation when he sentenced Turner to six months in jail for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman who came to be known as Emily Doe. Turner is also required to register for life as a sex offender.

Turner was arrested after two graduate students from Sweden yelled at him as he lay atop the motionless victim, whose dress was hiked above her waist, her underwear lying nearby. They tackled him when he tried to run and held him down until police arrived.

In court, the victim read an emotional statement recounting the assault, her treatment by investigators and the ordeal of facing questions about her sexual activity and drinking habits. It quickly went viral.

"Instead of taking time to heal, I was taking time to recall the night in excruciating detail, in order to prepare for the attorneys questions that would be invasive, aggressive and designed to steer me off course, to contradict myself, my sister, phrased in ways to manipulate my answers," she wrote. "This was a game of strategy, as if I could be tricked out of my own worth."

Persky declined to discuss the victims letter or other details of the case because its on appeal. Generally, he said California law requires him to take into account the victims statement.

Turner is appealing his jury conviction, arguing he didnt get a fair trial because character witnesses were barred from testifying about his honesty, scholastic success and his swimming career. Oral arguments are scheduled for June 28 in San Jose.

Persky also declined to elaborate on his reasoning for Turners sentence, which was widely criticized as too lenient.

Stanford University law school professor Michele Dauber announced the creation of the recall campaign. Dauber is a friend of the victims and was in the courtroom for Turners sentencing. Shes an outspoken on-campus activist who helped push through more stringent sexual harassment and abuse reporting and investigation policies.

Dauber also is an adept Democratic fundraiser who has organized a well-financed recall campaign with glossy mailers juxtaposing photos of Persky with President Donald Trump and Turners mug shot, garnering national support.

"We feel its important to respond strongly with a message of accountability for elected officials like Judge Persky who do not take sex crimes and violence against women seriously," Dauber said. "Many eyes around the country are going to be on Santa Clara County as a model for how to respond to bias against women in the legal system."

Dauber said Perskys position takes a "dim view of judicial integrity" and that she has faith judges will continue to exercise their independence regardless of the outcome.

The recall campaign has drawn outsize attention and money for a local race: Proponents have raised about $1.2 million, and the judge about half that much.

"Recall Persky" signs dot the immaculate lawns of multimillion-dollar homes in Perskys Silicon Valley neighborhood, where the judge removed the numbers from the front of his house after a popular website published his address. Some former friends have told him theyre voting for his recall.

Persky grew up in an upper-middle-class home in San Franciscos leafy Lake Street neighborhood, the middle son of a psychiatrist father and a mother who taught French. He spent the first two years of high school at an exclusive East Coast boarding school before finishing closer to home at The Branson School in Marin County.

He earned a bachelors degree and a masters degree in international relations at Stanford, then graduated from the University of California, Berkeley law school and took a job with the large law firm Morrison & Forrester, which sent him to Tokyo to work with Japanese clients. He took to the culture and took a years leave to learn Japanese.

In 1997, the Santa Clara County district attorneys office hired him as a prosecutor to handle cases ranging from drunken driving to sexually violent predators. Gov. Gray Davis appointed Persky to the bench a month before voters recalled Davis from office in October 2003 amid frustration over a poor economy and other problems in the state.

A number of law school professors and retired judges have sided with Persky, including Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, who called Turners sentence too lenient but lawful. Rosen agreed with Perksy that the recall threatens judges willingness to make correct but unpopular rulings.

"This value is more important than any outcome in any individual case," he said.
In the weeks since Hawaii's Kilauea volcano began erupting, dozens of homes have burned from oozing lava, people have fled their homes and plumes of steam from the summit have shot skyward, prompting officials to distribute face masks to protect against ash particles.

Lava flows have grown more vigorous in recent days and there's concern more homes may burn and more evacuations may be ordered. Still, scientists can't say whether lava flows from nearly two dozen fissures will continue to advance, or stop.

"We have no way of knowing whether this is really the beginning or toward the end of this eruption," said Tom Shea, a volcanologist at the University of Hawaii. "We're kind of all right now in this world of uncertainty."

In addition to ash fallout from explosions and the threat of lava crossing main highways, officials warned of another hazard Saturday as a flow advanced southeast to the ocean: Laze.

"Laze is when hot lava hits the ocean sending hydrochloric acid and steam with fine glass particles in the air," the Hawaii County Civil Defense agency said in an update to the public.

The area affected by lava and ash is small compared to the Big Island, which is about 4,000 square miles (10,360 square kilometers). Most of the island and the rest of the Hawaiian chain is unaffected by the volcanic activity on Kilauea.

State and local officials have been reminding tourists that flights in and out of the entire state, including the Big Island, have not been impacted. Even on the Big Island, most tourist activities are still available and businesses are open.

Evacuation orders for two neighborhoods with nearly 2,000 people were given after a first fissure opened on May 3. Officials have been warning neighboring communities to be prepared to evacuate.

A handful of people were trapped when a flow crossed a road Friday. Some had to be airlifted to safety.

"They shouldn't be in that area," said County Managing Director Wil Okabe.

Lava flows have become faster as fresher magma mixed with decades-old magma.

The change is attributed to new magma mixing with 1955-era magma in the ground, creating hotter and more fluid flows, scientists said.

By Saturday morning, two of 22 fissures had merged, creating a wide flow advancing at rates of up to 300 yards (274 meters) per hour. Aerial footage from the USGS showed fast-moving lava advancing to the southeast. The flow was 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) from the ocean, scientists said.

In the background, the footage showed lava fountaining 328 feet (100 meters) high at one of the fissures. The fountains are created by vents closing, forcing magma to burst through a single outpoint, Stovall said.

Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno said a man suffered a "serious" leg injury Saturday when he was hit with a lava spatter while sitting on his porch near the Lanipuna Garden subdivision, the Star-Advertiser reported.

Edwin Montoya, who lives with his daughter on her farm near the site where lava crossed the road and cut off access, said the fissure opened and grew quickly.

"It was just a little crack in the ground, with a little lava coming out," he said. "Now it's a big crater that opened up where the small little crack in the ground was."

The Big Island volcano released a small explosion at its summit just before midnight Friday, sending an ash cloud 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) into the sky. The USGS's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said eruptions that create even minor amounts of ashfall could occur at any time.

This follows the more explosive eruption Thursday, which emitted ash and rocks thousands of feet into the sky. No one was injured and there were no reports of damaged property.

It came two weeks after the volcano began sending lava flows into neighborhoods 25 miles (40 kilometers) to the east of the summit.

Associated Press journalists Jae Hong, Marco Garcia, Sophia Yan, Audrey McAvoy, Becky Bohrer, Seth Borenstein, and Alina Hartounian contributed to this report.
A substitute teacher who had a "lust for life," a Pakistani exchange student who aspired to work in civil service, and an outgoing and "really funny" student who blocked the door to try to prevent the gunman from entering the classroom are among the victims of Friday's mass shooting at a Texas high school.

Seventeen-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis is being held on charges of capital murder and aggravated assault after authorities say he fatally shot 10 people and wounded at least 10 others at his high school in Santa Fe, about 30 miles southeast of Houston.

Authorities released the names of those who died: Jared Black, Shana Fisher, Christian Riley Garcia, Aaron Kyle McLeod, Glenda Perkins, Angelique Ramirez, Sabika Sheikh, Christopher Jake Stone, Cynthia Tisdale and Kimberly Vaughan.

Family members and friends of the eight students and two teachers fondly remembered their loved ones. They used such words as sweet, hardworking and loving.

A 17-year-old student is in custody, suspected of using a shotgun and revolver to kill 10 people and injure 10 others inside a south Texas high school Friday morning in what Gov. Greg Abbott (R) says is "one of the most heinous attacks that we've ever seen in the history of Texas schools."

Here are some of their stories:

JARED BLACK

Black turned 17 on Wednesday and was looking forward to a party this weekend at his family's just-purchased, above-ground swimming pool.

An older brother, Anthony, from Odessa, Texas, was planning to visit with his wife and kids. Jared also had a younger brother, Houston, 13.

The Houston Chronicle reports his family now is planning for his funeral.

His stepfather, Travis Stanich, tells the newspaper Black took daily medication for attention deficit disorder and was quiet and kind and loved art, video games and sci-fi, wrestling and wolves.

Stanich called him "a great kid" who was creative, drew cartoons and loved people.

[NATL] 10 People Dead in Santa Fe High School Shooting

SHANA FISHER

The mother of 16-year-old Shana Fisher believes that her daughter was intentionally targeted by Pagourtzi.

Sadie Rodriguez said Pagourtzi repeatedly made advances toward Fisher in the four months leading up to the shooting. Pagourtzi was an ex-boyfriend of Fisher's best friend, she said.

"He kept making advances on her and she repeatedly told him no," Rodriguez told The Associated Press over Facebook Messenger. "He continued to get more aggressive."

Rodriguez said that the week before the shooting, Fisher "stood up to him" by "embarrass(ing) him in class." Rodriguez gave no other details.

Rodriguez described her daughter as "shy and sweet" with a passion for video games. Rodriguez shared a video of Fisher from 2015, in which the teen contemplates whether or not she'll continue making gaming videos because her computer keeps crashing.

The day of the shooting, Rodriguez wrote in a Facebook status to "love like (you're) getting one more day with them."

"Anything can happen," she wrote. "I will no longer get to see my baby, my 1st born anymore."

Tammy Fisher Whalen, Shana's aunt, also posted on Facebook about her niece's death. "She was so sweet and kind. ... I love you," she wrote. "It's hard to believe... How do you make tears stop ..they won't listen ..it's as if they're in a hurry to go somewhere ..they run down my face and soon more follow ..."

CHRISTIAN RILEY GARCIA

Garcia described himself as a history junky who wanted to join the Army.

Student Jai Gillard, a 14-year-old freshman, tells The Associated Press that Garcia always sat next to her in art class, and had asked her on a date recently.

She says he was "always happy" and "very sweet."

Gillard says that after they heard gunshots and smelled gunpowder on Friday, she and Garcia and other students piled into a closet. She says that Garcia used his body as a "barricade" against the closet door to keep the shooter from entering.

Ashley Fonseca says her 15-year-old cousin always came to family get-togethers at a lake in Crosby, Texas, and was loved by everyone.

The church in Crosby where Garcia and his parents and younger sister are members was planning a Monday evening vigil to honor what the church describes as Garcia's "heroic act."

Congregations in this deeply religious community near Houston gathered Sunday for their first services since a gunman blasted his way into the high school and killed 10 people, with one pastor lamenting the grief "that none of us can comprehend."

AARON KYLE MCLEOD

McLeod, a freshman who went by Kyle, could always be counted on to make light of any situation, said close friend Kali Reeves, who added she wouldn't have been surprised if the 15-year-old "made a joke about getting shot" if he were still alive.

Reeves, 15, said she knew McLeod for years and became close friends with him in the eighth grade. She said he always had a smile on his face and loved to hang out with his friends.

"He was never one to be a sad or down person, he always had to joke or laugh about things," she said. "He was just outgoing and super sweet. He definitely didn't deserve this."

Reeves heard that her friend had been shot as she was evacuating Santa Fe High School. She joked to her boyfriend that if she FaceTimed McLeod, he would have "made a joke about him getting shot," adding that "he just always looked on the bright side of things."

Reeves said she texted McLeod throughout the day to check up on him. She sent him one final text, saying she hopes he "gets better." Shortly after, she checked Facebook and learned he was one of the 10 killed.

GLENDA PERKINS

Perkins for years had been a substitute teacher at Santa Fe High School, where her grandchildren are students.

Student Jay Mann, a junior, tells the Houston Chronicle she always had a smile on her face, took the time to learn students' names and became part of the fabric of the school.

Mann says she had a great attitude and "never got mad at anybody for doing something stupid."

An all-female Galveston Mardi Gras krewe, Tutu Live Krewe, has posted on Facebook that Perkins, along with her daughter, was a member of their marching group.

ANGELIQUE RAMIREZ

The senior pastor at Dayspring Church says Ramirez was a member of the Santa Fe church's youth ministry.

Pastor Brad Drake says she had occasionally accompanied a younger brother to the ministry at the church where her parents are among the some 150 people to attend Sunday services.

Drake on Sunday described the 15-year-old as "a sweet young lady, had a style all of her own." He says she "almost always had a new hairstyle."

An aunt, Sylvia Pritchett, said in a Facebook post she has "a broken heart and a soul that just can't process all this right now."

Angelique's sister, Araceli Ramirez, called the Santa Fe student her "best friend" who she'll "never forget."

"The first baby i ever held in my arms.. my baby sister, the person who looked up to me for the longest time, she was so outgoing, so precious, kind, beautiful,..." Araceli Ramirez wrote on Facebok.



SABIKA SHEIKH

Abdul Aziz Sheikh was expecting his daughter Sabika to return home to Pakistan in a few weeks for Eid al-Fitr, the three-day holiday marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Instead, he learned that his oldest child was among those killed in the mass shooting at Santa Fe High School, where Sabika arrived as an exchange student last August.

Surrounded by mourning friends and family at his home in Karachi on Saturday, Abdul Aziz Sheikh fought back tears as he relived his frantic efforts to check whether his daughter was safe half a world away. She wasn't returning his calls and neither were her friends. He eventually learned from the exchange program that she was among the dead.

"We are still in a state of denial. We can't believe it. It's like a nightmare," Sheikh told The Associated Press.

He said his daughter was a hard-working and accomplished student who aspired to work in civil service, hoping one day to join Pakistan's Foreign Office.

"One should not lose his heart by such kind of incidents," he said. "One should not stop going for education to the U.S. or U.K., or China, or anywhere. One must go for education undeterred. But controlling such incidents is the responsibility of the respective governments."

Megan Lysaght, manager of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study Abroad program (YES), within the U.S. State Department, sent a letter to students in the program confirming that Sabika was killed in the shooting.

"Please know that the YES program is devastated by this loss and we will remember Sabika and her families in our thoughts and prayers," Lysaght wrote.

She said the program would be holding a moment of silence for the girl, who is pictured beaming in a shirt that says "Texas" in a photo being shared on social media.

Lysaght declined further comment when contacted by The Associated Press and referred calls to a State Department spokesman.

The Pakistan Embassy in Washington, D.C., identified Sabika as a victim of the shooting on Twitter and wrote that "our thoughts and prayers are with Sabika's family and friends."

The Pakistan Association of Greater Houston said in a statement on Facebook, "May Allah bless her soul and may she RIP."

Her funeral took place Sunday.



CHRIS STONE

The death of 17-year-old Chris Stone was confirmed to NBC by his mother.

Stone was among a group of students who blocked the door to try to prevent the gunman from entering their art classroom, freshman Abel San Miguel, who was in the class, told The Associated Press. The shooter fired his shotgun through the door, though, striking Stone in the chest, he said.

Stone was outgoing, "really funny" and had a lot of friends, said Branden Auzston, a 17-year-old junior at Santa Fe High. He said he knew Stone for about three years, and Stone was one of his best friends.

Auzston's mother, Nicole Auzston, described Stone as a part of her family.

"We would have done anything for him," she said. "He's just a great kid."

Robert Stone told the AP by phone Saturday that his family was grieving his nephew's death and requested privacy.

CYNTHIA TISDALE

Family confirmed that substitute teacher Cynthia Tisdale was among the victims killed in the shooting.

Cynthia Tisdale's sister-in-law, Pamela Tisdale, told NBC that Cynthia had gone back to work about a year and a half ago after her husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Cynthia was a mother of three and had eight grandchildren.

Tisdale's niece, Leia Olinde, told AP Tisdale was married to her husband for close to 40 years.

Olinde added that Tisdale was like a mother to her and helped her shop for wedding dresses last year.

"She helped me put it on, she helped fix my hair," Olinde said through tears.

"She was wonderful. She was just so loving," said Olinde, 25. "I've never met a woman who loved her family so much.

Tisdale's house was the center for family gatherings, and she loved cooking Thanksgiving dinner and decorating her house, Olinde said.

Olinde's fiance, Eric Sanders, said of Tisdale that "words don't explain her lust for life and the joy she got from helping people."

KIMBERLY JESSICA VAUGHAN

Vaughan was a Girl Scout with a penchant for red hair dye.

After the shooting Friday, Vaughan's mother, Rhonda Hart, urged people on Facebook to contact their elected representatives.

A former U.S. Army watercraft operator, Hart called for gun control, saying "we need to protect our kids." She also invited other service members to "speak up" for her daughter.

Hart declined AP's request for an interview. But she said Monday on Facebook that one way to honor Vaughan would be to apply some red hair dye. Hart said Vaughan "loved those colors in her hair."

Vaughan's grandfather, Ralph Vaughan, tells the AP he's upset that the accused gunman will not face capital punishment. He says that he's "upset at the prospect of him remaining alive."
Authorities in Maine have found the woman they were searching for.

Mary Ann Rumley, 62, had been missing since around 10:30 a.m. on May 19, when she was last seen walking her black lab near her home in the town of Mexico.

Several Game Wardens and K9 teams found Rumley and her dog alive Sunday evening near the top of Mann Mountain about one mile from her 51 Highland Terrace home.

Officials are investigating her extended absence.

No other information was immediately available.
A young man who was killed in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood two weeks shy of his college graduation was remembered at his school's commencement ceremony with a moment of silence.

One of Christopher Joyce's family members accepted his diploma on his behalf Saturday. The 23-year-old accounting major would have been the first male in his family to graduate from college.

"We want to celebrate this moment with him unfortunately were not able to do that today," Joyce's cousin, Erica Covil, said. "He worked hard for it, and we just wish that it wasn't this type of day."

As the school community paid tribute to their classmate, graduates struggled to come to terms with the tragedy.

"Its hard to think about that," graduate Jordan Hill said. "When I think about myself, it's like, four years of a lot of effort and of people encouraging you, supporting you, and its taken away just like that."

Parents of other Salem State graduates were visibly affected after the ceremony honored Joyce's life.

"You look at these kids and you believe in the promise of them and then to be cut so short, it leaves an open hole," Frank Murray said.

"My heart is heavy for them," Hazel Murray said. "Im so sorry that their child can't even walk across the stage."

Joyce was visiting his grandpa's Boston apartment to tell him about graduation when he was shot and killed in a double murder.

His alleged killer, Wilvin Guity, is being held without bail. Guity is due back in court next month.
Beijing: China has begun large-scale mining operations on its side of the border with Arunachal Pradesh where a huge trove of gold, silver and other precious minerals valued at about US 60 billion has been found, a media report said on Sunday.

The mine project is being undertaken in Lhunze county under Chinese control adjacent to the Indian border, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet.

Projecting the mining operations as part of China's move to take over Arunachal Pradesh, the report said, "People familiar with the project say the mines are part of an ambitious plan by Beijing to reclaim South Tibet."

"China's moves to lay claim to the region's natural resources while rapidly building up infrastructure could turn it into 'another South China Sea' they said," it said.

The Post report with inputs from local officials, Chinese geologists as well as strategic experts, comes less than a month after the first ever informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping that was aimed at cooling tensions to avert incidents like the Doklam military standoff last year.

The 73-day standoff marked a new low in bilateral ties.

Lhunze was in the news last October, just about two months after Doklam, when Xi in a rare gesture replied to correspondence from a herding family in Lhunze County underscoring Beijing's claim to the area. The family is based in Yumai, China's smallest town in terms of population located close to Arunachal Pradesh.

Xi thanked the father and his two daughters for their loyalty and contributions to China, and also urged the people of Lhunze to "set down roots" to develop the area for the national interest.

The Post report said although mining has been going on in the world's highest mountain range for thousands of years, the challenge of accessing the remote terrain and concerns about environmental damage had until now limited the extent of the activities.

But the unprecedented heavy investment by the Chinese government to build roads and other infrastructure in the area has made travel easy.

Most of the precious minerals which include rare earth used to make hi-tech products are hidden under Lhunze county, the report said.

By the end of last year, the scale of mining activity in Lhunze had surpassed that of all other areas in Tibet, it said.

"Enormous, deep tunnels have been dug into the mountains along the military confrontation line, allowing thousands of tonnes of ore to be loaded and transported out by trucks daily, along roads built through every village," it said.

Extensive power lines and communication networks have been established, while construction is underway on an airport that can handle passenger jets, it said.

With more mines being dug in Lhunze and surroundings, a county official told the Post that more than 80 percent of the county government's tax income came from mining.

The mines would also lead to a situation akin to "another South China Sea" arising out of the world's highest mountain range, it said.

Zheng Youye, a professor at the China University of Geosciences in Beijing and the lead scientist for a Beijing-funded northern Himalayan minerals survey, confirmed to the Post that a series of discoveries in recent years put the potential value of ores under Lhunze and the nearby area at 370 billion yuan (USD 58 billion).

"This is just a preliminary estimate. More surveys are underway," he said.

There could be more big discoveries as Chinese researchers learn more about the area. With strong financial backing from the government, they have already amassed extensive data on the region.

According to Zheng, the new-found ores could tip the balance of power between China and India in the Himalayas.

He said Chinese troops withdrew in the 1962 war from the areas in Arunachal Pradesh as they had no people to hold the territory.

The new mining activities would lead to a rapid and significant increase in the Chinese population in the Himalayas, Zheng said, which would provide stable, long-term support for any diplomatic or military operations aimed at gradually driving Indian forces out of territory claimed by China.

"This is similar to what has happened in the South China Sea" where Beijing has asserted its claim to much of the contested waters by building artificial islands and increasing its naval activity, he said.

Hao Xiaoguang, a researcher with the Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Wuhan, Hubei who specialises in India-China issues said Beijing was likely to take the same approach to the Himalayas as in the South China Sea.

As China's economic, geopolitical and military strength continues to increase, "it is only a matter of time before South Tibet returns to Chinese control," Hao claimed.

"What China (has) achieved today in the South China Sea was almost unthinkable a decade ago. I am optimistic (about) what will happen in the Himalayas in the coming years because President Xi has made it clear that 'not a single inch of our land will be or can be ceded from China', which definitely includes South Tibet," he said.

But Hao said the Lhunze mining boom would not be expanded to other areas due to environmental reasons. In Lhunze, some of the newcomers are still acclimatising. The area is already teeming with people from different parts of China.

Weng Qingzhen, who owns a Sichuan restaurant in the county, said she moved there less than two months ago after friends and relatives told her about the mining boom.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday voiced the hope his talks with President Vladimir Putin would further strengthen the "special and privileged" strategic partnership between India and Russia.

In a series of tweets -- in Russian and then in English -- on the eve of his visit to Russia, Modi said he looked forward to his meeting with Putin.

"Greetings to the friendly people of Russia. I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him," Modi tweeted.

During their informal summit in the Russian city of Sochi on Monday, the two leaders will primarily focus on global and regional issues, including the impact of the US decision to withdraw from a nuclear deal with Iran.

"Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia," Modi said in another tweet.

Official sources said the two leaders would meet for 4-6 hours for the talks where deliberations on bilateral issues were likely to be limited.

They said the issues on the table might include the economic impact on India and Russia in the wake of the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal, the situation in Afghanistan and Syria, the threat of terrorism and matters relating to the upcoming SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) and BRICS summits.

The sources said the possible impact of the US sanctions against Russia under the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) on Indo-Russia defence cooperation may also figure during the talks between Modi and Putin.

India is not going to allow its defence engagement with Russia to be dictated by any other country, the sources said, adding New Delhi has been lobbying with the Trump administration on the issue.

The aim of the informal summit is to use the friendship and trust between the two countries to create convergence on key global and regional issues, the sources said.

The two leaders may also deliberate on extending the Indo-Russia civil nuclear cooperation to third countries, possible areas for cooperation for the International North-South Transport Corridor project, India's engagement with the five-nation Eurasian Economic Union and the situation in the Korean peninsula.
New Delhi: A 16-year-old girl from Jharkhand, employed as a maid in Delhis Paschim Vihar, was butchered into pieces when she asked for her salary after a year. Delhi Police have arrested the accused, Manjeet Karketa (30) over the heinous crime.

The minor girl, identified as Soni Kumari, hailed from Ranchis Malgo village. According to police, she was brought to Delhi by Karketa and his accomplices Sahu and Gauri whose job was to lure young and poor girls from Jharkhand with promises of employment in Delhi.

They used to bring these girl to Delhi and get them employed as maids, said additional DCP (outer) RS Sagar. They did the same with the deceased.

According to police, Manjeet would collect Sonis salary to keep her under his control. He had not handed over her salary for a year.

After a year, the victim decided to return to Jharkhand and started demanding for her salary. The accused refused and instead tried to convince her otherwise, but Soni was relentless. When he failed to convince her, Manjeet decided to kill Soni. She was chopped into pieces and the body parts were packed in a bag, said a senior police officer.

The police got a PCR call on May 4 about a chopped body lying in a bag in C-block of Rao Vihar, Mianwali Nagar of Paschim Vihar. Police initiated investigation and started efforts to identify the body.

CCTV footage in the area were analyzed and tenants of more than 200 houses around the crime scene were verified. During the course of investigation, it was found that one of the tenants was missing since the day of the murder.

On further probing, it was confirmed that the tenant, Manjeet, also hailed from Jharkhand. Manjeet was a native of Jharkhands Gumla district. Subsequently, a raid was conducted at his village but he was not there.

After almost two weeks, police received a tip-off about Manjeet that he would be visiting his rented house on May 17. Karketa was finally nabbed by the Delhi Police. During interrogation, he confessed to the brutal murder.
Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear accord and re-impose sanctions on Tehran threatens to derail a project to help build Afghanistan's economy, endangering a key goal of the U.S. strategy to end America's longest war.

The Indian-backed Chabahar port complex in Iran is being developed as part of a new transportation corridor for land-locked Afghanistan that could potentially open the way for millions of dollars in trade and cut its dependence on Pakistan, its sometimes-hostile neighbor.

Building Afghanistan's economy would also slash Kabul's dependence on foreign aid and put a major dent in the illicit opium trade, the Taliban's main revenue source.

But Trump's decision to re-impose sanctions on Iran and penalise financial institutions for doing business with Tehran is clouding Chabahar's viability as banks, nervous they could be hit with crippling penalties, pull back from financing.

"President Trump's decision has brought us back to the drawing board and we will have to renegotiate terms and conditions on using Chabahar," a senior Indian diplomat said. "It is a route that can change the way India-Iran-Afghanistan do business, but for now everything is in a state of uncertainty."

The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Launched in 2016, the joint Iran-India-Afghanistan Chabahar project already was facing holdups. It has yet to see significant traffic apart from some containers of donated wheat from India, and the first shipments of Afghan dried fruit to India are not expected before July.

At least three contracts to build infrastructure at the port now have been delayed, with two Chinese companies and a Finnish group left hanging while bankers seek clarity from Washington before approving guarantees, a person close to the project said.

In addition, Afghan traders, who were hoping for an alternative to Pakistan's port of Karachi, now find themselves cut off from funding and forced to rely on the traditional hawala money transfer system, which is insufficient on its own to transform an economy. Hawala is a trust-based system commonly used in Afghanistan that involves the movement of funds between agents in different countries.

"We know our correspondent banks would not let us pay for imports coming through that port," said a senior executive at one major Afghan lender.

Chabahar is among a number of projects of transport and energy networks projects designed to boost Afghanistan's trade and lay the foundations for a mining industry capable of exploiting its billions of dollars in untapped mineral reserves.

Bypassing the border with Pakistan, which last year was closed for some 50 days over various disputes, Chabahar is seen as a way for Afghanistan to consolidate its relationships with India and other regional powers.

"The only way to get India more involved" in Afghanistan's economic development "is through Chabahar," said Barnett Rubin, an expert with New York University's Center for International Cooperation and a former adviser to the State Department and the United Nations. "Our Iran policy is headed for a train wreck with our Afghanistan policy."

Foreign Aid

Some 17 years after the U.S.-led invasion to oust the Taliban from power, Afghanistan remains one of the world's poorest countries, highly dependent on foreign aid.

Apart from illegal opium exports estimated at some $2 billion by the International Monetary Fund, its main products are dried and fresh fruits, and carpets, none of which amount to more than a fraction of the value of the drugs trade.

Initially Afghanistan would export agricultural produce  such as pomegranates and grapes - through Chabahar, utilising a section of a road India paid for and then an extension to the Iranian border that New Delhi built, experts said.

Eventually, those exports could expand to mineral resources, something Trump has expressed an interest in gaining for U.S. firms. For India, this would mean using a planned railroad to Chabahar to export iron ore from two tracts at the Hajigak iron mine in central Afghanistan that it won the rights to exploit, the experts said.

"The economic piece is really important to get a glimmer of hope for Afghanistan to move beyond a land-locked, poppy-based economy. We are now shooting that in the head," said Thomas Lynch, a National Defense University expert and a former U.S. Army officer who advised the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on South Asia policy.

"There is no other legitimate and reliable way to do that. You can't do it by air, you can't do it through Pakistan because they just extort for everything they do," said Lynch. "The lifeline runs through Chabahar."

In addition, by hindering the development of Chabahar, the United States will leave Afghanistan dependent on Pakistan, historically its main trade partner and outlet to the world.

That would undermine another Trump goal of pressuring Islamabad to shutter Afghan insurgent sanctuaries on its side of the border and force the militants into peace talks.

Afghan officials have lobbied hard for exemptions to the sanctions for Afghan companies operating though Chabahar without success and are waiting for clarity from Washington.

"Now the uncertainty is that we don't know what's going to happen with Chabahar," said Atiqullah Nusrat, Chief Executive of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "We haven't heard anything so we have to wait and see what happens."
New Delhi: A tailor was bludgeoned to death by a mob allegedly on suspicion of cow slaughter in Madhya Pradeshs Satna district. His friend was also injured in the incident.

While 45-year-old Riyaz succumbed to injuries at a hospital, Shakeel, 38, is stated to be in coma and is undergoing treatment in a Jabalpur hospital, NDTV reported.

The mob allegedly beat the duo with sticks in the early hours of Friday in Amgara village after getting information that two persons were slaughtering a cow. The men were attacked about 28 km from their home in Purani Basti neighbourhood of Maihar town.

The incident has triggered tension in Satna, about 485 km northeast of the state capital Bhopal. Home Minister Rajnath Singh is currently on a two-day visit to Madhya Pradesh and, Satna is one of this stops. In the backdrop of the situation, security has been tightened to avoid any untoward incident during Singhs visit.

"About 400 policemen have been deployed to maintain law and order in the area following the incident," Inspector General of Police, Rewa Range, Umesh Joga said.

The police have arrested four accused in this regard and filed cases of attempt to murder against them.

A slaughtered bull and meat of two other animals packed in bags have also been found, NDTV quoted senior police officer Rajesh Hingankar as saying. The four accused have been identified as Pawan Singh Gond, Vijay Singh Gond, Phool Singh Gond and Narayan Singh Gond.

One of the accused, Pawan Singh Gond, has lodged a complaint with the police against Riyaz and Shakeel, accusing them of slaughtering cows in the village.

Pawan Singh Gond also said in his complaint that Riyaz and Shakeel were injured when they fell while trying to run away. The accused denied assaulting the two men, Hindustan Times stated quoting a police officer.

Police registered a first information report on the basis of Pawan Singh Gonds complaint against Riyaz and Shakeel under sections of the Madhya Pradesh Cow Slaughter Ban Act, 2004, and the Madhya Pradesh Agriculture Cattle Preservation Act, 1959.

Sub-Divisional Officer of Police, Maiher area, Arvind Tiwari, said that they recovered "beef" and carcass of a slaughtered bull from the spot.

While the families of Shakeel and Riyaz have denied cow slaughter charges, Hingankar said that Shakeel, who operates a taxi, will be arrested after being discharged from the hospital.

Madhya Pradesh amended its rules against cow slaughter in 2012 and raised the maximum punishment from three years imprisonment to seven years.
New Delhi: The Met department went overboard when it issued a severe thunderstorm warning that triggered widespread panic in Delhi and NCR on May 8, days after violent storms wreaked havoc in many parts of the country, a top Ministry of Earth Sciences official has said.

Following the deadly thunderstorms of May 2-3, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an alert for May 8 forecasting that parts of north India, including Delhi, could be lashed by a thunderstorm and squall with winds gusting up to 50-70 kilometres an hour.

On that day (May 8), they went overboard. They (IMD) predicted a kind of severe system but that did not happen. That is true, MoES secretary M Rajeevan told PTI when asked if the department had overreacted.

The warning triggered panic across the National Capital Region. The Delhi government ordered the closure of schools anticipating bad weather. However, there was no extreme weather activity as predicted by the Met department.

There was hype create by the people because it (the storm) had caused a lot of damage on May 2 and 3. When they (the IMD) issued the fresh forecast for the remaining days, they thought the same kind of severity will be there. (But) it was not there," he said.

The IMD had come under considerable criticism for its extreme weather warnings.

The top MoES official, however, added the IMD did not goof-up in issuing an alert for the May 2-3 high-intensity thunderstorms which killed over 120 people in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh had said it had not received a warning about a severe thunderstorm.

The MoES has several crucial institutions such as the IMD and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information System (INCOIS) under it. The INCOIS predicts extreme scenarios such as tsunamis.

Rajeevan said predicting a thunderstorm was a difficult proposition compared to tropical cyclones and attempts were being made to make a forecast about a thunderstorm six hours before it hit an area.

At present, the IMD can only predict a thunderstorm 2-3 days before it occurs.

We predicted that there was a probability of a thunderstorm on May 2-3 two or three days before it hit the region. But the question was exactly at what time would it start, intensify and dissipate. We cannot tell that two days before (it happens), he said.

He added that nowcasts  short-term weather forecasts  were issued by Lucknow and Jaipur for May 2 and 3.

I personally feel that the IMD has not goofed up. With the current technology available with us, that is the best way of doing it and they have done it, he added.
New Delhi: A Mumbai jeweller has become the first person to be put on Indias no-fly list (NFL), eight months after it was enforced to keep a check on disruptive passengers.

According to a report in The Times of India, jeweller Birju Kishore Sallas (37) had left a hijack message in the business class lavatory of a Jet Airways' flight, leading the airlines to ban him from its planes for five years.

Sallas act resulted in forced diversion of Mumbai-Delhi flight to Ahmedabad on October 30, 2017. Incidentally, he was also the first to be booked under the stringent Anti-Hijacking Act which had replaced the vintage law of 1982.

Salla is a multi-millionaire jeweller having his office in the Zaveri Bazar area of Mumbai and a flat in a posh locality of the metropolis.

"This is the first case of an Indian carrier putting someone on the NFL. Jet Airways has informed us that after following due procedure, they have banned him (Salla) for five years with effect from November 2017 for breach of security. It is the airline's responsibility to inform other carriers and then it is up to them whether they also put the person on their NFLs. We will continue to maintain a database for such passengers," said a senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Despite repeated attempts by TOI, Jet did not comment on this issue.

On October 30 last year, Salla was flying on seat 1A of 9W 339, a Mumbai-Delhi flight. He allegedly left a note in the business class lavatory which read: "9W 339 is covered by hijackers and a/c (aircraft) should not land and (be) flown straight to POK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir). 12 ppl on board. If you put landing you can hear the noise of people dying. Don't take it as a joke. Cargo area contains explosive bombs and will blast if you land in DEL (Delhi)."

The plane was diverted to Ahmedabad where it landed safely. Checks by the bomb disposal squad found no explosive in the plane and that the note was a hoax.

The then Union Civil Aviation Minister, Ashok Gajapathi Raju, had advised airlines to put him on the no-fly list, in addition to other statutory criminal action. Under the revised civil aviation requirement (CAR), a passenger can be considered to be placed under three categories of unruly behaviour, with category three bearing the harshest punishment.

Salla has been placed under the third category. It says that if a passenger's behaviour is considered life threatening like affecting the safety of the aircraft then he or she can be banned for up to two years or more.

Unruly behaviour is probed by an internal committee set up by every domestic airline under the chairmanship of a retired District and Sessions judge.

Its members are from different scheduled airlines and passenger associations, consumer associations and retired officials of the consumer dispute redressal forum.
Raipur: Seven police personnel were killed after Naxals blew up their vehicle in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district on Sunday, police said.

The attack took place on a day when Union Home Minister Rajanth Singh is scheduled to arrive in the state.

Naxals carried out a landmine blast around 12 noon when a joint team of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and the District Force (DF) was patrolling the Cholnar-Kirandul road to provide security to trucks carrying construction material for roadworks between Kirandul and Palnar villages, a senior police official said.

The intensity of the blast, which took place near a culvert, was strong enough to toss the police vehicle in a roadside ditch, he said.

Five personnel died on the spot and two were rushed to the National Mineral Development Corporation's hospital at Kirandul. One of them died during treatment at the hospital and another was airlifted to Raipur, where he died, the official said.

Those killed from the DF were identified as Head Constable Ramkumar Yadav, Constable Tikeshwar Dhruv and Assistant Constable Shalik Ram Sinha, he said.

The official said that from the CAF's 16th battalion, Head Constable Vikram Yadav and constables Rajesh Kumar Singh and Ravinath Patel were killed in the attack.

CAF Constable Arjun Rajbhar, who was airlifted to state capital Raipur, died during treatment, he said.

Naxals looted six automatic weapons  two AK-47s and as many INSAS and self-loading rifles  of the deceased personnel, he said.

Police sources believe that the attack was in retaliation to the recent encounters in Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), Malkangiri (Odisha) and Bijapur (Chhattisgarh), where Maoists suffered major casualties.

Combing operations have been intensified in the area following the attack, the official said.

Condemning the attack, Chief Minister Raman Singh termed it "cowardly" and said it exposed the rebels' anti-people and anti-development mindset.

"Our police personnel have sacrificed their lives while guarding a road construction site. Their sacrifice will always be remembered," he said.

"This proves that Naxalites do not want villagers and tribal people of this district to have access to even basic facilities such as roads. Incidents like these cannot dampen the courage and determination of our police force and officials, employees and labourers associated with road construction," Singh said.

"We are committed to provide all-weather transportation facility by developing a network of roads in the entire Bastar division, including Dantewada," the chief minister said.

Earlier, Naxals had carried out a landmine blast in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on March 13 in which nine CRPF personnel were killed.

Rajanth Singh is scheduled to arrive in Surguja district this evening to attend the passing out parade of the CRPF's Bastariya battalion on Monday.
New Delhi: A 58-year-old NRI, holding a Russian passport, was arrested at the Delhi airport on Monday after an Indian woman alleged that he had masturbated sitting beside her on board a flight from Istanbul, officials said.

The security control room at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport was informed in the early hours on Monday that there was an "unruly passenger" on board a Turkish Airlines flight approaching Delhi.

Personnel of the CISF, which guards the airport, reached the flight (TK-716) upon landing and were informed that the Indian woman had, in the meantime, made a distress call to the Delhi Police alleging sexual harassment by a co-passenger.

"It was learnt that the male passenger, an NRI holding Russian passport, was sitting next to the woman in the flight and allegedly unzipped his trousers and started masturbating in front of her," a senior official said.

When the woman complained to the cabin crew, the male passenger was shifted to another seat, he said.

The man was later handed over to the Delhi Police, which reached the Terminal-III area of the airport. He has been booked under Section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the IPC and arrested, police said.
Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Saturday that the issue of Muslims offering prayers at open places was being "politicised" by some people.

"The matter of offering prayers at open places by Muslims, which is a social, not political, issue is being politicised by some people and taken in the wrong direction. No one has the right to hurt religious sentiments... and such matters can be settled only through peaceful dialogues," he said at an event in Chandigarh.

Khattar said that the population is increasing, including the number of people belonging to the Muslim community. "With the number of people offering prayers increasing, the number of places available for offering prayers has become small," he said according to a state government release.

The Gurgaon District Administration has identified 37 places where Muslims can offer prayers. Apart from this, they can also offer prayers at Masjid, Eidgah and private places.

Khattar said the government's role is not only to carry out development, but also to steer the society in the right direction.

As far as the 'Bhagavad Gita' is concerned, he said it is a way of life and the Supreme Court has also given judgment that the 'Gita' is a way of life, that is, the art of living.

According to the release, he said the 'shlokas' of the 'Gita' had been written on every page of the Constitution, apparently referring to the values that are part of the Vedic scripture.

People around the world are willing to follow the 'Gita'. Some countries have shown interest in organising programmes related to the holy book, he said.

Khattar said the state government has got the 'Gau Sanrakshan Avam Gau Samwardhan' law passed unanimously in the legislative assembly. 'Gau Seva Aayog' has been set up and stray cattle were being kept in gaushalas and nandishalas, he said.

Khattar also said that the Gayatri Mantra is a part of people's faith and if anyone wanted to recite the mantra, he can. The state government has not issued any mandatory orders in this regard, he added.

Namaz, jaagran and other forms of prayers are religious matters and it is "quite okay" to offer prayers at public places until anyone raises objection, Khattar said, adding when someone objects, the government has to take cognizance of it and step forward to maintain law and order.

Earlier this month, Khattar had said 'namaz' should be offered in the precincts of religious places such as Mosques and Eidgahs, and if there was shortage of place for offering namaz, it should be done at private places.
Chennai: Pravin Togadia, who recently quit the Vishwa Hindu Parishad today hit out at the Centre for suspending security operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan and demanded its withdrawal.

Referring to Pakistani shelling that killed civilians and a BSF jawan yesterday(Friday) in Jammu, the hardline right wing leader said, "Pakistan is waging war in the month of Ramzan and we are talking of peace."

He said, the "Central government's decision to stop security forces not to use weapons against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir during Ramzan is demoralising and humiliating security forces and encouraging Jihadi terrorism."

Togadia, who after over three decades of association with the VHP quit the organisation on April 14, said, "I condemn this decision of the Central government and demand that it be withdrawn."

Asking the Centre to get tough with Pakistan, he said Pakistan had nothing to do with Ramzan as it did not hesitate to 'kill' civilians and security personnel during the holy month.

In a direct attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, "Indian Prime Minister is much more concerned with Ramzan and that is hurting the nation."

His comments come at a time when Narendra Modi is on a visit of Jammu and Kashmir today.

Togadia, who had to quit the VHP following reported differences with the RSS for targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Ram temple issue, wanted all trade relations with Pakistan severed including imports.

Asked if he would go back to the VHP, he evaded a direct reply and said his resolve to work for the Hindu society continued as before.

On the circumstances that forced him to quit the VHP, a key Sangh Parivar outfit, he said "let us look forward," adding he continued to work for the peace and prosperity of Hindus everywhere.

Togadia was here to launch free legal aid, and healthcare services for needy Hindus.

The free services also include providing free rice to indigent among the Hindus, he said adding such services were already available in several States including Kerala in the south and it was now being expanded to Tamil Nadu.

The firebrand leader has been critical of the Prime Minister on several issues and he had slammed Modi for calling 'gau-rakshaks,' (cow protectors) as 'gundas' (goons).

On May 16, the Home Ministry had announced conditional suspension of security operations in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Prime Minister Modi's visit during Ramzan, a move seen as a bid to bring peace and provide a conducive atmosphere in the restive valley.

The Ministry had however said that the security forces, reserved the right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and opposition National Conference leader Omar Abdullah had welcomed the Centre's decision.

The move of the Centre is similar to the Non Initiation of Combat Operations announced by the first NDA government, headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, during Ramzan in 2000.
Srinagar: The signature of Vishal Jangotra, an accused in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua in January, does not match the one which he claimed to have signed in an exam attendance sheet in Meerut to claim he was not at the crime scene, according to a report of forensic experts.

The report by the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL), detailing this conclusion, has been submitted to the crime branch of Jammu and Kashmir police, according to officials in the probe team.

The crime branch, meanwhile, issued notices to all the three friends of Vishal for appearing before it for questioning on Monday after the Supreme Court gave a go ahead on May 17 for their further examination.

The officials said the report has stated that Vishal had not put the signature on the attendance sheet and it was done by someone else.

Vishal, one of the eight accused arrested in the case for raping and murdering the girl from the minority nomadic community, had claimed that he was in Meerut and had never visited Kathua when the crime was committed. He had also told the investigators that he had signed the attendance sheet before the examination on January 15.

The Crime Branch had sent the attendance sheet to CFSL for having an opinion as the probe indicated that the signatures appeared to have been made by some friend of Vishal as his train from Jammu to Meerut was late and he had reached Meerut after the examination was over, officials said.

The "Questioner of Examined Documents" (QED), who is an expert on examination of handwriting samples, opined that the signatures on the attendance sheet did not match with that of Vishal, son of Sanji Ram, the alleged mastermind of the murder, the officials said.

The Crime Branch has already expanded its investigations into the gang rape and murder case to nail the people who had signed an attendance register on behalf of Vishal at the Meerut college.

Police wanted to again question his three friends  Sachin, Neeraj and Sahil  but they had approached the Supreme Court earlier this month alleging harassment by the Crime Branch.

The apex court on May 17 refused to come to their rescue and directed them to appear before the Crime Branch but said in its order that "a relative of each of the witnesses shall be allowed to accompany him, but the said relative shall not enter into the investigation room. However, he shall remain at a reasonably visible distance."

While making this concession, the apex court made it clear that these directions "should not remotely be inferred that there is any kind of harassment by the investigating agency".

The officials said that the three would be questioned on Monday and all the directions of the apex court would be adhered to.

The officials suspected that someone from the university had allowed Vishal to write his answer sheet after the examination was over on January 15 as his train had reached late from Jammu. The officials also alleged that the accused had deliberately visited an ATM and was seen looking at the camera to create an alibi for himself.

In its charge sheet, the Crime Branch had mentioned that some officials of the university had allegedly received "huge amount at kickback from accused Sanji Ram".

"The aspect needs further investigation as records are to be collected from concerned college and university... after conducting further investigation supplementary charge sheet will shall follow," the charge sheet had said.

Vishal is among eight people who have been charge sheeted by the crime branch in the rape and murder of the girl. The charge sheet also claimed that Sanji Ram, who has been termed as a main conspirator, had planned the kidnapping of the girl only to drive away nomads from the Kathua region.

The crime branch has alleged in the charge sheet that Vishal had tried to create an alibi of his absence from the crime scene by allegedly "resorting to manipulation of records and creation of false evidence with the connivance and assistance of his father Sanji Ram".

Vishal, who is pursuing his bachelor of agriculture course from a college in Meerut, has been charged by the crime branch of raping and helping in the murder of the minor girl along with a juvenile (main accused and a relative of Sanji Ram) and special police officer Deepak Khajuria alias Deepu. The girl was kidnapped on January 10 and her body was recovered on January 17. She was murdered on January 14 and her body had been dumped in the jungles.

The juvenile, whose bail plea has been rejected by the concerned court last month, is the main accused in kidnapping and sexually assaulting the girl.

The Crime Branch had put its investigations on hold and was awaiting an order of Supreme Court which had been petitioned by the victim's side for shifting the trial from Kathua and the accused side pleading for handing over the investigation to the CBI.

In its May 7 order, the apex court said "the pivotal fact around which the controversy centtres is the abduction, rape and murder of an eight year old girl. An FIR was lodged at Hiranagar Police Station, Kathua...The investigating agency, namely, the Crime Branch, which took over the investigation on January 22, 2018 from the local police has already filed the charge sheet on April, 9 in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kathua in the State of Jammu and Kashmir".

However, the court did not say anything about handing over the case to the CBI and transferred the case to District and Sessions judge at Pathankot in Punjab, 30 km from Kathua.
Kozhikode: The death of three people of a family here in the past two weeks, reportedly due to 'Nipah' virus, has put the Kerala state health department on high alert.

Nipah virus (NiV) infection in humans has a range of clinical presentations, from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory syndrome and fatal encephalitis, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

NiV is also capable of causing disease in pigs and other domestic animals. There is no vaccine for either humans or animals. The primary treatment for human cases is intensive supportive care, the WHO says on its website.

Meanwhile, state Health Minister KK Shylaja on Sunday said the nature of the virus was yet to be ascertained.

"The kind of virus that caused the disease has not been ascertained. Blood and other samples of the deceased have been sent to the National Virology Institute, Pune. The results will be made available in a few days," she told reporters here after chairing a meet of top health department officials.

A district-level special task force, headed by Kozhikode District collector, UV Jose has been formed in the wake of the deaths due to this virus, official sources said.

The Director of Health service in Kerala, Dr RL Sarita, took the decision to form the task force after the meeting. A single window system has been put in place to monitor emergency treatment to meet any eventuality, they said.

Union Minister JP Nadda on Sunday directed the Director of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to visit Kerala's Kozhikode district to assist the state government.

A central team will be visiting the state to monitor the situation post the Union Health Minister's direction.

"Reviewed the situation of deaths related to nipah virus in Kerala with Secretary Health. I have directed Director NCDC to visit the district and initiate required steps as warranted by the protocol for the disease in consultation with state government," Nadda said in a tweet.

While a 50-year-old lady died at a private hospital Changarothu in the district on Saturday, her male relatives, aged 25 and 23, died on May 18 and May 5.

Dr Sarita told reporters that the deaths occurred due to a rare virus and that the health department has taken all preventive measures.

"We need to ascertain which type of virus caused the deaths. Many viruses are zoonotic types and some can be transmitted through bats", she said.

She said the health department has issued directions to all District Medical Officers to maintain vigil and forward information in case people with similar symptoms approach them for treatment.

"We have started special medical camps at Changarothu to avoid further spread of the disease", she added.

Earlier, Lok Sabha MP and former union minister Mullappally Ramachandran sought the central government's intervention to contain the outbreak of what he termed was a 'rare and deadly' virus in some parts of Kozhikode district.

In a letter to union health minister JP Nadda, a copy of which was made available to the press in Kochi, he said some panchayats, including Kuttiyadi and Perambra, in his Lok Sabha constituency of Vatakara, were in the grip of the "deadly virus."

He said some doctors had termed it as Nipah virus, while others said it was zoonotic and it spread fast and was fatal. "The mortality rate is reportedly 70 percent. The spread of the disease needs to be contained," he said
Bhopal: The administration in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh faced public backlash after the electricity supplier announced that power would be cut for 26 hours to accommodate Home Minister Rajnath Singhs chopper landing. The recorded weather temperature on Saturday in the state had crossed 40 Celsius.

The Eastern Region Power Distribution Company (ERPDC), which supplies power to Satna and other parts of the region, published an advertisement in local newspapers on Saturday that power supply would be snapped from 4 pm on May 19 till 6 pm on May 20 as Home Minister Rajnath Singh would be arriving in the nearby town of Kothi in his chopper and the area spotted for landing had high tension supply wires nearby.

However, as soon as the news reached locals, six to eight villages began to oppose the order citing the scorching heat.

When locals approached the power distribution companys office, staffers said their hands were tied as it was a departmental order.

A few of the villagers then handed a memorandum to both the District Collector and local MP Ganesh Singh against the order.

Following the MPs verbal instruction, the power company decided to rescind its order and continue the supply with an alternate system.

District Collector Mukesh Shukla could not be reached for a comment on the issue.

Meanwhile, power company officials brushed off the incident as regular maintenance work and claimed that power supply was only disrupted for a couple of hours.

PL Prajapati, Junior Engineer of the ERPDC was quoted by local dailies as saying, The power supply was disrupted for a while on Saturday because of maintenance. It and was reconnected by 6 pm.

It was a step taken as part of safety measures. The feeder closed by us was meant for submersible pumps. Supply in villages was restored through an alternate feeder, said Lokesh Sahu, Executive Engineer ERPDC in Satna.
France will forbid the use of a widely used food additive by the end of this year, after studies pointed to potential health risks for consumers, a government official told French daily Le Parisien on Friday. Brune Poirson, a junior minister in environmental ministry, said the move would remove titanium dioxide nanoparticles from candy, prepared meals and other food products. "France has already asked the European Commission to take similar measures," Poirson told Le Parisien.

The additive, used mainly as a whitening and brightening agent in candies, chewing gum, white sauces and cake icing, is known as the artificial colour E171 on food labels. It is also used in sunscreens because of the molecule's ability to reflect ultra-violet rays. But critics say it offers no nutritional value nor extended shelf life, and could pose a risk to humans since the minuscule particles may be able to pass through protective walls of organs such as the liver, lungs or intestines.

France ordered an inquiry last year after scientists reported that titanium dioxide could cause precancerous lesions in rats. Researchers from France and Luxembourg found a 40 percent increase in precancerous growths in lab rats who had the molecule added to their drinking water for 100 days.

The additive also inhibited the immune systems of the rats and "accelerated" the growth of lesions induced for the experiment, according to France's INRA agricultural research institute, which took part in the study. The study's authors said that titanium dioxide was approved in the US in 1966 at levels of no more than one percent of a food product's weight, but that there were no limits regulating daily intake in Europe.

Acting for the Environment, a French association, welcomed the decision while also urging the government to ban E171 from cosmetics and medicines, citing a risk it could be absorbed through the skin.

Many French candy makers have already stopped using the food colorant ahead of expected restrictions on its use. Carambar and Co. said in February that it had removed E171 from its Malabar chewing gums -- beloved by generations of French children -- since late last year. The company was not among nine food and cosmetic groups targeted in a lawsuit by the French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir in January, accusing them of not disclosing the presence of nanoparticles on labels.
Anupam Kher, who plays the role of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in The Accidental Prime Minister, says it is the most difficult film of his career as he has to get every little nuance right. The film is based on the book of the same name, written by Sanjay Baru, who served as the media advisor of Manmohan Singh from 2004 to 2008.

"I am approaching this part of Dr Manmohan Singh completely from an actor's point of view. There is a book and screenplay for reference. I have worked on it for six months. It is the most difficult film as he is the most visible person and so it is not easy to portray him. Also, the world knows him. His language, his movement... so it is more difficult. I need to internalise the character and be that person," Kher told PTI.

The actor says the fact that he has to make audiences believe that the person they are seeing on-screen is Dr Singh, makes the film even tougher.

"Lot of mimics can do a better job than me. But I think for two hours for audience to believe that this can be Dr Manmohan Singh is most important. It is too early to talk about it in detail. The first look has made me both happy and nervous. It is a two hour film and it is being made on huge canvas," says Kher.

To bring more honesty to his performance, the actor is watching, a lot of material that is available on Internet, besides following the script.

The film is being made in English and Hindi by debutant Vijay Ratnakar Gutte and it produced by Bohra Brothers.

Kher, who has been vocal about various issues on the social media, believes that it is sad that when somebody gives "opinion on social causes or on the country", people say he should "join politics".

"My comment as an individual is sufficient to make a difference to even five percent of people. Whenever I talk about country, people say I should join politics, if ever that happens, I think never say never about anything. But in the coming years it is not happening. If that ever happens I will scream from rooftops as I would need people. Currently, the idea is no (to join politics)," he adds.
Italian star Asia Argento, one of Harvey Weinstein's first accusers, delivered a fiery speech about the disgraced Hollywood producer and issued a warning to sexual predators during the closing ceremony at the Cannes Film Festival.

"In 1997, I was raped by Harvey Weinstein here at Cannes," the actor said before presenting the Best Actress Award.

"I was 21 years old. This festival was his hunting ground. I want to make a prediction: Harvey Weinstein will never be welcomed here ever again. He will live in disgrace, shunned by a film community that once embraced him and covered up for his crimes."

She continued by pointing out that Weinstein was not the only predator in the industry and ended her speech with a message that offenders would no longer be able to get away with inappropriate behaviour.

"And even tonight, sitting among you, there are those who still have to be held accountable for their conduct against women. For behaviour that does not belong in this industry, does not belong in any industry or any workplace. You know who you are. You do not belong in this industry. But most importantly, we know who you are, and we're not going to allow you to get away with it any longer," Argento added.

Argento first revealed that she had been raped by Weinstein in The New Yorker expose about the Weinstein Company producer's history of sexual assault. Argento also admitted that an attempted rape scene in her 2000 film Scarlet Diva was based on the incident.

Following Argento's speech and the presentation of the award, this year's Cannes jury president Cate Blanchett said, "It is hard to stand as a woman".
Accepting one of global cinema's most coveted honours from jury president Cate Blanchett, Kore-eda said movies made him hopeful for the state of the world. "Maybe because of the cinema, the people who usually fight each other, the countries that are fighting each other, may be able to come together," he said.

Spike Lee won the runner-up Grand Prix for BlacKkKlansman, a searing broadside against racism with the stranger-than-fiction true story of an African-American police officer who manages to infiltrate the highest levels of the Ku Klux Klan.

Lebanese actress-director Nadine Labaki, one of three female filmmakers among the 21 contenders, earned the third-place Jury Prize for "Capernaum" set among the poorest of the poor in Beirut and featuring a devastating performance by a 13-year-old Syrian refugee boy.

It was the first edition since the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault scandal rocked the film industry, sparking the #MeToo movement. Presenting the best actress prize, Italian star Asia Argento, who has said she was raped by the Hollywood mogul at Cannes in 1997, told the ceremony he would never be welcome at the event again. "This festival was his hunting ground," said Argento, who says she was 21 when Weinstein attacked her in his hotel room. "He was seated among you... But things have changed. We are not going to allow you to get away it," she added.

Kazakhstan's Samal Yeslyamova nabbed best actress for "Ayka" by director Sergey Dvortsevoy for her wrenching portrayal of a young jobless immigrant from post-Soviet Central Asia who abandons her baby in Moscow.

Polish Oscar winner Pawel Pawlikowski took the prize for best director for Cold War, a tragic love story set against the backdrop of the Iron Curtain. Pawlikowski, who won the foreign-language movie Oscar for Ida in 2015, caused a scandal at home when he told AFP at the festival that the film had been "blacklisted" by the nationalist government. Warsaw denied the claim. He said his award was "a rare piece of good news" for his country.

Marcello Fonte of Italy clinched best actor for his much-loved performance as a soft-spoken pooch groomer who stands up to a local heavy in Matteo Garrone's Dogman.

Three Faces by Iran's Jafar Pahahi, who was barred from attending the festival, shared the best screenplay prize with Italian director Alice Rohrwacher's Happy as Lazzaro.

The much-praised Belgian transgender drama Girl won the Camera d'Or prize for best first film. It had earlier scooped the Queer Palm prize for LGBT-themed cinema and the best actor award for Victor Polster in the Un Certain Regard sidebar section.

Beyond the prize winners, the proceedings of the 71st Cannes festival may linger for its off-screen moments. Hollywood stars including Blanchett, Kristen Stewart, Helen Mirren and Salma Hayek and directors Ava DuVernay and Patty Jenkins joined a red-carpet protest to demand equal opportunity and a "safe workplace". Two days later, festival organisers signed a pledge to encourage more diversity in its selection by 2020, saying they hoped it would set an industry standard.

Despite being one of the most sought-after tickets, the premiere of Danish bad boy Lars von Trier's The House That Jack Built saw audience members walk out in droves from what they called a misogynistic orgy of violence. Both its female stars, Uma Thurman and Riley Keough, were conspicuously absent from the red carpet, where Stewart on another night staged a kind of protest of her own by slipping off her high heels and climbing the vaunted Cannes stairs barefoot.

The glamour-drenched festival spotlighted dissident directors this year, including Iran's Panahi and Kirill Serebrennikov of Russia, who were barred by their governments from attending. Spike Lee's film, which several critics called a return to form for the Do the Right Thing director, explicitly links the 1970s tale and white nationalism in the Trump era. He attacked the US president with an expletive-filled tirade at his Cannes press conference that quickly went viral on social media.

In 2017, the top prize went to Ruben Ostlund's "The Square," an art world send-up that went on to bag an Oscar nomination.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that Germany wants to strengthen multilateralism with China and she is looking forward to her visit to China next week.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel [File photo: AP/Alexander Zemlianichenko]

Merkel will visit China next Thursday and Friday at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. It will be her first trip to China after re-election and the 11th as the German chancellor.

Merkel said in a podcast published Saturday that as Germany and China have agreed on regular political dialogue and intergovernmental consultations, she went to China to conduct these talks on average once a year.

Germany and China have carried out very close cooperation within G20, Merkel said, adding that during her upcoming visit the two sides will talk about bilateral relations, rule of law, China's development, economy and other international affairs.

"We want to strengthen multilateralism. And that will play a role in our discussion," said Merkel.

Merkel will also visit Shenzhen, an economic hub in China's southern Guangdong Province.

"I am glad that I'm going to Shenzhen this time as well. I have regularly visited provinces in China, not just the capital. I am again and again aware of the dynamics and the extent to which China is developing," Merkel said.

The German chancellor said she was very interested in visiting Shenzhen where China's economic opening-up began and where there are many German companies.
Election narratives are often about the winner taking it all and the loser getting nothing. But in the convoluted contours of a hung Assembly in Karnataka, the script seems to have been reversed.

BS Yeddyurappa, the Shikaripura strongman who has fought his way back aged 75, cant take the Chief Ministers chair despite his party falling just nine seats short of a simple majority. And Siddaramaiah gets to remain a power player in the Congress, as leader of the Congress Legislature Party, despite his party falling to just 78 seats and his personal humiliation of a defeat in the Chamundeshwari seat by a margin of over 30,000 votes.

Siddaramaiahs case is a rare narrative in the Congress party where regional satraps are often left out in the cold after a drubbing. The fact that Siddaramaiah was elected as Congress Legislature Party leader unanimously is telling.

His election was unanimous despite the fact that he has an image of being arrogant and not a leader who accommodated traditional Congressmen from the state. Through his five years as Chief Minister, he was at loggerheads with Congress old-timers and the old guard in the party had taunted him as an outsider.

In fact, soon after the results, daggers were out for him, but eventually he was elected as Congress Legislature Party leader unanimously.

His election must be seen as a categorical message from Rahul Gandhi and the party high command that they do not want any infighting at this stage and are keen to ensure that the party remains firmly in charge of itself in Karnataka.

It is also a signal that the Congress wants to reassert that it may be beaten but not bruised in Karnataka. In terms of popular vote share, the Congress, led by Siddaramaiah scored 38 percent. Humiliating him or completely sidelining him would only suggest that the party concedes a defeat.

While Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee State Congress Committee president G Parameshwara, a Dalit leader, is likely to become Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah as Congress Legislature Party leader means the party is keen to have him play a crucial role on the floor of the House.

This is interesting as Siddaramaiahs rivalry with HD Deve Gowda and the JD(S) is well known and it has been the focal point of his politics since he quit the party to join the Congress in 2006. This is why how the alliance shapes up on the floor of the House with Siddaramaiah in charge of the Congress would be keenly observed.

He also has strong personal relationships in the JD(S) and is known for his floor management and oratorical skills. Giving him the Congress Legislatue Party leaders role suggests that the grand old party is keen to ensure he has the platform to protect the partys identity and not become buried under the JD(S).

This is extremely important for the Congress in the long run as it is now playing second fiddle to the JD(S) despite having almost twice the seats that the latter has.

His presence would also be a counter pressure to the JD(S) and the Congress is keen to send out the message that it hasnt fallen completely to the JD(S) despite conceding the Chief Ministers post to HD Kumaraswamy.

Certainly, he will not have the hold he had earlier, but he gets to hang in there and thats a huge boost for a politician after a crushing defeat. How it plays out will depend on how the CongressJD(S) alliance shapes up in the coming months.

On the other hand, Yeddyurappa will have an uncertain period. The facts that the BJP doesnt have the numbers and that the JD(S) and Congress are desperate to hold on to power could mean that Yeddyurappa may have to wait a long time.

Further, it is a known fact that there are senior BJP leaders who are not too keen to see Yeddyurappa in charge. He has had enough fights and rivalries within the party and those leaders would not put their heart into keeping him in power. This is a huge negative when the numbers arent on ones side.

The BJP is keen to focus on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and would not want any move that would destroy the sympathy that it hopes to create by being the victim. That sympathy factor hinges on the narrative of being a party that won 104 seats but was kept away from power by an opportunistic alliance.

If the partys strategy is to keep the victim narrative alive till the Lok Sabha elections, then Yeddyurappa may have an uncertain future.

However, given the Governors controversial decision to swear in BS Yeddyurappa first, its not clear if the BJP will remain silent for too long. Much will depend on how the BJP plays its cards over a period of time and how the Congress and JD(S) work their equations.

Coalition governments, especially ones formed out of desperation to remain in power, are bound to have serious issues, but that very desperation to remain in power keeps them going.

Nothing can be taken for granted after a fractured mandate and the political equations will be fluid. But for the moment, it seems like Yeddyurappa is the one sulking, Siddaramaiah is the one staying afloat, and Kumaraswamy and Deve Gowda are the ones having the last laugh.

The author is a senior journalist. Views are personal.
The dramaturgy in political melodrama of Karnataka theatre since May 15, when the results were announced and a hung Assembly came to fore in the state is reflective of two clear messages. First, in a democracy the numbers are most crucial and second, our institutions despite being attacked brazenly have bounced back with a greater vigour.

In fact, it is a great victory for democracy and that has become possible, amongst others, by the active intervention of the Supreme Court.

Democracy owes this victory to the people of Karnataka, judiciary and the Supreme Court. The three Honble judges of the Supreme Court  Justice AK Sikri, Justice SA Bobde and Justice Ashok Bhushan  who sat through two nights have resurrected the faith and trust of the nation in judiciary. Justice Sikri, in particular, has risen to the level of Justice HR Khanna.

The conduct of Governor Vajubhai Vala in the entire episode is a blatant and brazen attack on the constitutional norms and settled rules of law as laid down by the Supreme Court in a number of judgments, which have clearly outlined the role of the Governor viz-a-viz formation of the government after elections.

It has been categorically held by the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in Rameshwar Prasad v. Union of India (2006) 2 SCC 1 that if a political party with the support of other political party or other MLAs stakes claim to form a government and satisfies the Governor about its majority to form a stable government, the Governor cannot refuse formation of government and override the majority claim because of his subjective assessment that the majority was cobbled by illegal and unethical means.

It was also laid down by the Supreme Court that the Governor has not been vested with any such power to refuse to invite a political group claiming majority on grounds of his subjective assessment. In fact, such a power has been held to be against the democratic principles of majority rule as the consequences of vesting such a power would be horrendous since Governor is not an autocratic political ombudsman.

Many supporters of the Governors decision on Karnataka government formation issue, including those who may have compelled him to take such a decision, claimed that the Governor can exercise his power of discretion to decide as to which political party or group should be invited to form the government.

This is certainly an erroneous assertion simply because the Governor cannot, in the exercise of his discretion or otherwise, do what is prohibited by Supreme Court in Rameshwar Prasad case. The Constitution enjoins upon the Governor that after the conclusion of elections, every possible attempt has to be made for formation of a popular government representing the will of the people expressed through the electoral process.

If the Governor acts to the contrary by creating a situation whereby a party is prevented even to stake a claim and recommends dissolution to achieve that object, the only inescapable inference to be drawn is that the exercise of jurisdiction is wholly illegal and unconstitutional.

It is not a case of 'assumption' or 'perception' as to the provisions of Constitution by the Governor.

Karnataka is one such classic example where the Governors decision to invite BJP to form the government and then prove their majority on the floor of the House, that too in a period of 15 days, i.e. half a month, is a clear case where attempt was to somehow or the other prevent the formation of a government by a political alliance which commanded majority in plain and simple arithmetic terms.

His decision being contrary to Supreme Court mandate to have floor test immediately was, thus, a wholly unconstitutional act.

In his attempt to please his masters, Governor Vajubhai Vala forgot his primary duty to which he took oath of office  allegiance only and only to the Constitution of India.

In fact, the manner in which the Governor acted promoted and nourished the biggest social evil of corruption.

It was plain calculation that inviting the BJP with 104 legislators as against 115 of Congress-JD(S) would automatically provide opportunity for poaching and the infamous horse-trading.

There was no other way by which the BJP could have proved their majority in the Karnataka Assembly. Yet, the Governor went ahead and invited BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa to form the government and administered him the oath the very next day.

The situation in Karnataka, which unfolded with Supreme Court hearing the petitions at 2 am led to fair and transparent floor test resulting in Yeddyurappa resigning minutes before taking the trust vote in Karnataka Assembly.

This would not have happened if the Supreme Court had not intervened and micro-managed trust vote by rejecting secret ballot and prescribing immediate floor test. Ultimately, live video coverage eliminated chances of mischief in the Assembly.

The impact of all this is there for all to see.

(The author is a senior advocate in the Supreme Court of India. Views expressed are personal)
The fall of the Berlin wall in 1989 marked a tectonic shift in the global geopolitics and Europe, in particular. Is the inter-Korean detente going to have the same far-reaching impact on the geopolitics of Asia and the rest of the world? This question is stirring the minds of many observers and analysts. The signals, emerging from the historic summit meeting between North and South Korea, leave us in no doubt that the inter-Korean detente will be a watershed moment in the regions search for peace and prosperity.

The Panmunjom Declaration, which President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong-un signed after their summit meeting eloquently state that there will be no more war on the Korean peninsula, DMZ will turn into a peace zone and a new era of peace and prosperity will begin. As regard to North Korean nuclear programme, which has been at the core of tension on the peninsula, the Declaration says that both Koreas will work together to reach complete denuclearisation.

Is the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula possible? Many are skeptical about North Koreas willingness to denuclearise. Despite many challenges, I remain optimistic that this time denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula is possible. My optimism is based on the following four grounds:

First, I believe that North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapon is basically a regime survival strategy. Having achieved a certain nuclear deterrence, now North Korea is in a position to enter into the negotiations as an equal partner and can trade its nuclear weapons for benefits such as regime security, economic prosperity and normalisation of relations with the international community.

Second, my optimism stems from President Moon Jae-ins ardent vision for a peaceful Korean Peninsula. President Moon does not see ties with North Korea as a zero-sum game. For him, both Koreas can co-exist until an eventual unification in the future. This led North Korean regime to believe in the sincerity of President Moons peace initiative and to agree to come to negotiation talks.

The third factor is President Trump's leadership style. President Trump is a dealmaker and for him North Korean nuclear issue presents a welcome opportunity to achieve a major foreign policy success at home, which though every US President had tried but failed to accomplish.

The fourth reason is that this time all stakeholders on the Korean peninsula - South Korea, North Korea, U.S., China, Russia and Japan - are serious in the pursuit of peace. They all recognise that North Koreas nuclear program is in no ones interest.

The overall implications of Detente are positive not just for two Koreas but also for the whole of Asia and the world. Denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula will lead to peace and prosperity in Asia. President Moon has promised a new economic map of the Korean Peninsula. The new economic map envisages three economic belts- one connecting the west coast of the Peninsula to China, making the region a centre of logistics, another connecting the east coast to Russia for energy and resource cooperation and the third across the land boundary for tourism. If North Korea abandons its nuclear weapons, the whole of Northeast Asia will be seamlessly connected through the network of roads and railway links. This will facilitate the wider integration of the region. The regional integration will create immense opportunities for business and commerce. Not just South Korean companies but also the U.S., Chinese, Japanese, Russian and others will benefit from Northeast Asias economic resurgence. The region will experience peace, stability and prosper together. It will set the course for Asias economic leadership in the 21st century, besides driving the global growth. The economic integration of South and North Korea will eventually result in their political integration.

In a nutshell, just like the fall of the Berlin Wall brought the iron curtain down on the Cold War and paved the way for German unification and then integration of Europe, similarly, inter-Korean detente promises a swift end to the longstanding division and confrontation on the Korean peninsula, the last remnant of the Cold War, ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity in the whole Asian region.

While I am optimistic about the wide ranging impact of the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, I am acutely aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Just a couple of days ago, North Korea abruptly cancelled high-level talks with South Korea. Such hiccups will be there along the way. We should be able to overcome these challenges with the leadership of stakeholder countries showing foresight and statesmanship. Peace must succeed and this time there are no reasons why it wont.

India has always espoused the cause of peace in the world. It played an important role in ending the Korean War and founding of our Republic. When the Korean War broke out in 1950, India joined the international effort for establishment of peace in the Korean Peninsula by dispatching, not combat troops but a medical unit and a custodian force. India also accepted around 80 POWs who did not wish to be repatriated to either of the Koreas. In recent times, India has supported all efforts to bring peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, including, denouncing North Koreas nuclear and missile tests and implementing the UN sanctions against North Korea. With such shining legacy of friendship, we are hopeful that India as a global power can help mobilise the global support for the success of the denuclearisation process and thus, contribute to peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia.

(Author, Shin Bongkil, is South Koreas ambassador to India. Views are personal)
Guwahati: BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday exuded confidence of winning the upcoming Assembly elections in Mizoram and declared it to be the seventh northeastern state that would join the BJP in its aim of a Congress-mukt Northeast.

Shah was also certain of the BJP's victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He was attending the third conclave of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) in Guwahati on Sunday.

The BJP presidents visit to Assam, however, sparked outrage among supporters of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and a few NGOs who protested against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and Centres proposed move to facilitate citizenship to migrants from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Hundreds gathered with black flags, banners and black balloons to protest against Shahs visit. Many braved the morning drizzle and staged demonstrations at different locations in Guwahati - starting from the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport to Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra where the NEDA conclave was held.

We are welcoming Amit Shah with black flags to make it clear that we will not allow Bangladeshis in Assam  whether they are Hindus or Muslims. Assam will not bear the burden of illegal migrants, said KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi.

An hour before Amit Shahs visit, Assam police rounded up several protesters and detained KMSS chief Akhil Gogoi along with a number of his supporters.

We had to take steps to maintain law and order during such an important event. Ensuring security for visiting dignitaries is the mandate of the state police department, said Mukesh Agarwal, Additional Director General of Police.

Chief Ministers of six northeastern states where BJP is in power or in coalition attended the NEDA conclave except for Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling. Chief Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal of Asssam, Pema Khandu of Arunachal Pradesh, Nongthombam Biren Singh of Manipur, Conrad Sangma of Meghalaya, Neiphiu Rio of Nagaland and Biplab Kumar Deb of Tripura took part in the conclave along with other NEDA members, including several regional parties from different states and BJPs coalition partners. Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim, Prem Das Rai, represented the state government.

The Asom Gana Parishad, an ally of the BJP-led government in Assam, had earlier threatened to withdraw support from the government if the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is introduced. AGP president Atul Bora on Sunday took this opportunity to speak out against the Bill.

This Bill is a threat to the identity of the people here. It will change the demography of Assam. There should not be a division based on religious lines and we urge the Centre to not push it further. We are sure Amit Shah Ji will realise the gravity of the situation, said Bora.

On the other hand, Conrad Sangma reiterated the governments stand against the Bill. The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, of which the BJP is also a partner, took its decision to oppose the Bill a day before the 16-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) visited the state to hear views from the state government and stakeholders.

(With inputs from Raju Baruah)
New Delhi: The Congress will chalk out its strategy and power-sharing arrangement with the JD(S) in Karnataka on Sunday, when its top leaders will hold discussions with party chief Rahul Gandhi in the national capital, ahead of the swearing-in of H D Kumaraswamy as the chief minister of the southern state.

According to sources, senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ashok Gehlot will arrive in Delhi on Sunday morning and hold discussions with Gandhi, before finalising the power-sharing arrangement with the JD(S) in the Karnataka government.

The two leaders were stationed in Bengaluru to steer the party's strategy ahead of the floor test in the Karnataka Assembly Saturday.

The BJP's B S Yeddyurappa, however, resigned as the Karnataka chief minister without taking the floor test.

"Everything will be decided in Delhi tomorrow(Sunday), when the top leaders of the party will hold discussions with Rahul Gandhi," a Congress leader said.

The Congress has extended support to the JD(S) to form a government in the southern state under a power-sharing agreement. While Kumaraswamy will be the chief minister, the deputy chief minister is expected to be from the Congress and a Dalit is likely to be appointed to the post.

The Congress has 78 MLAs in the 224-member House and the JD(S) has 37. The H D Deve Gowda-led party had a pre-poll tie-up with the BSP, which has one MLA.
In many ways, the events that have unfolded over the last five days  from the hung verdict, debate over swearing-in of the BJP government, urgent midnight hearing at the apex court, the cat and mouse chase of the MLAs, the audio tapes, and the return of the missing legislators  have made Karnataka assembly post-poll events unforgettable.

As curtains come down on what may only be scene 1 of a lengthy political drama in Karnataka, lets recall the motions that Congress, with substantially fewer seats, went through to keep BJP, which came so close to the finish line, away from power in this crucial state.

Tuesday, May 15 (Counting Day)

From the beginning till a couple of hours into counting, BJP seems to be cruising along towards the halfway mark effortlessly. But trends start reversing in the last 60 minutes. Pollsters who had predicted a hung house, and were slammed for getting the results wrong yet again, are now hailed for their foresight.

News18 Creative by Mir Suhail

Congress and JD(S) eventually hold the BJP back by a crucial eight seats. Reports of Sonia Gandhi calling H D Deve Gowda start pouring in. The old Congress troubleshooters Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ashok Gehlot, who were camping since a day before, immediately got into action.

At around 3 in the afternoon, outgoing Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah publicly extends his partys unconditional support to JD(S). Within a few minutes, the regional heavyweight accepts Congresss proposal.

H D Kumaraswamy is unanimously accepted as the CM candidate of the coalition. Both Congress-JD(S) and BJP rush to meet Governor Vajubhai Vala but he doesnt announce his decision just yet.

News18 Creative by Mir Suhail

Wednesday, May 16

While a fierce debate was launches about who between Congress-JD(S) and BJP should be given the first opportunity to prove majority, both camps claim support of MLAs from each others camps.

Kumaraswamy alleges that BJP offered Rs 100 crore to lure its MLAs, but BJP rebuffs all charges of horse-trading.

Meanwhile, the governor accepts the claims of B S Yeddyurappa and he is all set to be sworn-in as the 23rd Chief Minister of Karnataka.

Congress approaches the Supreme Court and appeals to be heard urgently. The court agrees and on the intervening night of May 16-17 arguments for and against Yeddyurappas swearing-in begin.

Thursday, May 17

The hearing in Supreme Court that began at 1:45 am concludes just before 6 in the morning. SC refuses to stop the swearing-in but decides to hear the case again. Yeddyurappa swears-in as the 23rd CM of the state and gets 15 days to prove majority.

Barbs between Congress-JD(S) and BJP, in multiple press conferences hosted by both camps, are exchanged several times.

Reports of a cat and mouse game between Congress and JD(S) MLAs, whose parties are trying to keep them together against all odds, flood media outlets throughout the night.

Friday, May 18

Supreme Court decides to cut the time given to BJP to prove majority, orders the floor test to be held on Saturday. Orders appointment of the most senior member among the freshly chosen MLAs as the pro tem speaker to conduct the floor test and confidence motion.

The governor chooses MLA K G Bopaiah over R V Deshpande, who is the most experienced MLA in the house, as the pro tem speaker. Both JD(S) and Congress object. Decide to appeal against the appointment, knock on the doors of apex court again. Supreme Court decides to hear the matter on Saturday.

Saturday, May 19

The Supreme Court rules for a complete transparency, does not question the appointment of the pro tem speaker, and orders live proceedings of the trust vote.

News18 Creative by Mir Suhail

MLAs of BJP, Congress and JD(S) arrive in the state assembly to take oaths. Some of the non-BJP MLAs are still not seen, and rumours of their switching sides, abound. But the missing Congress MLAs are welcomed back, by senior party leader D K Shivakumar, into the assembly.

B S Yeddyurappa, taking everyone by surprise, decides not to appear for a floor test but instead resigns in an emotional speech made some minutes before 4 pm when the trust vote was scheduled to happen. I will not face confidence vote; I am going to resign, Yeddyurappa says while resigning as the two-day old CM. He expresses gratitude towards his supporters and promises to work for farmers for the rest of his life.

Decks are now cleared for Kumaraswamys swearing-in as the Karnataka chief minister on Monday.
Bengaluru: Karnataka CM-elect HD Kumaraswamy would reach Delhi on Monday to meet Congress leaders Rahul and Sonia Gandhi and finalise modalities of cabinet and ministerial berth sharing.

While Congress  which has the lions share of MLAs in the post-poll alliance with JD(S)  will be lobbying for a significant number of ministries citing reasons that it has sacrificed the top job for Kumaraswamy, JD(S) too is not keen on going for a hard bargain to grab more than 15 berths with 37 MLAs.

"Tomorrow (Sunday) I will be going to Delhi, where I will meet Sonia ji and Rahul ji. We will decide about cabinet expansion and will discuss everything with them on how to give a stable government for the next five years," Kumaraswamy said in Bengaluru on Sunday, three days ahead of his swearing-in on May 23.

He also rejected rumours and clarified that neither a power-sharing formula between both parties had been reached for 30 months, nor have they decided on "rotational chief ministers".

From JD(S) side, seniors such as Deve Gowda, HD Revanna and GT Deve Gowda are expected to crack the deal with Congress leaders Siddaramaiah, G Parameshwara, DK Shivakumar and KJ George.

According to sources, Congress has asked Deve Gowdas JD(S) to accommodate the BSP MLAs and Independents in its share of ministries as Congress will have to consider several other heavyweights, regions, caste and other factors in distributing portfolios in the coalition arrangement.

Congress leaders from Karnataka will also leave for Delhi on Monday to discuss with the high command, the modalities related to government formation in the state.

"Our CLP leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, myself and senior leader D K Shivakumar will leave for Delhi tomorrow and hold talks with Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi about modalities of government formation," state Congress President G Parameshwara told reporters here.

Siddaramaiah, Parameshwara and other senior Congress leaders on Sunday met party MLAs camped at a city hotel and reportedly discussed the way ahead for the party in the process of government formation.

Clinching victory from the jaws of defeat after Karnataka gave a fractured mandate, the alliance is not looking at a lavish swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday and sources say it could very well end with the oath-taking of just the chief minister and the deputy chief minister. The parties are clearly trying to avoid any disgruntlement at the time of the trust vote and also prevent loose talks among those eyeing the ministries.

Among the other details of the new government that are likely to be finalised at the Monday meeting, the regional representation of MLAs in the government would be one. While Old-Mysuru and Bengaluru regions are expected to get the lions share, the Mumbai-Karnataka, coastal regions and Hyderabad-Karnataka regions would also be considered for representation.

HD Kumaraswamy is most likely to take office at 1.30pm on Wednesday, as prescribed by his family astrologers.

BS Yeddyurappa, who was sworn in as the Karnataka CM on Thursday, stepped down on Saturday without facing the floor test in the state assembly as the BJP fell short of numbers. Soon, Kumaraswamy met Governor Vajubhai Vala and staked claim to form the government in alliance with Congress, who has offered unconditional support to the JD(S) along with the chief ministers post.

The May 12 Karnataka assembly polls threw up a hung assembly, with the BJP emerging as the single largest party with 104 seats. The Congress was next with 78 and the JD(S) followed with 37.

Kumaraswamy on Sunday asserted that within 24 hours of taking oath, he would prove the majority on the floor of the House.

"Mostly on Wednesday there will be an oath-taking ceremony after that on Thursday we will complete the process of Speaker's election and trust vote," he added.
Nagapattinam/Tiruchirapalli (TN): DMK working president MK Stalin on Sunday batted for 'cordial ties' with the new government which will assume power in Karnataka and asked the AIADMK regime to work for a solution to the Cauvery issue through talks.

Subsequently JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy too favoured bilateral talks to solve the issue.

Cordial ties should be created with the new government and a solution hammered out through talks, Stalin said at a function at Nagapattinam district. "Though we have got a legal victory, water to the necessary extent should be received and farmers should be provided with that," he said.

"If farmers were not provided with water for irrigation, DMK would steer protests to get it," he said.

He said that during the previous DMK regime, former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had got Cauvery water for Tamil Nadu through his 'friendly attitude' with his Karnataka counterparts. "Thalaivar (leader) Kalaignar fulfilled everything by establishing friendly ties with neighbouring States."

DMK, meanwhile, said its leader Stalin has been invited by the JDS top leadership to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of party leader Kumaraswamy as Karnataka Chief Minister on May 23.

At Tiruchirapalli, Kumaraswamy said he favoured talks to solve the Cauvery issue amicably and assured his full cooperation to Tamil Nadu on the matter. "Through bilateral talks, it is better to solve it, because there are some problems from both sides," he said and referred to farmers from both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu facing a distress situation.

"We have to solve it, we have to live together, for that let us see, I am going to give full cooperation to solve this problem amicably," he told reporters here.

Asked if the Supreme Court order on the Cauvery issue would be obeyed by his state, he said, "definitely everybody has to obey, not only my government."

He said for the last three years, all reservoirs were "empty in our state also," and due to that there was 'some problem between both states."

The JDS leader, who arrived at Tiruchirapalli on a visit to the Lord Ranganathaswamy temple at nearby Srirangam, said, "I think Lord Ranga will give sufficient rainfall." With copious showers, he hoped all reservoirs would be full and "then there is no problem between us."
New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the BJP for allegedly attempting horse-trading in Karnataka and demanded that Prime Minster Narendra Modi order a probe into efforts made by his party leaders to bribe and induce Congress and JD(S) legislators ahead of yesterday's trust vote.

"We hope the prime minister will order an investigation into the naked dance of corruption which his party MLAs were indulging in...

"The prime minister should prove his commitment to fighting corruption by launching an investigation into those MLAs who openly called Congress and JD(S) MLAs and offered bribes with an intention to break the rock solid coalition of the Congress and the JD(S)," Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill told reporters here.

The opposition attack came a day B S Yeddyurappa stepped down as the Karnataka chief minister without facing a Supreme Court-mandated trust vote.

According to Shergill, the Congress would work with its partners as had been earlier said by party president Rahul Gandhi to stitch a coalition to make the "central government free from BJP" and free from hate politics.

"The truth is in 2014, a slogan in India was 'ghar ghar Modi'. In 2019, the Congress will ensure it is 'bye bye Modi'. Today, we are making friends and NDA is making enemies," he said.

Claiming that the government had looted the country of Rs 10 lakh crore by raising excise duty on diesel and petrol, Shergill said the "loot" was used to poach MLAs in Karnataka.

"The petrol taxes are ultimately going into a bottomless pit, a bottomless well called BJP to fund their operations to hijack governments, topple democracy and crush democracy," he alleged.

Shergill also took a dig at the central government over the spiralling prices of petroleum products, saying the benefit that the government extended to the people by not raising the prices during the Karnataka elections, should be extended throughout the year so that people get "all year-round relief from it".

"If the prime minister can put a control on the escalation of fuel prices for self-interest, for the sake of polls in Karnataka, why can't he control the fuel prices all year around for the sake of public interest. That means fuel prices is only an election tool for the prime minister," he said.

Referring to the bridge collapse tragedy in Varanasi which claimed 18 lives, he said the prime minister not going to his constituency to express his solidarity showed he was not bothered about incidents which did not give him electoral benefits.

"Modi is not the real son of Varanasi. He is a heartless, stepson of Varanasi who forgot his own people when they needed him the most. He could be part of the wedding celebration of former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif but could not go to Varanasi," the Congress leaders said.
London: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will delay heading off for their honeymoon, instead attending a birthday party for his father Prince Charles just days after marrying in a ground-breaking ceremony that blended the modern with the traditional.

After a day that saw the couple exchange vows in a medieval chapel at Windsor Castle under the gaze of royals, celebrities, and a global television audience of many millions, Harry and Meghan spent Saturday evening partying with friends in privacy.

They will head home to their cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace before attending their first official royal engagement as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex -- the 70th birthday patronage celebration for Prince Charles.

The outdoor event marks the heir to the throne's milestone birthday - which falls in November - by recognising Charles' patronages and military affiliations as well as others involved in charities supported by the royal.

On Sunday, while the Queen attended church, there was no sign of the newly weds.

So far, the destination of their honeymoon is unknown, with some media guessing they might travel to Botswana, possibly to an exclusive safari camp which the couple visited in August last year, just a few months before they announced their engagement.

Harry sourced the diamond in Meghan's engagement ring from Botswana, the world's biggest producer.

The marriage of Harry, 33, a former royal wild child and sixth-in-line to the British throne, and 36-year-old Meghan, a divorcee whose mother is African-American and father is white, was like no other the royal family has seen before.

"Kisstory" said the Sunday on Sunday newspaper. "Harry and Meg's historic change for monarch." "There is power in love," said the Sunday Times, referencing a passionate sermon by U.S. Episcopalian Bishop Michael Bruce Curry.

They crowned the day with a black-tie dinner and party where Meghan was expected to make a speech and the couple were expected to have their first dance.

Some media reported that Prince Charles had wedding guests rolling with laughter with his speech after cracking a joke about changing Harry's nappy.

At around 11:00 p.m., fireworks lit up the night sky.
Paris, TX (75460)

Today

Thunderstorms likely - possibly strong, especially this evening. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely - possibly strong, especially this evening. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
Karachi: Abdul Aziz learned about the US school shooting in which his 17-year-old daughter was killed on CNN, with the story airing live as he broke his Ramzan fast thousands of miles away in Pakistan.

In those chaotic first moments of confusion and terror he called his daughter Sabika Sheikh's phone over and over. She did not answer.

I kept calling her and sent her messages on WhatsApp. Never before had my daughter failed to reply," Aziz told AFP, fighting back tears at his home in the southern port city Karachi, just hours after he and his wife had their worst fears confirmed.

"We are still in a state of denial. It is like a nightmare," said Aziz. His wife sat nearby, visibly still shocked and seemingly unable to speak as friends and relatives tried to comfort her.

Sheikh, an exchange student at the Santa Fe High School in Texas, was killed along with nine others after a heavily armed student opened fire on his classmates Friday.

It was the latest school shooting to rock the US, and came just three months after the massacre in Parkland, Florida in which 17 people were killed, sparking an unprecedented grassroots, student-led gun control movement.

In Pakistan, the Santa Fe shooting has unleashed an outpouring of sympathy and horror over the tragic murder of Sheikh, who had been in the US for 10 months and was just weeks away from coming home.

Sheikh, whose father said she had always excelled in school, had nurtured dreams of serving in Pakistan's foreign office.

She had been due to return to Karachi in time for Eid al-Fitr, one of Islam's most revered holidays, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramzan, in which families come together and celebrate with days of feasting.
Houston: A student who killed 10 people, including a Pakistani exchange student, at a school in the US state of Texas told investigators that he had spared certain students so he could have his story told.

Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 17, walked into Santa Fe High School on Friday armed with guns and explosives and opened fire at students. He has been charged with capital murder and aggravated assault of a police officer.

Dazed and bruised, the community is still confused about the happenings after the shooting. They are heart broken and mourning the deaths of innocent lives lost in the shooting and preparing for mass funerals soon.

A Pakistani exchange student, Sabika Sheikh is among the 8 students and two teachers killed.

Cynthia Tisdale, a substitute teacher in her 60s, also died in the shooting. They say her three children and eight grandchildren were her passion. Another Substitute teacher Ann Perkins was among those who died. According to those who knew her, she was a beloved teacher and was well-loved in the community. Several students tweeted, calling her the "sweetest lady" and a hero.

One of the most critically injured victims was Santa Fe ISD police officer John Barnes, who was shot when he confronted Pagourtzis. Officer Barnes, 47, remains in critical condition.

The suspect told investigators that he had spared certain students so he could have his story told, the authorities said.

A Galveston County Sheriff's Office investigator wrote in an affidavit that Dimitrios Pagourtzis had waved his right to remain silent and had given a statement admitting to shooting multiple people. The investigator, identified only as J. Roy, also wrote that Mr. Pagourtzis had said that he did not shoot students he did like so he could have his story told.

President Donald Trump and Governor Greg Abbott ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims.

"We grieve for the terrible loss of life, and send our support and love to everyone affected by this horrible attack in Texas. To the students, families, teachers and personnel at Santa Fe High School we are with you in this tragic hour, and we will be with you forever," President Trump said in a tweet.

Texas Governor Abbott said at a news conference that "unlike Parkland, unlike Sutherland Springs, there were not those types of warning signs." He was referring to the Feb. 14 school shooting in Florida and one in November inside a church in a town near San Antonio.

In addition to Pagourtzis, two others were detained, said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. It is not clear if they are connected to the shooting.

There were also disturbing hints on his social media pages, including photos with a gun and knife, a "Born to Kill" t-shirt and a coat with a Nazi medallion and other symbols of evil and rebellion.

Police say Pagourtzis also planted explosive devices in and around the school, which is located about 30 miles southeast of Houston. They warned there might be other devices out there and Santa Fe residents should stay alert. However, a motive wasn't immediately clear for the nation's deadliest attack since February.

Pagourtzis was held without bond in the Galveston County Jail on charges of capital murder and assault of a peace officer, said the county sheriff, Henry Trochesset.

Court documents show Pagourtzis hid a shotgun and .38-caliber revolver under a trench coat, walked into the school around 7:30 a.m. and began firing.
Washington: Donald Trump, Jr., the US president's eldest son, met in August 2016 with an envoy representing the crown princes of United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

The meeting was first reported by the New York Times on Saturday and confirmed by an attorney representing Trump Jr.

The meeting was a chance for the envoy to offer help to the Trump presidential campaign, according to The New York Times.

The newspaper said the meeting, held on August 3, 2016, was arranged by Erik Prince, the founder and former head of private military contractor Blackwater, who attended the meeting. Joel Zamel, a co-founder of an Israeli consulting firm, was also in attendance.

Alan Futerfas, Trump Jr.'s attorney, said on Saturday that nothing came of the meeting.

"Prior to the 2016 election, Donald Trump Jr. recalls a meeting with Erik Prince, George Nader and another individual who may be Joel Zamel," Futerfas said in an emailed statement. "They pitched Mr. Trump Jr. on a social media platform or marketing strategy. He was not interested and that was the end of it."

A company connected to Zamel also worked on a proposal for a "covert multimillion-dollar online manipulation campaign" to help Trump, utilizing thousands of fake social media accounts, the New York Times report said.

The envoy, Lebanese-American businessman George Nader, told Trump, Jr. that the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and the UAE were eager to help his father win the 2016 presidential election, the paper said.

Since 1974, the United States has barred foreign nationals from giving money to political campaigns and it later barred them from donating to political parties. The campaign financing laws also prohibit foreign nationals from coordinating with a campaign and from buying an ad that explicitly calls for the election or defeat of a candidate.

The Saudi and UAE embassies in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Wall Street Journal last month reported that investigators working for US Special Counsel Robert Mueller had met with Zamel, and that Mueller's team was looking into his firm's work and his relationship with Nader.

Mueller is investigating whether Russia meddled in the presidential election and if Moscow colluded with the Trump campaign, as well as whether Trump committed obstruction of justice by trying to thwart the US Department of Justice probe.

Trump has denied any collusion with Russia and has called the Mueller investigation a "witch hunt."

The New York Times report said the meetings are an indication that other countries besides Russia may have offered help to Trump's presidential campaign. Mueller's investigators have questioned witnesses in Washington, New York, Atlanta, Tel Aviv and elsewhere regarding possible foreign help to the campaign, the report said.

Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mueller's team, declined to comment on the report.

Zamel's attorney, Marc Mukasey, said in a statement to Reuters that his client "offered nothing to the Trump campaign, received nothing from the Trump campaign, delivered nothing to the Trump campaign and was not solicited by, or asked to do anything for, the Trump campaign."

"Media reports about Mr. Zamel's engaging in 'social media manipulation' are uninformed," Mukasey added. "Mr. Zamel's companies harvest publicly available information for lawful use."

Kathryn Ruemmler, Nader's lawyer, told the paper that her client "has fully cooperated with the US special counsel's investigation and will continue to do so."

Erik Prince, who is also the brother of U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, could not be immediately reached for comment.
Windsor: US pastor Michael Curry fired up Britain's royal wedding on Saturday with some dramatic oratory about the power of love that bemused the royal family but made him a social media hit.

Curry, the first African-American leader of the US Episcopal Church, opened his full-throttle sermon in front of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle by quoting Martin Luther King. "We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will be able to make of this old world a new world," he said, quoting the US civil rights icon.

With rhetorical flourish, the 65-year-old from Chicago said: "There's power in love. Don't underestimate it. Don't even over-sentimentalise. There is power, power in love.

Members of the royal family looked visibly bemused, not only at the lectern-banging, theatrical style and impassioned content -- but also his lengthy, off-script freestyling. But reactions on social media were far more positive and he was trending worldwide on Twitter.

Here are some of the interesting tweets:

That sermon by Reverend Curry wasn't for the newlyweds. It was for the world. #RoyalWedding Rhett Bartlett (@dialmformovies) 19 May 2018

Megan said my black family aint coming but my black pastor is, praise God, hallelujah ANNIE DREA (@AnnieDreaXO) 19 May 2018

I pronounce you a legendary meme!   #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/QbJiIqpB9i Ben Phillips (@BenPhillipsUK) 19 May 2018

BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY GIVING ME LIFE  Naomi Campbell (@NaomiCampbell) 19 May 2018

I cannot believe there is a pastor talking about slave spirituals at a dang royal wedding. Hello 21st century! kateyrich (@kateyrich) May 19, 2018

Almost expecting a 'yay mam Amen' from that American Bishop preacher... a bit full on. A few giggles caused. Brits arent used to this style #royalwedding pic.twitter.com/sjqsKwr4wy Travelventure (@travelventureTV) May 19, 2018

Watching the royals trying to keep a straight face whilst listening to the American preacher is what I live for #royalwedding Becky (@becky_beadle) May 19, 2018

Pretty sure the royal family is regretting inviting the american preacher #royalwedding pic.twitter.com/9Q4prQdhjC Irina (@irina_o_) May 19, 2018

I will write three thousand words on why Rev Michael Curry is the best thing to ever happen to The Royal Family, get in touch. Dolly H Alderton (@dollyalderton) May 19, 2018

Curry's sermon also featured lighter moments.

"Two young people fell in love and we all showed up," he told the crowd, prompting an outburst of laughter.

Finishing up, he turned to the couple and smiled, exclaiming: "We gotta get y'all married!"
Photos show police carrying out orange boxes, with labels reading "Paris, H Bag Gray Croco Skin Hermes."

New Delhi : Police on Friday announced a sudden raid on the properties linked to Malaysias former Prime Minister Najib Razak which turned up to 72 suitcases stuffed with jewels and cash. The hidden treasures took the space of atleast five trucks to get accommodated. Also, 284 boxes filled with designer handbags including Birkin bags from Hermes, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars were recovered.

For now, Najib and his wife were disqualified from leaving Malaysia in accordance of his striking loss in election and may escape legal proceedings in a massive corruption scandal.

"Exactly how much jewelry, I would not be able to say, because we know that we confiscated bags containing jewelry, and the number of jewelry is rather big," Amar Singh, head of Malaysia's commercial crime investigation unit, told reporters on Friday.

Even before the raids, Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor, has been famous for enjoying luxurious shopping trips abroad. The raids were conducted as Malaysia's new government rise up its investigation of corruption charge against them.

U.S. investigators say that at least $4.5 billion was misplaced from Malaysia Development Berhad, a government investment fund that Najib supervised. It is believed that a big amount has been transferred to his personal account.

On Thursday, Najib's advocate, Harpal Singh Grewal, defended that despite the seizure of some of the belongings, police did not find any incriminating documents. Grewal also mentioned that police drilled into an old safe that no one had opened for 20 years because they had lost the key.

The search conducted in the premises and the items seized thus far would seem of insignificant value, and the continued presence of police officers and the drilling of the old safe strongly suggest unwarranted harassment," he said.
BRIDGEPORT  Graduates were encouraged to be the force for positive change at a packed commencement ceremony for Western Connecticut State University students on Sunday morning.

About 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students and thousands of family members filled the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport for the celebration.

Jane McBride Gates, the provost and senior vice president of academic and student affairs, applauded the graduates for all they had achieved as students.

You dreamed big, she said. You worked hard with your faculty mentors and you made your dream become a reality.

WCSU President John Clark asked students to show gratitude for their parents and other family members, asking them at the start of the ceremony to wave to their loved ones, who cheered back at them.

The university conferred 1,211 degrees Sunday  10 associate degrees, 1,059 bachelors degrees, 133 masters degrees and nine doctorate of education degrees.

Many students decorated their caps with their favorite sayings or drawings. Meanwhile, loved ones carried flowers and one family held a Congrats Class of 2018 poster. One parent wore a Proud Mom T-shirt with a photo of her daughter in her cap and gown.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., praised the university for its faculty and the students for their passion and energy.

He urged the graduates to work toward creating a world where college is debt free, women are paid equally for their work, veterans receive the best health care and immigrants do not face discrimination.

I know you will help in addressing these issues because what WestConn has done is to instill the love of others and giving back to our great nation, Blumenthal said.

This was the message William McGurk, of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education, gave, as well.

Now is the time for each of you to make a positive difference, a positive difference in your career, your family, your life, your community, he said.

Can we count on you? McGurk asked.

Students cheered.

Can we count on you? he repeated. I cant hear you. Can we count on you?

The cheers and applause grew louder.

And Abigail Lynch, the student speaker who earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing, said they could and would be counted on.

It is our responsibility as the upcoming generation to help others, give back to the community and make a change, Lynch said. Now more than ever the world needs us, whether you are an accountant, a politician, a teacher, a biochemist, a nurse, a musician. It doesnt matter, the world is dependent on us to be the change.

After all, the universitys faculty and staff have given them the tools to do so, Lynch said.

We are prepared and the world is waiting, she said. Whatever you do in this world, do it with a passion and a fire in your heart. Just please remember, your education and your accomplishments do not matter, if you fail to treat the people around you with kindness, love and compassion.

Lynch was a Kathwari Honors Program merit scholar, member of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Nursing Honors Society and several other organizations. She also worked full-time as a student nurse associate at Danbury Hospital.

She reflected on her freshman year, describing how she had thought she would just need to get through four more years of learning. But, she has since realized she will be learning forever.

You are never done learning and you can always use your education to help others, Lynch said. Never stop asking why, demand answers and, better yet, be the one to answer those questions because we are responsible for creating a world where education never stops.
Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, the newly GOP-anointed candidate for governor of Connecticut, has come further than ever before in his quest to lead the state.

This third time could be the charm, but he needs one lucky break  the partys choice for lieutenant governor has to lose in the August primary. State Sen. Joe Markley from Southington, who won the nomination last weekend, is far too conservative to help the ticket.

Boughton and Markley had not teamed up; each position is endorsed separately. If anything, Boughton was more likely to turn to New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart for a running mate.

When I spoke with Boughton last week and suggested Stewart would better for the ticket, he was circumspect, a party loyalist to the conventions choice. After all, Boughton himself had been in that position, back in 2010 when he became Tom Foleys running mate, not by any earlier alliance. We know how that turned out.

Boughton and Markley are both in their early 50s; Stewart is just 31, but the ticket balance is not about ages, though Stewarts youthful connection is appealing.

Its about a different set of numbers. Registered Democrats far outnumber Republicans in this blue state. Of Connecticuts 2,318,251 registered voters, according to Secretary of the State official counts in November, only 481,336 were Republican compared to 848,493 Democrats and 956,463 unaffiliated; 31,959 registered with minor parties.

By the numbers, a Republican cannot win for governor without attracting unaffiliated or Democratic voters.

Boughton, with a good Danbury story to tell, could do that. But not with Markley. A registered Democrat might give the pickup-truck Republican (as Boughton likes to call himself) a chance, but would be alienated by a staunch conservative running mate.

Markley, first elected to the senate in 2010 as a Tea Party of one, has voted against gun safety  including the recent ban on bump stocks supported by other Republicans such as state Rep. Mitch Bolinsky of Newtown who co-sponsored the bill  against pay equity, against community shared solar, and against the budget last year, though ultimately he voted for it.

His voting record on these and other issues, such as against removing the death penalty, may be fine for the conservative wing of the Republican party, but not for gaining support beyond it.

Stewart could help broaden the ticket and not just by virtue of gender. She became mayor of the states eighth largest city when she was 26 and closed the citys deficit while improving its bond rating; she created a task force to end homelessness and led a large solarization project on a city reservoir.

Now, Im not endorsing Stewart nor even Boughton at this point. Im just looking analytically at the GOP side of the race in light of last weeks convention and the match not made in heaven.

Eight years ago Boughton made his first run for governor and ended up second to Foley; they lost. Four years ago Boughton was on his way to the top of the ticket, but teamed up with Heather Somers, a former Groton town mayor and now a state senator, to combine donations and reach the public financing threshold. She ditched him at the convention.

Boughton has learned lessons, hes more politically astute and pragmatic. He can rightfully tout Danburys economy, with the lowest unemployment rate in the state. But it will be hard to sell that message to those outside the party with a partner like Markley on the ticket.

Boughton has to hope Stewart wins the primary for lieutenant governor in August otherwise his third try for the top office will be quixotic.

Contact Editorial Page Editor Jacqueline Smith at jsmith@hearstmediact.com or 203-731-3344.
MASHANTUCKET  The new Italian restaurant at Foxwoods Resort Casino officially arrived on Kentucky Derby Saturday  bright, airy, tasty and somewhat pricey in the space formerly occupied by Al Dente.

Caputo Trattoria opened this month from Craveable Hospitality Group, which runs also-satisfying David Burke Prime steakhouse next door in the Grand Pequot Towers restaurant level  the brainchild of Craveables Culinary Director Matt ONeill and Executive Chef Gary LaMothe.

The decor by Glen & Co. Architecture is meant to be reminiscent of Italys stone walkways and terracotta architecture with white linens, a pattern-tiled floor (along with hardwood) and hand-painted plates. Patio lights are strung above the dining rooms central oval that suggests a night sky.

In a chat on opening night, ONeill said the look was meant to convey a bright, Mediterranean feel. In addition to work on the menu with New England native LaMothe, ONeill had a lot of input into the 18-seat bar area, particularly two large glass globes filled with strong limoncello and traditional negroni (Bombay gin, Contrato vermouth and Campari).

ONeill, who learned to cook with his Italian grandmother, said in a news release that the menus seafood, Bolognese sauce, risotto and pizza Napoletana (a $49 Caputo Pie includes chicken parmesan and hot honey, serving 2-8), represent food from different Italian regions.

The rich-looking pie is one shareable offering; another is pasta (cacio e pepe with spaghetti, black pepper and parmesan) served tableside ($19/$29 for small or large). For two people, the burrata cheese plate ($15) is made more festive when the server takes out a gold scissors to cut into the thin crust and expose the soft cheese beneath. (Burrata is fresh buffalo milk cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The outer shell is mozz.) It was good, but we needed the chianti-braised onion slices with it to add flavor. (I asked for and received salt, I must confess.)

We didnt get to the raw bar offerings or the larger entrees, preferring to try a few smaller plates. The (three) meatballs in Sunday gravy were delicious, slightly crusty and spicy in a good way. The spring pea and prosciutto risotto was nearly perfect  creamy, cheese-flavored and with only tiny bits of prosciutto for flavor but not chewiness.

We also sampled the smaller size of the linguini vongole ($18/$27) with cockles, garlic and white wine. The cockles are just small clams, ONeill noted when I asked what cockles are, and I was happy that the pasta was al dente (slightly chewy) and the clams were sweet, without an overpowering garlic flavor. Nice.

The selections of wine and other booze are plentiful, of course, but the wine by the glass was overpriced ($16 for one unspectacular red) and  I shudder  served in a stemless glass. If youre going to charge more than $10 or $11 for a five-ounce glass of wine, I want a stem (which I requested and received for a second, different vintage that was a bit less expensive). The $16 ice tea Italiano was tall, tasty and pink.

Service was in pairs, which was attentive, friendly and thankfully not rushed but can lead to confusion if you forget who you told something. A couple of the staffers nearby had the dropsies (stems or not), but they handled it professionally.

Overall, Caputo Trattoria left a nice glow as a solid, upscale addition to the Foxwoods culinary world. Just be prepared to drop more than a C note for the experience.

Other recent openings

In Wethersfield, a new restaurant in the office building known as Putnam Park (or the CBS Building, right off I-91s Exit 25 if you bear right instead of going up Route 2), makes you realize how few nice views are available at eateries along the Connecticut River.

River: A Waterfront Restaurant & Bar  on Great Meadow Road  not only includes the waterway in its name but delivers a wide and satisfying view, early visitors tell us. Word is that the food is very good, too, also with an Italian theme. Definitely worth a visit, which we will do soon.

In Southington, value-seekers will welcome the arrival of a new BYOB opportunity. Recently opened Craft Kitchen (1244 Meriden Ave.) is from chef and owner Mike Truss.

The restaurant serves classic comfort food such as pizzas, burgers and paninis from fresh ingredients and a cook from scratch philosophy, according to a news release. And you can bring your own beverage, which we enjoy. Also on the lunch and dinner menus: French onion soup, specialty pizzas, craft-built duck fat skillet links and house-made pasta.

And in Milford, the well-regarded and remodeled Bin 100 reopened the other day with a ceremony and ribbon-cutting at 100 Lansdale Ave.
Monday

The Valley Shore Toastmasters: meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Madison Senior Center (cafe), 29 Bradley Road. Email valleyshoretm@yahoo.com or visit http://valleyshore.toastmastersclubs.org.

Tuesday

The Milford Chamber of Commerce Tuesday Morning Leads Group: meets at 8:30 a.m. at the Chamber, 5 Broad St., Milford. Call 203-878-0681.

The Rotary Club of Hamden: meets each Tuesday. For meeting time and location please visit the calendar section of their website at www.hamdenctrotary.org.

The Rotary Club of New Haven: meets at 12:15 p.m. at the Graduate Club, 155 Elm St. Call 203-624-3197.

The Rotary Club of North Haven: meets at 7:15 a.m. at the Breakfast Nook, 448 Washington Ave. Visit www.nhrotary.org.

Wednesday

The Rotary Club of Branford: meets from 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. at the Parthenon Diner, 374 E. Main St., Branford. Call 203-315-2444, ext. 450.

The Devon Rotary: meets at 7:30 a.m. at the Bridge House Restaurant, 49 Bridgeport Ave., Milford. Visit www.devonrotary.org.

The Greater New Haven chapter of Toastmasters International: meets at 6:30 p.m. at New Haven City Hall, 165 Church St. Call 203-287-0037.

The Milford Chamber of Commerce Wednesday Morning Leads Group: meets at 8:30 a.m. at the Chamber, 5 Broad St., Milford. Call 203-878-0681.

The Rotary Club of Guilford: meets at 12:15 p.m. at The Maritime Grille, 2548 Boston Post Road, Guilford. Call 203-453-0774.

The Greater New Haven Business & Professional Association: meets at 11 a.m. at 192 Dixwell Ave. Call 203-562-2193.

The Rotary Club of Wallingford: meets at 12:10 p.m. at the Library Wine Bar and Bistro, 60 North Main Street. Call 203-235-3816.

North Branford Rotary: meets at 6 p.m. at Nataz, 2025 Foxon Road. Call 203-484-7707.

The Greater New Haven Breakfast Club: meets at 8 a.m. at Clarks Pizza & Restaurant, 68 Whitney Ave., New Haven. Email info@rosnerdoherty.com.

The Rotary Club of West Haven: meets at 12:15 p.m. at Apps Ristorante, 283 Captain Thomas Blvd.

Thursday

The Middlesex County Toastmasters: meets from 7-8:30 p.m., Wesleyan University, Exley Science Center (Woodhead Lounge), 265 Church St., Middletown, http://middlesex.toastmastersclubs.org.

The Madison Rotary Club: meets at 8 a.m. at the Madison Senior Center, 29 Bradley Road. Call Robert Anderson, 203-907-9032.

The Clinton Rotary Club: meets 6:30 p.m. at Clinton Country Club, Old Westbrook Road. Call Dee Tully at 860-388-7013.

The East Haven Rotary Club: meets at 5:45 p.m. at Twin Pines Diner Restaurant, 34 Main St., East Haven.

The Milford Rotary Club meets: from 12:15-1:15 p.m. at Gusto Restaurant, 255 Boston Post Road. Visit www.milfordrotary.org.

Friday

The Orange Rotary Club: meets at 12:15 p.m. at Racebrook Country Club, 246 Derby Ave. Call 203-799-2327.

The Woodbridge Rotary Club: meets at 12:15 p.m. for a luncheon meeting at Woodbridge Social, 12 Selden St., Woodbridge. For more information, call Mary Ellen LaRocca at 203-389-3429.

The Milford Chamber of Commerce Friday Morning Leads Group: meets at 11 a.m. at the Chamber, 5 Broad St., Milford. Call 203-878-0681.

Send notices of business events to Business Datebook, New Haven Register, 100 Gando Drive, New Haven 06513 or email to business@nhregister.com, at least a week before the event.
HAMDEN  The streets in the Honor Hill section of Hamden  Robertson Road, Costanzo Court, Biehl Road, Read Road, Ferguson Road  are namesakes, christened in honor of five town residents killed during the Vietnam War.

The men are Major Pierce Irving Robertson, Capt. Oscar Biehl Jr., Spec. 4th Class Ralph Paul Costanzo, Cpl. Donald Porter Ferguson and Cpl. Robert Berton Read.

Now, neighborhood residents are hoping to illuminate that fact and ensure the memory of these men lives on for generations to come, as they plan to install a stone marker as a memorial to the five servicemen on Memorial Day.

Cliff Pollack and David Johnson live in Honor Hill. Johnson said his home was the last available lot in the development, and where he raised his children.

At a neighborhood party last year, Pollack suggested memorializing the men with an additional monument. Johnson, also the town historian, said he and his wife jumped at the idea.

Were in a blessed little neighborhood, and I thought people would like to know a little more about it, said Pollack.

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate Cliffs idea. It was just wonderful, said Johnson.

After the winter months, the two began to organize the effort as part of a committee, receiving an enthusiastic response from neighbors and the town.

A ceremony is now planned for Memorial Day afternoon, May 28.

The Nolan Monument Co. volunteered to create and donate a stone marker for the memorial free of charge, Johnson said.

It will be installed on Johnsons property, 61 Costanzo Court, at the base of a flagpole. People are welcome to come visit the memorial, Johnson said.

Were very excited about this. We think this is a wonderful way to pay tribute to these five fellows, so that our neighbors will know the significance of the names of their streets, said Johnson, noting it might inspire others in town to take up a similar idea.

Johnson said they are trying to locate relatives of the five servicemen to ask whether they would like to attend the ceremony, and also would like help from the community in doing so.

Johnson said he knew Costanzo, although not well  they had algebra class together in 1963. That memory has stuck with him over the years.

Ive always been struck by the fact that he was a good guy  and hes gone, hes been gone over 50 years. And here so many of us are still here; weve enjoyed so much in the last 50 years, and hes not with us anymore, said Johnson. And the same can be said about all these other gentlemen.

Johnson said it was important to hand down the memory through the generations. He hopes the families take away a sense of comfort that their loss is shared and noted among the community.

It is a meaningful project, Johnson and Pollack said.

People should know why their streets are named after veterans  that they gave their ultimate service for the country, said Pollack.

Its always been my feeling  everybody should be remembered. But if anybody is to be remembered, it is people who gave their lives for their country. These guys should be remembered forever, said Johnson.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
Take a look around you, if you live in or visit New Haven.

Laura A. Macaluso notes the citys landscape is saturated with sculpture, murals, monuments, grave markers, paintings, prints and installations of diverse messages and mediums.

Macaluso says each one of them serves to create, support or extend city identity.

She counted and cataloged 447 works of public art for her book The Public Artscape of New Haven: Themes in the Creation of a City Image (McFarland & Co.).

And yet most of them are unseen, unappreciated or dont even exist anymore because they were lost or destroyed. The public neglects its own public art.

Macaluso thinks this is a shame. And so she set out to write the first book to focus on the public art of New Haven.

Nobody else was paying attention to how these works came about, she said last Tuesday over the phone from her home in Lynchburg, Va. Nobody had taken the time to make any sense of it all.

She added, Its important to appreciate it. My book is a call for preservation and awareness.

Before Macaluso moved to Virginia in 2012, she lived in Milford and New Haven. She was an art history major at Southern Connecticut State University and worked part-time for New Havens Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism.

Because of her background and interest, Macaluso pays close attention to the public art she encounters. Most people dont do this. We might glance up and see the Soldiers and Sailors Monument atop East Rock when we drive on Interstate 95 but how many of us notice the Defenders Monument at the corner of Congress, Columbus and Davenport avenues when we drive past it on nearby Ella T. Grasso Boulevard?

That depiction of a soldier, a farmer and a Yale student alongside a cannon has been there since 1911. It commemorates the heroic resistance by New Haven citizens to the invasion of British troops on July 5, 1779. Monuments such as this one, if we take a little time to stop and read their inscriptions, can teach us a lot about our history. How many people even know that the British invaded New Haven in 1779?

Everything is connected, especially in a city like New Haven with its deep history, Macaluso told me. The Defenders Monument seems to sit off by itself but its connected. Thats what I want people to recognize.

Heres something else thats overlooked: thousands of people regularly breeze through the front room of the New Haven Free Public Library without looking up to see a large color mural by Bancel LaFarge, assisted by Louis Agostini. Entitled The Personification of New Haven Receiving Immigrants and Learning, the mural was a Works Progress Administration project in the 1930s.

With the New Haven Green and its elm trees as a backdrop, the mural features a crowned female figure extending her arms to a Yale student wearing saddle shoes and an immigrant family. Yales mascot Handsome Dan sits in the left corner.

When youre in that main library on Elm Street, you should walk down to the basement level and check out the whimsical Rip Van Winkle murals, a 1934 WPA project led by Salvatore DeMaio and Frank Rutkowski. But this is an example of how poorly public art is treated in the city; Macaluso noted nearly half of the Rip Van Winkle murals were destroyed when new walls were installed in the late 1980s.

Most of us also walk over the Path of Stars on Orange Street near Crown Street without looking down and seeing the mosaic tributes to the merchants and other civic leaders of the Ninth Square. This was a Percent for Art project done from 1993-1995 by Sheila Levrant de Bretteville. Some of the stars are for Sylvester Z. Poli, whose movie theaters included the Loews Poli; William and Jack Horowitz, who founded the dry goods business and downtown fixture Horowitz Bros.; and Emmaline Jones, the first woman to practice dentistry in America (1873).

When I asked Macaluso why New Havens public art isnt more appreciated, she said, Culture and art institutions are starved for funds. And so the institutions arent doing enough (education). The links are broken. Nobodys there to tell people what these works mean and why theyre important. There should be tours of public spaces.

Macaluso also thinks Yale University officials (while deserving kudos for accessible museums such as the Yale University Art Gallery) should be showing off their outdoor art, to make it truly public. As someone whos been interested in public art and spent years in the Elm City as a non-Yalie, Ive only been inside their courtyards once, when Peter Salovey opened up the campus for his inauguration (2013). That was amazing, to finally be able to see those secret spaces. Why cant Yale open its campus and do tours that arent just for prospective incoming students and their families?

Macalusos 175-page book is filled with examples of public works of art that have been lost, including the Life of Hiawatha mural that was at Edgewood School, the Roger Sherman murals at the Roger Sherman School, the Christopher Columbus murals at Christopher Columbus Academy and virtually all of the murals created under the federal governments Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) from 1973-82.

Macalusos book contains photos of some of this lost art. She included one of the missing CETA murals, We Can Do It All Better Together, in Peace, in Joy, in Love, by Terry Lennox and Ruth Resnick.

Thats the work of art Im most curious to know what happened to, Macaluso said. It was big; it was gorgeous. It was in the New Haven Welfare Office. It was taken down and nobody has seen it since.

Few people know this, but the original Christopher Columbus statue in Wooster Square is also gone and was probably destroyed. Macaluso noted in her book that the first statue, made of copper, was installed with great fanfare and even delirium in 1892. She wrote it was the first public statement of the Italian community of their place-based identity in New Haven.

But through the years, the copper deteriorated and in 1955, a second statue was installed, made of bronze. Macaluso told me the original got pretty smushed up. It was likely destroyed and sold to a scrap yard.

In a time when some statues and memorials are being dismantled because the depicted figures are now seen as cruel or racist  and statues of Columbus are being protested because of his treatment of Native Americans  Macaluso sides with her fellow Italian-Americans.

It feels personal because it feeds into the identity of Wooster Square and New Haven. Id really make a stink about it if they wanted to take it down. If we erase everything, what will we have left?

Macalusos book also has a chapter on the citys many war memorials, including the relatively new Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Long Wharf by Kenneth Polanski and Frank Pannenborg. But she also includes the Iraq and Afghanistan War Memorial on Broadway, a pile of inscribed stones maintained by the peace community. It lists Iraqi civilian deaths as well as the names of dead American soldiers.

Macaluso devoted plenty of ink to New Havens most famous war memorial, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, site of a gala dedication ceremony in 1887.

This is my personal favorite of all the public art in New Haven. I live in the East Rock neighborhood, so its visible from my home and as I move around nearby. The monument is always lit at night, like a beacon. And its a war memorial with an angel of peace on top! I love it.

Contact Randall Beach at 203-680-9345 or randall.beach@hearstmediact.com
NEW HAVEN  As springtime begins in earnest, many residents in Connecticut have shelved their memories of the winters noreasters.

For the wood frogs and spotted salamanders that live in vernal pools along the states roadsides, however, the runoff of winter road salt may be leaving an imprint on the future of the species.

To investigate this, Steven Brady, an assistant professor of biology at Southern Connecticut State University, researches how ecology mixes with evolutionary biology regarding whether wildlife is adapting to environmental change.

Its one change in the landscape, but it brings a suite of effects, he said.

Brady said not much research has been done on the evolutionary and adaptive impact road salt can have on roadside populations, but its possible the populations of these pools will begin to feature more salt-friendly species, or that wood frogs or salamanders may be endangered if its strongest jumpers have a lower rate of survival because of the salt.

Under Bradys guidance, pre-med student Lauren Frymus and sophomore Faruk Senturk are running an experiment at the university to measure the impact salinity has on wood frog tadpoles, by raising the eggs in tanks with variable salinity.

Senturk, who is interested in conservation biology and ecology, applied for and received an undergraduate research grant to support his work in the lab.

Although the survival rate of tadpoles in high salinity is lower and the team has observed some mutations such as crooked spines, Frymus said the team has been surprised at how resilient some of the subjects have been.

A study co-led by scientists from Yale University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the results of which were released in 2016, found, among other results, that road salt makes the frog population more masculine. Male tadpole populations increased 10 percent when exposed to the salt, the release on that study said.

The health and abundance of females is obviously critical for the sustainability of any population because theyre the ones that make the babies. So if you have a population that is becoming male-based, the population might be at risk, the Yale/RPI 2016 release said.

Brady said his initial concept for the experiment was to measure the growth and resiliency of wood frog tadpoles in salty water, but the students have collected data at the same level as doctoral students.

As an undergrad, this is a lot of work, Senturk said.

Frymus said the two are nearly constantly in the lab while also balancing a regular load of classes.

Brady said the convergence of evolutionary biology and ecology is a fairly recent development to both fields, although he concludes it makes sense to consider the relationship between competition and evolutionary adaptation.

With the reproductive schedule of wood frogs, Brady said, often times they begin to mate at the same moment vernal pools are at peak saltiness, sometimes including unnaturally warm days after a snowstorm.

The danger for the species, he said, is that frogs that make habitats in roadside pools are typically evolved from the farthest jumpers, as they must survive among road traffic. If salt in the water were to impairthe development or survival rate of some of the farthest jumpers in the species, it could have a deleterious effect on the entire species.

An alternative theory he has is that salty pools are already an island of misfit toys, where the weakest in the offspring are dumped, meaning the species as a whole could go farther into the woods.

Although the SCSU team has begun the work, Brady said it would be too soon to make conclusions about the impact road salt can have on amphibians when it reaches their mating habitat until the cycle has occurred several times.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com
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Roseburg, OR (97470)

Today

Light rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low near 45F. NW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Light rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low near 45F. NW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
It was supposed to be a moment of triumph.

The newly emboldened members of the Working Families Party, New Yorks minor progressive party, had envisioned their convention on Saturday as a celebration of what they saw as their newfound freedom from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, whose re-election bid they had snubbed in favor of Cynthia Nixons challenge from the left.

The state committee members would gather in a Harlem church to officially anoint her  and to mark their independence from Mr. Cuomos political bullying.

Ms. Nixon was indeed anointed, formally accepting the partys nomination as she took plenty of shots at Mr. Cuomo, calling him a lackey of Wall Street interests who left working families with scraps.

We need a governor that is as true and blue as its people, she said of New York.

But the party could not completely distance itself from Mr. Cuomo and the machinations that often complicate political life in the state.
One of the children of slaves is marrying a royal whose forerunners sanctioned slavery; the lion is lying down with the lamb.

DENISE CRAWFORD, a court stenographer from Brooklyn who had traveled to England for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Its important to keep a leader, a fighter, and warrior like Mike Capuano around, Mr. Lewis said at the event, which was equal parts gospel service and political town hall and held at the same Massachusetts church where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once served as an assistant pastor in the 1950s.

His argument is emblematic of the bitter intraparty debates that Democrats are having across the country ahead of the 2018 midterm elections  debates that often split liberals across the touchy fault lines of race, age and gender. The campaign appearance by Mr. Lewis and the recent decision by the political arm of the Congressional Black Caucus to back Mr. Capuano has made this primary race a microcosm of a larger search for identity among Democrats, while igniting friction between national black politicians and local ones.

The Seventh Congressional District that is up for grabs stretches from Bostons Dorchester and Roxbury neighborhoods to the communities of Cambridge and Somerville across the Charles River. It is the states only district where the majority of residents are not white and Mr. Capuano, who is white, has never faced a serious primary challenger in his 10-term tenure in Congress.

Then came the bid by Ms. Pressley, who was the first woman of color to be elected to the City Council in its 108-year history. But instead of rallying around her, high-profile black politicians  including Mr. Lewis, Representative Maxine Waters of California and former Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts  have all endorsed her white opponent.

Mr. Lewis declined several requests to discuss his endorsement. Representative Gregory W. Meeks of New York, the chairman of the black caucuss political action committee, said the group endorsed Mr. Capuano largely because of his longtime personal relationships with its members and his senior position on the House Financial Services Committee.
Just hours after 10 people were killed in a school shooting in Santa Fe, Tex., the police chief in nearby Houston issued a defiant condemnation of elected officials who have failed to act on gun control, saying he had hit rock bottom.

In a statement on Facebook, the chief, Art Acevedo, wrote that he had shed tears of sadness, pain and anger after the shooting, which happened about 35 miles away.

I know some have strong feelings about gun rights but I want you to know Ive hit rock bottom and I am not interested in your views as it pertains to this issue, he wrote. Please do not post anything about guns arent the problem and theres little we can do. My feelings wont be hurt if you de-friend me and I hope yours wont be if you decide to post about your views and I de-friend you.

On Saturday, the authorities said the student who opened fire, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, had confessed. There have been so many school shootings recently  including one in Parkland, Fla., in which a 19-year-old former student killed 17 people  that to some students at Santa Fe High School the shooting on Friday was hardly a surprise.
Clothing has been such a flash point for debates around Franciss papacy.

DOUTHAT And there is an interesting generational divide within the church, where some younger priests are interested in reclaiming costume in various ways. Pope Francis, who of course belongs to the post-Vatican II generation, sometimes uses that interest in vestments to critique priestly vanity or traditionalism. Hell point to a priest sporting a saturno [a clerical hat with a wide, circular brim], say, as an example of putting on airs, and hell contrast it with the humbler, earthier pastor that he aspires to be.

FRIEDMAN One very legitimate connection that works in the exhibits favor is that you can see in Catholicism how the ritual of getting dressed, the pageantry of dress, is part of its identity and history. And I think thats how we all dress. We tend to downplay it or not want to admit it, but we all go through similar pageants for our own identities. Overtly linking that is quite a good thing.

Do you feel that the designers, and the exhibition, were mostly respectful to Catholicism?

FRIEDMAN Theres an implicit premise with all these garments that the designers are positively connected to Catholicism on some level, and I wonder about that. [Alexander] McQueen in particular was famous for hating patriarchy, rebelling against anything rule-bound. Certainly in a lot of his clothes, theres an element of anger and a more combative, aggressive approach.

DOUTHAT There are smart, serious Catholics whove reacted to this show, and especially to the gala, as an act of folly by the Archdiocese of New York. They think that you dont get anywhere as a religion by turning yourself over to secular fashionistas. I can see why they think that. On the other hand, my own reaction, walking through the show, is that you have to seek out the blasphemy to find it. There is a Rick Owens monks robe with the groin cut out in the Cloisters, and theres the bondage mask in the Met  but its next to a Renaissance skull rosary. Nobody out-Goths the church, right?

And I think the show demonstrates the extent to which blasphemy only works when its parasitic on something that has a greater richness, a real belief. The optimistic Catholic case for this show is, you accept these hints of blasphemy because theyre in a context where people will come away impressed with the depth of a tradition that can be riffed on in so many ways.
1. Lets start with some good news for a change.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married at Windsor Castle in England on Saturday, drawing cheers from around the globe and nudging the royal family into a new era. This video shows the highlights.

The celebrity-filled ceremony featured a gospel choir and a sermon by Michael Curry, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the U.S. His speech was a striking moment: Here was a relaxed, charismatic African-American bishop, speaking to British aristocrats in the cadence of the black American church. Read it here.

More than 100,000 well-wishers lined the streets of Windsor, straining for a glimpse of the couple, including some Americans. Here are some of the most memorable moments, in photos.
Alfred F. Kelly Jr., Visas chief executive, is completely paranoid about the subject, he told investors at a conference in March. Bank of Americas Brian T. Moynihan said his cybersecurity team is the only place in the company that doesnt have a budget constraint. (The banks chief operations and technology officer said it is spending about $600 million this year.)

The military sharpens soldiers skills with large-scale combat drills like Jade Helm and Foal Eagle, which send troops into the field to test their tactics and weaponry. The financial sector created its own version: Quantum Dawn, a biennial simulation of a catastrophic cyberstrike.

In the latest exercise last November, 900 participants from 50 banks, regulators and law enforcement agencies role-played their response to an industrywide infestation of malicious malware that first corrupted, and then entirely blocked, all outgoing payments from the banks. Throughout the two-day test, the organizers lobbed in new threats every few hours, like denial-of-service attacks that knocked the banks websites offline.

The first Quantum Dawn, back in 2011, was a lower-key gathering. Participants huddled in a conference room to talk through a mock attack that shut down stock trading. Now, its a live-fire drill. Each bank spends months in advance re-creating its internal technology on an isolated test network, a so-called cyber range, so that its employees can fight with their actual tools and software. The company that runs their virtual battlefield, SimSpace, is a Defense Department contractor.

Sometimes, the tests expose important gaps.

A series of smaller cyber drills coordinated by the Treasury Department, called the Hamilton Series, raised an alarm three years ago. An attack on Sony, attributed to North Korea, had recently exposed sensitive company emails and data, and, in its wake, demolished huge swaths of Sonys internet network.

If something similar happened at a bank, especially a smaller one, regulators asked, would it be able to recover? Those in the room for the drill came away uneasy.
After six billion vehicles sold, Hot Wheels is looking for one more car to race down those plastic orange tracks. And it could be yours.

Mattel, the toymaker that owns the Hot Wheels brand, is searching for the best custom car in the United States. The chosen vehicle will be made into a miniature die-cast car to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hot Wheels.

The search, called the Legends Tour, is part of Mattels effort to stay connected with Hot Wheels fans at a time when children are gravitating more toward mobile devices and away from traditional toys.

The Legends Tour began at the companys headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., and will end in October at an automotive convention, the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Along the way, fans can enter their custom vehicles, which will be judged on flair and originality. The winning car will be available at retailers worldwide in the fall of 2019.
Last month, two black men who went to a Starbucks in Philadelphia and did not buy anything were denied use of the restroom and asked to leave.

Then an employee called the police and the men were arrested, prompting protests, boycotts and accusations of racism.

Now, Starbucks has changed its policy.

On Saturday the company announced that any customer is welcome to use Starbucks spaces, including our restrooms, cafes and patios, regardless of whether they make a purchase.

It added that employees should follow established procedures for addressing disruptive behaviors, and call 911 in the case of immediate danger or threat to employees or customers.
Theres a big perception gap, said Stacey Haas, the partner at McKinsey who steered the study.

This is, to be sure, not only an American problem. When British companies were forced to reveal their salary data recently, and it became glaringly clear that women were paid less than men, Burberry and other companies blamed the gap on the fact that most of their C suite executives were men. And given that C suite salaries are the highest  well, the math makes sense. The French brand Dior appointed its first female designer only in 2016; Givenchy in 2017.

But it is interesting, given that such a large portion of the original wave of American designers and founders were women: Claire McCardell, Bonnie Cashin, Anne Klein, Liz Claiborne. Especially because there are currently no barriers to entry for women and, Ms. Haas said, there is no aspiration gap. At the beginning of their careers, the study found that women were 17 percent more likely than men to want to get to the top. The problems come later.

The idea for the survey originated with the CFDA around the time of the womens march in 2017, when a number of its members headed down to Washington. Cindi Leive, then the editor of Glamour, signed on, and McKinsey created a 100 question survey for both men and women at all stages of their careers and developed the protocol for the study.

A list of companies was compiled that included mass and designer fashion, retail and production, and 191 agreed to participate. The companies disseminated the survey, which was anonymous, to employees as they chose, and 535 people responded; 20 in-depth interviews were also held.

But the end product doesnt distinguish between responses on the creative, corporate or retail side, or the mass market versus the designer sector, which logic dictates have some different structural challenges. And a few very big companies that are important in the industry declined to participate, said Steven Kolb, the chief executive of the CFDA, who declined to name them.

I dont know if they got tangled up in H.R., or there was a legal reason, or if they were just concerned about what they would find out, Mr. Kolb said.
Ellen Shang Yuh and Jonathan Paul Downin were married May 19 at the Metropolitan Club in New York. Pastor Jae Hoon Lee, a Presbyterian minister, officiated.

The bride, 35, is a senior manager in Seoul, South Korea, for the Yangji Development Company, a real estate development business owned by her parents and founded by her father. She graduated from Cornell.

She is a daughter of Choon Hee Lee Yuh and Seung Bin Yuh of Seoul.

The groom, 36, received a law degree on May 13 from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He graduated from Sophia University Tokyo.

He is a son of Sue Downin and Jerry Downin of Ankeny, Iowa. The grooms father retired as a financial group director for the FBL Financial Group in Des Moines.
Emily Sage Sipchen and Andrew George Pappas were married May 19. The Rev. Gary Kyriacou performed the ceremony at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Mrs. Pappas, 31, is the operations director of Ylopo, a real estate marketing software developer in Los Angeles. She graduated magna cum laude from Middlebury College and received a masters degree in public administration from the University of Southern California.

She is a daughter of Pamela J. Sipchen and Robert J. Sipchen Jr. of Los Angeles. The brides father is an associate professor of writing and rhetoric at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Until 2017, he was a deputy metropolitan editor at The Los Angeles Times, where he was a recipient of a Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing. Her mother is a public health nurse in Santa Ana, Calif., for the health care agency of Orange County, which serves homeless people with mental illness.

Mr. Pappas, 36, is an assistant solicitor general in Phoenix for the State of Arizona. He graduated magna cum laude from Occidental College and received a law degree cum laude from the University of Arizona.
Dr. Jane Josephine Keating and Kelly OConnell Bird were married May 19 at Christ Church in Philadelphia. The Rev. Susan Richardson, an Episcopal priest, performed the ceremony.

Dr. Keating (left), 34, is a chief general surgery resident at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where in August, she will begin her fellowship in trauma surgery and surgical critical care. She graduated from Emory University, from which she also received a medical degree.

She is a daughter of Mary Jo Keating and Dr. Herbert Keating of West Hartford, Conn. Her father is an internal medicine physician in Bloomfield, Conn. Her mother retired as the vice president for corporate relations at the BNSF Railway Company in Fort Worth.

Ms. Bird, 44, is the lower school principal at Friends Central School in Wynnewood, Pa. She graduated from Wesleyan University and received a Master of Science in elementary education from Bank Street College of Education.
Kathryn Mary Lillian Rorer and Charles Isaac Doppelt were married May 19 at the Oceano Hotel and Spa in Half Moon Bay, Calif. The Rev. Don A. Mulford, a Presbyterian minister, officiated.

Mrs. Doppelt, 34, is a vice president for consultant relations, in San Mateo, Calif., at Fisher Investments, an asset manager. She is a cum laude graduate of Bryn Mawr College. She received a masters degree in decision sciences from the London School of Economics and Political Science and an M.B.A. from Duke.

She is the daughter of Eleanor A. Rorer and John E. Rorer of New Rochelle, N.Y. The brides father retired as the chief financial officer of the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Her mother retired as the media relations manager at the United Hospital Fund, a health care, policy and programming organization in New York.

Mr. Doppelt, 38, is a managing director, overseeing sales, at Melting Point Solutions, a financial services advisory company in San Francisco. He graduated and received an M.B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.
Marnita Veronica Robertson and Yigal Moshe Rechtman are to be married May 20. Rabbi Dennis C. Tobin is to officiate at the Brownstone, a banquet hall in Paterson, N.J.

The bride, 56, will be taking her husbands name. She is a lawyer managing technology matters for the information services department, in Mahwah, N.J., of the United Parcel Service. She graduated from Rutgers and received a law degree from Seton Hall University.

She is the daughter of Polly B. Robertson and Colonel O. Robertson of Englewood, N.J. The brides father is a shipping and receiving clerk at the West Penetone Corporation, a manufacturer of specialty cleaners in Carlstadt, N.J. Her mother retired as a central supplies supervisor at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in Englewood.

The groom, 50, is a partner and a forensic accountant at RSZ Forensic Associates, a litigation consultancy in New York. He graduated from N.Y.U. and received a masters degree in accounting from Pace University.
The overdose was a reminder of a quiet scourge affecting places around the country that has been overshadowed in recent years by a lethal opioid epidemic. In New York City, years of efforts had been aimed at stamping out drugs like K2, which are made of plant matter that has been sprayed with mind-altering substances that mimic the effect of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. But eradicating synthetic cannabinoids has been a struggle as their use persists: City hospitals this year have recorded 600 emergency room visits from patients suffering from their use.

New York is one of more than 40 states that have banned the drugs, which are commonly called synthetic marijuana and marketed under designer names like Spice, Green Giant Scooby Snax and Mr. Bad Guy. The Drug Enforcement Administration has banned more than two dozen substances used to make them. In New York City, subway posters warn that the drugs contain no marijuana and are potentially deadly.

While the packaging may look uniform and professional, said Dr. Edward Fishkin, the chief medical officer of Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center, the contents may vary wildly in dosage and potency, which can result in a sudden wave of users needing emergency care.

The drugs remain difficult to stamp out, in part because their makeup is constantly changing, a problem that also makes it difficult to assess how dangerous they are, experts said. There are also divisions with among policymakers and the public over how to combat their use without criminalizing drug addiction.

These are synthetic drugs that are manufactured with remarkable creativity such that lawmakers are facing challenges in keeping ahead, said Eugene ODonnell, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a former New York City police officer. Restricting access to one ingredient touches off a search for a replacement. If you can whip up an intoxicating or stimulating substance readily and legally available, you can avoid prosecution.

The incident on Saturday was at least the second mass overdose near the intersection, which is on the border of Bedford-Stuyvesant and Bushwick. In July 2016, 33 people overdosed on a similar substance in the same area.
Will Alsop, a British architect who brought zany playfulness and bold colors to his designs of commercial and residential buildings, subway stations and urban master plans, died on May 12 in hospice care in London. He was 70.

His firm, aLL Design, confirmed the death but gave no other details.

A Falstaffian provocateur, Mr. Alsop believed that his visually spectacular projects brightened their landscapes, and that architects had a calling to inspire.

Lifting the spirit, whether youre working in a building or walking past it every day, is the job of the architect, he told CNN in 2005.

Mr. Alsop often said he was quite serious about having fun as an architect. In school, he was an acolyte of Archigram, a group of avant-garde architects in Britain in the 1960s who were inspired by Pop Art, science fiction and psychedelia. Architecture became a way for him to solve problems and explore the fantastic.
Malaysias outgoing prime minister, Najib Razak, has been barred from leaving the country and summoned by anti-graft investigators after losing the election earlier this month to Mahathir Mohamad.
To the Editor:

Re Soros Foundations to Leave Hungary as Orban Grows More Belligerent (news article, May 16):

It is sad and disappointing that the Open Society Foundations have to leave Hungary. What is worse is the anger toward and hatred of immigrants.

People might want to ask themselves how America became one of the wealthiest countries and one of the strongest in history. By being a multiethnic society built by immigrants in a relatively fair and open democracy. Thats how.

And now ask yourselves where your ancestors came from.

STEPHEN R. FELDMAN

WHITE PLAINS
To the Editor:

Paul Krugman, in Just Saying Yes to Drug Companies (column, May 15), wrote about the 2003 Medicare Part D bill, giving me credit for having largely devised the bill that first created this drug coverage in Medicare. I should thank him.

That program has 90 percent support among seniors, has saved Washington $345 billion over 10 years, and is saving seniors thousands each year.

But I honestly cannot take the credit. I did not write the bill; I merely helped manage it through Congress.

Our Republican bill was largely devised by Democratic leaders  Tom Daschle, the Senate majority leader at the time, and Nancy Pelosi, the speaker  in seven unsuccessful previous Democratic bills, all of which first included the provision that prohibited government interference with private price negotiations in Part D.
I want my daughters to live without fear

My husband migrated to Brazil, but he hasnt been able to find a steady job. I hope he does, so that me and my two daughters can join him. I dont want them to suffer more there, because at least we have a roof over our heads here.

I dont go to the supermarket, because you cant find staple products there. I buy from buhoneros or bachaqueros (street vendors or black-marketeers), whenever I have cash. I go to the stores near my house that sell products that are 1000 times more expensive, because there is rice, flour, sugar, coffee and margarine. I buy groceries almost every day, if my husband manages to transfer me some money. I just buy what I need every day, because if I bought food for five days Id spend all of the money and if we had an emergency I wouldnt be able to pay for it  what if I need medicine?

Im planning to join my husband as soon as he finds a steady job and he can rent a place for us to live. I want my daughters to live without fear, or without asking me every single day, Did you find something to eat? And if we leave, I hope the government is removed from power, so that we can come back to be with our family again.

 Kelis Cardoso

We dont understand the power we have

Venezuela is my country. I dont see myself living somewhere else. I was born here. My parents and most of my family live here. My ancestors are buried here. My country has given me all I have  education, culture, a sense of belonging. I want to be part of its reconstruction, and to me it is very ungrateful to think that leaving is the only way out, and that the decision is individual rather than collective. We dont understand the power we have as citizens and the chance to use that power to build the country we want.

 Marcela Gil

Ive been using my credit card to pay for food

I leave home around 5:30 a.m. and I walk to the main avenue to take my kids to school and my one-year-old baby to my mothers house (in trucks, which are not entirely safe, but thats the only transport available now), and then I go to work. I work in a supermarket, so I witness how prices rise every day. I cant afford anything. I was paid today, with a salary increase, and I couldnt afford to buy 1 Kilo (Just over 2 pounds) of meat, I only managed to buy 250 grams, and thats all we eat, because I cant buy rice, pasta or flour to make arepas (a savory cake) with my salary. Ive been using my credit cards to pay for food for three months. I use them even though I know its going to be really hard to pay only the minimum each month.

I have high blood pressure, and Im not taking medications to control it now. They are completely out of reach. Fifteen pills may cost about 2,000,000 bolivars (around $20). Its a fortune.

 Miranyeli Gomes
Two friends riding their bikes in a mountainous, wooded area of Washington State on Saturday morning were attacked by a cougar, which killed one of them in the states first such fatality in more than 90 years, officials said.

The authorities said the two cyclists saw the cougar, a 100-pound male, in pursuit and one of them screamed. They stopped, got off their bikes and made noise to ward it off as people in such situations are advised to do, the authorities said.

At first, it appeared to work. The cougar fled.

But as they were about to pedal away, the cougar returned, Sgt. Ryan Abbott of the King County Sheriffs Office said. It jumped on Isaac M. Sederbaum, putting its mouth around his head and shaking him. It released him and chased after the other cyclist, who had started to run. The authorities identified that cyclist as Sonja J. Brooks.

As Sederbaum, who had been bloodied but survived, rode away from the scene, he could see the cougar dragging Brooks into the woods, Sergeant Abbott said. Sederbaum later told the authorities that he had to travel about two miles before getting a cellphone signal and calling 911.
Mr. Grimms incumbent opponent, Dan Donovan, is viewed by most fellow Republicans as a broadly inoffensive, if establishment-minded steward of the office. He has spent the last several months conspicuously attaching himself to Mr. Trump as well, recently introducing legislation that would require the presidents portrait be displayed at every post office in America, and sprinkling even casual conversation with mentions of his ride last year on Air Force One.

Coolest aircraft in the world, Mr. Donovan, 61, said in an hourlong interview last week, demonstrating the planes layout with a lunch check and his wallet.

But Mr. Donovan is facing a man who seemed to intuit the merits of Mr. Trumps defiant approach long before the 2016 election, taking its tenets to their logical extreme.

The president refused to release his tax returns; Mr. Grimm is following suit despite having served seven months in a federal prison for tax fraud.

The president has discussed revoking credentials from members of the news media; Mr. Grimm once threatened to throw a television reporter off a Capitol balcony and break him in half like a boy.

The president claims the investigations into his administrations dealings with Russia are a witch hunt. Mr. Grimms guilty plea in the tax matter has not stopped him from arguing the same about his own prosecution on the campaign trail.

I see it identical, he said in an interview last week at Andrews Diner, near Staten Islands southern shore.
WASHINGTON  The Trump administration has suspended its plan to impose sweeping tariffs on China as it presses forward with trade talks, a gesture that will temporarily ease tensions between the two nations but rapidly increase pressure on President Trump to secure the type of tough deal that he has long said is necessary to protect American workers.

Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, said on Sunday that the two countries had made progress as they concluded three days of intense trade negotiations in Washington late last week. The planned tariffs on as much as $150 billion worth of Chinese goods are off the table while the talks proceed, he said.

Were putting the trade war on hold, Mr. Mnuchin said on Fox News Sunday.

The reprieve came as many crucial details remained undecided, and trade experts warned that the suspension of tariffs could undercut Mr. Trumps leverage and thrust the United States back into the kind of lengthy  and ultimately fruitless  negotiations with China that have bogged down previous administrations.

There are also large and lingering questions about what the United States planned to do with one of its most powerful bargaining chips: the Chinese telecom firm ZTE, which has been crippled by sanctions that prevent it from buying American components. Mr. Trump last week suggested on Twitter that he might rethink the companys punishment in return for trade concessions.
WASHINGTON  The special counsel hopes to finish by Sept. 1 the investigation into whether President Trump obstructed the Russia inquiry, according to the presidents lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani, who said on Sunday that waiting any longer would risk improperly influencing voters in Novembers midterm elections.

Mr. Giuliani said that the office of the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, shared its timeline about two weeks ago amid negotiations over whether Mr. Trump will be questioned by investigators, adding that Mr. Muellers office said that the date was contingent on Mr. Trumps sitting for an interview. A spokesman for the special counsels office declined to comment.

Wrapping up the obstruction case would not signal the end of Mr. Muellers work. That is one piece of his broader inquiry, a counterintelligence investigation into Russias campaign to interfere in the 2016 presidential election and whether Trump associates coordinated with it. Counterintelligence investigations are used to gather information quietly about the activities of foreign powers and their agents  sometimes for years  and can result in criminal charges.

Mr. Giuliani sought to frame the outcome of the obstruction investigation as pitting the credibility of one man against another: Mr. Trump vs. James B. Comey, the former F.B.I. director, whom the president asked to end the investigation into his first national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn. The presidents request is one of the main episodes Mr. Mueller is examining to determine whether Mr. Trump had criminal intent to obstruct the Russia investigation.
The presidents call came two weeks after he publicly expressed frustration with the Justice Department for failing to give Republican lawmakers documents they are seeking about the basis and findings of the special counsel investigation into whether the Trump campaign worked with the Russians to sway the 2016 election. The president said then that at some point, I will have no choice but to use the powers granted to the Presidency and get involved!

That point appeared to be Sunday, close to the first anniversary of the opening of the special counsel investigation, at a time when the presidents frustration about it has reached a fever pitch and he and his allies have ratcheted up their efforts to undercut its credibility. It came as Rudolph W. Giuliani, his private lawyer, said that the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, planned to complete by Sept. 1 his inquiry into whether the president had obstructed justice  an apparent attempt by Mr. Giuliani to publicly pressure the special counsel amid negotiations over whether Mr. Trump will be interviewed in the case.

While most presidents who have faced investigations have responded with increased discretion to avoid being seen as trying to influence the outcome, Mr. Trump has dispensed with any notion that he is not trying to do so. He and his aides have branded the investigation a witch hunt and a hoax, called for an end to it, and tried to set its boundaries, and now the president has ordered a review of how it was handled.

I cant think of a prior example of a sitting president ordering the Justice Department to conduct an investigation like this one, said Stephen I. Vladeck, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law. Thats little more than a transparent effort to undermine an ongoing investigation.

If Mr. Trump were to follow through with the demand, Mr. Vladeck added, it seems to me that the recipients of such an order should resign  and that were heading for another Saturday Night Massacre.

Mr. Trumps directive prompted speculation that he might be trying to push Mr. Rosenstein out of his job without explicitly firing him, a move the president has frequently considered. Mr. Rosenstein pushed back this month against Republican demands for more visibility into the special counsels inquiry, saying his department is not going to be extorted.

This demand puts DAG Rod Rosenstein in a difficult position, Barbara L. McQuade, a former United States attorney in Michigan, said in a post on Twitter. He cant open an investigation based on a political demand, but if he refuses and is fired or resigns, he loses control of the Mueller investigation. Maybe just what Trump wants.
In Pennsylvania, voter registrations across age groups increased sharply in March and April before the primary last week, but registrations of young voters increased the fastest, jumping to 45 percent in March and more than half in April, from fewer than 40 percent of voters in January and February.

The trend was particularly stark in Broward County, site of the mass shooting in Parkland  and where more than a thousand young people were added to voter rolls in the week leading to the student-led March for Our Lives protests in March. Young voters represented only 16 percent of new registrants in January and February. In March, that number jumped to 46 percent, before slipping back to 25 percent in April.

Registrations among other groups remained relatively constant during the same period, in Broward and in Florida generally, according to data provided by the Florida Department of State Division of Elections.

And those new registrants lean Democratic. Of the new voters ages 25 and under in the state, a third registered as Democrats; 21 percent signed up as Republicans; and 46 percent registered as either unaffiliated or with another political party. For new registrants over 25, 27 percent were Democrats; 29 percent were Republicans; and 44 percent were independent or affiliated with a different party.

In addition to the registration figures, new polling of younger voters from the Harvard Kennedy Schools Institute of Politics found a significant jump from two years ago in those who say their involvement will make a difference. Such optimism indicates a voter is more likely to actually turn out.

What I have seen is what I am calling a once-in-a-generation attitudinal shift about the efficacy of participating in the political process, said John Della Volpe, the director of the institute, who has specialized in polling younger voters for nearly two decades. I am optimistic that the increasing interest we have tracked in politics will likely lead to increased participation in the midterms.
CASABLANCA, Morocco  More than 10,000 Moroccans chanting death to Israel took to the streets of Casablanca on Sunday to protest the United States decision to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

The marchers carried Palestinian flags and placards that called Jerusalem Palestines eternal capital. Most appeared to be Islamists, with women wearing head scarves and marching separately from the men.

The United States opened its embassy in Jerusalem on May 14, relocating it from Tel Aviv  a move that reversed decades of United States policy, delighted Israel and infuriated Palestinians.

The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest obstacles to forging a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, who with broad international backing want East Jerusalem, captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, as their capital.
ITU ABA, South China Sea  The largest natural feature of the Spratly Islands, the hotly disputed archipelago in the South China Sea, is a forested, sun-drenched oval of land, cleaved by a single runway that gives the place the appearance of a raw coffee bean floating in bright blue water.

Called Itu Aba, it is occupied not by China, which has aggressively asserted its territorial claims in the sea, but by its archrival, the self-governing democracy of Taiwan.

The two broadly agree that there is a historical Chinese stake in the South China Sea, but they diverge radically over how to exercise stewardship over it.
DUKKI, Pakistan  Outside her small, mud-walled house in western Pakistan, Gul Saima is cajoling her 3-year-old son to take a few steps. He cries as he struggles to lift his right leg and arm, both stiff and unyielding.

Overhead is a banner featuring a photo of a smiling boy on crutches. Ms. Saima, 38, is illiterate and cannot read the words printed in Urdu: Dont let your childs dreams go to waste. But the connection between the smiling boy and her son, Sayyad Karam, is painfully clear: Both have the paralysis that often follows a polio infection.

The health authorities hung the banners throughout the area for a polio awareness campaign  and apparently put one on Ms. Saimas house in a clumsy attempt to show officials, many of whom have visited since Sayyads polio was diagnosed last month  that they are committed to it.

Sayyads diagnosis was a significant event, and not only for his family. So far, his is the only new polio case of the year in Pakistan  a historical low, according to official figures in a country where eradication efforts have been repeatedly foiled by ignorance, mistrust and militant attacks on vaccination teams.
SIMPSON, Australia  James Guy had been a dairy farmer since he was 15, and at 55, he thought hed be preparing for retirement. Instead, he struggled to make the payments on a bank loan after the price of milk fell and never recovered.

One night in November 2016, his wife, Mary, who was working part-time as a nurse to help make ends meet, came home to find he had hanged himself.

When a farmer is looking down the barrel of having to sell his farm or lose his farm or give up the profession hed done all his life, its devastating, Ms. Guy said, her voice wavering, from her farmhouse in Simpson, a town in Australias dairy heartland of Victoria. They just lose their identity.

Family farms like Mr. Guys have been the producers of Australias agricultural bounty, and the bedrock of its self-image as a nation of proudly self-reliant types, carving a living from a vast continent. But as Australias rural economy has boomed on the back of growing exports, small farmers have not always shared in the bounty, with many forced into borrowing money or selling their farms.
ROME  For many of his days over the past four years, Paolo Borrometi has lived in isolation, though he is barely ever alone. He has not walked through a park or by the beach in his native Sicily for years. He cannot go to a restaurant freely, or to a concert or the movies. He cant drive a car alone, go shopping alone, or go out for dinner by himself.

Before heading to work as a reporter covering the mafia, he starts each morning with an espresso, a cigarette  and his police escort.

Angering the mafia as a journalist in Italy makes for a lonely life. And yet Mr. Borrometi, 35, is in good company. Almost 200 reporters in Italy live under police protection, making it unique among industrialized Western countries, advocacy groups say.

None of us wants to be a hero or a model, Mr. Borrometi told an assembly of high school students on a recent morning in Rome, where he now lives. We just want to do our job and our duty, to tell stories.
BAGHDAD  Iraqis are still haunted by memories of black-clad death squads roaming Baghdad neighborhoods a decade ago, cleansing them of Sunnis as the country was convulsed by sectarian violence.

Many of the mass killings in the capital were done in the name of Moktada al-Sadr, a cleric best remembered by Americans for fiery sermons declaring it a holy duty among his Shiite faithful to attack United States forces.

The militia he led was armed with Iranian-supplied weapons, and Mr. Sadr cultivated a strong alliance with leaders in Tehran, who were eager to supplant the American presence in Iraq and play the dominant role in shaping the countrys future.

Now, the man once demonized by the United States as one of the greatest threats to peace and stability in Iraq has come out as the surprise winner of this months tight elections, after a startling reinvention into a populist, anticorruption campaigner whose Iraq First message appealed to voters across sectarian divides.
Batla House encounter was not fake says IM operative

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Ariz Khan of the Indian Mujahideen was a major catch for the security agencies. Amidst a wide spread debate about the Battle House encounter, Khan has told security agencies that the operation was not a fake one.

He told the NIA that his accomplice Atif Ameen tried to escape but was caught by Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma. Atif grabbed the gun from Sharma and began firing. Sharma passed away in the encounter and was awarded the Ashok Chakra posthumously.

Ariz also confessed that it was the IM operatives who began firing first following which the police returned fire. He said that the first attempt by the police was to arrest them.

Khan also said that they had planned on targeting various important and prominent places such as Delhi by carrying out serial blasts. The NIA had filed a case in this regard in 2012 against the members of the Indian Mujahideen for waging war against the country.

The NIA further learnt that the blasts were carried with the support of homegrown terror modules as well as support from Pakistan. Khan alias Junaid aged 32 had played a key role in the conspiracy. He was involved in almost all major blasts that ripped the country between 2005 and 2008. The NIA says that Junaid was involved in the serial blasts at Delhi (2005), Varanasi (2006), Uttar Pradesh (2007), Jaipur (2008) and Delhi again in 2008. He was charged by the NIA on September 2014.

Further, the NIA has also learnt that he was part of the Batla House encounter. He was present with four others and had managed to give the police the slip on September 19, 2008. Following the incident, he along with his accomplice, Shahzad had visited their relatives. They moved from Delhi to UP and from there to Rajasthan and later Maharashtra.

After being denied help, they slipped into Nepal. In Nepal, Khan alias Junaid obtained a passport and citizenship under the name of Salman Khan. He then began teaching at a school along with another mastermind Abdul Subhan. He stayed in Nepal till 2014 until he came in contact with IM co-founder, Riyaz Bhatkal. He then moved to Saudi Arabia and was tasked with raising money for the revival of the outfit.

He then returned to India and got in touch with the members of the group. He was attempting to revive the outfit with the help of Subhan who was arrested recently.

However, when he was scheduled to meet a contact in Uttar Pradesh, he was nabbed. He has been remanded in NIA custody until the 24th of April.

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Story first published: Sunday, May 20, 2018, 7:11 [IST]
Bihar Board Result 2018 date update

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

The Bihar Board Result 2018 for Class 10, Class 12 is expected to be released soon. The results once declared would be available on the official website.

The evaluation for answer sheets for Bihar board students began on March 5. As per the schedule released initially by the board, the evaluation was to be completed by March 15.

In 2017, the results for the intermediate students was declared in the last week of May.

The results for the matric students was declared in June. The latest update suggests that the results would be declared by May 25, although there is no official confirmation.

In 2017, the board could not avoid controversy second year in a row and allegations were made of irregularity in evaluation process as well as misconduct during the examination. The results this year would be declared by May 25. The Bihar board results 2018 when declared will be available on www.biharboard.ac.in.

How to check Bihar Board Result 2018 for Class 10

Go to www.biharboard.ac.in

Click on the results link

Enter required details such as roll number

Submit

View results

Take a printout

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Story first published: Sunday, May 20, 2018, 7:07 [IST]
How do naxals procure sophisticated weapons: It was the LTTE which aided them

Abducted CoBRA jawan Rakeshwar Singh Manhas released by Naxals after six days of captivity

AK-47s stolen from COD Jabalpur supplied to naxals, criminals says NIA in chargesheet

Naxals from Telangana were in the process of making grenade launchers, IEDs: NIA

Chhattisgarh: Seven jawans killed, 1 injured in IED blast triggered by Naxals

India

oi-Madhuri

Around four jawans of Chhattisgarh Armed Force and two jawans of District Force were killed in an IED blast on a police vehicle in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada Cholnar village.

The IED blast targeted the police vehicle in which they were travelling.

According to Sunder Raj P, DIG Anti-Naxal Operation on Dantewada attack,''6 jawans dead, 1 injured according to preliminary investigation. Search operation is being held by security forces. Blast could be of high intensity, but the exact details will come after the investigation.''

After detonating the improvised explosive device, the naxals opened fire on the police personnel.

Earlier on May 2, two jawans of Chhattisgarh Police's District Force were killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Gariaband district.

A platoon of 29 security personnel had gone to attend a public welfare meeting in a village located near the Odisha border.

Earlier on April 29, a Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) jawan sustained injuries in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district.
Delhi man arrested for trying to kill wife at clinic

India

oi-Staff

By Oneindia Staff Writer

A 45-year-old man, who had come to visit his wife with an intention to kill her for filing a cheating case against him and his family, was arrested from northeast Delhi's Maujpur area, police said today.

Manish Kaul alias Varun Kaul alias Ashutosh Marwa alias Vishesh Dheeman alias Sanjeev Chaddha tried to fire at a policeman but the bullet got stuck in the pistol, they added.

In March, a woman doctor had filed a cheating case against Kaul. She alleged that she came in contact with Kaul via a matrimonial website in 2015, when he introduced himself as a doctor, police said.

She said she married Kaul the same year and her father gave gold ornaments worth Rs 20 lakh to her in-laws as dowry and spent nearly Rs 50 lakh on their wedding, they said.

After the wedding, her in-laws started demanding more dowry. Her father-in-law, who had claimed that he retired from the Indian Air Force as a doctor, molested her twice, she said.

Also, he never worked in the Indian Air Force, police said.

Later, she came to know that her husband's real name was Varun Kaul and that he was not a doctor. She also came to know that he has various cases filed against him in Delhi, Chandigarh, Goa and Maharashtra.

After she approached the Delhi Police, a team from Moti Nagar police station conducted raid in Panchkula and two women were nabbed, they said, adding the accused and his father had escaped.

Yesterday, Kaul visited his wife's clinic with an intention to harm her, but she was not present at the clinic. Kaul then threatened one of her colleagues with a pistol, police said.

A police team immediately reached the clinic and noticed Kaul walking away briskly. A policeman chased him and asked him to surrender but he took out the pistol and tried to open fire when the bullet got stuck in the firearm.

He was overpowered by policemen and arrested.

During interrogation, the accused revealed that he is a BAMS degree holder and not an MBBS degree holder as claimed by him, said Vijay Kumar, deputy cvommissioner of police (West).

He had committed a number of frauds by purchasing new luxury cars on bogus demand drafts. He and his father were arrested in September 2008 by the Mumbai Police in connection with cheating cases registered in Hauz Khas and Rohini in Delhi. The accused had also cheated two other women by promising to marry.

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Story first published: Sunday, May 20, 2018, 7:28 [IST]
In Karnataka coalition, why Congress has more to lose and JD(S) gains

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

The Congress claimed a major victory in Karnataka after it managed to keep the BJP at bay and form the government with the JD(S). This is an alliance that could continue into 2019 when the nation goes to polls.

Similar alliances are being formed in different parts of the country in a bid to keep the BJP at bay. The question is how much will the Congress benefit from this alliance ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. B S Yeddyurappa who resigned without taking the trust vote on Saturday said in 2019, the BJP would win all 28 seats in Karnataka and this would be his gift to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The question is how does the Congress gain from this alliance. The immediate gain is that they retain an all important state. Karnataka is the only major state that the Congress is in power apart from Punjab and Puducherry. In the next one year, the Congress would have a lot at hand to better its numbers in the state.

On the Lingayat front, the Congress is expected to suffer further. The decision to recommend minority status to the Lingayats has clearly backfired for the party and it was seen in the Karnataka election result.

The backlash is expected to increase and at stake would be the political future of 18 of its Lingayat leaders. The JD(S) is not expected to accommodate many Lingayats from the Congress as it would not want to hurt its Vokkaliga vote bank. Experts believe that the Lingayat vote would polarise further in favour of the BJP. The Lingayats would view the developments on Saturday as a clear attempt to keep Yeddyurappa, the tallest Lingayat leader in the state away from the seat of power.

This means that the Lingayat worries for the Congress which began in 1990 after Veerendra Patil was asked by Rajiv Gandhi to step down would continue. The Lingayats are a very influential community in Karnataka and form nearly 17 per cent of the population. They clearly decide in 90 assembly and 18 Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka.

The other question is what the Congress stands to gain in terms of the Vokkaliga votes which is usually shared with the JD(S). The clout that the JD(S) has with the Vokkaliga population was clear in the election results. Out of the 38 seats it won, 32 were in the south Karnataka region which is dominated by Vokkaligas. In another Vokkaliga dominated belt in Hassan, the JD(S) bagged 6 out of the 7 seats.

Although the JD(S) and Congress have come together, they would continue to battle it out to retain their share of Vokkaliga votes. The battle between the two parties would continue to play out in the southern region and the BJP would look to invade some amount of this space.

The JD(S) has been out of power in the state for nearly 11 years. It would look to make the best of this opportunity and have a shot at all the perks. Its primary interest would be to protect its interests especially in the Vokkaliga heartland. Over the days it would look to consolidate its vote base further and this could spell trouble for the Congress in the long run.

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Story first published: Sunday, May 20, 2018, 6:08 [IST]
Karnataka government formation updates: Section 144 imposed in and around Vidhan Soudha

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Oneindia Staff

It is a big day for H D Kumaraswamy who will take oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. The swearing in ceremony will take place on the steps of the Vidhan Soudha which houses the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

A host of leaders will be present at the event in what is being seen as a show of opposition unity ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Along with Kumaraswamy, Dr. G Parameshwar of the Congress would take oath as the deputy chief minister.

Stay with us as we bring you all the updates:

Newest First Oldest First H D Deve Gowda was at the Vidhan Soudha overseeing arrangements ahead of the swearing in ceremony of his son, H D Kumaraswamy. He was seen talking with chief secretary Ratna Prabha. She explained the arrangements to him. BJP observes black day, BS Yeddyurappa leads protest from Mayura circle in Bengaluru over JD(S)-Congress alliance BS Yeddyurappa is leading the protest from Mayura circle in Bengaluru over JD(S)-Congress alliance Cong high command asks Parameshwara to resign from KPCC Prez's post. G Parameshwara is likely to resign from his post after swearing-in as DyCM All the promises made in the manifesto will be implemented. Safeguarding the interest of the farming community is our top priority, he says. I am not a leader of one caste or religion, I will be serving all the people of all castes and religion in Karnataka. Today, if I am taking oath as the CM, it is because of the blessings of all the people of Karnataka, says Kumaraswamy. Karnataka Floor test to be conducted on Friday Rahul Gandhi will arrive in Bengaluru at 2 pm. He will be in the city to attend the swearing in ceremony of H D Kumaraswamy. Prior to attending the ceremony, he would hold a meeting with Congress leaders who are holed up in a hotel. H D Kumaraswamy would be visiting the Chamundeshwari temple before he takes oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. Kumaraswamy who is forming the government in an alliance with the JD(S) has visited several temples since the past few days. There are also reports suggesting that he may not move into the official Chief Ministers residence citing vaastu. He is likely to operate out of this private residence. However the official reason given by him is that he did not want to burden the exchequer. It's the high command which decides all these, they chose me. I thank them immensely but the point is they're also eligible but they gave me this opportunity: G Parameshwara,Dy CM designate on being asked that Roshan Baig & DK Shivakumar were also in the race for Dy CM. on being asked that Roshan Baig and DK Shivakumar were also in the race for Dy CM, G Parameshwara, says, "It's the high command which decides all these, they chose me. I thank them immensely but the point is they're also eligible but they gave me this opportunity." Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure has been imposed in and around Vidhan Soudha where Kumaraswamy would take oath as CM at 4.30 pm. 35 KSRP, 50 CAR, 8 DCPs, 50 ACPs, 100 Inspectors, 250 SI will oversee the security arrangements. There are also 3,000 traffic cops deployed to ensure that the vehicular movement is smooth. Minute-to-minute programme of swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed CM of Karnataka HD Kumaraswamy Kamal Haasan cancels his trip to Bengaluru to attend HD Kumaraswamy's swearing-in ceremony. Instead, heads to Thoothukudi post the Sterlite Protest tragedy. Andhra Pradeshs IT minister Nara Lokesh has said what happened to the BJP in Karnataka is just a trailer. The real movie will play in 2019, he said. Telugu people showed you just a trailer in Karnataka elections. They will show you the full movie in 2019 elections,  he also said. CM-designate HD Kumaraswamy visits Chamundeshwari temple in Mysore ahead of swearing-in ceremony. KPCC President G Parameshwara performs puja in Vinayaka temple in RT Nagar Bengaluru. Uddhav Thackeray congratulated Deve Gowda but conveyed his apologies for not being able to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Kumaraswamy as his party is busy in Palghar by-polls HD Deve Gowda calls Uddhav Thackeray, invites him for the swearing-in of Kumaraswamy as the CM of Karnataka. #HDKumaraswamy to take oath as Chief Minister of Karnataka today. Visuals of celebrations from outside his residence in Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/tz2rrenFEX  ANI (@ANI) May 23, 2018 Visuals of celebrations from outside Kumaraswamy's residence ahead of his oath taking ceremony in Bengaluru Out of the 34 ministries, the Congress will get 22 berths and the JD(S) 12 which includes the post of Chief Minister. The portfolios will be allocated only after the floor test which will take place on May 24. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, BSP chief Mayawati, Samajwadi Partys Akhilesh Yadav along with Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former party president Sonia Gandhi are expected to be present. Three key leaders would be missing from the ceremony. They are Telangana Chief Minister, K Chandrashekar Rao, Odisha CM, Naveen Patnaik and DMK leader, M K Stalin. While Patnaiks office has indicated that he has never attended a swearing in ceremony, Rao is skipping the event as he does not want to be seen with the Congress which is his main opponent in Telangana. Stalin cancelled at the last moment citing the anti-Sterlite protests that rocked Tuticorin on Tuesday. The BJP would not take part in the ceremony. Its leaders would sport black bands and protest across the state. The party has called the alliance as an unholy one and said that it was against the peoples mandate that this government is being formed. Kumaraswamy's swearing is being seen as a show of strength by the opposition, which is striving hard to put forth a collective effort to stitch up a united front to take on the BJP in 2019 Lomk Sabha elections. Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao is in Bengaluru today to congratulate HD Kumaraswamy as he will not able to attend the swearing in tomorrow. Kumaraswamy-led government's floor test would be held on May 24 in Karnataka Vidhan Souhda. CM designate HD Kumaraswamy to be sworn in tomorrow. Here is the tentative list of the ministry under HD Kumaraswamy: CM - HD Kumaraswamy; Deputy CM - Dr G Parameshwara; Congress - 21-22 Ministers; JDS - 12-13 Ministers; Speaker - Ramesh Kumar from Congress "Congress-JDS leaders met and discussed about the cabinet formation, out of 34 ministries, 22 ministries will go with Congress Party and 12 ministries, including CM will be with be with JDS. Portfolio allocation to be decided after floor test," Congress' Karnataka general secretary KC Venugopal told the media. Congress's KR Ramesh Kumar to be the Speaker of the new Karnataka Assembly. Congress's G Parameshwara to be Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister. He will take oath along with CM designate HD Kumaraswamy tomorrow. The floor test would be conducted at 4 pm on Saturday. The assembly would be conducted by the pro-tem speaker who would be appointed by the Governor of Karnataka. The BJP has proposed the name of Umesh Katti while the Congress has suggested R V Deshpande. Convention demands that the senior most leader of the House be appointed. The Congress MLAs who are holed up in Taj Krishna in Hyderabad are holding a meeting before they leave for Bengaluru. The MLAs were carted away from Bengaluru to avoid poaching. The JD(S) MLAs are too in a different hotel in Hyderabad. The decision to move out of Bengaluru was taken after security was withdrawn at the Eagleton resort in Bidadi, a town 38 kilometres away from Bengaluru. Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah has left Hyderabad for Bengaluru. He was with the Congress MLAs in Hyderabad. He would arrive in Bengaluru shortly and also take part in the proceedings to be held on Saturday at the legislative assembly. Meanwhile BJP leaders, Shobha Karandlaje and K S Eshwarappa have said that they will sail through the floor test. The leaders claim that they have the support of 120 MLAs in the House. Earlier the BJP leaders went into a huddle at the Taj West End hotel in Bengaluru to chalk out a strategy. The Congress and JD(S) MLAs would leave Hyderabad for Bengaluru at 6 pm today. All the MLAs are holed up in Hyderabad ahead of the crucial trust vote on Saturday at 4 pm. At first they planned on taking the flight. However owing to weather conditions they decides to take the bus. KG Bhopaiah appointed as pro tem speaker of Karnataka Assembly. Though Congress MLA RV Deshpande is the senior most leader, Governor appointed Bhopaiah as pro tem speaker. "BJP wanted that vote of confidence should be done via secret ballot.But, Supreme Court has written in its order that there shall be no secret ballot in proving vote of confidence tomorrow," says Congress' Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The Supreme Court earlier decided against giving 15 days time for the trust vote as proposed by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala. BJP MLAs arrive at Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru to meet the Governor Vajubhai Vala. The faces a crucial floor test in the Karnataka assembly tommorrow after the Supreme Court decided against giving 15 days time for the trust vote as proposed by Governor Vajubhai Vala. K G Bopaiah the Virajpet MLA has taken oath as the pro-tem speaker. On BJP MLA KG Bopaiah being appointed as pro-tem speaker, Abhishek Manu Singhvi says "What the BJP has done is against the rulebook. Ideally, the senior most leader is supposed to hold that position." Conventionally, the longest-serving member of the House will be nominated as pro-tem (short-term) speaker, whose role is limited to administering the oath to all the newly elected MLAs and conducting the election of full-time speaker.Congress MLA from Haliyal constituency, RV Deshpande was expected to be pro tem speaker. Congress to move SC over appointment of K G Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker. The Congress has objected to this move by the Governor. The Congress says that the senior most member of the House should hold this post. The Congress had proposed the name of R V Deshpande, an 8 time MLA. The BJP hits back at the Congress for opposing the appointment of KG Bopaiah as the Pro Tem Speaker. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said, " 'KG Bopaiah was appointed as Pro Tem speaker even in 2008. That time Bopaiah was 10 years younger than what he is today. Congress is thus raising hoax objection. The appointment of Bopaiah Ji is as per rules and regulations." Pro-tem speaker K G Bopaiah will initiate proceedings in the assembly at 11 am. He will administer oath to all the new MLAs and this would go on till 4 pm. The trust vote would begin after that. The trust vote is expected to go late into the night. Order by Governor appointing BJP MLA K G Bopaiah as the pro-tem Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Bopaiah will not only adminster the oath to the new MLAs but also conduct the all important teust vote against B S Yeddyurappa. I fail to understand the desperation of the Congress says Shobha Karandlaje, BJP MP on the appointment of K G Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker. She says that the Congress is suffering from an inferiority complex. Bopaiah was appointed pro-tem speaker by the Governor. The Congress is likely to challenge it on the ground that the seniority norm in the House was not followed. With the Congress opposing KG Bopaiah's appointment as pro-tem speaker, BJPs Shobha Karandlaje in a presser says she fails to understand Congress' desperation over the matter. She believes Congress leaders are suffering from inferiority complex. Security has been tightened in and around Vidhan Soudha where the floor test will take place on Saturday at 4 pm. The state police chief has reviewed the situation and said that all efforts have been made to ensure that security is tight. The Supreme Court had directed the police chief to ensure that the voting goes on smoothly and security is adequate. AICC Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala says, "BJP will be exposed after the floor test. RV Deshpande is the senior most MLA, but the governor has also encountered the constitution by appointing KG Bopaiah as the pro-tem speaker." KG Bopaiah neither believes in the democratic process nor the Constitutional rules. It was the SC which had given stinging structures against BJP MLA KG Bopaiah: Randeep Singh Surjewala "We will be able to inform you in a short while. Yes, the option of going back to Court is open," says Randeep Surjewala, on if Congress will challenge BJP MLA KG Bopaiah's appointment as pro tem Speaker. "All the MLAs are here, we will be leaving for Bengaluru. We do not have any meeting here. Siddaramaiah has come here, we will be leaving soon. We have 77 MLAs here. No pressure on us. It will be our government," ANI quoted Congress MLA Rajshekar Patil as saying. Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reached Hotel Taj Krishna in Hyderabad where the Congress MLAs have been lodged to prevent from being poached ahead of the crucial floor test. Siddaramaiah will now accompany them back to Bengaluru where the newly instated BJP-led government would be facing a floor test in the Karnataka assembly. BJP MLAs to meet at 9 pm today at Shangri-La Hotel in Bengaluru. The MLAs will discuss the strategy for tomorrow's all important floor test. Congress leader Rajeev Gowda and VS Ugrappa release audio clip in which Gali Janaradhana Reddy is allegedly trying to lure Congress MLA from Raichur Rural by offering him money. HD Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah join MLA-elects at TaJ Krishna in Hyderabad, to take part in a meeting. We are in the Shangri-La hotel for the legislature meeting. We have the majority. More than what we expected. Our workers are really happy. CM BS Yeddyurappa. He says, "Of course they are with us, if the MLAs from Congress & JD(S) don't support us, how can we prove majority? We will win the floor test 101%." This audio CD is one of the handiworks of Congress' dirty tricks department. This is a fake CD: Prakash Javadekar on the audio, which was released by Congress, in which Janaradhana Reddy is allegedly trying to lure Congress MLA from Raichur Rural by offering him money. Congress leaders Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Kapil Sibal file petition with the Registrar of Supreme Court seeking dismissal of KG Bopaiah as pro-tem speaker Karnataka Congress Legislature Party meets in Hyderabad and unanimously elect Siddaramaiah as the leader of the Congress Legislative Party as per the directions of Congress President Rahul Gandhi Congress-JD(S) seek video recording of proceedings. This plea was not accepted in the morning.
Well this stunt by Rajinikants duplicate didnt go quite as expected: Watch hilarious video

Cauvery row: Kumaraswamy hits back at Rajinikanth

India

oi-PTI

Hitting back at actor Rajinikanth over his comments on release of Cauvery water by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday invited him to come to the state and see the situation for himself, after which he would change his stand.

"If there is water in Karnataka it is possible for us to give them water. I request Rajinikanth, please come and see the situation in our dams, what has happened to our farmers. After seeing that, if you (Rajinikanth) still want water, let's discuss," Kumaraswamy said.

He was responding to a question about the reported statement by the actor-politician in Chennai asking the new government in Karnataka to release to Tamil Nadu its share of Cauvery river water as mandated by the Supreme Court verdict.

"... on seeing the situation here, I think he (Rajinikanth) will change his stand," the JD(S) leader told reporters here.Kumaraswamy is all set to take over as the Karnataka chief minister on May 23.

As the leader of Congress-JD(S) joint legislature party, he was yesterday invited by governor Vajubhai Vala to form the government, following the fall of three-day-old BJP government with the resignation of BS Yeddyurappa as chief minister.

PTI

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Story first published: Sunday, May 20, 2018, 21:09 [IST]
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

Lingayat organisation wants Shamanur Shivshankrappa to be Karnataka Deputy CM

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha has written an open letter to H D Kumaraswamy, demanding Shamanuru Shivashankarappa (Congress), a Veerashaiva leader be made the Home Minister in the new government and five other leaders from the community be made ministers in the cabinet to bring down the distrust in the Lingayat community and as a reassuring gesture.

Shivashankarappa, who is also the president of All India Veerashaiva - Lingayat Mahasabha, the powerful body of the sect had earlier welcomed the Cabinet decision on according minority tag for the community, later reversed his decision and called it the "height of injustice". This had become tricky for the Congress.

Shivshankrappa of the Congress, who contested from Davanagere South constituency, defeated the BJP's Yashwantrao Jadhav. The organisation has also urged the grand old party to allocate at least five ministerial post for the leaders from the community.

The demand comes a day ahead of Kumaraswamy's visit to Delhi to discuss cabinet expansion.

The Siddaramaiah government's high-risk gamble to play the Lingayat card with a religious minority tag has turned out to be a costly misadventure electorally, leaving Congress poorer in terms of assembly seats.

The BJP has made a strong showing in Mumbai-Karnataka region, where it won 30 out of 50 seats, conceding 17 to Congress, down from 31 it had won in the previous 2013 assembly polls.

While out of 36 seats in central Karnataka region, Congress' tally dropped to 13 from 19 last year, the BJP made steep gains by winning 15 seats, compared to three it won in 2013.

In Hyderabad-Karnataka region also, BJP increased its tally from 10 seats to 15, even as Congress retained a lead with 21 out of 40 seats.

The influential and politically powerful Lingayats are a dominant caste in Mumbai-Karnataka and Hyderabad-Karnataka in the northern region of the state and central Karnataka.

The results are also being seen as BS Yeddyurappa, considered as 'Lingayat strongman', reasserting his clout on the community, as BJP successfully projected the Lingayat issue as an effort by Congress to keep him away from the chief minister's chair.

Also what is seen to have consolidated Lingayat votes against Congress is BJP managing to project the decision to accord religious minority tag to Lingayats as an attempt to divide the community/Hindus for political gains.
Can RTI be filed online? Does this apply to NRIs?

NRI held for masturbating in front of woman onboard flight in Delhi

India

pti-PTI

A Russian man was apprehended on Sunday at IGI Airport in New Delhi after an Indian woman claimed that he was sitting next to her on a Turkish airlines flight and masturbating in front of her.

The security control room at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport was informed in the early hours today that there was an "unruly passenger" on board a Turkish Airlines flight approaching Delhi.

Personnel of the CISF, which guards the airport, reached the flight (TK-716) upon landing and were informed that the Indian woman had, in the meantime, made a distress call to the Delhi Police alleging sexual harassment by a co-passenger.

"It was learnt that the male passenger, an NRI holding Russian passport, was sitting next to the woman in the flight and allegedly unzipped his trouser and started masturbating in front of her," a senior official said.

When the woman complained to the cabin crew, the male passenger was shifted to another seat, he said.

The man was later handed over to the Delhi Police, which reached the Terminal-III area of the airport. He has been booked under Section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the IPC and arrested, police said.

PTI
No Cabinet berth or Dy CM, but D K Shivakumar could be rewarded with KPCC chief post

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

They made a picture perfect pair when they flashed the victory symbol after B S Yeddyurappa resigned as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. The old rivals H D Kumaraswamy and D K Shivakumar stood strong as they ensured that the BJP did not have the numbers to form the government.

In the probable list of ministers, the name of D K Shivakumar does not feature. This was very much on expected lines. While H D Deve Gowda would not have given his stamp of approval, the fact is that Shivakumar himself would not have wanted his name to be in the list.

Even if he were offered the post of deputy chief minister, he would not have accepted it as he would never play second fiddle to Kumaraswamy. Shivakumar has for long been an aspirant to the post of CM. The prodigy of S M Krishna, Shivakumar is the go to man for the Congress. He is the natural watchman when it comes to protecting MLAs. He did it for the MLAs in Maharashtra, Gujarat and now Karnataka.

With no cabinet berth or deputy CM's post, he is likely to ask for the post of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee chief. The Congress would have no qualms in giving him the post as they would not want him to be an irritant in the coalition.

The Congress had in early May itself contemplated with the idea of making him the party chief. Earlier this month K C Venugopal and his team had submitted a report to the high command about the next KPCC chief. They seem to have zeroed in on Shivakumar despite there being others in the race back then.

The others in the race were K H Muniyappa and Dr. G Parameshwar, both Dalits. Parameshwar would step out of the race as his name is in the running for Deputy CM. Siddaramaiah on the other hand had backed S R Patil, but this name is unlikely to go through.

The Congress would need to reward Shivakumar and also keep him happy due to his absence from the new government. The appointment of Shivakumar would also help the Congress capitalise in the Vokkaliga belt. He is one of the strongest Vokkaliga leaders in Karnataka and holds considerable sway in the Old Mysore region, which is dominated by the Vokkaligas. With Shivakumar bailing out the Congress both in Karnataka and Gujarat, it appears that the party would reward him with the post of KPCC chief.
Not an ordinary win says Naidu on Congress stopping BJP in Karnataka

India

oi-Staff

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu termed the resignation of B S Yeddyurappa as Karnataka Chief Minister a "victory of democracy" and said it was a day everybody should feel proud of.

"This is not an ordinary victory. Entire people of the country will be happy. It is a proud day for all of us," Naidu said at a meeting of women self-help groups leaders here this evening.

He said normally a party with majority would be invited to form the government.

"But, going against the tradition, the (Karnataka) governor did not invite Congress-JDS combine (that has majority) to form the government.

They are adopting different traditions in different states... one in Goa, another in Meghalaya, because they have power," he said.

Lashing out at the BJP, the Telugu Desam Party chief said: "They spoiled politics in Tamil Nadu, misused the governor's office, finished off persons with leadership qualities.

They tried to derive political benefit in Tamil Nadu and tried the same in Karnataka."

He claimed that the BJP's next target would have been Andhra Pradesh (had it succeeded in Karnataka).

"Entire nation is happy with the current turn of events. As a chief minister and a firm believer of democracy, I am expressing my happiness," Naidu said.

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Story first published: Sunday, May 20, 2018, 7:33 [IST]
Why China's gold mine at Arunachal border may become another flashpoint with India

India

oi-PTI

China has begun large-scale mining operations on its side of the border with Arunachal Pradesh where a huge trove of gold, silver and other precious minerals valued at about $60 billion has been found, a media report said on Sunday.

The mine project is being undertaken in Lhunze county under Chinese control adjacent to the Indian border, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet.

Projecting the mining operations as part of China's move to take over Arunachal Pradesh, the report said "people familiar with the project say the mines are part of an ambitious plan by Beijing to reclaim South Tibet".

"China's moves to lay claim to the region's natural resources while rapidly building up infrastructure could turn it into 'another South China Sea' they said," it said.

The Post report, with inputs from local officials, Chinese geologists as well as strategic experts, comes less than a month after the first ever informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping that was aimed at cooling tensions to avert incidents like the Doklam military standoff last year.

The 73-day standoff marked a new low in bilateral ties.

Lhunze was in the news last October, just about two months after Doklam, when Xi in a rare gesture replied to correspondence from a herding family in Lhunze County underscoring Beijing's claim to the area.

The family is based in Yumai, China's smallest town in terms of population located close to Arunachal Pradesh.

Xi thanked the father and his two daughters for their loyalty and contributions to China, and also urged the people of Lhunze to "set down roots" to develop the area for the national interest.

The Post report said although mining has been going on in the world's highest mountain range for thousands of years, the challenge of accessing the remote terrain and concerns about environmental damage had until now limited the extent of the activities.

But the unprecedented heavy investment by the Chinese government to build roads and other infrastructure in the area has made travel easy.

Most of the precious minerals which include rare earths used to make hi-tech products are hidden under Lhunze county, the report said.

By the end of last year, the scale of mining activity in Lhunze had surpassed that of all other areas in Tibet, it said.

People have poured into the area so fast that even local government officials could not provide a precise count for the current population, it said.

"Enormous, deep tunnels have been dug into the mountains along the military confrontation line, allowing thousands of tonnes of ore to be loaded and transported out by trucks daily, along roads built through every village," it said.

Extensive power lines and communication networks have been established, while construction is under way on an airport that can handle passenger jets, it said.

With more mines being dug in Lhunze and surroundings, a county official told the Post that more than 80 per cent of the county government's tax income came from mining.

The mines would also lead to a situation akin to "another South China Sea" arising out of the world's highest mountain range, it said.

Zheng Youye, a professor at the China University of Geosciences in Beijing and the lead scientist for a Beijing-funded northern Himalayan minerals survey, confirmed to the Post that a series of discoveries in recent years put the potential value of ores under Lhunze and the nearby area at 370 billion yuan ($58 billion).

"This is just a preliminary estimate. More surveys are under way," he said.

There could be more big discoveries as Chinese researchers learn more about the area. With strong financial backing from the government, they have already amassed extensive data on the region.

According to Zheng, the new-found ores could tip the balance of power between China and India in the Himalayas.

He said Chinese troops withdrew in the 1962 war from the areas in Arunachal Pradesh as they had no people to hold the territory.

The new mining activities would lead to a rapid and significant increase in the Chinese population in the Himalayas, Zheng said, which would provide stable, long-term support for any diplomatic or military operations aimed at gradually driving Indian forces out of territory claimed by China.

"This is similar to what has happened in the South China Sea" where Beijing has asserted its claim to much of the contested waters by building artificial islands and increasing its naval activity, he said.

Hao Xiaoguang, a researcher with the Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Wuhan, Hubei who specialises in India-China issues said Beijing was likely to take the same approach to the Himalayas as in the South China Sea.

As China's economic, geopolitical and military strength continues to increase, "it is only a matter of time before South Tibet returns to Chinese control," Hao claimed.

PTI

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Story first published: Sunday, May 20, 2018, 19:29 [IST]
Why keeping flock together in a resort and Vidhan Soudha for Cong-JD(S) will be different

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

The Congress and JD(S) outsmarted the BJP in Karnataka and kept it out of power. There were jubilant scenes and one of the most telling pictures was the victory sign which H D Kumaraswamy and D K Shivakumar known to be sworn enemies flashed after B S Yeddyurappa resigned.

The Congress for a change moved fast and offered the post of Chief Minister to the JD(S) which has just 38 seats in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. The Congress which all through accused the JD(S) of being the B-team of the BJP entered into this alliance of convenience the moment the BJP fell short of the magic mark.

The biggest challenge however for the coalition now is to keep its flock together. It is a well known fact that H D Deve Gowda, the wily 86 year old politician has no great love for Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah.

While it is a given that Siddaramaiah will have no role to play in the government, the name of Shivakumar also does not figure in the list of possible ministers as yet. Both these leaders are power centres in their own right. Shivakumar in particular would be eyeing a huge role after he pulled off a trick and kept the entire flock together. Keeping him away would be a huge challenge that the coalition would face.

The Congress and JD(S) together have 117 seats including the independents. This is six above the magic mark of 111. However since one legislator would be a Speaker, practically the number would be five above the magic number. Kumaraswamy would have to give up on of the two seats (Ramanagara-Channapatna). The by-elections to one of these seats would be a hard fought one. Due to this coalition, the Congress is unlikely to field its candidate which would make it a direct battle between the JD(S) and BJP.

Moreover there would be elections held at Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Jayanagar and the BJP would go all out to ensure that it can ensure victories. Rajarajeshwari Nagar is held by the Congress while Jayanagar is with the BJP. In these constituencies the JD(S) is unlikely field any candidates and this would make the fight a direct one between the Congress and BJP.

In case Kumaraswamy vacates Channapatna, the BJP may go with C P Yogeshwar who is no push over. He would give a tough fight to the JD(S) the party in which the scales are tilted at the moment. In Rajarajeshwari Nagar, the BJP would hope to capitalise on the voter ID scam involving Muniratna the Congress candidate. At Jayanagar it would look to gain on the sympathy factor after its MLA B N Vijaykumar passed while campaigning. However in Jayanagar the fight would not be an easy one since the BJP would be up against Sowmya Reddy the daughter of Ramalinga Reddy.

If the BJP manages to win the three seats, then its number goes up to 107 and this would result in a very tricky position as the BJP would be just 5 short of the magic number in the 224 member House excluding the Speaker.

Within the new coalition keeping the likes of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar would be a big challenge. G T Deve Gowda who crushed Siddaramaiah at Chamundeshwari will be a big player in the new government. He would be given control of Mysore district which has been a Siddaramaiah bastion. Looking at the manner in which both leaders have fought, Gowda would look to consolidate the JD(S) further in the region and this would mean eating into the control of Siddaramaiah.

In the run up to the 2019 elections several regional parties would come together. Looking at the developments, all the regional parties would not want the Congress to be the lead player. Kumaraswamy has already invited leaders of several regional players for his swearing in ceremony. The JD(S) would be aware that for it to play a larger role at the national level it would need to bag a major chunk of the seats in Karnataka. For this it will have to challenge the Congress as the two parties enjoy a common vote base.

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Story first published: Sunday, May 20, 2018, 6:18 [IST]
Why the Congress did not confiscate mobiles of its MLAs this time

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

In the run up to the trust vote in Karnataka that did not take place owing to B S Yeddyurappa resigning, the Congress released several recorded conversations. In the conversations, BJP leaders are heard trying to convince leaders of the Congress to cross vote.

Usually in the past we have seen that the mobile phones of the MLAs are confiscated when they are holed up at resorts in a bid to avoid poaching. This time around it was different and the leaders were allowed to keep their mobile phones. There was however one clause and that each of the MLAs had to install a call recording application on their phones.

Install recording apps, Congress tells its MLAs amidst poaching fears

The Congress not only wanted to track every call being made by BJP leaders, but also build a narrative around this. As the time for the trust vote neared on Saturday, the Congress released several recordings to the media in a bid to embarrass the BJP. The narrative that the Congress was trying to build was clearly aimed at putting the BJP in poor light.

The Congress wanted the public to know that the BJP was trying to buy its MLAs. The first of the clips that were released made it appear as thought mining baron Janardhan Reddy was trying to buy a minister. In this clip Reddy is allegedly speaking with Raichur MLA Basanagouda Patil.

In the second clip, Yeddyurappa is heard speaking to Hirekerur MLA B C Patil, by offering him a Cabinet berth. The Congress released other clips as well in which BJP leaders were trying to lure Congress MLAs. H D Kumaraswamy had alleged that the BJP was trying to buy his MLAs for Rs 100 crore.

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Story first published: Sunday, May 20, 2018, 6:31 [IST]
For first time, India not being blamed for collapse of WTO, says Suresh Prabhu

India loses export incentive case filed by US at WTO, to appeal against the ruling

MSP opposed at WTO: The duplicity in Canadas stand on the farmer issue

India moves WTO against US over heavy steel, aluminium tariffs

International

oi-Shubham

By Shubham

Just when an American lawmaker tried to find itself on the same page with India against China saying the latter was aiming to use Taiwan as a military base to isolate countries like India and Japan, New Delhi dragged Washington to the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism over the Donald Trump administration's decision of imposing import duties on steel and aluminium, PTI cited an official as saying.

India said the US's decision will affect exports of these products to the US and it is not non-conforming to global trade norms, the PTI report added.

"India has filed a dispute under the aegis of the WTO on the issue of imposing import duties by the US on certain steel and aluminium products," the report quoted the official as saying.

India has sought consultations with the US under the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism, PTI reported, adding that seeking consultation is the initial step of a dispute settlement process and if the two countries are unable to arrive at a mutually agreed solution through talks, India may ask a WTO dispute settlement panel to review the issue.

US President Trump imposed heavy tariffs on his country's steel and aluminium exports on March 9, sparking concerns over an impact on global trade.

He did not even spare US's allies and signed a couple of proclamations that levied 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium imported from all nations, except Canada and Mexico. Though his trade offensives vis-a-vis China caught more limelight, many other countries also feared for trade reverses. One among them, India, sought exemptions from the heavy tariffs.

India's exports of steel and aluminium products to the US are estimated to be around US$1.5 billion annually, the PTI report added.

Some expert voices, however, feel that dragging the US in the dispute is not something in favour of India as it has a trade surplus with the US, the PTI report added.

India's exports to the US in 2016-17 were worth US$42.21 billion, while imports were US$22.3 billion, it said.

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Story first published: Sunday, May 20, 2018, 6:13 [IST]
NASA's planet hunting probe completes lunar flyby

International

pti-PTI

Washington, May 20: NASA's latest planet hunting satellite has successfully completed a lunar flyby - passing about 8,000 kilometres from the Moon - and beamed back a test image revealing more than 200,000 stars.

The flyby provided a gravity assist that helped the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) sail toward its final working orbit. As part of camera commissioning, the science team snapped a two-second test exposure using one of the four TESS cameras.

The image, centred on the southern constellation Centaurus, reveals more than 200,000 stars. The edge of the Coalsack Nebula is in the right upper corner and the bright star Beta Centauri is visible at the lower left edge. TESS is expected to cover more than 400 times as much sky as shown in this image with its four cameras during its initial two-year search for exoplanets.

A science-quality image, also referred to as a "first light" image, is expected to be released in June. TESS will undergo one final thruster burn on May 30 to enter its science orbit around Earth. This highly elliptical orbit will maximise the amount of sky the spacecraft can image, allowing it to continuously monitor large swaths of the sky. TESS is expected to begin science operations in mid-June after reaching this orbit and completing camera calibrations.

Launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on April 18, TESS is the next step in NASA's search for planets outside our solar system, known as exoplanets. The mission will observe nearly the entire sky to monitor nearby, bright stars in search of transits - periodic dips in a star's brightness caused by a planet passing in front of the star.

TESS is expected to find thousands of exoplanets. NASA's upcoming James Webb Space Telescope, scheduled for launch in 2020, will provide important follow-up observations of some of the most promising TESS-discovered exoplanets, allowing scientists to study their atmospheres.

PTI
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on Sunday pledged to work closely to ensure the success of the planned Trump-Kim summit in a phone conversation.

In this March 27, 2018 photo, a man watches a TV screen showing file footages of U.S. President Donald Trump, right, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, center, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea. [File Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man]

The two leaders have exchanged their point of views on the recent responses from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) when they held talks via telephone for 20 minutes, according to Cheong Wa Dae, South Korea's presiential office.

Both leaders have decided to work closely and unswervingly for the successful U.S.-DPRK summit slated on June 12, as well as the upcoming meeting between Moon and Trump, said the office.

Moon is scheduled to visit Washington next week to hold a meeting with President Trump in a bid to help the upcoming summit between the DPRK and the United States become a success.

The Moon-Trump summit is anticipated to serve as a bridge to lead to a successful DPRK-U.S. summit, the presidential National Security Office said on Friday.

On Wednesday, Pyongyang said it may reconsider the scheduled U.S.-DPR Ksummit because of extremely provocative remarks made by American officials.

Kim Kye Gwan, the DPRK first vice foreign minister said in a statement that the Trump administration must show sincerity in its desire to meet with the DPRK to improve bilateral relations.

Before the statement, the DPRK threatened earlier in the day to withdraw from the scheduled meeting with the United States on June 12 due to on-going U.S.-South Korea joint war games, which kicked off on May 11.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said Friday that China will continue to encourage the United States and the DPRK to build mutual trust, and make joint efforts to promote the political resolution of the Korean Peninsula issue.

Kim and Trump are scheduled to meet in Singapore on June 12 for the first-ever DPRK-U.S. summit.
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From Reader Supported News

Most of you probably know that I was a former CIA officer, that I blew the whistle on the CIA's torture program, and that I spent 23 months in a federal prison for my troubles. I've never second-guessed myself. I know I did the right thing, even if the cost was high. I lost my federal pension, my job, my security clearance, my life's savings, even my wife. Still, I would do it over again.

In the interim, I've become something of a "spokesman" on the issues of torture and human rights. And I'm frequently sought out by media outlets in the U.S. and abroad. As you might imagine, President Trump's nomination of Gina Haspel supercharged those media requests. The first one after the nomination was made public was from the Washington Post. They asked me to write an op-ed for the Sunday edition. It got more than 2.8 million hits. They also recorded a 30-minute video to promote the piece online. That was followed by three columns about Haspel at Reader Supported News, two appearances on Democracy Now, a panel at CNN, NPR, and dozens of other radio shows. I was very public in my opposition to Gina Haspel. I believe that her deep involvement in the CIA's torture program is disqualifying, no matter how many of the CIA's rank-and-file employees love her, as Senator Mark Warner said in rationalizing his flip-flop on her nomination.

In the midst of all of these interviews, I received a call from freelance journalist Caroline Lester, who said she was writing a story about me for The New Republic, and she asked for an interview. I demurred, saying that I was tired of being the "story." The real news here was Gina Haspel, what she did, what she stands for, and why she shouldn't be the CIA director. Lester was persistent. She said that she had her assignment, the article was going to be written, and I could either cooperate or not. I know a hit piece when I see one, but I agreed to meet with her, if only to take the edge off of what I thought would be a negative portrayal of me, even if it was in the fake-progressive, neo-liberal New Republic.

I was right, of course. The article's headline blared, "The CIA Spy Who Became a Russian Propagandist." It was exactly what I had expected.

As I mentioned above, one of the costs of whistleblowing is financial ruin. A major national security whistleblower once told me that he's been broke since for 45 years. He never recovered financially after blowing the whistle on government illegality.

I was similarly broke until last August, when I received a call from the Sputnik News Network, a Russian government-owned outlet in Washington, with an offer of a two-hour daily radio show. I told the general manager that I would only take the job if I had complete editorial freedom to talk about and to criticize anything and anyone I wanted, including Vladimir Putin. He agreed without hesitation. When I asked if he would put it in writing, he did so immediately. I've been co-host of the show Loud & Clear since September 2017.

The journalist challenged me only once during our conversation. How could I work for a Russian propaganda outlet? I told her that she obviously had never listened to the show. Besides, I said, "Are you going to put food on my table? Are you going to put my kids through college? Nobody else is beating a path to my door to offer me work." I thought we had left it at that.

The article was published a few weeks later and, just as I had expected, was a hit piece. I didn't think it was a big deal, though. Nobody reads The New Republic anyway. But the more I thought about it, the more I wondered if the CIA had put The New Republic up to it.

Almost nobody in America has been as vocal in opposition to the Haspel nomination as I have. I've been a thorn in the CIA's butt for a long time. And certainly this is one of the things that the CIA does. When they don't like the message, they attack the messenger. When former CIA chief interrogator Glenn Carle published a memoir saying that the torture program was immoral, unethical, and illegal, the CIA put out the word that nobody should review the book. Almost nobody did and sales flopped. The same thing happened when NSA whistleblower Tom Drake published his book and when Justice Department whistleblower Jesselyn Radack published hers. The message is meant to discredit and silence the messenger.

That brings me back to The New Republic. They approached Caroline Lester with the story. They commissioned it. So who is Caroline Lester? I have no idea. If you click on her name on the New Republic website, this is her only article. Even a google search doesn't tell you much. She has a website showing that she's a freelancer and podcaster, and the site proudly features her articles in such outlets as the Yale University alumni magazine, a publication called "Roads & Kingdoms," and a magazine called "Off Assignment." Is she in the pay of the CIA? I don't know. Maybe she is. Is The New Republic doing the CIA's dirty work? I believe it is.

The purpose of this column is not to bash Caroline Lester or The New Republic. They're not important enough to bash. The purpose is to tell the CIA that we know what they're doing. It's petty. It's sad. But it's also motivating. My whistleblower colleagues and I will keep up the fight.

Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader Supported News.
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From Paul Craig Roberts Website

How did a person who should be in the criminal dock both in the US and in the International Criminal Court for running a torture prison get appointed the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency? What is all the Washington talk about defending human rights when a torturer is put in charge of covert operations?

Milosovic, the Serbia leader who tried to defend his country from Washington's aggression, was sent by Washington to the war crimes tribunal or some such place that only tries victims of Washington's aggression. He died in prison, some say he was murdered by Washington. The court ended up clearing him of the faked American charges. But little good that did a dead man.

But now Washington has a real criminal, a real person who has committed without any doubt "crimes against humanity" confirmed by the US Senate as CIA director. That tells us a lot about the hypocrisy, double standards, and utter mendacity of the government in Washington.

As some Republicans voted against the torturer in chief, it was the Democrats that put a torturer at the head of the CIA.

Listen to their excuses:

West Virginia's Joe Manchin said: Haspel prioritizes the safety of America. She is "an unbelievable public servant."

North Dakota's Heidi Heitkamp said that Trump had picked the director best suited to the job. Heidi said she would make sure that Congress conducts oversight of Haspel's job, an ambivalent statement if the job is torture, which seems to be enshrined in US practices.

Indiana's Senator Joe Donnelly said that he believed Haspel "has learned from the past, and that the CIA under her leadership can help our country confront serious international threats and challenges."

What threats? What challenges? This is bla-bla talk. Think about it for a minute. Imagine a criminal before the judge saying "I have learned from my past crimes and am now fit to be an upstanding citizen who can help our country."

Florida's Bill Nelson covered his collapse as a moral person by meeting with Haspel personally and arriving at the conclusion that she was fit to serve.

According to Newsweek these four US Democratic senators face tough re-elections and voted to clear Haspel in order to appease the Trump deplorables. In other words, these four senators think that the deplorables, who voted for Trump because he said he was for peace in Syria and with Russia and was against the US being policeman of the world, want to have a torturer confirmed as CIA director. The Democrats voted for a torturer because they are afraid of Trump voters. If Trump voters want a torturer in office, the senators would be honor-bound to stand up to the Trump voters.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D, NH) said that she believes Haspel that she won't torture again. "Your honor," said the murderer in the dock, "I promise I won't murder again. Just give me this plumb appointment as chief of police."

Virginia's Mark Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, put Haspel in the job with his assurance that she would stand up to Trump if he ordered her to torture. In other words, Warner associates Trump with torture, not Haspel who has actually tortured.

Please, let us not hear again about America liberating other nations and defending human rights, or having a moral conscience, or being a light unto the world.
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From Truthdig

I've written many hundreds of columns. The one below has caused me the most uncertainty about going public with it.

I'm accustomed to writing about facts, quotes, documented history, while offering assessments. But this piece extrapolates from the current zeitgeist, going into realms of events that must be speculative and -- until too late -- unprovable.

Diary

So lucky to be here. Tiny island of dreams.

The serenity is unbelievable, except I want to believe it. Bluest waves with silver froth. Sun through the palms is damn near orgasmic. And solitude! If I can't finish the book here, it'll be my own fault.

Sort of knew I shouldn't bring the shortwave. That'll teach me to donate to NPR. Just can't resist a "thank you gift." Will crank it tomorrow.***

Wish I hadn't turned on the radio. BBC World Service all there is. Downbeat.

Swim, then write. Plenty of sunblock. As for writer's block, perish the thought.

Latest newscast unnerving. Need to concentrate. I blow this deadline, I'm seriously screwed.

OK, no distractions, beautiful isle all to myself. A thousand words a day and I'll be in clover.

Radio getting scary. What's coming out of Washington and Moscow, not to be believed.

Stop worrying and get to work!

Worse. Can't listen any more. Can't not.

Wish I could call home.

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BY: T.D. DUFF TONKA BAY MINNESOTA

Memorial Day will be celebrated by the usual high- speed trips to the lake and our lake homes, and with displays of flags, and the sounds of bugles and drums, and by parades and speeches and unthinking applause.

It will be celebrated by the corporate oligarchies, which make guns, bombs and bullets, fighter planes and drones, aircraft carriers and an endless assortment of military armaments, which hope to cravenly capitalize on the more than $700 billion in annual military contracts that have been approved by Congress and the President.

In other words, Memorial Day will be celebrated by the annual ritual of the betrayal of our war dead. Memorial Day represents the annual apogee of the hypocritical patriotism of our politicians and corporations, as they prepare for more war, more graves and white crosses, to receive more flowers on future Memorial Days.

The memory of our war dead, like our father, a highly decorated war hero of World War II, deserve a better dedication. They deserve a dedication to peace and a defiance to governments that make war.

Politicians who voted funds for war, business contractors and lobbyists for the military, generals who ordered young men into war, the FBI men who spied on anti-war activists, should be banned from attending all public ceremonies on this sacred day. The dead of our past wars must be honored, and let us pledge ourselves, in their memory, to demand no more war.

Let us honor on Memorial Day, John Dos Passos, who argued against war in his angry novel 1919. Let us honor Thoreau, who went to jail in protest of the Mexican War, and defined a mode of conscientious objection as, "let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine." Let us honor Mark Twain, who argued against our war with the Filipinos at the turn of the 20th century. Let us honor I.F. Stone, who all alone among newspaper editors, exposed the fraud and brutality of the Korean War. Let us honor Martin Luther King, who protested bravely and vigorously and righteously against the Vietnam War. Let us honor Father Daniel Berrigan, who declared in court, "for the burning of draft cards instead of children in Vietnam." Let us honor Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California, who was the only representative in Congress to vote no for the war resolution, three days after 9/11. Let us honor the memory of Paul Wellstone, who was the only Senator running for reelection, to vote no on the Iraq War, on October 11, 2002. Two weeks later he was dead.

Let us on this and all Memorial Days, put flowers on the graves of our fathers, grandfathers and sons, and then destroy the weapons of death that endanger us, and waste our resources, and now even threaten and kill our children and grandchildren.

On Memorial Day, we must rage against our country that spends in the name of "defense," nearly a trillion dollars a year on military weaponry, yet won't even think about providing universal health care, a living wage and social justice. Those in power, say we must not deplete our defenses. Yet, those in power have unconscionably depleted our livelihood, and depleted our youth, as they have consistently stolen our precious resources and applied them to war.

Let us on this Memorial Day, not bask in the same old stupefied celebrations and obedience to the hypocrisy of war.
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From Smirking Chimp

It's got to be either one of the stupidest acts that I can recall or a very wicked plan by Washington neocons to sabotage Korean peace talks.

How else to describe the decision by Big Brother USA and junior sidekick South Korea to stage major air force exercises on North Korea's border. The prickly North Koreans had a fit, of course, as always when the US flexes its muscles on their borders. Continuing South and North Korean peace talks scheduled this week were cancelled by the furious North Koreans. The much ballyhooed Singapore summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong-un is now threatened with cancellation or delay.

Who can blame the North Koreans for blowing their tops? As Trump administration mouthpieces were gabbing about peace and light, the US Air Force was getting ready to fly B-52 heavy bombers and F-22 Raptor stealth fighters around North Korea's borders and missile-armed subs lurked at sea.

This provocation was the first of two major spring military exercises planned by the US and its reluctant South Korean satrap. In case North Korea failed to get the message, the second exercise is code-named "Maximum Thunder."

And this right after Trump and his neocon minions reneged on the sensible nuclear treaty with Iran. In a policy one could call "eat sand and die," Trump demanded that Iran not only give up any and all nuclear capacity (Iran has no nukes), but also junk its non-nuclear armed medium range missiles, stop backing the Palestinians, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, roll over and be good, don't do anything to upset Israel, and pull out of Syria. In short, a total surrender policy leading to future regime change. Hardly an encouragement for North Korea.

North Korea was right on target when it accused arch-neocon John Bolton of trying to sabotage the peace deal. In 2005-2006, Bolton served as the Bush administration's ambassador to the UN. He established a tradition for the post of being anti-Muslim, pro-Israel and anti-Russian, a policy continued to this day by the current US UN rep, loud-mouthed neocon Nikki Haley.

In the 2005-2006 period, after years of negotiations, the US and North Korea were close to a nuclear/peace deal.

Enter John Bolton. He succeeded in sabotaging the US-North Korea deal. Why? Because Bolton, as an arch neocon, was fanatically pro-Israel and feared that North Korea might provide nuclear technology to Israel's foes. As usual with the neocons, Israel's interests came before those of the United States. Trump's newly named Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, is also an ardent neocon.

Last week, Bolton went onto US TV and actually suggested North Korea might follow the course set by Libya, of all places. Libya's then ruler, Muammar Gaddafi, bought some nuclear equipment from Pakistan so he could hand it over to the US as a gesture of cooperation after the Bush administration invaded Iraq. The handover was done with much fanfare, then the US, France and Britain attacked Libya and overthrew Gaddafi. The hapless Libyan leader was eventually murdered by French agents.

Is this what Bolton has in mind for North Korea? The Northerners certainly seemed to think so. Some wondered if Bolton and perhaps Pompeo were trying to sabotage the North Korea deal. Or were at least being incredibly obtuse and belligerent. Was Trump involved in this intrigue? Hard to tell. But he can't be happy. His minions and bootlickers are promoting Trump for the Nobel Prize -- rather ahead of events.

Or was the US military rattling its sabers and trying to protect its huge investments in North Asia? The Pentagon takes a dim view of the proposed Korean nuclear accords. The burst of sweetness and light coming from Pyongyang just sounds too good to be true.

Veteran Korea observers, this writer included, find it hard to believe Kim Jong-un will give up his nuclear weapons, particularly after seeing Trump's deceit in dealing with Iran and Gaddafi's murder.

Speaking of de-nuclearization, why does North Korea not demand that the US get rid of its nuclear weapons based in South Korea, Okinawa, Guam and with the 7th Fleet? Many are targeted on North Korea. US nuclear weapons are based on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Others are secretly based in Japan.

Why not demand the US pull out all its 28,500 troops in South Korea and some 2,000 military technicians at air bases? Conclusively halt those spring and fall military maneuvers that raise the threat of war. End the trade embargo of North Korea that amounts to high level economic warfare. Establish normal diplomatic relations.

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This piece was reprinted by OpEdNews with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.

From Caitlin Johnstone Website

Gina Haspel has been confirmed as America's new CIA Director, fulfilling her predecessor Mike Pompeo's pledge to turn the CIA into "a much more vicious agency." "Bloody Gina" has reportedly been directly involved in both torturing people and destroying evidence of torture in her long and depraved career, which some say hurts the CIA's reputation.

Others say it just makes it more honest.

The lying, torturing, propagandizing, drug trafficking, coup-staging, warmongering Central Intelligence Agency has done some of the most unspeakably horrific things to human beings that have ever happened in the history of our species. If you think I'm exaggerating, do your own research into into some of the CIA's activities like the Phoenix Program, which used "Rape, gang rape, rape using eels, snakes, or hard objects, and rape followed by murder; electric shock ('the Bell Telephone Hour') rendered by attaching wires to the genitals or other sensitive parts of the body, like the tongue; the 'water treatment'; the 'airplane' in which the prisoner's arms were tied behind the back, and the rope looped over a hook on the ceiling, suspending the prisoner in midair, after which he or she was beaten; beatings with rubber hoses and whips; the use of police dogs to maul prisoners," and "The use of the insertion of the 6-inch dowel into the canal of one of my detainee's ears, and the tapping through the brain until dead. The starvation to death (in a cage), of a Vietnamese woman who was suspected of being part of the local political education cadre in one of the local villages...The use of electronic gear such as sealed telephones attached to...both the women's vaginas and men's testicles [to] shock them into submission."

This is what the CIA is. This is what the CIA has always been. This is what Mike Pompeo said he wanted to help make the CIA "much more vicious" than. Appointing Gina Haspel as head of the agency is just putting an honest face on it.

It really couldn't be more fitting that the US now has an actual, literal torturer as the head of the CIA. It also couldn't be more fitting that it has a reality TV star billionaire President, an Iraq-raping Bush-era neoconservative psychopath as National Security Adviser, a former defense industry director as Secretary of Defense, a former Goldman Sachs executive as Secretary Treasurer, and a former Rothschild, Inc. executive as Secretary of Commerce. These positions have always facilitated torture, oppression, war profiteering and Wall Street greed; the only thing that has changed is that they now have a more honest face on them.

The mask of the nationless Orwellian oligarchy which dominates our world is slipping off all over the place.

Israel is now openly massacring unarmed Palestinian civilians, prompting a UN investigation into possible war crimes. Only two nations voted in opposition to the investigation, and surprise surprise it was the two nations apart from Israel who most clearly owe their existence to the institutionalized slaughter and brutalization of their indigenous occupants in recent history: the US and Australia. All other members of the UN Human Rights Council either voted in support of the investigation or abstained.

Important to note that the US and Australia, two countries built on the genocide of the indigenous populations have objected to the UN inquiry and are effectively expressing support to Israel's on going genocide of the Palestinians. -- Tariq Zarif (@TariqZarif) May 18, 2018

Internet censorship is becoming more and more brazen as our governments become increasingly concerned that we are developing the wrong kinds of political opinions. Ever since the establishment Douma and Skripal narratives failed to take hold effectively, we've been seeing more and more frantic attempts to seize control of public discourse. Two weeks after the Atlantic Council explained to us that we need to be propagandized by our governments for our own good, Facebook finally made the marriage of Silicon Valley and the western war machine official by announcing a partnership with the Atlantic Council to ensure that we are all receiving properly authorized information.

The Atlantic Council is pure corruption, funded by powerful oligarchs, NATO, the US State Department, empire-aligned Gulf states and the military-industrial complex. Many threads of the establishment anti-Russia narrative trace back to this highly influential think tank, from the DNC hack to the discredited war propaganda firm Bellingcat to imaginary Russian trolls to the notorious McCarthyite PropOrNot blacklist publicized by the Washington Post. Facebook involving itself with this malignant warmongering psyop factory constitutes an open admission that the social media site considers it its duty to manipulate people into supporting the agendas of the western empire.

We're seeing similar manipulations in Twitter, which recently announced that it will be hiding posts by more controversial accounts, and by Wikipedia, which has been brazenly editing the entries of anti-imperialist activists with a cartoonishly pro-establishment slant.

It is always a good sign when people in power become concerned that their subjects are developing the wrong kinds of political opinions, because it means that truth is winning. All this gibberish we've been hearing about "Russian disinformation" and "Russian propaganda" is just a label that has been pinned on dissenting narratives by a mass media propaganda machine that has lost control of the narrative.

And this is why it's getting so overt, barely even attempting to conceal its true nature anymore. Our species' newfound ability to network and share information has enabled a degree of free thinking that the cultural engineers did not anticipate and have not been able to stay ahead of, and they're being forced to make more and more overt grabs to try and force us all back into our assigned brain boxes.

But the oligarchs who rule us and their Orwellian power structure is already in a lose-lose situation, because the empire that they have built for themselves rests upon the illusion of freedom and democracy. The most powerful rulers of our world long ago eschewed the old model of sitting on thrones and executing dissidents in the town square, instead taking on a hidden role of influence behind the official elected governments and using mass media propaganda to manufacture the consent of the governed.

This system is far more efficient than the old model because a populace will never rebel against rulers it doesn't know exist, and it has enabled the western oligarchs to amass more power and influence than the kings of old ever dreamed possible. But it has a weakness: they have to control the narrative, and if they fail to do that they can't switch to overt totalitarianism without shattering the illusion of freedom and provoking a massive public uprising.

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From Mike Malloy Website

And it's the next one. Ten lives lost -- nine students and a teacher -- at a Santa Fe Texas High School.

One stunned young student survivor today told a reporter she wasn't surprised, just scared. Our kids are scared. We should be protecting them, but we're not. We should value their lives more than weapons, but we don't.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the shooter used a shotgun and a .38-caliber revolver to carry out his attack. Abbott said the weapons belonged to the suspect's father. Is there any end to this madness? We are the only developed nation in the where children can arm themselves so very easily and kill their fellow students en mass.



Molly Malloy

(Image by Kathy Malloy) Details DMCA



Molly's Middle School career is ending, her school award ceremony was yesterday.

She starts high school in August. Public school, a good one, with a notable performing arts program and a robust swim team -- just what she loves. It's less than two miles away, houses about 2,500 kids, and we pass it almost every day. She is so excited to go to high school and we are so terrified. More so than if she were enlisting in the army, which she cannot do at 14 and has no desire to do ever, thankfully.

More US students have died of gunfire in schools than US soldiers all over the world so far this year. 22 school shootings in the last 20 weeks, it's horrific. There was almost another disaster this week, but an Illinois police officer stopped a former student who opened fire at his school before anyone was hurt.

Thank God summer break is approaching so we can breathe a little easier for a few weeks.

We cannot fathom what the parents of all these murdered children must be feeling. It must be like dying yourself. You would die for your kids to protect them, trade your life for theirs, right? Lawmakers too, one would assume.

What did these parents do the last day their child was alive? What would we remember from Molly's last day alive? Fixing oatmeal for breakfast, like Mike? Driving to a Girl Scout meeting, like I do? Both for the last time. How do you survive having your child taken from you because our "leaders" in Congress are too afraid of the NRA to save these kids' lives? Then how do you go on knowing your child won't be the last one? Do they still pick up things for them at the store, forgetting for a moment they're dead?

I can't think about this most days or I go crazy.

Molly's high school is prepared. They have an armed security officer and a locked door -- gotta get buzzed in. But a student with concealed guns, they'd walk right in, right? Past the officer and through the door.

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From Gush Shalom

ON BLOODY MONDAY this week, when the number of Palestinians killed and wounded was rising by the hour, I asked myself: what would I have done if I had been a youngster of 15 in the Gaza Strip?

My answer was, without hesitation: I would have stood near the border fence and demonstrated, risking my life and limbs every minute.

How am I so sure?

Simple: I did the same when I was 15.

I was a member of the National Military Organization (the "Irgun"), an armed underground group labeled "terrorist."

Palestine was at the time under British occupation (called "mandate"). In May 1939, the British enacted a law limiting the right of Jews to acquire land. I received an order to be at a certain time at a certain spot near the sea shore of Tel Aviv in order to take part in a demonstration. I was to wait for a trumpet signal.

The trumpet sounded and we started the march down Allenby Road, then the city's main street. Near the main synagogue, somebody climbed the stairs and delivered an inflammatory speech. Then we marched on, to the end of the street, where the offices of the British administration were located. There we sang the national anthem, "Hatikvah," while some adult members set fire to the offices.

Suddenly several lorries carrying British soldiers screeched to a halt, and a salvo of shots rang out. The British fired over our heads, and we ran away.

Remembering this event 79 years later, it crossed my mind that the boys of Gaza are greater heroes then we were then. They did not run away. They stood their ground for hours, while the death toll rose to 61 and the number of those wounded by live ammunition to some 1,500, in addition to 1,000 affected by gas.

ON THAT day, most TV stations in Israel and abroad split their screens. On the right, the events in Gaza. On the left, the inauguration of the US Embassy in Jerusalem.

In the 136th year of the Zionist-Palestinian war, that split screen is the picture of reality: the celebration in Jerusalem and the bloodbath in Gaza. Not on two different planets, not in two different continents, but hardly an hour's drive apart.

The celebration in Jerusalem started as a silly event. A bunch of suited males, inflated with self-importance, celebrating -- what, exactly? The symbolic movement of an office from one town to another.

Jerusalem is a major bone of contention. Everybody knows that there will be no peace, not now, not ever, without a compromise there. For every Palestinian, every Arab, every Muslim throughout the world, it is unthinkable to give up Jerusalem. It is from there, according to Muslim tradition, that the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven, after tying his horse to the rock that is now the center of the holy places. After Mecca and Medina, Jerusalem is the third holiest place of Islam.

For the Jews, of course, Jerusalem means the place where, some 2,000 years ago, there stood the temple built by King Herod, a cruel half-Jew. A remnant of an outer wall still stands there and is revered as the "Western Wall." It used to be called the "Wailing Wall," and is the holiest place of the Jews.

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By Hunter Daily Kos Staff



Trump False Fake?

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After the news that counterintelligence efforts against Russian hackers included sending an informant to make contact with Trump campaign advisers whose Russian ties were under investigation, during the 2016 campaign, Donald Trump is now "hereby" ordering his Department of Justice to investigate that counterintelligence effort.

Donald J. Trump" @realDonaldTrump I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes -- and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration! 12:37 PM - May 20, 2018

The alleged informant, who is described by the New York Times as an "American academic who teaches in Britain," made contact after campaign adviser George Papadopoulous bragged to others that Moscow had gathered "thousands of emails" that would be compromising to opponent Hillary Clinton -- long before those emails were eventually made public. That admission is among the strongest currently public ties between the Russian hacking effort and members of the Trump presidential campaign.

That Trump knows of the informant is due to the actions of House Republican Devin Nunes and his allies, who have been emphatic that the Department of Justice turn over top secret information about the investigation -- information which reliably leaked into the public sphere, and to Trump himself, soon afterwards. Trump is now ordering the department to launch an investigation into the FBI's probe of Russian influence.

Previously, Donald Trump fired the director of the FBI after asking multiple members of the government to curtail their investigation of Trump adviser Michael Flynn. That Trump is willing to "officially" demand interference into the investigation of several other members of his campaign team's contacts with Russian intelligence figures suggests similar motive; the sitting president seeks to sabotage the investigation into campaign collusion with a foreign intelligence service.
Phenol Market Will Surpass US$ 17 Bn by 2025

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Phenol is an aromatic compound commonly known as carbolic acid that has a similar structure to alcohol but with higher levels of acidity. The global phenol market is driven in large part by the surging demand for bisphenol  A.The demand in the global phenol market is substantially influenced by general macroeconomic factors and thus, the consumption of phenol has a direct relation to the growth patterns of major world economies. Phenol is widely used in many different applications including medical, electrical, textile wood, resin paint, and dyeing. The global phenol market is predicted to witness a robust CAGR of 6.8% from 2017 to 2022.The Bisphenol A segment is projected to account for a revenue share approaching half of the end use segment at the end of 2017. The Bisphenol  A segment is estimated to grow to a value of just under US$ 8.5 billion at the end of the forecast period, making it large enough for all key stakeholders in the phenol market.Request for Table of Contents @The increased demand and capacity of Bisphenol  A should result in a strong demand for phenol products in the APEJ region. The demand for Bisphenol  A is linked to that of polycarbonate. A rise in polycarbonate demand directly benefits that of Bisphenol  AThe Phenol Formaldehyde Resin segment has a revenue share approaching a third of the end use segment at the end of 2017 in the phenol market. The Phenol Formaldehyde Resin segment is on track to record a robust CAGR of a little under 8% for the forecast period and companies would do well to take note of this while devising their long-term investment strategies. Along with APEJ, North America and Europe are poised to cross a billion dollars in terms of value in the Phenol Formaldehyde Resin segment of the phenol market at the end of 2022.The PPO/ Orthooxylenol has a single digit revenue share in the phenol market and is a niche opportunity at best. It would not be surprising if smaller players in the phenol market decided to overlook the PPO/ Orthooxylenol segment entirely in favor of other end use segments. An absolute dollar opportunity of approx. US$ 120 million between 2017 and 2022 needs customized manufacturer strategies to truly succeed in this segment of the phenol market.The Cumene manufacturing process dominates the global phenol market and is on track to gain market share going forward. The Cumene process segment should be worth almost US$ 12.3 billion in 2017 itself. The Dow process is much smaller in comparison and is assessed to lose market share over the duration of the forecast period.Request to Sample of Report @The companies profiled in the phenol market report include ALTIVIA Chemicals, Ineos Group Limited, Domo Investment Group, Deepak Nitrite Limited, CEPSA Quimica, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, Solvay SA, Mitsui Chemicals, AdvanSix Inc., and Royal Dutch ShellAbout 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:
Automotive Brake System Market is Expected to Represent US$ 25 billion by the end of 2022.

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The automotive brake system market is projected to witness a significant growth during the time of given forecast period due the automotive industry is predicted to have a very bright future in the coming years in both emerging and developed economies. Increasing concerns about the safety have enforced governments all across to lay to strict guidelines associated with safety vehicular norms is also expected to drive the growth of the market. Ever growing population coupled with changing standards of living in the middle class with an increasing spending power have made it comparatively easy to own personal vehicles in the developing countries.A higher requirement for passenger cars is naturally advantageous for the global automotive brake system market. In addition to this, the concerns over the safety of customers, the governments all across the globe have imposed strict regulations related to the safety of the vehicle and mandates to enhance the overall efficiency and safety of the vehicles. Moreover, new advancements in technology such as ABS and regenerative braking are also expected to fuel the all-round development of the global automotive brake system market.The overall growth of the global automotive brake system is expected to be achieved with the help of an impressive CAGR of 5.7% over the course of the given forecast period of 2017 to 2022. The overall valuation of the global automotive brake system market is expected to reach a figure worth US$25 bn by the end of the given forecast period.In terms of types of brakes the global market for automotive can be segmented into drum brakes and disc brakes. The segment of disc brakes has relatively larger share in the global automotive brake system market in the years 2017 and is estimated to reach an overall valuation of US$14 billion over the course of the given forecast period of 2017 to 2022. Nonetheless, the growth rate for the segment of drum brakes is expected to be on the rise in the coming years.Request Sample Report@The key shareholders of the global market for automotive brake system are advised to consider this possibility while devising strategies for long term. Europe accounts for the biggest contribution from a regional standpoint in the segment of drum brakes and the players in the market are advised to concentrate their efforts on this continent with lucrative opportunities for a good return on their investments.The segment of OEM has a revenue share of nearly fourth-fifth in terms of sales channel in the global market for automotive brake systems and is well placed to leverage the market conditions in the coming years of the forecast period. Thus, it is vital segment that the players in the global market cannot afford to avoid. The OEM segment is projected to experience an impressive CAGR of 5.5% over the course of the given forecast period of 2017 to 2022.Download and View Report TOC, Figures and Tables @The aftermarket sector is comparatively much smaller and consists the share of balance revenue in the global automotive brake systems market by the segment of sales channel. Along with the market in Europe, the key players in the global market should try to focus on Asia Pacific except Japan or North America, as both the regions are evaluated to have overall market valuations worth billions of dollars by the end of the given forecast period.Some of the key players in the global market for automotive brake system include names such as ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Wabco Holdings Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH, Mando Corporation, Continental AG, Knorr-Bremse AG, Brembo SpA, Akebono Brake Industry, and Aisin Seiki among others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.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:
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Market is anticipated to push past US$ 445 million by end 2022

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For several years now, the autonomous underwater vehicle has been the undisputed champion in the case of niche underwater applications. However, the growing acceptance of these multi-purpose vehicles has now turned them into the de-facto choice for the subsea community. The last decade has seen the autonomous underwater vehicle market come into its own with AUVs being chosen for most deep-water surveys. The scientific community has also opted for autonomous underwater vehicles for both deep exploration as well as work in shallow waters. New applications have surfaced in the autonomous underwater vehicle market as these vehicles are critical in search & rescue missions, salvage operations, and in archaeology. The autonomous underwater vehicle market is projected to record a robust CAGR of 6.1% from 2017 to 2022.Request Sample Report@The oil & gas segment has a revenue share of one-sixth in the autonomous underwater vehicle market by end user and is anticipated to lose market share. The oil & gas autonomous vehicle segment is estimated to have a value of approx. US$ 65 million at the end of the forecast period. The military & defense segment is considerably larger by comparison. Political disputes, territorial claims, and small skirmishes may well push countries into war which is why they are investing heavily in their defense preparedness and military budgets. Autonomous underwater vehicles perfectly complement their warships prowling the high seas. North America stands out as the region that should account for more than a third of the military & defense segment of the autonomous underwater vehicle market at the end of 2017In the age of global warming, environmental protection and monitoring is the need of the hour, especially for low-lying, coastal nations that will bear the brunt of rise in water levels. An absolute dollar opportunity of over US$ 24 million makes the environmental protection and monitoring segment of the autonomous underwater vehicle market very critical indeed. Furthermore, this segment is on track to gain share going forward. After North America, Europe has a strong focus on environmental protection and monitoringIt is often said that we have a better grasp of the surfaces of other planets than that of our own ocean floors. Therefore, oceanography has gained prominence recently. Oceanography has double-digit revenue share in the autonomous underwater vehicle market by end use segment and is poised to gain marginal share in the forecast period. The oceanography segment may well witness a robust CAGR of more than 6% for the five-year period and companies would do well to take this inot accountRequest Report TOC @True to its size, the large AUV segment has the largest contribution in the autonomous underwater vehicle market and should remain so for the foreseeable future. The North America large AUV segment is assessed to have a value of roughly US$ 38 million in 2017 aloneView Report Table of Contents, Figures, and TablesThe companies profiled in the autonomous underwater vehicle market report are International Submarine Engineering Ltd, Hydromea SA, L3 OceanServer, ECA Robotics SAS, Atlas Elektronik GMBH, Saab AB, Kongsberg Maritime AS, Teledyne Gavia ehf, and General Dynamics CorporationAbout 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:
Lentiviral Expression Systems Market Headed for Growth and Global Expansion by 2025

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Lentiviral are vectors that are derived from the virus known as human immunodeficiency virus and is used to transfer gene in the cells, such as mammalian cell and others. Lentiviruses are used for transfection in non-dividing and actively dividing cell. This acts as an advantage to another type of retrovirus. The lentiviruses fall in the category of a retrovirus. The lentiviral expression system is developed, which can influence the gene of interest. The commercially available lentiviral expression systems are available in combination with tag sequence, reporter gene, promoters and multicistronic vectors are also available for desired protein expression. These vectors are used for research and development purpose recombinant protein expression, protein characterization, in-vitro transcription, and other functional arrays.The HIV vector is used as an attractive transfection vector and in use in research laboratories in biotechnological and pharmaceutical companies. The lentiviral expression system is highly effective gene therapy and is designed to optimize high expression and high titers for use in the mammalian cell, primary cells, nondividing cells, stem cells, and neurons. The lentiviral wraps up to 5kb of foreign DNA. The transduction with lentivirus vector is highly efficient, so the concern on the multiplicity of infection (MOI) should be taken into account. For cells to be infected by only one type of lentiviral particle, the MOI should be less than one. The screening rate for transfection is mostly 100% after the transfected cells are screened for antibiotic resistance or fluorescent screening technique.Request Report for Table of Contents @Manufacturers are focused on manufacturing cost-effective and rapid protein expression methods. Furthermore, companies operating in the expression system market are focusing on the development of high yield protein expression system. Government-funded and private initiatives in various countries are focusing on research and development programs which are fuelling the growth of the lentiviral expression system market. The market in high-income countries is projected to gain traction in terms of revenue due to the high focus on developing the novel application of lentiviral expression system in new industrial processes. Technological advancement in the diagnostic and treatment process of infectious diseases, advancement in molecular techniques are the factors fueling the demand of lentiviral expression system market in the near future.The global lentiviral expression system market is segmented on basis of treatment type, disease condition, distribution channel and geographySegment by Expression System ComponentsLentiviral PromoterLentivirus Promoter VectorsLentivirus Promoterless VectorsLentiviral Fusion TagsLentivirus Packaging SystemsOther AccessoriesSegment by ApplicationRecombinant protein expressionFunctional assaysProtein characterizationIn vitro transcriptionOthersSegment by End UserBiotechnology CompaniesPharmaceutical CompaniesContract Research OrganizationsAcademic/ Research InstitutesGlobal lentiviral expression system is segmented by expression components, application and end user. Based on the expression system components, global lentiviral expression system market is segmented lentiviral promoter, which is further sub-segmented as lentivirus promoter vectors, lentivirus promoterless vectors, lentiviral fusion tags lentivirus packaging systems and other accessories. Based on the application type, global lentiviral expression system market is segmented as recombinant protein expression, functional assays, protein characterization, In vitro transcription and other application for research and study purpose. On the basis of end user, the global lentiviral expression system market is segmented into biotechnological companies, pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, academic/ research institutes. Increasing outsourcing by pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies, declining R&D productivity and patent cliff sales drop leading to increasing research intensity in the pharmaceuticals sector, rapid process/product development due to fewer steps, increased awareness about new product/kits launch and others are some of the factors drive the global lentiviral expression system market during the forecast period. Whereas high cost and short reaction scale, low protein expression, inadequate access to health care, lack of standardized tools for research and development are some of the factors that may hamper the growth of global lentiviral expression system market.By Geography, the global lentiviral expression system market is segmented into five broad regions viz. North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. North America is estimated to lead the global lentiviral expression systems market due to increasing focus on protein expression and production, growing demand for simple and efficient protein production methods, government funding for research and development in developed countries and others. . Increasing applications in various areas such as protein structural analysis, protein expression & purification, functional genomics, determining protein-protein interactions are projected to boost growth of the lentiviral expression system during the forecast period. Europe market is also projected to experience high growth due to emphasis on up-scaling and industrial application in the near future. Asia Pacific market is anticipated to grow at the fastest growth rate during the forecast period, owing to factors such as focusing on healthcare expenditures, rise in research and development facilities and othersRequest to View Sample Brochure of Report @Some of the major players in global lentiviral expression systems market are Dharmacon Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Takara Bio, abm Inc., Cell Biolabs, Inc., GeneCopoeia, Inc., System Biosciences, LLC. , FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies U.S.A., Inc., ATUM, Merck KGaA and Others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Hospital Privacy Screens Market is Expecting Worldwide Growth by 2025

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Privacy screens are designed to provide privacy and protection and create more pleasant environment for patients in private clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and specialty care centers. It is one of the best alternatives to the curtains, which is the source of infection that cannot be cleaned regularly, as its hard surface can be wiped and disinfected regularly, thus eliminating the need to remove, launder, and reinstall new curtains. Hospital privacy screens are widely used to divide open spaces for a large number of practical uses in hospital settings. These screens facilitate patients to quickly adapt to the continuously changing healthcare environment.Thus, hospital privacy screens is one of the leading alternative for patient privacy and optimal hygiene. Therefore, these are available in a wide range of color combinations, heights, lengths, and flexible designs. It is available as portable or fixed that offers ingenious way to manage space within hospital to enable privacy, display images and messages which helps to keep patient engaged in ward activity, thus eliminating non-airborne infections. Hospital privacy screens offers a variety of features and benefits to provide patient privacy and hygienic environment. These includes  infection control, privacy & dignity, easy cleaning, small footprint, retracts for storage, available in a variety of finishes, replaceable inner screens.Request for Table of Contents @Companies continuously strive to improve and develop better solutions for patient privacy and space optimization. Recent advancements include frosted daylight screens for more light and large bed end screens can be added to increase the space around the bed. Additionally, the need to control infection and patient privacy and dignity are set to drive the innovation in the global hospital privacy screens market. Increased patient preference, growing awareness about patient privacy and dignity, and growing shift from curtains to privacy screens are the major trends in the global hospital privacy screens market, which are expected to drive the demand for privacy screens for hospital use. However, limited hospital budgets in developing and under-developed regions will restrain the growth of the hospital privacy screens market.The global hospital privacy screens market is segmented on basis of product, type, application, and geography:Segmentation by ProductFixed Privacy ScreensFolding Privacy ScreensUnipanel Privacy Screens2- Panel Privacy Screens3- Panel Privacy Screens4- Panel Privacy Screens5- Panel Privacy ScreensSegmentation by TypeStationary Privacy ScreensMobile Privacy ScreensSegmentation by Application AreasEmergency RoomsIntensive Care UnitsExamination RoomsWardsOther Hospital UsesBased on product, folding privacy screens segment is expected to lead the global hospital privacy screens market over the forecast period. Based on application, the global hospital privacy screens market has been segmented into emergency rooms, intensive care units, examination rooms, wards, and other hospital areas. Intensive care units segment is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period.Globally, the hospital privacy screens market is segmented into five key regions viz. North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to lead the global hospital privacy screens market due to high adoption of advanced products and developed healthcare infrastructure. The hospital privacy screens market is expected to witness significant growth rate in APAC region over the forecast period owing to incidence of hospital-acquired infection and rising awareness for advanced healthcare services.Request a Sample Brochure of the Report @Some of the players operating in the global hospital privacy screens market are Silentia AB, Medline Industries, Inc., AliMed, GF Health Products, Inc., Halyard Worldwide, Inc., Omnimed, R&B Wire Products, Inc, Winco Mfg., LLC, Access Health, Ocura Healthcare Furniture, KwickScreen, James Spencer & Co. Ltd., Ocelco, Inc., and Parflex Screen Systems, among others. These players are highly focused on the development of advanced privacy screens to meet patient needs and day-to-day new challenges which in turn will further stimulate the global hospital privacy screens 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,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
PC Based Electrocardiograph (ECG) Market Will Generate New Growth Opportunities by 2025

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ECG (Electrocardiograph) is a technique used for detecting the electrical activity of the heart. The heart beats are recorded by the ECG device and displayed on the monitor or paper in the form of spikes and dips. The ECG is done to check any arrhythmia in the heartbeat, which can be symptoms of heart disease. ECG helps to understand the hearts electrical activity and slight variation in the heartbeat can be recorded and analyzed for early detection of heart disease. ECG also has applications in the understanding of the proper functioning of heart implanted devices such as pacemakers and for understanding the effect of a particular drug on the body and to check its side-effects different types of ECG devices are used, depending on their application. Pc based electrocardiograph enables access to the patient diagnostic information and improves the accuracy and result efficacy by sending data without redundant work steps, delay, and misidentified patients information. Pc based electrocardiograph comes with the programmable report format in which report can edit and interpret on the screen of PC before printing.The Increasing demand for the advanced cardiac arrhythmia monitoring devices to cater the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and disorders among geriatric population worldwide has become an emerging trend which anticipated to boost the demand for the PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) marketover the forecast period.Request Report for Table of Contents @The global PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) market is segmented on the basis of modality, application, and end user.On the basis of modality type, the global PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) market is segmented into:StandaloneCloud BaseOn the basis of application, the global PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) market is segmented into:Atrial FibrillationBradycardiaConduction DisordersPremature ContractionTachycardiaVentricular FibrillationOthersOn the basis of end user, the global PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) market is segmented into:HospitalsAmbulatory Surgical CentersDiagnostics CentersHomecare SettingsLong Term Care CentersEmergency Medical ServicesThe global PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) market is expected to register a significant CAGR over a forecast period. The increasing demand for advanced cardiac arrhythmia monitoring devices, such as PC based electrocardiograph device to monitor and detect the electrical activity of the heart is anticipated to fuel the global PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) market. The increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases and disorders globally include atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, conduction disorders, premature contraction, tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation is anticipated to boost the demand for the PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) devices and drives the growth for the PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) devices market over a forecast period. The increasing adoption rate of low cost ECG devices and services among lower income groups from the developing regions such as Asia Pacific, is anticipated to propel the demand of the PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) devices and drives the growth of the PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) market over long run. Increasing government spending on healthcare infrastructure in developed economies and favorable reimbursement policies for treatment of is expected to bolster the growth of the global PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) market.However, adverse events associated with the use of cardiac arrhythmia monitoring devices and product recall due to safety concerns, may hamper the demand for devices and restrain the growth of the market over forecast period. The dearth of trained and skilled specialists and professionals to operate, monitor and interpret the activities and signals generated by the PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) devices, may also hinder the growth of the global PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) market.On the basis of regional presence, the global PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.The North America is dominating and contributed the leading shares to the global PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) market in terms of revenue and expected to register a significant growth over a forecast period due to technological advancement in the devices and developed medical infrastructure along with the reimbursement facilities. The Europe has also contributed the moderate shares and registered a healthy growth rate to the global PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) market followed by North America. The APEJ has become the lucrative market for PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) devices and anticipated to register significant shares over the forecast period due to the increasing adoption of advanced PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) devices and developing medical infrastructure in the region. The Latin America and MEA are at a nascent stage to the global PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) market and expected to show a moderate growth over a forecast period due to increasing medical facilities in the region.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Some key companies covered in this report include NUUBO Smart Solutions Technologies, SL, Koninklijke Philips N.V., GE Healthcare (General Electric Company), Welch Allyn  A Hill-Rom Inc. Company, Spacelabs Healthcare, Inc. (OSI Systems, Inc.), Nihon Kohden Corporation, Fukuda Denshi Co., Ltd., Biotelemetry, Inc., AliveCor, Inc., Biotronik, Inc., Medtronic Plc. and St. Jude Medical, LLC. (Abbott Laboratories). The global PC based electrocardiograph (ECG) market is currently witnessing a number of strategic collaboration and partnership activities by manufacturers and end users.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Future of Global In-vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Liquid Biopsy Testing Market: 2017 to 2025

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In-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing is an innovative technique for testing the sample for identifying various disease and their stage inside the living body. The testing of sample in proper time can be beneficiary for preventing the disease to occur inside the body. In-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing is a very effective tool to diagnosis for various disease such as cancer and other stage of disease. The body fluid such as blood and other body fluid is used for testing. The use of biomarker help to analysis the molecular level for disease detection, this process is very help full for preventing the person from cancer in very early stage. The in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing is very advance and modern days technic in disease treatment industry. In-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing has various benefits over standard biopsy, as In-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing is very quick, easily obtained, show comprehensive tissue profile with minimal pain and can be done minimally invasive.Request Report for Table of Contents @In-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing is a growing market over the forecast period, as the number of cancer patients are increasing, according to Cancer Research UK, in 2012 approx. ~ 8.2 million peoples death occurs due to cancer, the use of in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing can help for saving the life of the cancer patients by early diagnosis and providing preventive treatment. Various public and private research organization are working for finding more improve version of in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing to detect the tumor in very early stage. Players are also investing huge revenue to make the in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing more easy and comprehensive. The high cost and lack of awareness in healthcare professional is the current hindrance of the in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing market.In-vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Liquid Biopsy Testing Market: SegmentationIn-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing is segmented based onIn-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing based on ApplicationMonitoringTreatment PurposeDrug ResistanceDisease RecurrenceDetectionGenomic MutationTumor StageIn-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing based on End UserHospitalsClinicsDiagnostics CenterResearch InstitutesIn-vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Liquid Biopsy Testing based on GeographyNorth AmericaEuropeLatin AmericaAsia-PacificMiddle East and AfricaIn-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing is a very helpful tool for cancer diagnosis stage, which can save life of many people suffering from cancer. The in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing can also very affective to treat the cancer by changing the level of cfDNA (cell free DNA) and refer as non-encapsulated DNA in blood stream, the testing is done by PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The detection of disease is early stage is very effective and beneficiary in medical treatment industry.As a geography conditions the In-vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Liquid Biopsy Testing Market is segmented into: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East & Africa. North America is a major market for in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing as the medical infrastructure is highly improved with various reimbursement policy and the present of players also boost the in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing market. Europe is also show growth as the acceptation of new technology is increasing to detect the disease. Asia Pacific is showing as sluggish growth as the medical infrastructure is improving and the awareness is also increasing in patients and the healthcare professional to handle the in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing process. MEA is also showing slow growth as the medical system is adopting the in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) liquid biopsy testing.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Some players in In-vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Liquid Biopsy Testing Market as: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Horizon Discovery Group plc, QIAGEN, Roche Molecular Systems Inc., Personal Genome Diagnostics, Inc., Grail, Inc., Exosome Diagnostics, CellMax Life, Cynvenio Biosystems, Inc., Inivata Ltd, Biodesix, Inc. and GUARDANT HEALTH, INC.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Temozolomide Industry 2018-New Technological Change Helping Market Growth, Application, Driver, Trends, Size, Share, and Forecasts by 2025

Global Temozolomide Market Research Report 2018

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This research report delivers detailed analysis of Temozolomide Market and future prospects of this Industry. The critical and significant data in the study makes the research a very important tool for experts, analysts and managers to get ready-to-access analysis by the industry professionals. The research is attached with substantial information in the form of graphs and tables to understand important market trends, drivers and challenges.Get Sample Copy of the Report @The research also covers the current market size of the Temozolomide along with the growth rate over the years. In addition to this, the research includes historical data of five previous years pertaining to company profiles of key players/manufacturers in the industry such as Merck, SL Pharme, Sun Pharma, Mayne Pharma, Schering-Plough and Cipla.The in-depth information by various segments of Temozolomide market enables managers to monitor future profitability and make vital decisions for sustainable growth. The statistics in the research focuses on the technological advancement, available capacities and the changing structure of the Temozolomide market.Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers North America Europe China Japan Southeast Asia IndiaInquire More About This Report@The study also provides you with profiles of the companies, product pictures, their specifications, overall revenue, market share, size and contact details of the key manufacturers of Temozolomide. The market is growing at a very rapid pace and has witnessed entrance of many local and regional vendors offering specific application products for multiple end-users. But this new entrants are faced with cut throat competition due to innovative technology, quality services and diligence of international vendors. Furthermore, the research study is segmented by Application with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Geographically, this report is subdivided into several key regions, with data concerned to the production and consumption patterns, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Temozolomide market in these regions, for 12 years from 2013 to 2025 (forecast), covering and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2018 to 2023.On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoCapsulesInjectionOn the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, includingHospitalClinicPurchase This Report @There are 15 Chapters to display the Global Temozolomide Market:Chapter 1: Definition, Specifications and Classification of Temozolomide , Applications of Temozolomide , Market Segment by RegionsChapter 2: The Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain StructureChapter 3: The Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Temozolomide , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources AnalysisChapter 4: The Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment)Chapter 5 and 6: Regional Market Analysis that includes North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia & India, Temozolomide Segment Market Analysis (by Type)Chapter 7 and 8: the Temozolomide Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of TemozolomideChapter 9: Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product TypeChapter 10: Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11: The Consumers Analysis of Global TemozolomideChapter 12: Temozolomide Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data sourceChapter 13, 14 and 15: Temozolomide sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Thank You for looking in to this article; you can also get customization of the Report chapter wise or geographic region wise.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
Goose Creek, SC (29445)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.
For the past quarter of a century, a local coffeehouse has provided quality drinks, friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere that has kept customers coming on a regular basis. Espresso Milano, located at 137 Ashman St. in downtown Midland, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month.

Owner Bret Cousineau opened the cafe with the late Keith Taylor, Pat Green, Jim Kehrer and Mark Anderson in May 1993. Cousineau and Taylor, who was killed in a hit and run crash last year, operated the coffee house after a start-up period of three years. At the time, Espresso Milano was the only coffee joint in Midland.

We looked around and we definitely felt comfortable downtown versus somewhere else like the mall or Center City at that time, Cousineau said.

Espresso Milano was open for barely a year when other coffee houses  both international chains and family-based cafes  began brewing in the area. Today there are no less than eight coffeehouses within the city of Midland, but Espresso Milano is still going strong thanks to a loyal fan base.

(Bret Cousineau)'s very good about maintaining relationships with customers as well as employees, barista Joe Blackhurst said.

Mark and Theresa Kotanchek, who have frequented the coffee shop since it opened, regularly meet at Espresso Milano in the mornings after dropping off their kids to school. Mark, who has a certain parking spot and a certain seat, is always impressed to see the baristas already working on his cappuccino as hes walking in the door.

Its a community coffee shop, different that the cookie cutter shops like Starbucks, he said.

We enjoy the drinks and the atmosphere, Theresa said.

Customers have more reasons to come and relax at Espresso Milano than just good drinks and delicious pastries. While waiting for a mocha or chai latte, patrons can view select pieces of Midland Artists Guild artwork which have adorned the cafes walls for the past 24 years. Local bands and musicians share their music in the evening and poetry readings have taken place in the past. Combined with the friendly and attentive service provided by the baristas, customers tend to linger in the shop for a little while instead of rushing off to their next destination.

Blackhurst has been coming to Espresso Milano since 1993 and works as a barista there in the summer months. For him, the coffee house is an ideal place for people to meet old friends and perhaps make a few new ones.

Its cool. Its downtown. You can go there and bump into people you know ... Its really one of the main fellowship points in Midland, he said.

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Espresso Milano will offer in-house specials. As far as the future is concerned, Cousineau is going to take it one day at a time and continue to ensure quality beverages and customer experiences.

I do feel were in the fabric of the community after 25 years. We also try to interact with the customers and make them feel comfortable here, Cousineau said.

Espresso Milano is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Saudi Cement, a regional pioneer in the manufacture and supply of clinker and cement, has signed an agreement with GE Power for the upgradation of three 6B gas turbines at its plant in Hofuf region of the kingdom.



The deal represents the first time that GE Powers Advanced Gas Path (AGP) solution will be implemented to strengthen power generation productivity for a cement industry globally, said a statement from the company.



The project, built on the two organisations long-term collaboration, will help Saudi Cement increase power output and efficiency, while reducing the need to draw power from the national grid, in support of the kingdoms drive towards greater economic diversification under Saudi Vision 2030.



Saudi Cement CEO Mohammed Al Garni said: "Power supply is both a key input, as well as one of the major costs in our manufacturing process. Reliable, efficient electricity supply is thus essential for the continuous operations of our facility, as well as our market competitiveness."



"GE Powers AGP upgrade solution will allow us to improve efficiencies and become more self-sufficient in power production," he stated.



Joseph Anis, the president and chief executive of GEs Power Services business in Africa, India and the Middle East, said: "Saudi Cement has played a vital role in the development of construction projects across the Middle East for more than half a century. We are delighted to support their continuous journey of operational improvements and to contribute towards the strengthening of the kingdoms industrial base."



"The upgrades of the gas turbines at Hofuf plant will not only help achieve efficiency and output improvements but also extend maintenance intervals and lower emissions, to the benefit of Saudi Cement and the wider community," he added.



Saudi Cement said the upgrades are expected to complete by the third quarter of 2018.



They will help to enhance efficiency by up to 3.3 per cent per turbine, contributing towards the Saudi National Transformation Program 2020s goal of improving fuel utilisation in electricity generation to 40 per cent by 2020, the company stated.



GE has more than 80 years of partnership in the kingdom with over 4,000 employees, including Baker Hughes, a GE company.



With nearly 50 per cent of the talent in highly skilled engineering and technology roles, GE has built an advanced industrial ecosystem that includes a growing local supply chain, with significant partnerships and investments in support of the kingdom in its economic diversification goals, including building localised anufacturing competencies.-TradeArabia News Service
To the editor:

In appreciation to Midland for helping raise awareness that the gender wage gap in womens pay is 20 percent lower than mens pay, the American Association of University Women of Midland thanks the following:

 Midland City Council for proclaiming April 10 as Midland Equal Pay Day.

 Grounds Coffee for offering a 20 percent discount on April 10 to women buying their beverages.

 Zonta Club of Midland for being the major force behind the Equal Pay billboard on Route 10, which was also supported by Midland League of Women Voters and the Association of University Women Midland.

 The Midland Daily News for its coverage of the City Councils Proclamation of Equal Pay Day and publishing a letter to the editor on pay equity.

 Delta College Broadcasting, WUCX NPR, for its promotion of the Michigan Equal Pay Day Rally and WJRT-TV Flint, for covering the Michigan Equal Pay Day Coalition Rally in Lansing on the steps of the Capitol on Equal Pay Day this year, April 10.

JUDY DONAHUE

Public Policy Committee

American Association of University

Women of Midland
To the editor:

Midland County Habitat for Humanity would like to thank more than 250 volunteers who helped during Women Build this year. From the pouring of the foundation, framing, sheathing and roofing the house and garage and everything in between, volunteers were willing to assist with whatever was needed. We could not have accomplished all that we did on our new home build without the help of our volunteers and sponsors.

We would like to give a special thank you to all the crew leaders: Jerry Hahnfeld, David Summers, Phil Baker, Bill Fothergill, David Wingert, Bob Donald, Rob Mortensen, Mike Babcock and Don Wilson.

Thank you to the Greater Midland Community Center for its hospitality, allowing us to use the property behind the Curling Center as our base of operations during the build week.

Thank you to the City of Midland for its help and support. In particular, thank you to Karen Murphy and Bart Heil.

Thank you to Great Lakes Safety Training Center (Kelly Juday, executive director, Jill Dougherty and James McDaniel) for providing safety tips on how important it is for each volunteer to work safely for both themselves and others around them.

Special thanks to CPI Fluid Engineering for providing some personal protection equipment, i.e. safety glasses, gloves and ear buds to help protect our volunteers while they worked.

Thank you to the several pastors that prayed over our volunteers and the projects being done throughout the week. They include: the Rev. Rhonda Myers-Chapel Lane Presbyterian Church, Pastor Danielle Shealy-Trinity Lutheran Church, Pastor Ed Doerner-Messiah Lutheran Church and Pastor Wally Mayton-Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Also, thank you to our many sponsors and supporters. Without your financial, volunteer and in-kind support, we would not have been able to help our future homeowners attain their dream of a home for themselves and their family. They include: Lowes of Midland, Chemical Bank, Dow Chemical Employees Credit Union, Zonta Club of Midland, Valley Electrical Contractors Inc., Memorial Presbyterian Church, Ayre Rhinehart Realtors, Isabella Bank, Greystone Homes, Designed by Julie, Members First Credit Union, Midland Ford, ACE Hardware, Three Rivers Corp., Brookdale Midland, Ieuter Insurance Corp., Midland County Treasurers Staff, Bierlein Companies Inc., Dominos Pizza, First United Methodist Church, Gordonville United Methodist Church, Ladies of Chapel Lane Presbyterian Church, McKay Press, Menu Manager, Starbucks, Trinity Lutheran Church, Messiah Lutheran Church and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Valspar, and Whirlpool.

A sincere thank you to our board of directors for their continued support of the mission and the vision of Midland County Habitat for Humanity. We look forward to working with everyone again next year at our ninth annual Women Build Week as we seek to put Gods love into action by bringing people together to build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.

LAURI IRELAND

Midland County Habitat for Humanity
Vote for the Gaylord Herald Times Player of the Week for 9/29-10/6
As the suns first rays reach out over the eastern horizon, we are on Pico da Barrosa

Below us, theres a beautiful display of colours

Riding for a while with a view of the sea

The trail suddenly plunges into dense vegetation

Its a tunnel of roots and lianas

The trail turns into a roller coaster

A wooden sign points towards a popular downhill course

We continue down the street to Riberia Grande

Lots of beaches and small black dots on the water...

Its a hotspot for wave riders

This wine cant be imported into the EU due to its high alcohol content, they only drink it mixed with Laranjada

Plates of hearty home-cooked food are being served

Without being asked are given a carafe of red wine Proud of his pineapples Andre, Andres father

Hot to cur a pineapple... Andre explains it to us

We are welcomed by our new guides Hugo and Miguel

The small airport of Santa Maria The first of seven trails is called Aeroplane Trail

A flow trail through the jungle

Every now and then were struck on the face by small thorns

The last section of the trail curves into a narrow bend through a cactus-filled landscape

At midday we stop at a small bar in the bay of Praia Formosa Nuno Aguiar aka Kaka, downhill biker of the moment.

Up on Pico

Gently descending to San Lorenzo

Rolling to a colourfully painted beach bar

If the Azorean weather cant come to us, cant we just go there? Of course. In five hours you can be on a secluded group of islands right in the middle of the Atlantic.Julia, our photographer Maria, and I dont set out on this journey completely unprepared. Out of the total nine inhabited volcanic islands the two most easterly called Sao Miguel and Santa Maria are renowned for being an enduro paradise. Our Azorean friends Andre and Andre are waiting for us at the airport in Sao Miguel, the largest of the islands. They grab our bags, load them into the car and take us to our accommodation for the night.Our two guides pick us up in the morning while its still dark. As the suns first rays reach out over the eastern horizon, we stand 947 metres above sea level on Pico da Barrosa, the highest point on the island. Below us, theres a beautiful display of colours - light green illuminating a circular lake framed by a white sandy beach. The darkening forest reveals its contours and radiates surreal rich green tones that stand out against the azure blue sky. We cant take our eyes off the colours.The guide waves a bunch of local enduro bikers past who want to ride the islands longest trail before work. Then its our turn. We leave the crater-shaped lake on our left and follow the path along a ridge. Riding for a while with a view of the sea, the trail suddenly plunges into dense vegetation. Its a tunnel of roots and lianas.To begin with, the blue sky shines through the dense network and then the lush greenery takes over. The trail turns into a roller coaster with no emergency exit. Right turn then left turn. The tyres grip down into a peat-like soil from which a root protrudes every now and again. Each time Im caught by a berm, then after the bend comes a drop. I was just able to dodge the last one.All of a sudden an open meadow appears: time to apply the brakes. I nearly ride into Andre and Julia who have just let a pair of Azorean cows go past. 200,000 cows live on Sao Miguel. Thats one cow for every inhabitant. As we come to a stop at the small port of Caloura, Andre 1 is waiting for us with the shuttle. We drive halfway up to Pico da Barrosa. In the bend, a wooden sign points towards a popular downhill course.If the descent becomes too difficult, keep to the left. Thats where weve installed Chickenways, explains our guide. And its not just at one spot that Im glad about this. After the descent, we continue down the street to Riberia Grande. The biggest town on Sao Miguels north coast is a small place with lots of sandy beaches and small black dots on the water surfers!We follow Andre into a place called Casa de Pasto. Its a bar that is not immediately recognisable from the outside. Inside, however, the dining room is packed and plates of hearty home-cooked food are being served. We manage to get the last empty table and without being asked are given a carafe of red wine. Andre immediately covers it with his hand. Careful, this wine cant be imported into the EU due to its high alcohol content. We only drink it mixed with Laranjada, our Maracuja-Lemonade, otherwise youll get hallucinations. This concoction tastes delicious. It goes perfectly with the meat stew and fried squid.Theres pineapple for dessert, which is unbelievably fresh and juicy. If you want, Ill show you the greenhouses later. They belong to my father, garbles Andre with two pieces in his mouth.After three days theres a change of scenery: we climb aboard a small propeller plane and fly over to Santa Maria. Its the southernmost island in the Azores and not particularly large. If Sao Miguel is about the size of La Palma in the Canaries, then Santa Maria is not even half the size of the island of Elba off the coast of Italy. We touch down on an oversized runway and realise Santa Maria is much hotter, drier and unfortunately much flatter than Sao Miguel.We are welcomed by our new guides Hugo and Miguel. They can already see the doubt on our faces and try to allay our worries: Its only flat in the west. On the east of the island, there are 600 metre-high mountains with fantastic trails.Pico Alto is, at 587 metres, the highest peak in Santa Maria. Its mountain range runs from north to south, from the flat west to the hilly east. Hugo points to the faint lines that disappear into the jungle. There are seven trails for you here at Pico. The first is called Aeroplane Trail, which starts at Point Zero. In 1989 a Boeing 707 crashed into Pico during fog. All 145 passengers were killed. Theres a memorial plaque marking the tragic accident.As we set off, an open roller coaster awaits us which leads to a flow trail through the jungle full of small and big surprises in the form of roots, steps, drops and berm. Every now and then were struck on the face by small thorns. The last section of the trail curves into a narrow bend through a cactus-filled landscape. At midday, we stop at a small bar in the bay of Praia Formosa for a cafe Pingal  an espresso with a dash of milk. A postman rattles around the corner on a scooter.Hugo greets him warmly and introduces us to the man in the grey uniform: Nuno Aguiar aka Kaka, downhill biker of the moment. He moved from Sao Miguel to Santa Maria a few years ago and began searching for trails using old military maps. Thats how he discovered the ones on Pico Alto, which were, at that time, completely overgrown. Using a shovel and an axe he was able to expose the trails. Unfortunately, due to his job and family, he is unable to spend as much time on his bike, which is why Hugo has taken over the job of looking after the trails. He ensures that they are used regularly. However, he occasionally closes some of the more frequently used trails to allow them to regenerate.On the way up to Pico we make the most of as many trails as possible before gently descending to San Lorenzo in the evening. We order Cerveja de Pressao, a local draft beer at a colourfully painted beach bar and enjoy spectacular views of the Atlantic waves. We definitely need to come back here again before this bike paradise becomes too popular.
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When she was 5 or 6, her first foster mother beat her and locked her in a closet. Then she moved to a nice foster moms house. Then back to her biological mother, back to the nice foster mom, back to her biological mom, then back to foster care, this time a group home.

Five group homes, three foster homes. One childhood.

+5 Wanted: Stable foster homes and intensive guidance for teens in South Carolina Children in foster care suffer even more trauma and upheaval after their removal from biological families because the state is woefully short of quality foster homes to house them.

There was no love at all.

Katarina Wilkerson tears up saying this now, at 20, given she is the provider of that love, a young mother herself.

One in four other women her age who grew up in South Carolinas foster care system also had children by the time they turned 19, the fourth-highest rate in the nation. Its just one of many disturbing statistics that lurk in the early adulthoods of children raised by the foster care system.

For years, advocates and journalists have paid much-needed attention to children in foster care. But once those children become adults and age out, they go largely forgotten, often cast into the world with little more than traumatic memories and mistrust to guide them.

Nationally, one in five will become homeless by age 19.

In South Carolina, it's one in four.

"That's a disgrace," said Ira Lustbader, litigation director at Childrens Rights, a New York-based advocacy group. "Where's the accountability? The system is designed to provide support and caring, yet for so many kids it inflicts more trauma than where they came from."

Indeed, after aging out of foster care, one-third report no job by age 21  not even a part-time one, according to a Post and Courier analysis of a national database that tracks those who have aged out of foster care.

Almost 40 percent had been incarcerated.

And college? Barely a blip on the radar of their futures.

From the rusting trailer she now calls home, Katarina sleeps on the floor by a space heater with her spry 1-year-old boy, Sebastian. From him  and for him  she finally feels that unconditional love. But when important parenting issues arise, like when he recently spiked a high fever, she could think of no trusted adult to call for advice or support.

Instead, she clicked on a search bar.

Google is my role model, she said.

It's a cliff

Across South Carolina, the number of children being raised in foster care has grown 25 percent over the past five years. In mid-April, the state had custody of 4,509 abused and neglected children even as it struggled with a critical shortage of foster homes  especially those willing to care for teenagers.

About 200 of those children will linger in care each year until they turn 18.

By that time, they will have been moved six to seven times on average in a system that remains under the scrutiny of court-appointed monitors. The oversight began in 2016 when the state Department of Social Services settled a class-action lawsuit that alleged an array of unsettling problems.

Among key issues: Dire shortages of foster homes cause DSS to move children repeatedly from one inappropriate home or facility to another, separate children from their siblings, and raise far too many in group homes where the only adults to bond with are shift workers. So much instability and lack of attachment creates emotional and psychological stress in young, developing brains  on top of the abuse and neglect these children endured before landing in the state's care.

How DSS cares for its foster children now will have enormous consequences for them as adults, said Lustbader whose Children's Rights brought the lawsuit. "Trauma from a dysfunctional system can last a lifetime."

Dawn Barton is DSS' new director of permanency management. She acknowledged a challenging job ahead.

"While we have made progress toward improving some things, we have more work to do," she said in an email. "Over the past several years, our department has been working hard to reform the foster care system and better serve children in care."

To help, South Carolina allows these young adults to stay in care until they turn 21. That way, they can remain in foster homes, access more resources, and transition to adulthood with more guidance and support.

But last year, half still left when they turned 18. Many were too fed-up with the system to stay any longer, then fell off the radars of those once charged with their care.

"We have dropped the ball for these kids over the years," said Sue Berkowitz, executive director of the S.C. Appleseed Legal Justice Center, a partner in the class-action lawsuit.

That case focused on children in foster care, but Berkowitz said they haven't ruled out future litigation focused on teenagers who age out. They are particularly concerned about those who don't receive transition plans and aren't told about government resources available to help them.

When these young adults dont succeed, we all pay, whether it be in the cost of supporting them on public assistance or housing them in a county jail.

The most costly outcomes  homelessness, teen pregnancies, incarceration, dropping out of school  often occur within the first days and years after they leave care, according to a 2013 report by the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative. The group is part of a Baltimore-based foundation that helps foster children transition to adulthood.

For every youth who ages out, taxpayers and their communities pay $300,000 in added costs over the persons lifetime, the report found.

Beverly Hardin sees these risks firsthand as chief executive of Carolina Youth Development Center, a nonprofit that operates group homes in North Charleston and Moncks Corner. She and her staff routinely watch helplessly as youth sign themselves out the day they turn 18  and then leave.

It feels like a very abrupt end," Hardin said. "It's a cliff."

Nichole Johnson grew up in foster care. After marrying and having two biological sons, she and her husband mentored boys at a local group home and served as foster parents. She has tried to talk young adults out of bolting cold-turkey, often without success.

Theyre done, Johnson said. "Theyre counting down the days until their 18th birthdays.

She and her husband adopted another teenage foster son, Jay. Until meeting them, he too had planned to flee from care. Why not? Most foster parents and group home staff dont often see the children in their care as lifelong investments the way permanent families do.

You kind of feel like a rock in someones shoe, Jay said.

Get me out of here

By 17, McKenzie McKean was among those done with the system. Done with broken promises, endless moves and bureaucratic runaround.

After almost five years in care, she couldnt count how many foster and group homes shed lived in. Shed get bullied, get her stuff stolen, get in fights, run away.

When a friend in Georgia offered a place to stay, McKenzie jumped.

Honestly, I just wanted to get out of there.

But after traveling from North Charleston to Georgia, she quickly realized that she couldn't stay with her friend for long. Then she had nowhere to go.

With long, blond hair and a tough demeanor, McKenzie lived in a tent for several months. Fear settled in. Fear for her safety. Fear for her future. Then she met a man, also homeless, and soon they shared a tent. They spent hours walking around, filling out job applications.

She landed a job and got her own place, which lasted until the landlord suggested she pay for her rent with sex, and she fled. She moved to work in Gatlinburg, Tenn., where a woman she worked with opened up her home.

McKenzie breathed. She had a job, a place to stay and a boyfriend who told her how special she was. But when a pregnancy test brought life-altering news, he blocked her number.

Although shed been taken into foster care at 14, McKenzie had stayed Facebook friends with her mom. Where else could she turn?

Soon, she packed what little she owned and traveled to the small North Carolina town where her mother lived with her husband and younger children. Yet, the chaos of their home jangled McKenzies nerves, and she felt increasingly unwelcome.

She had no job, no car, and few clothes. She tried a crisis center, but they had no beds.

Its just been a downfall. I cant get things I need. I cant get a job. I havent been to a doctor in months.

Then, her mother decided to move to a small Upstate town. She couldn't support McKenzie and a baby.

Four months pregnant, McKenzie had nowhere to go.

Her baby is due next month. She's having a girl.

Trying to help

Help is available  for those with the grit to get it, if they even know how.

Two decades ago, federal lawmakers passed the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Act to address the obstacles youth face when they age out of care. It expanded federal money for states to help these teens and young adults pay for things like their initial rent, a computer, tutoring and furniture.

Two years later, lawmakers also created the Education and Training Voucher program to pay up to $5,000 a year toward tuition, books and other higher education costs.

South Carolina receives about $1.1 million a year in Chafee independent living funds based on the number of foster children in its care and almost $400,000 a year in ETV college funds to dole out, DSS spokeswoman Chrysti Shain said.

The legislation also requires states to report what independent living services they had provided using the Chafee funds. A Post and Courier analysis of the results found that among 432 eligible young adults who were 18 or older in fiscal year 2016:

 About 5 percent received help with room and board  things like rent deposits, utilities and other household start-up costs. However, those numbers don't include 171 young adults who remained in foster care after turning 18 and whose living, education and medical expenses therefore were paid for using state money rather than Chafee funds.

 Barely 16 percent received help with education costs, including textbooks, computers, tuition assistance and GED fees.

 Slightly more than one in four received help finding or keeping a job.

Many young adults told The Post and Courier that the cumbersome process to apply for Chafee resources proved an insurmountable barrier to seeking them. Staff members at local group homes echoed that.

"They are very daunting for us even  professionals in the field," Hardin said. For youth, "it's intimidating. Kids feel like they're bothering someone, so they give up."

Many also don't know what's available to them. Three-quarters reported that they didn't know anything about their transition plans  when DSS staff is supposed to sit down and plan for their futures  or didn't know what role they played in them.

However, DSS' Barton said the agency is researching more streamlined electronic systems for applying for resources and is establishing transition specialists around the state to help.

"That will make it so much easier for our youth to get what they need."

More headaches, more delays

Last summer, a thick cord of families lined St. Philip Street and around the corner as heat built toward the big moment: graduation. They arrived wearing summer dresses, straw hats and light suits. Siblings and grandparents thickened the line of loved ones who had helped to carry the graduates to this threshold of their adult lives.

Inside the College of Charleston, Angela Jones waited, exhausted, although her white dress was beautiful, her nails done, her curly, black hair perfect around a model-beautiful smile. She was happy. But she mostly just wanted to get this formality done so she could relax.

Did she even remember how? Her entire life had been a race to survive.

Her mother had her first child at 14. Angela was her fifth. When she accidentally shut her sisters finger in the car door, a beating left Angela with an injured bladder and a hernia. The water and power got shut off. A teacher began to ask things like, What did you eat last night?

When DSS came in April 2004, Angela was 9 years old. After that, she didn't live anywhere for longer than about six months until she was 15. She turned inward to school, to books, to the musings of her poetry.

She also met a teacher who became an informal godmother. The woman bought her a coat after she saw Angela walking to school in the cold. Later, she urged Angela to go on college tours.

Angela enrolled at the College of Charleston, became a dual major, and applied for Chafee funds. They were the only reason she stayed with DSS.

Then, more disappointment.

The application process proved an onerous maze of collecting receipts and estimates, filling out forms, and awaiting approvals that sometimes didnt come. Her caseworker often didn't return calls. Money came late or not at all.

The packet that DSS gave foster kids explaining how to request these resources advised what to do if you do not receive a response from your case manager after leaving a third message. (Call your local DSS office and ask the operator to connect you to a supervisor. If that person doesnt answer your call, leave a voice message. Wait 24 hours  three times. Then email the independent living program directly.)

Angela created a complex color-coded spreadsheet on her cellphone to track every fund she had applied for  dozens of entries  and the status of each. She kept every receipt. She noted every phone call to her caseworker. She got a job, two jobs, took classes, got leadership roles.

She suffered her first panic attack.

But throughout college, that spreadsheet kept her abreast of the endless forms, permissions, reminders, due dates, phone calls.

Angela often wondered: Why couldnt DSS put all of this onto a cellphone app? So many more teenagers would apply if they could just open an app, screenshot receipts, fill out forms and submit them right then and there.

But it might not help the delays.

Her first summer in college, Angela applied for summer housing funds aimed at helping foster children bridge the gap between school years.

But the money didnt come in time to pay rent, and she couldnt go home for the summer like most college students do. Without it, Angela faced homelessness. Thankfully, she had saved enough for an extended-stay hotel. It wasn't how shed hoped to use the money, but she had no choice.

Ive been working my butt off, and Im not getting the resources that are available to me because its so messed up, she said at the time.

I just feel kind of forgotten.

Her July housing payment arrived in October.

Mixed bag of results

The Chafee legislation required that states measure how well youth who age out fare as adults through a series of periodic surveys starting at age 17. Their responses, thousands of them tallied since 2010, are warehoused in what is called the National Youth in Transition Database.

Despite spending millions of Chafee dollars on everything from rent to class rings, the outcomes remain a mixed bag in South Carolina, judging by results of the most recent group of young adults surveyed.

More  almost one in three  had been homeless by 17.

Far fewer were by 19.

More had become parents by 19. But fewer had been incarcerated, and more had full-time jobs (although 83 percent still did not). The results came with a healthy state economy and increasing benefits, such as being able to stay on Medicaid longer under the Affordable Care Act.

South Carolina leaders also have made their own improvements. They created a youth advisory board to share information about resources. Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law a measure aimed at making it easier for foster children to get driver's licenses. And the state's foster parent association launched a program that provides donated cars to older foster children.

Those are just the basic things they need, said Carl Brown, the association's executive director. Thats what parents do, and these kids dont have that.

But the most enduring challenge remains: finding caring adults to connect with them. Otha Meadows sees this in teenage foster children who come to the Charleston Trident Urban League, where he is president: They are totally disconnected from a stable environment.

Grit is required

In middle school, police officers came to Sage Cowans' school, gathered him and his siblings, and told them they were going to live in a group home. Nobody told him why. Thrust into the transiency of foster care, Sage soon became untethered from his siblings, until years later when an older sister in her early 20s got custody of him.

She was young and liked to party. He was young and wanted to graduate. She lived in North Charleston; he attended West Ashley High School.

After so much instability, he desperately wanted to graduate from there. The endless succession of new schools not only disrupts foster children's social connections but also their academic credits.

Sage's sister didnt always get him across town to school. So, his sophomore year, he began riding CARTA buses to get there. It meant rising at 4 a.m. and walking a mile to catch the first of three buses. Each route took almost 40 minutes. He downloaded an app to track them. Remount to Rivers to Citadel Mall to a bank near his school.

He routinely arrived two or three hours late. He missed 30 to 40 days in his first and second periods  and risked failing.

Who could he turn to for help?

By the time they are 21, about one in five former foster kids in South Carolina cannot name a single caring adult they feel connected to, the highest rate in the nation. Indeed, Sage had not seen his mother in a half-dozen years. He had no real connection with his father, who was in prison, or any foster parents or group home staff members.

One day in 2016, his assistant principal called him into her office. On paper, he looked like a discipline problem, another student falling through the rabbit hole of habitual truancy.

But instead of disciplining him, Gayle Morris asked:

Why are you so mad?

Sage, a snappy dresser who closely guards his wounds, paused. Nobody had asked him that before, not so bluntly. And hed never trusted anyone enough to share his whole story.

Now he would. In return, she made it her mission to find him help  and did so.

But not every child aging out of care finds that critical advocate.

Remodeling transition

Along a well-traveled residential street in North Charleston, a critical option for foster children in the state looks like a small neighborhood of brick homes. In fact, this is where Carolina Youth Development Center offers an emergency shelter and group homes for about 30 children, most of them teenagers.

Now, after years of fundraising, one of its houses is about to become a transitional living home for foster youth ages 18 to 20, a place to live while learning job and adult life skills from its staff, the first of its kind in the Lowcountry.

The goal: provide a slope to the cliff of aging out.

"The need is great," said Hardin, CYDC's chief executive. There is really a sense of urgency around transitional housing.

CYDC is about $40,000 away from raising more than $300,000 from private donors and businesses needed to gut and furnish the house so that up to a dozen young adults can live there, perhaps starting in August.

The nonprofit already offers an innovative program to prepare the teens on its campus for adult life. Its Bakker Career Center, the only independent living training center of its kind in South Carolina, has a computer lab, library, kitchen and the Cummins Automotive Shop. Starting at 14, children begin learning work skills here.

Why arent there more places like it? Cost.

This year, CYDC has budgeted $219,000 to run the Bakker center.

Two 18-year-olds living at CYDC have decided to stay in care with hopes of moving into the house.

Another recently signed himself out and returned to his biological father. He found the dysfunction that caused DSS to take him into care remained. Soon, other youth on the campus heard familiar rumors: The teen was couch-surfing among friends, no real place to live, no one to guide him.

Leaving the system

It was time to leave.

Shawnta Campbell had piled her stuff just inside the front door of her group home at CYDC, one called Ledford House.

Laundry baskets filled with clothes, bins of toiletries, bags of shoes, an afghan in Clemson University orange and purple. College stuff. Just like thousands of other young adults were loading into cars this August morning.

Her caseworker, Taylor Brown, pulled up with another DSS staffer.

Brown walked in and eyeballed Shawntas stuff.

All this not even going to fit in her room.

It also wouldnt fit in the silver state-owned van parked out front waiting to take Shawnta to her new life.

Shawnta stood in jeans with fuzzy, black slides on her feet, tearful eyes staring at the floor. She didnt want to hear this woman criticize her packing. And she didnt want to leave. Her name was still written in red on a whiteboard of house chores hanging beside her, and her friends  the other teenagers growing up here  hovered with morose expressions.

But it was time. Shawnta was taking a step almost no foster child still in care at 18 managed to take. The other kids helped carry her stuff out to the van, setting it near the hot road. Shawnta stood back, alone.

She had never seen her dorm room. She had no idea what to expect at Clemson. And once she left, a new foster child would sleep in her bed.

I really dont even want to do this no more. I really dont, she cried.

Outside, the DSS women dissected her stuff, which sat out on the curb like the belongings of someone freshly evicted. Brown pointed at what could come. This is fine. Thats fine.

Stuffed animals, no. Decorative pillows, no. Bedding, yes. Toiletries, yes. Boots, maybe.

OK, we got to get this rolling, Shameka Conyers, director of residential services, nudged.

Discharge paperwork.

Another staff member led Shawnta to an office inside Ledford House's front door. It was like a command center, wrapped in a big desk lined with white binders, a computer on one corner.

Shawnta plopped into a chair, frowning. The staffer slipped a paper in front of her, the one that allowed her to leave CYDC.

With no fanfare, Shawnta signed it. Her slip of freedom.

Then she walked out into her new life.

She was simply Shawnta now, adult, free in the world.
The fourth annual The Maritime Standard Ship Finance and Trade Conference, to be held later this year in Abu Dhabi (UAE), will focus on the theme of Converting greater optimism into sustainable trade growth.



The event will take place on November 6, at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resort, and is set to be the strongest yet.



The theme for the upcoming conference is highly topical and builds on the discussions that took place at last year's event, said a statement.



Clive Woodbridge, editor and conference chairman, said: There is a growing consensus that markets in many different segments of the shipping business are improving.



Making the right decisions now as we hit the upturn will be crucial and this conference is perfectly timed to signpost the way forward, he said.



The popular one-day event is expected to attract over 150 senior executives from across the shipping, ports, finance, banking, trade and legal sectors, who will gather to debate and discuss the key issues and challenges facing the industry, it said.



In particular the conference aims to encourage dialogue and cooperation between the various sectors to achieve sustainable growth within the regional shipping and ports businesses, as well as an overall increase in trade activity, it added.



Abu Dhabi Ports is a strong supporter of the Ship Finance and Trade Conference and believes the event is in a tremendous position to add value within the region. Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, chief executive, said: We are very excited to be hosting the conference once again in Abu Dhabi.



This conference brings together banks, financial institutions and shipping companies under the same roof and is the only one of its kind in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent. I would encourage any business active in the shipping, ports and maritime sectors, as well as the financial world, to support, participate and attend this important conference, he added.



The event will kick-off with keynote presentations from renowned business and political leaders. There will then follow distinct conference sessions that will tackle topical themes. The main session in the morning will look at investing in infrastructure delivery, with a view towards unlocking trade potential, said a statement.



Topics that will be addressed include port investments in the Middle East, India and Sri Lanka, as well as the need to invest to capitalise on China's New Silk Road and One Belt programmes, it said.



Session 2 will look at the future of ship finance, and the implications of change in this sector for the shipping business in the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. Topics will include an assessment of alternative lending platforms, merger and acquisition activity and the requirements of the shipping industry from financial sector.



The third and last session will assess how best to support regional trade development. This will include case studies from the UAE commodity markets, maritime law issues, environmentally inspired investments and the development of new trade-supporting financial products, it added.



Trevor Pereira, managing director of The Maritime Standard, said: We are delighted to be returning to Abu Dhabi to hold this conference for the fourth time. The programme is an exciting and challenging one, with plenty to engage all sectors of the business.



Our aim is to provide something that really sets it apart from other conferences in this sector and we are confident that we can achieve this goal, he added.



A top quality panel of expert speakers is being lined up by The Maritime Standard, and will include representatives from leading ship owners and managers, port operators, trade organisations, brokers and analysts, law firms and financiers.



The event has also secured sponsorship support from a number of top maritime companies and organisations, including Abu Dhabi Ports as the host sponsor, Kuwait Oil Tanker Company, Dubai Trading Agency, Bestar Consultancy Pvt. Ltd, International Shipping and Logistics, Adnoc Logistics & Services, Dubai Maritime City and Sharjah Ports Authority.



The event is endorsed by The Federal Transport Authority-Land & Maritime. Supporting Associations for the event include: UAE Shipping Association (UAESA), The Organisation of Islamic Shipowners' Association (OISA), The Dubai Council for Marine and Maritime Industries (DCMMI); Dubai Ship Agents Association (DSAA); Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents (FONASBA); Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers; Nautical Institute; Indian National Shipowner's Association (INSA); Pakistan Ship Agents Association (PSAA), Jordan Shipping Association, Supply Chain & Logistics Group, the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) and the Baltic Ports Organisation, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
Jennifer Berry Hawes is a Watchdog and Public Service team reporter who worked on the newspaper's Pulitzer-Prize winning investigation, "Till Death Do Us Part."
Lauren Sausser is the Health & Science Editor at The Post and Courier. She also writes about health care issues in South Carolina.
Chloe Johnson covers the coastal environment and climate change for the Post and Courier. She's always looking for a good excuse to hop on a boat.
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.
Linda Ikeji is expecting a child, her sister, Laura Ikeji, announced on Sunday.

In an Instagram update, Laura posted images of her sisters baby bump, a development that has been warmly received on the Internet.

The famous blogger reportedly got engaged to a man said to be based out of Nigeria a few months ago.

Linda, 37, has been a role model for many Nigerians following her successful career as a blogger. She purchased a mansion in Banana Island, Lagos, in 2015 for amount reported to be around half a billion naira.

Even though she had reportedly been dating for some time, her pregnancy still comes as a surprise to many on social media, who described her as an advocate of celibacy.

See the pictures as posted on Instagram by Laura below:
Rose Gidado is the Scientific Officer and Assistant Director of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA). She is also the country coordinator of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in Africa.

GM foods have been heavily criticised for their long term health effects and other demerits. However, in this interview with PREMIUM TIMES Ebuka Onyeji, Mrs Gidado speaks on the safety of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) for agriculture in Nigeria. She responded to many health related issues and defects attributed to the consumption of GM foods. She also explained the importance of GMO technology to the countrys agricultural system.

PT: What are GMOs?

Gidado: GMOs are those organisms, plants, animals and micro-organisms that have had their DNAs improved. Their DNAs have been altered in such a way that a trait is imputed into it. For instance, in the case of plants, there could be a trait you want your plant to have, like a pest resistant trait or a trait for nutritional enhancement. In the case of animals maybe you want your cow to produce a lot of milk or you want it for beef and then in the case of humans you can also use this technology to do gene therapy, you can either edit genes that can make you prone to certain ailments, you use it to treat and eliminate cancer from a human system. You can use it to eliminate sickle cell disease which is a debilitating disease that cause a lot of pains in children.

So you can see that GMO technology is not just a technology for agriculture, it can also be applied in other areas of the economy, environment, agriculture, medicine, industry and all. Why there is much noise about it in agriculture and the food system is because agriculture has to do with food and thats where people have concern. But its actually for an improved yield, nutritional content of food and for agribusiness. GMO is a technology meant to play a complimentary role to the conventional natural farming system. It is not meant to over take the normal technology. Any challenge we have that can be solved using natural and conventional ways, there is no need of applying GMOs there. But there are some challenges that can not be solved through the traditional means, that is why we use GMOs. there is a lot of low level of knowledge about GMOs in the society that is why we misunderstand the concept.

PT: How safe are GMO foods for human consumption?

Gidado: GM foods or products are very very safe because they have history of safe use in developed countries where the technology is being adopted. It is well used in U.S., Canada, Brazil, India, Argentina, South Africa, Sudan among other countries. GM products are highly scrutinised. I can say they are even safer than our conventional foods that are not regulated. The scientists that invented this technology are responsible people because they know that they are picking a trait from an unrelated specie of crop, lets say from Sorghum and putting that trait into maize. Sorghum, every one knows, is a draught tolerant crop and maize is a rain fed crop and in Nigeria, it is not every where you can plant maize. In northern Nigerian there are places you have only three months of rain, like Maidugri we have places which is more like a desert. So if I want to plant maize in Maidugri, I will pick that gene in sorghum responsible for making it withstand draught then put it in the maize. So after the insertion, the new gene will get accepted in the host crop that is the maize and it will now express itself. But I might be afraid because they are not fully (same), so I have to watch it to make sure it gets accepted and expresses its self fully. I will now regenerate it into a plant and it comes up and grows, then the next thing is for me to subject it to different test analysis and as am doing this toxic chemical and nutritional analysis, I have to be sure that this new crop I came out with is substantially equivalent to the parent. I now have a new GMO maize but I have to subject this new maize to a comparative analysis with my traditional maize to determine If what I have done is with good intentions so that people in Maidugri will be able to have and plant maize without having to worry about draught and there will be food security. So I now have to go back to the lab, engage in field trials, plant the both side by side, check how they are growing, if it is forming a new thing or has; if it brought in a new gene based on the history of safe use of my traditional maize. I also have to study the agronomy. When the seed is ripped I still have to take it to the lab, crush it and do proximate analysis to check if it gives me what the normal maize contains. If my traditional maize does not have allergens, then my expectation of my new maize is that it will not have allergens. I expect to see the same results as it is in the normal maize. These safety testing of the GMO products itself are being progressively developed by international bodies responsible for food safety systems like the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) among others. These products also undergo a lot of rigorous safety test procedure here in Nigeria.

PT: Many research suggest that GMOs still have long term effect on consumers, what is your take on this? Has there been research on the long term effect of GMOs?

Rose Gidado is the Scientific Officer and Assistant Director of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA).

Gidado: As far as am concerned, the safety of GMO foods is assured. As for the question of long term effect, the truth is that people come up with fake publications just to undo the technology. Some of these write ups you see are politically motivated. We have agro-allied industries that this technology does not promote the sale of their product because if I develop my crop to be insect resistance, there will be no need to patronize agro-allied companies to protect my crops against insects and this is not going down well with these companies. Some of them are based in Europe. The concept of the technology goes against their own business, so they have to also put on a lot to fight the technology. GMO is an ongoing research, it does not stop, the scientists are aware; they are conscious that sometimes consequences and side effects dont show on time just like the antibiotics you take. When our bodies develop resistance to the them, the pharmaceutical industries will develop new ones and it has been happening over the years so its the same thing here. Studies are still ongoing but for now nothing yet. We dont know the long term side effect of eating GMO foods, but there is a lot of ongoing research on that. Bodies like WHO and FAO are on it. There is also no proof yet on the long term effect, so whoever comes up with anything, it has to be verifiable and there is no verifiable proof that GM foods has endangered any live as of now. I can not allude to that.

PT: Do you think GMO food is better than the organic food and why is a lot of money spent on GMO instead of investing in organic agriculture?

Gidado: If you ask me, GM seeds are better in terms of planting, yield and consumption because they have been improved. Some traits have been put in it to resist diseases and infestation. Insect infestation alone can make a farmer loose every thing he planted. Have you seen farmers suffering, even the weather can be cruel on them. When they spray chemicals to tackle infestation before you know it rain will fall and wash it away so how much does the farmer have to keep buying chemicals and look at the labour intensiveness. The seed that has not been protected against this insects will be finished off and after that you are nothing. So, GM seeds are much better. GMO is just a tool and not a system. It is meant to improve the farming system and farming is all about harvest-able yields, if there is no yield then forget it. Currently we are even building our own capacity and system here in Nigeria, GM seeds are given to farmers. In the future we are planning to do our own gene construction, get our own genes here and develop our own ingenious crops. Its not like bringing in transgenic crops.

PT: How can GM seeds help Nigerian farmers to improve yield, quality of food and boost his sales and profit?

National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA).

Gidado: If the farmer has the GM seed protected against the fall army worm, he plants it; and there is no infestation, he will have good harvest. Because a seed that has no protection against army worm once you plant it will be finished by the worm. But for the GM seeds you are sure that your seeds will do well and come out healthy. you are going to have a very strong harvest and strong yield. your crops will not be affected and that is profit for you as the farmer.

PT: What is the economic implication of bringing in GM into the food system?

Gidado: In terms of agriculture it will help us in doing business, in transiting from subsistent farming that the farmers have been enslaved, to business farming as we are diversifying to agriculture. For the BT cow-pea that has been developed, and we are marching towards commercialisation, we will have very huge harvest and the profit from that and the yield increase is about 22 per cent. We will make and realise N48 billion from it annually. The gene of that BT cow-pea was transferred into our own local gene variety and the farmers preferred beans. This has been tested and the farmers we interacted with said the BT cow-pea was planted in same time with normal cow-pea but the BT cow-pea matured earlier, so that is the advantage. Before, in the 1960s, output from agriculture used to be 65 per cent, but now its one per cent. So where are going? And our population is increasing, we have natural challenge like desert encroachment in the North, gully erosion in the east, oil spillage south and flooding in the north. How do we make our lands arable? We need this technology so we can improve our agriculture. We can use this technology and develop micro-organisms to mop up the oil spillage in the south and make the lands arable. With GM technology you can plant on less land with less water and much harvest and then much yield.

PT: Wont GMO seeds pose a threat to the normal seeds, bringing about monopoly to the food system of the country?

Gidado: Who does not like better thing, we all want to make money. lLke i said earlier, the technology will not take over the conventional but its just here to take care of those challenges with the farming system, and then there will be no more monopoly if GMO seeds are applied. Agriculture was started long time ago and with time things have improved. Before, maize used to be like a grass but today it is what it is because of evolution. Before cars came we had bicycles and even after cars we now have aeroplane but we are yet to abandon the use of bicycle so that is how it is. You can still use the normal conventional way. GM doest make you abandon the old ways. So if farmers want to continue, its their choice. We dont force it on people. Its a matter of what you want, its a matter of choice. its a win-win situation. The companies developing this technology spend huge sum of money on them, the farmers dont have the empowerment top save seeds, the temperature affects the yield of farmers. But these seeds companies have the facilities to store the seeds.

Rose Gidado is the Scientific Officer and Assistant Director of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA).

PT: Has Nigeria fully Adopted GMOs?

Rose: I can say we have because Nigeria has put in two agencies, the National Biosafety Management Development Agency which is the agency that promotes, coordinates and does policy formulation on GMOs, research and development and awareness creation. We also have the National Biosafety Management Agency NBMA who regulates. So, yes authoritatively we have fully adopted GMOs. The biosafety bill was developed and taking to the National Assembly and signed in to law. So can we now say have we not?

PT: Was there enough awareness on this acceptance of GMO for common Nigerians to give their opinion and choose what they feed on before adopting GMOs?

Gidado: There is a fair chance for Nigerians to give their take on GMOs. We have been doing awareness since 2009. NABDA was created in 2001 and in 2009 OFAB was launched as a project that houses the awareness. Its an awareness outfit on GM technology to address the concerns of the general public, scientific bodies, religious bodies traditional bodies and the rest because policy makers and Nigerians are being fed with contradictory news and information about GMOs. They are fed with bias information, the technology is being misunderstood, scientific facts are being recreated, there is a lot of ignorance and low level of knowledge about GMOs. There is an information gap and OFAB is here to provide factual, scientific information by engaging the general public and policy makers through workshops, seminars, one on one engagements. Through TV programs, radio, social media among others. But you know Nigeria is very large and you cant cover enough. We are still looking for more funds to immerse it but we have gone to the nukes and crannies. We have covered the six geopolitical zones, we have interacted with farmers, CSOs and the rest. But we still need to cover more.

PT: How would you rate the awareness level so far?

Gidado: I will give it 30 per cent coverage. and were still moving higher to tell you that there is more to do.

PT: There have been field trials of GMO cassava in the country recently which has been criticised. Wont it cause environmental hazards?

Gidado: there no side effect in that because there is use of less chemical, its safe.

PT: Last month you reaffirmed governments plan of introducing BT cotton and cow-pea this year, can you briefly explain how that will be done?

Gidado: Its still undergoing processing. It has to comply with all the regulatory systems in the country first. They have to make submissions which will be subjected to series of regulation to make sure its in tandem with the NAFDAC laws and other regulators. So after that, we take the final decision before commercialisation. It will take some time.

PT: Any other thing you want the public to know about GMOs?

Gidado: The general public should have confidence in our system, we just want to enhance food security in Nigeria. The technology is not to take us back but forward, it will contribute a lot to our food and farming system. We are not saying its a panacea but it can help a lot, so people can have choice.
Abdullahi Abbas, the former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has been re-elected, with 31 others emerging as new state leaders of the party.

The congress into 53 vacant positions of the party was conducted at the Indoor Hall of the Sani Abacha Stadium on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new party executives were sworn in by the Attorney-General of the state, Ibrahim Muktar, shortly after the results were announced.

Austin Nweke, the Chairman of the Kano Congress, while announcing the results said, Abdullahi Abbas scored 3, 080 votes to emerge the chairman in accordance with the APC Congress Guidelines.

He added that the Deputy Chairman of the party, Shehu Maigari, scored 2,952 votes while the secretary of the party, Zakari Sarina, scored 2,817.

Other key state officials elected unanimously include Bashir karaye, Publicity Secretary; Habiba Yardalla, Women Leader.

The event was witnessed by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje as well as some party leaders, including senators Kabiru Gaya and Barau Jibril-Maliya from Kano North and Kano South senatorial districts.

Mr Ganduje, who signed the swearing note alongside the newly elected chairman shortly after the leaders were sworn in, noted that the election was meant for 53 positions that needed to be filled.

We give glory to God for giving us the opportunity to conduct it peacefully without any problem, he said.

He said that the party would continue to remain united in Kano.

He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts in fighting corruption and insurgency in the country.

Mr Ganduje promised to give President Buhari five million votes in 2019.

The newly elected chairman of the party, Abdullahi Abass, thanked the governor for his diligent and pragmatic zeal in developing the state.

While commending members of the party for the confidence reposed in him, Mr Abass assured that the new executive, under his watch, would take the party to greater heights.

He also called on the newly elected executives of the party to give necessary support and cooperation to the governor to ensure the success of the administration.

NAN reports that delegates from the 44 local government areas of the state were at the congress.

(NAN)
Fresh controversy has engulfed the rescheduled ward and local government congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The national working committee in a statement by the party chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, and legal adviser, Muiz Banire, announced new dates for the cancelled congresses.

The ward and local government congress were announced as cancelled after the violence that charactierised the exercise. Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21, were fixed for the new ward and local government congress.

However, sources within the party and a document obtained from the party secretariat Saturday morning raised concerns over authenticity of that decision.

A senior official of the party said the decision to cancel the congresses was not taken collectively by the National Working Committee, NWC.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, alleged that the memo announcing cancellation of the congresses was smuggled for the party leaders to append.

He mentioned transportation minister, Rotimi Amaechi as the man Friday for both the chairman and the secretary in the scandal.

The party in the state was enmeshed in crises in the past weeks arising from the congress, leading to violence at polling centres and a court that was to hear the matter.

The party official said there was no reason to cancel the congresses and no consultation was held before the two party leaders took the decision.

The document was brought in for them to simply sign. Their justification is that the minister is their strong backer in their bid to maintain their seats, he said.

Mr Odigie-Oyegun seeks to retain his seat as APC national chairman, but faces a major opponent in ex-Edo governor, Adams Oshiomhole. The latter has the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari and another leader, Bola Tinubu.

From left: Senate President Bukola Saraki; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammdu Buhari and APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun during APC Caucus Meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday (26/3/18) 01777/26/3/2018/Callistus/Ewelike/NAN

However, Mr Amaechi is believed to be one of the main backers of Mr Odigie-Oyegun.

An examination of the official document announcing the new arrangement for Rivers shows that names of both the chairman and the partys secretary were not written correctly.

Mr Odigie-Oyeguns hyphenated surname, Odigie, which comes in official communications, was omitted and the chairman had to correct it with a pen while signing the document.

That of the national secretary was, however, completely distorted as it is written as Mai Bala Bunu instead of Mai Mala Buni, as the name is officially written.

Repeated calls to both Messrs Odigie-Oyegun and Buni by a PREMIUM TIMES reporter on Saturday were not answered.

Mr Amaechi did not also answer phone calls put through his known telephone line. PREMIUM TIMES was also unable to reach Mr Amaechis media aide, David Iyofor, despite repeated calls Saturday afternoon. He also did not respond to a text message sent to him.

Conflicting Directives

Rivers APC chairman, Davies Ikanya, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Port Harcourt that the party had deployed officials to conduct the rescheduled congresses.

Mr Ikanya explained that the action was sequel to the directive of the national headquarters.

He confirmed that the party secretariat was opened on May 18 to issue forms to intending contestants on presentation of bank tellers.

After the APC national secretariat announced the cancellation of the ward and local government congresses conducted on May 5 and 12, respectively, we immediately started the process as directed by the APC.

We opened the secretariat and started issuing forms to intending contestants as directed by party secretariat for the rescheduled ward congress, the state chairman said.

According to Mr Ikanya, legal issues on the stoppage of congresses in Rivers are within the power of the APC national secretariat to address.

I am not a lawyer to talk about court injunction but it is within the partys national secretariat to handle.

It is APC national secretariat that cancelled and rescheduled the ward and local government congresses, so, ours is to implement the directive, he explained.

But Peter Odike, the state APC Deputy Chairman and supporter of a senator, Magnus Abe, in a statement said that a court order stopping congresses in the state was still subsisting.

Mr Abe and Mr Amaechi both seek to control the structure of the APC in the state.

Mr Odike urged his supporters to stay away from the congress.

The ward congress eventually held on Saturday in some local governments in Rivers.
The Nigerian Army says some courageous civilians on Sunday foiled a suicide bomb attack by a suspected female Boko Haram member on a mosque in Gashua, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe.

Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director Public Relations, Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, disclosed this in a statement released in Maiduguri.

What would have otherwise been a devastating suicide bomb attack on a mosque in Gashua village in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State has been successfully foiled today by vigilant members of the community.

A female Boko Haram suicide bomber had infiltrated the mosque, while members were about to commence a prayer session but was detected when struggling to detonate a suicide vest strapped to her body. She was quickly restrained by the locals, arrested and handed over to troops at Azare.

Members of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Component of Operation Lafiya Dole at the location have safely defused the suicide vest, while the suicide bomber is currently receiving medical attention due to injuries sustained during her arrest.

Suicide bombing is a popular strategy of the Boko Haram who often use teenagers, mostly females, for the act.

Many of the suicide bombers are forced, drugged or hypnotised, some who have been caught have narrated.

Places of worship such as mosques and churches, as well as markets and car parks are some of the popular areas targeted by the bombers.

About 100,000 people are believed to have been died due to the Boko Haram insurgency, according to the Borno State Government.

The insurgency, which once affected most of Northern Nigeria, has now been largely limited to Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

A female Boko Haram suicide bomber
A week after the chief of Army staff, Tukur Buratai, asked soldiers stationed in the Birnin-Gwari axis of Kaduna State to flush out armed bandits that have been terrorising and killing people in the area, three housewives have been forcefully abducted in Maganda village of the community.

They were kidnapped in the early hours of Saturday in the local government.

Disclosing the new development to PRNigeria, a top member of Birnin-Gwari Vanguards for Security and Good Governance who pleaded anonymity said that the armed bandits arrived in the middle of the night to attack the Maganda village.

He said: Last night around 1.30 a.m., some armed bandits invaded Maganda community and started shooting sporadically. After a while they invaded the residence of Alhaji Adamu Nakwalla and abducted three wives. They later released one of the wives with a telephone number to contact them.

Before the incident, they had sent a warning message to the people in the community that they would come soon.

No life was lost but a young man in the community sustained bullet injury

As at the time of the attack, there was neither security post nor security personnel in Maganda. In fact, we have no single police post in the area.

Meanwhile, Between January and May, many communities in Birnin-Gwari local government of Kaduna State have come under attacks by armed bandits.

PREMIUM TIMES has reported the various attacks in Birnin-Gwari by the armed bandits.The attackers appear to pick villages at random, as there appears to be no pointer as to what informs their choice.

Both thickly and sparsely populated communities have been attacked, and some were looted, while for some, nothing was taken. Some have had their houses burnt, while some were spared.

The casualty rate in all the attacks in the past five months has also been high. No less than 162 persons have been shot or stabbed to death including 11 soldiers who were ambushed and killed.

The army has now stationed a battalion in Birnin-Gwari in a bid to stem the attacks.

After announcing the battalion, Mr Buratai met with President Muhammadu Buhari who had also condemned the killings in the Kaduna local government.

I received a briefing from the Chief of Army Staff this afternoon. The Army recently established a new battalion in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State, in addition to other deployments in troubled parts of the country. Our commitment to the peace and security of Nigeria is total. pic.twitter.com/PpSfHlMT3B  Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) May 17, 2018

The police and other security agencies are yet to speak on the latest attack.
Saudi Cement has signed an agreement with GE Power for the upgrade of three GE 6B gas turbines at its Hofuf plant to increase power output and efficiency.



The deal represents the first time that GE Powers Advanced Gas Path (AGP) solution will be implemented to strengthen power generation productivity for a cement industry globally.



The project, built on the two organisations long-term collaboration, will help Saudi Cement increase power output and efficiency, while reducing the need to draw power from the national grid, in support of the kingdoms drive towards greater economic diversification under Saudi Vision 2030.



Mohammed Al Garni, chief executive officer, Saudi Cement, said: Power supply is both a key input, as well as one of the major costs in our manufacturing process.



Reliable, efficient electricity supply is thus essential for the continuous operations of our facility, as well as our market competitiveness. GE Powers Advanced Gas Path upgrade solution will allow us to improve efficiencies and become more self-sufficient in power production, he said.



Joseph Anis, president and chief executive officer of GEs Power Services business in Africa, India and the Middle East, said: As a regional pioneer in the manufacture and supply of high quality clinker and cement, Saudi Cement has played a vital role in the development of construction projects across the Middle East for more than half a century.



We are delighted to support their continuous journey of operational improvements and to contribute towards the strengthening of the kingdoms industrial base, he said.



The upgrades of the gas turbines at Hofuf Plant will not only help achieve efficiency and output improvements but also extend maintenance intervals and lower emissions, to the benefit of Saudi Cement and the wider community, he added.



The upgrades are expected to complete by the third quarter of 2018. They will help to enhance efficiency by up to 3.3 per cent per turbine, contributing towards the Saudi National Transformation Program 2020s goal of improving fuel utilisation in electricity generation to 40 per cent by 2020, said a statement.



GE has over 80 years of partnership in the kingdom with over 4,000 employees, including Baker Hughes, a GE company.



With nearly 50 per cent of the talent in highly skilled engineering and technology roles. GE has built an advanced industrial ecosystem that includes a growing local supply chain, with significant partnerships and investments in support of the kingdom in its economic diversification goals, including building localized manufacturing competencies, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
A non-governmental organisation has demanded an investigation into the certificate scandal involving a Nigerian senator, Foster Ogola (PDP-Bayelsa West).

In a petition to the Commissioner of Police in the Police Special Fraud Unit, Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre (HEDA) said its call is to put a halt to the ugly trend of certificate fraud/forgery especially in the hallowed chambers where the laws of our land ordinarily originates.

The petition, according to a statement on Sunday, was signed by HEDAs National Chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju.

PREMIUM TIMES partnered in the investigation by Leaks.NG platform, which exposed the certificate scandal.

In the petition to the SFU, the organisation stated that:

HEDA as a member of the Leaks.NG is privy to the said report which was published on The Cable.ng; an online newspaper on the 11th day of April 2018.

The Leaks.NG is a coalition of news and civil society organizstions, which provide a platform for Nigerians to submit evidence of wrongdoing perpetrated by public office holders in Nigeria.

The said report contained details of the discovery on Senator Foster Ogola; the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Information, Communication Technology and Cybercrime. His official profile on the National Assembly website says he has a Ph.D from GMF Christian University.

Discoveries show that there is no official site for the university and the said university is not amongst the universities approved by the National Universities Commission. An online search also showed that there is no research paper or thesis to his name online, though he purportedly got the degree in the year 2012.

The said senator is credited with having a Ph.D in Christian Leadership from the GMF Christian University, Lagos, the same course he reportedly obtained his Masters from the Imo State University, Owerri.

HEDA noted further that, It is worth noting that an inquiry by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) revealed that the Federal Government has not licenced the GMF Christian University, Lagos, where Ogola claimed to have acquired his Ph.D in 2012.

Also, the Director of Corporate Communication at the National Universities Commission; Ibrahim Yakasai was contacted on the validity of the institution and his response was that We have never heard of that name.

In addition to his response, he provided a copy of the commissions weekly bulletin showing a list of the 57 illegal universities operating in the country; GMF Christian University was not among, buttressing the fact that the commission is not aware of its existence and operations.

The said director also pointed out the fact that since 1999, the National Universities Commission has approved of 74 universities in the country and any certificate obtained from the GMF Christian University or any other degree will not be recognized.

The Leaks.NG coalition has also made discoveries on the fact that the said GMF Christian Universities as at the time of the publication of the report has no website offering information on the institution or its courses and there is no information on the Christian leadership course in which the embattled senator claims to have a Ph.D.

HEDA stated further in the petition: PremiumTimes, another online newspaper, reached out to Senator Ogola to speak on the allegations leveled against him and give his reaction to GMF Christian University being an unaccredited institution in Nigeria.

In response, the senator said: Kindly clarify for me if PremiumTimes does exist, to entertain allegations from third parties, whose identities are not mentioned, especially, when they are criminal in nature.

The lawmaker went on to note that the allegations could be a product of mischief makers with a potential to foment distraction from weighty matters of state.

On the unaccredited state of the GMF Christian University, the senator was asked if there was an exemption from the NUC on the Christian Leadership course which Ogola purportedly has a doctorate degree. Misunderstanding the question, the lawmaker retorted: When did students or products of universities become accrediting bodies?

In an attempt to verify GMF Christian University existence and understand how it operates in Nigeria, The Cable Newspaper, paid the academy a physical on-site visit.

TheCable traced the Gospel Missionary Foundation (GMF) Theological University to No. 165 Isolo Road, Cele Bus stop, Egbe-Ikotun, Lagos, and realised that the controversial university lies on the first floor of a two-storey building.

Besides the one and only lecture room, which was empty at the time of visit, there are about three other rooms serving as offices. Hope Obioha, the acclaimed registrar and wife of the president of the university, Daniel Obioha, received the reporter who went there under the guise of a prospective student.

She took the reporter to her office where she introduced him to the university and the courses it offers. According to the material given, GMF Christian Theological University was established on May 4, 1988, and is registered by the federal government.

It seeks to fulfill its commitment to the individual special ministry calling, through graduate education, professional development and spiritual formation in all its activities including teaching, nurturing, worship, service, research, publication and missions.

Daniel Obioha and his wife established the university. When asked if the NUC has accredited the university, the registrar said they do not operate like a secular university, hence, the university is not registered under NUC. She presented the accreditation certificate of the university by some international bodies. Checks revealed that all the bodies that gave the debatable accreditation do not have an online presence.

However, one of the materials she released contains the graduating list from 2013 to 2016. It is worthy to note at this juncture that 2012 is the year Ogola claimed to have obtained his PhD in Christian Leadership.

Additionally, the Christian Leadership course was not reflected on the list of courses offered by the school at doctorate level.

HEDA explained that, On a second visit to the GMF Christian University on March 13, the centre was empty again as the man who introduced himself as a lecturer said it was examination time. He said, while the full-time students attend lectures on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the part-time students go on Saturdays alone.

He was reluctant to release the list of those who graduated in 2012 but the reporter obtained a Skye bank account of the university in order to pay for the admission process for a diploma in theology.

At the end of both visits, The Cable was still unable to establish the veracity of the Senators claim that he attended the university and has a PhD. in the Christian Leadership course.

Concluding, HEDA said it has observed that since the inception of democracy in Nigeria, lawmakers at various times hd been exposed for the offence of certificate fraud.

From the Salisu Buhari scandal in 1999, the recent Dino Melaye Harvard certificate issue, the most recent being the Nse Ekpenyong certificate forgery issue in March.

We thereby humbly urge you to use your good office to address this issue vide a detailed investigation and prosecution of the embattled Senator where indicted.

This is expedient in putting a halt to the ugly trend of certificate fraud/forgery especially in the hallowed chambers where the laws of our land ordinarily originate.

Failure to forestall this unfortunate development by a decisive action that will serve as an effective deterrence is likely to make our legislature a laughing stock of the global community, in addition to offending the sensibilities of well-meaning Nigerians who believe and also choose to work towards the possibility of a corruption free Nigeria.
The state congress of the All Progressives Congress in Niger was held amidst protest by delegates from Lapai, Agaie, Mashegu, Tafa, Kontagora Gbako, Lavun and Katchia local government areas.

The protest followed the affirmation of the candidates for the 36 executive positions who had no challengers as announced by the Chairman of the Congress, Domingo Obende.

The delegates, who mainly kicked against the affirmation of the party secretary, Muhammad Liman and Publicity Secretary, Isah Wakili, said they were not their choices.

Governor Abubakar Bello, while addressing the new executive members of the party, urged them to carry all dissenting groups along.

Also, the party chairman, Muhammed Imam, promised to take the party to the next level.

He promised to commence tour of the 25 local government areas of the state in June/July to ensure that all warring groups were reconciled to ensure the electoral victory of the party in 2019.

(NAN)
Gov. Nasir El-Rufai says All Progressives Congress (APC) will challenge the victory of PDP in four local government areas in the recently concluded council polls in Kaduna State at the tribunal.

Mr El-Rufai spoke at APC State Congress in Kaduna on Saturday.

We gave them what they dont know, we gave them justice. Unfortunately, even with that justice they tried to cheat.

We are going to challenge the chairmanship they said they won at the tribunal. We already have 14; for the remaining five we want to have 14 plus five.

We can do that if we stay together, unite and work hard. We must be firm. Remember we are dealing with PDP people who are not honest.

They dont know the meaning of honesty, integrity, fairness, it has been taken from their vocabulary for the last 16 years.

So, we must be prepared. We want to play fair but they dont know the meaning of fairness, he said.

The governor said he was confident that under the new APC executive, led by a retired air commodore, Emmanuel Jekada, the party would grow from strength to strength.

I also want to thank other party members that wished to contest for their positions but in the spirit of unity and consensus stepped down so that we can have a smooth consensus-based congress.

I want to assure them and to say that the party and the government will not forget them, this I promise.

I want to thank the party leaders for the smooth congress that we have had, at the ward and the local government and now the state without any problem. This is because of your maturity and commitment to the party.

I also want to commend the party members for their performance during the local government elections.

When we started planning for these local government elections, we made it clear that we are a party of justice.

That we are not going to cheat in the elections. And we believe that people should be given the opportunity to choose which party they want to govern them at the local government level.

We went the extra-ordinary length to purchase the EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) so that the elections will be free and fair. We did what the PDP has never done to any other party.

We gave them what they dont know, we gave them justice. Unfortunately, even with that justice they tried to cheat.

The governor urged the party members to be prepared.

We want to play fair, but they dont know the meaning of fairness.

We must not sleep but be prepared, mobilise to the remaining local government (areas) and make sure we are not cheated.

But we will not cheat anybody, we want the votes of the people to count.

APC won 14 chairmanship seats in the council polls and PDP won four seats, while elections were rescheduled in five local government areas.

PDP on Sunday rejected the results of the elections and said it would challenge the outcome in court.

Meanwhile, at the state congress held on Saturday, APC members elected Mr Jekada as Chairman and Malam Muhammad Shuaibu as Secretary.

Frank Ikpe of the APC National Congress Committee conducted the congress elections.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Abia on Saturday held parallel state congresses, leading to the emergence of two factional state executive committees.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two congresses, which held at different venues, under heavy security, were peaceful.

While the Donatus Nwamkpa-led faction held its congress at the Umuahia Township Stadium, the faction loyal to Ikechi Emenike, held its own in a private building on Ossah Road, Umuahia.

While Mr Nwamkpa and Perfect Okorie were returned as Chairman and Secretary, respectively, along with the former executive members, the Emenike-led group elected Emmanuel Ndukwe as the Chairman.

While the congress at the stadium was conducted by a four-member State Congress Committee led by Jonathan Zwingana, the one at Ossah Road was conducted by Rabiu Sulu-Gambari and Garba Sani.

In separate speeches, Ms Sulu-Gambari and Mr Sani said that the national leadership of the party sent them to Abia to conduct the exercise.

They described the congress that produced Mr Ndukwe as the authentic and legally recognised one.

They said that the committee was committed to upholding the rule of law.

NAN reports that all the contestants at the Ossah congress were returned unopposed.

Notable chieftains of the party who attended the exercise at the stadium included a former deputy governor of Abia, Chris Akomas; Nkechi Nwogu and former governorship candidate of the party, Nyerere Anyim.

On the other hand, the congress at Ossah Road was attended by Mr Emenike and Paul Ikonne, two notable chieftains of the party.

In an interview at the end of the congress at Ossah Road, Mr Ndukwe said his leadership would make APC strong and capable of winning the 2019 governorship poll in the state.

Therefore, Im inviting everybody who wants a change in Abia to come and join APC right now so that we can salvage Abia.

He promised a level playing field for all the aspirants, saying There will be equal opportunity for everybody.

The party held similar parallel congresses at the ward and local government levels following a protracted leadership tussle between Emenike and Nwamkpa factions.

The parties are currently in court over their disagreement.

(NAN)
Hillary Ekeh has been re-elected as Imo APC party chairman in the just concluded APC state congress in Imo.

The party delegates who described the congress election as peaceful and successful also re-elected Deputy Chairman, Ugochukwu Nzekwe.

But Governor Rochas Okorocha described the election as illegal claiming that there was a court injunction restraining the party from conducting the election.

Mr Okorochas chief press secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, on Saturday issued a statement that the governor had obtained an injunction from an Owerri high court to stop the congress.

The party chairman, Hillary Ekeh, countered the claim by saying neither he nor any member of the executive was served the injunction notice.

But the Imo police command claimed an injunction notice was served them and appealed that the congress be put on hold.

Andrew Enwerem, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), who disclosed this added that police will not allow any illegal gathering in the state.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the election, Ifeanyi Araraume described the congress election as peaceful and well-coordinated.

He said there was no fracas or any form of violence during the process and commended the party chairman for his re-election.

He also lauded party delegates who in their wisdom decided to retain Ekeh as their chairman.

Asked if he has any idea of the injunction notice, Mr Araraume said there was nothing like injunction stopping the conduct of the election.

We the party stakeholders have no idea of any injunction, but even if there is an injunction nobody had been served so our election has to move on, he said.

Hope Uzodinma in a telephone interview told NAN that there was no hitch during the conduct of the election, adding that the congress in Imo indicated that democracy is growing in Imo.

Deputy Governor Eze Madumere said the state congress was held successfully and the mandate of the people has been protected.

But the Deputy Chief of Staff to Mr Okorocha, Kingsley Uju, insisted that a faction of the party went into an unknown place to hold state congress even when a court injunction was served against the conduct of the election.

(NAN)
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.




With the U.S. Capitol providing a backdrop, more than 26,000 people attended the ceremony. GW is the only university that holds its graduation ceremony on the Mall. GW President Thomas LeBlanc, celebrating commencement for the first time as the university's president, opened his remarks by savoring the moment and taking a selfie from the stage with graduates and the Washington Monument in the background.

In her remarks, McNutt stated that during a time when many seem to be losing hope, graduates should use their diplomas to "bring hope back into this world."

"The moral is: Hope is contagious. And it's a good kind of contagion," McNutt said.

LeBlanc conferred honorary degrees to McNutt, Olympic bobsled medalist and GW alumna Elana Meyers Taylor, and Steven Knapp, president emeritus of GW.

In her remarks, Meyers Taylor recalled the "bad day" she had at softball tryouts for the 2008 Olympic team. After she didn't make the cut, her mother suggested she try out for bobsled, and Meyers Taylor continued to pursue her Olympic dreams. She urged graduates to keep dreaming, too.

"Keep in mind that sometimes a very bad day could be the best thing that ever happened to you," she said.

Student speaker Meenu Mathews, a B.A. candidate in the Elliott School of International Affairs, told the story of a family trip to D.C. when she was 10 years old.

She described how she stared through the fence and across the lawn toward the White House and announced to her parents that she would someday be president. A decade later, she walked through the fence to the White House as an intern, joined by her parents.

"If there is one thing I have learned during my time at GW, it is that each of us has the power to cross those fences, walk across lawns and open doors that we never even dreamed we could," Mathews said.

Following university tradition, LeBlanc offered a charge to the graduates.

"You sought excellence. You took risks. You chose to lead," Dr. LeBlanc said. "I charge you to keep alive that commitment to leadership, as you pursue whatever it is that makes you happy."

"I know that through your many and varied contributions to society, and in service to others, you will continue to bring distinction not only to yourselves but also to your families, to your communities around the world and, beginning now, to your alma mater," he said.

With the addition of today's graduates, there are now more than 290,000 GW alumni living in more than 150 countries.



SOURCE George Washington University

Related Links

http://www.gwu.edu


While US broadcaster CBS and its largest shareholder, National Amusements (NAI), continue to wrangle over CBS future, Sanford Bernstein media analyst Todd Juenger has gone on record saying that a CBS-Viacom merger is likely a pipe dream.





Its been a week of legal skirmishes, starting with CBS filing a suit to gain a restraining order against its controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone. The effort was meant to prevent Redstone from interfering with a plan that would radically dilute her stake in the company from 79% to 17%. CBS is planning to hold a special shareholder meeting to approve a dividend declaration. A district court denied the request.Redstone, daughter of retired Viacom mogul Sumner Redstone, wants CBS and sister media company Viacom to merge  a move that CBS CEO Leslie Moonves and the CBS board of directors have had reservations about. Both companies are under the umbrella of NAI.The CBS suit had alleged that Redstone has "improperly interjected herself into negotiations" about the merger and has "acted to undermine CBS's highly lauded and successful management team in a series of escalating attacks."Viacom has made it no secret that it wants Moonves at the helm of a combined company, but the talks between the two have hit an impasse regarding the line of succession.Moonves wants CBS COO Joseph Ianniello to be president and COO of the merged entity, and to succeed him as CEO when he retires. The Redstone family instead wants Viacom CEO Bob Bakish to be the No 2 and succeed Moonves when the time comes. Sources told Reuters that Shari Redstone has offered to drop demands for Bakish to have a role beyond being on the combined companys board.Juenger wrote in an analyst note that none of this matters given that the CBS board already unanimously rejected a Viacom merger  and NAI can hardly force the issue.The unanimous vote of the CBS Special Committee stands, and we dont see any plausible way it could be reversed, Juenger wrote. If you dont believe us, then how about taking NAIs own words: NAI had, and has, no intention of forcing a merger, whether by removing and replacing the members of the Special Committee or otherwise. It would be impossible, we think, for NAI to now go and do exactly what they told the court they wouldnt do. Especially given the intense level of scrutiny that NAI will now be under (which may have been CBS's goal all along).Juenger added that legal precedent supports the independence of special committees.We cannot think of a more textbook case of coercion than a situation in which a controlling shareholder replaces a board that just rejected a transaction and asks the new board to approve the same transaction, Juenger wrote.He also said that if CBS and NAI cant learn to get along, CBS would likely need to look for a new partner.That leads to the conclusion that the best future for the CBS Corporation, and its shareholders, is likely to be acquired/combined with a larger platform company, then the exit of CBS management wouldnt matter, anyway, he said.In any event, after the judge ruled against CBS, the broadcaster decided to postpone the shareholder meeting, which has been scheduled for Friday.In light of the recent actions by NAI and the pending litigation in the Delaware Chancery Court, the Board of Directors determined to postpone its 2018 annual meeting of stockholders that was previously scheduled to take place tomorrow, the Les Moonves-run company said at the conclusion of todays board meeting in New York City. The Board will determine shortly a new record date for the meeting and will publicly announce the new date, time and location. The postponement will provide all constituents with additional time to consider all pertinent matters before the annual meeting. CBS directors did however hold a symbolic vote, with Shari Redstone in attendance. The board voted 11-3 to approve a special dividend that would reduce Redstones voting interest from 80% to 20%.
The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) announced on May 18 that it had landed an H-6K bomber on an outpost in the South China Sea for the first time. Social media posts on the PLAAF's Weibo account, as well as the state-owned People's Daily Twitter account, showed the long-range bomber landing and taking off from Woody IslandChina's largest base in the Paracel Islands.

Chinese bombers including the H-6K conduct takeoff and landing training on an island reef at a southern sea area pic.twitter.com/ASY9tGhfAU  People's Daily,China (@PDChina) May 18, 2018
WASHINGTON  The U.S. State Department has cleared the potential sale of three C-130J-30 Super Hercules airlifter and three KC-130J tankers to Germany, with a potential combined price of $1.4 billion.

The aircraft are meant to help the German Air Force conduct airlift, air refueling and air drop missions as part of a French-German allied squadron based in Evreux, France. The C-130Js would provide crucial air refueling capability to German and French fighter and light transport aircraft, as well as helicopters, according to the annoucement.
Infiniti today announced that the all-new Infiniti QX70 Limited has arrived in its Middle East showrooms.

The specially equipped version of the iconic QX70 performance crossover features unique design elements that are expected to be available at a later stage in other Infiniti models.

According to Infiniti, the Middle East is the only market globally where the new QX70 model is available due to its popularity with regional customers.

"The QX70 is one of our most popular models here in the Middle East and we are very pleased to welcome this new addition to our line-up, said Markus Leithe, Managing Director Middle East, Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.

QX70 Limited will feature all-wheel drive configurations and will offer a range of premium exterior and interior treatments, adding an extra touch of exclusivity to the dramatically styled crossover," he said.

The QX70 Limited model's exterior enhancements begin with a unique front fascia, LED daytime running lights replacing the standard QX70 fog lights. The design enhancements include body-colour side air vents and the dark-finish outside mirror housings. Capping off the exterior are a rear hatch-mounted "Limited" badge and unique 21x9.5-inch multi-spoke premium paint-finished aluminum-alloy wheels mounted with 265/45R21 V-rated all-season tyres.

Inside, the QX70 Limited features a special high-contrast graphite and stone-coloured interior treatment. Among the transformative interior elements are a special open pore wood trim with aluminium flake trim on the console, deep pillow quilting on the center console and aluminium-trimmed pedals.

The seats themselves include high-contrast leather appointments with graphite outside sections and stone inserts. The seats include deep pillow quilting and Stone color stitching and piping. The steering wheel and shifter boot also feature Stone color stitching. Climate-controlled (heating and cooling) front seats are standard with the QX70 Limited.

Like all Infiniti QX70s, the new QX70 Limited will be powered by a 329-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 with VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift). The engine is matched with a 7-speed automatic transmission featuring Adaptive Shift Control (ASC). - TradeArabia News Service
Thursday marks the one-year anniversary of the appointment of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. The milestone has emboldened White House critics of the probe to declare, as Vice President Mike Pence did on NBC News, that "it is time to wrap it up."
When I returned from South Africa, this quote appeared on my daily calendar from George Will. Its extraordinary how extraordinary the ordinary person is. This captures the fond memories of a once in a life time experience. Please read on.

Everyone who has ever been to South Africa sent me on my way with much enthusiasm and excitement about what they explained was a trip of a lifetime and a life changer. I now realize what they meant. The trip was by far one of the best the Chamber has ever led.

Organized by Aventura World, surrounded by the greatest travelers from northwest Connecticut, experienced guides and bus drivers, and a huge itinerary, off we went for 13 amazing days. We learned so much about their economy, health system, cost of living and challenges. Here are some personal highlights that I will always remember.

Johannesburg is the biggest city in South Africa, and the financial hub of the country. It boasts the biggest man manmade forest in the world consisting of more than 10 million trees.

We visited the Apartheid Museum. An eye opener, when we were presented with tickets randomly classified as white or non-white.

Krugar National Park is the second best tourist area in South Africa with approximately 12 million visitors. Breathtaking! The region is one of the finest in Africa, hosting more mammal species than any other game reserve on the continent.

The Safari Game Drive is unimaginable. Our search was on to find the Big Five - lion, leopard, rhinoceros, buffalo and elephant. But we met the rhinoceros, buffalo and elephant as well as zebras, giraffes, water buffalo deer, monkeys, baboons, antelopes, crocodiles, seals, penguins and other members of their families.

Stellenbosch is a beautiful, historic university town, with stunning architecture and oak-lined streets. We met a number of young entrepreneurs who treated us to a wine and dessert tasting, and the best coffee created by a brilliant gentleman who invested a special machine, making it outstanding. I invited them home!

Robbin Island is a stark reminder of South African history. The island was once a prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his 27 years in prison. It was sobering to say the least.

We were treated to a special presentation by the author of the book, Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend. It was a privilege to listen to the gentleman, a former prison warden who was responsible for guarding Nelson Mandela. What a moving story, as he shared how they became friends.

Cape Town is spectacular! We loved the tour of Cape Peninsula and the Cape of Good Hope. Even the baboons who blocked the narrow road and tried to climb into the car next to us, couldnt hide the dramatic panoramic views over the city one can only appreciate in person, a dynamic waterfront with music, shopping, fine restaurants and amazing people from all over the world.

One must not miss Victoria Falls where we traveled to Zimbabwe to view one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world. Its power and beauty were extraordinary, as well as the best-known trees in the falls along with flora, fauna, birds and wildlife.

I loved the extraordinary people most of all. They treated us like royalty  smiling, laughing, listening and spoiling us. One gentleman in particular was trying to sell me some of his beautiful African crafts. You know we needed to help their economy by shopping. He asked if I had any pens for his four children. Despite his unique accent, I understood and handed him four from by bag. He cried he was so happy.

That impression remains with me as I sit at my desk, counting my blessings to be an American. I hope that you, too, will have the opportunity to travel. It reminds me that the world is truly very small and together we can live peacefully and productively.

JoAnn Ryan is President & CEO of the NW CT Chamber of Commerce. You can reach her by email: joann@nwctchamberofcommerce.org or phone: 860-482-6586.
TORRINGTON  Torrington Middle School students are preparing for the ninth annual trip to Washington, DC on May 25.

Students are challenged to write an essay; the writer of the winning essay is chosen, along with other students, to place a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery during a special ceremony. This years winner is Catherine Wootton. This ceremony is the culminating event for this years Torrington Middle School Washington DC Trip.

The other students selected include: Sierra Doyle, recipient of the Teacher Viking Values Award, Amelia Russell, with the highest GPA; and Chase Brown, with perfect attendance for all three years of his TMS Career (only 11 absences total since kindergarten).

The following is Catherine Woottons essay.

The Wreath Laying of The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier

Ronald Reagan once declared, We are forever indebted to those who have given their lives that we might be free. American soldiers go through the most difficult waters to aid our nation in freedom and liberty. Laying the wreath of the unknown soldier would be an imperative experience to be a part of. Laying this wreath would bring such a wondrous feeling to lay such wreath for these soldiers who died for us, yet unidentified. Additionally, relatives of mine had served for our country and were buried at the Arlington National Cemetery. These soldiers had died for us, and just because we may not know their names, does not mean they should not be recognized for what they sacrificed.

Peace, victory, and valor; these words are all inscripted on the Tomb of The Unknown Soldiers. Peace meaning what they had provided our nation with-the freedoms and liberties. Victory defining their accomplishments and sacrifices throughout their time. And finally, valor, meaning their bravery and their act of heroism in the facing their adversities. One soldier was from World War One, one was from World War Two, one was from The Korean War, and lastly there was one from the Vietnam War. Even though they were from different wars, they all faced about the same difficulties and adversities. These adversities needed to be faced by a person who consisted of valor, peace, bravery, and victory; these soldiers consisted of the qualities when they fought, sacrificed and died for the flag of our nation.

Being honored for the position of this Wreath laying would fulfill me with great glory and praise to lay a wreath for these soldiers. I can recall listening to a song called, Some Gave All. It stated, All gave some, some gave all, some stood through for the red, white, and blue, and some had to fall. Even though it would be impossible to repay their sacrifices, recognizing them would be glorifying. The most melancholy part about this is-the soldiers have no official, recalled, or recognized names. Laying the wreath helps make the realization that you do not need to know their names in order to honor what they had sacrificed for our country.

Lastly, my aunt, and my cousin, both served for America. Colleen was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. She had served with great consideration of our freedoms and liberties. She had come home after her term of a certain number of years, while still adoring America and our flag. Felix Minelli had served in World War Two. He was once a frogmen who served in the most deleterious war, but furthermore serving in the same war as one of the unknown soldiers. Many soldiers in this war who had followed had unfortunately died along the way of this damaging and dangerous war.

In summation, Laying the Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier would be very important to me and an honor. I would be showing respect for ones who had served us, additionally recognizing their sacrifices, even if their names are unidentified. Lastly, my relatives had served in the war and one of them was buried at Arlington national cemetery. Even if there are unknown soldiers, it does not define what they did for the flag.
In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome!
Honeywell has opened a state-of-the-art customer experience centre (CEC) at its office in Mina Abdullah in southern Kuwait, which aims at giving local customers, trainees and students a deeper understanding of Honeywell products and solutions.



The centre will in particular support Honeywell Connected Plant technology, for oil and gas facilities and refineries, said a statement.



Honeywell Connected Plant is a suite of applications that delivers higher levels of safety, reliability, efficiency and profitability. These proven industry solutions are based on decades of domain knowledge and controls experience. They turn data into actionable insight so industrial manufacturers can optimize operations, predict plant failures and eliminate unplanned downtime. This new level of consistent high performance makes every day the best day of production.



The opening event was attended by senior energy industry executives who experienced how Honeywell leverages the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and connected technologies to increase safety, reliability, efficiency, and profitability across the sector, it said.



The launch of the CEC reflects the companys strategic commitment to the development and advancement of key industries in Kuwait and allows visitors to see, touch and experience a variety of technologies, it added.



Together with the Honeywell Automation College in the same location, the facility provides a wide range of training on automation technologies for upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas environments, and uses real case studies to facilitate learning, said a statement.



The Automation College has been delivering global training capabilities in Kuwait through more than 300 courses specifically designed to address the challenges and future requirements of local power and water, oil and gas, and automation industries.



George Bou Mitri, president of Honeywell Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon, said: This innovative facility  the first of its kind in Kuwait  is designed to develop the knowledge of industry workers on critical oil and gas technologies, trends and solutions, while supporting key national initiatives such as Kuwaiti Vision 2035 and the Kuwait Petroleum Corporations 2030 Strategy.



Honeywell has had a presence in Kuwait for over 50 years, and we are proud to open this facility to further support our customers and play our part in expanding and growing the oil and gas sector in Kuwait, he added.



The CEC showcases the latest connected technologies for the oil and gas market, including Honeywell Connected Plant technologies, process control solutions such as the Experion Orion console, as well as fire, gas detection and cyber security solutions, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
Iran has urged the European Union to do more to preserve a landmark 2015 accord easing sanctions against Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.

In a meeting with EU Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete on May 20, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that with the withdrawal of the United States from the deal, the Iranian public expects more from the EU to ensure gains made under the accord are not lost.

"Under present circumstances, political support from Europe is not enough," Zarif said.

"The union must take more practical steps to continue its economic cooperation with Iran and increase its investments in Iran," he added.

China, Russia, France, Germany, Britain, and the United States signed the 2015 accord, which provided Tehran with relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear program.

But U.S. President Donald Trump announced on May 8 that the United States would abandon the deal and reimpose the tough sanctions that were lifted as part of the accord.

Trump long complained about the deal and said Tehran was violating the "spirit" of it by continuing to test ballistic missiles and by supporting militant activities in the region, leading him to withdraw from the pact on May 8.

The other signees had urged Washington to remain in the deal.

"We have to preserve this agreement so we don't have to negotiate a new agreement," Canete said after two days of meetings with Iranian officials in Tehran.

"Our message is very clear. This is a nuclear agreement that works."

EU investment in Iran -- mainly from Germany, France and Italy -- has jumped to more than 20 billion euros ($23.5 billion) since sanctions were eased in 2016, with projects ranging from aerospace to energy ventures.



With the threat of renewed U.S. sanctions looming, some foreign firms have already started signaling their intention to pull back from Iran.

Canete said he recognized that time was of the essence and that clear measures were needed from the EU to protect investments and oil purchases.

Iran has threatened to resume industrial uranium enrichment "without limit" if its interests are not protected.
A coalition of 26 international press freedom organizations has called on Kazakh authorities to review recent civil and criminal actions taken against two popular independent media outlets and revise legislation used to silence the media.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), PEN International, and other media watchdogs made the calls in a joint letter posted on May 18 on the website of IFEX, a network of organizations working to promote and defend freedom of expression and information worldwide.

"We are concerned that the growing pattern of disproportionate, and in some cases, illegal actions taken by the prosecutor's office and the judiciary against Ratel.kz and a number of other media suggests misuse of Kazakhstan's legal system to silence normal criticism crucial to the functioning of a well-ordered democracy," they said.

Almaty police on April 2 raided the editorial offices of the news site Ratel.kz and the local edition of Forbes magazine, confiscating computers and documents from both media outlets. The homes of several journalists working for the outlets were also searched.

Meanwhile, Ratel's website and Facebook page have been blocked.

The actions were part of a criminal investigation based on a claim filed by businessman and former Finance Minister Zeinulla Kakimzhanov, claiming that the outlets published false information that damaged his reputation and that of his son.

CPJ says Ratel.kz and Forbes Kazakhstan have reported on the alleged corrupt business practices of the Kakimzhanovs between May and December 2016.

The joint IFEX letter to Kazakhstan's prosecutor-general, Supreme Court, parliament, and minister of information and communications called for a review of the law on dissemination of "false information," saying it levies "disproportionate penalties" on journalists and media outlets and poses a "threat" to critical reporting.

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.

Last month, Human Rights Watch issued a statement on the case against Ratel.kz and Forbes.kz, urging Kazakhstan's authorities to stop using libel laws "to harass journalists who are doing their jobs."
The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) recently released a detailed report titled Understanding The Factors Contributing To Radicalization Among Central Asian Labor Migrants In Russia, which looks at the factors that could be contributing to or preventing the radicalization of migrant laborers from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan in Russia.

RFE/RL's media-relations manager, Muhammad Tahir, moderated a discussion on the findings of the RUSI report.

And we had one of the authors of the report, Rafaello Pantucci, the director of international security studies at RUSI, joining the Majlis, as well as Marintha Miles, a graduate teaching assistant at Virginias George Mason University who has done extensive work on Tajikistan, including migrant-laborer issues. And I chipped in with a comment or two.

Listen to the podcast above or subscribe to the Majlis on iTunes.
Voters in Moldova's main cities of Chisinau and Balti are heading to the polls to elect their mayors for one year.

Turnout was expected to be unprecedentedly low, with election authorities saying less than 13 percent of the voters had cast their ballots in the Moldovan capital and Balti by noon local time.

The snap polls' results are to be declared invalid if less than one-quarter of the registered voters take part.

The elections were called after the mayors of Chisinau and Balti, Dorin Chirtoaca and Renato Usatii, resigned to protest against criminal cases against them, which they say are politically motivated.

They were seen as a test for the Socialist Party -- which was previously headed by Russia-friendly President Igor Dodon -- two pro-European parties -- the Dignity and Truth Platform and the Party of Action and Solidarity -- and the Democratic Party -- the main force in the governing coalition -- ahead of Moldova's parliamentary elections later this year.

A second round will take place in two weeks if none of the candidates receive more than half of the votes.
PODGORICA -- Milo Djukanovic has been inaugurated as Montenegro's president for a second term, returning to a post he held from 1998 until 2002.

"Montenegro has become the most economically developed country in the Western Balkans, the leader of reforms and negotiations with the European Union, and certainly the first next member of that alliance," Djukanovic said on May 20 after taking the oath in parliament.

Djukanovic, 56, won nearly 54 percent of the vote in the March 15 presidential election, avoiding a runoff and extending his almost-three-decade-long dominance of Montenegro's politics.

A former communist, Djukanovic became Europe's youngest prime minister in 1991 at the age of 29.

Yugoslavia collapsed the same year, but Djukanovic remained a close ally of rump Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic until beginning to cut his own path in 1998, eventually leading Montenegro into independence from Serbia in 2006.

He has since pushed the tiny country of only about 640,000 people through sometimes painful economic times and toward European integration, highlighted by the 2017 accession into NATO.

"Montenegro's future will be stable and promising as long as it is based on a broad spectrum of economic capacities that utilize comparative advantages of this area, up-to-date technological achievements, and high-quality knowledge among Montenegro's new generations," he said.

But it hasn't always been smooth sailing.

Djukanovic has been dogged by opposition accusations that he fosters cronyism and corruption. Some reports allege he and his family are the country's biggest tycoons.

He came under investigation and was indicted by prosecutors in the Italian city of Bari in 2008 for alleged tobacco smuggling. The probe was later dropped given Djukanovic's diplomatic immunity.

According to the International Consortium of Investigative Reporters (ICIJ), Djukanovic has amassed assets worth millions of dollars, while his family members are said to be worth tens of millions of dollars.

How they accumulated their wealth, the ICIJ says, is unclear.

With reporting by dpa
Russia has presented to the media the world's first floating nuclear power station in the port of the far northern city of Murmansk.

The Akademik Lomonosov was towed out of the St. Petersburg shipyard, where it was constructed, on April 28, arriving on May 17 in Murmansk, where its nuclear reactors will be fueled.

The fueling was originally scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg, but the work was switched to Murmansk because of safety concerns expressed by countries along the Baltic Sea.

The barge is scheduled in the summer of 2019 to be towed to the port of Pevek in the autonomous Chukotka region in Russia's far northeast, some 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle.

If all goes according to plan, the 21,000-ton plant will be put into service in 2019 in the Arctic off the coast of Chukotka, providing power for the port town and for oil rigs.

It will be capable of producing enough electricity to power a town of 200,000 residents, far more than Peveks population of 5,000.

The project has been criticized as risky by environmentalists. Greenpeace has dubbed it a "floating Chernobyl."

Analysts say the project is part of Russias greater aims to secure the rich deposits of oil and gas in the North Pole region. Due to climate change, new shipping routes are opening up in Russia's north. As a result, Moscow is strengthening its military position in the region.

Based on reporting by AFP, AP, Interfax, and dpa
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading to the Black Sea resort of Sochi to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 21 to discuss ways to strengthen the two countries' "privileged strategic" relationship.

The Kremlin has said Modi and Putin will discuss "key issues of developing the Russian-Indian privileged strategic partnership" and "pressing items on the international and regional agenda."

"This will be an important occasion for the two leaders to exchange views on international matters in a broad and long-term perspective with the objective of further strengthening our special and privileged strategic partnership," according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

The agenda of the talks will also include the two leaders' "respective national developmental priorities and bilateral matters," the ministry added.

The talks come two weeks after Putin was sworn in to a new presidential term as ties between Moscow and the West have plummeted to post-Cold War lows over issues including Russia's aggression of Ukraine, its role in Syria's seven-year conflict, its meddling in U.S. elections, and the poisoning of a Russian ex-spy in Britain in March.

The talks in Sochi also come amid an upturn in relations between Russia and Pakistan, former Cold War foes -- a detente that has been watched with suspicion by Pakistan's neighbor and arch-rival, India.

Meanwhile, Washington has been trying to cultivate New Delhi as a strategic ally, amid deteriorating U.S.-Pakistan relations over Islamabad's alleged support for militant groups fighting Afghan and U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Pakistani officials deny the accusation.

Defense talks were expected to be on the agenda of the meeting between Putin and Modi, including India's purchase of Russian S-400 missile-defense systems.

In the last two decades, Russia-India ties have been underpinned by huge arms sales by Moscow to its "strategic partner."

An agreement on the S-400 would show India's continued reliance on Russia's military equipment at a time when the United States is trying to increase its own weapon sales to the South Asian country.

The Russian and Indian leaders were also expected to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, where the Western-backed government has been struggling to fend off militant groups since the withdrawal of most NATO troops in 2014.

With reporting by Indiatimes.com, Indian Express, and The New York Times
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's supporters from a number of European Union countries arrived for his election campaign rally in Bosnia-Herzegovina's capital, Sarajevo, on May 20. Bakir Izetbegovic, the Bosniak member of the country's tripartite presidency, also spoke at the event held inside Sarajevo's Zetra Olympic Hall. Governments in Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands said they would not allow rallies for the Turkish snap presidential and parliamentary votes scheduled for June 24.
Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, a trend-setting leader in the hospitality industry, has welcomed four talented members to its leadership team.

Focused at uplifting food and beverage offerings, the hotels newly appointed executive assistant manager- food and beverage, Carlo Javakhia, brings over 20 years of experience across famous hospitality addresses in Europes and Middle Easts hospitality sectors. A result-oriented team player who thinks outside the box, Javakhia believes in leading by example. Passionate about innovating novel guest experiences. My business is all about people, Javakhia commented. The multi-lingual professional speaks fluent English, French, Russian, Greek and Georgian. He is an expert in every aspect of the food and beverage - from being a previous chef to valuation, strategic planning and execution. Javakhia believes in staying ahead of the curve, always on the lookout for new ways to improve his customers' experience and exceed their expectations. We have been successful for many years but with the evolving hospitality trends, now is the time to take it to the next level. The new team at Le Meridien Dubai combines diverse professional experiences and cultures and together, we will focus our efforts to renew the experiences that guests enjoy at our hotel, said Javakhia.



Sharing the executive assistant managers passion is Ramon Salto who has taken the helm as the F&B director for Le Meridien Dubai. With more than 20 years of experience in managing diverse kitchen operations, Salto has previously led teams at The Leela Kempinski Gurgaon Hotel & Residences, Delhi, Hotel W Doha and Radisson Blu, Kuwait, in addition to heading kitchen operations in London, Spain, France and US. Admired and respected for his leadership skills, Salto also has a deep understanding of customer service and is constantly innovating and experimenting with inventive culinary techniques. My passion for cooking extends beyond the professional kitchen. As a previous head chef, Ive always channelised my skills towards making every guest feel special when they dine at any of the hotels 18 distinct outlets."



Matching the F&B directors zest and endeavour is executive chef, Dominic Petzold. Backed by years of experience in Europe and over 10 years of experience in the UAE, Petzold is a strong team player with exceptional leadership skills. He believes in leading from the trenches. Prior to joining the team at Le Meridien Dubai, Petzold led kitchen teams at The Westin and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, JW Marriott Hotel, among others across the UAE. Chef Petzolds illustrious career highlights his understanding of different cultures to cater to guests of different nationalities and age groups. With a vision to take the hotels success to the next level, Chef Petzold aims to exceed goals while efficiently managing and leading the operations of food and beverage departments. Warehouse and Yalumba Friday brunches juggle more than just food. They are an experience, he said.



Francisco Javier Martin Romo, who joins the team as beverage manager for the complex, opines that a memorable dining experience is a balanced combination of the right type of beverages with food. He is well versed in the study of spirits, with prestigious certifications from WSET, UK. Romo brings 19 years of experience to his new role at Le Meridien Dubai. Passionate about creating exceptional beverage and food pairings, Romo made his debut in Le Meridien Dubai when he chose none other than the citys much-loved restaurant, Casa Mia in which to progress from the restaurant manager to the complex beverage manager. In his new role, he is looking forward to hosting the perfect wine tasting events and guiding the guests to pair different varieties of grapes and spirits with their selection of food, resulting in an unforgettable dining experience.



With great excitement, we welcome Le Meridien Dubais new team to our senior leadership. Their diverse hospitality experience and world-class talent is a formidable combination that will go a long way in elevating and innovating the hotels unique F&B offerings in a city as dynamic as Dubai, said Shaun Parsons, complex general manager, Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Center and Le Meridien Fairway. - TradeArabia News Service


Second live presidential debate to air today

On Sunday, May 20, the National Electoral Institute says presidential candidates will participate in their second live 96-minute debate being held in Tijuana, Baja California.

National Electoral Institute electoral counselor, Benito Nacif, reports that everything is ready for the second presidential debate which will include Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Ricardo Anaya, Jose Antonio Meade and Jamie Rodriguez Calderon.

He explained that one of the constitutional missions of the National Electoral Institute (INE) is to promote a democratic culture that includes citizens in public affairs adding that debates are fundamental to promote participation.

At a press conference, he explained that this type of event attracts not only the attention of traditional media, but also of the Internet, including social networks. According to studies by the institute, it is clearly shown how, when debates take place, the time allocated to cover campaigns increases substantially, he said.

There are some huge peaks of attention in the time spent talking about the candidates, their proposals, who they are, what their trajectory is, increases substantially on radio, television and Internet, commented Nacif Hernandez.

He says that for this next debate, filtered public will be able to ask questions, noting that they are following other methods of debates with the Participatory Assembly. Nacif Hernandez says that when the public arrives, production staff and moderators will start working with them.

It is the joint work between both parties, in which the INE has nothing to do with the selection of questions.

Nacif Hernandez added that there are more than 250 registered media, both national and international and 862 reporters and new agency representatives for the second debate.
The gunman was a male who was arrested and secured. A second one was detainedSome patients were transported by helicopter. Students were evacuated from the building and officers in tactical gear were deployed into the school. No further information was immediately available. Witnesses fleeing the scene described a shooter opening fire inside a classroom about 8 a.m., as students ran from the school, jumping over fences and fleeing to a nearby carwash. Santa Fe Police Department were on the scene, along with Galveston County Sheriffs Office, Houston police, Harris County sheriff and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The Santa Fe Independent School District issued an update stating:This morning an incident occurred at the high school involving an active shooter. The situation is active, but has been contained. There have been confirmed injuries. Details will be released as we receive updated information. Law enforcement will continue to secure the building and initiate all emergency management protocols to release and move students to another location. All other campuses are operating under their regular schedules.President Trump tweeted that early reports from the school not looking good. The same school was the site of a false alarm about a shooting back in February.
Yeddyurappa quits as CM ahead of trust vote

The three-day-old BJP government in Karnataka collapsed today, minutes before the scheduled trust vote, with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa resigning in a tame anticlimax to what promised to be on the edge of seat political thriller. With defeat staring him in the face, Yeddyurappa announced his decision to quit on the floor of the Assembly after a brief emotion-laden speech.Hours later, H D Kumaraswamy, the chief ministerial candidate of the newly formed JS(S)-Congress-BSP alliance, met Governor Vajubhai Vala, and said he has been invited to form the government.

Yeddyurappa announced his decision to quit

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"Today, the BJP government failed to show their strength in the House. On that basis governor invited me to form the next government," Kumaraswamy told journalists. The 58-year-old leader, son of JD(S) supremo and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, said the governor gave him 15 days to prove his majority, but asserted "we don't need 15 days". The oath ceremony, he said, will be held between noon and 1 pm on Monday.

Though Yeddyurappa kept exuding confidence about winning the trust vote, as the D-day loomed he failed to muster support of 7 additional MLAs required to ensure the longevity of his government. "I am going to resign as chief minister....I will go to Raj Bhavan and submit my resignation. "I will not face confidence vote....I am going to resign," he told the Assembly at the end of a brief emotional speech and headed straight to the Raj Bhavan where he handed over his resignation to Governor Vajubhai Vala.

Governor Vajubhai Vala

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The 75-year-old Lingayat stalwart's resignation will pave the way for the formation of a government led by JD(S) state chief H D Kumaraswamy, who has the backing of the Congress. The newly formed alliance has claimed support of 117 MLAs in the 224-member House with an effective strength of 221. The political instability in the state stemmed from a split verdict the electorate gave on May 15, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party but falling short of a majority.

JD(S) state chief H D Kumaraswamy

The Congress, which finished second with 78 seats, moved swiftly and stitched an alliance with 37-member JD(S), and even backed its leader H D Kumaraswamy for chief ministership, plunging the state into a welter of confusion, with accusations of bribery and poaching flying thick and fast. Amid allegations of poaching attempts by the BJP, the Congress herded its MLAs at a resort outside Bengaluru, while those of the JD(S) hunkered down in a hotel in the state capital.

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Supreme Court yesterday ordered a floor test

They were later shifted to a hotel in Hyderabad and returned only after the Supreme Court yesterday ordered a floor test on a Congress-JD(S) petition. As things grew murkier, the Congress released an audio tape where Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa was purportedly heard trying to lure an MLA with the promise of a ministerial berth if he backed the BJP government during the trust vote. There were allegations that Congress MLA Anand Singh was "abducted" by the BJP, but he turned up at the Vidhana Sauda minutes before Yeddyurappa began his speech.

Congress MLA Anand Singh

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He was seen shaking hands with fellow Congress members and then sat with them. An emotional Yeddyurappa gave enough indications of his resignation during his speech when he said,"I have seen the struggle of farmers, gave land to them, wiped their tears. I wanted to waive their loans up to Rs 1 lakh...but..." He recalled his struggles as a politician and said how he helped build the party, which once had just two MLAs. Now it has 104, he said.

"I went to the houses of poor, stayed with them. I have faced trial by fire all my life, but I will serve my people till my last breath," Yeddyurappa said, his voice choking as he fought back tears. Regaining composure, Yeddyurappa said he would now travel across Karnataka and ensure the party won all 28 seats of the state in the Lok Sabha elections and 156 in the next Assembly polls. The 8-term MLA and twice an MP, Yeddyurappa then announced his decision to step down.

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who along with several top party leaders were present during the floor test, thanked the judiciary for preventing "horse-trading" and "protecting the Constitution, democracy, and rule of law". Azad said the governor gave 15 days time to Yeddyurappa as he was convinced he lacked the support of MLAs required to clear the floor test. "The governor gave them two weeks for breaking our parties...for horse-trading," he said.

He said the alliance was now waiting for an invitation from the governor to form the government. It was Yeddyurappa's shortest stint in power. He became the chief minister for the first time for seven days in 2007, but his government collapsed as the JD(S) reneged on honoring a power-sharing arrangement and withdrew support. He became the chief minister for the second time when the BJP formed its first government in Karnataka in 2008. Yeddyurappa was at the helm of the state for over three years before he was made to quit following indictment by the Lokayukta in an alleged mining scam.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are now husband and wife

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were today pronounced man and wife at the majestic St George's Chapel in iconic Windsor Castle where the couple exchanged wedding vows and sealed their marriage with a kiss before millions of people around the world who watched the glorious event. The couple were pronounced husband and wife by the Archbishop of Canterbury, cheered on by crowds watching on large screens outside and watched over by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip among the other members of the royal family.

The Royal Wedding: Prince Harry Marries Meghan Markle

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It had been announced earlier that the 92-year-old monarch had bestowed the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the newly-weds in keeping with royal tradition. The royal couple exchanged their vows and rings in the presence of 600 guests, which included the likes of Meghan's close friend Indian actress Priyanka Chopra and other celebrities like George and Amal Clooney, David and Victoria Beckham and Sir Elton John.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex upon their wedding

After their marriage ceremony, Prince Harry and Meghan emerged from the chapel -- Household Cavalry lining the steps -- and shared their first kiss as a married couple. The crowd cheered wildly on witnessing the much-awaited scene. The service was conducted by the Dean of Windsor with Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the spiritual head of the Anglican Church, overseeing the exchange of vows. A black US bishop, Michael Bruce Curry, gave the wedding address.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry move guests to TEARS with Royal Wedding speeches

The wedding became official when Justin Welby read this: "In the presence of God, and before this congregation, Harry and Meghan have given their consent and made their marriage vows to each other. They have declared their marriage by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of rings. I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife." Harry, 33, and Meghan, 36, became the sixteenth Royal Couple to celebrate their Marriage at Windsor Castle since 1863.

Priyanka Chopra at the royal wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Henry

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Harry was seen smiling as Meghan entered the Chapel with Prince Charles. Prince Charles stepped into the role of Meghan's father and walked her down the aisle for her marriage with Harry after it was confirmed that her father Thomas Markle Sr would not be attending the wedding ceremony due to ill-health. Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, arrived earlier as the only member of Markle's family to attend the wedding.

Meghan entered the Chapel with Prince Charles

After an hour-long ceremony, which included hymns and readings, the newly-weds set off to take a tour of Windsor city centre in a traditional open-top Ascot Landau horse-drawn carriage. Prince Harry's niece, three-year-old Princess Charlotte, was one of the six young girls chosen as bridesmaids at the wedding and her elder brother, Prince George, aged four, was a pageboy among a total of 10 children chosen for the roles. The royal couple choose modern touch to their marriage ceremony.

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Prince Harry's niece, three-year-old Princess Charlotte

Instead of using traditional vows, the royal couple selected words from The Marriage Service from Common Worship (2000). They pledged themselves to one another: "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part". An estimated 100,000 people lined the streets of Windsor, around 26 miles from London, hoping to catch a glimpse of the happy couple. Around 30 members of the royal family including the Queen and the 96-year-old Duke of Edinburgh, who is well enough to attend after undergoing a recent hip operation, were part of the formal wedding party.

The Prince of Wales sat next to the Duchess of Cornwall in the Quire of St George's Chapel

As per the official order of ceremony between "His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms Meghan Markle", the couple pledged themselves to one another, saying: "For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part." Harry, the sixth in line to the British throne, pledged to love, comfort, honour and protect his former actress bride as they become husband and wife. Markle chose not to read out the archaic part of the wedding vows about wanting to "obey" her husband and Prince Harry chose to also have a wedding ring.

For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part

Markle had 10 bridesmaids and pageboys, all under the age of eight, including Harry's nephew and niece Prince George and Princess Charlotte, the children of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The Most Rev Bishop Michael Curry, the 27th presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church, from Chicago, gave a rousing address invoking Martin Luther King Jr's words at the wedding and the Rt Rev David Conner, Dean of Windsor, conducted the service.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte

As a representative of Harry's late mother's side of the family, Lady Jane Fellowes, the sister of Diana, Princess of Wales, gave a reading. As the bride and groom signed the wedding register, 19-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason - winner of the 2016 BBC's Young Musician - performed three pieces - by Faure, Schubert and Maria Theresia von Paradis, with musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the English Chamber Orchestra and the Philharmonia.

Prince Harry lifts Meghan Markle's veil

Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir performed Ben E. King's soul classic Stand By Me' during the service. The gospel choir also performed Etta James' uplifting version of Amen/This Little Light of Mine' as the newlyweds leave the chapel. The couple announced their engagement in November 2017, during which Harry said the stars were aligned when the beautiful actress, best-known for her role in the TV series Suits', tripped and fell into his life.
Disclaimer  The manufacturer (TVS Motor Company) has blacklisted Rushlane from its events/rides as a consequence of decisions based on restrictive practices. This blog is reliant on available UGC and customer input.

Owner of a brand new TVS Apache 160 got a shock when the technician told him that his brand new bike worth almost Rs 1 lakh, needs a new piston cylinder kit. The bike was barely five days old, had not even completed 200 kms, and it needed a piston cylinder kit replacement. Heres why;

As per the service technician, the owner of the said bike, started racing with the brand new Apache 160, without properly doing the run-in (also known as break-in). The owner rode the Apache 160 continuously at full throttle, even crossing 120 kmph in the first 100 kms. It was during one such race that his bike died and had to be transported in another vehicle to the service station. This was a clear case of not doing a proper run-in, which resulted in damage.

This is why in todays post we will share tips that will help you do a proper run-in of your new vehicle, that could ensure a long and hassle-free life.

Before riding the Bike:

Even prior to riding the bike, the owner should read the user manual to ascertain what the manufacturer recommends.

Fuel level should be checked and it should be ensured that oil level is as per manufacturers recommendation prior to starting the engine.

The rider should allow the oil to heat up a bit, before riding. This can be done by letting the bike idle for about 30-45 seconds. Do this during the first start of the day.

The First 500-1000 kms:

The average running in period for all motorcycles is the first 500-1000 kms during this period. The core moving components are manufactured in such a way that the fit precisely into each other while running but in practical terms this can be done only after a certain number of kilometers. During running in period, these parts rub against each other and get polished and synchronized and hence proper lubrication plays a vital role in lining these engine parts.

It is also during this period that controlling the engine during this period would allow clearance of any sort of micro particles which may be left over during the manufacturing process. Though all parts are cleaned of micro particles, there may still be some left over that could cause friction and higher heat generation.

There is no hard and fast rule that when the user manual states that maximum speed is 60 kmph, the rider should strictly adhere to it. Instead, the rider should resort to varying speeds which never stressed the engine. It is at this stage that engine oil plays a vital role, it not only cools the engine but also ensures that all parts such as cylinder liners, camshafts, poppet valves, and crankshaft are properly lubricated. Once the oil goes back into the sump and is filtered, it is pumped back into the system for lubrication.

At the initial stage sudden acceleration or deceleration on the part of the rider could make the oil containing these micro particles go back into piston rings or cylinder liners causing abrasion and scratches which could affect the further performance of the bike.

The initial few rides should be on smooth terrain. Acceleration and deceleration should be gradual and smooth process. Regular breaks should be resorted to and the rider should avoid a heavy pillion rider, as this would be a stress on the engine.

Further maintenance of the bike in good condition:

After the running in period, it is necessary to ensure regular servicing and maintenance of the bike in good condition for its optimum performance. We bring you the following tips to perfectly maintain the bike.

1. Regular tyre check  the condition of tyres should be maintained. Air pressure should be at recommended levels and tyres checked for cuts and scrapes. Tyre treads should be checked and wheel balance and alignment should be maintained.

2. Engine Oil  Regular checks on engine oil level and for leakage should be carried out. Riders should also note that running the bike with dirty oil will not only increase fuel consumption but will also reduce engine life.

3. Oil filter  Road conditions in India being as they are allows for a lot of dust to accumulate on the air filter. Filters should be changed at regular intervals particularly when the rider is riding regularly through dusty conditions.

4. Clutch Adjustment  The clutch should be correctly adjusted with the right amount of free play. Over tightening will cause it to slip and increase fuel consumption.

5. Clean Chain  Water should never be used to clean chain, as this will lead to rust. Certified chain lubricant should be used to lubricate the chain, but before that, make sure you use a brush and paraffin to wipe it clear of all dirt.

6. Engine  At the heart of every bike is a well functioning engine. Proper servicing and optimum tuning is required to keep the engine in proper condition. Cleaning of carburetor, valves, spark plug etc should be carried out and spark plug especially should be cleaned every 750 kms in the case of 2 stroke bikes and every 1,500 kms for 4 stroke bikes.

7. Battery Maintenance  Top up of battery with distilled water, examining for leakages and regular maintenance is a must for the battery while regular use is also necessary to keep battery fully charged.

8. Brake Maintenance  Proper spacing of brakes is required. If they are too tight, or too lose, in either case, it can cause a problem and prove dangerous for the biker. Brakes should be tightened according to user manual and replacement of brake pads should be done in the event of screeching sound when brakes are applied.

9. Bike Surface Cleaning  Last but by no means the least, the surface of the bike should be kept clean. A microfiber cloth should be used so as not to cause scratches or dull the surface while the bike should be parked out of the direct sunlight.
A study of drinking water in Appalachian Ohio found no evidence of natural gas contamination from recent oil and gas drilling.

Geologists with the University of Cincinnati examined drinking water in Carroll, Stark and Harrison counties, a rural region in northeast Ohio where many residents rely on water from private underground wells.

The time-series study was the first of its kind in Ohio to examine methane in groundwater in relation to natural gas drilling. The results were published in the journal Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.

"Some people had elevated concentrations of methane in their groundwater, but the isotopic composition showed it wasn't from natural gas" said Amy Townsend-Small, associate professor of geology in UC's McMicken College of Arts and Sciences.

"What we found is in most cases it was probably from underground coal in the area or biological methane produced in groundwater."

UC researchers collected 180 groundwater samples in total at homes in the three counties. Some of the sites were sampled multiple times. In particular, researchers looked for evidence of methane, the primary compound in natural gas. They also studied changes in the acidity or pH of the water, and changes to its conductivity.

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They found no increase in methane concentration or composition in groundwater over the four years of the study, despite the presence of new shale gas wells drilled in the study area. Likewise, they did not find higher methane levels in closer approximation to shale drilling.

Researchers did find wide variability in methane concentrations in the drinking water, ranging from 0.2 micrograms per liter to 25.3 milligrams per liter, which is strong enough to catch fire in enclosed spaces. But researchers found no relationship between the methane observed in drinking water and the new gas wells.

"Clearly, additional monitoring is needed to determine whether methane concentrations and source signals in this region change as the number of oil and gas wells continues to increase," the study concluded.

Researchers identified the chemical composition of the water using gas chromatography, isotope ratio mass spectrometry, and radiocarbon dating in a UC geology lab. Understanding the chemical composition helps identify the source of methane found in drinking water: from natural gas extraction, organic decomposition or even from the digestive systems of nearby cows.

Lead author and UC graduate Claire Botner said the study solicited participation by homeowners who were willing to let researchers test their wells.

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The study area has seen increasing interest from natural gas companies in recent years. It's located above a geological feature called the Utica Shale formation, which is known to harbor oil and natural gas. When UC launched its methane study in 2012, Ohio had issued 115 drilling permits for the region. By the study's end in 2015, nearly 1,600 permits had been issued, primarily for Carroll County.

Hydraulic fracturing is a process by which pressurized water, sand and chemicals are pumped into natural-gas wells more than a mile deep to break apart shale to release pockets of oil and natural gas.

Researchers hypothesized that methane concentrations in the drinking-water wells they sampled would increase over time with the growth of natural gas drilling in the area. This is a correlation researchers observed in Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale region.

But that's not what UC's water tests revealed. The study concluded that methane observed in groundwater was "biogenic," or naturally occurring and independent of natural gas drilling.

"The study researchers in Pennsylvania thought the contamination issue was a failure of the well casings in the fracking wells," Townsend-Small said.

"Hopefully, that doesn't happen often. And that apparently didn't happen with the wells of homeowners we worked with for our study."

Townsend-Small has spent much of her career researching groundwater and methane. She and other UC geologists are studying the influence of the Great Miami River on groundwater in southwest Ohio at UC's C.V. Theis Groundwater Observatory. She also has studied atmospheric methane in relation to algae blooms in the Great Lakes and methane in arctic lakes in Alaska.

"Some people had elevated concentrations of methane in their groundwater, but the isotopic composition showed it wasn't from natural gas. It was from a different source," Townsend-Small said. "What we found is in most cases it was probably from underground coal in the area or biological methane produced in groundwater."

Study co-authors included UC professor emeritus David Nash and UC assistant professor of geology Joshua Miller.

Botner said if researchers were to replicate the study, she might recommend expanding it to include other hydrocarbons such as propane or look for carbonate isotopes associated with natural gas drilling.

"It's a controversial topic," Botner said. "But that's why science is so valuable. Maybe another study would confirm our findings or maybe they would find something else. Regardless, we would welcome more well testing."

Carroll County Commissioner Robert Wirkner said the findings were good news for residents. Like many of his neighbors, he gets drinking water at his house from a private well on his property.

Wirkner said gas companies test the drinking water of nearby homes before and after they drill a well to observe any changes in water quality.

"My water has been tested multiple times," he said. "So we're happy to hear the findings."

Townsend-Small said protecting wells from contamination is especially important in rural areas because there are few alternatives for clean drinking water. Digging a new or deeper well is expensive and would not necessarily solve a pollution problem. And there are few opportunities in rural areas to connect to public water lines.

"It would be great if homeowners had access to ongoing monitoring," she said. "In cities, you are reassured that your drinking water is safe. We pay the public water utilities to test the water every day. But if you have a private well, you just have to hope that it's not contaminated on a day-to-day basis."
By 11:30 a.m. Sunday, a meaty, righteous aroma wafted up from hundreds of grills set up around the northeastern shore of Lake Merritt. Oakland barbecue stalwart Everett & Jones was flipping yard-long racks of ribs to give away. Vendors of skateboard decks airbrushed with the greats of African American history set up next to political organizers calling out for registered voters. BBQn While Black was barely getting started.

Three Sundays before, Kenzie Smith and Onsayo Abram had fired up their Weber on the same strip of lawn. They had set up the cooler, the folding table and a couple of folding chairs when a white woman approached the two African American men to complain that they were using a charcoal grill in a non-charcoal-grilling area.

Then she called the police and stood there for two hours, sunglasses blocking out her gaze, face stern, cell phone glued to her ear. About 90 minutes into the one-woman standoff, Michelle Snider, Smiths wife, took out her own phone and filmed herself attempting to talk to the woman. She was still filming when a police officer arrived and the confronter broke down sobbing, telling the officer that she was being harassed.

After Snider posted the video to YouTube, it racked up hundreds of thousands of views. The face of BBQ Becky  Becky is a snide term for a white woman  became a meme on social media. The image was manipulated so she appeared to officiously report Rosa Parks sitting on the bus, President Barack Obama occupying the Oval Office and Meghan Markle marrying Prince Harry. Laughter fused with fury as Whoopi Goldberg and Saturday Night Live weighed in.

BBQn While Black organizer Logan Cortez, a first-grade teacher in Oakland, saw the video shortly after it was posted. I wasnt surprised, she said. And the fact that I wasnt surprised bothered me.

Inspired by 510 Day, an anti-gentrification celebration at the lake on May 10, she sent a Facebook event invitation for five to seven friends, asking them to join her in barbecuing in the same spot.

Her friend Jhamel Robinson designed an electronic flyer and amplified the event notice on Instagram. Next thing they knew, Robinson said, it had been shared 2,500 times. DJs volunteered to spin. Others offered to act as security and clean up.

Unwilling to provoke any other outrage from neighbors, the two 28-year-olds applied for city permits for the barbecue, spending $700 of their own money.

Its the community coming together in a positive way as a reaction to whats going on, Robinson said. Instead of tearing up the city, we want to come together in love and unity. And party.

Unlike the civil rights movement, we arent fighting for our rights, Cortez added. Now were fighting for the right to simply live within the law.

Rosalind Bosset, whose family was grilling up veggie patties and asparagus by the lake on Sunday, said the video broke my heart.

Like many native Oaklanders, she had always seen the lake as a welcoming spot. She remembered, as a 12-year-old in the early 1970s, when the entire 3-mile shore was occupied by African American families spending the afternoon outside grilling. As an adult, she walked around the lake with her grandmother until the older woman was in her 80s. So it was particularly hurtful for someone to stereotype black people in the citys communal backyard.

Some of the participants had set out blankets and speakers, even incense. Others, like Cristhian Delgadillo, had shown up at 8 a.m. with a full rig. Delgadillo was carefully attending a smoker where he was cooking fish, sausages, frogs legs and goat hearts over his special blend of smoked wood chips and herbs. The city of Oakland employee pointed out a Department of Public Works truck circulating, ready to pick up trash and any coals people deposited on the curb.

Smith could be spotted at the park, circulating among friends, but refused all interview requests from the many TV cameras and notebook scribblers documenting the barbecue.

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.

Amir and Lisa Aziz, who live two blocks from the site, bicycled by to check out the scene. Lisa Aziz is a member of the Cleveland Heights neighborhood watch, and the couple recognized BBQ Becky as a neighbor. If you saw the emails that circulated about this, then youd know shes not alone, Lisa said.

Justin Ford, who said he was Smiths cousin, had claimed a spot early in the morning for a table selling his Oaklands Own hats. This is a microcosm of what is going on in Oakland, Ford said. As much as Oaklanders have to accept gentrification, he added, We want to celebrate Oakland being the most diverse city in the country.

Most people said they were there to spend the afternoon, and the crowd continued to grow in the afternoon.

By 2 p.m., a quarter-mile curl of the lake had blossomed into a street party several thousand strong. Half clasped paper plates and Solo cups; the other half filled the sidewalk, surveying the scene and calling across the green to friends. Motorcycles, dancers, drummers, spinning selfie-takers and food trucks all showed up to transform the site of an outrage back into a celebration of a sunny Sunday.

Robinson, one of the organizers, was born and raised in Oakland but had recently moved to Sacramento, driven out by rising rents. He sported a tank top his Real Oakland brand was selling. My hope for this event is for people who are true natives of Oakland to come together and show what I would consider the new Oakland, the gentrified Oakland, that were still here, were not going anywhere, he said.

Jonathan Kauffman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jkauffman@sfchronicle.com Twitter and Instagram: @jonkauffman
Mayor Mark Farrells call for a new 10-member team to fan out across San Francisco offering an instant cure for heroin addiction is the latest attempt to deal with the growing problem of people openly shooting drugs.

Its also expensive.

The two-year plan includes $370,310 a year for the teams doctors, $251,344 annually for nurses, $157,185 a year for psychiatric social workers, a full-time health co-coordinator at $89,579, three health workers at $69,000 each, plus a full-time pharmacist at $186,710.

Add in $508,322 for benefits, and it works out to a total of $1.8 million a year for just staff.

The total cost, including the addiction-stopping wonder drug buprenorphine, is estimated at $6 million for two years.

The goal is to get 250 of the citys estimated 11,000 heroin addicts off the streets and into treatment. That pencils out to about $24,000 per addict  or about $10,000 more than tuition and fees to attend the University of California for one year.

Health department spokeswoman Rachael Kagan, however, said its not correct to equate the total funding with a per-patient cost for buprenorphine treatment alone, as the street team will be expanding to provide a wide variety of services over time.

Nonetheless, the cost of the program is an insight into how the city is spending over $300 million a year on a homelessness problem that shows little sign of improving.

Indeed, from the looks of things, it will be spending even more in the coming years.

Toll take: With just over two weeks to go before the June election, no one knows how the regional measure to raise Bay Area bridge tolls by $3 to pay for transportation projects will fare.

A KPIX-Survey USA phone poll of 584 likely Bay Area voters from May 10 to May 15 found the yes on Regional Measure 3 campaign is leading 40 percent to 34 percent, but more than a quarter of those surveyed were undecided. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent.

The well-financed backers of the plan  which would increase tolls on all seven of the regions state-owned bridges to pay for $4.5 billion in transportation projects  are gearing up to get it across the finish line.

In recent weeks, the coalition of labor, civic and business organizations has been hitting the nine Bay Area counties with customized cable TV ads touting the projects that will benefit each area.

In San Francisco, for example, the ads boast about improvements to Muni and extending BART to San Jose. Across the bay in Alameda, they highlight plans for a second bay crossing. In Contra Costa County, the pitch is for improvements to the Interstate 680-Highway 4 interchange.

Our polling shows that when people see the projects, they like them  they want to support (the measure) and get those benefits, said Michael Cunningham of the Bay Area Council, one of the many business and civic groups backing the effort.

But Sue Caro, regional vice chair of the state Republican Party, said what had once been a toll to maintain the bridges would now be used for unrelated projects.

Its what we call a Christmas tree program, Caro said. They are going to make it look good for all of the different nine counties.

What their ads dont mention is the toll hike, which starts at $1 in 2019 and rises to $3 over the next six years.

Nonetheless, Cunningham said, traffic is terrible. Improvements are needed. Everyone benefits.

Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

Pay day: Embattled Alameda City Manager Jill Keimach, who secretly taped conversations with two City Council members she felt were pressuring her to hire a union leader as the citys fire chief, has agreed to a $945,000 walk-away package.

The terms of the agreement are fair toward me and enable the city to move forward with its important business without the potential of years of litigation, Keimach told us in a statement.

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.

Keimach had been on paid leave from her $250,000-a-year job since March, when it was revealed that she had secretly taped two City Council members who she said were making veiled threats that she could lose her job unless she hired their preferred candidate for fire chief.

The tapes were uncovered as part of an outside investigation into whether the council members tried to unduly influence Keimach.

The council has asked the Alameda County district attorney to investigate Keimachs potentially illegal taping, but backed off firing her after dozens of her supporters packed the council chambers last week and rallied to her defense.

In a 3-2 vote, the council agreed to pay out the 22 remaining months on Keimachs four-year contract. The deal includes $257,400 in severance, 18 months worth of health benefits and a $519,000 annuity to be paid in two installments.

The city is also picking up Keimachs $125,000 in attorney fees.

We think its a vindication, said Karl Olson, part of the San Francisco legal team that represented her.

Alameda Mayor Trish Herrera Spencer and Vice Mayor Malia Vella voted against the settlement. But in a statement announcing the deal, Spencer thanked the city manager for her service and said the city wishes Ms. Keimach well in her continued public sector career.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX-TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@ sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross
The dreaded Hayes Street Hill.

From the top it doesnt look so bad, a short two-thirds of a mile with an 11 percent grade.

All told, its just a 128-foot elevation gain.

From the bottom, it looks bad. Halfway up it feels like hell.

But any runner who wants to complete the Bay to Breakers has to slog up the hill.

From the bottom at Laguna to the top took 17 minutes for most people who walked at a fairly brisk pace, but stopped to dance or grab a drink at parties that poured out of Victorian houses into the street.

At 818 Hayes St., about halfway up the hill, 80s dance tunes boomed, a hula hooper shimmied and runners stopped to bust a few moves before continuing up toward the summit.

Camille Lee, wearing a neon minidress, said she wasnt concerned about what the dance break would do to her race time.

Im not here to run,  she said. I come because its fun. Everyone is in costume and having a good time.

Among the runners heading up the hill was Fran Amy, from Kaneohe, Hawaii, celebrating her 70th birthday. It was her sixth time running the race  although she was more of a fast walker than runner.

The last time she participated  three years ago  she said that was it. No more. She could do without another trip up the Hayes Street hill.

I was done, but my friends decided otherwise, she said.

She wasnt regretting it, even as others cursed the elevation gain, sweat trickling down to their tutus and under their Tyrannosaurus rex costumes.

I just love San Francisco and this is a thing to do, she said. Its exciting, and it keeps me energized through the year so Ill be ready for this.

It was unclear, however if she was really ready for the naked Harry Potter who was just ahead of her, wearing little more than a cape and the trademark glasses as well as a lightning bolt on the forehead. The naked Harry seemed to mind neither the hill nor the gawking paparazzi-like picture takers he passed.

But he wasnt the first naked guy up the hill. A regular naked guy hit the top of the hill a little before 8:30 a.m.  one of the faster runners on the route despite the lack of a support system.

At the top of the hill, a dozen people stood giving out high fives, filming each of the hand slaps. The group, Project Finding Gratitude, said a food company, Nybll, promised to donate meals to help them feed the homeless if the group collected 15,000 high fives to beat the current Guinness world record.

The record is 14,000 and were going to smash it, said Ian Griffith, 47, of Burlingame, who founded the group.

Just over the crest of Hayes Street Hill, Ketan Kothari, 54, of Palo Alto, was sweating but breathing easily and feeling good.

He had conquered the monster hill, but he had conquered death about seven months earlier.

This isnt my first time running, he said, but its the first time since I had a triple bypass in October.

Michael Cabanatuan and Jill Tucker are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com, mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker, @ctuan
A debate in Palo Alto over permits, traffic, and safety turned into frenzy of internet warfare after unsavory tweets from an associate pastor were leaked to the city's website.

The recovered tweets were posted on a public document addressing the city's latest council hearing, in which the city and the First Baptist Church of Palo Alto sparred over permission to lease the church to outside tenants as a community center.

On his public Twitter account, which has since been removed, the Rev. Gregory Stevens called the city "an elitist sh** den of hate," and "disgusting." Stevens also lambasted the city's "social justice" on Earth Day, calling it a "f****** joke" and criticized the church's elderly community.

RELATED: Calif. candidate filmed herself yelling at a transgender woman

Palo Alto Vice Mayor Eric Filseth called the tweets vile, and said he would think twice before sending children to an event at the church, the Palo Alto Daily Post reported. Filseth did not respond to a request for an interview.

In an email statement, Stevens wrote that he had resigned from the congregation to "help minimize the negativity focused on the good community work being done at the First Baptist Church of Palo Alto."

"I tweeted to vent my frustration, and I acknowledge that I did so in an unprofessional and often hurtful way. My Twitter community has always been a small group of progressive ministers and Leftist political activists to whom my rants were geared," he said.

MORE: Plane passenger allegedly punches pregnant woman, service dog

In Stevens' 623-word statement, he elaborated on his frustration with what he perceived as a lack of action to address the city's wealth inequalities.

"In my experience of trying to work with this community for almost 3 years, I believe Palo Alto is a ghetto of wealth, power, and elitist liberalism by proxy, meaning that many community members claim to want to fight for social justice issues, but that desire doesn't translate into action," Stevens said. "If the same energies used to organize neighbors around minor parking issues, a young girls choirs, and 'nasty tweets' were honed to fight actual injustices, Palo Alto would be a very different city. Palo Alto needs more action, less lip service."

ALSO: 'There's high tensions here': Baristas share stories from the front lines of SF's growing divide

The First Baptist Church had been lobbying the city for a conditional use permit that would allow the church to lease space to tenants including a Silicon Valley's girls choir called iSing, and multiple dance troupes.

The Daily Post reported that the public hearing spanned more than four hours, but ultimately resulted in a 7-2 vote in the church's favor.

Meanwhile, Stevens will be moving to San Francisco once his lease in Palo Alto is over. Among his tweets that detailed how much he hated living in Palo Alto, his distaste for Beyonce, and startlingly graphic bathroom banter, Stevens had also asked his Twitter followers for help finding a new job.

"I can't figure out how to grow a church," Stevens wrote on March 20. "I can't even get 3 people around a table of free food to talk about compost as a metaphor for social/personal change. #bye."

Read Annie Vainshtein's latest stories here. Send her news tips at avainshtein@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @annievain
Two friends riding their bikes in a mountainous, wooded area of Washington state Saturday morning were attacked by a cougar, which killed one of them in the states first such fatality in more than 90 years, officials said.

Authorities said the two cyclists saw the cougar, a 100-pound male, in pursuit and one of them screamed. They stopped, got off their bikes and made noise to ward him off, as people in such situations are advised to do, authorities said.

At first, it appeared to work. The cougar fled.

But as they were about to pedal away, the cougar returned, Sgt. Ryan Abbott of the King County Sheriffs Office said. He jumped on Isaac Sederbaum, putting its mouth around his head and shaking him. He released Sederbaum and chased after the other cyclist, Sonja Brooks, who had started to run.

As Sederbaum, who had been bloodied but survived, rode away from the scene, he could see the cougar dragging Brooks into the woods, Abbott said. Sederbaum later told authorities that he had to travel about 2 miles before getting a cell phone signal and calling 911.

By the time help arrived, it was too late. Officers found the body of Brooks, 32, underneath a log and debris in what appeared to be the cougars den. The animal was atop the body, said Capt. Alan Myers of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police.

The attack happened around Lake Hancock, near Snoqualmie, Wash., about 30 miles east of Seattle.

Though cougars, which are also called mountain lions and pumas, are known to roam the area, Myers said attacks on humans are rare. Brooks death was the first time a cougar had killed a human in Washington since 1924, he said.

Normally we respond to a cougar attack on somebodys livestock, Myers said. People are not on the menu for cougars. They normally want nothing to do with us.

After locating the cougar, a deputy fired at him and he fled. Authorities later tracked it to a nearby gully using hounds, Myers said. A hound chased the cougar into a tree, and officers fired at least four rounds. The cougar was knocked out of the tree and was fatally shot as he tried to escape.

Myers said it was not immediately clear why the cougar had attacked. Officials estimated he was 3 to 4 years old.

Matt Stevens is a New York Times writer.
WASHINGTON  The pace of new voter registrations among young people in crucial states is accelerating, a signal that school shootings this year  and the anger and political organizing in their wake  may prove to be more than ephemeral displays of activism.

They could even help shape the outcome of the midterm elections. If voters in their teens and 20s turn out in greater numbers than usual, as many promised during nationwide marches for gun control this spring, the groundswell could affect close races in key states such as Arizona and Florida, where there will be competitive races for governor, the Senate and several House districts in November.

The deadly shooting Friday at Santa Fe High School in Texas will probably add urgency to the efforts. Hours after the carnage, young organizers mobilized by the February mass shooting in Parkland, Fla., were pledging a political response.

Santa Fe High, you didnt deserve this, Emma Gonzalez, an organizer from Parkland, posted on Twitter. You deserve peace all your lives, not just after a tombstone saying that is put over you. You deserve more than Thoughts and Prayers, and after supporting us by walking out we will be there to support you by raising up your voices.

The question is whether they will vote. Even some Republicans are beginning to believe they will.

The shooting at Parkland high school was the tipping point for these kids, said Christine Matthews, a Republican pollster.

Voter data for March and April show that young registrants represented a higher portion of new voters in Florida, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, among other states. In Florida, voters younger than 26 jumped from less than 20 percent of new registrants in January and February to nearly 30 percent by March, the month of the gun control rallies. That ticked down to about 25 percent in April, as the demonstrations subsided, but registration of young voters remained above the pace set before 17 students and faculty were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

In North Carolina, voters younger than 25 represented around 30 percent of new registrations in January and February; in March and April, they were around 40 percent.

New polling of younger voters from the Harvard Kennedy Schools Institute of Politics found a significant jump from two years ago in those who say their involvement will make a difference. Such optimism indicates a voter is more likely to actually turn out.

So far, the Harvard polling indicates that Democrats are the more likely beneficiary of the increased commitment to voting, with half of voters 18 to 29 saying they will vote Democratic. The remainder are divided between Republicans and independents.

Michael Tackett and Rachel Shorey are New York Times writers.
SANTA FE, Texas  A 17-year-old student confessed to opening fire at his Texas high school Friday, killing 10 people, and told investigators after a protracted gunbattle that he had spared certain students so he could have his story told, authorities said.

A Galveston County Sheriffs Office investigator wrote in an affidavit that the student, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, had waived his right to remain silent and had given a statement admitting to shooting multiple people at Santa Fe High School. The investigator, identified only as J. Roy, also wrote that Pagourtzis had said he did not shoot students he liked.

Before his arrest, Pagourtzis exchanged gunfire with police officers for about 15 minutes and abandoned what he said had been his intention to take his own life.

He decided to chicken out of that and came out with his hands up, county Judge Mark Henry, the top elected official for Galveston County, said in an interview Saturday. The investigator said there were a lot of shell casings from both sides.

Many Santa Fe students were being allowed to return to the campus Saturday afternoon, each escorted by a police officer, to retrieve the belongings they left when they were evacuated.

This is a tough time, said Rep. Randy Weber, the Republican who represents this rural community of about 13,000 people in Congress. Weve got a hurting community.

Gov. Greg Abbott said after the attack that any red-flag warnings were either nonexistent or very imperceptible, but he said investigators had quickly recovered information from Pagourtzis computer and cell phone that suggested he wanted to carry out the shooting and to kill himself afterward.

Pagourtzis was being held without bond Saturday, on charges of capital murder and aggravated assault of a public servant. Investigators believe Pagourtzis took a shotgun and a .38-caliber revolver from his father to use in the attack. Henry said that two possible improvised explosive devices that Pagourtzis had brought to the school had turned out to be harmless.

The University of Texas Medical Branch, which treated some of the injured, said Saturday that one patient  a police officer  was in critical condition. The FBI increased the number of injured, to 13 from 10.

The school district said all its schools would be closed Monday and Tuesday and it would offer counseling.

Manny Fernandez and Alan Blinder are New York Times writers.
WASHINGTON  The United States has put on hold its plan to impose sweeping tariffs on Chinese products as it presses forward with negotiations to reduce its trade deficit with Beijing, a top priority of President Trump.

Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, said Sunday that the two countries had made progress as they concluded two days of intense trade negotiations in Washington late last week. The planned tariffs on $150 billion worth of Chinese goods are off the table while the talks proceed, he said.

Were putting the trade war on hold, Mnuchin said on Fox News Sunday.

After finishing the talks in Washington, the two sides released a joint statement Saturday that offered little detail about what had been decided. Mnuchin said Sunday that they had agreed on a framework under which China would increase its purchases of U.S. goods, while putting in place structural changes to protect U.S. technology and to make it easier for U.S. companies to compete in China.

While U.S. officials had signaled last week that China had agreed to increase purchases by $200 billion, Mnuchin declined to confirm that figure. We have very specific targets; Im not going to disclose what they are, Mnuchin said.

He suggested that under a deal, China would make big increases in its purchases of U.S. agricultural products and energy over the next several years.

Larry Kudlow, Trumps chief economic adviser, said Sunday that the $200 billion number was a rough ballpark estimate that both sides had used. It is a figure that simply interests the president a lot, he said, and is not an indication that a deal of that size is imminent.

They are offering to make structural reforms, such as lower tariffs and lowering nontariff barriers, which will permit us to export billions and billions more goods to China, Kudlow said of China on ABCs This Week program.

Economists have voiced doubts about the $200 billion figure, an amount equivalent to more than half the annual U.S. trade deficit with China. They say it would be difficult to increase U.S. exports by anything close to that figure, given structural hurdles in China and limits to how much the United States could increase its production of goods.

Alan Rappeport and Noah Weiland are New York Times writers.
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

San Francisco's Emergency Operations Center is in full swing to assist city workers, the press and the public during today's Bay to Breakers race, city officials said.

Media inquiries should be directed to Kristin Hogan, the Emergency Operations Center's public information officer, at (415) 558-2712 or dempress@sfgov.org. Hogan is currently staffing this phone number at the center.

To receive emergency text message alerts related to today's race, anyone can text the phrase B2BSF to 888-777. This is a special AlertSF code for the Bay to Breakers.

AlertSF sends alerts and instructions following a natural disaster, major police, fire, or health emergencies, or significant transportation disruptions to mobile subscribers.
SCOTTS VALLEY (BCN)

Officers arrested a man suspected of beating his girlfriend and then shooting himself in Scotts Valley early this morning, police said.

Ryan Schell, 29, of Santa Cruz, was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and kidnapping, according to police.

Officers responded to the 100 block of Mount Hermon Road around 4 a.m. today regarding reports of a domestic disturbance with shots fired, police said.

As officers arrived, they heard several shots, police said. A person described as an involved party fled the house as they arrived, according to police.

The officers went into the house and found a man with a gunshot wound, police said. The man was airlifted to Scotts Valley Center, where he underwent surgery, according to police.

A woman was taken to Dominican Hospital for injuries not deemed to be life-threatening, police said.

An investigation revealed that the woman had been beaten and held against her will and the man's gunshot wound self-inflicted, police said.
GONZALES (BCN)

A Gonzales man was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for domestic violence charges involving three different female victims, Monterey County prosecutors announced Friday.

Ricardo Balli, 24, was found guilty of four felony charges and a special allegation that he inflicted great bodily injury to one of the three victims.

All three victims testified in October, prosecutors said, detailing how Balli attacked them. One woman said he struck her at the King City Fairgrounds in May 2016 with so much force that she became unconscious, and later needed 13 stitches to heal her injuries.

Another victim said Balli attacked her at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital when she was three months pregnant.

Prosecutors said he battered the third victim, his current girlfriend, in the parking lot of a Pizza Factory in Salinas in 2016.

The woman who Balli attacked at the fairgrounds "bravely" made a statement at the sentencing hearing, prosecutors said. They granted her a restraining order against Balli for 10 years.

Balli was convicted of battery causing serious bodily injury, assault by means likely to cause great bodily injury, domestic violence and vandalism.
SALINAS (BCN)

The city of Salinas is set to receive a new fire chief, city officials announced Friday.

Jeffery Johnson will replace Edmond Rodriguez on June 4. Rodriguez left the position in November to become the fire chief for the city of Alameda.

Johnson comes from the Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department, where he served as deputy fire chief.

Johnson brings 31 years of experience, including as a paramedic, firefighter, captain, battalion chief and firefighter instructor as well as deputy chief.
You might already know the big names running in California's June 5 primary election.

Current Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom leads the governor's race among likely voters, according to a recent PPIC poll. Other frontrunners include former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Democrat Delaine Eastin, Democrat John Chiang and Republican Travis Allen.

As for the Senate race, the internal party battle between Dianne Feinstein and Kevin de Leon is heating up. Feinstein, now 84, is running for her fifth full term in the U.S. Senate. Kevin de Leon is the author of California's main sanctuary state law.

CHRONICLE VOTER GUIDE: Everything you need to know about the upcoming June election

If you've taken a look at your Voter guide mailer, you might have come across some names  alongside the ones up above  that weren't familiar to you.

Check out our slideshow above for a guide to some of California's Senate and Governor candidates whom you might not have heard of. The roster includes a transhumanist, a self proclaimed "world's greatest leader" and a couple of bus drivers to boot.

Click through the slideshow above for their stories.
WINDSOR, England  The son of British royalty and the daughter of middle-class Americans wed Saturday in a service that reflected Prince Harrys royal heritage, Meghan Markles biracial roots and the pairs shared commitment to putting a more diverse, modern face on the monarchy.

British reserve crisscrossed with American verve in a service that broke molds and created new ones. Choirboys and a gospel choir; the archbishop of Canterbury and the African American leader of the Episcopal Church; a horse-drawn carriage and flowers hand-picked by the groom.

The wedding was a global event, thanks to Harrys status as a senior British royal and Markles celebrity after starring on the U.S. television series Suits for seven years. Yet it seemed somehow so personal  and they both beamed like a couple who couldnt take their eyes off each other.

In a rousing sermon that highlighted a bit of a culture gap between outgoing Americans and reserved Brits, the Most. Rev. Michael Curry of the U.S. stirred the congregation from its fairy-tale reverie, quoting Martin Luther King in a sermon that had some reaching for hankies and others shifting in their chairs.

Theres power in love, Curry said, his voice rising. Love can help and heal when nothing else can. Theres power in love to lift up and liberate when nothing else will.

Joining the couple were a phalanx of celebrities, many of whom shared their wish to change the world. Oprah Winfrey, Idris Elba, Elton John, George and Amal Clooney, Serena Williams, and David and Victoria Beckham all watched from rows of seats in the Gothic masterpiece that is St. Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Harry also invited buddies from his 10 years of military service and from many of the charities he supports, which have focused on helping wounded veterans and encouraging a more open discussion of mental health issues.

To kick off the festivities, Queen Elizabeth II honored her red-headed, 33-year-old grandson with a new title: the Duke of Sussex, making the 36-year-old Markle the Duchess of Sussex.

The American actress drew raves for her sleek white silk boat-necked dress by British designer Clare Waight Keller of the French fashion house Givenchy.

Harry and best man Prince William wore white gloves and the frock coat uniforms of the Blues and Royals army regiment, in which Harry was once an officer.

Markle at first walked down the aisle with 10 young page boys and bridesmaids, then was accompanied by Prince Charles to the altar.

As they emerged from the chapel, the couple kissed  and the crowd roared. It just kept on cheering as Harry helped his wife fold her 16-foot train into the Ascot Landau carriage as they began their procession through the streets of Windsor.

Police said more than 100,000 people lined the route.

Other relatives in the ceremony included 4-year-old Prince George and 3-year-old Princess Charlotte, the oldest children of William and the Duchess of Cambridge.

The 92-year-old queen and her 96-year-old husband, Prince Philip, Harrys grandparents, looked on with pride, as did Markles mother, Doria Ragland, who has spent the last few days getting to know her daughters new family.

Danica Kirka, Jill Lawless and Gregory Katz are Associated Press writers.
KINSHASA, Congo  Congo will begin administering an experimental Ebola vaccine Monday in Mbandaka, the northwestern city of 1.2 million where the deadly disease has infected some residents, Congos health minister announced.

The vaccination campaign begins tomorrow, Monday, in Mbandaka, capital of the province. It will target, first, the health staff, the contacts of the sick and the contacts of the contacts, Minister of Health Oly Ilunga said Sunday.

The death toll of the current Ebola outbreak has risen to 26.

Initially, the campaign will target 600 people, mainly medical staff, contacts of suspected cases, and those who have been in contact with the contacts, said Ilunga. Officials are working urgently to prevent the disease from spreading beyond Mbandaka, which lies on the Congo River, a busy traffic corridor, and is an hours flight from the capital.

More than 4,000 doses are already in Congo and more are on the way, according to officials. The vaccine is still in the test stages, but it was effective in the West Africa outbreak a few years ago.

A major challenge will be keeping the vaccines cold in this vast, impoverished, tropical country where infrastructure is poor.

Four new cases have been confirmed as Ebola, said the health ministry in a statement released early Sunday. A total of 46 cases of hemorrhagic fever have been reported, including 21 confirmed cases of Ebola, 21 probable and four suspected.

Congo President Joseph Kabila and his Cabinet agreed Saturday to increase funds for the Ebola emergency to more than $4 million. The Cabinet also endorsed the decision to provide free health care in the affected areas and to provide special care to all Ebola victims and their relatives.

The spread of Ebola from a rural area to Mbandaka has raised alarm as Ebola can spread more quickly in urban centers. The fever can cause severe internal bleeding that is often fatal.

Saleh Mwanamilongo is an Associated Press writer.
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates  Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned Sunday that true civil discourse is under threat around the world while speaking to graduates at NYU Abu Dhabi, an event that the school blocked journalists from filming.

While obliquely criticizing President Trump, Kerry did not mention the 2015 Iran nuclear deal he secured with other world powers. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the accord.

It probably was courtesy to his hosts in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, which long opposed the deal as not going far enough to limit Irans power in the greater Mideast.

True civil discourse is also under threat all around the planet, eroding rights alongside trust, Kerry said. Certainly in my country, our politics has become almost all accusatory and all bombastic.

Andrew Hamilton, president of New York University, also made a point to criticize disturbing trends of anti-intellectualism and anti-factualism in the world.

NYU Abu Dhabi invited reporters to cover Kerrys speech, then just before the ceremony said journalists could not film his full remarks. They said the school would offer video that it would editorially control after the event.

A university spokeswoman, Kate Chandler, said it was the schools decision.

This is not the first time NYU Abu Dhabi has faced criticism when trying to balance the ideas of an American liberal arts education in the United Arab Emirates, which has strict rules governing speech despite being a staunch American ally in the Mideast.

Jon Gambrell is an Associated Press writer.
Page Content

A California lawmaker has introduced legislation that would expand harassment-prevention training requirementsand the bill has both pros and cons for employers, according to experts.

Currently, California employers with 50 or more workers must provide training to supervisors only. Under the bill, SB 1343, businesses with five or more workers would need to train all of their employees.

By January 2020, covered employers would need to provide two hours of harassment-prevention training. Thereafter, employers would need to educate workers on this topic once every two years.

One benefit of the legislation is that complaints might be brought to management's attention at an earlier stage, which would be a good development, according to Jack Schaedel, an employment attorney with Scali Rasmussen in Los Angeles.

[SHRM members-only toolkit: Complying with California Sexual Harassment Training Requirements]

However, there are some aspects of the bill that raised concerns. In interviews with SHRM Online, employment attorneys and a harassment-prevention trainer said that the two-hour training requirement is excessive for nonsupervisory employees. Also, concerns were raised about the impact of the bill on small businesses.

The Details

The bill was introduced by Sen. Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles. Under the legislation, the training would need to cover:

Prevention of sexual harassment.



Prevention of abusive conduct.



Prevention of harassment based on gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.



According to the bill, employers could either develop their own two-hour training program or have workers view a training video to be developed by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

"I think education is always a great idea," said Linda Robinson, who provides harassment-prevention training through ModernHR in West Hollywood. "I think the more we can share knowledge, the better."

It's important for all employees to understand the definition of harassment and what types of conduct are prohibited, said Christopher Olmsted, an employment attorney with Ogletree Deakins in San Diego. Employees also should know what to do if they experience harassment.

Schaedel similarly likes the idea of providing training to all employees. By doing this, businesses may create a culture of reporting, rather than a culture of silence, he noted. Because of the expanded training, employers may get reports of misconduct earlier than they otherwise would, allowing them to address these issues relatively quickly. In this way, employers could prevent even bigger problems down the line.

How Much Training?

However, experts questioned the need for two hours of training for all employees. "Although some amount of training is prudent for nonsupervisory employees, in my view the two-hour requirement may be more than is reasonably necessary," Olmsted said.

Robinson agreed. For nonsupervisory employees, "I don't see why two hours would be necessary," she said.

Nonsupervisory employees should understand the employer's policy, have examples of what's inappropriate and understand the steps to take if they are experiencing unwelcome attention of any type, according to Robinson. Generally, this type of training can be provided in about an hour or so, she said.

In contrast, there are more areas to cover when providing anti-harassment training to supervisors, Robinson observed. For instance, California regulations require supervisors to report any misconduct complaints to a company representative.

"For supervisors, two hours is just barely enough," Robinson said.

Schaedel also said the two-hour training requirement for nonsupervisory employees seems excessive. They might lose interest during the two-hour span, so it would probably be better if the training period were shorter, he said.

Impact on Small Businesses

Another concern is that SB 1343 would affect a large number of smaller businesses, according to Olmsted. "The bill puts a new and significant training obligation on employers who may not have prior experience doing this," he said.

Small businesses might not have the resources to develop their own internal training programs. In that case, they would need to either seek help from an outside trainer or rely on the state's training video, according to Olmsted.

Using an outside trainer costs money, which could place a burden on smaller businesses, he noted.

But Olmstead also expressed skepticism that the state government can develop an engaging presentation. "I question whether the state can really put together a compelling presentation," he said.

Toni Vranjes is a freelance business writer in San Pedro, Calif.
Australias biggest news organisations are partnering with global insights company Nielsen to add newspaper and magazine audience data to offer advertisers a multi-channel planning hub across television, radio, print and digital.

In the first major change to the industry-backed readership survey Emma (Enhanced Media Metrics Australia) since its launch, Nielsen will bring together its digital audience data with Ipsos print and demographic readership survey to create a total audience measure.

This will allow Nielsen to provide print audience currency data alongside other media data for the first time, with advertising agencies better able to plan multi-channel campaigns across print, magazines, television and radio.

Australia's biggest news and magazine publishers have partnered up with Nielsen.

The Readership Works general manager Mal Dale said the change was the biggest evolution in the Emma metric since it launched five years ago.
Global car makers are set to clash with the Turnbull government over new rules forcing them to give Australia's 23,000 independent auto repairers easier access to the computerised information needed to service modern vehicles.

An investigation by the competition watchdog has found mechanics are often unable to obtain information from international manufacturers needed to diagnose and fix faults in increasingly software-embedded car components.

Tensions are rising over whether car makers and their dealerships should give independent mechanics easier access to their technical servicing data. Credit:Daniel Acker

But the national trade association for automakers  such as Audi, BMW, GM Holden, Ford, Fiat Chrysler and Toyota  have disputed the watchdog's findings and criticised government plans for a compulsory data-sharing code.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims last year found auto manufacturers had an "incentive" to deny or delay independent repairers' access to technical information so as to steer service and repairs to their authorised Australian dealers instead.
Parliamentary resolutions forbid interference with witnesses "by fraud, intimidation, force or threat of any kind" or any influence in respect of any evidence to be given or to induce someone not to give the evidence. The resolutions also forbid the molestation of witnesses, which includes to "inflict any penalty or injury upon, or deprive of any benefit". Interference or molestation of witnesses is a criminal offence under the Parliamentary Privileges Act and penalties include fines or imprisonment. Senator O'Neill says the committee is monitoring any communications of intimidation or harassment and communicating immediately with anyone acting in such a way.

"After what we've seen revealed in the current royal commission with the banks, I think Australians have had a gutful of unethical business behaviour," Senator O'Neill says. "If you are a franchisor who thinks it's OK to threaten retribution to your franchisees, or their staff, because they participate in a Senate inquiry, you're doing the wrong thing. Stop it and withdraw any such threats immediately." Foodco operates the Muffin Break franchise. Credit:Facebook Foodco A spokesperson for Foodco says the franchisor supports the parliamentary inquiry. At no time was the letter intended to discourage franchisees from participating in the inquiry," the spokesperson says. "We strongly refute any suggestion this was the case, and absolutely respect the rights of anyone to lodge a submission."

The spokesperson says the letter was concerned with allegations made by a former Muffin Break franchisee publicly, on Facebook and other forms of social media, which they felt will have a detrimental effect not only on their businesses, but the Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue brands as a whole. "Foodco is aware of the Parliamentary Privileges Act and would never interfere with that process." Culture of oppression However many franchisees are running scared. Fairfax Media understands the inquiry has received over 300 submissions and almost half of these have been made in confidence.

The inquiry has set up secret hearings alongside the public hearings as franchisees are concerned about franchisors tracking and stalking them. Senator O'Neill says the number of confidential submissions is "extraordinarily high" and "reveals a culture of oppression and cover up that appears quite widespread in the franchising industry". Faheem Mirza says Foodco's business model is fake. Credit:Dean Sewell Fake business model Former Foodco franchisee Faheem Mirza has made a submission to the inquiry detailing how he lost everything operating two Muffin Break stores in Rhodes and Burwood in New South Wales.

Mr Mirza says he is aware of more than 20 Foodco franchisees who have made submissions, although the majority of them are confidential because of fear of repercussions. Mr Mirza says Foodco's business model is fake, its labour costs "a mathematical impossibility" and that Foodco expects all franchisees work for free. "I have been sent multiple rosters officially where myself and my wife have been rostered to work anywhere from 50 to 83 hours per week each, for zero pay, if I ever want to see any profit," he says. Mr Mirza also says Foodco told him to consider under-paying staff. "The key message was that as migrants, I must be aware of other migrants or students, who would gladly accept under-payments in lure of their 'first' job and hence not report or complain. So, if I were able to exploit my employees, I could generate a 'profit', otherwise there is no other cost that can be managed enough to reverse this loss-making scenario."

The spokesperson for Foodco says the franchisor strongly rejects Mr Mirza's allegations. Nationals senator John Williams established the franchising inquiry. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Alarming Nationals senator John Williams, who established the parliamentary inquiry, told Fairfax Media he found Foodco's letter "very alarming". "If you take it in the context of telling franchisees not to say bad things about Foodco to the inquiry, that is wrong in my opinion," he says. "A committee might see that as threatening, a committee may see it as contempt of Parliament if they see witnesses or potential witnesses being threatened by anyone."

Senator Williams says many franchisees are "gun shy". "They are scared as retaliation of a franchisor is very detrimental to their livelihood," he says. "I think it's important people realise we have thousands and thousands of good franchisees in Australia but sadly we have too many that are not in that position." Senator Williams says franchisees should not be afraid of coming forward to the inquiry. Loading "I have made it quite clear that when you write a submission to a parliamentary inquiry, you are covered by parliamentary privilege. You cannot be sued by your submission or by an appearance," he says.
Nutella is a much-loved staple in Australian households. But a Melbourne man believes his healthier alternative will give consumers a good reason to swap brands.

With a strikingly similar name, Nuttvia includes 97 per cent less sugar and zero palm oil.

Samuel Tew is the creator of Nuttvia.

Brand creator Samuel Tew has worked to formulate the product in the belief that he can capitalise on the growing appetite for healthier brand alternatives in supermarkets.

While he admits it was a lofty goal to take on such a well-loved brand as Nutella, Tew has been working to change peoples behaviour towards sugar since 2000 and felt he had the runs on the board to give it a go.
Carolyn Flanagan hopes she can help other people by appearing as a witness at the banking royal commission on Monday.

"I hope it never happens to another elderly person ever and it stops the banks from doing this and lying to people," the former Westpac customer said. "I don't care if it costs me my house, as long as it doesn't cost anyone else their house. If I can save one or two people then I'm OK."

Senior counsel Rowena Orr and Eloise Dias for the banking royal commission. Credit:Eddie Jim

As the royal commission this week scrutinises lending to small businesses, Ms Flanagan, 67, is listed as a key witness.

Ms Flanagan acted as a guarantor for her daughter and her partner when they applied for a loan from Westpac to purchase a Poolwerx franchise in western Sydney.
One issue that is likely to be scrutinised closely at this round of hearings is the allegation the Commonwealth Bank deliberately defaulted customers who were lent money by Bankwest, which CBA acquired at the peak of the global financial crisis. The bank has denied any wrongdoing. Former attorney-general Philip Ruddock, a member of Senator Fawcett's inquiry, said he believed CBA acted inappropriately and he would not be surprised if the royal commission came to a similar conclusion. "I was of the view that the Commonwealth Bank, having acquired Bankwest under instructions from the government, was unhappy about their loan book and wanted to change fundamentally those arrangements and did so inappropriately," Mr Ruddock said. ANZ Bank, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, National Australia Bank, Suncorp and Bank of Queensland will all face the hearing over the next two weeks. On Monday, the commission will hear from Philip Khoury, who reviewed the code of banking practice for the Australian Banking Association, Dana Beiglari from Legal Aid and Alastair Welsh, head of commercial banking at Westpac.

Senator David Fawcett Carolyn Flanagan, a former Westpac customer, is listed as a witness in Monday's hearing. She told Fairfax Media she had acted as a guarantor for her daughter and her partner when they applied for a loan from Westpac to buy a Poolwerx franchise. However, the business did not succeed and Ms Flanagan lost ownership of her home. Ms Flanagan claimed she had been misled by the bank, and brought her case before the Financial Services Ombudsman. She was unsuccessful and Westpac has granted her a lifetime tenancy. "Never trust them, otherwise you will lose your home," Ms Flanagan said. Non-monetary defaults

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell claims the alleged power imbalance between banks and small businesses continues. "I am very hopeful that the royal commission will look at the Commonwealth Bank and Bankwest takeover, ANZ Landmark and a range of the fairly systemic approaches the big four banks particularly, but others as well, took in terms of defaulting small business, but particularly those that continued to pay what they owed," she said. Kate Carnell is concerned about the use of non-monetary default. Credit:Jessica Hromas Ms Carnell said a key issue was the banks focus on their own risk and profitability rather than working with small businesses to help them through difficult times. Unequal relationship

Former senior National Australia Bank executive Joseph Healy said small business customers could find themselves exposed to "hugely unfair" arrangements. Mr Healy, a former head of business banking at NAB and co-founder of challenger bank Judo Capital, says the problems with banking stem from the big four banks having close to 85 per cent of all small and medium-sized business lending. "It is quite an unequal relationship and the apparent strength of the banks places them at a huge advantage," he said. "Most small businesses don't negotiate but have to accept the terms and conditions offered to them." Joseph Healy is the former head of NAB business banking. Credit:Elke Meitzel Mr Healy also highlighted non-financial default as an issue for small business.

"A small business can be performing exactly in line with a contract, but if the bank takes a particular view on an industry, let's say, for example, retail pharmaceuticals, suddenly all facilities, regardless of how well they have performed, come under scrutiny with the risk of them being withdrawn," he said. Scarred Dario Pappalardo, who was a property developer in Melbourne, says he is still wearing the scars after a dispute with NAB during the global financial crisis. His case is not expected to appear before the royal commission. Mr Pappalardo, 56, said funding for an off-the-plan apartment project he was pursuing was frozen in mid-2008, and he never received a complete answer on why the bank had done so. Construction stopped, and he was transferred to the bank's restructuring division. Family members helped financially, including by borrowing against property, but he was ultimately declared bankrupt in mid-2009 by a creditor. Family members ended up with the debt, which Mr Pappalardo is still paying back. He lost his building licence as a result.

He said that in mid-2007, the bank failed to obtain a document that it should have sought from a former business partner, and this later prevented him from selling a property when things became financially difficult. He said was unable to refinance and described being stuck in the bank's "default mechanism" as being like a "sand trap". "The more you move, the more you sink," he said. Loading A spokesperson for NAB said that when customers had difficulty repaying their debts, the bank worked closely with them to preserve their businesses so they could keep trading and ultimately repay their debts or sell assets to maximise their return.
A quiet revolution is happening in insurance, as many of the industry's big players pull their backing and investment from the coal power sector, potentially raising the price of electricity.

About 10 per cent of global insurance assets are being impacted by these changes, but risk management firm Aon believes that as the movement gains momentum, 20 per cent of all insurers could drop their coal assets by the end of the year.

Insurers are pulling away from coal-fired power stations, dropping support and investments in the sector. Credit:Michele Mossop

Insurers and investors are turning away from coal mining and coal-fired generation, Aon global mining practice leader Paul Pryor said.

In the past few months, global insurance firms such as Allianz, Skor, Axa and Zurich have all indicated they will dump coal power companies in the coming years.
Airbnb has entered into a ground-breaking agreement with the national Transport Workers' Union to promote fair rates of pay and labour standards in the on-demand economy.

Airbnb's head of public policy for ANZ, Brent Thomas, told Fairfax Media that as a 21st century company it had a "responsibility to serve and strengthen the community and make sure technology was a force for good". It has 4.8 million users and decided it would partner with package and food delivery companies that did not exploit their workers.

"With wages flat and the cost of living high, we want to empower working families by helping them earn extra income and promote good, well-paying jobs," Mr Thomas said.

Airbnb has entered into a new partnership with the Transport Workers' Union to promote fair and safe labour standards in the sharing economy

Airbnb has agreed to actively promote a package or food delivery company that demonstrates it pays safe rates of pay and observes fair employment conditions. It comes as the TWU campaigns against the underpayment of food delivery riders and their lack of legal rights to fair conditions.
Any moves to overhaul boycott laws that stop unions from targeting supply chains during workplace disputes could create chaos and damage the community, industry group say.

A group of high-profile unions is pushing to overturn secondary boycott laws that forbid them from pressuring third parties, including supply chains and customers, in order to target an employer during a dispute.

Unions have labelled the secondary boycott laws draconian.

Union boss John Setka addresses the media after blackmail charges were dropped in a case involving a secondary boycott.

But the Australian Industry Group warned that secondary boycotts were completely inappropriate because they could damage businesses that were not directly involved in disagreements between other parties.
When Remonda's daughter Sophia, 9, gets upset, Remonda will ask her if she "needs to go bounce it out".

Sophia will then go outside and spend five minutes jumping on a trampoline, a strategy Remonda adopted from her daughter's school, which has recently installed a trampoline and a swinging seat to help children with behaviour management issues feel calmer and more ready to learn.

Cook School recently brought in outdoor and indoor trampolines and other playground equipment to use endorphins to help balance students' moods. Credit:Louise Kennerley

Cook School, in Sydney's west, has also given students "calm cards" that they can use to ask for some time out of the classroom.

"If a child feels like things are getting too heated, they can pull the card out and take a breather or go on a little trampoline in the classroom's calm corner," Ms Constandinou said.
There has never been a more popular Palme winner. Shoplifters, the winning film, is a sympathetic portrait of an informal family of petty grafters and thieves who, despite being forced together by poverty, develop bonds of real love. Kore-edas warmth and extraordinary talent with actors, even coaxing a great performance out of a child of four, are irresistible  as would be expected by Australian arthouse film-goers, who have embraced his previous films such as Nobody Knows, Like Father, Like Son and Our Little Sister. In a unique move, the jury asked the festivals permission to give a second Grand Prix to Jean-luc

Godard, the 87-year-old master of the avant-garde whose film Image Book was a reverberating mosaic of images, sounds, quotations and titles. Cate Blanchett said choosing was extremely difficult. Credit:Arthur Mola

Choosing all the winners was bloody difficult, said Cate Blanchett at the jury press conference, but Image Book sat so far apart from the other films  in a different time and space - that the jury felt it couldnt be evaluated in the same way. At the same time, she said, it affected the way they discussed everything else. We tried to meet once a day and we could not stop talking about it. It lingered, confused, provoked, angered and excited us and began to affect our perspective on the rest of the festival. Spike Lees explosively polemical Blackkklansman, which drew historical threads between the true story of black policeman who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s and contemporary resurgence of white supremacist groups, won the festivals Grand Prix. I hope the film can get us all out of our mental slumber, he said. A jury prize went to Capharnaum by Nadine Labaki, whose film about a Syrian street

kid in Beirut was one of the three competition films directed by women. Italian director Alice Rohrwacher shared the script prize for her film Happy as Lazzaro with another woman: Nader Saeivar, who wrote Three Faces with Iranian dissident film-maker Jafar Panahi.

There were not perhaps as many female-driven narratives as I would have liked, said Blanchett. However, there were many powerhouse performances by women, she pointed out; the acting prize went to Samal Yeslyamova for her harrowing performance as a homeless woman in Ayka, by Kazakh director Sergei Dvortsevoy. Best actor went to Marcello Fonte in Italian director Matteo Garrones Dogman, a film based on a real story of a meek dog groomer who takes revenge on the town bully. Dogman was another critical favourite. The award for best direction went to Pawel Pawlikowski for Cold War, about a 1950s Polish couple split traumatically when one defects to the West; the Camera DOr for the best first film went to Lukas Dhonts transgender drama Girl. There was general critical agreement that, while the festival programme initially seemed

disappointingly light on big names, the more adventurous choices had actually made it one of the most stimulating Cannes of recent years. Events such as the womens march on the Palais; an incendiary press conference for Blackkklansman; the European launch of Solo, the Star Wars spin-off and, of course, the inevitable scandal  Lars von Triers serial killer drama The House that Jack Built, which had around 250 walk-outs  also helped give the festival a greater sense of vitality than it has had in a long time. Cate Blanchett surprisingly got a Cannes gong too - for being a good jury president. Credit:Joel C Ryan
It was not all love and warm wishes in London on Saturday night.

Rival Australian TV networks covering the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were in a fierce tussle to show the most viewers the dresses, the kiss and everything else, pulling in a local audience of about 4 million during the main event.

The Seven Network won the night, its broadcast of the ceremony capturing an average of 1.95 million viewers across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
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An environmental scientist investigating a series of contamination events in Dandenong Creek says he believes a repeat offender is responsible for the bizarre scenes on the south-east Melbourne waterway this weekend.

White foam floating down a five-kilometre stretch of the creek was so thick on Sunday that large tufts broke off and were filmed floating about like small clouds.

Bio2Lab principal scientist David Sharley said it was at least the fourth time the event had happened since November  and that he believed they were deliberate.
So, in hindsight, was all that royal razzmatazz "live from Windsor" good for the future longevity of the monarchy in Australia or is a referendum for a republic just around the corner?

Monarchists Mark Salmon, Laura Smith and Satya Marar are preparing to celebrate as they watch the Royal Wedding on Saturday. Credit:Wolter Peters

Everyone will have a view  unless you were glued to Where Eagles Dare (1968) on 7Two while Meghan traipsed down the aisle on most other channels.

One group who will definitely be watching are the young members of the Australian Monarchist League, who witnessed the nuptials from the Harpoon Harry licensed premises in Surry Hills.

Satya Marar, a spokesperson for the league said: "A lot of young people think, it isn't broken, don't fix it. It is a very good system that works really well. The idea of changing it to suit someone's personal beliefs doesn't accord with the views of most young people that I have met. People genuinely do have affection for the royal family."
NSW should use its upcoming curriculum review to dump everything but maths and English from early primary school, according to one of the authors of the Gonski 2.0 report.

Science, geography and history should not be taught until year 4, when students have strong foundations in numbers and reading, said Michael Roberts, who was among eight panellists on the recent Gonski review into excellence in education.

Michael Roberts, one of the Gonski 2.0 authors, believes the early primary curriculum should be stripped back to maths and English Credit:Steven Siewert

Of the four hours left in a primary school teaching day after activities such as assembly and roll call, one hour should be spent on maths, two on English and the remaining hour on arts and physical education until the end of year 3, he said.

"Really pare [the number of subjects] back," said Mr Roberts, who was a principal in Queensland for more than 20 years, worked in the Singapore system and now consults for groups such as Indigenous leader Noel Pearson's Good to Great Schools.
His demeanour was extremely different, as he was no longer his charming self, Constable Hannah said in a statement tendered to the NSW Supreme Court. Loading She approached him during that midnight confrontation. I said, what is it that you are wearing, Talal? He screwed up his face and stared at me with squinted eyes. He fiercely grabbed onto his dress pant. He said, You respect this!

And whats with the beard? Thats new, Constable Hannah continued. My beard is for ISIS! he replied with a smirk while stroking his beard. It was this brief exchange that Justice Peter Johnson would come to rely on when determining why Alameddine would play a part in an Islamic State-inspired act that shocked the nation. "The offenders past jocular approach to Constable Hannah was replaced by serious words and behaviour which reflected a change in the offender, as if he had been influenced in his beliefs concerning Islamic State," Justice Johnson said. Alameddine was on Friday sentenced to 17 years and 8 months behind bars, with a non-parole period of 13 and a half years, for supplying the gun used to murder NSW Police accountant Curtis Cheng.

As Justice Johnson handed down the prison term, Alameddine refused to stand, a brazen gesture embodying none of the likeable rogue Constable Hannah had described. Mr Cheng, 58, had left the police Parramatta headquarters on the afternoon of October 2, 2015, when schoolboy Farhad Jabar, 15, walked up behind him and shot him in the head, killing Mr Cheng instantly. The young radical died shortly afterwards under police gunfire. His weapon, an English .38 Smith & Wesson revolver was handed to him at the Parramatta Mosque minutes earlier by fellow teen Raban Alou, now serving a maximum prison term of 44 years. Alpha Cheng with his father Curtis.

That gun had been supplied, free of charge, by Alameddine some hours earlier during a series of low-key meetings in parkland and suburban streets to avoid detection. Alameddine was arrested on October 15, 2015, and last year pleaded guilty to possession of the revolver connected with preparation for a terrorist act, and being reckless as to that connection. He also pleaded guilty to supplying the revolver to Alou, and to twice breaching a firearm prohibition order previously placed on him. For this he was given a 15 per cent discount in his sentence, but it did little to persuade Justice Johnson that he held any remorse. During his lengthy remarks, Justice Johnson brought up the Lindt Cafe Siege, in which two people died after being held hostage by gunman Man Haron Monis.

Like every other member of the Australian population, it may be taken that the offender heard of what happened at the Lindt Cafe, he said. It was the offender who provided the loaded weapon, ready for immediate use in a terrorist attack. In the days after the deadly attack, Alameddine was seen nonchalantly cleaning a semi-automatic pistol, or replica pistol, while chatting with friends outside his Marylands home. Justice Johnson said the handling of another gun on October 6 in this relaxed fashion, in a public place outside his home, sheds light on his attitude. That pistol wasnt recovered in a subsequent police raid on his property.

Justice Johnston said Alameddines intentions for that weapon, which he handled in an adept fashion, were likely also sinister. Alameddine had a lengthy criminal record before the terrorist attack, including a conviction for assaulting a police officer handed down weeks before Mr Cheng was murdered. His list of convictions continued to grow in custody, including for refusing to answer questions before the NSW Crime Commission over the October 2 attack. Mr Chengs wife, Selina, and two children sat solemnly in the back of the court throughout the hearing, barely a metre away from Alameddines supporters. Outside court Mr Chengs son, Alpha, said the Alameddines sentence justly reflected the severity of his crimes.
Just over 13 degrees now ahead of a top of 17. Still minor delays on the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines. Lanes still closed inbound after an earlier smash on the Burwood Highway.

Looking for something to read on the way home? Bookmark this, from the Good Weekend, about how micro social interactions with strangers can benefit out wellbeing. Then think about the irony of reading that on your phone while you're surrounded by eligible, conversation-worthy strangers.
Most schools would hide statistics like these.

One-third of students who start prep at Northern Bay P-12 College dont know the alphabet and cant count or write their name.

Northern Bay College is asking people to sponsor their students, for $1000.

And by the time they are 12 years old, half the class will have experienced family violence or conflict at home.

By the time they are 16, half will know where and how to buy drugs.
Former bikie enforcer Toby Mitchell is one of the state's first criminals to be served with the new firearm prohibition order introduced to help police combat terrorism and gun crime.

The order was issued to Mitchell on Thursday, and means he can now be searched at any time without a warrant until the order expires in 2028.

Police can also search his property and vehicle and even those in Mitchell's company under the far-reaching powers introduced by the state government last September.

Toby Mitchell can now be searched at any time without a warrant. Credit:AAP

It is expected that as many as 3000 criminals, including underworld figures, around Victoria could eventually be subjected to prohibition orders under the new regime.
The state government has announced it will sink more than $20 million into reducing juvenile reoffending rates after it was revealed the number of children entering the WA justice system is again on the rise.

A Productivity Commission report from earlier this year found more than half the juveniles released from detention in WA were back in the justice system within the year, and Premier Mark McGowan said the state government's new $20.5 million 'Target 120' program would hopefully put a dent in the figures.

About half the young offenders detained in the youth justice system have had contact with child protection services.

The new Target 120 program will aim to pair families up with a service worker who would work to help give up to 300 young people better access to services that help tackle substance abuse, a lack of housing, domestic violence, mental health issues and poor attendance at school.

Premier McGowan made the announcement on Sunday, and said the initiative was sparked due to the "complex causes" of youth offending.
Facebook has blocked a new health message which includes the words pee and poo because it fears they are too offensive for regional West Australians.

Cancer Council WAs Find Cancer Early campaign uses plain language to explain the symptoms of bowel, lung, prostate, breast and skin cancer to over-40s in country WA.

Facebook has refused to post the ads because they contain specific personal attributes of physical/medical/mental condition including blood in your poo?, Bloody poo?, Do you have cancer?, Noticed blood in your poo?.

The ads have been deemed offensive by Facebook.

Cancer Council WA Research and Education Services Manager Cassandra Clayforth said regional West Australians are 20 to 30-per-cent more likely to die within five years of a cancer diagnosis than those living in Perth.
Police have confirmed a 65-year-old man who has been missing since Saturday has been spotted in Armadale.

Ian Collett was last seen at his Canning Vale home on Templetonia Retreat at 12.15pm on Saturday afternoon.

Mr Collett has been missing since Saturday.

Mr Collett suffers from dementia, and police immediately raised concerns for his welfare.

A massive search was initated following his disappearance, with 40 police officers and 50 emergency services volunteers and an aerial search initated on Saturday afternoon.
One patch of river red gums has emerged in the 2018 Great Cocky Count as night refuge for 334 cockatoos, including 90 fledglings. While results of the Count are still being collated, in the context of last years count this places the roost as the fourth largest in the Perth-Peel region for forest red-tailed black cockatoos. This proposal must be now assessed by the federal government because of its potential impact on the species, and is fiercely opposed by the local community. The EPA had the chance to make a formal assessment of the early stages of rezoning in 2016, but decided not to. Ms Tauss said clearing it would increase the birds vulnerability, forcing them to fly further through Perth for already scant food.

Locals counting cockies at the roost. She said the process so far had shocked and saddened her. My family lived nearby for over 60 years. Some of my first memories as a child in this district were of huge flocks of black cockatoos, wildflowers, and wetlands, she said. I am one of many graduates of UWA who fell in love with our native plants on student excursions to the Brixton St Wetlands, and have studied them ever since. The EPA told WAtoday it was only after it decided not to assess that the number of forest red-tails greatly increased, and began to roost as well as feed there; and that the emergence of the roost had now triggered discussions with the developer.

A spokesman for Linc Property said the developer had created a conservation strategy for the roost, designing its development to maintain 70 per cent of the trees, and delaying completion of the plans until after the Great Cocky Count. Long term it would reshape the roost by planting 60 extra trees, making it slightly larger than before, and the water management plan would give the river red gums greater access to water. The forest red-tailed black cockatoo. Credit:Shannon Morris The strategy included using all parts of the development, such as roads and vegetated drainage swales, to host specific tree plantings to provide food and flight paths. It would also help plant more than 500 trees over several hectares of the nearby wetlands within 20 years.

Ongoing scientific monitoring of the roost had been proposed, along with funding to assist university and WA Museum researchers. This proposal would be referred to the federal government as legally required. Gosnells chief executive Ian Cowie said it was vitally important to the council that development accord with legal requirements. The emerging issue of the black cockatoo roost and foraging habitat is complicated and potentially far reaching, he said. The scientific and local communities say the planning system let them down in allowing nearby foraging habitat to be cleared.

7ha feeding habitat already cleared; no EPA assessment or federal referral Ms Tauss said Linc clearing 7 hectares of foraging habitat in Precinct 3A already showed system failure. Her environmental consultancy Tauss and Associates originally surveyed the vegetation there for the City of Gosnells in 2010. It reported 7 hectares of prime black cockatoo foraging, roosting and potential nesting habitat, as well as threatened ecological communities downstream.

A separate consultant also prepared a black cockatoo survey for the city in 2012, identifying roosting sites, a nesting hollow and extensive black cockatoo feeding activity. The appendices to their report also showed 7 hectares of total habitat, Ms Tauss said. This habitat did not contain significant native understorey plants and was technically classed as being in degraded condition with regard to flora composition, but its significance as quality cockatoo habitat was due to the many mature healthy marri trees producing heavy fruit crops. Commonwealth referral criteria states that what is degraded in terms of flora biodiversity can remain highly significant cockatoo habitat. Quality should be assessed as it pertains specifically to black cockatoo use of the habitat. For example, the condition of the understorey is a standard component of most ecological habitat quality surveys but is of limited relevance to considerations for some black cockatoos, particularly in relation to breeding habitat, Ms Tauss said.

But the states Environmental Protection Authority deemed the rezoning did not warrant its formal assessment. River red gums are not native, but still perform important functions for the cockies. It gave informal advice to the city to manage environmental matters through the planning system, and reminded the developer of its obligation to refer any proposal impacting more than a hectare of black cockatoo habitat to the federal government. It recommended retention of as much native vegetation as possible, particularly foraging, nesting and roosting habitat. Ms Tauss said the EPA made a big mistake in not making a formal assessment.

It was clear from previous consultant reports to the City of Gosnells that precinct 3A and areas downstream from the changes proposed in precinct 3A contained significant conservation values that would be significantly impacted, she said. These were all available to the EPA at the time. The EPA was clearly out of line. There was factor upon factor pushing them towards formal assessment. To give them credit its a very complicated situation. The various precincts have been presented to the EPA for assessment by the City of Gosnells in a piecemeal approach, precinct by precinct, making it hard both for the public to follow the paper trail and possibly for the EPA, in its under-resourced state, to do a technically valid assessment. One of several declared rare flora species within the Greater Brixton Street Wetlands. Credit:University of WA Professor Hans Lambers She said the decision not to formally assess had meant the proposal could slip through without the public noticing or being consulted.

After the EPAs decision, the WA Planning Commission did not impose environmental controls. The City of Gosnells signalled at the time these would be addressed with individual precinct plans. The plan for Precinct 3A was approved last year, but did not prevent the clearing of the foraging habitat. The EPA told WAtoday it did not consider this significant, being itwas degraded vegetation of both native and introduced tree species, spread over an area of more than 50 hectares. Linc Propertys spokesman said its own environmental consultant had recommended no federal referral was necessary to clear the scattered foraging habitat. This advice had been peer-reviewed. Brixton Street Wetlands contains one of four remaining known populations anywhere of the carnivorous rainbow plant.

Progress marches on The next two precincts to be rezoned are Precinct 2 and 3B. Despite their dull names, they are high-stakes areas, directly adjoining the wetlands and containing threatened flora. Thats where the damage can really be done, Ms Tauss said. It will be disastrous for the environment if those are allowed to go through in the same way as 3A has done, without the opportunity for formal public comment. By the time of the first token community forum held by the City of Gosnells in mid 2017 to discuss Precinct 3A ... it was already too late for the public to comment as the crucial EPA and WAPC approvals had already gone through behind closed doors in 2016, with no appeals allowed.

The EPA stated it was aware of the threatened flora, the wetland and Yule Brook in these precincts and had requested further information before deciding on whether to make a formal assessment. Gosnells chief executive Ian Cowie said the council was aware of the high level of community interest and was holding off on its application pending further public consultation. Impact on Perths most precious wetland remains unknown The Greater Brixton Street Wetlands is regarded as the most complex and sensitive area remaining on the Swan Coastal Plain, hosting numerous scientists visiting from overseas. One of the Clay Pans flowers loved by a miniscule, critically endangered native bee. Credit:Dr Hongtao Zhong

It is home to more than 21 per cent of Perths entire floral biodiversity and is on the Register of the National Estate. Ms Tauss said virtually all native vegetation left in the area belonged to one of four nationally listed threatened plant communities, the major one being the critically endangered Clay Pans of the Swan Coastal Plain. These are home to more carnivorous plant species than can be found in the whole of Europe, including one of only four remaining populations anywhere of the carnivorous "rainbow plant"; 11 listed threatened flora; and the critically endangered native bee Leioproctus douglasiellus. These look like a muddy dustbowl in summer but in winter they become shallow standing water. As rainfall begins they become a fairyland of enormous biodiversity: carnivorous plants, trigger plants, native daisies, and all sorts of little other plants and native insects found only in the clay pans, Ms Tauss said. Three of the threatened flora species in the greater wetlands, including the tiny Mulla Mulla, which Ms Tauss rediscovered there in 2010 after they were thought extinct for 160 years, are not found anywhere else.

There has still been no holistic assessment of how the total planned industrial development will affect the central wetland. The WA Planning Commission seems not to have the time or appetite to do anything but rubber stamp it and say well look at it further down the process. The EPA also says well deal with it later in the planning system. Once the land is rezoned to industrial the value grows, Ms Tauss said. This process is undemocratic, un-transparent and just totally developer driven. Save the Brixton Street Wetlands Community Alliance held a protest breakfast recently to raise awareness. Gosnells chief executive Ian Cowie said the draft structure plan included proposed minimum 50-metre buffer zones around environmental assets, consistent with industry standards. The draft continued to evolve and the ultimate buffer distance would be determined by state agencies.

Conservation Council of WA director Piers Verstegen said groups such as the Save Brixton Street Wetlands Community Alliance Loading were Perths eyes and ears on the ground. This is yet another case where the local community is essential in holding developers and governments to account, he said.
Stopping the Adani coal mine would pose no "sovereign risk" to Australia, and politicians on both sides have willingly misled people into thinking otherwise, says respected economist Saul Eslake.

The former chief economist of ANZ told Fairfax Media the major parties were "abusing the term" for political gain when in fact there had been no impact on Australia's sovereign rating as a result of decisions taken on environmental grounds.

In a paper commissioned by the Australian Conservation Foundation, Mr Eslake found there was "absolutely no reason" the country's sovereign risk would be affected if a future government stopped the Adani mine proceeding for environmental reasons.

"Sovereign risk is not the risk a government might change its mind or make a decision I don't like": economist Saul Eslake Credit:Chris Pearce

Nor were the banks likely to downgrade Australia's risk rating. "Banks wouldnt be concerned because banks dont want to loan to it anyway," Mr Eslake told Fairfax Media in an interview.
Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese has indicated Labor would have split from the US and backed a United Nations investigation into the killing of dozens of Palestinians in Gaza, arguing Israel's actions were damaging the country's reputation.

He demanded the Turnbull government explain why it joined the US as the only two countries to oppose the establishment of an investigation into why 62 Palestinians were killed on Monday by Israeli forces responding to Palestinian protests.

The vote of the United Nations Human Rights Council at the weekend was ultimately supported by 29 of 47 member states, with 14 others abstaining including Britain, Japan and Germany.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Australia opposed the investigation because the wording of the resolution prejudiced the outcome and did not refer to the role of Hamas, the militant Islamist group which controls the Gaza Strip.
The NSW government will not abolish "no grounds" evictions as part of its forthcoming package of rental reforms, as it prepares to fight an election where key marginal seats contain large numbers of renters.

Many tenancy and welfare groups wanted laws tightened to remove the power for landlords to evict renters without reason, but it is understood the government has decided against matching Labor's election promise to end "no grounds" evictions.

Hanna Torsh and her daughter Lena at their rental home in Campsie in Sydney. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

Postgraduate student Hanna Torsh said she and her partner, a trainee doctor, struggled to move with three young children after they were served with a no grounds termination in August last year.

Ms Torsh said her young family had lived in the Earlwood property for 4 years when they complained to the real estate agent that their stove was faulty, and offered to "go halves" with the landlord on a good quality replacement.
NSW can do better than just two koalas as a royal wedding present, Gladys Berejiklian. There are 300 more in danger due to the Mount Gilead housing development near Campbelltown and there are no laws in place to protect this endangered species. Once they are safely housed with Harry and Meghan, at least one of them should be named "Gladys". - James Deli, Oatley Am I the only one who is reminded of the 1959 movie Imitation of Life as more of Meghan Markle's family life is revealed? - J-Alice Hofler, Narrabeen Our cultural Americanisation is almost complete. Even the ABC newsreaders refer to the ever present Sarah Moaney and now the newly married "Dook" of Sussex. It makes me admire the French for resisting Hollywood for so long. - Ashley Berry, Toolijooa

I would have preferred that Harry chose someone from the British Commonwealth. However, with its new Princess Meghan, the United States of America has the perfect reason to "rejoin the empire". And then the Commonwealth Games would be a much tougher competition! On second thoughts  - Peter Allen, Castle Cove Has anyone noticed that the happy couple have identical noses? -

Peter Masia, Dulwich Hill I saw George Clooney, but where were Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell and Julia Roberts? - Geoffrey Williamson, Woollahra

ID checks at airports unlikely to stop terrorists The apparent justification for the proposed police powers to demand identification at airports is to prevent terrorism ("'Dangerous times' don't justify airport ID checks", May 19-20). The perpetrators of 9/11 used their real names and passports to get into the US, take flying lessons, purchased air tickets, and boarded the planes. How could checking their ID prevent those attacks? What am I missing? - Greg Lan, East Lindfield If the government is fair dinkum about enacting yet more laws that restrict civil liberties, how about embedding a sunset clause in all such counter-terrorism legislation? It would respect the Australian people and the Westminster system of representative government to have such oppressive legislation automatically lapse in, say, five years. This would mean that a future parliament would be obliged to review the success or otherwise of the legislation; and to consider whether the legislation should lapse or be renewed, or to make new legislation appropriate the contemporary circumstances. - Ian Waters, Surry Hills As a mass protest, next time you are in an airport, carry your passport in hand and make sure you approach each and every cop in the shop and get them to examine it. That should slow down the useless and intrusive actions forced on them by our paranoid politicians. - Tony Hill, Birchgrove I have terrifying concern regarding the ID check by police at an airport. What if myself or one of my family or anyone, is scrabbling in a bag or pocket for a driver's licence or passport and is coming across as nervous/worried about not being able to find it quickly? Will we be facing an equally nervous police officer who will draw a gun or Taser and use it? - Marjie Williamson, Blaxland

I am another middle-aged woman who frequently gets pulled over at the airport for "random" scanning (Letters, May 19-20). I think the younger female security staff don't feel comfortable approaching some travellers so get their numbers up by targeting their mothers and grandmothers. - Helen Howes, Collaroy I am 74, female and of Anglo-Saxon heritage. I have been stopped numerous times at the airport to check my backpack for explosives. I have also been through the full body X-ray thingy, when my male partner walked straight through everything. Welcome to diversity. - Beverley Izard, Sancrox Tracey Dillon blames her red hair. I blame my grey! I, too, have been stopped on various occasions while going through airport checks, as has my elderly grey-haired sister, to be tested for having handled explosives. On the last occasion I asked whether there was now a policy to check old grey-haired women rather than bearded men of Middle Eastern appearance. He said, "Madam, I am a bearded man of Middle Eastern appearance!" Oops! - Rosemary Breen, Inverell North shore unfairly lambasted As usual, the poor old north shore is lambasted for not pulling its weight in the rush to densify (Growing pains, May 19-20). Yet when we compare the lower north shore (Willoughby, Lane Cove and North Sydney councils combined) with the single Canterbury Bankstown LGA, the picture looks a bit different. The lower north shore has an area of about 17.35 sq km with a population of around 178,000. Canterbury Bankstown has 110.8 sq km with a population of 346,300. Basically, Canterbury Bankstown is six times the size of the lower north shore with less than double its population. Looked at in those terms, who has the space for more buildings and the population leeway to absorb more new inhabitants? Its not the lower north shore. - June Hefferan, Lane Cove North

NIMBYs on the north shore have good reason to object to overdevelopment. The Pacific Highway is a narrow road on a ridge with no room for further widening. My street, Ryde Road, the main thoroughfare from the northern suburbs to the west, is now blocked for three hours around midday on Saturdays and often Sundays, including school holidays. In my 40-plus years of living here, this is a new phenomenon. For years theres been a logjam outside my windows from 7 till 10 in the morning. It is now starting to happen in the afternoon. How is that not related to the high-rise apartments sprouting all over Gordon and other parts of Ku-ring-gai? -

Jeannette Tsoulos, West Pymble Once again Sydneysiders are subjected to the theory that more development will allow more affordable housing to be available and, conversely, putting a brake on development will cause prices to skyrocket. I dont know about anyone else, but I havent seen housing become more affordable over the past five years. In fact, it seems the problem has got worse. Lets face it, if apartments cant be sold at high prices, big profits cant be made and developers simply wouldnt build. - Elizabeth Darton Lane Cove West Matthew Benson claims to know about the effect of apartment development on Asquith but does not live here (Letters, May 19-20). I have lived in the area for 20 years and development has profoundly affected Asquith. Apartments (completed and in construction) line the Pacific Highway and back streets. Asquith is now busier, denser, noisier, congested and less safe. There has been very little accompanying infrastructure development. We still have basically the same inadequate train service and the same rundown shopping centre. Lower density and gradual townhouse development would have been appropriate. - Peter Johnson, Asquith Human rights new low I wonder what it would take for Australia to stand apart from the US on matters of conscience (Australia defends UN vote on Gaza killings, Sun-Herald, May 20). We have sunk to a new low by being one of only two countries on a 47-member UN forum to vote against an investigation into Israels killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza [14 countries abstained]. Australia has always been respected on the world stage, however this recent decision by this government continues the degradation of our countrys proud reputation. - Sue OHarte, Fairlight

The UN gangs up on Israel again. Meanwhile, in the rest of the Middle East, Indonesia and Afghanistan, killings go on but nobody cares to examine the causes. - Doug Wormald, Armidale Former ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma says that the protesters on May 14 were violent (US has broken Jerusalem taboo: Australia should lend support, May 19-20). Why did the Israelis build a protective fence that could not withstand a mob of stone-throwing Palestinians? Isnt this what they were built for? They look pretty impervious in images. Couldnt the failure of the fence be blamed for forcing soldiers to injure 1200 and kill 60 Palestinians to protect Israel? -Paul Hopmeier, Lane Cove Lesson on bank scams They always told us that banking through schools would educate children about money and banks. And so it seems (CBA scam hit kids accounts, May 19-20). -

Jim Mackenzie, Lane Cove Each day we hear more revelations about the CBA and its ability to steal from innocent customers. We would like to know when we will hear the good news that the CBA will be forced to repay all the money taken illegally by so-called advisers in spite of their actions being supported by the management of the bank. It will be perfectly easy for the bank to afford the repayments by using the gains made following the laundering of the 5000 drug and other illegal deposits. - Mike Budden, Springwood

Ability needed not gender NSW Fire and Rescue Service commissioner Paul Baxters comments cant go unchallenged (Chief targets bullying, sexism, May 20-21). He quotes cases of homophobia and misogyny, and asserts that women should be more represented in the rank and file of the fire brigade but gives little evidence of the benefit other than the perceived political correctness. Not all occupations lend themselves to be force-fitted with gender quotas. Im not suggesting that women cant be firefighters, just that they should be physically capable of achieving the same tasks as male firefighters. - Christopher Woodley, Vaucluse Mealy-mouthed Trump Yet another school massacre in the US and yet another mealy-mouthed response from Donald Trump (Never again until the next time, Sun-Herald, May 20). He is reported as saying he was determined to do everything in our power to protect our students, secure our schools and to keep weapons out of the hands of those who pose a threat. Surely that must include finally standing up to the National Rifle Association. - Rob Peard, Beacon Hill There was apparently a good guy with a gun at Santa Fe High School: A retired police officer, John Barnes, who worked as an armed school guard, was shot as he tried to engage the shooter and survived. Why wasnt he able to stop the bad guy with the gun? -

David Rush, Killara

Making masterpieces An autocratic father and a wild location formed two great writers (Heights of inspiration, Spectrum, May 19-20). Emily Brontes legacy has survived sibling rivalry, and both Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights are classics. Lovers of their works can fall into the same rivalry or appreciate both. - Pam Connor, Mollymook Beach Beppis folk wisdom The warning is appropriate (Mushroom poisoning prompts warning, May 19-20). Beppi Polese, who ran Beppis Restaurant in East Sydney, wrote a fascinating book of his life. His family in Italy collected all their own food from the countryside. His mother put the mushrooms on to cook and took off her gold wedding ring. If the ring turned dark, the mushrooms were not to be eaten. -

Evelyn Klopfer, East Sydney ABC's largesse
When Meghan Markle said her vows in front of the watching world, all who looked on would have been touched by the heartfelt lifelong commitment she was making.

For one onlooker, her beloved mother, it was all she could do to blink back tears.

Doria Ragland was the sole representative of the bride's family in the St George's Chapel Quire, just a few yards from the happy couple.

But what her family lacked in numbers, she more than made up for in spirit, with a show of deeply touching maternal support.
Cynicism lost. Oh, it was still there, in the snarky remarks on social media about the privilege of the monarchy, the illogic of inherited power, the fact we are so easily swept up in conventionally romantic stories, the absurdity of royal-mania, drenched as it is in hats, silly flags and overpriced tea towels.

But it lost in all the sweetness of the occasion, of the joy, diversity and inclusion in the ceremony, and in the sight of two young lovers determined to wreak change in the British establishment from the moment they married.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's first kiss as a married couple. Credit:AP

Carefully, beautifully but also somewhat subversively, Meghan Markle has brought some semblance of modernity to the royal family.

The importance of inclusion in the chapel cannot be underestimated.
London: The Archbishop of Canterbury has praised the "unconventional" royal wedding address by Michael Curry, the American bishop, saying it "blew the place open" and left onlookers gripped.

Archbishop Justin Welby said the rousing words of Bishop Curry, the head of the Episcopal church in the US, showed that "preaching is not a past art", calling his words "raw God".

Bishop Michael Curry giving his much-discussed sermon. Credit:AP

The address, which stretched to more than double the time he had planned at 14 minutes after a series of enthusiastic ad-libs, surprised many watching the ceremony, with phrases including: "We gotta get y'all married!"

Speaking after the ceremony, Archbishop Welby acknowledged it would be "safe to say" Bishop Curry's style was a royal wedding first.
He also suggested staggering start times at schools so that students could be funnelled through just one or two entrances, a move that could allow law enforcement to more easily detect weapons. "We cannot sit back and say it's the gun," Patrick said. "It's us as a nation." At one point during the interview, ABC host George Stephanopoulos noted that violent video games were played by teenagers all over the world but that the United States, which has far more guns in circulation, was unique in its high rate of school gun violence. New NRA president Oliver North. Credit:AP "I can't compare one country with another country, because there are many variables in all these countries," Patrick said. "Here's what I know: We live in a violent culture that devalues life. Kids go to schools that are not as safe as government buildings."

"Gun control starts at home  accountability for gun owners," he said. "We need the best background checks we have. We need to be very sensible about this." Patrick was followed by the parents of victims of gun violence, who weighed in on his suggestions. "I think those are the most idiotic comments I have ever heard regarding gun safety," said Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter, Jaime, 14, was killed in the February shooting in Parkland. "He should be removed from office." Elsewhere, Oliver North, the incoming head of the most powerful gun lobby in the US, said he wants to expand the National Rifle Association's membership by one million as the country grappled with the most recent fatal school shooting in Texas. "My goal is a million more members," North said in an interview on Fox News Sunday. "We have 6 million now. ... I want to get a million more. And then I'm going to go out and ask every NRA member to recruit one more."

North blamed gun violence on "youngsters who are steeped in a culture of violence." He said many young boys had "been on Ritalin" since early childhood. "They've been drugged in many cases," he added. The retired marine best known for his role in the Iran-contra scandal in the 1980s, said the problem would not be fixed by "taking away the rights of law-abiding citizens." Instead, he said, schools should look at fortifying their campuses and considering people's ability to enter buildings carrying weapons.

"If school shield had been in place, (it's) far less likely that would have happened," North said, referring to an NRA program that was introduced in the wake of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings and addresses best practices in security infrastructure, technology, personnel, training and policy. There was a risk, North said, of "treating symptom without treating the disease." And the disease, he said, wasn't the Second Amendment. Santa Fe High School was considered a hardened target, with an active-shooter plan and two armed police officers on patrol. Last fall, school district leaders made plans to eventually arm teachers and staff under the state's school marshal program. North, 74, is a high-profile choice to lead the NRA, which has faced mounting criticism since the Valentine's Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School in Parkland, Florida, in which a gunman killed 17 people. North, who previously appeared to criticise student activists who have been pushing for gun control, said on Sunday that they "are being used by forces far bigger than they are," including former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg and financier and philanthropist George Soros.

"I was not criticising those kids," said North, who has said that the NRA was the victim of "civil terrorism" Santa Fe High School was moving forward with a plan to arm teachers, which is legal under Texas law. On Meet the Press, Senator Bernie Sanders took aim at the NRA on the issue of why Congress had not addressed gun violence. "It's a three-letter word," Sanders said. "It's the NRA, and it's Trump and the Republicans who don't have the guts to stand up to these people."

North was followed on Fox News Sunday by retired NASA astronaut and gun-control activist Mark Kelly, whose wife, former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was critically injured in a 2011 attack in Tucsonin which six people were killed. Kelly agreed that schools had to offer students better protections but said more had to be done to prevent the proliferation of guns and to make sure that irresponsible people and criminals "can't get the gun in the first place." "There are things that work," said Kelly, who described himself as a hunter who keeps his guns locked in a safe and advocated legislation that requires parents to safely store firearms. The student gun-control activists who have spoken out since the Parkland shooting, he said, are "motivated, smart, articulate and angry." And, he continued, they have "a right to be angry." The problem, Kelly said, was "not because we don't have enough guns."
Washington: US President Donald Trump has reacted angrily to a report that his campaign was offered help by two Middle Eastern countries in the run-up to the 2016 vote.

In a series of tweets on Sunday, Trump said the "Witch Hunt" had given up on Russia and turned its attention to the Middle East.

Rejecting claims of collusion between his campaign and foreign nationals, Trump said he would instead ask the Department of Justice to investigate whether his campaign was "infiltrated or surveilled" for political purposes.

It was the President's first response to a New York Times report on Saturday that an emissary from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates met with members of Trump's team  including his eldest son  at Trump Tower in New York about three months before the election, offering to help the billionaire developer win.
With an experiment launching to the International Space Station Monday (May 21), scientists will be able to create a temperature that's 10 billion times colder than the vacuum of space to focus in on atoms' weird quantum behavior.

The Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL) is a physics research facility the size of an ice chest, designed and built by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California, that will chill clouds of atoms with lasers and magnets aboard the space station to this ultracold temperature  close to absolute zero, or the lowest temperature possible.

Sunday's cargo launch to the space station, which is scheduled for 4:39 a.m. EDT (0839 GMT), will carry a number of experiments, including CAL. You can watch the launch live on Space.com, courtesy of NASA TV, beginning at 4 a.m. EDT (0800 GMT). [Visibility Guide: How to See the Antares Rocket Launch Monday]

The Cold Atom Lab (CAL) will create a spot aboard the International Space Station 10 billion times colder than the vacuum of space. (Image credit: NASA/iGoal Animation)

Researchers will be able to conduct remote experiments in CAL, without any help from astronauts, for up to 6.5 hours every day, according to NASA's project page for CAL.

These photos show NASA's Cold Atom Laboratory being integrated into the Cygnus cargo spacecraft in anticipation of the Antares rocket launch on May 21, 2018. (Image credit: NASA)

These ultracooled clouds of atoms are chilled to just about (but not quite) absolute zero. (Absolute zero is equivalent to minus 459.67 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 273.15 degrees Celsius.) Known as Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs), the clouds contain atoms that are so cold, they move extremely slowly. Under Earth's gravity, the atoms in freely evolving BECs can't be slowed down enough for physicists to observe them for any longer than a fraction of a second, so scientists hardly get a chance to study their quantum characteristics, NASA officials said on the project page.

However, aboard the space station in a microgravity environment, things are much different. Without Earth's gravity getting in the way, these atoms can be slowed down more than they can anywhere else, using lasers and magnetic forces in an "ice-chest-like" compartment. The lasers slow down the atoms, cooling them to "like one-tenth of a billion of a degree above absolute zero," Robert Shotwell, CAL project manager and an engineer at JPL, said at a news conference on May 10.

In using CAL to study the atoms' quantum activity, physicists will be able to better understand how atoms behave at these extreme temperatures, a main thread in physics for over a century, according to a NASA overview.

NASA's CAL Mission began in 2012 and will continue through 2020. (Image credit: NASA)

After cooling the atoms, CAL will automatically load them into weak magnetic traps, where researchers can study them. With the atoms held in place, the teams will be able to observe them in a variety of quantum states and interactions, NASA officials said in the overview. At this extreme temperature, researchers can observe the quantum characteristics and behaviors of BECs for up to 10 seconds, according to the project page. This might not sound like a lot of time, but it's significant when compared to the observation time possible on Earth.

"Studying these hypercold atoms could reshape our understanding of matter and the fundamental nature of gravity," Robert Thompson, a CAL project scientist at JPL, said in a statement. "The experiments we'll do with the Cold Atom Lab will give us insight into gravity and dark energy  some of the most pervasive forces in the universe."

The CAL mission began development in 2012 and will operate through 2020.

Visit Space.com Monday for complete coverage of Orbital ATK's OA-9 Cygnus launch for NASA.

Email Chelsea Gohd at cgohd@space.com or follow her @chelsea_gohd. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. An Orbital ATK Antares rocket will launch a Cygnus supply ship Monday morning (May 21) to deliver more than 3 tons NASA cargo to the International Space Station, and you can watch it live online.

The Antares rocket is scheduled to lift off at 4:39 a.m. EDT (0839 GMT) from Pad-0A of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport here at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia to the International Space Station. You can watch the launch live on Space.com, courtesy of NASA TV, beginning at 4 a.m. EDT (0800 GMT). There is a 65-percent chance of good weather at launch time, NASA officials said. Cloud cover, which may interfere with launch visibility, is the main concern, they added.

If the weather holds up on Monday, spectators on the U.S. East Coast may be able to see the rocket launchfrom all over the east coast. But our skywatching columnist Joe Rao advises people to make sure to wait a few extra minutes after liftoff for the chance to see something special. [Visibility Guide: How to See the Antares Rocket Launch Monday]

According to Rao, while the rocket's first stage might look like a shooting star or fast-moving light flying low in the sky, its second stage could appear a bit flashier, with a smoky contrail tail behind it illuminated by the sun so that it looks almost like a comet. That second-stage ignition will occur 4 minutes and 22 seconds after liftoff. The launch is scheduled for very early in the morning, but the view will be well worth the exhaustion, he advised.

This Orbital ATK map shows the visibility range along the U.S. East Coast for the May 21, 2018 launch of an Antares rocket carrying NASA cargo. The number of seconds listed refer to the time after liftoff, which is set for 4:39 a.m. EDT on May 21. (Image credit: Orbital ATK)

(Editor's note: If you spot the Antares rocket's predawn launch and snap a great photo or video, let us know! Send images and comments in to spacephotos@space.com.)

Monday's launch was originally scheduled for Sunday (May 20), but Orbital ATK and NASA postponed it to "support further pre-launch inspections and more favorable weather conditions," according to Orbital ATK representatives.

An Orbital ATK Antares rocket and the OA-9 Cygnus cargo ship are raised at their launchpad in this time-lapse view taken on May 18, 2018 for a May 21 launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia. (Image credit: Patrick Black/NASA)

This flight will be Orbital ATK's ninth commercial cargo flight to the space station, following OA-8 which launched last November. As part of the OA-9 mission, the Cygnus spacecraft will be carrying 7,385 lbs. (3,350 kilograms) of cargo for the Expedition 55 space station crew. In addition to supplies like clothing and food, the craft will also contain scientific equipment for a number of science experiments and demonstrations that are planned to take place aboard the space station.

The scientific equipment that Cygnus will carry to the space station ranges from packets of concrete and alcohol to traditional, metal sextants. The craft will even carry equipment from the Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL) that will create the coldest, human-made spot in the universe.

Visit Space.com Monday for complete coverage of Orbital ATK's OA-9 Cygnus launch for NASA.

Email Chelsea Gohd at cgohd@space.com or follow her @chelsea_gohd.Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
The debate about whether cooking is more art or science is a never-ending one.

But at Spyce, the latest culinary experiment in automation, that debate feels pretty well settled.

Started by a group of 20-something robotics engineers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology who partnered with Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud, the new restaurant in downtown Boston is founded on the idea that a fulfilling meal can be more science than spontaneity.

The restaurant's founders have replaced human chefs with seven automated cooking pots that simultaneously whip up meals in three minutes or less. A brief description of meal preparation - courtesy of 26-year-old co-founder, Michael Farid - can sound more like laboratory instructions than conventional cooking.

READ ALSO: Nobody can agree if this robot says 'Yanny' or 'Laurel' and everyone is arguing about it

"Once you place your order, we have an ingredient delivery system that collects them from the fridge," Farid said. "The ingredients are portioned into the correct sizes and then delivered to a robotic wok, where they are tumbled at 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The ingredients are cooked and seared. And once the process is complete, the woks tilt downward and put food into a bowl. And then they're ready to be garnished and served."

Spyce bills itself as "the world's first restaurant featuring a robotic kitchen that cooks complex meals," a distinction that appears to reference burger-flipping robots like "Flippy," who plied his trade in a California fast food kitchen before being temporary suspended - because he wasn't working fast enough.

A prototype of Spyce's robotic chef was first assembled in the basement of the co-founders' fraternity house at MIT.

The restaurant's dining experience actually begins a few steps before the robots get involved, when customers create customized, compostable bowls that cost $7.50 using colorful touch-screens. Heavy on vegetables and healthy grains, the bowls include a calorie count and have themes such as Latin, Thai, Mediterranean and Hearth.

While meals are cooked, the customer's name appears on an electronic display above their wok, showing their order. Once finished, hot water jets rinse the inside of woks before another collection of ingredients is dumped inside. Farid said they decided to place the robotic chefs out in the open to remove any lingering mystery.

"We didn't want to create a black box that produces a meal," Farid said. "We wanted this experience to be exciting."

The restaurant's motto: "Culinary excellence elevated by technology."

RELATED: Robot chefs: Hype or a sign of change?

That motto is one that the restaurant industry is beginning to adopt as a whole, experts say. Restaurants across the country already incorporate automated technology, such as "self-service ordering" and "robotic servers," according to a report last year by the McKinsey Global Institute.

The report concluded that jobs that involve "predictable physical activities" - such as cooking or serving food, cleaning kitchens, collecting dirty dishes and preparing beverages - are the most susceptible to automation.

"According to our analysis, 73 percent of the activities workers perform in food service and accommodations have the potential for automation, based on technical considerations," the report said.

Because the industry's human labor tends to be lower paid, robots cooks have yet to be adopted, the report said. As the technology becomes cheaper and more widespread, however, that could change.

Spyce employs multiple people, a detail that the restaurant's founders are quick to emphasize when they explain their concept. There's a friendly "guide" to assist customers with ordering and to ask about your day, according to Farid. Humans prep the food overnight and the restaurant also employs a "garde manger" (French for "keeper of the food") whose job is to add touches like pumpkin seeds, cilantro and crumbled goat cheese before meals are served.

Farid said the robots add efficiency and lower operating costs, but he declined to say by how much. He said he sees the robots enhancing the dining experience, not replacing it, but declined to speculate on whether Spyce is opening the floodgates of a job-killing robot revolution.

"Our restaurant is really efficient because people focus on what people are good at, but the robot handles the high volume tasks - like the cooking and washing - that robots are good at," he said. "At the end of the day, our product is not a technology product - it's an experience and a delicious meal."
STAMFORD  For the past several months, Richard Colangelo has brought the courtroom into his home.

The Stamford states attorney has been negotiating deals from his home computer as part of a pilot program to settle traffic tickets online.

Im very reasonable, Colangelo said. If they came to court, they would get an offer from us. Im not treating anybody differently because they are doing this online. Im looking at it and saying, If they were here, what would I offer them?

The three-month pilot program will soon be expanded to the judicial districts of Bridgeport, Middletown and Litchfield. Starting June 8, anyone receiving an infraction in the 45 communities those districts serve can fight the tickets without going to court.

Stacey Manware, deputy director of Superior Court Operations, said the success of the Stamford pilot program has encouraged the Central Infractions Bureau to expand the program, which could be offered in every court by the start of next year. The program is already up and running in the Meriden Judicial District, where it began in March.

Manware said for several years the state has offered the option to pay or plead online, but this is the first time those receiving infraction tickets for minor offenses have been able to mount a defense online and have the charges or fines reduced or dismissed by a keystroke.

In the Stamford-Norwalk Judicial District, which includes Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Norwalk, Westport, Weston, New Canaan and Wilton, Colangelo has been making proposals on tickets since February.

There have been an average of 2,240 infraction tickets written each month this year in the eight communities. The minor offenses include speeding, stop-sign violations, distracted driving, unsafe backing and other offenses where the levy of a fine is the only punishment. People receiving summonses for more serious charges still have to go to court.

Since the program began in the Stamford-Norwalk Judicial District, 506 people who pleaded not guilty online were invited to participate in the program. Most of them  346  agreed to participate. Of those, 316 accepted Colangelos offer. The remaining 30 were either transferred to the courthouse or the defendant rejected the offer and took the case to court.

From his computer, Colangelo said he could view the drivers traffic ticket and license history and the officers writeup for the infraction. He said those drivers making their defense could scan documents to prove their points, such as insurance documentation if they were pulled over without an insurance card in the car.
A young man has died after he was repeatedly stabbed on a street in south-west London.

Scotland Yard said a murder probe has been launched after a man, aged in his 20s, was stabbed to death in Mitcham in the early hours of Sunday.

Emergency services raced to the area of Upper Green East near Montrose Gardens and London Road shortly before 3.30am.

Police and paramedics found the victim suffering from several stab wounds. They fought to save him but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives are working to identify the man and trace his next of kin. A post-mortem examination will be arranged, police said.

A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. He has been taken to a south London police station where he remained in custody on Sunday morning.

A Met Police spokesman said: An investigation has been launched by detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, led by DCI Simon Harding.

A crime scene remained in place while officers investigated. More than 60 people have been shot dead or stabbed to death in London so far this year following a surge in violence.

Why are our children killing each other?
A group of terror attack survivors have urged the public help to do more to tackle terrorism in an open letter released ahead of the Manchester bombing anniversary.

The letter which was published in the Observer on Sunday encouraged the public to play an active role in the fight against terrorism and encouraged social media companies to take action against individuals who promote hate speech.

Among Survivors Against Terror signatories were survivors of the Manchester attack and victims of attacks carried out in London, Paris, Tunisia, Bali and at Brussels airport and metro.

Brendan Cox, wife of Jo Cox who was murdered in 2016, helped co-ordinate the letter.

Bethany Haines, daughter of the British aid worker David Haines who was killed by the Islamic State group also signed the letter.

Terrorists will only win if we let them, said Dan Hett, whose brother Martyn died in the Manchester attack. They commit atrocities, spreading fear and anger, in the hope that they will turn our communities against each other.

Thats why were asking people to join the fight against terror, by all playing our part. Most importantly, were asking people to take on the hatred that leads to terror  no matter where it comes from, or who its directed towards. If we all play our part, we will defeat terror.

The letter asked people to give to appeals to help victims of attacks and demanded the government to provide high quality services that survivors need.

Minute's silence for Manchester bomb victims 1 /16 Minute's silence for Manchester bomb victims Mourners in St Ann's Square, Manchester Owen Humphreys/PA Wire St Ann's Square Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images St Ann's Square AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti St Ann's Square Ben Birchall/PA Wire St Ann's Square Ben Birchall/PA Wire St Ann's Square Owen Humphreys/PA Wire St Ann's Square Ben Birchall/PA Wire St Ann's Square Ben Birchall/PA Wire Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham lays flowers after a minute's silence in St Ann's Square Ben Birchall/PA Wire St Ann's Square Ben Birchall/PA Wire St Ann's Square Ben Birchall/PA Wire The Queen visits the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital to meet victims of the terror attack Peter Byrne/PA Wire Soldiers and police outside Buckingham Palace Alex Lentati Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn joins firefighters at Islington Fire Station, north London Yui Mok/PA Wire Australian cricketers at The Oval Reuters / John Sibley Silence in Westminster for the Manchester bombing. Jeremy Selwyn

It also asked people to take on hatred when they come across it and said terrorists should not be given notoriety.

It read: "Please keep your focus on honouring the memory of those who have been killed. Terrorists often attack partly to gain notoriety. We should deny them it; their names dont deserve to be remembered.

Social media networks were urged to "do more" to shut down inflammatory and hate accounts.

Ms Haines said: "We would welcome any move from these social media platforms to come forward and contact Survivors Against Terror so that we can talk about our concerns and work with them in ways to combat the extremism and the hatred that is sometimes on their platforms.
M eghan Markle and Prince Harry were married in a picture perfect fairytale wedding that captivated millions of people around the world.

Windsor was bathed in sunshine on Saturday as 100,000 people gathered in the town to celebrate the Royal couples big day as they married at St Georges Chapel.

The glorious weather meant the photographs of Meghan and Harrys royal wedding were all the more stunning.

In the gallery above, the Standard has compiled some of the more candid shots from the day that you may not have seen.

One of the images is an aerial shot of the newly titled Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they rode through the streets of Windsor in a horse-drawn carriage greeting thousands of well-wishers.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ride in an Ascot Landau along the Long Walk after their wedding / PA

Another shows the Duchess of Cambridge smiling and laughing in the car with Prince William and her eldest son Prince George as they left St Georges Chapel after the ceremony.

The Duchess of Cambridge shares a joke with husband Prince William / Gareth Fuller/WPA Pool/AP

Pictures shot from above inside the chapel show Meghan and Harry gazing into each others eyes as they lead the procession of page boys and bridesmaids outside following the service.

Meghan and Harry lead the page boys and flower girls out of the chapel / Owen Humphreys/PA

Three-year-old Princess Charlotte, who is known for charming the crowds, was photographed sticking her tongue out as she gazed out of the window of one of the wedding cars.

Princess Charlotte sticks her tongue out for the cameras / Andrew Milligan/PA

Meghan's youngest bridesmaid Zalie Warren, 2, turned and posed for a photographer as she arrived at Windsor Castle for her flower girl duties.

Meghan's youngest bridesmaid Zalie Warren / PA

Celebrity guest George Clooney was photographed laughing and joking with a uniformed police officer on his way into the chapel with his wife Amal.

The Clooneys share a joke with a police officer / Toby Melville/WPA Pool/EPA

A picture of best man Prince William and Harry shows them laughing together as the brothers share a private joke while they wait for Meghan to arrive at Windsor Castle.

William and Harry share a joke as they wait by the altar / Owen Humphreys/WPA Pool/AFP/Getty Images

Another beautiful shot shows a silhouette of Prince Harry from behind as he leads his new wife out of St Georges Chapel. It is perhaps a particularly poignant moment as it is seconds before the couple kissed outside the chapel as they were watched on TV by millions of people across the globe.

Prince Harry leads his new wife out of Windsor Castle / Danny Lawson/WPA Pool/AFP/Getty Images

US chat show host Oprah Winfrey was pictured laughing heartily with her hands on her hips as she was photographed leaving the chapel.

Oprah Winfrey jokes with a photographer / Ian West/WPA Pool/AP

Students at Immaculate Heart High School where Meghan went to school were photographed watching a live broadcast of the wedding in their pyjamas from Los Angeles.
A major clean-up operation got under way in Windsor following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding celebrations.

The big tidy up began in the early hours of Sunday throughout Windsor as the town began to recover from Saturdays jubilations.

Trucks and lorries lined the streets as caterers and international news networks started to leave the vicinity of Windsor Castle, while rubbish collectors moved in.

Police are still maintaining a heavy presence in the Berkshire town as the newly married Duke and Duchess of Sussex prepare to head back to London this afternoon.

Two police officers make their way down the Long Walk in Windsor / PA

Elsewhere in Windsor by late Sunday morning, relatively few signs of the pomp and pageantry that went into staging the royal wedding were visible apart from innumerable Union Flags still adorning the streets.

Discarded flags and sleeping bags in piled-up rubbish bags in Windsor / PA

Naziq Hussain, manager at Esquires Coffee house, said: "Yesterday you couldn't move here, but this morning it seems like a pretty average Sunday, except for the TV crews.

"There was an articulated lorry taking the barriers away when I got into work at seven, they were all taken down overnight.

Dog walkers make their way down the Long Walk in Windsor / PA

"The place is really tidy, you wouldn't think anything happened. The clean-up operation began very soon afterwards, it's very well planned and executed."

A workman carries metal barriers in Windsor, as the clean-up continues after the royal wedding / PA

Prince Harry and Meghan tied the knot at St Georges Chapel in an extraordinary ceremony.

Royal Wedding 2018: Best Pictures 1 /67 Royal Wedding 2018: Best Pictures Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kiss on the steps of St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle PA Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, places the wedding ring on the finger of Meghan Markle Jonathan Brady/AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ride a horse-drawn carriage after their wedding ceremony Benoit Tessier/Reuters Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images Princess Charlotte and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge leave St George's Chapel after the wedding Jane Barlow/WPA Pool/Getty Images Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland are driven along the Long Walk Yui Mok/WPA Pool/AFP/Getty Images Meghan Markle arriving at her royal wedding ceremony Owen Cooban/MoD/EPA Prince Harry with his brother and best man, the Duke of Cambridge Jane Barlow/PA David and Victoria Beckham attend the wedding Hugo Philpott/WPA Pool/EPA George and Amal Clooney arrive at St George's Chapel Chris Radburn/PA Abigail Spencer and Priyanka Chopra Chris Jackson/Getty Images Patrick J. Adams and wife Troian Bellisario Ian West/PA Marcus Mumford and Carey Mulligan Chris Jackson/Getty Images George Clooney greets Serena Williams as Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre look on Owen Humphreys/WPA Pool/Reuters James Blunt and Sofia Wellesley Hugo Philpott/WPA Pool/EPA Meghan Markle arrives at St George's Chapel Andrew Matthews/WPA Pool/Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle Jonathan Brady/PA Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, looks at his bride, Meghan Markle, as she arrives accompanied by Prince Charles, Prince of Wales in St George's Chapel Jonathan Brady/WPA Pool/AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry places the wedding ring on the finger on Meghan Markle Jonathan Brady/WPA Pool/AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk down the steps of St George's Chapel Ben Birchall/PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle after their wedding Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kiss Ben Birchall/PA Doria Ragland, mother of the bride, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall walk down the steps of St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle after the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor Jane Barlow/WPA Pool/Reuters Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex waves from the Ascot Landau John Sibley/WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kiss as they ride in a carriage down the Long Walk after their wedding Yui Mok/WPA Pool/AP Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ride in an Ascot Landau along the Long Walk after their wedding in St George's Chapel Yui Mok/PA Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex wave from the Ascot Landau Carriage during their carriage procession on Castle Hill outside Windsor Castle Reuters Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George and Princess Charlotte leave St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle after the wedding Andrew Matthews/Pool/Getty Images Meghan Markle walks down the aisle in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA Princess Charlotte waves to the crowd Andrew Milligan/PA Windsor Castle Guards from 1st Battalion Irish Guards play for the crowd Nigel Roddis/EPA Meghan Markle arrives at St George's Chapel Brian Lawless/WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, walk away from the High Altar toward the West Door at the end of their wedding ceremony in St George's Chapel Danny Lawson/WPA Pool/AFP/Getty Images The Reverend Michael Curry delivered a 10 minute long flamboyant speech Owen Humphreys/WPA/Pool/Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for their wedding Dominic Lipinski/PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle Dominic Lipinski/WPA Pool/Reuters Doria Ragland, mother of the bride during the wedding service Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall wait in the chapel for the wedding ceremony Jonathan Brady/WPA Pool/AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry looks at his bride, Meghan Markle, as she arrives accompanied by Prince Charles, Prince of Wales during their wedding Jonathan Brady/WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and The Duchess of Sussex kiss on the steps of St George's Chapel Danny Lawson/WPA Pool/Getty Images) Meghan Markle waves to the crowds Matt Cardy/Getty Images Well-wishers line the Long Walk leading to Windsor Castle ahead of the wedding and carriage procession Daniel Leal-Olivias/AFP/Getty Images Well-wishers watch a giant screen broadcasting the wedding ceremony Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images The Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Alastair Grant/AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex set off in the Ascot Landau Carriage after their wedding ceremony Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and The Duchess of Sussex ride along the Long Walk in the Ascot Landau carriage during a procession after getting married at St Georges Chapel Hannah McKay/WPA Pool/Getty Images The Queen and other members of the royal family wave after the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel Andrew Milligan/WPA Pool/Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk down the steps after their wedding Ben Birchhall/WPA Pool/AP Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave after their wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel Andrew Matthews/WPA Pool/AP Meghan Markle glances back towards her mother, Doria Ragland, as she leaves St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle with Prince Harry Danny Lawson/WPA Pool/AP A woman is painted with a British flag on her face, as they wait at The Long Walk to watch the carriage procession Emilio Morenatti/AP Royal fans wave flags as they wait for the newlyweds to go past after the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle Emilio Morenatti/AP Prince Harry looks at his bride, Meghan Markle, as she arrives accompanied by the Prince of Wales in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle Owen Humphreys/PA Flowers adorn the front of the organ loft inside St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle Danny Lawson/WPA Pool/Getty Images) Meghan Markle walks up the aisle with the Prince of Wales at St George's Chapel Dominic Lipinski/Pool /Reuters Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and the Duchess of Sussex in the Ascot Landau carriage during the procession on The Long Walk after getting married St George's Chapel Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle leave St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle Neil Hall/WPA Pool/EPA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ride in an open-topped carriage through Windsor Castle after their wedding in St George's Chapel Aaron Chown/WPA Pool/Reuters Royal fans smile on the Long Walk leading to Windsor Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and The Duchess of Sussex ride in the Ascot Landau carriage during a procession after getting married at St Georges Chapel Andrew Milligan/WPA/Getty Images Meghan Markle arrives at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle Neil Hall/WPA Pool/Reuters Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and The Duchess of Sussex leave Windsor Castle in the Ascot Landau carriage during a procession after getting married at St Georges Chapel Phil Noble/WPA/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ride in an open-topped carriage through Windsor Castle after their wedding in St George's Chape Victoria Jones/PA Prince Harry salutes members of the Royal family as he and his wife Meghan Markle ride in an open-topped carriage after their wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle Andrew Milligan/WPA Pol/AP Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle Dominic Lipinski/WPA Pool/Getty Images Two women wipes their tears when watching Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exchange vows on a video screen on the Long Walk Peter Dejong/AP Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex begin their carriage procession in the Ascot Landau Carriage after their wedding ceremony at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle Chris Radburn/AFP/Getty Images

Alongside a host of celebrity guests including Oprah Winfrey and George Clooney, more than 2,000 people were invited to the wedding.

Royal Wedding Day: Arrivals - In pictures 1 /38 Royal Wedding Day: Arrivals - In pictures David Beckham and Victoria Beckham PA Amal Clooney and George Clooney AP Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews AFP/Getty Images Oprah Winfrey arrives at St George's Chapel PA Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre PA Chris Jackson/Getty Images Patrick J. Adams and wife Troian Bellisario Ian West/PA Sarah Rafferty REUTERS Cressida Bonas REUTERS Chelsy Davy Getty Images Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian PA David and Victoria Beckham talk with Sir Elton John (left) and David Furnish PA Sofia Wellesley and James Blunt arrive at St George's Chapel PA Julia Carey and James Corden Getty Images Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews AFP/Getty Images James Haskell and Chloe Madeley PA Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews Getty Images Lady Kitty Spencer REUTERS Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford PA Joss Stone arrives in St George's Chapel PA Prince Harry's Uncle Charles Spencer, Earl Spencer arrives with his wife Karen Spencer, Countess Spencer AFP/Getty Images Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre PA Delfina Blaquier and Nacho Figueras REUTERS Prince William's private secretary, Miguel Head arrives Getty Images Charlotte Riley and Tom Hardy Getty Images David Beckham and Victoria Beckham PA Amal and George Clooney PA Jonny Wilkinson and Shelley Jenkins PA Amal Clooney and George Clooney AP James Blunt arrives at St George's Chapel PA Sir Clive Woodward and Jayne Williams PA Nick Jones of Soho House Getty Images Carol Middleton PA Dan Snow and Lady Edwina Louise Grosvenor PA Oprah Winfrey PA Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre PA David and Victoria Beckham Getty Images David Beckham and Victoria Beckham EPA

An estimated 100,000 people turned up to Windsor to catch a glimpse of the happy couple as they sat in an open-top Ascot Landau for a carriage procession through Windsor.
A n orphan who Prince Harry befriended when volunteering in Africa was among the first guests to greet the royal couple after their extraordinary wedding at Windsor Castle.

The new Duke of Sussex first struck up a friendship with Mutsu Potsane, aged 4 at the time, during his gap year stay in the southern African nation in 2004.

The pair stayed in touch over the years, reunited on multiple occasions.

Now Mutsu, whose proper first name is Relebohile, was one of ten representatives from Harry's charity Sentebale at yesterday's fairytale wedding, according to the Daily Express.

Harry reunites with Mutsu in 2016 / PA Archive/PA Images

Harry co-founded the charity in 2006 with Lesothos Prince Seeiso in memory of their respective mothers work in the African kingdom, which has the worlds second-highest rate of HIV.

Harry and Mutsu with a tree they planted in the grounds of the Mants'ase childrens home in March 2004 / PA Archive/PA Images

Some 200 representatives from different charities were among the 2,460 members of the public with an invitation to celebrate the wedding inside the grounds of Windsor Castle on Saturday.

The pair formed a fast friendship that has lasted the years / PA Archive/PA Images

Sentebale chairman Johnny Hornby said 18-year-old Mutsu was among the first group to greet the newlyweds after they left St George's Chapel following their nuptials.

Now 18, Mutsu is finishing school / PA Archive/PA Images

He told the newspaper: Hes a bit shy now, but hes doing really well. Hes just finishing school.

The charity shared a photo of some of its members at the celebrations, writing: "Congratulations to the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex, from everyone at Sentebale.

Royal Wedding 2018: The best pictures you might have missed 1 /60 Royal Wedding 2018: The best pictures you might have missed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ride in an Ascot Landau along the Long Walk PA Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex emerge from the West Door of St George's Chapel Danny Lawson/WPA Pool/AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ride in an Ascot Landau along the Long Walk after their wedding in St George's Chapel Yui Mok/PA Princess Charlotte sticks out her tongue as she rides in a car to the wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle Andrew Milligan/PA Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George leave after the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George's Chapel Gareth Fuller/WPA Pool/AP Zalie Warren arrives at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle for the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle PA Prince Harry and his wife Meghan wave as they ride a horse-drawn carriage after their wedding ceremony Damir Sagolj/Reuters Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ride in an Ascot Landau carriage up the Long Walk at Windsor Castle after their wedding teve Parsons/PA Royal fans in Windsor for the wedding celebration Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex exit St George's Chapel Neil Hall/WPA Pool/EPA Doria Ragland and the Prince of Wales leave St George's Chapel Brian Lawless/PA Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Prince Harry's brother and best man Prince William, Duke of Cambridge wait in the chapel ahead of his wedding Owen Humphreys/WPA Pool/AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave Windsor Castle in the Ascot Landau carriage during a procession after getting married at St Georges Chapel Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Students of Immaculate Heart High School and Middle School watch a live broadcast of the wedding of Meghan Markle, who graduated from Immaculate Heart in 1999 David McNew/AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk down the steps of St George's Chapel Ben Birchall/PA Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and The Duchess of Sussex leave Windsor Castle in the Ascot Landau carriage during a procession after getting married at St Georges Chapel Phil Noble/WPA/Getty Images) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave St George's Chapel Jonathan Brady//WPA Pool/Reuters Prince Harry looks at his bride, Meghan Markle Jonathan Brady//WPA Pool/Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ride in an open-topped carriage through Windsor Castle after their wedding in St George's Chapel Aaron Chown/WPA Pool/Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave St George's Chapel Ben BirchallWPA Pool/Reuters Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and The Duchess of Sussex ride in the Ascot Landau carriage during a procession after getting married Ben Cawthra/WPA/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ride in an open-topped carriage through Windsor Andrew Milligan/PA Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and The Duchess of Sussex ride in the Ascot Landau carriage during a procession after getting married Ben Cawthra/WPA/Getty Images Crowds at Windsor Castle before the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle Ben Cawthra/WPA/Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and The Duchess of Sussex ride in the Ascot Landau carriage during a procession after getting married Jeff J Mitchell/WPA Pool/Reuters Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and The Duchess of Sussex ride in the Ascot Landau carriage during a procession after getting married Yui Mok/WPA Pool/Getty Images Members of the Royal family watch as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ride in an open-topped carriage through Windsor Castle after their wedding in St George's Chapel Andrew Milligan/PA Pinky Ghelani and Suzzy Wokabi watch a TV broadcast of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding at the Windsor golf and country club in Nairobi Thomas Mukoya/Reuters Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and The Duchess of Sussex ride in the Ascot Landau carriage during a procession after getting married Hannah McKay/WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and The Duchess of Sussex ride in the Ascot Landau carriage during a procession after getting married Andrew Milligan/PA The Duke of Cambridge with Prince George leave St George's Chapel Andrew Matthews/PA Meghan Markle arrives at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle Brian Lawless/WPA Pool/Getty Images Meghan Markle arrives at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for her wedding Brian Lawless/WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle Jonathan Brady/WPA Pool/AP Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave St George's Chapel Andrew Matthews/PA Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave Windsor Castle in the Ascot Landau carriage during a procession after getting married at St Georges Chapel Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan (R), Duchess of Sussex exit St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle after their royal wedding ceremony Neil Hall/WPA Pool/EPA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle after their wedding in Windsor Castle Jonathan Brady/WPA Pool/AP A town crier poses after watching the carriage procession Tom Nicholson/EPA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kiss as they leave St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle following their wedding. Brian Lawless/PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kiss as they leave St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle following their wedding. Brian Lawless/PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ride in an open-topped carriage through Windsor Castle after their wedding Victoria Jones/WPA Pool/Reuters Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex exit St George's Chapel Neil Hall/WPA Pool/EPA Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and The Duchess of Sussex ride in the Ascot Landau carriage during the procession after getting married St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle Matt Cardy/Getty Images Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leaves Windsor Castle in the Ascot Landau carriage Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images The Prince of Wales leads Meghan Markle up the aisle of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle for her wedding to Prince Harry Dominic Lipinski/PA Prince William, Prince Charles, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke of York, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, from let, during the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle Jonathan Brady/WPA Pool/AP Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk down the west steps of St George's Chapel Ben Stansall/WPA Pool/Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle after their wedding. Owen Humphreys/PA Crowds gather ahead of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Bruce Adams/WPA Pool/Getty Images George Clooney and his wife British human rights barrister Amal Clooney (R) arrive for the royal wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle Toby Melville/WPA Pool/EPA Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex exit St George's Chapel Neil Hall/WPA Pool/EPA Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave from the West Door of St George's Chapel Ben Stansall/WPA ool/Getty Images Prince George leaves St George's Chapel Brian Lawless/WPA Pool/Getty Images The Duke of Edinburgh leaves St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle Gareth Fller/WPA Pool/Reuters Oprah Winfrey leaves St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle after the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Ian West/WPA Pool/AP Royal fans watch the wedding Peter Nicholls/Reuters The Duchess of Cambridge arrives with the bridesmaids at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor, Jane barlow/WPA Pool/Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kiss on the steps of St George's Chapel Danny lawson/WPA Poll/Getty Images Prince Harry gestures next to his wife Meghan as they ride a horse-drawn carriage Damir Sagolj/Reuters

"We were delighted that some of our Lesotho team were able to join in the very special celebrations in Windsor today!"

Harry and Mutsu were introduced at the Mantsase Childrens Home for orphans near Mohales Hoek, outside Lesothos capital Maseru, where the prince visited to help children affected by HIV and Aids.

The royal wedding ceremony in 90 seconds

They quickly formed a strong bond, with Harry returning to the orphanage in 2006.

In 2015, they were reunited when Harry returned for the official opening of the Sentebales new childrens centre as part of an ITV documentary.

The 33-year-old scooped the then 15-year-old off the ground for a giant hug after the pair first noticed each other and they chatted about their time apart.

Harry and Meghan Markle yesterday tied the knot during an extraordinary wedding ceremony that captivated the nation and marked a new era for the royals.
A cougar that killed a cyclist and mauled another while they were on a mountain bike ride in the US has been shot dead by wildlife officers.

Two cyclists were attacked by the mountain lion while on a bike ride 30 miles east of Seattle on Saturday.

The cougar was later found up a tree near the dead man's body, where agents for the state's Fish and Wildlife police shot and killed it hours after the attack, the Seattle Times reported.

Wildlife officials said it was only the second fatal cougar attack in Washington state in the last 100 years. Cougars, also known as mountain lions, are the fourth largest cat species in the world but rarely attack humans.

The names of neither man were immediately released. The injured man who survived was said to be in a stable condition at a hospital.

"He [the cougar] jumped the first victim and attacked him," said Sergeant Ryan Abbott, of the King County Sheriff's Office.

"The second victim turned and started to run away. The cougar saw that and went after the second victim. The first victim saw his friend being pulled by the cougar. He got on his bike and started to bike away."

The injured man rode for about two miles before getting mobile phone coverage and calling 911.

Sgt Abbott said when rescuers arrived it took them about 30 minutes to locate the second victim, who was dead with the cougar standing on top of him.

"The deputies shot at him and spooked him, and he ran off," he said.

It took several hours before authorities found the cougar up a tree 50 to 200 yards away and killed it.

While the cougar was being hunted, rescuers had to wait to retrieve the dead man's body.

Rich Beausoleil, the state's bear and cougar specialist, said it was only the second fatality in the state in the last 94 years. "But it's one too many," he said.
P resident Donald Trump has said he will demand an inquiry into whether the FBI infiltrated his election campaign for political purposes.

In a tweet, Mr Trump said he wanted to know if any such demands were ordered by the Obama administration.

The order - to be made officially on Monday - comes after US media reports suggested there was a possible FBI spy in his 2016 campaign, though the president's lawyer has cast doubt on it.

Mr Trump tweeted: "I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes - and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!"

It followed a series of tweets by the president on Sunday condemning a "Witch Hunt" that he claimed had found no collusion with Russia.

Mr Trump was referring to the ongoing investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 US election, and whether there was any collusion between the Kremlin and Mr Trump's campaign.

The president last week accused the Justice Department of trying to frame him by planting a spy in his 2016 campaign.

He quoted Fox Business anchor David Asman and tweeted on Friday: "Apparently the DOJ put a Spy in the Trump Campaign. This has never been done before and by any means necessary, they are out to frame Donald Trump for crimes he didn't commit."

The New York Times followed with an article that suggested there was an FBI informant who was sent to speak to campaign aides, but only after the FBI had received reports of "suspicious contacts linked to Russia".

The informant - an American academic working in the UK - had made contact with George Papadopoulos and Carter Page.

Donald Trump warns Kim Jong Un he could end up like Gaddafi

The Washington Post reported that the informant has been aiding the Russia investigation since before Mr Mueller's appointment a year ago.

When asked whether there was an informant on the campaign, the president's lawyer Rudy Giuliani told CNN: "I don't know for sure, nor does the president, if there really was one," though he said they have long been told there was "some kind of infiltration".

On Saturday, Mr Trump tweeted: "If the FBI or DOJ was infiltrating a campaign for the benefit of another campaign, that is a really big deal."

He said only the release or review of documents the House Intelligence Committee is seeking from the Justice Department "can give conclusive answers".

The Justice Department's internal watchdog is already examining Republican complaints of FBI misconduct in the early stages of the Russia investigation.

Inspector General Michael E Horowitz announced an investigation in March at the request of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and congressional Republicans.

Mr Sessions and the lawmakers had urged Mr Horowitz to review whether FBI and Justice Department officials abused their surveillance powers by using information compiled by Christopher Steele, a former British spy, and paid for by Democrats as part of the basis to justify monitoring Carter Page, a former campaign adviser to Mr Trump.

Mr Horowitz said his office will look at those claims as well as communications between Mr Steele and DOJ and FBI officials.

Mr Trump did not elaborate on his "demand," one of a series of tweets attacking the Mueller investigation he sent throughout the day on Sunday.

The president demanded a stop to the inquiry, which he said was nearing $20 million in costs and was "composed of 13 angry and heavily conflicted Democrats".

Despite Mr Trumps claims, the special counsel's office has charged 19 people  including four Trump campaign advisers  and three Russian companies.
T he Kardashians are one of the most talked about family's on the planet  but they don't always hit the headlines for the right reasons.

The reality TV clan has sparked all number of controversies from accusations of revenge porn to cultural appropriation as well as appearing to back Kanye West in the wake of his support for President Donald Trump.

So in honour of another Kardashian kontroversy, weve rounded up the familys biggest what were they thinking?! moments.

1. Kendall Jenners Pepsi ad

Kendall Jenner stars in Pepsi advert

Kendall Jenner appeared to be unaware of the backlash she would spark when she created peace by offering a can of Pepsi to a police officer in the middle of a demonstration for the drinks brand.

She was accused of mocking the Black Lives Matter movement with Piers Morgan branding it stupefyingly diabolical while Martin Luther King, Jr.s daughter Bernice King tweeted a picture of her father being held back by police, with the caption: If only daddy would have known about the power of #Pepsi.

Kim Kardashian said her model sister felt awful and Pepsi later pulled the ad and apologised for putting Kendall Jenner in this position.

2. Kim Kardashian blackface

Kim Kardashian sparked a race row after she was accused of blackface on releasing promotional images for her KKW Beauty line.

The images didnt sit well with some who accused her of darkening her skin tone and going overboard with the editing  but Kardashian claimed she was simply really tan at the time. She later claimed to have the utmost respect for why people might feel the way they did and said she would obviously never want to offend anyone.

3. Kim Kardashian advertises a diet lollipop

Backlash: Kim Kardashian's post was later deleted (Kim Kardashian ) / Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian was branded a toxic influence after she shared a picture of herself sucking on an appetite-suppressant lollipop with her 111 million followers and encouraged them to be quick in buying them up.

The post was later deleted mistakenly by Instagram, with a spokesperson saying the app had apologised to Kim for the inconvenience caused. The mother-of-three has yet to comment on the backlash.

4. Khloe Kardashian accused of cultural appropriation

Khloe Kardashian was accused of cultural appropriation after she posted a picture of herself sporting bantu knots alongside the caption bantu babe.

She later deleted the post after being branded ridiculous and reposted the picture with the caption: I like this one better.

One angry Twitter user said they werent surprised as Khloe had appropriated just about everything there is to appropriate from us.

5. Kim Kardashians Manchester terror attack tribute

Deleted: Kim Kardashian has removed the controversial post / Twitter/ Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian was forced to delete a picture of herself partying at what appeared to be a concert with her sister Kendall Jenner and Ariana Grande after 22 people were killed at Grandes Manchester Arena gig last May.

Kim captioned her tribute: Im praying for everyone in Manchester. This is truly so senseless & heart breaking. I cant imagine the fear and agony these parents must be going through searching for their kids. Concerts are supposed to be a place where you can let loose and have fun.

She was accused of narcissism and making the tragedy about herself instead of those who were caught up in the devastating attack.

6. Rob Kardashian posts nude pictures of Blac Chyna

Estranged: Blac Chyna with her ex Rob Kardashian / Greg Doherty/Getty

Rob Kardashian sparked outrage after he posted graphic pictures of his ex Blac Chyna without her permission. He accused the mother of his daughter Dream of cheating on him with another man.

Instagram suspended his account but he took to Twitter to continue his rant, telling his followers: My bed that my child lays in and she gave the robes I got to all her dudes in my house that I pay for. Lol smh.

Today Chyna sent me a video after I just bought her 250K of jewelry and she sends me this video... of another man in our bed.

7. Kim K dresses as the Virgin Mary

Offensive: Kim as the Virgin Mary in her new Kimoji / Kimoji/ Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian was slammed for her disgusting transformation into the Virgin Mary for her disrespectful kimoji. The reality stars face was superimposed onto the mother of Christ, leading many to accuse her of mocking religion.

Many deemed her actions beyond forgivable, shameful, extremely disgusting and low, while another suggested she should be thrown to the sea.

8. Kendall and Kylie Jenners band T-shirts

Kendall and Kylie Jenner were forced to pull their clothing line over disrespectful and disgusting band T-shirts which saw their faces emblazoned over the top of acts including Pink Floyd and The Doors.

The line was heavily criticised by many, including Biggie's mother Voletta Wallace who accused the sisters of exploiting the deaths of Biggie and Tupac Shakur, while Sharon Osbourne, who took aim at the re-working of a Black Sabbath T-shirt, told them to stick to what you knowlip gloss.

Kendall later apologised for causing offence and said she and Kylie will use the fall out as an opportunity to learn the error of their ways.

9. Kanye West on Trump

Although not a Kardashian by blood, Kanye West sparked outrage after he threw his support behind President Donald Trump days before he suggested 400 years of slavery is a choice.

Will.i.am slammed the star for trying to throw our ancestors under the bus to profit from it.

Kim Kardashian defended her free thinker husband for his support of Mr Trump but was said to be worried about his slavery comments with a source close to the family saying: Kim is absolutely worried about him right now, but she will defend him publicly to the end.

10. Caitlyn Jenner attends Donald Trump's inauguration

Problematic: Caitlyn Jenner left fans shocked by her decision to attend / Getty Images for GQ

Caitlyn Jenner left fans horrified after she attended Donald Trump's inauguration. Fans feared for America, claiming the former businessman poses a threat to LGBTQ and womens rights.
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Foreign Affairs Minister Teodor Melescanu announced that within a maximum of one month the analysis regarding the possible relocation of Romania's Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem could be finalised, inform Agerpres.

Asked on Sunday in Parliament whether the analysis of the relocation is underway, Melescanu replied: "Yes, certainly. It is a very simple matter. W are pondering which are the advantages and the disadvantages of relocating the embassy on each topic. (...) As regards (...) security, we have reached a conclusion, through the consultations we have had with other bodies. We are now focusing on the other topics, economic, social and legal."

Also asked about a deadline for the analysis, Melescanu specified: " Yes, there is a reasonable timeframe, probably one month."

The Foreign Affairs Minister also said that Romania needs to have a coherent message on the matter of the embassy's possible relocation.

"Our stance is clear. We need an analysis, that we are carrying out, in order to reach a decision to be presented to political decision-makers, so that we have a clear message on behalf of Romania on this issue. (...) What we are interested in at this stage is to have a coherent message as a member country of the European Union, and then we will certainly consult with Brussels, with our strategic allies," Melescanu showed.

As regards the statements made by President Klaus Iohannis and those of the Government and the Social Democratic Party (PSD, major at rule, ed.n.) on this matter, Minister Melescanu said: "Everybody has points of view, politicians in particular have the right to express ideas and have standpoints. What is asked of us, as speciality body, is to provide arguments for their point of view, otherwise each of us has a certain leaning towards one solution or the other. We do not believe this should be done based on some leanings we have, but based on a very serious analysis."

At the same time, Melescanu specified that the analysis conducted on this issue will be presented "to all political decision-makers", adding he cannot reveal what was found on security from the analysis that has been finalised.

"I cannot prejudge, because the decision should not be made based upon one element or the other. The decision should refer to all the advantages and the disadvantages. (...) There are certainly risks, both as concerns security and from other points of view. We must see to what extent they are real or they are only at our own level of perception and analysis," Melescanu added.

On the other hand, he referred to the Palestinian ambassador to Romania being recalled as "a natural thing."

"It is a natural thing. Any state has the right to recall ambassadors for consultations in the Capital. As far as we are concerned, it is standard practice. As for us, we want our charge d'affaires in Ramallah to continue his activity. (...) Precisely at a time when there are many issues being discussed about Palestine, I believe an ambassador's best contribution is to stay in the country where he/she is appointed and look for solutions, present arguments, because in the end they also have their arguments that we should take into account," Melescanu said.
As many as 13,235 visitors participated in special events and visited the exhibitions of the 8 museums and memorial houses with the Bucharest Municipal Museum (MMB) on the Night of Museums, informs a press release sent to AGERPRES.

Sutu Palace, Filipescu-Cesianu House and the Astronomic Observatory Admiral Vasile Urseanu could be visited until 04:00 in the morning, the other objectives having a schedule until past midnight.

Exhibitions such as ""Timpul Orasului" (City Time), "Muzeul Varstelor" (The Museum of Ages), "Fizionomii unificatoare 'Toti in unu' - Povestea unui proiect de tara" (Unifying physiognomies 'All in one' - The story of a country project) , "Zeite si samani in credintele stravechi. Plastica antropozoomorfa - de la arta la identitate" (Goddesses and shamans in ancient beliefs. The antropozoomorphic elasticity - from art to identity) , "Razboiul intre mit si arta" (War, between myth and art), "JOZEF PILSUDSKI - om de stat al Poloniei si Europei" (Jozef Klemens Pilsudski - Poland and Europe's statesman), "Imagini ale invizibilului" (Images of the invisible), " 'Vila Dr. Nicolae Minovici': RESTITUTIO" and "Pe urmele trecutului. Colectia 'Maria si Dr. George Severeanu' " (Retracing the past. 'Maria and Dr George Severeanu' Collection) and also the photography outdoor exhibition InstantA grabbed the visitors' interest until late in the night. Other exhibitions were the ones open at Sutu Palace, Filipescu-Cesianu House, Theodor Amman Museum, George Severeanu Museum, Nicolae Minovici Museum, Frederick Storck and Cecilia Cutescu-Storck Museum and Ligia and Pompiliu Macovei Art Collection.Victor Babes Museum did not take part in the Night of Museums this year, due to refurbishment works, reads the release."Astronomy lovers had the opportunity to visit the Astronomic Observatory Admiral Vasile Urseanu, the new permanent exhibition 'We discover the Universe together: Astronomy Exhibition' whose topic is the solar system, and takes visitors on an exploration journey of its planets, stars and galaxies, the main purpose of the exhibition being to illustrate our place in the Universe," the press release further informs.The schedule of the Night of Museums put together by the Bucharest Municipal Museum was extremely varied, every museum and memorial house within the institution organised various events that combined the museum programme with a musical and theatre one, providing a generous range of activities so as to mark the cultural and historical experience of each visitor.This year the Bucharest Municipal Museum organised events at all its 8 cultural institutions. Apart from exhibitions, visitors benefited from concerts, poetry and music shows, live statues and historical re-enactment.
John MUELLER

Two unpleasant propositions about the lengthy civil war in Syria have been substantially absent from current policy discussions. It seems time to bring them forward and to take them seriously.

The first acknowledges that the forces of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad have pretty much won the war. As journalist Robin Wright noted recently, Assad has managed to consolidate his hold over the majority of Syria and now controls all the major cities. Grandstanding bombings devised to encourage the regime to kill with bullets and shrapnel rather than with gas are exercises in futility. As she concludes Assad is winning the war and the reality is that the military strike will not change that.

And in February, a U.S. intelligence community report concluded that, the Syrian oppositions seven-year insurgency is probably no longer capable of overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad or overcoming a growing military disadvantage.

The second proposition is a stark observation put forward in a think tank report in 2015 by Ambassador James Dobbins and his colleagues: any peace in Syria is better than the current war.

For those whose chief concern is the welfare of the Syrian people, the conclusion, however painful, should be obvious. The United States and other intervening states should work primarily to bring the suffering to a substantial close, and this likely means cutting off support to most rebel combatants in Syria and working withperhaps even directly supportingAssad and his foreign allies.

This would, of course, constitute a massive reversal in policyas well as a grim admission that the Russians have been essentially right in the civil war. But, although a great many elements in the Syrian tragedy remain cloudy, it seems clear that foreign assistance to the rebels has simply had the result of prolonging, or systematically stoking, the disaster. For years, much of the fighting has consisted of the mindless lobbing of ordnance on civilian areas, a process that mainly creates misery and refugees. All, or just about all, present policy proposals concerning Syria would essentially perpetuate this dismal condition.

There is a risk, of course, that, once something of a peace has been secured, Assads forces will embark on murderous rampages against former enemies. But it is more likely that this danger can be effectively dealt with if the United States and other interveners are inside the tent rather than outside of it.

The country would be effectively partitioned, with pockets still controlled by various rebel groups from U.S.-supported Kurds to Islamist operatives. And there would also be Islamic State remnants to deal with. Following the Dobbins proposal, this condition might prevail for years as efforts are made to negotiate difficult settlements.

But the very considerable bulk of the country would be substantially pacified. As a result, many refugees might find it safe to return and to help rebuild their shattered country.

And it is clear that a considerable portion of Syrians prefer being in government areas rather than areas controlled by rebels who are often incoherent and vicious. Details are sketchy, but given the choice, two-thirds of civilian evacuees from rebel-held East Aleppo asked to settle in government areas, not in rebel-controlled areas. One Aleppo professor, himself an opponent of the regime, estimates that in an election today, Assad would get more than 70 percent of the vote.

As early as 2014, Graham Fuller, a Middle East specialist and former vice chairman of the CIAs National Intelligence Council, pointed out that although Assad is hardly an ideal ruler, he is rational, has run a longtime functioning state, and scarcely represents a threat to the United States. Moreover, Assad is supported by many in Syria who rightly fear the domestic anarchy that might come after his fall. The lessons of Libya are clearly relevant here.

Fuller concluded that The time has now come to bite the bullet, admit failure, and to permitif not assistAssad in quickly winding down the civil war in Syria.

This suggestion was highly unfashionable at the time, and then, like the Dobbins assessment, it was overwhelmed for a while by hysteria over the rise of the vicious, if ultimately rather ridiculous, ISIS group. However, although the perspective remains very much a minority view, its time may well have come.

nationalinterest.org
Russian President Vladimir Putin said a naval standing force, including warships with Kalibr long-range land attack cruise missiles, will be permanently deployed in the Mediterranean Sea. The statement was made at a meeting with top military officials and defense industry leaders that took place in Sochi on May 16. One of the missions is delivering strikes against terrorist targets in Syria. 102 expeditions of ships and submarines are planned in 2018. The force will go through intensive training.

The Russian Black Sea Fleet has become a much different force in comparison to what it was just three years ago. Since 2015, the year the operation in Syria was launched, it has received 15 new ships, including two frigates and six conventional submarines armed with Kalibr cruise missiles. With S-400 and S-300V4 air defense systems, Krasukha-4 electronic warfare systems and shore-based anti-ship Bastion batteries deployed on the Syrian coast, the ships in Eastern Mediterranean operate in a relatively safe environment. Kalibr missiles have already been fired from frigates and submarines at terrorist targets in Syria.

Last July, a 15-strong Mediterranean Task Force was established to be based out of Tartus, Syrias leased naval facility. The ships provide a buffer on the southern flank of NATO. Russia needs to counter aggressive activities of the bloc in the region, including the Black Sea. Maintaining robust presence in the Mediterranean is the best way to defend Russias Black Sea borders.

All southern Europe, including such NATO military assets as Allied Joint Force Command in Naples, Italy, Combined Air Operations Centers in Larissa, Greece, and in Poggio Renatico, Italy, Headquarters Allied Land Command and Air Power Command in Izmir, Turkey, NATO Incirlik air base in Turkey, Graf Ignatievo and Bezmer air bases in Bulgaria used by US Air Force as well as a lot of other key NATO defense infrastructure sites happen to be within the range of Kalibr missiles installed on the platforms patrolling the Mediterranean Sea. Theyll all be knocked out with first salvos in case a Russia-NATO war starts.

The Fleets operations are not limited to the Black Sea basin and the Mediterranean. It is on the way of transition from a green-water naval formation to a blue water force, demonstrating the Russian flag as the ships move beyond the Strait of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal on the way to the World Ocean.

The establishment of permanent naval presence in the region can be explained by a number of rational calculations. The Mediterranean Sea is Russias only exit to the open ocean for the Black Sea Fleet. The permanent presence is a logical step in view of Russias growing political influence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Foreign Ministries are not the only ones to shape external policy. Any port call is a diplomat mission, providing an opportunity for official meetings and public diplomacy, with the events covered by media. Take the famous German Kiel Week or Kieler Woche in German, the biggest annual maritime festival and international forum visited by about three million people coming from all over the world. Warships from many countries are an important element of the event. Ships also take part in the Irish maritime festival at Drogheda Port. Russian frigate The Shtandart, a replica of the man-of-war built by Peter the Great in 1703, will visit Drogheda on June 10-11 this year.

The naval visits reflect foreign policy trends. In 2017, Russian ships made 46 port calls to drop anchor at 28 ports of 27 countries worldwide. The list includes five Western or West-friendly states: Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Japan and South Korea, which account for 19% of the countries visited by Russian ships. Nine (33%) of the states on the list belong to the Asia-Pacific region, with other 13 (48%) situated in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. The 81% vs.19% ratio illustrates Russias rebalancing from the collective West toward other countries and power poles. The Russian Navy also conducted six international exercises, demonstrating its global presence and power projection capability.

The growing trade brings to the fore the task of sea lanes protection. Russia has longstanding economic ties with many Mediterranean states, including Greece, Libya, Cyprus, and Algeria. The relations include defense cooperation.

US Navy deployments in support of ballistic missile defense are viewed as provocative moves to downgrade Russias strategic nuclear capability. With Russias continuous presence in the region, Aegis ships as well as aircraft carriers become sitting ducks for state-of-the art anti-ship missiles.

Like it or not, the Mediterranean Sea has ceased to be a NATO Lake dominated by US 6th Fleet. American vessels dont own these waters anymore. As a great power, Russia has its own interests in the region and it has a powerful naval force permanently deployed to defend them.
Pakistan Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Chaudhry remarked that Pakistan intends to consult with the World Bank on the Kishanganga Dam issue.

He was addressing a seminar titled Pakistan and Unites States A Lasting Partnership on Saturday.

Speaking in the context of issues pertaining to Islamabad's eastside neighbour, Chaudhry said the country intends to take up plans of Indus Waters Treaty (alternatively known as the Sindh Taas Agreement), Kishanganga Dam, and Ratle Hydroelectric Plant with Jim Yong Kim, the president of the global financial institution.

The statements come in response to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating Kishanganga Dam project on Saturday amid protests from Pakistan, which says the project on a river flowing into Pakistan will disrupt water supplies.

The 330MW Kishanganga hydropower station, work on which started in 2009, is one of the projects that India has fast-tracked in the volatile state amid frosty ties between the nuclear-armed countries.

"This region cannot only become self-sufficient in power but also produce for other regions of the country," Modi said in the states capital, Srinagar. "Keeping that in mind we have been working on various projects here for the past four years." Pakistan has opposed some of these projects, saying they violate a World Bank-mediated treaty on the sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries upon which 80 percent of its irrigated agriculture depends.

"Pakistan is seriously concerned about the inauguration (of the Kishanganga plant)," its Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday. "Pakistan believes that the inauguration of the project without the resolution of the dispute is tantamount to violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)".

The Kishanganga project was delayed for several years as Pakistan dragged India to the International Court of Arbitration, which ruled in India's favour in 2013. India has said the hydropower projects underway in Jammu and Kashmir are "run-of-the-river" schemes that use the river's flow and elevation to generate electricity rather than large reservoirs, and do not contravene the treaty.

US embassy in Jerusalem

While responding to US moving its embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the ambassador reiterated that Pakistan holds reservations on Washington's decision.

On May 14, the new US embassy to Israel officially opened in Jerusalem as US President Donald Trump has formally recognised the holy city as the countrys capital.

The opening comes after a day of celebratory festivities in Israel juxtaposed with mass protests along the border of Israel that left at least 60 Palestinians dead and more than 1,000 injuredmaking it one of the bloodiest day of weeks of demonstrations that have cast a cloud over the embassy opening.
Grudgebridge has gained both praise and notoriety over the past couple of days. Once a controversial platform facilitating students wishing to share grievances, Grudgebridge recently announced its intention to shift its efforts towards exposing the universitys drinking societies. The page is encouraging anonymous submissions detailing anything from barbaric drinking initiations to shocking accusations of sexual assault. It is no secret that drinking societies can be incredibly problematic. From Cambridges Pitt Club to Oxfords Bullingdon Club, stories of elitism, sexism and classism (to name a few) are far from rare. However, this might be the first time that Cambridges female drinking societies have been publicly called into question.

Sexual assault has a significant gender disparity. According to a 2010 report, 92.5% of female victims of sexual assault reported male perpetrators. This hardly seems a surprising statistic, given the string of sexual crimes recently reported in the media perpetrated by the likes of Harvey Weinstein and John Worboys. But what about the other 7.5%, who were victims of crimes perpetrated by women?

Crime statistics reflect only reported instances of sexual offences. While 7.5% looks like a small figure, it might not reflect the whole story. Men are, in general, viewed as a greater threat. They are generally physically bigger and stronger, giving them the power to physically intimidate and exert control over women. Women are often not as physically strong, and thus may be viewed as less of a threat. However, women are still capable of emotional manipulation; they can play with the victims trust, confidence and esteem to debilitate them. From a very young age, women have been taught to be wary of men, but dont regularly exercise the same caution with other women. This can make it difficult to discern whether something is a bit of fun, or making you feel genuinely uncomfortable, blurring the boundary of abuse. Even the most platonic female relationships can be very intimate. The question therefore arises: is this statistic 7.5% so small because genuinely fewer instances of assault by women occur, or because individuals are less likely to identify sexual assault perpetrated by women?

Moreover, many victims believe that crimes perpetrated against them are, to an extent, their fault. Gaslighting is a form of manipulation which seeks to destabilise the victims memory and perception of the events, forcing them to question their status as a victim. They may feel embarrassed and ashamed, and seeking support can be a huge obstacle to overcome. However, this problem is exacerbated when the perpetrator of a sexual assault is a woman. Stereotypes of women as the weaker sex can be damaging, particularly where this produces an image of women as incapable of sexual assault. Where professional help is sought, the victim may fear that their allegations may not be taken as seriously, and a victim might be too uncomfortable to establish a support network in their friends for fear of the crime being delegitimised and invalidated.

We must stop assuming that the perpetrators of sexual assault are exclusively male. This is a dangerous assumption, and discourages individuals from identifying and reporting instances of sexual assault. Women guilty of assault must be called out for their actions and face the same social repercussions as men. Regardless of the truth of the Grudgebridge accusations, the ordeal has served as an important reminder: sexual assault can be committed by any gender, against any gender, and this does not decrease its validity or severity.
Sharp AQUOS 8K LED TV, which is set to be the first commercially available 8K TV in our country

in the end of year 2018 here in the Philippines

Sharp Philippines Corporation Executives

Sharp AQUOS 8K LED TV reproduces images at "ultimate reality", with ultra-fine details the naked eye cannot capture

Apart from displaying TV broadcasts and other media contents, 8K will dramatically impact many aspects of our lives: medical, business, security, education, transportation and many more.

Last Thursday - May 17, 2018, at the Grand Ballroom of Shangri-La Hotel at The Fort, legendary Japanese tech giant Sharp Corporation officially unveiled theTo quote, Deputy General Manager TV System Business Unit of Sharp Corporation, during the event:8K, which has image dimensions of 7,680 x 4,320 pixels, is the latest technology for ultra-high-definition screens, having 16 times the pixel-density and resolution of Full-HD resolution at 1,920 x 1,080 pixels and 4 times that of 4K at 3,840 x 2,160 pixels.According to the company,Well, here are some photos that I took of the Sharp AQUOS 8K LED TV from a few meters away and up close:Check out the details on the image of this Canon camera.Simply put, Sharp AQUOS 8K LED TV is part of the company's continuous efforts to innovate and provide consumers with world-class quality products that meet the needs and wants of consumers.According to Mr. Kawata, "Sharp AQUOS 8K LED TV features a 70-inch display panel framed by sleek, Dark Silver metal bezels.The TV incorporates two 40W subwoofers placed on either sides, delivering rich and immersive sound experience when watching movies.As of writing, Sharp Philippines Corporation has yet to disclose the official pricing details of the Sharp AQUOS 8K LED TV. I believe they'll do that once they are ready to make the TV available in stores later this year.
The Council of Electoral Experts of Latin America (CEELA) sent an observation mission to supervise Sunday's mock elections. | Read More
We're well used to black comedy (gallows-humour style) on our stages, to caustic satire and comedy-drama. But angry comedy? Nakkiah Lui's Blackie Blackie Brown: The Traditional Owner of Death is sometimes so angry that you're inclined to flinch and start framing excuses why you, of all people, should not be the next victim of the titular super-avenger.

Since Oedipus Rex (a mere 2,400 years ago) drama has struggled to shock its audiences, with most attempts being puny or second-hand by comparison. Enter Blackie Blackie Brown, which even warns us of its intent at the outset, with huge projections shouting that this is not a story about "reconciliation" or "forgiveness", each point reinforced by frightening blasts of sound.

It certainly isn't. Mild-mannered archaeologist Dr Jacqueline Black (Megan Wilding) is visited by the ghost of her great-grandmother, who was raped and murdered in a massacre of indigenous people by four white men. The ghost demands she kill all descendants of these men, and this, believe it or not, is where the comedy comes in. Black metamorphoses into a Marvel-style hero wearing a breastplate bearing the Aboriginal flag, and unleashes her carnage in a series of comic-book vignettes and news-item spoofs.

Amid these nestle moments of compelling drama and crime-thriller suspense. In fact Lui, director Declan Greene (for Sydney Theatre Company) and Oh Yeah Wow, the team behind the animations and videos, have not just raided a few usually mutually exclusive idioms, they've looted the whole Genres R Us shop. The play hurtles from house fires and car crashes to non-didactic shards of history, morality and philosophy.

Similarly, Oh Yeah Wow's sensational animations fully interact not just with the work of artist Emily Johnson, designer Elizabeth Gadsby, Verity Hampson (lighting/projections) and Steve Toulmin (sound/music), they interact with the two actors themselves, sometimes to uproarious effect.
THEATRE

The Wizard of Oz 

Music: Harold Arlen, Lyrics: E.Y. Harburg, with additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice

Regent Theatre, Until July 22

The familiar troupe in Andrew Lloyd Webber's London Palladium production of The Wizard of Oz.

This big glossy adaptation of The Wizard of Oz has a much-loved story and songs on its side, and it delivers them with energy and dashing spectacle. Children should have a magical experience, though older heads may puzzle at some dis-improvements on the original film.

Chiefly, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice have larded the score with forgettable numbers that feel superfluous and clash awkwardly with the earworms everyone knows.

In the movie, famously, Kansas is shot in black and white, Oz in glorious technicolour. This show creates a similar effect through music.
For months, the details of Meghan Markle's wedding dress have been the biggest secret in fashion. But, now the cat's out of the bag, how does her gown compare to royal wedding dresses of the past?

There are those we swooned over, such as Princess Grace of Monaco's  which is said to have inspired Kate Middleton's Alexander McQueen gown  and the '70s chic of Princess Anne's gown, especially those bell sleeves, which are still very on-trend.

William and Kate with Pippa Middleton, who made her own headlines. Credit:AP

And though we may snigger at the mutton sleeves and 7.6-metre train of Princess Diana's gown, or the heavy bustle of Fergie's dress, we need to remember that in the '80s, these were the height of fashion.
The wedding of Meghan Markle to Prince Harry was a momentous occasion for many reasons - the preacher and the semi-solo stroll down the aisle to name a couple. But it was also the day a halter gown made history.

Again.

As the newlyweds departed Windsor Castle for a private reception at Frogmore House, Markle wore a halter, mock-necked gown made in silk crepe by British designer Stella McCartney.

"The bride's evening dress is designed by Stella McCartney and is a bespoke lilywhite high-neck gown made of silk crepe. The bride is wearing shoes from Aquazurra made in silky satin, with nude mesh, with soles painted in baby blue," a palace spokesman said.
Last year, I became the first woman to breastfeed in Victorian Parliament since Kirstie Marshall was kicked out 15 years ago. This time, there wasn't much fanfare, and although it may have sent some retrograde conservatives wild, I have indeed managed to make coherent decisions about public policy while ensuring my baby doesn't die of starvation. Multi-tasking FTW.

But despite all of society's progress, women having babies while serving in Parliament is still a very small club, so I feel a responsibility to share what I've learnt with someone who's about to join our ranks, New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Ellen Sandell and daughter Ada. Credit:Julian Meehan

My first piece of advice, Jacinda, is don't take parenting advice from people who are presumptuous enough to give it.

The second is especially don't take advice from someone like me. Case in point: once, due to a childcare fail on my part, I had to bring my infant daughter into the chamber with me for a vote.
Bizarre scenes are unfolding in Melbourne's east, where thick white foam is flowing down a local creek.

A long stretch of Dandenong Creek in Heathmont looked more like a washing machine on Sunday as it was covered with a layer of white bubbles.

The creek's flow seems to have churned up volumes of suds, and large tufts of the white foam have been breaking away and floating about like small clouds.

This video footage, posted by local environmental group First Friends of Dandenong Creek, shows the unusual scene:
The community has rallied around three students after fire tore through their Brisbane share house on Saturday morning and left them with only the clothes they were wearing.

Friends have offered the women replacement furniture, places to stay and set up a GoFundMe page after they lost everything, including their coursework at a time when university assessment is due.

The remains of the women's home.

Six fire crews were called to 20 Depper Street in Toowong about 1.40am on Saturday and it took almost two hours to bring the flames under control, according to a fire service spokeswoman.

The fire was out by 4am but the students' home had suffered "significant damage" and a neighbouring residence suffered "some damage", the spokeswoman said.
Once again politicians think they know best when it comes to what schools should teach. This time they are taking advice from the church (thats gone well in the past, hasnt it?) as to what content is appropriate for inclusion in sexual education classes.

Former prime minister John Howard has suggested that schools presenting certain "distasteful" content should have funding cut if parents arent allowed to withdraw their children from such classes.

Former prime minister John Howard has spoken out about sex education in schools. Credit:MHoward

Dear Mr Howard, you were resoundingly dumped from office by a public sick of hearing your antiquated views. The world in which students live has moved on from the 1950s where men headed the household, women stayed at home and shut their mouths (often on Valium tablets), children were seen and not heard and differences were repressed.

Nowadays, women work, men stay at home and children are seen and heard right across the world, in an instant. Difference is now accepted by the majority who realise the simple truth  that underneath the "other" that seems to scare a small and vocal minority, we are all still human. Difference is not catching, it just is.
We'll wrap up today's blog there.

To summarise the day's events:

A lot of attention on live exports. Maverick Liberals are persisting with a private member's bill to phase out the trade. But its future is very uncertain. The government is unlikely to allow the bill to go to a vote and the MPs say they are not willing to team up with Labor and crossbenchers to seize control of the House of Representatives and force a vote.

The Coalition is criticising AGL for its rejection of Alinta's offer to buy the Liddell coal-fired power station.

Julie Bishop and Steven Ciobo have been trying to mend fences with China. Bishop has been talking with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at a meeting in Argentina and Ciobo has just returned from a trip to Shanghai.

and have been trying to mend fences with China. Bishop has been talking with Chinese counterpart at a meeting in Argentina and Ciobo has just returned from a trip to Shanghai. Officials revealed that 250 people who attended the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games as athletes and in other associated roles have stayed in Australia. 205 have applied for other visas and are considered lawful. 50 have made no contact with the government and are considered to be in Australia illegally.

We still do not know when the "super Saturday" of five byelections will be. Speaker Tony Smith hopes to provide an update later this week.

My name is Fergus Hunter. Photos today have been from Alex Ellinghausen and Dominic Lorrimer.

You can find me on Facebook and Twitter. And feel free to send me your feedback and hot tips at fergus.hunter@fairfaxmedia.com.au.

See you in the morning.
Google chief executive Sundar Pichai talks about Google Assistant in San Francisco in 2016. Credit:ERIC RISBERG That's not to say that we should be complacent. Tech companies like Google and Facebook have an incredible amount of power over us that only increases with the more that they know. So downloading and analysing your Google data, and determining what information you want to keep around or delete, is an exercise I highly recommend. Here's how I did it - and what I learned. Wading through Google Takeout Attendees listen as Sundar Pichai, chief executive officer of Google Inc, not pictured, speaks at a developers conference in Mountain View, California, earlier this month. Credit:Michael Short The tool for downloading your Google data is called Takeout, which was released in 2008. Go to google.com/takeout and select the information you want to download. You can choose everything or home in on certain things, like your location history from Google Maps, your email conversations in Gmail, your viewing history on YouTube and photos you have uploaded into Google Photos.

If you download your whole archive, your file will probably be enormous. Mine was 8 gigabytes, enough to hold about 2000 hours of music. After I requested my archive, it took Google about half a day to send an email with links to download my files. Google's news app on phones. Here's what jumped out to me: 1. The most noteworthy folder is labeled My Activity, which is an overview of what you have done on Google's products, including Android, Google Maps and Google News. Inside My Activity is a subfolder labeled Ads. This record contained a history of many websites I had visited, including those I had reached without the help of Google.com. Even sites I opened through Twitter or links I clicked on through a text message were recorded in the Ads folder. Google is storing a lot of information about us, so we should have the ability to access all of it.

What gives? Google said that many web articles load advertisements served through its ad network, and when you visit sites loading Google ads, you are contributing to an advertisement-related profile that Google is building about you. That's why it's logged in the My Activity folder. In my conversations with Google, the company argued that it was better to be transparent about the information being collected as opposed to not showing it at all. Google's offices in Pyrmont, Sydney. Credit:karleen minney Brian Fitzpatrick, the former Google manager who led the team that created Takeout, put it another way. "Companies are gathering this data about you," he said. "This is just an honest way to look at it." My take: It is helpful to see that this data is collected. But it should be labelled precisely - like "Pages We Know You Visited" - so people can find this data more easily and decide whether to delete it.

2. A subfolder labelled Android contained a detailed history of the Android apps I had opened over the past three years, including the time and date I had launched each app. For example, my log showed I opened the Instagram app in March, the Gmail app in December 2015 and the Google Play Music app in January 2016. Google uses this information for a feature called app suggestions. The company studies which apps you use, and how often and when you open them, to recommend apps you might want to use throughout the day. For example, if you regularly open Instagram during your lunch break, Google will show a shortcut for the Instagram app at around 12.30pm, in a list of suggested apps. That is a thoughtful feature, but it gave me pause. That level of logging is almost as creepy as a company monitoring all of my keystrokes. Also, retaining this app data for several years feels like an unnecessarily long time. I ultimately opted to turn app suggestions off. 3. Many files in my archive were odd formats that were not easy to open or read. For example, some files included the extension .JSON. My Google Maps location history was stored in a .JSON file, and it displayed an unintelligible list of GPS coordinates and time stamps. Google explained that Takeout was designed for people to be able to easily remove their data from Google and use it elsewhere. Files like those with the .JSON extension are common formats designed to be machine-readable so that other programs and tools can make use of the data, according to Google.

That makes sense - but our data should be readable by us, too. Deleting Objectionable Data After poring through your Google file, ask yourself what personal data you are uncomfortable with having the company keep. Everybody is going to have a different answer. For me, I was troubled by Google keeping a history of websites I had visited even when I wasn't using Google products. I also found the company's log of my Android apps usage overly intrusive. Once you have determined that, then you can delete the data. The place to start is the My Activity tool, located at myactivity.google.com.

I opted to purge the entire history for Ads, where my web-browsing activity was being tracked even when I was not using Google products. I also deleted all my Android data. Once I got going, I also deleted my history of requests made to Google's voice assistant and the web-browsing histories for sites I visited through Google News and Google Chrome. But that all raises a larger question. What does it mean to delete something from Google? Is it just hidden from plain sight or actually expunged? A Google spokesman referred me to a webpage summarising the company's data retention policy, which says different types of data are held onto for different periods of time until it is removed from Google's servers or "retained in an anonymised form". In other words, some of the data you eliminate will actually be deleted eventually, and some will not. That may not offer much solace. But short of ceasing to use the web entirely, occasionally purging parts of your account data - much like you would do with unwanted junk in your home - is the best you can do.
It could have gone horribly wrong. The "Markle debacle" lead-up to the wedding had proven an uncomfortable distraction, and Windsor creaked at the seams trying to fit a London-sized party into a medieval town. But no fears for the day were realised. When the British royal family marries Hollywood you can count on high production values. Even the British weather behaved. Beneath a bluebird sky, the newly married couple take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. Credit:Reuters One British tabloid plonked the untestable claim "best wedding ever" on its front page. Almost all the newspapers took their planned coverage and doubled it: 41 pages in the Sun, 47 in the Mail. There were enough talking points to keep social media buzzing with glee for days. A star was born in voluble American preacher Michael Curry, whose largely-improvised address delighted the Archbishop of Canterbury ("preaching is not a past art  it just blew the place open" he said afterwards, hands waving with excitement. "There is nothing conventional about Christianity!")

Bishop Michael Curry giving his much-discussed sermon. Credit:AP Expect more evangelical noises from Lambeth Palace in the future, if Archbishop Welbys excitement is anything to go by. The Firms long-term strategy required this to be a big success. This was the royals last chance at a big event for a while  unless you count funerals, and counter to some conspiracy theories those are not scheduled in advance. The list of upcoming royal weddings is short: Princess Eugenie will marry Jack Brooksbank in October at St Georges Chapel. Only the most diligent royal fans even know how to pronounce her name.

Unless theres a royal baby the next big set piece, sadly, will be the death of the Duke of Edinburgh or the Queen herself. And with significant numbers of Britons unhappy about the line of succession, thats likely to be a time not only of mourning, but of instability for Windsor. There was some sugar for Prince Charles on Saturday. Though it was said to be Meghans request, the decision for him to take her arm as the bride approached the altar was money in the bank for his eventual kingship. "Thank you, pa," Harry said as Charles handed over Meghan. "No, thank you," would have been the silent response. Meghan Markle accompanied by Prince Charles. Credit:PA And the wedding is calculated to help Britains bottom line, too, though the figures are disputed by republicans.

Experts were predicting it would add 1 billion ($1.8 billion) to the British fashion economy alone, let alone tourism, merchandise and "soft power"  the in-vogue name for old-fashioned cultural influence. Vogue has already dubbed Meghan the "oxytocin of fashion" (in a good way). Her style is "feelgood and infused with realness", the style bible insisted, her choices "send messages" to be decoded as cultural signals as well as shopping lists (haute couture aside, clothes and accessories she is seen wearing sell out in hours). In a sign Meghan has studied well for her role, she chose two British designers for her dresses for the day (albeit one from a French design house). And in a sign she is learning the royal knack for wordless messages, both designers were women: Clare Waight Keller the first female artistic director at Givenchy, and Stella McCartney. She wore a dress by the first female artistic director at Givenchy. Credit:AAP There were racial messages in the ceremony too, deliberately chosen. Her Majestys government is under pressure over a racially-charged anti-immigrant policy against its black "Windrush generation", and the Queen had to work hard to ensure her son inherits the leadership of the Commonwealth when she passes on.

With a biracial bride, and black faces prominent in the congregation and the streets of Windsor, the wedding struck a clear note of inclusivity and multiculturalism. Business valuation and strategy consultancy Brand Finance expects a tourism boost for Britain lasting at least another year, especially from the USA, and says the wedding broadcast, online and print coverage had an "advertising value equivalency" of almost half a billion pounds ($850 million). It's more than tourism dollars at stake now. Credit:AAP The challenge now, is to bank the gains. The honeymoon will literally soon be over and tabloids are fickle and there will be a fierce spotlight of attention on the couple for years to come.
Bishop Michael Curry at Windsor.

He was elected head of the Episcopal faith in conservative Utah but defends the rights of LGBTI people to marry in church.

A graduate of the prestigious Yale Divinity School, he went on to write a book called Crazy Christians.

The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry - the US bishop who transfixed the world at the Royal Wedding - is a man of contrasts.
Haniyeh hailed Egypt's rare gesture of goodwill toward Gaza in opening its border crossing at Rafah, on the southern edge of the territory, for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began a day earlier. The opening would ease the 11-year-old blockade of Gaza, he said, adding that the border protests would continue until the blockade was entirely lifted. But many Gazans, having lost friends or suffered grievous wounds in the protests, feel cheated by Hamas. Eight lean young men, some still wearing bloodstained clothes, dragged away clumps of barbed wire on Thursday that protesters had torn from the fence dividing Gaza from Israel. Selling the wire as scrap for 70 cents a kilo, they could at least salvage something from of the protests. "Nothing achieved," said Mohammed Haider, 23. "People are dead. They deceived us that we would breach the fence. But that didn't happen."

Inside Hamas, a very different debate has erupted. The harsh response of Israeli soldiers on Monday has created " strong pressure" inside the movement for a military response, said Basem Naim, a former minister of health in Gaza who now works with the Hamas international relations office. "People say 'If we have the capacity to resort to armed resistance, why not do it?'" But the Hamas leadership was resisting such "emotional" calls, Haim said, in recognition of the rare public relations coup their movement, once better known for suicide attacks and rocket strikes, had scored this week. The strains of the blockade on Gaza, which Israel and Egypt imposed, citing security reasons, have been obscured in recent years by other crises in the Middle East. Now Hamas hopes to capitalize on the widespread outrage at images of Gazans being shot by Israeli solders to pressure Israel into making some concessions. The effort seemed to make headway Friday with the vote by the U.N. council. "Those responsible for violations must in the end be held accountable," Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein, the head of the council, said in a statement Friday. "What do you become when you shoot to kill someone who is unarmed, and not an immediate threat to you? You are neither brave, nor a hero."

Israel, which considers the council biased, said in a statement by the Foreign Ministry that the council "once again has proved itself to be a body made up of a built-in, anti-Israel majority, guided by hypocrisy and absurdity." As the Gaza protests evolved, they had a series of shifting goals in addition to casting Israel in a negative light: breaching the fence to symbolize the return to the lost lands; challenging the blockade to ease economic distress; and, ultimately, expressing Palestinian rejection of moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Israel said the protesters were being used as cover by militants who intended to attack its soldiers and nearby communities. To prove that point, Israeli officials pointed to a statement by a Hamas leader this week that 50 of the 60 protesters killed Monday were members of the group. Naim, the Hamas official, said the 50 people described were Hamas supporters as well as militants, and that all were unarmed when killed.

The Israeli military said eight armed militants were killed in a shootout with its forces at the fence during Monday's protest. In any event, the "great return" did not pan out, given Israel's determination to prevent any breach of the barrier. By the end of the week, the world's attention had moved on to North Korea, the latest Trump administration scandal and Britain's royal wedding. And in the meantime, Hamas is no closer to improving the lives of increasingly restless Gazans. The group lacks money to even pay public employees' salaries or other expenses of governing. Its plight has been deepened by the faltering reconciliation efforts with its archrival, the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority run by President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank. "Overall Hamas is in the same corner it was a month or two ago," said Nathan Thrall, director of the International Crisis Group's Israeli-Palestinian project. "It simply doesn't have an answer about how to get out of this predicament or even how to capitalize on these protests."

On Friday, organizers called for people to gather at the protest sites in the late afternoon. Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders were there. But others showed up in relatively low numbers, seemingly another measure of the waning popular appetite for the protests, which are planned to go on until the end of Ramadan in early June. With Gaza unemployment at 43 percent and tens of thousands of employee salaries slashed by the Palestinian Authority sanctions, Egypt is encouraging a step-by-step approach to reconciliation that would see the Western-backed authority gradually take over governance of the coastal enclave. The U.N. special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Nickolay Mladenov, said the most urgent need for Gaza was to start development projects that were already approved. That would create jobs, increase access to potable water and electricity and create a more conducive atmosphere for reconciliation. "The economy has disappeared," he said. "Effectively, we need to revive life in Gaza." But after three international donor meetings in the past three months, and years of stalled projects, Mladenov said people had a right to be skeptical.
Nutson's Weekly Automotive News Nuggets May 14-20, 2018: Trump V. California; Killer Keyless Ignitions; Pickup News; Old German Diesels To Fade Away; No New Diesels At Volvo; smart Recall; Jeep Recall; Gas Prices Rise (of Course); Bumpy 500







AUTO CENTRAL, CHICAGO - May 20 2018; Every Sunday Larry Nutson, Senior Editor and Chicago Car Guy along with fellow senior editors Steve Purdy and Thom Cannell from The Auto Channel Michigan Bureau, give you TACH's "take" on this past week's automotive news in easy to "catch up" news nuggets. For More search the past 25 year's millions of (Indexed By Google) pages of automotive news, automotive stories, articles, reviews, archived news residing in The Auto Channel Automotive News Library.

Hey Over the air TV viewers, you can now enjoy The Auto Channel TV Network "Free and Clear" on WHDT Channel 3 in Boston and on many local cable systems. All South Florida auto fans can continue to watch The Auto Channel TV Network on WHDT-TV Channel 9 in West Palm Beach as well as cable channel's 17 and 438, channel 9 Miami. WHDN launched its full schedule (including The Auto Channel)of broadcasting in the Naples-Fort Myers market on digital PSIP channel 9.1 channel, look for us On Roku, Hulu and on TUNAVISION.

Nutson's Automotive News Nuggets May 14-20, 2018

* The Trump administrations plan to roll back fuel economy standards continues to meet with resistance from environmentalists and other government officials. A meeting is planned for next week between Mary Nichols, chairman of the California Air Resources Board, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator Heidi King, to discuss the issue. President Trump met with auto industry leaders last week and he then told regulators to pursue a deal with California to revise the standards.

* Failing to shut off keyless cars has caused more than two dozen deaths from carbon monoxide seeping into homes, according to a New York Times report. More than two dozen people have been killed by carbon monoxide nationwide since 2006 after a keyless-ignition vehicle was inadvertently left running in a garage. Dozens of others have been injured, some left with brain damage. Half of the new vehicles sold today have keyless ignitions and many of the vehicles provide no warning that you have left the engine running.

* Germanys top administrative court ruled this week that cities are allowed to entirely ban older diesel vehicles without a grace period in order to meet air pollution standards, a move the could force automakers to provide fixes for existing diesel vehicles. Many German cities like Munich, Stuttgart and Hamburg now exceed EU nitrogen oxide limits. Germany, like most European countries, has a large percentage of diesel-powered vehicles.

* Volvo announced this week plans to begin dropping diesel engine availability beginning with the new S60, the first Volvo without a diesel option. Our future is electric, said Hakan Samuelsson, president and CEO of Volvo Cars. The company expects fully electric cars to make up 50% of its global sales by 2025 with hybrids taking an increasingly important role in the meantime. The new S60 will be produced exclusively in the companys new plant near Charleston, SC.

* In the hyper-competitive pickup market the main players have been putting a great deal of effort and resources into the quest for better fuel economy. The Chevy Silverado is redesigned fully for 2019 and will offer six different engines. Among them is the first modern-day 4-cyliner engine to power a full-size pickup and the first ever to be able to run on just two cylinders. Though EPA testing is not complete GM expects to lead the mpg wars with the Ford F-150 and Ram.

* A week after a fire at a supplier shut down Ford F-150 production, the companys assembly lines at its Michigan truck plant and a sister facility in Missouri are up and running. Since the morning of the fire, the company scrambled to resume parts production. To accomplish this the huge dies were removed from the fire-damaged plant, including one weighing 87,000-pounds. The teams removed 19 dies from Meridian Magnesium Products facility. In the case of the 87,000-pound die, it was shipped from Michigan to Nottingham, England inside an Antonov An-124, one of the largest cargo planes in the world, in a mere 30 hours door-to-door. Noteworthy is that the total cost of the stopped production--perhaps in the millions, falls on the supplier and therefore extraordinary efforts are taken to minimize the lost production and the associated costs.

* Mercedes-Benz is recalling nearly 43,000 tiny Smart cars because the engines can catch fire due to a defective insulation mat. The recall covers the Smart for two cabrio and coupe cars in the U.S. from the 2008 and 2009 model years.

* Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than 325,000 older Jeep SUVs in North America to fix a suspension problem that could limit a drivers control of the vehicles. The recall covers Liberty SUVs from the 2004 through 2007 model years.

* Gasoline prices continue to climb with the average price now at $2.87 *Update, over 3 bucks in Most Places) . That's 6-cent jump in a week and 50 cents more than a year ago. The White Houses decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran is one of the reasons. We may see gasoline at an average of $3.00 per gallon this summer.

* Iconic toy cars from Mattel called Hot Wheels celebrate a 50th anniversary after selling more than 5 billion units over the years. Hot Wheels was launched in 1968 with a variety of models based on hot cars of Southern California car culture like Ed Big Daddy Roth customs, muscle cars and hot rods. A commemorative coffee table book will soon be available from niche publisher Assouline with a forward by Mario Andretti.

* It was bump day at Indy. Popular drivers James Hinchcliffe and Pippa Mann failed to qualify in the field for the Indianapolis 500. The two series stalwarts were "bumped" from the 33-car field in Saturday's qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Hinchcliffe is a popular Canadian ranked fifth in the IndyCar standings. The British Mann was to join Danica Patrick as the only females in the field. Mann is an Indy mainstay and was trying to make the race for the sixth time. Some reports say IndyCar will likely internally consider options on how to get them into the race. Patrick is retiring after next Sunday's race and the pioneering driver is the only woman to lead laps in the Indy 500 and Daytona 500.
First place  Eduard Cret, Design and Architecture Senior High (Miami, Florida)

Second place  Emily Bryson, Design and Architecture Senior High (Miami, Florida)

Third place  Jinho So, Canisius High School (Buffalo, New York)

Day of Design with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the FCA US Product Design studios and the opportunity to work one-on-one with professional automotive designers

Two-week summer automotive design course at Lawrence Technological University

Passes to the EyesOn Design Automotive Design Exhibition in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan

Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16  a full-featured, Intel-powered computer that offers a larger space for drawing, detailed concept art, 3D sculpting and painting, motion graphics and advanced image editing for retouching

An Apple iPad and Apple Pencil

- Pencils down! Votes have been made and the results are in for the FCA 2018 Drive for Design contest.Three talented high school students from Miami, Florida, and Buffalo, New York, have earned top honors in the 2018 Drive for Design contest, sponsored by the FCA US Product Design Office. The contest, in its sixth year, challenged U.S. high school students in grades 10-12 to design a Jeep Wrangler for the year 2030. The FCA design team partnered with EyesOn Design and Lawrence Technological University for this year's contest.Six years ago, we created the Drive for Design contest to create awareness about the various career paths available in automotive design. We wanted to connect with young artists early in their curriculum and help guide them in the right direction to begin a career in automotive design, said Mark Trostle, Head of Performance, Passenger Car and Utility Vehicle Design, FCA  North America. The creative perspective on all this years submissions were inventive and exceptional as you could truly see the inspiration, objective and emotion behind each concept.The three student winners are:Prizes include:A benefit for the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology, a not-for-profit corporation, EyesOn Design is a major source of revenue for the DIOs research, education and support group programs for the visually impaired. The DIO is a division of the Department of Ophthalmology of the Henry Ford Health System.Lawrence Technological University was born 80 years ago in the middle of an innovation explosion that would change the world. None other than Henry and Edsel Ford helped launch the revolutionary experiment that would become LTU, providing guidance and space in their sprawling former Model T assembly plant for the fledgling school. Today, the school is still changing the world. Since those early beginnings students and alumni have gone on to design and engineer the tools, buildings and products that helped define their generations. And tomorrows LTU students will do the same. Lawrence Tech is about Theory and Practice, taking abstract ideas into the real world to solve tomorrows problems. Its reputation comes as much from what were doing now as it does from our storied past. If youre a thinker, a visionary, a builder  if youre curious  then youre Lawrence Tech. Come roll up your sleeves and dive in at one of the nations best schools for engineering, architecture, science and applied technology.Launched in 2013, the FCA US Product Design Office created its Drive for Design contest as an innovative way to educate young artists about careers in automotive design. Starting locally in Detroit, Drive for Design has grown to become a national contest that has awarded talented students with prizes and unique opportunities to help further develop their design skills.FCA US LLC is a North American automaker based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It designs, manufactures, and sells or distributes vehicles under the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT and Alfa Romeo brands, as well as the SRT performance designation. The Company also distributes Mopar and Alfa Romeo parts and accessories. FCA US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler Corp., established in 1925 by industry visionary Walter P. Chrysler and Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (F.I.A.T.), founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs, including Giovanni Agnelli. FCA US is a member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. .FCA, the eighth-largest automaker in the world based on total annual vehicle sales, is an international automotive group. FCA is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FCAU and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario under the symbol FCA.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry en route to their wedding reception. Photo: WPA Pool/Getty Images

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were (finally) married in a very royal wedding ceremony on Saturday, which was attended by 600 invited guests, a ton of members of the public, and, oh, just an estimated 1.9 billion people watching worldwide.

Afterward, the newly married Duke and Duchess of Sussex celebrated their nuptials away from the cameras during a private lunch for the invited ceremony guests. Then, there was another private evening reception for 200 close friends and family, hosted by Prince Charles at Frogmore House on the Windsor estate. Thankfully for those of us who (for some reason) were not on the guest list, reports about what went down at the exclusive affairs have emerged.

What Does It Take To Be A Duchess? Inside A Royal Etiquette Class

During the lunch, Prince Harry reportedly gushed about Meghan in a speech.

After the ceremony, guests of the fancy nuptials headed to a lunch reception. There, Prince Harry reported gave an emotional speech, during which he professed his love and admiration for his new wife. According to the Sun, Prince Harry told Meghan (and the room) that they make great team. He added that she navigated everything with such grace, and then said, I cant wait to spend the rest of my life with you. Oh, we know.

The couple after the wedding ceremony. Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images

Prince Charles also gave a nice speech.

Prince Charles, who escorted his new daughter-in-law part of the way down the aisle on Saturday, also reportedly gave a nice speech at the afternoon reception. The Mirror notes that Prince Charles spoke of the man his darling old Harry had grown into, but he also cracked a joke about changing Prince Harrys diapers as a kid. One guest told the Daily Mail, Prince Charles made a really gracious speech, it was amazingly endearing. Hes got a wonderfully dry sense of humor.

Guests got to swap their heels for slippers.

Pretty Little Liars star Troian Bellisario, who is married to Meghans Suits onscreen husband Patrick J. Adams, showed on Instagram that guests at the afternoon reception were given very fancy slippers to change into if their heels were hurting them. How thoughtful.

Troian Bellisario showing the slippers people were given. Photo: sleepnthegardn/Instagram

Elton John Performed.

He apparently sang Your Song and Tiny Dancer, which is nice, as well as Circle of Life, which is from The Lion King.

And there was cake.

The lemon elderflower cake Meghan and Prince Harry selected looked amazing. Baker Claire Ptak shared a pic of the cake on social media.

Then, guests (and also Meghan and Prince Harry) changed before the evening reception.

Weve already seen (and memorized) pictures of Meghan and Prince Harry in their evening reception attire (for reference, look at the pic above). Meghan swapped her Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy ceremony gown for a minimal Stella McCartney dress for the party, while Prince Harry donned a fancy tuxedo. The pair drove off to Frogmore House in a Jaguar convertible.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex depart Windsor Castle for a reception hosted by The Prince of Wales at Frogmore House, in a silver blue Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero. This vehicle was originally manufactured in 1968, and has since been converted to electric power #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/hRrxEUlFlJ  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018

But the happy couple werent the only reception attendees to change into different attire. Luckily, some of the VIP guests (and the people working with them) posted their outfit changes on social media.

Serena Williams, one of the greatest athletes of all time, revealed that she changed into a Valentino gown  with sneakers underneath for maximum comfort (smart):

Priyanka Chopra changed into a Dior gown:

Jessica Mulroney  Meghans best friend, a Canadian stylist, the (secret) wedding planner, and the mother of two of the royal wedding pageboys and an adorable bridesmaid  also changed into something fancy (and glittery):

Ben and Jessica Mulroney. Photo: rachelrenna/Instagram

There was apparently a fancy separate invitation for the evening event.

Argentinian polo player Nacho Figueras showed off the separate evening invitation on Instagram.

The evening royal wedding reception invitation. Photo: nachofigueras/Instagram

The evening reception was more of a party.

The private reception at Frogmore House was much more of a party than the more formal lunch reception at Windsor Castle following the ceremony. We had already heard that Prince Harry reportedly wanted a carnival and festival-themed after-party reminiscent of his favorite London night clubs, complete with vodka-filled ice luges, Wagyu beef, a steel band, and frozen tropical drinks. And according to a report by Daily Mail, it sounds like he had just that.

The after-party at Frogmore apparently featured DJ Sam Totolee, who also played at Pippa Middletons wedding last May (during which he apparently played I Took a Pill In Ibiza). Meghan and Prince Harry reportedly had their first dance to Whitney Houstons I Wanna Dance With Somebody. Prince William is said to have given a naughty best man speech, Meghan gave a speech thanking the royal family for welcoming her, and there was some unknown gift from James Corden (who is said to have been the host and entertainer for the evening).

There was also an organic sit down dinner that apparently lasted from 7:30 to 10 p.m. And the event did, in fact, have a specialty cocktail (at, least including to a Daily Mail source): a drink called When Harry Met Meghan, made with ginger and rum.

And eventually, there were fireworks.

Of course! The fireworks apparently went down at 11 p.m.

Then there was apparently another after-party in London.

The Daily Mail reports guests from the 200-person reception in Windsor later returned to London to continue the celebration at the exclusive Chiltern Firehouse restaurant. There was also reportedly a different party in a soundproofed private home in Chelsea as well.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Photo: WPA Pool/Getty Images

On Saturday, the moment wed all been waiting for arrived: Meghan Markle stepped out of her car at St. Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle, for her royal wedding with Prince Harry, and we finally got to see her highly anticipated ceremony dress. Only, it wasnt by Ralph & Russo, Erdem, Burberry or any of the other designers rumored to be the likely designers. Instead, the boatneck haute couture wedding was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.

Just one day later, on Sunday, Kensington Palace released Kellers sketches for Meghans wedding dress. Before that, the palace had said in a statement that Keller  a British-born designer who became the French fashion houses first female artistic director last year  and Meghan worked closely together on the design.

Sketches of The Duchess of Sussexs #RoyalWedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller, have been released.



The Duchess and Ms. Waight Keller worked closely together on the design, epitomising a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic House of Givenchy. pic.twitter.com/A9ZFKVZmUz  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 20, 2018

In a Sunday tweet, the palace once again emphasized the collaboration that went into the dress, saying the new Duchess of Sussex and Keller worked to ensure that the design epitomized a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic House of Givenchy.

The palace also released a sketch of Meghans veil, which she and Keller designed together as well. Ms. Waight Keller designed a veil representing the distinctive flora of all 53 Commonwealth countries united in one spectacular floral composition, the tweet reads.

Ms. Waight Keller designed a veil representing the distinctive flora of all 53 Commonwealth countries united in one spectacular floral composition.



Find out more about the design, the fabric and the veil of the #RoyalWedding dress: https://t.co/flDwgm4LUp pic.twitter.com/0t7MWZ3BpF  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 20, 2018

Later in her royal wedding day, Meghan changed out of her ceremony dress and put on a different dress for the private reception. The second dress, which was designed by Stella McCartney, was a silk crepe gown with a high neck collar. The dress kept with the minimalism of Meghans earlier Givenchy gown.
25 People Hospitalized After Overdosing on Spice in New York City

At least 25 people were hospitalized after overdosing on synthetic marijuana, known as spice or K2, in New York City over the weekend.

Lt. Paul Ng of the New York Police Department said that people consumed the drug in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, WABC-TV reported, and they were hospitalized after having an adverse reaction to the substance.

The patients are expected to survive, officials told the station.

In 2016, 33 people were hospitalized in the same Brooklyn neighborhood, the New York Daily News reported. We call them The Walking Dead,' Israel P., 23, who works at a restaurant close to the incident, told the paper on May 20. Another witness said, One of them, a guy, was upside down. His body up, his head down  Another one was lying down flat.

I know these guys. Theyre always here, the man added.

People living nearby said this is a common scenario. I think we have to have a more reasonable conversation about drugs and regulating all of that, one woman told WABC-TV. Its sad, its upsetting.

And as one spice smoker says in a Fox Los Angeles video from 2016 during a round of mass overdoses in the Los Angeles Skid Row neighborhood, the drug is cheap and readily available. They only want a dollar for it. Thats all they want, man, the man, who is visibly intoxicated, says in the clip. If its so bad, whys it cost so less? he asks.

A few weeks ago, there was a rash of overdoses in the Chicago area, prompting a warning from the Illinois Department of Public Health. At least 100 people overdosed on spice, leaving three people dead and some with severe bleeding.

The director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Nirav D. Shah, in a statement in April: Synthetic cannabinoids are unsafe. They are not regulated and people dont know what chemicals may be in them, like rat poison. While efforts are underway to get the contaminated drugs out of circulation, its possible they could re-emerge. We urge people not to use synthetic cannabinoids now or ever.

Synthetic cannabinoids are manmade chemicals that are sprayed on dried plant matter before being smoked. Some synthetic cannabinoids are sold in a liquid to be vaporized.

The health effects from using synthetic cannabinoids, added the IDPH at the time, can be unpredictable, harmful, and deadly.

Theyre often sold in corner stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and smoke shops. Theyre also sold online.

But, in fact, they are not safe and may affect the brain much more powerfully than marijuana; their actual effects can be unpredictable and, in some cases, more dangerous or even life-threatening, according to the U.S. government website Drugabuse.gov.

There are misunderstandings about synthetic marijuana, the website states. Easy access and the belief that synthetic cannabinoid products are natural and therefore harmless, have likely contributed to their use among young people. Another reason for their continued use is that standard drug tests cannot easily detect many of the chemicals used in these products, it says.

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Australian Sets Fastest 7 Summit RecordAfter His Neck Broke 4 Years Ago

Steve Plain became the fastest climber to scale the highest peaks on seven continents on May 14.

The 36-year-old from Albury, New South Wales, Australia, took 117 days to complete the feat popularly called the Seven Summits.

Plain scaled Mount Everest, 8,850 metres (29,035 feet), last, finishing in record time.

Janusz Kochanski, a Polish climber, held the previous record of completing the Seven Summits in 128 days. He began in Antarctica on Jan. 13 and finished on May 20, 2017.

As a child, Plains adventurous spirit led him to push boundaries and get into trouble. If detention wasnt keeping him down, he would run with the Scouts, hike in national parks, rub shoulders with rugby players, and anything that would keep him out of trouble.

At 16, Plain spent time with the Venturer Scouts at one of the Everest base camps, a place to acclimate and reduce the severity of altitude sickness. It was here that the mountains stirred his dreams and captured his imagination.

Go with the decision that will make for a great story, wrote Plain.

On Dec. 13, 2014, Plain was swimming at the beach when a wave hammered him and he went head first into the sand. His friend and two lifesavers saved his life.

You have a Hangmans fracture, said the doctor.

He had multiple fractures in his neck that resembled the kinds of injuries one would have from being hung on the gallows. Doctors advised that he should be in a wheelchair. Refusing the advice, Plain made himself a promise.

To climb seven mountains in less than four months. Project 7in4 was born.

In order to achieve his dream, he had to begin a series of practice runs to prepare for what was to come.

In November 2015, 11 months after breaking his neck, Plain took a mountaineering course and climbed Mount Aspiring, a mountain located among New Zealands Southern Alps. Between 2016 and 2017, he climbed in Peru and twice in the Himalayas.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr meets with ambassadors of Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Kuwait, in Najaf, Iraq May 18, 2018. (Reuters/Alaa al-Marjani)

Political Bloc of Shiite Cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr Wins Iraq Election With Populist Message

BAGHDADA political bloc led by populist Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, a long-time adversary of the United States who also opposes Iranian influence in Iraq, has won the countrys parliamentary election, the electoral commission said on Saturday.

Sadr himself cannot become prime minister because he did not run in the election, though his blocs victory, puts him in a position to have a strong say in negotiations. His Sairoon electoral list captured 54 parliamentary seats.

The Victory Alliance, headed by incumbent Shiite leader Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, trailed in third place with 42 seats, behind the Al-Fatih bloc, which won 47 seats.

Abadi created the Victory Alliance in December 2017 to run against former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki and the Shia Islamic Dawa Party. Al-Fatih is led by Shiite leader Hadi al-Amiri, who has close ties with Iran and heads an umbrella group of paramilitaries that played a key role in defeating ISIS.

The results were announced a week after Iraqis voted in a nationwide election, which produced surprising results amid a historically low turnout.

The nationalist clerics success could be a setback for Iran, which has steadily increased its influence in Iraq  its most important ally in the Middle East  since a U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein and his Arab Socialist Baath Party in 2003.

Sadr was able to capitalize on growing resentment amongst the poor towards Tehran-backed governments who did not improve basic services and build hospitals and schools in a country devastated by the war against ISIS and by sectarian bloodshed.

He also reached out to dispossessed Shiites and marginalized Sunnis, and restored links with Sunni neighbors.

In an alliance with Iraqs secularists and Communist Party, observers say the election win has been a remarkable comeback for Sadr. For years, he had been sidelined by Iranian-backed rivals and was regarded by U.S. and Iraqi officials as an unpredictable maverick.

Sadr led two violent uprisings against U.S. troops in Iraq, prompting the Pentagon to call his Mehdi army militia the biggest threat to Iraqs security. The Mehdi militia became notorious for sectarian killings of Sunni Muslims.

He derives much of his authority from his family. Sadr is the son of the revered Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Sadeq al-Sadr, killed for defying the secular rule of Saddam Hussein.

In his Baghdad stronghold of Sadr city, where posters of his father could be seen, people expressed concerns that Sadr would be outmaneuvered in what are expected to be long, tough talks on forming a government.

New lists and candidates have won. But they are unable to form a government because the previous politicians are foxes and I believe that they aim to form big alliances in order to isolate the new blocs, said one resident, Muied Hatim.

In the 2010 election, Vice President Ayad Allawis group won the largest number of seats, albeit with a narrow margin, but he was prevented from becoming prime minister. He blamed Tehran, which maneuvered Nuri al-Maliki into power.

Winning the largest number of seats does not automatically guarantee that Sadr will be able to hand-pick a prime minister.

Parties will have to align themselves to try and form a bloc large enough for the parliamentary majority necessary to nominate a candidate. The government should be formed within 90 days of the official results.

Your vote is an honour for us, Sadr tweeted moments after the official results were announced in the early hours of Saturday. We will not disappoint you.

The election dealt a blow to Abadi, but he could still emerge as a compromise candidate palatable to all sides because he has managed the competing interests of the United States and Iran  unwitting allies in the war against ISIS  during his term in office.

Amiri is regarded as one of the most powerful figures in Iraq. He spent two decades fighting Saddam Hussein from Iran.

Before the election, Iran publicly stated it would not allow Sadrs bloc to govern in Iraq, with which it shares a border.

Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of foreign operations for Irans elite Revolutionary Guards and a highly influential figure in Iraq, has been holding talks with politicians in Baghdad to promote the formation of a new cabinet which would have Irans approval.

Last year, Sadr traveled to Irans regional arch-rival Saudi Arabia and met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Shiite Muslim Iran has been locked in a regional power struggle with Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia, which has been tentatively seeking to increase its involvement in Iraq.

Earlier on Saturday, Sadr met a group of ambassadors from neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia.

By Raya Jalabi and Michael Georgy

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Relatives of victims of the Boeing 737 plane that crashed after taking off from Havana's main airport yesterday, react at a hotel in Havana, Cuba, May 19, 2018. (Reuters/Alexandre Meneghini)

Cuba Confirms 110 Killed in Countrys Deadliest Plane Crash Since 1989

HAVANACuban authorities said the fiery crash of an aging Boeing passenger jet on Friday shortly after takeoff from Havana had killed 110 of the 113 on board, making it the Caribbean islands deadliest air disaster in nearly 30 years.

Flags flew at half-mast in Cuba on Saturday, marking the start of two days of national mourning while authorities worked to recover evidence from the site of the crash and to identify the crash victims.

Fifteen have been identified so far and one black box retrieved, officials said.

Allegations of previous safety complaints against the little-known Mexican company called Damojh that leased the nearly 40-year-old Boeing 737 to Cuban flagship carrier Cubana also began to surface.

Damojh declined to comment while Mexicos Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics said a new audit of the company would be undertaken to ensure it was still fulfilling norms.

Meanwhile, Cuban authorities told a news conference on Saturday at Havana airport that 99 of the passengers killed on the domestic flight to the eastern city of Holguin were Cuban, while three were foreign tourists  two Argentines and a Mexican  and two were Sahrawi residents in Cuba.

Six Mexican crew members were also killed.

Ten Nazarene pastoral couples returning home after a retreat were among the victims, the Cuban Nazarene Church said.

Three Cuban women survived the crash, but are still in critical condition, said the head of the hospital where they are being attended.

My daughter is a fighter, shes strong, shell save herself, said Amparo Font, the mother of 23-year-old survivor Gretel Landrove, with a trembling voice and tears welling.

Outside the morgue, distressed relatives cried and hugged one another, as they gave authorities information on loved ones to aid in the identification process.

This is a very unexpected death, she didnt deserve it. My grandmother was a strong person, said Katherine Lucia Martinez, 18, bursting into tears and clinging to her father.

Her 60-year-old grandmother was among the dead, and she was waiting with other relatives of the deceased at a Havana hotel for an update from authorities.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Saturday visited the morgue, a day after reviewing the site of the crash, which is the first big test of his presidency after taking the reins from Raul Castro last month.

Some locals who saw the crash say one of the engines appeared to have caught fire before the plane hit the ground.

The plane was on fire, it flipped and then nosedived, said farmer Marino Perez Alvaredo.

Record of Safety Complaints?

Cubana leased the jet less than a month ago, Transport Minister Adel Yzquierdo said on Saturday. The carrier was struggling to meet demand for flights and was serving many domestic routes by bus instead. Damojh operates three planes, according to the Mexican government.

Ovidio Martinez Lopez, a retired Cubana pilot, wrote in a widely-shared post on Facebook that Cuban airlines had leased planes from Damojh in 2010 and 2011, but one of its aircraft dropped off the radar while over the city of Santa Clara.

Cuban officials suspended the captain and co-pilot of that flight for problems and serious lack of technical knowledge, he said, and Cubas aviation security authority had recommended Cubana no longer lease from them.

Separately, a pilot who used to work for Damojh was quoted on Saturday by Mexican newspaper Milenio criticizing the company for lack of adequate maintenance of planes.

I experienced several incidents at this company, like engine failure or the electrical system went when we took off from Mexico on one occasion, Marco Aurelio Hernandez was quoted as saying.

Cuban investigators have so far recovered the cockpit voice recorder in good condition, Yzquierdo said, and are still looking for the flight data recorder.

The crash was the worst in Cuba since a Soviet-built Ilyushin-62M passenger plane crashed near Havana in 1989 killing all 126 people on board and another 14 on the ground.

For the love of god, I never thought I would see this, said Caridad Miranda, 45, whose sister and niece died in the crash.

They should have checked that plane well.

By Nelson Acosta and Sarah Marsh

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Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas Hospitalized Again

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was hospitalized due to complications after minor surgery.

This is the third time the 83-year-old has been hospitalized in the past week.

According to officials, the most recent visit was due to a very high temperature.

A source in the Palestinian Authority (PA) earlier said that the leader was suffering from chest pains. It might be pneumonia, the source was quoted by the Times of Israel as saying. Hes being examined at the hospital.

Saeb Erekat, an official in the PA, said that he spoke to Abbas on Sunday, describing his condition as good, adding that hell leave the hospital Monday or Tuesday, the Times of Israel also reported. Later, a source at the hospital said that hed be discharged Monday, the paper reported.

The president will stay in hospital until tomorrow. He is being given antibiotics to treat an inflammation in the chest, the hospital source told the Reuters news agency.

Hes currently admitted in the hospital. There is no connection between his arrival at the hospital (Saturday) to receive the results of the tests on his ear and his arrival (Sunday), despite the short time between the two, another source told Ynet News. Another Palestinian source said that Abbas suffers from pneumonia and fever. A director at the Ramallah private hospital where hes staying said that Abbas has been undergoing (medical) tests since the morning, but he didnt disclose the nature of the testing involved.

Earlier in the week, Abbas dismissed rumors about his declining health. Abbas, who is a heavy smoker, has had a history of health problems, including prostate cancer about a decade ago. Last summer, he shot down rumors that he had a stroke.

In February, Abbas was hospitalized in the United States due to medical checks during a trip to address the U.N. Security Council in New York City, Reuters noted.

Abbas hasnt designated a successor should he die, and Palestinians havent held elections since 2005 due to a split between the Hamas terrorist group, based in Gaza, and Abbas Fatah party.

Abbas became president following the death of Yasser Arafat in 2004.

Other details about his hospitalization were not revealed.

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House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) (2nd L) and Rep. Peter King (R-NY) leave the committee's secure meeting rooms in the basement of the U.S. Capitol House Visitors Center in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 6, 2018 . (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Identity of FBI Spy in Trump Campaign Leaked to Media but Denied to Congress

Multiple media reported the FBI had an informant spying on the presidential campaign of then-candidate Donald Trump. The Justice Department refused to reveal the sources identity to congressional oversight leaders, saying divulging it could put peoples lives at risk. But multiple legacy media outlets claim to have learned his identity and have described the person and his activities in such detail as to make his identification all but certain.

Details about the spy became the target of two articles, one by The New York Times, one by The Washington Post, both published on Friday, May 18.

The Washington Post described the spy as a retired American professor and a longtime U.S. intelligence source, according to people familiar with his activities.

The spy engaged in a months-long pattern of seeking out and meeting three different Trump campaign officials, and, in September 2016, reached out to George Papadopoulos, an unpaid foreign-policy adviser for the [Trump] campaign, inviting him to London to work on a research paper.

The New York Times went even further, describing the spy as well known in Washington circles, having served in previous Republican administrations.

The article further details that the spy inquired about [Papadopouloss] interest in writing a research paper on a disputed gas field in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and offered a $3,000 honorarium for the paper and a paid trip to London.

While neither article named the spy, citing concerns for his safety, their descriptions are so specific they overwhelmingly imply a single conclusion, when put in context to other reporting on the subject.

A March 25 Daily Caller article details how Papadopoulos was contacted by and met with an American professor with connections to the CIA and its British counterpart, MI6.

The article further stated the academic is a veteran of three Republican administrations and in September 2016 offered the Trump aide $3,000 to write a policy paper on issues related to Turkey, Cyprus, Israel and the Leviathan natural gas field and offered to pay for Papadopouloss flight and a three-night stay in London.

While its unlikely Papadopoulos was contacted in the same month by scores of intelligence-linked, Republican administration-serving American academics offering $3,000 and a London trip for a Mediterranean gas field paper, the Daily Beast article offers one important factthe mans name is Stefan Halper.

The spy seems to be connected to the FBIs official rationale for starting an investigation into the ties between officials from the Trump campaign and Russia.

The professors interactions with Trump advisers began a few weeks before the opening of the investigation, the Washington Post article says.

Trump alleges political motives behind the investigation.

If the FBI or DOJ was infiltrating a campaign for the benefit of another campaign, that is a really big deal. Only the release or review of documents that the House Intelligence Committee (also, Senate Judiciary) is asking for can give the conclusive answers. Drain the Swamp! he said on Twitter on Saturday, May 19.

If the FBI or DOJ was infiltrating a campaign for the benefit of another campaign, that is a really big deal. Only the release or review of documents that the House Intelligence Committee (also, Senate Judiciary) is asking for can give the conclusive answers. Drain the Swamp!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2018

An unofficial explanation for the start of the probe was leaked by anonymous American officials to the New York Times for an article published on Dec. 30 last year. The newspaper reported that Australians had passed intelligence to the FBI in July 2016 about a drunken conversation between Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos and the top Australian diplomat in Britain, Alexander Downer.

A May 16 New York Times story described the contacts between Washington and Canberra as tense deliberations.

But no Australian or American official has confirmed the Times reports on record. Chairman of House Intelligence Committee Devin Nunes found that the FBI did not put forth any electronic communication records between Australian intelligence agencies and their American counterparts to substantiate its investigation.

This has led Nunes to dig for the ultimate reason for the start of the Russia probe. The Justice Department (DOJ) stonewalled Nunes attempts at oversight even under the threat of contempt charges and impeachment.

The substance of Nunes request dealt with a top-secret intelligence sourcea specific individual, DOJ argued.

Disclosure of responsive information to such requests can risk severe consequences, including potential loss of human lives, damage to relationships with valued international partners, compromise of ongoing criminal investigations, and interference with intelligence activities, stated a May 3 letter to Nunes from Assistant Attorney General Stephen Boyd.

The department finally relented during a meeting last week and agreed to discuss the matter at a later date.

According to court documents, Papadopoulos spoke to a person in Britain who claimed to have connections to the Russian government. The New York Times revealed that the person is London-based Maltese professor Joseph Mifsud.

Mifsud told Papadopoulos in April 2016 about Russians having dirt on Hillary Clinton, including thousands of emails. Weeks later Papadopoulos told the story to Downer. How intelligence about that conversation made its way to the FBI is still unclear.

The truth could be revealed in the Department of Justice Office of Inspector Generals report expected to be released this month.

Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report.

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Man Narrowly Escapes Death After Sliding Down Building Awning

A video posted to Instagram shows a man sliding down an awning at the Epicentre in Charlotte, North Carolina, before smashing into a car and rolling to the ground.

He appeared to be fine, getting up from the spill before flexing his muscles.

The man was identified as Alex Freudenberg, who was arrested for damaging property after breaking a cars windshield in the fall, WCNC reported.

A local radio host, named Chewy, captured the video, posting it on social media. The guys head  rolled almost into another car, he told Fox46 in Charlotte.

I was in the middle of a text message and I said, Wait. Wait. No!,' Chewy told WSOC-TV after the man told him and others, You guys want to see something awesome?

The awning had a little bit of rain on it, so it was almost like a slip and slide, Chewy added. He thought it was a Carowinds ride.

Witnesses were flabbergasted when they saw him perform the stunt.

He slid, coming down about 15 mph, and slid right into the valet lane, Alan Neblett said, WSOC-TV reported. He came down and landed right here on the windshield of the vehicle, Neblett added.

Photos taken from the scene show a Lexus model with a smashed windshield.

Ive seen a number of things, but Ive never seen anybody slide down this and into the street onto a vehicle, never in my entire life, Neblett noted.

He said a valet was moving the SUV when Freudenberg landed on it.

I really thought he actually wasnt going to make it, Neblett said. I actually thank God that he is OK.

God bless him. Man, slow down on the drinking, man. Quit drinking, Neblett said.

After the stunt, Freudenberg flexed his muscles.

No regard for anyones safety except for, I want to prove to myself, Chewy added.

Freudenberg posted bail after he was arrested. No court date has been set for him.

Other details about the incident were not made clear.

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U.S. first lady Melania Trump hosts a roundtable discussion with tech leaders on the effects of the Internet on children, at the White House in Washington on March 20, 2018. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo)

Melania Trump Returns to White House After Kidney Procedure

WASHINGTONPresident Donald Trumps wife, Melania Trump, returned to the White House on Saturday, May 19, after undergoing a surgical procedure this week to treat a benign kidney condition, her office said.

The first lady, 48, had been recovering at Walter Reed medical centre since Monday, when she underwent an embolization procedure to treat the kidney condition.

Spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement that Melania Trump returned to the White House on Saturday morning.

She is resting comfortably and remains in high spirits, Grisham said. Our office has received thousands of calls and emails wishing Mrs. Trump well, and we thank everyone who has taken the time to reach out.

An embolization is a minimally invasive procedure often used to block the flow of blood to a tumour or an abnormal area of tissue.

Donald Trump tweeted on Saturday that it was great to have our incredible First Lady back home in the White House.

A week before undergoing the procedure, Trump announced her Be Best campaign to promote programs helping children, focusing on promotion of positive values and problems with social media use, and opioid abuse.

Epoch Times reporter Petr Svab contributed to this report.

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Search Warrant for Anthony Weiners Laptop UnsealedRevealing Telling Details

District Judge Denise Cote unsealed the search warrant for the laptop and other devices of former Congressman Anthony Weiner on Wednesday, May 16.

Weiner was sentenced by Cote in September to 21 months in prison for sending obscene materialincluding sexually explicit images and directions to engage in sexual conductto a 15-year-old girl through messaging and video chat apps.

New York City Police obtained a search warrant on his laptop, iPad, and iPhone on Sept. 26, 2016, approved by Magistrate Judge Ronald Ellis.

The laptop soon became the center of a major controversy. However, the search warrant suggests the controversy may run deeper still.

On Nov. 4, 2016, former Navy SEAL and CIA contractor Erik Prince said a very well-placed source at the NYPD told him the NYPD found damning criminal information about then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Weiners laptop and threatened to release it if the FBI tried to sweep it under the rug.

The FBI later obtained its own search warrant and looked at the laptop in connection with its investigation into Clintons mishandling of classified information as State Secretary.

But there was a notable difference between the FBI warrant and the NYPD one.

The one obtained by NYPD read, in part: Depending on circumstances, a complete review of the seized [electronically stored information] may require examination of all of the seized data to evaluate its contents and determine whether the data is responsive to the warrant.

The FBI one read, in part: Law enforcement personnel will make reasonable efforts to restrict their search to data falling within the categories of evidence specified in the warrant.

That would suggest the NYPD could look at everything, while the FBI investigators worded its warrant in a way that restricted them to look only at data regarding the mishandling of classified information.

Heres what we know about how Clintons emails ended up on Weiners laptop and what repercussions their discovery meant:

Weiner shared the laptop with his estranged wife, Huma Abedin, a close aide to Hillary Clinton since 2000.

Hundreds of thousands of emails were stored on the laptop, including thousands from Clinton.

Huma Abedin appears to have had a regular practice of forwarding emails to [Weiner] for him, then-FBI Director James Comey testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on May 3, 2017. I think, to print out for her, so she could then deliver them to [Clinton].

The existence of the emails was also confirmed in texts between senior FBI attorney Lisa Page and former head of counterintelligence at the FBI, Peter Strzok.

Got called up to Andys earlier  hundreds of thousands of emails turned over by Weiners atty to sdny, indudes a ton of material from spouse, Strzok texted (pdf) Page on Sept. 28, 2016, only two days after the search warrant: Sending team up tomorrow to review  this will never end .

The text suggests that then-FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, referred to as Andy, knew of the emails. Strzok noted that a team would go to review the next day, Sept. 29, 2016.

But this timeline seems to conflict with a Chicago Tribune story, which said that law enforcement officers first seized the laptop on Oct. 3, according to federal officials familiar with the investigation.

The text suggests McCabe knew about the emails on Sept. 28 because Weiners attorney himself delivered the emails to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York. It is not clear why.

It was McCabe who led a small group at FBI headquarters on the Clinton investigation. Both Strzok and Page were in that group. Comey announced the conclusion of the investigation on July 5, 2016.

The Hill reported on Nov. 6 that Strzok changed key language in that conclusion from grossly negligent, which would have been a crime, to extremely careless. Changing the phrase may have exonerated Clinton.

The Weiner laptop turned out to have a trove of Clintons emails containing classified information and emails from the first three months of her term as State Secretaryemails that the FBI had not obtained before, Comey said.

But, Comey said it took until Oct. 27, 2016, for their small team to come to him and tell him about the significance of the emails. The group was only looking at the emails metadatasuch as subject, sent date, and addresseeaccording to Comey, and asked him whether they should get a search warrant to look at the emails themselves, which Comey approved.

Comey told Fox News Bret Baier he didnt know why it took a month for McCabe to come to him, especially given the significance of the discovery only a few weeks before the presidential election.

I think what actually drove it was the prosecutors in New York who were working the criminal case against Weiner called down to headquarters and said, Are we getting a search warrant or not for this? That caused, Im sorry, Justice Department Headquarters, to then call across the street to the FBI and poke the organization; and they start to move much more quickly. I dont know why there was, if there was slow activity, why it was slow for those first couple of weeks, Comey said on April 26.

Indeed, at least one high-ranking Justice Department official prodded the team about the Weiner trove.

On Oct. 21, 2016, Strzok texted, [redacted] called [because] Toscas [is] now aware NY has [Clinton-Abedin] emails via [W]einer invest[igation]. Told him we knew. Wanted to know our thoughts on getting it.

Strzok was referring to George Toscas, deputy assistant attorney general at the Justice Departments National Security Division.

George wanted to ensure info got to Andy, Strzok wrote.

It was also Toscas, who, according to The New York Times, criticised Comey for caving to Attorney General Loretta Lynch in calling the Clinton probe a matter instead of an investigation back in 2015.

I guess youre the Federal Bureau of Matters now, Toscas said.

But its not clear why the New York prosecutors would call Justice Headquarters about a search warrant. Theyd had a search warrant for their investigation since Sept. 26. Theres no sign they had anything to do with the Clinton investigation because that was run by the team at the FBI headquarters.

It is also not clear whether Toscas call was motivated by the NYPD threat of disclosure Prince talked about. Prince said the NYPD received strong pushback from Obamas Justice Departmenta threat to push charges against the NYPD in an unrelated civil rights case.

Meanwhile, the Strzok texts reveal the team had another contingency on its hands. On Oct. 24, 2016, The Wall Street Journal reported that after the Clinton probe started in July 2015, McCabes wife, Jill, received some $675,000 for her Virginia State Senate campaign from Clinton associate Gov. Terry McCauliffes political entities.

On Jan. 29, 2016, Comey appointed McCabe deputy director, putting him in charge of the Clinton investigation.

On the day Comey was briefed by the team on Oct. 27, 2016, his chief of staff, Jim Rybicki, wanted McCabe to recuse himself, the Strzok texts suggest, apparently because the public learned McCabes wife was getting money from the Clinton camp.

The texts also suggest Page, who was McCabes legal counsel, was to recuse herself too, which she apparently wasnt thrilled about.

I obviously dont have to tell you how completely INFURIATED I am with Jim [Rybicki] right now, she texted.

Later that day she added, I Just walked in on Jim to force the issue. Me: Im not recused, but Im not sitting in on this meeting. Its not clear which meeting she was referring to.

On Oct. 28, 2016, Comey sent a letter to Congress members sitting on oversight committees informing them the Clinton investigation had resumed. The information quickly reached the media, infuriating Democrats.

The team obtained a search warrant for the laptop on Oct. 30, 2016, allowing them to retrieve it from the FBI New York Field Office.

A day later, McCabe recused himself from the investigation, codenamed Mid Year.

Thanks to the wizardry of our technology, weve only had to personally read 6,000 [of the emails], the team told Comey on the night of Nov. 4, he later testified before Congress. They said, we found a lot on new stuff. We did not find anything that changes our view of [Clintons] intent.'

The lack of intent in being extremely careless with classified information was Comeys justification for not charging Clinton back in July, 2016.

On Nov. 5, 2016, Comey sent another letter to Congress saying all the newly discovered Clinton emails had been reviewed and the previous decision stoodno charges.

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Texas School Resource Officers Praised As Heroes After Shooting

Several law-enforcement officers were praised on Friday, May 18, for confronting the gunman who killed 10 people at a Santa Fe high school in Texas, Business Insider reported.

Steven McCraw, the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, said: When you get these calls, every police officer, no matter where you are, has to immediately engage the active shooter, period.

Theres no alternative. Because every second means that someone else is going to die.

McCraw credited two officers from the Santa Fe independent school district who bravely engaged the shooter. Governor Greg Abbott called the officers heroes, saying their action probably prevented more lives from being lost.

According to Business Insider, one of the officers is identified in local media as school resource officer, John Barnes. He is undergoing surgery for a gunshot wound to the arm.

The University of Texas Medical Branchs chief nursing officer, David Marshall, told media that Barnes is in a stable condition, and that the bullet damaged a bone in his arm and a major blood vessel.

The suspected gunman was arrested shortly after the officer confronted him. He has since been identified as 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourzis.

Pagourtzis is a student at the school. He is detained at Galveston County Jail on a capital murder charge.
Trump Will Demand Official Probe of Obama Admin Spying on His Campaign

President Donald Trump demanded on Sunday that the Justice Department investigate whether his campaign was infiltrated and surveilled for political purposes and if anyone in the Obama administration ordered this to be done.

I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes  and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration! Trump wrote on Twitter.

The presidents statement comes after anonymous government officials leaked the identity of an FBI spy who infiltrated the Trump campaign in 2016. Trump also suggested earlier on Saturday that he will use his executive powers to break an impasse between the Justice Department and Congress on documents regarding the Russia probe.

If the FBI or DOJ was infiltrating a campaign for the benefit of another campaign, that is a really big deal, Trump wrote on Twitter. Only the release or review of documents that the House Intelligence Committee (also, Senate Judiciary) is asking for can give the conclusive answers. Drain the Swamp!

The Justice Department withheld the name of the spy and other documents from Republicans in Congress but leaked the identity and select details to The Washington Post and The New York Times.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes threatened to hold Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in contempt and start impeachment proceedings in order to obtain the documents in question. Nunes denies that his request concerns any specific individual.

At least one spy met with minor Trump campaign members Carter Page and George Papadopoulos, anonymous government officials told New York Times. The Washington Post reported that the same spy has provided information to Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation, which started in May last year. Mueller took over FBIs counter-intelligence probe which, according to anonymous FBI leaks, started on July 31, 2016.

The Justice Department argued that the spys identity is so sensitive that revealing it would endanger his or her life. It is unclear what has changed about the spys status since that dire warning and the leaks to the media.

Though the identity of the spy would only be officially confirmed if and when the Justice Department releases his or her name, The Daily Callers Chuck Ross reported on Saturday that the details leaked to the Times and the Post match up perfectly with his March report on Stefan Halper, a Cambridge professor with ties to the CIA and MI6.

Halper contacted Page, Papadopoulos, and another adviser, Sam Clovis, during the 2016 campaign. Halper first met Page in mid-July 2016 and the pair stayed in touch for the next 14 months. Halper met Clovis for coffee on Aug. 31 or Sept. 1.

Halpers relationship with Papadopoulos started with an unsolicited email on Sept. 2, 2016, with an offer to fly the Trump campaign adviser to London to discuss writing a policy paper on energy issues in Turkey, Israel, and Cyprus. Halper offered Papadopoulos $3,000 for the work.

During one of their meetings, Halper asked Papadopoulos whether he knew anything about emails hacked by Russians from the DNC server. Papadopoulos denied the allegation, according to Daily Caller sources.

Halpers assistant, Azra Turk, also brought up Russians and emails when she had drinks with Papadopoulos and flirted with him heavily.

Turk recently terminated her phone account. Halper has not responded to Daily Callers requests for comment.

Papadopoulos pleaded guilty of lying to the FBI about his contacts with another professor, Joseph Mifsud.

In April 2016, Mifsud told Papadopoulos that he knew that the Russian government has access to Clinton emails. Two weeks later, Papadopoulos reportedly mentioned stolen Clinton emails during a boozy conversation with a top Australian diplomat.

The FBI now claims, according to anonymous leaks to the New York Times, that this conversation with the Australian diplomat is the reason for the start of the ongoing two-year-long investigation into the Trump campaigns alleged collusion with Russia.

The investigation has not produced any proof of collusion.

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U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (R) is seen as he and a U.S. delegation for trade talks with China arrive at a hotel in Beijing, China on May 3, 2018. (REUTERS/Jason Lee)

US, China Putting Trade War on Hold, Treasurys Mnuchin Says

WASHINGTONThe U.S. trade war with China is on hold after the worlds largest economies agreed to drop their tariff threats while they work on a wider trade agreement, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Sunday.

Mnuchin and President Donald Trumps top economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, said the agreement reached by Chinese and American negotiators on Saturday set up a framework for addressing trade imbalances in the future.

We are putting the trade war on hold. Right now, we have agreed to put the tariffs on hold while we try to execute the framework, Mnuchin said in a television interview on Fox News Sunday.

On Saturday, Beijing and Washington said they would keep talking about measures under which China would import more energy and agricultural commodities from the United States to close the $335 billion annual U.S. goods and services trade deficit with China.

During an initial round of talks this month in Beijing, Washington demanded that China reduce its trade surplus by $200 billion. No dollar figure was cited in the countries joint statement on Saturday.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not return a request for comment on Mnuchins statement.

Kudlow told CBS Face the Nation it was too soon to lock in the $200 billion figure. The details will be down the road. These things are not so precise, he said.

Beijing agreed to take measures to substantially reduce the U.S. trade deficit with China and offered to make structural reforms, such as lowering tariffs and non-tariff barriers, that will allow the United States to export goods worth billions of dollars more, Kudlow said earlier on ABCs This Week.

Trump was in a very positive mood about this, Kudlow said.

However, he said there was no trade deal reached.

Theres no agreement for a deal, Kudlow told ABC. We never anticipated one. Theres a communique between the two great countries, thats all. And in that communique, you can see where were going next.

One next step will be dispatching Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to China to look at areas where there will be significant increases, including energy, liquefied natural gas, agriculture, and manufacturing, Mnuchin and Kudlow said.

Mnuchin said the United States expects to see a big increase of between 35 percent and 40 percent in agricultural exports to China this year alone and a doubling of energy purchases over the next three to five years.

We have specific targets. I am not going to publicly disclose what they are. They go industry by industry, Mnuchin said.

Saturdays statement made no mention of whether there would be a relaxation of paralyzing restrictions on Chinese telecommunications equipment maker ZTE Corp imposed last month by the U.S. Commerce Department.

The action was related to the violation of U.S. sanctions on Iran and North Korea and banned American companies from selling semiconductors and other components to ZTE, causing the Shenzhen-based company to cease operations.

Trump said last week he had directed Ross to put ZTE back in business, but Kudlow said any changes would be minimal.

If any of the remedies are altered they are still going to be very, very, tough, including big fines, compliance measures, new management, new boards, he said. Do not expect ZTE to get off scot-free. Aint going to happen.

By Lindsay Dunsmuir and Howard Schneider

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Woman Smiles in Mugshot After Fatal DUI Crash

A Florida woman who appeared smiling in her mug shot is now facing manslaughter charges.

On Saturday, Angenette Welk, 44, turned herself into police after a deadly crash last week on Highway 27 near Orlando, Fox35 in Orlando reported.

Welk was driving her car when she rear-ended another one, smashing that one between her sedan and a tractor-trailer.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was unharmed in the accident.

Shiyanne Kroll, the driver of the other car, suffered minor injuries, while her mother, 60-year-old Sandra Clarkson, died days later.

Our lives are changed forever, Clarksons other daughter, Keonna Sciacca, told CBS News.

According to a GoFundMe page set up to help the family with funeral expenses, Clarkson was declared brain dead on Mothers Day. She was taken off life support the next day.

Welks blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit at the time of the crash, according to police. She was initially released on a $10,000 bond, but was arrested again on Saturday after Clarkson died from her injuries.

Sciacca and Kroll said they were disturbed by Welks mugshot.

That disgusts me and that means she has no remorse for what she did at all and I hope that judge sees that picture and says the same thing, Kroll told CBS.

Welks lawyer tried to clear up any misconceptions about Welk after she took the smiling mugshot photo, which she said was taken after her initial booking.

Mrs. Welk is a good-hearted person, a wife, mother and friend who is devastated by what happened, lawyer Stacy Youmans told local news website Ocala.com. Her heart breaks for the Clarkston family.

Its definitely wrecked our family forever, not just temporarily, this was a permanent thing that [Welk] did.  I cant hug her, I cant tell her, Goodnight, I love you, Sciacca said, Click Orlando reported. Its destroyed us.

We didnt get to spend any time with my mother. We have to mourn her death. She has no remorse. If she did, she would never get behind the wheel. She deserves no mercy, according to Ocala.com

At the scene of the accident, Welk reportedly told police that she had gotten distracted after dropping her cell phone and trying to pick it up from the floor.

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While developers are preparing for the next step in revitalizing a long-neglected area of the Bridgeport, residents living near a series of blighted properties are wondering what their future holds.

Plans to redevelop Marina Village are moving forward as developers and the housing authority plan to demolish a trove of decrepit buildings in the housing complex to make room for the new Windward apartments. As residents worry about their future living arrangements, authorities say they will be relocated as occupants of previously demolished buildings have been. But that hasnt been enough to assuage everyones fears.

The first phase of the new complex will bring 60 new units of mixed-incoming housing and a 7,600-square-foot health center in place of emptied buildings in the West End. The plan is part of a public-private partnership between Stamford-based developers JHM Group and Park City Communities, which owns and manages the citys public housing.

James Slaughter, director of PCC, said demolition of emptied buildings along South Avenue, Ridge Avenue and Columbia Street would begin no later than July with an official groundbreaking of the project planned shortly after.

Construction of Windwards phase one is to take up to two years, Slaughter said.

Relocation uncertain

While new apartments would be a welcome change to the aging neighborhood, residents living near the emptied buildings are waiting for answers regarding when and if they will receive relocation opportunities that others received in past phases of the project.

I dont see this being done. I just dont, said City Council member and longtime resident Denese Taylor-Moye.

Redevelopment of Marina Village has been ongoing for years as one of several efforts to revitalize the citys deteriorating public housing complexes, much like the Crescent Crossing complex built on the site of the former Father Panik Village.

The Marina Village replacement has been under a multiphase plan as developers have demolished the buildings closest to Park Avenue and plan to do the same across Columbia Street in what PCC described as phases 1 and 2 of redevelopment.

Prior to knocking down buildings, residents in earlier buildings have found new homes in accordance with a deal known as a Memorandum of Agreement and Uniform Relocation Act.

While the agreement includes similar benefits for phase three residents, which include more than 100 people, some are worried that relocation may not come.

I feel that they are turning everything around, Taylor-Moye said. During phase one and phase two, phase three (residents were) also at the meetings, and one of the things that was stated to us was that we were all going to have the same rights and that we were all living under the same (agreement). ... Now that phase one and two are out, what they are saying in regard to (us) is that they want us to continue to stay there for three to five years.

According to Taylor-Moye, residents are worried that as plans move forward, residents living in the older units would be left behind while other people who do not live in Marina Village are able to move into newer apartments.

We the residents in phase three do not like what is getting ready to transpire. We are hoping that the housing authority comes up with (something) and works with us in working with the agreement that was stated to us, Taylor-Moye said.

Plans in place

Although residents worries have not subsided, Slaughter told Hearst Connecticut Media that relocation plans are in the works.

No one is getting left out and there is not a difference in benefits being provided, Slaughter said, stating that residents in phase three would receive the same benefits as residents in previous phases.

He added that PCC would be carrying over the agreement into phase three residents.

As things get moving with the demolition and subsequent construction process, Slaughter said PCC would have regular meetings with residents to keep them informed of the activity and the timetable of development.
After youths spent a world apart, for the past two years the lives of Lillian Yanney and Chris Veno have converged at Norwalk Community College alongside thousands of fellow students. As they diverged anew to follow their separate paths starting Friday morning, they could agree on one thing  2018 is a great time to be taking that first step.

As NCC graduates collected their degrees on Thursday evening at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, they and their peers throughout the region are entering the job market some believe to be the best in more than a decade, even in the context of an overall Connecticut labor market that has been unable to sustain an upward push on par with other states.

On campus, however, employers have been active in their recruiting efforts at NCC and other Connecticut schools, with the Norwalk college offering major programs in nursing and health fields, information technology and accounting among others. Roughly one in three graduates this spring are heading straight into the workforce, with the rest enrolling in four-year colleges and universities to obtain baccaulaureate degrees.

In that second group are Yanney and Veno, the latter from Ridgefield and checking out opportunities at NCC after working initially at Caraluzzis Georgetown Market in Redding. Veno found his calling at NCC in accounting and tax, undertaking an internship this summer at the Danbury headquarters of Praxair before heading to Sacred Heart University this fall to continue toward a baccalaureate degree required to become a certified public accountant.

Whether among those on an intermediate step to a final career destination or graduates launching their careers this week, Veno said he has seen a marked improvement in the outlook of his fellow students.

I think the opportunities have definitely improved, Veno said.

Job outlook mixed

While the nations unemployment rate dropped below 4 percent last month  the first such instance since 2000  Connecticuts remained at 4.6 percent, and studies nationally have been mixed on the spring job market for college graduates.

In May, the executive search firm Korn Ferry proclaimed the job market the hottest its been since 2000, while noting that has yet to translate into average compensation, up 2.8 percent from a year ago. Korn Ferry queries some 1,000 employers nationally covering more than 300,000 entry-level positions.

More muted, however, was an April survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, with NACE predicting a 1.3 percent decline in hiring nationally from 2017, a reversal from an earlier forecast of a 4 percent increase.

The true figure varies according to industry and geography, as well as individual company circumstances as opportunities surface, forcing the hands for some who need to bring on young, affordable graduates to help them grow, and grow with the business.

Kiran Somaya has seen a world of difference in the job market from three years ago, when she arrived at Norwalk Community College as director of the schools center for career development. Today, about 1,500 employers are listed on the NCC job board, with Somayas office handling about 1,200 student appointments a year, up about fivefold from when she arrived.

Taking that first step

Among those Somayas office has helped are Yanney, who grew up in Ghana and came to Connecticut 11 years ago. She completed her NCC studies even while working at Stamford Hospital and raising a family, and will enter Cornell University this fall to complete her four-year degree.

In recognition of her accomplishments, NCC made Yanney a featured speaker at NCCs commencement ceremonies on Thursday. Yanney said she kept her message simple.

Its never too late to create the haven for your life, Yanney said.

For Somaya, it is never too early to get started recruiting employers to make their opportunities known to next years graduates, with she and colleague Helen Boyke starting that process the day after NCCs commencement.

She said there are more companies out there than ever willing to hear about those opportunities, as they create opportunities for the class of 2018 and beyond.

Companies are eyeing (candidates)  and its a diverse mix of companies, Somaya said. Students should not fear to take that first step.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
Wall Street analysts have given Hertz Global 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 Hertz Global wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

View MarketBeat's top stock picks here.
State AA Girls Tennis: Watertown takes fifth, wins Sportsmanship Award

SIOUX FALLS  Watertown High Schools girls tennis team closed out a successful season with a fifth-place finish in the state Class AA tournament that concluded Friday.
CALGARY  Despite the #Metoo movement, Canadians have a harder time understanding what consent means than they did three years ago, according to a national survey.

The survey, commissioned by the Canadian Womens Foundation (CWF), shows that 28 per cent of Canadian claim to know what giving consent is, down from 33 per cent three years ago.

The numbers also show that 31 per cent of Albertans say they fully understand what it means to give consent.

The results came as a surprise to Paulette Senior, the CWFs president and CEO.

Were really living in a time that we've never had before. Its a time when women are no longer accepting that silence as an option, she said. Were also living in a time when, you know, the silence thats been quite decimating for decades has been broken and the conversations are happening, much more now.

Senior said the slip in consent comprehension may be due to the stories and nuances about sexual relationships that #metoo has brought to the forefront.

She said the CWF funds programs to teach teens about sexual health and relationships across Canada. And through feedback from those courses, theyre hearing how important sex education is for young folks across the country.

Theres a need for much more, she said. Participants in those programs report just how critical it was for them to be able to talk about a healthy relationship is.

Albertas status of women minister, Stephanie McLean, said the study shows that theres more work to do in Alberta to educate citizens about what consent is and how to ask for and receive it.

As Premier Notley said in launching our government-wide commitment to ending sexual violence, healthy relationships and consent will be part of the Alberta school curriculum, so we can shift toward a culture of consent and gender equality, said McLean in a prepared statement. We are also funding healthy relationship programs for teens.

The survey shows that 44 per cent of Canadians agree that education on how to give consent is the most important next step.

McLean also said the government has invested $8.1 million to support survivors of sexual violence, the majority of whom are women and girls, as part of this years budget.

The CWF study was conducted online between April 23 and 27. The sample included 1,502 randomly selected Canadians. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points 19 times out of 20.

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EDMONTONAs passengers get antsy about flying WestJet due to a looming pilots strike, other airline companies are jumping into the fray to accommodate travellers.

Pilots of the Calgary-based airline could issue a mandatory 72-hour strike notice beginning Saturday. So far, they remain in talks with the company and have assured ownership that they will not strike over the Victoria Day long weekend.

In response to the strike vote mandate, Air Canada announced it has added capacity on transcontinental routes by up-gauging aircraft on certain flights across the country, including Calgary and Edmonton.

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Travellers who may be concerned about the uncertainty resulting from WestJets strike vote mandate can book Air Canada with confidence, the airline said in a release. With our flexible and diverse fleet, we will continue adjusting capacity where possible to limit disruptions for people travelling.

As of deadline, both WestJet and the pilots association indicated that talks are still ongoing.

The company remains actively engaged in negotiations and is confident that an agreement can be reached, the WestJet official Twitter account tweeted on Saturday afternoon.

Over 90 per cent of WestJet pilots belonging to the Air Line Pilots Association voted on May 10 to authorize a strike. They are negotiating for a contract that they say addresses gaps in compensation, working conditions and job security.

On Friday, Flair Airlines  a low-cost airline  tweeted saying it would match the price of people whove been displaced from their flights.

Nervous about your flight with another airline? read the tweet. If youve been displaced, we will match the fare you paid, just show us your receipt.

A spokesperson for Flair Airlines could not be reached for comment on how many inquiries theyve received in the wake of the WestJet pilots strike authorization.

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BRANTFORD, Ont.Ontarios police watchdog is investigating after a 25-year-old man in Brantford, Ont., was found seriously injured under a police cruiser.

The Special Investigations Unit says the incident happened at about 2 a.m. Saturday after officers with the Brantford Police Service responded to the scene of an investigation.

The SIU says one of the officers entered his cruiser and began driving before he realized someone was under the vehicle.

The agency says a tow truck was called to lift the cruiser off the man, who later became involved in an interaction with officers.

The SIU says the man was taken to Brantford General Hospital with serious injuries, then transferred to Hamilton General Hospital.

Anyone with information or video footage of the incident is asked to contact the SIU.

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The technology exists to fix some of the design flaws in Canadas mobile emergency alert system that was tested last week for an Amber Alert issued in Ontario, some experts say.

The Alert Ready program  which sounds an alarm on LTE-connected smart phones during a crisis  could be more effective at alerting people to emergencies, they said.

The approach were taking with mobile devices is the same we had in 1940, when we had sirens installed on buildings, said Cosmin Munteanu, a professor of computer science and information at the University of Toronto.

Theres no nuance involved.

He said that because of smart phone technology, designers had the opportunity to cater details of the alarm  its sound, the colour that pops up on the screen  to the emergency its alerting people to.

Munteanu said that with the system as it is now, people who hear the blaring alarm associated with these emergency alerts for a missing child but dont have an opportunity to read the text for some reason might believe theyre in imminent danger.

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OPP receive complaints after Thunder Bay Amber Alert sets off phones Ontario-wide

Alberta emergency alert testing sees mixed results

And in fact, several police forces in Ontario received complaints from members of the public last week when an alarm sounded on cellphones to announce an Amber Alert triggered by the disappearance of a boy outside of Thunder Bay, Ont.

Half an hour later, the sound rang out again. This time, the text of the alert was displayed in French. It would go off two more times  once in each official language  that day to announce the child was found safe.

Officers in two Ontario cities  Kingston and Guelph  tweeted that it was not appropriate to call 911 about the matter.

The incident left some questioning the inclusion of Amber Alerts in the mobile emergency system, which has no opt-out option in Canada, as mandated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

If somebody in Toronto is alerted to an abducted child or a missing child in Thunder Bay, they cant help, said John Rainford, director of the Warning Project, founded by a group of experts who help organizations communicate during emergencies.

But then also, that person in Toronto is like, OK, next time my phone rings in this weird sound, I dont care,  he said. And I want them to care.

A similar system exists in the United States, but people can choose not to receive notifications about Amber Alerts or local emergencies by modifying settings on their cellphones. They cannot, however, opt out of receiving directives from the White House.

It becomes a balancing act for authorities, he said.

You need to strike this careful balance between alerting people to lots of problems  which is a good thing because then theyre aware that if that weird sound comes over my smartphone, that means something weirds happening  and doing it too often.

But Rainford said its a good thing that these kinks are happening now, before the masses need to be informed of a crisis on a larger scale.

Thats actually part of the system, he said. You want to do that when (more) lives are not at stake.
Parents at a Willowdale public school have partnered with local groups for a Victoria Day picnic to help students feel safer after the Yonge St. van rampage.

The picnic at Mel Lastman Square on Monday is a collaboration between the parent advisory council at Churchill Public School, the Toronto District School Board, the #TorontoStrong fund and We Love Willowdale, a community group set up to help residents heal and reclaim a sense of safety after the attack.

Parents from Willowdale are also planning to walk with students from their respective schools to the picnic in an effort to ease their anxieties.

The idea for the walk and picnic came about after Willowdale parent Ann Blanchette talked to students at Churchill about the van rampage.

Blanchette said fear was a common theme among the fifth graders she spoke to on April 24, the day after 10 people were killed and 15 injured in the attack.

Theyre scared when they see a white van drive by, scared of walking to the park, walking to school, said Blanchette, a trauma and emergency nurse at St. Michaels Hospital and co-chair of the parent council at Churchill. Most of them live right on that Yonge corridor that was affected.

Churchill is a 20-minute walk from the site of the attack. There are four other schools close to the site.

The students anxiety prompted Blanchette to contact the local city councillor and community groups to set up an event. We Love Willowdale co-ordinated with the city and other local community groups to plan the picnic. The areas TDSB trustee, Alexander Brown and the #TorontoStrong fund also joined the effort.

We Love Willowdale co-founder Lily Cheng said she knows people who have been avoiding Yonge St. since the attack.

We want to do something that fosters a sense of safety and community so that people with come out and shift this feeling, said Cheng.

The event will feature musicians and interactive arts while residents enjoy homemade lunches and food trucks. Blanchette said the parent council at Churchill is contacting more schools in the area to join in on the walk to the picnic.

Let us celebrate the many thousands of acts of kindness and low expressed in the wake of the violence, says a Facebook post about the event.

The picnic will close out 26 Days of Music on Yonge, a Willowdale community initiative that will see musicians perform at Mel Lastman Square for 26 days, the number of victims affected by the van attack.

The picnic marks off the end of the 25 days but thats not to say that there wont be grieving that will continue, said Cheng, especially for those that lost loved ones.

The square has two memorial sites dedicated to the van attack, and the area is still covered with flowers, letters and tributes from Torontonians.

Correction - May 23, 2018: This article was edited from a previous version that misstated the given name of We Love Willowdale co-founder Lily Cheng.
A man in his 70s has been taken to hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries after being stabbed at around 10 p.m. Saturday.

Police and paramedics were called to the scene near Queen and Bathurst Sts., where they found the man bleeding, with multiple injuries.

Constable David Hopkinson said police are investigating the incident.
Police are still searching for two suspects in a Yorkville robbery, who they say were also involved in a rollover crash near Jarvis and Wellesley on Saturday morning.

At 10:33 on Saturday morning, a high-end womens accessory store near the intersection of Bay and Bloor was robbed.

A woman entered the store, indicated she was armed with a firearm, Toronto police Constable David Hopkinson said in an interview.

After robbing the store, Hopkinson said the woman was seen getting into a car that was driven by a man, and the couple sped off.

Police say they believe the suspects were then involved in the collision, at the intersection of Jarvis and Wellesley at around 11 a.m.

We just saw this speeding SUV go right through the intersection on the solid red, said Diana Tarasca, who witnessed the incident, adding the SUV then struck a car travelling north on Jarvis.

Witnesses said the speeding SUV flipped over, landing on the sidewalk. The occupants crawled out and fled on foot, police confirmed.

No injuries have been reported by the occupants of the second vehicle or nearby pedestrians.

Thats the miraculous thing  its like divine intervention, Tarasca said.

The area was cordoned off and transit rerouted during the investigation at the scene of the crash.

The intersection is now being cleared and transit service has resumed.

Police continue to search for the suspects, who have not been apprehended.
Keep your fascinators, tiaras, regalia and romance. What if the surprise biggest star  the Pippa Middleton, if you will  of this royal wedding was a sermon about love?

The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, the presiding bishop of the American Episcopal Church, delivered a searing, soaring 13-minute speech, imploring Christians to put love at the centre of their spiritual and political lives. Until that moment, the ceremony had been quite staid, stuffy even, with only the mention of sexual union to keep us on our toes.

We must discover the power of love, the power, the redemptive power of love, he said. And when we discover that we will be able to make of this old world a new world.

With its repetition and emphasis, his sermon drew upon the devices of black ecclesiastical tradition. It was a striking contrast with the one delivered by Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London, at the royal wedding in 2011.

Imagine governments and nations where love is the way, Curry said. Imagine this tired old world when love is the way  when love is the way, unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive!  When love is the way, poverty will become history. He cited Martin Luther King, Jr. explicitly several times, and alluded to the same passages in Amos  let justice roll down like a mighty stream and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream  that King famously cited.

Curry, 65, said Christianity was a movement grounded in the unconditional love of God for the world and a movement mandating people to live that love and in so doing to change not only their lives but the very life of the world itself, he said.

He spoke about the power of love and faith, even to comfort those in captivity, referring explicitly to the psalms sung by slaves in the American south.

The bishop was born in Chicago in 1953. Married with two daughters, he acquired a measure of fame outside the religious community after a sermon he delivered in 2012, We need some crazy Christians, was widely viewed online. He is the first African-American leader of the Episcopal Church.

Asked by CBS how he had prepared to deliver the sermon, Curry said he was just going to show up.

He said: Ill never forget my daddy told me when I was fairly new as a priest. He said just always be who you really are. Dont pretend to be someone else.

The Text of the Sermon

And now in the name of our loving, liberating and life-giving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, amen.

From the Song of Solomon in the Bible: Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is as strong as death, passion as fierce as the grave, its flashes of flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it out

The late Dr. Martin Luther King once said, and I quote: we must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love, and when we do that we will make of this old world a new world. For love is the only way.

Theres power in love. Dont underestimate it. Dont even oversentimentalize it. Theres power, power in love. If you dont believe me, think about a time when you first fell in love. The whole world seemed to centre around you and your beloved. Theres power, power in love.

Not just in its romantic forms but any form, any shape of love. Theres a certain sense in which when you are loved and you know it, when someone cares for you and you know it, when you love and you show it, it actually feels right. Theres something right about it.

And theres a reason for it. The reason has to do with the source. We were made by a power of love. And our lives were meant and are meant to be lived in that love. Thats why we are here.

Ultimately the source of love is God himself, the source of all of our lives. Theres an old medieval poem that says, where true love is found, God himself is there.

The New Testament says it this way, beloved, let us love one another because love is of God and those who love are born of God and know God, those who do not love do not know God. Why? For God is love. Theres power in love. Theres power in love to help and heal when nothing else can. Theres power in love to lift up and liberate when nothing else will. Theres power in love to show us the way to live. Set me as a seal on your heart. A seal on your arm. For love its strong as death.

But love is not only about a young couple. Now the power of love is demonstrated by the fact that we are all here. Two young people fell in love and we all showed up. But its not just for and about a young couple who we rejoice with.

Its more than that. Jesus of Nazareth on one occasion was asked by a lawyer to sum up the essence of the teachings of Moses. He went back and reached back into the Hebrew scriptures, to Deuteronomy and Leviticus, and Jesus said you shall love the lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength.

This is the first and great commandment and the second is like it: love your neighbour as yourself. And then in Matthews version, he added, he said, on these two Love of God and Love of Neighbour, hang all the law, all the prophets, everything that Moses wrote, everything in the holy prophets, everything in the scriptures, everything that God has been trying to tell the world. Love God, love your neighbours, and while youre at it, love yourself.

Now someone once said that Jesus began the most revolutionary movement in all of human history, a movement grounded in the unconditional love of God for the world. A movement mandating people to live that love. And in so doing, to change not only their lives but the very life of the world itself.

Im talking about some power, real power. Power to change the world. If you dont believe me, well, there were some old slaves in Americas antebellum south who explained the dynamic power of love and why it has the power to transform. They explained it this way. They sang a spiritual, even in the midst of their captivity, its one that says theres a balm in Gilead. A healing balm, something that can makes things right.

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul. One of the stanzas actually explains why: they said, If you cannot preach like Peter and you cannot pray like Paul, you just tell the love of Jesus how he died to save us all. Oh thats the balm in Gilead. This way of love is the way of life. They got it, he died to save us all. He didnt die for anything he could get out of it. Jesus did not get an honorary doctorate for dying. He wasnt getting anything out of it. He gave up his life, he sacrificed his life for the good of the others, for the good of the other, for the well-being of the world. For us, thats what love is.

Love is not selfish and self-centered. Love can be sacrificial. And in so doing, becomes redemptive, and that way of unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive love, changes lives. And it can change this world. If you dont believe me, just stop and think or imagine. Think and imagine, well, think and imagine a world where love is the way. Imagine our homes and families when love is the way. Imagine neighborhoods and communities where love is the way. Imagine governments and nations where love is the way. Imagine business and commerce when love is the way. Imagine this tired old world when love is the way, unselfish, sacrificial redemptive. When love is the way, then no child will go to bed hungry in this world ever again. When love is the way, we will let justice roll down like a mighty stream and righteousness like an everflowing brook. When love is the way, poverty will become history. When love is the way, the earth will be a sanctuary. When love is the way, we will lay down our swords and shields down, down by the riverside to study war no more. When love is the way, theres plenty good room, plenty good room, for all of Gods children. Because when love is the way, we actually treat each other, well, like we are actually family. When love is the way, we know that God is the source of us all and we are brothers and sisters, children of God. My brothers and sisters, thats a new heaven, a new earth, a new world, a new human family. And let me tell you something, old Solomon was right in the Old Testament, thats fire.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and with this, I will sit you down. Weve got to get you all married.

French Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was arguably one of the great minds, one of the great spirits of the 20th century. A Jesuit, Roman Catholic priest, scientist, a scholar, a mystic. In some of his writings, he said from his scientific background as well as his theological one. In some of his writings, he said as others have, that the discovery or invention or harnessing of fire was one of the great scientific and technological discoveries in all of human history. Fire to a great extent made human civilization possible. Fire made it possible to cook food and to provide sanitary ways of eating which reduced the spread of disease in its time. Fire made it possible to heat warm environments and thereby made human migration around the world a possibility, even into colder climates. Fire made it possible, there was no Bronze Age without fire, no Iron Age without fire, no industrial revolution without fire. The advances of science and technology are greatly dependent on the human ability and capacity to take fire and use it for human good.

Anybody get here in a car today? An automobile? Nod your heads if you did, Im guessing, I know there were some carriages. But those of us who came in cars, the controlled harnessed fire made that possible. I know that the Bible says, and I believe it, that Jesus walked on the water, but I have to tell you I didnt walk across the Atlantic Ocean to get here. Controlled fire in that plane got me here. Fire makes it possible for us to text and tweet and email and Instagram and Facebook and socially be dysfunctional with each other. Fire makes all of that possible and de Chardin said that fire was one of the greatest discoveries in all of human history. And he then went on to say that if humanity every harnesses the energy of fire again, if humanity ever captures the energy of love, it will be the second time in history that we have discovered fire.

Dr. King was right, we must discover love. The redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will make of this old world a new world. My brother, my sister, God love you. God bless you. And may God hold us all in those almighty hands of love.
LONDONJean Carter had never bothered to come out for a royal appearance before. But when Prince Harry and his fiancee, Meghan Markle, made a visit to Brixton this year, Carter bought a bouquet and weathered a chilly afternoon waiting for a glimpse of the couple.

Carter was glad to see Harry, the happy-go-lucky, ginger-bearded son of the late Princess Diana. As an immigrant from Jamaica, though, Carter, 72, really wanted to lay eyes on Markle, a biracial American actress who is the subject of deep fascination here.

Multi-ethnic Brixton is South Londons hub for a founding generation of Afro-Caribbean immigrants. Its a crossroad so central to the story of the African diaspora that local historians call the neighbourhood  with its jerk chicken grills, reggae dance halls and vibrant mural scene  the black capital of Europe. When South African President Nelson Mandela came to Britain in 1996, he went to Buckingham Palace  and Brixton.

Carter characterized the royal couples visit to the neighbourhood as a big statement.

But what exactly will it mean to have a biracial member of the monarchy after Prince Harry and Markle exchange vows on May 19?

Mixed-race British royals are rare enough that one must travel far back in time, to before the American Revolution, to find a candidate for comparison: Some historians believe Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, was of African descent.

For many British blacks, its worth celebrating that the family that symbolizes Britishness will look a bit more like modern Britain, especially its capital city, which has experienced soaring rates of interracial marriage.

But the American black experience is very different from the British one. People here say a lone biracial royal-by-marriage  even if shes unusually outspoken  may have a muted impact at a time when immigration is such a toxic issue and even legal Caribbean immigrants have been made to feel unwelcome.

Afua Hirsch, author of Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging, is keen to see what Markle does and how her arrival in Kensington Palace might change society.

As an all-white dynasty, the royal family influences perceptions of Britishness as white identity, Hirsch said. But having a senior member who is visibly of colour will change the subconscious messaging about what it means to be British.

Its not just Markles ethnicity  its the way that she owns it, Hirsch said.

I think thats because shes American, she said. I think thats a really refreshing message. People will notice that you can be a person with a different identity, with different cultural and ethnic heritage, and you can be in a senior position in the establishment and you dont have to ignore or downplay it.

For many reasons, race is not talked about as openly in Britain as it is in the United States.

When race does emerge, the tone of the conversation can sound strange to American ears, as in the Daily Mail headline: Now thats upwardly mobile! How in 150 years, Meghan Markles family went from cotton slaves to royalty via freedom in the U.S. Civil War . . . 

Britons discuss immigration as a proxy for race, said Nels Abbey, a former columnist for the Voice, Britains black newspaper, and co-author of an upcoming book, Think Like a White Man.

People will swear to high heaven that when they are talking about immigration they are not talking about race, when clearly they are, Abbey said, adding that in the context of immigration, they are never talking about white people from Australia.

If you accept that the immigration debate is a racial debate, then Britain talks about race more than anything else, he said. If you dont accept that, then Britain doesnt talk about race at all.

Markle, by contrast, has been candid.

Writing in Elle magazine in 2016, she recalled being confused as a young girl about whether to tick the white or black box on a form. She described not being deemed black enough for black acting roles or white enough for white roles. Her mother, Doria Ragland, is black, and her father, Thomas Markle, is white.

While my mixed heritage may have created a grey area surrounding my self-identification, keeping me with a foot on both sides of the fence, I have come to embrace that, she wrote. To say who I am, to share where Im from, to voice my pride in being a strong, confident mixed-race woman.

Prince Harry, too, has been atypically frank in her defense. An extraordinary palace statement in November 2016 condemned media coverage of their fledgling relationship, the racial undertones of opinion pieces and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments.

Such commentary has continued at a low boil. This year, the leader of the U.K. Independence Party, which played a pivotal role winning the vote for Britain to leave the European Union, came under fire  and ultimately lost his job  after his girlfriend sent text messages saying that black people were ugly and that Markle would taint the royal family.

After Prince Harry recently was appointed Commonwealth youth ambassador, he revealed the woman that I am about to marry will be joining him in his new job. The Commonwealth, headed by the princes grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, includes 53 nations that were once part of the British Empire, including Canada and Australia, India and Pakistan, and dozens of countries in Africa and the Caribbean.

It is possible that the couples roles will go global  and bolster not only the House of Windsor brand abroad, but Britains soft power diplomacy, goodwill being in short supply these days.

As for Britain, Markle will find differences. The United Kingdom is 87 per cent white. Blacks are about 3 per cent of the population, according to census counts, compared with more than 13 per cent in the United States. Britain was a slave-trading nation and built its colonial economy on slave labour and subjugation. But unlike the American South and the Caribbean islands, the farms of England were not tilled by black slaves. Most black British families date their arrival here from the 1950s onward.

Britain didnt have the same kind of civil rights movement that America did. Segregation wasnt enshrined in the law as it was in the United States. When riots erupted in Brixton in the 1980s, it was because Britain was experiencing a sort of Black Lives Matter movement, with black residents objecting to being unfairly targeted and harshly treated by police.

Today, many blacks in Britain are part of, or descended from, the Windrush generation  Commonwealth citizens from the Caribbean who were welcomed to England to help rebuild the country and fill a massive labor shortage in the decades after World War II.

In recent years, as Britain has sought to crack down on illegal immigration, Windrush migrants who couldnt provide all the paperwork to prove they were in the country legally have lost jobs, been denied health services and in some cases been threatened with deportation.

Paul Reid, director of the Black Cultural Archives, located on Brixtons Windrush Square, said that the jury is still out on Markle. Shell be judged by her actions.

Does she help bring about change? Reid said. Were not silly anymore. There was a time when we would have rolled out the red carpet. Isnt it amazing! Can I get a selfie? 

Reid said that now, especially after the Windrush scandals, you have to demonstrate that you stand for something.

L.B. Brown, a 52-year-old activist and office manager, is willing to give Markle the benefit of the doubt. Shes beautiful, genuine, refreshing, Brown said. What I like about her is I feel shes going to bring a new vibrancy. They arent going to do normal establishment, staying in the parameters; they are going to do stuff.

Case in point, Brown said, is that a prominent British rapper has been rumoured to be performing on May 19. You have the prospect of [grime musician] Stormzy coming to your wedding, Brown said. I mean, come on!

Merle Mitchell, a 57-year-old nurse who was strolling through one of Brixtons street markets, said she wasnt a royalist, but Markle might change her feelings about the monarchy  not because of her race, but because of her activism.

When Diana left, I left, she said. But I think Meghan could restore some of whats gone. I am not saying that because shes mixed race, Im saying that because I see the same qualities in her, her humanitarianism, thats really inspired me.

Mitchell said that there hasnt been anyone in the palace that black women can point to and say that person looks like me.

She said, We need a bit of color in the royal family.

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SANTA FE, TEXAS The suspect in the Texas school shooting began his attack by firing a shotgun blast through an art classroom door, sending panicked students to the entryway to block him from getting inside, witnesses said Saturday.

Dmitrios Pagourtzis fired again through the wooden part of the door and fatally hit a student in the chest. He then lingered for nearly 30 minutes in a warren of four rooms, killing seven more students and two teachers before exchanging gunfire with police and surrendering, officials said.

Freshman Abel San Miguel saw his friend Chris Stone killed at the door and got grazed in the stomach by another volley of shots. He and others survived by playing dead.

We were on the ground, all piled up in random positions, he said.

Junior Breanna Quintanilla was in art class when she heard the shots and someone say, If you all move, Im going to shoot you all.

The 17-year-old Pagourtzis walked in, pointed at one person and declared, Im going to kill you. Then he fired.

He then said that if the rest of us moved, he was going to shoot us, Quintanilla said.

When Quintanilla tried to run out a back door, she realized Pagourtzis was aiming at her. He fired in her direction.

He missed me, she said. But it went ahead and ricocheted and hit me in my right leg. She was treated at a hospital and spoke with a brown bandage wrapped around her wound.

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It was a very scary thing, Quintanilla said. I was worried that I wasnt going to be able to make it back to my family.

In their first statement since Fridays massacre, Pagourtzis family said the bloodshed seems incompatible with the boy we love.

We are as shocked and confused as anyone else by these events that occurred, the statement said, offering prayers and condolences to the victims.

The family said it remained mostly in the dark about the specifics of the attack and that it shared the publics hunger for answers as to why this happened.

Zach Wofford, a senior, said he was in his agricultural shop class when he heard gunfire from the art classroom across the hall. He said substitute teacher Chris West went into the hall to investigate and pulled a fire alarm.

He saved many people today, Wofford said of West.

The Houston branch of the FBI tweeted Saturday that 13 people were wounded in the attack, up from 10 previously. Hospitals reported treating 14 people with shooting-related injuries Friday, and the reason for the discrepancy still was not clear.

In addition to a shotgun and a handgun, Pagourtzis also had several kinds of homemade explosive devices, but they were not capable of detonating, said Galveston County Judge Mark Henry, the countys chief administrator.

Investigators found a group of carbon dioxide canisters taped together, and a pressure cooker with an alarm clock and nails inside. But the canisters had no detonation device, and the pressure cooker had no explosive material, Henry said.

They were intended to look like IEDs, but they were totally non-functional, Henry said, referring to improvised explosive devices common in the early years of the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

Authorities have offered no motive, but they said in a probable-cause affidavit that the suspect had admitted to carrying out the shooting.

The gunman told police that when he opened fire, he avoided shooting students he liked so he could have his story told, the affidavit said.

From first word of the shooting, at 7:32 a.m. Friday, until confirmation that the suspect was in custody, the attack took about half an hour.

Dispatch records indicate that authorities first entered the building about seven minutes later after learning of the assault. The suspect was said to be in custody at 8:03 a.m.

Henry said he did not think the attack was 30 minutes of shooting, and that assessment was consistent with other officials who said authorities contained the shooter quickly.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the assailant got a handgun and shotgun from his father, who owned them legally. But it was not clear whether the father knew his son had taken them or if the father could face prosecution. State law makes it illegal to give a gun to anyone under 18, except under the supervision of an adult for hunting or sport shooting.

Pagourtzis, who appeared to have no prior arrests or confrontations with law enforcement, made an initial court appearance on capital murder charges Friday. A judge denied bond and took his application for a court-appointed attorney.

The shooting in Santa Fe, a city of 13,000 people about 30 miles (48 kilometres) southeast of Houston, was the nations deadliest such attack since the Florida massacre that killed 17 and energized the teen-led gun-control movement. It was also the deadliest assault in Texas since a man with a semi-automatic rifle attacked a rural church late last year, killing more than two dozen people.

Meanwhile, students were being let back inside Santa Fe High School to gather belongings they abandoned when the gunfire began.

The schools roughly 1,400 students were to be allowed inside in groups of no more than 10 accompanied by officers, said Walter Braun, the school districts chief of police. Braun and other officials declined to answer questions about the investigation.

Also Saturday, authorities released the names of the 10 fatalities. They included a substitute teacher and a foreign exchange student from Pakistan.
PAHOA, HAWAIILava oozing out of cracks for two weeks in rural Hawaii neighbourhoods took on new characteristics as fresher magma mixed with decades-old magma, sending a flow toward the ocean Saturday.

Since a first fissure opened in a community on May 3, lava was mostly spattering up and collecting at the edges of the cracks in the ground. Two neighbourhoods with nearly 2,000 people were forced to evacuate as lava claimed 40 structures.

On Friday afternoon, the lava changed dramatically with one fissure ramping up and sending a flow across a road, destroying four more homes and isolating residents, some of whom had to be airlifted to safety.

The change is attributed to new magma mixing with 1955-era magma in the ground, creating hotter and more fluid flows, scientists said.

Theres much more stuff coming out of the ground and its going to produce flows that move further away, said Wendy Stovall, a U.S. Geological Survey volcanologist.

By Saturday morning, two of 22 fissures had merged, creating a wide flow advancing at rates of up to 300 yards (274 metres) per hour. Aerial footage from the USGS showed fast-moving lava advancing to the southeast. The flow was 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres) from the ocean, scientists said.

In the background, the footage showed lava fountaining 328 feet (100 metres) high at one of the fissures. The fountains are created by vents closing, forcing magma to burst through a single outpoint, Stovall said.

If lava threatens main highways, more people will be told to prepare for voluntary evacuation.

Three people were initially trapped, but eventually got out of a hazardous area; one was evacuated by air, Janet Snyder, spokesperson for Hawaii County, said Saturday. On Friday, four other people were evacuated by county and National Guard helicopters.

They shouldnt be in that area, said County Managing Director Wil Okabe. He wants people to heed evacuation warnings.

Edwin Montoya, who lives with his daughter on her farm near the site where lava crossed the road and cut off access, said the fissure opened and grew quickly.

It was just a little crack in the ground, with a little lava coming out, he said. Now its a big crater that opened up where the small little crack in the ground was.

Experts are uncertain about when the volcano might calm down.

The Big Island volcano released a small explosion at its summit just before midnight Friday, sending an ash cloud 10,000 feet (3,048 metres) into the sky. The USGSs Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said eruptions that create even minor amounts of ashfall could occur at any time.

This follows the more explosive eruption Thursday, which emitted ash and rocks thousands of feet into the sky. No one was injured and there were no reports of damaged property.

It came two weeks after the volcano began sending lava flows into neighbourhoods 25 miles (40 kilometres) to the east of the summit.

Several open fissure vents are still producing lava splatter and flow in evacuated areas. Gas is also pouring from the vents, cloaking homes and trees in smoke.

Meanwhile, more explosive eruptions from the summit are possible.

We have no way of knowing whether this is really the beginning or toward the end of this eruption, said Tom Shea, a volcanologist at the University of Hawaii. Were kind of all right now in this world of uncertainty.

U.S. government scientists, however, are trying to pin down those signals so we have a little better warning, said Wendy Stovall, a volcanologist with the observatory.

The greatest ongoing hazard stems from the lava flows and the hot, toxic gases spewing from open fissure vents close to homes and critical infrastructure, said Charles Mandeville of the U.S. Geological Surveys volcano hazards program.

Authorities have been measuring gases, including sulphur dioxide, rising in little puffs from open vents.

The area affected by lava and ash is small compared to the Big Island, which is about 4,000 square miles. Most of the island and the rest of the Hawaiian chain is unaffected by the volcanic activity on Kilauea.

State and local officials have been reminding tourists that flights in and out of the entire state, including the Big Island, have not been impacted. Even on the Big Island, most tourist activities are still available and businesses are open.

___

Kelleher reported from Honolulu. Associated Press journalists Jae Hong and Marco Garcia in Pahoa, Sophia Yan and Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu, Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska, Seth Borenstein in Washington, D.C., and Alina Hartounian in Phoenix contributed to this report.
NORTH BEND, WASH.One man was killed and another seriously injured when they encountered a cougar Saturday while mountain biking in Washington state, officials said.

Authorities said the two men were on a morning bike ride in the foothills near North Bend when the attack occurred. The town is about 48 kilometres east of Seattle.

The mountain lion ran into the woods, and officers with the Washington Department of Fish and Game later tracked it down, shot and killed it, said Capt. Alan Myers of the states Fish & Wildlife Police.

The 31-year-old survivor was taken to a hospital in Seattle. He was initially listed in serious condition in the emergency room but was alert and talking; his condition was later upgraded to satisfactory, The Seattle Times reported.

A search and rescue team was dispatched to recover the body of the deceased man.

KIRO-TV reported that the injured man called 911 shortly before 11 a.m. and shouted, Can you hear me? Help! and then the call hung up.

Authorities found the cougar standing over the body of the dead biker, the station reported.

It wasnt immediately clear if the two victims were biking together or separately.

In the last 100 years in North America, roughly 25 fatal and 95 nonfatal cougar attacks have been reported, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife said, but there was only one other fatal attack in the state. However, more attacks have been reported in the western United States and Canada over the past 20 years than in the previous 80 years.
WASHINGTONDonald Trump Jr. met during the 2016 campaign with a private military contractor and an adviser to Middle Eastern leaders, both of whom have since become a focus of investigators working for special counsel Robert Mueller, a lawyer for President Donald Trumps eldest son said Saturday.

Erik Prince, an informal adviser to the Trump campaign and former head of Blackwater, and George Nader, a veteran operative who has advised the United Arab Emirates and helped American contractors secure business in the Middle East, met with Trump Jr. at Trump Tower to discuss a social media proposal, lawyer Alan Futerfas said in a statement.

They pitched Mr. Trump Jr. on a social media platform or marketing strategy. He was not interested and that was the end of it, Futerfas said.

The New York Times first reported on the meeting, which it said took place in August 2016 and was convened primarily to offer assistance to the Trump campaign.

Muellers investigators have been looking into a later meeting, in January 2017 in the Seychelles, that Nader and Prince held with Abu Dhabis crown prince, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian banker with close ties to the Kremlin. Nader is a witness in Muellers ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the election.

The Associated Press reported in March that Nader had been convicted on 10 counts of sexually assaulting a minor in the Czech Republic in 2003. Employees for Princes previous firm, Blackwater, were implicated in the deaths of 14 civilians in Iraq in 2007.

Neither a spokesperson for Prince nor a spokesperson for Naders lawyer immediately returned requests for comment Saturday.

Members of the House intelligence committee peppered Prince with questions about his interactions with the Trump campaign during a November 2017 interview, but Prince did not disclose the Trump Tower meeting with Trump Jr. and Nader.

Correction (May 22, 2018): This article was edited from a previous version to update an incorrect headline that said Donald Trump Jr. met with a Middle East contractor working for Robert Mueller.

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BAGHDADIraqs Muqtada al-Sadr, the maverick Shiite cleric whose political coalition beat out Irans favoured candidates to come in first in national elections, says he wants to form a government that puts Iraqis first.

The electoral commission announced early Saturday that the militant-turned-populist preacher, who has long spoken out against both Iranian and U.S. influence in Iraq, had defeated his establishment rivals.

Al-Sadr  who is remembered for leading an insurgency against U.S. forces after the 2003 invasion  did not run for a seat himself and is unlikely to become prime minister, but will command a significant number of seats and has already begun informal talks about government formation.

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Salah al-Obeidi, a spokesperson for al-Sadrs Saeroun political bloc, told The Associated Press that Iraqs sovereignty was going to be the new governments guiding principle.

We warn any other country that wants to involve itself in Iraqi politics not to cross the Iraqi people, he said.

However, even as al-Sadr is in position to nominate a prime minister and set the political agenda for the next four years, he will find his choices limited by Iran.

The Middle Easts pre-eminent Shiite power has a direct line with some of Iraqs most powerful politicians, and it is trying to rally them as a bloc to undercut al-Sadr.

Al-Sadrs rise threatens Irans claim to speak on behalf of Iraqs Shiite majority, a precedent that could fuel independent Shiite movements elsewhere. Also at stake are top ministerial posts  political appointments that are a source of patronage and police and military power.

Al-Sadr himself has kept a relatively low public profile. But in a public relations move that appeared to be directed at Iran, he appeared on Thursday with rival cleric Ammar al-Hakim, who has drifted away from Irans orbit in recent years, to say the two men share similar visions for the next government.

Tehran has dispatched its top regional military commander, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, to pull together a coalition to counterbalance al-Sadr, according to an Iraqi Shiite militia commander who is familiar with the meetings.

Iran wont accept the creation of a Shiite bloc that is a threat to its interests. Its a red line, said the commander, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions.

Al-Sadrs relationship with Iran is a complicated one. Though he has maintained close ties with Irans political and religious leadership, in recent years he has denounced the flow of Iranian munitions to Shiite militias in Iraq, all the while maintaining his own so-called Peace Brigades in the holy city of Samarra, north of Baghdad.

Al-Sadrs former Mahdi Army militia, which spearheaded an insurgency against the U.S., clashed violently with the Iran-backed Badr Organization last decade.

The militias plugged the gaps left by Iraqs army as soldiers deserted their posts in the face of Daeshs, also known as ISIS or ISIL, lightning campaign in the summer of 2014. With direction from Irans Revolutionary Guard, they turned the tide against the initial advance. In the years that followed, the militias  co-ordinating with U.S.-backed Iraqi ground forces  slowly pushed Daesh fighters back. Iraq declared victory over the group last year.

Al-Sadr has said he wants the militias absorbed into the national security forces, a move Iran would find difficult to accept.

Iran is also rankled by al-Sadrs recent overtures to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which are locked in proxy wars with Tehran in Syria and Yemen. Al-Sadr met with the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi in August, leading Irans hard-line Kayhan newspaper to accuse al-Sadr of selling himself to the house of Saud.

It is unlikely al-Sadr can pull together a governing coalition without Iran-aligned political groups, which have the votes to form their own alliance that could challenge al-Sadrs right to name a prime minister.

An electoral alliance of the militias called Fatah, headed by Hadi al-Amiri, the commander of the Badr Organization, won just seven seats fewer than al-Sadrs bloc. Saeroun won 54 seats in Iraqs 329-seat national assembly, a far cry from the 165 required to claim a majority.

The militias control the powerful Interior Ministry in the outgoing government and will expect a similar position of influence in the new one.

Al-Sadr seems inclined to woo incumbent Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is seen as a centrist when it comes to Iranian and U.S. interests, and who appears to be wavering between al-Sadr and al-Amiri.

But Tehran still holds considerable sway with al-Abadis al-Nasr bloc, which includes several Iran-aligned figures, including one newly minted deputy who has come under U.S. sanctions for allegedly financing Irans Revolutionary Guard.

Irans political allies in Iraq will try to pressure those figures into deserting al-Abadi and collapsing an al-Sadr alliance if the formulation is not to Tehrans liking, said a Western diplomat who has been speaking to the sides involved. The diplomat spoke on the condition of anonymity because of media regulations.

That gives Iran  and al-Abadi  leverage over al-Sadr to moderate his positions on the militias and Iran.

Hanging above the talks is the implied threat by all sides to mobilize their followers  and militias  if they feel they are being shortchanged. The collective effect could be to push al-Sadrs bloc toward a broader governing coalition that would dilute his reform agenda.

His top showing at the ballot box means the next prime minister will have to introduce a civil service law that al-Sadr has championed as an antidote to Iraqs endemic corruption, said Kirk Sowell, the publisher of Inside Iraqi Politics, a political and security newsletter. But that doesnt mean the Cabinet or parliament will sign off on it.

Theres not going to be a functioning majority, Sowell said. Itll be a hodgepodge, coalition government, and its not going to be any more stable than the last one.

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Families of terrorism victims are warning the Trump administration may negotiate away $150 million (U.S.) that a Chinese firm was expected to pay for violating U.S. sanctions  a move that they say would send a terrible message to global firms thinking of doing business with rogue regimes.

At issue is U.S. President Donald Trumps recent public statement urging the U.S. Commerce Department to find a way to help ZTE, a major Chinese telecom, stay in business. Advocates for terrorism attack victims say the remarks could have major consequences for a fund designed to compensate such victims.

Trump tweeted a week ago that he was working with Chinas president to give massive Chinese phone company, ZTE, a way to get back into business, fast ... Too many jobs in China lost. Commerce Department has been instructed to get it done!

Read more:

Trump tweet brings sense of relief, uncertainty at Chinas ZTE

Tech firm ZTE in focus amid U.S.-China trade dispute

That message came days after ZTE said it would cease major operating activities because the Commerce Department had recently announced trade restrictions on the firm for violating the terms of a 2017 deal for the companys violations of U.S. sanctions.

Now, the Commerce Department is engaged in negotiations with ZTE that could ease the penalties against the firm, according to people familiar with the talks.

The presidents instruction to Commerce to ease up on ZTE has led to speculation that the firm may have become a bargaining chip as the United States tries to extract trade concessions from China and get co-operation on sanctions against Iran and North Korea.

But to families who have lost loved ones to terrorism attacks, Trumps actions are important for entirely different reasons.

Under the terms of the 2017 plea deal ZTE struck with a number of U.S. government agencies, ZTE agreed to combined fines of nearly $1.2 billion  but $300 million of that was suspended, to be paid only if the company violated its deal with Commerce.

Now that Commerce has formally accused ZTE of lying during its settlement talks and probationary period about whether company employees had been punished for their conduct in violating sanctions, advocates had expected the U.S. to collect that $300 million.

Under U.S. law, half of that money  $150 million  would go into a fund created to compensate the families of victims of state-sponsored terrorism.

After the presidents pronouncement, those families now fear the administration may back out of collecting that penalty on behalf of victims.

As a government, we have to send the right signal to ZTE and other bad actors that the United States does not flounder or play when it comes to holding countries accountable that violate U.S. sanctions against state sponsors of terrorism, said Edith Bartley, whose brother and father were killed when Al Qaeda bombed U.S. embassies in Africa in 1998.

To Bartley and others, it makes no sense for an administration that prides itself as being tough on terrorism to suddenly go soft on firms that do business with terror-backing governments.

Many of these victims of terrorism were serving their country, and the world is watching, she said. North Korea is watching.

Stuart Newberger, a lawyer representing victims families, said ZTE should have to pay even more than the $300 million spelled out in last years plea deal.

If the Trump administration lets ZTE off the hook for the payment, he said, all thats going to do is encourage people to do business with terrorist states. So if the president is serious about going after Iran and terrorist states, they have to be serious about holding ZTE to the consequences of its conduct.

A Justice Department spokesman referred questions to the Commerce Department, where a spokeswoman declined to comment.

The fund was created by Congress several years ago for people who have won court judgments as victims of state-sponsored terrorism. To date, the fund has collected more than a billion dollars, principally from settlements with foreign banks accused of violating U.S. sanctions against Iran.

Eligible recipients of the fund are those who have won court judgments from terrorism incidents during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, including those who were taken hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Iran in 1979 and the families of those killed in attacks on U.S. personnel in Lebanon during the 1980s.

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PM takes on divisive politics in N.Y.C., May 17

It was great to see Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Yankee Stadium commenting on international affairs, but the real test will be in a few days at the G7 meeting in Charlevoix, Que.

If he wants to address substantive issues at this summit, there are at least two issues that he needs to champion.

First, as head of a feminist government, he must help make sure that girls everywhere have access to education, even in situations of crisis (civil strife, war, etc.). He has paid lip service to this issue but must now show us the money.

Second, the UN is holding a high-level meeting in September on ending tuberculosis, a curable disease that has now become the leading infectious killer on the planet. As the first prime minister to commit to ending tuberculosis in our own Far North, he should announce his participation in this meeting to his G7 counterparts and invite them to also attend.

It is with these types of initiatives that he will be able to claim that Canada is truly back on the world scene.

Jean-Francois Tardif, Gatineau, Que.

The upcoming G7 provides a wonderful opportunity for Canada to build on its commitment to empowering women and girls.

Young girls receive less education than boys in poorer countries and this situation worsens in areas of conflict and crisis. There is documented confirmation that education of girls raises their self-esteem and leads to better outcomes for their lives, in the form of later marriages, later child bearing, healthier children and more personal prosperity and community prosperity.

I would like to see our prime minister pursue a declaration to educate girls in crisis at the G7, backed up by suitable funding to agencies in the field.

Ivor Green, Calgary
The fairy tale that best fits this Ontario election: Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

The voters, playing the role of Goldilocks, find the Liberal porridge has grown cold and, for many, Doug Fords Conservative bowl a trifle hot. That leaves Andrea Horwath and the NDP an opportunity: to serve porridge that is exactly right temperature for the times.

I wrote in this space a few weeks ago that Horwath might well be the exception to the rule that you never get a second chance to make a good impression.

Despite two previous unsuccessful election campaigns, this time Horwath has done a commendable job of reintroducing herself, of focusing on families and the affordability of everyday life  two things that matter greatly to many voters.

In so doing, she has positioned the NDP as a safe place for those alienated from the Liberals but unsure  or too sure in negative ways  about Ford. That perception was reinforced in the televised leaders debates earlier this month, where, at times, she left Ford and Kathleen Wynne flailing at one another as she serenely looked on.

Horwath also stands to benefit from the key policy areas where Liberal and NDP ideology either intersect or align: free child care, the $15 minimum wage and pharmacare are all mainstays of the traditional NDP liturgy now embraced by the Liberals.

Put another way, she will give you benefits of popular Liberal policies without actually having to vote Liberal. And so, with relatively little difference between party platforms, party leadership becomes critical.

And thats space where Horwath stands to gain ground. Fairly or otherwise, Wynne has endured a reputational drubbing not only during her time in office, but from a laser-focused Ford. The result? Horwath has been left largely unscathed.

Then, theres the reality that Ford has trust issues of his own with many voters beyond the bastions of rural and 905 ridings. Ontarians have historically been skittish about Tories who veer too far off the centre.

Read more:

Here are the four candidates wanting to be Ontarios next premier, and what theyre promising

NDP will block gas-price gouging on long weekends, Horwath says

Opinion | Martin Regg Cohn: NDPs Andrea Horwath is selling hope but banking on Liberal hopelessness

Successful conservative leaders like Mike Harris understood this. He packaged his policies as common sense, a successful attempt to soften the public perception of their hard edge.

After veering toward the centre in her last election campaign, Horwaths return to the ancestral home of the left may also be rewarded. The recent endorsement of Ontarios powerful elementary school teachers union, despite the considerable financial accommodations it received from the Liberal government, is a direct message as much as a broader indicator.

Time also works in Horwaths favour. Bob Raes controversial tenure as Ontarios only NDP premier  so far  has either faded from public memory or gained enough of a sepia tinge that it is no longer viewed as something to be forever avoided. More than 20 years later, revisionist factions have had sufficient time to reassess his legacy and cast it in a more flattering light.

The similarities to the past are hard to overlook.

In 2018, we have  as when Rae shot to power  an incumbent Liberal party widely perceived as arrogant, expensive and out of touch. We have an untested Tory leader who brings a persona and platform that makes many voters feel uneasy. And, at the same time, provincial voters are expressing a strong desire for change.

But, so too, the deviations from the past are equally hard to overlook.

No matter how valiantly he tried to demonstrate his populist sympathies, Rae was never quite able to overcome the fact he was a privileged child of distinguished diplomats, a Rhodes scholar and an incandescent intellect.

Horwath, by contrast, is a more traditional NDP leader. She has working-class roots in Hamilton. Shes a single mom. Shes cultivated the I am one of you persona better this time out. It is also more true of her than Ford who, despite his talk of rejecting elites, certainly is one when expressed in terms of family wealth.

For those tired of the Liberals, but uncertain of or unsupportive of the Ford-led Tories, the leader who seems like a good neighbour offering a just right bowl of porridge may be, after all, a very appealing prospect.

Correction - May 29, 2018: This article was edited from a previous version that mistakenly said it has been over 30 years since Bob Raes tenure as Ontario premier. In fact, it has been over 20 years since Rae was the premier. He was premier from 1990 to 1995.

Jaime Watt is the executive chairman of Navigator Ltd. and a Conservative strategist. He is a freelance contributor for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @jaimewatt

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VANCOUVERBefore heading out on summer adventures, the province is urging people to check the nooks and crannies of their trucks and trailers for bats that may be hiding away.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy is asking people to check before they accidentally take bats on a ride across the province, which could spread white nose syndrome, a disease that is deadly to bat populations.

It isn't out of the ordinary to find bats hidden in vehicles, said Orville Dyer, small mammal specialist and acting white nose syndrome response coordinator.

Theres a fair amount of documentation about bats that do get moved around, he said. They can be found hidden in cars and trucks, in the awning of vehicles ... and in attics, under shingles, even in rolled up patio umbrellas.

Preventing the spread of white nose syndrome is essential because while it is harmless to humans, it can have devastating impacts on bat populations. The disease resulted in the death of millions of bats in the eastern region of North America, and was found for the first time on the West Coast in Washington state two years ago. The ministry is trying to stop the spread of the disease into B.C.

While it is sometimes difficult to tell with the naked eye if a bat is infected with white nose syndrome, a study published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases found that bats with the disease gave off an orange-yellow glow from their wings when put under UV light.

However, Dyer warns that this method should not be attempted at home.

The Ministry of the Environment is asking the public to contact the B.C. Community Bat Program, which has a number of offices throughout the province, if they spot a stow-away bat. They warn the public not to use bare hands when removing bats from vehicles or homes, but to wear thick gloves.

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VANCOUVERAs the city gets ready to elect a new mayor this fall, some Vancouverites are working to make sure that everyone can make it to the polls.

Disability advocates and city staff are working together to improve accessibility in voting, considering the many barriers that exist in registering to vote and getting out to the polls.

What kind of assistance are people going to get at the polls? Is it going to be an accessible space they can get into? asks Cathy Browne, co-chair of the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee, a volunteer-run group that works with the city to improve accessibility.

The committee has put forward a number of recommendations to the city, including setting up designated accessible polls which arent in places that have barriers such as stairs, as well as hiring disabled election staff. Browne also said disability must also be considered in the lead-up to the election as candidates announce their platforms.

We have recommended ASL interpretation for all candidates, said Browne.

Paul Hendren, election outreach lead at the city of Vancouver, said the city has been consulting with disability groups to find better solutions. They will be introducing a number of new initiatives this year to help eliminate barriers to voting.

We are working on a version of voter guide that is larger print, and an audio version of the voter guide for people with sight impairments which will be online, said Hendren. We are also working on having a priority line for persons with disabilities and seniors.

Hendren said the voter guides will likely be out in early October. The city will also be expanding mobile voting program so it can go to shelters and social service drop-in centres, and continue to have mail-in ballots as well as curbside voting, where people who drive can have election staff come out and help them fill out the ballot from the car.

In the last provincial election, Browne was part of a pilot program to allow people with visual impairment to vote over the phone. While it ran smoothly, there are no plans to expand it to the municipal elections yet. Browne said telephone voting, as well as voting online, are all important measures to ensure people who cant travel outside their homes can vote.

We have to bring the election to people who cant get there. Many people are isolated and cannot get out of their homes, she said.

The city will be making extra efforts to connect with people in the run up to the October election.

We will be going out to community event and festivals in the summer, to connect with groups that have higher barriers to voting, said Hendren.

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Yet again a dress has sparked a furious debate over cultural appropriation in the US, this time after a high school graduate wore qipao, a Chinese-style dress, to her prom. Twitter-user Jeremy Lam set off the current debate with a tweeted comment after seeing a photo taken at the prom: My culture is NOT your goddamn prom dress. Last year it was Karlie Kloss wearing a kimono for a Vogue cover. Only in America.

The responses to Lams tweet have included ethnic slurring, calls for tolerance, sympathy for Lam as the oppressed minority, sympathy for the girl in the prom dress, and claims and counter-claims about the status and meaning of the dress in question, the qipao (pronounced chee-pow). Is it a sacred garment as some have claimed, or, as the girl in the photo responded, is it just a f***ing dress?

With thousands of young Chinese-Americans attending high school proms each year, this is unlikely to have been the first time a qipao has served as a prom dress. The problem for Lam and his many likers is that in the tweeted photo of a prom in Utah last week, the girl wearing the red embroidered qipao is white. Her name is Keziah Daum and she joins venerable company. Among famous qipao-wearers of the Western world are Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Nicole Kidman and Anne Hathaway.

In the course of this brouhaha, some odd statements have been made about the qipao. Lam himself bizarrely describes its origins as lying in a shapeless garment made for Chinese women to wear when they were doing housework. In its more shapely final form, he advises, it was a symbol of activism and an expression of gender equality.

Amy Qin was not much closer to the mark when she wrote in The New York Times: In its original form, the dress was worn in a baggy style, mostly by upper-class women in the Qing dynasty, which ruled China for more than 250 years, until 1912.

There is indeed a view that the qipao (literally banner gown) directly evolved from the clothing worn by women of the Qing ruling class, the Manchus, or Banner people. But the relationship is tenuous.

The origins of the dress

The word qipao did not make an appearance until the 20th century and was one of a number of words used to refer to the garment. Among those, the most familiar in the English-speaking world is the Cantonese cheongsam (literally long garment). Like many other signs of Cantonese culture in the greater Chinese diaspora, this one is gradually being buried under the weight of Mandarin usage, but it is a reminder that there is more than one way of talking about things in Chinese, and more than one set of attitudes.

It was in Shanghai that the qipao took definitive shape. A browse through fashion features in the Chinese press in the 1920s reveals a mix of elements in various novel designs before the familiar dress appeared. The familiar, figure-hugging dress with its mandarin collar and long side splits finally emerges in the late 1920s. Its status was cemented when the newly established Nationalist government recognised it as formal dress in 1928.

In the longer term, the dress has proved to have an ambivalent position in the Chinese cultural landscape. Historically it was more likely to be worn by a call girl than by an activist. During the Mao years it faded from popularity before disappearing altogether, having become a symbol of bourgeois decadence. In China today it is often worn by the bride to her wedding banquet, but is perhaps most commonly used as a uniform for female staff in stores and big hotels.

As long as champions of the qipao are calling for the importance of understanding its history before putting it on (and Lam does just this), its complex design origins and historical social status are relevant to the debate.

Questions of identity

New and revised values can certainly be attached to cultural objects and from this perspective the debate itself is more interesting than its subject. The twittering started in America, but soon enough embroiled mainland Chinese, Hong Kongers, Taiwanese and Singaporeans. Faultlines emerged between people in these various categories. One mainland Chinese person tweeted, qipao is not a Chinese traditional dress at all. I cant stand these Americans calling it sacred to the Chinese culture. What are you talking about lol.

The Chinese-Americans have proved themselves not all daunted. They have all studied Identity 101: Its an asian-american thing, tweeted Roses-are-red,  because were specifically taught that we gotta hide our chinese identity and assimilate to white culture and then some white chick with a shallow appreciation of chinese culture gets to wear a qipao and suddenly its ~cool and quirky~

Such visceral reactions from both sides suggest that Chinese-white relations constitute only one of many factors shaping attitudes to Chinese culture in the USA. Chinese migration from the mainland is remaking what it means to be Chinese-American. This latest debate is a sure sign that the process is creating anxieties for many.

Antonia Finnane, Professor of Chinese History, University of Melbourne

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
China will ramp up its purchase of US goods to reduce its massive trade imbalance with the United States, the two countries said in a joint statement at the conclusion of the latest round of high-level trade talks between them.

The two sides also agreed on "meaningful increases" in United States agriculture and energy exports.

The US will send a team to China to work out the details, the joint statement at the conclusion of the trade delegation level talks between the two countries on May 17 and 18, stated.

"There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the United States trade deficit in goods with China. To meet the growing consumption needs of the Chinese people and the need for high-quality economic development, China will significantly increase purchases of United States goods and services," the joint statement said.

This will help support growth and employment in the United States, it said.

The United States delegation included Secretary of the Treasury Steven T Mnuchin, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross, and United States Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer. The Chinese delegation was led by State Council Vice Premier Liu He, Special Envoy of President Xi.

The delegations also discussed expanding trade in manufactured goods and services. There was consensus on the need to create favourable conditions to increase trade in these areas.

"Both sides attach paramount importance to intellectual property protections, and agreed to strengthen cooperation. China will advance relevant amendments to its laws and regulations in this area, including the Patent Law," the joint statement said.

The two trade delegations agreed to encourage two-way investment and to strive to create a fair, level playing field for competition.

"Both sides agreed to continue to engage at high levels on these issues and to seek to resolve their economic and trade concerns in a proactive manner," said the joint statement.

The opposition Democratic Party criticised the Trump Administration for "having failed to make much progress in trade disputes with China".

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the trade agreement had a glaring hole in lack of a "specific agreement" on protecting America's intellectual property in China.

" The key to a strong agreement is protecting our intellectual property here in America and stopping the Chinese from keeping out our best goods until we hand over our trade secrets and know how in such things as required joint ventures," Schumer said, adding that the the joint statement lacked anything specific on those fronts. "Furthermore, there is no mention of ZTE. If the administration capitulates on ZTE and allows it to continue to exist, even if they are fined - they've been fined once already - that will signal to President Xi that we are weak negotiators," Schumer alleged.

Last month, the US Commerce Department moved to block the ZTE Corp., a major supplier of telecoms networks and smartphones based in China, from importing American components for seven years, accusing it of misleading American regulators after the company settled charges of violating sanctions against North Korea and Iran.

In a surprising move, President Trump said he would help the Chinese telecommunications company get "back into business.

In a news report 'The Wall Street Journal' said the Trump administration failed to get China to accept its demand for a USD 200 billion cut in the US bilateral trade deficit.

"Chinese officials resisted committing to any specific targets after two days of contentious negotiation," the US daily said.
The adage that failures can teach many lessons seems quite...
Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda won the Palme d'Or at Cannes on Saturday for Shoplifters, a critically acclaimed family drama with unguessable plot twists.

The award, to a director who has won prizes at the festival before, defied speculation that the Palme might go to a female director, with three strong contenders in a year when the Hollywood sex scandal was the talk of the town.

Italian actress Asia Argento, who has accused movie mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault, said there were abusers in the audience who had yet to be outed.

Argento said Weinstein raped her during the Cannes festival in 1997 when she was 21. "This festival was his hunting ground," Argento said in a speech ahead of the prize-giving.

Weinstein has denied allegations of non-consensual sex, and a lawyer representing him said that Argento's claims were completely false. Argentos London-based agent, Steve Kenis, was not immediately available to provide further details.

"Even tonight, sitting among you, there are those who still have to be held accountable for their conduct against women," Argento told the black-tie ceremony.

"You know who you are, but, most importantly, we know who you are, and we are not going to allow you to get away with it any longer," she ended her speech, to applause.

Weinstein's attorney in Italy, Filomena Cusano, said the allegations by Argento were completely false, and that Argento and Weinstein had had a consensual relationship.

"This is clearly a painful time for Ms Argento, but it is a false narrative," Cusano said in a statement. "Mr. Weinstein only wishes Ms Argento well."

Italian actress Asia Argen | AFP

After the ceremony, Cate Blanchett who headed the jury of five women and four men, said: "Women and men alike on the jury would love to see more female directorial voices represented," adding that it had been "bloody hard" to select a winner.

"But in the end I think we were completely bowled over by how intermeshed the performances were with the directorial vision," she said of "Shoplifters".

The runner-up prize, the Grand Prix, went to Spike Lees satire BlacKkKlansman, based on the true story of a black police officer who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s.

Blanchett said the film's ending, with footage of the far-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia last August and President Donald Trump blaming "both sides" for the deadly violence, "blew us out of the cinema".

A female director, Nadine Labaki from Lebanon, won the Jury Prizeeffectively the bronze medalfor Capharnaum, a realist drama about childhood neglect in the slums of Beirut.

Fifty years after he helped get the Cannes festival cancelled in 1968 in solidarity with worker-student protests, 87-year-old Jean-Luc Godard received a Special Palme d'Or for his collage of sounds and images, The Image Book.

Polands Pawel Pawlikowski won Best Director for "Cold War, a romance that moves from the peasant farms of Poland to Paris jazz clubs and back from the 1940s to the 1960s.

Girl, a Belgian drama about a transgender teenage girls quest to become a ballerina, won the Camera d'Or for the best directorial debut for director Lukas Dhont.

Jafar Panahi, the Iranian director who is prevented from leaving Iran and is in theory banned from making films, won Best Screenplay for 3 Faces along with co-writer Nader Saeivar.

The award was given jointly to another film, Happy As Lazzaro, written and directed by Italian Alice Rohrwacher.

Reuters
With the election process in Karnataka coming to a close, Telangana would be one of the focus states for BJP and the party was gearing up for the polls in 2019, state BJP president K. Laxman has said.

Legislative Assembly polls in Telangana would be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections in 2019.

"Recently, a meeting was held in Delhi under the leadership of president Amit Shah ji. He focused on Telangana. He clearly told that now elections are over in the states which are bound to take place. Now, the focus will be on Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa," he said.

Shah is likely to visit Telangana next month to assess the political situation and plan for the elections, he said.

Laxman said the BJP is organisationally strong in the state and that it will adopt the model of constituting 'Panna Pramukhs' at polling booth level to strengthen itself in the state.

'Panna Pramukhs' is a successful model followed by the BJP in different states in which the incharge of a 'Panna' (literal meaning page) reaches out to the voters' families who are part of his list.

"As far as 'Panna Pramukhs' are concerned, out of 119 assembly constituencies, nearly 40-50 assemblies the 'Panna Pramukh' exercise is over. Rest of the assemblies also, we will finish within one or two months...," he said.

The party is taking other steps as well to boost its organisational strength in the state.

BJP would go to the people highlighting the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government, the funds given by Centre to Telangana in areas like highways, railway projects, Ujwala (free gas connections scheme), he said.

It would also highlight the alleged failure of TRS government in Telangana to keep its promises, including employment generation, providing two bedroom houses to poor and distribution of three acres of land to Dalits, he added.

The BJP leader said the party would come out with a clear manifesto for various sections, including SCs, backward classes and youth after holding discussions with all sections of society in the state.

BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav, Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Bihar Minister Mangal Pandey have been given charge of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana and they would visit the state, he noted.

At the time of elections, the party's central leadership would focus on the states where it is not in power as the respective Chief Ministers would lead the party in states where it is in power, he added.

The three-day-old BJP government in Karnataka had collapsed on Sunday, minutes before the scheduled trust vote, with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa resigning in a tame anticlimax to what promised to be on the edge of seat political thriller.
The Congress on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the BJP for allegedly attempting horse-trading in Karnataka and demanded that Prime Minster Narendra Modi order a probe into efforts made by his party leaders to bribe and induce Congress and JD(S) legislators ahead of Saturday's trust vote.

"We hope the prime minister will order an investigation into the naked dance of corruption which his party MLAs were indulging in...The prime minister should prove his commitment to fighting corruption by launching an investigation into those MLAs who openly called Congress and JD(S) MLAs and offered bribes with an intention to break the rock solid coalition of the Congress and the JD(S)," Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill told reporters in New Delhi.

The opposition attack came a day B.S. Yeddyurappa stepped down as the Karnataka chief minister without facing a Supreme Court-mandated trust vote.

According to Shergill, the Congress would work with its partners as had been earlier said by party president Rahul Gandhi to stitch a coalition to make the "Central government free from BJP" and free from hate politics.

"The truth is in 2014, a slogan in India was 'ghar ghar Modi'. In 2019, the Congress will ensure it is 'bye bye Modi'. Today, we are making friends and NDA is making enemies," he said.

Claiming that the government had looted the country of Rs 10 lakh crore by raising excise duty on diesel and petrol, Shergill said the "loot" was used to poach MLAs in Karnataka.

"The petrol taxes are ultimately going into a bottomless pit, a bottomless well called BJP to fund their operations to hijack governments, topple democracy and crush democracy," he alleged.

Shergill also took a dig at the Union government over the spiralling prices of petroleum products, saying the benefit that the government extended to the people by not raising the prices during the Karnataka elections, should be extended throughout the year so that people get "all year-round relief from it".

"If the prime minister can put a control on the escalation of fuel prices for self-interest, for the sake of polls in Karnataka, why can't he control the fuel prices all year around for the sake of public interest. That means fuel prices is only an election tool for the prime minister," he said.

Referring to the bridge collapse tragedy in Varanasi which claimed 18 lives, he said the prime minister not going to his constituency to express his solidarity showed he was not bothered about incidents which did not give him electoral benefits.

"Modi is not the real son of Varanasi. He is a heartless, stepson of Varanasi who forgot his own people when they needed him the most. He could be part of the wedding celebration of former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif but could not go to Varanasi," the Congress leaders said.
JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, who is all set to take over as Karnataka chief minister, on Sunday dismissed reports about his party working out a power sharing formula of heading the government for 30 months each, with its coalition partner the Congress.

"No such talks have taken place," he told reporters in Bengaluru when asked about reports on power-sharing formula of 30 months each being worked out with the Congress, with whom JD(S) has stitched up a post-poll alliance after the May 12 assembly elections delivered a fractured mandate.

There were reports in a section of the media about both parties heading the government for 30 months each on rotation, similar to the 20:20 months power sharing agreement in 2006 with the BJP.

Kumaraswamy had headed the BJP-JD(S) coalition government for 20 months from January 2006, under a power sharing agreement of leading the coalition for 20 months each.

The JD(S) had then reneged on its commitment to share the power for the remaining 20 months with the BJP and refused to hand over the mantle to B.S. Yeddyurappa, causing the collapse of the government.

In the following elections in 2008, BJP had stormed to power on its own with Yedyurappa as chief minister of the first ever saffron party government in the South.

On reports about parleys with Congress leaders regarding elections in Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Jayanagar assembly constituencies in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy described it as "bogus".

"It is bogus news...No such discussions have taken place. Wining Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Jayanagara is a necessity. Till now, no such discussions have happened," he said.

While polling was deferred in Rajarajeshwari Nagar over allegations of electoral malpractice,election to the Jayanagar seat was countermanded following the death of the BJP candidate.

In the assembly elections, BJP had emerged as the single largest party with 104 seats, but fell short of a majority.

Yeddyurappa had formed the government, but not being able to make up for the shortfall, he lost the numbers gained and resigned as chief minister without facing the trust vote in the assembly on Saturday.

The Congress JD(S) combine with a claimed strength of 117 with the support of others has been invited by Governor Vajubhai Vala to form the government, giving Kumaraswamy a 15 day window to prove his majority on the floor of the assembly.

Kumaraswamy met the party legislators who are still camped at a hotel in the city to insulate them from alleged poaching attempt by the BJP.

He said he has left the choice to the legislators to decide on staying in the hotel.

The JD(S) leader will meet Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Monday to discuss the modalities of government formation and invite them for the swearing in ceremony on May 23.

Kumaraswamy later left for Tamil Nadu for a temple visit.
With the fall of BJP's three-day-old government in Karnataka, H.D. Kumaraswamy heading the Congress-JD(S) coalition is set to become the chief minister for a second time on May 23.

The swearing in ceremony is expected to be a show of opposition unity with leaders of several non-NDA parties are expected to attend the function. Kumaraswamy on Saturday said he will personally invite Congress president Rahul Gandhi to the function.

The JD(S) leader also said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, BSP chief Mayawati, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao and several other regional leaders would be invited for the swearing-in ceremony.

Mamata Banerjee has been campaigning in the national level to form an anti-BJP coalition to take on the Narendra Modi government in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The Trinamool Congress chief was among the first to congratulate JD(S) and Congress on coming together to keep the saffron party out of power in Karnataka.

"Democracy wins. Congratulations Karnataka. Congratulations DeveGowda Ji, Kumaraswamy Ji, Congress and others. Victory of the 'regional' front," she wrote on Twitter immediately after Yeddyurappa resigned without facing the trust vote.

BSP and SP, once arch-rivals in Uttar Pradesh, had recently joined hands to take on the BJP in the state. BSP, which which was roped in by the JD(S) as part of its V-O-D-KA (Vokkaliga, dalit and Kannada) strategy, could win only one seat in the elections in Karnataka.

Chandrababu Naidu, has been vocal against the Modi government, ever since his TDP pulled out of the NDA over the Andhra special status issue. "This is a victory of democracy. As a chief minister and as someone who believes in democracy, I am welcoming this. Everyone in the country will be happy about this development," Naidu said reacting to the latest developments in Karnataka.

On Saturday, Governor Vajubhai Vala invited Kumaraswamy, the leader of Congress-JD(S) joint legislature party, to form the government.

Talking to reporters after meeting Vala, Kumaraswamy said the Governor has directed him to prove the majority on the floor of the House in 15 days but he would do it much before.

The JD(S) leader had earlier said the swearing-in ceremony would take place tentatively between 12 and 1.50 pm at Kanteerava stadium on May 21. However, he later in the evening said the swearing-in would be held on May 23 as May 21 happens to be the death anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, and therefore it would not be appropriate to hold the ceremony on that date. Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, in 1991.

After a meeting with Congress leaders, Kumaraswamy said they also discussed about moving the confidence of motion on May 24.

Kumaraswamy's meeting with the Governor came hours after B.S. Yeddyurappa stepped down as chief minister without facing the floor test in the assembly as the BJP fell short of numbers.

The post-election stitched alliance of JD(S) and Congress, which claims the support of 117 members, has already staked its claim to form the government and said it would be headed by Kumaraswamy.

The third son of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda had earlier headed the BJP-JD(S) coalition government for twenty months from January 2006.

Out of the 222 seats to which elections were held, BJP bagged 104 seats to emerge as the single largest party. Congress was reduced to 78 seats while the JD(S) won 37 constituencies.

With inputs from PTI
One man was murdered and another was taken in critical condition after a mob of villagers attacked a group for allegedly slaughtering cattle in Madhya Pradesh's Satna, reported The Indian Express. Riaz (45) was killed and Shakeel (33) was taken in a critical condition, while four of their accomplices escaped. According to the report, the group first came to the attention of two villagers who noticed them with the dead cattle. Meat of slaughtered bull was found near the area.

The state is the third-largest milk producer in the country. Earlier, over 2.5 lakh milch animals like cows and buffaloes in the state were branded with a special 12-digit unique identification number (UID), almost like Aadhaar for citizens. The database of animals with their age, breed, lactation information, height, colour, horn type, tail switch and special marks will be set up, in a move that is ostensibly claimed to help increase milk production.


Mumbai jeweller Birju Kishore Salla, responsible for a hijack scare at a Jet Airways flight last year, has become the first man to be put on the no-fly list. The first of its kind in India, the no-fly list will have two componentspassengers banned for period varying from three months to more than two years based on level of unruly behaviour; and those persons perceived as national security risk by ministry of home affairs.

In September 2017, a Mumbai-Delhi Jet Airways flight was forced to make an emergency landing at the Ahmedabad airport on Sunday after a note stating that there were hijackers and a bomb on board was found in the washroom. The note was reportedly placed there by Salla.

Flight 9W 339, which had taken off from Mumbai at 2.55am with 115 passengers and seven crew members, landed without incident at Ahmedabad around 3.45am. The printed note, in Urdu and English, said the flight had 12 hijackers on board and a bomb in the cargo area and should be flown straight to PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir). The bomb disposal squad and the local police conducted a thorough search but found no explosive substance.
Five Chhattisgarh police personnel were killed and two others injured when Naxals blew up their vehicle with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, police said.

DIG (Dantewada Range) Ratan Lal Dangi said the Naxals triggered the blast between Cholnar and Kirandul villages when a joint team of the Chhattisagarh Armed Force and the District Force, in an SUV, was escorting a vehicle carrying material for road construction work.

"Three personnel belonging to the CAF and two of the district force were killed in the IED blast while two others sustained injuries," the official said.

The ultras also looted the weapons of the police personnel, he said, adding that reinforcement was rushed to the spot soon after the incident.

Road construction work is underway between Kirandul and Palnar villages in Dantewada.

Further details are awaited.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed hope that his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin would further strengthen the "special and privileged" strategic partnership between India and Russia.

In a series of tweets first in Russian and then in English on the eve of his visit to Russia, he said, "Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia."

"Greetings to the friendly people of Russia. I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him," Modi said in another tweet.

The two leaders will primarily focus on pressing global and regional issues, including impact of the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, during their informal summit in Russian city of Sochi on Monday.

Official sources have said the two leaders will meet for four to six hours for the "agendaless" talks where deliberations on bilateral issues are likely to be very limited.

They said the issues on the table may include economic impact on India and Russia in the wake of the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, situation in Afghanistan and Syria, threat of terrorism, and matters relating to the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS summits.

The sources said the possible impact of the US sanctions against Russia under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) on Indo-Russia defence cooperation might also figure during the talks between Modi and Putin.

India is not going to allow its defence engagement with Russia to be dictated by any other country, the sources have said, adding New Delhi has been lobbying with the Trump administration on the issue.

The aim of the informal summit is to use the friendship and trust between the two countries to create convergence on key global and regional issues, the sources said.

The two leaders may also deliberate on extending Indo-Russia civil nuclear cooperation to third countries, possible areas for cooperation for the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project, India's engagement with five-nation Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the situation in the Korean peninsula.

The sources said the large part of the informal meeting between Modi and Putin would be one-to-one and there might be limited segment for restricted delegation-level discussions.
Reminding Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his pre-poll promise to implement the "Gujarat model" in Uttar Pradesh, state minister Om Prakash Rajbhar on Sunday said he should ban liquor in UP to open new avenues for development.

"During his election meetings in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi had promised to implement the Gujarat model in the state. I remind him of his promise and request him to ban liquor in the state to open new avenues for development," Rajbhar said, addressing a women's conference organised by his Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP).

No party had raised the issue of banning liquor in the state, the minister said, and urged the women not to vote for those who distributed liquor ahead of elections.

The SBSP, an ally of the BJP, has four MLAs in the Uttar Pradesh assembly and party chief Rajbhar is a cabinet minister in the Yogi Adityanath government.

Denying reports that he had some differences with the chief minister, Rajbhar said, "He is my captain and I follow his directions."

On SP, BSP and Congress coming closer to form an alliance, he said, "They used to loot the people separately, now they are planning to do the same unitedly. The people will reject them and make Modi the prime minister again."
Aetna Inc. operates as a health care benefits company in the United States. It operates through three segments: Health Care, Group Insurance, and Large Case Pensions. The Health Care segment offers medical, pharmacy benefit management service, dental, behavioral health, and vision plans on an insured and employer-funded basis. It also provides point-of-service, preferred provider organization, health maintenance organization, and indemnity benefit plans, as well as health savings accounts and consumer-directed health plans. In addition, this segment offers Medicare and Medicaid products and services, as well as other medical products, such as medical management and data analytics services, medical stop loss insurance, workers' compensation administrative services, and products that provide access to its provider networks in select geographies. The Group Insurance segment offers life insurance products, including group term life insurance, voluntary spouse and dependent term life insurance, group universal life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance; disability insurance products; and long-term care insurance products, which provide the benefits to cover the cost of care in private home settings, adult day care, assisted living, or nursing facilities. The Large Case Pensions segment manages various retirement products comprising pension and annuity products primarily for tax-qualified pension plans. The company provides its products and services to employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups, and expatriates. Aetna Inc. was founded in 1853 and is based in Hartford, Connecticut.

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Buoyed by higher revenue, a strong economy and changes to the tax code, small business owners looking to sell their companies in the Capital Region are boosting their asking prices.

BizBuySell, an online marketplace that lists businesses for sale, recorded 83 active local listings in the first quarter of 2018. While the number of businesses for sale was down 36 percent compared to the same period last year, the median asking price jumped 77 percent. A quarter of the businesses were listed for upwards of $1 million.

The site also tracked five closed transactions in the area during the quarter, ranging from a food wholesaler than sold for the full asking price of $8.7 million to a truck route that went for $729,000, or 95 percent of the asking price. Among the five transactions, the median sale price was $1.2 million, or 94 percent of the asking price on average.b

Year-over-year figures are a better indicator than quarterly data because of the time it takes to close a transaction and the combination of numbers from all quarters, said senior marketing director Adam Debussy. The figures also point to a strong market: 13 transactions closed in the Capital Region in 2017, up from nine the year before. Among those transactions, the median sale price jumped 12 percent and sellers' median business revenue rose a whopping 107 percent.

Businesses owners got an average of 91 percent of their asking price in 2016 and 97 percent in 2017.

Local businesses owners are asking for more in part because their companies are bringing in more, Debussy said. Median revenue was up 46 percent in the first quarter compared to the same stretch last year.

"Businesses are performing really well," he said.

Bill Brigham, director of the Small Business Development Center at the University at Albany, said he's noticed a spike in the number of people interested in buying a small business. The center offers classes, counseling, mentoring and other services for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

"We've seen a great deal of small businesses being bought," he said. "Volume has definitely increased."

Small companies in the Capital Region are also expanding, he said.

Along with higher revenue, Debussy pointed to business owners' confidence in a strong economy and tax reform as factors affecting sales locally and nationally. According to a recent BizBuySell poll, 72 percent of business owners "believe financials will continue to rise" this year, and tax changes seem to be a major factor. More than 48 percent think tax reform will help small businesses. Among those benefiting from the changes, 60 percent plan to hire more employees this year and 57 percent plan to raise wages.

"It's a thriving market," Debussy said.

Brigham cited confidence among consumers and future business owners.

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"Entrepreneurs are confident too," he said.

Research by the National Federation of Independent Business, which represents small businesses in the U.S., mirrors these findings. A survey by the group found that 76 percent of small business owners "believe the current business climate is heading in a positive direction." Three-fourths think tax reform will have a positive effect on their business.

"Small business owners across the country are expressing optimism about the future of their companies and are enthusiastic about the tax law," Brad Close, NFIB's senior vice president of public policy, said in a statement. "The Section 199A pass-through deduction is proving to be a major factor. As small business owners learn more about the provision, we expect optimism and growth to increase further."

But Suzanne Stoltenberg, a NFIB spokeswoman for the northeast, said there are still many issues facing small businesses in New York. Many small businesses are already operating on a slim profit margin, and labor mandates like the state paid family leave program and minimum wage increase stretch their finances even more, she said. Stoltenberg also cited high taxes.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is "pushing the limits on labor mandates" and "has really gone to extremes," which is hurting small business owners, she said.

"Just think about what it could be like if they were able to take advantage of tax reform," Stoltenberg added. "Their hands are tied with labor mandates. It's unfortunate."

The increase in asking prices in the Capital Region could scare off some buyers, or have the opposite effect.

"If I was a buyer and I had the cash, it would be more enticing because I would feel more comfortable buying a business that's profitable in a good economy," Debussy said.

miszler@timesunion.com  518-454-5018  @madisoniszler
Windsor, England

The son of British royalty and the daughter of middle-class Americans wed Saturday in a service that reflected Prince Harry's royal heritage, Meghan Markle's biracial roots and the pair's shared commitment to putting a more diverse, modern face on the monarchy.

British reserve crisscrossed with American verve in a service that broke molds and created new ones. Choirboys and a gospel choir; the archbishop of Canterbury and the African-American leader of the Episcopal church; a horse-drawn carriage and flowers hand-picked by the groom.

The wedding was a global event, thanks to Harry's status as a senior British royal and Markle's celebrity after starring on the U.S. television series "Suits" for seven years. Yet it seemed somehow so personal  and they both beamed like a couple who couldn't take their eyes off each other.

In a rousing sermon that highlighted a bit of a culture gap between outgoing Americans and reserved Brits, the Most Rev. Michael Curry of the U.S. stirred the congregation from its fairy-tale reverie, quoting Martin Luther King Jr. in a sermon that had some reaching for hankies and others shifting in their chairs.

"There's power in love," Curry said, his voice rising. "Love can help and heal when nothing else can. There's power in love to lift up and liberate when nothing else will."

He also quoted from the Song of Solomon in the Bible: "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it."

Joining the couple were a phalanx of celebrities, many of whom shared their wish to change the world. Oprah Winfrey, Idris Elba, Elton John, George and Amal Clooney, Serena Williams, James Corden and David and Victoria Beckham all watched from rows of seats in the Gothic masterpiece that is St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The British weather was  gasp!  sunny and balmy, bathing the ancient stones of Windsor Castle in a beautiful spring light.

Many in the throng who waited outside also embraced the trans-Atlantic symbolism of the moment. Sheraton Jones, 22, who is from California but studying in Britain, described it as a melding of cultures.

"It was very touching; it's two different cultures kind of coming together. It was just so surreal," she said.

In the United States, this royal wedding was embraced for its diversity and inclusivity.

"This was black history," said Joy Widgeon, who attended a house party in Burlington, New Jersey, with her 6- and 8-year-old daughters. "African-Americans were front and center at the royal wedding. This was the first time, and hopefully it won't be the last. I am here for it."

Harry also invited buddies from his 10 years of military service  which included two tours of duty in Afghanistan  and from many of the charities he supports, which have focused on helping wounded veterans and encouraging a more open discussion of mental health issues.

To kick off the festivities, Queen Elizabeth II honored her red-headed, 33-year-old grandson with a new title: the Duke of Sussex, making the 36-year-old Markle the Duchess of Sussex.

The American actress drew raves for her sleek white silk boat-necked dress by U.K. designer Clare Waight Keller of the French fashion house Givenchy. Her sheer veil  down to her waist in front and billowing for what seemed like miles behind her  carried floral references to all 53 countries in the Commonwealth, countries drawn mostly from the former British Empire, headed by Markle's new grandmother-in-law, the queen.

Caroline Burstein, owner of Browns Bride, a top London bridal boutique, called the bridal gown "a nod to Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and every iconic wedding we have witnessed throughout the 20th and 21st century. It's perfect for her and for the occasion they are celebrating."

The palace said Markle also selected two other plant designs to be on the veil: Wintersweet, which grows at Kensington Palace, where the royal couple will live, and the California poppy, in a nod to the bride's birthplace.

Harry and best man Prince William wore white gloves and the frock coat uniforms of the Blues and Royals army regiment, in which Harry was once an officer. Harry also kept his full red beard  a style decision that had sparked British betting earlier.

Markle at first walked down the aisle with 10 young page boys and bridesmaids, then was accompanied by Prince Charles to the altar.

As his father and bride drew close, Harry said: "Thank you, Pa."

To Markle, Harry said: "You look amazing."

The 92-year-old queen and her 96-year-old husband, Prince Philip, Harry's grandparents, looked on with pride, as did Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, who has spent the last few days getting to know her daughter's new family.

As they emerged from the chapel as a married couple, the two kissed  and the crowd roared. It just kept on cheering as Harry helped his wife fold her 16-foot train into an Ascot Landau carriage for their procession through the streets of Windsor.
American actress Meghan Markle will soon join the ranks of commoners who married into a royal family, much like her soon-to-be sister-in-law, Kate Middleton.

Both women are getting to live the dream of marrying their prince (literally), but not before they got to live a life of their own - outside the constraints of having royal duties.
Albany, N.Y.

I don't want to know his name. I don't want to see his face.

Those were among the thoughts that ran through my head when I heard Friday that there had been yet another school massacre, this time in Texas near Houston.

We don't need to know his name. We don't need to see his face.

But it was not long, of course, before the teenager's name and face were splashed across all of the major television networks and most of the news websites. He was instantly famous, or infamous, which most likely is precisely what he wanted.

This is the way it happens after every school massacre. It's part of the ritual, right alongside the children filmed from helicopters as they exit the school, the distraught parents waiting and worrying at a safe distance from the scene, the grim-faced officers standing at a podium describing the particulars of the latest horror.

We should stop giving the killers what they want. We in the media should refrain from naming them and showing their faces.

That goes against journalistic instinct. We're taught to provide all the facts, to uncover unpleasant truths, to tell what we know as soon as we know it. We think censorship, especially self-censorship, is contrary to what we do.

But there is such a thing as too much information.

Research by Adam Lankford at the University of Alabama and Eric Madfis at the University of Washington suggests that reducing the focus on the personal details of the mass killers could deter future mass shootings. It might, in other words, quell the contagion.

"We have been helping them achieve their goals," Lankford said. "And, unfortunately, the offenders who kill more victims to get more publicity appear to be accurately exploiting predictable patterns in media behavior."

Lankford and Madfis were among the 140 researchers and academics who last year wrote an open letter to the media urging that news outlets not report the images and names of mass killers. Report everything else about the crimes in detail, they said, but don't give the killers the attention they want.

The copycat effect is certainly real. Writing for The New Yorker about mass killers, Malcolm Gladwell found that many continue to emulate the style and methods of the perpetrators of the Columbine school slaughter. The teens there essentially laid out the script for the next generation shooters.

It is a mistake, Gladwell writes, to look at each mass killing independently, because research suggests they are connected. The perpetrator of the next mass killing has seen and absorbed the previous shootings. It's almost as if they are dominoes lined up to fall.

But what if the Columbine killers had never been named? What if they and some of the shooters that followed hadn't been elevated into warped icons for lost and lonely young men? Could the contagion have been quelled?

We will never know, and to be clear, nobody is suggesting that more media discipline alone could end the plague of mass shootings. There's something deeply wrong with our culture when so many young men see infamy as desirable in the first place. That will not be easy to fix.

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Nor is the suggestion that limits on using names and images of killers could or should be absolute. Certainly, there will always be some click-hungry news outlet or another that will capitalize on the public's fascination with the killers. And there are cases, like Gladwell's article, when publishing the names is necessary.

But in most cases, it isn't. And the media landscape is still dominated by a few big players  especially national TV outlets like NBC, CNN and Fox  whose restraint would have a significant impact. At the very least, stop reporting the killers' self-serving Facebook rantings.

This isn't an unfamiliar concept. Many news organizations at times hold back information, such as the names of sexual-assault victims or whistleblowing sources. Most news outlets are also cautious on the reporting of suicides, because research shows that giving them attention can encourage others in fragile emotional states.

Well, research shows much the same about mass shootings. Why not adopt similar standards?

There is hypocrisy in refusing to do so. We in the media, especially those of us on the opinion-spouting side of things, often tell those in power what they should do, and never more so than after a school massacre.

Politician X should do this. Congress must to that. DO SOMETHING, we yell, to stop this unfathomable horror from happening again and again and again, to stop schools from being killing zones, to stop our children from growing up in fear.

More Information Contact columnist Chris Churchill at 518-454-5442 or email cchurchill@timesunion.com See More Collapse

But news outlets have power and responsibility, too. They can do something.

We don't need to know his name. We don't need to see his face.

cchurchill@timesunion.com  518-454-5442  @chris_churchill
New York Army National Guard Sgt. Quentin Davis, a Troy native who now lives in Queens, has earned the New York Army National Guard's top Noncommissioned Officer for 2018 title by winning the Best Warrior competition at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

He also earned a German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, which is one of the few approved foreign awards American service members can wear.

Davis serves as a signal support systems specialist in the Headquarters Company of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry. The category of the Best Warrior includes sergeants, staff sergeants and sergeants first class.

He will compete against soldiers from New England and New Jersey later this spring at the Camp Smith Training Site. The Region One Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition winner then goes on to compete against National Guard soldiers from across the country.

"The competition is both physically and mentally demanding," Davis said. "You see the schedule, and what it entails, and know you have to get up and be ready."

Davis, a graduate of Rensselaer High School, attended Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. He enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 2009. He is a full-time member of the National Guard who has served in the 222nd Military Police Company, in Rochester; the 187th Signal Company in Farmingdale; and the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade in Latham before joining the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry in New York City. He deployed to Qatar in 2013-14.

The Best Warrior competition tests a soldier's physical fitness, military knowledge, marksmanship and military skills. The tasks, specifically designed to mirror what soldiers must do in combat, included urban warfare simulations, a 12-mile forced march, soldier tasks and battle drills, marksmanship and board interviews, physical fitness tests and written exams.

Davis also had the opportunity to compete and earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, thanks to an arrangement with the German Army Liaison Office at the U.S. Military Academy.

The German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge qualification consists of a basic fitness test.

Davis has also earned an Army Commendation Medal, an Army Achievement Medal, a New York Soldier of the Year Award, an Air Assault Badge and the Rams Head Device awarded to soldiers who graduate from Winter Basic Military Mountain School.

Humanitarian efforts honored

New York Army National Guard soldiers from Capital Region communities have earned recognition for their humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in support of missions in areas devastated by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria last year. They received the Humanitarian Service Medal. They include:

Puerto Rico: Spc. Angelo Rosencrans, Wynantskill, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation.

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Sgt. Davon Thomas, Stillwater, Company B (Combat Engineers), 152nd Brigade Engineer Battalion; Sgt. Zachary Gallant, Latham, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation.

Sgt. Jennifer Kumpel, Ballston Spa, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Battalion.

Sgt. John Landon, Clifton Park, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Battalion.

Sgt. Joshua Sanchez, Delmar, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation; Sgt. Jacob Pratt, Brunswick, Company C, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation; Sgt. 1st Class Stephanie Fiebke, Castleton, Company D, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation; Staff Sgt. Thomas Phipps, Latham, Company D, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation; Staff Sgt. William Rhodes, Rotterdam, Company D, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation; Sgt. Brian Bunnell, Hagaman, Company D, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Battalion; Staff Sgt. Paul Rivera, Albany, Company E, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Battalion; 1st Lt. Timothy Anzovino, Troy, Forward Support Company, 204th Engineer Battalion; Lt. Col. Jason Lefton, Niskayuna, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation; Maj. Paul Bailie, Cohoes, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation; Spc. Andrew Clark, Slingerlands, 1156th Engineer Company; Cpl. Francis Morris, Hudson, 1156th Engineer Company; Spc. Mason Fountain from Ballston Lake, 1156th Engineer Company; Spc. Joseph Markham, Philmont, 1156th Engineer Company; Sgt. Justin Baker, Waterford, 152nd Engineer Company; and Spc. Liam Serviss, Loudonville, 204th Engineer Det.

Also, 2nd Lt. Dan Binisan, Latham, 222nd Military Police Company; 1st Lt. Tyler McIntosh, Hadley, 442nd Military Police Company; Cpl. Travis Cornell, Gilboa, 827th Engineer Company; Cpl. Ryan McCrum, Schenectady, 827th Engineer Company; Pfc. Michael Teal, Malta, 827th Engineer Company; Spc. Daniel Goodell, Nassau, 827th Engineer Company; Spc. David Taylor, Schenectady, 827th Engineer Company; and Maj. Frank Quintana, Slingerlands, Joint Force Headquarters.

U.S. Virgin Islands: Spc. K.C. Gosse, Grafton, 206th Military Police Company; Staff Sgt. Matthew Flood, 206th Military Police Company; New York Army National Guard.

News of your troops and units can be sent to Duty Calls, Terry Brown, Times Union, Box 15000, Albany, NY 12212 or brownt@timesunion.com.
MOREAU  State Police responded to the Landmark Motor Inn after someone complained about erratic behavior Saturday, and found a man who was on the run from police in Kentucky.

Police said they responded and interviewed Gene C. Ratcliff at the motel located just off Northway Exit 17N on Route 9. A DMV check showed he was wanted down south on a felony unlawful fleeing and evading police charge.
Ten years ago, no one would be surprised to see Albany County District Attorney David Soares joining two New York City prosecutors in a call for parole reform.

It would have fit right in with the narrative that Soares was a liberal, George Soros-funded Democrat who was nothing like his predecessors in a county and party once controlled by the old- school "Albany Machine."

But 10 years later, Soares is firmly entrenched. When he ran for his fourth term in 2016, there were even rumblings Soares was vulnerable to a Democratic primary from the left (his base) because of the absence of a grand jury indictment in the Dontay Ivy case, among other gripes.

In the end, Soares won re-election easily and survived a quintuple heart bypass that was a major life-altering change.

His next re-election isn't until 2020 but Soares is already making it more difficult for (someone) to primary him.

On Thursday, Soares joined Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez in supporting a statement by Columbia University researchers to call for a change in the way the system handles parole and probation.

The statement noted that in the the last 25 years, parole and probation (referred to as community corrections) caseloads have exceeded 5 million people at their peak -- twice the number of people incarcerated in American prisons and jails.

"Designed originally as an alternative to incarceration, community corrections has become a significant contributor to mass incarceration with nearly as many people entering prison for violations of community corrections conditions as for new offenses, " the statement said.

"Due to this high volume, public resources for community corrections have been stretched, fostering large caseloads and inadequate programming and, in some cases, forcing community corrections agencies to rely on fees from impoverished clients for their very existence."

The statement said "increasingly sophisticated research" shows probation and parole can be responsibly reduced with incentives in which ex-convicts earn time off of probation for exemplary behavior -- if they secure a job, find stable housing, earn a degree.

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"America's leading probation and parole officials and other concerned individuals and organizations, we believe it is possible to both significantly reduce the footprint of probation and parole and improve outcomes and public safety," it said. "Numerous jurisdictions have reduced the number of people on probation and parole and have instead focused supervision on those most in need of it and only for the time period they require supervision without negatively impacting public safety."

The researchers suggested probation and parole be reserved for "only those who truly require supervision," to reduce length of community supervision to accomplish goals of sentencing and eliminating or curtailing fees, among other ideas.

The scores of law enforcement and former law enforcement officials onboard with the statement included former probation commissioners in New York City and Westchester County, the sitting attorney general in Vermont and top prosecutors in Milwaukee, Chicago, San Francisco, Denver, Seattle and western Massachusetts.

And now in Albany, David Soares, who in one move helped himself with his base for 2020.
The new faith was sternly monotheistic, admitting the legitimacy of Judaism and Christianity, but holding that the Jewish tradition had been superseded by the descent of the Quran while Christians had misunderstood the New Testament, distorting it in such a way that they believed Jesus was one element of a triune God. Muslim intensity on this issue led many of the Church Fathers, who encountered Muslims in Syria and Egypt, to believe Islam was not a new religion, but a Christian heresy, specifically the Arian heresy. This was the view of St. John of Damascus, who lived at the court of the Umayyad caliphs.

For Muslims, Muhammad is the last in a long series of prophets that includes the prophets of the Old Testament and Jesus of Nazareth, whom Muslims revere as a messenger of God.

According to Islamic teaching, the angel Gabriel facilitated Muhammads reception of maxims, which when compiled constituted the final revelation from God to a sinful world. This was the Quran, the central Islamic scripture.

Roots . Islam appeared suddenly in the seventh century after the birth of Christ, emerging in a world long ravaged by war between the Christian Byzantine and the Zoroastrian Sassanian Persian empires. These two great powers had fought to a state of mutual exhaustion and were incapable of resisting armies of desert Arabs, who, driven by drought, overpopulation and faith in a new revelation brought to them by Muhammad  a merchant of the city of Mecca  swept north, east and west from the Arabian Peninsula.

"Who are Muslims? What do they believe? Are their ideas and traditions so alien there cannot be reconciliation between them and Christianity? Are they united in their beliefs and attitudes? Are they uniformly and permanently hostile to the West? In the last five years, these have become important questions for us all. Once, the nature and theology of Islam were the concern of Orientalist scholars, but no more.

Religious sciences. Exposure to the intellectual culture of the Hellenistic world and Zoroastrian Persia soon provided philosophical structure and theological support to the new faith. During the first centuries of Islamic presence in the Near East, the religion existed in a great state of flux, driven in various directions by the influence of Greek rationalism and Persian mysticism.

In this period, it appeared for a short time that mainstream Islam would be dominated by scholars  the Mutaziliin  who sought to wed rationalism to Islamic revelation in such a way as to make the faith an endlessly adaptive living system. In much the same period, the mysticism that calls itself Sufi (wooly in Arabic in honor of the habits of its adepts) developed to fulfill the human need for personal experience of the infinite.

Both of these experiments ended in tragedy for their proponents. The power of the majority traditionalists and scriptural literalists eventually proved too much for the Mutaziliin, who were driven from office and honor with much bloodshed and suffering. Today, their teachings survive in a clear form only among the Zeidi Shia (also called Shiite) people of north Yemen.

The mystics met a similar fate in which torture and crucifixion often occurred. Their crime lay in believing that they personally experienced God. For the literal minded, this seemed an obvious impossibility and blasphemy: Man is insignificant and flawed while God is transcendent and perfect. Sufi mysticism continues, with a large number of devotees, but it has survived only because its adherents have accepted the concept that what they experience is not God, but rather his reflection.

Seamless garment. In its unadulterated form, the Islamic faith is essentially medieval in character. It views the world in much the same way the peoples of the West viewed life before the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation and the Council of Trent. It envisions human existence as a seamless garment, in which all the aspects of life are united and viewed through the prism of submission to the will of God. Business, family life, inheritance, personal status, politics and war are all seen as governed by the same attitudes and laws. As a result, Muslims do not readily accept ideas that seek to separate various spheres of human activity.

The separation of church and state, for example, is not a concept readily accepted by pious Muslims, and it is often true that the zealous among them experience little remorse in the application of personal or state retribution against those seen as impious or disrespectful of God and his law. The now infamous fatwa, or religious edict, against the author Salman Rushdie was a good example of this as was the Danish cartoons incident last year. In both cases, death was the remedy suggested by some Islamic authorities.

A religion of law. After the initial age of development and ferment, the Islamic idea system stabilized into the forms that continue to dominate Islamic groups:

Islam became a religion of laymen, a religion without an ordained clergy or hierarchy. Those who are often referred to as such in the West are usually religious scholars; they are scholars of the law, not clergy.

Islam became a religion without sacraments, a religion in which family and life cycle events (like marriage) are governed by rulings and contracts rather than sacramental grace.

Islam became a religion of law, a system in which the formulation of divinely sanctioned law was the primary and defining activity of the religion. Forms of Islam that moved away from this definition of the faith have sometimes been tolerated, but only that.

Due to this emphasis on law, the juridical and scholarly processes to formulate Sharia, or divine law, by any group became central to the life of the Islamic community.

Islamic law is created through the application of tools, known in Arabic as usul fiqh, the roots of law. These tools, which are employed by a virtual army of religious experts, are:

Quran (Quran). For the great majority of Muslims, the Quran is the uncreated word of God, a document that has existed in the mind of God from all eternity in its present language. It is in some sense an aspect of the mind of God. The Qurans usages, admonitions and anathemas, indeed its very language, are sacred. With this status, it is inevitable the Quran should be a primary source for the formulation of law.

Tradition (hadith). These are canonically accepted collections of accounts of the early practice of the Islamic community and of the prophet Muhammad. Typically, a tradition consists of the story of what the community is said to have done and then a description of those who repeated this story from the time of the event until the collection was compiled. Some Islamic groups prefer one collection of hadith while others prefer another. The general word in Arabic for practice is sunna.

Analogy (qiyas). In the first centuries of Islam, it was thought throughout the Islamic world that individuals learned in the Quran and tradition could, through personal effort, arrive at new and unprecedented interpretations of these documents that would create new law. This root of the law was called ijtihad.

As the system matured, however, most Muslim scholars came to believe the possibilities for fruitful original interpretation of scripture and tradition had been exhausted. Ijtihad could no longer be used to find new meaning in the raw materials of revelation.

The use of ijtihad continued within the minority Shia community as the purview of scholars certified as mujtahids or ayatollahs. In the Sunni vision of Islam, however, the gate of ijtihad has been considered closed and unavailable for a thousand years. This was an awkward development; the interpretation of scripture and law in courts lay at the very heart of Islamic life. It is possible, but difficult, to find detailed guidance in specific cases within the canon of Quran and tradition, but the multiplicity of events in daily life, many of which were without precedent in the time of Muhammad, required some help in finding a satisfactory jurisprudential outcome.

Eventually, it was decided that, even if the gate of ijtihad was closed, it was still possible to reason from analogy to previous case law to find a judgment sanctioned by revelation. This feature of Islamic law formulation is called qiyas, or analogy. This tool of the Islamic legal scholar remains central to the process.

Consensus (ijma). Because Islam is a religion of laymen, there are no definitive sources of authority in theology (kalam). Instead, groups form in response to the rulings and teachings of noted or certified scholars. These groups may be of any size or ethnicity. The group accepts the authenticity of the ideas of an individual scholar or that of a school of study and for that group the consensus surrounding the teaching of the group becomes the real Islam. The views of other groups are measured and judged by their similarity or deviation from the accepted consensus.

Consensus groups can be of any size. They can be as numerous as the inhabitants of the Ottoman Empire or as few as the followers of Osama bin Laden. The present consensus among the Islamic Jihadi movement that jihad  the struggle for the faith  necessitates permanent armed struggle against the kuffar, or the unbelievers, is a good example of the way in which consensus over a key issue of law and theology can create a group identity so strong that it excludes all those Muslims who do not share this consensus and defines them as outside Islam and subject to the ultimate sanction of death.

The application of these tools to the formation of Islamic law, and the group identity that grows from consensus among those who believe their particular group to be the custodians of the true Islam, is central to the history and present existence of a great variety of Islamic sects and related communities, some of which are only distantly Islamic in their beliefs.

There are other factors that influence the formation of Islamic states and political groupings. Ethnicity, geography, economics, military rivalries; these are all significant. But in the context of the medieval mindset that tends to cause the Muslim to see all elements as inseparable parts of the same divinely ordained whole, the role of religious consensus is central to identity and often serves as justification for separation and hostility, where the true causes may lie elsewhere.

Without effective central authority and under the pressure of the centrifugal impetus of varying consensus, Islam has tended to evolve in the direction of ever proliferating understandings of the nature of Islam. That process continues and leads to widely differing understandings on the part of Muslims of the nature of Islam and its requirements for salvation.

Some of the groups and their origins (from a Western point of view):

Sunni. This is by far the largest sect in Islam and was the original form of the religion. About 70 percent of all Muslims are Sunni, who live in large numbers from Morocco to Indonesia, from Central Asia to the Indian Ocean.

Sunni Islam is distinguished by its conviction that the roots of law no longer include the possibility of original interpretation of scripture. There are four mutually recognized schools of Sharia within Sunni Islam: Maliki, Shafai, Hanafi and Hanbali. The differences among these schools of law are not thought by Muslims to amount to sectarian divisions, but to something analogous to the corpus of varying case law available to lawyers in different state jurisdictions in the United States. Sunni Muslims who accept these schools are distributed in roughly cohesive geographic areas with a good deal of overlapping.

Adherents of the Maliki school live almost entirely in western North Africa.

Perhaps the oldest school, the Shafai, is found throughout the Islamic world, but is concentrated in the Levant.

The Hanafi school benefits from having been the imperial court faction of the Ottoman Empire. Hanafi adherents are widely distributed throughout the lands of the former empire.

Found in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the Hanbali school differs from the other three in that it recognizes only two roots of the law: the Quran and tradition. This refusal to accept consensus and analogy as bases for case law causes Hanbali courts and Hanbali followers to be prone to severe and inflexible opinions that lead toward the extremism often a characteristic of fundamentalist belief in any religion.

Hanbali teachings and opinion are heavily influenced by the writings of the medieval scholar, Ibn Taymiyya (died 1328), who was in large part the originator of the concept of Salafism. This doctrine looks backward to the early figures of the Islamic community as models for behavior and practice and as a basis for the purification of the faith.

Based on this teaching, the Wahhabi movement was founded in the 18th century in what is now Saudi Arabia. Largely suppressed by Ottoman and Egyptian forces, the movement was revived in the 19th century and became the endorsed form of Islam within the Saudi state. The extremist Jihadi groups inspired by Osama bin Laden are in a direct line of descent from the Wahhabi variant of Salafist Islam as well as other Salafist extremists whose place of origin was in Egypt.

Shia. When the newly converted Muslim armies of desert Arabs conquered Mesopotamia in the seventh century, millions of Persian-speakers  in what is now southern Iraq  were brought under Arab Muslim control. Over an extended period of time, nearly all converted to Islam.

For a century, the Arabs ruled as an occupying army, excluding Persian-speaking Muslims from participation in the list (diwan) of those who received a share in the annual income of the Islamic community. This was thought to be unjust. When a dispute arose among the Muslims regarding the right of succession to the caliphate, the oppressed of southern Iraq predictably chose to support the descendants of Muhammad rather than their oppressors, the Umayyad dynasty of caliphs.

Since Islam embraces the idea of theocracy and the universal unity of belief, it has always been a feature of Islamic history that, an Islamic population who wishes to revolt against an Islamic government, frames its cause in religious terms to make the revolt one in which the rebels are restoring true Islam against sinners and deviants.

This appears to have been the case in the original Shia (also called Shiite) revolt against what is now called the Sunni majority. To this day, Shia populations are quick to think of themselves as an oppressed underclass bullied by the stronger and more numerous Sunnis.

This is often seen as reflecting Shia weakness in the larger Islamic world rather than in particular settings, like Iraq. Given the mechanisms of group formation previously discussed, it should not be surprising that the Shia populations have divided and re-divided themselves many times along fault lines of doctrine and ethnic advantage.

There are now many different Shia or Shia-descended groups, all of which are oriented toward the special status given to those who come directly from the family of the Prophet Muhammad from his offspring. The historical figures in that line of descent are all referred to as Imam, as opposed to the Sunni tradition of naming their leaders Caliph.

Various Shia groups think this line of descent ended after 5 imams (the Zeidis in Yemen), 7 imams (the Ismailis, who live mainly on the Indian subcontinent) or 12 imams (the Imami Shia in Iraq, Lebanon and Iran). In some cases they believe the last of the line has been hidden from the world for centuries waiting for the time of return in glory to judge the living and the dead. There is a widely held belief in Islam (both Sunni and Shia) that a messiah (mahdi) will come to assure the ultimate triumph of Islam. This notion of the messiah is often conflated with that of the Hidden (12th) Imam in such a way that one man is expected to be both. In the Shia tradition, it is thought the messiah/Hidden Imam will return with Jesus of Nazareth and that together they will judge the world.

Sufis. For many humans, law and obedience to law is not enough solace in dealing with the daily travail of life. For many Muslims, the traditional Islamic orientation toward a man/God relationship mediated by religious lawyers has never been enough comfort. In response to this, Muslims developed forms of mysticism that remain enthusiastically supported in most parts of the Islamic world. Islamic mystics of this kind are called Sufis, so named for the woolen habits worn by some of their brothers.

Only the Hanbali/Wahhabi/Salafist tendency in Sunni Islam firmly rejects Sufi mysticism as impertinent blasphemy. For other Muslims, however, Sufism is not an alternative identity, but a special devotion added to their more conventional observances.

There are many orders, or tariqas, among the Sufis. Some, such as the Qaderis and the Naqshbandi, are very old. They all posses a special liturgy, or thikr, and form brotherhoods that are not necessarily the quiet groups sometimes described by their friends in the West. In the 19th century, Sufi brothers fought the Imperial Russian armies for decades, fought the Soviet Army in Afghanistan and continue to fight the Russian Army in Chechnya. There, as in the Balkans, they have made common cause with their Wahhabi adversaries. What the result of that will be, only time will tell.

Ibadhi. This is the prevalent form of Islam in the Sultanate of Oman. Ibadhism is probably descended from the Khariji revolt, which took place shortly after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (632). The Ibadhis do not accept that idea, but, it is, nevertheless, probably the case.

The Ibadhis are neither Sunni nor Shia and consider both to be unbelievers. They do not believe the Quran is the uncreated word of God, but believe Muhammad to have written it inspired by God. The Ibadhi refusal to accept the validity of other views of Islam is undoubtedly the result of isolation and the innate divisiveness of the consensus process of group formation in Islam.

Deobandi. This is an extreme form of Sunni orthodoxy that developed in India in response to the presence and influence of the British colonial government. Like other Salafist idea systems, Deobandis look to the older forms and documents of Islam, believing that, over the centuries, Islam has been corrupted.

The Taliban practice a simplistic form of revivalist Islam based on Deobandi teachings. The Taliban learned this form of the Islamic faith in Islamic religious schools, or madrasah, run on the basis of an uneasy cooperation between Deobandi teachers and Wahhabi money.

Schismatics and heretics. There are other groups that derived from Islam, but are, in their present form, of doubtful Islamic identity.

Druze, an esoteric sect, form a minority population in Lebanon, Syria and Israel. The Druze faith originated as a variant form of Twelver Shiism, but over time, elements of Gnosticism and other influences from Greek philosophy have permeated the sects beliefs.

The Druze often employ the Islamic practice of dissembling, known as takkiya, to protect their institutions and people from curiosity and hostility. Most Muslims do not accept the Druze as fellow believers unless political necessity requires it.

The Alawi is yet another esoteric sect derived from Shiism. In this case, the Shia root of the sect lies in the Fatimid dynasty in Egypt at the time of the Crusades.

The Alawis make up about 10 percent of the population of Syria, but enjoy great power there, having been given authority by the French in the belief that a minority population would have to ally itself to the colonial administration to survive. The end of colonialism after World War II spoiled that plan, but left the Alawis in a position of influence.

The Alawis do not accept converts. They hold very un-Islamic beliefs that involve the incarnation of God in Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. For these and many other reasons of heterodox belief, Alawis are not considered Muslim by Orthodox Sunnis and Shia. In spite of that, the Syrian parliament was forced to declare the Alawi as Islamic; the Syrian constitution requires that the president must be Muslim.

Living on the fringes of Middle Eastern theological life groups such as the Yazidi and Bahai. The Yazidis are a Kurdish minority who practice an ancient religion only distantly related to Islam. The Bahai religion, although derived from the teachings of a Persian Shia divine, have wandered in the direction of accepting all belief as valid  far from the Islamic fold  that it is anathema in such places as Iran.

The very nature of the Islamic faith, with its lack of a governing religious authority and reliance on group consensus for legitimization of Islamic identity, insures that the continuing proliferation of splinter groups, large and small, is inevitable and will result in variations in doctrine and practice until the last days." Marguerite and Pat Lang


Albany

A candlelight vigil organized by Capital Region students from March for Our Lives Albany starts at 6 p.m. Monday in the Washington Park Conservancy.

The vigil will honor the eight students and two teachers killed Friday in Texas. A 17-year-old student allegedly used his father's shotgun and revolver to attack Santa Fe High School.

The massacre was the deadliest attack in a school since a teenage gunman killed 17 students and teachers at a high school in Parkland, Fla. Students who survived the Florida massacre launched a national movement called March for Our Lives. The Albany chapter of March for Our Lives has been very active with students from more than 14 high schools participating in a March rally and an April 20 protest marking the 19th anniversary of the Columbine, Colo. massacre.
COEYMANS Police from various agencies had to go on a search through woods after a parolee ran from them at a home on Alcove Road.

According to a State Police press release Sunday, 26-year-old Joseph S. Persico was wanted on an active parole warrant. But when State Police arrived to take him into custody, he fled on foot.
FLORIDA What do you do with the results of a world-wide outpouring of generosity? You pay it forward.

Sa'fyre Terrys story went viral in a 2015 Facebook video in which she asked for people to send her Christmas cards. She was badly burned in a 2013 fire in Schenectady that killed her father and her three siblings. Her plea was heard around the world and she received more than 2 million letters and packages as well as an outpouring of donations  more books, dolls, teddy bears and blankets than any one child could ever use.

Since then the family had been storing the excess in a tractor trailer while they looked for a permanent home to keep the donations. They found it in an old one-room schoolhouse on Route 30 in Montgomery County.

More than a dozen members of the Florida Volunteer Fire Department and Montgomery County Emergency Services spent Sunday morning unloading the tractor trailer stuffed to the brim with donations. They hauled out dozens of garbage bags and boxes filled with stuffed animals, books, clothes, toys and more.

Ive never seen anything like this, said Florida Volunteer Fire Chief Les Barmer. Its a really touching story.

The plan is for the schoolhouse to serve as depository for the items where they can be organized and safely stored. The family will donate the items to future fire victims, said Ryan Lorey, a spokesman for the family.

As the volunteers slung boxes and bags filled with donated items, Sa'fyre, 10, and her cousins ran around, looking in bags, and trying to climb the pile of donations.

It was really great that everyone could come, she said.

The one-room schoolhouse had been sitting empty for years. Its not clear how old the building is. The family was told it was built in the 1920s, but a 1985 article from The Recorder found inside suggested it may have existed in some form on the land since the 1840s.

The family found the schoolhouse for sale earlier this year, said Liz Dolder, Sa'fyres aunt and adopted mother.

I passed this thing all the time, ever since we moved, its always caught my eye, she said. I think its a cute little thing. Its absolutely perfect for her.

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Joining the other volunteers Sunday were three members of the Miss Montgomery County Pageant program.

Sara James, 23, Lillian Lighthall, 14, and Alexis Houser, 17, helped toss the bags and boxes in to the schoolhouse. And theyll help the family organize the donations so they can be easily accessed for future fire victims.

Shes such a strong little girl to go through what shes gone through. I think this is really special to her and itll mean a lot to her when were done, Houser said.

Sa'fyre was burned over 75 percent of her body. She lost part of both her left leg and right arm. The suspected 2013 arson at 438 Hulett St. in Schenectady's Hamilton Hill neighborhood killed her father, David Terry, 32, and her siblings, Layah, 3, and Michael Terry, 2; and Donavan Duell, 11 months old. More than five years after the fire no one has been convicted of setting the fire. Three people have gone to prison for giving false statements or perjury in connection with the case.

The very last box from the trailer was so large that a volunteer who lived nearby went and got his tractor to unload it. In it was hundreds of books, donations from people around the world.
A foreign exchange student. A teacher. A Harry Potter lover who would have certainly been a Ravenclaw.

The day after a gunman barged into a first-period art class at Santa Fe High School and killed 10 people, family and friends shared memories of those who were lost.

Chris' ever-present smile  even when his football coach was yelling at him. Sabika's "big thoughts" that made her seem so much older than 17. Kim's love of Girl Scouts and her mother, who deemed herself "world's okayest mom" on Facebook.

The tributes surfaced throughout the community and on social media, through videos, photos and public comments even as others closed their doors to grieve in private. Some wanted prayers; some wanted action.

Educators Glenda Perkins and Cynthia Tisdale  who began the school day in the art room  were among those killed. As were students Jared Black, Shana Fisher, Christian Riley Garcia, Aaron Kyle McLeod, Angelique Ramirez, Sabika Sheikh, Christopher Jake Stone and Kimberly Vaughan.

The list of those killed in the mass shooting Friday in northern Galveston County struck a cross-section of the town of Santa Fe, a rural, family community where paved and gravel roads open up to large front lawns and humble, well-cared for homes. Where families with young children are more common than in a typical American city.

"Unique, established, competitive, traditional, rural, ever-changing," last year's high school yearbook announced. "Full of energy, ideas and traditional, this school is a kaleidoscope of change."

A 17-year-old student, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, has been charged with capital murder and with aggravated assault of a school police officer, who was among 13 injured.

Facebook

Jared Black

Jared Black turned 17 on Wednesday and was excited for a pool party this weekend to celebrate.

Black was a quiet, kind kid who loved art and anime, video games and sci-fi, wrestling and wolves. He took medicine every day for attention deficit disorder and drew cartoons all the time.

"He's a great kid," stepfather Travis Stanich said early Friday. "He loves people. He's very creative."

Black had two brothers, Houston, 13, and an older brother, Anthony, who lives and works in Odessa. Anthony, his wife and children were coming to visit for Black's birthday. The Staniches had bought a new above-ground pool, and already filled it up for the party.

Instead, the family planned his funeral.

Shana Fisher

Shana Fisher had just turned 16 earlier this month.

"She was shy and sweet," said her mother, Sadie Baze. "She had a lot of love in her heart."

She often kept to herself, according to her mother, who believes she may have been intentionally targeted by Pagourtzis, who was an ex-boyfriend of one of Fisher's best friends.

"He kept making advances on her and she repeatedly told her no," Baze said. Over the course of four months, the advances got more aggressive.

"She's the sweetest young lady anyone would ever meet," her mother said.

While Fisher wasn't always outgoing at school, she tried her hand at creating a YouTube channel, posting photos she'd taken and pictures she'd drawn on her computer. She loved flowers and cats, and playing silly with her youngest relatives at big family gatherings. Mostly, she loved her dog, Kallie.

At the end of one of her YouTube videos, made a couple years ago when she was just learning the ropes, Shana signed off, bidding love to whomever might stumble upon her artwork: "be a flower my luv's!!!"

Facebook

Christian Riley Garcia

Christian Riley Garcia was a devout member of Crosby Church, which he had attended with his family his entire life. Less than two weeks ago, the 15-year-old took a black marker to the studs that would frame his bedroom in the house being built for his family.

"He says be still and know that I am God; I will exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth," he quoted Psalm 46:10, in handwriting that was both tall and thin  just like him.

"Riley you are greatly loved and greatly missed," his pastor wrote on the church's Facebook page Friday, asking his congregation to "please continue to lift up this family and all the others in your prayers."

His cousin, Ashley Fonseca, took to social media to ask friends and strangers to pray for her baby cousin, who according to the Washington Post, was a waterbug who liked being tugged around the lake on water skis and night-fishing trips in Crosby.

"Riley your Name will live on forever," she promised him in a tweet.

Facebook

Aaron Kyle McLeod

Aaron Kyle McLeod's home was scattered with bouquets of blue and yellow flowers Saturday evening, as friends and neighbors stopped to leave silent mementos.

"He's a very special kid," neighbor Harry Monych said. "He's a very good young man."

The 15-year-old's friends remembered him as cheerful, smiling, and ready to crack a joke about anything.

Kali Reeves, 15, got close to the slain teen in eighth grade.

"He was never one to be a sad or down person; he always had to joke or laugh about things," Reeves said. "He was just outgoing and super sweet. He definitely didn't deserve this."

She joked to her boyfriend that if she FaceTimed McLeod, he would have "made a joke about him getting shot."

When the violence broke out Friday, Reeves texted her friend to check in.

He didn't respond.

But she kept checking and eventually sent one final message, saying she hoped he "gets better."

Not long after that, she learned from Facebook that he had been killed.

Facebook

Glenda "Ann" Perkins

Glenda Perkins had been a trusted substitute teacher at Santa Fe High School for years, earning respect from teachers and students alike.

"She always had a smile on her face," said Jay Mann, a junior. She was the type of substitute who took the time to learn students' names, and became part of the fabric of the school, where her grandchildren are students.

"She never got mad at anybody for doing something stupid. I mean, she just had a great attitude," Mann said.

"She was always patient with everyone in the classroom," former student Emily Evans said.

Perkins was a member of Tutu Live Krewe, an all-female marching krewe that participated in Galveston's popular Mardi Gras celebration.

The group posted a Facebook remembrance Friday.

"It is with the heaviest of hearts that we report the loss of Krewe member Ann Perkins due to the senseless school shooting at Santa Fe High School today. Many posts online indicate she was the favorite teacher of countless students."

Angelique Ramirez

Angelique Ramirez was a 15-year-old with "fire-red hair." Her family announced her death online.

"With a broken heart and a soul that just can't process all this right now, I have to announce my niece was one of the fatalities," her aunt, Sylvia Pritchett, wrote on Facebook, hours after putting out a post requesting help finding the teen.

"All we got info on is that she was shot in the leg."

At first, friends and supporters poured out their concern in the comments. Then, concern turned to condolences.

"She was a wonderful young lady and will be greatly missed," wrote one person who knew her.

"I'm so sorry," wrote another supporter. "I don't know what else to say. Peace to all of you, and to this beautiful girl."

Fareed Khan/Associated Press

Sabika Sheikh

Sabika Sheikh, an exchange student from Pakistan, was in Santa Fe through the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program, sponsored by the State Department.

Sheikh came to study in Santa Fe at the beginning of the school year, and was due to return home to her family in Karachi, Pakistan, in just three weeks, after the start of summer vacation, and just in time for the holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

Though she didn't grow up in America, she excelled in her third-period U.S. history class, where she always knew the answer but rarely raised her hand. She was brilliant, classmates said, but shy. When she did speak up, she was sweet and kind, they said.

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Her father, Pakistani businessman Abdul Aziz Sheikh, told reporters at his home that he tried to call his daughter when he saw news of the shooting on television, but couldn't reach her or any of her friends. Three hours later, he received confirmation of his daughter's death from the foreign-exchange program.

"She was extraordinary, genius and talented," according to her father. Always at the very top of her class.

Family

Chris Stone

Chris Stone was the "life of the party," the kind of guy who made everyone smile, his sister and friends said. The youngest of three siblings, and the only boy, he tried to protect the others. Those who knew him described him as "so sweet."

The 17-year-old junior was a football player and he loved it. His dad had coached him since he was a little kid, his sister Mercedez Stone said. A photo she shared shows him posing proudly with his mother, wearing a shirt emblazoned with "Indians 63."

He wanted to become a plant operator after graduation and went hunting for the first time at Thanksgiving, nailing his first deer, she said. He didn't particularly like art, the elective that put him in death's way Friday, but took it as a requirement.

He was more the adventurous type, she said. Hiking, zip-lining. In a video she shared, Stone is shown as a typical rambunctious, fun-loving teenager, bopping around to Smash Mouth, a 1990s rock band. He went to prom last weekend, his cousin, Bresdon Perez said, who shared photos of him in a tuxedo.

"My little cuz may be gone, but never forgotten," he said on Twitter.

Another friend, Regan Brantley, said on Twitter that they had both been on a friend's quinceanera court.

"How much fun it was to dance with you," she said. "We both had two left feet but you made sure we would make it work for her special night."

She said that he would be remembered as sweet, kind and genuine.

"Myself and so many others will never ever forget your kind smile and your infectious laugh," she said.

"And when God takes you back he'll sing 'Hallelujah, you're home.'"

Cynthia Tisdale

Facebook

Cynthia Tisdale was a deeply religious woman, a caretaker for everyone who knew her and a dedicated teacher's aide who died doing what she loved.

"She lost her life protecting students, trying to get them out of the room," one relative said.

The 64-year-old Dickinson woman left behind a husband and three grown children, including one who works as a League City police detective and was one of the first responders at the scene, her family said. She has multiple grandchildren.

And she was popular with students.

"She gave me candy and gum and food and answers all the time and talked us through everything," one teen wrote on Twitter. "I love you and miss you so much. My heart is broken."

She shepherded kids through tough times with love and support  but she dreamed of spending more time with family.

"We never know when our death will come," her brother-in-law John Tisdale wrote on Facebook. "Cynthia planned on one day retiring and being a full-time grandmother. It will never happen."

Her husband of 47 years, Rev. William Recie Tisdale, suffers from an incurable lung disease, and Cynthia did her best to support him.

"She worked at the Santa Fe High School and then took a second job as a server at a local restaurant in order to help make ends meet," wrote her brother-in-law.

"I am certain if we could talk to Cynthia, who is in heaven, the first thing she would say is, she is concerned how Recie is going to make it now that she can't bring in the extra money to pay the bills."

Kimberly Vaughan

Courtesy

Kimberly Vaughan was a Girl Scout and an art student. If she'd lived in the Harry Potter world, one family friend said, she would have been in the Ravenclaw house, where students are known for their wit, intelligence and originality.

Her mother, Rhonda Hart, raised Vaughan and her brother Tyler, working as a bus driver for the Santa Fe school district.

On Friday, according to a family friend, Hart was behind the wheel of a school bus, comforting distraught children for hours as she struggled to find out what happened to her girl.

Early in the day, she put out a call on Facebook, asking for help finding the teen.

"My daughter was in first period art class at Santa Fe high school today," Rhonda Hart wrote on Facebook. "There was a shooter. I have not found her."

In a later post, she added the hashtags #fightforkim and #oneof10.

"We need to fight for our kids," she wrote.

Robert Downen, Jose Gonzalez, David Hunn, Samantha Ketterer, Lomi Kriel and Monica Rhor and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
By Bilal Ahmad Malik for TwoCircles.net

In one of my articles titled A Political Struggle for Denied Rights which I wrote for Greater Kashmir dated Sep 22, 2016, I had mentioned the importance of the idea of legitimacy and inspiration as far as the Kashmir problem is concerned. Here, in this article, I would like to start the discussion with the question of Inspiration. That is actually to examine, what keeps people of Kashmir, especially the Youth, regardless of the sufferings, persecutions and humiliations, committed to the Cause of Freedom. Is it the Historical and Political legitimacy- communicated through people and documented records- that rejuvenates them or it is the religious ideology that keeps them passionate about resistance against Occupation? Since the Kashmir issue is an outcome of decades-old conflict; therefore, it would be very simplistic to generalize the whole political situation while answering to this particular question. To approach this question and then to suggest some framework of action in order to contribute toward a peaceful settlement of the issue, one has to understand the trends and dynamics within the orbit of the problems in Kashmir. And, in case, these trends and dynamics-That have evolved over the years- are not recognised and calculated in the whole picture, the results would bring nothing positive except the bulk of faulty statements helping neither side of the equation- the State and the Society.

Today, we have different voices representing different political aspirations. For example, there are people who advocate the idea of a merger with Pakistan and there are people who voice for an Independent Kashmir. There are some who are willing to abide by the Constitution of India and there are some who support a Democratic Kashmir and, not ignore for a second, there are people who talk about establishing the Islamic Shariah in Kashmir. These are the major representations when it comes to questioning of classification based on political aspirations. However, there is one more classification based on the methodological construction to achieve the respective objectives. For those who support the Indian Constitution, engaging in mainstream politics- that accepts any solution but within the constitutional limits- is the only solution to the issue of Kashmir. And, for the rest-including all groups who want separation from India- there are fundamentally two operative methods to resist; the first one is to actively engage in the separatist politics through all means and ways which are democratic and non-violent, and the second one is to pick up the gun and participate in an armed struggle. Here, I will not mention about the recent trend of stone pelting as a separate method, because I believe it is not an organised or objectively framed movement, but rather a temporarily violent behaviour that primarily comes out as a reaction.

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Now, coming back to the question of Inspiration, I will just focus on the Armed Struggle. Because it is the group that concerns me the most for two explicit reasons; the first reason is growing number of young, dynamic and educated youth picking up the guns and denouncing all other options and the second reason is growing number of armed youth getting killed on the name of encounters combating so-called terrorism. The question is, I will repeat, what makes them prefer death over life? What is the driving force that keeps them committed and never letting them have a second thought? I propose, as mentioned above, the possible answers could be two. It is either the historical and political legitimacy or the religious ideology that keeps the resistance sentiment alive. When we go into deeper analysis of the problem in the context of armed struggle the theory of historical and political legitimacy almost seems out of question except to be mentioned as a historical reference. And, it is the religious ideology that plays a very vital role. If we look at the recent recruitments, especially after land-row agitation of 2008, the only visible transformation is the shift towards religion both practically and symbolically- a psychological and ideological change to accept death in the way of Allah then to live under the state of kufr (disbelief). Thus, in such a situation it is a totally irrational argument to say Kashmiri youth are willing to get themselves killed just for the sake of political issue. And, if this is the ground reality, then the next question is why religion and does religion is incapable of giving other option than the emotionally-overwhelming idea of preferring life over death? This is really a serious discussion which needs involvement of both representations i,e. religious and political in order to come up with a relevant and meaningful answer.

Coming to the first question, in my assessment, I am deliberately using the word assessment to make it different from an opinion which is in a way more personal judgement; the religion of Islam- Kashmir being a practising Muslim majority society- is a natural option available to Kashmiri youth to justify the armed struggle. As a matter of fact, Islam does talk about solving a conflict by extending material and moral support to the oppressed against the oppressor. It categorically talks about fighting and killing when required to install the system of Justice and this is what the qital is all about. The Quranic persuasion, actually a potential order, why dont you fight for those who are Weak on Earth is basically an emotional and psychological appeal that apparently seems relevant to the situation in Kashmir too. Therefore, the texts about jihad (which is actually broader in scope and doesnt necessarily mean to fight) and qital (which is particularly related to fighting) are read and applied to the Kashmir problem by rationally putting India on the oppressor and Kashmiri Muslims on the oppressed side of the equation. And, then starts the whole story. A socio-political problem  of course having a religious and cultural basis as well, turns entirely into a religious problem and the line between religion and political gets blurred. The claim of Islam for establishing a system based on justice, equality and universal brotherhood, is observed as the only cure to miseries and sufferings of the Kashmiri people. Islams unequivocal and uncompromised stand against unjustified killings, violation of rights, acts of brutality and forcible occupation becomes a religiously sanctified voice for the youth (engaged in armed struggle) against Oppression and Injustice.

Now, coming to the second question, I outrightly refute the notion that Islam is not capable of giving other options except choosing armed resistance whenever Muslims have to stand against oppression and injustice. In the context of Kashmir, where Islam itself would allow a debate over the question of the legitimacy of the struggle, I will say other options are more effective in terms of communicating and strengthening the resistance movement. I will just make one important point here when about more than 99% of the population is willingly living under compromises, why quite strangely the armed struggle becomes the compulsory duty (fardh alayn) for the remaining less than 1%. It is totally irrational and, actually, they share double responsibility; firstly, to protect their lives in order to protect the life of resistance and secondly, to take out the 99% from the compromises which might prove harmful otherwise. I have read the juristic discussions- including both classical and modern- about jihad and qital and the conditions, principles and requirements to that effect. And, without any hesitation, I would say that Islam doesnt tell its adherents to die a foolish death whatever the circumstances might be. Here, I must clarify that calling a death foolish isnt an insulting tune, but rather an expression of grief over losing something precious without harvesting the benefits that it could have produced otherwise. On the contrary, Islam wants its adherents to live a productive and positive life so that the whole community takes maximum benefit from it. Islam recognises centrality and sanctity of life and appreciates its positive utilization for the betterment of both individual and society. It gives far more important to life than death.

Islam doesnt accept death as a matter of choice until all means of life are cut-off and one is forced to accept death against his/her Will. Under such particular context- for example, the historical martyrdom of Imam Hussain- one can prefer death over life as a last resort which, actually, is a way to protect the very meaning and essence of life from the expected extreme kind of persecutions, tortures, and humiliations. But, in a situation where some other options relatively more productive than death are available to achieve the same objectives preferring death over life is simply a foolish way of dealing with the affairs. What Islam would tell us here, is that instead of over-glorifying the deaths for achieving nothing practically, we must clearly talk about the value of life and the good that could be accomplished through it. The fallacious argument of a large gathering in the funerals is an achievement itself is basically a simplistic understanding of the situation. This argument is more emotional and less religious. Because, if the Martyrdom, that is dying for the sake of Islam is not capable of changing the masses participating in funerals with all religious zeal to live for the sake of Islam then the very objective of Martyrdom has apparently failed. Since the concept of Martyrdom in Islam is not just an individuals concern, therefore, it has to be seen in a community perspective. It has to do with the society and with the Muslim population of a particular community. So before accepting death over life one has to think, for hundred times, how much long-term benefits and how much good my life can bring to the society and does Islam allow me to consume my life for the compromised 99% who celebrate my death but ignore the message of my death for the sake of Islam.

I must say, on the basis of my personal observation, in most of the cases, accepting death for the short-term results has proven counter-productive. For example, a young and energetic religious scholar of my village namely Mufti Hilal Mazahari joined the armed struggle and accepted death over life for the sake of Islam. However, the work that he would do before death was really incredible. He would teach at many maktabs (part-time religious institutions). Alongside correcting their reading of the Quranic text, he would inculcate the ethical and moral values of Islam among his students. As a result of his hard work, many youths left drugs and alcohol, many repent of unethical practices and much-understood values of family and started respecting their family members. It started developing into a pious community which was, of course, a good sign for the society at large. However, after his martyrdom, everything started reversing. In his funeral thousands of youth participated but again when it comes to accepting the message of his martyrdom, that is to live by the moral and ethical standards of Islam, even his close students failed to preserve it.

In short, history is witness to the fact that no movement would sustain for a longer period of time if it doesnt have the adequate human resource to work for persuasion, communication and mobilization of the objectives of the movement. The movement is bound to die its own death. Because, to do all that- persuasion, communication and mobilisation, the adequate human resources has to be visible in the society, interact with the masses, make them realise the state of plight they go through, give them knowledge of the objectives, organise them and guide them to follow a systematic method  in spite of all hardships- for a longer period of time. To put it another way around, the life is the life of the movement and death of life is the death of the movement.

(The author is Ph.D. research Scholar at Center of Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir)
[May 19, 2018] A New Playground Brings Joy to San Bernardino's Perris Hill Park

Today more than 200 volunteers from Foresters Financial, the City of San Bernardino and the national non-profit KaBOOM! transformed San Bernardino's largest park. In just six hours, Perris Hill Park received a new playspace, which will serve more than 1,200 children and their families in the local community for years to come. "For more than 140 years Foresters Financial has focused on our Purpose, which is to help families and strengthen communities," said Jim Boyle, President and CEO, Foresters Financial. "In 2018 we are excited to complete our 150th playground build with KaBOOM!. This partnership creates safe play areas where families can spend quality time together while developing young bodies and minds. We know the San Bernardino community will use this playground for many years to come." The design for the new playground is based on drawings created by neighborhood children at a special Design Day event held in March when community members met with organizers from KaBOOM! and Foresters Financial to design their dream playground. The drawings inspired the final playground design. Since 2006, Foresters Financial and KaBOOM! have built 146 beautiful playspaces across 86 cities in 31 states and provinces throughout North America and by the end of 2018, Foresters Financial will have funded more than 150 playgrounds. Thanks to the hard work of more than 9,900 Foresters members, sales partners and guests for the 11 eleven years, we are positively impacting the lives of more than 5 million children by providing them with access to play. Through each new playground, families are better able to spend quality time together right in their own neighborhoods, playing alongside Foresters members and community partners. "The partnership we have formed with Foresters Financial and KaBOOM! is fantastic because it allows us to continue to create fun and safe places for San Bernardino families to gather and build positive memories," said Mayor R. Carey Davis. "Many thanks to the volunteers who joined us at the park today. Their dedication to help our community thrive must be recognized." Play is the business of childhood and is essential to the physical, cognitive, creative, social and emotional development of every kid. It's how kids build strong muscles and healthy bodies; it's how they learn problem-solving, conflict resolution and creativity; it's how they make friends and build strong bonds with adults. Play is critical to a kid's ability to thrive.



About the City of San Bernardino

The Perris Hill Park playground is the fifth playground to be built in City of San Bernardino through KaBOOM's grant program. Year-round, thousands of children enjoy outdoor playtime at San Bernardino's 36 parks where youth and adult sports, arts and crafts classes, senior programs, seasonal events and summer aquatics programs are offered through the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. To learn more about the City's parks and recreational programs, please visit www.SBCity.org/Parks and follow us at Facebook (News - Alert) .com/SBParksandRecreation and Twitter.com/SBCityGov.

About Foresters Financial

Foresters Financial is an international financial services provider with more than three million clients and members in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, and total funds under management of $45.1 billion1. With a history of more than 140 years, we provide life insurance, savings, retirement and investment solutions that help families achieve their financial goals, protect their families and improve their communities. For more information, visit foresters.com. Foresters Financial and Foresters are trade names and trademarks of The Independent Order of Foresters (a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9) and its subsidiaries. Products offered vary by country. Not all products are available for distribution in all jurisdictions. In the United States, products are offered by The Independent Order of Foresters and its subsidiaries, including Foresters Financial Services, Inc. a registered broker-dealer. Securities, life insurance and annuity products are offered through Foresters Financial Services, Inc. or independent producers. Insurance products are issued by Foresters Life Insurance and Annuity Company, New York, or The Independent Order of Foresters. Investment advisory products and services are offered through Foresters Advisory Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser. 1 in Canadian dollars as of December 31, 2017 About KaBOOM!

KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids - especially those living in poverty - the childhood they deserve through great, safe places to play. KaBOOM! inspires communities to make play the easy choice and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of PLAYces. KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build or improve more than 17,000 playspaces, engaged more than 1.5 million volunteers and served over 9 million kids. To learn why play matters for all kids, visit kaboom.org and join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom, facebook.com/kaboom and instagram.com/kaboom. #playmatters #PLAYceforKids 414828B CAN/US (03/18) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180519005015/en/

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[May 19, 2018] YIBAIFEN Standing Out as Leaders of Social E-commerce in China

SHENZHEN, China, May 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Social E-commerce A New Business Model Social e-commerce is a derivative e-commerce mode. It is based on interpersonal relationship networks, with the help of a social media propagation path like WeChat, which is the most popular social app in China, through social interaction and user generated content to assist selling and consumption. It is the integration of e-commerce and social media.



As a new business model, social e-commerce in China is rising rapidly. It has gradually changed the way people consume and promote new products. Social e-commerce employed 20 million people in 2017. Since 2015, the mobile social e-commerce scale has exceeded 100 billion RMB. It is predicted that the market scale will reach 370 billion RMB by 2020. Yibaifen Standing Out

Yibaifen Group is a health industry company integrating R&D production and sales based on social e-commerce. Yibaifen is leading the new retail of China's health industry. The founder CEO Mr. Chen Hangzhou and his founding team have rich career experience in internet industry. They strive to provide a green and healthy lifestyle for mankind and provide an efficient and open platform for customers. With an accurate marketing model and mature advertising strategy, Yibaifen has had rapid expansion through social e-commerce retail. Yibaifen has more than 60,000 agents and 200 offline retail stores. Products such as Prebiotics Tiantianai and Xiaohuayang sell well in China, USA, UK, Mexico and other international markets. Bonuses for Yibaifen Agents Yibaifen has put the interest of distributors and agents first. In the past 2 years, Yibaifen has rewarded its agents with world travel to Bali island and Taiwan. In May 2018, a customized tour of France, Italy and Switzerland for 9 days will be rewarded to the top agents. Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20180519/2132079-1 SOURCE YIBAIFEN Group

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[May 20, 2018] Toast to Power Next Generation Ordering Experience for Jamba Juice

BOSTON, May 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toast, the fastest-growing restaurant technology platform, today announces its partnership with Jamba Juice  the brand known for inspiring and simplifying healthy living in more than 900 locations worldwide  from the floor of the 2018 National Restaurant Association Show.

Toast, the fastest-growing restaurant technology platform, partners with Jamba Juice



Jamba Juice selected Toast for its cloud-based, mobile, and centralized point-of-sale platform. Toasts Android architecture will provide a reliable technology infrastructure that supports seamless, frequent upgrades  with the latest functionality  for all Jamba Juice employees and franchisees. Moreover, Jamba Juice will be able to leverage Toasts flexible, powerful Toast API platform to fit their needs as they integrate third-party applications. We are moving to Toast because ourteam members and franchisees require an agile, mobile, cloud-based technology in order to better serve our guests, said Jyoti Lynch, CIO at Jamba Juice. We also needed a restaurant technology platform that could keep up with our need for real-time data and analytics. Toast is always secure, updated, and online, so we can deliver top-notch guest experiences and better support our business without ever being interrupted by our point-of-sale.



Jamba Juice plans to deploy Toast Go to streamline the ordering experience for both guests and team members. Released earlier this month, Toast Go is a fully integrated point-of-sale handheld device custom-built for restaurants. When faced with long lines, Jamba Juice team members can utilize Toast Go to increase throughput and reduce order wait time. Toast Restaurant POS offers enterprise restaurants the platform they need to control costs, improve operations, and grow revenue. With advanced multi-location management and real-time reporting, Toast's secure, cloud-enabled platform will help Jamba Juice gain the insights they need to power their locations across the country.

We couldnt be happier to welcome Jamba Juice to the Toast community here at the National Restaurant Association show, said Aman Narang, president and co-founder at Toast. As guest expectations evolve, restaurants of all sizes are turning to Toast as the platform of choice to improve operations, increase revenue, and deliver an amazing guest experience. To learn more about Toast, see here. Find Toast at booth #6254 at the National Restaurant Show today through May 22 in Chicago. About Toast

Founded in 2013, Toast powers successful restaurants of all sizes with a technology platform that combines restaurant POS, front of house, back of house and guest-facing technology with a diverse marketplace of third-party applications. By pairing technology with an unrivaled commitment to customer success, Toast helps restaurants streamline operations, increase revenue and deliver amazing guest experiences. In 2017 Toast was recognized as the third fastest-growing software company in North America on the Deloitte Fast 500 and named to the Forbes Cloud 100. Learn more at www.toasttab.com. Contact

Karen DeVincent

PR and Branding Manager

media@toasttab.com

857-301-6074 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1f9c1b4d-0793-4c73-bb6b-4b8aaddec1ae

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American travelers took 2.25 billion domestic trips and 87.7 million international trips in 2017, according to statistics from the U.S. Travel Association and the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office. If you were one of those travelers, you likely walked through a body scanner, had your photo taken to confirm your identity or gave up personal data without even realizing it.

(Image credit: Hank_Shaylunts/Shutterstock)

You may have also encountered "smart" hotel rooms in which a tablet controlled the lights, curtains and temperature, and perhaps even saved your preferences for your next stay. When you drove off in your rental car, you may not have realized that the rental company was collecting data on your driving habits and the car's location. And when you logged in to that hotel Wi-Fi network, you had no idea who else might be on the same network.

Of course, none of these practices are illegal. But they all raise the risks that your private personal data may be misused, misappropriated or stolen. Fortunately, there are ways you can try to minimize the data collection.

Quick Travel Privacy Tips

If you're uncomfortable with facial-recognition systems or body scanners at U.S. airport security checkpoints, you can opt out.

Use a VPN whenever you're on a Wi-Fi network, including in your hotel room.

Turn off the Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth functions on your smartphone when you're not using them.

Travel tech can be both cheap and simple: bring a Chromebook instead of a laptop, and log out of and shut down the machine before crossing international borders.

Bring a cheap Android phone instead of your regular smartphone.

Consider setting up "fake" online accounts before you travel, in case border officials want to see them.

Before you return a rental car, try to delete any navigation history or personal profile you set up in a rented GPS device or in the in-vehicle navigation system.

Dealing with creepy airport screening technology

Since 2016, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Biometric Air Exit program has put facial-recognition technology in several U.S. airports.

(Image credit: View of new biometric boarding gates at the Los Angeles International Airport. Credit: Shutterstock)

When you board an international flight, CBP or a partner airline takes a picture of you and compares it against your passport photo. Delta and JetBlue already participate in this program.

The Transportation Security Administration recently launched a similar pilot program for international flights at Los Angeles International Airport in which departing travelers can opt to have their photos used to verify that their boarding passes and passports match.

If there is a discrepancy, travelers are not allowed through the security checkpoint  although TSA agents will still be able to manually verify their boarding documents.

MORE: How to Stay Secure When on Vacation

CBP aims to use biometrics to confirm the identities of more than 97 percent of passengers in the next few years and to expand this initiative to every point of entry and exit in the United States. Facial recognition isn't 100 percent accurate, however  it more frequently misidentifies ethnic minorities and people wearing certain accessories or makeup, Quartz reported.

Jeramie Scott, director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center's Domestic Surveillance Project, said facial recognition as a primary means of identification heightens the capacity of the government to conduct surveillance beyond the scope of confirming travelers' identities. Scott worries that this data could be used in ways we haven't consented to  although CBP says images are deleted and purged from its systems within 14 days.

"There need to be protections around the collection and use of certain data," Scott told Tom's Guide. "If you agree to use your face as your boarding pass and confirm your identity that way, there should be rules in place that prevent that use from going beyond that stated purpose."

Scott said that, if you don't like the notion of facial-recognition software, you should be able to opt out of biometric screening to board flights by requesting an alternative review from a CBP official.

The same goes for body scanners, which used to essentially render you naked on a TSA agent's computer screen, but now display a generic body outline. If that still makes you uncomfortable, you have two choices as long as you're at a U.S. security checkpoint.

The first option is to sign up for the TSA's Precheck program. You'll have to pay $85 (good for five years), submit your fingerprints and agree to a background check.

But if you're accepted, then you'll be walking through a regular metal detector instead of a body scanner at participating U.S. airports. You'll frequently also encounter shorter security lines. (For frequent international travelers, there's a similar program called Global Entry that costs $100 for five years.)

The other option is to "opt out" of the body scanner. Instead, you'll get a regular pat-down, at the very least, from a TSA agent. But bear in mind that having to perform pat-downs can make TSA agents very cranky, and if they're in a bad mood, you might be taken into a side room for an even more thorough examination.

Travel with disposable devices  and disposable accounts

You'll likely want to bring some electronic devices with you, such as a smartphone and maybe a laptop, especially if you're traveling on business. But you shouldn't bring your regular smartphone and laptop, especially if you're traveling internationally.

Many customs officials and border guards, including American ones, have the right to examine your electronic devices and your online accounts. They can ask you for the passwords to your phone, your computer, and even your Google, Facebook and Dropbox accounts.

You don't have to give U.S. customs officials your passwords, but if you don't, they can confiscate your devices. Border officials in other countries may be even less friendly.

So instead of traveling with a $1,200 MacBook, travel with a $200 Chromebook. Perform a "power wash" to clear your account, and shut down the Chromebook before you cross any border.

And if you have stuff in your online accounts that you'd rather not have border officials see, then set up "fake" Google, Facebook and Dropbox accounts, using your real name, before you travel. Put some stuff in each account  not much, but enough to look real  in each one, and then show border officials those accounts if they ask.

Once you're across the border, log out of the fake Google account and then log back in with your regular Google account. As long as you have internet access, all your data will be restored.

MORE: 12 Computer Security Mistakes Youre Probably Making

The same strategy goes for smartphones. Leave the iPhone behind, and get a cheap Android phone instead. If you're truly worried about officials seeing your data, then set it up with your fake Google account, and log in to your fake Facebook account before you cross a border. If any nosy official wants to see what's on the phone, gladly provide it.

Use a VPN the whole time

The biggest threat to privacy while traveling, however, comes from unsecured Wi-Fi networks in airports, hotels and restaurants. If any data you transmit from your laptop or phone is unencrypted, anyone else on the same network may be able to read it, even if the network has a password.

Take the baby step up of installing the Electronic Frontier Foundation's HTTPS Everywhere browser plugin on your laptop browsers. The plugin will activate encrypted connections to any website that supports them, including Facebook and Google.

But not all websites support encrypted connections. That's where a VPN (virtual private network) service comes in. The VPN will encrypt all internet traffic between your laptop or smartphone, making sure that all your Wi-Fi data will be unreadable to snoopers on the same network.

If you're traveling on business, ask your company's IT department if there's a company VPN service you can use. We've tested all of the top services; if you're willing to pay for a VPN, check out our picks for the best VPNs.

MORE: Best VPN Services for Staying Anonymous Online

The Canadian VPN service Windscribe lets you encrypt up to 10GB of data per month for free. The U.S. VPN service Hotspot Shield gives you an unlimited amount for free, but only on mobile devices, and it may also inject ads into the web pages you're viewing.

Smart hotel rooms may be too smart

Hotel rooms may soon collect and use your personal data to customize your experience. Both Marriott and Hilton are working to bring the smart-home concept to their properties.

Marriott's IoT Guestroom Lab, which is currently in testing at the company's headquarters, would let users interact with a virtual assistant to set alarms, request services and operate various features, including turning on the shower to a specific temperature based on stored preferences.

Hilton's Connected Room is in the pilot phase in one hotel. The goal is for guests to use both voice commands and the Hilton Honors app, which already has check-in and digital-key capabilities, to control temperature, lights and streaming media and to save custom preferences in their profiles.

While guests may want, or even expect, their hotel rooms to operate like their smart homes, according to a recent University of Delaware study, smart technology isn't risk-free.

MORE: What to Do After a Data Breach

For example, Marriott's smart room is designed to go into sleep mode when guests aren't present. This makes the hotel more energy-efficient, but it may also compromise your personal safety and security if it becomes obvious that you are not in your room, Scott said.

He also noted that if guests give up seemingly harmless personal data to a hotel, they make it easier both for malicious actors to link that data to more sensitive information, and for law enforcement to access the information without explicit consent.

Before you stay in a smart hotel room, ask to see the hotel company's privacy policy to find out what kind of personal data will be collected, where and how it is stored, who has access to it, whether it is shared with any other entity, and how you can opt in or out of data collection.

"It goes beyond what is necessary to perform a service," Scott said. "There should be clear options for guests, and the option should be to opt in if they so choose  not one where you have to actively opt out."

Rental cars may keep track of where you go

Airports and hotels may be the most obvious places in which traveler data might be collected and potentially compromised, but they aren't the only ones.

If you rent a car, the vehicle likely has an event data recorder (EDR). Like an airplane's black box, the EDR collects information about the vehicle's systems, its location and operator behavior as you drive.

While EDR data is most often used to piece together crash reports, and a 2015 federal law states that collected EDR data belongs to a car's owner or leaseholder, it's unlikely that rental-car drivers would be entitled to privacy with regard to EDR data.

If you use a rented or built-in GPS navigation system while driving a rental car, or you connect your phone to your rental car's Bluetooth system, you could be tracked by the car-rental company or hacked by a third party.

MORE: The Best (and Worst) Identity Theft Protection

Try to delete any navigation history or personal profile you set up in a rented GPS device or in the in-vehicle computer before you return the rental car. Unfortunately, you won't be able to do anything about the EDR data, and if the rental company was actively tracking your movements, then it already has the location data.

Bringing it all back home

This kind of surveillance isn't limited to travelers. Scott said many retailers increasingly use security cameras with facial-recognition capabilities to identify known shoplifters in their brick-and-mortar stores, although only Lowe's would confirm this. License-plate readers used by police are not uncommon in bigger cities.

All this means that your movements can be easily tracked, and that your information can be accessed by law enforcement or may be at risk of being compromised in a data breach. Unfortunately, stores are within their rights to surveil their customers, and you're not allowed to cover up the license plate on a moving vehicle.

One way to avoid this, whether you're traveling or not, is to turn off the Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth functions on your smartphone when you're not using them. Keeping them on just makes it easier for other people to track you and read your data. The same goes for your laptop when you're out of the house or the office; if you're not using it, fully shut it down instead of just letting it go to "sleep."

These heightened privacy risks shouldn't stop you from traveling, or from going about your daily routine when you're at home. But you should be aware of how your data is collected and used, and you should look for opportunities to limit or opt out of providing personal information when you can.
I do my duty without fear or favour.

This was how Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley responded yesterday to a question from the Opposition on whether he met President Paula-Mae Weekes at Presidents House in August to influence the Police Service Commissions process of selecting a Police Commissioner.
When generations ahead of us evolve many years hence, and scientists in their labs or students in their classrooms look back at us, at the problems we faced and how we addressed them, I fear they wont be charitable in their evaluations of their ancestors of Trinidad and Tobago.
Airfare structure is complicated, but a big component is jet fuel, which is 60% higher than a year ago, and up 15% in 2018. Our PV tickets next trip are a couple hundred dollars more than last year's (we got a really good deal last year, and they are first cabin, so the hike is not as much as it seems).

Not sure about Canada, but many US reward credit cards waive the fee the first year. There are at least several currently offering 50,000 miles after you spend 3-4 k in the first several months (details vary). I just got 70,000 from Delta/Amex (similar spending requirement) plus a $50 statement credit for buying a $50 gift card (so it was "free"), priority status, free luggage, etc...free the first year.

At one time we stopped bothering with miles after they gutted most programs. Things have changed; its currently very competative..We charge most everything..utilities, insurance, groceries...even a cup of coffee. Miles mount up quickly.
Looking for itinerary review and recomandations

Looking for itinerary review and recomandations

Hi, planing 14 days trip to Vietnam between Sep 20 - Oct 3, for couple in our 50th. We will arrive to Hanoi from Singapore on the morning Sep 20 and our flight back will leave Ho Chi Minh om Oct 3 at night. this is the itinerary we have planed.

20/9 (Thu) Morning flight from Singapore to Hanoi. Hanoi sightseeing. Night train to Sapa .

21/9 (Fri) Trekking (difficulty easy to medium) in rice fields, that havent been harvested yet. Sleeping in Home-stay ((*looking for beautiful view + cultural experiences all days around Sapa)

22/9 (Sat) Finish trek, visiting more villages / waterfall / plantation. Sapa's sightseeing (I heard there is a special show / an event on Saturday nights in Sapa, what is it?). Sleeping: Hotel in Sapa

23/9 (Sun) Muong Hum Sunday Market + silver waterfall. Private driver or Night train night train to Hanoi (what to prefer? sleeping on the train or at Hotel in Hanoi?)

24/9 (Mon) waking Hanoi sightseeing + Halong Bay

25/9 (Tue) Halong Bay + back to Hanoi Hanoi at night sleeping: Hotel in Hanoi

26/9 (Wed) Day trip from Hanoi to Tam Coc or Trang An (what to prefer?) sleeping: Hotel in Hanoi

27/9 (Thu) Fight to Danang  driving to Hoi An. Hoi An sightseeing + ride to the beach? hotel in Hoi An

28/9 (Fri) Half day tour to My-Son temples, Hoi-An surrounding or a cooking class. hotel in Hoi An

29/9 (Sat) Flying to Da-Lat, Da-Lat sightseeing + the Crazy House. Hotel in Da-Lat

30/9 (Sun) Easy-Rider Motorbike tour + flight to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

1/10 (Mon) The Mekong Delta  sailing . Sleeping: somewhere on the Mekong Delta

2/10 (Tue) Cai-Be -Floating market back to Ho Chi Minh.

3/10 (Wed) Ho Chi Minhs sightseeing, free afternoon at 21:00 flight back.

*wonder, Should we skip Da-Lat and add one more day to Hanoi (Food tour for example) and one more day in Ho Ann?
Hi all

This is the itinerary I'm planning for a trip in the first week of July. Grateful for comments and additional suggestions as to places we can visit on the way. We are interested in nature, scenery, and good food. Am willing to do short hikes for good views. If there is anything on the itinerary that you think is not worth the time, please also feel free to point that out!

Day 1 - Arrive at New Chitose Airport. Pick up rental car and drive to Furano. Overnight in Furano.

Day 2 - Explore Furano. Visit Farm Tomita, drive rollercoaster road. Overnight in Furano.

Day 3 - Drive from Furano - Biei - Asahikawa / Sounkyo. Visit Biei Blue Pond on the way - anything else? Should we stay at Asahikawa or Sounkyo?

Day 4 - Daisetsuzan National Park. Visit Kurodake Ropeway (is this the same as Sounkyo Ropeway, or are they different?), Ryusei-no-taki and Ginga-no-taki waterfalls, Taisetsu Dam. Overnight at same accommodation as Day 3.

Day 5 - Drive to Otaru. Explore Otaru and stay overnight in Otaru.

Day 6 - Otaru to Shakotan Peninsula. Cape Shakotan and Cape Kamui. Drive from Cape Kamui to Lake Toya. Overnight in Lake Toya. (Is this doable or is it too much?)

Day 7 - Explore Lake Toya in the day. Drive to Sapporo. Visit Hell Valley on the way. (Or should we spend an additional night in Lake Toya?)

Day 8 - Explore Sapporo. Overnight in Sapporo.

Day 9 - Sapporo - Chitose - fly back home.

I'm wondering whether I should stay one night in Furano (instead of two) and stay an additional night in Lake Toya, since most of Day 6 will be spent exploring the Shakotan Peninsular.

Look forward to suggestions!
Hi everybody! we are a couple in our 60s going to Japan in October for 21 days. We will arrive in Tokyo , plane tickets already bought, on October 13, and back to Spain on November 4.

We have already made a first itinerary and would appreciate your suggestions if something is wrong or can be improved or which in your opinion are the must at each place. We are looking for budget accomodation at those place. We are interested the hot springs for our jobs.

October

13 Tokyo (Plane arrives at 9,00 )

14 Tokyo

15 Tokyo

16 Tokyo to Nagano by early morning train (or cheaper by bus?)

17 Nagano

18 Nagano to Matsumoto by train or bus

19 Matsumoto

20 Matsumoto Alp Pass for the area

21 Hirayu Onsen

22 Hirayu Onsen

23 Takayama

24 Takayama to Kyoto by train (7 day Train Pass)

25 Kyoto

26 Kyoto

27 Kyoto

29 Kyoto to Hiroshima by train (7 day Train Pass)

30 Hiroshima (Trip to Miyajima)

31 Hiroshima to Tokyo by late train (7 day Train Pass)

November

1 Tokyo

2 Tokyo

3 Tokyo

4 Plane back home in the morning

Thank you in advance.
Hi,

I am hoping to visit Japan for around 18 nights mid May until early June next year with Husband. The children will be 5 and 8 so want to pace ourselves. My rough plan is

Fly into Tokyo, then 2 or so nights Tokyo to acclimatise (or could possibly go straight to Kyoto from Tokyo airport using JR pass, but maybe too exhausting?)

Then activate JR 14 day pass, go to Kyoto for 3 nights (trips to bamboo grove, monkey park, Fushimi-Inari), then Nara for 1 night.

Then Hiroshima for 3 nights (visit Miyajima). Perhaps send any bags from Kyoto hotel to Hiroshima hotel, so only taking overnight bag to Nara?

Then 3 nights in Takayama (visit Hida Folk Village).

Then 2 nights Hakone.

Then should we do a night in Nikko before JR pass expires?

Then 2 or so nights in Tokyo (the last one at airport if an early flight).

We obviously want rooms that sleeps 4 of us, ideally centrally located or near station. Kitchen facilities would be useful. We are on a budget so around 80 pound a night (booking.com shows this is possible).

Is it best to book flights at 11 months before (as long as they are at a reasonable price), then we can book accommodation early. However, booking with free cancellation would mean I could look again at 6 months before when I understand lots of rooms are released, but at least we have definitely got somewhere ok. Is this a good or silly plan?

Also, would like to spend a night in a ryokan, But again a budget friendly one. The kids are fussy eaters so don't want to pay a fortune for their food. Any advice on finding one with large reductions for kids in any places along our route?

Thanks!
<<Was thinking Hakone is nearer to mt fuji and since i like Hakone area, will be better to book a hotel there?>>

Yes, book a hotel at Hakone.

<<What is the best option/route from Hakone to these 3 places? >>

Day 2 or 3: From Hakone to Kyoto

Go to Odawara by a bus or by a Hakone Tozan Tetsudo (Hakone Climbing Railway), and transfer to Shinkansen Hikari Superexpress which stop at Odawara, and get off at Kyoto. Stay at Kyoto

Day 3 or 4: Kyoto

Sightseeing Kyoto. Stay at Kyoto.

Here is where to visit in Kyoto.

I recommend to visit Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, South Higashiyama and Gion.

Day 4 or 5: Day trip to Fushimi Inari and Nara

Take JR Nara line local from JR Kyoto to JR Inari and visit Fushimi Inari. Then, take JR Nara Line to JR Nara. Return to JR Kyoto. Stay at Kyoto.

Day 5 or 6: Move to Osaka

Take JR Kyoto Line Shin-Kaisoku (New Rapid) from JR Kyoto to JR Osaka.

Stay at Osaka.
Food: I don't usually do fancy when solo. I had the GN breakfast buffet Sunday and Monday. It was fine for basic breakfast. Monday had a much better dessert assortment, which was odd. I did the Mexican Cadillac at the Golden Nugget for Sunday evening. Fast and good. All were comped on check out.

I did the breakfast buffet at MSS on Tuesday, and found much of the food cold. I have eaten at this buffet numerous times, and never had that issue. I did the Triple 7 Brewpub both evenings for dinner and the food was excellent. Fish and chips with wine Monday night, and NY strip with potatoes/wine on Tuesday night. I had food comps to cover all my meals here.

Gambling: I had over $200 in free play from the GN over the days I was in town, and did ok Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Didn't win anything big, but at least held my own. By Sunday afternoon, things were sliding downhill, tho not more than I was prepared to lose.

I had only $50 free play at MSS, so nothing major there. They did have "pick a frog promos" which gave me another $50. Monday was not great...I played alot of VP, tho had to call it on one DDB bank where the progressive was almost $1200. We are right on the bubble with income/taxes, so I do not want WG2s. I played some nickel TP, and found a band of 90 cent Quick Hits at the Cal which were fun.

And then Tuesday....I was SO tired from my bad night of sleeping. Took my last hundy before needing to hit an ATM, and had gone thru all of that playing Aces/No faces coin droppers at MSS. I was down to just the coins in my bucket when I was dealt quad Aces with an 8!! 7500 quarters!! Plus another 400 after holding the Aces so nearly 2k!! I was stunned...the odds must be very high to hit this on a dealt hand!! So, WG2 in hand, I continued to play and win, going to my room with 2k. There was an older gentleman playing 2 machines down...reminded me of my Dad (quite the gambler), who kept giving me advice.

I took the SDX to Paris that afternoon to run some $$ thru machines there. I enjoy my comped rooms at CET, and wanted to put some play on. Was able to play for a few hours, but lost overall.

Had so much trouble at the D....when they merged accounts with Golden Gate my account got quite screwed up. I have done numerous trips to the player's club, but it just does not get sorted to give me the correct free play. I ended up throwing my card away in frustration. Time to move on!

Thanks for reading... I enjoy all of your reports, most of which are much more exciting than this!
I'm a student from Belgium and I'll be staying in New York for 3 days before i'm heading to Delaware.

I came to New York before and did the tourists stuff already. Now i just want to live like a local for the days that i'm staying.

- I am a student, so it might be interesting to stay near other students?

- I want to stay around locals

- Party? Yes but again, as a local unless there is a venue that plays techno

- Budget: $650 for a place to stay (Preferably a place for my own, so no shared/rooms until i learn more about New York).

Any information will be truly appreciated!
Henry Ohanga also known as Octopizzo is a talented Kenyan hip-hop artist that is among the huge check Kenyan artist. Apart from Octopizzo songs that make him so blossoming, successful, and popular, he is a proud dad of 2 beautiful girls.

Source: Msanii.com

Despite his humble background, Octopizzo has become so successful. This article will present to you his net worth, a brief biography, and more about his person

Octopizzo biography

Octopizzo is from Kibera which is the largest slums in the whole of Africa. Octopizzo is the 1st born in a family of 4. He started off his ride to school in Mashimoni Primary school, he qualified and joined St. Gloria Secondary School, Kibera. Octopizzo studied his college level studies in Mombasa, St Marys Changamwe. The Kenyan hip-hop artist shifted back to Nairobi city to study a short electrician course and he had 3 years experience working in a garage.

Octopizzo is among the Kenyan artists that prefer to keep most of their personal life in the dark. The birthdate of the talented artist is unknown, but judging from his physical appearance Octopizzo age is cannot exceed 20s.

Octopizzos family

The Kenyan rapper has 2 beautiful princesses from different mothers. Octopizzo children Zara and Tracy seems to mean the world to him proved his many pics in his social media posts. His first wife is known as Christina Fernandes and they broke up after being blessed with a sweet angel called Tracy. Octopizzo engaged his six years girlfriend whom he fell in love with after seeing her on a billboard. They have a daughter together called Zara.

Source: Msanii.com

Octopizzo net worth 2018

A recent interview with Octopizzo in a local TV station which tells that Octopizzo wants his net worth to be in the dark. This is because he said he is priceless and nobody can place a price on him; in simple words, he is expensive and judging from how much he said he earns per a collabo, which is approximately $2000, one can tell that he receives a large check. Right? All this shows his hard work and efforts to make it to the top. There is no contesting that Octopizzo is the biggest growing hip-hop artist in East Africa.

Like other artists, Octopizzo does not get the high status from his music career only. He is a successful business mogul, an actor, the Chocolate City Tours CEO, a dancer, a graphic artist, poet, and a graffiti artist. All this is an evidence that Octopizzo is not among the people who are afraid to explore their talents. His talent career in song writing and singing have made his current success. Kenyans have a promising music industry development for having talented artists such as Octopizzo.

Octopizzo Music Career.

In spite of Octopizzo humble background he was not ready to live a fairy tale life, but he made sure that he managed to get down to his microphone dream. Jay Z is one of the internationally artists that greatly inspired Octopizzo. Lately he had his music recognized by Jay Z in his Tidal, which is a music streaming service. Once someone said that if you have a dream then you have to have someone who inspires you.

Source: Nairobiwire

Octopizzo has 3 mix-tapes recorded, Struggles of Nairobi (S.O.N), Young Gifted and Black (Y.G.B), and finally The White Shadow. His new release mix- tapes include Chocolate City as well as LDPC; most his fans are ready to accept it in large numbers. You can check them out in his YouTube channel, Google play, iTunes, or Amazon; we bet that they will fully entertain you.

S.O.N Octopizzo album made air waves back in 2008 and managed to give a new record for the Kenyan hip-hop all time history. His many awards and nominations can prove Octopizzo beyond words success. Some of his freestyle competition that he has won in Kenya include:

G Pange Hip Hop Challenge

Usanii Kona Hip Hop Challenge

Sprite Challenge

International Hip Hop Summit

Halisi Freestyle Hip Hop Challenge.

When it comes too beyond borders events performance, Octopizzo has not been spared. His success makes him get recognized and performed with popular artists like Malikah, Dj Trouble, Black Twang, and Dead Prezz. The events include Shambala Festival done in UK.

Octopizzo deals

Apart from Octopizzo portraying his talent in acting on MTV season 2 and Mali (a Kenyan drama, he has many deals in Kenya that contribute to his high status life. They include:

Coca Cola

Safaricom

Sprite

Nescafe

Octopizzo has also proved to be very generous for doing charity work to those who cannot afford to provide their daily wants; the less fortunate. Some of his passion projects include The Art Centre that is at Kakuma refuge camp, Youth Gifted & Black (it deals with programmes that aim in youth empowerment), and Power Womens Group (it supports those women infected with the deadly HIV/AIDS).

READ ALSO: Rapper Octopizzo bans unauthorised photography during his events

Octopizzo house and cars

Octopizzo cars are exotic.He splash millions to get new rides that are always flashy. He loves himself very much and living a fairy tale life is not in his dictionary.

Octopizzo bought himself a brand new Honda Civil Type R, and called it in his social media account as an early Christmas present to appreciate his put on efforts. He is drooling with his new car that all his haters prove his big success in his career. Octopizzo owns a mansion; his posh life makes his life so admirable and adorable.

Octopizzo fashion label

YGB Wear is the fashion line for the famous Kenyan rapper. It is best known for its beautiful and unique Y.G.B t-shirts and watches for both women and men. The mogul is very hardworking and he must have inspired many youngsters. One thing that the talented actor does during his performance is to carry an extra cap as he always throws his to his audience. His love and passion for fashion is soon going beyond Kenyan borders.

Source: Outhere.de

Octopizzo songs

Octopizzo music have made it to the top ranked and this article will recognize some of his popular songs in 2018. Which is your favorite song by Octopizzo? Well, if we did not dispute it in our nomination list, then you are more than free to share with us in our comment section.

1. Octopizzo -Something For You

Something For You was released back in 2015 in Ldpc album. The hit song made it into top charts in Kenya with a quality video. His raps are well performed, great lyrics crowning it. Something unique about Octopizzo lyrics is that they always have a hidden humor. Lines such Bei yangu ndogo, no wonder siku hizi kilo ziufinyana, which literally means that his price is too low making his weight squeeze; if you are a Kiswahili literate am sure you greatly enjoy to listen to Octopizzo raps. You can watch this song here.

2. Octopizzo - Utanisho

Utanisho is one of the best Namba nane diss hit song. Utanisho is a dubbed slang that means What can you tell me. Many predict that the song was dedicated to a popular Kenyan rapper known as Khaligraph Jones, as both of them are known to have an ending beef.

It is an amazing song with jam beats and well-flowed sheng. The lines are well-organized and this means that the cool song is worth downloading. Click here to get the video

3. Octopizzo - Ivo Ivo

Ivo Ivo is a hip-hop Octopizzo song that was released back in 2014 in his Chocolate City album. This song made many of his fans to predict of Octopizzo joining the Illuminati cult group. This was assumptions were made because his wicked lyrics.

All in all the beats are super fine and the quality of the video is awesome. You can watch the song at the click of the button and give your own assumptions. ivo Ivo is a Kiswahili slang name that literally means just like that.

READ ALSO: Octopizzo takes shots at Nyashinski over Kawangware mayhem

4. Octopizzo - Red Namba Plate

Red Namba Plate is one of the Octopizzo 2018 songs that are viral in Kenyan and some of its borders countries. The rap song has the best visuals as well as great beats. Red Namba Plate is directed by Chebeni and it had the most amazing shots. Jon Rook is the producer of this track and he is from Miami.

Red Namba Plate is a murmuring trap style song that has a Tergat Gang. What crowns the song is its flow sharp, the rhymes, and the heavy beat. The beats made it a street song especially in clubs. Watch it.

Source: Tuko.co.ke
- A temporary bridge was built to help the pupils in anticipation for a permanent one when rains subside

- The plight of Tiekunu Primary School pupils caused uproar among Kenyans

Tiekunu Primary School in pupils are a jubilant lot after their daily horrifying ordeal on their way to school was brought to an end.

TUKO.co.ke highlighted the woes of the young boys and girls eliciting uproar among Kenyans after a concerned netizen narrated their daily agony in the morning heading to school in a heart wrenching post.

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According to a Facebook post by Robert Githire, seen by TUKO.co.ke, the pupils from the school in Ndeiya, Kiambu County, can now breathe easy after the local administration heard their cry.

READ ALSO: Dini ya kuabudu shetani yadaiwa kutua Nairobi, wazazi waonywa

"Finally we have a temporary quality bridge. The kids from Tiekunu Primary will access the school with ease. After the rains reduce, a permanent bridge will be constructed," his post read.

Tiekunu Primary School pupils on the new bridge. Photo: Robert Githire/ Facebook

According to Githire, the make shift bridge is only temporary to alleviate the pupils troubles at the moment, but a permanent one will be built once the pounding rains subside.

READ ALSO: Uhuru, Ruto in bad terms - Jubilee leaders

The bridge is temporary but a permanent one will be built once the rains subside. Photo: Robert Githire/ Facebook

The temporary bridge was facilitated by the area MP Peter Mwathi in anticipation for a concrete one starting in June.

However, a section of residents have criticised the makeshift bridge saying the county goernment could have done a better job, terming it as a move to hoodwink people.

As reported earlier by TUKO.co.ke the pounding rains rain cut off roads in Ndeiya Ward forcing kids to pass through perilous flooded paths.

The passage called for teamwork, forcing the tallest and strongest boys to lift their younger ones across a huge pool of water.

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.

Islam holy month of Ramadhan begins - on TUKO TV

Source: Tuko.co.ke
- The new Bill will slap Kenyans earning over Ksh 750,000 per month with 35% income tax

- The Bill is also targeting large corporations raking in more than Ksh 500 million in revenue

- Government believes Bill will increase income tax revenue from 379 billion to Ksh 447 billion

- The Bill could also see corporate tax revenue jump from Ksh 330 to Ksh 389 billion

- Mudavadi was concerned the Bill will scare away investors and deny Kenyans job opportunities

Amani National Congress (ANC) party boss, Musalia Mudavadi, has poked holes in the proposed Income Tax Bill 2018 arguing it will only hurt Kenyans in the long run.

Mudavadi warned the new tax Bill that sought to increase income tax for Kenyans earning more than Ksh 750,000 per month and corporations raking in monthly revenue of over KSh 500 million will scare off investors and deny Kenyans job opportunities.

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ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi (left) warned higher taxes proposed by Treasury CS Henry Rotich (right) will discourage investors from coming or staring business in Kenya. Photo: TUKO.

READ ALSO: Equity Bank nets KSh 5.9 billion in first 4 months of 2018

Addressing the press on Saturday, May 19, Mudavadi argued very few Kenyans earned over Ksh 750,000 per month and therefore the government's proposed Bill will not lead to a significant increase in revenue for the government.

The high tax rates will also discourage new investors who will be forced relocate to other countries with better tax regime, the ANC party leader warned.

READ ALSO: Cost of bottled water, soda and juices likely to go up as govt moves to impose tax

The new tax rates proposed in the Income Tax Bill 2018. Photo: Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

According to the proposed Income Tax Bill 2018, those earning more than KSh 564,000 will be subjected to a 30% income tax.

For instance if your monthly take-home (salary) is KSh 600,000, then you will receive Ksh 420,000. The rest (30% of your income) will go to the taxman.

Those earning over Ksh 9 million per month will pay 35% of their income to the taxmam as their income tax contribution.

READ ALSO: Agriculture Principal Secretary to pay KSh 2.9 million after his car killed secondary school teacher

The large companies making over half a million will be required to remit corporate tax rate of 10% for the first 10 years and thereafter 15% for another 10 years according to the Bill.

Mudavadi warned the higher taxes will dissuade the foreign investors from coming or staring business in Kenya.

Those already established and operating in the country, Mudavadi argued, may be forced to exit.

TUKO.co.ke understands the National Assembly was yet to approve the Bill as of May 20, 2018, with the government hoping it will sail through.

The government's expectation is that the proposed Bill help it increase income tax revenue from about Ksh 379 billion to an estimated Ksh 447 billion and corporate tax revenue from about Ksh 330 to over Ksh 389 billion.

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.

Small business Ideas for Kenyans with low investment - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko
- Miguna slammed Raila for claiming he was solely responsible for his misfortunes

- He claimed Raila was too drunk to keep up with the happenings on the night he was deported

- He said Raila should stop blaming him for the illegal detention

- The fiery lawyer claimed it was Uhuru who had ordered forced exile

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) self-proclaimed general Miguna Miguna slammed NASA principal Raila Odinga for claiming the deported lawyer was solely responsible for his misfortunes.

Miguna on Saturday, May 19, further defended his actions at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) when he was refused an entry into Kenya by the Immigration authorities.

He had refused to hand over his Canadian passport to Kenyan officials manning the airport.

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Speaking in Canada, the embattled leader sensationally claimed Raila was too drunk to keep up with the happenings on the night of March 27, that saw him resist second deportation.

READ ALSO: Mwanasiasa wa Pwani akiri kulala na wanawake 10 kwa siku na kushtua

Mguna sensationally claimed Raila was too drunk to keep up with the happenings on the night of March 27, that saw him resist second deportation. Photo: Miguna Miguna/Twitter.

READ ALSO: Miguna files new petition for return to Kenya days after nomination as Sonko deputy

The press were there when Raila Odinga came to JKIA drunk as a skunk. He couldn't even speak. He was incoherent. He couldn't stand on his own two feet. That's why he was sitting there pretending that he is talking on the phone," he said.

The former Nairobi gubernatorial candidate asked Raila to stop blaming him for his illegal detention and destruction of his Runda home but instead be bold enough to call out President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Miguna stated it was Uhuru who had ordered for his arrest and forced exile from Kenya for fearing the Canadian-based barrister was gaining more political mileage.

READ ALSO: Itll take 3-4 months to confirm Miguna as Sonkos deputy - Nairobi County Speaker

Raila had said Miguna's refusal to comply with the department of Immigration authorities was the reason why he was deported for the second time. Photo: Moses Kuria/Facebook.

READ ALSO: I'll not drop Miguna's name, it's final - Sonko tells critics

He also challenged the ODM leader to tell Kenyans how he facilitated his return to from Canada.

"When Raila says we tried to bring Miguna to Nairobi. He must tell people how. What did Raila Odinga do? What has Raila Odinga said concretely that is in the public record?," he asked.

Miguna was reacting to story published by TUKO.co.ke in which Raila had said Miguna's refusal to comply with the department of Immigration authorities was the reason why he was deported for the second time.

The former premiere addressed a gathering in United Kingdom on Friday, May 18, when he revealed Miguna's swift return to the country was one of the topics he had discussed with Uhuru during the historic meeting.

Raila argued after meeting with Uhuru, he personally called Miguna and asked him to return to the country but his arrival at the airport was blown out of proportion because of his hard line stand.

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.

Islam holy month of Ramadhan begins - on TUKO TV

Source: Tuko
- Raila had proposed for a change in governance structure, which will require referendum

- Uhuru rejected push for referendum saying he only had time for development and not politics

- The president appeared to support position that had been taken by his deputy Ruto

- Uhuru and Raila had agreed to end their political feud and work together for the sake of unity

- But with the apparent clash on referendum, will the handshake deal stand the test of time?

President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga have for the first time since the signing of the famous Harambee House peace pact on March 9, 2018, disagreed on something.

The two leaders, who had in the past two months become close friends, clashed on the ongoing push for fresh referendum that could see the country's governance structure altered.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga addressing the nation from Harambee House, Nairobi, on March 9, 2018. Photo: Lyn Ngugi/TUKO.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Mwanasiasa wa Pwani akiri kulala na wanawake 10 kwa siku na kushtua

TUKO.co.ke has established there is already a counter-reaction within Raila's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, which has been in the forefront in the renewed quest for constitutional amendment, following Uhuru's public pronouncement on the referendum issue.

The leading opposition party appeared to intensify its campaign for the proposed constitutional change.

The party's Secretary General Edwin Sifuna was on Sunday, May 20, quoted by the Standard saying they were planning to tour the 47 counties to sell the referendum agenda.

READ ALSO: William Ruto angered by calls for fresh referendum to create new positions in government

On the other side of the political divide, Jubilee Party leaders were in a celebratory mood after Uhuru declared his position on the weighty political matter.

Deputy President William Ruto and several Jubilee-allied leaders were from the onset opposed to any attempts to amend the Constitution, and they had their reasons.

"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," Ruto protested.

READ ALSO: Ruto, Raila clash at devolution conference over proposal to change governance structure

Initially, the politicians, from both Jubilee and NASA, were not sure of whether Uhuru was in support of or against the proposed constitutional change.

So when the president finally revealed his position on Friday, May 18, during a meeting with the Private Sector Alliance at State House, Nairobi, his Jubilee party felt relieved and encouraged to oppose and shoot down any attempt to amend the Constitution.

READ ALSO: ODM calls for creation of Prime Minister's post to accommodate Raila

Raila had proposed for a three-tier system of governance, but Uhuru said he had no time for another round of political campaigns and therefore will not support the push for referendum.

I have no time to run around telling people to change the Constitution. It wont solve the problems we have. But engaging with the private sector on manufacturing like we are doing (I) will, the president said.

It now remains to be seen how the clash between Uhuru and Raila on the referendum issue will affect the handshake deal moving forward.

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Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga: Full Speech at Harambee House - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko
- Wetangula lauded Uhuru for refusing to back changing of the constitution

- He claimed Uhuru had realised he was being manipulated by Raila

- Uhuru said he doesn't support the referendum and will instead focus on Big Four agenda

- Odinga has been agitating for the change of the constitution to restructure the presidency

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang'ula praised President Uhuru Kenyatta for his recent remarks over referendum.

Uhuru made it clear he does support the ongoing push to change the constitution currently being championed by ODM party leader Raila Odinga.

READ ALSO: 40 suspects summoned by DCI for grilling over alleged Ksh 9 billion NYS scam

Speaking in Tongaren constituency during a burial ceremony on May 19, Wetang'ula said there was no need of rushing to change the constitution if it is meant to benefit an individual.

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The Ford Kenya party leader also said Uhuru has realized he was being manipulated by an individual who wants to remain relevant politically despite his star dwindling everyday.

"We don't have to rush to amend the constitution because of absorbing somebody in the government, we have to critically analyze various issues before we think of a referendum," he said.

READ ALSO: Miguna sensationally claims Raila was too drunk when he visited him at JKIA

Wetang'ula also noted that even if Kenyans agree to change the constitution, it can't take place very soon because there is no quorum in IEBC.

"Majority of commissioners resigned from the electoral agency body leaving its services paralyzed while the law states that they should be at least five to pass their own budget, currently they are only four," he said.

READ ALSO: Kenya High Commission in Ottawa is like pit latrine without toilet paper - Miguna

President Uhuru on Friday said that his main focus was to drive the Big Four agenda in order to better lives of Kenyans.

"I have no time running around telling people to change the constitution, it won't solve their problems, we better engage them in development issues," he said.

However, Odinga on his part is agitating for the change of the constitution to restructure the presidency and introduce a third tier of devolution.

Uhuru and Odinga agreed to work together on March 9 through a handshake at Harambee house.

Story by Titus Oteba/Bungoma County correspondent.

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What is Your Worst Experience in a Matatu? - on TUKO TV

Source: Kenyan Breaking News
- The officials were sent home to pave way for ongoing investigation

- They were drawn from procurement, finance and accounting departments

- Two senior officials had already stepped side voluntarily over the alleged NYS scam

- The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has summoned more than 40 suspect for questioning

Several National Youth Service (NYS) officials were on Sunday, May 20, suspended as probe into the alleged theft of Ksh 9 billion at the youth empowerment programme intensified.

The NYS officials were sent home by the Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Margaret Kobia.

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READ ALSO: Mwanasiasa wa Pwani akiri kulala na wanawake 10 kwa siku na kushtua

The NYS officials, drawn from the accounting, finance and procurement departments, were sent home by Public Service, Youth and Gender CS Margaret Kobia (right).Photo: TUKO.

According to a statement dispatched to the newsrooms from the CS for Public Service, the officials sent home were mostly drawn from the finance, accounting and procurement departments where the looting is believed to must have been orchestrated.

"I hereby direct that all officers at NYS in Procurement, Finance and Accounting who are under investigations to proceed on compulsory leave effective immediately, Kobia said.

READ ALSO: I predicted the latest KSh 10 billion NYS scam - Mutahi Ngunyi

The move came a few days after two senior officials, Public Service Principal Secretary (PS) Lilian Omollo and the NYS Director General Richard Ndubai, voluntarily stepped side to pave way for the ongoing investigations.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has summoned more than 40 suspects for grilling over the multi-billion NYS heist.

READ ALSO: National Youth Service facing fresh probe over disappearance of KSh 10.5 billion

TUKO.co.ke had established the interrogations will commence on Monday, May 21, 2018, at the DCI headquarters off Kiambu Road.

"I am giving them opportunity to clear their names. They have to convince the detectives that the money in question was not paid fraudulently," the DCI boss George Kinoti said.

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Peter Pepe Interview: From a Conductor to 13.5 Million Business Owner - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko.co.ke
- He argued the nomination was just but the beginning of what awaited Miguna

- Miguna will capture opposition leader's strongholds of Kibera and later Kondele slums

- Sonko proposed controversial lawyer for the position of deputy governor

- Miguna also renewed his efforts to be allowed entry into the country

Vocal political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi claimed the surprise nomination of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) self-proclaimed general Miguna Miguna to the Nairobi deputy governor position was meant to steal thunder from NASA leader Raila Odinga.

Mutahi, in a short video seen by TUKO.co.ke on Sunday, May 20, noted President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto were using the fiery lawyer to wrestle Luo nation from Raila.

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He argued the nomination was just but the beginning of what awaited Miguna upon his 'heroic' return from Canada.

READ ALSO: Miguna sensationally claims Raila was too drunk when he visited him at JKIA

Mutahi noted President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto were using the fiery lawyer to wrestle Luo nation from Raila. Photo: Mutahi Ngunyi/Twitter.

READ ALSO: Kenya High Commission in Ottawa is like pit latrine without toilet paper - Miguna

"Miguna is not the project here, the project is Raila succession and Miguna is the lucky vehicle engineered to inherit Raila. Making him the deputy governor therefore is a stepping stone to creating the new leader of the Luo nation," he observed.

According to Ngunyi, Miguna will capture opposition leader's strongholds of Kibera and later Kondele slums once his nomination is approved by the Nairobi county assembly.

But he was quick to warn the embattled to stop using foul language against the NASA leader as this was hurting his chances of ascending to power once Raila exits the stage.

Nairobi governor Mike Sonko proposed controversial lawyer for the position of deputy governor.

In a letter dated Wednesday, May 16, addressed to Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi, Sonko noted the nominee would undergo vetting before assuming his position.

"The nominee meets all the requirements provided for in the constitution," Sonko said in the letter.

The former Nairobi gubernatorial candidate flatly declined the offer but sources intimated to TUKO.co.ke claim Miguna will most likely take up the position.

Already Miguna renewed efforts to be allowed entry into the country just days after his nomination.

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What is Your Worst Experience in a Matatu? - on TUKO TV

Source: Kenya Breaking News Today
At least 24 Ukrainians are political prisoners in Russia alone and over 40 are now imprisoned in occupied Crimea.

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) demands that Russia free 64 Ukrainian political prisoners who are imprisoned in Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea.

"At least 24 Ukrainians are political prisoners in Russia alone and over 40 in occupied Crimea. We once again demand that Russia free the hostages," MFA spokesperson Mariana Betsa wrote on Twitter on May 20.

Read alsoMother of arrested Crimean Tatar activist sentenced for "depressing" police officer

As UNIAN reported earlier, Russian authorities in Crimea detained some Crimean Tatars early in May 2018. Among the detainees were members of political prisoner Nuri Primov's family. Primov, 38, is accused of involvement in Hizb ut-Tahrir, an organization which is legal in Ukraine, but which Russia has declared a 'terrorist' one.

Ukraine's MFA protested against the detentions and announced plans to go to international courts.
Brazilian mercenary Lusvarghi fought on the side of Russian-led forces in Donbas.

Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky court has ordered the SBU Security Service of Ukraine to open a criminal case against leader of the Ukrainian nationalist organization C14 (Sich) Yevhen Karas over allegedly illegal action against Brazilian mercenary Rafael Lusvarghi, who is accused of killing Ukrainian soldiers in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.

"On the morning of May 18, 2018, the Shevchenkivsky court of Kyiv ordered to initiate criminal proceedings against Ye.Karas on the count of committing actions that fall under the definition of 'an act of terror,'" Lusvarghi's lawyer Valentyn Rybin said, the Ukrainian news outlet Ukrayinska Pravda wrote.

Read alsoLusvarghi case: Court arrests Brazilian who fought alongside militants in Donbas

Rybin demonstrated relevant documents  a claim about a criminal offense under Article 258 (terrorist act) and Article 146 (unlawful deprivation of freedom) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. He also showed a court ruling obliging an SBU investigator to add information about the incident to the state register of pre-trial investigations and share the confirmation with the lawyer.

The statement says that "Yevhen Karas and other persons caused bodily harm to Lusvarghi, humiliated, treated him with indignity."

"The actions of Karas and a group of unidentified persons were committed with the aim of intimidating the population of Ukraine and demonstrating their [offenders'] clear impunity, and were also aimed at complicating international relations between Ukraine and Brazil," the document says.

As UNIAN reported, Ukrainian nationalists on May 14 caught a Brazilian mercenary, Lusvarghi, who fought on the side of Russian-led forces in Donbas. First he was put on his knees and forced to apologize before Ukrainians for participating in military aggression against Ukraine, and then he was taken to the SBU.
Three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action on May 19.

The Russian-led forces resorted to Grad multiple rocket launchers and 122mm artillery systems, having increased the number of attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, to 58 incidents in the past day, May 19.

At night, the enemy mounted five attacks with the use of banned, heavy weapons, including BM-21 multiple rocket launchers to shell the town of Avdiyivka and areas near the Donetsk Water Filtration Station, the press center of the Ukrainian Joint Forces' Operation (JFO) wrote on Facebook on the morning of Sunday, May 20.

Russia's hybrid military forces also mounted 22 attacks on Ukrainian forces, using 122mm artillery, 120mm and 82mm mortars.

The JFO forces were actively defending themselves. In the Luhansk sector, the enemy failed to oust the Ukrainian army from their positions near the villages of Novotoshkivske, Krymske, Novozvanivka, Troyitske and the town of Zolote.

Read alsoJFO: Russian-led forces mount 43 attacks on Ukraine army in Donbas in past day

In the Donetsk sector, fighting continued near the town of Avdiyivka and the villages of Zaitseve, Zalizne, and Novotroyitske. The enemy opened fire from the residential quarters of the occupied town of Horlivka, thus endangering civilians living there.

Active fighting continued in the Mariupol sector. In particular, the villages of Pyshchevyk, Talakivka and Shyrokyne were hot spots there.

In the past day, three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action. They were rushed to hospital, and there is no threat to their life now.

According to intelligence report, the Ukrainian army eliminated one enemy soldier and three were wounded.

As UNIAN reported earlier, there were 43 attacks on Ukrainian troops on May 18.

On May 19, the Russian-led forces shelled the residential area of the village of Zaitseve, using 120mm mortars. A house was damaged as a result of the bombardment.
Despite the untrue nature of the report, it quickly spread on Russian-language social media accounts.

Federal officials have flatly denied online rumours circulated by Russian social media accounts that three Canadian soldiers working in Ukraine were killed by a landmine.

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces told Canada's CTV News that the claims are totally false, and that there are no Canadians who have been injured or killed.

The false claim appears to have been first reported on a Russian-language website that cites the pro-Russian group the "Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR"). The separatist group, which receives financial backing from Russia, was declared a terrorist group by Ukraine in 2015.

Read alsoRadio Poland: Border guards detain Russian over 'information war' on Poland

The report falsely claims that three NATO servicemen from Canada were killed by a landmine near the town of Avdiyivka in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. The report also claims that two American soldiers were injured in the blast.

The report alleges that Ukrainian officials plan to blame the pro-Russian group for the "attack," which it calls an "accident." Instead, the report says the landmine accident  which never happened  is the sole fault of the Ukrainian government.

The article cites the claim to the "DPR's" "defense ministry." The "DPR" is not a country and does not have a defense ministry.

Despite the untrue nature of the report, it quickly spread on Russian-language social media accounts. Eventually, the claims were translated into English and hit the radar of Western media.

The rumour appears to be fanned by Twitter accounts based in Russia, some of which may be trying to undermine faith in NATO. Several of the accounts consistently tweet anti-American sentiments.

Since 2015, Canada, Britain the U.S. have sent military trainers to Ukraine to teach soldiers skills such as bomb disposal, medical training and how to work as a unit. The move came after Russia annexed Crimea and began funnelling resources to pro-Russian separatists forces in Donbas, an eastern region in Ukraine.
Twenty University of Nebraska at Omaha students visted northern India from May 5th through the 15th, 2018. The immersion experience was coordinated by the UNO College of Information Science and Technology (IS&T) with their partner in India, Bennet University (BU).

A key portion of the experience exposed the UNO students to the growing Indian information technology sector. UNO students attended workshops on variety of topics including startup and entrepreneurship in India, chats with executives from Tech Mahindra, a tour a business process outsourcing operation, visited the Times of India Groups headquarters, visited Radio Mirchi (an internet radio service), and connected with undergraduate students from BU. Students learned first-hand about Indian society, culture, history, business practices, education, and government through visits around Delhi to various sites of historical importance including the Presidential Palace (Rashtrapati Bhavan) and conversations with executives from the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce. Students also had the opportunity to tour of the two other cities in the golden triangle: Agra and Jaipur. Students stayed in the dorms located at Bennet University in the state of Uttar Pradesh, a suburb of Delhi, India.

A majority of the costs for local travel, ground transportation, educational workshops, hotels and meals were underwritten by a grant from a grant awarded to IS&T. The study abroad group was led by Dr. Deepak Khazanchi, associate dean of academic affairs for IS&T.

The UNO students maintained a daily blog of their travels in India. Follow their experience at: unoeducationabroad.tumblr.com/tagged/anubhav.

About the College of Information Science and Technology

The College of Information Science and Technology (IS&T) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha represents the joint efforts of the University of Nebraska, the State of Nebraska, and private industry to address the growing global needs for knowledgeable professionals in Information Technology (IT). The College was established at UNO in 1996 to meet the growing demand for IT graduates in the Omaha metropolitan and surrounding area and celebrated its 20th anniversary last year.

About Bennet University

Extending the core journalistic principles of Trust, Knowledge and Public Service, Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd. (BCCL) established over 178 years ago, has continually undertaken initiatives for the betterment of Indian society. The group started expanding into the education sector with the launch of TimesPro - which focuses on short-term courses that enhance employability. It then launched Bennett University, a state private university in Uttar Pradesh with the aim of providing Ivy League quality of education to undergraduate and postgraduate students making them, life and career ready. Bennett University located at Greater Noida, commenced its operations on 08 Aug 2016. The University fosters a proactive environment of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, while enhancing skills in all areas of higher education through the internationally acclaimed Centers of Excellence such as Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) and Centre of Executive Education (CEE).
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Punjab University and China's Northeastern University (NEU), which is ranked among top 40 universities in China, have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a joint PhD program in the subject of history

Lahore, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th May, 2018) : Punjab University and China's Northeastern University (NEU), which is ranked among top 40 universities in China, have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a joint PhD program in the subject of history.

In this regard, a MoU signing ceremony was held at Vice Chancellor's office. PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nasira Jabeen, Dean Faculty of Arts and Humanities Prof Dr Iqbal Chawla, Registrar Dr Khalid Khan and Director External Linkages Dr Fauzia Hadi Ali were present.

The Vice Chancellor signed the MoU on behalf of the university while an NEU official has also signed the accord earlier in China. Under the agreement, 15 Chinese students would be enrolled each year and the both would establish the project supervisor group, consisting of professors of relevant disciplines.

PU will be responsible for the enrollment and training program for the Chinese students and NEU would assist its implementation. Chinese students would undergo the first year's study at PU under the direction of PU supervisors and would continue next three years' study at NEU, Qinhuangdao under the supervision of NEU supervisors.

PU will also send Pakistani doctoral students of history to NEU to study with Chinese doctoral students. In a press statement, Dr Nasira Jabeen expressed the resolve that PU would make all-out efforts to enhance bilateral relations with China's premier academic and research institutions.

She said that both the countries had splendid history of unprecedented friendship and both must benefit from each others' research and experiences.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th May, 2018 ) :The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) Sunday called upon the Municipal Corporation Islamabad (MCI) and Capital Development Authority (CDA) to focus on development of capital's markets as it would help business activities flourish.

Talking to a delegation of local traders that called on him, ICCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Naveed Malik said ever since the election of MCI, the CDA had been ignoring development works in markets, due to which they were giving a dilapidated look.

Naveed Malik said the business community was playing a leading role in the country's economic development as they were promoting business activities, creating new jobs and generating revenue. He said the MCI, CDA and all other relevant departments should pay urgent attention to resolve the key issues of business community and facilitate the private sector in every possible way so that business activities could boost in the city and local economy could further grow.
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Media Sources claim his dead body has been recovered from Pak-Afghan border. But family refuses to confirm Shahid Aziz's death.

Lahore (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News  19th May, 2018) Lieutenant General (r) Shahid Aziz is reportedly found dead. According to media reports, his dead body has been recovered from Pak-Afghan border.

Lt General (retd) Shahid Aziz was a Pakistani military author, intelligence writer, and retired three-star general of Pakistan Army. He also served as the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman.

Media sources said that he has been killed in Afghanistan some time ago. According to sources, Lt Gen (r) Shahid Aziz was in Afghanistan in an attempt to compensate for what he had done in favor of the US troops. He has reportedly been found dead while he was in Afghanistan.

But Upon contacting, Lt Gen (r) Shahid Aziz's family refused to confirm his death news. Earlier, Media sources claimed Shahid Aziz's own family broke the news of his death.

But in latest development, family sources denied any such claims and refused to confirm death news of Pakistan Army's retired General.

Shahid Aziz's son, Maj (r) Zeeshain told a local news channel that Lieutenant General Retd. Shahid Aziz is in Africa for tableegh, and he is in contact with the family.

Not to forget, Aziz had taken admission in Islamic Studies department of a university. He had written a book Ye khamoshi kahan tak and had criticized Pakistan for being an ally to the United States in war against terrorism.

Former president Pervez Musharraf had said in a recent statement that Shahid Aziz had grown beard and gone to Syria where he had been killed.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th May, 2018 ) :Following completion of its reliability test and adjustments thereafter, the first unit of Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project has started providing electricity to the National Grid.

The unit will contribute 242.25 MW power to its full capacity to the system for one month (reliability period) after which its commercial operation will commence, said a press release on Friday.

In yet another significant development, Unit No. 2 of the project has also undergone mechanical run tests starting May 16. This unit is expected to be synchronized with the National Grid during next week for power generation on trial basis.

The Unit No.4 of the project, which was put into operation during April, injected more than 1.3 million units of electricity during test run. However, during the tests of this unit, the "run outs" exceeded the specifications.

The Consultants of the project concluded that for operation for its designated life, its "labyrinth" and "lower sleeve" should be replaced with new ones, for which the contractor has placed the order on the manufacturer namely Harbin China.

This unit is scheduled to go into operation in next three to four months. It is worth mentioning that Neelum Jhelum has injected over 23 million units into the National Grid so far. It may be mentioned here that Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project is a component of hydro-development plan, being implemented by WAPDA on priority to tap indigenous hydropower potential aimed at improving the ratio of hydel electricity in the system.

State-of-the-art Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project has been constructed on River Neelum in Azad Jammu & Kashmir. A 60 meter high and 160 meter long composite dam has been constructed at Nauseri to divert water to an underground power house for power generation near Chattar Kalas though a water way system that consists of 52-kilometer long tunnels.

A 525 Kilo Volt switch yard and transmission line have also been completed for evacuation of power. The National Grid will receive about 5 billion units of electricity from Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project on the average every year. Annual benefits of the project stand at Rs. 55 billion.
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MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th May, 2018 ) :Water shortage for irrigation would effect the production of crops of Kharif season in irrigation zone Multan Punjab and agriculture department urged upon farmers to shift their focus on modern and efficient ways of irrigation.

According to irrigation department sources, Pakpattan canal system (upper) which irrigates districts Pakpattan and Vehari, faced water scarcity of 45 percents. Similarly, Pakpattan canal (lower) which irrigates Lodhran and Vehari, and it was faced with 25 percent shortage.

Mailsi canal 26 % (irrigation area Lodhran-Vehari) , Sidhnai 16 % (Multan-Khanewal) and Haveli internal (Shorkot) is facing 29 % shortage. Cotton, sugarcane, jowar, maize, soybean and some other crops are cultivated during Kharif season and thus the water shortage could affect enhanced production of the crops this year.

According to XEN Irrigation Chaudhary Muhammad Zahid, the total demand of water is 11.613 million acre feet and the region is getting 7.909 million acre feet water for the on-going early Kharif season.

When contacted assistant director agriculture information, Naveed Asmat Kahloon how to counter this water scarcity, he informed that the Punjab government had launched various schemes to ensure efficient use of irrigation water.

He claimed that the water scarcity issue could be resolved by adopting high efficiency irrigation drip and sprinkler system.

He informed that Punjab government was offering 60 percent subsidy on drip and sprinkler system in order to facilitate the farming community.

Similarly, 80 subsidy is being given on solar tubewells. About benefits of drip and sprinkler irrigation system, Naveed informed that it was highly effective. If one acre is irrigated by conventional flood irrigation way, then the farmers could irrigate 20 acres with the same water, in case they shift their focus on modern drip irrigation system.

Drip irrigation system offers only required water to crops and similarly, it also increases efficacy of fertilizers applications. The drip irrigation system also discouraged growth of weeds in the field.

The drip irrigation system was installed at 10,000 acres in the region with assistance of government. He added that it was getting popular among the farmers. To a query what should farmer do who lacked drip irrigation system in their fields, the assistant director Naveed Asmat Kahloon suggested that the farmers should cultivate crops on beds and furrows.

The water channels should also be kept clean from all sorts of silt. The farmers should not allow bathing of animals in water channels as some time the animals sit in middle of water tributeries and thus affect flow of water. APP/sak-atf-xl/bl
Beirut, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th May, 2018 ) :A first batch of Islamic State group fighters left their final stronghold in Syria's capital early Sunday under a deal struck after weeks of fierce combat, a monitor said.

"At dawn, six buses of IS fighters and their relatives left the Yarmuk Palestinian refugee camp and adjacent district of Tadamun," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Abdel Rahman said the buses headed east for Syria's vast desert, where IS still controls some territory. He had no details on how many people were aboard the vehicles, but said a majority of them were relatives of militants and not armed.

The evacuations came a day after an apparent deal was reached to put an end to a ferocious month-long offensive to oust IS from its last positions in southern Damascus.

Pro-regime forces, specifically Palestinian militias, had been fighting since April 19 to recapture Yarmuk, Tadamun, and the nearby districts of Qadam and Hajar al-Aswad from IS.

The assault had killed more than 250 pro-regime forces and another 233 IS fighters, according to the Observatory. Fighting died down around midday on Saturday amid reports that an evacuation deal could be reached.

Syrian state media on Sunday denied evacuations were taking place in Hajar al-Aswad, but did not mention departures from Yarmuk or Tadamun. Once a thriving district home to some 160,000 Palestinians and Syrians, Yarmuk's population has fallen to just a few hundred people.
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Beirut, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th May, 2018 ) :Pro-government forces and the Islamic State group observed a brief ceasefire in southern Damascus Saturday, a monitor said, after weeks of deadly fighting in the jihadists' last stronghold in the Syrian capital.

The regime of President Bashar al-Assad last month launched a wide-scale offensive against IS in Damascus' Hajar al-Aswad district and the Yarmuk Palestinian refugee camp. Clashes have inflicted heavy losses on both sides.

"A ceasefire came into effect at midday today, ostensibly for five hours," the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP late Saturday that the truce, which may be a prelude to the evacuation of IS fighters from the area, was still in effect.

He said the ceasefire had been negotiated by regime ally Russia and pro-government Palestinian factions.

Syria's state-run Sana news agency however quoted a military source as denying the agreement.

Loyalist forces launched a ferocious assault in southern Damascus after capturing the Eastern Ghouta rebel stronghold near the capital in April. They have already retaken the Qadam neighbourhood, but the jihadists retain control of around 70 percent of Yarmuk.

According to Observatory, fighting in southern Damascus has killed 484 IS members and more than 250 pro-regime fighters as well as 56 civilians. Once a thriving district home to some 160,000 Palestinians and Syrians, Yarmuk's population has fallen to just a few hundred people.

Syria's war has left more than 350,000 people dead since it started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests, before spiralling into a complex conflict involving world powers and jihadists.


The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas welcomed top artists Backstreet Boys, Dua Lipa, Echosmith, and Bebe Rexha to the Boulevard Pool for 98.5 KLUCs SPF (SUN.POOL.FUN.)  (Pictured: Backstreet Boys  Photo credit: Paul Citone / Kabik Photo Group).

While overlooking the lights of the Las Vegas Strip, the Backstreet Boys took to the stage to perform their greatest hits including Larger Than Life, The One, and Weve Got It Going On. It was an unforgettable evening for the group as they premiered their first new single in over five years, Dont Go Breaking my Heart to thousands of screaming fans. Dressed in coordinating white and black denim outfits, the group performed their choreography in classic Backstreet Boys fashion. The iconic boy band paid tribute to the city of Las Vegas and surprised ecstatic fans by donning Vegas Golden Knights jerseys for their finale song, Everybody, before bringing a cake on stage to celebrate the debut live performance of Dont Go Breaking my Heart.

Photo credit: Paul Citone / Kabik Photo Group

English pop sensation Dua Lipa wowed the crowd with powerful performances of her songs Blow Your Mind, Be The One, Scared To Be Lonely, IDGAF, and hit single New Rules. Lipa wore a stunning turquoise two-piece adorned with rhinestones as she danced on stage  giving fans an exciting preview of what is to come when she returns to The Cosmopolitan for her headlining set this fall.

Photo credit: Paul Citone / Kabik Photo Group

Fans sang along with blonde beauty Bebe Rexha as she performed her iconic tunes Me, Myself & I, Hey Mama, Take Me Home, Meant To Be, and In The Name of Love. The self-proclaimed Pop Disruptor looked gorgeous dressed in a black and white Christian Dior jumpsuit and white boots. In true Las Vegas fashion, Rexha sent twelve 100-dollar bills flying into the crowd, after winning the money from a Wheel of Fortune machine earlier that day.

Photo credit: Paul Citone / Kabik Photo Group

Echosmith performed a mix of the bands most popular hits including 18, Future Me, Bright, Get Into My Car, Over My Head, and Cool Kids for the audience. Giant balloons were released into the crowd as Echosmith closed off their performance.
The United States and China agree to a trade framework. Work continues to keep the Trump-Kim summit on track. The science of studying for Afghan women. Pakistan's women on wheels. Songirds teach speech, credit card skimmers.
Controversial oil exploration along a wild stretch of Australia's southern coast fabled for its whales and surf has sparked protests outside a resources conference in the city of Adelaide. A Norwegian company plans to start drilling in the Great Australian Bight next year.



The Great Australian Bight is a large, open bay off the coast of southern Australia. It is home to sea lions and sharks, and is a nursery for the endangered southern right whale.



It is not only an ecological gem, but an economic one. Resources companies have long nurtured ambitions to drill for oil and gas in the area.



Conservationists believe that development of the Bight has the potential to cause "environmental devastation" that could have consequences to other distant parts of the vast Australian coast.



Activists have staged a mock oil spill in protest outside a meeting of industry representatives in Adelaide.



Nathaniel Pelle, a spokesperson for Greenpeace, says there is mounting community opposition to the plan.



"People of the Great Australian Bight; fishermen, mayors, tourism leaders, Indigenous leaders have not consented to this company drilling in this area. Nobody here wants to risk an oil spill," said Pelle.



The mayor of Kangaroo Island in South Australia, Peter Clements, was so worried about the prospect of oil exploration in the Great Australian Bight he traveled to Norway to tell the annual general meeting of the country's biggest oil and gas company, Statoil, what his community thought of the plan.



Resources giants BP and Chevron each have recently abandoned plans to drill in the area because of concerns over the low price of oil and other strategic reasons.



But Matthew Doman, a spokesperson for the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, says the Norwegian plan will proceed responsibly.



"Quite clearly there are some in the community who are opposed to this endeavor. We understand their environmental concerns but we are very proud of our track record of protecting the environment while we develop the economy, create opportunities and jobs and we are determined that we will do that in South Australia as we have done in other areas," he said.



The Australian government has previously said that future oil and gas development in the Great Australian Bight would strengthen the nation's "long-term energy security."
At least 22 people have been killed, and others are still missing after heavy rains from tropical cyclone hit the Horn of Africa.



At least 15 were killed in Awdal region in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, according to regional governor Abdirahman Ahmed Ali, while another person was killed in the town of Berbera in Sahil region.

Ali said the report is still preliminary and the death toll could rise as they try to reach remote areas of the region affected by the rains.

Most of the victims are believed to be swept away by the flash floods, residents said.

Residents in Baki town of Awdal region say they recorded four deaths, three of them swept away by floods while the fourth person died after a house collapsed.

Mohamed Aw Ahmed Ateye is the head of the district council in Baki town. "There is a huge loss of lives and destruction of properties, he told VOA Somali.

Ateye reported the collapse of 41 homes in the town, while another 30 homes were destroyed in Harirad town. He also said 140 farms were destroyed.

The floods destroyed the crop, farm equipment and bridges were swept away after 17 hours of rains, he said.

In Mogadishu, officials confirmed the death of at least six people and more than 300 homes are underwater in the capital.

According to United Nations, heavy rains continue to fall across Somalia and the Ethiopian highlands. It says 772,500 people have been affected by flooding in Somalia with more than 229,000 displaced.

Hashim Omar Goth contributed to this report from Awdal.


Two months ago, Kote Adi fled Moyale, Ethiopia, after government soldiers there opened fire on civilians, killing at least nine. Kote and his pregnant wife found shelter in a tent in northeastern Kenyas Dambala Fachana refugee camp, but weeks of heavy rain have displaced them again.

"Our plastic shelters were flooded with water," said Kote Adi, who is settling into a new tent site on higher ground.

Hardship and uncertainty haunt him and thousands of others whove left Moyale, a market town straddling the border between Ethiopia and Kenya, and its surroundings in Ethiopias Oromia region for safety in Kenya. Some are staying with relatives and friends, or in makeshift camps scattered across the normally arid Marsabit County.

Temporary security

Roughly 3,350 of them, including Kote Adi, have found at least temporary security by registering with the United Nations as refugees at Dambala Fachana. Lacking most of their belongings and normal routines, vulnerable to food shortages and illness, they have no idea when they might be able to safely go home.

Political and ethnic rifts keep them away. Ethiopias government blamed the March 10 civilian deaths on faulty intelligence, saying soldiers had been deployed to subdue militants from the nationalist Oromo Liberation Front. The Oromia region has been a hotbed of unrest, with ethnic Oromos long complaining of underrepresentation in government and lack of economic opportunities. Nearly three years of their mass anti-government protests led Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to step down in mid-February.

With Oromia native Abiy Ahmeds April 2 installation as prime minister, some of the displaced ethnic Oromos made their way home to Moyale.

Some discovered their dwellings had been looted.

"When I went back, the door was broken.  None of my stuff was there," Abdiya Gelma told VOA in a phone interview, ticking off missing items including her bed, kitchen utensils and a rug. Now she and her child are staying with relatives.

Military presence

Returnees also found an intensified military presence, Abdiya Gelma and several others told VOA. She said she saw security troops beating a youth who displayed the Oromo Liberation Fronts red-and-green flag.

Moyale remains tense after more rounds of violence. A grenade exploded at a bus station April 17, killing at least three people. Gunfire broke out May 6 between Oromo and Garre ethnic groups, provoked by the Ethiopian Somali Regions paramilitary force firing on a local police station, a resident told the Addis Standard. That regional force is part of the federal Command Post that has implemented a national state of emergency since then-prime minister Desalegns resignation Feb. 15.

The border town is so volatile. Our neighbors who went back to Moyale are coming back again to Dambala Fachana, refugee Kote Adi told VOA.

Staying put for now

He and Nagelle Kote are staying put in the camp for now, Kote Adi said.

Nagelle is his second wife; his other wife and their seven children, along with his mother, remain in Yabelo, an Ethiopian city about 210 kilometers northwest of Moyale.

I wasnt able to contact my family there because of road closures and [poor] phone connections, Kote Adi said, adding that he and Nagelle escaped Moyale on foot.

Now he and Nagelle have an infant daughter, Tiya. Shes among at least 20 newborns in the camp, her father said. More than 600 pregnant women were among the 9,700 asylum seekers arriving in northern Kenya from Ethiopias Oromia region, the U.N. Refugee Agency reported in mid-March.

Kote Adi operated a cattle-trading business just outside Moyale; now he has become a day laborer. He earns 100 shillings a day, but spends up to 60 shillings on the round-trip travel to a construction site two hours away.

It is the only way I can help my wife, Kote Adi said, explaining that the extra money goes toward supplementing the rice, maize, sugar and milk rations provided by aid organizations such as the UN, its World Food Program and the Kenya Red Cross.

Heavy rains, flooding, mosquitoes

Conditions have become more challenging with recent heavy rains, which give rise to flooding, more mosquitoes and higher risks of malaria and water-borne ailments.

The area we live in is [near] a forest infested with mosquitoes, where you hear lions roaring all night, Kote Adi said.

He estimated his was among 31 households affected by flooding. Yvonne Ndege, a U.N. Refugee Agency spokeswoman, did not give VOA a number but said in an email that heavy rains affected "few refugee families" among the nearly 1,400 households registered with the camp. All were transferred to higher ground.

Ndege added that relief workers were taking "precautionary measures to improve sanitation and hygiene."

Emergency funds have been "diverted from other refugee operations in Kenya," home to Dadaab and its five camps, another UNHCR spokeswoman, Rose Ogola, said an email to VOA. She said U.N. agencies, along with NGOs, were assessing humanitarian needs, developing a budget and would seek donations. These would support an estimated 5,000 asylum seekers at Dambala Fachana and also at the Somare camp near Moyale for six months.

Other helping hands

Meanwhile, local volunteers such as Abdiya Golicha, a Marsabit County resident, are trying to assist the displaced in and around Dambala Fachana. She has repeatedly visited the camp with donations.

At first, "the kids didnt even have shoes or clothing. We bought these for them," she told VOA. She said local residents provided food and other basics until aid agencies could get set up. Volunteers also helped erect the plastic tents that shelter the displaced.

"We received them respectfully, because we are one people," Abdiya Golicha said. "We speak the same language, although were divided by a [national] border."

VOA Horn of Africa Services Dawit Gelmo reported from Nairobi and from the Dambala Fachana refugee camp, with Sora Halake and Tigist Geme contributing from Washington. VOA Swahili Services Hubbah Abdi also contributed to this report.
Facebook and European Union officials were locked in high-stakes negotiations Sunday over whether founder Mark Zuckerberg will appear Tuesday before EU lawmakers to discuss the sites impact on the privacy rights of hundreds of millions of Europeans, as well as Facebooks impact on elections on both sides of the Atlantic and the spreading of fake news.

Being debated is whether the meeting would be held after EU Parliament President Antonio Tajanibe agreed to have it live-streamed on the internet and not held behind closed-doors, as previously agreed.

The leaders of all eight political blocs in the parliament have insisted the format be changed.

Lawmakers say it would be deeply damaging for Zuckerberg, if he pulls out simply because they want him to hold what they say is the equivalent of a Facebook Live.

Claude Moraes, chairman of the EU parliaments Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs panel, warned Zuckerberg will have to go into greater detail than he did in his testimony before U.S. Senate and Congressional panels last month on the issues of algorithmic targeting, and political manipulation and on Facebooks relationship with Cambridge Analytica.

Facebook shared with the British firm the data of millions of Americans and Europeans, which was subsequently used for election campaigning purposes. Facebook did not return calls from VOA asking about whether Zuckerbergs meeting with EU lawmakers would still go ahead.



EU governments are absolutely aware that every election now is tainted. We want to get to the heart of this, said Moraes. EU lawmakers say Zuckerbergs appearance is all the more important as he has declined to appear before national European parliaments, including Britains House of Commons.

Terrorist connections

Zuckerberg is likely also to be pressed on why Facebook is still being used by extremists to connect with each other and to recruit. Much of the focus in recent weeks on Facebook has been about general issues over its management of users data, but analysts are warning the social-media site is enabling a deadly form of social networking and isnt doing enough to disrupt it.

Facebooks data management practices have potentially served the networking purposes of terrorists, said the Counter Extremism Project, nonprofit research group, in a statement.

CEPs findings regularly debunk Facebooks claims of content moderation. This week, a video made by the pro-ISIS al-Taqwa media group was found that includes news footage from attacks in the West and calls for further violence, encouraging the viewer to attack civilians and kill them by any means or method," according to CEP

CEP researchers say Facebooks suggested friends feature helps extremists connect to each other and is enabling a deadly form of social networking. Worldwide, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, there has been a spike of militant activity on social media channels ... Encrypted messaging apps like Facebook-owned WhatsApp are well known mechanisms used by terrorists to communicate, plot and plan attacks, a practice that is tragically continuing, CEP says.

New rules

Aside from the EU parliament, Zuckerberg has agreed to be interviewed onstage Thursday at a major tech conference in Paris, and is scheduled to have lunch with French president Emmanuel Macron during the week.

His visit comes as the British government is threatening social-media companies with a tax to pay for efforts to counter online crime. According to Britains Sunday Telegraph newspaper, British ministers have instructed officials to carry out research into a new social media levy on internet companies.

Culture Minister Matt Hancock indicated Sunday the British government is beginning to move away from allowing the internet companies to regulate themselves and is ready to impose requirements on them, which if approved by parliament will make Britain the safest place in the world to be online.

A new code of practice aimed at confronting social-media bullying and to clear the internet of intimidating or humiliating online content could be included in the legislation, say officials. Other measures being considered include rules that have to be followed by traditional broadcasters that prevent certain ads being targeted at children. Hancock said work with social-media companies to protect users had made progress, but the performance of the industry overall has been mixed, he added.

Hancock said, Digital technology is overwhelmingly a force for good across the world and we must always champion innovation and change for the better."
Relatives of a former top Pakistan army general have rejected as false reports he died while fighting alongside anti-American forces in Afghanistan or Syria.

Pakistani television stations and newspapers have aired and published stories identifying the army officer as retired Lt. General Shahid Aziz.

The reports cited family sources as saying Aziz left the country many months ago for Afghanistan to compensate for what he had done in favor of U.S. troops and was killed there.

Pakistans former military chief, self-exiled Pervez Musharaf, last week spoke to a local television channel claiming some people told him Aziz had grown a long beard and gone to Syria and had been killed there.

But on Sunday, Azizs son vehemently rejected and denounced the reported claims.

Since Gen. Shahid Aziz lives a very private life and does not want public appearances or information regarding his travels/Tableegh (religious preaching), such hearsay regarding his whereabouts are spread, Zeeshan Aziz told VOA.

Aziz retired in 2005 after serving with the Pakistan army for 37 years. While Musharraf was the military chief, Aziz had been promoted to be the director general of military operations and the chief of the general staff.

Musharraf has been living in exile, avoiding appearances in several court cases pending against him, including charges of murder and treason. Aziz also authored a book after his retirement in which he criticized policies of the former army chief.

Allegations that Pakistans military covertly supports Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan in launching attacks against U.S. and Afghan forces have been a primary source of Islamabads tensions with Kabul and the United States.



Pakistani leaders reject those charges, saying they are baseless and politically motivated. Officials maintain the country has rendered "unprecedented" sacrifices and has suffered tens of thousands of deaths of its citizens, including security forces in the war on terrorism, and in helping international efforts to stabilize Afghanistan.
Many parents, families and friends of the victims of Friday's shooting at a school in the state of Texas attended church services on Sunday, grieving the 10 people who were killed just two days earlier.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott attended a service at Arcadia First Baptist Church in Santa Fe on Sunday, hugging mourning parishioners.

Three months after the shooting deaths of 17 people at a school in Parkland, Florida, ignited student-led calls for stronger gun control laws, a shooter killed 10 people, most of them students, at the Santa Fe High School in Texas.

On Sunday morning, Texas' Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick linked gun violence to violent video games and social media, saying that the United States has "devalued life."

"Whether it's through abortion, whether it's the breakup of families, through violent movies, and particularly violent video games," Patrick told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday morning, insisting that arming teachers, a controversial solution proposed by many gun rights activists, is necessary.

Fred Guttenberg, a parent of one of the children killed in Parkland in February, called the comments "idiotic" and "moronic," calling instead for stricter gun control laws.

Texas officials charged a 17-year-old with capital murder following the deadly shooting Santa Fe High School.



Students said the gunman, identified by law enforcement as Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a school junior, opened fire before 8 a.m. Friday at Santa Fe High School.

Texas Governor Abbott said police found explosive devices, including a fire bomb, at the suspected shooter's home and in a vehicle, as well as around the high school where the shooting took place.



Abbot said the suspect, who is in custody and waived his right to remain silent, originally intended to commit suicide following the shooting but told law enforcement after he was arrested that he didn't have the courage to go through with it.

The governor said two guns were used in the attack, a shotgun and a .38 revolver. He said both guns were owned by the suspect's father, but said it was not clear whether the father knew his son had taken the guns.

Among the victims are a substitute teacher and a foreign exchange student.

Santa Fe is located in southeastern Texas between the cities of Houston and Galveston.
The chaos among House Republicans this past week on immigration shows how problematic and risky the issue can be for a party that needs unity heading into the elections in November that will decide control of Congress.

GOP leaders thought they had found a way by Friday morning to make the partys warring conservative and moderate wings happy on an issue that has bedeviled them for years.

Conservatives would get a vote by late June on an immigration bill that parrots many of President Donald Trumps hard-right immigration views, including reductions in legal immigration and opening the door to his proposed wall with Mexico. Centrists would have a chance to craft a more moderate alternative with the White House and Democrats and get a vote on that, too.

Farm bill hostage

But it all blew up as conservatives decided they didnt like that offer and rebelled. By lunchtime Friday, many were among the 30 Republicans who joined Democrats and scuttled a sweeping farm and food bill, a humiliating setback for the Houses GOP leaders, particularly for lame-duck Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.

The conservatives essentially took the agriculture bill hostage.

They said they were unwilling to let the farm measure pass unless they first got assurances that when the House addresses immigration in coming weeks, leaders would not help an overly permissive version pass.

Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Calif., a leader of the moderates, said his group would try to write a bill that would let young Dreamer immigrants in the U.S. illegally stay permanently  a position anathema to conservatives  and toughen border security.

A moderate immigration package disavows what the last election was about and what the majority of the American people want, and the people in this body know it, said Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa. Hes a member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, many of whose members opposed the farm bill.

Its all about timing unfortunately and leverage, and the farm bill was just a casualty, unfortunately, Perry said.

Denham and his allies were also unwilling to back down. He told reporters that the conservatives broke that agreement, and his group would pursue bipartisan legislation.

Im disappointed in some colleagues who asked for a concession, got the concession and then took down a bill anyway, Denham said in a slap at the Freedom Caucus. Denham said the concession was a promised vote on the conservative immigration bill by June, though conservatives said they never agreed to that.

Such internal bickering is the opposite of what the GOP needs as the party struggles to fend off Democratic efforts to capture House control in November. Democrats need to gain 23 seats to win a majority, and a spate of Democratic special election victories and polling data suggests they have a solid chance of achieving that.

Republican leaders and strategists think their winning formula is to focus on an economy that has been gaining strength and tax cuts the GOP says is putting more money in peoples wallets.

Immigration is a distraction from that message  and worse.

On one side are conservatives from Republican strongholds, where many voters consider helping immigrants stay in the U.S. to be amnesty. On the other are GOP moderates, often representing districts with many constituents who are Hispanic, moderate suburbanites or are tied to the agriculture industry, which relies heavily on migrant workers.

20 Republicans

A look at the 20 Republicans who have signed a petition by GOP moderates aimed at forcing House votes on four immigration bills is instructive.

Of the 20, nine are from districts whose Hispanic populations exceed 18 percent, the proportion of the entire U.S. that is Hispanic. Denhams Central California district is 40 percent Hispanic, while five others constituencies are at least two-thirds Hispanic.

In addition, 11 of the 20 represent districts that Democrat Hillary Clinton carried over Trump in the 2016 presidential election.

The petition drive, led by Denham and GOP Rep. Carlos Curbelo, whose South Florida district is 70 percent Hispanic, is opposed by party leaders because the winning bill probably would be a compromise backed by all Democrats and a few dozen Republicans. That would enrage conservatives, perhaps prompting a rebellion that could cost House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., his goal of succeeding Ryan as speaker.

Long odds to become law

All that trouble would be for legislation that still faces long odds of becoming law.

Even if a formula is discovered that could pass the House, it could run aground in the Senate, where four immigration bills died in February and Democrats can use the filibuster to scuttle any bill they dislike. Those defeats led Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to say he wouldnt revisit immigration unless a bill arose that could actually pass this chamber.

Trumps willingness to sign immigration legislation also remains in question after a year that has seen his stance on the issue veer unpredictably.

Audience members hold signs reading "DISAGREE" as U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., speaks during a town hall meeting, March 18, 2017, in Red Lion, Pa. Perry's event turned contentious in his conservative south-central Pennsylvania district over questions about his support for President Donald Trump's budget proposal and immigration plans and for undoing former President Barack Obama's signature health care law.
As demands for a manual voter recount surge amid claims of election fraud in the Iraqi general elections, the country's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) is concerned a ballot-by-ballot recount could portray the newly introduced electronic system as a failure, one member says.

During a telephone interview with Voice of America, Saeed Kakei, a member of the IHEC, said his request for a manual recount was rejected by other members of the election commission who "feared" that a recount could possibly show the failure of the machines.

"I told them we should work with transparency. What is the fear for?" Kakei told VOA. "I proposed that they manually recount 25 percent of the ballot boxes, or at least 5 percent, but they refused to do so."

The IHEC is headed by a nine-member board and has complete authority over holding elections and examining electoral complaints.

Other members of the commission could not be reached for comment.

First vote since IS emergence

Iraq held elections to pick a new parliament and government May 12 for the first since the emergence of the Islamic State in parts of the country in 2014.

The introduction of electronic counting machines for the first time by the IHEC was initially hailed as an attempt to prevent voter fraud while also expediting election results.

But the announcement of the results this week led to strong criticism from several political blocs who claimed the electronic counting machines had been manipulated in favor of their political opponents.

IHEC, however, defended the electronic system as accurate and transparent. A public statement from the election body Friday rejected conducting a manual recount, saying the electronic tally was done according to the country's electoral laws.

"The election commission, in compliance with the law and the constitution, rejects all forms of pressure which are exercised by some affected by the results," the statement said.

WATCH: Iraq for First Time Uses Electronic Counting in Elections

In a separate statement Wednesday, the commission said Kakei and his family had received death threats from "one of the political parties affected by the election results."

Proponents of manual recount

Those in favor of a manual recount include Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Iraqi Vice President Ayad Allawi, the Conquest Alliance and six Kurdish political parties from the Kurdistan Region.

Jan Kubis, the U.N. special representative to Iraq, on Thursday called on IHEC to promptly investigate the complaints, particularly in the province of Kirkuk, which is disputed between the Iraqi central government and the Kurdistan Region.

"It is important that these are undertaken in full transparency, witnessed by stakeholders, to strengthen the confidence in the process. The U.N. is ready to provide assistance, if requested," Kubis said.

Kakei told VOA that most of the complaints concerned the possible compromise of Polling Station Count Optical Scanners (PCOS) and Central Count Optical Scanners (CCOS), provided to Iraq by the South Korean firm Miru Systems. The firm received $135 million as part of a contract signed in April 2017.

Fingerprint voter identification technology purchased from the Spanish company Indra Sistamas has resulted in no such complaints, he charged.

"If the electronic results are inaccurate, we should admit to the people that we made a mistake," he said, adding that Iraqi's contract with Miru Systems holds the company accountable if malfunction or interference was verified.

Under the new system, Iraqi voters inserted ID cards into a machine that linked them to individual ballot boxes using machine-readable codes. Voters used a rubber stamp to mark their chosen candidates on the ballot papers before putting them into a scanner for electronic sorting and counting.

Parliamentary session canceled

Whether the machines have been tampered with will remain controversial in the coming weeks, as winning parties continue their efforts to play a role in forming the next Iraqi government.

An Iraqi parliament emergency session on the fraud allegations was set for Saturday but had to be called off for the lack of a quorum; at least 165 of the 328 members were required to be present.

Meanwhile, the bitter dispute among the members of Iraq's electoral body will most likely increase questions about the performance and independence of the commission.

Saad al-Hadithi, the spokesperson for Abadi, said Thursday that the prime minister had referred the electoral body to the government's Integrity Commission even before the elections were held for "violating some procedures."
Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose coalition won the largest number of seats in Iraq's parliamentary elections, has sought to reassure Iraqis about their next government, saying it will be "inclusive" and mindful of their needs.



No single bloc won a majority in the May 12 vote, raising the prospect of weeks or even months of negotiations to agree on a government. Major political players began talks soon after the election's partial results were announced last week. The latest round was held late Saturday night between al-Sadr and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, whose bloc made a surprisingly poor showing in the election.



Speaking after the talks, al-Sadr said the first postelection meeting between the two "sends a clear and comforting message to the Iraqi people: Your government will take care of you and will be inclusive, we will not exclude anyone. We will work toward reform and prosperity."



He did not elaborate, or provide details about what he and al-Abadi discussed.



Al-Sadr, whose followers fought U.S. forces in Iraq after the 2003 invasion, won 54 of the chamber's 329 seats. Al-Abadi's "Victory" bloc took 42 and a coalition of government and Iranian-backed paramilitary forces came in second.
The potential reopening of an investigation into the murder 12 years ago of a Mongolian model could spell more trouble for former Malaysian premier Najib Razak, as the new government pressed ahead with investigations into alleged corruption.

On Saturday, Mongolias president requested Malaysias new leaders find justice for the dead woman, Altantuya Shaariibu, while a fugitive policeman convicted of the crime said he would cooperate with any new probe if he was given a full pardon.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has barred Najib from leaving Malaysia after surprisingly defeating his one-time protege in an election May 9.

The new government is seeking answers to how billions of dollars disappeared from a state fund that Najib founded, and its anti-graft agency has asked the ex-premier, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, to make a statement at its headquarters Tuesday.

Unanswered questions

In the case of the murdered Mongolian model, two policemen from Najibs security detail were convicted, and have death sentences hanging over them, but the question of who ordered them to kill 28-year-old Altantuya has never been answered.

While released on bail during an appeal one of those officers fled to Australia.

Speaking from an immigration detention center, where he has been held since 2015 for overstaying his visa, Sirul Azhar Umar told news portal Malaysiakini that he would help any move by the government to resurrect the case so long as he is given a full pardon.

Najib, who was deputy prime minister and defense minister at the time of the murder, has denied knowing Altantuya or playing any role in her death, but the mystery has haunted his political career. Calls by Reuters to Najibs spokesman for comment on the latest developments went unanswered.

His relative and one-time close associate, Abdul Razak Baginda, a defense consultant and political analyst who was reportedly the dead womans lover, had been charged with abetting the murder but was acquitted in 2008.

Anwar urges new charges

Anwar Ibrahim, the rival who allied with Mahathir to topple Najib, said judges reluctance to call key witnesses in the murder case had made a mockery of the law.

The best way is to proffer a new charge and allow for a full hearing of the case, Anwar told The Australian newspaper following his own release from prison earlier this week after a royal pardon quashed a politically motivated sodomy conviction.

In his interview with Malaysiakini, Sirul thanked Anwar for calling for a fresh trial.

Civil society groups have alleged Altantuyas murder was linked to her role as an interpreter and associate of Najibs adviser, Abdul Razak Baginda, during Malaysias negotiations to buy two submarines from French shipbuilding giant DCNS in 2002. Najib has denied allegations of links to Altantuya or graft during the deal.
Meghan Markle picked a sleek sculpted dress by the British designer of couture house Givenchy for her wedding to Prince Harry on Saturday, worn with a five-meter long veil and a sparkling diamond tiara lent by Queen Elizabeth.

The pure white long-sleeved gown with a boat neck had been eagerly anticipated by royal fans around the world, with speculation over which designer would be chosen starting soon after the couple announced their engagement in November.

As the bride stepped out of her classic Rolls-Royce, Kensington Palace announced that Clare Waight Keller, who became the first female artistic director at famed French house Givenchy last year, had secured the coveted role of making the dress.

Focus on neckline

The 47-year-old, previously at Pringle of Scotland and Chloe, met Markle earlier this year and the two worked together on the design, which epitomizes a timeless minimal elegance, Kensington Palace said.

The focus of the dress is the graphic open bateau neckline that gracefully frames the shoulders and emphasizes the slender sculpted waist, the palace said in a statement.

The lines of the dress extend towards the back where the train flows in soft round folds cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. The slim three-quarter sleeves add a note of refined modernity.

The double bonded gown made of cady silk with a sweeping train was simple in style, which won praise from fashionistas.

Reaction

Edward Enninful, the editor of British Vogue, called the dress beautiful while bridal designer Raishma said the gown was an example of couture design at its most classic and timeless.

On social media, fans mainly showered the bride, who wore her hair up, with compliments, some even posting an image of Cinderella. Outside the wedding venue in Windsor, well-wishers were divided over its simplicity.

It was simple and elegant, 23-year-old Emily Devaney from New Zealand said. Its probably hard to dress for a royal wedding  you probably dont have much you can go with but I thought she looked beautiful.

Nursing student Linda ODwyer said it was very modern and classy and she preferred it to the lace-embroidered gown Kate Middleton wore at her 2011 wedding to Prince William.

It was like (Megan) didnt want it to be too over the top with lots of embroidery. It really suited her style, she said.

However spectator Jennifer Hill, 69, described it as very plain. Im not surprised but slightly disappointed, she said. I thought it might be a little more flamboyant but it was very simplistic. I prefer her hair down.

Commonwealth tribute

The well-kept secret over who would design the dress had kept royal fans and fashionistas guessing for months. Among those cited as contenders were labels Ralph & Russo and Burberry as well as designer Stella McCartney.

Waight Keller, whose name has now been catapulted into the global spotlight, described the chance to work on the historic occasion as an honor.

We wanted to create a timeless piece that would emphasize the iconic codes of Givenchy throughout its history, as well as convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts, she was quoted by British Vogue as saying on the magazines website.

Meghans long veil, made of silk tulle, was decorated with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza, the palace said, and paid tribute to the 53 countries of the Commonwealth.

Ms. Waight Keller designed a veil representing the distinctive flora of each Commonwealth country united in one spectacular floral composition, the palace said.

Prince Harry last month was appointed a Commonwealth youth ambassador.

Queen Elizabeth lent the 36-year-old bride a historic tiara for the occasion. Made in 1932 for Queen Mary, the sparkling diamond and platinum bandeau has a center brooch dating from 1893.

Meghan, now to be called the Duchess of Sussex, also wore Cartier earrings and bracelet, and silk duchess satin shoes.
A Syrian monitor says Islamic State fighters are being evacuated from the last insurgent enclave near Damascus, a move that will restore state control over the area.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the evacuation of the fighters and their families from Yarmuk Palestinian refugee camp began Sunday. Buses were carrying the fighters and their families to the Syrian Desert, east of the capital.

Reuters reports the enclave is the last besieged insurgent area in western Syria.
Diplomats from Europe, China and Russia are discussing a new accord to offer Iran financial aid to curb its ballistic missile development and meddling in the region, in the hope of salvaging its 2015 nuclear deal, a German newspaper reported Sunday.

The officials will meet in Vienna in the coming week under the leadership of senior European Union diplomat Helga Schmid to discuss next steps after the May 8 decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to pull out of a 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, the Welt am Sonntag newspaper said, citing senior EU sources.

No US participation

Germany, France, Britain, Russia and China would participate in the meeting, but the United States would not, it said. It was not immediately clear if Iran, which has resisted calls to curb its ballistic missile program in the past, would take part.

Under the 2015 deal, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear program in return for the lifting of most Western sanctions. One of the main complaints of the Trump administration was that the accord did not cover Irans missile program or its support for armed groups in the Middle East, which the West considers terrorists.

Concluding a new agreement that would maintain the nuclear provisions and curb ballistic missile development efforts and Tehrans activities in the region could help convince Trump to lift sanctions against Iran, the paper said.

We have to get away from the name Vienna nuclear agreement and add in a few additional elements. Only that will convince President Trump to agree and lift sanctions again, the paper quoted a senior EU diplomat as saying.

No immediate comment was available from the German foreign ministry.

Reassurances to Iran

The EUs energy chief sought to reassure Iran on Saturday that the 28-member bloc remained committed to salvaging the nuclear deal and strengthening trade with Tehran.

Officials from the EU, Germany and other countries that remain committed to the deal have said it would disastrous if EU efforts fail to preserve it.

Iran has struggled to achieve financial benefits from the deal, partly because remaining unilateral U.S. sanctions over its missile program deterred major Western investors from doing business with Tehran.

The officials are looking for a new approach given an understanding that it would be difficult for European firms to work around new U.S. sanctions, the newspaper reported.

It said the new deal could include billions of dollars of financial aid for Iran, in line with an EU deal that provided billions in aid to Turkey for taking in millions of migrants and closing its borders, which helped end a 2015 migrant crisis.

Iran and European powers have made a good start in talks over how to salvage the 2015 deal but much depends on what happens in the next few weeks, Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif said last week.
Each morning, fishermen in the northern Somali port city of Bosaso pull in their catch of tuna, marlin, and more.

The waters off northern Somalia are some of the richest in Africa. As businessmen and women on the beach haggle over the shining piles of fresh fish, the daily catch looks like a rich haul.

But all is not well here for local fishermen. Many of them complain about larger, foreign boats that enter Somali waters, outfishing the locals.

WATCH: Somali Fishermen Struggle to Compete with Foreign Vessels

Now there is illegal fishing, fish stealing, and so on," explains boat captain Mohammed Elias Abdiqadir. He said such foreign fishing boats come from Iran, while others in Bosaso accused Yemenis of fishing in Somali waters.

"We dont have a powerful government who can stop these illegal fishermen who are creating problems," said Abdiqadir.

Foreign boats in Somali waters have been a problem for years. Some of them operate with no license at all. Others buy permits from Somali authorities, though at times under questionable circumstances.

From protectors to pirates

A decade ago, Somali fishermen took up arms against the foreign boats, hoping to retake their waters from outsiders, but some of the Somali vigilantes then became pirates, hijacking commercial vessels plying the waters off the Horn of Africa.

At one point, pirate gangs were seizing more than 40 vessels per year and holding hundreds of sailors hostage for ransom.

An international naval effort has mostly stamped out the pirate menace, and Somalia has started to build fledgling local navies, including the Puntland Maritime Police Force, which patrols the waters off Bosaso.

But neither has managed to rid the area of foreign boats.

Abdiqani says part of the problem is that the foreign vessels are larger and have better technology than the local crafts, which are mostly small, fiberglass skiffs.

They fish in the deep ocean, and they have long nets and better tools than us," he said.

Until the foreign boats are completely gone, many experts say the threat of a return of piracy will remain, as out-of-work young men seek economic opportunities in criminality.

Last year, for instance, pirates launched a string of attacks on commercial vessels off Puntland's long coastline.

Somalia's fledgling fish industry

But the challenges for Somalia's fishing industry do not only lie offshore.

Fishermen use old fishing technology. Bosaso's port needs more modern facilities to prepare fish in a sanitary environment to export. And there's yet to be a strong supply chain for exporting Somali fish abroad.

But a new program by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization hopes to give these parts of Somalia's fledgling fishing industry a boost.

On the outskirts of Bosaso, women have been trained to process fish meat into a dried fish product to be sold in inland Somalia.

The women, dressed in bright yellow aprons, work on sanitary tables, where they butcher fresh fish steaks and slice them into fine strips to dry.

Despite attracting flies, the bright sun naturally cures and disinfects the flesh.

All the fish the women process have been caught by local youth, who themselves were trained by the FAO in deep-sea fishing techniques, and given larger, better-equipped boats that can reach the most profitable species.

The women receive payment, and also get to take home fresh fish each day to feed their families. They also can stay near home to work, instead of searching for employment in the center of Bosaso town.

This job works for me fine, because my home is here," explains Daawo Sheikh Mahamoud, who recently started working at the fish processing station. "Before, my kids were neglected and neighbors used to care for them for me, but now I can take care of them while doing the work in the morning."

Michael Savins, an Australian fisheries and boatbuilding expert who designed the program, says it employs more than 100 people, including fishermen at sea and processors on land. He hopes the number will increase to 500 by the end of this year.

The idea, he explains, is to employ local Somalis throughout the entire value chain, and eventually start selling Somali fish internationally.

"There would be nothing better than the youth from the community catching the fish with good handling and good quality and so forth on board, and landing those fish back into their community for processing," Savins explained. "Then we'd have a really good benefit, a real holistic approach, for each community, self sustained you might say, with capture, processing, and marketing."

While Somalia struggles to take control of its waters, programs like this one could help keep Somali youth from going back to piracy.
South Koreas fourth-largest conglomerate, LG Group, said its Chairman Koo Bon-moo did Sunday.

Koo, 73, had been struggling with an illness for a year, LG Group said in a statement.

Becoming the third chairman of LG at the age of 50 in 1995, Koo established key three businesses  electronics, chemicals and telecommunications  led a global company LG, and contributed to driving (South Koreas) industrial competitiveness and national economic development, LG said.

A group official said Koo had been unwell for a year and had undergone surgery. The official declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Before its chairmans death, LG Group had established a holding company in order to streamline ownership structure and begin the process of succession.

Heir apparent Koo Kwang-mo is from the fourth generation of LG Groups controlling family. He owns 6 percent of LG Corp and works as a senior official at LG Electronics Inc.

The senior Koos funeral will be private at the request of the family, the company said.
The U.N. refugee agency reports an uptick in fighting in south-eastern Central African Republic has driven more than 7.000 people to abandon their homes and seek refuge in a remote area in DR Congo over the past week.



The U.N. refugee agency describes the refugees as desperate, weary and in urgent need of assistance. UNHCR spokesman William Spindler says thousands of people, mainly women and children, have fled over difficult terrain to escape violence in Central African Republic.



He says the refugees have arrived in the remote village of Kanzawi in DR Congo's northern Bas-Uele province, which is inundated with tens of thousands of refugees from previous outbursts of fighting.



"The refugees have reported fleeing fighting between two Anti-Balaka groups in the area of Kouango, just across the border. It is the latest of a series of refugee movements into northern DRC. In less than a year, the number of CAR refugees in DRC has grown from around 102,000 to more than 182,000 not including the latest arrivals," said Spindler.



In December 2012, the Seleka, a coalition of largely Muslim groups toppled the CAR government. The Anti-Balaka, composed primarily of Christians and animists, formed to counter the brutality of the Seleka.



U.N. agencies report CAR's civil war has displaced nearly 700,000 and caused almost one-half million people to seek refuge in neighboring countries. Spindler says the current exodus is adding to the already heavy refugee burden.



"We are particularly worried about the situation of elderly people, pregnant women and others with specific needs. There is only one water source in Kanzawi village, forcing people to drink from the river. Most of the refugees are sleeping in the open, others in public buildings," he said.



Spindler says these people are in urgent need of the most basic support. Unfortunately, he says the UNHCR's ability to provide emergency aid is extremely limited as it has received only 16 percent of the money it needs to care for refugees in DRC.
The leaders of the U.S. and South Korea have discussed ways to keep the upcoming U.S.- North Korea summit on track.

During a 20-minute telephone conversation, Moon Jae-in and Donald Trump exchanged views about how best to deal with the seeming roadblocks the North has thrown into what would be historic talks between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12 in Singapore. The June meeting would be a first for the leaders of the two countries.

Yoon Young-chan, President Moon's senior press secretary said in a statement that "The two leaders exchanged opinions of various actions taken by North Korea recently."

A White House statement said the two leaders will "continue their close coordination ahead" of the Trump-Kim summit.

Trump and Moon are scheduled to meet Tuesday in Washington.

North Korea threatened last week to pull out of the June summit because of South Korea's ongoing military exercises with the U.S., calling the exercises an invasion rehearsal.

In addition, the North's Red Cross is now demanding the return of 12 North Korean restaurant workers who have been in the South since 2016. The North says the return of the women would demonstrate the South's willingness to improve relations with the North.

The North has accused the South of abducting the women. The South, however, has said previously that it has confirmed the women's free will in resettling in the South.

Steve Herman contributed to this report.








Yesterday, Paris hosted a conference marking the 80th anniversary of Koichiro Matsuura, who in 1999-2009 served as the Director-General of UNESCO. He was born in Tokyo, studied law at the University of Tokyo and economics at Haverford College (Pennsylvania, USA), worked in the Japanese Foreign Ministry, and before being appointed Director-General of UNESCO worked as the Chairperson of UNESCOs World Heritage Committee.

First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva arrived in Paris to congratulate Mrs. Matsuura. Speaking at the conference, she noted that the reforms, in particular, the project "Education for All", held by Koichiro Matsuura, allowed strengthening UNESCO's prestige around the world. "Under your leadership, the relations between UNESCO and our country Azerbaijan became even stronger. With a sense of deep appreciation, we remember your visits to Baku and your personal involvement in joint forums and conferences. I recall your participation at the first international festival the World of Mugham. In your presence, we laid down the foundations of the State Museum of Azerbaijani Carpet and of the International Mugham Center. Together with you, we inaugurated the Museum of Modern Art. Today, these cultural centers have turned into the most visited places of interest in our capital."

In 2007, a document was signed on the joint implementation of the project for the development of vocational training in Azerbaijan. In 2009, the Agreement on Cooperation to Ensure Strategic Goals in Protecting Intangible Cultural Heritage. When Koichiro Matsuura was the head of UNESCO, Azerbaijani historical monuments - Icheri Sheher, Shirvanshahs Palace, Maiden Tower in Baku, as well as Gobustan rock paintings were inscribed into the list of UNESCO World Heritage. The pearls of Azerbaijani music - Mugham and Ashig art - have been included in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Its also thanks to your efforts that back in 2004 I was honored to receive the distinguished title of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Oral and Musical Tradition. Ever since I have tried to do my best to justify the trust shown to me. Dear Mr. Matsuura, We highly value your personal efforts in strengthening bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and UNESCO, "Mehriban Aliyeva said.

She also noted that Azerbaijan, as a country situated on the crossroads of civilizations, cultures, and religions, Azerbaijan has a lot to offer to the international community in terms of cultural dialogue, tolerance and respect toward others. Multiculturalism is a national policy in Azerbaijan and we cooperate with the international community, including UNESCO in promoting the values of multiculturalism.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Baku process. the initiative of which was put forward by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The process was initiated as a platform for cooperation between member countries of the Council of Europe and members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. It was in 2008 that Azerbaijan as a member of both these international organizations initiated a meeting of the Ministers of Culture of OIC and Council of Europe in Baku. And this process continues to date and has already turned into a global platform in promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue. In partnership with UNESCO, Baku organized four editions of World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue within the Baku Process and we are ready to continue this work in the future.

Development of human potential is another area to which UNESCO and Azerbaijan both attached big importance. "Quality education and culture are key elements for human development and it is proceeding from this importance that Azerbaijan has chosen the theme of Developing Human Capital, Building a Better Future when we put forward the candidacy of Baku as the venue for the World Expo 2025. If successful in our bid, we hope to be able to bring the whole world to Baku and to create a truly universal platform for exchange, dialogue and cooperation. Azerbaijan shows its strong attachment to the values and ideals of UNESCO also through our direct contribution to the protection of World Cultural Heritage and our pro-active humanitarian policy., " Mehrbian Aliyeva said.

Thus, by constructing a new school for girls Azerbaijan contributed to the efforts of international community to deal with the consequences of a terrible earthquake in 2005 in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan. In 2011, through an agreement with UNESCO, the country participated in the restoration of cultural heritage in Haiti that also suffered from an earthquake. Azerbaijans charity activity aimed at preservation or restoration of the World Cultural Heritage covers many countries like Berlin Castle in Germany, ancient monuments in Versailles, church in Lower Normandy and Louvre museum in France, ancient manuscripts and catacombs of Saint Marcellus and Peter and San Sebastian in the Vatican, Philosopher Hall in the Capitoline Museum in Italy, Trapezitsa Museum in Bulgaria, and so on.
President Donald Trump says he will order an investigation Monday into claims an FBI informant infiltrated his 2016 election campaign  setting up a potential showdown with the Justice Department.

I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes - and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!, Trump tweeted Sunday.

Later Sunday, the Justice Department announced it has asked the inspector general to expand its current review of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance ACT (FISA) "application process to include determining whether there was any impropriety or political motivation in how the FBI conducted its counterintelligence investigation of persons suspected of involvement with the Russian agents who interfered in the 2016 presidential election," department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement.

If anyone did infiltrate or surveil participants in a presidential campaign for inappropriate purposes, we need to know about it and take appropriate action," Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said in a statement.

Within minutes of the president's tweets, former members of the Obama administration and others reacted with alarm. They believe the Trump threat is potentially the most serious intervention into the U.S. judicial system since the president fired FBI Director James Comey while he was investigating Trumps campaign.

Trump on Saturday complained that the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department infiltrated his campaign by using an informant who made contact with three campaign associates before passing on information to the FBI.

Several news agencies have identified the informant as Stefan Halper, a 73-year-old American-born professor at Britain's University of Cambridge who had worked in three other Republican administrations.

'Crossing a massive red line'

Ned Price, who served on the National Security Council under President Barack Obama tells VOA that Trumps charge is dangerous to American democracy. Price says the president is officially knocking down the firewall between policy and law enforcement - an indispensable element of the rule of law. And he's doing so for his own personal ends.

Former NSC spokesman Tommy Vietor tweeted, This is crossing a massive red line. Trump is forcing DOJ to conduct a politicized investigation - something he himself conceded he shouldn't do.

It is not clear whether Trump will ask for a general investigation or specifically call on the Justice Department to make public certain materials about the FBIs counterintelligence process or the identity of sources.

There is no doubt Trump has the authority to make the demand, said Benjamin Wittes, a Brookings Institution senior fellow who specializes in U.S. national security law.

Wittes also predicts Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein, and FBI Director Christopher Wray will not comply with Trumps order.

This is a nakedly corrupt attempt on the part of the President to derail an investigation of himself at the expense of a human source to whose protection the FBI and DOJ are committed, tweeted Wittes.

'Getting ridiculous'

Trump further complained Sunday about the yearlong investigation into whether his 2016 campaign colluded with Russia and if he obstructed justice by trying to thwart the probe.

"Things are really getting ridiculous," Trump complained in one the Twitter remarks, asking at what point the investigation will end, calling it a "soon to be $20,000,000 Witch Hunt."

He contended investigators have "found no Collussion (sic) with Russia, No Obstruction, but they arent looking at the corruption" in the campaign of his Democratic challenger two years ago, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Trump said the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller "has given up on Russia and is looking at the rest of the world" and its connections to the Trump campaign.

Trump said Mueller, "should easily be able" to extend the inquiries into the congressional elections in November where he and his team "can put some hurt on the Republican Party."

He added, "Republicans and real Americans should start getting tough on this Scam."

One of Trump's attorneys, Rudy Giuliani, told several news organizations Sunday that Mueller told him the probe will end by September 1.

He echoed Trump's concerns that an extended investigation could hurt Republicans in the November congressional elections.

There has been no comment from Mueller's office.

Giuliani also said the two sides were still negotiating whether Trump will be interviewed as part of the investigation.

Mueller has already indicted numerous Russian individuals and entities for interference in the U.S. election through the creation of fake news stories commenting on contentious American issues. He has also secured guilty pleas from three Trump campaign associates who are cooperating with prosecutors in the investigation.
The U.S. government's aid chief urged Myanmar on Sunday to take concrete steps" to guarantee the rights of Rohingya Muslims and to show sincerity in that endeavor in order to encourage hundreds of thousands who have fled the country to return.

Mark Green, administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), ended his three-day visit to Myanmar touring Rohingya and Rakhine communities in western Rakhine State, including a camp for displaced Rohingya people.

Green said the refugees, whom he met during the previous leg of the trip in camps in Bangladesh, are fearful and while they want to return, they are asking for their rights and security to be guaranteed before making the decision to come back.

"That reinforces the importance here of clear signs of sincerity of the government's stated position of welcoming back

Rohingya in a safe, secure and dignified manner," Green told reporters.

"We would strongly encourage the government to take those concrete steps which are a demonstration of the ability for Rohingya to return under those conditions," Green said.

He said the government could show the refugees in Bangladesh it is sincere by taking "clear actions" with the tens of thousands of Rohingya displaced in previous bouts of violence now stuck in crowded camps in squalid conditions in Rakhine.

Green said he was "struck by the sense of hopelessness that so many Muslims nearby feel - the lack of access to health care, education, ability to move, access to livelihoods ... that kind of hopelessness is obviously disturbing -- it's also something that has to be addressed."

Green has said the United States would provide $44 million in additional aid for the Rohingya and vulnerable populations in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have fled into Bangladesh from Myanmar to escape an army crackdown since August, launched in response to Rohingya insurgent attacks. Refugees have reported murder, rape and arson by Myanmar troops.

Washington has called the army response ethnic cleansing -- a charge Myanmar denies, saying its security forces have been

waging a legitimate counterinsurgency operation against "Bengali terrorists."

After meeting Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the capital Naypyitaw and civil society leaders in the main city Yangon on Friday and Saturday, Green met local government officials in Rakhine and toured villages and camps over the weekend.

On Sunday, he went to Muslim and Buddhist villages in the Rathedaung township in the north of the violence-torn state. He then met camp leaders in Thet Kae Pyin camp for nearly 6,000 Rohingya, a short drive from state capital Sittwe.

"We don't have the luxury of time. We really do need all of us to see positive steps forward and we stand ready to help," Green said.
The U.S. and China have agreed to back away from imposing tough new tariffs on each other's exports, a day after reaching a deal for China to buy more American goods to "substantially reduce" the huge trade deficit with the U.S.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told Fox News the world's two biggest economic powers "made very meaningful progress and we agreed on a framework" to resolve trade issues. "So right now we have agreed to put the tariffs on hold while we try to execute the framework," he said.

China's state-run news agency Xinhua quoted Vice Premier Liu He, who led Chinese negotiators in trade talks in Washington this past week, as saying, "The two sides reached a consensus, will not fight a trade war, and will stop increasing tariffs on each other."

Liu said the agreement was a "necessity." But he added, "At the same time, it must be realized that unfreezing the ice cannot be done in a day, solving the structural problems of the economic and trade relations between the two countries will take time."



Watch related video by VOA's Michael Bowman:

U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened to impose new tariffs on $150 billion worth of Chinese imports and Beijing had responded that it would do the same on American goods.

Mnuchin and White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross would soon go to Beijing to negotiate on how China might buy more American goods to reduce the huge U.S. trade deficit with Beijing, which last year totaled $375 billion.

Philip Levy, senior fellow on the global economy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, tells VOA that while the U.S. and China have for now avoided a tariff war, the outcome of the trade talks is mediocre.

"I think the Trump administration will crow about the fact that they arranged for some additional sales. That really wasn't the issue. It may have been in their minds, but in terms of what is in the national interest, it wasn't," he said.

Levy says the result is a managed trade solution that still does not answer the fundamental question of how a state-dominated economy the size of giant China fits into the global radiating system.

But Kudlow said there has been a lot of progress.

"You can see where we're going next. As tariffs come down, the barriers come down, there will be more American exports," he told ABC television, saying any agreement reached will be "good for American exports and good for Chinese growth."

One contentious point of conflict between the U.S. and China is the fate of ZTE, the giant technology Chinese company that has bought American-made components to build its consumer electronic devices.

The U.S. fined ZTE $1.2 billion last year for violating American bans on trade with Iran and North Korea. But ZTE said recently it was shutting down its manufacturing operations because it could no longer buy the American parts after the U.S. imposed a seven-year ban on the sale of the components.

Trump, at the behest of Chinese President Xi Jinping, a week ago "instructed" Commerce Secretary Ross to intervene to save the company and prevent the loss of Chinese jobs.

Even so, Kudlow said, "Do not expect ZTE to get off scot free. Ain't going to happen."

Ira Mellman and Kenneth Schwartz contributed to this report.
Venezuela on Saturday accused the United States of using new sanctions against its government's top officials to sabotage a controversial presidential election on Sunday, which the country's opposition says has been rigged.

The U.S. ramped up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's government on Friday, accusing him of profiting from illegal narcotics shipments and imposing sanctions against the No. 2 official in the ruling Socialist Party, Diosdado Cabello.

The United States has already imposed sanctions against Maduro for human rights abuses and blamed him for Venezuela's current economic and political crises. But Friday marked the first time that Washington publicly linked Maduro to the drug trade.

In a statement, Maduro's government called the sanctions part of "a systematic campaign of aggression" by President Donald Trump's administration and said they had no legal basis.

"It's not surprising that on the eve of a new vote, when the Venezuelan people will come out to defend their democracy against the imperialist aggressions that try to derail it, once again the U.S. regime tries to sabotage the elections," it said.

The U.S. Treasury on Friday imposed sanctions against Cabello; his wife, Marleny Josefina Contreras, who heads the country's tourism institute[ and his brother, Jose David.

Opposition challenger

Maduro is expected on Sunday to fend off a challenge from opposition candidate Henri Falcon, who is breaking the mainstream opposition coalition's boycott of the vote, which it says is rigged to assure Maduro wins a second term.

The hardline opposition party Popular Will on Saturday reiterated its call for Venezuelans to boycott the election and described it as an "electoral sham that seeks to validate the dictatorship in Venezuela and the world."

Maduro insists the election will be free and fair, and accuses the opposition of refusing to participate because it knows it cannot win.

However, his government was forced to turn to observers from allied countries to monitor Sunday's vote. It had invited the United Nations and other international bodies to send observers, but the U.N. believes the conditions do not exist to guarantee a democratic process.

The United States, Canada, the European Union and several countries in Latin America said they would not recognize the results of the polls on the ground that they are not transparent or fair.
WhatsApp faces scrutiny in India amid concerns about the role the app is playing in disseminating information ahead of crucial elections.

Before a recent high-stakes election in the southern state of Karnataka, Rupesh Ramachandran was fed up with the barrage of messages he was receiving on the social messaging service owned by Facebook, which itself has come under fire in the United States in a privacy scandal.

I was getting bombarded with messages, campaign messages from a Congress Party candidate, the Bengaluru resident said. He was referring to Indias main opposition party, the Congress Party, which ruled Karnataka and was pitted against Prime Minister Narendra Modis party, the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Every time I blocked his number, I would still receive messages from a different number, he said. He could identify some as based on false information.

Rashmi Kaushals phone also pinged, but with different posts.

There were lots of anti-Congress ones because the ones from my group were from BJP and a lot of messages which kind of glorified the BJP rule, he said.

Primary campaign tool

With the explosive growth of smartphones in India, WhatsApp has fast turned into the primary campaigning tool for Indias political parties. But worries are growing that the posts and videos on WhatsApp include misinformation and messages that have the potential to inflame communal tensions.

There has not been much attention, at least globally, on WhatsApp and its role in spreading fake news, said Pranesh Prakash at the Center for Internet and Society in Bengaluru. Indeed, WhatsApp has been far more potent in the spread of fake news than has Facebook [in India].

Prime Minister Narendra Modis campaign strategists successfully used social media in the 2014 general elections. Since then, all political parties have turned to it in a big way. Their focus is mainly on the messaging service used by more than 250 million people in India, including those in dusty towns and villages that high profile campaign rallies will not reach.

It is not surprising. WhatsApp has become a huge favorite in India for chats, calls and messaging: Indian users sent a record 2 billion messages on New Years Eve alone.

Researchers estimate that months before Karnataka residents went to the polls, the two main parties created about 50,000 WhatsApp groups to micro target voters. At war rooms set up in the state capital, Bengaluru, battle-ready strategists used laptops to coordinate with hundreds of volunteers throughout the state who were trained at workshops.

But alongside the pro-party messaging and videos that these groups helped spread, there were false news stories, whose sources were difficult to determine because of the encrypted nature of WhatsApp.

Anything was useful: For example, there was a fake post about a BBC poll predicting a BJP win and a letter claiming to be from the U.S. consulate in New Delhi putting a regional party in first place.

The moment you see a very credible brand being associated with it, you dont really bother to check whether it is true or not, said Jency Jacob, managing editor for boomlive.in, a fact-checking website that debunked several such posts and videos including the fake surveys.

The website debunked several other posts as well. Among them, stories that alleged that the Congress Partys chief minister of the state had been accused of corruption by party president Rahul Gandhi, and, in another instance, a fake email that apparently called on Bangalores archbishop to convert Lingayats, a religious sect politically dominant in the state, to Catholicism.

WhatsApp as a medium is much more dangerous when it comes to how the bad actors are utilizing it, Jacob said. Compared to Facebook and Twitter, what happens is there is a huge virality.

Researchers say what is particularly worrying is the ability to spread misinformation on WhatsApp without being traced.

It is tougher to research and tougher to investigate and hence tougher to call attention to and tougher to take action upon, said Prakash at the Center for Internet and Society.

While large numbers of people do not have access to computers or the ability to check facts, there is also worry that many tend to believe what they are reading.

It is not the illiteracy of the population that is of concern to me; it is rather the suspension of all disbelief when it comes to forwards on WhatsApp, Jacob said.

The battle on WhatsApp is likely to intensify as India heads into next years general election. While Prime Minister Modi remains popular, he is expected to face tough opposition, and both sides are expected to mount an all-out social media campaign to woo voters.

Ankit Lal is a strategist for the Aam Aadmi Party, which rules Delhi and is hoping to expand its presence in other parts of the country. He called the social media app the most powerful tool for politicians. What about the potential for misuse?

It is like nuclear technology. Whether you use it for a missile or whether you use it to power your home, its your decision, he said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa chanting a Zanu PF slogan at an election rally in Mutare on Saturday. He promised people that he will fight for their cause if elected president of Zimbabwe. He took over the presidential seat in a defacto military coup last November.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 20)  President Rodrigo Duterte met on Saturday the two police officers who were abducted by suspected Abu Sayyaf members in Sulu.

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chair Nur Misuari and Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza personally fetched Police Officer 1 Dinah Gumahad and Police Officer 2 Benierose Alvarez from Jolo and presented them to the Presdient in Davao City.

The President thanked the combined efforts of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the MNLF, and local leaders for the release of the officers on May 16.

They were abducted along with two civilians on April 29 in Patikul town in Sulu, and were held for a ransom of P5 million.

READ: PNP Chief: Kidnappers of police officers seek 5 million-ransom

According to the PNP, no ransom was paid, as per government policy.

Authorities also said the officers were in "good condition" after undergoing a medical examination.

As for the remaining hostages, Sobejana said operations have been heightened for their rescue.

On Thursday, Sobejana said the JTF will deploy troops from Marawi City to Sulu to launch "focused military operations" to eliminate the remaining Abu Sayyaf groups.

READ: Joint Task Force Sulu beefs up forces to defeat Abu Sayyaf
Turkey will take measures against the U.S. over its decision to impose tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum imports, according to Economy Ministry sources. As Daily Sabah writes in the article Turkey to launch countermeasures for imported US goods worth $1.8B, Ankara will apply countermeasures on Washington via $266.5 million in tariffs on imports of U.S. coal, paper, tobacco, walnuts/almonds, unprocessed rice, whisky, automobiles, cosmetics, machinery and equipment and petrochemical products, sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Anadolu Agency (AA) on Friday. The sources added that the value of these imports totals some $1.8 billion.

In March, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on imported iron and steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum. The sources said Turkey's move came after its attempt to carve out an exemption to the tariffs remained "inconclusive due to Washington's current stance." Turkey's measures are in line with the losses caused by hurdles to Turkey's iron and steel exports to the U.S. Previously, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci called the tariffs "unacceptable" for Turkey. Following the U.S. decision, Zeybekci also asked Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to exclude Turkey from the tariffs. In late April, Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in Washington and discussed the issue. On April 30, Trump announced that the U.S. would delay the tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from the European Union, Canada and Mexico. The White House also said it had reached a deal with South Korea over steel imports. Other deals were reached with Argentina, Australia and Brazil, the White House said, with details to come once the agreements are finalized.

Currently, about 90 percent of aluminum used in U.S. manufacturing is imported, as well as one-third of all steel. After the tariffs were announced, industry groups said consumers would face the brunt of the tariffs due to increased prices for items ranging from beer to cars to thousands of other items built or packaged with the metals. In 2017, Canada led the way in the country's imports of steel last year with 5.8 million tons, while the share of Canadian steel in the country's steel imports was 17 percent, followed by Brazil with 14 percent, South Korea with 10 percent, Mexico with 9 percent and Russia with 8 percent. Turkey came sixth in the country's imports with 6 percent last year. Other countries from which the U.S. imported steel were Japan with 5 percent, Germany with 4 percent, Taiwan with 3 percent and China with 2 percent in this period.

According to Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) data, Turkey exported approximately $13.8 billion in steel and steel goods last year, while $1.2 billion, about 9 percent of exports, was made to the U.S.
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The Bundestag considers the anti-Russian sanctions harmful and finds it necessary to abolish them, the co-chairman of the Left Party faction in the Bundestag, Sarah Wagenkneht suggests. In particular, she called for an end to the "ice age in the relations with Moscow." "Sanctions harm mainly European and German enterprises, so it is in our interest to cancel them," the politician said.

According to her, rapprochement with Russia is in the interests of Europe, as it will ensure security and achieve disarmament. At the same time, Wagenkneht stressed that Germany should continue to criticize the accession of Crimea to Russia, as well as Moscow's actions in Syria. "But if the criticism is sounded by those who conduct the war that violate the international law, it sounds very hypocritical," RIA Novosti quotes Sarah Wagenkneht as saying with a reference to Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung.

In addition, the politician drew attention to the fact that the United States spent $ 5 billion on overthrowing power in Ukraine. "At the same time, the country intends to join NATO, everyone knew that Russia would not wait until the military base in Crimea to appear on the NATO territory," she said.

In addition, Wagenkneht criticized the increase in spending on the Bundeswehr at the fastest pace since the Cold War. According to her, the increase in spending on the German army is not connected with the protection of the homeland, but with the need to conduct operations abroad. "We are endangering it (Germany) participating in wars for oil and gas that are contrary to the international law," Wagenkneht concluded.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), which is a lobbying organization of radical Armenians, tried to prevent the holding in the USA of an event dedicated to multiculturalism, interreligious harmony and the traditions of religious tolerance of Azerbaijan.

The Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles told that the event was held in San Francisco in one of the oldest organizations in the US - the Commonwealth Club. A delegation of leaders of various religious communities living in Azerbaijan, led by the chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations, Mubariz Gurbanli, arrived in California.

The ANCA representatives who arrived at the meeting tried to distribute leaflets with false information about Azerbaijan, but they were not allowed to do this.
Firefighters rescued 23 people from a fire in an apartment in the Otradnoe district in Moscow, the Main Directorate of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the capital reported.

The fire occurred in one of the apartments with an area of 35 sq. m, located at Altufevskoe shosse, 40.

The Ministry of Emergencies reported that the fire had been eliminated.

As a result of the fire, one person was injured, Gazeta.ru reports.
Whats your favourite internet freebie? I reckon its hard to beat digital maps. Its not just being able to navigate without reaching into the glove box for a paper street directory that makes them so appealing. I now have the power to instantly check-out locations the world over  for free.

The same goes for a plethora of useful digital tools - Wikipedia, Twitter and Google search to name a few.

Digitial maps were worth $3650 to people, according to a survey last year.

If youre willing to put up with a bit of advertising you can listen to most the worlds music via Spotify and YouTube without handing over a dollar.

Consumers derive great benefit from the abundance of free online services. But that raises an intriguing question: what is their value? The answer is quite a lot - at least for some digital goods.
A Dutch backpacker who was raped in an inner Sydney laneway feared her attacker would kill her after she escaped and he got caught, a court has heard.

The woman, then 19, had been less than two months into her working holiday when Jerome Mundine, 23, grabbed her as she walked through Surry Hills the night of March 30 in 2017.

Jerome Mundine, 23, pleaded guilty to sexual intercourse without consent. Credit:Facebook

"I'm going to rape you, and I'm going to kill you," she recalled him saying.

Mundine pleaded guilty to sexual intercourse without consent and kept his head bowed as the woman read a victim impact statement at the Downing Centre District Court on Thursday.
DANBURY  Firefighters battled a shed fire, surrounded by storm damage, Saturday morning, officials said.

Fire units were sent to 29 North Nabby Road for a reported shed fire. While en route, one of the fire engines reported seeing a column of smoke, visible from Eagle Road.

Once firefighters arrived at the scene, they confirmed a working she fire.

Shortly after the first unit got to the scene, a deputy chief with the fire department arrived and established command of the scene.

Additional tankers were requested from Beaver Brook Volunteer Fire Department, Germantown Volunteer Fire Company No. 10 and Mill Plain Independent Hose Company No. 12.

Crews faced a lot of storm debris still remaining from Tuesday's storm, officials said.

The fire was quickly extinguished and the Fire Marshal was requested to investigate the cause of the fire.
The director general of FC Ararat, Pogos Galstyan told how the club will be named after moving to Armenia.

According to him, currently there is a choice between two names - Ararat-Moscow and Ararat-Armenia. "It will be decided a little later," the director general emphasized.

"We would like to take some players with us, but they want to continue their careers in Russia. I think they will not have any problems with employment, " Sports.ru quotes Galstyan as saying.
To the Editor:

Last night the RTM unanimously voted to approve the schools budget for 2018-19. Spending is increasing in our schools by over 1.5 percent.

Congratulations to all the players involved: Board of Finance for their strength; the RTM for their excellent focus and attention to detail; PTA for their continuing oversight; teaching unions for reaching a win-win deal, and finally the Board of Education, for their commitment to our children.

At the start of this process the requested school budget represented a growth rate of almost 5 percent, the largest increase in several years. Head count was going up and the growth rate in per-student spending was more than doubling. The budget needed taming.

Westport will spend $21,042 per student next year. Every child can thrive with that generous spending commitment.

Through many twists and turns, and the involvement of so many different groups, the school budget has indeed been tamed. Its still growing, but its now under control. This was so important.

I would especially like to thank the superintendent and the Board of Education. During the process this year, I have been critical of them at times. That is behind us now. Their commitment, flexibility and effort has paid off. This is a better budget for all.

As a town we wake up today with flat taxes next year, a strong school district and one of the very best superintendents in the United States.

Westport won last night.

Our town, our finances and our schools will remain strong.

Congratulations to all the elected representatives, teachers, superintendent and the administration for this A+ outcome.

Robert Harrington

Westport
The head of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, will visit Tbilisi next week. This is stated in the preliminary program of the European Commission events for the next week.

The purpose of the visit is to participate in a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the First democratic republic in Georgia on May 25th.

Presidents of seven countries and 20 high-ranking delegations will attend the celebrations on the occasion of Georgias jubilee.

In the framework of May 26 celebrations, more than 300 events will be held in Georgia, RIA Novosti reports.
HA NOI  The fifth session of the 14th National Assembly will open in Ha Noi next Monday, with eight draft laws and one draft resolution expected to be passed during the event which will last for 20 working days.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, NA General Secretary and head of the NA Office Nguyen Hanh Phuc said that lawmakers would take 12 days to debate and adopt the draft Law on Denunciation (revised), Law on Special Administrative and Economic Units, Law on Measurement and Maps, Law on Competition (revised), Law on Cyber Security, Law on National Defence (revised), amendments and supplements to several articles of the Law on Physical Activity and Sports, and Law on amendments and supplements to several articles of the Law on Planning. They will also discuss the resolution on the NAs supervision programme and the establishment of a specialised supervision group in 2019.

Eight other bills will be tabled for discussion. These are the Law on Corruption Prevention (revised), Law on the Peoples Public Security Force, Law on Husbandry, Law on Cultivation, amendments and supplements to several articles of the Law on Amnesty, Law on Marine Police, amendments and supplements to several articles of the Law on Education and amendments and supplements to several articles of the Law on Higher Education.

In addition, the NA will conduct supreme supervision of the implementation of policies and laws on the use and management of State capital and assets in enterprises and the equitisation of State-owned enterprises during the 2011-16 period.

The NA will make decisions on several important issues, including a report assessing the implementation of socio-economic development and State budget plans in 2017 and the first months of 2018, the ratification of 2016 State budget balance and personnel work.

Phuc noted that the fifth session takes place in the middle of 2018  an important year in the 2016-2021 tenure. Therefore, the sessions working agenda is of significance, contributing to continued successful implementation of the Party, National Assembly and Governments resolutions, as well as rapid and sustainable socio-economic development.

According to the NA General Secretary, the legislative body will continue to reform the question-&-answer activity at the upcoming session to increase dialogue and face-to-face debate.

A new feature of the upcoming session is that the NA will issue a general resolution covering all issues discussed and decided at the session, he added.

Much needed Laws on Special Economic Zones (Van on, Bac Van Phong and Phu Quoc), Laws on Cybersecurity and Laws on Competition are to be voted on during this meeting.

Fifteen sessons (around 40 per cent of the total number of sessons) are to be air live including those on regulations and management of the States share in economic enterprises, the privitisation of State-own-enterprises during 2011-16 and anti-corruption measures.

Regarding the case of the former head of ong Nai Provinces NA delegation Phan Thi My Thanh whose resignation was accepted by the NA after her numerous violations at her post as the provincial Peoples Committee vice chairwoman, Secretary General Nguyen Hanh Phuc said Thanh case is a lesson for the NA to learn from to tighten its deputy selection process in the future.  VNS
Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers. It also offers investment and wealth advisory services; digital investing services; financial services and solutions; and investment management, and trust and custody services to institutional, retail, and high net worth investors. In addition, the company provides life insurance, accident and sickness insurance, and annuity products; creditor and travel insurance to bank customers; and reinsurance solutions. Further, it offers client's debt and equity capital-raising services, as well as loan origination and syndication, balance sheet management, and treasury management; strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and recapitalizations, as well as valuation and fairness opinions; and trade finance, risk mitigation, and other operating services. Additionally, the company provides research and access to markets for institutional, corporate, and retail clients; trading solutions that include debt, foreign exchange, interest rate, credit, equity, securitization and commodities; new product development and origination services, as well as risk management advice and services to hedge against fluctuations; and funding and liquidity management services to its clients. It operates through approximately 1,400 bank branches and 4,800 automated banking machines in Canada and the United States. The company was founded in 1817 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

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Webcam hosting service will be discontinued on October 21, 2021. Read more about our decision here.
HA NOI  General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Nguyen Phu Trong on Saturday sent a message of condolences to First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee Raul Castro Ruz over the recent plane crash of Cubas carrier Cubana de Avicion that killed 107 people.



President Tran ai Quang and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc cabled their condolence messages to President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba Miguel Mario Diaz Canel Bermudes. Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan extended a message of condolences to President of the National Assembly of Peoples Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo.



The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh extended his sympathy to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parilla.
Green goodness: Pandan leaves porridge looks cool in the summer heat. VNS Photo Moc Mien

Viet Nam News by Moc Mien Like pho for the Vietnamese, frog porridge is a point of pride among Singaporeans. Tourists are advised that a trip to Singapore without a bowl of frog porridge is a failure. As a devoted fan of this dish, when Im not able to travel directly to the source, I often visit a chain of Singapore frog porridge restaurants in Ha Noi. The location at 285B Hue Street is my favourite. This restaurant, like others in the chain, is simply decorated to evoke the atmosphere of the popular restaurants in Singapore . The restaurant is always crowded due to the diverse menu: beside the defining frog porridge, the restaurant also serves stir-fried frogs, fried frogs, frog stomach and frog hot pot, among others. Before eating frog porridge, I always call some dishes to start my taste. Sweet and spicy stir fried frog is delicious. Ingredients are simple, just frog meat, onion, chili, Vietnamese coriander and green onion, but the taste is strong and appealing. The frog meat is tender and soaked in spices. One qualm: the presentation of the dish is lacking, perhaps because the restaurant is focused on serving affordable Singaporean cuisine like that find in the citys humble hawker centres and stalls.

Flavourful: Frog is cleaned, dried and marinated with spices such as soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, special ketchup (a Chinese flavoring), sugar, oyster sauce, purple onion and spring onions. VNS Photo Moc Mien

You can choose: Sweet and spicy stir fried frog(left) is much more delicious than stir-fried frog stomach with garlic (right). VNS Photo Moc Mien

Humble: The small restaurant is simply decorated, evoking the atmosphere of the popular restaurants in Singapore. VNS Photo Moc Mien

Though I am in love with sweet and spicy stir-fried frog, the stir-fried frog stomach with garlic left me disappointed. I expected a tasty dish and strong garlic flavours, but the addition of butter flattens the taste and the frog stomach is slimy because it was not treated carefully. The accompanying vegetablesonions, bell peppers, carrots and piper lolot leavescant save it. I do not recommend ordering this dish.

My disappointment is relieved when the main attraction, frog porridge, is served. This dish has two components: frog and porridge. Unlike in Vietnamese cuisine in which they are often cooked together, Singapore frog porridge is divided into two distinct parts: a white porridge and frog meat on the side, saturated with spicy and salty seasonings.

Although it is a famous dish, frog porridge is easy to make. The most important requirement is that frog must be alive, so that it will be firm and have a characteristic sweetness. The frog is cleaned, dried and marinated with spices such as soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, special ketchup (a Chinese flavouring), sugar, oyster sauce, purple onion and cinnamon wine for at least 30 minutes.

The cook will stir fry onion, garlic, chili powder and marinated frog and add water to bring to a boil. He seasons the frog, puts it in a pot and continues to cook it until the water in the pot condenses, the frog meat is soft and spices are absorbed.

In addition to frog meat, white porridge is also important. Rice for porridge should be new and whole grain. The rice is cleaned and cooked until soft. Then pandan leaves may be added and removed only when it is well-done.

I select garlic porridge and my friend chooses pandan leaves porridge. Looking at my friends cool green porridge, I am a bit jealous because it is so beautiful. We are eager to scoop frogs and sauces from the pot into porridge and mix it up. The frog sauce is strong and spicy, together with sticky and tasty porridge, which makes this dish incomparable. The dark brown colour of the frog meat and frog sauce, the green of the onion, the white of the porridge and the yellow of Vietnamese doughnuts is enough to make anyone salivate.

Hot spices such as ginger, chili and onion are cooked into the dish so if you are not used to them, you may sweat as you eat. It would be a little inconvenient to eat this dish in the summer, but for anyone who is sick or tired and needs hot food to sweat, this dish is very suitable.

To sum up, this Singaporean frog porridge shop offers good quality food at a fairly cheap price (VN120,000  150,000/person) for a full meal. If you are a fan of the traditional Singapore frog porridge, come and enjoy it. -- VNS

Address: 285B Hue Street

Opening time: 10am  10pm

Price: around VN120,000  150,000/pax

Comments: low prices, tasty, relaxing, comfortable
By Hoai Huong

On the corner of Pasteur-ien Bien Phu Road, Sai Gon, there is a flower tree completely different from the other trees around it. When October comes, the scent of the flower spreads all across the street. For years now, a woman whose hair is now white has been seen around there since she was still young. When the tree was small, she watered it and cared for it. When the tree was in full bloom, she came to look at it and often brought some branches home. She calls it the milk flower tree.

In the mid-Autumn Festival this year, she was seen going together with a young girl to see the milk flower tree. The girl bore some features of a Western girl, with a high nose and white skin, but her eyes and hair were as black as those of the Vietnamese. She spoke fluent Vietnamese. Different from the other years when she came and watched in silence the flowers on the tree, she was smiling and looking at the girl with love in her eye. She slowly answered the girls repeated questions.

Grandma, why is it called the milk flower? And why is there only this one in the middle of all these ancient khaya and tamarind trees?

She was astounded at the question; her eyes welled up in tears, looking to the past...

*****

At the head of the alley, near the corner of Pasteur-ien Bien Phu Road, there is a lovely villa with a trellis of antigone flowers which bloom pink all year round. The house owner was a doctor in charge of the surgery department of Cho Ray Hospital. He studied medicine in France. He had a beautiful daughter who was ready to help anyone in need.

In the Spring of MauThan Lunar year in 1968, Sai Gon was quiet, indescribably tranquil, with Tet days around the corner, even though markets were in hustle and bustle, bars and pubs and dance halls were filled to capacity with the American GIs and Sai Gon soldiers. Fire crackers were allowed to be set off on the eve of the Lunar New Year. The whole of Sai Gon seemed ready to explode amid the fire crackers welcoming the New Year. Out of the blue, gunfire was heard all over the streets in central Sai Gon, in the key offices of the Sai Gon administration like Tan Airport, the Police General Office, the Sai Gon Radio Station, the US Embassy, the Independence Palace and so on. A Lunar New Years Eve night had shocked the US and the world, sent horror to the American GIs fighting in Viet Nam. That the US Embassy, previously thought to be impregnable, was occupied by Viet Cong (Vietnamese communists) stunned the White House and the world. The fighting got even fiercer in the later days of Tet. A see-saw battle happened in every street. Eventually, the liberation fighters were unable to hold the occupied positions due to late reinforcements. Many units of the Liberation Army had to split into smaller units and they lost communications in Sai Gon.

At the corner of Pasteur-ien Bien Phu Road, there was usually a small post guarded by a squad of the Sai Gon army; yet, on the night of the Lunar New Year, it was heavily guarded by a company of hundreds of soldiers with the support of three armoured cars to block the road. A Liberation Army unit had launched an assault onto this post in an attempt to open this road so that the liberation fighters could be able to advance deeper into the centre of Sai Gon to reinforce the fighters at the US Embassy, the Independence Palace, the Radio Station and other areas. All the houses around were shut. The doctors villa was also closed. But it was noisy inside. They had a guest, a special guest at that: It was a Viet Cong fighter. He was unconscious with blood smeared all over his body.

Immediately after hearing the gunfire at the crossroad near their house, the father and daughter had followed the fighting on the terrace. During the night, they had seen three liberation fighters fighting against the powerful firepower of the Sai Gon army. In the end, two of them had died and the third was heavily wounded. They saw him crawling slowly into a bush at the back door of their house. Without delay, the father and daughter went downstairs and opened the back door. The girl helped the Viet Cong soldier into the house, while the father tried to erase all traces of him. Then, a field operation room was quickly set up in the bunker inside the kitchen, which had already existed when he bought the villa. The doctor raced with time to save the Viet Cong man, while his daughter was in the house in case the Sai Gon troops came to question them about the missing Viet Cong.

Five days had gone by without having found the Viet Cong fighter, the Sai Gon soldiers had guarded everywhere and searched everyone passing by, as they believed that this Viet Cong could not have escaped. They were in great doubt about the house of the doctor, but he was a famous man who had saved a lot of lives in the city, even the lives of Sai Gon soldiers relatives. So they felt hesitant.

A week later, this Viet Cong soldier came to. He opened slowly his eyes and vaguely saw a beautiful girl and heard a sweet voice of a Southerner. Whats wrong with my body? Where am I now? - he thought. With great efforts, he spurted out a few words:

Where.. where am I?

Oh, my word, youre conscious  the girls voice was as smooth as silk.

He felt a little bit stronger. He asked the girl in a weak broken voice of a Northerner:

Where am I now?

The girl said slowly:

Youre in my house; youve been unconscious for the last few days. My father is a doctor and he has treated you. And whats your name?

My name is Long. Where is my knapsack?

My name is Ha. Dont worry about it. Everything has been saved. Your gun has been carefully hidden

Please, would you do me a favour to open the knapsack or else the small tree inside it will die?

What tree will die?  The girl asked, running to the corner of the room to fetch the knapsack. She saw some green leaves cropping out of it. She took it out and found that it had been wrapped in a bag. She gave it to him.

This tree?

Yes, it is. Its the milk flower tree. How lucky, you are still green, my dear tree!

With great care given to him by the doctor and his daughter, the young liberation soldier, as heavily wounded as he was, was recovering fast. He learned that the girl was 20 years old and a student in the medical school. Her father was a doctor who had studied in France. She had beautiful eyes. She also knew that he was 20 years old and a student of Ha Noi Polytechnic University. He had fought in the Southern battlefield for three years. His house was located in an ancient street of Ha Noi. Its name was Quan Su Street. His maternal grandmothers house was in the flower village of Ngoc Ha. Even though he was still bandaged, he looked handsome and robust. Through his stories about Ha Noi and the North, the girl discovered that all the propaganda launched by the Sai Gon administration to smear the North was fake. Ha Noi with 36 ancient streets looked amazing in her minds eyes. And she asked him a lot about the milk flower and its scent. She wondered if this flower was associated with a girl in Ha Noi, so he had to bring it along with him. As if he had guessed her mind, he looked at her, smiling:

This is a small bag of seeds my grandmother gave to me before I hit the road to the South. She told me to sow these seeds in the South just in case I could not return, she could find me by going to find these milk flower trees in the South. I have gone through almost all the regions in the South and this time in Sai Gon, I have only one seed left, so I germinated the seed and thought I would cultivate the tree in Sai Gon where I fought. Milk flowers bloom in autumn, around mid-Autumn Festival. It has a strong, but warm scent.

Suddenly, the girl asked:

Have you ever gone with a girl under these milk flower trees?

Not yet.

But what youve described makes me disbelieve you..

It gives me the same feeling of each time I walked around Thuyen Quang Lake on Nguyen Du Street. The flower has an unforgettable scent. The more you inhale it, the sicker you will get, you know!

The girl smiled, looking far away as if she was wishing to be in Ha Noi together with him. Suddenly, she blushed. The stories he had told made her feel ever closer to Ha Noi.

Twenty days had gone by. The wound had healed and the Viet Cong man recovered. After he told her how to contact his liaison, the girl contacted his men who came to take him back to the rear. Only half a day left before he had to say good-bye to the girl. The young people felt greatly for each other during these days.

They sat by their sides in silence. He took her hands, looking deep into her eyes. They exchanged looks as if they wanted to keep the image in their head forever. And as if unable to stand the moment, they kissed each other. Time seemed to stay still.

Wait for me when the milk flower season sets in!

*********

On April 30, 1975, Sai Gon was liberated.

The girl became the doctor of a military unit. After the Viet Cong soldier had left the house of the doctor for some time, the girl also left for the revolutionary resistance area. The house now had a six-year-old boy. His father was not there. His name was Long Ha.

One day, the girl transplanted the milk flower tree in the corner of Pasteur-ien Bien Phu Road where that wounded Viet Cong soldier had lain the other year. She watered it every day; she cared for it with great concern. When she was asked about the tree, she answered that it was the milk flower tree of a liberation soldier from Ha Noi. When the first flowers were in bloom, she picked one branch of flowers and put it on the altar where beside the photos of her father and mother, there was a photo of the soldier.

She looked for and found the grave of that soldier at the Mien ong Cemetery. She burnt incense and prayed: My dear, I have been waiting for you for a long time. Our son has now grown up. The milk flower tree has now grown so big and bloomed. Do come back with us along the scent of the flower. I will go to Ha Noi and look for the house where your maternal grandmother stayed and tell her all about our love in Sai Gon.

Year after year, the milk flower tree has been standing there for half a century. The girl in that Mau Than lunar year is now old. Today, she took her granddaughter to see the milk flower tree. Her father Long Ha had gone to study medicine in France and married a French girl. This was the first time the girl came to see her paternal grandmother and was told about the grandmothers love story with a liberation soldier who was now sitting on the altar. VNS

Translated by Manh Chuong
CNN has officially clarified a story in which the network suggested President Donald Trump had referred to undocumented immigrants as animals.

In a Thursday piece, media reporter Oliver Darcy conceded that CNN  like many other news organizations, including the New York Times and the Associated Press  had taken Trumps remarks out of context and that the president had only been referring to members of the violent MS-13 gang, many of whom come from Central America, and not to all immigrants in the U.S. without proper documentation.

Other outlets did not directly accuse the President of calling immigrants animals, but failed to include in tweets the entire context for Trumps remark. Those outlets included CNN, CBS News, and NBC News, wrote Darcy.

Also Read: CNN Contributor April Ryan Dings Melania Trump as 'Not Culturally American'

Trumps remarks late Wednesday were in response to comments about members of MS-13 and other undocumented immigrants who are deported for committing crimes, the network added in a thread response to its own (considerably more viral) original tweet that included the presidents quote without context.

As reported in the article above, Trumps remarks late Wednesday were in response to comments about members of MS-13 and other undocumented immigrants who are deported for committing crimes.  CNN (@CNN) May 17, 2018

Also Thursday, the Associated Press went even further than CNN, deleting an earlier tweet about the presidents remarks.

Also Read: Sarah Sanders Defends Trump's MS-13 'Animals' Remark: 'Doesn't Go Far Enough' (Video)

AP has deleted a tweet from late Wednesday on Trumps animals comment about immigrants because it wasnt made clear that he was speaking after a comment about gang members, the news organization offered in an explanation.

Story continues

AP has deleted a tweet from late Wednesday on Trumps animals comment about immigrants because it wasnt made clear that he was speaking after a comment about gang members.  The Associated Press (@AP) May 17, 2018

The false narrative spread through the media this week after Trump made the tough remarks from the Cabinet Room of the White House.

We have people coming into the country, or trying to come in  were stopping a lot of them,said the president. You wouldnt believe how bad these people are. These arent people, these are animals, and were taking them out of the country at a level and at a rate thats never happened before.

Also Read: Michael Avenatti Teases 'At Least 2' More Women Signed NDAs With Trump (Video)

On Wednesday, the White House press briefing had an animated moment when Press Secretary Sarah Sanders laced into media companies for falsely reporting this story.

If the media and liberals want to defend MS-13, theyre more than welcome to, said Sanders. It took an animal to stab a man 100 times and decapitate him and rip his heart out  Frankly, I think that the term animal doesnt go far enough.

The president was very clearly referring to MS-13 gang members who enter the country illegally and whose deportations are hamstrung by our laws, she added. This is one of the most vicious and deadly gangs that operates by the motto of rape, control and kill.

Related stories from TheWrap:

Colbert Consults an Actual Smoking Gun to See if Trump Jr Is Guilty of Collusion (Video)

Sarah Sanders Defends Trump's MS-13 'Animals' Remark: 'Doesn't Go Far Enough' (Video)

Michael Avenatti Teases 'At Least 2' More Women Signed NDAs With Trump (Video)

Colbert: Trump and Giuliani Are so Close 'They Finish Each Other's Prison Sentences' (Video)
First Lady Melania Trump is continuing her recovery from the comfort of home.

After undergoing a successful procedure on Monday to treat what the White House has described as a benign kidney condition, Trump left the hospital on Saturday.

The First Lady returned home to the White House this morning, the White House announced in a statement. She is resting comfortably and remains in high spirits. Our office has received thousands of calls and emails wishing Mrs. Trump well, and we thank everyone who has taken the time to reach out.

The Slovenian-born former model, 48, surprised even those close to her when her spokeswoman revealed Monday afternoon that she underwent a kidney embolization that morning at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, to treat a benign kidney condition.

The president was not present for the procedure, instead remaining at the White House where he had his daily intelligence briefing at 11 a.m. and lunch with Vice President Mike Pence.

Melania Trump

On Friday, Grisham declined to give PEOPLE an update when asked how soon the first lady might return home.

Trump tweeted on Wednesday that she was feeling great and looking forward to returning home to the White House, and her husband, President Donald Trump, tweeted Tuesday morning that shed be leaving the hospital in two or three days.

RELATED: Melania Trump Underwent a Successful Kidney Embolization: What to Know About the Procedure

Leading medical experts who spoke with The New York Times said they would consider a week-long hospital stay unusual in typical cases of this procedure.

Its like literally an outpatient procedure, said Dr. Eleanor D. Lederer, a professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine and past president of the American Society of Nephrology. You go in, you have it done, you lie in bed for a while to keep the blood vessel from bleeding and then you go home.

But Dr. Jeffrey Cadeddu, a professor of urology and radiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, said her hospital stay has most likely been extended due to her position.

Thats because she is the first lady, he said. If it was you, youd be in and out in a day, I promise.
President Donald Trump had a legal setback today in his efforts to stop a lawsuit by Summer Zervos, a former contestant from The Apprentice, who claims he made unwanted sexual advances and then disputed her accounts of same.

A panel of five judges in the New York Supreme Court appellate division denied a motion to stay the suit (read the ruling here). Trumps lawyers claimed allowing the lawsuit to proceed could interfere with the presidents official duties and would unfairly put him under the purview of a state court judge.

The decision means the Zervos lawsuit can proceed unless further appeals by Trump go to the New York State Supreme Court, or a federal court intervenes.

Zervos has claimed Trump groped and kissed her when she came to him in 2016 seeking an opportunity, years after her 2005 appearance on The Apprentice show. She claimed Trumps infamous Access Hollywood comments and his subsequent denial of claims from several women who claimed he assaulted them caused her to speak out.

When Trump also denied Zervoss claim, she filed a lawsuit for defamation three days before his inauguration. The suit claimed her reputation was damaged by Trumps denial. Trumps lawyers have since sought to halt the suit, or at least delay it until after he leaves office.

Complicating matters is that Zervoss suit was filed in New York state court. Trumps attorneys have argued that the venue would give a state judge improper authority over the president, a position rejected by a lower court in March.

Trumps legal team issued a statement calling the ruling incorrect. There is no valid reason in this case  in which plaintiff is seeking merely $3,000 in damages, and which plaintiffs counsel has repeatedly insisted was brought for political purposes  for the Court not to grant the requested stay in order to take the time to first decide the threshold Constitutional issue that is at stake.

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Zervos attorneys Gloria Allred (who withdrew from the case in March) and Mariann Wang praised the appellate court decision. .

I am very happy with the court order permitting my former client, Summer Zervos, to proceed with discovery in her defamation case against President Trump, Allred wrote in an e-mail. I think it is very important that President Trump provide answers in Summers civil defamation case through the discovery process a.s.a.p. Justice delayed is justice denied.

We look forward to proving Ms. Zervoss claim that Defendant lied when he maliciously attacked her for reporting his sexually abusive behavior, Wang said in a statement.

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At least five vigils will be held in the coming days to mourn the 10 people killed in a shooting massacre at Santa Fe High School in Texas on Friday morning.

Students, faculty and staff were allowed to return to the school Saturday and were escorted inside to collect their belongings. The school and others in Santa Fe will be closed Monday and Tuesday, officials said.

Eight students and two teachers were shot and killed when 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis allegedly burst into an art room with a shotgun and a .38-caliber revolver, both of which appear to be legally owned by his father. Thirteen other people, including a police officer, were wounded, according to officials.

Pagourtzis is in custody and has been charged with capital murder.

PHOTO: Carissa Potts and her 7-year-old daughter Kaylee bring flowers to a small memorial outside of Santa Fe High School, May 19, 2018 in Santa Fe, Texas. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The policeman wounded was Santa Fe Independent School District officer John Barnes, who confronted the shooter and was shot in the arm. Houston Police Department Capt. Jimmy Dale, a friend of Barnes, told ABC News the officer is still in and out of consciousness, but improving.

"The surgery went great," Dale said. "We thought maybe he'd lose his arm, but it looks like he'll be able to keep it. There won't be much use, he's got some feeling in it, but he's gonna live and that's what's most important."

Dale also praised his friend for rushing into the action to help students, saying, "He would drop everything and go in there. And he knew with an active shooter, to eliminate the threat, any second you waste is a life lost and he wasn't going to let that happen."

PHOTO: A student, left, reacts after retrieving her belongings inside Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, May 19, 2018. Students and teachers were allowed to return to parts of the school to gather their belongings on Saturday. (David J. Phillip/AP)

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called Friday's shooting "one of the most heinous attacks that we've ever seen in the history of Texas schools."

The Galveston District Attorney released the names of all the victims Saturday: Glenda Perkins, a teacher; Cynthia Tisdale, a teacher's aide; and Santa Fe students Chris Stone, Aaron McLeod, Kimberly Vaughan, Shana Fisher, Angelique Ramirez, Christian Garcia and Jared Black.

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Sabika Sheikh, a student from Pakistan who was at Santa Fe High School for an exchange program, was also killed. Her funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Dulles Masjid in Stafford, Texas.

"I send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sabika Sheikh," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. "Sabika was in the United States on the State Department-sponsored Youth Exchange and Study program, helping to build ties between the United States and her native Pakistan. Sabikas death and that of the other victims is heartbreaking and will be mourned deeply both here in the United States, and in Pakistan."

What we know about the suspected shooter at Santa Fe High School in Texas

President Trump, Parkland students react to Texas school shooting

List of fatal school shootings since Parkland

PHOTO: Santa Fe High School freshman Caitlyn Girouard, center, hugs her friend outside the Alamo Gym where students and parents wait to reunite following a shooting at Santa Fe High School, May 18, 2018, in Santa Fe, Texas. (Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Santa Fe High School freshman Peter Matuza said he was in art class Friday morning when he heard two explosions and ducked under a table.

The gunman shot Matuza's friend with a shotgun before turning and opening fire with a revolver, Matuza told ABC News.

Students were running and screaming, and one student flipped a table over for cover, Matuza said.

Matuza told ABC News he made eye contact with the suspect, noting, "He had a face of rage."

"He could have killed me right there," he said.

The gunman then walked through a closet that went straight to the adjacent art room and began opening fire in there, as well, Matuza said.

PHOTO: Two women pray outside the family reunification site following a shooting at Santa Fe High School on May 18, 2018, in Santa Fe, Texas. (Marie D. De Jesus /Houston Chronicle via AP)

Pagourtzis allegedly wrote in journals that he wanted to carry out the shooting and then commit suicide. But he ultimately gave himself up to authorities, according to Abbott.

A motive for the killing spree remains unknown.

At the Santa Fe Police Department, Pagourtzis gave a statement admitting to shooting multiple people inside the school with the intent of killing them, according to a probable cause affidavit. He told police he acted alone.

Pagourtzis also allegedly stated during the interview that he did not shoot students he liked "so he could have his story told," the affidavit states.

There were no warning signs and the suspect doesn't have a criminal history, officials said.

PHOTO: Friends and family attend a vigil held at the First Bank in Santa Fe for the victims of a shooting incident at Santa Fe High School, May 18, 2018 in Santa Fe, Texas. (Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Explosive devices were also discovered at Santa Fe High School, and devices including a Molotov cocktail were found in a car and a home, authorities said.

Galveston County Magistrate Mark Henry said the explosives found were not functional, including a CO2 canister wrapped in duct tape and a pressure cooker with an alarm clock, but no way to detonate.

A law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told ABC News that a total of four devices were discovered, and none of them had been constructed proficiently enough to explode.

PHOTO: Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 17, is the suspect in a deadly shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas , May 18, 2018. (Galveston County Sheriffs Office)

Pagourtzis' attorneys, Nicholas Poehl and Robert Barfield, said they met with him Friday night and Saturday morning. They told ABC News that the teen's parents have said repeatedly they had no idea their son was capable of this kind of violence.

The parents also said that the two firearms he allegedly used in the massacre are owned by his father and were kept in a locked gun cabinet, according to the attorneys.

"The family is stunned and shell-shocked," Barfield told ABC News. "The parents were in the dark."

ABC News' Dylan Gotz, Rachel Katz, Tom Llamas, Josh Margolin, Bonnie Mclean, Carol McKinley, Alyssa Pone, Kaitlyn Solmer and Gina Sunseri contributed to this report.
Photo credit: Mark Large - Getty Images

From ELLE

While Prince Harry went on a walkabout in Windsor and let well wishers know he's feeling "great" ahead of his wedding to Meghan Markle, Markle herself was photographed showing the same sentient as she arrived at her overnight hotel, Cliveden House, with her mom Doria Ragland. Markle was smiling in the vehicle. She was asked by reporters as she was entering how she was feeling, too. Wonderful, thank you, she said.

BREAKING - #MeghanMarkle is arriving at Cliveden House with her mother, Doria Ragland. pic.twitter.com/5Oew76pwMx

- Meghans Mirror (@MeghansMirror) May 18, 2018

Meghan Markle had arrived at her hotel and, asked how she is feeling, says: Wonderful thank you.

- Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) May 18, 2018

Asked how he was feeling, Prince Harry told well-wishers: Great.

- Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) May 18, 2018

Photo credit: Getty Images

Photo credit: Getty Images

As announced by Kensington Palace, Markle will spend the night before her wedding at the five-star venue with her mom. Ragland and Markle will leave there for St. George's Chapel, where Markle will wed Harry tomorrow around 11 a.m. London time, 6 a.m. New York time. Ragland will enter the chapel with Markle before her daughter enters the church and ceremony by herself; Prince Charles will then escort her down the last part of the wedding aisle, from the Quire to the alter where his son, groom Harry, will be standing.

The Berkshire country house is gorgeous and has a spa among other luxe highlights.

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Earlier today, Markle and her mother had tea with the Queen at Windsor Castle. It was her mother's first meeting with the Queen.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to say I do on Saturday, May 19, at Windsor Castle. Yahoo will cover the event live from London from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. BST (5 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET). Bookmark this link to follow along LIVE at yahoo.com/royalwedding.

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Crowds were buzzing in Windsor after the royal wedding, particularly the powerful sermon given by African-American bishop Rev. Michael Curry on the power of love and the various elements of the ceremony that celebrated Meghan Markles heritage.

Two friends who had traveled to Windsor from the U.S., Raven Debose and Melanie Felton, described the service as very black American. If you visit a black church in the south with a preacher, they will preach for at least an hour, Debose, who is originally from Georgia but now lives in Texas, told TIME. When they get going they like to talk and talk and talk!

Felton, who is from Atlanta but now lives in Cleveland, agreed with her friend. We sat down when [Rev. Curry] started as we knew it would be a while. We could see the Queen looking confused!

The pair met in Atlanta but hadnt seen each other for a decade. Over the past 10 years they have communicated mostly on social media, where they discuss one of their biggest passions: the British royal family. When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement, Debose and Felton planned a trip to Windsor together.

Raven Debose and Melanie Felton in Windsor following the marriage ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, on May 19 2018.

The whole ceremony was beautifulhad a tear in my eye the entire time, said Debose. Whenever Meghans mother appeared I cried. Seeing her daughter all alone and then being walked down the aisle by Prince Charles must have been such an emotional moment. She is a yoga teacher and social worker and now her daughter is marrying a prince.

Both Debose and Felton felt touched by the poignant nods to Markles African-American roots during the service. I couldnt believe there was a Baptist choirthat was beautiful, said Felton. Hearing Stand by Me was an amazing moment too.

Today really showed the world that anyone can be a princess, added Debose. Their relationship was a fairytale at first, but now its real. When you think that Meghan Markle is divorced, an actress and biracial, today shows that none of that matterswhen youre in love, youre in love.

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Long-term royal fan Terry Hutt, 83, in Windsor following the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, on May 19 2018.

It wasnt just American fans of the royals who felt moved by the ceremony. Terry Hutt, a Brit and long-time fan of the royals, described the service as fantastic. Today I saw what I came to see: a lovely couple get married, he added.

In an interview with TIME that was repeatedly interrupted by members of the public asking Hutt, who was wearing a Union Jack suit, for a photograph, the 83-year-old explained that he had been camping out in Windsor for five days. Ive been sleeping on a roll-up bed underneath a cafe right by Windsor Castle, he said. I wanted to get the top spot.

Hutt has spent 79 years following the royal family and first met the Queen in 1940, during the Second World War. The octogenarian said he is a enormous fan of Harry and Meghan, and what they represent. Their relationship is simple: they went out and met each other and fell in love, he said. Theyre breaking the rulebook, but in a nice way.

Pamela Anomneze, 52, from Haringey, pictured at Studio 360 Collective in north London, who received an invitation to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle. April 10, 2018.

Pamela Anomneze was one of the 1,200 members of the public invited by Harry and Meghan into the grounds of Windsor Castle to celebrate the historic day. Anomneze, who was born in Nigeria, received an invitation because of her work supporting people with mental health issues in Haringey, north London.

I thought the order of mass was absolutely gorgeous, she told TIME over the phone from the grounds of the castle. I liked the preaching and how he spoke about love.

Anomneze watched the service on a big screen in the grounds with her 15-year-old son, Jude, as well as the other invited guests. The atmosphere was so goodI now feel so relaxed, joyful and elated, she said. We caught sight of every royal family memberand even Elton John.

But for Jude, a huge Suits fan, nothing was more exciting than glimpsing some of his favorite cast members in the flesh. Out of all of them, seeing Meghan was the best of course!
Haifa (Israel) (AFP) - Hundreds of Arab Israelis demonstrated Saturday evening in Haifa in solidarity with Gaza, where more than 60 Palestinians have died from Israeli fire in recent days, an AFP reporter said.

Protesters shouted "down with the occupation, stop fascism" and denounced the arrests Friday of 19 people in the northern city during a previous rally held in solidarity with Gaza residents.

They waved four large letters in bright red, making up the word "Gaza" and chanted slogans including "Jews and Arabs, we are not enemies".

A total of 62 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire on Monday, when thousands of Palestinians protested as the US officially moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem after recognising the disputed city as the capital of Israel.

They were among 119 Palestinians killed by Israeli troops on the border between the Gaza Strip and the Jewish State since mass demonstrations started on March 30, according to authorities in Gaza, which is run by the Islamist movement Hamas.

The Israeli army insists its actions are necessary to defend the border and prevent mass infiltrations.

It accuses Hamas of using the demonstrations to approach and damage the border fence, including laying explosive devices and attacking soldiers.

Palestinian and Israeli sources on Sunday said a Palestinian prisoner had died of a heart attack whilst in Israeli custody.

Aziz Ewisat was serving a 30-year prison sentence since 2014 and had suffered a heart attack earlier this month, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club said.

Israeli prison authorities said he had heart failure after attacking a guard, adding that Ewisat was a member of Hamas.

Israeli Arabs, the descendants of Palestinians who remained on their land when Israel was created in 1948, are around 17.5 percent of the Israeli population.
By Tom Perry and Laila Bassam BEIRUT (Reuters) - A Christian party that made big gains in Lebanon's general election says it will use its stronger position to press for Hezbollah's weapons to be brought under government control and to root out corruption in the heavily indebted state. The Lebanese Forces (LF) party, which almost doubled its number of MPs in the May 6 election, expects to convert those gains into more power in a new coalition government that Western-backed Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri is expected to lead, LF leader Samir Geagea told Reuters in an interview. Geagea said it would "no doubt" be difficult to form the new government which - like the outgoing one - will share out ministries among Lebanon's rival parties, including the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah. But citing intentions expressed by Lebanese leaders and the pressing need for economic reform, Geagea held out hope the cabinet formation would not take too long. He confirmed his party was moving towards nominating Hariri as premier again. Lebanon was in dire need of a "truly new" government to tackle corruption, he said. "I believe everyone has realized now that the ship might sink with everyone aboard," said Geagea, referring to the economic risks facing the state with the world's third highest debt as a share of output. "I believe we are in a new phase." The LF is the second biggest Christian party after the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) established by President Michel Aoun, a Hezbollah ally who became head of state in 2016. While Aoun has expressed support for Hezbollah's possession of weapons as a deterrent to Israel, Geagea is the Shi'ite group's most significant Christian adversary in Lebanon and an opponent of its allies in Damascus and Tehran. Hezbollah also emerged a big winner from the election thanks to gains by allies who won seats at Hariri's expense. Including the FPM, Hezbollah and factions that back its possession of arms won more than 70 of parliament's 128 seats, a reversal from 2009 when anti-Hezbollah groups led by Hariri won a majority. Hezbollah has declared the result a victory. Hariri was always expected to lose out under a new proportional system but fared worse than officials in his party feared by losing more than a third of his seats. Yet he remains the leading Sunni figure in Lebanon's sectarian system. Geagea, however, disputed that Hezbollah had come out stronger, saying the FPM was no real ally of the group and its backing for its weapons was "just verbal". The LF, which won 15 seats, emerged from a Christian militia led by Geagea through the final phase of the 1975-90 civil war. Hezbollah, set up by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, was the only Lebanese group to keep its weapons at the end of the war. It used them to fight Israeli troops occupying southern Lebanon. Since Israel withdrew in 2000, the arms have been a point of contention. The group, which is deemed a terrorist organization by the United States, is more powerful than the state and has grown militarily stronger since joining the Syrian war in 2012. Noting that Hezbollah was part of the cabinet, Geagea said his party would propose - as a temporary measure - that its arsenal be put at the command of the government. "If we accept, for the sake of argument, that Hezbollah's weapons stay where they are temporarily ... why shouldn't the decision on their use be the Lebanese government's?" he said. LEBANON STABILITY A "RED LINE" "We will push with all our strength (towards this goal) though at the same time I see little hope in achieving anything because Hezbollah's position on this issue is almost ideological," he said. He said the issue must be addressed through negotiations, adding: "No escalation, stability is a red line." Geagea expressed concern about tensions in the wider region, where Hezbollah has been a big player in the power struggle between Shi'ite Iran on the one hand and Sunni-led Gulf Arab states that are allied to the United States on the other. Washington this week declared new sanctions on Hezbollah. "The least I can say is that the region is going towards more escalation and complication. Will it reach a comprehensive war, or remain as it is at present? I don't know," Geagea said. Lebanon has been spared the worst of the instability that has swept through the Arab world since 2011, though the Syrian war has exacerbated long-standing rivalries and contributed to years of paralysis in government. This has weighed on the economy of a country hosting some 1 million Syrian refugees, or one in four of its population. Growth has stagnated while levels of government debt have climbed, moving above 150 percent of GDP at the end of 2017. The IMF in February said fiscal policy must be "immediately anchored" in a plan to stabilize and reduce debt levels. Geagea said wiping out corruption in government was the most important step towards fixing Lebanon's finances. Reforming the heavily subsidized power sector alone would save the treasury $1.5 billion a year, he said. Another $1 billion could be saved through tackling waste and corruption elsewhere in the state. "I fear that if the situation continues as it is - financially and economically - matters will worsen," he said. (Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Peter Graff)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 20)  The three diplomats who figured in the controversial rescue of three Filipino workers in Kuwait are home, in a move to normalize ties between the two countries.

This was confirmed to CNN Philippines by Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato on Sunday.

Cato said the diplomats arrived in the country last Friday where they were welcomed by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

"They're undergoing debriefing," Cato added.

After being debriefed, the diplomats would be spending time with their families before returning to work.

Cato did not elaborate, however, on how long the debriefing would take or when the diplomats would return to work and under what capacity. It also was not immediately clear whether the diplomats would be based in the country or overseas.

The Filipino diplomats  whose names have yet to be revealed by the DFA  were involved in the rescue of distressed Filipino workers in the Gulf state. They faced kidnapping charges because of the incident.

This caused a diplomatic rift between the two countries, prompting Philippine officials to restore relations and work toward signing the agreement protecting the rights of Filipino domestic workers in Kuwait.

Earlier this month, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano during his visit in the Gulf state said they were working behind the scenes with Kuwaiti counterparts to facilitate the immediate return of the diplomats to Manila.

Arrest warrants were issued against the diplomats, and four drivers also involved in the incident were detained. The drivers were released earlier this month.

The Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait, Renato Villa, was declared persona non grata and made to leave the country. He returned to the Philippines on May 2.
Earlier this year my friends and I visited the mountainous town of Sa Pa with a group of Thai friends. It was the first time our foreign friends had visited the town, so we hired a tour guide who could speak Thai to ensure they had the best experience.

Everything was fine during our bus trip from Ha Noi to Sa Pa, but when we visited an ethnic village in Sa Pa, our tour guide did not actually guide us as we expected. She remained silent the entire time from when we started walking down a road that leads to the village to when we were in the middle of the village itself. No introduction of the place, no instructions to our Thai friends, which left us with an impression that this was her first time being there as well.

The outing was not all ruined, but it was disappointing enough to make one of my friends call the tour operator and complain about the guide. As for me, although having gotten used to independent travelling, I felt that our Thai friends should have been treated better, and that our guide should have performed better on the job.

That was a personal experience that made me realise the important role of an international tour guide. Guiding tours for foreign visitors is a much sought-after occupation in Viet Nam due to the high income and travelling opportunities. There were 9,920 international tour guides in the country in 2016, accounting for 57 per cent of the total 17,387 tour guides, according to statistics from the National Administration of Tourism.

International guides often get paid two or three times higher than domestic ones due to the requirement of foreign language proficiency, depending on the languages. This is also considered an interesting and somewhat sophisticated job as the tour guides get to meet foreigners, find out about other cultures, and have the opportunity to improve their language and communication skills.

But the trickiest part of the job is how to respond to foreigners curious  sometimes unreasonable  inquiries about Viet Nam. Young and experienced tour guides have different attitudes towards this matter.

Ha Thu Hoach, a retired government official working as a freelance tour guide for Spanish tourists, said to answer this type of question requires not only solid knowledge on the countrys history and culture but also years of experience, which the young guides are yet to accumulate. One example, he said, is when a European tourist asked why the former Sai Gon was renamed as Ho Chi Minh City.

I explained to her, twice, all the historical and geographical reasons for this decision, including how the citys Nha Rong Wharf was the place where the late President Ho Chi Minh started his journey in 1911 to seek independence for the country, Hoach said. But she kept on saying she did not understand, and repeatedly asked whether the name change was the result of any individualistic impulses.

Nguyen Thi Trinh, a middle-aged freelance tour guide for French tourists, said that while the enthusiasm of youth is much appreciated, young people may sometimes lack knowledge on Viet Nams traditional culture which foreigners are so eager to get to know. One case in point is when a tourist asked her about the rice cultivation process in rural areas. It would have been such a tricky question for a young tour guide that grows up in the city, she said.

In contrast to the cautiousness of the older generation, the twenty-something tour guides seem confident about their information gathering and learning skills.

Nguyen Duy Anh, 26, said that he learned almost everything about the tourism spots via the internet and by talking to local people.

ang Huy Lam, 25, from the travel agent Rutas Vietnam, said when faced with questions he did not have the answers to, he took advantage of travelling time to look up information on the internet then later responded to the tourists.

Lam said he did receive complaints when he first started out, but his passion for the job was what kept him going.

Once when I was four months into the job, I got taken out of a tour because I was unable to respond to a tourists inquiries about the major wars in Viet Nams history, Lam said. They asked for a more experienced guide, and I decided to keep following the group and learning from the older colleague.

Looking back at our trip to Sa Pa, I feel that I can be more understanding towards our guide since she was young (under 30) and inexperienced. But I do think there are certain qualities one must possess if one wants to become a tour guide, such as an extroverted personality, the will to serve, and the ability to oversee things.

As for international tour guides, apart from these qualities, they need to have an excellent command of a foreign language, solid knowledge of Viet Nams culture and history, as well as political and cultural awareness and sensitivity  which many young people are yet to acquire.

Becoming an ambassador of a country in the eye of foreign visitors is not an easy task. Lets hope that our young tour guides consider this a career goal and persevere until they get there. VNS
Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Brazilian fishermen rescued two dozen migrants from Africa and Guyana found drifting near the northeast coast of Brazil after 35 days at sea, officials and local media said Sunday.

The migrants came from the small South American country of Guyana and from Nigeria and Senegal on the other side of the Atlantic, the human rights department for Brazil's state of Maranhao said in a statement.

There were 25 migrants -- all men -- on the boat and two Brazilians, the navy said in a statement.

The Brazilian pair were suspected of being people traffickers, O Imparcial and G1 news sites reported. They had reportedly spent 35 days afloat but there was no immediate indication of what route they had taken.

The boat, a catamaran, was carrying a Haitian flag, the navy said.

On Saturday, local fishermen found the vessel drifting off the Brazilian coastal town of Sao Jose de Ribamar, south of the Amazon river, the navy said.

An attempt by the authorities to locate the migrant boat from the air failed, so the fishermen towed it to port, while also feeding the stranded voyagers, the navy said.

By the time they got in, the fishing captain reported he had "no more food and water to give, because provisions were ending," the navy said.

Once ashore, they were "given medical attention and food," before being taken for processing by the Brazilian federal police, the Maranhao human rights department said.

"The group will be put into temporary housing provided by the state," it said. "The federal police will investigate the possible committing of crimes against the foreigners in relation to their arrival in Brazil and evaluate their legal situation in Brazil."
Six weeks ago, Washington Nationals prospect Juan Soto opened the minor league season at Low-A Hagerstown in the South Atlantic League. The 19-year-old outfielder soon earned a promotion to High-A Potomac, then to Double-A Harrisburg. Hes tortured pitchers at every stop, slashing .362/462/.757 with 28 extra-base hits and 14 home runs. Soto doubled in his first at-bat for Harrisburg and homered in his second. Hes a machine, basically.

Today, Soto is in Washington to make his major league debut. Hell be the first teenager to make an appearance for the Nats since Bryce Harper in 2012.

[Yahoo Fantasy Football leagues are open: Sign up now for free]

We should mention, of course, that the primary reason Soto is getting this shot is that a staggering number of Washington regulars are on the DL. Howie Kendrick suffered a ruptured right Achilles on Saturday, prompting the Soto promotion. It should also go without saying that any 19-year-old hitter can (and likely will) struggle against major league pitching. If Soto simply treads water in the big leagues, it would be a ridiculously impressive achievement.

For those who havent seen Sotos work in the minors, heres a collection of clips. The kid has a quick bat and a simple, powerful left-handed swing. Soto hasnt yet struggled at any professional stop, beginning with an MVP season in the Gulf Coast League at age-17 and continuing through his short visit to the Eastern League. Hes walked more often than hes struck out so far this year.

Well make no fantasy promises regarding Sotos MLB debut, because, again, hes a teenager. Hes worth an add in nearly all fantasy formats, however, because hes a monstrous talent. He remains unattached in 62 percent of Yahoo leagues at the moment, so most of you can grab a share.

Follow the Yahoo fantasy baseball crew on Twitter: Andy Behrens, Dalton Del Don, and Scott Pianowski
China will significantly increase purchases of U.S. goods and services, the White House said in a joint statement talks aimed at resolving a trade dispute between the worlds two largest economies.

The statement, though, didnt place a dollar figure on the increased purchases by China, or address a comment by President Donald Trumps top economic adviser suggesting Beijing had agreed to slash its annual trade surplus with the U.S. by $200 billion.

Vice Premier Liu He, a special envoy of Chinas President Xi Jinping, held talks in Washington on Thursday and Friday, termed constructive consultations, with U.S. officials including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.

China agreed to meaningful increases in U.S. agriculture and energy exports, the White House said, adding that the U.S. will send a team to China to work out the details.

The delegations also discussed expanding trade in manufactured goods, and each side agreed to strengthen cooperation on intellectual property. China will advance relevant amendments to its laws and and regulations in that area, including its patent law, the White House said.

Trade Surplus

On Friday morning, Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, told reporters that China had offered to reduce its annual trade surplus with the U.S. by at least $200 billion.

The numbers a good number, Kudlow said outside the White House.

Earlier, two posts on Chinese state social media disputed a report that China planned to slash its trade surplus by the extended demanded by Washington though increased imports of U.S. products. A foreign ministry official also played down the suggestion.

In a sign that the Chinese government is seeking a conciliatory stance, it announced on Friday it was ending an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation into imports of U.S. sorghum, citing public interest. That move came days after it restarted a review of Qualcomm Inc.s application to acquire NXP Semiconductors NV.

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Read More on the Trade Talks: Who wins if China shrinks the trade deficit by $200 billion? David Fickling on the feasibility of cutting the deficit: Gadfly Chinas economy is too frail to force open: Christopher Balding CHINA INSIGHT: $200 billion cut to trade surplus? 1% hit to GDP

A $200 billion reduction in the U.S. trade gap with China by 2020 was on a list of demands the U.S. made earlier this month as Mnuchin led a delegation to Beijing. That mission left with little common ground with China and reports emerging of infighting among the U.S. officials. The U.S. merchandise trade deficit with China hit a record $375 billion last year.

Mnuchin and Kudlow will appear on U.S. political talk shows on Sunday.

Trumps administration has threatened to impose tariffs on as much as $150 billion of Chinese imports to the U.S. as tensions over trade have escalated. Trump expressed doubt before his meeting with Liu that China and the U.S. would come to an agreement to avoid a damaging trade war.

ZTE Silence

Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer criticized a lack of specific measures in the joint statement to protect U.S. intellectual property and stop China from keeping our best goods until we hand over our trade secrets.

Schumer noted that the statement also didnt mention ZTE Corp., the Chinese telecom company that Trump a week ago ordered the U.S. Commerce Department to get help back into business after too many jobs in China lost because of recent U.S. action.

If the administration capitulates on ZTE and allows it to continue to exist, Schumer said, that will signal to President Xi that we are weak negotiators.

Kudlow said Friday that ZTE may need to change its management to win a reprieve from U.S. sanctions that shut it off from key parts suppliers.
A cougar attacked two mountain-bikers in Washington state Saturday morning, killing one and seriously injuring the other. The biker who was killed had fled into the woods to get away from the cougar after the initial attack and the animal chased him down, officials said.

The cougar was found standing over the mans body before it ran from wildlife officials, reported USA Today.

Wildlife officials with the help of two dogs tracked down and killed the 100-pound male cougar, who was 3 or 4 years old. Capt. Alan Myers of the Washington Fish and Wildlife police told the Seattle Times the animal was found up a tree about 50 to 200 yards away from the mans body. Officials plan to test DNA from the cougar and the victim to make sure they caught the same animal that attacked the men.

The cougar attack occurred on an isolated mountain road near North Bend, about 30 miles east of Seattle.

The injured biker was airlifted to a Seattle hospital with serious injuries, but his condition was later listed as satisfactory, the Kings County Sheriffs Office told USA Today.

He was attacked first, then jumped on his bike to get to an area where he could get cell phone service to call for help.

The cougar jumped the first victim and attacked him, Sgt. Ryan Abbott of the sheriffs office told the Times. The second victim turned and started to run away. The cougar saw that and went after the second victim. The first victim saw his friend being pulled by the cougar. He got on his bike and started to bike away.

Abbott said the man rode for about 2 miles before he could make a call.

When the deputies and medics responded, it took them about 30 minutes to locate the second victim. He was deceased. The cougar was standing on top of him, said Abbott.

Officials have not released the names of either man.

Paramedics had a medical helicopter standing by while deputies searched for second victim. Officials believe he ran off into the woods to escape the animal. @KING5Seattle pic.twitter.com/9nbIWKBYys  Michael Crowe (@MichaelReports) May 19, 2018

A man in the area provided reporters a video of a cougar he had spotted recently in the same area. Officials said it could not be determined if it was the same animal, given that there are a number of cougars in the region.

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Guy in an off-road vehicle just came up to reporters on scene, says his trail cam captured a cougar on April 29 not too far from scene of attack. He showed it to fish and wildlife officer. Important to note: No way to tell right now if its the same animal@KING5Seattle pic.twitter.com/gLBdOhfU7d  Michael Crowe (@MichaelReports) May 19, 2018

Cougar attacks on humans, and particularly fatal attacks, are rare. Since 1890, cougars have attacked people fewer than 100 times, according to the nonprofit Cougar Network, and about 20 of those attacks have been fatal.

The last time a human was killed by a cougar in the U.S. was in 2008 in New Mexico, according to The News Tribune in Tacoma. The paper said that the last fatality in Washington state was in 1924.

A mountain bikers partially eaten body was found in 2004 in Southern California on the same day another biker was attacked in the same area.

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This post is part of Mashable's You're Old Week. Break through the haze of nostalgia with us and see what holds up, what disappoints, and what got better with time.

Asylums for the psychotic emerged in the 1800s, when it was deemed immoral to simply throw insane people into jails. And among the most serious afflictions in these wards was nostalgia.

"It was once a medical disease that could end fatally," Edward Shorter, a professor of the history of medicine and psychiatry at the University of Toronto, said in an interview.

Today, nostalgia certainly isn't viewed as anything even approximating mental illness. It's thought of as an emotion, a mild, wistful longing for the past that is, in fact, good for you. But in the 1800s, among halls of the hysterical, delusional, and unintelligible, there were those suffering from a homesickness so extreme, it drove them mad.

SEE ALSO: The UK's new Minister of Loneliness to battle 'a poison to humans'

"People could leave home and become servants and then be overcome with homesickness," said Shorter. "Three weeks later, theyd be dead."

There's no doubt the affliction, stoked by a forced displacement, could progress to death, said Thomas Dodman, a historian at Columbia University and author of What Nostalgia Was: War, Empire, and the Time of a Deadly Emotion, in an interview.

"It's a serious thing, said Dodman. "It's not some sort of pre-scientific, medical joke."

In 19th-century France, medical academics tried in earnest to figure out what exactly nostalgia was. There were around 80 medical dissertations on the subject. "It was the second most studied [mental] disease, after hysteria," said Dodman.

Army doctors took it quite seriously, especially in cases of isolated soldiers, who had traveled into foreign, hostile lands. "Doctors were very attentive to the fact that soldiers missed home," said Dodman. "They felt very alienated in the army."

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While there's little question the disease could be fatal, it's more debatable how nostalgia actually killed those afflicted. Dodman argues that for two centuries, nostalgia manifested itself as something we might understand today as post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

"[Soldiers] grew so miserable and apathetic that they stopped eating and showed signs of clinical depression, and because of lack of hygiene and medicine, they contracted diseases that killed them off," he said. "Nostalgia is more often a predisposing cause to their death  but the doctors definitely thought of it as a potentially fatal disease."

Shorter, meanwhile, contends that we can still find the exact psychosis today, though under a different name: "lethal catatonia." After experiencing "extreme psychotic excitement," the afflicted fall into a state of extreme exhaustion and become feverish. At worst, they die.

"It wasnt as common as the common cold, but it certainly did happen," said Shorter.

Although Dodman believes the Union army during the U.S. Civil war grossly underestimated the number of nostalgia afflictions, he found records showing that the Union army suffered 5,213 cases among white soldiers alone. Fifty-eight of these were fatal.

But the medical term nostalgia, originally conceived in 1688 by a young medical student, fell out of use at the turn of the 20th century, said Shorter. It became jumbled in with the illness "schizophrenia," and lost its status as a distinct, independent illness.

"Its obviously been forgotten about today," he said.

Instead, it's been replaced.

Nostalgia turns good

Today, the pleasant nostalgia we all know well is so widespread, scientists wanted to understand if it actually served a psychological benefit. And after a considerable amount of research, it seems that it almost certainly does.

"This wistful, sentimental love and fondness of the past serves a number of psychological functions," Tim Wildschut, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Southampton who has researched nostalgia for years, in large part with the university's Nostalgia Group, said in an interview.

"It reminds us of experiences, and imbues life with meaning," Wildschut said. It brings past or dead individuals to life, "so you feeling connected and not alone," he said, and it creates a strong sense of self, that "you are more or less the same person across time."

Wildschut has even studied how Syrian refugees in Saudia Arabia, who fled war and terror, are affected by the emotion. "By and large, nostalgia was also beneficial for them," he said, but noted they were still less optimistic about the future (and understandably so) than Western research subjects.

But Wildschut emphasizes that he didn't dive into nostalgia with an agenda to declare a novel psychological cure  in an age where snake oil, sometimes in the form of healing crystals, sometimes in form of motivational gurus, is common.

"Our goal was not to find some sort of new-agey 'quick, get rich scheme' for your path to happiness," he said. "We just wanted to understand the emotion."

Although "nostalgia" was not associated with this healthy, wistful longing in the Western world until the 1900s, other cultures, like those in Ethiopia, China, and Japan, already knew about it, and had discrete words for it.

In the U.S. and other Western countries, it seems we couldn't exactly put our finger on this poignant feeling, even though we knew it was there.

"It seems there was an emotion in search of a name," said Wildschut.

A similarity between the deadly disease, and the positive emotion?

There's no question the two phenomena are hugely distinct.

"Theyre talking about a mild longing for the past  kind of like nostalgia for The Beatles," said Shorter, referencing Wildschut's research.

But even so, there might be a parallel between the two.

In the 1800s, treatment for extreme homesickness, and the psychosis that resulted, was apparently straightforward.

"They had no idea how to prevent it other than letting these people go home," said Shorter.

And today, experiencing a mild longing for the past may be like escaping to home or other better times  especially during darker periods. People experience nostalgia when experiencing threatening circumstances, like the cold or violent storms, said Wildschut.

"This suggests nostalgia might be an eloquent method for searching out a state of being as if it were actually occurring, and escaping the unpleasant circumstance you find yourself in," said Wildschut.

"It's through nostalgia that you can simulate being in different circumstances than you actually are," he said. "If only briefly."

We likely did the same in the 1800s  though we lacked such a pleasing word for it. Centuries later, we're mostly the same people; sometimes we long for things in healthy ways  but there are apparently dark extremes.

"We are creatures that long for things we dont have," said Dodman.
The mother of a 16-year-old girl shot dead by alleged Santa Fe High School gunman Dimitrios Pagourtzis believes her daughter was targeted because she rejected the killer's aggressive advances.

Sadie Rodriguez told the Associated Press Pagourtzis repeatedly made advances towards her daughter, Shana Fisher, in the four months leading up to Fridays mass shooting.

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Rodriguez told the AP that Pagourtzis was an ex-boyfriend of her daughters best friend.

"He kept making advances on her and she repeatedly told him no," said Rodriguez. "He continued to get more aggressive."

Rodriguez said that the week before the shooting, Fisher "stood up to him" by "embarrass(ing) him in class." She did not detail how Fisher confronted him.

Don't miss: What Is Mario Batali Accused Of? NYPD Probes Disgraced Celebrity Chef

Rodriguez described her daughter as shy and sweet with a passion for video games.

2CN4MPGTJN2KRP6WFU35CWSHJI

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Pagourtzis is accused of shooting dead eight students and two teachers, and injuring 13 others in Fridays shooting spree.

Most popular: Pakistani Girl Killed in Santa Fe Shooting Wanted to Experience American Culture

He was reportedly wearing a trench goat and carrying a shotgun and .38 caliber pistol when he launched the attack.

The 17-year-old was taken into custody by police and faces capital murder charges. In a probable cause affidavit, authorities said the suspect admitted to the shooting and said he spared the lives of students he liked.

Authorities have not disclosed what may have motivated Pagourtzis to carry out the attack. On Saturday his lawyer, Nicholas Poehl, said that Pagourtzis' family were mystified about his motives.

"They did not expect this. They don't feel that there were any red flags that they missed," he said. "I think that's echoed by the statements of the other students that have been speaking to the media, you know basically describing him as a pretty nice kid and a little quiet but otherwise not somebody they would expect to do something like this."

Story continues

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from Newsweek
New York Times reports August 2016 meeting at Trump Tower

Meeting included Israeli social media expert and Erik Prince

Before the 2016 election, Donald Trump Jr reportedly met with an emissary for the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates seeking to help his father win. Photograph: Sue Ogrocki/AP

Donald Trump Jr met with an emissary for foreign governments seeking to help his fathers presidential campaign three months before the 2016 election, the New York Times reported on Saturday.

Citing several anonymous sources with knowledge of the meeting, the Times said Trump Jr met at Trump Tower on 3 August 2016 with an emissary for the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Also present, the paper said, were an Israeli specialist in social media manipulation, Joel Zamel, and Erik Prince, the founder of the private military contractor formerly known as Blackwater.

Zamel represented a firm that employed several Israeli former intelligence officers and specialized in data collection and social media persuasion. At the time of the meeting, the Times stated, the firm had already drawn up a multimillion-dollar proposal for a social media manipulation effort to help elect Mr Trump.

The meeting, which the Times said was facilitated by Prince, is the first evidence that countries other than Russia sought to influence the US election in favor of Donald Trump.

The US intelligence community and the Senate judiciary committee agree that Russian election interference aimed to help Trump defeat his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. The special counsel Robert Mueller is investigating that interference and alleged links between Trump aides and Moscow. Trump has repeatedly denied collusion and called the investigation a witch-hunt.

During the Trump Tower meeting, the Times said, George Nader, the emissary for the two crown princes, indicated that leaders in Saudi Arabia and the UAE wished to help Trump. Nader, the Times said, is now cooperating with Mueller.

Under US law, the involvement of foreign governments or individuals in American elections is illegal.

It is not known if anything came of the alleged offer for assistance. The Times stated that Trump Jr responded approvingly.

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Alan Futerfas, a lawyer for Trump Jr, told the Times: Prior to the 2016 election, Donald Trump Jr recalls a meeting with Erik Prince, George Nader and another individual who may be Joel Zamel. They pitched Mr Trump Jr on a social media platform or marketing strategy. He was not interested and that was the end of it.

A lawyer for Zamel told the Times neither he, nor any of his related entities, had any involvement whatsoever in the US election campaign. The lawyer also said Zamel had provided full cooperation to the government to assist with their investigation.

The paper said Prince declined to comment. It quoted a lawyer for Nader as saying he had fully cooperated with the special counsels investigation and will continue to do so. The report cited a senior official in Saudi Arabia who it said denied Nader had ever been authorized to speak for the Saudi government.

The White House did not immediately return a request for comment.

The allegations will bring further scrutiny to Trump Jrs activities during the campaign. The presidents oldest son emerged as a central figure in the Russia investigation after it was revealed last year that he facilitated a now infamous June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower that also involved the Trump aides Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort and a group of Russians including a lawyer with links to the Kremlin, Natalia Veselnitskaya.



The White House issued a misleading statement about the meeting, claiming it was about adoptions. It was later disclosed that the encounter was arranged when the Russians offered to provide incriminating information about Clinton. Informed of the offer, Trump Jr responded: If its what you say, I love it.

The presidents son has said his father was not aware of that Trump Tower meeting. But according to a transcript of his testimony to congressional investigators released this week, Trump Jr was unable to recall if any of three calls he placed to a blocked number before and after the meeting were to his father.

The August meeting reported by the Times was not previously known to the public. Nader became a close ally of Trump officials. He met frequently with Kushner, the presidents son-in-law and senior adviser, and Michael Flynn, who would become Trumps first national security adviser.

In November, Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about conversations with the former Russian ambassador to the US. He has been cooperating with the special counsel.

Trump has closely aligned himself with Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. His first foreign trip was to Riyadh. Last year, Trump embraced a Saudi-led blockade against Qatar, a key US ally, against the counsel of his foreign policy advisers. Recently, the president withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal  a move championed by Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Melania Trump returned home from hospital after being treated for a kidney condition - AFP

Donald Trump welcomed his wife Melania home to the White House on Saturday after a week in hospital for kidney treatment - but managed to misspell her name as "Melanie" in a hastily deleted tweet.

The embarrassing gaffe does at least resolve one mystery. The length of hospital stay had raised questions about whether the first lady's condition was more complicated than first revealed.

"Great to have our incredible first lady back home in the White House," wrote Mr Trump on Twitter.

"Melanie is feeling and doing really well. Thank you for all of your prayers and best wishes!"

The message was quickly replaced with a message that spelled the first lady's name correctly but is unlikely to have done anything for marital harmony.

Screengrab of the offending tweet Credit: Twitter

It also sparked a string of humorous responses on social media.

I know Donald Trump is trying to upstage the Royal Wedding, but I think its rude that he got married to Melanie just five days after Melania vanished.  Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) May 19, 2018

Mrs Trump's quiet return was as sudden as her trip to hospital. The White House had made no mention of any medical issue despite a string of recent public appearances.

She was admitted to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre near Washington on Monday, when she had an embolisation procedure to treat an unspecified kidney condition the White House described as benign.

Her spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, declined to release additional details, citing Mrs Trump's right to privacy.

Donald and Melania Trump's 9 most awkward relationship moments

"The first lady returned home to the White House this morning," she said in an emailed statement. "She is resting comfortably and remains in high spirits.

"Our office has received thousands of calls and emails wishing Mrs Trump well, and we thank everyone who has taken the time to reach out."

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On Tuesday, the president tweeted that his wife would be released in "2 or 3" days, but Thursday and Friday passed without word from the White House on her whereabouts.

Mr Trump had visited her during her first three days in hospital. But he did not visit on Thursday or Friday, sparking speculation that the first lady had been discharged.

The first lady had earlier announced on Wednesday via Twitter that she was "feeling great" and looking forward to going home, but gave no indication of when that might happen.

Profile | Melania Trump

On Friday, she tweeted about the deadly school shooting at a Houston-area high school but did not update her followers on her medical situation.
Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked Amazon: REUTERS/Ben Nelms

Donald Trump reportedly sought personally to double postal fees paid by Amazon, a longtime target of the presidents wrath.

The president personally asked the US postmaster general to double the shipping rate on packages purchased via a number of companies that includes amazon.com, according to the Washington Post, an extraordinary effort by a president to target a private company he has publicly lambasted.

Postmaster general Megan Brennan was said to have rebuffed those requests and sought to demonstrate that the US Postal Service benefits from its ties to Amazon.

Representatives of Amazon and the US Postal Service declined to comment.

Since entering the White House, Mr Trump has issued tweets attacking the retail giant over a dozen times, accusing it of not paying enough in taxes and charging that it is a financial drag on the Postal Service despite evidence to the contrary.

He has also explicitly framed his attacks by linking Amazon to the Post, a paper that regularly publishes damaging articles on the Trump administration and is owned by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. Mr Trump has at times derided the publication as the Amazon Washington Post.

There are signs the negative attention has affected Amazons bottom line. Its stock briefly plunged this year after Mr Trump again lobbed criticism on Twitter.

It is unusual for a president to make such public pronouncements about private businesses, but it has become something of a habit for Mr Trump.

He has lauded or critiqued specific businesses on Twitter numerous times, slamming manufacturing companies that he said planned to move operations to Mexico and assailing

Before becoming president Mr Trump showed fewer qualms about Amazons business model, repeatedly urging Twitter followers to use Amazon to purchase his book.
PARIS (Reuters) - French gas and power group Engie (ENGIE.PA) said on Friday it would end its engineering contracts in Iran by November.

President Donald Trumps withdrawal of the United States from the nuclear accord with Iran and his order that sanctions be reimposed on Tehran have led several European companies to announce their exit from the country, including French oil major Total (TOTF.PA) earlier this week.

Engie CEO Isabelle Kocher said at a shareholders' meeting that the utility has no infrastructures in Iran but has engineering teams working there for clients.

"We have 180 days to end these contracts, which takes us to November. It will be done," she said.

(Reporting by Geert De Clercq; Editing by Adrian Croft)
Well-wishers cheered as they watched the wedding on a giant screen.

Viet Nam News WINDSOR, United Kingdom  Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot at Windsor Castle on Saturday in a royal wedding like no other, mixing British pomp and African-American culture in front of a celebrity congregation and cheering crowds. The new Duke and Duchess of Sussex exchanged vows in St. Georges Chapel in a historic ceremony, sealed with a kiss, which brought the biracial US TV star into the heart of the British monarchy. As more than 100,000 people packed the sun-baked Windsor streets and millions watched worldwide, Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family were joined inside by stars including Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams, Elton John, George Clooney and David Beckham. The couple held hands throughout and exchanged vows in a Church of England service modified to reflect the brides heritage and strong sense of independence. Firebrand US pastor Michael Curry delivered a full-throttle address invoking slaves and the power of love, and a gospel choir sang classics "Stand By Me" and "This Little Light of Mine". Markle began her walk down the aisle alone with her 10 bridesmaids and page boys walking behind her flowing white silk dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller at the French fashion house Givenchy. Her father had been due to meet her half-way but after he pulled out due to heart surgery, Harrys father Prince Charles stepped in to escort her to the altar. Markles mother, Doria Ragland, looked visibly moved during the wedding. With the words "I will", 33-year-old Harry, and US former actress Meghan, 36, declared they would love, comfort, honour and protect each other. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby declared them husband and wife -- sparking huge cheers from crowds watching on big screens outside. The newlyweds later toured Windsor in an open-topped carriage, waving and smiling to the thousands of flag-waving well-wishers lining the streets. The brides father Thomas Markle followed the wedding on television and voiced regret he was unable to attend, TMZ reported. "My baby looks beautiful and she looks very happy. I wish I were there," he told the US celebrity news website. Dianas ring For the evening reception at nearby Frogmore House, attended by 200 close friends and family, Meghan changed into a sleek lily white halterneck silk crepe gown by Stella McCartney. On her finger she wore an emerald-cut aquamarine ring formerly owned by Harrys mother Diana, a gift from her new husband.

With the words "I will", 33-year-old Prince Harry, and US former actress Meghan Markle, 36, declared they would love, comfort, honour and protect each other

The royal couple rode in a horse-drawn carriage through Windsor after the wedding.  AFP/VNA Photos

Harry drove his bride to the party himself in an open-top E-Type Jaguar with the number plate E190518 -- the wedding date.

In another of the numerous personal touches, the prince hand picked flowers for Markles bouquet from their home at Kensington Palace.

Her five-metre veil also contained floral designs from her native California and all 53 Commonwealth countries.

"You look amazing," Harry told his bride as she arrived.

He and his brother Prince William his best man  wore the blue doeskin frockcoat uniform of a major in the Blues and Royals, the regiment Harry served with in Afghanistan during his 10 years in the British army.

The couple grinned during Currys dramatic address about the power of love, in which he quoted civil rights icon Martin Luther King.

"Im talking about some power. Real power. Power to change the world," the African-American preacher intoned.

There were no political leaders among the 600 guests but many celebrities, including Idris Elba, James Blunt, Tom Hardy and James Corden.

Some of Markles former co-stars in US hit television series "Suits" attended, as did Harrys ex-girlfriends Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas.

The newlyweds kissed on the chapels West Steps after the wedding before starting their procession, to the delight of the crowds.

"Its been a historic, epic day," said Leslie Owusu, from nearby High Wycombe.

"Its a union of different cultures, youve got America and England and a fusion of two people that love people and life."

Meghans speech

Hundreds of street parties and public screenings were held around Britain where the wedding is a welcome respite for a country still burdened by austerity and divided over Brexit.

Revellers also packed into bars to watch as far afield as Sydney, Hong Kong and Markles native Los Angeles, for what is likely to be the last big British royal wedding for a generation.

In Windsor, thousands of fans bagged their spots by dawn, bearing rugs and picnics, Union Jack flags and patriotic paraphernalia, and the bubbly was flowing freely.

"It made me really emotional when I saw them coming past," said Helen Oliver, 50.

The queen hosted a lunchtime reception at the castle, where Elton John performed, Charles and Harry made speeches and the guests ate pieces of lemon and elderflower cake.

In another break with convention, Meghan was due to speak at the evening bash.

"Shes got her own voice, a personality, and I think all that made a huge impression on everybody," said Shrabani Basu, a Commonwealth historian.

The couple met on a blind date in July 2016 and had a whirlwind romance, criss-crossing the Atlantic as she continued filming "Suits" in Toronto.

Harry was scarred by his mother Dianas death in a Paris car crash in 1997 when he was just 12, and he had to mourn in the full glare of the worlds media.

His wedding featured a hymn used at Dianas funeral, at which he and William had walked behind her casket.

Sixth in line to the throne, Harry is one of the most popular royals, while Markle, a divorcee, is seen as a breath of fresh air for the monarchy.  AFP
WASHINGTON/BERLIN (Reuters) - The United States on Sunday said it hopes to use strong shared interests that have emerged with its European Union partners in recent months to move forward on addressing Iran's nuclear program, missile development and role in regional conflicts. A State Department official said the shared interests could form a "foundation to continue to work together moving forward." Iran said on Sunday that it would join a meeting with diplomats from Britain, Germany, France, China and Russia in Vienna on Friday to discuss next steps after the May 8 decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to exit the 2015 nuclear accord. It said Washington would not participate in the meeting of the joint commission set up by the six world powers, Iran and the European Union to handle any complaints about the deal's implementation. The German newspaper Welt am Sonntag cited an unnamed senior EU official as saying there were also discussions about a possible new pact between Iran and world powers that would cover the same ground as the 2015 deal but with some additions to appease the United States. These could include provisions to address U.S. concerns over Iran's ballistic missile program and Tehran's support of armed groups in the Middle East, the source said. "We have to get away from the name 'Vienna nuclear agreement' and add in a few additional elements. Only that will convince President Trump to agree and lift sanctions again," the senior EU official told the paper. Such an agreement could in the future include financial aid for Iran, the report said. The State Department official said Washington hoped the EU would focus "on the central issue here: Iran's multiple set of malign behaviors with regard to its nuclear program, missile development, terrorism, regional conflicts, and other issues." Three EU sources who were part of negotiations to keep Trump from quitting the nuclear deal said Friday's meeting would address only the implementation of the 2015 deal, but not offer Iran financial aid in exchange for concessions. In Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi rejected reports of a proposed new agreement as "irrelevant claims", the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. "A meeting set for the next few days for the first joint commission without the United States ... will only cover issues of the nuclear accord between Iran and the other members," Qasemi said. Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on state television that the "joint commission ... will be held at Iran's request, and without the United States, to discuss the consequences of America's withdrawal, and how the remaining countries can continue their commitment to the deal." On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will outline a "diplomatic roadmap" and call for broad support from European and other allies to apply pressure on Iran to force it back to the negotiating table, as well as their support to address "the totality of Iran's threats". (Reporting by Andrea Shalal in Berlin and Damon Darlin in Washington, Additional reporting by Parisa Hafezi in Ankara, Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky, Dale Hudson, William Maclean)
Meghan Markles royal wedding walk down the aisle wouldnt have been true royal wedding without plenty of dazzling gems on display, particularly in the form of a sparkling diamond tiara for the bride.

Upon her arrival at the chapel, eagle-eyed viewers and royal jewelry fans were quick to note that Markle had chosen the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara, on loan from Queen Elizabeth, for the memorable occasion. The Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara, made in 1932, features a diamond brooch in the center (Meghans tiara has, in the past, been spotted with a sapphire in the center)..

The veil is held in place by Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara, lent to Ms. Markle by The Queen. The diamond bandeau is English and was made in 1932, with the entre brooch dating from 1893.  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018

Meghans veil was topped with Queen Marys diamond bandeau tiara, which was on loan from Queen Elizabeth. The Queen Mary diamond bandeau tiara, which was made in 1931 with a center brooch of 10 diamonds dating back to 1893, features a band of 11 sections of diamonds and platinum.

Meghan Markle wears the Queen Mary's diamond brooch tiara in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, May 19, 2018.

The diamond bandeau was made for Queen Mary and specifically designed to accommodate the centre brooch, a release about Meghans tiara said. This brooch was given as a present to the then Princess Mary in 1893 by the County of Lincoln on her marriage to Prince George, Duke of York. The bandeau and the brooch were bequeathed by Queen Mary to The Queen in 1953. The Bride is wearing earrings and bracelet made by Cartier.

Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle during her wedding to Prince Harry, May 19, 2018.

Before finally debuting her ultimate wedding look, there was much speculation about which tiara she might select from the royal vault  or if she would design something entirely new. The options most considered included the Spencer Tiara, the Strathmore Rose Tiara, the Cambridge Lovers Know Tiara, Queen Marys Fringe Tiara, the Lotus Flower Tiara, the Queen Mothers Cartier Bandeau and a number of other more niche pieces, each rich in royal history.

Meghan Markle leaves the Cliveden House Hotel, for her wedding at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle to Prince Harry, May 19, 2018.

Back in 2011, Kate Middleton opted for the Cartier Halo Scroll Tiara for her walk down the aisle to marry Prince William at Westminster Abbey. That tiara, however, was likely out of the running for Markles moment as its currently on display at a jewelry exhibition in Australia. Along with her instantly-iconic dress, its likely that Markles distinctive choice of headwear will inspire brides for many years to come.
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married at Windsor Castles St. Georges Chapel, many eyes will be on the couples left ring fingers.

Details about the rings were revealed by Kensington Palace on Saturday morning ahead of the royal wedding. The rings, both made by Cleave and Company, will be a band of Welsh gold for Markle and a platinum band for Prince Harry.

And unlike his brother, Prince Harry, Prince Harry has also chosen to wear a ring of his own following their May 19 royal wedding ceremony at St. Georges Chapel in Windsor. Both Harry and Meghan will be exchanging rings at their ceremony, according to the royal wedding order of service that Kensington Palace released Friday.

Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have chosen Cleave and Company to make their Wedding rings. Find out more here: https://t.co/IB6Rwk7rul #RoyalWedding  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 19, 2018

Does Prince Harry have a wedding ring?

He will on the big day. After Harry and Meghan exchange their vows, then comes the giving of the rings to symbolize their unending love and faithfulness. Meghans first up. Harry will place Meghans ring on her finger, and then Meghan will turn to Harry and to the same for him. Its not the first time theyve marked their love with accessories. The pair is known for wearing matching beaded bracelets.

Interestingly, when it comes to princes and rings, there is no official royal tradition in place. His brother Prince William doesnt wear a wedding band and never has since getting married; his father Prince Charles wore one while married to Princess Diana, and now wears one on his pinky finger; and his grandfather Prince Philip has always skipped one altogether. It seems to be a matter of preference, not a matter of ritual, across British society.

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What about Meghan Markles wedding ring?

The familys history can be instructive on this point: as it turns out, theres a strong Windsor tradition of brides in Welsh gold wedding bands, going back to Prince Harrys great-grandmother the Queen Mother in the early 1920s. All the ensuing royal brides  including Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, Prince Charless wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth II herself and all the related princesses  wear bands of Welsh gold. Originally, the Queen Mother was in possession of a nugget from a certain Clogau St. Davids Gold Mine which was used for many of the rings, but that supply has been depleted over the years. Another bit of Welsh gold was gifted to the royal family in the 1980s for subsequent bands. Gold mining is still defunct in Wales for now, making the metal increasingly precious, too.

Theres always the chance that Markle will choose a different route than the traditional Welsh gold band; shes eschewing the classic British wedding cake flavor, after all. But a yellow gold band imbued with family history would match up nicely with her engagement rings design and story, too.

Whats the story behind her engagement ring again?

As for her engagement ring, Markles piece was made by court jewelers Cleave and Company designed by Harry himself with a yellow gold band  Markles favorite  featuring a central stone sourced from Botswana, where he has spent a fair bit of time, and where he brought Markle to visit not long after theyd met. The two accompanying diamonds were once part of the collection of Harrys mother, Princess Diana, and are there to make sure that shes with us on this crazy journey together, as he explained to the BBC.
Moqtada al-Sadr meets with ambassadors of Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Kuwait, in Najaf - REUTERS

A political bloc led by populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, a long-time adversary of the United States who also opposes Iranian influence in Iraq, has won the country's parliamentary election, the electoral commission said on Saturday.

Mr Sadr himself cannot become prime minister as he did not run in the election, though his bloc's victory puts him in a position to have a strong say in negotiations. His Sairoon electoral list captured 54 parliamentary seats.

The Al-Fatih bloc led by Hadi al-Amiri, who has close ties with Iran and heads an umbrella group of paramilitaries that played a key role in defeating Islamic State, came in second with 47 seats.

The Victory Alliance, headed by incumbent Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, took third place with 42.

The victory was a surprising change of fortunes. The cleric, who made his name leading two violent uprisings against US occupation troops, was sidelined for years by Iranian-backed rivals.

'Iraq has given its backing to a militia leader with British blood on his hands'

His bloc's performance represented a rebuke to a political elite that some voters blame for widespread corruption and dysfunctional governance.

Mr Sadr's unlikely alliance with communists and secular Iraqis says it fiercely opposes any foreign interference in Iraq, which is strongly backed by both Tehran and Washington.

It has promised to help the poor and build schools and hospitals in Iraq, which was battered in the war to defeat Islamic state and has suffered from low oil prices.

An Iraqi man celebrates with a portrait of Moqtada al-Sadr in Baghdad Credit: AFP

Before the election, Iran publicly stated it would not allow Sadrs bloc to govern.

In a tweet shortly after results were announced, Mr Sadr said: "Reform is victorious and corruption is diminishing."

Winning the largest number of seats does not automatically guarantee that Sadr will be able to hand-pick a prime minister. The other winning blocs would have to agree on the nomination.

In a 2010 election, Vice President Ayad Allawis group won the largest number of seats, albeit with a narrow margin, but he was blocked from becoming premier, which he blamed on Tehran.

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Who is Moqtada al-Sadr, the radical cleric on course to take power in Iraq?

The election dealt a blow to Mr Abadi, but he could still emerge as a compromise candidate palatable to all sides because he has skillfully managed the competing interests of the United States and Iran - unwitting allies in the war against Islamic State - during his term in office.

Mr Amiri is regarded as one of the most powerful figures in Iraq. He spent two decades fighting Saddam Hussein from Iran.

Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of foreign operations for Irans elite Revolutionary Guards and a highly influential figure in Iraq, has been holding talks with politicians in Baghdad to promote the formation of a new cabinet which would have Irans approval.

Negotiations are expected to drag on for months.

The government should be formed within 90 days of the official results.




After a lavish lunchtime reception, then a wardrobe change into a tuxedo for him and a halter-neck Stella McCartney gown for her, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle  now formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex  sped off in an electric-modified, silver-blue Jaguar.

Their destination: Frogmore House, where Prince Charles hosted the second of two receptions for the newlyweds. Though the black-tie affair was kept intimate, with just 200 guests on hand, some details of the night have emerged.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex waved to well-wishers before heading off to their evening reception. (Photo: Steve Parsons, WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The fashion

Markle wasnt the only one who changed her look for the evening reception. After taking a nap to recharge, guest Serena Williams traded her pink Versace dress for a Valentino gown with a bold floral-print skirt. She paired the look with thigh-skimming braids and another Bulgari necklace.

The brides good friend Priyanka Chopra also updated her wardrobe, changing into a sparkling Dior gown worthy of a princess.

@priyankachopra x @dior #styledbymimicuttrell A post shared by Mimi Cuttrell (@mimicuttrell) on May 19, 2018 at 11:37am PDT

Amal and George Clooney and stylist Jessica Mulroney, who wore a gold beaded gown, were also among those toasting the couple at the evening reception.

Mulroney changed into a stunning metallic number. (Photo: Rachel Renna via Instagram Stories)

The speeches

As British newspaper the Telegraph reports, the bride was expected to give a speech at the evening reception, where she and Prince Harry were also due to have their first dance as a married couple.

It would be one of many toasts scheduled throughout the day, with Prince Charles and the groom both addressing the wedding guests at the earlier lunchtime reception.

There was no mention of Diana in the speeches, a source told OK! magazine. Charles spoke about feeding Harry a bottle and changing his [diaper], and then said look how well he turned out. Thats about as embarrassing as it got.

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He ended it by [saying,] My darling old Harry, Im so happy for you, which was very sweet. He said he was very pleased to be asked to walk Meghan down the aisle and happy to help out.

Prince Charles, photographed with Markles mother Doria Ragland, gave a speech at his sons reception. (Photo: Getty)

Prince Harry also spoke at the evening reception, reportedly bringing some guests to tears as he referred to Markle as his wife for the first time.

Some people were even crying, charity boss Suhani Jalota told OK!. I think it was just a very, really nice atmosphere to be in where everybody felt really loved.

Essentially it was just about how Harry was a child and growing up. And now just about the couple and how beautiful they are together.

The party

James Corden and wife Julia Carey attended the royal wedding. (Photo: Toby Melville/AFP/Getty Images)

According to Britains The Mirror, talk show host James Corden did the honors of serving as emcee for the celebration, which reportedly included a sit-down dinner and dancing to music spun by DJ Sam Totolee.

Unlike the formal lunchtime reception, evening guests are said to have feasted on a more casual menu of dirty burgers, cotton candy, and playful cocktails, including one called When Harry Met Meghan. Some drinks reportedly featured rum and ginger in a nod to the grooms red hair.

The fireworks

At around 11 p.m. local time, fireworks started going off near the celebration. According to Hello! royal correspondent Emily Nash, the groom is particularly fond of the dramatic displays.

When I interviewed Harry in Orlando two years ago, he told me how much he loved the fireworks there every night  I bet this was his special wedding request! #royalwedding #harryandmeghan  Emily Nash (@emynash) May 19, 2018

For all things royal wedding, from details on Meghan Markles dress to cute pictures of Prince George and Princess Charlotte, click here. Want to relive every moment? Watch it all here.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

These Meghan Markle style bloggers are quietly fueling the fashion industry

Heres your first look at the royal wedding cake

Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys engagement photos show the love they have for each other

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Beirut (AFP) - A first batch of Islamic State group fighters left their final stronghold in Syria's capital early Sunday under a deal struck after weeks of fierce combat, a monitor said.

"At dawn, six buses of IS fighters and their relatives left the Yarmuk Palestinian refugee camp and adjacent district of Tadamun," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Abdel Rahman said the buses headed east for Syria's vast desert, where IS still controls some territory.

He had no details on how many people were aboard the vehicles, but said a majority of them were relatives of jihadists and not armed.

The evacuations came a day after an apparent deal was reached to put an end to a ferocious month-long offensive to oust IS from its last positions in southern Damascus.

Pro-regime forces, specifically Palestinian militias, had been fighting since April 19 to recapture Yarmuk, Tadamun, and the nearby districts of Qadam and Hajar al-Aswad from IS.

The assault had killed more than 250 pro-regime forces and another 233 IS fighters, according to the Observatory.

Fighting died down around midday on Saturday amid reports that an evacuation deal could be reached.

Syrian state media on Sunday denied evacuations were taking place in Hajar al-Aswad, but did not mention departures from Yarmuk or Tadamun.

Once a thriving district home to some 160,000 Palestinians and Syrians, Yarmuk's population has fallen to just a few hundred people.
Italys populist Five Star Movement (M5S) and far-right Lega have been on the cusp of announcing a deal to lead Italys next government for days now; on Friday morning, they released their governing platform to the public. Here, five things to know about this oddest of odd couples.

1. The Five Star Movement moves away from the political fringes

M5S rose to power as an anti-Europe, anti-establishment party launched in the wake of the Eurozones economic crisis back in 2009. One of its principal founders was Beppe Grillo, a political satirist in the mold of Jon Stewart. In its early days, M5S courted the young and disenfranchised as it railed against the endemic corruption in Italys political class. As it moved from the political fringes and into the mainstream, it dropped many of its more overt anti-Europe policies and rhetoric, but stayed true to its anti-elitist and anti-austerity core.

In 2013, the party made its debut in Italian national elections, storming to a second place finish in parliament. In elections this past March, it captured more seats than any other party (222), but still fell short of the 316 needed for an outright majority. For a party that less than a decade ago was little more than a protest vote, thats impressive.

2. Legas rebranding and upset

But the real surprise of the March elections came from hard-right Lega, formerly known as the Northern Leaguebefore a recent rebranding. Lega was running together with former prime minister Silvio Berlusconis center-right Forza Italia, and most assumed that Berlusconis camp would come out ahead to lead the coalition. Yet Lega pulled off the upset and secured 124 seats in Italys lower house to Forza Italias 105; the junior member of the coalition, Brothers of Italy, added another 32 seats to the count, making them the combined winners of the election cycle. But the failure to surpass the 316 mark together forced Lega into coalition talks with M5S.

When Lega was still known as Northern League, it was a regional party that derided Southern Italians to an almost comical degree, and even pushed for the more industrial northern territories to secede. The prospect of electoral victory prompted them to become more inclusive, but only toward other Italians; Legas pledge to expel 600,000 illegal immigrants resonated with plenty across Italy, as did its general Italy First orientation (centered on anti-immigration, anti-austerity, and anti-EU messaging). The party is also largely defined by its pro-working class and small businesses tilt. Somewhat surprisingly, that has put it at odds with the populist M5S.

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3. Diverging economic priorities

One of Legas main campaign planks was a promise for a flat 15 percent tax across the board, which they argue will provide a much-needed jolt to those small and blue-collar communities it has long championed. M5S has bristled at that campaign pledge, which it sees as a tax break for the rich and politically powerful that it has spent its entireif relatively shortpolitical life objecting to.

But the critique of economic policy goes both ways; M5Ss flagship campaign pledge was a guaranteed basic income scheme for everyone, which in the eyes of Lega constitutes a handout. This is no trivial matterone-third of all Italians between 25 and 29 dont have a job; more than 1 in 10 Italians in the overall workforce are unemployed. Fulfilling that pledge would cost Italy billions of euros that the government simply doesnt have; so would instituting Legas headline 15 percent flat tax. Given that Italys government debt is above 130 percent of GDP (second only to Greece among Eurozone countries), neither campaign pitch was ever that realistic.

The latest draft agreement between the two has watered down both proposals (there will be two tax rates of 15 and 20 percent; universal basic income will be set at 780 ($920) for impoverished families), though not enough to avoid jeopardizing Italian public finances if ultimately implemented.

4. Plenty of Common Ground

When it comes to the hot topic of migration, the two sides arent that far apart. While Lega has made its anti-immigration stance a central component of its political platform, M5S has largely sidestepped the issue; partly for political reasons, and partly for genuine disagreement within the party ranks. M5S is more anti-establishment/anti-corruption than anything else; as such, it draws support from across the political spectrum. The humanitarian wing of the party would prefer a more lenient approach to those risking their lives to reach Italian shores, but the partys leadership has been purposely vague on the issue, preferring to leave the migration issue to others. That leaves space for Lega and M5S to compromise on the topic; indeed, the government program released by the two parties this week calls for 500,000 migrants to be deported.

Both Lega and M5S want to roll back the pension and labor reforms introduced by previous Italian governments that attempted to shore up Italian public finances. Both parties also take aim at Brussels, framing European bureaucracy, fiscal rules and the Euro as principle enemies to any Italian economic recovery. And while neither campaigned to hold a Eurozone referendum, a leaked earlier draft of their provisional agreement included a call for the introduction of a Euro currency-exiting mechanism at the EU level similar to what the bloc has with Article 50; that proposal has since been removed. Both parties are also more pro-Russia than many of their European counterparts, another looming flashpoint with Brussels; the latest program agreement calls for the lifting of Russia sanctions by the EU.

Perhaps the most important common ground the two parties share is that neither is particularly eager to head back to the polls and jeopardize their impressive gains, even if recent polls show them either holding steady (M5S) or improving (Lega) since the March results.

5. Obstacles Ahead

Even if M5S and Lega manage to agree to form a government together, plenty of problems still lie ahead. Italys economy continues to struggle; any confrontation with Brussels will spook markets and investors at a time when Rome needs to be attracting foreign capital, and lots of it. Italys President, Sergio Mattarella, also has significant power to stymie this unusual pairing. Italys constitution empowers the countrys president to veto key ministerial appointmentsincluding prime minister and the interior, foreign affairs or finance ministersthat they deem too inexperienced or unorthodox. Mattarella has hinted this week that its a power he is prepared to wield.

But perhaps there is no greater obstacle to a successful government than the two parties themselves. Neither party has much executive experience, and while the two may be able to paper over policy differences temporarily, neither group has ever needed to compromise their relatively extreme positions for an extended period. Its a precarious time in the Italian economy to be trying such political experimentslets see how it goes.

This piece has been adapted from Bremmers weekly print column.
By John Irish PARIS (Reuters) - Thirty-three countries called on Friday for an emergency plenary session of the world's chemical watchdog to propose a new way to attribute blame for attacks with banned munitions, after efforts to impose a new system at the United Nations broke down. The countries met in Paris as part of the "Impunity Partnership", which France launched in January, with the objective of preserving evidence of chemical weapons attacks, establishing who is responsible and imposing sanctions. France wants those nations to support the creation of a new mechanism at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to enable it to assign blame for attacks carried out with banned munitions, French diplomats said. "We regret that no measure has so far been adopted by key international bodies to hold to account the perpetrators involved in chemical attacks," said a final communique from 33 nations from Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. The move comes in the wake of a suspected poison gas attack by Syrian government forces east of Damascus in April. Syria and its ally Russia denied that any attack had taken place and that they were holding up inspections or had tampered with evidence at the site. Urging Russia to reconsider its opposition to establishing a new attribution mechanism, the 33 countries called for a special meeting of all 192 parties to the 1997 global Chemical Weapons Convention in June. "We call on all States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention to support the holding of this meeting and to work together to strengthen the ability of the OPCW to promote the implementation of the Convention, including exploring options for attributing responsibility for chemical weapons attacks," the statement said. The new mechanism designed by France will be proposed at the special session, a diplomatic source said. It was not clear if the initiative, which is likely to be opposed by Russia and Iran, would gain the two-thirds of votes needed to pass. France has discussed the idea in the last few months with its closest allies -- Britain, the United States and Germany. Creating a global mechanism for accountability is seen as important due to a rising number of incidents with nerve agents since they were banned two decades ago under an international treaty. Recent use includes the assassination with VX of Kim Jong Nam, half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in Kuala Lumpur airport in February 2017 and the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal, a 66-year-old former Russian double agent, and his daughter with a Novichok nerve agent in March in England. They both survived. Currently, the OPCW in The Hague only determines whether chemical attacks have taken place, not who carried them out. The Chemical Weapons Convention has been violated repeatedly in Syria by the use of sarin, chlorine and sulfur mustard gas. The job of assigning blame for the attacks had fallen since 2015 to a joint United Nations-OPCW investigation, until Russia vetoed its renewal in November. Decisions at the OPCW are usually put to a vote in the 41-seat executive council, where 28 votes are needed to pass. Recent initiatives at the OPCW to condemn Syria for using chemical weapons have not garnered enough support. The alternative is to go to the full 192-seat conference of states, which can intervene to ensure compliance with the convention. (Reporting by John Irish, Anthony Deutsch in the Hague and William James in London; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Catherine Evans)
A gospel choir will sing "Stand By Me" at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding on Saturday, while a hymn sung at his mother Diana's funeral will trigger emotional memories.

The ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle will be a traditional Church of England service, but US TV star Markle has ensured that her marriage into British royalty will have a strong American flavour.

After a firebrand US preacher revs up the sermon, The Kingdom Choir will sing "Stand By Me", the stirring, soulful tune released by Ben E. King in 1961, that topped the charts in both the United States and Britain.

And the service will have further touching moments for Harry, being supported by his best man, brother Prince William.

The last hymn before the newlyweds leave will be "Guide me, O thou great redeemer" -- the last hymn sung at their mother Diana, princess of Wales's funeral in 1997.

The bride and groom have put their own modern twist on their big day.

The music, the springtime flowers and lack of political bigwigs show they have set the tone and feel of the event, within the framework of a classic Anglican wedding ceremony.

Printed before Markle's father Thomas definitively pulled out on Thursday having undergone heart surgery, the order of service says he will walk her down the aisle.

Harry's father Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, will fill in.

- 'Stand By Me' -

David Conner, the Dean of Windsor who is the chapel's senior cleric, will give the introduction.

"The gift of marriage brings husband and wife together in the delight and tenderness of sexual union and joyful commitment," he was to say.

Conner will ask "anyone present who knows a reason why these persons may not lawfully marry, to declare it now".

Assuming no objections, Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury who is the Church of England's spiritual leader, will oversee the declarations.

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The couple will pledge to love, comfort, honour and protect each other, both using the answer "I will".

Diana's sister Jane Fellowes will read from the Song of Solomon, before Michael Curry, the head of the Anglican church in the United States, gives the ceremony's main speech.

A lively, animated speaker in the US tradition, the primate of the Episcopal Church will deliver his own address on the nature and duties of marriage.

The church's first African-American leader, Curry could be the star turn in a setting more used to rigid formality.

He is immediately followed by "Stand By Me", the prelude to the couple exchanging their vows.

The couple have chosen vows using modern rather than traditional language, meaning they will say "you" instead of "thee" and "thou".

They have perhaps noted how several previous brides have muddled up the royals' multiple given names, so Markle will refer to the groom as simply Harry rather than Henry Charles Albert David.

- Till death us do part -

And like recent royal brides, Markle will not vow to "obey" her husband.

They will pledge to take each other "to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."

Welby then declares them legally wed, saying: "I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife."

The prayers will be read by the Jamaican-born Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Queen Elizabeth II's chaplain, and Archbishop Anba Angaelos, the head of the Coptic church in Britain.

"Guide me, O thou great redeemer", the final hymn, was also the first hymn sung at the 2011 wedding of William and his wife Kate.

The song is effectively a Welsh national hymn and is often sung at rugby internationals. It will be seen as a nod to Harry's 33 years as, formally, Prince Henry of Wales.

The couple then go to sign the marriage register.

When they return, the service will end with the national anthem, "God Save the Queen".

Harry will bow to Queen Elizabeth and his bride will curtsey as they leave, stepping out onto the church's West Steps to greet the world as husband and wife.
Thessaloniki (Greece) (AFP) - The mayor of Greece's second city Thessaloniki was hospitalised early Sunday after an assault by suspected far-right members at a rally, officials said.

Yiannis Boutaris, 75, had to be escorted from the event on Saturday commemorating the massacre of Black Sea Greeks in Turkey during and after World War I when members of the crowd turned violent.

"They were hitting me everywhere. Kicks, punches, the lot," Boutaris, who was discharged from hospital on Sunday, told state agency ANA. "It was a despicable attack, but I am well."

Police on Sunday said they had detained two people in connection to the assault.

Footage from the event shows Boutaris initially being heckled. As he starts to leave, people start throwing objects at him and at one point he falls to the ground.

Some of the attackers then struck his car, smashing the rear window before it sped off.

The office of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said the attackers were "far-right thugs".

The incident was praised by the daughter of Greece's neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn leader, Ourania Michaloliakou, who accused Boutaris of being "anti-Greek".

"Bravo to each and every person who did their duty in Thessaloniki today. Respect and a thousand bravo," Michaloliakou tweeted on Saturday.

A maverick politician, Boutaris has repeatedly angered hardliners in Greece with controversial statements on Macedonia, Turkey and Israel.

Among them is calling Kemal Ataturk, founder of the modern Turkish state and a hate figure in Greece, a "great leader".

He has also dismissed as "idiots" those opposing a compromise solution in Greece's longstanding name row with neighbouring Macedonia.

The incident was picked up by Turkish media.

Hurriyet daily noted that Boutaris has called Turks "brothers" and has proposed renaming a central street in Thessaloniki after Ataturk, who was born in the city in 1881 and still draws Turkish visitors there.
Yellow is the new green in the French Caribbean archipelago of Guadeloupe.

Bananas are the island group's top agricultural export, and there is growing awareness that farming practices need to change as yields drop and damage from pesticide use rises.

Mindful of the biodiversity in his banana grove at Capesterre-Belle-Eau on the island of Basse-Terre, farmer Jean-Louis Butel follows the French government's recommendations on sustainable agriculture.

"Environmental activists had us visit banana groves at night. We saw bats, and 300 or 400 other species living in the grove," Butel says.

In recent years, yields in areas where bananas are grown exclusively have been on the decline.

On the positive side, attitudes are finally changing over the use of the pesticide chlordecone, which continues to pollute the soil despite being banned since 1990.

Those factors combined have encouraged Butel to switch to more sustainable methods.

Since 2007 "we haven't used any pesticides, or nematicide (against roundworm parasites) and in 2014 we stopped using herbicides," he says.

- New banana is born -

Butel has since started rotating sugar cane and bananas, while growing covering crops and deploying insect traps.

Overall, banana growers in Guadeloupe have reduced by 70 percent their use of pesticides, according to Jacques Louisor of the Tropical Technical Institute.

The final hurdle for many farmers is giving up treatments against the fungus that causes the leaf spotting disease called black sigatoka and can cause yields to plunge by half.

Researchers may soon be able to provide a solution: scientists at the France-based agricultural research centre CIRAD have developed a banana variety that is partially resistant to the disease.

The variety, dubbed CIRAD 925, has a slightly different taste.

It has hit the market in Guadeloupe, and by the end of the year it could go on sale in the French mainland. By 2020, it may allow farmers to transition to organic agriculture.

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Marc Dorel, a researcher at CIRAD, said ending the use of pesticides is not the only obstacle that remains to shift to organic production. Issues regarding the fertilisation of the crop also remain to be resolved.

And then there is the cost.

"Shifting to zero chemical inputs implies higher production costs," he said.

- Smaller is better -

To ensure food security and adapt to climate change one has to look beyond industrial-scale agriculture.

You have to recognise and support small farming, which accounts for 70 to 80 percent in the Antilles and up to 98 percent in Haiti, said Harry Ozier-Lafontaine, head of the Antilles and Guiana centre at France's INRA national agricultural research institute.

Technical researchers have all too often ignored the significance of small farms, seeing them as little more than subsistence operations.

"But in fact they are home to great biodiversity and we can seek their help in the push for agroecology, because they are more resilient than monoculture farms," Ozier-Lafontaine explained.

INRA, which wants Guadeloupe to transition to an agroecology model, is developing animal feed using local products, in a bid to reduce reliance on imports.

The centre is also researching the shift towards a more restorative and sustainable circular economy, in order to make better use of resources.

In order for Guadeloupe to thrive, so too must its Caribbean neighbours.

A dramatic increase in recent years of sargassum algae off the coast of Brazil, linked to climate change, deforestation and pollution, has sent tourists fleeing as it spread to Guadeloupe's shores.

INRA is working with several partner groups to turn the problem around.

"We have a project to upgrade the sargassum and to use it differently, by turning it into compost and animal feed," Ozier-Lafontaine said.
While much is known about the family Meghan Markle is marrying into, the American actress and humanitarians ancestors are equally impressive  and include a royal connection as well, records show.

She really showcases a unique blending of American history, and we found incredible stories in her past, Michelle Ercanbrack, a family historian at Ancestry.com, told InsideEdition.com.

Historians at Ancestry.com combed through billions of historical documents to uncover details about Markles lineage.

"Her father is Caucasian and has German and English roots, and really deep colonial roots, and her mother is African American," Ercanbrack said. "So she really showcases a very unique mix."

Ancestry.com also found parallels between Markles life and the lives of her ancestors.

Markles Royal Roots

It appears Markles fiance isnt the only one who has noble roots on the family tree.

"We did tap her into several well-documented royal lines  ones through Edward III and one is through Roger Mortimer, who were kind of political rivals back in the 1300s," Ercanbrack said.

After fleeing to France, Markles 21st great-grandfather and the 1st Earl of March, Roger Mortimer, returned to England in a grab for the throne.

With the help of his mistress, Queen Isabella, who was married to King Edward II, Mortimer invaded England and captured Edward III, the king and queens son.

They tried to overthrow Edward II and instead put... Edward III on the throne, Ercanbrack said.

But it appeared Mortimer overstepped his boundaries and paid mightily for it.

Eventually, Mortimer was charged with treason for having too much influence and was hanged, so hes kind of an infamous character in history, Ercanbrack said.

The Move to America

Markles paternal three-time great-grandparents, Thomas and Mary Ann Sykes, immigrated with their daughter Martha to the U.S. in 1869.

They settled in Pennsylvania and worked in coal mines, which is kind of interesting, because Kate Middleton... comes from coal miners as well, Ercanbrack said. And so, Meghan and Kate have that connection in common."

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Thomas Sykes suffered a fatal heart attack in a coal mine, leaving behind his wife Mary Ann to raise their five children alone.

"Theres so many examples of resilience and overcoming hardship in Meghans past that I hope is something they can continue... and give that narrative of overcoming hardship to their future children, Ercanbrack said.

A Charitable Past

"Meghan has amazing examples of strong women, especially on her mothers side," Ercanbrack said.

Markles second great-grandmother, Gertrude Sadler, made a name for herself as a civic-minded and charitable pillar of her community in Sandusky, Ohio, in the 1930s.

Gertrude was the president of the local chapter of a charity club and was also part of a good Samaritans group, and was involved in her local Second Baptist Church, so she was someone who was a mover and a shaker and was very humanitarian-minded," Ercanbrack said.

As part of her charitable work, Sadler helped provide food and clothing for impoverished members of her community, "which you totally see reflected in Meghan as someone who has been very focused on humanitarian work, even before her now official royal duties as part of the royal family," Ercanbrack said.

The Latest in a Line of Strong Women

Markles maternal four-time great-grandmother, Nancy Bowers, was born into slavery in Georgia in the 1820s. After emancipation, Bowers lived as the head of her household, providing for her family while working as a farmer.

We found a 1900 census record for her, where she still was still living in Franklin County, Ga.," Ercanbrack said. The thing thats really interesting about that record is it asks, 'How many children were born to you and how many children are still living?' ... Nancy stated that she had 25 children, only eight of whom were still living.

It gives this glimpse into, just, the sheer heartache of this womans life, as if being an enslaved person in [the south] wouldnt have been hard enough, but she was dealing with huge amounts of loss and sorrow in life, and thats part of Meghans DNA," Ercanbrack continued. "Something that shes inherited, too, is that resilience and that need to make the world a better place."

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Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, Mayor Sylvester Turner, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and student organizers at Houston's March for Our Lives rally on March 24. (Photo: Loren Elliott / Reuters)

Following another school shooting, this one leaving 10 dead and 13 injured in Texas, Houstons police chief is calling out elected officials for their failure to protect the children they claim to hold so dear.

Police Chief Art Acevedo posted a pained message on Facebook after Fridays shooting in the nearby town of Santa Fe, in which a 17-year-old student at Santa Fe High School gunned down his classmates and a teacher.

No one  not even the terrified kids themselves  seemed to be all that surprised, with one student telling the local news she felt eventually it was going to happen here too.

Acevedo said he has had enough inaction when it comes to protecting children.

Today I spent the day dealing with another mass shooting of children and a responding police officer who is clinging to life, the police chief wrote Friday. Im not ashamed to admit Ive shed tears of sadness, pain and anger.

He had a message to those who would choose their guns over the safety of kids.

I know some have strong feelings about gun rights, but I want you to know Ive hit rock bottom and I am not interested in your views as it pertains to this issue, he said.

Fridays massacre was the 22nd school shooting of 2018. It is only May.

The police chief previously marched with demonstrators during the March 24 March for Our Lives event, held in response to the Feb. 14 mass shooting at a Parkland, Florida, high school that left 17 dead.

This isnt a time for prayers, and study and inaction, its a time for prayers, action and the asking of Gods forgiveness for our inaction (especially the elected officials that ran to the cameras today, acted in a solemn manner, called for prayers, and will once again do absolutely nothing), Acevedo added.

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SRINAGAR, India (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated on Saturday a hydroelectric power plant in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, amid protests from neighbor Pakistan which says the project on a river flowing into Pakistan will disrupt water supplies. The 330 megawatt Kishanganga hydropower station, work on which started in 2009, is one of the projects that India has fast-tracked in the volatile state amid frosty ties between the nuclear-armed countries. "This region can not only become self-sufficient in power but also produce for other regions of the country," Modi said in the state's capital, Srinagar. "Keeping that in mind we have been working on various projects here in the past four years." Pakistan has opposed some of these projects, saying they violate a World Bank-mediated treaty on the sharing of the Indus river and its tributaries upon which 80 percent of its irrigated agriculture depends. "Pakistan is seriously concerned about the inauguration (of the Kishanganga plant)," its foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday. "Pakistan believes that the inauguration of the project without the resolution of the dispute is tantamount to violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)." The Kishanganga project was delayed for several years as Pakistan dragged India to the International Court of Arbitration, which ruled in India's favor in 2013. India has said the hydropower projects underway in Jammu and Kashmir are "run-of-the-river" schemes that use the river's flow and elevation to generate electricity rather than large reservoirs, and do not contravene the treaty. A day before Modi's trip to the northern state, at least nine people were killed on both sides of the border due to firing by each other's security forces, officials said. The two countries have fought three wars, two over Kashmir that they rule in part but claim in full. India accuses Pakistan of promoting militancy in Kashmir, a charge that Islamabad denies. Modi, who is on a day-long visit to the state, also flagged off the construction of the 14 km (9 mile)-long Zojila tunnel to provide all-weather connectivity between the cities of Srinagar, Kargil and Leh. The government said it would be the longest road tunnel in India and Asia's longest two-way tunnel, to be constructed at a cost of $1 billion. (Reporting by Promit Mukherjee in MUMBAI and Fayaz Bukhari in SRINAGAR; Editing by Krishna N. Das Muralikumar Anantharaman and Ros Russell)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry may have been the stars of the royal wedding, but Bishop Michael Curry of Chicago was definitely a strong runner-up.

Just before a stirring performance of Ben E. Kings Stand By Me by Karen Gibson and the Kingdom Choir, the Most Reverend Michael Curry delivered a rousing sermon that both began and ended with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

As Harry and Meghan sat nearby holding hands, Currywho was appointed the first black presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in 2015gave an address centered on The Power of Love.

Many watching were quick to tweet about his inspiring words.

Thats Fire

Some viewers latched onto Currys enthusiastic catchphrase of Thats fire! to praise the sermon.

I love him so much!!!!!! If love is the way.... thats FIRE. GO AHEAD.  Glennon Doyle (@GlennonDoyle) May 19, 2018

Of course the American Bishop, Michael Curry, said thats fire and apologized for talking to long. #greatspeech #preachatmywedding? #royalwedding  Alexis Castellanos (@a_castellanos14) May 19, 2018

Thats fire ???? ???? ????

BISHOP MICHEAL CURRY IS SUCH A LAD #RoyalWeddding  Sahib Duhra (@saabster_1) May 19, 2018

Thats Energy

Story continues

Others had more general feelings of excitement about Currys message.

BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY GIVING ME LIFE ??????????????????  Naomi Campbell (@NaomiCampbell) May 19, 2018

This wedding needed Bishop Michael Curry's energy and we should all be grateful to Meghan for that #RoyalWedding  Michelle Collins (@michcoll) May 19, 2018

BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY JUST BROUGHT UP SLAVES IN THE ANTIBELLUM SOUTH. BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY IS A HERO. #RoyalWedding  Lily Herman (@lkherman) May 19, 2018

#royalwedding Reverend Michael Curry is official awesome pic.twitter.com/1rzuv0ndC4  Frances Carbines (@FranceCarbines) May 19, 2018

So I'm officially a fan of Bishop Michael Curry. That was amazing. #RoyalWedding  Caroline O. (@RVAwonk) May 19, 2018

Love is the only way. There is power in love. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry  AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) May 19, 2018

Bishop Michael Curry is quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Windsor Castle. It's truly a day of wonders. #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/0hk80sSjsY  Chris Burris (@burriscj) May 19, 2018

Watching the royals watch American Bishop Michael Curry has become an unexpected highlight of this #RoyalWedding. This man is fantastic. pic.twitter.com/U8w3vWOyoV  Brad Galli (@BradGalli) May 19, 2018
By Alissa de Carbonnel TEHRAN (Reuters) - The European Union is not doing enough to preserve the benefits for Iran from the 2015 international nuclear pact following the withdrawal of the United States, Iran's foreign minister told the EU's energy chief on Sunday. Miguel Arias Canete, European Commissioner for energy and climate, said Tehran wanted the 28-nation bloc to act fast to preserve its oil trade with Iran, and to consider making direct euro-denominated payments for Iranian oil to Irans central bank, bypassing the U.S. financial system. "With the withdrawal of America .... the European political support for the accord is not sufficient," Mohammad Javad Zarif told Arias Canete in Tehran, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported. Since President Donald Trump announced on May 8 that he would pull the United States out of the deal, the U.S. Treasury said Washington would reimpose a wide array of Iran-related sanctions after the expiry of 90- and 180-day wind-down periods, including sanctions aimed at Irans oil sector and transactions with its central bank. The EU leaders have pledged to try to keep Irans oil trade and investment flowing, but conceded that would not be easy. "We have to preserve this agreement so we don't have to negotiate a new agreement," Arias Canete told Western journalists after two days of meetings with Iranian officials in Tehran. "Our message is very clear. This is a nuclear agreement that works." Under the deal, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear work in return for the lifting of most Western sanctions. With the threat of new U.S. sanctions looming over them, some foreign firms have already started signaling their intention to pull back from Iran. "The announcement of the possible withdrawal by major European companies from their cooperation with Iran is not consistent with the European Union's commitment to implementing (the nuclear deal)," Zarif was quoted as saying. He appeared to be referring to announcements by several large European companies last week suggesting their activities in Iran would end or be curtailed because of the reimposition of U.S. sanctions. A top adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday cast doubt on whether European nations could be trusted to save the agreement. "The contradictions in the words of European authorities are suspicious. We hope that our government officials will be able to secure the necessary guarantees in their negotiations, as one cannot rely on those who vacillate and speak contradictory words," IRNA quoted Ali Akbar Velayati as saying. OIL TRADE Following the withdrawal of Washington, Iran said it would remain in the deal only if Tehran achieved its goals - namely being protected from sanctions on key sectors of its economy such as oil - in cooperation with other signatories of the pact. EU investment in Iran, mainly from Germany, France and Italy, has jumped to more than 20 billion euros since the lifting of sanctions in 2016, in projects ranging from aerospace to energy. But to improve its oil-reliant economy, Tehran needs to attract $100 billion in foreign investment to boost its oil industry and major western investors have stayed away from Iran, partly because of the remaining U.S. sanctions on Iran. "The announcement, in cascade, of European companies that will not keep investing in Iran are making the things much more complicated at the moment," Arias Canete said. "So what he (Zarif) is asking the European Union is that we have to have concrete solutions in order to implement the European Union commitments, which is something that we fully recognize." The options being considered by the EU to keep Tehran in the nuclear deal include new credit lines for Tehran, increased energy cooperation and implementing EU laws to block European companies from caving in to U.S. sanctions. Arias Canete said Iranian officials were keen to mitigate the impact of U.S. sanctions under a proposal for EU governments to make direct euro-denominated payments for Iranian oil to Irans central bank, bypassing the U.S. financial system. "The EU will consider it," he said, adding that the EU needed to deliver fast on preserving oil trade with Iran. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Mark Potter, William Maclean)
Israeli security forces cracked down on a pro-Palestinian protest organized by Israeli-Arabs in Haifa on Friday, May 18, arresting at least 21 people, according to Israeli media.

Protesters were rallying in solidarity with protesters in Gaza, where scores were reportedly killed by Israeli security forces during demonstrations on Monday.

Protesters in Haifa accused Israeli security forces of using excessive force. Haaretz reported that the protest took place with a permit and that organizers said some activists were warned not to participate.

Jafar Farah, head of the Mossawa Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens in Israel, was among those arrested, according to reports online. Knesset member Haneen Zoabi was also participating in the demonstration. Credit: Najwan Berekdar via Storyful
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany should get not stuck paying for spending plans by the two anti-establishment parties preparing a coalition government in Italy, a senior member of the Bavarian sister party of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives said on Saturday.

Alexander Dobrindt expressed alarm about plans by the two parties to raise spending and lower taxes, and said the European Union should not waiver from its commitment to stability.

"The new debt coalition in Italy is a warning shot for Europe. The EU's principle of stability is non-negotiable for us," Dobrindt said in a statement. "Germany cannot foot the bill for Italy's new debt programme."

Italy's League and the 5-Star Movement, the two parties which won the most parliamentary seats in an election on March 4, unveiled plans on Friday that put them on a collision course with the European Union.

The parties' leaders will meet on Monday with President Sergio Mattarella, who must give his blessing to the programme and to their yet-to-be-named candidate for prime minister before a government can be formed.

The document agreed by the parties after 11 weeks of political stalemate in the euro zone's third-largest economy calls for billions of euros in tax cuts, additional spending on welfare for the poor, and a roll-back of pension reforms.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Andrew Bolton)
College is not an on-ramp to the HOV success lane.

Thats how CNBC star and former hedge fund manager Jim Cramer opened his commencement address to Bucknell Universitys class of 2018.

Long before Cramer found success on Wall Street and on television, he endured challenges that many people would have a hard time coming back from. As a young graduate, he was immediately confronted by a series of failures.

All of you will have a better day than I did in June of 1977, Cramer said as he told the story of how he was unexpectedly denied his diploma on his graduation day at Harvard. That event was soon followed by him applying for 48 journalism jobs in the midst of a recession, only to get 48 rejection letters.

Months went by as he went jobless, living under his parents roof in Philadelphia. Eventually, his mother sold his bed and his father started charging him rent. He got the message and he soon moved to Washington D.C. where he lived with his aunt rent-free and eventually got a job at trade publication called the Congressional Quarterly.

But what he thought was an entry-level journalism job really wasnt so.

Jim Cramer kept all of his job rejection letters.

The editor-in-chief told me I was going to be a key operator at the publication, he said. He handed me off to a tenant who ushered me into a closet of a room where there was a gigantic Xerox machine with a flashing yellow light that said Call key operator.'

After a month of working on the photo copier, he landed at the Tallahassee Democrat where he covered Florida State University. And shortly after he started, he found himself covering the murders of four young women by a serial killer named Ted Bundy.

His career seemed to be gaining traction. He soon got recruited by the much bigger, but now-defunct, Los Angeles Herald Examiner.

Burglarized, homeless and busted with an unlicensed gun

Cramer went from earning $143 a week in Tallahassee to about $173 a week in Los Angeles. But despite what was a higher nominal paycheck, he was actually earning only enough to be just under the poverty line.

Story continues

He moved into what he characterized as less desirable part of town, with the hope of quickly rising the ranks. But after a series of break-ins and burglaries, he once again found himself with nothing.

A little more than a year after not receiving my diploma from Harvard, I was evicted from my apartment and suddenly found myself homeless. Just the clothes on my back living in my 1978 Ford Fairmont.

Concerned for his safety, he eventually bought an unlicensed .22 calibre pistol, which he kept in his car along with a bottle of Jack Daniels.

One day in Sacramento, he was pulled over by a deputy of the sheriffs department. The deputy had his gun drawn and held it to Cramers head as Cramer stood their frozen. Apparently, a man matching Cramers description had just robbed a local bakery. But another deputy noted that the robber had an earring, and Cramer did not. They told him he was lucky that they werent going to arrest him for his unlicensed handgun.

But once again, Cramers luck quickly ran out when he noticed a yellow patch forming on his belly. He soon learned that his drinking was killing him, and a doctor gave him a year to live if he didnt quit drinking right away.

I recognized I had indeed been defeated, he said. The well of my pride had at last run dry.

Two lessons

I had to live up to the only sustenance I had, he continued. I had to let my classmates know I needed to let them know I was beaten. I was the loser of the litter. The one that couldnt make good. I sent SOS letters to the only lifelines I knew.

It was in failure I begot success, he said. Because rather than derision, rather than disgust and snickering, which somehow I thought would be the reaction, I received an outpouring of support and graciousness from my classmates.

Jim Cramer opens up with his stories of failure.

One of my friends who had made good let me have an opportunity. And then another. And then another. And then another. And then another. They let me crash at their places everywhere I interviewed They helped me get some money, dress better, afford a meal.

Cramer eventually got back on his feet thanks to the support of his classmates.

First lesson: It is okay to fail. But it is NOT okay to quit! Cramer exclaimed.

I need you to learn of the other important takeaway, he said. One that I shouldve known the day I was robbed of my diploma, but I was too prideful. I want you to, right now, look at the student to your left and look at the student to your right. Look at the young adults who have graduated in front of you and look behind you.

Take it from a down, but not out once-22-year-old: Your classmates are your safety net, he said. Remember, your stumble is just a pothole in the road for your seated neighbors to help you fill.

Cramer reiterated that the value of college was about more than the classrooms provided. But rather the relationships you make with those who will protect you and serve you when you most need them.



Sam Ro is managing editor at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter: @bySamRo

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Kuala Lumpur (AFP) - Malaysia's unpopular former first lady on Saturday lamented the "trying times" since her husband Najib Razak's ouster from power, in a plea for public sympathy just a day after police seized a huge trove of cash, jewels and designer handbags linked to the couple.

Rosmah Mansor, who is widely reviled for her reported luxurious tastes and tone-deaf attitude towards the struggles of ordinary Malaysians, issued a statement lashing out at the police raids, complaining that news of them amounted to a "premature public trial".

The former first couple's world has been turned upside down after Najib's long-ruling political machine suffered a shock defeat in May 9 elections.

Najib has been barred from leaving the country pending investigations into allegations that he, his family and cronies looted billions in state money. He is widely expected to face criminal charges.

"Despite the overwhelmingly trying times afflicted upon us, we have, and will continue facilitating, any inquiry, and avail ourselves to any requesting authorities," Rosmah said in a statement issued by her attorneys.

But she complained about "the seemingly compromised inquiry process, whereby a series of leaks pertaining to the probe has made its way into social media spheres, in real time".

Rosmah said she was referring to "the alleged items confiscated," but did not elaborate.

Rosmah said authorities should "observe the rule of law and due process, to avoid a premature public trial" and not leak information to "social media trolls".

Her call for sympathy is likely to fall on more than a few deaf ears.

Malaysian police said Friday they had seized 72 suitcases stuffed with cash, watches and jewellery, as well as 284 boxes containing Hermes, Birkin and Louis Vuitton handbags, in raids on properties linked to Najib.

Rosmah, 66, is widely mocked for her imperious manner and reports of multi-million-dollar jewellery purchases and a vast supply of designer handbags that has earned comparisons to the famed shoe collection of former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos.

Story continues

Among other missteps, Rosmah complained in 2015 about the 1,200 ringgit ($300) house calls from stylists required to keep her pronounced mane of hair dyed black.

Malaysia's minimum monthly wage at the time was 900 ringgit.

The couple's downfall has sparked glee on Malaysian social media, including viral pics of a dishevelled-looking Najib and Rosmah dozing in chairs at their home early Thursday as police conducted an overnight search.
- The Mega Agency

It's not every day the meeting of a make-up artist and a lighting director sets the scene for a royal love story, but that's exactly what happened in Meghan Markle's case.

The now-retired American actress, who is expecting her first child this Spring, didn't come from a similar upbringing to her royal-ready Middleton sister-in-law. The Duchess of Sussex (born Rachel Meghan Markle) was born in Los Angeles on August 4, 1981 and quite literally grew up in Hollywood.

Though her parents - Doria Ragland and Thomas Markle Snr - divorced when she was six, her extended family's story does not end there. In fact, it takes unlikely and estranged turns towards a diplomat uncle, cannabis-growing nephew, and beyond.

As Meghan prepares to welcome her baby with Prince Harry, here we take a look at her family, many of whom are never far from the headlines.

Doria Ragland, Meghan Markle's mother

Doria Ragland, 62, was born in Los Angeles to an antique dealer father and a mother who was a nurse.

She attended the Fairfax High School, where she was remembered as bright and friendly - the teenager with the "Afro" hairstyle who loved listening to Marvin Gaye and dining out at a local Mexican taco joint with friends.

After school she worked as a make-up artist, which is how she met her husband, Thomas Markle Snr, a lighting director in Hollywood. The pair married in 1979 and Ms Markle was born two years later.

Meghan Markle pictured as a child in Rwanda with her mother Doria Credit: TIM STEWART NEWS LIMITED

The family moved into a house in The Valley, LA, to a neighbourhood that Ms Markle described as "leafy and affordable".

Ms Ragland and Mr Markle divorced in 1987, but remained friends. Ms Ragland took a job as an air stewardess, meaning their daughter was frequently cared for by her father.

Meghan Markle with her moother Doria, who has a masters in social work Credit: TIM STEWART NEWS LIMITED

She later returned to university to obtain a masters in social work, following on from her BA in psychology.

She now lives in the house she inherited from her father in 2011 in the Crenshaw area of LA.

Story continues

Ms Ragland and her daughter are extremely close - Ms Ragland once drove a car with the number plate MEGNME - and Ms Markle has spoken of her pride in her free-spirited mother, with her dreadlocks and nose ring.

Ms Ragland travelled with her daughter to her wedding ceremony from their overnight accommodation at Cliveden House Hotel, Berkshire, to St Georges Chapel. She is now preparing to welcome her first grandchild.

Meghan's family tree

Thomas Markle, Meghan's father

Born in Pennsylvania, of Dutch-Irish descent, soon-to-be-grandfather Thomas Markle Snr, 74, made his way to Hollywood where he worked as a lighting director.

He worked for many years on the set of the television show 'Married With Children' and his work on long-running series General Hospital earned him nine Daytime Emmy nominations, of which he was twice named the winner.

He was also reportedly chosen to oversee the lighting for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as well as the 1986 Oscar ceremony.

Prior to meeting Doria Ragland, he had been married to Roslyn Loveless, with whom he had two children - Samantha, now 52, and Thomas Jr, now 50.

Mr Markle and his daughter were very close, with the young Meghan accompanying him on film sets and being cared for by him while her mother was travelling as an air stewardess.

Baby Meghan Markle lies on the chest of her father Thomas Credit: TIM STEWART NEWS LIMITED

Mr Markle moved to Mexico after retiring and was declared bankrupt in June 2016. The Duchess has described her father as the "most hardworking father you can imagine".

He has reportedly still not met Prince Harry but gave his blessing to the Prince over the phone when asked for Meghan's hand in marriage.

Mr Markle intended to travel from Mexico to the UK to meet his future son-in-law (and the rest of his royal family) before walking Ms Markle down the aisle.

Meghan Markle pictured as a toddler with her father Thomas Credit: TIM STEWART NEWS LIMITED

Following alleged dealings with the paparazzi to take advantage of Meghan's major moment, he said he would avoid the ceremony for fear of embarrassing his daughter.

The pictures, which appeared to be staged, showed Mr Markle getting measured for what was thought to be his wedding suit, looking at pictures of his daughter and Harry while in an internet cafe, and reading a picture book about Britain while having a coffee.

He then pulled out of the wedding four days before the ceremony, after falling unwell and required heart surgery.

He claimed his failure to fly would also force him to cancel appointments with the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Since the wedding, he has made frequent pleas through the media to speak to Meghan which he claims have been mostly ignored, bar a private letter he released to the public last month.

Meghan Markles uncles

Michael Markle

Of Thomas Markle Seniors two brothers, the eldest, Michael, had a profound impact on Meghan's early life. The 80-year-old is a retired US diplomat and Air Force veteran who lives in Florida. His wife, Toni, died of cancer in 2012.

During his State Department career, he reportedly worked in Ottawa, Bucharest, Berlin and Guam, and when Meghan was 20 years old, she planned to follow in his footsteps with a potential career in diplomacy.

It was through Michaels connections that Meghan was able to secure a prestigious at the American embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

After enrolling at Northwestern University in Illinois, Spanish speaker Meghan travelled to Argentina for her senior year in 2003. She completed a double major in Theatre and International Relations.

"So I'm 20 years old, in Buenos Aires, in a motorcade, doing that whole thing. I thought for sure I would still have a career in politics, she told Vogue a decade later.

In an interview with the Mirror in 2018, Michael spoke of his role in the process.

I knew the ambassador, and I asked him if he could help, as her application was a little on the late side, he said. As a result, he was surprised not to be invited to his nieces wedding. I dont understand why she has been so indifferent towards me. Its uncalled for. I helped her out, and I didnt ask for anything in return. This whole invitation thing has not been played out very well. I never did anything to embarrass Meghan. It seems to me they handled the arrangements poorly.

Michael has a 60-year-old daughter, Trish Gallup, who runs her own chauffeur business.

Frederick Markle

Meghans other paternal uncle, Frederick, is a reclusive cleric who also lives in Florida. There, he is the leader and sole minister of the small Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church, reportedly going by the name Bishop Dismas.

According to the Daily Mail, Frederick lives in a secluded woodland property and lives like a hermit, shunning technology. He has refused to speak about his nieces marriage, as have his two sons, Nick and David, and ex-wife Theresa.

Meghan Markle's siblings

Half-brother Thomas Markle Jr

The 52-year-old window fitter lives in Grants Pass, Oregon.

He said his family was like The Dukes of Hazzard and The Simpsons, versus the Royal family  but has spoken fondly of his half-sister, with whom he grew up in Los Angeles.

He was married for 11 years to Tracy Dooley, with whom he has two sons  Thomas and Tyler.

Thomas Markle Jr has spoken fondly of Meghan Markle, his half-sister Credit: AKGS

He was arrested in January 2018 for holding a gun to girlfriend Darlene Blounts head in a drunken argument. Mr Markle and Miss Blount are now engaged.

Half-sister Samantha Grant

Samantha Grant, 54, lives in Florida and is a wheelchair user and suffers from multiple sclerosis.

She discussed the allegedly staged images of her father's on Loose Women, saying she was entirely the culprit, convincing her father that it would be to his advantage to show himself in a positive light.

It was my suggestion that to benefit him and to benefit the Royal Family and that everyone looked good, and they depict you as you are, she said.

Samantha Markle has lashed out at her half-sister, Meghan, in several interviews Credit: Splash News

She also caused a stir when she announced she was writing a book entitled The Diary of Princess Pushys Sister.

Despite not having spoken to her in nine years, Ms Grant lashed out at Ms Markle in numerous interviews. She since says she was misquoted.

The Dooleys

Ms Markle's sister-in-law Tracy Dooley, and her sons Tyler and TJ, are among the family members who were not invited to the wedding.

Ms Dooley, who was married to the former actress's half-brother, was pictured arriving at Heathrow Airport before the wedding. She has previously told ITV's Good Morning Britain she had not received an invitation to the ceremony at Windsor Castle, admitting she had not seen Ms Markle for 20 years. The Dooleys announced on Facebook they had arrived in the capital.

Tyler, 27, who uploaded an image of the Imperial War Museum, as well as a photograph of the inside of a hotel room, is a cannabis farmer who considers himself a 'pioneer' in the legal production of the drug in California. He is reportedly keen to develop a new cannabis strain called 'Markle's Sparkle', in aid of his cousin's position.

Meghan Markle's nephew Tyler Dooley is a Cannabis farmer who is planning a new drug called Markle's Sparkle Credit: Mega

The family are keen on the burgeoning industry. TJ, 28, reportedly gives marijuana to his dog for pain relief, while Tracy frequently sells advertising space to marijuana dispensaries.

On arriving in London for the wedding in May last year,, Ms Dooley posted on her Facebook page  called "Royal Wedding with the Dooley Markles"  that she hoped Ms Markle's father was "well, healthy and happy". She wrote: "Just glad to have landed safely and hoping for Tom senior to be well, healthy, & happy. I wish the same for Meghan Prince Harry, my children, friends, family and those who need our prayers and love. Peace, love and good works."

In April 2018, the page, which appears to be run by Ms Dooley, shared an article headlined "Meghan Markle snubs nephew and his mum with no invite to Royal wedding." It was accompanied with the caption: "Beyond blessed to be any part of this momentous occasion. We'll be front and center at Windsor cheering Meghan and Prince Harry on."

Trevor Engelson, Meghan's ex-husband

New York-born film and television producer Trevor Engelson, 41, was married to Ms Markle for two years, until 2013.

The pair married on the beach in Jamaica in 2011, tying the knot at the Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, in front of around 100 guests.

They are believed to have been dating for seven years before they married.

Meghan Markle and Trevor Engelson in 2006 Credit: Billy Farrell/Patrick McMullan/Getty

Their August 2013 divorce cited irreconcilable differences, and their work schedules - he is based in Los Angeles, while she began filming legal drama Suits in Toronto the year they married.

Engelson is due to marry nutritionist Tracey Kurland in just over one month- almost exactly a year after Meghan and Prince Harry's own nuptials - on May 11.

During his Miami-based bachelor party in March footage emerged of friends toasting (perhaps roasting) the groom, joking: "If it wasn't for Trev I wouldn't believe that I could marry a future princess, so now I gotta...what princess is available right now, I'm coming for you girl."

He is working on a show about a man whose wife runs off with a prince.
In some ways, it was a last-minute thing: It was only Friday that Kensington Palace announced that Prince Charles would walk his new daughter-in-law Meghan Markle down the aisle at her wedding to his son, Prince Harry. Her own father Thomas Markle had backed outwith his health suggested as the reason for his absenceearlier in the week.

But while Markles decision to begin the walk down the aisle alone and to leave out any wording about giving away the bride was hailed by some as a feminist innovation, her walk without her father actually has years of tradition behind it.

Though the Church of England wedding ceremony is based on centuries-old services, the brides progress to the groom has happened in any number of ways, and pretty much any choice made by Markle or any other bride could be seen as keeping with an element of tradition.

In fact, in early Christian weddings in England the aisle wasnt really involved much at all.

As Sally Dixon-Smith has written for the BBCs History Extra, in Medieval Europe a wedding could happen pretty much anywhere, with or without a church. The Church began to encourage the involvement of a priest in marriage in the 13th century, before the Church of England split from Roman Catholicism. The decision to move the wedding to the physical space of the church was (along with the requirement of a dowry and the issuing of public banns) an attempt to safeguard against the clandestine, informal weddings that young people had previously been able to stage with or without their parents.

But during that early time, historian Susan Mobley has written, the blessing provided by a priest was thought to be (though some scholars disagree) given at the door of the building rather than at the altarin a literal interpretation of the instruction to marry in the presence of the church. It was during the Reformation in the 16th century, she explains, that the marriage ceremony was moved inside the church.

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It was only after moving the location of the exchange of vows that the walk down the aisle became a bigger deal.

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So who would walk with the bride, if anyone?

One early clue comes from the 1549 Book of Common Prayer, from which Church of England ceremonies are still derived. In that text, this question shows up: Who geveth this woman to be maried to this man? The minister, the instructions continue, receives the woman at her father or frendes handes, then offers her hand to the groom. In other words, her father might give her, but a friend would do the trick too.

This 16th century change to the English marriage rite wasnt the first time that the father got involved. In Britain, as in many places, women had long been considered essentially the property of men, first their fathers and then their husbands. The phrase give away suggests a lot about the womans role in this exchange from one man to another. In early Anglo-Saxon society, the fathers control of a child, and the husbands control of a wife, was absolute, Sir James Henry Ramsay wrote in his 19th century book The Foundations of England. It was permitted to sell ones child and, though authority over a son ended when he became an adult, that wasnt true for a daughter.

But Ramsey explained that, in that early period, a wedding had two key components, the betrothalthe actual wedding partand the giving-away. The pledge of consent to marry was the formal ceremony, and it was followed by the transfer of the bride into the custody of the groom.

But in the centuries just before the English Reformation, the father wasnt expected to give the bride away; his role was complete with the negotiations between the families at the time of betrothal, according to George Mongers Marriage Customs of the World. Normally, a brother or some other friend, often the equivalent of the best man, would bring her to the church and transfer her to her husband. Though the father might hang around for other reasonshistorian Susan Waggoner recently told Brides.com that the fathers presence was a good way to keep a groom from reneging on an arranged marriagewalking her down the aisle wasnt his job.

Monger notes in the 1700s and 1800s, when English weddings tended to take place in the middle of the day, fathers from families that were not in the upper classes would not have been expected to attend the wedding at all; they were expected to be at work.

And it wasnt just the working classes where the father wasnt involved in the walk. Monger also provides many examples (including Charlotte Bronte) of women being given away by some other relative, sometimes a woman, when her father objected or was not available. In 1858 Queen Victoriawho set many of todays most enduring wedding traditionswas walked down the aisle by her uncle at her wedding, which took place after her father died, and she herself walked two of her daughters down the aisle, after their father died.

Given all this history in which the bride was not walked down the aisle by her father, how has this tradition become so common?

In 2010, the Crown Princess of Sweden upset some of her countrymen including the head of the Swedish churchby choosing to have her father the King escort her down the aisle, rather than following the more typically Swedish tradition of walking down the aisle with her groom, seen by many as a better representation of equality within the marriage. In explaining her choice, some historians pointed to a perhaps surprising source of the idea: American movies.

Such a catalyst wouldnt be that surprising. Movies have been credited with helping make supposedly age-old traditions seem like the norm, including those associated with a wedding.

In fact, history is full of a much more diverse set of options when it comes to how to do a wedding correctly, and these days that diversity is returning. As a quick glance at any wedding website will show, many brides are choosing to have both parents or neither walk them down to aisle, either to avoid the implications of being given away like their fathers property, to reflect a more complicated family situation, or to honor the influence of both parents.
Meghan Markle is living out a fairy tale that seems like something right out of a Hollywood script.

The 36-year-old has stolen not just the heart of Prince Harry, but that of the world as she has become a focus of fascination and attention since it was announced in 2016 that she was dating the royal.

Following their November engagement, the world has been waiting to see the duo tie the knot and change the monarchy.

Markle was born Rachel Meghan Markle on August 4, 1981, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Doria Loyce Ragland and Thomas Markle.

Meghan is the only daughter of Doria Ragland, a social worker and yoga instructor. She divorced Thomas Markle when Meghan was 6. After that, Meghan lived with her mother but saw her father regularly.

Her bond with her mother remains strong as she and Prince Harry frequently visit her at her Los Angeles home.

Markles family has caused much pre-wedding drama for the former Suits star, as her father could not attend due to his health, and her half-sister, Samantha Grant, slammed her for not inviting her and other family members to the wedding.

Her half-brother, Thomas Jr., wrote to Prince Harry in the weeks leading up to the wedding, urging him to reconsider marrying his sister. He later penned another letter, begging for an invitation. He is still yet to receive that invite as he arrived in England this week.

Before meeting Prince Harry, Meghan was married to film producer Trevor Engelson. They met in 2004 and married in Jamaica in 2011.

After six years of dating and two years of marriage, Engelson and Markle divorced in 2013, citing "irreconcilable differences."

Alongside Prince Harry, she connects with crowds at every public appearance, including youngsters.

She is modernizing the monarchy by becoming the first American, bi-racial, divorcee to marry into the royal family. She is also three years older than the prince.

Before meeting the prince, Markle traveled the world as a humanitarian, and connected with Harry on their charity work.

Story continues

On Saturday, May 19, the princess fairy tale of a girl from California will come true.

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Meghan Markle has just arrived at the hotel where she will be spending the night before her wedding to Prince Harry tomorrow.

While Markle and Prince Harry live together in Nottingham Cottage, a two-bedroom home located on the grounds of Kensington Palace in London, like many soon-to-be married couples  commoners and royals alike  they opted to spend the night before the wedding apart.

Harry is staying at the Dorchester Collections Coworth Park in Windsor, with his big brother and best man, Prince William. Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland, are staying at Cliveden House Hotel, on the National Trusts Cliveden Estate in Windsor. Cliveden House Hotel is known for its connection to the Profumo Affair, a 1960s scandal in which War Secretary John Profumo had an affair with a 19-year-old dancer named Christine Keeler, who he met at Cliveden.

As befitting a soon-to-be duke and duchess, the hotels are both five-star estates with luxurious spas, award-winning restaurants, and in the case of Harrys hotel views of a polo field, perfect for working off any pre-wedding jitters.

Ms. Meghan Markle arrives at Cliveden House Hotel, accompanied by her mother Ms. Doria Ragland #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/SqOFhb0Wr5  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 18, 2018

The two hotels are about a 30-minute drive (15 miles) from each other, meaning theres very little chance that the bride and groom will run into each other before they meet at the altar in St. Georges Chapel on Saturday morning.

According to People, Meghan and her mother will leave the hotel together on Saturday morning to make the 25-minute drive to St. Georges Chapel. There, Prince Charles will walk her part way down the aisle to marry Prince Harry.
Two North Koreans defected to the South across the Yellow Sea on Saturday, a South Korean news report said, citing a government source.

"A small boat was spotted in waters off the north of Baengnyeong Island" near the inter-Korean border, the source told Yonhap news agency.

"They expressed willingness to defect," he said.

A Korea Coast Guard official said relevant authorities were investigating the case, declining to give details.

One of the men was initially identified as a soldier due to a misunderstanding and the government later corrected its statement to say they were both civilians, Yonhap said.

It is the first defection by any North Korean since a historic summit between the two Koreas which saw their leaders agree to pursue the denuclearisation of the peninsula and a permanent peace.

In November last year, a North Korean soldier drove to the heavily guarded border at speed and ran across under a hail of bullets from his own side.

He was hit multiple times in the dramatic defection at Panmunjom truce village.

In 2012 a North Korean soldier walked unchecked through rows of electrified fencing and surveillance cameras, prompting Seoul to sack three field commanders for a security lapse.

In June last year, two of four crew members on a North Korean fishing boat which drifted to the South refused to return home and they were allowed resettle in the South.

A month later, five North Koreans in another small boat crossed the sea border into South Korean waters and expressed their wish to live in the South.

More than 30,000 North Korean civilians have fled their homeland but it is very rare for them to cross the closely guarded inter-Korean border, which is fortified with minefields and barbed wire.

Most flee across the porous frontier with neighbouring China.
By Ali Sawafta

RAMALLAH (Reuters) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been hospitalised in the West Bank, Palestinian officials said on Sunday, giving conflicting accounts on the leader's condition.

It was the third time Abbas, 82, had been hospitalised in a week. He underwent minor ear surgery on Tuesday and was hospitalised again briefly overnight on Saturday/Sunday, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa said.

One Palestinian official said Abbas went back into hospital again on Sunday due to complications after Tuesday's ear surgery. Abbas' temperature was high, he said, "so doctors advised that he go back into hospital".

However, a source at al-Istishari hospital in Ramallah said the president's condition was unrelated to the ear operation.

"The president will stay in hospital until tomorrow. He is being given antibiotics to treat an inflammation in the chest," the hospital source said. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because he or she was not authorised to speak with the media.

The umbrella Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which is headed by Abbas, said on its Twitter account that Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat had visited the leader in hospital and quoted Erekat as saying: "the President is in good health".

Abbas' hospitalisation has coincided with an escalation in Israeli-Palestinian tensions after Israeli troops shot dead dozens of Palestinian protesters on the Gaza border on May 14 as the new U.S. Embassy opened in Jerusalem.

The Gaza Strip is controlled by the Islamist group Hamas, a bitter political rival of Abbas's secular Fatah movement.

The Western-backed Abbas became Palestinian president after the death in 2004 of Yasser Arafat. He pursued U.S.-led peace talks with Israel but the negotiations broke down in 2014.

He is also chairman of the executive committee of the PLO, a position to which he was re-elected unopposed on May 4.

In February, Abbas was hospitalised in the United States for medical checks during a trip to address the U.N. Security Council in New York.

(Reporting by Ali Sawafta and Nidal al-Mughrabi; Writing by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Stephen Farrell and Dale Hudson)
Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas returned to hospital on Sunday with chest pain and a high fever after having undergone ear surgery last week, a source familiar with his condition said.

The source who spoke on condition of anonymity did not provide further details on the condition of the 83-year-old, who was at the Istishari Arab Hospital in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.

"The president will stay in hospital until at least tomorrow (Monday)," the source said.

It is the third time he has been in hospital in a week.

On Tuesday, Abbas underwent what was called a minor ear surgery.

Late Saturday, he returned to hospital for further tests and was released after about 30 minutes.

Official news agency WAFA said the test results had been "excellent".

Abbas was however back in hospital on Sunday around mid-morning and was still there in the afternoon, according to the source.

A statement on WAFA on Sunday afternoon, quoting the hospital director, said tests results were "good" and Abbas's health was "reassuring".

His health is the subject of regular speculation, with no clear successor identified.

In February, Abbas underwent what was then described as routine medical tests in the United States.

Abbas won a four-year term as president in 2005, but he has remained in office in the absence of elections.

His Fatah party remains deeply divided from Islamist movement Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip.
Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump's administration has fanned extremism and weakened political moderates in the Middle East, a senior Palestinian official and chief negotiator warned on Friday.

Saeb Erekat, Palestine Liberation Organisation secretary-general, said Trump's decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and his close alignment with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on issues such as Jewish settlements, were major destabilizing factors.

"They're giving so much strength to extremism in the region," Erekat said on a conference call organized by the Wilson Center, a think tank on global issues.

Erekat accused Trump of seeking to "dictate" a solution through his deeply contentious act of moving the embassy, as well as slashing aid to programs aimed at improving conditions in the West Bank and Gaza and dropping the issue of Palestinian refugees from possible negotiations.

"This will not work for Palestinians," Erekat said.

"We have been weakened by the actions of Trump and the actions of Netanyahu."

Erekat was speaking days after some 60 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in chaotic demonstrations on the Gaza border on the same day the United States inaugurated its Jerusalem embassy.

While Erekat stressed that the anger level was "higher than any time before," he also said it was up to officials such as himself and moderate Israeli leaders to step up and help improve prospects for peace.

"This is the absence of peace," he said, referring to the current conditions.

"I don't see anyone expressing sorrow for one human life."

Erekat also accused Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who is working on an upcoming peace plan with Jason Greenblatt, the US envoy for Middle East peace, of failing to support a two-state solution and not condemning the expansion of Jewish settlements.

Also on the call was Gilead Sher, an Israeli attorney who spent years as a peace negotiator and is a former negotiator with the Palestinians.

Story continues

"I deeply regret the loss of innocent lives" in the clashes, Sher said, but he insisted Israeli forces were protecting their territory and that Gaza's Islamist leaders Hamas bear responsibility.

Sher and Erekat nevertheless expressed hope for progress, agreeing it was crucial to "lower the flames" of conflict, improve Gaza's humanitarian conditions, and resume talks.

"Our conflict can be resolved," Sher said. "How to get there is the problem."
Cuban plane

Andrea Rodriguez/AP Photo

Cuba's state-run media reported that a Cubana Airlines Boeing 737 has crashed shortly after takeoff.

The flight was headed from Jose Marti International Airport in Havana to the city of Holguin in the eastern part of Cuba.

Reports indicated there were 104 passengers on board.

A passenger jet crashed after taking off from Jose Martii International Airport in Havana, Cuba. According to CNN, Cuba's state-run television reported that the aircraft involved was a Boeing 737 operated by the country's state-owned carrier, Cubana Airlines.

Witnesses told the AFP that they saw a large column of smoke appear near the airport.

The flight was believed to be Cubana Flight 972 from Havana to the city of Holguin in the eastern part of the country. There were 104 passengers on board. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said there was a high number of victims.

The AP reports, citing a military officer, that there were only three survivors of the crash and all were in critical conditions. Other officials declined to confirm the survivor totals for the AP.

The aircraft involved in the incident was reportedly a Boeing 737 wet-leased by Cubana Airlines from Mexican airline Global Air. (According to aviation-tracking website Flightradar24, the aircraft involved in the incident was initially believed to be a 26-year-old Boeing 737-400 operated by Blue Panorama Airlines for Cubana Airlines. But Blue Panorama has since told Flightradar24 that its plane was not involved.)

In a statement to Business Insider, Boeing said it was "aware of news reports out of Cuba and closely monitoring the situation." According to CBS News, this was Cuba's third major fatal crash since 2010.

Cubana's director general told state media that the US embargo has made it difficult to acquire new-generation aircraft and parts for its existing fleet, CBS News reported.

The airline has flown 11,700 more passengers than expected from January to April 2018.

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Tweet Embed:

//twitter.com/mims/statuses/997538145427222528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

UPDATE: A Boeing 737 operated by state airline Cubana crashed on takeoff from Jose Marti International Airport in Havana with 104 people on board https://t.co/eLTumRHSKR pic.twitter.com/sGb7F5z1JN Tweet Embed:

//twitter.com/mims/statuses/997537231182155776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Cuba president says 'high number' of victims after plane crashed on takeoff in Havana. The 737 went down in a field adjoining the airport. Cuban media say 104 people were on board; the plane was en route to Holguin, 800 km east of Havana. (Photo courtesy https://t.co/ZGiMRGueqo) pic.twitter.com/fmxUAmODql Tweet Embed:

//twitter.com/mims/statuses/997538931230076929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

.@CNN has obtained video that appears to show smoke rising from the plane crash site, near Jose Marti International Airport in Havana Cuba. pic.twitter.com/oObs4WKvXU Tweet Embed:

//twitter.com/mims/statuses/997547400838381568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

CONFIRMAN TRES SOBREVIVIENTES TRAS DESASTRE AEREO EN CUBA. IMAGENES DE LA TELEVISION EN LA ISLA. EN EL VUELO IBAN 104 PASAJEROS Y NUEVE TRIPULANTES #news #tv #world #Havana #plane #crash #airport #Cuba #USA #Florida #Mexico pic.twitter.com/mCLZzJYJjF

An earlier version of this story, based in part on a CNN report, misstated that the plane was headed to Guyana.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

See Also:
Kyle Mizokami

Security,

We break it all down.

The Glock 21: The Best Gun for the Army, Home Defense and Hunting?

The Glock 21 is a bridge between new and old, mating a powerful old favorite round with modern handgun technology. The gun not only succeeded in the civilian market but helped a whole new generation of gun owners get into .45 ACP handguns. While some enthusiasts may never warm to the lightweight polymer frame, there is no doubt the pistol helped maintain interest in the .45 ACP cartridge, injecting new life into the old cartridge.

In 1990, the world of the .45 ACP cartridge was turned upside down. For more than seventy years the domain of the Colt 1911, a new Austrian handgun, dared to use the venerable old bullet in a modern design that included, of all things, a polymer frame. Glocks adoption of the .45 ACP in the new Glock 21 likely saved the cartridgeand all of its usersfrom obscurity, and made the big bore cartridge a mandatory offering for a new generation of handguns.

Invented in 1911 by prolific firearms inventor John Moses Browning, the Colt 1911 pistol used the .45 ACP cartridgealso invented by Browning. Together the pistol and cartridge were meant to address a lack of handgun stopping power in the U.S. Army first noticed during the Philippine Insurrection, when existing Army .38 Long Colt handguns proved unable to stop Moro insurgents in their tracks. The U.S. Army adopted as the M1911, and later the M1911A1, Brownings pistol served until the early 1980s.

The .45 ACP cartridge proved considerably more effective than the .38 Long Colt used by the Army during the Insurrection, with more than twice the energy in foot pounds at the muzzle. The .45 ACP/1911 combination gathered considerable cachet over the years, and despite being dropped by the Army in the 1980s the 1911 platform still has a loyal following thirty years later.

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Story continues

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The rise of the nine millimeter handguns, precipitated in large part by the Glock 17, hung a question mark over the .45 ACP. With police agencies, gendarmes and armies all switching to the nine millimeter, the cartridge seemed to lack an anchor in government service. American gun users, whose previously had to choose between the .45 ACP, .357 Magnum and .38 Special, all flocked to the novel new pistol with the high-magazine capacity. The .45 ACP could have floated toward nichedom. Then in 1990 Glock introduced the Glock 21: the .45 ACP Glock.

After the release of the original Glock 17, Glock apparently decided the design was mature enough to handle larger calibers. In 1990, the company released the Glock 20 (ten millimeter), Glock 21, (.45 ACP), and Glock 22 (.40 Smith & Wesson). The Glock 21 was released with an eye towards military and law-enforcement service, gun enthusiasts, home defense, and even hunting.

Selling the Glock 21 to existing Glock owners was a relatively easy task. The Glock 21 was simply a scaled up Glock 17. Reaching exist .45 ACP owners, on the other hand, was going to be a much more difficult task. 1911 owners are much more likely to like their handgun for the historical importance, tradition, and reliability of a good 1911. To own a .45, even more modern designs, is to own a slice of history and a weapon backed up by decades of service.

The Glock 21 is 8.22 inches long, just a fifth of an inch longer than the Glock 17. The two pistols are virtually the same height, at 5.47 and 5.43 inches, respectively, and at 1.27 inches the Glock 21 is just a hair wider to support the wider round. The 29.84 ounce Glock 21 is slightly heavier than the 25.06 ounce Glock 17 unloaded. Trigger pull is the same 5.5 pounds for the same pistols, and trigger travel is the same .49 inches.

Its in carrying capacity that the Glock 21 shines over other designs. The Glock 21 carries ten rounds of .45 ACP in a flush internal magazine, and yet still weighs just 38.48 ounces loaded. The 1911, by contrast, weighs 42 ounces with a flush internal magazine of seven rounds. (Ten round magazines exist for the 1911 but stick out prominently beyond the magwell.) Glocks early adoption of high capacity double stack magazines helped ameliorate the .45 ACPs girth problem. While the Glock 21 doesnt have the 1911A1s famously slender grips, grip width is not uncomfortable for those with smaller hands.

Although the polymer and steel Glock 21 weighs less than the all-steel 1911A1, recoil shooting both of the guns is remarkably similar. This is likely a function of the cartridge itself. Recoil is not unpleasant, less of a kick and more of a strong rearward push or shove.

In 2007 Glock released a new version of the Glock 21, the Glock 21 SF. Designed to compete for a Department of Defense contract, the Glock 21 SF (Short Frame) had a smaller backstrap to more readily accommodate smaller hands and ambidextrous magazine release. Despite this the Glock 21 has failed to make inroads with the U.S. military and law enforcement, likely due to misgivings about recoil and a smaller magazine size.

Although .45 ACP purists--and .45 ACP/1911 purists in particularmay have strong reservations about polymer pistols in general and the Glock 21 in particular, the pistol has won over many converts. The Glock 21 is an extremely reliable handgun and an absolute requirement for most gun enthusiasts. The success of the Glock 21 has meant that other manufacturers, including Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, Heckler & Koch, and Springfield Armory have all introduced .45 ACP versions of their high capacity nine-millimeter pistols. All of this has increased the visibility and popularity of the .45 ACP round and might even lead fans of newer pistols back to the 1911.

The Glock 21 is a bridge between new and old, mating a powerful old favorite round with modern handgun technology. The gun not only succeeded in the civilian market but helped a whole new generation of gun owners get into .45 ACP handguns. While some enthusiasts may never warm to the lightweight polymer frame, there is no doubt the pistol helped maintain interest in the .45 ACP cartridge, injecting new life into the old cartridge.

Kyle Mizokami is a defense and national-security writer based in San Francisco who has appeared in the Diplomat, Foreign Policy, War is Boring and the Daily Beast. In 2009, he cofounded the defense and security blog Japan Security Watch. You can follow him on Twitter: @KyleMizokami.

This first appeared last month.

Read full article
Rome (AFP) - Italian anti-establishment and far-right parties Friday took a step closer to forming a government by publishing a joint policy programme.

Here are some of the proposals from the "government of change":

- Goodbye austerity -

Italy is battling a public debt of 2.3 trillion euros ($2.7 trillion), 132 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) -- the second highest ratio in the EU behind Greece.

The M5S-League coalition promises to stimulate the economy through more spending.

"The government's actions will target a programme of public debt reduction not through revenue based on taxes and austerity, policies that have not achieved their goal, but rather through increased GDP by the revival of internal demand," the document says.

- Less Europe, More Italy -

The eurosceptic coalition promises a series of measures to reign in the EU inclduing renegotiation of EU treaties and a review of the bloc's economic governance on issues such as the single currency.

- 'Flat' tax, basic income -

The League has inserted its flat tax policy into the programme, adding a 20 percent rate to the 15 percent proposed before the election.

Also included is Five Star's flagship basic income plan, which sees 780 euros a month paid to those with no revenue, while those earning less than the basic will see their income topped up. It will be revoked from anyone who refuses three job offers within two years.

- Immigration and Islam -

The parties pledge to stop "the business" of migration, cracking down on smuggling networks and cooperatives that manage asylum centres. They also want to speed up expulsions of illegal immigrants.

They demand Italy have "a decisive role" in European negotiations on migration and want to accelerate the examination of asylum applications and systematic repatriation of rejected applicants, who can be held up to 18 months in detention centres.

Also mooted are a registry of imams, immediate closure of unauthorised mosques and the inclusion of "community involvement" into a new law on the building of mosques.

Story continues

- Pensions -

A gradual roll back of a retirement that is due to reach 67 in 2019, instead enabling retirement when the sum of a person's age and years of social security contributions reach 100.

- Security -

In the name of self-defence individuals would be allowed to shoot anyone who enters their home, even in the absence of a clear physical threat.

New prisons would be constructed, "as many foreign prisoners as possible" sent to serve sentences in their home country and large numbers of police officers -- all equipped with a video camera -- and carabinieri military police recruited.

The parties also want tougher sentences for sexual crimes and under-age offenders.

- To Russia with love -

The "contract" underlines Italy's place in the Atlantic alliance "with the United States as a privileged partner", but asks for the immediate removal of sanctions against Russia "which should not be perceived as a threat but as an economic and commercial partner".

-Institutional Reform -

Among the more drastic proposals is slashing the number of parliamentarians to 400 MPs (from 630) and 200 senators (from 318). All would be banned from changing political parties during the legislature.

They also want to beef up the use of popular referenda in law-making and grant more power to the regions.

- Anti-corruption -

A "severe and incisive anti-corruption law" is planned to recover resources and boost competitiveness.

The parties propose increased penalties, life-time banishment from public office and the introduction of "agents provocateurs" to test the honesty of officials.

- The economy -

Setting up an unspecified legal minimum wage, blocking the sale of the Alitalia airline and completely re-negotiating the controversial Turin-Lyon high-speed railway.

Increase savings protection and the accountability of both the management and supervisory authorities of banks.

The development of the "green-economy" and use of electric cars is also a priority.

- Politics and society -

The document proposes that no-one convicted of corruption, being investigated for serious crimes or Freemasons can become ministers, Conflict of interest criteria for parliamentarians will be beefed up.

Italy's commitments to international military missions would be reassessed.

To shore up Italy's collapsing birthrate, the state would offer free nursery schooling for Italian children and not apply VAT on early childhood products.

All illegal Roma camps to be closed and Roma children who don't attend school removed from their families.

More stringent regulations on the gambling industry, including a complete ban on advertising and sponsorship.
Photo: Getty Images

First lady Melania Trump had surgery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center early this week, and today President Trump welcomed her home with a tweet that spelled her name wrong.

Heres his original tweet, which was deleted.

Photo: Twitter/realdonaldtrumph

A few minutes after posting, he corrected the typo and sent another message.

Great to have our incredible First Lady back home in the White House. Melania is feeling and doing really well. Thank you for all of your prayers and best wishes!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2018

While its understandable that mistakes happen, a few celebrity tweeters couldnt help but roast POTUS for his typo.

Howard Stern, who has said he is friendly with the president, but was vocal with his support for Hillary Clinton, made a joke about the typo (no his wife is not named Bith).

Relaxing with the cats and my wife Bith.  Howard Stern (@HowardStern) May 19, 2018

Comedian Kathy Griffin, who took a lot of heat last year for a photoshoot with Trumps disembodied head, didnt hold back.

People are joking about Trump misspelling his wifes name as Melanie, but if you look at any keyboard, the letter e is right next to I dont care how this broad spells her name.  Jason Roeder (@jasonroeder) May 19, 2018

And the former digital director of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee explained how keyboards work.

The first lady has been hospitalized for the past week with a kidney condition. On Monday the White House released a statement saying, This morning, First Lady Melania Trump underwent an embolization procedure to treat a benign kidney condition. The procedure was successful and there were no complications. Mrs. Trump is at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and will likely remain there for the duration of the week. The First Lady looks forward to a full recovery so she can continue her work on behalf of children everywhere.

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After a relatively quiet period, the Commander-in-Tweet was at it again Sunday morning, railing against the New York Times, Hillary Clinton, the Mueller Witch Hunt and Tony Podesta.

Trumps ire was back in form after Armed Forces Day, his wifes illness, and the Texas high school shootings caused a lull in his usual output. Today, he was in attack mode once again, no doubt sparked by the Times story that detailed efforts by foreign governments to help the Trump presidential campaign in 2016.

Todays tweets:

I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes  and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

The Witch Hunt finds no Collusion with Russia  so now theyre looking at the rest of the World. Oh great!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

.and why hasnt the Podesta brother been charged and arrested, like others, after being forced to close down his very large and successful firm? Is it because he is a VERY well connected Democrat working in the Swamp of Washington, D.C.?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

What ever happened to the Server, at the center of so much Corruption, that the Democratic National Committee REFUSED to hand over to the hard charging (except in the case of Democrats) FBI? They broke into homes & offices early in the morning, but were afraid to take the Server?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

Now that the Witch Hunt has given up on Russia and is looking at the rest of the World, they should easily be able to take it into the Mid-Term Elections where they can put some hurt on the Republican Party. Dont worry about Dems FISA Abuse, missing Emails or Fraudulent Dossier!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

in the Hillary Clinton Campaign where she deleted 33,000 Emails, got $145,000,000 while Secretary of State, paid McCabes wife $700,000 (and got off the FBI hook along with Terry M) and so much more. Republicans and real Americans should start getting tough on this Scam.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

.At what point does this soon to be $20,000,000 Witch Hunt, composed of 13 Angry and Heavily Conflicted Democrats and two people who have worked for Obama for 8 years, STOP! They have found no Collussion with Russia, No Obstruction, but they arent looking at the corruption  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

Things are really getting ridiculous. The Failing and Crooked (but not as Crooked as Hillary Clinton) @nytimes has done a long & boring story indicating that the Worlds most expensive Witch Hunt has found nothing on Russia & me so now they are looking at the rest of the World!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

Story continues

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Meghan Markle with Prince Harry at the Invictus Games last November - The Canadian Press

Prince Harry will wear a wedding ring after marrying Meghan Markle - something not all royal grooms have chosen to do.

Wedding rings worn by royal brides are traditionally made from Welsh Gold but very few men in the monarchy have chosen to put on a wedding band.

When the Duke of Cambridge married, he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh and uncle the Duke of York who both chose not to wear the symbol of marriage.

Royal brides are given wedding rings made from gold nuggets from Clogau St David's mine at Bontddu in North Wales, and Ms Markle is expected to follow the tradition.

During the Giving Of The Rings part of the ceremony in St George's Chapel, Harry and Ms Markle will exchange bands, after hearing the Archbishop of Canterbury describe the jewellery as "a symbol of unending love and faithfulness" and a reminder of their vows.

Royal wedding pictures: Best photos as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle prepare for their big day

When Harry receives his ring from Ms Markle, she will place the band on the fourth finger of his left hand, holding it there, before addressing him with the same words.

The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding ring was made by royal warrant holders Wartski and fashioned from a nugget of Welsh gold given to William by his grandmother the Queen as a gift to mark his 2011 wedding.

The Queen Mother began the tradition of royal wedding rings being made from Welsh gold after the precious metal was used to make her wedding band when she married in 1923.

Royal wedding | Read more

One nugget of gold was used to make the Queen Mother's wedding ring, the Queen's in 1947, Princess Margaret's in 1960, the Princess Royal's in 1973 and that of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1981.

Ms Markles engagement ring was designed by Prince Harry using his motherss diamonds to make sure that shes with us on this crazy journey.

Set in yellow gold, the engagement ring features three diamonds, which carry special significance for the couple. The central stone is a diamond from Botswana: a country that Prince Harry has visited many times over his life, and where the couple have spent time together.
Prince Harry and Prince William arrive at the royal wedding [Photo: PA]

Prince Harry stayed true to royal groom tradition and donned military attire for his wedding to Meghan Markle in St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle today.

Wearing the iconic black frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals, Harry arrived at the venue matching his brother and best man William, the Duke of Cambridge.

The Queen gave her permission for Prince Harry to get married in his uniform.

Both uniforms were tailored at Dege & Skinner on Savile Row.

Harrys outfit

Harrys frockcoat is made from blue doeskin. It is single-breasted in style with a stand-up collar, complete with figured braiding of Regimental pattern. The uniform was cut and made by hand. The sleeve pattern is intricate in detail and took one person one week to complete.

The frockcoat is ranked to Major with large gold embroidered crowns. The badge on the left chest is Pilots Wings attained whilst serving with the Army Air Corps for flying Apache helicopters.

The four medal ribbons below the Wings are, from left to right: K.C.V.O., Afghanistan with rosette, The Queens Golden Jubilee and The Queens Diamond Jubilee.

Brothers in arms: Prince Harry and his brother William, the Duke of Cambridge, arrive at Windsor Castle. (PA)

The trousers, officially called overalls, are made from a blue and black wool barathea and are fastened by a leather strap and buckle underneath the boot. They would have traditionally been worn on horseback.

The hat is a Blues and Royals Forage Cap.

There is a white buckskin waist belt with Regimental buckle and slings but no sword.

The brothers are both wearing the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals [Photo: PA]

Williams outfit

The best man is wearing the same uniform as the Groom, also to the Rank of Major.

The Wings are those attained flying helicopters whilst serving with the RAF, the two medals below from left to right are: Queens Golden Jubilee and Queens Diamond Jubilee.

The Duke of Cambridge is also wearing the Garter Star.

As an Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty The Queen, The Duke is wearing the EIIR cyphers on his shoulder straps along with a gold Aiguillette on his right shoulder.

We were fist given a look at Harrys wedding attire as he headed into the chapel 11.35am alongside his best man and brother, the Duke of Cambridge.

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The 33-year-olds uniform is a sartorial mark of respect for the regiment he took over as Captain General Royal Marines in December last year.

His prestigious role was announced by Queen Elizabeth II after his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, stepped down after 64 years at the helm.

In a touching gesture, fellow servicemen from the regiment are currently lining the procession route also dressed in their Blues regalia

Prince Williams wedding outfit

Today, it is impossible for the nation not to draw parallels between Harrys wedding attire and the uniform that his brother, the Duke of Cambridge, donned on his big day.

For the Duke and Duchess of Cambridges 2011 wedding, Prince Harry wore his Household Cavalry Blues while Prince William donned the Irish Guards Mounted Officers uniform [Photo: Getty]On 29 April 2011, Prince William opted for the Irish Guards Mounted Officers uniform in Guard of Honour Order to wed the then-Kate Middleton. This was consequently due to the fact that he was appointed the title of Colonel of the Irish Guards by the Queen just two months prior to the ceremony.

Of course, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridges nuptials was also a largely traditional affair due to his status as second-in-line to the throne. He also added further regal pomp and pageantry with the Garter Sash which bears the Wings of the Royal Air Force, the Garter Star and the Golden Jubilee Medal.

Harry on the other hand, wore his traditional uniform of the Captain of the Household Cavalrys Blue and Royals for his role of best man.

Meghan is expected to arrive at St Georges Chapel at [TIME] where the couple will tie the knot with over two billion royal fans from across the globe expected to tune in.

The newlyweds will then greet the 200 charity representatives gathered in the Cloister before beginning their 25-minute procession through the streets of Windsor.

PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLES RELATIONSHIP IN PICTURES (CLICK BELOW)


The Queen and Prince Phillip have arrived

The Queen's arrival at St George's Chapel for her grandson's wedding marked a key moment in the day's proceedings: that the entire guestlist were now present at the venue.

Tradition dictates that Her Majesty is the last to arrive at Royal engagements, visits and events  and the protocol even extends to her family's weddings.

She will watch Meghan Markle walk down the aisle to royalty and an awaiting Prince Harry.

And guests will have to be on their guard for another tradition which means when the The Queen stops eating, others must do the same.

The protocol usually relates to banquets, and with 200 guests set to sit down for an evening meal as part of the celebration, it is understood the custom will have to be adhered to.

Royal wedding day pictures: Best photos from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's ceremony and reception

But those worried about scoffing down their food as soon as it lands on their table might not need to worry given that the Queen has been known to push a morsel of food around on her plate to allow people to finish.

Last week, the official document signed by The Queen granting permission for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to marry was released, incorporating the symbols of America onto traditional vellum to represent the bride.

The ornate Instrument of Consent, the official document confirming the approval of the Queen, features emblems for Ms Markle including a rose, the national flower of the United States, two golden poppies from her home state of California, and olive branches adopted from the Great Seal of the United States.

The Queen signed the Instrument of Consent in March, at the top of a vellum document transcribed in calligraphy and issued under the Great Seal of the Realm.

The document states: "Now know ye that we have consented and do by these presents signify our consent to the contracting of matrimony between our most dearly beloved grandson Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales KCVO and Rachel Meghan Markle."

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Prince Harry, as sixth-in-line to the throne following the birth of Prince Louis, had to seek the permission of the Queen under the Succession to the Crown Act 2013.

The Act requires the first six people in line to obtain the Queen's blessing to marry, unless they wish to be disqualified from succeeding to the Crown.

A very traditional ceremony

The couple will be make their vows at St George's Chapel, which last hosted a royal wedding in May 2008 when Peter Phillips - son of The Princess Royal - married Autumn Kelly.

The traditional ceremony will be conducted by The Dean of Windsor, The Rt Revd. David Conner while the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will officiate as the couple make their marriage vows.

The most stylish guests from Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle

Pioneering American bishop, the Most Rev Bishop Michael Curry, from Chicago, Illinois, has been invited to deliver the address as the couple strive to reflect their transatlantic relationship amid the tradition of St George's Chapel.

Bishop Curry, who has been praised for his "infectious laughter and self-deprecating humour", is the first African-American bishop to have served as the Episcopal Church's presiding bishop, a role he has held since November 2015.

The music will also have an American influence according to Christopher Warren-Green, who will conduct musicians on the day.

Miss Markle, who was a UN women's advocate, is unlikely to opt to obey the prince. The couple will probably choose the Series One (1966) Book of Common Prayer ceremony, just as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge did, which allows the bride to drop "obey him" and "serve him" from the religious proceedings.

The regiments Prince Harry served with in Afghanistan will a have a special place during the ceremony.

The 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, where the prince served as an Apache Pilot in Helmand Province will be represented, as well as The Royal Gurkha Rifles, his comrades in Afghanistan in 2007, and RAF Honington, where he is Honorary Air Commandant.

Cutest pictures of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and more young royals at the wedding

Household Cavalry troopers will line the staircase at St George's Chapel, while streets within the precincts of the castle will be lined by members of the Windsor Castle Guard from 1st Battalion Irish Guards, and by Armed Forces personnel from the Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving, which has the Prince as Commodore-in-Chief, and the Royal Marines, where he is Captain General.

Read more about St George's Chapel here.

WATCH: How Diana, the in-laws and Prince Louis will fit into the Royal Wedding

Don't miss the procession

After the ceremony, among the first people to congratulate the couple will be some of the 2,640 charity workers, community champions and local school children who are being invited to watch the wedding from inside the walls of Windsor Castle.

Then at 1pm, the newlyweds will undertake a two mile tour of Windsor in an Ascot Landau carriage, greeting well-wishers, which is expected to take 25 minutes.

It's the same carriage the prince used in the procession at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton,when he was surrounded by small bridesmaids and page boys.

The couple will leave Windsor Castle by carriage via Castle Hill, travelling along the High Street and through Windsor Town before returning along the Long Walk for the first reception at St George's Hall.

Read more about the procession here.

At a glance | St Georges Chapel Windsor

Flowers

The couple have chosen high society florist Philippa Craddock to design their day, using seasonal plants and flowers from the Crown Estates and Royal Parks chosen particularly for their pollinator-friendly properties.

Aisles, pews, tables and halls will be lined with plants from wildflower meadows, picked to provide a great habitat for bees and help to nurture and sustain entire ecosystems by promoting a healthy and biodiverse environment, Kensington Palace said.

Ms Craddock has been named Queen of London florists by British Vogue and a floral mastermind by Tatler.

Florist Philippa Craddock Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Peonies are one of Ms Markle's favourite flowers, so it is likely her floral bouquet will include these fragrant blooms, which are in season in May.

Read more about the wedding florist here.

Royal wedding | Read more PREMIUM GRID
Donald Trump Jr., the presidents eldest child, reportedly met with an emissary representing the princes from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates who wanted to help his father win the 2016 election during the campaign.

Trump Jr., who has already faced scrutiny for the June 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer who claimed to have damaging political opposition research on Donald Trumps then-opponent Hillary Clinton, held the meeting at Trump Tower in August 2016 with the emissary, George Nader, and private security contractor Erik Prince, The New York Times reported Saturday. Israeli and apparent social media expert Joel Zamel was also present at the meeting.

The meeting could represent another example of the Trump campaign meeting with the representative of a foreign government intent on helping the billionaire claim victory in the 2016 election.

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Such contact generated Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russias interference in the 2016 election in favor of the current president, and Muellers team is reportedly looking into the Emirates potential role or influence in the election as well.

It is unclear if any action was taken following the meeting, and Trump Jr. stated through a lawyer that nothing occurred afterward.

Alan Futerfas, an attorney for Trump Jr., explained to The Times prior to the 2016 election, Donald Trump Jr. recalls a meeting with Erik Prince, George Nader and another individual who may be Joel Zamel. They pitched Mr. Trump Jr. on a social media platform or marketing strategy. He was not interested and that was the end of it.

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Nader, who Newsweek reported was convicted and jailed on child pornography charges in the early 1990s, is presently cooperating with Muellers investigation and Prince has long been a controversial figure and whose sister is presently secretary of the Education Department, Betsy Devos.

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Both Nader and Prince have faced scrutiny over setting up a meeting in the Seychelles in January 2017, just days before Trumps inauguration, during which Prince met with a Russian tied to Russian President Vladimir Putin over a possible backchannel between the Trump administration and the Kremlin, according to The Washington Post.

The revelation follows the release earlier this week of Trump Jr.s testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee last year, during which he discussed the June 2016 meeting with the Russian lawyer and denied any collusion taking place.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from Newsweek
At the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday, the address delivered by American Episcopal bishop Michael Curry on the subject of the power of love, began with a quotation from Martin Luther King Jr.

That quotation comes from a 1957 sermon on the subject of Loving Your Enemies, which King delivered at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala. In that sermon, he spoke these words, from which Curry paraphrased on Saturday:

It seems to me that this is the only way. As our eyes look to the future, as we look out across the years and across the generations, let us develop and move right here. We must discover the power of love, the power, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that, we will be able to make this old world a new world. We will be able to make men better. Love is the only way.

The choice of quotation is clearly fitting for a wedding, an occasion on which the power of love is clear. Its also fitting for Markle, an American bride whose mother is African American, to be welcomed into the royal family with the words of one of the most powerful orators of the civil rights movement and of American history.

But, taken in its original context  a context to which Curry gestured on Saturday morning, amid his discussion of love within marriage  Kings words carry a political message than might be considered surprising for a royal wedding sermon.

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Around the time when King delivered that sermon in 1957, as Carolyn Calloway-Thomas, chair of African American and African Diaspora Studies at the Indiana University Bloomington and an editor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Sermonic Power of Public Discourse, told TIME earlier this year, the 20th century American civil rights movement was still in its early phases. King would have been helping his listeners understand his philosophy.

His original exhortation on the power of love, then, was an explanation for his nonviolent philosophy. It also functioned as a set of instructions for African Americans trying to figure out how to respond to the racism they were forced to deal with on a daily basis.

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First, King began by explaining the practical matter of how to love ones enemies, a process he acknowledged as truly difficult. The enemies one had to love included national enemies such as the communist Soviet Union; personal enemies who were responding to legitimate grievances; and even enemies who dont like a person because of his or her skin color. Kings recipe for loving those enemies began with looking inward to examine the real causes of the enmity, and then by trying to see that every person contains both good and evil. Thus it may be possible to love the enemy  even if you still dont like that person.

Then, King moved on to why to love ones enemies. One answer there, to King, is clear: because hate multiplies hate, and harms the hater too. Love, on the other hand, redeems the lover.

Thus, as the nation faced its civil rights crisis, in a world in which history unfortunately leaves some people oppressed and some people oppressors, there were three ways the oppressed could face their situation  and heres where the wedding quotation comes in.

The first method was violence. That didnt work because it creates many more social problems than it solves, and as the Negro, in particular, and colored peoples all over the world struggle for freedom, if they succumb to the temptation of using violence in their struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness.

The second method was to give up and accept oppression because fighting is difficult. That didnt work, King said, because noncooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as is cooperation with good.

The third method was love. Not just any love, but resistance through love.

[There] is another way. And that is to organize mass nonviolent resistance based on the principle of love, King said. It seems to me that this is the only way.

Kings conclusion was that he would rather die than hate. But that didnt mean he would let evil pass unnoticed. Rather, he would send the power of love at it, in hopes that somewhere men of the most recalcitrant bent will be transformed. The love of which he spoke, the love summoned by Bishop Curry at the royal wedding on Saturday, was to be used not merely to begin an individual relationship, but also to change the world through mass resistance to oppression.

Thats a message perhaps best left to subtext at a ceremony involving one of the worlds most prominent ruling families. But even if those specific instructions were not part of Currys address, the idea was still there, for the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex to take with them  and for everyone watching around the world. Imagine our world, he said, in the prepared version of his remarks, when love is the way.
When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge got married, one overwhelmed little bridesmaid stole the show as she was photographed crossly covering her ears from the noise of the crowd.

As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot today they had no such fears, after choosing a brood of children already well used to the limelight.

Royal wedding day pictures: Best photos from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's ceremony and reception

Ten little girls and boys played a starring role in today's royal wedding, from Prince George and Princess Charlotte to a host of youngsters who are already Instagram stars. But who are they?

US actress Meghan Markle arrives for her wedding ceremony. Page boys Brian and John Mulroney are pictured holding her train Credit: AFP

Who are the bridesmaids?

Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, aged three, is Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's niece.

Florence van Cutsem, aged three, is goddaughter of Prince Harry and daughter of Alice van Cutsem and Major Nicholas van Cutsem.

Remi Litt, aged six, is goddaughter of Ms Markle and daughter of Benita Litt and Darren Litt.

Rylan Litt, aged seven, is goddaughter of Ms Markle, daughter of Benita Litt and Darren Litt.

Ivy Mulroney, aged four, is Jessica Mulroney and Benedict Mulroney's daughter.

Zalie Warren, aged two , is Prince Harry's goddaughter and the daughter of Zoe Warren and Jake Warren

A look back at royal bridesmaids and pageboys

Who are the pageboys?

Prince George of Cambridge, aged four, is Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's nephew.

Jasper Dyer, aged six, is godson of Prince Harry and the son of Amanda Dyer and Mark Dyer.

Brian Mulroney, aged seven, is the son of Jessica Mulroney and Benedict Mulroney.

John Mulroney, aged seven, is the son of Jessica Mulroney and Benedict Mulroney.

Royal wedding day pictures: Best photos from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's ceremony and reception

Story continues

Prince George

Prince George of Cambridge was again thrust into the limelight as he took the lead as one of four pageboys for his uncle and auntie's wedding.

William and Kate's eldest child is said to be shyer than his younger sister Charlotte, and the Duke has told how his son loves helicopters, flying and is obsessed with all things police-related.

Like Charlotte, George is rarely seen in public. The Duke and Duchess try to ensure their children are protected from media intrusion.

But the pair have appeared at key royal events such as the annual Trooping the Colour parade, and have joined William and Kate on official overseas tours.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte at Pippa Middleton's wedding Credit: Samir Hussein

Son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the third in line to the throne is no stranger to big public appearances even at the age of just four.

He will call upon the experience gained from performing a similar role at the wedding of Pippa Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister, to James Matthews in May last year.

It will be the second time in a month that the world's media hones in on his family following the birth of his younger brother Prince Louis on April 23.

Princess Charlotte waves to the cameras outside the Lindo Wing Credit: Anwar Hussein

Princess Charlotte

Princess Charlotte is blossoming into a natural when it comes to public appearances. The way she played to the cameras as she arrived outside St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, central London, showed maturity beyond her years.

The three-year-old waved at photographers as her father, the Duke of Cambridge, walked her to meet her baby brother - Prince Louis.

The Duchess of Cambridge holds Princess Charlotte's hand at the wedding of her sister Pippa Middleton Credit: Justin Tallis/AFP

Making her way up the steps to the Lindo Wing, she turned and waved again - a picture that was beamed across the world.

Her parents have told how the fourth in line to the throne rules the roost, saying she is "very sweet" but also feisty.

It is expected her mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, will play a supervisory role for the young pageboys and bridesmaids, something she did when her younger sister, Pippa, married James Matthews last year.

The most stylish guests from Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle

The Duchess was spotted giving a polite warning to the youngsters in her charge, who included George and Charlotte, holding her finger to her lips to make sure they were quiet as they entered the church.

Princess Charlotte waves at photographers as she arrives to meet Prince Louis Credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage

Ivy Mulroney

Ivy Mulroney, four, and her seven-year-old twin brothers are a daily staple of Mrs Mulroneys Instagram page, posing willingly for home photoshoots with their mother.

Ivy is the four-year-old youngest child of Meghan's stylist and best friend Jessica Mulroney. Her name is actually Isabel Veronica but she is nicknamed Ivy.

Ivy and Jessica Mulroney Credit: Instagram

The little girl often appears on her mother's Instagram page, helping her get ready, putting on makeup and picking outfits, while brothers Brian and John lark about together.

Jessica Mulroney runs a bridal store in Toronto, where Meghan used to film Suits, and is said to have helped the bride choose her wedding gown.

Mrs Mulroney, who is married to Benedict Mulroney, the son of former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney, was photographed arriving at Heathrow Airport with her family on Tuesday night.

Jessica Mulroney and her daughter Ivy Mulroney

When Ms Markle made her third official appearance at the Invictus Games in October, it was with two very important women by her side; her mother, Doria and Jessica Mulroney - arguably Canadas best-connected fashion power player.

Her influence has already helped to propel a lucky clutch of Canadian fashion designers to global fame thanks to her role as stylist to Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, the wife of Canadas charismatic prime minister, Justin Trudeau.

It was in Canada where the two met. Both were living in Toronto when Ms Markle was filming the US hit series Suits.

Having initially bonded over a shared love of yoga, they become close enough to go on holiday together and Meghan became close to the family - including Ivy, Brian and John.

Puff: Who is Jessica Mulroney?

Brian and John Mulroney

The fraternal twin sons of Jessica and Ben are seven years old - and older siblings to Ivy.

In an interview with thestar.com in 2014, Mrs Mulroney described how the boys were best friends. "Ben was at the MMVAs (iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards) and John did something really sweet," she said. "He hugged Brian from behind and said, 'Brian, you make me great'. "

The article described the children, who had two nannies, as "incredibly well-behaved".

Jessica Mulroney with her sons Brian and John

Jessica Mulroney with Ivy, Brian and John Credit: Instagram

Florence van Cutsem

Three-year-old Florence is Prince Harry's goddaughter, and the daughter of his long-standing family friend Major Nicholas van Cutsem and Alice van Cutsem.

She is a cousin of Grace Van Cutsem, best remembered for her balcony appearance with her hands over her ears at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Grace Van Cutsem at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Credit: Matt Dunham

Major van Cutsem, a major with the Household Cavalry's Life Guards, has been a friend of Harry and William's since childhood.

Remi and Rylan Litt

The Litt sisters, who have appeared in Instagram pictures with Ms Markle, are the children of Darren and Benita, a handbag designer and close friend of the bride.

Ms Markle is Remi, six, and Rylan, seven's godmother and in a since deleted Instagram post, the actress shared a picture of herself with the family - including her two "fairy god-daughters" - showing them happily posing in front of a Christmas tree after spending the holidays together in 2016.

Meghan Markle Meghan is godmother to her friend Benita Litt's two daughters Remi, six and Rylan, seven, and she is thought to have spent Christmas with the family in 2016 (pictured)

Benita also runs her own brand agency under her name where she helps others to start businesses.

Zalie Warren

Zalie Warren is the daughter of Jake Warren, son of the Queen's bloodstock and racing adviser John Warren, and his wife Zoe. The father-and-son team run Highclere Stud in Newbury together.

Mr Warren is an old school friend of Prince Harrys from Eton who asked him to be godfather to Zalie, one of his twin daughters.

Zalie is the youngest of the bridesmaids at just two years old.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: The story of their relationship, in pictures

Jasper Dyer

Six-year-old Jasper Dyer is also a godson of Harry's and the son of his trusted mentor Mark Dyer and Mr Dyer's wife Amanda.

Former Welsh Guards office Mr Dyer, who was photographed accompanying Ms Markle to the polo when she was dating Prince Harry, has been a long-term mentor of the Prince, taking him under his wing during the 1990s and early 2000s when the teenager was coming to terms with the death of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

A former equerry to the Prince of Wales, he was entrusted by Charles to keep an eye on Harry.

The pair travelled together in Harry's gap year and he inspired the prince's charity work in Lesotho, southern Africa, after arranging Harry's first ever stay in the country.

Mark Dyer (left) with Meghan Markle at the polo Credit: David Hartley

A very traditional ceremony

The couple will be make their vows at St George's Chapel, which last hosted a royal wedding in May 2008 when Peter Phillips - son of The Princess Royal - married Autumn Kelly.

The traditional ceremony will be conducted by The Dean of Windsor, The Rt Revd. David Conner while the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will officiate as the couple make their marriage vows.

Pioneering American bishop, the Most Rev Bishop Michael Curry, from Chicago, Illinois, has been invited to deliver the address as the couple strive to reflect their transatlantic relationship amid the tradition of St George's Chapel.

Bishop Curry, who has been praised for his "infectious laughter and self-deprecating humour", is the first African-American bishop to have served as the Episcopal Church's presiding bishop, a role he has held since November 2015.

The music will also have an American influence according to Christopher Warren-Green, who will conduct musicians on the day.

Royal wedding | Read more
Prince Harry looks at his bride, Meghan Markle, as she arrives accompanied by the Prince of Wales - PA

Aglobal audience of hundreds of millions tuned in to watch Prince Harry and his American bride Meghan Markle tie the knot in a fairytale wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in glorious sunshine.

Some 600 guests, including A-list celebrities and senior royals, were in attendance at the 15-century chapel to watch the Queen's grandson, who is sixth in line to the throne, marry the former actress in a glittering ceremony.

Prince Charles accompanies Meghan down the aisle

Ms Markle and mother Doria Ragland were driven up the Long Walk in a Rolls-Royce Phantom IV before they headed up through the castle gates and towards the chapel.

She was accompanied by two page boys who held up her train as she made her way up the chapel's steps.

Ms Markle was wearing a simple, long-sleeved white dress, with a veil covering her face.

Royal wedding day pictures: Best photos from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's ceremony and reception

The bridesmaids and pageboys were ushered in by the Duchess of Cambridge, who helped coax them into their positions with an encouraging hand on their shoulder.

As Ms Markle entered the chapel, a fanfare was played. The bride, having been greeted by the Dean of Windsor, then moved in procession through the Nave where she was joined by the Prince of Wales - in place of her father, Thomas Markle, to the High Altar.

Prince Harry looks at his bride, Meghan Markle, as she arrives accompanied by the Prince of Wales Credit: PA

Her elaborate veil was embroidered with flowers from each of the 53 Commonwealth nations at Meghan's request, according to Kensington Palace.

You look amazing

The couple, the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex, tenderly held hands and exchanged smiles during the wedding ceremony.

Prince Harry, wearing his military uniform, told his bride "You look amazing" to which Meghan replied "thank you" as they met at the altar.

A loud and clear "We will" sounded out when the guests were asked if they would support Harry and Meghan.

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In the order of service, a note on the second page said: A wedding is one of life's great moments, a time of solemn commitment as well as good wishes, feasting and joy.

Preacher invokes Martin Luther Kings Power of Live speech

Bishop Curry, the first African-American presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church, gave a passionate address titled the Power of Love at the service.

He opened his speech with the words of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, who said: We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will be able to make of this old world a new world. Love is the only way.

The Most Rev Bishop Michael Curry gives an address during the wedding Credit: Reuters

The bishop then added: There's power in love. Don't underestimate it. Don't even over-sentimentalise. There is power, power in love.

Such power could be seen in the service, he continued, saying: Two young people fell in love and we all showed up.

He continued: Anybody get here in a car today? An automobile? Nod your head if you did, I know there were some carriages. Those of us who came in cars, controlled, harnessed fire. Fire made that possible.

I know the Bible said - and I believe it - that Jesus walked on the water, but I have to tell you I didn't walk across the Atlantic Ocean to get here - controlled fire in that plane got me here.

To laughter, he then quipped: Fire makes it possible for us to text and tweet and email and Facebook and be dysfunctional to each other.

The music

After the sermon, soul classic Stand By Me by Ben E King was performed by the Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir.

Its not a sacred piece, but the words have the just the right sentiment, commented the Telegraph's classical music critic Ivan Hewett. Its all about standing by your loved one in testing times, and it was inspired by the spiritual Stand by me Father  which itself refers to Psalm 46.

Prince Harry looks at his bride, Meghan Markle, as she arrives Credit: Getty

During the procession of the bride and groom, the gospel choir performed Etta James' uplifting version of Amen/This Little Light of Mine. The service also featured English Baroque composer William Boyce's Symphony no 1 in B flat.

Other highlights from the music included the song which is affectionately known as the Welsh rugby hymn - Bread of Heaven - or Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer.

The service ended with the National Anthem.

The vows

Ms Markle did not promise to obey her husband in the vows, with the couple selecting words from The Marriage Service from Common Worship (2000)

The marriage service featured contemporary language - using the word "you" instead of "thee" and "thou".

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel Credit: PA

They gazed into each other's eyes as they exchanged vows. The Duke of Cambridge, in his role as best man, stepped forward to hand over the rings, with Harry and Meghan smiling as they placed the rings on each other's hands.

There was laughter in the chapel in response to cheers outside as Harry answered: I will. Meghan smiled as she answered the same.

Prince Harry places the wedding ring on the finger of Meghan Markle Credit: Getty

Prince Harry said: I Harry, take you, Meghan, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part; according to God's holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow.

Meghan responded: I, Meghan, take you, Harry, to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part; according to God's holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow.

Prince Harry pulls back the veil of Meghan Markle Credit: AP

Loud cheers could be heard from outside St George's Chapel as the Archbishop of Canterbury proclaimed them husband and wife.

The Archbishop then joined their right hands together and said: Those whom God has joined together, let no-one put asunder.

A kiss on the steps of St George's Chapel

The newlyweds kissed on the steps of St George's Chapel as onlookers cheered.

They kiss on the steps of St George's Chapel Credit: PA

The couple were waved off and watched by members of the Royal family as they left in an open-top Ascot Landau for a horse-drawn carriage procession through the streets of Windsor, cheered on by tens of thousands of ecstatic wellwishers in glorious sunshine.

They smiled and waved to well-wishers during the journey in the lunchtime sunshine.

Just after 1.30pm, the carriage returned to Windsor Castle, disappearing under an arch within the grounds.

Royal wedding | Read more
Halfway through his infectiously energetic address, The Most Reverend Michael Curry paused, directed his gaze at the bride and groom and told them: We gotta get yall married!

It was not the sort of phrase the Archbishop of Canterbury would have uttered, but it perfectly summed up this most modern of royal weddings: diverse, relaxed, inclusive and joyous.

The ancient St Georges Chapel echoed with laughter at times. It swayed to the delicious harmonies of an African-American Gospel choir, it swooned over the talent of a 19-year-old cellist and sent a message to the watching world that the Royal family has, once again, been reinvented.

No wonder Prince Harry winked at his new bride as he slipped the ring on her finger.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex purposefully put black and minority ethnic people centre stage at every key moment of their wedding, but it was Bishop Curry who threatened to steal the show with his 14-minute blockbuster.

An impassioned speech was given by The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry Credit: The Washington Post

The head of the US Episcopal Church swept the concept of royal weddings into a new era by referencing Martin Luther King, slavery, war, poverty, hunger and even Instagram rather than dwelling on the institution of marriage.

His overall theme - that the redemptive power of love can right the worlds wrongs - reflected the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs own world view, their mission statement even.

It was the manner of his delivery, however, that will linger longest in the memory. With an iPad on the lectern in front of him, the Bishop waved his arms expansively, raising and lowering his voice for emphasis and ad-libbing freely throughout.

Members of the Royal family, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Beatrice, instinctively tried to suppress the smiles playing across their lips as the Bishop held them transfixed. Eventually, like the rest of the congregation, they realised that smiles are part of the reaction the Bishop expects.

They even laughed at times, such as when the Bishop told them: The power of love is demonstrated by the fact that we're all here - two young people fell in love and we all showed up!

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The most stylish guests from Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle



Described as a brilliant pastor by the Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop asked guests to imagine how governments, countries and business could change "when love is the way...

"Then no child will go to bed hungry in this world ever again.

"When love is the way we will let justice roll down like a mighty stream and righteousness like an ever-flowing river. When love is the way poverty will become history. When love is the way we will lay down our swords and shields down by the riverside to study war no more.

The Duchess of Sussex, who has for years campaigned for civil rights and social justice, chose the 65-year-old from Chicago because his churchs liberal values - it is one of only two Anglican institutions worldwide to allow gay marriage in church - reflect her own libertarian principles.

Prince Harry looks at his bride, Meghan Markle, as she arrives accompanied by the Prince of Wales in St George's Chapel Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA

The Duchesss influence was stamped throughout a ceremony that perfectly blended tradition and modernity.

On the left side of the quire, normally reserved for the brides family, celebrities including George and Amal Clooney, Serena Williams, Oprah Winfrey and the Duchesss Suits co-star Abigail Leigh Spencer rubbed shoulders with Earls and Countesses.

Other A-listers had to make do with a seat in the nave, with no direct view of the bride and groom, including David and Victoria Beckham, Tom Hardy, Carey Mulligan, James Corden, James Blunt and a glum-looking Sir Elton John.

With her father Thomas too ill to make it to the wedding, the bride walked up the steps to the Chapel and down the nave supported by no fewer than 10 bridesmaids and page boys, aged between two and seven.

Her gamble paid off as four-year-old Prince George, his three-year-old sister Princess Charlotte and their eight cohorts behaved perfectly, save for the odd stray yawn.

The Prince of Wales, waiting for her at the quire, took her arm and told her: You look lovely. Are you OK?

Royal wedding day pictures: Best photos from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's ceremony and reception

Handing her over to his youngest son at the altar, who said Thank you Pa, the Prince of Wales must surely have reflected that the future of the Royal family was in safe hands.

The bride and groom may never reign but their choice of wedding service and guests better reflected the nation they serve than any other royal wedding before them.

The Kingdom Choir, who sang an arrangement of Ben E Kings 1961 hit Stand By Me, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and the Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, Archbishop Angaelos, all symbolised the multi-racial Britain the couple themselves now represent.

As for their immediate plans, the couple left little doubt where their intentions lie. When the Dean of Windsor, the Rt Rev David Conner, told the couple that marriage is the foundation of family life, in which children are born and nurtured", neither could resist a smile and a loving glance.

Royal wedding | Read more

The address in full

Song of Songs 8:6-7

i

And now in the name of our loving, liberating and life-giving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

From the Song of Solomon, in the Bible:

Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.

Song of Songs 8:6-7

The late Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. once said and I quote: We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that, we will be able to make of this old world a new world, for love is the only way.

Theres power in love. Dont underestimate it. Dont even over-sentimentalize it. Theres power  power in love. If you dont believe me, think about a time when you first fell in love. The whole world seemed to center around you and your beloved.

Oh theres power  power in love. Not just in its romantic forms, but any form, any shape of love. Theres a certain sense in which when you are loved, and you know it, when someone cares for you, and you know it, when you love and you show it  it actually feels right. Theres something right about it.

There is something right about it. And theres a reason for it. The reason has to do with the source. We were made by a power of love, and our lives were meant  and are meant  to be lived in that love. Thats why we are here.

Ultimately the source of love is God himself: the source of all of our lives.

Theres an old medieval poem that says, Where true love is found, God himself is there.

The New Testament says it this way: Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God, and those who love are born of God and know God. Those who do not love do not know God. Why? For God is love. (1 John 4:4-8)

Theres power in love. Theres power in love to help and heal when nothing else can.

Theres power in love to lift up and liberate when nothing else will. Theres power in love to show us the way to live.

Set me as a seal on your heart a seal on your arm, for love is as strong as death.

ii

But love is not only about a young couple. Now the power of love is demonstrated by the fact that were all here. Two young people fell in love, and we all showed up! But its not just for and about a young couple, who we rejoice with. Its more than that.

Jesus of Nazareth on one occasion was asked by a lawyer to sum up the essence of the teachings of Moses, and he went back and he reached back into the Hebrew scriptures, to Deuteronomy and Leviticus, and Jesus said: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself.

And then in Matthews version, he added, he said: On these two, love of God and love of neighbour, hang all the law, all the prophets, everything that Moses wrote, everything in the holy prophets, everything in the scriptures, everything that God has been trying to tell the world love God, love your neighbours, and while youre at it, love yourself.

Someone once said that Jesus began the most revolutionary movement in human history: a movement grounded in the unconditional love of God for the world  and a movement mandating people to live that love, and in so doing to change not only their lives but the very life of the world itself!

Im talking about power. Real power. Power to change the world.

If you dont believe me, well, there were some old slaves in Americas Antebellum South who explained the dynamic power of love and why it has the power to transform. They explained it this way. They sang a spiritual, even in the midst of their captivity. Its one that says Theres a balm in Gilead a healing balm, something that can make things right.

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole," and one of the stanzas actually explains why. They said:

If you cannot preach like Peter,

And you cannot pray like Paul,

You just tell the love of Jesus,

How he died to save us all.

Oh, thats the balm in Gilead!

This way of love, it is the way of life. They got it! He died to save us all. He didnt die for anything he could get out of it. Jesus did not get an honorary doctorate for dying. He didnt he wasnt getting anything out of it. He gave up his life, he sacrificed his life, for the good of others, for the good of the other, for the wellbeing of the world for us.

Thats what love is. Love is not selfish and self-centred. Love can be sacrificial, and in so doing, becomes redemptive. And that way of unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive love changes lives, and it can change this world.

If you dont believe me, just stop and imagine. Think and imagine a world where love is the way.

Imagine our homes and families where love is the way.

Imagine our neighborhoods and communities where love is the way.

Imagine our governments and nations where love is the way.

Imagine business and commerce where this love is the way.

Imagine this tired old world where love is the way.

When love is the way  unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive.

When love is the way, then no child will go to bed hungry in this world ever again.

When love is the way, we will let justice roll down like a mighty stream and righteousness like an ever-flowing brook.

When love is the way, poverty will become history.

When love is the way, the earth will be a sanctuary.

When love is the way, we will lay down our swords and shields, down by the riverside, to study war no more.

When love is the way, theres plenty good room - plenty good room - for all of Gods children. Cos when love is the way, we actually treat each other, well like we are actually family.

When love is the way, we know that God is the source of us all, and we are brothers and sisters, children of God.

My brothers and sisters, thats a new heaven, a new earth, a new world, a new human family.

And let me tell you something, old Solomon was right in the Old Testament: thats fire.

iii

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin  and with this I will sit down, we gotta get you all married [laughter]  French Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was arguably one of the great minds, great spirits of the 20th century. Jesuit, Roman Catholic priest, scientist, a scholar, a mystic.

In some of his writings, he said, from his scientific background as well as his theological one, in some of his writings he said - as others have - that the discovery, or invention, or harnessing of fire was one of the great scientific and technological discoveries in all of human history.

Fire to a great extent made human civilization possible. Fire made it possible to cook food and to provide sanitary ways of eating, which reduced the spread of disease in its time.

Fire made it possible to heat warm environments and thereby made human migration around the world a possibility, even into colder climates.

Fire made it possible there was no Bronze Age without fire, no Iron Age without fire, no Industrial Revolution without fire. The advances of fire and technology are greatly dependent on the human ability and capacity to take fire and use it for human good.

Anybody get here in a car today? An automobile? Nod your heads if you did  I know there were some carriages. [Laughter] But those of us who came in cars, fire  controlled, harnessed fire  made that possible.

I know that the Bible says, and I believe it, that Jesus walked on the water. But I have to tell you, I did not walk across the Atlantic Ocean to get here. Controlled fire in that plane makes it possible.

Fire makes it possible for us to text and tweet and email and Instagram and Facebook and socially be dysfunctional with each other. [Laughter]

Fire makes all of that possible, and de Chardin said fire was one of the greatest discoveries in all of human history. And he then went on to say that if humanity ever harnesses the energy of fire again, if humanity ever captures the energy of love  it will be the second time in history that we have discovered fire.

Dr King was right: we must discover love  the redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will make of this old world, a new world.

My brother, my sister, God love you, God bless you, and may God hold us all in those almighty hands of love.
Ms Markle's father pulled out of the wedding after it emerged he had staged photos with paparazzi - Pix supplied as a technical service by Tim Stewart News Limited 07932745508. No copyright inferred o

Meghan Markles father said his daughter looked "beautiful" and "very happy" on her wedding day to Prince Harry as he watched the ceremony from California - and made a plea to his relatives to stop commenting on the couple.

Thomas Markle, who was unable to attend the royal wedding after undergoing emergency heart surgery, was unperturbed by the 4am start.

The 73-year-old told US site TMZ he was "emotional and joyful" as he watched the ceremony on TV.

"My baby looks beautiful and she looks very happy," he said.

"I wish I was there and I wish them all my love and happiness".

Royal wedding day pictures: Best photos from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's ceremony and reception

Mr Markle said he deeply regretted not being there, but that he sent his daughter a text message saying he loved her.

"The service was beautiful and it's history, he told TMZ.

I will always regret not being able to be there and not being able to hold my daughter's hand.

"My baby girl is a duchess and I love her so much."

He said that watching the ceremony made him nostalgic, adding: "When you watch your child get married, every thought goes through your mind, every memory from the first day she was born, the first time I held her."

Thomas Markle with Meghan as a baby

He said he was yet to choose a wedding gift for the couple, but hoped to do so soon, when his health recovered.

And he made a plea for his raucous relatives to leave the newlyweds alone.

"Now I pray that Harry and Meghan can go on a nice honeymoon and rest and relax, and all of my relatives will just shut up about everything."

Ms Markle's half-sister

The ceremony began at a slightly more civilised 7am on the east coast, and Ms Markles half-sister Samantha Markle, 53, was holding a party at her home in Florida.

Ms Markle once again cashed in on her relationship with her sister, inviting a television crew into her Florida home for the gathering.

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Just after dawn there was no sign of celebration  and instead a television outside broadcast truck remained parked outside her single-story home.

Her boyfriend, Mark Phillips, 60, told DailyMail.com that she was taking part in a television appearance and suggested that it was earning her a five-figure sum.

Asked how many people the "party" involved, he said there were eight people  he, Ms Markle, and the six-strong crew.

Ms Markle has not commented, instead choosing to retweet a message from the Dalai Lama.

People inflict pain on others in their selfish pursuit of happiness and satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. We need to cultivate a sense of universal responsibility for one another and the planet we share.  Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) May 18, 2018

Ms Markle, who shares a father with the future Duchess, is 17 years her senior and, according to relatives, lived a very separate life from her actress sibling.

Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2008, she is in a wheelchair and is last believed to have spoken to her half sister several years ago.

Yet she has been in the headlines all week, demanding thousands of dollars to speak to newspapers, spinning ever-more outlandish yarns as the wedding approached.

Earlier this week she told gossip site TMZ she was ran off the road by paparazzi near her Florida home and likened herself to Diana, the Princess of Wales  despite police in the state telling The Telegraph they had no record of any crash being reported.

That was a few days after telling a British tabloid that Ms Markle had not spoken to their father after his heart attack, that Kensington Palace had offered no support, and that she had been forced to wire money to support the ailing pensioner.

Thomas Markle with his daughter Meghan

I was worried as I hadnt heard from him in a day and a half, she said.

And he called me crying and he said, I had a heart attack.

He is badly in need of help. Im dreadfully worried about him. Hes completely on his own.

She added: There was no actual contact from Meghan and she has not spoken with my father since the heart attack. I dont know why, Im not blaming her.

She then took to Twitter to accuse the paper of making it all up.

Samantha Markle, on Loose Women this week

On the eve of the wedding she then told a British tabloid she was in talks with Hollywood executives to make a film or television series of her book, entitled The Diary of Princess Pushys Sister.

I have been approached to sell the rights, she said.

My book is more of a sociological journey.

Its paralleled my sisters life being doubly marginalised as a biracial woman. It does talk about our family, but it has never been gossipy at all.

Ms Markle's cousin

Ms Markles cousin, Noel Rasmussen, the 19-year-old daughter of Samantha Markle, was also not invited to the ceremony, but made a deal with a tabloid newspaper to travel from her home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and be in London for the day.

Meghan looked so beautiful. Im thrilled by how popular she is here, she said.

Miss Rasmussen, an anthropology student, lives with her grandmother Rosalyn Markle and is estranged from her mother.

She said she was embarrassed by her mothers behaviour, and that of her uncle Thomas, Ms Markles half-brother.

Were just regular people  then all of a sudden Meghan began dating Prince Harry and it has been crazy ever since, she told The Mirror.

Theyre just really feeling hurt and they dont know how to deal with it. Im OK with not having been invited, I just want her to be happy.

Shell be a great wife and a great ambassador for America.

Ms Markle's half-brother

Like Miss Rasmussen, Thomas, 51, was in London, having been flown in by a British tabloid.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle Credit: PA

So too was his ex-wife Tracy Dooley, arriving this week from her home in Oregon, accompanied by her son Thomas  soon to launch his own brand of Markle Sparkle cannabis.

Royal wedding day pictures: Best photos from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's ceremony and reception

Ms Dooley, who has not seem Ms Markle in 20 years, said on social media she was having a blast  despite being dropped by ITV at the 11th hour from their royal wedding coverage.

Ms Markle's aunt and cousin

Her aunt and cousin watched the ceremony live at their home in Sandton, Florida  before leaving to celebrate with a Burger King breakfast, eaten while wearing the fast-food chains paper crowns.

Theresa Markle, 67, is married to Frederick, 76  Ms Markles fathers older brother.

He is also known as Bishop Dismas, and leads the tiny Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church of America, close to the Florida home.

Mrs Markle was spotted leaving the house on Saturday morning with their son Nick, 38, who lives with them.

He told DailyMail.com that the family had watched the ceremony live on television.

The couple have another son, David, 35, who lives in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, with his wife Jackie, 43, and their three sons. He is believed to be a United Stated Air Force veteran who now works in a local school.

Ms Markle's father's first wife

Mr Markles first wife Roslyn, the mother of Meghan's older half-brother and sister, said that she got up at 3am to watch the royal wedding from her home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

She said the ceremony was absolutely beautiful, adding: I wish them all the best. I hope they go on to have a long and happy union.

She divorced Mr Markle in 1976, after he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Hollywood.

And she told the Mail Online that she imagined her former husband would have been emotional watching the scenes unfold.

I'm sorry that her father missed out on this joyous occasion, she said.

I know he was watching and was a bit tearful  but he was very proud.

And those who chose to sleep instead...

But some of Ms Markles extended family had decided that the time difference was simply too much.

Ava Burrows, her maternal step-grandmother, lives in Indio, California, and said it was too early for her.

A statement from Ms. Meghan Markle: pic.twitter.com/TjBNarmuBU  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 17, 2018

Her uncle Michael, 78, a retired diplomat, said he was recording it to watch later.

It's a little early for me. I usually wake up about 8am, he said.

So, I'll record the whole thing and I might watch some of it later. Those things can get boring after a while with the horses and all that stuff.

The most stylish guests from Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle

If my wife were alive  she passed away six years ago  she'd be up at 4am.

And my mom, Meghan's grandmother, would be very excited about this. She would be shocked.
Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani says the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with Trump's campaign could end by September 1.

Giuliani said the office of Robert Mueller -- the special counsel who is leading the investigation -- plans to end the investigation by then, and had shared the timeline some two weeks ago, The New York Times reported Sunday.

Fox News quoted Giuliani as saying that Mueller told Trump's legal team the investigation could be over by September 1, although the timeline was contingent upon the special counsel interviewing the president by mid-July.

Giuliani said he wants the investigation over by that time so it does not affect Republicans' chances in congressional mid-term elections in November, Fox reported.

"You don't want another repeat of the 2016 election where you get contrary reports at the end and you don't know how it affected the election," Giuliani told the Times.

Former FBI director James Comey -- fired by Trump last year -- announced that the bureau would reopen an investigation into Hillary Clinton's misuse of a private email server just 11 days before the 2016 presidential vote, a move that may have helped cost her the election.

Trump, who has repeatedly described the investigation as a "witch hunt," views it as a stain on his presidency and wants it over.

His former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, his first national security advisor Michael Flynn and an assortment of campaign aides have all been caught in Mueller's investigation, variously pleading guilty, cutting a plea deal or fighting the case in court.

But a year after the probe began, the big questions remain unanswered: Did Trump's campaign collude with the Kremlin to skew the 2016 election? What did the president know and when did he know it? Did he obstruct justice? Can a sitting president be indicted?




Meghan Markles wedding dress fetched the bride comparisons to Audrey Hepburn and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Now its designer is giving royal-watchers intimate new details about her show-stopping creation.

Kensington Palace has just released sketches of the Givenchy haute couture gown, which was designed by Clare Waight Keller. The sketches offer a closer look at the dresss clean silhouette, bateau neckline, and lengthy train.

Sketches of The Duchess of Sussexs #RoyalWedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller, have been released. The Duchess and Ms. Waight Keller worked closely together on the design, epitomising a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic House of Givenchy. pic.twitter.com/A9ZFKVZmUz  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 20, 2018

The palace notes that Markle and Waight Keller sought out a timeless, minimal elegance. The 16-foot-long silk tulle veil, meanwhile, paid homage to the British Commonwealth with its floral embroidery.

Ms. Waight Keller designed a veil representing the distinctive flora of all 53 Commonwealth countries united in one spectacular floral composition. Find out more about the design, the fabric and the veil of the #RoyalWedding dress: https://t.co/flDwgm4LUp pic.twitter.com/0t7MWZ3BpF  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 20, 2018

It is truly an honor to have been given the opportunity to closely collaborate with Meghan Markle on such a remarkable occasion, the British-born Waight Keller, who also designed the bridesmaid dresses, said in a press release.

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Clare Waight Keller, designer at Givenchy, created Markles dress. (Photo: Hannah McKay/Pool/Reuters)

We wanted to create a timeless piece that would emphasize the iconic codes of Givenchy throughout its history, as well as convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts. In contrast, the delicate floral beauty of the veil was a vision Meghan and I shared, a special gesture embracing the commonwealth flora, ascending the circumference of the silk tulle.

As a British designer at a Parisian Haute Couture house, and on behalf of all us at Givenchy who have been able to experience such an extraordinary process of creativity, I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished and grateful to Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and Kensington Palace for allowing us to be part of this historical chapter, she continued.

It has been an immensely rewarding experience to get to know Meghan on a personal level, one I will forever carry with me. The House of Givenchy joins me in wishing her and Prince Harry every wish of happiness in their future.

Meghan Markles lengthy veil featured a nod to the Commonwealth countries. (Photo: Andrew Matthews/AFP/Getty Images)

In an interview Sunday, Waight Keller told the media that Prince Harry was bowled over by the gown.

I think everybody saw on television he was just absolutely in awe, she said. I think she looked incredible. He came straight up to me and said: Oh my God, thank you. She looks absolutely stunning.

She is just exactly what you see on TV, Waight Keller added of the bride. She is just so genuine and warm and radiant. She is just glowing. And shes a strong woman. She knows what she wants and really it was an absolute joy working with her.

I think she really admired the fact that I was a woman designer and the many companies I have worked for, British companies and international companies and the fact that I am a working mother played into it as well, so that was maybe part of her story.

For all things royal wedding, from details on Meghan Markles dress to cute pictures of Prince George and Princess Charlotte, click here. Want to relive every moment? Watch it all here.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

These Meghan Markle style bloggers are quietly fueling the fashion industry

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Four teenaged students calling for increased gun control were arrested during a sit-in at the U.S. Capitol on Friday afternoon following the deadly school shooting in Texas that left 10 dead and 10 others wounded.

The students, members of Montgomery County Students for Gun Control based in Maryland, were protesting outside the office of House Speaker Paul Ryan, urging him to put forward additional gun control legislation before he retires.

Four out of eight of the students who attended the protest were arrested and charged with misdemeanor offenses of "crowding, obstructing," according to The U.S. Capitol Police.

Trending: Food Cravings Could Be Cut With Magnetic Brain Stimulation, New Obesity Study Shows

More than 400,000 viewers watched the protest unfold via live stream. The students, who were outnumbered by uniformed officers, quietly laid down in a hallway of the congressional building, wearing taped signs that read "allow the vote." One of several officers monitoring the scene told the students that "any further demonstrating will result in arrest," but four of the students remained stationary and didn't respond.

About 20 minutes into the video, police officers can be seen arresting the students, using what appear to be plastic zip ties as a substitute for handcuffs.

Daniel Gelillo, a member of Montgomery County Students for Gun Control, did not attend the protest but posted pictures of the incident to Twitter. In an interview with Newsweek, Gelillo said his group knew protesting might lead to arrest, as it had for other students staging gun control demonstrations in the wake of a series of shootings at school campuses across the country.

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"It's important to take a stand because the needle is not going to move on this issue unless we take action, mobilize, and inform people now," Gelillo said. "...Putting your body on the line is a small price to pay to make sure that others don't have to die, in my opinion."

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The arrest of the four students sparked outrage on Twitter. David Hogg, a student survivor from Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in Parkland, Florida, praised the students on Twitter and lambasted Ryan for failing to support the students.

According to Rosie Silvers, one of the arrested students, Representative Jamie Raskin sat with the teenagers while they waited in a holding cell.

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"I represent high school students who have done more to advance the cause of gun safety in one day than Speaker Ryan has done in the entire 115th Congress," Raskin later tweeted. "Proud of all of you organizers for your actions today & every day."

Although the students have been advocating for increased gun control for several months, Friday's protest was in direct response to the devastating shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas. Police arrested Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a 17-year-old student, who allegedly shot and killed nine students and one teacher and also planted explosive devices on school grounds.

Student gun control protests

Alex Wong/Getty Images

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Tal Maarouf (Syria) (AFP) - Thirteen-year-old Hassan may have committed atrocities for the Islamic State group, but instead of jailing him immediately, the Kurdish authorities in northeastern Syria enrolled him in a rehabilitation centre.

He was one of around 80 teenagers sporting trainers and tracksuits as they filled their lungs with chilly morning air in the courtyard of the Hori Centre in Tal Maarouf.

Aged 12 to 17, they had all been detained by Kurdish fighters or the US-led Western forces who supported them during the battle to destroy the jihadists' self-styled "caliphate".

Some are children of IS families, whose parents may be in jail, while others were directly recruited -- forcibly or voluntarily -- by the jihadist group.

After their capture, they were selected for "rehabilitation" in line with the "second chance policy" of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) which controls the region.

Local officials admit their prisons are full and say they are hoping a constructive approach can help mend ties with local tribes that once backed the jihadists.

It was early 2018 when Hassan checked into the Hori Centre, months after the opening of the sprawling complex of red-brick rooms and dorms framing a rectangular lawn.

As the son of a senior IS commander in the Syrian city of Raqa, once the de facto capital of the jihadists' proto-state, he regularly witnessed beheadings.

The Kurdish forces who captured him found a picture that shows him proudly holding a severed head, but whether the boy ever killed anyone himself isn't clear.

"When he arrived, like many of them, he didn't say hi, didn't shake our hands and didn't look us in the eye," said Roka Khalil, one of the centre's two directors.

- 'Easily fixed' -

The centre is run by two secular women and its boarders are asked to shave and give up their traditional garments for Western-style clothes.

Moving there was a culture shock for Hassan.

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Like other teenagers IS called the "cubs of the caliphate", he had been subjected to the group's efforts to impose its brand of violence and religious conservatism on an entire generation.

Now, some of those youngsters are housed in dormitories where they have no access to phones or the internet but where staff are available day and night, said Abir Khaled, the centre's co-director.

"We consider them as humans, as victims of the war," she said.

While most of the children are Syrian, the centre also hosts former "cubs" from countries including Turkey and Indonesia.

Their days follow a strict routine that includes a lot of sport, particularly volleyball, various chores on the compound and workshops training them to become barbers and tailors.

Also central to the rehabilitation process is a curriculum that includes history, geography, Arabic and Kurdish classes, as well as a "morality" class.

Many have experienced poverty, received very little education and grew up in tough family environments.

Four of them were dispatched by IS to carry out a suicide operation but surrendered instead, according to the centre's staff.

"It shows that their ideology is not that deep, and can be easily fixed," said Khalil.

- Music replaces 'paradise' -

A third of the Hori Centre's "guests" have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from six months to seven years, but Kurdish authorities believe they can be rehabilitated if they are given a supportive environment.

If their conduct is good at Hori, their sentences may be reduced and they could be released to their families within months.

Hassan is now awaiting trial and Khalil said he may be given a term of up to three years, although that could be reduced.

The Hori Centre's egalitarian and social values are directly inspired by those of the jailed leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan.

The charismatic leader, who has been imprisoned by Turkey since 1999, is the main ideological reference of the PYD, whose armed branch controls swathes of northern and eastern Syria.

Ocalan's portrait is plastered all over the region, where supporters see him as a visionary leader but his critics denounce him as a Marxist autocrat -- or even a terrorist.

The self-proclaimed Kurdish administration insists the Hori Centre is not designed to implant PYD ideology in the heads of its young boarders, replacing one brainwashing with another.

Yet at Qamishli's Alaya prison, which AFP was allowed to visit and where some of Hori's "patients" were previously detained, the wooden models carved by inmates were often in the image of Ocalan.

Khalil said it was too early to describe the centre's activities as a success, but stressed that results were already tangible.

"Today, lots of them come to talk to us by themselves," she said.

"Hassan doesn't insult his classmates any more when there is a dispute, he doesn't believe in paradise and the virgins any more, he even listens to music."
Buenos Aires (AFP) - With consensus on sensitive issues such as Iran, Syria or the Palestinians appearing elusive, G20 foreign ministers will focus on the fight against terrorism and climate change when they meet Monday in Buenos Aires, France said.

The talks will seek to strengthen cooperation "on the big issues on the international agenda, in particular the fight against terrorism and the fight against climate change," the French foreign ministry said Sunday.

At the initiative of Argentina and the United States, a statement will be issued on Sunday's election in crisis-hit Venezuela, in which President Nicolas Maduro is seeking a second term but which has been boycotted by the opposition.

While Syria, Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be on the agenda, ministers are not expecting to reach consensus.

Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will represent the United States.

In the absence of EU's foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva, whose country holds the body's rotating presidency, will be attending.

It is only the second meeting of foreign ministers from the G20 -- its state leaders, finance ministers and central bankers meet much more often -- following talks in Hamburg in 2017.

This year's G20 summit will take place in Buenos Aires November 30-December 1.
After at least 10 people were shot and killed at a school in Santa Fe, Texas, the states lieutenant governor said the problem may have been that there were too many entrances and exits at the building for guards to monitor  as opposed to, say, easy access to guns.

The attack, which left 10 others wounded, took place on Friday morning at Santa Fe High School. At a press conference later that day, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said that in order to prevent other such shootings, officials may have to look at the design of our schools.

There are too many entrances and too many exits to our 8,000 campuses in Texas. There arent enough people to put a guard at every entrance and exit, he said, adding that limiting entrances to one or two could allow law enforcement to look at everyone who enters.

Had there been one single entrance possibly for every student, maybe he would have been stopped, Patrick said, referring to the suspected shooter, who, he added, was wearing a long coat with a shotgun under it on a 90-degree day.

Were going to have to be creative. Were going to have to think out of the box, he continued, suggesting that schools might change their start times so not all students arrive at once. Referring to discussions on mass shootings that Gov. Greg Abbott has requested, Patrick said, Thats why the governor is calling for the roundtable, to discuss every option.

TX Lt Gov Dan Patrick, a fierce opponent of gun control, says today's shooting may have been caused by Texas schools having "too many entrances and too many exits." pic.twitter.com/tLByRqL6oX  David Mack (@davidmackau) May 18, 2018

People on Twitter were quick to remark that having only one exit in a building holding about 1,500 students plus teachers and other staffers might not be so safe  for instance, by making it harder for people to get out in the event of a fire or shooting.

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That has to be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. Ask any fire chief.  Susan Trefry  (@strefry) May 18, 2018

Does he know about fires? Can somebody clue him in?  Jillian Rahtore (@b_bbakery) May 18, 2018

Also, in the event of a school shooting, not sure if creating a situation where people cant try to get out through the other doors is a great idea.  Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 18, 2018

People also called out Patrick  a staunch defender of open-carry laws and fewer gun regulations  for saying out of the box solutions were needed, as opposed to gun control legislation.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick suggests reconsidering "the design of our schools," saying "there are too many entrances and too many exits."

Great idea..like shooting fish in a barrel. GUNS ARE KILLING KIDS, NOT DOORS. pic.twitter.com/hepa32yTxV  Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) May 18, 2018

Guns don't kill people. Doors kill people (by making it harder to flee shooters). https://t.co/JcyRW2O72c  Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) May 18, 2018

So blame the entrances and exits now? And the long coats? But not the easy access to guns?



What happens if there's a massive fire and kids are trapped and/or trampled to death because there is only one entrance/exit?  Andie #BlueTsunami (@RealPA_Voter) May 18, 2018

A bold call for door control. https://t.co/0FN9dLwO7i  Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) May 18, 2018

HuffPost reached out to Patricks office for comment but did not immediately get a response.

This was the 22nd school shooting in the U.S. so far this year  an average of more than one per week.

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Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, warned Republicans Friday that unmasking an FBI mole who fed information to the Russia probe would be potentially illegally.

"It would be at best irresponsible, and at worst potentially illegal, for members of Congress to use their positions to learn the identity of an FBI source for the purpose of undermining the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in our election," said Warner.

GettyImages-683864378

Getty Images

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"Anyone who is entrusted with our nations highest secrets should act with the gravity and seriousness of purpose that knowledge deserves," he added.

The warning comes after Republican allies of President Donald Trump seized on a report that an FBI informant provided information to investigators probing allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that the informant met top Trump aides including Carter Page and George Papadopoulos, Trump campaign foreign policy officials who also met with Russian government-linked contacts during the 2016 presidential campaign.

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The president alleged that the Obama administration was behind a plot to implant the informant, describing the revelation as bigger than Watergate. U.S. officials have told CNN that the informant was not implanted in the Trump campaign.

The FBI is reportedly working to limit the fallout from the revelation, with the Washington Post reporting Thursday that the congressional GOP was determined to expose the identity of the mole.

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Intelligence officials told the publication that the agency is battling to limit the impact on other investigations the source has taken part in if the person's identity is exposed.

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Khartoum (AFP) - The chief of the UN peacekeeping force in Darfur on Sunday expressed regret over recent clashes in Sudan's western war-torn region, which he said has left villages burnt and people displaced.

The latest fighting, in the Jebel Marra mountains, came despite a ceasefire unilaterally announced by Khartoum in March, applying to Darfur and another conflict in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

The fighting had erupted in Jebel Marra between the Sudanese government forces and the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid rebel group, said the African Union-United Nations joint peacekeeping mission in Darfur, also known as UNAMID.

"UNAMID appeals to all parties involved to exercise restraint and resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue and the peace process," UNAMID chief Jeremiah Mamabolo said in a statement issued after he visited the mission's temporary operating base in the town of Golo in Jebel Marra.

"We particularly regret the new displacements and the burning of villages such as Gobbo, Kawara, Kimingtong in South Darfur as well as other villages in the Rokero locality in Central Darfur."

Washington too had condemned the fighting, which it said has resulted in thousands of new displacement of civilians.

An insurgency began in Darfur in 2003, as rebels rose up against Sudan's government, accusing it of marginalisation.

Khartoum cracked down on rebels and since then insurgent groups have fragmented, with fighting punctuated by periods of relative calm.

Khartoum restricts international media access to Darfur, an area about the size of France, so it is not possible to independently verify the details of fighting there.

In recent years the level of violence has significantly dropped across Darfur, with Khartoum insisting that the conflict has ended in the region.

The UNAMID mission too is being downscaled, now standing at around 10,000 uniformed personnel from a peak of about 27,000.

The United Nations says that over the years the conflict has killed about 300,000 people and displaced more than 2.5 million, with many having set up home over the last decade and a half in sprawling semi-permanent camps.

A separate conflict erupted in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, both bordering South Sudan, in 2011.
Within just hours of the school shooting that left 10 dead in Santa Fe, Texas, Friday, efforts were afoot to use social media to spread disinformation about the shooter and his actions. Many of those disinformation campaigns seemed focused primarily on politicizing the event, though what little is reliably known of the shooter presents an unclear picture of his political sentiments.

Within an hour of the shooting, according to the Washington Post, fake profiles had been created of the shooter which depicted him as a Hillary Clinton supporter, and part of the loose anti-fascist activist coalition known as 'Antifa.'

Fake news con artists already creating fake facebook page to paint the shooter as a Hillary supporting Antifa kid. #nodecency pic.twitter.com/Q7IqD74yNW  Chris Sampson (@TAPSTRIMEDIA) May 18, 2018

Conspiracy theories and hoaxes about the events in Santa Fe also started circulating almost immediately. The fact-checking site Snopes has identified spreading claims that the shooting was a "false flag," or an event engineered by powerful, shadowy figures toward political ends. Those ideas have become increasingly mainstream thanks to the likes of broadcaster Alex Jones, who previously accused the victims of the Parkland school shooting of being 'crisis actors, and far-right provocateur Laura Loomer.

The doctor speaking to media outside the hospital in Santa Fe, TX where victims of a school shooting were taken today said they just had a "mass casualty drill" at the hospital around the same time of the school drill. I'm sorry, but I can't help but notice these "coincidences". https://t.co/OdGX7ewFuX  Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) May 18, 2018

Snopes, responding to Loomers implication that an emergency drill suggested that the shooting itself was staged, pointed out that such drills are now held every several weeks at Santa Fe High School, specifically because such shootings have become so frequent. Reporting by found that those drills may have saved lives during Fridays attack.

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While these claims are often made by real humans, they are likely amplified by automated social media bots. As of Saturday afternoon, "Santa Fe" was the top phrase being used by Twitter bots tracked by the site Bot Sentinel. Top hashtags, topics, mentions and retweets tracked by the site skew heavily toward pro-Trump, far-right, and conspiracy theory messages.

That suggests that bots, which are among the tools reportedly used by "Russian "troll farms," are being used to leverage the Santa Fe shootings, spread misleading information, and deepen American political divides. Many 'crisis actor' and 'false flag' conspiracy theories assert, implicitly or explicitly, that mass shootings are engineered to restrict American gun rights - an issue which, alongside abortion, is perhaps the most divisive in America today.

The real motives behind the Texas shooting aren't currently much more clear-cut. Dimitrios Pagourtzis, who has reportedly confessed to the attack, posted images to his actual social media accounts of a jacket he may have worn during the shooting, bearing pins including a German Iron Cross, a Soviet hammer and sickle, and Cthulhu, a science-fictional monster. What is clear is his preoccupation with guns and violence - he posted various images of weapons and a t-shirt reading "Born to Kill," and expressed plans to join the military.

Controlling misleading news and hate speech has over the past two years become an overriding concern for social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Facebook last year said that it would massively expand its content screening and security operations, and both Twitter and Facebook have become more aggressive in censuring and suspending bad actors, recently including Alex Jones.

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President Donald Trump attacked the credibility of special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation once again on Sunday, encouraging Republicans and real Americans to start getting tough on the federal probe.

In a flurry of tweets, Trump bashed the investigation into Russias interference in the 2016 presidential election, claiming its a scam that has cost nearly $20 million. Five days earlier, Trump tweeted it cost $10 million; the new reference may include the amount his own budget set aside for the probe for the 2019 fiscal year.

As he has before, Trump accused the probes investigators of being biased against him, claiming they were 13 Angry and Heavily Conflicted Democrats. He failed to mention Mueller is a Republican. In another familiar pattern, his tweets fixated on Hillary Clinton and her 2016 presidential campaign associates.

Things are really getting ridiculous. The Failing and Crooked (but not as Crooked as Hillary Clinton) @nytimes has done a long & boring story indicating that the Worlds most expensive Witch Hunt has found nothing on Russia & me so now they are looking at the rest of the World!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

....At what point does this soon to be $20,000,000 Witch Hunt, composed of 13 Angry and Heavily Conflicted Democrats and two people who have worked for Obama for 8 years, STOP! They have found no Collussion with Russia, No Obstruction, but they arent looking at the corruption...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

...in the Hillary Clinton Campaign where she deleted 33,000 Emails, got $145,000,000 while Secretary of State, paid McCabes wife $700,000 (and got off the FBI hook along with Terry M) and so much more. Republicans and real Americans should start getting tough on this Scam.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

Now that the Witch Hunt has given up on Russia and is looking at the rest of the World, they should easily be able to take it into the Mid-Term Elections where they can put some hurt on the Republican Party. Dont worry about Dems FISA Abuse, missing Emails or Fraudulent Dossier!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

What ever happened to the Server, at the center of so much Corruption, that the Democratic National Committee REFUSED to hand over to the hard charging (except in the case of Democrats) FBI? They broke into homes & offices early in the morning, but were afraid to take the Server?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

....and why hasnt the Podesta brother been charged and arrested, like others, after being forced to close down his very large and successful firm? Is it because he is a VERY well connected Democrat working in the Swamp of Washington, D.C.?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018

Trumps latest Twitter rant against the Mueller investigation follows a damning report published Friday by The New York Times about Donald Trump Jr., the presidents eldest son, and his August 2016 meeting with an envoy representing the crown princes of United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The envoy offered to help the Trump presidential campaign, according to the Times.

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Trump and his legal team have repeatedly called for an end to Muellers investigation, which entered its second year this month. Mueller was appointed by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to lead the Russia investigation after Trump fired former FBI director James Comey a year ago this month.

Trumps tweets Sunday mark his latest efforts to undermine the Justice Department and the U.S. intelligence community  a tactic he has used repeatedly since several federal agencies jointly determined the Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in order to help Trump win.

As many are now finding out, however, there was tremendous leaking, lying and corruption at the highest levels of the FBI, Justice & State, Trump tweeted in March. The Mueller probe should never have been started in that there was no collusion and there was no crime.

Despite Trumps repeated attacks, the majority of Americans have said they support Muellers probe into possible collusion between Trumps 2016 presidential campaign and Russia, according to a poll conducted in April by The Washington Post and ABC News.

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(Photo: Reuters/ Jonathan Ernst)

Donald Trump was so excited to welcome the first lady home from the hospital that he misspelled his own wifes name in a tweet Saturday.

And Twitter couldnt be happier.

Trump referred to his wife as Melanie instead of Melania, as in Melanie is doing and feeling really well after treatment for a kidney condition. It was quickly corrected to Melania, but Twitterdom roared. (The first ladys spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said Melania was resting comfortably back home and in high spirits.)

Melanie quickly trended on Twitter. Most of the responses were on the order of please tell us about this Melanie, with others wondering if she had contacted Stormy Daniels attorney, Michael Avenatti.

Check out the rest of the digs:

Wonderful. But do tell us more about this Melanie.  Jarrett Bellini (@JarrettBellini) May 19, 2018

Did you get Melanie out of the house in time?  Lawrence C (@LawrenceCowie) May 19, 2018

Melanie is probably someone else who signed an NDA.  Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) May 19, 2018

Melanie has already contacted Michael Avenatti.  Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) May 19, 2018

Nothing but respect for our incredible First Lady Melanie. pic.twitter.com/glmXUQdAn6  Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 19, 2018

Melania Melania Melania.



Nopeit doesnt autocorrect to Melanie.  Miriam Heddy  (@miri_iron) May 19, 2018

Donald Trump has had so many mistresses he cant even remember his own wifes name anymore. Its not Melanie, you Dotard!  Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) May 19, 2018

I know Donald Trump is trying to upstage the Royal Wedding, but I think its rude that he got married to Melanie just five days after Melania vanished.  Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) May 19, 2018

When your husband calls you Melanie and thats not your name: pic.twitter.com/xskWiDTroF  Protect Robert Mueller  (@DisavowTrump20) May 19, 2018

Im just relieved that he accidentally said Melanie and not Ivanka.  Sarcasticsapien (@Sarcasticsapien) May 19, 2018

I say Tomato you say Tomahto

I say Melania you Melanie

I say HIV you say HPV

Let's call the whole presidency off  NIK VENTURE (@NIK_VENTURE) May 19, 2018

Melanie is home in the White House. Donald, Jr. is heading to the Big House. https://t.co/aGCCb5z1q7  The Daily Edge (@TheDailyEdge) May 19, 2018

I hope Melanie gets full custody of Barrot.  Michael Blackman (@mikerblackman) May 19, 2018

Also on HuffPost

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday nominated Admiral Harry Harris, head of the U.S. Pacific Command, as U.S. ambassador to South Korea ahead of a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un scheduled next month but since called into question by Pyongyang. If confirmed by the Senate, Harris would fill a post that has been vacant since Trump took office in January 2017. Harris was initially nominated by Trump to be U.S. ambassador to Australia but was asked last month by Mike Pompeo, now secretary of state, to take the post in Seoul instead, as diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis over North Korea's nuclear weapons intensified. His formal nomination, announced by the White House, comes days after North Korea raised doubts about whether an unprecedented June 12 summit in Singapore between Kim Jong Un and Trump would go ahead, and Pyongyang called off talks with South Korea, whose president, Moon Jae-in, is due to meet Trump at the White House on Tuesday. Despite professed unity, Trump has often taken a harder line on North Korea than Moon, and the U.S. president has repeatedly criticized South Korea over trade while questioning the usefulness of the long-standing U.S. alliance with Seoul. On Thursday, Trump sought to placate North Korea after it threatened to call off the summit, saying Kim's security would be guaranteed in any deal and that his country would not suffer the fate of Muammar Gaddafi's Libya.But in rambling comments mixing words of reassurance with threat, Trump also stressed that North Korea would have to abandon its nuclear weapons and warned that if no deal was reached, it could be "decimated" like Libya or Iraq. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said, "Nothing's changed on that front" when asked on Friday whether there were any new developments related to the summit, which would be the first between U.S. and North Korean leaders. "Were continuing to move forward and make plans," she told reporters, echoing Trump's comments from a day earlier. "And if the meeting happens, it happens. And if it doesnt, then well see from there. Harris, who is known for hawkish views on China's military expansion, told the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee in March that Washington could not be overly optimistic about the outcome of a Trump-Kim summit and must go into it with "eyes wide open." He said he was encouraged by the prospect of a summit, but North Korea remained the biggest Asia-Pacific security threat. Pompeo told his Senate confirmation hearing for the post of secretary of state last month that filling Seoul and a handful of other diplomatic posts required "immediate attention." The White House said in February it was no longer considering Victor Cha, a former official who questioned the wisdom of a preventative military strike on North Korea that was mulled by the administration earlier this year. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom, Eric Beech and Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Washington (AFP) - The United States denounced the presidential elections in Venezuela Sunday as illegitimate, rejecting President Nicolas Maduro's bid for a new mandate amid the worst crisis in the country's history.

Polls opened early Sunday in Venezuela in elections boycotted by the main opposition parties, and heavily criticized by the United States, the European Union and many Latin American governments.

"Sham elections change nothing. We need Venezuelan people running this country...a nation with so much to offer the world," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted.

In the tweet, Pompeo also called on the Maduro government to free Joshua Holt, an American missionary who was detained in 2016 accused of plotting against the government.

Holt surfaced Wednesday in a video appeal for help during a protest by jailed opposition prisoners held by the country's feared SEBIN intelligence service.

President Donald Trump's administration has ratcheted up pressure on the Maduro regime, sanctioning members of the leftist regime and targeting its ability to borrow in the US financial markets.

On Friday, the US Treasury Department slapped sanctions on Socialist Party boss Diosdado Cabello, Maduro's number two, accusing him of working with other sanctioned individuals to move drugs through Venezuela.

About 20 million people are eligible to vote in Sunday's elections, which Maduro is favored to win despite 75 percent disapproval of his government by Venezuelans facing dire shortages of food and medicine, cuts in power and water, and soaring crime.

"Venezuela's so-called elections today are not legitimate," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said on Twitter.

"The United States stands with democratic nations around the world in support of the Venezuelan people and their sovereign right to elect their representatives through free and fair elections."
Look at the 15 members of the allegedly new PLO Executive Committee. They didnt have to run around the villages of the West Bank, collecting votes. In Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas quid pro quo system, he rewarded a group of disciplined people, summoned them like thieves in the night between Thursday and Friday, without elections and without a vote, and sent the media a group photo.

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Three Palestinian journalists insisted on informing the public that the average age of the group of dinosaurs in the Executive Committee, led by Abbas, is 70 years. The young generation isnt represented. The rais couldnt care less them and would rather ignore them. Only obedient people like Saeb Erekat and functionaries like Azzam al-Ahmad are rewarded. A total of 14 men and Hanan Ashrawi, who wouldnt dream of rebelling against Abbas dictatorship. If anyone tries to make any demands, they will knock on his door in the wee hours of the night or kick him out. Ask Mohammad Dahlan, Salam Fayyad, Yasser Abed Rabbo and others, who were flown thousands of kilometers away at Abbas order.

It took Abbas five days to understand that he is jeopardizing the donor countries aid funds and getting in trouble with the White House and with the EU (Photo: Reuters)

Oh, we almost forgot. After the money lenders speech, which angered almost the entire world, we did find a young Palestinian woman in a highly regarded institution in Ramallah after all. Seventeen-year-old Ahed Tamimi, the one who slapped IDF soldiers, was selected as an honorary member of the Palestinian National Council. Another idea from Abbas creative mind, aimed at teasing the Israelis.

Two years ago, in this column, I called on Abbas to resign. Your time is up, I said to him, youre no ones partner. I received hundreds of responses, and the Arab media translated and quoted the article without a single word of reservation. More and more people understand that the other side wants him to go too. After all, Abbas has cracked the formula of the Arab worlds rulers club. You dont walk out on a position that grants you, if you know how to exploit it, many financial benefits. Ask Tareq and Yasser Abbas, his sons.

I wont go back to the speech or to the apology. As far as were concerned, there is no and there will be no forgiveness. It took Abbas five days to understand that he is jeopardizing the donor countries aid funds, and that he is getting in trouble with the White House and with the European Union. Meanwhile, he heard some small, cautious rebukes from the group surrounding him in the Muqataa.

Abbas and al-Sisi. Everyone has had enough of him (Photo: AFP PHOTO/ PPO / THAER GHANEM)

I know that at least three Executive Committee members, who begged me not to disclose their names, understood the trouble he was getting them into. While Israel argues about the nuclear documents, Abbas blasts the Israelis. No one is going to meet with him.

And there is no need to explain that it wasnt a slip of the tongue or a temper tantrum like his may your house come to ruin attack on US President Donald Trump. Abbas did his homework and knew who he chose to quote. He could have guessed that the Israelis would be furious. The pretend apology he was dragged into is unconvincing and will do no good.

With just a few words, he could have announced that he was cancelling the security coordination between the Palestinian Authority and Israel and presented his arguments, and the world would have woken up in his favor. Everyone would have immediately started courting him. All those who are attacking him over his horrific description of Jews sent to the gas chambers because of their despicable professions, according to his thesis, would have been alarmed by the fauda (chaos) that could have erupted.

But Abbas is no fool. Make no mistake. He isnt senile either. He thinks he knows where the pressure should be exerted. Its quite possible that thats how he has chosen to enter the Palestinian history books, as a Holocaust denier (despite the apology).

The Israelis, however, are not the only ones who have had enough of Abbas. The kings palace in Saudi Arabia, the kings palace in Jordan, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisis headquarters in Cairo and the Gulf emiratesnone of them will shed a tear if he resigns. Theyve already realized that he has no power, no vision and no integrity. He is a pain in everyones neck.
MK Ayman Odeh (Joint List) clashed Saturday afternoon with police officers who prevented him from visiting patients accused of rioting.

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Odeh, who visited the Bnei Zion Hospital in Haifa, asked to visit the director general of the nonprofit Mossawa Center, which promotes equality for Arab citizens in Israel, after he was injured and arrested in a protest that turned violent the day before.

Odeh was denied entry to his room by police officers posted to guard him, as they were instructed to let the detainee receive guests in his room. Odeh identified himself as a member of the Knesset, but when that failed to provide him entry, he grew agitated and started shouting at one of the officers' intent on not letting him pass, calling him a "zero."

Realizing the officer will not budge, Odeh, along with his posy, stormed off.

MK Odeh confronting the policeman

The policeman who suffered the verbal abuse filed a complaint against the MK for insulting a public servant.

On Friday, during a demonstration in Haifa in solidarity with the residents of Gaza and their recent protests at the strip's border with Israel, a riot broke out and the police arrested 21 of the demonstrators, two of them minors who have since been released.

"Police forces brutally oppressed the protest without any explanation," Odeh accused Friday. "(Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's government wants to silence any voice of resistance and dissent coming from here, to silence any voice that embarrasses it and its actions. I am full of appreciation for the protesters tonight and the immense sacrifice of the detainees. No police brutality will succeed in silencing us."

Footage of the incident at the hospital

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Among the detainees was Jafar Farah, a resident of Haifa who heads Mossawa. During his arrest, Farah's knee was broken.

Odeh then took to social media to express his agitation, asking, "What is he under arrest for? Why is he shackled when he is hospitalized? And why are we being prevented from asking the doctors how is he doing?"

"Soon we will demonstrate in front of the police station against its fascist activities," he continued, though stressed that the "police are only a tool in the hands of the government and its leader who lead a policy of criminal incitement against us (Arabs)."

"We will not turn our backs on our duty to our people. We will not turn back on our struggle against this criminal government," he concluded.

Footage of Friday's protest in Haifa (:  )

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The Israel Police said in response that it views "with great severity any attempt to harm a policeman, insult him and obstruct him in fulfilling his duties."

The police added that the arrests on Friday were carried out after the demonstrators disrupted public order and began destroying public property.

Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav backed the police on all counts, saying that "the right to demonstrate is not a right to anarchy and to harm public safety."

"I will not allow anyone to bring violence and intolerance into the city of Haifa. This is not the way of Haifa. It is good that the police do not allow illegal demonstrations," he affirmed, calling the demonstration an attempt to provoke confrontations and accused Odeh of exploiting the incident for political profit.
A violent Palestinian detainee facing armed robbery charges has escaped custody Saturday and is sought by the police.

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The detainee, Ahmad Daraghmeh, was recently transferred from Hadarim Detention Center to a closed ward in Lev Hasharon Mental Health Medical Center.

Ahmad Daraghmeh

According to a preliminary investigation, Daraghmeh was taken outside for a walk when he took the opportunity to escape from the medical personnel accompanying him and flee.

The Israel Police has search parties in an effort to find him. They advise caution to anyone encountering him, dubbing his behavior violent and unpredictable.

Daraghmeh was staying in Israel illegally before he was arrested for an attempted motor vehicle theft.
Hamas welcomed on Saturday the demonstrations held by the Arab sector in Haifa in solidarity with Gaza and condemned Israel's "ongoing crimes and attacks on the rights of the demonstrators."

Police arrested 21 people in Haifa on Friday night during a protest in solidarity with Gaza after demonstrators turned violent, destroying public property in their wake.
Diplomats from Europe, China and Russia are discussing a new accord to offer Iran financial aid to curb its ballistic missile development and meddling in the region, in the hope of salvaging its 2015 nuclear deal, a German newspaper reported on Sunday.

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The officials will meet in Vienna in the coming week under the leadership of senior European Union diplomat Helga Schmid to discuss next steps after the May 8 decision by US President Donald Trump to pull out of a 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, the Welt am Sonntag newspaper said, citing senior EU sources.

Germany, France, Britain, Russia and China would participate in the meeting, but the United States would not, it said. It was not immediately clear if Iranwhich has resisted calls to curb its ballistic missile program in the pastwould take part.

L to R: leaders of Germany, Russia, US, Iran, Britain and France (Photo: AP, AFP, EPA, GPO)

Under the 2015 deal, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear program in return for the lifting of most Western sanctions. One of the main complaints of the Trump administration was that the accord did not cover Irans missile program or its support for armed groups in the Middle East which the West considers terrorists.

Concluding a new agreement that would maintain the nuclear provisions and curb ballistic missile development efforts and Tehrans activities in the region could help convince Trump to lift sanctions against Iran, the paper said.

We have to get away from the name Vienna nuclear agreement and add in a few additional elements. Only that will convince President Trump to agree and lift sanctions again, the paper quoted a senior EU diplomat as saying.

No immediate comment was available from the German foreign ministry.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (Photo: EPA)

The EUs energy chief sought to reassure Iran on Saturday that the 28-member bloc remained committed to salvaging the nuclear deal, and strengthening trade with Tehran.

Officials from the EU, Germany and other countries that remain committed to the deal have said it would disastrous if EU efforts fail to preserve it.

Iran has struggled to achieve financial benefits from the deal, partly because remaining unilateral US sanctions over its missile program deterred major Western investors from doing business with Tehran.

The officials are looking for a new approach given an understanding that it would be difficult for European firms to work around new US sanctions, the newspaper reported.

It said the new deal could include billions of dollars of financial aid for Iran, in line with an EU deal that provided billions in aid to Turkey for taking in millions of migrants and closing its borders, which helped end a 2015 migrant crisis.

Iran and European powers have made a good start in talks over how to salvage the 2015 deal but much depends on what happens in the next few weeks, Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif said last week.
Eminent Jewish historian, political commentator, author and Middle East expert Bernard Lewis died Saturday at the age of 101.

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Lewis has written more than 30 books and hundreds of articles, and has specialized in the rise of radical Islam and the relations of Islamic countries with the West.

His extensive academic work has greatly influenced the West's perception of the Middle East. His critics, meanwhile, argued that his views tend to justify Western intervention.

Bernard Lewis (Photo: Oren Agmon)

Lewis was born on 31 May 1916 in London to a middle-class Jewish family.

As early as his childhood, Lewis had shown great interest in languages and history, and after his bar mitzvah he went continue his Hebrew studies. By this time he had learned Latin and French and understood Italian thanks to his father's love of the opera.

Growing up, he studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. He completed his doctorate in 1939 when he was only 23 years old.

A lifetime of research and study led him to develop his theory that friction and competition between the Islamic world and the Western world were inevitable, given the rise of extremist movements in Islam.

He thus coined the term "clash of civilizations," two years before it was made popular by American political scientist Samuel Huntington.

Lewis also argued that the source of problems in the Middle East is essentially internaland does not necessarily stem from colonialism and external interventions. He praised Islam as a wonderful religion but claimed that it was hijacked by anger and intolerance.

Lewis's arguments aroused not only admiration but opposition over the years. In 2012 he said that "for some, I'm the towering genius. For others, Im the devil incarnate."
A 20-year-old Palestinian father of two from Gaza set himself on fire Saturday night in the city's Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, all while cursing the strip's Hamas rulers who he apparently blamed for his family's poverty and the dismal economic situation in Gaza.

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The young man, Fathi Harb, survived the self-immolation, and is currently in moderate condition.

Eye witnesses saw the man dousing himself in flammable liquid shouting "damn the government" before lighting himself up. Video footage of the incident shows the young man burning alive and screaming in agony with passersby rushing to put out the flames.

Warning: graphic content.

Footage of the incident

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Fathi's family and associates emphasized that he does not suffer from mental illness, but noting he was distraught over his brother's injury in one of the " March of Return " demonstrations at the border with Israel, which are organized and promoted by Hamas.

Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of cynically using its civilians' suffering to mount international pressure on it, choosing "death over peace" and refusing to cede power to the Palestinian Authority necessary to keep its reconciliation agreement with it alive.

In Februsary, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman asserted there is no humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

"The situation in Gaza is indeed difficult, and it needs to be taken care of, but there is no humanitarian crisis," Lieberman insisted in the face of concerns raised over water and electricity shortages in the strip.

Fathi Harb

Hamas, the defense minister insisted, was to blame for the situation in Gaza, as it "spent $260 million in 2017 on rocket manufacturing and tunnel digging. Some $100 million dollars of which came from Iran, and the rest came from tax collection inside the strip and donations from various places."

"Hamas was not willing to divert even one shekel toward the water, electricity, health or education systems in the strip. Hamas is willing to sacrifice all of Gaza's residents for weapons," Lieberman said.
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, 82, was evacuated Sunday to a hospital in Ramallah and is reportedly suffering from "pneumonia and fever," according to a Palestinian source familiar with the matter.

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One Palestinian source told Ynet Abbas was rushed to the clinic after suffering chest pains.

PA President Mahmoud Abbas (Photo: EPA)

This is the second time in less than a day that the Palestinian president has been at the hospital, and the third time he was hospitalized in a week.

Abbas arrived at the hospital on Saturday to undergo a medical checkup after having a minor operation on his ear on Tuesday.

One of the hospital's directors was quoted as saying that the results of Saturday's tests were "good" and that Abu Mazen's health was "reassuring."

"He's currently admitted in the hospital. There is no connection between his arrival at the hospital (Saturday) to receive the results of the tests on his ear and his arrival (Sunday), despite the short time between the two," the source added.

Another Palestinian source claimed that the chairman of the Palestinian Authority "suffers from pneumonia and fever."

One of the directors of the Ramallah private hospital said that Abbas "is undergoing (medical) tests since the morning," but did not disclose the nature of the tests.
A Syrian army official denied reports Sunday saying Iranian nationals were killed in the series of explosions that rocked the country's Hama airfield Friday.

According to Hezbollah's military PR network announcement, the official said there was no Iranian presence at the airfield, nor were Iranian armaments there.
Parents of Jewish schoolchildren in New York are irate at a local area high school, which held a minute's silence for the memory of the 61 Palestinians killed in clashes with the IDF on the Gaza Strip's border last Monday. "Mourning Hamas terrorists? It's disgraceful," said one parent.

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The minute's silence, an initiative of one of the high school's students a day following the highest single-day death toll since 2014, amazed some of the other students and angered their parents, who wondered why the school had decided to insert itself into an issue as contentious as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a manner that was perceived by them to be so vehemently anti-Israeli.

Riots on the Gaza border last week

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"I am extremely upset because I did not send my child to a New York City public school to pray for Hamas operatives," one of the Jewish parents was quoted by the New York Post as saying.

A Palestinian rioter on the Gaza border. Students in New York City's Beacon School observed a moment of silence for the Palestinians killed near the border Monday (Photo: EPA)

Demonstrations were held almost every day last week as part of Hamas's "March of Return" campaign with Monday's tollcoinciding with the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalembeing the highest in the weeks' long campaign.

Senior Hamas official Salah Bardawil told Palestinian media Wednesday that 50 of the Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip border riots Monday belonged to the terror group's ranks. He spoke in an interview to Baladna TV, a private Palestinian news outlet.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. A senior Hamas official said that 50 of Monday's 61 Palestinian casualties belonged to the terror group (Photo: EPA)

In New York, the parents were incensed with the school playing at politics. "I just don't think any school should be promoting a moment of silence for terrorists. What if it was terrorists in (the Islamic State)?" another parent inquired. "No school would be having that over the loudspeaker."

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) sent a letter to the school demanding an apology for holding the controversial event. "It is disgraceful to mourn the deaths of Hamas terrorists," ZOA president Morton Klein said.

The school where the Gaza deaths were commemorated, the Beacon School, is located in the city's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, and is known to be politically left-leaning.

After US President Donald Trump's election win in November of 2016, for instance, some of the school's students staged a walkoutpartly approved by the faculty. Principal Ruth Lacey declined the New York Post's request for comment.

Sophie Steinberg, a Beacon School student who resides in Brooklyn, said, "As a Jewish student, I could see a lot of my Jewish friends get very weird when the moment of silence started. They don't know how to feel. They don't know how to fit into all of this."

Another student added that she had hoped the moment of silence could have been followed by some kind of discussion. "I wish there was that conversation afterwards," said Fortune Ndombo of Manhattan. "There was no follow-up."
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump held discussions on Sunday to ensure that the North Korea-US summit remains on track after North Korea threatened to pull out of the high-level talks.

Moon and Trump spoke over the phone for about 20 minutes, and exchanged their views on North Korea's recent reactions, South Korea's presidential office said without elaborating.

"The two leaders will work closely and unwaveringly for the successful hosting of the North Korea- US summit set on June 12, including the upcoming South Korea-US summit," the presidential official said.

Moon and Trump are set to meet on Tuesday in Washington before North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Trump on June 12 in Singapore.
Syrian troops fought on Sunday to crush the last pockets of resistance by Islamic State militants trapped in an enclave south of Damascus, state media said, denying a report that insurgents had begun leaving in a withdrawal agreement.

The recovery of the enclave south of Damascus would mark another milestone in President Bashar Assad's war effort, crushing the last besieged rebel enclave in western Syria.

Swathes of territory at the borders with Iraq, Turkey and Jordan, however, remain outside state control.

Syrian government forces and their allies have been battling to recover the enclave south of Damascus since defeating rebels in eastern Ghouta, also near the capital, in April.
More than 10,000 Moroccans chanting "Death to Israel" took to the streets of Casablanca on Sunday to protest against the US decision to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

The marchers carried Palestinian flags and placards that read "Al Quds (Jerusalem) Palestine's eternal capital." Most appeared to be Islamists, with women wearing headscarves and marching separately from men.
Two competing protests were held in Haifa Sunday eveningone in solidarity with the people of Gaza, demanding the release the 19 people still detained after a similar protest in the northern city Fridayand one calling for "continued coexistence."

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Among those still in custody is Jafar Farah, the director of the nonprofit Mossawa Centerwhich promotes equality for Arab citizens in Israelwhose leg was broken during Friday's rally after he was handcuffed by police officers under circumstances that have yet to be ascertained.

Friday's protest in Haifa (:  )

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The Police Investigations Unit said it will hold an inquiry into allegations of police brutality during the Haifa protest.

Mossawa Center's director Jafar Farah's leg was broken under murky circumstances, with police probing allegations of excessive force

Some 200 people participated in the solidarity protest, congregating in front of the city's magistrates' court and waving Palestinian flags. Serious police forces were on the scene.

A second protest was held in the city's German Colony, decrying "rioters who harmed the city's coexistence." A counter-protest was held a short distance away by activists from left-wing parties and groups, with police acting as barrier between the factions.

Protester waving sign saying, 'In Gaza you murdered protesters, in Haifa you break bones' (Photo: Zohar Shachar)

Forty-eight hours removed from the demonstration, which ended with the arrest of 21 people, and police are claiming they have still not been able to discover how Farah's leg was broken.

Footage of Farah before being led away by officers showed him standing on his own two feet, but he later arrived injured to a local hospital while in police custody.

The spokesmanship unit for the Coast District Police said in response that the arrests were "required to restore public order and prevent a danger to the public. All of the arrests conformed to laws and procedures."

"Despite the attempt to foment hearsay and to impugn the conduct of the policemen on the scene, the findings of the inquiry thus far show no irregularities surrounding the injury of one of the detainees," the statement continued.

The protest in Haifa Friday (Photo: Police spokesmanship)

"Unfortunately, certain entities have chosen to make cynical use of the media to disseminate libelsome of which is contradictorysurrounding police's actions. We expect all involved to conduct themselves with responsibility, to await the conclusion of the professional probe and to avoid misleading statements solely intended to incite and agitate," the police's appeal concluded.

Activists participating in Friday's protest claimed Farah's leg was broken during a confrontation with policemen surrounding their treatment of his son, 18 year old Bissan, who was also arrested on the scene.

"The squad car his son was in was involved in a car accident but he was taken into custody and was denied access to medical treatment under the claim that he was fine," one activist alleged.

(Photo: Police spokesmanship)

"Later his father arrived at the station and saw policemen beating his handcuffed son. He tried defending him, and the cops beat him as well and broke his leg," the activist maintained.

Joint List Chairman MK Ayman Odeh confronted policemen himself Saturday when he was denied entry to the Bnei Zion Hospital in Haifa, where he desired to meet Farah, who is hospitalized there.

MK Odeh confronting policeman

He was shown swearing at one of the officers present and calling him a "zero," prompting the officer to lodge a complaint against the lawmaker for insulting a public servant.

Head of the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel, former MK Mohammad Barakeh, said that police's attitude "will not deter us. We will continue our just struggle. It is the right of all people to speak their mind."

Odeh's party member MK Yousef Jabareen added that he contacted the European Union's Ambassador to Israel Emanuele Giaufret to ask him to "intercede in light of the excessive violence of police against protesters, the government's policy in Gaza and the transfer of the American Embassy (to Jerusalem)."

Joint List MK Jabareen said he contacted EU Ambassador Giaufret to intervene in the matter (Photo: Knesset spokesmanship)

Simultaneous with protests against the police and decrying the situation in Gaza, a protest held Sunday evening will champion "continued coexistence in Haifa."

Its organizers claim that protestersmost of whom are not even residents of the cityhave been trying to dismantle coexistence in Haifa over the past few days. Organizers therefore hope moderate Arab residents will show up as well to voice their support of the cause.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19)  The former Chief Justice is worried the next Ombudsman will be used in political vendetta against the government's critics.

Speaking at an event of the Soroptimist International Philippines at the Manila Hotel Saturday, Maria Lourdes Sereno said: "Pwedeng gamitin ang posisyon na 'yan upang maningil (ng) political debts at maghasik ng political vendetta."

[Translation: That position could be used to call in political debts and wreak political vendetta.]

Sereno said this poses a threat to the country.

"Kung ang Ombudsman po ay pipilian dahil lang sa pulitika delikado po, hihina ang ating democracy," Sereno said.

[Translation:If the Ombudsman will be chosen based on political alliances, it will weaken our democracy.]

If she had it her way, she would choose someone who is fair, regardless of political allegiances.

"Ang Ombudsman ang prioridad niya ay palaganap sa paglaban sa kurapsyon," Sereno added.

[Translation: The Ombudsman's priority is to fight corruption.]

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has closed the nomination and application for the replacement for Ombudsman Conchita-Morales, who is set to retire on July 26.

Carpio-Morales will hang her robes seven years after former President Benigno Aquino III appointed her to the head the anti-graft court.

Among the applicants for the post are several personalities affiliated with or appointees of President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been vocal about his disapproval of Sereno.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III earlier told CNN Philippines he is keen on taking the bigger challenge to help Duterte fight corruption.

Also vying for the post are Duterte's former legal counsel Edna Batacan, and Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires, the President's first appointee to the High Court.

The JBC has yet to announce the schedule of the public interviews.

Duterte has said he would consult the people at the Office of the Ombudsman as to who would be best for the position.

Sereno also women should be given an equal chance whether at the Office of the Ombudsman or Supreme Court.

This, after the President said Tuesday that he wanted the next Chief Justice to neither be a politician nor a woman.

Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque defended the President's comments, saying that what he heard was a question regarding the next Ombudsman.

CNN Philippines' Chad de Guzman and Pia Garcia contributed to this report.
Some 200,000 people visited nature reserves and national parks across the country on Sunday while thousands celebrated Shavuot on the Sea of Galilee's beaches.

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Israel's Nature and Parks Authority said some 20,000 of all visitors are tourists, who mainly visited heritage sites in Beit She'an, Caesarea, Masada, and Qumran, but also in the Banias, Tel Dan and Ein Gedi nature reserves.

Traditionally celebrating Shvuot (Photo: Roee Idan)

The most visited sites were Gan HaShlosha National Park with 3,500 visitors, the Ein Afek nature reserve with 3,000 visitors, Caesarea and Masada with 2,500 visitors each and, last but not least, Snir Stream with 2,000 visitors.

During the weekend, all-ages activities took place including a "chutes and ladders" activity at the Ein Prat Nature Reserve, cave tours at Beit She'arim National Park and Shavuot celebrations at the Belvoir Fortress National Park.

Despite of the extreme heat, some 6,000 people spent the night in the overnight parking lots of Hurshat Tal, Achziv, Harod Spring National Park and Ashkelon. The Palmachim and Beit Yanai beaches, meanwhile, were at full capacity by Sunday morning.

Palmachim beach at full capacity (Photo: Baruch Tamam)

The ten thousand people who visited the north of the country focused on the Sea of Galilee, HaGoshrim and Kfar Blum's kayaks and water attractions, as well as on cherry picking in the Golan Heights.

Some 70,000 people visited the Sea of Galilee, with 30,000 of them staying near the Kinneret serene beaches. The Kinneret Authority operated free shuttle services from Tiberias to the beaches and back.

Sea of Galilee's quiet beaches (Photo: Avi Moalem)

Nature and Parks Authority's representative in the Ein Gedi nature reserve Ronen Segal said, "Some of the tracks are closed due to the extremely hot weather. We advise visitors to stay close to water to cool off and to have fun as much as possible." Segal added that most of the visitors followed the Authority's instructions.

In the Upper Galilee's kibbutzim, thousands of people celebrated the Jewish harvest festival Saturday evening and Sunday morning with a traditional ceremony that included the presentation of products and crops of the past year, and displaying the Bikkurim (first fruits of the year) of the different branches of the agriculture industry.

Kibbutzim are celebrating Shavuot (Photo: Tamar Keren)

A unique ceremony in which parents lift their young babies who were born since last Shavuot also took place in the country's kibbutzim. Meir Amar, a member of the Tzora kibbutz, explained Shavuot celebrations were a long-standing tradition.

"My wife was born here, and we joined the kibbutz two years ago. Every year the kibbutz presents its products coming from various branchescrops, art and new merchandise," he added.

"Our babies are also part of our products. Our Jonathan is a new kibbutz member, and we are celebrating his arrival," he rejoiced.

Tair Levin, another member of the Tzora kibbutz, said, "The Shavuot ceremony is one of the most invested-in ceremonies in the kibbutz. It's so much fun to witness every year all of the kibbutz's members join the celebrations clad in festive whites."

Traditional festivities (Photo: Avihu Shapira)

High capacity was also noted in all resort and tourism sites across the central Arava region. Visitors enjoyed the Shavuot celebrations and other colorful events throughout the region's communities, which included singing songs, dancing and festive meals.

People mark Shavuot across the country (photo: Saleet Mivtach)

A Ynet team went to the Yarkon Park to hear how Israelis chose to mark Shavuot and received greetings, water fights and even a skewer or two.

"This year the park is less crowded," according to Galit Zil, who said she comes to the park every year with her family to have a cookout.

Israelis barbecuing in national parks (Photo: Kinneret Authority )

Roit came from Be'er Sheva to celebrate the holiday together with her husband's childhood friends and told Ynet she has so much fun in Shavuot, wishing happy holidays to all the people of Israel.

Alongside all the barbecues, the Ynet team found one family that came to the park to have a dairy holiday meal. "We are the only ones who celebrate this holiday properly," one of the family's members said.

In the north of the country, the town of Karmiel held the eighth consecutive motor celebration in which some 1,000 collectors' vehicles were showcased, as well as luxury vehicles and motorcycles from 20 motorcycle clubs across the country.

Karmiel's municipality estimated more than 10,000 people attended the event.
A 20-year-old Palestinian is in critical condition after publicly setting himself of fire in the Gaza Strip.

Motives for the self-immolation are unclear Sunday.

Family members say Fathi Harb set himself on fire Saturday in an act of desperation and protest over the dire living conditions in Gaza.

Hamas, the Islamic militant group that rules Gaza, cited personal issues for his actions.
The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for an attack on a church in Russia's Chechnya republic that killed three people, the group's Amaq news agency said on Sunday.

The group offered no evidence in support of the claim.

Four people attacked the Orthodox church on Saturday, killing two policemen and a churchgoer, Russia's investigative committee said in a statement. The attackers were killed.
The European Union is not doing enough to preserve the benefits for Iran from the 2015 international nuclear pact following the withdrawal of the United States, Iran's foreign minister told the EU's energy chief on Sunday.

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Miguel Arias Canete, European commissioner for energy and climate, said Tehran wanted the 28-nation bloc to act fast to preserve its oil trade with Iran, and to consider making direct euro-denominated payments for Iranian oil to Iran's central bank, bypassing the US financial system.

Miguel Arias Canete, Mohammad Javad Zarif in Teheran (Photo:AFP)

"With the withdrawal of America .... the European political support for the accord is not sufficient," Mohammad Javad Zarif told Arias Canete in Tehran, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported.

Since President Donald Trump announced on May 8 that he would pull the United States out of the deal, the US Treasury said Washington would reimpose a wide array of Iran-related sanctions after the expiry of 90- and 180-day wind-down periods, including sanctions aimed at Iran's oil sector and transactions with its central bank.

President Trump's statement on withdrawal from nuclear deal

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The EU leaders have pledged to try to keep Iran's oil trade and investment flowing, but conceded that would not be easy.

"We have to preserve this agreement so we don't have to negotiate a new agreement," Arias Canete told Western journalists after two days of meetings with Iranian officials in Tehran.

"Our message is very clear. This is a nuclear agreement that works."

Under the deal, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear work in return for the lifting of most Western sanctions. With the threat of new US sanctions looming over them, some foreign firms have already started signaling their intention to pull back from Iran.

Miguel Arias Canete, Mohammad Javad Zarif in Teheran (Photo: AFP)

"The announcement of the possible withdrawal by major European companies from their cooperation with Iran is not consistent with the European Union's commitment to implementing (the nuclear deal)," Zarif was quoted as saying.

He appeared to be referring to announcements by several large European companies last week suggesting their activities in Iran would end or be curtailed because of the reimposition of US sanctions.

A top adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday cast doubt on whether European nations could be trusted to save the agreement.

"The contradictions in the words of European authorities are suspicious. We hope that our government officials will be able to secure the necessary guarantees in their negotiations, as one cannot rely on those who vacillate and speak contradictory words," IRNA quoted Ali Akbar Velayati as saying.

The German newspaper Welt am Sonntag cited an unnamed senior EU official as saying there were also discussions about a possible new pact between Iran and world powers that would cover the same ground as the 2015 deal but with some additions to appease the United States.

These could include provisions to address US concerns over Iran's ballistic missile program and Tehran's support of armed groups in the Middle East, the source said.

Oil trade

Following the withdrawal of Washington, Iran said it would remain in the deal only if Tehran achieved its goalsnamely being protected from sanctions on key sectors of its economy such as oilin cooperation with other signatories of the pact.

EU investment in Iran, mainly from Germany, France and Italy, has jumped to more than 20 billion euros since the lifting of sanctions in 2016, in projects ranging from aerospace to energy.

EU Commissioner for Energy and Climate Action Miguel Arias Canete (Photo: EPA)

But to improve its oil-reliant economy, Tehran needs to attract $100 billion in foreign investment to boost its oil industry and major Western investors have stayed away from Iran, partly because of the remaining US sanctions.

"The announcement, in cascade, of European companies that will not keep investing in Iran are making the things much more complicated at the moment," Arias Canete said.

"So what (Zarif) is asking the European Union is that we have to have concrete solutions in order to implement the European Union's commitments, which is something that we fully recognize."

The options being considered by the EU to keep Tehran in the nuclear deal include new credit lines for Tehran, increased energy cooperation and implementing EU laws to block European companies from caving in to US sanctions.

Arias Canete said Iranian officials were keen to mitigate the impact of US sanctions under a proposal for EU governments to make direct euro-denominated payments for Iranian oil to Iran's central bank, bypassing the US financial system.

"The EU will consider it," he said, adding that the EU needed to deliver fast on preserving oil trade with Iran.
200 people demonstrated Sunday in front of Haifa's court in solidarity with Gaza's residents.

Demonstrators called to free the detainees of Friday's demonstration and waved Palestinian flags.
Israel and the United States made a joint effort Sunday to foil a similar Kuwaiti-Palestinian attempt to pass a resolution in the United Nations Security Council calling for the stationing of an international force in the Gaza Strip to defend Palestinians from " Israeli aggression ."

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The Israeli-American push was intended to head off Palestinian attempts to secure the nine country majorityout of the Security Council's 15 member statesneeded to pass the resolution.

The UN Security Council will convene to discuss the Gaza riots, with a Palestinian-backed Kuwait resolution to station an international force near the border (Photo: AP, AFP)

The current council makeup could be said to be especially troublesome in this regardwith African, Asian and Latin American countries having a significant majoritygiving Palestinians a more than fair chance of passing the resolution in its current wording.

If that eventuality comes to pass, US Ambassador Nikki Haley has already promised to her Israeli counterpart Danny Danon that the US will exercise its veto power.

If the US does veto the pro-Palestinian measure, the Palestinian delegation has announced they will summarily appeal to the organization's General Assembly and pass it there, where they enjoy something of an automatic majority.

US Ambassador Haley assured Israel the US will exercise its veto power if it needs to (Photo: AP)

However, unlike the Security Council, the General Assembly's resolutions are merely declarative in nature and it lacks any concrete means to implement its resolutions.

Regardless, the Palestinians are set to commence a round of consultations Monday in anticipation of the vote, which will most likely take place Wednesday.

The original draft resolution was submitted by Security Council member Kuwait, with the text speaking of defending civilians in zones of armed conflict and denouncing Israel for its excessive use of live fire against civilian protesters and for the killing and wounding of many civilians, including children, doctors and journalists.

The demonstrations, the draft resolution said, were part and parcel of Palestinians' rights to peaceful protests. the resolution further called to strengthen the protection of Gaza's citizenry, by such measures as stationing an international defense force in the region and the removal of the Gaza blockade.

Hamas's cynicism and attempts to distort reality have reached a new low, Israel's Envoy to UN Danon said (Photo: AFP)

Ambassador Danon commented on the Palestinian efforts, characterizing them as "cynicism and attempts to distort reality" that have "reached a new low."

"Israel will continue protecting its sovereignty and its citizens' safety from Hamas's deadly terror and violence," the envoy said.

"Kuwait's disgraceful draft resolution is a resolution of support for Hamas's war crimes against Israel and against Gaza's residents, who are being sent to their deaths for the sake of preserving Hamas's hold on power," Danon added.

The UN Human Rights Council censures Israel

The Security Council tug of war was preceded by a session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on the matter Friday, and an instruction to immediately launch an independent probe into the killing of rioters in the Gaza border clashes.

The UN Human Rights Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of instating an independent committee to probe the Gaza events (: AFP)

Meeting in a special session in Geneva, the council voted 29-2 with 14 abstentions to back a resolution that also condemned "the disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force by the Israeli occupying forces against Palestinian civilians."

The US and Australia voted against the measure, while Spain, Slovenia and Belgiumall members of the European Unionvoted in favor, which incensed Israel.

Perhaps most surprising, however, was Mexico voting in favor of the commission of inquiry, as Israel had become closer with the North American country in the past few years and seemingly succeeded in breaking up a pattern of years of anti-Israel votes cast in the international body.

UNHRC Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein will appoint the commission of inquiry's members (Photo: AFP)

Following the motion's passage, UNHRC Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein will appoint the multinational commission to inquire into "violations of human rights and international law in the occupied Palestinian territories."

Al-Hussein called on the committee to focus especially on Gaza and on events since the protests began on March 30.

The goal of the probe, the council said, was to "put together recommendations, especially punitive measures, to put an end to the reprieve and to ensure a legal accounting, including individual criminals (meaning IDF soldiers) and others responsible, and to bring the information to the council in the form of written and oral reports."

The Human Rights Council then called on Israel to put an immediate stop to all exercises of strength in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip while also calling on Palestinian protesters to limit themselves to non-violent protest and to avoid provocations.

Israel, for its part, was required by the council to put an end to the Gaza "siege," which it said constituted collective punishment. The council also called to reopen all border crossings into the strip to the movement of civilians, humanitarian aid and goods.
A Hamas prisoner who was hospitalized at Yitzhak Shamir Medical Center (formerly Assaf Harofeh) following a heart condition died on Sunday.

At the beginning of May, the prisoner who was serving a 30-year sentence in Eshel prison attacked a prison guard.

Israel Prison Service said that the incident would be investigated as any prisoner's death.
Protests in Haifa's German Colony's Demon calling to preserve the city's coexistence and of left-wing organizations that support Gaza's residents have ended.

Dozens of people are still protesting in front of the court in the city's Government Quarter, demanding to release the detainees of Friday's demonstration.
News

Hebbronville, Texas - U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to Hebbronville Station rescued three illegal aliens at a ranch near Hebbronville, Texas.

On May 17, 2018 Jim Hogg County Sheriffs deputies relayed to agents a 911 call regarding three lost aliens. Agents from the Hebbronville Station were dispatched to the general location and shortly thereafter encountered the illegal aliens. Agents found the illegal aliens to be in good health and they did not require further medical attention. The three illegal aliens were discovered to be male Honduran nationals and were transported for processing and removal.

The Laredo Sector Border Patrol will continue to warn against the dangers of people crossing illegally into the United States through dangerous environmental conditions. Our Border Safety Initiative (BSI) is a humanitarian, bi-national strategy designed to reduce illegal alien deaths, educate and inform potential illegal aliens of the dangers and hazards of crossing the border illegally, and to respond to those who are in life-threatening situations.

To report suspicious activity such as alien and/or drug smuggling, download the USBP Laredo Sector App or contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free at 1-800-343-1994.
News

New York - A Canadian man pleaded guilty today in Rochester, New York to conspiring to defraud the United States and making a false claim against the United States, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Departments Tax Division and U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. for the Western District of New York.

According to documents filed with the court and evidence introduced at a related trial, Daveanan Sookdeo, 46, formerly of Ontario, Canada, along with other Canadian citizens, conspired to defraud the United States by filing fraudulent claims for income tax refunds with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Sookdeo promoted a scheme that involved the falsifying of IRS forms to claim that almost $10 million in income had been withheld by various Canadian financial institutions on the conspirators behalf. Based on those bogus withholdings, the conspirators sought refunds from the IRS.

Sookdeo profited from the scheme by charging his coconspirators an upfront fee for the false documents used in the scheme, as well as a percentage of any tax refunds obtained through the scheme. Sookdeo travelled to the United States to open bank accounts and deposited the refund checks and his coconspirators then wire transferred portions of the fraudulent proceeds to Canada.

Sookdeo is the fifth Canadian citizen to be convicted for his role in this scheme. In January 2016, Kevin Cyster of Burlington, Ontario, was sentenced to 135 months in prison after a jury convicted him of conspiring to defraud the United States and commit theft of government funds, making a false claim against the United States and transferring stolen money in foreign commerce. Renee Jarvis, Timothy Johnston, and Jose Compuesto, also of Canada, pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and commit theft of government funds. U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci scheduled the sentencing for August 27, 2018.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Kennedy thanked special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Tax Division Trial Attorneys Melissa S. Siskind and Thomas F. Koelbl and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Field of the Western District of New York, who prosecuted this case.
News

Miami, Florida - Gregory Hubbard, aka, Jibreel, 54, of West Palm Beach, Florida; Dayne Antani Christian, aka, Shakur, 33, of Lake Park, Florida; and Darren Arness Jackson, aka, Daoud, 53, of West Palm Beach, were sentenced to prison for conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Robert F. Lasky of the FBIs Miami Field Office, and members of the South Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg.

According to the court docket, including the factual basis for the guilty pleas, Hubbard was arrested on July 21, 2016, at Miami International Airport where he had been driven by co-defendant Jackson for a scheduled flight to Berlin, Germany. From Berlin, Hubbard intended to travel to Syria to join ISIS.

At various times during the conspiracy, which ran from approximately July 2015 until Hubbards arrest, Hubbard and his co-defendants, Christian and Jackson, talked about their support for ISIS and jihad, including acts of terrorism committed by and attributed to ISIS and its supporters. During the conspiracy, Hubbard and his co-defendants and others, practiced shooting weapons multiple times in preparation for Hubbard traveling to Syria to join ISIS.

Hubbard received a joint recommended sentenced of 12 years in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release.

Christian and Jackson who both pleaded guilty in 2017 and provided significant cooperation to the government, received sentences of eight years in prison and four years in prison, respectively. Both were also sentenced to five years of supervised release.

The FBI and JTTF investigated the case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Transportation Security Administration; Miami International Airport Police Department; Boca Raton, Florida, Police Department; Palm Beach Sheriffs Office; City of West Palm Beach Police Department; and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen E. Gilbert and Edward C. Nucci of the Southern District of Florida, and Trial Attorney Larry Schneider of the National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section.
News

Buffalo, New York - Following a four-month trial, a federal jury in Buffalo, New York, has convicted three leaders and members of the Kingsmen Motorcycle Club (KMC), including the National President, of multiple charges for their roles in a major racketeering operation that involved violence and murder.

Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. for the Western District of New York, Special Agent in Charge Gary Loeffert of FBI Buffalo, and Special Agent in Charge Kevin Kelly of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.

David Pirk, 67, KMC National President, and Andre Jenkins aka Little Bear, 39, KMC member and Nomad, were convicted of RICO conspiracy, possession of firearms in furtherance of crime of violence, murder in aid of racketeering, possession and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, using and maintaining premises for drug dealing and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Jenkins was also convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Timothy Enix, aka Blaze, 58, KMC Nomad, National Secretary/Treasurer, and Florida/Tennessee Regional President, was convicted of RICO conspiracy, possession of firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence, using and maintaining premises for drug dealing and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The defendants and their associates transformed the Kingsmen Motorcycle Club into a vicious gang that terrorized the Buffalo area, engaging in senseless murders, brutal violence, robberies, and drug trafficking, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan. But after todays verdict, the Kingsmen Motorcycle Clubs reign of terror is coming to an end. The U.S. Department of Justice and our partners will aggressively pursue violent gangs wherever they are found and bring them to justice.

Todays verdict demonstrates that the rule of law, as enforced by the dedicated men and women of this Office together with our partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement, is more powerful than even the murderous leaders of an outlaw biker gang, said U.S. Attorney Kennedy. Through the tireless work of our trial team, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joe Tripi, Chief of the Strategic Operations and Prosecutions Section, and Brendan Cullinane of the Offices Narcotics and Violent Crime Section, together with prosecutor Marianne Shelvey of DOJs Organized Crime and Gang Section and case agents, HSI Special Agent Gregory Mango and FBI Special Agent Steven Donnelly, the full truth has finally been revealed. The ringleaders of the Kingsmen Motorcycle Club have been exposed as the murderous, drug-dealing, gun-toting, misogynistic thugs that they are, and all of those responsible for the senseless murders of Paul Maue and Daniel DJ Szymanski have been finally brought to justice.

Motorcycle gangs have evolved over 70 years from bar-room brawlers to somewhat sophisticated criminals, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Loeffert. The Kingsmen's leadership not only voiced a desire to turn its club into a one-percenter gang, it acted on that desire when Paul Maue and DJ Szymanski were killed. Those murders told everyone that the Kingsmen do not want to be aligned with the vast majority of riders who are law-abiding citizens. With today's verdicts, the repeated and regular acts of violence so inculcated into the culture of the Kingsmen Motorcycle Club are over.

The guilty verdicts issued today are a powerful example of justice being served against a ruthless and violent criminal gang, said HSI Special Agent in Charge Kelly. Cases like these demonstrate that the combined resolve of all of the participating law enforcement agencies is a vital force against criminal groups.

According to court documents and evidence presented by the government at trial, beginning in 2013, certain KMC members, including defendant David Pirk, wanted to establish the KMC as a one percent club. The one percent refers to a previous statement by a representative of the American Motorcycle Association that 99 percent of motorcyclists were law-abiding citizens with the remaining one percent engaged in certain activities such as drug and firearm trafficking, and acts of violence. The defendants, and others, participated in, directly and indirectly, acts of murder, assault, robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering.

Acts of violence committed by the KMC include:

In September 2014, Pirk told defendant Jenkins to take care of it. This was in reference to KMC members Paul Maue and Daniel DJ Szymanski who were murdered behind the North Tonawanda KMC Chapter clubhouse on Sept. 6, 2014.

On June 7, 2013, KMC forcibly shut down the Springville Chapter and strip members of their colors because they were non-compliant members. Brandishing firearms, KMC members struck a victim in the head with a blunt object and stole items from the Springville clubhouse. They then used bleach to clean areas where the victim bled and cut and removed portions of the rug, which contained blood.

On Sept. 12, 2009, a female victim was punched repeatedly in the face by a KMC member and then held against her will for three days to conceal her facial injuries from police.

As part of the enterprise, members of the organization used women to deal narcotics and encouraged prostitution in the clubhouses as a way to entice members and the public to come to the clubhouses to further their profits.

Sentencing is set for Sept. 25 before U.S. District Court Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford, who presided over the trial of the case.

The investigation was led by the FBIs Safe Streets Task Force. Assisting in the investigation were the FBI Knoxville, Tennessee and Jacksonville, Florida Field Offices; HSI Buffalo; the Erie County Sheriffs Office; the Buffalo Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the New York State Police; the Olean Police Department; the Lancaster Police Department; the Amherst Police Department; the Town of Tonawanda Police Department; the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police; the Cattaraugus County Sheriffs Department and the Hamburg Police Department. Trial Attorney Marianne Shelvey of the Criminal Divisions Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Tripi and Brendan Cullinane for the Western District of New York prosecuted the case.
Arizona News

Tucson, Arizona - Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents from the Special Operations Detachment discovered a vehicle rollover accident in a remote area Northeast of Tucson during a training operation that quickly turned into a rescue early this morning.

Agents discovered a van that had rolled

over in a remote area west of Tucson

Agents from the Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue Team (BORSTAR) and Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) discovered a white van, which appeared to have rolled over sometime during the night, near mile marker 7 on the Reddington Pass road.

Agents discovered a van that had rolled

over in a remote area northeast

of Tucson

Agents found one occupant, a 28-year-old male, within the vehicle and immediately began medical care. After calling for more advanced medical care, agents also secured a landing zone for an air ambulance. The severely injured man was flown to a Tucson area hospital for further medical care. The Pima County Sheriffs Department is investigating the accident.

An injured man is carried to a waiting

air ambulance by emergency personnel

In the Tucson Sectors harsh desert environment, Border Patrol security operations can quickly turn into humanitarian rescue operations. Border Patrol officials encourage anyone in distress, or witnessing others in distress to call 911 or activate a rescue beacon before a casualty occurs.
Border News

Casa Grande, Arizona - Casa Grande agents arrested two U.S. citizens, after finding a Salvadorian national in the trunk of their vehicle Sunday evening during a secondary inspection at the Federal Route 15 Immigration Checkpoint near Casa Grande.

Agents working the primary inspection lane referred two male occupants of a Mazda sedan for a secondary inspection. When agents opened the vehicles trunk, they discovered a 24-year-old man from El Salvador hiding, who had entered the country illegally.

Agents arrested the U.S. citizens, identified as a 51-year-old driver and a 25-year-old passenger, on human smuggling charges and seized the vehicle. Both men will remain in custody pending a courts disposition on their charges. The Salvadorian national, also arrested, was processed for immigration violations.
Border News

Amado, Arizona - Nogales Border Patrol agents arrested a 22-year-old Tucson woman after finding two male Mexican nationals hiding in the trunk of her vehicle Monday night at the Intestate 19 Immigration Checkpoint near Amado.

Agents discovered two Mexican

nationals inside the trunk of a Tucson

woman's car, when searching it at the

I-19 immigration checkpoint

Agents working the primary inspection lane referred the woman for a secondary inspection of her Ford Taurus. When agents opened the vehicles trunk, they discovered the two men inside, ages 21 and 24.

Agents arrested the driver, identified as a U.S. citizen, for human smuggling and seized the vehicle. The Mexican nationals were processed for immigration violations.
Border News

Lukeville, Arizona - Ajo Station Border Patrol agents apprehended seven men Friday morning northwest of Lukeville and later identified one of them as a 22-year-old Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang member from Honduras.

Agents patrolling a remote mountain trail encountered and arrested the group for entering the country illegally and subsequently transported them to the Ajo Station for further processing.

Courtesy of U.S. Customs and

Border Protection

During processing, agents identified Carlos Ordonez-Rodriguez as a member of the MS-13 street gang, with an extensive criminal history in Colorado, who had been removed from the U.S. in 2017.

Ordonez will remain in federal custody pending a court disposition for criminal immigration violations. The other men arrested were identified as five Mexican nationals and one Honduran national, ages 20 through 35. They will be processed for immigration violations.

All persons apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using biometrics to ensure illegal immigrants with criminal histories are positively identified.
Yuma News

Yuma, Arizona - Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate 8 immigration checkpoint arrested a United States citizen attempting to smuggle four Mexican nationals.

At approximately 10 p.m. on Sunday, a Border Patrol K9 team referred a 2018 white Chrysler 300 for a secondary inspection after the Border Patrol canine alerted to an odor it was trained to detect. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed four undocumented Mexican Nationals in the trunk of the vehicle with no means of escape. The driver, a 41-year-old female United States citizen from Tehachapi, California, was arrested for harboring certain aliens. The four Mexican Nationals were arrested for improper entry by aliens.
Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Honorable Kennedy Agyapong, has admitted that the Akufo-Addo-led government was nepotistic in nature due to the number of high positions being held by the presidents family members.

However, the lawmaker added that in his view, the nepotism which was termed by the opposition as Family and Friends government was justified because of the high level of education of the presidents family members who have been appointed.

READ ALSO: Zylofon Media actors fail to impress on the red carpet in France

President Akufo-Addos cousins in government include Nana Asante Bediatuo, the Executive Secretary to the presidency as well as Works and Housing Minster Samuel Atta Akyea and Transport Minister Kwesi Amoako Atta. The presidents daughter, Gyankroma Akufo Addo, also serves on the Creative Arts Council Board.

In comparing the previous government to the current one, some people indicated that the Mahama-led administration was far less noted as a Family and Friends government since very few people from ex-presidents Mahamas family held government positions.

READ ALSO: I can breakup with my husband if he cheats on me  Nana Ama Mcbrown

In reacting to this claim, the controversial Member of Parliament is noted to have said, It is not Akufo Addos fault that his family members are more educated than the family members of Mahama. They are qualified for the position they are holding.

Social media users have waded into the matter and have expressed their opinion over the Family and Friends government tag labelled on the NPP government.

Today, YEN.com.gh brings you the mixed reaction to the claims of nepotism made against the government.

Here are some of the comments made by YEN.com.gh readers:

Kwabena, like the MP share the same view

Ishmael was worried about the trend of nepotism

Samson cared less about the matter so far as results were being recorded

Elvis could not agree more with the Honorable

Richard said some people would have even done worse than Akufo-Addo

Benjamin said nepotism was necessary because they were being paid for the work they were doing

Nuerki could not wait to jab the MP for his many utterances

Don wanted Mahama to be left alone

Pierrette was against nepotism and clamored for the 'best person for the job' policy

According to Sampson, "Let the nepotism floooow"

For Richard, it was just a matter of time

READ ALSO: Bisa Kdei arrested in US over music video?

Top signs that you are a true Ghanaian:

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Want to tell about a local problem? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition?

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YENs official Facebook page.

Source: Yen
- An 18-year-old student has been arrested for stabbing a Mobile Money operator

- The accused person, Kobby Acheampong, has been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment.

- The victim survived the knife attack and has since been released from the hospital

The Cape Coast Circuit has sentenced an 18-year-old student, Kofi Acheampong, to five years in prison for inflicting cutlass wounds on a Mobile Money operator, whose identity is yet to be established.

The incident occurred at Assin-Akropong in the Assin North Municipality in the Central Region.

YEN.com.gh understands that the cutlass wounds were so deep that the intestines of the victim were exposed.

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The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing harm but the court, presided over by Afia Nyarko Adu-Amankwah, found him guilty at the end of his trial.

The judge asked the accused to be grateful, as the sentence could have been higher if the victim has lost his life.

A State Attorney, Vincent Nyinaku, giving the facts of the case, stated that the Koby informed the victim that his (victim) father was searching for him.

Koby however waylaid the victim upon his return, stabbed him twice with a knife and took to his heels.

The victims screams for help attracted the attention of witnesses, who rushed him to the St. Francis Xavier Hospital in Assin Fosu, where he was admitted and later discharged on Saturday, May 21, 2016.

A medical report delivered to the police indicated a penetrating abdominal injury. The surgery also revealed a liver laceration over the left lobe.

Acheampong absconded but was later arrested in Kumasi by one Obollo who hails from the same community. He was then brought to the police in Assin-Fosu on December 25, 2016.

READ ALSO: Nayas 1 not pregnant for Ernest Opoku?

Renovation of Nana Addos GHc9.5m private residence:

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- The Daily Guide says it has obtained the bank account details of the said ministers

- Top NDC men talking to the ruling government behind closed doors

Bank accounts belonging ex-ministers in John Mahama's administration who are accused of taking double monthly salaries have been obtained. This revelation was done by the Daily Guide.

According to the paper, various ministers took home twice what they are supposed to be paid every month. While some had their monies doubled for a month, others went the whole four year term of Mahama.

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According to reports, these payments are suspected to be unjustified. That would explain why ex-ministers such as Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, Fiifi Kwetey and Armah-Kofi Buah have been questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) so far.

Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuije

Other former ministers have been cited but are yet to be interviewed by the CID. These include former Communications Minister, Haruna Iddrisu. A former deputy minster of the Northern Region, Bashir Alhassan, has been admitted to bail by the police.

Some of the names mentioned were MPs while they served as ministers. But the newspaper explains that the money in question is a double monthly salary for ministerial work only. Indeed, one of the accused Mark Woyongo, an ex-minister, is on record to have alerted authorities when he realised what was going on.

It is reported that since the news broke out, key members of the opposition NDC are looking putting together a defensive narrative. It is is also suspected that some NDC members are speaking to the ruling government behind closed doors to make the matter 'go away'.

READ ALSO: Kweku Baako speaks of threats made against him

The accounts of those Daily Guide claims to have now include those of Nii Lantey Vanderpuije, Fiifi Kwetey and Haruna Iddrisu. Others are Alhassan Azong, Rashid Pelpuo and Eric Opoku.

All of these revelations was brought due to a payroll audit of the office of the President and Parliament from 2012 through 2016. This was ordered by the Akufo Addo administration through the Controller and Accountant-General's department.

According to the laws of Ghana, the offence alleged to have been committed is charged as offences of stealing.

Renovation of Nana Addos GHc9.5m private residence:

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Source: Yen News
- The Communications Manager of the Ghana Gas Company, Ernest Owusu Bempah, is certain he knew how the late Professor Mills lost his life

- According to him, some people in the NDC are behind it

- He therefore called for investigations into the matter, so that the truth is established

The Communications Manager of the Ghana Gas Company, Ernest Owusu Bempah, has revealed that some important personalities may be behind the death of the late Prof. Atta Mills.

According to a report by GHIssues.com, Owusu Bempah stated that he believes some bigwigs in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are behind the death of the former politician and academician.

Speaking on UTVs Adekye Nsroma programme, he said that I believe the former President didnt die a natural death, therefore there must be thorough investigations into his sudden death, so that proper sanctions are given to the culprits involved before it becomes a norm in this country.

Ernest Owusu Bempah

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He went on to say that the late president isnt the first to have lost his life in such a manner, and as such per usual practice, it is important to establish the cause of death.

He also noted that with the introduction of the office of the Special Prosecutor, some members of the previous government should ready themselves, as they they would have to answer some questions very soon.

This, he said, is because of the corrupt practices they were engaged in whilst they were in government.

READ ALSO: Ayews, Gyan, dropped from Black Stars squad to face Japan and Iceland

Renovation of Nana Addos GHc9.5m private residence:

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Source: Yen.com.gh
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Ghana face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents.

Same-sex sexual acts are illegal in Ghana. The debate on LGBT rights in Ghana have taken the front burner in recent times.

Ekwow SPio Garbrah

READ ALSO: Ayews, Gyan left out of Black Stars squad to face Japan and Iceland

YEN.com.gh takes a look at three prominent Ghanaians who say homosexuality is alien to Ghanas cultural and must not be legalised.

1. Ekwow Spio Garbrah

Mr. Spio Garbrah is flagbearer hopeful for the the National Democratic Congress (NDC). In a recent interview with Accra based Citi FM, Mr Garbrah said he will oppose any attempt to legalise homosexuality in the country whether he becomes President or not.

It will not happen whether Im President or not. Ill fight it anywhere and any day as a good Christian and Im sure that Muslims will also have the same sense of total disgust.

According to him, any form of advocacy for gay rights in the country would be unnecessary as persons involved in same-sex relations are not denied services due to their sexual preferences.

2. Aaron Mike Ocquaye

Ghanas Speaker of Parliament is one of the people who is vehemently against same-sex marriage and have also vowed to prevent its legalisation in the country.

In an interview on Metro TV, Mr Ocquaye said there is no need for LGBT to push for their human rights to be respected.

Prof. Aaron Mike Ocquaye

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He has opined that he will resign as Speaker of the House if the LGBT should ever come up for debate and consideration.

"If anybody should bring such a thing in parliament, I would rather resign that subscribe to this delusion," he said sternly.

"It is a matter of serious principle," he added.

3. Moses Foh-Amoaning

Law lecturer, Moses Foh-Amoaning is one of the respected Ghanaians incensed by pressure by human rights activists to get Ghanas law amended to accommodate homosexuals.

According to the lawyer, the issue of homosexuality is not a human right issue, neither is the Ghanaian constitution clear on the issue.

Lawyer Moses Foh-Amoaning

Homosexuality is not a human right issue, and the Ghanaian constitution doesnt talk about sexual orientation.

He says homosexuality is a inherently disorder, which could give room for other disorderly activities if accepted in the country.

Top 5 United Nations Experts on Ghana Politicians:

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Source: Yen
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.  Odin, Freya and Loki must be jealous.

In the new Gods of the Vikings exhibit in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot in Disney World, it was the slightly larger-than-life bust of Thor  especially the Norse gods hammer, Mjolnir  that was getting the most photo-opp attention during a visit by The Wild Hunt.

People young and old, and speaking numerous foreign languages, clutched the imposing, 18-inch Mjolnir as friends or family took photos  perhaps an indication of how the Marvel Comics movie franchise has made Thor a rock star beyond the community of practicing Heathens and followers of Asatru.

Five feet from the Thor bust, however, was another Mjolnir, one less than an inch and a half long: an authentic Thors hammer pendant, made circa 800-1000 A.D. The artifact is on loan to the exhibit from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway.

It is believed Vikings wore silver hammer amulets, resembling Thors mighty hammer Mjolnir, for spiritual protection, reads the text beside the encased amulet. The circular decorations on this particular pendant may be a reference to Thors eyes.

While Gods of the Vikings exhibit may be Asgard 101 to Heathens, it is such genuine, millennium-old artifacts  a sword, a spear, a drinking horn and more  that make the exhibit a respectful, scholarly-based, educational and enlightening display for the uninitiated or the curious.

The exhibit is housed in an Old World-looking building known as the Stave Church Gallery, in a space about 10,000 times smaller than Valhalla  that is, in a space only slightly larger than the living room of an average American home. Its not exactly an imposing venue to house tributes to three gods and a goddess, but the exhibit makes judicious use of its space.

At the center is a faux wooden tree  a visual reference to Yggdrasil, the world tree which in Viking cosmology supports the nine worlds that make up the universe. Busts of Odin the Ruler of the Gods, Thor the Protector God, Loki the God of Mischief and Freya the Greatest Goddess are carved into each quadrant of the trees trunk. Curiously, its Loki and Thor who face the two entrances to the gallery and are thus the first gods to greet visitors.

Though Lokis grin or Thors Mjolnir will be a visitors first encounter with these Norse deities, a text panel near the Thor entrance sets the exhibits tone:

The myths and depictions of the gods and goddesses in this exhibit are inspired by two ancient Norse texts, the Poetic Edda and the Snorra Edda. The Poetic Edda contains over a dozen poems that feature the gods and dwarves. Scholars believe these poems were chanted and performed virtually unchanged for hundreds of years before being written down. The Poetic Edda is our only original source of information about the beliefs of the Vikings. The Snorra Edda was written by an Icelandic scholar in the 13th century named Snorri Sturluson who wanted to revive Viking Age poetry. [Editors note: both Snorra and Snorri are correct historical usage.] It was frowned upon by medieval monks and clerics, but managed to survive in Iceland. Snorri explains many of the mythical references in the poetry, greatly expanding our understanding of Viking mythology.

That mythology is explored via display cases devoted to each deity and Yggdrasil, with each case including some of those artifacts plus modern illustrations, explanatory texts and a short retelling of a myth written in fanciful script. Recordings of those myths  recited in a raspy female hag voice straight out of central casting  play intermittently in the hall.

The Odin case reads: The wise and mysterious Odin, ruler of Asgard, traveled the nine worlds seeking knowledge and truth  and would sacrifice nearly anything to attain it. According to mythology, Odin gave one of his eyes to a giant in exchange for one sip from the Well of Knowledge. What wisdom Odin couldnt find himself, he discovered with the help of his two loyal ravens, Huginn (Thought) and Munnin (Memory), who traveled the worlds as his messengers.

A horse rattle on display, dating to 800-1000 A.D. and on loan from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, is explained thus: Sleipnir, Odins eight-legged horse, could gallop harder, jump faster, and create twice as much noise as any regular horse. Before Vikings rode into battle they would attach metal rings to the bridles of their horse to create a similar, menacing sound.

Likewise, a drinking horn from 1400 A.D. accompanies a short retelling of Odin and the Mead of Poetry. A related text says that the Vikings believed poetry was a gift from the high god Odin, and that feasting was an honorable activity. In fact, Viking warriors were emboldened during battle, in hopes that they would die and be welcomed into Odins own feasting hall in the afterlife.

The Loki case says he was a masterful trickster who delighted in creating chaos all around him. As the son of a giantess, Loki had mixed family loyalties. For this reason the gods, giants, and other creatures were never quite sure if they could trust him.

The text then brings the Loki myth into the real world of Viking daily life: In the Viking Age, there were no governments, no businesses and no schools, and very little central authority or organized religion. The main institution that kept the social order was family, and the sense of honor that came from being a part of a respected household. The mischievous Loki gave the Vikings a way to talk and think about loyalty to family and the danger of cross-loyalties. Friends, foes, and even blood relatives could not be fully trusted in the complex game of fame and honor.

The Freya case notes that she was the most powerful and highest ranking of all goddesses, and that she ruled over a magnificent hall, Folkvang, where she welcomed half of all Viking warriors and shieldmaidens slain in battle.

Freya also rode a chariot pulled by two cats and possessed a famous golden necklace, Brisingamen, which was made for her by the dwarfs.

That tantalizing, passing mention of shieldmaidens brings up one the downsides of such a necessarily sketchy, survey-style exhibit as this: shieldmaidens? Warrior women? Tell me more! Alas, though the brevity of the exhibits texts can be frustrating, at least they point the way to further research on ones own.

Other artifacts in various cases include arrowheads, wooden and clay game pieces, keys, a trifoil brooch, an iron axe head, an iron sword that was excavated from what was likely a cremation burial, and other pieces.

One entire side of the gallery features a life-size Seeress figure seated against a painted backdrop of craggy, snow-covered mountains overlooking a fjord. The exhibits creators likely want visitors to imagine it is she who is reciting those recorded myths.

A text panel notes that in the very first poem of the Poetic Edda, Odin seeks knowledge from a wise woman who carries a staff and who is often called The Seeress because she can see into the future. In the Viking Age, the seeress was a well-attested female figure.

The Seeress is accompanied by an authentic Broa picture stone dating to 700-800 A.D. and on loan from the Gotland Museum of Visby, Sweden. (Broa is a site on the Swedish island of Gotland.)

The two-foot-high stone depicts a female figure holding a cup of mead and welcoming a man on a horse. Some Viking scholars believe this figure represents the goddess Freya, while others interpret the figure as a Valkyrie, one of the female deities who flew over battlefields and selected which soldiers would live or die, reads the accompanying text.

A Thank You posted in the exhibit cites Viking Age Specialist Dr. Elisabeth I. Ward, as well as the above-mentioned museums and others in Norway, Iceland and Sweden.

Given that a mere 50 yards from the Gods of the Vikings exhibit, a sombrero-wearing Donald Duck cavorted with kids in a photo-opp spot at the Mexico Pavilion, one might imagine that Odin, Freya, Thor, and Loki are thankful that their stories have been told so respectfully and engagingly in the land of Mickey Mouse.
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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 20)  President Rodrigo Duterte said Sunday the government will provide housing to rebels that surrender.

"Id like to declare the policy of this government that I will pursue vis-a-vis with the housing and the houses also of those who would like to surrender...Mas maliit lang 'yung sa rebelde. Eh kasi rebelde eh," Duterte said in a speech in Negros Occidental.

Duterte led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Vista Alegre Homes in Negros Occidental under the new housing program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police.

He added he will make sure the families of slain troopers would also be given houses.

The President also appealed to members of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) not to demand too much of him, as he is still willing to provide them housing.

"I'd like to welcome all of you but do not demand too much lalo na 'yang Kadamay making noises," Duterte said, "I mean I join you in your sentiments to have a roof and shelter but do not demand too much...Yung mga iniwan ng sundalo, maliliit, not of their liking, maybe you can have it.

Duterte added he will continue with his land reform program and ask the Congress for a budget to expand land reform areas.

In 2017, about 24,000 Kadamay members occupied around 5,740 vacant units in six project sites from March 8.

The houses were intended for low-income members of law enforcement units.

Duterte asked soldiers not to argue with the Kadamay members so as not to escalate the situation, and promised to provide them new houses.
WINDSOR, England (AP)  The son of British royalty and the daughter of middle-class Americans wed Saturday in a service that reflected Prince Harrys royal heritage, Meghan Markles biracial roots and the pairs shared commitment to putting a more diverse, modern face on the monarchy.

British reserve crisscrossed with American verve in a service that broke molds and created new ones. Choirboys and a gospel choir; the archbishop of Canterbury and the African-American leader of the Episcopal church; a horse-drawn carriage and flowers hand-picked by the groom.

The wedding was a global event, thanks to Harrys status as a senior British royal and Markles celebrity after starring on the U.S. television series Suits for seven years. Yet it seemed somehow so personal  and they both beamed like a couple who couldnt take their eyes off each other.

In a rousing sermon that highlighted a bit of a culture gap between outgoing Americans and reserved Brits, the Most. Rev. Michael Curry of the U.S. stirred the congregation from its fairy-tale reverie, quoting Martin Luther King in in a sermon that had some reaching for hankies and others shifting in their chairs.

Theres power in love, Curry said, his voice rising. Love can help and heal when nothing else can. Theres power in love to lift up and liberate when nothing else will.

He also quoted from the Song of Solomon in the Bible: Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.

Joining the couple were a phalanx of celebrities, many of whom shared their wish to change the world. Oprah Winfrey, Idris Elba, Elton John, George and Amal Clooney, Serena Williams, James Corden and David and Victoria Beckham all watched from rows of seats in the Gothic masterpiece that is St. Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The British weather was  gasp!  sunny and balmy, bathing the ancient stones of Windsor Castle in a beautiful spring light.

Many in the throng who waited outside also embraced the trans-Atlantic symbolism of the moment. Sheraton Jones, 22, who is from California but studying in Britain, described it as a melding of cultures.

It was very touching, its two different cultures kind of coming together, it was just so surreal, she said.

In the United States, this royal wedding was embraced for its diversity and inclusivity.

This was black history, said Joy Widgeon, who attended a house party in Burlington, New Jersey, with her 6- and 8-year-old daughters. African-Americans were front and center at the royal wedding. This was the first time, and hopefully it wont be the last. I am here for it.

Harry also invited buddies from his 10 years of military service  which included two tours of duty in Afghanistan  and from many of the charities he supports, which have focused on helping wounded veterans and encouraging a more open discussion of mental health issues.

To kick off the festivities, Queen Elizabeth II honored her red-headed, 33-year-old grandson with a new title: the Duke of Sussex, making the 36-year-old Markle the Duchess of Sussex.

The American actress drew raves for her sleek white silk boat-necked dress by U.K. designer Clare Waight Keller of the French fashion house Givenchy. Her sheer veil  down to her waist in front and billowing for what seemed like miles behind her  carried floral references to all 53 countries in the Commonwealth, countries drawn mostly from the former British Empire, headed by Markles new grandmother-in-law, the queen.

The dress is simply beautiful in its classic simplicity, said Caroline Burstein, owner of Browns Bride, a top London bridal boutique. She called it a nod to Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and every iconic wedding we have witnessed throughout the 20th and 21st century. Its perfect for her and for the occasion they are celebrating.

The palace said Markle also selected two other plant designs to be on the veil: Wintersweet, which grows at Kensington Palace. where the royal couple will live, and the California poppy, in a nod to the brides birthplace.

Harry and best man Prince William wore white gloves and the frock coat uniforms of the Blues and Royals army regiment, in which Harry was once an officer. Harry also kept his full red beard  a style decision that had sparked British betting earlier.

Markle at first walked down the aisle with 10 young page boys and bridesmaids, then was accompanied by Prince Charles to the altar. As his father and bride drew close, Harry said: Thank you, Pa.

To Markle, Harry said: You look amazing.

Markle seemed poised and confident as she delivered her vows without so much as a quiver in her voice. She smiled broadly as archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby declared the couple husband and wife. Harry seemed a bit nervous but happy.

As they emerged from the chapel, the couple kissed  and the crowd roared. It just kept on cheering as Harry helped his wife fold her 5 meter (16 foot) train into the Ascot Landau carriage as they began their procession through the streets of Windsor.

Police said more than 100,000 people lined the route. The royal couples open-topped carriage was pulled by four Windsor Grey horses and past crowds waving flags and holding cellphones aloft. The newlyweds smiled and waved, smiled at each other, waved and repeated the process for the 25-minute tour of Windsor.

Other relatives in the ceremony included 4-year-old Prince George and 3-year-old Princess Charlotte, the oldest children of William and the Duchess of Cambridge.

The 92-year-old queen and her 96-year-old husband, Prince Philip, Harrys grandparents, looked on with pride, as did Markles mother, Doria Ragland, who has spent the last few days getting to know her daughters new family.

Two of Harrys ex-girlfriends were at the chapel  Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas  as was Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Harrys uncle, Prince Andrew.

The queen hosted the first of two royal wedding receptions after the service Saturday, one in the afternoon for 600 people with finger foods, wine and champagne. On Saturday night, a second, more lively reception for 200 people was being thrown by Charles.

Yet it was the crowds in Windsor that seemed to best capture the joy of the moment. Many had camped or arrived at dawn on packed trains, vying for a good spot along the procession route. They cheered and screamed and sighed as the newlyweds passed by.

I went to William and Kates wedding, but this is a completely different vibe, said Arlene Prinsloo, who had flown from South Africa. Its much more relaxed, and I think that reflects who Harry is.

Ana Karukin, a Brazilian nurse living in Florida, said she came to witness a moment of history.

Weve got to be here for him and for her, my Meghan, my special girl, to support them, because its a beautiful time, she said. I wish that Diana was here, but shes in heaven watching over them.

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Updated to include statements from the DFA.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 20)  A lawmaker raised the alarm over reports that China has landed nuclear-capable bombers in the South China Sea, and urged the country to take the matter all the way to the United Nations.

In a statement Sunday, Senator Risa Hontiveros said the country must review its bilateral relationship with China, adding, "We can't call a country that robs us of our islands and threatens us with nuclear war a friend."

The senator issued the statement following a report from Chinese state news agency Xinhua, stating the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force sent a group of H-6K bombers to conduct drills in its "southern waters," military sources told them.

A report from a United States think-tank on Friday said Beijing landed the bomber planes on Woody Island in the disputed Paracel Islands.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it is closely monitoring developments in the South China Sea.

"We are taking the appropriate diplomatic action necessary to protect our claims and will continue to do so in the future," the DFA said in a statement Monday.

Hontiveros said the location of the nuclear-capable bombers places the country within striking distance of the bombers.

"China has virtually threatened us with nuclear war over the West Philippine Sea. This is unacceptable," she said. "This is a serious threat to the lives of our citizens, an assault on our Constitution and a direct violation of internationally recognized treaties to which we are a signatory."

Hontiveros said the country "must sponsor a resolution" before the UN to condemn the threat of nuclear war by China, and for the government to follow the ruling set by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) arbitral tribunal.

The UNCLOS is an international agreement that governs the seas, which the Philippines signed in 1984 and which China signed in 1996.

Magdalo Party-List Rep. Gary Alejano also spoke on the issue Sunday, saying the presence of the bombers is proof of China strengthening its forces in disputed waters.

He added the range that can be covered by the bombers "practically covers the entire Philippine territory and should definitely cause alarm."

"We are seeing a clear and present danger," Alejano said in a statement.

Under the Constitution, the Philippines "adopts and pursues a policy of freedom from nuclear weapons in its territory."

Alejano, a member of the House Committee on National Defense and Security, added the issue of Chinese militarization in the South China Sea is a concern that affects many countries, and the Philippines was acting "selfishly" and "foolishly" by ignoring the moves of China.

Both lawmakers called on President Rodrigo Duterte to do more to protect the country.

Alejano said the country's inaction and "subservience" to China risks not the just the Philippines, but other nations as well.

"It is a shame and utter disappointment that we have a President who only thinks of protecting his reins to power, instead of protecting his people," he said.

Hontiveros, meanwhile, said: "I challenge President Duterte and his foreign affairs officials to end their subservience to China and muster the necessary political courage to stand up to protect our national sovereignty and the lives of our citizens."

CNN Philippines' Chad de Guzman contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 20)  Former Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente "Tito" Sotto III on Monday took his oath as new Senate President, taking over Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel.

Sotto is the country's 29th Senate President, and the second to lead the chamber in the 17th Congress. Senator Miguel Zubiri replaced Sotto as Majority Floor Leader.

"To my colleagues and to the Filipino people, I am committed to do my very best, and with your help, I am confident that I have in my background the template of nine other Senate Presidents that I have served," Sotto said in his acceptance speech.

He then named former Senate Presidents Neptali Gonzales, Eduardo Angara, Ernesto Maceda, Marcelo Fernan, Blas Ople, Franklin Drilon, Nene Pimentel, Juan Ponce Enrile, and Koko Pimentel who held the top post in the chamber since the senator was elected to office.

"I hereby pledge to continue in helping the passage of laws that will be beneficial to the country and to every Filipino," he said, adding he had helped pass bills into landmark laws.

Some of the laws authored and sponsored by Sotto are Republic Act (RA) 8369 or the Family Courts Act of 1997, RA 8750 or the Seat Belts Use Act of 1999, RA 7925 or the Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines, and the RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Drug Act of 2002.

Pimentel steps down

Pimentel nominated Sotto as his successor.

"I step down knowing that I tried my best. I wish my successor Senator Sotto good health and Godspeed, and pledge to help the new leadership," he said in a media briefing.

Sotto took his oath of office after a caucus where the senators discussed the leadership transition.

Pimentel said the majority of Senators expressed support for the new Senate President, promising minimal disruption in the workflow following the turnover.

"This is a peaceful and willing transfer of power in the Senate," he said.

Sotto was nominated by the majority bloc through a resolution signed by 16 senators, including Pimentel.

Senator JV Ejercito on Monday said Pimentel did nothing to merit a coup within the Senate, but noted his inaction in important matters.

"There were attacks from the other House. Some of my colleagues feel the Senate was not defended during those times," he told CNN Philippines.

In January, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez called the Senate "mabagal na kapulungan (slow chamber)" because of delays in passing important bills.

Ejercito said Pimentel's quiet demeanor worked against his favor when the Senate's integrity was attacked.

"I don't think he is weak. He is good and probably he was just too good. Sometimes he has to be more assertive and show leadership at times....The majority leaders just wanted change in leadership," he said.

Ejercito added Pimentel seemed to have shifted his focus.

"Personally, the leadership concentrated on the party strengthening of the PDP-Laban," he pointed out.

Pimentel, president of the said ruling party, said he would now concentrate on PDP-Laban's preparation for the 2019 elections.

Ejercito said Sotto was chosen to replace Pimentel because he was the most senior among incumbent lawmakers.

Sotto was Majority Floor Leader from July 2010 to June 2016. He was reelected to the post in July 2016. Sotto also served as senator from 1992 to 1998, ending that term in 2004.

"Under the Sotto leadership, I hope he will be more assertive to defend the institution. I am hoping he will be able to defend the interest and integrity of institution," Ejercito said.

Expectations set for Sotto

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair Richard Gordon said Sotto should focus on pushing further President Rodrigo Duterte's legislative agenda.

"We should concentrate more on legislation and important investigations that need to be resolved," Gordon said, referring to the dengue vaccine Dengvaxia controversy and the charter of the state-run pension fund Social Security System.

Minority Senator Franklin Drilon, on the other hand, said the challege to Sotto is to assert the Senate's role in foreign relations.

He said the country should take a stand against Beijing's actions in the South China Sea, as it might interfere with the 2019 elections next.

"Ang importante, kung sino man ang tatayong namumuno ng Senado ay mayroon talagang pwersa na manindigan sa aming posisyon na ipaglaban ang posisyon ng Senado," he said.

[Translation: Whoever will lead the Senate, it's important that he stand and fight for the position of the Senate.]

Ejercito echoed Drilon, saying he hoped Sotto would help the Senate have a more defined stand on the maritime dispute in the South China Sea.

Senator Grace Poe said Sotto should show he can defend the Senate's position on pressing matters.

Aside from the Senate leadership, the majority senators will also discuss on Monday possible changes in committee chairmanships.

CNN Philippines' Rex Remitio contributed to this report.
Ten people were killed and 10 others wounded after a 17-year-old student opened fire at Santa Fe High School in Texas. It is the deadliest school shooting in America since February 14 when 17 people were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

Emily Weingarten, a 19-year-old UF business management sophomore and MSD alumna, said she first heard the news of the Santa Fe shooting through Twitter. She said when she saw Santa Fe High School was trending, she immediately knew why.

We said Never again, but its happening again, Weingarten said.

Weingarten said she was reminded of what happened at Parkland and felt sympathy for the victims in Texas.

I know how much my community has struggled with the loss of 17 lives and everything we had to witness, said Weingarten, I can remember every little detail of that day, from what I was wearing to who I spoke to.

Max Baron, a 20-year-old UF English junior and MSD alumnus, said he feared the day Parkland would no longer be the most recent deadly school shooting.

All it took was three months to go by to confirm my suspicions, Baron said. How many more times will this go on?

Weingarten, Baron and other UF students and MSD alumni are members of Never Again Florida, a group advocating for stricter gun control laws and better access to mental health care.

Weingarten said it also promotes increasing awareness for gun violence, encouraging youth to vote and helping personally affected students current and incoming.

Adler Garfield, a 19-year-old UF advertising junior, is the president of Never Again Florida and a MSD alumnus. He said he and others were upset and frustrated when they heard another high school mass shooting occurred.

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We continuously see this happening and nothing has changed, Garfield said.

Weingarten and Garfield also said Never Again Florida met with UF President Kent Fuchs in April to discuss goals the program wants to accomplish. Among the list are having faster, more accessible officers on sight if there is ever a campus threat; providing mental health resources such as on site counselors; and helping incoming MSD students make a comfortable transition into UF by working at Preview and offering them any help needed.

Baron said the organization is already setting in motion relief funding for the neighborhood and families affected in Texas on Facebook. He said members of the forum have volunteered to reach out to the superintendent of Santa Fe High asking if they need financial assistance.

Weingarten, Baron and Garfield said they believed one of the keys to stopping the high incidence of mass shootings across the nation is not through banning guns, but rather increasing the restrictions on easy access to guns.

We need a safer America, Garfield said, For our generation, the next generation and the generations to come.

Follow Dana Cassidy on Twitter @danacassidy_ and contact her at dcassidy@alligator.org.

Ten people died in a school shooting on Friday at Santa Fe High School, just south of Houston, Texas. (KTRK-TV ABC13 via AP)
Posted on: May 20, 2018 8:24 AM

The Presiding Bishop of the US-based Episcopal Church, Michael Curry, spoke of the power of love to change the world when he preached at yesterdays wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in St Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as the couple will now be known, listened attentively, smiling and laughing in part, as Bishop Michael spoke with passion about how different the world would be if it were powered by love.

Towards the end of the sermon, telling the couple he was drawing to a close, he joked: with this I will sit down, we gotta get youll married!

His sermon was a hit with many of the estimated three-billion strong global television audience. It was trending on social media and featured heavily in news bulletins around the world.

You can read the full text of Bishop Michaels sermon, below; and watch it here.

This text is also available in Spanish and French

Este texto tambien esta disponible en espanol y frances

Ce texte est egalement disponible en espagnol et en francais

Sermon by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

of the US-based Episcopal Church

at the wedding of

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle

Saturday 19 May 2018

And now in the name of our loving, liberating and life-giving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

From the Song of Solomon, in the Bible: set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.

The late Dr Martin Luther King once said, and I quote: We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will make of this old world a new world, for love is the only way.

Theres power in love. Dont underestimate it. Dont even over-sentimentalise it. Theres power, power in love. If you dont believe me, think about a time when you first fell in love. The whole world seemed to centre around you and your beloved.

Oh theres power, power in love. Not just in its romantic forms, but any form, any shape of love. Theres a certain sense in which when you are loved, and you know it; when someone cares for you, and you know it: when you love and you show it  it actually feels right.

There is something right about it. And theres a reason for it. The reason has to do with the source. We were made by a power of love, and our lives were meant  and are meant  to be lived in that love. Thats why we are here.

Ultimately, the source of love is God himself: the source of all of our lives. Theres an old medieval poem that says: Where true love is found, God himself is there.

The New Testament says it this way: Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God, and those who love are born of God and know God. Those who do not love do not know God. Why? For God is love.

Theres power in love. Theres power in love to help and heal when nothing else can.

Theres power in love to lift up and liberate when nothing else will.

Theres power in love to show us the way to live.

Set me as a seal on your heart . . . a seal on your arm, for love is as strong as death.

But love is not only about a young couple. Now the power of love is demonstrated by the fact that were all here: two young people fell in love, and we all showed up! But its not just for and about a young couple, who we rejoice with. Its more than that.

Jesus of Nazareth on one occasion was asked by a lawyer to sum up the essence of the teachings of Moses, and he went back and he reached back into the Hebrew scriptures, to Deuteronomy and Leviticus, and Jesus said: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself.

And then in Matthews version, he added, he said: On these two, love of God and love of neighbour, hang all the law, all the prophets, everything that Moses wrote, everything in the holy prophets, everything in the scriptures, everything that God has been trying to tell the world: love God, love your neighbours, and while youre at it, love yourself.

Someone once said that Jesus began the most revolutionary movement in human history. A movement grounded in the unconditional love of God for the world - and a movement mandating people to live that love, and in so doing to change not only their lives but the very life of the world itself.

Im talking about some power, real power, power to change the world.

If you dont believe me, well, there were some old slaves in Americas Antebellum South who explained the dynamic power of love and why it has the power to transform. They explained it this way: they sang a spiritual, even in the midst of their captivity. Its one that says There is a balm in Gilead. . . a healing balm, something that can make things right.

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole, there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul. And one of the stanzas actually explains why. They said: If you cannot preach like Peter, and you cannot pray like Paul, you just tell the love of Jesus, how he died to save us all. Oh, thats the balm in Gilead! This way of love, it is the way of life. They got it. He died to save us all.

He didnt die for anything he could get out of it. Jesus did not get an honorary doctorate for dying. He didnt, he wasnt getting anything out of it. He gave up his life, he sacrificed his life, for the good of others, for the good of the other, for the wellbeing of the world, for us.

Thats what love is. Love is not selfish and self-centred. Love can be sacrificial, and in so doing, becomes redemptive. And that way of unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive love changes lives, and it can change this world. If you dont believe me, just stop and think or imagine: think and imagine. Well? Think and imagine a world where love is the way.

Imagine our homes and families where love is the way. Imagine neighbourhoods and communities where love is the way. Imagine governments and nations where love is the way. Imagine business and commerce where this love is the way. Imagine this tired old world where love is the way; when love is the way  unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive.

When love is the way, then no child will go to bed hungry in this world ever again. When love is the way, we will let justice roll down like a mighty stream and righteousness like an ever-flowing brook. When love is the way, poverty will become history. When love is the way, the earth will be a sanctuary. When love is the way, we will lay down our swords and shields, down by the riverside, to study war no more. When love is the way, theres plenty good room  plenty good room  for all of Gods children.

Because when love is the way, we actually treat each other, well, like we are actually family.

When love is the way, we know that God is the source of us all, and we are brothers and sisters, children of God. My brothers and sisters, thats a new heaven, a new earth, a new world, a new human family. And let me tell you something, old Solomon was right in the Old Testament: thats fire.

Pierre de Chardin  and with this I will sit down, we gotta get y'all married! French Jesuit Pierre de Chardin was arguably one of the great minds, great spirits of the 20th century; a Jesuit, Roman Catholic priest, scientist, a scholar, a mystic.

In some of his writings, he said, from his scientific background as well as his theological one, in some of his writings he said  as others have  that the discovery, or invention, or harnessing of fire was one of the great scientific and technological discoveries in all of human history.

Fire to a great extent made human civilisation possible. Fire made it possible to cook food and to provide sanitary ways of eating which reduced the spread of disease in its time. Fire made it possible to heat warm environments and thereby made human migration around the world a possibility, even into colder climates. Fire made it possible  there was no Bronze Age without fire, no Iron Age without fire, no Industrial Revolution without fire.

The advances of science and technology are greatly dependent on the human ability and capacity to take fire and use it for human good.

Anybody get here in a car today? An automobile? Nod your heads if you did  I know there were some carriages  but those of us who came in cars, fire  the controlled, harnessed fire  made that possible.

I know that the Bible says, and I believe it, that Jesus walked on the water. But I have to tell you, I did not walk across the Atlantic Ocean to get here. Controlled fire in that plane got me here. Fire makes it possible for us to text and tweet and email and Instagram and Facebook and socially be dysfunctional with each other.

Fire makes all of that possible, and de Chardin said fire was one of the greatest discoveries in all of human history. And he then went on to say that if humanity ever harnesses the energy of fire again, if humanity ever captures the energy of love  it will be the second time in history that we have discovered fire.

Dr King was right: we must discover love  the redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will make of this old world, a new world.

My brother, my sister, God love you, God bless you, and may God hold us all in those almighty hands of love.

Sermon del Obispo Presidente Michael Curry en la Boda Real

This text is also available in English and French

Este texto tambien esta disponible en ingles y frances

Ce texte est egalement disponible en anglais et en francais

El matrimonio de

SAR el Principe Henry de Gales y la Sra. Meghan Markle

Sabado 19 de mayo de 2018

Y ahora en nombre de nuestro Dios amoroso, liberador y vivificante, Padre, Hijo y Espiritu Santo. Amen.

Del Cantar de los Cantares, en la Biblia:

Ponme como un sello sobre tu corazon,

como una marca sobre tu brazo;

Porque fuerte es como la muerte el amor;

pasion feroz como la tumba.

Sus brasas son brasas de fuego,

fuerte llama.

Las muchas aguas no podran apagar el amor,

ni lo ahogaran los rios.

El Cantar de los Cantares 8:6-7

El difunto Dr. Martin Luther King una vez dijo, y lo cito:

Debemos descubrir el poder del amor, el poder redentor del amor. Y cuando descubrimos, seremos capaces de hacer de este viejo mundo un nuevo mundo. El amor es el unico camino.

Hay poder en el amor. No lo subestimen. Ni siquiera lo vean demasiado sentimental. Hay poder, poder en el amor. Si no me creen, piensen en un momento en el que se enamoraron por primera vez. El mundo entero parecia girar a su alrededor y de su amada. Oh, hay poder, poder en el amor. No solo en sus tipos romanticos, sino en cualquier tipo, en cualquier forma, de amor. Hay un cierto sentido, en el que cuando eres amado, y lo sabes, cuando le importas a alguien y lo sabes, cuando amas y lo muestras, en realidad se siente bien. Hay algo correcto al respecto. Y hay una razon para eso.

El motivo tiene que ver con la fuente. Fuimos creados por un poder de amor. Y nuestras vidas fueron creadas con esa intencion, y estan destinadas a ser vividas en ese amor. Es por eso que estamos aqui. En ultima instancia, la fuente del amor es Dios mismo. La fuente de todas nuestras vidas.

Como lo dice un viejo poema medieval:

Donde se encuentra el verdadero amor, Dios mismo esta alli.

1era de Juan en el Nuevo Testamento lo dice de esta manera.

Amados, amemonos unos a otros;

Porque el amor es de Dios;

Todo aquel que ama, es nacido de Dios y conoce a Dios

El que no ama, no ha conocido a Dios;

porque Dios es amor. (1era de Juan 4:7-8)

Hay poder en el amor.

Hay poder en el amor para ayudar y sanar cuando nada mas puede hacerlo.

Hay poder en el amor para levantar y liberar cuando nada mas lo hara.

Hay poder en el amor para mostrarnos la forma de vivir.

Ponme como un sello sobre tu corazon

Un sello en tu brazo 

Porque fuerte es como la muerte el amor;

Pero el amor no se trata solo de una pareja joven.

Ahora el poder del amor se demuestra por el hecho de que todos estamos aqui.

Dos jovenes se enamoraron, y todos nos presentamos!

Pero no es solo por y para una pareja joven con quienes nos regocijamos.

Es mas que eso.

A Jesus de Nazaret en una ocasion le pidio un abogado que resumiera la esencia de las ensenanzas de Moises. Y el leyo nuevamente, y volvio a las escrituras hebreas de Deuteronomio y Levitico, y Jesus dijo:

Amaras al Senor tu Dios con todo tu corazon, con toda tu alma, con toda tu mente y con todas tus fuerzas.

Este es el primer y gran mandamiento.

Y el segundo es como eso.

Amaras a tu projimo como a ti mismo.

Y luego en la version de Mateo, agrego, el dijo:

En estos dos, el amor de Dios y el amor al projimo, se sostiene toda la ley, todos los profetas.

Todo lo que Moises escribio, todo en los santos profetas, todo en las Escrituras, todo lo que Dios ha estado tratando de decirle al mundo!

Amen a Dios!

Amen a tus vecinos

Y mientras lo hacen, amense ustedes mismos.

Alguien dijo una vez que Jesus comenzo el movimiento mas revolucionario en toda la historia de la humanidad. Un movimiento basado en el amor incondicional de Dios por el mundo. Y un movimiento que manda a las personas a vivir ese amor. Y al hacerlo, cambiar no solo sus vidas, sino la vida misma del mundo.

Estoy hablando de un super poder.

Poder real.

Poder para cambiar el mundo.

Y si no me creen, bueno, hubo unos esclavos en el Sur de la Antiguedad de los Estados Unidos, que explicaron el poder dinamico del amor y por que tiene el poder de transformar. Lo explicaron de esta manera: cantaron una [cancion] espiritual, incluso en medio de su cautiverio. Es una que dice:

Hay un balsamo en Galaad

Un balsamo curativo, algo que puede hacer las cosas bien 

Hay un balsamo en Galaad

Para que los heridos sean sanados

Hay un balsamo en Galaad

Para sanar al alma enferma de pecado.

Y una de las estrofas en realidad explica el porque  dijeron:

Si no puedes predicar como Pedro,

Y no puedes orar como Pablo

Tu habla del amor de Jesus,

Como murio para salvarnos a todos.

Oh, ese es el balsamo en Galaad!

Esta forma de amor, es la forma de vida! Ellos lo entendieron!

Murio para salvarnos a todos! No murio porque fuera a sacar nada de eso!

Jesus no recibio un doctorado honorario por morir!

No estaba sacando nada de eso!

Renuncio a su vida, sacrifico su vida por el bien de los demas, por el bien del otro, por el bienestar del mundo, por nosotros!

Eso es lo que es el amor.

El amor no es egoista y egocentrico.

El amor puede ser sacrificatorio.

Y al hacerlo, se vuelve redentor.

Y esa forma de amor desinteresado, sacrificado y redentor, cambia vidas.

Y puede cambiar este mundo.

Si no me creen, solo detenganse a pensar, o imaginen.

Piensen, e imaginense.

Bueno, piensen e imaginense un mundo donde el amor es el camino.

Imaginen nuestros hogares y familias cuando el amor es el camino.

Imaginen vecindarios y comunidades cuando el amor es el camino.

Imaginen a nuestros gobiernos y naciones cuando el amor es el camino.

Imaginen los negocios y el comercio cuando el amor es el camino.

Imaginen este viejo mundo cansado cuando el amor es el camino.

Cuando el amor es el camino, desinteresado, sacrificado, redentor.

Cuando el amor es el camino, ningun nino volveria a la cama con hambre en este mundo nunca mas.

Cuando el amor es el camino, dejaremos que la justicia ruede como una corriente poderosa y la justicia como un arroyo que fluye constantemente.

Cuando el amor es el camino, la pobreza se convertiria en historia.

Cuando el amor es el camino, la tierra sera un santuario.

Cuando el amor es el camino, descansaremos nuestras espadas y escudos a la orilla del rio y no estudiaremos la guerra jamas.

Cuando el amor es el camino, hay mucho espacio bueno. Mucho espacio bueno. Para todos los hijos de Dios.

Y cuando el amor es el camino, en realidad nos tratamos unos a otros, bueno, como si fueramos realmente familia.

Cuando el amor es el camino, sabemos que Dios es la fuente de todos nosotros, y somos hermanos y hermanas. Hijos de Dios.

Mis hermanos y hermanas, ese es un cielo nuevo, una tierra nueva, un mundo nuevo.

Una nueva familia humana.

Y dejame decirte algo, el viejo Salomon tenia razon en el Antiguo Testamento, eso es fuego.

Teilhard de Chardin, y con esto, me sentare, tenemos que casarlos.

El jesuita frances Teilhard de Chardin fue posiblemente una de las grandes mentes, grandes espiritus del siglo XX. Un jesuita, un sacerdote catolico romano, un cientifico, un erudito, un mistico. En algunos de sus escritos, dijo, desde su formacion cientifica, asi como desde su formacion teologica. En algunos de sus escritos dijo, como otros lo hicieron, que el descubrimiento, la invencion o el uso del fuego fue uno de los grandes descubrimientos cientificos y tecnologicos de toda la historia de la humanidad.

El fuego hizo posible en gran medida la civilizacion humana.

El fuego hizo posible cocinar alimentos y proporcionar maneras sanas de comer, lo que redujo la propagacion de la enfermedad en su momento.

El fuego hizo posible calentar y tibiar ambientes y, por lo tanto, hizo posible la migracion humana en todo el mundo, incluso hacia climas mas frios.

El fuego lo hizo posible; no hubo Edad de Bronce sin fuego. No hubo Edad de Hierro sin fuego. No hubo revolucion industrial sin fuego.

Los avances de la ciencia y la tecnologia dependen en gran medida de la habilidad y capacidad humana de tomar el fuego y usarlo para el bien humano.

Alguien vino aqui en un carro hoy? En un automovil?

Asientan con sus cabezas si lo hicieron, estoy adivinando, se que habia algunos carruajes.

Para aquellos de nosotros que vinieron en autos, fuego y el fuego controlado y encapsulado lo hicieron posible.

Se que la Biblia dice, y lo creo, que Jesus camino sobre el agua, pero tengo que decirte que no cruce el oceano Atlantico caminando para llegar hasta aqui.

El fuego controlado en ese avion me trajo aqui!

El fuego nos permite enviar mensajes de texto, enviar tweets y correos electronicos y usar Instagram y Facebook, y socialmente ser disfuncionales unos con otros!

El fuego hace todo eso posible!

Y de Chardin dijo que el fuego fue uno de los mayores descubrimientos en toda la historia de la humanidad.

Y luego continuo diciendo que si la humanidad alguna vez llegara a dominar la energia del fuego nuevamente, si la humanidad alguna vez captura la energia del amor, sera la segunda vez en la historia que descubrimos el fuego.

El Dr. King tenia razon.

Debemos descubrir el amor.

El poder redentor del amor.

Y cuando lo hagamos, haremos de este viejo mundo un mundo nuevo.

Mi hermano, mi hermana,

Dios te ama, Dios te bendiga.

Y que Dios nos sostenga a todos,

en esas manos Todopoderosas de amor.

Sermon de lEveque Primat Curry lors du mariage royal

This text is also available in English and Spanish

Este texto tambien esta disponible en ingles y espanol

Ce texte est egalement disponible en anglais et en espagnol

 La force de lamour 

 Sermon de Monseigneur Michael B. Curry

pour le mariage de

SAR le Prince Henry de Galles & Mme Meghan Markle

le samedi 19 mai 2018

Et maintenant, au nom de notre Dieu aimant, liberateur et source de vie, du Pere, du Fils et du Saint-Esprit. Amen.

Tire du Chant de Salomon, dans la Bible :

Mets-moi comme un sceau sur ton cur,

comme un sceau sur ton bras,

car fort comme la mort est amour,

inflexible comme enfer est jalousie,

ses flammes sont des flammes ardentes,

un coup de foudre sacre.

Les grandes eaux ne pourraient eteindre lamour

et les fleuves ne le submergeraient pas.

Cantique des Cantiques 8:6-7

Le regrette Martin Luther King a dit un jour et je cite :

 Il nous faut decouvrir la force de lamour, la force redemptrice de lamour. Et lorsque nous laurons decouvert, nous serons capables de faire de ce vieux monde un nouveau monde. Lamour est la seule voie. 

Il y a de la force dans lamour. Ne la sous-estimez pas. Ne versez pas dans la sensiblerie. Il y a de la force, de la force dans lamour. SI vous ne me croyez pas, pensez au moment ou vous etes pour la premiere fois tombe amoureux. Le monde entier semblait centre sur vous et votre bien-aime. Oh, il y a de la force, de la force dans lamour. Non seulement sous ses formes romantiques mais sous toutes ses formes, toutes les formes de lamour. Il y a un certain sens, lorsque vous etes aime et que vous le savez, lorsque vous comptez pour quelquun et que vous le savez, lorsque vous aimez et que vous le montrez, on se sent vraiment bien. On sent quelque chose de juste. Et il y a une raison a cela.

La raison a a voir avec la source. Nous avons ete crees par la force de lamour. Et nos vies etaient destinees et sont destinees a etre vecues dans cet amour. Voila pourquoi nous sommes ici. En fin de compte, la source de lamour est Dieu lui-meme. La source de toutes nos vies.

Il y a un vieux poeme medieval qui dit :

 Ou se trouve le veritable amour, Dieu lui-meme est la .

1 Jean dans le Nouveau Testament le dit de cette maniere :

 Mes bien-aimes, aimons-nous les uns les autres,

car lamour vient de Dieu,

et quiconque aime est ne de Dieu

qui naime pas ne connait pas Dieu

puisque Dieu est amour  (1Jean 4:4-8)

Il y a de la force dans lamour.

Il y a de la force dans lamour pour aider et guerir quand rien dautre ne le peut.

Il y a de la force dans lamour pour relever et liberer quand rien dautre ne le peut.

Il y a de la force dans lamour pour nous montrer la voie de la vie.

 Mets-moi comme un sceau sur ton cur

Un sceau sur ton bras,

Car fort comme la mort est amour 

Mais lamour ne concerne pas seulement un jeune couple.

La force de lamour est demontree par le fait que nous sommes tous ici.

Deux jeunes gens sont tombes amoureux et nous sommes tous venus !

Mais ce nest pas seulement pour et au sujet du jeune couple que nous nous rejouissons. Cest plus que cela.

Un avocat a une fois demande a Jesus de Nazareth de resumer lessence des enseignements de Moise. Et il a consulte et sest replonge dans les ecritures hebraiques du Deuteronome et du Levitique ou Jesus a dit :

Tu aimeras le Seigneur ton Dieu de tout ton cur, de toute ton ame,

de toute ta pensee et de toute ta force.

Cest la le premier et le grand commandement.

Le second est lui aussi important.

Tu aimeras ton prochain comme toi-meme.

Puis, dans la version de Matthieu, il a ajoute :

De ces deux commandements, lamour de Dieu et lamour de ton prochain, dependent toute la Loi et les prophetes.

Tout ce que Moise a ecrit, tout dans les saints prophetes, tout dans les Ecritures, tout ce que Dieu a essaye de dire au monde !

Aime Dieu !

Aime ton prochain.

Et pendant que tu y es, aime-toi.

Un jour quelquun a dit que Jesus a commence le mouvement le plus revolutionnaire de toute lhistoire de lhumanite. Un mouvement fonde sur lamour inconditionnel de Dieu pour le monde. Un mouvement qui oblige les peuples a vivre cet amour. Et ce faisant, a changer non seulement leur vie mais la vie meme du monde.

Je parle la dune force.

Une veritable force.

La force de changer le monde.

Et si vous ne me croyez pas, eh bien, il y a de vieux esclaves du Sud americain antebellum qui ont explique la force dynamique de lamour et pourquoi il a la force de transformer. Ils lont explique de cette facon  ils chantaient des spirituals, alors meme quils etaient en captivite. Un de ces spirituals dit :

 Il y a du baume en Galaad 

Un baume guerisseur, quelque chose qui peut rectifier les torts 

 Il y a du baume en Galaad

Pour retablir les blesses

Il y a du baume en Galaad

Pour guerir lame malade du peche 

Et lune des strophes explique en realite pourquoi :

 Si tu ne peux pas precher comme Pierre,

Et si tu ne peux pas prier comme Paul,

Raconte lamour de Jesus,

Comment il est mort pour nous sauver tous 

Oh, Il y a du baume en Galaad !

Cette voie de lamour est la voie de la vie ! Ils lavaient compris !

Il est mort pour nous sauver tous ! Il nest pas mort pour en tirer quoi que ce soit !

Jesus na pas obtenu un doctorat honorifique pour sa mort !

Il nen a absolument rien retire !

Il a donne sa vie, il a sacrifie sa vie pour le bien dautrui, pour le bien de lautre, pour le bien du monde, pour nous !

Cest cela lamour.

Lamour nest pas egoiste et egocentrique.

Lamour peut etre sacrificiel.

Et ce faisant, il devient redempteur.

Et cet amour altruiste, sacrificiel, redempteur change les vies.

Et il peut changer ce monde.

Si vous ne me croyez pas, arretez-vous un instant pour reflechir ou imaginer.

Reflechissez et imaginez.

Reflechissez et imaginez un monde ou lamour est la seule voie.

Imaginez nos foyers et nos familles ou lamour est la seule voie.

Imaginez les quartiers et les communautes ou lamour est la seule voie.

Imaginez nos gouvernements et nos nations ou lamour est la seule voie.

Imaginez les entreprises et le commerce ou lamour est la seule voie.

Imaginez ce vieux monde fatigue ou lamour est la seule voie.

Si lamour est la voie altruiste, sacrificielle, redemptrice.

Si lamour est la seule voie, plus aucun enfant au monde nira au lit le ventre vide.

Si lamour est la seule voie, nous laisserons la justice couler comme un fleuve majestueux et la droiture comme un ruisseau intarissable.

Si lamour est la seule voie, la pauvrete sera releguee au passe.

Si lamour est la seule voie, la terre deviendra un sanctuaire.

Si lamour est la seule voie, nous deposerons nos epees et nos boucliers sur la berge pour ne plus etudier la guerre.

Si lamour est la seule voie, il y aura une abondance despace. Une abondance despace. Pour tous les enfants de Dieu.

Et si lamour est la seule voie, nous nous traiterons les uns les autres  comme si nous etions en fait une famille.

Si lamour est la seule voie, nous savons que Dieu est la source de nous tous et que nous sommes freres et surs. Les enfants de Dieu.

Mes freres et surs, cest un nouveau paradis, une nouvelle terre, un nouveau monde.

Une nouvelle famille humaine.

Et laissez-moi vous dire une chose, le vieux Salomon avait raison dans lAncien Testament, cest du feu.

Teilhard de Chardin  et sur ces paroles, je vais masseoir, il nous faut tous vous marier.

Le Jesuite francais Teilhard de Chardin etait sans conteste lun des plus grands penseurs, des plus grands esprits du 20eme siecle. Un pretre catholique jesuite, un scientifique, un savant, un mystique. Dans lun de ses ecrits il a dit, fort de son experience scientifique et son experience theologique. Dans certains de ses ecrits il a dit, comme dautres lont fait, que la decouverte, linvention ou la maitrise du feu etait lune des plus grandes decouvertes scientifiques et technologiques de toute lhistoire de lhumanite.

Le feu a dans une large mesure rendu possible la civilisation humaine.

Le feu nous a permis de cuire les aliments et dintroduire lhygiene dans la cuisine, ce qui a reduit en son temps la propagation des maladies.

Le feu nous a permis de chauffer et de rechauffer les environnements et a par la meme rendu possible la migration humaine a travers le monde, meme dans les climats plus froids.

Le feu a rendu cela possible  il ny aurait pas dAge de Bronze sans le feu. Pas dAge de Fer sans le feu. Pas de revolution industrielle sans le feu.

Les progres de la science et de la technologie dependent en grande partie de laptitude et de la capacite humaines de maitriser le feu et de lutiliser pour le bien de letre humain.

Quelquun est-il venu en voiture ici aujourdhui ? En automobile ?

Hochez la tete si cest le cas, je suppose, je sais quil y avait des caleches.

Pour ceux dentre nous qui sommes venus en voiture, le feu, le feu controle, maitrise, a rendu cela possible.

Je sais que la Bible dit, et je le crois, que Jesus a marche sur leau mais je dois vous le dire, je nai pas traverse lOcean atlantique a pied pour venir ici !

Le feu controle dans cet avion est ce qui ma amene ici !

Le feu est ce qui nous permet de communiquer par texto, Tweet, courriel, Instagram et Facebook et detre socialement dysfonctionnels les uns avec les autres !

Le feu a rendu tout cela possible !

Et de Chardin a dit que le feu etait lune des plus grandes decouvertes de toute lhistoire de lhumanite.

Puis il a ajoute que si jamais lhumanite arrivait a nouveau a maitriser lenergie du feu, si jamais lhumanite saisissait lenergie de lamour, ce serait la seconde fois de lhistoire que nous decouvririons le feu.

Martin Luther King avait raison.

Il nous faut decouvrir lamour.

La force redemptrice de lamour.

Et si nous y parvenons, nous ferons de ce vieux monde un nouveau monde.

Mon frere, ma sur,

Que Dieu vous aime, que Dieu vous benisse.

Et que Dieu nous garde tous

dans ces mains toutes-puissantes damour.
Israels Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., a global leading defense company, has signed a teaming agreement with ROMAERO, Romanias largest government-controlled Aerospace & Defense Industry. The agreement was signed by ROMAERO CEO, Mr. Remus Vulpescu and Rafaels CEO, Major General (ret.) Yoav Har-Even. The signing ceremony took place on Wednesday (May 16, 2018) and was attended by dignitaries from Israel and Romania at BSDA in Bucharest.



Rafael Spyder MR air defense missile system at BSDA 2018, Black Sea Defense & Aerospace Exhibition in Bucharest, Romania. May 16, 2018. (Picture source Army Recognition)

As part of their new partnership, Rafael and ROMAERO will consolidate a local partnership to facilitate local production and knowledge transfer geared towards various Romanian acquisition programs.

The new cooperation will address the Romanian Armys operational requirements in the upcoming programs already approved by Romanias parliament. These include:

Air defense systems - the combat-proven Iron Dome system, with over 1700 combat interceptions at a success rate of over 90% and the combat-proven SPYDER air defense system, already supplied to India and to other countries around the world, and the C-Dome Naval Air Defense System, aimed at equipping Romanias four new corvettes to address Romanias SHORAD and VSHORAD programs;

Remote Weapon Stations - the SAMSON 30mm caliber, with 25 customers around the world. SAMSON is being offered for Romanias 400 Rheinmetall vehicles;

EO, Precise Tactical Missiles - SPIKE  a family of electro-optical precise tactical missiles including its brand new SPIKE LR 2 5th generation missile. SPIKE Family missiles have been sold to 29 countries, with 30,000 missiles already supplied.

Rafael has over 15 years of experience in Production Transfer Programs (PTP) worldwide. Its PTPs have been implemented successfully at more than 50 overseas companies located in the U.S, Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland and other countries.



Rafaels cutting edge solutions are in use throughout the world, as well as in Romania. We look forward to expanding our presence here and to working with our new partners at ROMAERO as our strategic partner to create new avenues of cooperation with local Romanian industry and suppliers. This is an essential aspect of our corporate policy and strategy  a dedication to strong, win-win partnerships and long-term collaboration to establish technological advancement, local production and capabilities., said Rafaels CEO, Major General (ret.) Yoav Har-Even.
In an exclusive chat with Deccan Chronicle, Mantra came out unabashed about comedians who have turned serious.

Mantra has been associated with theatre even before he became a screen actor and television host.

Mantra, often remembered for his stints on radio and television, is back to movies with the recent release High Jack. It has actually been a good year for the RJ-actor as he also bagged a theatrical play by Disney, Aladdin and has been offered scripts he was almost always looking forward to. In an exclusive chat with Deccan Chronicle, Mantra came out open and unabashed about comedians who have turned serious (pun intented) and politicians. The comedian could literally be imagined as a different yet good person. Read on to know

Do you think its a dream come true or do you still have to get there?

Na, na. You always push for it and create your destiny. This is my own creation and its always there for my better. Im so happy with whatever I have. If the world was to end any moment, I would be a very happy and satisfied man so there is nothing that I seek more but theres always room for better.

How did High Jack happen to you?

Because of Akarsh Khurana yaar! Where was that man? Why did he come so late in my life I dont understand that! If I wouldve met him earlier, I wouldnt have ever left him. Hes such a good director and such a fun person! I had done a web series with him, but I met him during my theatre days.

In the future, will you be able to focus on radio, theatres as well as movies?

I always call myself a performer. Mediums can change. I do miss radio big time, since I began my career from radio. Maybe in the future, I want to give back to radio by either heading a radio channel or hosting shows there. But right now my focus is on films, especially since my film career has come back on track. Ive got 2-3 more scripts so will make some choices.

So what kind of scripts are you being offered?

Thankfully not comedy! Because everybody thought I can only do comedy, they offered me that since 2-3 years, which I also refused because it didnt make sense to me. Ive got the script of a thriller which will go on floors soon. Apart from that, Ive been approached for non-comedy web series. So Im happy people are looking at me as a complete performer not only as a comedian.

Is there a reason you avoided comedy?

I didnt do it purposely, but I also didnt want to get stereotyped in one kind of genre. Even if I get comedy, it should be good comedy na? You also know that comedians have started taking themselves too seriously these days.

I would like to believe that a good script is that no matter the genre.

What attracted you towards your role in High Jack?

When Akarsh called me with the script, he said I want you to play a character that is a rough and tough guy who doesnt smile even for a moment. I couldnt believe my ears because that is the kind of role I was waiting for! He has now become one of the directors for whom I wouldve just gone and stood in the background if asked to.

Are you a serious or comic person?

I love celebrating every moment man! I like to laugh heartily, cry my heart out, express anger like anything. My life mantra itself is Life is a celebration.

You all wrapped up the movie in a month. Were there any challenges for youll?

The Delhi heat. That was the biggest challenge! We were shooting in March last year in an aeroplane which did not have AC either. That plane had become like an oven, a cooker at that time. Our crew was like a family, who made it all work out beautifully. I have an action scene in the movie too, in a suit. That gave me James Bond feeling.

The film has been compared to Hangover. What is your take on that?

Comparing our film to Hangover will be an exaggeration. It is an easy going, fun film, but its nothing like Hangover.

How much can you relate to your character?

I took the film so seriously that even after scene cuts, I used to scare everyone with my toughness. It so happened that when we all sat for lunch and I used to be there, people ran away from my table to eat their lunch on another table.

If you met a Genie in real life and had to wish for 3 things, what would those be?

1. I would love to time travel to see how it was when dinasours existed, how the world was 400-500 years back and how it will be ahead.

2. I would have loved to meet Nushrat Fateh Ali Khan. I wanted to see his live concert but couldnt and hence I would ask the Genie to help me with that.

3. I would somehow like to bring honest politicians in the country and ask the genie to take away all dishonesty from current politicians because its really necessary. Im saying it in a satirical way but our country desperately needs honesty with which our country is run.
Superstar had promised to build a college dedicated to Aishwarya in Barabanki.

Lucknow: It was a dream that superstar Amitabh Bachchan saw ten years ago but later abandoned it, possibly due to changing political equations.

The people of the village have now made the dream turn to reality and they have done it through crowd funding.

In January 2008, Mr Bachchan, accompanied by wife Jaya Bachchan, son Abhishek Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and then close friend Amar Singh, had visited Daulatpur village in Barabanki district where he had purchased a 10-bigha plot of land.

Mr Bachchan announced that he would construct the Aishwarya Bachchan Degree College in Daulatpur and the foundation stone of the same was laid with great fanfare in the presence of Samajwadi leader Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The project had been entrusted to the Nishtha Foundation, run by the then SP MP Jaya Prada.

Within two years, Nishtha Foundation went defunct and was replaced with Amitabh Bachchan Seva Sansthan (ABSS) headed by Amit Singh, the then village head.

In 2012, the college was re-christened as Aishwarya Bachchan Girls Inter College for higher secondary students and a cheque of Rs 5 lakh was given to ABSS, for construction of the school.

However, as relationships and equations changed, not a brick was laid on the ground. After waiting in vain for the college to take shape, a village teachers father donated more than 10,000 sq metres of land for the college.

Satyawan Shukla, 40-year-old teacher of the village, set about building the college with liberal contributions from fellow villagers and the building is now ready.

The co-educational college has been re-christened as Daulatpur Degree College and is affiliated to the RML Avadh University in Faizabad. In July this year, the college will open with two courses  BA and B.Sc.

This dream has been realised by the people of Daulatpur who recognise the importance of education for their children. We have faced problems but we have also overcome them, said Satyawan Shukla.

The villagers are happy that they finally have a college where their children can study. We wish that Mr Bachchan comes here and sees his dream coming alive. We do not want anything from him except his blessings, said Rohit Singh, a young student.
The Teraa Surroor actor is back with two new projects.

Himesh, who has been busy judging music shows on TV, will also work on two additional projects.

Himesh Reshammiya is back. After a quiet wedding and honeymoon with his long-time love, Sonia Kapoor, the composer-producer-actor is ready for Bollywood again.

Himesh, who has been busy judging music shows on TV, will also work on two additional projects. While one of them is slated to be the Vishal Mishra-directed Heeriye, which will be shot in North India, the other project will be directed by the Fugly director, Kabir Sadanand. Himesh is also slated to do the second part of the Xpose, but then the announcements havent come in yet. Himesh will be making the said announcements soon and at least two films will be announced immediately, says a source.

Himeshs last release,Teraa Surroor, was in 2016.

 Sanskriti Media
The Raazi actress is in awe of the Valley's natural beauty.

Alia Bhatt, who shot extensively in Kashmir for her new film, Raazi has become a fan of the valley region.

The actress exclaims enthusiastically, One had always heard of Kashmir being a paradise on earth. But when I actually went there to shoot, I realized this was really the most beautiful place I had seen on earth.

So spellbound is Alia by the natural beauty of the Valley that she wishes to visit the region again in the near future, but this time, to look around. I hardly got any time away from the shoot to actually see the place. That is sad, because my mother (actress Soni Razdan) was with me, and it would have been fabulous to explore the landscape, says the actress.

Alia got a chance to go sightseeing only once during her time there and she spent the outing with her mother. On a rare occasion, when I had time off from shooting for Raazi, my mother and I took a long shikara ride. That was unbelievably enjoyable and exhilarating. I didnt get a chance to do it a second time. But I will be going back. Because I want to just take in the stunning beauty of Kashmir, informs Alia.

When quizzed about the disturbance caused by military activities, Alia vehemently opposes the view that the Valley is violent. The actress says, I know people are scared to go to Kashmir because, from the outside, weve heard so much about the violence. But believe me, I saw no stress or violence anywhere while we shot for Raazi. Although our security arrangements were impeccable, the area was tranquil; not a single untoward incident happened during the entire shooting schedule of Raazi.

Alia urges Bollywood to rebuild tourists confidence in Kashmir. She also assures moviemakers that the area is ideal for shooting. I know Hindi films were shot extensively in Kashmir during the 1970s and 80s. Then, with militancy on the rise, it stopped. Now, It is absolutely safe to shoot in Kashmir. We need to go there more often to shoot our films. Only then will the rest of the people feel confident enough to visit the Valley and make it the tourists paradise it once used to be, the actress signs off.
Huge blow to BJP as it fails to get Ktaka numbers; Cong to join JD(S)-led govt.

Bengaluru: The three-day-old BJP government in Karnataka collapsed on Saturday as chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa quit minutes before he was to face a floor test to prove his contested majority in the hung Assembly, after which the JD(S)-Congress combine led by the regional partys chief H.D. Kumaraswamy was invited to take the reins of power.

Capping five days of riveting political and courtroom drama, Mr Yeddyurappa announced his decision to quit on the floor of the Assembly after a brief emotional speech rather than face a vote of confidence he was widely expected to lose.

Before leaving for Raj Bhavan to hand in his resignation at the end of what was one of the shortest tenures of any government, Mr Yeddyurappa announced in the House on Saturday that he would not rest until the BJP won 28 Lok Sabha seats in the 2019 general election and 150 seats in the next Assembly polls, which he predicted could happen anytime.

I am in good health and will fight to bring back a full-fledged BJP government in Karnataka. I will tour the state and we will win 150 seats in the next Assembly elections, which may happen anytime, he declared.

While he did not attempt to prove his majority on the floor of the House through a trust vote, Mr Yeddyurappa said he was sure of getting the conscience votes of the Opposition MLAs, and a few had even promised him to vote in favour of his government. But, he claimed, the Congress had terrorised its MLAs and locked them in a room. You (Congress) did not trust your own MLAs and did not even allow them to speak to their families. Today I can see relief on Congress MLAs faces, he said.

The 75-year-old Lingayat strongman headed straight to Raj Bhavan, where he handed over his resignation to governor Vajubhai Vala a day after he was ordered by the Supreme Court to face a floor test at 4 pm Saturday after it drastically reduced the 15-day deadline set by the governor for him to prove his majority.

Three hours later, JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, 58, drove to Raj Bhavan for a meeting with the governor. Mr Kumaraswamy, the youngest son of JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda, said the JD(S)-Congress combine has been invited by the governor to form the new government and given 15 days to prove his strength on the floor of the Assembly.

The JD (S) leader told the media here that he was set to take oath between noon and 1.05 pm on Monday, however, he put off the swearing-in function to Wednesday as Monday marks the death anniversary of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and both Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi would not be able to make it to the function on that day. Other top leaders of the Opposition who were invited include BSP supremo Mayawati and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

Outgoing Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa after announcing his resignation before a floor test. (Photo: PTI)

Speaking to reporters after the meeting on Saturday night, Mr Kumaraswamy, who became the chief minister for the first time in 2006 at the head of a JD(S)-BJP coalition, said the governor has given him 15 days to prove the majority, but we will do it much before. He also thanked the Supreme Court for the right directions.

Mr Yeddyurappa, recalling his political struggle since the days when the BJP had merely two MLAs in the House, reiterated that he would work for the people and his party till his last breath. Ever since the party named me its chief ministerial candidate, I toured the state and connected with the people through the Parivarthana Yatra. And they gave us 104 seats, while rejecting the Congress and JD(S). But both parties have come together to form an unholy alliance, he said, and added: If I were to continue in the chief ministers post, it would be a different scene altogether for the state with development work being carried out on a war footing through greater financial assistance from the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, making Karnataka a model state of the country.

Taking a potshot at Congress-JD(S) CM candidate, Mr Kumaraswamy, without naming him, Mr Yeddyurappa recalled that some leaders had said during the campaign that they would die if they were not elected to power. But I will not die for power, I will die for my people, because they are the masters in a democracy. I will put in my papers due to a conspiracy of the Congress Party, he said before leaving the Assembly, shaking the hands of the Opposition and his own partys leaders.

The incoming CM, Mr Kumaraswamy, said soon after he forms the government, a coordination committee comprising Rahul Gandhi, Ghulam Nabi Azad, K.C. Venugopal and Mallikarjun Kharge would be formed to ensure the smooth functioning of the government.

Expressing confidence that the coalition government would complete its full five-year term, he said he would not allow the BJP to indulge in horse-trading of legislators. We know that the BJP will still try to break the coalition by poaching legislators. We will not allow that to happen at any cost. Besides, JD(S) and Congress leaders will hold a meeting on Saturday night to finalise the list of names for the ministry. The administration would be monitored by the coordination committee, Mr Kumaraswamy said.
The newly-formed alliance has claimed support of 117 MLAs in the 224-member House with an effective strength of 221.

BJP leader B.S. Yeddyurappa makes a point during his speech before resigning ahead of the Trust vote on Saturday. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Left parties and the Trinamul Congress on Saturday termed the resignation of Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa without facing a trust vote a victory of secular democratic forces.

Its a victory of secular democratic forces. The BJP never had the numbers, but the governor invited them to form government. The party was given time for horse-trading. Karnataka showed that the BJPs downslide has started, CPI leader D. Raja told news agency PTI.

Secular democratic parties should learn a lesson from Karnataka that the BJP can be kept at bay by forming an alliance. Congratulating the JD(S)-Congress combine, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee says it was a victory of regional forces.

Democracy wins. Congratulations Karnataka. Congratulations Deve Gowda Ji, Kumaraswamy Ji, Congress and others. Victory of the regional front, she tweeted.

Ms Banerjee has mooted the idea of a Federal Front to take on the Narendra Modi government in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The 3-day old B.S. Yeddyurappa government in Karnataka collapsed on Saturday, with the chief minister announcing his decision to resign without facing a trust vote.

The Supreme Court had on Friday ordered a floor test in the Karnataka Assembly at 4 pm on Saturday, drastically slashing the 15-day window given by governor Vajub-hai Vala to BJP chief minister Yeddyurappa to prove his majority.

His resignation will pave the way for formation of a government led by JD(S) state chief H.D. Kumaraswamy, who has the backing of the Congress. The newly-formed alliance has claimed support of 117 MLAs in the 224-member House with an effective strength of 221.

Polling for two seats was not held due to various reasons, while Mr. Kumaraswamy had won from two seats.
CRPF troops have been rushed to the spot.

The dead jawans were travelling through Cholnar village in a police vehicle which blew up after hitting an IED device. (Photo: ANI/Twitter)

New Delhi: At least six jawans were killed and one was injured in an IED blast on a police vehicle in Dantewadas Cholnar village.

The dead jawans were from the Chhattisgarh Armed Force and District Force and were travelling through Cholnar village in a police vehicle which blew up after hitting an IED device.

Troops of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were rushed to the spot where the attack took place.

"6 jawans dead, 1 injured according to preliminary investigation. Search operation is being held by security forces. Blast could be of high intensity, but the exact details will come after the investigation," said Sunder Raj, DIG Anti-Naxal Operation on Dantewada attack.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressed grief over the incident and said, "It is a sad incident where 6 jawans were killed in an IED blast in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada. The naxals targeted the jawans by planting IED rather than fighting them face to face."

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said, "Naxals are against development and they usually target our soldiers. We will strongly retaliate against such incidents."

(With ANI inputs)
On China's side of the border, a huge trove of gold, silver and other precious minerals valued at about 60 billion dollars has been found.

The Post report with inputs from local officials, Chinese geologists as well as strategic experts comes less than a month after the first ever informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese president Xi Jinping that was aimed at cooling tensions. (Photo: Twitter | @PMOIndia)

Beijing/New Delhi: China has begun large-scale mining operations on its side of the border with Arunachal Pradesh where a huge trove of gold, silver and other precious minerals valued at about 60 billion dollars has been found, a media report said on Sunday.

The mine project is being undertaken in Lhunze county under Chinese control adjacent to the Indian border, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet.

Projecting the mining operations as part of China's move to take over Arunachal Pradesh, the report said "people familiar with the project say the mines are part of an ambitious plan by Beijing to reclaim South Tibet".

"China's moves to lay claim to the region's natural resources while rapidly building up infrastructure could turn it into 'another South China Sea' they said," it said.

The Post report with inputs from local officials, Chinese geologists as well as strategic experts comes less than a month after the first ever informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese president Xi Jinping that was aimed at cooling tensions to avert incidents like the Doklam military standoff in 2017.

The 73-day standoff marked a new low in bilateral ties.

Lhunze was in the news last October, just about two months after Doklam, when Xi in a rare gesture replied to correspondence from a herding family in Lhunze County underscoring Beijing's claim to the area.

The family is based in Yumai, China's smallest town in terms of population located close to Arunachal Pradesh.

Xi thanked the father and his two daughters for their loyalty and contributions to China, and also urged the people of Lhunze to "set down roots" to develop the area for the national interest.

The Post report said although mining has been going on in the world's highest mountain range for thousands of years, the challenge of accessing the remote terrain and concerns about environmental damage had until now limited the extent of the activities.



But the unprecedented heavy investment by the Chinese government to build roads and other infrastructure in the area has made travel easy.

Most of the precious minerals which include rare earths used to make hi-tech products are hidden under Lhunze county, the report said.

By the end of 2017, the scale of mining activity in Lhunze had surpassed that of all other areas in Tibet, it said.

People have poured into the area so fast that even local government officials could not provide a precise count for the current population, it said.

"Enormous, deep tunnels have been dug into the mountains along the military confrontation line, allowing thousands of tonnes of ore to be loaded and transported out by trucks daily, along roads built through every village," it said.

Extensive power lines and communication networks have been established, while construction is under way on an airport that can handle passenger jets, it said.

With more mines being dug in Lhunze and surroundings, a county official told the Post that more than 80 per cent of the county government's tax income came from mining.

The mines would also lead to a situation akin to "another South China Sea" arising out of the world's highest mountain range, it said.

Zheng Youye, a professor at the China University of Geosciences in Beijing and the lead scientist for a Beijing-funded northern Himalayan minerals survey, confirmed to the Post that a series of discoveries in recent years put the potential value of ores under Lhunze and the nearby area at 370 billion yuan ($58 billion).

"This is just a preliminary estimate. More surveys are underway," he said.

There could be more big discoveries as Chinese researchers learn more about the area. With strong financial backing from the government, they have already amassed extensive data on the region.

According to Zheng, the new-found ores could tip the balance of power between China and India in the Himalayas.

He said Chinese troops withdrew in the 1962 war from the areas in Arunachal Pradesh as they had no people to hold the territory.

The new mining activities would lead to a rapid and significant increase in the Chinese population in the Himalayas, Zheng said, which would provide stable, long-term support for any diplomatic or military operations aimed at gradually driving Indian forces out of territory claimed by China.

"This is similar to what has happened in the South China Sea" where Beijing has asserted its claim to much of the contested waters by building artificial islands and increasing its naval activity, he said.

Hao Xiaoguang, a researcher with the Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Wuhan, Hubei who specialises in India-China issues said Beijing was likely to take the same approach to the Himalayas as in the South China Sea.

As China's economic, geopolitical and military strength continues to increase, "it is only a matter of time before South Tibet returns to Chinese control," Hao claimed.

"What China (has) achieved today in the South China Sea was almost unthinkable a decade ago. I am optimistic (about) what will happen in the Himalayas in the coming years because President Xi has made it clear that 'not a single inch of our land will be or can be ceded from China', which definitely includes South Tibet," he said.

But Hao said the Lhunze mining boom would not be expanded to other areas due to environmental reasons. In Lhunze, some of the newcomers are still acclimatising. The area is already teeming with people from different parts of China.

Weng Qingzhen, who owns a Sichuan restaurant in the county, said she moved there less than two months ago after friends and relatives told her about the mining boom.
He said his party stood by its principle and even predicted that in one years time may be the state will not give even one seat to the JD(S)-Cong.

New Delhi: As the Opposition parties hailed the development in Karnatka as the victory of democracy and failure of BJPs attempt to subvert democracy, saffron party poll managers were calculating the long-term impact of chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappas decision to resign from his three-day-old post on Saturday, minutes before the Supreme Court mandated floor test.

The decision, it was learnt, strengthened the BJP partys image of taking a moral high ground and negating the horse-trading allegations by the Opposition against it. Even BJP president Amit Shah, when asked about the Oppositions allegation, said, There is no question of buying any MLAs because we never wanted any MLAs from their party. These accusations are baseless.

Mr Yeddyurappa had staked claim to form the government after the BJP emergest as the single largest party, but short of seven seat to attain a simple majority. He resigned without facing a floor test.

Taking a dig at the Congress and its leadership, Mr Shah said, The Congress has now developed a new theory under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi on how to win the battle despite losing it.

Asserting that the BJP won the polls as it emer-ged as the single largest party, Mr Shah said the mandate was clearly against the Congress and the JD(S), who have come together post-poll to forge a apavitra gathbandhan (unprincipled alliance.

He said his party stood by its principle and even predicted that in one ye-ars time may be the state will not give even one seat to the JD(S)-Congress.

The BJP has already won the Karnataka elections and the people of the state have clearly giv-en their mandate to get rid of Congress... We had approached the people of Karnataka with Modi governments four years and the way the Siddara-maiah government has been exploiting the state. We have been successful in our approach and got maximum number of seats in Karnataka elections, replied Mr Shah to the Karnataka poll result and the subsequent political development in the southern state.

Mr Shah added that the BJP has won so many states earlier ruled by the Congress, which is rejoicing about just few seats which could have given the saffron party a simple majority in Karnataka.

When asked about Mr Gandhis allegations that the BJP waived loans of business houses but not farmers, Mr Shah challenged the Congress president to name one such businessman whose loans was waived off or he should accept that he misleads the people of the country.
Without naming Pakistan, Modi said that the neighbour which has been inciting the youth of Kashmir for violence is itself disintegrating.

Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a fervent appeal to the Kashmiri youth who have joined the militant ranks or indulge in stone-pelting to shun the path of violence, return to their homes to live a life of dignity and peace and be part of the endeavor of creating a new India by 2022.

It is time that these youth return to their families. Each stone thrown by a misguided youth hurts the hearts and minds of the people in Jammu and Kashmir, he said reiterating that vikas (development) is the solution to all problems faced by the state and its people.

Speaking for the first time after the government announced an halt to anti-militancy operations in the state during the holy month of Ramazan, the Prime Minister said there is no alternative to peace and stability.

Without naming Pakistan, he said that the neighbour which has been inciting the youth of Kashmir for violence is itself disintegrating. We belong to one nation for thousands of years. Nobody can create a wedge between us. Those who have been trying to create problem are reaching their end, he said.

Dedicating the 330-MW Krishenganga power project to the nation, Mr Modi said that declaring unilateral ceasefire and halting military operations against militants in the state was aimed at not only to provide an opportunity to the people to observe the Muslim fasting month of Ramazan in a peaceful atmosphere but also to expose the elements which are misusing the name of Islam to push the youth of the Valley towards violence and terrorism.

He said earlier the police cases against thousands of the youth involved in stone-pelting incidents were withdrawn.

The Prime Minister said that the PDP-BJP government in J&K and the NDA government at the Centre are working hard to get youth of Kashmir back to the road of development. The youth of J&K have to play the major role for the development of the state. This state has every facility to move forward, you should not lag behind. But there are some powers which dont want to see the state on the path of progress. We have taken a pledge to defeat them, he said.

He said it is his own homeland which is damaged by each stone or a gun taken into his hands by a local youth. But time has come when the youth of J&K have to shun violence and be part of the development of their nation. They have to connect with the development of India and contribute in the endeavour of making of new India, he said.

Mr Modi reiterated that the problems in Kashmir can only be solved by embracing its people. Recalling his last Independence speech, Mr Modi said he stood by what he had said earlier that Na goli se, na gaali se, Kashmir ki samasya suljhe gi gale lagaane se (Kashmir problem will not be solved by bullets or abuses but only with embracing the people).

The Prime Minister said that the then Prime Minister Ataj Behari Vajpayee had all praise for Kashmiriyat (the ethno-national and social consciousness and cultural values of Kashmiri people). He was supporter of Kashmiriyat and Im mureed (disciple) of it, he said.

He said that while the government is leaving no stone unturned to solve the problems of the people of J&K especially its youth, he needs the help from the latter, their parents, saints and all the residents of the state to save both Kashmiriyat and Jamhooriyat.

Earlier, beginning his speech in Kashmiri, Mr Modi asked people in Srinagar to accept his salaam and wished them health and prosperity. He spoke passionately for about 30 minutes highlighting the importance of Kashmiriyat.

Mr Modi is on a one-day visit to the states three regions  Leh, Kashmir and Jammu. In Leh, he launched the construction of Zojila tunnel to provide all-weather connectivity to Ladakh.
Many MLAs also hoped that former minister B. Sriramalu would get the required numbers.

Bengaluru: Since Saturday morning, it was anxious moments for BJP leaders as they tried hard to get the support of the required number of MLAs to prove their majority in the Assembly, but their hopes collapsed following the oath-taking of Congress MLAs, Anand Singh and Prathapgowda Patil, who were allegedly in the BJP camp till the afternoon.

The partys confidence had suffered a jolt on Friday itself following the Supreme Courts direction to chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to prove his majority within 24 hours, but its leaders continued to make desperate attempts to reach Lingayat MLAs of the Congress and JD(S) from North Karnataka.

While it became clear to the BJPs central leaders and state BJP core committee members that it didnt have the required numbers to prove its majority by Saturday morning, party MLAs were clueless about this and hoped till the afternoon that BJP president Amit Shahs magic would obtain the required numbers to give the BSY government the majority it needed. Many MLAs also hoped that former minister B. Sriramalu would get the required numbers.

Once the MLAs had taken oath in the Assembly, Mr Yeddyurappa returned to his chamber, where Union ministers, Prakash Javadekar, J.P. Nadda, Ananthkumar and D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Karnataka BJP in-charge Muralidhar Rao, and other leaders were waiting for him.

Having greater clarity about the MLAs on their side, they discussed the future course of action while Mr Javadekar and Mr Nadda remained in constant touch with Mr Shah.

And later, after the House adjourned for the lunch break, senior BJP leaders went into a huddle in a room adjacent to the chief ministers chamber. They even tried reaching out to Lingayat MLAs of the Congress at the last moment, but their mobile phones were not reachable owing to the jammers installed in the House and Assembly lounge.

Finally, left with no choice, the partys central leadership decided not to go ahead with the trust vote and persuaded Mr Yeddyurappa to put in his papers. But before he could go to the House to give his farewell speech, the chief ministers office informed the Raj Bhavan about his impending resignation.
Modi to inaugurate or lay foundation stone of a set of developmental projects in Srinagar, Jammu and Leh.

Srinagar: Kashmir Valley was shut on Saturday whereas the security forces enforced a security clampdown in many parts of summer capital Srinagar to hold back a protest rally called by an alliance of separatist leaders at Citys central square during Prime Minister, Narendra Modis, visit.

The authorities had earlier ordered closure of all educational institutions across the restive Valley, suspended rail and mobile internet services and placed key separatist leaders under house arrest or they were taken in preventive custody by the police. A tight security umbrella had been put up for the Prime Ministers visit with thousands of security personnel in riot gear out on the streets to ensure a peaceful day while as Special Protection (SPG) had taken over the venues visited by Mr. Modi to inaugurate or lay foundation stone of a set of developmental projects in Srinagar, Jammu and Leh.

Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), an alliance of key separatist leaders, had asked the people to march on Srinagars historic central square Lal Chowk (Red Square) to register their protest against Mr. Modis visit and show to the world what we the people of Kashmir stand for. Kashmirs chief Muslim cleric and separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was detained by the police when he along with his supporters tried to march on Lal Chowk after breaching police cordon around his residence in Srinagars Nigeen area.

Ahead of Prime Ministers visit, the Indian and Pakistani border guards exchanged mortar and small and automatic weapons fire along the Jammu-Sialkot border, leaving eleven people including ten civilians and a trooper dead and more than two dozen others injured on both sides.
Rajiv had become Prime Minister at a very critical juncture in the countrys post-Independence history.

Today, May 21, is Rajiv Gandhis 27th death anniversary

Forty-seven years ago, this day, India lost the 47-year-old Rajiv Gandhi  a former Prime Minister to a human bomb in Tamil Nadus Sriperumbudur. The country wept, the world mourned. As many as 63 world leaders joined lakhs of Indians at his funeral on the banks of Yamuna adjoining Rajghat. This bore testimony, as the then President R. Venkataraman said, to the stature that Rajiv had acquired among world statesmen in the short span of five years during which he was Prime Minister. Venkataraman went on to add: Rajivs contribution in the international sphere lived up to the standards set by Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. Rajivs response to the call for assistance by Sri Lanka in 1987 and later from the Maldives showed his commitment to Saarc. His visit to Beijing in December 1988 and his pathbreaking talks with Chinas then paramount leader Deng Xiaoping is acknowledged as a turning point in the history of our relations with that ancient neighbour of ours. The Six-Nation Five-Continent initiative on disarmament with a time-bound plan of action and the improvement in our bilateral relations with the US are Rahiv Gandhis major contributions. The historic Delhi Declaration of November 1986, calling for nuclear-free non-violent world, set the pace for subsequent steps culminating in the Soviet-American Start (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) agreement. The setting up of the Africa Fund, of which he was the chairman to assist front-line states to fight the pernicious system of apartheid and his personal efforts towards Namibian freedom, won his Africas eternal friendship. On North-South issues, South-South Cooperation and protection of the environment, Rajiv articulated Indian opinion in a manner that compelled international attention.

Rajiv had become Prime Minister at a very critical juncture in the countrys post-Independence history. He was sworn in on October 31, 1984, an hour after his mother and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had been assassinated. He had hardly any time to come to terms with his personal grief, but he rose to the occasion suppressing his own sorrow to provide succour to the victims of violence following Indira Gandhis murder. Recalled the then home minister (later Prime Minister) P.V. Narasimha Rao: The violence began to snowball into near uncontrollable frenzy Rajiv Gandhi took matters in hand. He showed his mettle early in the day. He rose above the tragedy, which was for him also a very personal one and dealt with the situation with determination and sense of purpose. The situation was contained. He succeeded in bringing back not only a sense of security among the people but also, over a period of time, succeeded in instilling in them a spirit of dynamism and securing for India a place of importance in the international scene.

According the highest priority to the preservation of Indias unity and integrity, the young Prime Minister at 40, the youngest ever, strove to find solutions to some of the seemingly intractable problems on the domestic scene. His efforts bore fruit in the very first year of his prime ministership, and in 1985, he signed the Punjab, Assam and Mizo accords thus consolidating the nations unity, which had come under threat in the last few years. Rajiv realised that his partys interest will have to be sacrificed and paved the way for formation of non-Congress governments in these states to ensure that the agitating leaders and their outfits become part of the mainstream. Rajiv had realised early that if India had to make rapid progress, it could be only through massive application of science and technology, accepting modern methods of management while opening the economy to competition. He exhorted scientists: We must learn from what we have done, and we must take that jump and get to the front to the cutting edge of research, the cutting edge of technology. He launched technology missions in areas he identified needed immediate attention for the benefit of people. The six missions were:

Drinking water

Literacy

Immunisation of pregnant woman and children

White Revolution to promote milk production

Edible oil production and

Telecommunications to connect every village

A big push was given to Indias computerisation programme, which was ridiculed by many short-sighted Opposition leaders. Rajiv rightly ignored all their misgiving and went ahead with his farsighted policy, the fruits of which India is enjoying today and has become a leading software and IT power in the world.

To benefit millions of the rural poor, Rajiv introduced the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana or employment scheme, which aimed at providing employment to at least one member of every rural poor family for 50-100 days in the year. The Central government promised to meet 80 per cent of the cost of the scheme. The new education policy too had its focus on the rural areas and the poor, with its main planks being the literacy campaign, Operation Blackboard (which aimed at providing basic amenities to schools) and distance education. Navodaya Vidyalayas were set up, aimed at providing quality education to the children of poor rural families who were to be chosen by merit for free education and stay in residential schools to be set up in every district. The protection of the environment was a project close to Rajivs heart, and among other things he launched a massive effort to clean river Ganga, which had become heavily polluted in many parts. He created a new ministry for environment and environmental clearance for big projects was made mandatory.

Rajiv made earnest efforts to clean up the electoral system by introducing greater openness, accountability, and taking legislative and other measures to eliminate political and bureaucratic corruption. Among these was the Anti-Defection Act, drafted after discussions with Opposition parties and passed in 1985, which laid down that one-third of the members of a political party in Parliament would have to change loyalties for it to be recognised as a split in a party. Any other defections would invite expulsion from the House. This was meant to check the tendency of horse trading and shifting party loyalties that was becoming a bane of the Indian political system. Unfortunately, horse-trading continues as political parties have invented new ways to circumvent the policy.

Amongst the monumental contributions of the Rajiv Gandhi government was the bringing forward of a legislation to make elections to panchayat institutions and Nagar Palikas mandatory reserving 33 per cent seats for women. This revolutionary step has not only strengthened democracy at the grassroots, as envisioned by the Mahatma and Indias first Prime Minister, but has been a gigantic leap towards women empowerment after the Hindu Code Bill passed during the premiership of Jawaharlal Nehru.

How will Rajiv be remembered today, 47 years after his death? What Subramanian Swamy, veteran political leader, wrote one year after Rajivs demise is relevant today as it was in 1992: Rajiv Gandhis memory evokes in me the picture of a modern man, totally committed to the greatness of India. His modernity came out in everything he did  on facts Rajiv Gandhi was a walking computer  there was simply no match for him.

The writer, an ex-Army officer and a former member of the National Commission on Minorities, is a New Delhi-based political analyst
The accused, his father were arrested in Sep 2008 by Mumbai Police over cheating cases filed in Hauz Khas and Rohini in Delhi.

The accused took out a pistol and tried to open fire when the bullet got stuck in the firearm. He was overpowered by policemen and arrested.(Representational Image)

New Delhi: A 45-year-old man, who had come to visit his wife with an intention to kill her for filing a cheating case against him and his family, was arrested from northeast Delhi's Maujpur area, police said on Saturday.

Manish Kaul alias Varun Kaul alias Ashutosh Marwa alias Vishesh Dheeman alias Sanjeev Chaddha tried to fire at a policeman but the bullet got stuck in the pistol, they added.

In March, a woman doctor had filed a cheating case against Kaul. She alleged that she came in contact with Kaul via a matrimonial website in 2015, when he introduced himself as a doctor, police said. She said she married Kaul the same year and her father gave gold ornaments worth Rs 20 lakh to her in-laws as dowry and spent nearly Rs 50 lakh on their wedding, they said.

After the wedding, her in-laws started demanding more dowry. Her father-in-law, who had claimed that he retired from the Indian Air Force as a doctor, molested her twice, she said.

Also, he never worked in the Indian Air Force, police said.

Later, she came to know that her husband's real name was Varun Kaul and that he was not a doctor. She also came to know that he has various cases filed against him in Delhi, Chandigarh, Goa and Maharashtra.

After she approached the Delhi Police, a team from Moti Nagar police station conducted raid in Panchkula and two women were nabbed, they said, adding the accused and his father had escaped.

On Friday, Kaul visited his wife's clinic with an intention to harm her, but she was not present at the clinic. Kaul then threatened one of her colleagues with a pistol, police said.

A police team immediately reached the clinic and noticed Kaul walking away briskly. A policeman chased him and asked him to surrender but he took out the pistol and tried to open fire when the bullet got stuck in the firearm. He was overpowered by policemen and arrested.

During interrogation, the accused revealed that he is a BAMS degree holder and not an MBBS degree holder as claimed by him, said Vijay Kumar, deputy commissioner of police (West). He had committed a number of frauds by purchasing new luxury cars on bogus demand drafts.

He and his father were arrested in September 2008 by the Mumbai Police in connection with cheating cases registered in Hauz Khas and Rohini in Delhi.

The accused had also cheated two other women by promising to marry.
The elected MLAs from both the parties are expected to attend the meeting.

Leaders from the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) will be meeting on Sunday to discuss the future of the alliance in the state assembly. (Photo: File/PTI)

Bengaluru: With H D Kumaraswamy all set to take oath as the Karnataka Chief Minister on May 23, leaders from the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) will be meeting on Sunday to discuss the future of the alliance in the state assembly.

The elected MLAs from both the parties are expected to attend the meeting.

On Saturday, Kumaraswamy was invited by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala to form the government in the state, after BJPs B S Yeddyurappa stepped down ahead of the floor test in the state assembly.

While Kumaraswamy was earlier expected to swear-in as Karnataka Chief Minister on May 21, the ceremony later got pushed to May 23 due to the death anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

"We are going to take oath on Wednesday as Monday is Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary. That is not a proper date. In the entire country, all the Congress workers will be attending death anniversary functions. Conducting oath taking ceremony at that time is not good. In the today's meeting, we discussed this only. On Monday, we will discuss the oath ceremony," Kumaraswamy told news agency ANI.

On Saturday, Yeddyurappa announced his resignation as the chief minister ahead of the floor test in the Karnataka assembly.

However, in his speech inside the Vidhana Soudha, he said he will fight for the rights of the people of Karnataka till his last breath, even if he did not get the required mandate.

On Friday, the Supreme Court while hearing a petition of the Congress-JDS alliance reduced the 15-day time given by Governor Vala to the BJP to prove its majority in the house and asked the party to hold the trust vote on Saturday at 4 pm.

The top court on Saturday quashed the Congress-JD(S) petition to remove K A Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker ahead of the floor test and appoint the senior most legislator R V Deshmukh in his place.

The apex court also ordered a live broadcast of the floor test to ensure transparency of proceedings.

While BJP managed 105 MLAs (including one Independent seat), they were still short of the halfway mark of 112 by seven MLAs.

Meanwhile, the Congress and the JD(S), apart from their own members, have claimed the support of one BSP member and an independent taking the total number with them to 117.
Kumaraswamy said that he will personally invite Cong chief Rahul Gandhi as well as several other senior regional leaders.

D(S) state chief H D Kumaraswamy will take oath as Karnataka Chief Minister on May 23. (Photo: File/PTI)

Bengaluru: As the political drama over government formation in Karnataka came to an end on Saturday, JD(S) state chief H D Kumaraswamy is now preparing to take oath as the chief minister on May 23. The swearing-in ceremony will be held in Bengalurus sprawling Kanteevera stadium on Wednesday.

However, the event is likely to serve more than one purpose. The occasion will serve as a show of unity for opposition leaders thereby hinting that an alliance is possible at the regional as well as the national level to fight the BJP.

Kumaraswamy said that he will personally invite Congress president Rahul Gandhi as well as several other senior regional leaders.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, who contested Karnataka polls in alliance with the JD(S) is likely to attend the event. Samajwadi Partys Akhilesh Yadav will also be invited. Chief Ministers of two neighbouring states, Andhra Paradeshs Chandrababu Naidu and Telanganas k Chandrashekhar Rao, will also be present at the event.

TRS party sources said Kumaraswamy telephoned Rao and invited him for the oath-taking ceremony.

West Bengals Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will also attend the event. Banerjee was the one who announced Kumaraswamys plan to hold oath-taking ceremony on Monday.

I just spoke with Kumaraswamy Ji and congratulated him. He invited me for the oath taking ceremony on Monday @hd_kumaraswamy  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 19, 2018

However, the date was later shifted to May 23 as May 21 happens to be the death anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, and Kumaraswamy said that he felt it would not be appropriate to hold the ceremony on that date.

After BJPs B S Yeddyurappa stepped down as Karnataka's Chief Minister on Saturday, Governor Vajubhai Vala invited Kumaraswamy, the leader of Congress-JD(S) joint legislature party, to form the government.

Yeddyurappa resigned without facing the floor test in the assembly as the BJP fell short of numbers.

In the assembly election results, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 seats. However, it fell short of 8 seats to reach the majority mark of 112.

Congress which came second with 78 seats wasted no time and formed an alliance with the JD(S), a distant third with 38 seats.

The post-election alliance claimed support of 117 members.
'NEDA trying to unify 217 communities of North East.'

He said that he was confident that the lone state (Mizoram) where Congress was still in power would come to NEDA in the coming state polls there. (Photo: File/@ANI Twitter)

Guwahati: In what is said to be a meeting of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) to chalk out strategy to win 21 out of 25 seats of Northeastern states in the 2019 lok Sabha elections, the BJP president Amit Shah here on Sunday said that northeastern states have moved from 'briefcase politics' to 'development politics' under BJP-led NEDA governments in seven out of eight states, including Sikkim, in the region where the alliance is in power.

He said that he was confident that the lone state (Mizoram) where Congress was still in power would come to NEDA in the coming state polls there.

Addressing the third conclave of NEDA, the BJP president said that NEDA was not only a political alliance but a geo-cultural alliance to bring together all the communities of the region.

We are trying to unify nearly 217 communities of the region. While unifying, we are also aware of the need for preserving cultural identity and language of each community," he said.

Launching a frontal attack on Congress, which ruled most of the states in the post-independence-era, Mr Shah said, The image of the region had become synonymous with militancy and corruption. We, NEDA members, are trying to change the tag.

He reiterated, The region has moved from 'briefcase politics' to 'development politics'. The common man is now reaping benefits of Central government schemes.

Stressing the need of expanding the footprints of NEDA in the region further, Mr Shah mooted the idea of forming youth and women wings of the forum.

Though Mr Shah did not make any direct comment on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, he assured the conclave that the suggestions put forth in the conclave would be taken up by the BJP and the Centre.

Chief ministers of six northeastern states---- Assams Sarbananda Sonowal, Arunachal Pradeshs Pema Khandu, Manipurs Nongthombam Biren Singh, Meghalayas Conrad Sangma, Nagalands Neiphiu Rio and Tripuras Biplab Kumar Deb, union ministers from the region and leaders of NEDA constituents, among others, were present at the daylong conclave.

Earlier, hundreds of anti-Citizenship (amendment) Bill, 2016 protestors including RTI activist Akhil Gogoi were arrested from different parts of the city where they had assembled to show black flag to the BJP president.

Protestors of Krishak Mukti Sangram Parishad (KMSS), who lined up along the exit road of the airport with black flags were involved in a scuffle with BJP workers before the police stepped in.

Assam Police additional director general of police Mukesh Agarwala said that the KMSS protestors were allowed to carry out their democratic protests but had to be arrested so that the VIP movements on the same road was not hampered.

BJP in the state is in a tight spot over centres proposal to amend the Citizenship Act of 1955 ahead of the coming LS polls. The bill proposes to make Hindus, Christians, Parsis and Buddhists who have fled from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan as victims of religious persecution eligible for Indian citizenship. The amendment bill of 2016 proposes to reduce the period of residency from 11 years to six years to be eligible for Indian citizenship.
Here is what a new study has found.

Washington: According to a recent study, climate change can impact fragile river ecosystems all over the world.

Research undertaken in South Africa's Kruger National Park (KNP) has shown that increasing frequency of cyclone-driven extreme floods is responsible for destroying some of the world's most sensitive and valuable riverine habitats.

Researchers from the universities of Hull, Aberystwyth, and Salford and the engineering consultants "Architecture, Engineering, Consulting, Operations, and Maintenance" (AECOM), used laser survey technology (LiDAR) flown from an aircraft, to measure the impacts of cyclone-driven extreme floods in 2000 and 2012 on rivers in KNP.

KNP game reserve has global significance for its habitats and associated species, and the rivers flowing through the park provide essential ecosystem services, including water and habitat in the shape of the many varied channel morphologies and associated riparian forest.

The high-resolution data has been used to create accurate digital models of the river bed, and through comparisons with pre-2012 flood data, the researchers were able to map detailed spatial patterns of erosion and deposition.

Dr. David Milan, principal investigator for the project said, "We are primarily interested in trying to understand how these large bedrock-influenced river channels respond to large floods. From comparing our LiDAR models between 2012 and 2004, we have calculated that the 2012 event alone removed almost 1.25 million tonnes of sediment from the river bed."

"We also found that patches of mature riparian forest that survived larger floods in 2000 were removed by the 2012 floods. There is a suggestion that the frequency of large flood events is increasing due to climate change, and our analysis of river channel morphology for a 50 km length of the Sabie River shows us that these rivers need time span longer than a decade to recover," Milan said.

The UK-based group of researchers is concerned about the impact of the geomorphological changes occurring in the rivers in KNP. Drylands are among the most vulnerable regions to climate change.

Dr. Milan continued, "We present a conceptual model showing the likely pathways that the KNP river systems are likely to follow in the future depending upon flood frequency and magnitude, and conclude by suggesting that more frequent floods will continue to strip out sediment and vegetation from the river channel, leaving a more barren environment with less habitat value."

"Continued progressive loss of habitat diversity will fundamentally, and for all intents and purposes irreversibly, alter our riverine landscapes and this will be accompanied by a catastrophic loss of species unable to adapt to the new environments. Conservationists need to work alongside geomorphologists to look at ways in which dryland river habitats can be best managed into the future," he added.

These results not only have significance for the rivers of the KNP, but also for bedrock-influenced rivers in other dryland areas globally.

The findings of the research have been published in the Geological Society of America Bulletin.
The girl was playing when the accused took her with him.

When her parents started looking for her, they found her with the accused who was removing her clothes, police said. (Representational Image)

New Delhi: An 18-month-old girl was molested allegedly by a 46-year-old man who lived in the same building as her family in northeast Delhi's Maujpur area, police said on Sunday.

Police was informed on Saturday by the girl's family.

The girl was playing when the accused took her with him.

When her parents started looking for her, they found her with the accused who was removing her clothes, police said.

They informed police and the accused was arrested.
Ms Gupta was convicted under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act which attract a maximum sentence of three years and fine or both.

New Delhi: Former diplomat Madhuri Gupta, who had served at the Indian high commission in Islamabad, was on Saturday sentenced to three years in jail by a Delhi court which convicted her for passing on sensitive information to Pakistans ISI.

Additional sessions judge Sidharth Sharma gave her the maximum sentence for the offences of spying and wrongful communication of information protected under the law, observing that an educated woman like her did not deserve any leniency.

Gupta, who was the second secretary (press & information) at the high commission, was held guilty on Friday under various provisions of the Official Secrets (OS) Act.

She has been granted bail by the court to allow to appeal against the conviction and the sentence.

While convicting her, the court had said that the emails passed on by the accused were categorically sensitive information which could have been useful to the enemy country... and its secrecy was of utmost importance.

She was suspected by Indian intelligence agencies of spying for Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence since 2008.

According to the prosecution, the ministry of external affairs had received information that Gupta had been maintaining unauthorised contacts with Pakistani intelligence officials and was passing on sensitive official information personally as well as through electronic means from her computer at her office and residence in Islamabad.

Ms Gupta was convicted under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act which attract a maximum sentence of three years and fine or both.

She was arrested on April 22, 2010 by the special cell of the Delhi police for allegedly passing on sensitive information to Pakistani officials and remaining in touch with two ISI officials, Mubshar Raza Rana and Jamshed.
Meanwhile the state BJP has decided to felicitate its winning candidates in zilla parishads of the panchayat polls at the state level.

Kolkata: Accusing chief minister Mamata Banerjee of not following democracy state BJP leader Mukul Roy claimed on Sunday that only anti-democratic activities excites the Trinamul Congress supremo. He alleged that those who are involved with such activities get encouragement from her. According to him, the massive violence in the panchayat elections reflected Ms Banerjees mood.

Lashing out at the Trinamul chief, Mr Roy who was tasked by the BJP to supervise the partys poll-preparations, complained, Ms Banerjee does not abide by democracy. We have seen this in the recently concluded panchayat polls. That is why she becomes excited when anti-democractic activities take place. She praises those who indulge in such activities.

He argued that around five crores people voted during the assembly elections in Karnataka, which, however did not witness any bloodshed. But when the rural polls were held in West Bengal, the BJP leader reasoned that nearly 30 people were killed during the polling while three more died during the counting.

On the BJPs poll performance he said, It was very good. In North Bengal we have won gram panchayats and panchayat samities. But after that counting was not held. Our agencts were thrown out of the counting table as the night progressed. At Balurghat, an MP and a superintendent of police (SP) looted votes even during counting. It is nothing new. You have seen it.

Mr Roy alleged, Votes were looted during counting was looted in Nadia, West Midnapore, East Midnapore and North 24 Parganas. Losing hopes the Trinamul desperately resorted to looting votes during the counting process after finding the trend in the panchayat polls that the situation was yet to be in their favour despite rigging during the polling.

Meanwhile the state BJP has decided to felicitate its winning candidates in zilla parishads of the panchayat polls at the state level. Late it would congratulate the winning candidates at the gram panchayats and panachyat samities at the district levels. The BJP is also preparing to foil any defection which happened earlier.

State BJP-president Dilip Ghosh said, Our winning candidates have started facing threats from the Trinamul workers. They are facing pressure also. We submitted such complaints to the SPs. But the police is taking no action. In such a situation to boost the morale of the winning candidates we are going to arrange felicitation programme for them at the district and state levels.
The ATS has also seized documentary made on people who laid down their lives for a separate Telangana state.

Mumbai: A chargesheet submitted to a city court by the Maharashtra ATS aga-nst eight arrested naxal operatives claimed that documents seized from the accused carried claims of having contributed, via mass mobilisation and spreading awareness, to the formation of the Telangana state in 2014. The documents named 46 social outfits, in and around Mumbai, which purportedly contributed to the cause of setting up a separate Telangana state.

According to defence lawyers Arif Siddiqui and Arun Ferreira, the ATS has mentioned that the documents allegedly seized from the accused speak about separate Telangana to show that these social activities done by arrested accused were with criminal intent. In IPC such social activities are not criminalised but under UAPA the agency can claim any social activity was done with criminal intent and hence this is why they might have made these documents part of the chargesheet, said advocate Ferreira, adding that he would be able to make a comment on this after reading the chargesheet thoroughly.

The document, which spoke about the efforts of accused and many others in Mumbai for a separate Telangana are in Telugu and a professors help was taken to translate

them. It tells the story of the Telangana people from the era of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

According to the translation, which is part of chargesheet, due to poor financial conditions the people of Telangana were forced to travel to Mumbai seeking jobs. It also spoke about a public meeting held in 1969 in Worli to solve the problems faced by Telangana people.

The document said that later, many meetings were held in places like Antop Hill, Wadala, Sion and Azad Maidan etc as part of the efforts for a separate Telangana. Apart from this issue their organisation also worked for welfare and rights of slum dwellers and rail accident victims.

The ATS has also seized documentary made on people who laid down their lives for a separate Telangana state.
Jogi has decided to identify 15-odd seats where his party has a presence and focus on winning these.

The results of the Karnataka Assembly polls and the Congress Partys decision to offer the chief ministers post to H.D. Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal (Secular) has given hope to regional leaders who believe they could be in a position to play kingmaker in subsequent elections. One of them is none other than former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi, who left the Congress two years ago and floated his own party  Chhattisgarh Janata Congress.

Mr Jogi has publicly declared that his party will contest all the 90 seats in the Assembly elections slated for later this year, but the wily former Congressman is said to have changed his strategy after the Karnataka verdict.

Mr Jogi has decided to identify 15-odd seats where his party has a presence and focus on winning these. The logic here is that if H.D. Kumaraswamy could be offered the chief ministers post with 37 seats, there is every possibility that Mr Jogi may find himself in the same happy position after the elections. Realising the former chief ministers potential to play spoiler in a three-cornered contest, Congress president Rahul Gandhi deliberately addressed a meeting in Kotmi, a Jogi stronghold, on his visit to the poll-bound state last week. Mr Jogi retaliated by booking all the grounds for three days for public meetings, providing a peep into the bitter battle ahead.

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has undoubtedly emerged as a big winner in the mini-Cabinet rejig undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week when he replaced Smriti Irani as the new boss of the high-profile information and broadcasting ministry. While Ms Irani scripted her own exit after she was mired in a string of controversies, Mr Rathore has apparently been given a more visible charge with an eye on the Rajasthan Assembly polls due this year-end. The ruling BJP needs to get its act together in the desert state as it is on a sticky wicket here as the results of the recent byelections showed. The BJP leadership is hoping that Mr Rathores new high-profile job will help in mollifying the Rajput community which has been upset with the saffron party though Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje did go all out to appease them during the prolonged and often violent protests against the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film Padmaavat. To be fair to Mr Rathore, he is not new to the information and broadcasting ministry. He was the junior minister when Arun Jaitley and M. Venkaiah Naidu were in charge. Unlike other ministers of state, Mr Rathore was fortunate to gain early experience in the ministry as Mr Jaitley gave him a free hand during his tenure because he had his hands full with the finance and corporate affairs portfolios.

Telugu Desam Party chief and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has been on a warpath ever since he decided to walk out of the National Democratic Alliance after the Centre refused to concede his demand for a special status for his home state. Using every opportunity to hit out at the BJP, Mr Naidu had publicly exhorted all Telugu-speaking people of Karnataka to defeat the saffron party in the Assembly polls. When the BJP failed to touch the halfway mark in Karnataka, an exultant TDP lost no time in pointing out that it paid the price for hurting the sentiments of Telugu-speaking people in Karnataka.

In fact, Mr Naidus close aides sent out detailed messages to mediapersons pointing out that the Congress had won 32 seats and the BJP a mere five in the 46 constituencies dominated by Telugu voters. They also took special pleasure in mentioning that BJP leader D. Purandeswari, who is locked in a battle with Mr Naidu, had a tough time when she went to campaign in these areas.

Anandiben Patel, who was shifted to Madhya Pradesh as governor shortly after the Gujarat Assembly polls, has a knack of staying in the news. When she took up this new responsibility, she declined an offer of an official and instead travelled to Bhopal in a chartered bus with her family members. Having served as Gujarat chief minister, Ms Patel is used to an active political life. Not one to sit back, she started by visiting anganwadis and a juvenile correction centre and followed it up with surprise visits to hospitals. In addition, she has been calling officials and department heads to make PowerPoint presentations and has been shy of searching questions about their work. She even commented on the low nutrition levels in the state. Naturally, this has upset chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan as this is seen as a snub to him.

However, Mr Chouhan can heave a sigh of relief as Ms Patel has gone abroad on a fortnight-long holiday, probably a cruise. This is unusual, as governors in Madhya Pradesh have, so far, gone on vacation unless they are undergoing medical treatment. But obviously Mr Chouhan is not complaining. Gujarat governor O.P. Kohli has been given additional charge of Madhya Pradesh till Ms Patels return.

The writer is a Delhi-based journalist
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This fall, schools supporting students with vision, hearing or other assistive needs will start teaching the 'Code' curricula for Swift.

Apple is teaming up with leading educators for blind and deaf communities across the US to bring accessible coding to their schools. Beginning this fall, schools supporting students with vision, hearing or other assistive needs will start teaching the Everyone Can Code curricula for Swift, Apples intuitive programming language.

Apple created the Everyone Can Code curricula so students from kindergarten to college and beyond can learn and write code using Swift. With teacher guides and lessons, students learn the basics on iPad with Swift Playgrounds which lets you use real code to solve puzzles and control characters with just a tap, to App Development with Swift to help aspiring app developers build their first iOS apps.

The schools will tailor lessons using Apples accessibility technology, which usually helps people with vision, hearing, physical motor, cognitive or other assistive needs. Apple collaborated with engineers, educators, and programmers from various accessibility communities to make Everyone Can Code as accessible as possible and will work in close coordination with schools to augment the curricula as needed. This will include providing additional tools and resources such as tactile maps to enhance the understanding of coding environments for non-visual learners.

The initial list of participating schools include:

California School for the Blind (Fremont, CA)

California School for the Deaf (Fremont, CA)

District 75/Citywide Programs, New York City Department of Education (New York, NY)

Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (St. Augustine, FL)

Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Winnetka, IL)

Perkins School for the Blind (Watertown, MA)

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Austin, TX)

Texas School for the Deaf (Austin, TX)



Our students were tremendously excited at our first Everyone Can Code session earlier this year, said Bill Daugherty, superintendent at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Austin. There are more than 10,400 students with visual impairments in Texas, and the development of this curricula is going to be a big step in opening up coding opportunities for our students and those across the nation.

The Everyone Can Code curricula is compatible with VoiceOver, which is an advanced screen-reading technology for people who are blind or of low vision. The voiceover is a gesture-based screen reader that describes nearly everything happening on your screen and claims to be the most popular screen-reading technology of any mobile technology platform. With VoiceOver integration, Swift Playgrounds can take students step-by-step through learning Swift, all without needing to see the screen.

Accessibility features for people who are deaf or hard of hearing include FaceTime for capturing every gesture and facial expression, Type to Siri, closed captions, LED Flash for Alerts, Mono Audio and Made for iPhone hearing aids.

iPad and Everyone Can Code can also be used by students with physical motor limitations through Apples built-in Switch Control, which enables switches, joysticks and other adaptive devices to control what is on your screen.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day:

In recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 17, Apple is hosting events around the world to promote inclusive design and emphasise how technology can support all people with disabilities.

Throughout May, all Apple stores will host accessibility-related events and sessions for customers. On May 17 Apple corporate locations in Cupertino, Austin, Cork and London will also hold events.
The company is reportedly in talks with other various smartphone manufacturers including Chinas ZTE to supply its Exynos processor chips.

Inyup Kang, head of Samsungs logic chip developer System LSI, said the company is talking to all OEMs, and also confirmed that new clients can be unveiled as early as the first half of 2019.

Samsung usually uses its Exynos processor for the international models of its high-end flagship smartphones. However, the Korean tech giant is reportedly in talks with other various smartphone manufacturers including Chinas ZTE to supply its Exynos processor chips. This means the company might be targeting its contenders which are using Qualcomm-based processors.

Samsung processors are rarely seen on other mobile platforms, the only smartphone maker which uses this Exynos processor is Meizu, which recently used the chipset (Exynos 8895 Octa) in its Meizu 15 Plus device.

Inyup Kang, head of Samsungs logic chip developer System LSI, said the company is talking to all OEMs and also confirmed that new clients can be unveiled as early as the first half of 2019, according to a report by GSMArena.

This Samsung's talking to all OEMs, however, comes right after ZTE banned from buying Qualcomm products, since it had violated trade embargos and imported Snapdragon-powered devices in Iran and North Korea.

Samsung appears to be growing its business by selling its chips for third-party OEMs. Nonetheless, the company is way behind in making its own chipsets when compared to Qualcomm and Apple. The report also suggested that Samsung might start introducing 5G chipsets to the automobile industry, while Audi appears to be its primary client.
by Papa Francesco

The papal message is addressed directly to young people so that they can discover that "life is a mission", that Jesus "fills life with joy", and that he allows us to challenge evil, going so far as to give ourselves. People can engage in temporary missionary service so as to better serve others and not to live for their career alone, until you can "decide to make a complete gift of yourselves as missionaries".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis addressed his message for the 92nd World Mission Day (WMD) directly to young people. This years celebrations will be held on 21 October. The message was published on the eve of Pentecost, and focuses on the upcoming Synod in October, which will be centred on young people.

In turning to youth, the pope wants to engage them in dialogue so that they can understand that "life is a mission" in which they can "live out joyfully our responsibility for the world". The heart of the mission is the proclamation of Jesus Christ. It "fills life with joy", allows us to challenge evil, and makes us discover the "divine logic of self-sacrifice". Young people should not be afraid of Christ or the Church.

The mission is taken "to the ends of the earth", from person to person, through the "infectiousness" of love and creating "bridges" between the generations, between young and old. It also means not becoming indifferent to the world around us, and whom we feel we know through all the digital contacts we have. [L]acking the sincere gift of our lives, we could well have countless contacts but never share in a true communion of life.

Finally, Francis called on young people to try out periods of missionary service, even for brief period of time. Such "ecclesial experiences educate and train young people not only for professional success, but also for developing and fostering their God-given gifts in order to better serve others. In this service people can be helped "to decide to make a complete gift of yourselves as missionaries".

Here is Pope Franciss message:

Together with young people, let us bring the Gospel to all

Dear young people, I would like to reflect with you on the mission that we have received from Christ. In speaking to you, I also address all Christians who live out in the Church the adventure of their life as children of God. What leads me to speak to everyone through this conversation with you is the certainty that the Christian faith remains ever young when it is open to the mission that Christ entrusts to us. Mission revitalizes faith (Redemptoris Missio, 2), in the words of Saint John Paul II, a Pope who showed such great love and concern for young people.

The Synod to be held in Rome this coming October, the month of the missions, offers us an opportunity to understand more fully, in the light of faith, what the Lord Jesus wants to say to you, young people, and, through you, to all Christian communities.

Life is a mission

Every man and woman is a mission; that is the reason for our life on this earth. To be attracted and to be sent are two movements that our hearts, especially when we are young, feel as interior forces of love; they hold out promise for our future and they give direction to our lives. More than anyone else, young people feel the power of life breaking in upon us and attracting us. To live out joyfully our responsibility for the world is a great challenge. I am well aware of lights and shadows of youth; when I think back to my youth and my family, I remember the strength of my hope for a better future. The fact that we are not in this world by our own choice makes us sense that there is an initiative that precedes us and makes us exist. Each one of us is called to reflect on this fact: I am a mission on this Earth; that is the reason why I am here in this world (Evangelii Gaudium, 273).

We proclaim Jesus Christ

The Church, by proclaiming what she freely received (cf. Mt 10:8; Acts 3:6), can share with you, young people the way and truth which give meaning to our life on this earth. Jesus Christ, who died and rose for us, appeals to our freedom and challenges us to seek, discover and proclaim this message of truth and fulfilment. Dear young people, do not be afraid of Christ and his Church! For there we find the treasure that fills life with joy. I can tell you this from my own experience: thanks to faith, I found the sure foundation of my dreams and the strength to realize them. I have seen great suffering and poverty mar the faces of so many of our brothers and sisters. And yet, for those who stand by Jesus, evil is an incentive to ever greater love. Many men and women, and many young people, have generously sacrificed themselves, even at times to martyrdom, out of love for the Gospel and service to their brothers and sisters. From the cross of Jesus, we learn the divine logic of self-sacrifice (cf. 1 Cor 1:17-25) as a proclamation of the Gospel for the life of the world (cf. Jn 3:16). To be set afire by the love of Christ is to be consumed by that fire, to grow in understanding by its light and to be warmed by its love (cf. 2 Cor 5:14). At the school of the saints, who open us to the vast horizons of God, I invite you never to stop wondering: What would Christ do if he were in my place?

Transmitting the faith to the ends of the earth

You too, young friends, by your baptism have become living members of the Church; together we have received the mission to bring the Gospel to everyone. You are at the threshold of life. To grow in the grace of the faith bestowed on us by the Churchs sacraments plunges us into that great stream of witnesses who, generation after generation, enable the wisdom and experience of older persons to become testimony and encouragement for those looking to the future. And the freshness and enthusiasm of the young makes them a source of support and hope for those nearing the end of their journey. In this blend of different stages in life, the mission of the Church bridges the generations; our faith in God and our love of neighbor are a source of profound unity.

This transmission of the faith, the heart of the Churchs mission, comes about by the infectiousness of love, where joy and enthusiasm become the expression of a newfound meaning and fulfilment in life. The spread of the faith by attraction calls for hearts that are open and expanded by love. It is not possible to place limits on love, for love is strong as death (cf. Song 8:6). And that expansion generates encounter, witness, proclamation; it generates sharing in charity with all those far from the faith, indifferent to it and perhaps even hostile and opposed to it. Human, cultural and religious settings still foreign to the Gospel of Jesus and to the sacramental presence of the Church represent the extreme peripheries, the ends of the earth, to which, ever since the first Easter, Jesus missionary disciples have been sent, with the certainty that their Lord is always with them (cf. Mt 28:20; Acts 1:8). This is what we call the missio ad gentes. The most desolate periphery of all is where mankind, in need of Christ, remains indifferent to the faith or shows hatred for the fullness of life in God. All material and spiritual poverty, every form of discrimination against our brothers and sisters, is always a consequence of the rejection of God and his love.

The ends of the earth, dear young people, nowadays are quite relative and always easily navigable. The digital world  the social networks that are so pervasive and readily available  dissolves borders, eliminates distances and reduces differences. Everything appears within reach, so close and immediate. And yet lacking the sincere gift of our lives, we could well have countless contacts but never share in a true communion of life. To share in the mission to the ends of the earth demands the gift of oneself in the vocation that God, who has placed us on this earth, chooses to give us (cf. Lk 9:23-25). I dare say that, for a young man or woman who wants to follow Christ, what is most essential is to seek, to discover and to persevere in his or her vocation.

Bearing witness to love

I am grateful to all those ecclesial groups that make it possible for you to have a personal encounter with Christ living in his Church: parishes, associations, movements, religious communities, and the varied expressions of missionary service. How many young people find in missionary volunteer work a way of serving the least of our brothers and sisters (cf. Mt 25:40), promoting human dignity and witnessing to the joy of love and of being Christians! These ecclesial experiences educate and train young people not only for professional success, but also for developing and fostering their God-given gifts in order better to serve others. These praiseworthy forms of temporary missionary service are a fruitful beginning and, through vocational discernment, they can help you to decide to make a complete gift of yourselves as missionaries.

The Pontifical Mission Societies were born of young hearts as a means of supporting the preaching of the Gospel to every nation and thus contributing to the human and cultural growth of all those who thirst for knowledge of the truth. The prayers and the material aid generously given and distributed through the Pontifical Mission Societies enable the Holy See to ensure that those who are helped in their personal needs can in turn bear witness to the Gospel in the circumstances of their daily lives. No one is so poor as to be unable to give what they have, but first and foremost what they are. Let me repeat the words of encouragement that I addressed to the young people of Chile: Never think that you have nothing to offer, or that nobody needs you. Many people need you. Think about it! Each of you, think in your heart: many people need me (Meeting with Young People, Maipu Shrine, 17 January 2018).

Dear young people, this coming October, the month of the missions, we will hold the Synod devoted to you. It will prove to be one more occasion to help us become missionary disciples, ever more passionately devoted to Jesus and his mission, to the ends of the earth. I ask Mary, Queen of the Apostles, Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and Blessed Paolo Manna to intercede for all of us and to accompany us always.

FRANCISCUS
At the end of the Regina Caeli, Francis called again for dialogue in the Holy Land. He appealed for non-violence in Venezuela, especially towards prisoners. "From that day of Pentecost, and until the end of time, this holiness, whose fullness is Christ, is given to all those who open themselves to the action of the Holy Spirit and endeavour to be docile to it."

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  At the end of the Regina Caeli, Pope Francis said that he was going to create 14 new cardinals. He also made an appeal for Venezuela and expressed his participation in last nights prayer vigil for peace in Jerusalem.

Among the new cardinals, three are from Asia: His Beatitude Louis Raphael I Sako, Chaldean Catholic Patriarch of Babylon; His Excellency Joseph Coutts, Archbishop of Karachi; and His Excellency Thomas Aquinas Manyo, Archbishop of Osaka.

The others are His Excellency Luis Ladaria, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; His Excellency Angelo De Donatis, Vicar General of Rome; His Excellency Giovanni Angelo Becciu, Substitute of the Secretary of State and Special Delegate for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta; His Excellency Konrad Krajewski, Almoner of the Office of Papal Charities; His Excellency Antonio dos Santos Marto, Bishop of Leiria-Fatima; His Excellency Pedro Barreto, Archbishop of Huancayo; His Excellency Desire Tsarahazana, Archbishop of Toamasina; His Excellency Giuseppe Petrocchi, Archbishop of LAquila; His Excellency Sergio Obeso Rivera, Emeritus Archbishop of Xalapa; His Excellency Toribio Ticona Porco, Emeritus Bishop of Corocoro; and Rev Father Aquilino Bocos Merino, member of the Claretian order.

Francis told the 30,000 people present in St Peter's Square for the Marian prayer that Pentecost represents the high point of the Easter season, "centred on the death and resurrection of Jesus. This solemnity reminds us and makes us relive the effusion of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and the other disciples, gathered in prayer with the Virgin Mary in the Cenacle (cf. Acts 2: 1-11). On that day, the story of Christian holiness began because the Holy Spirit is the source of holiness, which is not the privilege of the few, but the vocation of all."

"With the Baptism, in fact, we are all called to participate in the same divine life of Christ and, with Confirmation, become his witnesses in the world. The Holy Spirit bestows holiness in abundance among Gods holy and faithful people (Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et exsultate, 6). As the Second Vatican Council states, God, however, does not make men holy and save them merely as individuals, without bond or link between one another. Rather it pleased Him to bring men together as one people, a people which acknowledges Him in truth and serves Him in holiness (Const. Dogm. Lumen gentium, 9).

"From that day of Pentecost, and until the end of time, this holiness, whose fullness is Christ, is given to all those who open themselves to the action of the Holy Spirit and endeavour to be docile to it. In fact, another fundamental aspect of holiness is that of being the fruit par excellence of the Holy Spirit. When we open ourselves to the Spirit and allow ourselves to be led by it, we then set out on the path of sanctification, which consists in living in a manner worthy of God and which makes us experience full joy. By coming into us, the Holy Spirit defeats aridity, opens hearts to hope, stimulates and fosters inner maturation in relationship with God and fellow humans. This is what Saint Paul tells us when he says, 'the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness' (Gal 5:22)".

After the Regina Caeli, Francis said that "Pentecost brings us with our heart to Jerusalem. Last night I was spiritually united with the prayer vigil for peace that took place in that city, holy for Jews, Christians and Muslims. Today we continue to invoke the Holy Spirit to inspire willingness and acts of dialogue and reconciliation in the Holy Land and throughout the Middle East."

Last but not least, the pope turned his thoughts to "beloved Venezuela". "May the Holy Spirit give wisdom to everyone, the people, the rulers, everyone". He ended praying "for the detainees who died yesterday".
By Sean Ulm, Deputy Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, James Cook University

Mark Jones Films (with permission), Author provided

Over just the past few years, new archaeological findings have revealed the lives of early Aboriginal Australians in the Northern Territorys Kakadu potentially as early as 65,000 years ago, from the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of Western Australia by about 50,000 years ago, and the Flinders Ranges of South Australia by around 49,000 years ago.

But how was it even possible for people to get to Australia in the first place? And how many people must have made it to Australia to explain the diversity of Aboriginal people today?

In a study published in Quaternary Science Reviews this week, we use new environmental reconstructions, voyage simulations, and genetic population estimates to show for the first time that colonisation of Australia by 50,000 years ago was achieved by a globally significant phase of purposeful and coordinated marine voyaging.

Past environments

Australia has never been connected by dry land to Southeast Asia. But at the time that people first arrived in Australia, sea levels were much lower, joining the Australian mainland to both Tasmania and New Guinea.





Read more:

Australia's coastal living is at risk from sea level rise, but it's happened before





Our analysis using new high-resolution mapping of the seafloor shows that when sea levels were 75m or lower than present, a string of more than 100 habitable, resource-rich islands were present off the coast of northwest Australia.

These islands were directly visible from high points on the islands of Timor and Roti and as close as 87km.

This chain of now mostly submerged islands - the Sahul Banks - was almost 700km long. They represented a very large target for either accidental or purposeful arrival.









Robin Beaman





How difficult was it to get to Australia?

Combining modelled winds and ocean currents with particle trajectory modelling, we simulated voyages from three sites on the islands of Timor and Roti. This is similar to the approach used to model the movements of wreckage from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

In our model, we simulated the launch of 100 vessels from each site on February 1 each year for 15 years. The date was chosen to correspond to the main summer monsoon period when winds are generally blowing to the east-southeast, thereby maximising the chance of successful crossings.









Scott Condie/Robin Beaman













Scott Condie/Robin Beaman





The results clearly indicate that accidental arrival by drifting alone is very unlikely at any time. But the addition of even modest paddling towards the Sahul Banks islands results in a high proportion of successful arrivals over four to seven days. The highest probability of a successful landfall is associated with launching points on western Timor and Roti.









How many people did it take to colonise Australia?

Researchers have long speculated about how many people originally colonised Australia. Some have argued that Australia must have been colonised by accident, perhaps by just a few people.

Others have suggested a steady trickle of colonists. Estimates of the founding population have ranged from 1,000 to 3,000.

The genetic evidence shows that Australia was colonised in a single phase, perhaps at multiple locations, but with very limited gene flow after initial colonisation.





Read more:

DNA reveals Aboriginal people had a long and settled connection to country





The diversity of mitochondrial DNA lineages found in Aboriginal populations allows us to estimate the minimum size of the original colonising population. Mitochondrial DNA is only inherited from mothers.

Aboriginal mitochondrial DNA diversity alone represents at least nine to ten separate lineages.

Assuming that every mitochondrial lineage was represented in the founding population by four to five females (such as a family group containing a mother and her sister, and two daughters) the currently known nine to ten lineages would equate to around 36-50 females.

This is a conservative estimate, as founding populations of fewer than ten females per lineage have a low chance of long-term survival due to variations in reproductive success.

If an overall, again conservative, female to male ratio of 1:1 is assumed for the colonising party, the inferred founding population would be around 72-100 people. It was likely much larger (perhaps 200-300) because of the strong potential for related family groups to share similar mitochondrial lineages, which would be underestimated as a single founding lineage.

Clearly, a population of even the minimum estimated size is unlikely to have arrived accidentally on Sahul.

What does it all mean?

A lot of earlier thinking about how people arrived in Australia was based on the assumption that the first modern humans to sweep out of Africa and colonise the distant lands of Australia and New Guinea were somehow more limited in their cognitive and technological capacities than later humans (that is, all of us).

Therefore, models routinely assumed that people island-hopped short distances rather than making long journeys, probably ending up in Australia by accident.

Our results show that colonisation of Australia and New Guinea was no accident. Colonisation of Australia was more likely achieved by purposeful and coordinated marine voyaging, undertaken in the knowledge that land existed to the south of Timor/Roti.

The crossing to Australia was two to three times longer than the multiple previous shorter crossings required to reach the islands of Timor and Roti. This last voyage to reach Australia would have required watercraft construction, sailing and navigation technology, planning ability, information sharing and provisions to sustain an open ocean voyage over four to seven days.





Read more:

Island-hopping study shows the most likely route the first people took to Australia





Purposeful voyaging on this scale clearly required advanced cognitive, linguistic, symbolic and technological capabilities. Critically, this finding places a unique global time-stamp on the cognitive abilities of our ancestors.

In the same way that we have underestimated the abilities of our human ancestors, we have underestimated the ability of early modern humans to plan, coordinate and undertake large-scale coordinated maritime voyaging across open water to reach Australia. The settling of Australia represents the earliest known maritime diaspora in the world.

This emerging picture of modern humans with advanced maritime capabilities deliberately settling the driest continent on the planet reminds us we still have much to learn about the complexity and adaptability of the First Australians.

Sean Ulm receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

Alan Cooper receives funding from the Australian Research Council

Michael Bird receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

Peter Veth receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Kimberley Foundation Australia.

Robin Beaman receives funding from Geoscience Australia and the Qld Dept of Environment and Science.

Scott Condie receives funding from a wide range of government organisations, foundations and industry.

Originally published in The Conversation.
Manisha positive said: Plan advise how can I proceed for skill assessment . I am not getting information to where I need to send required document for skill assessment . Where to login for this ? Or I need to email all the documents ? Click to expand...

If you are unable to find such basic information, are you sure you should be doing this yourself?Furthermore, your question is so general, that it is impossible to answer. What skills assessment are you trying to do ?
Hey guys,



We're preparing for our move to Australia next month and are starting to get a few of our ducks in a row before we head over. We've already tackled the change of name issue with all of your help.



The next duck is getting a driver's license in Queensland. The language on the website seems to suggest that I can drive on my current Canadian driver's license, however the confusing part is about my living there and obtaining a Queensland driver's license.



It states that I must live in Queensland for 3 months prior to getting a license. Am I reading that right? I have to live there for three months to be eligible to get a license? Or can we head in there and I can just trade my current Canadian driver's license straight across for a state license?



Thanks everyone.
Jonas Cullwick, a former General Manager of VBTC is now a Senior Journalist with the Daily Post. Contact: [email protected]. Cell # 678 5460922
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.
Here are some of the organizations that Harvey Hall was involved in during his life.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Several community leaders and organizations have taken to Facebook and Twitter to pay tribute to Harvey L. Hall. Here is a selection of them.

Andrae Gonzales, Bakersfield city councilman: I am saddened to hear about the passing of Mayor Harvey Hall. His leadership, spirit of service, and philanthropy has made Bakersfield a better place. And, on a personal level, his mentorship and encouragement has made me a better person. I will miss you, Mr. Hall. Rest In Peace.

Shannon Grove, former state assemblywoman: Bakersfield lost an icon. Mayor Harvey Hall went to be with the Lord last night. He was Bakersfields biggest cheerleader. He loved our community, his Hall Ambulance family, his family and his loving wife Lavonne. Lets keep them all in prayer during this difficult time.

Cathy Butler, president of the Downtown Bakersfield Development Corp.: This is such a sad month. Everyone hold your loved ones close. Life is precious. My thoughts are with Lavonne and the Hall family.

Melanie Farmer, president of the Downtown Business Association: I am very honored to have known and worked with this amazing man. Harvey L. Hall will be greatly missed. Prayers for his wife, family and staff.

Nick Ortiz, executive director of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce: No words can express how grateful I am to Mayor Hall. His advice, support, and friendship were integral to success in my career. On a personal note, I admired his ability to always project happiness, even in the face of pain or frustration. I admired his inclusiveness and desire to be a force for positive change. #UnityintheCommunity wasnt just a campaign slogan, it was how he lived. My thoughts and prayers are with LaVonne, his family, and the employees of Hall Ambulance.

Cal State Bakersfield: "We will miss Harvey Hall  a great supporter of CSUB, a great mayor and a great man."

Mercy Memorial Hospital: It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of our longtime friend and former mayor, Harvey Hall. His legacy will forever live on in his beloved hometown of Bakersfield, CA as a man who united all of us in humankindness.

Bakersfield Police Department: Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters at Hall Ambulance, as they mourn the passing of their founder, and our former mayor, Harvey Hall. We are so sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed.
The East Texas Historical Association provides this column as a public service. Scott Sosebee is an associate professor of history at SFA and the executive director of the association. He can be contacted at sosebeem@sfasu.edu; www.easttexashistorical.org.
Nacogdoches, TX (75965)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening. Thunderstorms likely late. Low 67F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening. Thunderstorms likely late. Low 67F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
BAGHDAD (AP)  Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose coalition won the largest number of seats in Iraq's parliamentary elections, has sought to reassure Iraqis about their next government, saying it will be "inclusive" and mindful of their needs.

No single bloc won a majority in the May 12 vote, raising the prospect of weeks or even months of negotiations to agree on a government. Major political players began talks soon after the election's partial results were announced last week.

The latest round was held Sunday between al-Sadr and Hadi al-Amiri, the leader of a coalition of Shiite paramilitary forces backed by both the government and neighboring Iran.

Late on Saturday night, he met Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, whose bloc made a surprisingly poor showing in the election, finishing third behind the blocs led by al-Sadr and al-Amiri.

Speaking after his talks with al-Abadi, al-Sadr said the first postelection meeting between the two "sends a clear and comforting message to the Iraqi people: Your government will take care of you and will be inclusive, we will not exclude anyone. We will work toward reform and prosperity."

He did not elaborate, or provide details about what he and al-Abadi discussed.

Al-Sadr told al-Amiri in their meeting that he wanted a government formed quickly to provide Iraqis with services and "express their legitimate aspirations," according to a statement issued by his office.

Al-Amiri, a close ally of Iran, played a key role in the two-year war to liberate Iraqi territory captured by the extremist Islamic State group in 2013 and 2014. His Badr militia is among the better armed and more disciplined paramilitary outfits. Badr was founded in exile in the 1980s during the rule of Saddam Hussein. It fought on Iran's side in a 1980-88 war against Iraq.

Al-Sadr, whose followers fought U.S. forces in Iraq after the 2003 invasion, won 54 of the chamber's 329 seats. Al-Abadi's "Victory" bloc took 42 and the coalition of paramilitary forces came in second with 47 seats.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thanks in part to a special program offered to Bay Care employees, a woman who emigrated from Albania more than 20 years ago has a new career, a new life, and new hopes for the future.

Entela Ademi originally a teacher when she arrived from Albania

Ademi took a job at Morton Plant Hospital while improving her English

Bay Care "Earn as You Learn" program helped her earn Nursing degree

Registered nurse Entela Ademi has not had the easiest road to where she is now. Along that road she moved to a new country, learned a new language, and changed careers.

Ademi insists all those obstacles have been worth, and if you ask her to pinpoint the most rewarding part of her new job, she says there are many.

"When I see a patient getting better, and they say 'thank you,'" Ademi said.

Ademi always has a smile on her face as she greets patients at Morton Plant Hospital. Helping the sick is her passion, but wasnt Entelas original calling.

"I was a teacher for middle school, and in 1997, I won the lottery to move to America," Ademi said.

The former teacher moved to the United States from Albania more than 20 years ago. She took a job at the hospital in environmental services while working on her English.

"I learned how to clean the areas, the patients rooms, offices, halls, bathrooms," Ademi said.

While working at the hospital, Ademi discovered Bay Caress Earn as You Learn program, which allowed her to work while taking classes for free. Hospital officials say the program is meant to address the need for nurses, which continues to grow.

"There's a nursing shortage looming in the near future, so these 'Earn as You Learn' programs help us attract team members to our organization, but also help further develop the careers of our team members," Jackie Munro, VP of Nursing Systems and Resources, said.

Ademi now has her Bachelors Degree, helps train other nurses, and hopes to one day earn her Master's Degree.

"It is a very rewarding profession," Ademi said. "It is hard, but rewarding at the same time."

If youd like to learn more about Bay Cares Earn as You Learn program, visit https://baycare.org/careers/education.
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. -- Hernando County business owners said they got a big response when they began offering free firearm safety training to teachers in the district in the wake of the Parkland shooting.

Firearm safety class for teachers receives big response

Two businesses offered free training to teachers

135 teachers signed up for the class

"We figured 20 or 30 teachers would sign up," said Donnie Arnold, owner of Downrange Concealed Carry and Tactical Training. "I've got about 135 teachers put through the class for free."

Arnold said that amounts to about $8,000 in free classes.

"It really shocked me because it was portrayed that teachers didn't want to have firearms, didn't want to be armed," Arnold said, referring to media coverage of Parkland.

"I fully expected it. There's dozens and dozens of teachers that already have their permit," said Steve Champion, owner of American Gun and Pawn.

His business teamed up with Arnold's to spread the word about the offer.

Arnold said teachers were welcome to join the classes, which are held twice monthly. Participants learn basic laws and rules, how to safely carry, handle, and transport firearms, and take part in live fire exercises. They can then go on to get their concealed carry permit.

"This class doesn't mean they can carry their firearms on campus," Arnold said. "It doesn't mean they can carry them at school. This was my way of giving back to the community and to see how many teachers actually wanted to do this."

About a dozen teachers took part in Arnold's Saturday class, but they weren't from the Hernando district -- they were from Pasco County.

"I do a lot of running, I'm outside a lot by myself, so it was a personal protection class for me," said Amy Troyer, a physical education teacher with Dr. Mary Giella Elementary School.

Troyer said she found out about the class from an e-mail sent by a fellow teacher.

Champion, who's also chair of the Hernando Board of County Commissioners, said he'd favor a change in legislation that would allow teachers to carry on campus.

"We're hoping for an educated group that can actually make an opinion to talk to legislators," Champion said. "So, if you want to change the legislation, you need to have the people that it's affecting the most educated on the issue."

Troyer and other teachers in the class she took told us they're not necessarily in favor of teachers being allowed to carry firearms in schools and that recent shootings weren't the main motivation behind taking the course.

"I'm not saying every teacher should be able to carry," Arnold said. "Some people have more knowledge, some people have less knowledge, but I think everybody needs a fair chance to defend themselves."

The classes are no longer being offered for free, but teachers from any county can get a 50 percent discount if they sign up at American Gun and Pawn in Brooksville.
The Haines City Police Department is attempting to identify suspects from a vehicle burglary on Saturday that occurred in the parking lot of the Lake Eva Aquatic Center.

Haines police searching for burglary suspects

Suspects accused of stealing purse, cards from vehicle

Burglary occurred in parking lot of Lake Eva Aquatic Center

Surveillance photos below

Police said the suspects broke a window in the victim's vehicle and stole her purse that morning.

The victim said she received an alert from her bank at 10:13 a.m. of a possible unauthorized transaction at a Publix in Haines City.

Police said the suspects bought three gift cards totaling $1.387.64 from the Publix.

Later, police said the suspects used the victim's card at a Walgreens and Staples in Winter Haven.

Police also said a similar vehicle burglary occurred in the Winter Haven area with the same suspect, who returned to the same Walgreen's to use the other victim's credit card.

Police said the suspects are described as females between 25 and 35 years old. They said the suspects may be traveling in a silver or white SUV.

Anyone with information on the suspects or crimes is asked to call Detective Bryan Donovan at 863-421-3636.
Recently, I came across two articles where celebrity women have mentioned using Law of Attraction techniques to find their husbands. I'm going to try to tackle this topic in case someone came across their sound bite and wanted to know more about the process.I'm no expert on using the law of attraction to attract one's ideal partner. I was already married by the time The Secret movie came out. But, I've studied the law of attraction over the years and thought I could provide some extra commentary on how to apply this law in dating and courtship. In the past couple of weeks, I've read interview snippets where both Kenya Moore and Ciara discussed what they did to increase their chances of meeting the men of their dreams. We don't know the future outcome of their relationships, but for now, both seem to be in happy committed unions with men that make them happy.The law of attraction states that we attract into our lives outcomes, people, and things that reflect our past/present pattern of thoughts & feelings. I personally find that attracting things is a bit more straightforward than attracting people. But it's entirely possible.Here's what Ciara had to say in a recent interview with Essence.For additional clarity, Ciara wrote down what she wanted to enhance her vision. In her words, "I'm a believer in seeing, speaking it, and writing it down."Kenya Moore recently told People Magazine that she'sMonths before meeting the man of her dreams Kenya went through the process of putting together a vision board which included an image of a wedding, a happy couple, a home and a baby. Six months later, she met how now husband.I'm sure many of us are familiar with a vision board. Heck, most of us probably have one or two laying around. But how many of us are manifesting big goals within months of pasting a bunch of pictures on a poster board? To attract her current lifestyle, Kenya had to fully engage in the law of attraction process.Kenya mentions that her vision board was with her wherever she went. This kinda reminds me of interviews I've heard where people talk about writing down their goals every day. Kenya kept her vision board close to ensure that her vision stayed top of mind. The board itself isn't magical but the act of putting one together requires a heightened level of focus on identifying exactly what you want. The hardest part of the law of attraction process is ensuring that we keep our vibration levels up. Sometimes we say we want something but soon lose the intensity around that desire. Kenya's practice of taking her vision board with her was to ensure that she didn't lose her sense of focus.ClarityI think the greatest benefit of applying the law of attraction in preparing for your next relationship is the clarity you'll gain from the exercise. Whether you're writing it down like Ciara or constructing a visual representation like Kenya, it helps to be crystal clear and what you want. My guess is that neither Ciara or Kenya have applied this level of clarity in previous relationships. I say this because Kenya's vision relationship board didn't exist recently. We've seen some of past failed relationships play out on national television. In early 2018, Ciara stated that "she was making the wrong choices" when it came to relationships. This leads me to believe that both women were dating without clarity. It's ok to date, meet new people and have fun. But just be aware that casual dating and clarity dating are very differnent could lead to opposite outcomes.When you're clear about what you want, you vibrate with a new energy. You have a greater understanding of which partners potentially align with your desire and which don't. Sometimes you gain that clarity from interacting with people who don't reflect what you want. I'm sure this happened in Ciara's case. She met Future and probably was enamored with his charisma. If she was clear about her desire to be with someone who wanted a committed relationship, she probably wouldn't have gotten so involved with him. But that situation really forced her to become clear about what she wanted. Not long later, she crossed paths with Russell. Both women met and married their current husbands in a relatively short time period after implementing their LOA techniques. My guess is that they maintained a high level of intensity around their desire which could account for how quickly they manifested. Sometimes, when we're single for a while, we tend to let our guard down about what we truly want. Getting out of an unsuccessful relationship may be the perfect time to try implementing LOA in your dating life because you are very intuned with that you want.Years before The Secret came out, I ended a long-term, dead-end relationship. One day, as I walked around a lake, I made a verbal list to God about what I wanted in a future partner. I eventually met my now husband. We were only just friends at the time but he made his feelings clear about wanting a future with me. We knew each other for a while before he moved to another state. Around that time, I decided to start dating casually. The more men I interacted with, the clearer I became about what I did and did not want. Around that same time, my now husband and I had a heart to heart and began a long distance relationship. Months later, he moved back and proposed on the day he returned. The timeline looked something like this: At 23, I ended a five-year relationship. Met my future husband at 24, was friends with him until 26. Married him at 27. I didn't realize how quickly I met my husband after creating my list until I wrote this post.If you want to ensure that you attract potential husbands into your dating life, you must first be clear. If you desire a long-term/committed relationship, you should quickly determine which of your suitors are aligned with your intentions. Verbalize what you want, write them down, put pictures on poster board. Do whatever it takes to get clear. It's also important to stay connected to what you desire because sometimes, we forget when a handsome face or a smooth talker approaches.If you're dating, you are technically already "attracting" potential mates into your life. When these interactions are always leading to dead ends, perhaps you can consider fine tuning your vibration so you attract more of what you want. We know of women who keep attracting the same type of guys over and over. We also know of those instances where a woman leaves a failed relationship then somehow meets their prince charming. A guy who's totally unlike that last one. What's the difference? One woman became crystal clear about what type of man she prefers than dates accordingly. If your end goal is to attract the type of man you want while believing that a healthy long-term relationship is possible, set your vibration to attract what you desire.If you want to apply the Law of Attraction in the area of relationships take some time to view many of the "how I manifested my husband" videos on Youtube for inspriation. Being married isn't the end all be all to life. But if you want a lifelong partner, you might as well try this technique instead of dating without purpose and hoping that you find the right one.
There is no right to have an abortion. But there is this





A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
John Andrew Welden is heading to prison for 14 years after he tricked his pregnant girlfriend, Remee Lee, into taking a drug, misoprostol, to cause an abortion. Lee was six weeks pregnant and refused to have an abortion as Welden had demanded.



Authorities say that 28-year-old John Andrew Welden did not want to be a father, so when his girlfriend, Remee Jo Lee, got pregnant, Welden faked a prescription for an abortion pill, switched a label so the medication appeared to be a common antibiotic, and gave her the drug. The drug did its job. The unborn baby died.



Now, Weldon is headed to prison.



A federal judge Monday afternoon sentenced John Andrew Welden, the man accused of giving a former romantic partner a drug to cause a miscarriage, to 13 years and eight months in prison.



I dont think Mr. Welden is an evil person, but he committed an evil act and for that hes going to have to pay the consequences, said U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara.
And yet I, and others, can go through the historical corruption of the Constitution with ease, and your still stuck on, gee, golly, whiz, da Court said so. If you want to be amazed, try researching what most of us already know.
I am a retired newspaperman. I live in Poca, WV, with my wife of 44 years, Lou Ann. I grew up in Cleveland. Three kids. Grandfather.



Report all errors to DonSurber@GMail.com
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by Reese Erlich





President Donald Trump announced that the US is pulling out of the Iran nuclear accord--and Iranians are really pissed.





Thousands of Iranians demonstrated in Tehran chanting Death to America. Thousands more attended Friday prayers in Tehran to hear hardline leaders denounce Trumps actions.





Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, an influential Friday prayer leader in Tehran, warned against making deals with the west since they cannot be trusted .





While Irans hardliners spearheaded those protests,Iranians of all political views united against Trump. Interviewed at the Tehran Bazaar during a recent trip, Massoud Nashebegi anticipated Trump's action. US animosity towards Iran "is getting worse," he told me. "It's because we in Iran stood up to the Americans."





Foad Izadi, an assistant professor at the University of Tehran, told me in a phone interview that Iranians are angry at imposition of new sanctions despite Iran living up to terms of the nuclear accord, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iranian officials are meeting with European leaders in hopes they will defy Trumps sanctions. But so far European corporations have started cancelling their investments rather than risk American ire.





If the Europeans are not able or not willing to oppose Trump, Izadi said, then Iran will leave the JCPOA sooner or later.





In 2015 seven countries signed the JCPOA in which Iran agreed to intrusive inspections of its nuclear power facilities in return for lifting of economic sanctions. The US, Iran, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China reached the accord after years of difficult negotiations. The JCPOA was codified into international law by a unanimous vote of the UN Security Council.





Nevertheless, the Trump administration renounced the JCPOA and announced unilateral resumption of harsh economic sanctions in 90-180 days, setting the stage for a major confrontation with Iran.





Trump's actions have rallied Iranians around their government. An Iran Poll survey conducted in April showed that 67% of Iranians want their government to retaliate against the US in response to any cancellation of the agreement. They want Iran to restart portions of the country's nuclear program suspended since the accord took effect.





And Irans leaders are preparing to do just that, although they differ sharply on how.





Some hardliners want to withdraw from both the JCPOA and the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The NPT prohibits signatories from developing nuclear weapons. Once out of the NPT, Tehran could block all international inspectors from entering the country . The US would then have a much harder time determining if Iran was developing a nuclear weapon.





Izadi said Iran is also considering how to stay within the NPT and JCPOA while sending a sharp message to Washington.

 Iran may step up the training of nuclear scientists. University level programs have lapsed in recent years, according to Izadi. By encouraging graduate studies in nuclear engineering, future personnel could go to work in Iran's nuclear power industry, but also be ready to research nuclear weapons technology. Such academic research carried out before 2003 was a contentious issue in the JCPOA negotiations. Iran maintained that academic research didnt violate the NPT while the US and Israel argued that it was part of a nuclear weapons program.



 Iran could enrich uranium to 20%, which is well above the 4% level needed for nuclear power but far less than that needed for a bomb. Under terms of the JCPOA, Iran can enrich up to 20% for medical research. Iran had enriched to 20% during the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.



 Iran could even enrich well above the 20% level to have fuel for nuclear submarines.

"Having a nuclear powered submarine is not a violation of the nuclear agreement," Izadi noted. He admitted that Iran doesn't have a nuclear submarine program. But implementing high levels of enrichment sends "a sign to the other side that Iran is not happy with all these sanctions."





Most Iranians believe the nuclear issue is only an excuse to attack Iran. Izadi said even if Iran completely stopped its nuclear power program entirely, the US would invent a new excuse, such as Iranian support for "terrorism." All these assertions are a cover for the US to expand its hegemony in the Middle East, he said.





"One of the primary objectives that the US has in this part of the world is to make sure that the oil that exists here is directly or indirectly controlled by the United States," he said.





American companies once dominated Irans oil production. After the 1979 Iranian revolution, U.S. oil companies lost a major source of profits. Izadi said "the US wants to restore economic, political and military control over Iran as it tried to do in Iraq."





The Trump administration is pursuing two-track military policy towards Iran. If Iran attacks Israel, the US and Israel would launch a large scale military attack. Otherwise, Trump will use harsh sanctions to worsen economic conditions for ordinary Iranians in hopes they would overthrow their government and install a US friendly regime.





The Securities Study Group (SSG), a right wing think tank close to National Security Advisor John Bolton, is circulating an Iran position paper to Trumps national security team calling for regime change.





"The Trump administration has no desire to roll tanks in an effort to directly topple the Iranian regime ," said SSG President Jim Hanson. "But they would be much happier dealing with a post-Mullah government.





Republican neocons tried such policies during President George W. Bushs first term, and it failed miserably, noted William Beeman, an anthropology professor at the University of Minnesota and an Iran expert.





"The Trump administration is only the latest Republican administration to advocate regime change," Beeman told me. "Accusations that Iran was developing nuclear weapons was promulgated to convince the American public that this was desirable."





Republican neoconservatives now play a prominent role in Trump's cabinet as seen by the appointment of Bolton and Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State.





"The idea that creating harsh conditions would cause the population of that country to rise up and overthrow their rulers is a longstanding act of faith on the part of the US government," Beeman said. "Iran is only the latest nation to which this bankrupt strategy has been applied."




Prime Minister Narendra today expressed hope that his talks with Russian President would further strengthen the "special and privileged" strategic partnership between India and Russia.

In a series of tweets first in Russian and then in English on the eve of his visit to Russia, he said, "Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia."



"Greetings to the friendly people of Russia. I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him," said in another tweet.

The two leaders will primarily focus on pressing global and regional issues, including impact of the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, during their informal summit in Russian city of Sochi on Monday.

Official sources have said the two leaders will meet for four to six hours for the "agendaless" talks where deliberations on bilateral issues are likely to be very limited.

They said the issues on the table may include economic impact on India and Russia in the wake of the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, situation in Afghanistan and Syria, threat of terrorism, and matters relating to the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS summits.

The sources said the possible impact of the US sanctions against Russia under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) on Indo-Russia defence cooperation might also figure during the talks between and Putin.

India is not going to allow its defence engagement with Russia to be dictated by any other country, the sources have said, adding New Delhi has been lobbying with the Trump administration on the issue.

The aim of the informal summit is to use the friendship and trust between the two countries to create convergence on key global and regional issues, the sources said.

The two leaders may also deliberate on extending Indo-Russia civil nuclear cooperation to third countries, possible areas for cooperation for the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project, India's engagement with five-nation Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the situation in the Korean peninsula.

The sources said the large part of the informal meeting between Modi and Putin would be one-to-one and there might be limited segment for restricted delegation-level discussions.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid a surprise visit to various under-construction sites including hospitals, water treatment plant and pumping station in Varanasi late on Saturday night.

Adityanath's visit comes after the deadly under-construction flyover collapse in Varanasi, which on May 15 left at least 18 people dead and 11 others critically injured.

During his visit, Adityanath at first inspected the ESI hospital. He asked the concerned authorities to get the construction work done by December 2018.

Thereafter, Adityanath headed to Sarnath to inspect the condition of the 100 MLD Water Treatment Plant, which after completion is expected to source clean water to 7 lakh and 27 thousand people. The project is expected to be ready by November later this year.

He later visited a pumping station in Chowka Ghat and a cancer hospital in Leher Tara.

The Chief Minister asked the officers on duty to get the pumping station ready by June 29.

The Chief Minister also asked the officers on duty to construct the cancer hospital as soon as possible since it's being made for the welfare of the society.

In the Nariya locality near the Banaras Hindu University, Adityanath visited the construction site of Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya Hospital.

Adityanath ordered the concerned department to get the hospital ready by December 2018.

Adityanath is taking all the under-construction sites into consideration after the flyover mishap.

Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Adityanath announced ex-gratia for the affected families.

Varanasi Police has ordered the officials of the Uttar Pradesh Setu Nigam to not leave the city without informing the Superintendent of Police (SP).

Earlier, SP Crime JN Pandey told the media that police have gathered all the information from the project manager of the collapsed bridge.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged under sections 304 (Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder), section 308 (Attempt to commit culpable homicide) and section 427 (Mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Later in the day, Yogi Adityanath will also visit the site where a portion of the under-construction flyover collapsed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Members of Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) will organise worldwide protests against testing of Pakistan's nuclear weapons in Balochistan's Chaghai district on May 28, 2018.

According to FBM official statement, protest rallies will be held in the United States' Washington DC, Germany's Hannover city, United Kingdom's capital London, Vancouver in Canada, Austria's capital Vienna and The Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.

The aim of these demonstrations is to highlight the dangers of Pakistan's nuclear weapons to Balochistan and the

The FBM has invited all human rights activists, anti-nuclear weapons groups and journalist to join its protests around the

The Baloch social media activists will also run a Twitter campaign on May 28 with hashtag #NoToPakistaniNukes.

Twenty years ago, Pakistan tested its nuclear weapons in Balochistan's Chaghai hills on May 28, 1998, contaminating the Baloch land forever. The local population has been suffering from mysterious illnesses, according to the FBM.

The reasons for the breakout of diseases and droughts in the region are unknown since no independent investigation was conducted.

FBM leader, Hyrbyair Marri was the youngest and first Minister of Balochistan Assembly to oppose Pakistan's government decision to test its nuclear weapons in Balochistan.

About 10 days before the nuclear tests on May 17, 1998, Mr. Marri expressed his concerns saying, there will be a hazardous result of the radiations of the nuclear blasts which will be an invitation of death for our next generations. This, he said, will be an easy way of getting rid of the Baloch people.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As part of an anti-drug drive to make the state drugs free, the Tripura police seized huge quantity of cannabis from Gandhigram area on the outskirt of Agartala town on Saturday.

The value of the seized contraband is estimated at Rs 18 lakh.

Acting on specific information, police conducted a raid on a truck parked inside a garage at Madhyapara and seized 26 packets of ganja. Each packet of ganja weighs 15 kg.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer NCC Dhruba Nath along with other officers conducted the raid. Later the ceased truck along with the illegal consignment was brought to Narshingharh police station.

The police informed that the consignment was marked to reach Bihar.

Further the owner of the garage, Sanjiv Roy has been detained.

Meantime, SP West Tripura district Ajit Pratap Singh told that the detainees were interrogated by the police.

Police are trying to know where they have got the consignments of 26 packets of ganja and also the destination of the consignment.

Recently the Tripura police along with the BSF recovered large quantities of drugs and contraband including Yaba tablets, heroin, brown sugar and opium besides several cases of liquors in and around Agartala.

Though, earlier it was believed that Tripura is the transit point for smuggling contraband to the neighboring states and country but the recent recoveries proved a section of the youths in the state have fallen prey to drug addiction.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chinese Vice Premier Liu He on Sunday said the United States (US) and China have vowed not to engage in a trade war and have pledged to stop increasing tariffs on each other's items.

Liu visited Washington on May 15 at the invitation of the U.S. government for economic and trade consultations.

Liu said the US and China will strengthen their trade cooperation in areas like energy, agriculture products, healthcare, high-tech products, and finance, as per Xinhua.

This will help China promote the high-quality development of its economy and contribute to the US effort to reduce its trade deficit, he added.

He also said the two countries will also enhance their cooperation in mutual investment and intellectual property protection.

The first China International Import Expo is to be held in Shanghai in November this year, Liu said, adding, all the countries are welcome to attend it.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With HD Kumaraswamy all set to take oath as the Karnataka Chief Minister on May 23, leaders from the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) will be meeting today to discuss the future of the alliance in the state assembly.

The elected MLAs from both the parties are expected to attend the meeting.

On Saturday, Kumaraswamy was invited by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai R. Vala to form the government in the state, after Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) B.S. Yeddyurappa stepped down ahead of the floor test in the state assembly.

While Kumaraswamy was earlier expected to swear-in as Karnataka Chief Minister on May 21, the ceremony later got pushed to May 23 due to the death anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

"We are going to take oath on Wednesday as Monday is Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary. That is not a proper date. In the entire country, all the Congress workers will be attending death anniversary functions. Conducting oath taking ceremony at that time is not good. In the today's meeting we discussed about this only. On Monday, we will discuss about the oath ceremony," Kumaraswamy told ANI.

Kumaraswamy has invited various political leaders for his oath ceremony.

"West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, and Telangana chief minister KC Rao congratulated me. Mayawati ji has also blessed me. I have invited all regional leaders for oath ceremony. I've also invited Sonia Gandhi ji and Rahul Gandhi ji personally," he told reporters after meeting the Karnataka Governor.

Ahead of the floor test in the Karnataka assembly, Yeddyurappa announced his resignation as the chief minister.

However, in his speech inside the Vidhana Soudha, he said he will fight for the rights of the people of Karnataka till his last breath, even if he did not get the required mandate.

On Friday, the Supreme Court while hearing a petition of the Congress-JDS alliance reduced the 15-day original time given by Governor Vala to the BJP to prove its majority in the house and asked the party to hold the trust vote on Saturday at 4 p.m.

The top court on Saturday quashed the Congress-JD (S) petition to remove K.A. Bopaiah as pro-tem speaker ahead of the floor test and appoint the senior most legislator R.V. Deshmukh in his place.

The apex court also ordered a live broadcast of the floor test to ensure transparency of proceedings.

While BJP managed 105 MLAs (including one Independent seat), they were still short of the halfway mark of 112 by seven MLAs.

Meanwhile, the Congress and the JD-S, apart from their own members, have claimed the support of one BSP member and an Independent taking the total number with them to 117.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday said that he is extremely delighted as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Odisha on the completion of his four years of his tenure.

"It is our good fortune that Prime Minister Modi will visit Odisha on the completion of four years as Prime Minister. He had his stand clear even before 2014 election that true development of the country is not possible until we develop the eastern part of India. We all are very delighted that he is coming to eastern India on the completion of his four years," Pradhan told ANI.

He also said that Prime Minister Modi will present an account of various welfare schemes launched for the people of Odisha in the four year front.

"Whole Odisha is very excited to welcome the Prime Minister. The state government of Odisha has neither policies nor political will for the welfare of people. The government is paralysed. Corruption and loot have become their agenda. The people of Odisha have now decided to change this government and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as a powerful alternative here. I am sure Odisha people's blessing is with the Prime Minister," Pradhan added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Odisha on May 26 and address a public meeting in Cuttack.

The Prime Minister's visit is being held on the occasion of the Democratic Alliance (NDA) government completing four years in office.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Doctors at Mumbai's JJ Hospital held a strike on Saturday after two resident doctors were thrashed by relatives of a patient who died there.

Police have registered a case against five people and arrested four of them.

The incident took place when the patient who was being treated for a gall bladder ailment died yesterday. The family members of the patient alleged that it was due to negligence on the doctors' part.

CCTV footage of the incident went viral on social media showing patient's relatives ransacking a ward of the hospital.

Four members of the patient's family were arrested by the police for the alleged assault. One person is absconding.

"Both doctors and one policeman sustained minor injuries. We have registered a case. Four people have been arrested, one person is absconding," a police official said.

All four have been sent to the judicial custody by a local court.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three Palestinian succumbed to their injuries they sustained during protests with Israel at Gaza earlier this week.

As reported by the Anadolu Agency on Saturday, Palestinian Health Ministry informed the deceased have been identified as Moeen al-Saei, (58), Mohammed Olayyan, (20), and Ahmed al-Abd Abo Samra, (21).

The death toll has now risen to 65 as a large number of Palestinians were targeted during gunfire by the Israeli forces along the Gaza Strip's eastern border.

The border protests were part of weeks-long rallies marking the 70th anniversary of Israel's establishment -- an event Palestinians refer to as the "Nakba" or "The Catastrophe.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested 11 people after an illicit liquor claimed lives of 10 people in Kanpur.

The incident came to light yesterday morning after some of the consumers were found dead in their houses.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma visited Ursula Hospital in Kanpur to meet six people who were hospitalised after consuming the illicit liquor.

Sharma also gave Rs 50,000 each as compensation to the victims.

Meanwhile, District Magistrate Surendra Singh has said, "We have raided the house of one of the accused from where cartons of illegal liquor have been found.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) S.P. Vaid on Sunday lauded Centre's decision of not launching operations in Jammu and Kashmir in the holy month of Ramzan.

DGP S.P. Vaid hoped that the initiative will have a positive effect on everyone including forces sponsoring terrorism. He further hoped that Kedarnath Yatra will pass off peacefully as it holds equal importance.

"I hope this initiative by government of India will have a positive effect on everyone, including forces who are sponsoring terrorism and I am sure (Kedarnath) yatra will pass off peacefully. Yatra is also as auspicious as Ramzan," Vaid said on unilateral ceasefire in Kashmir during Ramzan.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on May 16 tweeted to declare a ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir.

.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Japan on Sunday asked North Korea to take specific actions to ensure denuclearisation.

As reported by Japan Times, during a two-day summit in Fukushima Prefecture Japan asked North Korea to comply with the sanctions imposed on its nuclear and missile missions by the United Nations.

In the joint declaration released after the gathering in the port city of Iwaki, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and leaders from 14 Pacific island nations expressed "deep concern" over the North evading international sanctions by transferring cargoes at sea.

They further called on North Korea to take concrete actions in accordance with the mandate of the United Nations Security Council resolutions and pledged to pressurise the country in giving up their nuclear arms.

They also highlighted the need for a "peaceful and diplomatic resolution toward complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all weapons of mass destruction including biological and chemical weapons, and ballistic missiles as well as related facilities of North Korea."

It is a maiden joint deceleration by Japan and Pacific nations to call upon North Korea for denuclearisation.

Japan has been hosting a regional summit with the Pacific island nations once in every three years since 1997.

They further welcomed the recently concluded inter-Korean summit in March as they expressed hope that the upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore on June 12 would be fruitful.

They further discussed the issue of Japanese abductions in North Korea.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A senior official of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed that a Mumbai-based jeweller, Birju Kishore Salla, who created a hijack scare onboard a Jet Airways flight last year, has become the first person to be put on the ' No Fly List.'

Salla, 37, was arrested in October last year by the crime branch following the emergency landing made by the Mumbai-Delhi Jet Airways plane at the Ahmedabad airport after the pilot was alerted about a note about hijackers and a bomb which was found in the plane's washroom by a cabin crew.

He was also the first one to be booked under the stringent Anti-Hijacking Act.

According to the DGCA, it is the responsibility of Jet Airways now to inform other airlines about the grounding of this particular passenger under the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR).

No-fly-list is a central database of unruly or disruptive passengers. If an airline decides to ban a passenger for unruly or disruptive behaviour, it will have to inform the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other airlines and the passenger will become a part of the No-Fly List.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday condemned the Naxals attack in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district which claimed lives of six security personnel.

Earlier today, six jawans lost their lives and one got injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast, when their vehicle was passing through Cholnar village.

Talking to media, Singh said, "It is a sad incident where six jawans were killed in an IED blast in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada. The Naxals targeted the jawans by planting IED rather than fighting them face to face."

Troops of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have rushed to the spot.

Condemning the incident, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said, "Naxals are against development and they usually target our soldiers. We will strongly retaliate against such incidents.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he is looking forward to his visit to Sochi tomorrow and meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ahead of a day visit to Russia, the Prime Minister took to Twitter and said that his visit will strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between two countries.

"Greetings to the friendly people of Russia. I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him," he tweeted.

"Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia," he said in another tweet.

The Prime Minister is scheduled for an informal meeting with the Russian President in Russia's Sochi city on May 21.

Earlier in the day, Indian envoy to Russia Pankaj Saran exclusively told ANI that the two leaders will discuss mutual cooperation to improve each other's economy and influence in the international sphere.

Apart from holding bilateral talks on the entire gamut of bilateral relations, Saran said Prime Minister Modi and President Putin may also discuss the repercussions of Iran nuclear deal post the withdrawal of the United States from the same.

Since India and Russia are both victims of terrorism, the two sides will also discuss ISIS threat and the situation in Afghanistan and Syria.

On reaching, Prime Minister Modi will be received by local dignitaries at the airport. He is then scheduled to visit the residence resort of President Putin.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sindh assembly in Pakistan broke into a commotion as a Member of Parliament assembly from Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) raised a shoe at deputy speaker Shehla Raza.

As reported by the Geo News on Saturday, MPA Seher Abbasi raised a shoe at deputy speaker Shehla Raza following an argument among opposition parties over components of the state budget.

Abbasi took off her shoe and showed it to speaker Raza after a provincial minister Mumtaz Jakhrani passed a comment on her.

Following the incident, Raza asked her to immediately leave the premises.

Raza said, "Abbasi has issues and she has proven that she is not worthy of sitting in this assembly."

She further said that the act is a crime and not a mistake as she termed it to be a drama.

She further criticised female MPA's of ruling Pakistan People's Party for not speaking against such actions.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Responding to the news that a court in Bahrain yesterday revoked the citizenship of 115 people and handed 53 of them life sentences on terrorism-related charges, Lynn Maalouf, Middle East Research Director at Amnesty International, said.

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Amnesty International considered the Bahraini verdict that revoked the citizenship of 115 people and the life sentences issued against 53 of them on terrorism-related charge ludicrous.



"The sheer scale of this mass trial is ludicrous; it is hard to believe that justice can have been delivered through a fair trial process when this number of people are simultaneously sentenced," Lynn Maalouf, Middle East Research Director at Amnesty International, said.



She added: "This is one of the most severe rulings yet, and is further proof that the Bahrain authorities have no regard whatsoever for international fair trial standards.



"The Bahraini government is using revocation of nationality - rendering many of its citizens stateless in the process - and expulsion, as tools to crush all forms of opposition, dissent and activism.



"Arbitrarily depriving citizens of their nationality, turning them into stateless people and banishing them by forcing them to leave the country is a violation of international law.



"Bahrain's authorities must immediately halt all planned expulsions and allow those it has already expelled to return to the country and reinstate their nationality," she concluded saying.



The trial of 138 people, including 52 in their absence, began on 23 August 2016, and relied at least in part on "confessions" extracted under torture. The fourth High Criminal Court in Manama sentenced 53 defendants to life imprisonment, three to 15 years in prison, one to 10 years, 15 to seven years, 37 to five years, six to three years and acquitted 23 others. Amnesty International has documented one case of torture and ill-treatment that resulted in "confessions".



Since 2012, a total of 718 individuals have been stripped of their Bahraini nationality, including 231 since the beginning of 2018. In most cases these individuals were rendered stateless. Some have subsequently been forcibly expelled from Bahrain.



All individuals who have had their nationality revoked are forced to hand in their passports and ID documentation and apply for a residency permit as a foreigner, or leave the country. Those who have not been granted a residency permit and have remained in Bahrain have been charged with "illegally residing" in the country and given a deportation order.







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Union Minister for Electronic and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday will visit digital village Dhanauri Kalan in Gautam Budh Nagar District of Uttar Pradesh.

Dhanauri is India's one of the first 100 digital villages.

This village has a top-class digital infrastructure and was revamped with an aim to promote digital economy and empower the citizens.

The village is known for its virtual world facilities in the field of infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

Under the 'Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan', the Centre aims to make six crore villagers digitally literate by March 2018.

For this, the Common Service Centres in the villages plays a crucial role.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actress and now Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle wore a boat-necked, sculpted white dress for her Royal wedding to Prince Harry on Saturday, designed by Clare Waight Keller for French fashion house Givenchy.

Markle looked beautiful in the pure white silk Givenchy gown, which was 15 feet veil embroidered with flowers and held in place by a diamond tiara lent by the Queen for her wedding.

Markle met Keller earlier this year and the pair worked closely together on a design that Kensington Palace described 'epitomises a timeless minimal elegance', according to the official site of the British Royal Family.

The open bateau neckline frames Markle's shoulders and emphasises the slender sculpted waist of the dress. The shape is achieved using just six seams, and the dress flows towards a train at the back, cushioned by an underskirt of triple silk organza. The sleeves are slim and three-quarter length.

It is made of a pure white double bonded silk cady - a thick fabric - which has a soft matt luster.

The veil was made of silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza. It was five meters long and had to be held by two pageboys as Markle arrived.

It depicts the distinctive flora of each country in the Commonwealth, the 53-nation grouping for which Price Harry is an ambassador.

The embroidery took hundreds of hours to complete, with workers washing their hands every 30 minutes to keep the tulle and the threads pristine.

Markle's veil was held in place by Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara, which was loaned to her by Queen Elizabeth II.

Made in 1932, it comprises 11 sections, with a detachable centre of ten diamonds that can be worn as a brooch.

Markle also wore earrings and a bracelet by Cartier.

Prince Harry, sixth in line to the British throne, and Markle sealed their wedding vows with a kiss outside Windsor Castle's St. George's Chapel on Saturday, cheered on by thousands of delighted crowds.

The couple - now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - exchanged rings in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II and 600 celebrity guests. The Dean of Windsor, the Right Reverend David Conner, conducted the wedding service while the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, officiated it.

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Seeking berths in Karnataka cabinet for Congress MLAs, senior party leader Mallikarjun Kharge said on Sunday that they being a party supported a regional one so there ought to be a "give and take" equation.

"Keeping everything in mind, there ought to be a 'give and take' equation," he said here, ahead of the crucial Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) meeting to discuss the future of the alliance in the state assembly.

With Kumaraswamy all set to take oath as the Karnataka Chief Minister on May 23, leaders from the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) will be meeting today.

On Saturday, Kumaraswamy was invited by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala to form the government in the state, after Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) B.S. Yeddyurappa stepped down ahead of the floor test in the state assembly.

While Kumaraswamy was earlier expected to swear-in as Karnataka Chief Minister on May 21, the ceremony later got pushed to May 23 due to the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia will be different this time from others as Russian President Vladimir Putin has himself invited the prime minister within two weeks of again becoming the president of Russia, Indian envoy to Russia Pankaj Saran exclusively told ANI.

"It's very important and different kind of meeting between PM Modi and President Putin. Difference is President Putin invited PM to come to visit him and discuss various issues almost within two weeks of him becoming President of Russia for the fourth time," Pankaj Saran, Indian Ambassador to Russia.

"It's great opportunity for personal chemistry between them to discuss different issues," he added.

The ambassador said the two leaders will discuss mutual cooperation to improve each other's economy and influence in international sphere.

Prime Minister is scheduled for an informal meeting with Putin in Russia's Sochi city on May 21. The visit came a month after PM Modi held a similar informal meeting with China's Xi Jinping in Hubei province.

Apart from holding bilateral talks on the entire gamut of bilateral relations, Saran said PM Modi and Putin may also discuss the repercussions of Iran nuclear deal post the withdrawal of the United States from the same.

Since India and Russia are both victims of terrorism, the two sides will also discuss ISIS threat and the situation in Afghanistan and Syria.

According to Saran, the nuclear cooperation in a third country may also figure in their talks.

"Emerging area of co-operation in nuclear sector is, possible co-operation between India and Russia in third countries. In Bangladesh, government is building Rooppur Nuclear Plant. We look forward to work where Russian and Indian expertise can be merged," Saran told ANI in Sochi.

On reaching, PM Modi will be received by local dignitaries at the airport. He is then scheduled to visit the residence resort of Putin.

Sochi is a significant place for Russia because of its magnificent infrastructure.

Later this year, Putin will also visit India for a regular summit, Saran said.

Putin has met many leaders in last ten days.

This will be the first meeting between Putin and Modi this year, however, since the beginning of the year, the two leaders have had several phone conversations.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A group of Congress workers burst crackers and distributed sweets to celebrate their victory in the Karnataka elections.

The Congress workers further raised slogans hailing Congress President Rahul Gandhi at the Agartala Congress Bhawan.

Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Gopal Roy said, "This is the failure of the Modi government and victory of democracy as the undemocratic wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Governor of Karnataka has failed."

He predicted that Congress shall also win in the next state assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, and Mizoram and as well as in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections under the stewardship of Rahul Gandhi.

BS Yeddyurappa resigned as the Chief Minister of Karnataka yesterday - a post he held for 55 hours - making way for the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) combine to take over.

H. D. Kumaraswamy will take oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on May 23.

Results of the Karnataka Assembly polls announced on May 15 showed that the BJP won 104 seats, emerging as the single largest party, while the Congress and JD(S) bagged 78 and 37 seats, respectively.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Karnataka Chief Minister-designate HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday said he will prove the majority just 24 hours before taking the oath.

"Tomorrow morning, I am going to Delhi. I will meet Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. Just 24 hours after the oath, I'll prove the majority," Kumaraswamy told reporters here.

With Kumaraswamy all set to take oath as the Karnataka Chief Minister on May 23, leaders from the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) will be meeting today to discuss the future of the alliance in the state assembly.

The elected MLAs from both the parties are expected to attend the meeting.

On Saturday, Kumaraswamy was invited by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala to form the government in the state, after Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) B.S. Yeddyurappa stepped down ahead of the floor test in the state assembly.

While Kumaraswamy was earlier expected to swear-in as Karnataka Chief Minister on May 21, the ceremony later got pushed to May 23 due to the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that the state government is making all-out efforts to develop Gorakhpur district for tourism purpose.

Addressing a public gathering here, the Chief Minister attacked the previous governments in the state for not developing or working for improving the Ramgarh Lake.

"In 2010, with the assistance of the Government of India, we had sanctioned funds for the Ramgarh Lake of Gorakhpur under the State Lake Protection Scheme. But due to the lack of good governance of previous governments, this project did not go forward in a time-bound manner," he said.

With the joint efforts of the Center and the State Government, the project of Ramgarh Tal would become a center of tourist attraction.

The Chief Minister also conducted a review meeting with Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) district president and office bearers in Gorakhpur.

The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Watersports complex in Gorakhpur and restored boat service in Ramgarh Lake.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least four Taliban insurgents were killed following an Afghan Special Operations Forces-related air strikes in the southern province of Zabul, officials said on Sunday.

"The strikes were conducted against militants of Taliban terrorist outfit in Shahjoy and Shinkay districts and two insurgents' motorcycles were also destroyed," Xinhua quoted Operational Coordination Group Afghanistan as saying.

Afghan forces and the NATO and US-led coalition troops continued in mopping-up operations as spring and summer, known as fighting season, is drawing near in the mountainous country.

The Taliban insurgent group, which has been waging an insurgency of more than 17 years, has yet to make comments on the report.

--IANS

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A total of 42 rare turtles were seized from a railway station in West Bengal's Hooghly and one person arrested, police said on Sunday.

Acting on a tip off, Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel conducted a raid at a number of railway stations and local trains in the Howrah-Sheoraphuli line on Saturday and arrested one person with two bags full of turtles.

"The smuggler has been arrested from the Chandannagar railway station in Hooghly district and 42 live turtles were seized from his luggage. The turtles are said to be of a rare species," said a senior officer of Sheoraphuli GRP Station.

"The accused has been taken into police custody while the turtles have been handed over to the local Forest Department officials in Hooghly," he added.

--IANS

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Across the Second World War's hundreds of thousands of armed clashes, big and small, across multiple theatres, there are few soldiers, below general rank, who may have influenced its strategic course, and in a way, shaped the future, despite their personal bravery. This distinction goes to a Scottish diplomat-turned-politician-turned-soldier, who was one of the many real-life inspirations for James Bond.

And Sir Fitzroy Hew Royle Maclean (1911-1996) definitely qualifies. A diplomat when World War II broke out, he tried to join the army. However, his superiors refused permission, and he had to join politics and become an MP in order to quit the foreign service. Enlisting as a common soldier in 1941, he was soon commissioned as an officer and rose from lieutenant to brigadier within two years. (He eventually retired a major general).

And in those four years of war, Maclean was a founder member, with the legendary David Stirling, of the Special Air Service, carrying out deep penetration commando raids in the Desert War. Injured in an accident, he took a break in Iraq and Iran - where he helped to kidnap a pro-German general from his own house at pistol-point, and then ending up as Winston Churchill's personal liaison with Tito's Partisans in Yugoslavia.

All these he relates in his marvellous, engrossing and insightful autobiography "Eastern Approaches" (1949), which is one of the best memoirs to come out of the war.

And as an account of rather unconventional soldiers, it can easily rank between other classics like Patrick Leigh Fermor's "Abducting a General" and W. Stanley Moss' "Ill Met By Moonlight" (both on the same operation), Eric Williams' "The Wooden Horse" (about a successful escape from a PoW camp) and John Castle's "The Password is Courage" (about a British JCO who created devilry in his PoW camp).

But Maclean's story is not about his war service only, for it actually begins in 1937, when as a diplomat, he grew bored of his comfortable and undemanding life in the Paris Embassy, and petitioned his superiors for a change - to Moscow, instead of Washington where he was being considered for. Not unsurprisingly, his request was soon accepted.

The first of the book's three parts thus deals with his stint in Stalin's Soviet Union, where he was not content to remain a capital-confined diplomat but struck out on scarcely-approved trips to its Caucasian and Asiatic parts, as well attending one of the show trials where ideologue Nikolai Bukharin was convicted.

On his first trip, he reached Baku, from where, despite his Soviet handlers' efforts, he took a ship to another Caspian Sea port, where he found some horses to explore the countryside - and was arrested by border guards near the Iranian frontier. As his captors could not read, Maclean, as the only person literate in Russian, "read out, with considerable expression, and such improvements as occurred to me" his Soviet pass' contents and was set free.

In subsequent trips, he visited Alma Ata, Tashkent and Samarkand and then Chinese Turkestan. On his final trip, he managed to reach Bukhara, the then Stalinabad (Dushanbe), from where he crossed the Amu Darya into Afghanistan and rode to Kabul, before returning to Moscow via Peshawar, Delhi, Baghdad, Iran, and Armenia.

The middle part deals with Maclean's exploits in North Africa and the Middle East - all enlivened with typical British humour. Detailing a reconnaissance trip to occupied Benghazi, he tells us: "We walked down the middle of the street arm in arm, whistling and doing our best to give the impression that we had every right to be there. Nobody paid the slightest attention to us..". On desert operations, we learn: "Clearly it was no easy task to transport several dozen vehicles and a couple of hundred men across 800 miles of waterless desert without attracting the attention of the enemy."

Another engrossing section is about the capture of Iranian General Fazlollah Zahedi from Isfahan.

But it is the final part, of his service in fractious Yugoslavia, where he found Tito was the one to support instead of the royalist Chetniks - and convinced Churchill of it, that not only settled the country's fate but can also have said to steeled Tito to break with the Stalinist monolith. And Tito's record in keeping together the disparate country - and the chaos that engulfed it within a decade of his death - was vindication that Maclean, who was still around then, had made the correct choice.

This part is garnished with copious amounts of the wit and vocabulary of Churchill ("levanted") and the perspicacity of Tito.

Maclean did write 18-odd more books including on Tito, the Soviet Union and Scottish history and after a long political stint, ran a hotel in Scotland, yachted, enjoyed his collection of James Bond first editions and holidayed on his Yugoslav coastal home (bought with Tito's help), but his fame rests on his first book.

And apart from its sheer readability, it is a testament to human spirit and resilience, even in face of unspeakable violence and brutality. That is what makes it an enduring classic.

(Vikas Datta is an Associate Editor at IANS. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Iran's Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei donated about $95000 to the release of needy prisoners.



(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Iran's Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei donated about $95000 to the release of needy prisoners.



The donation was made on the occasion of a national day on which people aid needy prisoners by providing them with the blood money they owe to the victims of their offences.



The day, called Golrizan, is held annually nationwide with the participation of officials and charity donors in Tehran and other cities in order to assist those inmates who are in need of money to be released from jail.







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Apple has paid $1.77 billion of total $15 billion to the Irish government as it begins to collect tax and interest into an escrow account set up to hold the sum.

"This is the first of a series of payments with the expectation that the remaining tranches will flow into the fund during the second and third quarter of 2018 as previously outlined," the Irirsh Times quoted Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe as saying after the first transfer.

In August 2016, the European Commission said that Apple benefited from illegal tax benefits in Ireland from 2003 to 2014.

Meanwhile, Apple and Ireland are still pursuing appeals against a 2016 European Commission's decision saying the iPhone maker's tax treatment was in line with Irish and European Union law.

In 2016, the EU ordered the iPhone maker to pay almost $15 billion in back taxes to Ireland as it believed Ireland had not been collecting enough taxes and instead had been giving companies like Apple too big of a break on its already low 12.5 per cent tax rate.

Apple has reportedly moved its cash to the small island of Jersey off the south coast of England to avoid further Irish taxation, CNET said in a report.

The Irish government expects that all of the money would be transferred by the end of September.

--IANS

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Bangladesh has planned to issue floating rate bonds, the first of its kind in the country.

The objective behind issuing the bonds is to meet the government's own rising financial need and develop debt profile, Xinhua news agency reported.

Md Ekhlasur Rahman, a Finance Ministry official, said the government has already issued a notification in this regard.

According to the officials, maturity period of the bond styled "Floating Rate Treasury Bonds" (FRTB) will be more than one year.

Non-resident investors will be eligible to purchase the floating bond with fund from a non-resident foreign currency account, or Non-resident Investors Taka Account (NITA) with a bank in Bangladesh in the name of the purchaser, they said.

And such investors will also be eligible to transfer coupon payments and resale or redemption proceeds abroad in foreign exchange, according to the features.

The country's financial intermediaries said shorter floating rate securities will help ensure government's borrowing plan.

--IANS

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Tourism to security-related sights near the border between North and South Korea has boomed since the leaders of the two countries met last month, media reports said on Sunday.

The number of visitors to tourist sights near the border has gone up 30 per cent, from 1,200-2,300 per day in the same period last year to 1,500-3,000 per day, Yonhap News agency reported.

The sights include a tunnel constructed by North Korea for invading the South and the Dora Observatory from which the North Korean village of Kaesong is visible.

The local government also ascribed the rise in the number of tourists to the lifting of restrictions on package tours imposed by Chinese cities following a diplomatic spat last year.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a historic meeting in the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone on April 27. At the summit, the pair agreed to agreed to pursue "complete denuclearization" of the peninsula.

--IANS

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Italian film actress Asia Argento, one of Harvey Weinstein's first accusers, delivered a fiery speech about the disgraced Hollywood producer and issued a warning to sexual predators during the closing ceremony at the Cannes Film Festival.

"In 1997, I was raped by Harvey Weinstein here at Cannes," she began during the presentation of the best actress award alongside Ava DuVernay.

"I was 21 years old. This festival was his hunting ground," variety.com quoted Argento as saying.

Argento acknowledged that Weinstein had received his due from the film community.

"I want to make a prediction. Harvey Weinstein will never be welcomed here ever again. He will live in disgrace, shunned by a film community that embraced him and covered up for his crimes."

She continued by pointing out that Weinstein was not alone in his predatory behaviour and ended by delivering the message to offenders that they will no longer be able to get away with inappropriate behaviour.

"And even tonight, sitting among you, there are those who still have to be held accountable for their conduct against women. For behaviour that does not belong in this industry, does not belong in any industry or any workplace.

"You know who you are. You do not belong in this industry. But most importantly, we know who you are, and we're not going to allow you to get away with it any longer."

Argento was one of many who came forward in the 2017 New Yorker article by Ronan Farrow that kicked off the flood of allegations against disgraced film mogul Weinstein.

--IANS

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Kerala Health Minister K.K. Shailaja on Sunday said the cause of death of three members of a family here remains to be ascertained and urged people not to spread false news about a rare virus being responsible.

She also termed baseless and unconfirmed the messages on social media that the deaths of two brothers and their aunt in Perambara within a few weeks was due to the Nipah virus (NiV), spread by the fruit virus and causing severe disease in both animals and humans.

"The samples were first sent to a laboratory in Manipal and it suggested that it was a rare virus... after that for detailed tests, the samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune and the results are awaited. Health officials are doing their job," Shailaja told media at Kochi.

The three seemed to be suffering from what seemed to be common fever but it aggravated quickly, leading to their deaths. Two other members of the same family are now being treated at the Medical College hospital at Kozhikode, while six people from the same village who exhibited similar symptoms are now under medical observation.

Transmission of Nipah virus takes place through direct contact with infected bats, pigs, or from other NiV-infected people and people have been also cautioned that they should not consume fruits that have fallen on to the ground.

--IANS

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The Congress on Sunday alleged that prices of petroleum products were being used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi "as a tool" to benefit BJP during elections and demanded that the prices should stay at least at the level that prevailed during the Karnataka assembly elections.

Talking to reporters here, Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said the price of petrol and diesel were at a record five-year high, and if the government can control price of petroleum products during Karnataka polls, it should do so around the year in the interest of people.

"If he (Modi) can control the price (of petrol and diesel) for his own interest during the polls in Karnataka, why can't he do it now and all year around in public interest? That means fuel prices is just a tool for him to get the benefit in elections.

"On behalf of the people of India, that at least control the price if you cannot reduce it. Modi should give priority to the interest of public over his political interests," he said.

State-run Indian Oil Corp on Sunday raised transport fuel to record highs in Delhi on the seventh day of resuming the daily price change system, following a temporary suspension that lasted 20 days.

The price of petrol in Delhi touched a record high of Rs 76.24 per litre under the dynamic pricing regime beating the previous high of Rs 76.06 in the city on September 14, 2013.

--IANS

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BJP national President Amit Shah on Sunday said the northeast will be 'Congress-mukt' (Congress free) after the Mizoram election, scheduled for the year-end.

"In the northeast, we first won elections in Assam, then Manipur followed by Tripura, where the people have given us a thumping mandate," he said here, addressing the third conclave of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led political platform, North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA).

"In Nagaland and Meghalaya, constituents of NEDA are in power with support from the BJP," he said, adding that Mizoram will also become 'Congress mukt' after the polls.

"After Mizoram, which is going to polls end of this year, all the eight Chief Ministers of northeast will be sitting here together."

He said NEDA, which was formed in 2016 after the BJP's landslide victory in Assam, is not merely a political platform but a geo-political one which aims to develop the northeast.

"Earlier, the northeastern states were known for corruption. Now due to the presence of NEDA governments, the states have gone beyond 'briefcase politics' and are achieving new milestones in terms of development."

Slamming the Congress regime in the region, Shah said all the Congress Chief Ministers have bungalows in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and others.

"So where does the money come from? It is taken away from developmental funds meant for the poor. The BJP government has ensured that every paisa sanctioned by the Centre reaches the people."

Representatives of seven northeastern states including Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, MLAs, MPs and other members of the NEDA constituents participated in the conclave.

Prominent among those present were Chief Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal (Assam), Conrad Sangma (Meghalaya), Pema Khandu (Arunachal Pradesh), N. Biren Singh (Manipur), Neiphiu Rio (Nagaland), Biplab Kumar Deb (Tripura) and others. Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling could not attend the meet.

Shah's visit came amid protests by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), a farmers' body, opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016.

The KMSS leaders and supporters, who had appealed to the people to hoist black flags on houses and buildings, public places and vehicles, also protested near the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra where the conclave took place.

Police arrested KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi but released him later.

Shah said that NEDA will soon have a regional office in Guwahati and that efforts are also on to set up its youth and women's wing.

"The youths of the northeastern states are looking at NEDA with hope," he said

--IANS

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Cuban officials said they have found one of the two black boxes from a plane that crashed near Havana airport, killing more than 100 people, in "good condition".

Transport Minister Adel Yzquierdo on Saturday said he hopes the second device will be recovered soon, BBC reported.

He revised the official death toll up to 110 people, including 11 foreigners.

Three women survived the crash, but are said to be in a critical condition with serious burns.

The incident is Cuba's worst air disaster in decades, and two days of national mourning began on Saturday.

Officials said investigators are combing through the wreckage of the plane, a Boeing 737 which was nearly 40 years old, at the field where it crashed some 20 km south of the Cuban capital.

The black box which has already been recovered will hold key flight data and information about what happened to the plane.

Yzquierdo told journalists that the 110 dead included 99 Cubans, six Mexican crew members, two tourists from Argentina, one from Mexico, and two passengers from Western Sahara.

The Argentine couple were named by their government as Dora Beatriz Cifuentes and Oscar Hugo Almaras, both in their sixties.

Several victims' relatives have travelled to Havana to help identify the deceased.

Those coming from Holguin - the plane's intended destination - and other eastern parts of Cuba made the 700 km trip on buses, escorted by the National Revolutionary Police, Efe news reported.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel has visited the morgue where the victims are being identified.

Cuban authorities do not plan to release the full list of the dead until all victims' families have been informed.

The Boeing 737-201 crashed at 12.08 p.m. (Cuban time) on Friday, shortly after taking off from Havana.

It's too early to say what caused the crash, but eyewitnesses on the ground described seeing the jet burst into flames before crashing into a field close to a wooded area near the airport.

Boeing said that it was ready to send a technical team to Cuba, "as permitted under US law and at the direction of the US National Transportation Safety Board and Cuban authorities".

A US trade embargo has been in force against Cuba for many decades.

--IANS

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The staff at the Jagannath temple in Odisha's Puri assaulted a devotee and snatched his gold pendant on Sunday after he refused to pay a huge amount for offering prayers, police said.

Chetan G. Amolkar, a resident of Thane in Maharashtra, lodged a complaint with police in Singhadwar, alleging that the servitors manhandled him inside the the temple premises.

"The pundits are getting a salary for their service. But they also demand a huge amount from the devotees in the name of 'darshan' of the deities.

"It's a devotee's call how much he wants to pay, but they force us (to pay more). When we refuse to pay the money they demand, we face such situations," said Chetan, who visited the temple with his family.

Police officer Gokul Ranjan Das said a case has been registered.

--IANS

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With travel bug catching up in India, European countries are a preferred destination for Indians this summer, according to a survey.

Searches were conducted by travel search engine KAYAK.co.in between October 1, 2017 to March 23, 2018 for travel dates between May 5, 2017 and August 31, 2018.

As per the search, Moscow and Istanbul are taking the lead with year-on-year increase in flight searches by 269 and 252 per cent respectively.

Other trendy destinations this summer show that Indians are interested in travelling not only to the well-known European destinations like Spain, Germany and Greece but also to some less conventional ones like Norway, Hungary and even Iceland.

Europeans on the other hand are travelling to Palma Mallorca in Spain the most, followed by London and Lisbon.

Considering the budget, several European locales are emerging as good options for travel from India without burning a big hole in the pocket.

Istanbul, which is also the second top-trending destination, is seeing a price drop as high as 95 per cent compared to the average trip cost.

This is followed by Milan, Italy, with a 37 per cent drop in the average trip cost. With warm weather in Europe, this represents a good opportunity to travel to these European destinations for a summer adventure at a reduced price.

Abhijit Mishra, Director of India and Middle East, KAYAK, said in a statement: "With the summer holiday period quickly approaching, travel planning is on the rise and it was interesting to see how European countries have emerged as the preferred destination for Indians this year."

--IANS

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A very prominent member of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, under the distinguished leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, Haruna Normal Nwaeze of the Igbo Community of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, writes on his journey to Shiah Islam and the Islamic Movement:

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - A very prominent member of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, under the distinguished leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, Haruna Normal Nwaeze of the Igbo Community of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, writes on his journey to Shiah Islam and the Islamic Movement:

Read on:

WHY I BECAME A SHIITE MUSLIM

Haruna Normal Nwaeze { Igbo community of Islamic Movement In Nigeria under sheikh Zakzaky}

It all began 5 years ago after my conversion to ISLAM from CHRISTIANITY, during my Quranic memorization in the hands of my respected Sunni scholars at Owerri central Mosque in Imo State.

Instead of giving me the necessary Islamic knowledge, they (My scholars) were busy feeding me with Shiites Rhetorics which didnt go down well in my mind. I was fed with lots of horrible things about Shiite Muslims, such as

* Shiites are not Muslims

* Shiites dont believe in Muhammad as the Prophet rather Ali..

* Shiites worship their Imams and not Allah.

* Shiites have a separate Quran

* Shiites dont go for Hajj.

* Shiites dont pray 5 times

* Shia Islam was formed by a Jew to destroy the original Islam

* I became skeptical when I was told that killing Shiite Muslims or oppressing them is among rewardable deeds in Islam [ Ya Allah May you protect the Shiite Muslims worldwide]

All these are just but few of what my Sunni scholars and fellow students were telling me without any practical evidences in reference to these Rhetoric and unfounded allegations. All these motivated me to venture into personal research and developed direct contact with Shiite scholars in other to find out the reality. At the end I found out that all I was told by my scholars are nothing but untruth, propaganda, deception and untruthful.{ May Allah guide the Muslims who are seeking after truth}

On my journey of research and truth finding, I came across authentic books about the Shiites - such as:

THE RIGHT PATH

THEN I WAS GUIDED

PESHAWAR NIGHT

ALI THE MAGNIFICENT

HUSSEIN THE SAVIOR OF ISLAM

I also went further to ask several questions concerning Muslims and Islam. Some of my questions were;

Are boko haram Shiites? The answer is Capital NO, they are ....

Are the ISIS Shiites, the answer is No but .....

Is al-Qaeda Shiites No but .....

Is Taliban Shiites the answer is still No but .....

Is Osama bin laden a Shiite Muslim the answer is still No rather he was .....

How many times is suicide bombing traceable to Shiite? No record all over the world.

Coming to the North here in Nigeria, the Almajiris have become a big threat to national security and a shame to Islam in general, I ask are those kids Shiites the answer is Capital No rather .....

Fulani militia are they Shiites? The answer is No, rather .....

I visited prisons across the North to find out how many Shiites have committed criminal cases like armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, rape, drug case, etc. To my surprise, no single Shiite Muslims are detained or in prison over such criminal acts. Rather, all the prisoners are .... Even their scholars are part of such crimes like rape, child abuse, drug and some murder. [Spare your time to visit any prison in the North to confirm whether or not what I am saying is the truth].

When I also try to find out why Shiites are hated by their fellow Muslims? They say they refused to recognize the government. The question is, how? That they blocked the road during their processions. But in Nigeria, people block roads for carnival, they block roads for festivals, they block roads for prayer, they block roads for burial ceremonies, they block roads even for weddings, so why is that by Shiites any different?

Please can someone enlighten me more with convincing evidence on why I shouldnt be a SHIITE MUSLIM, not just a Shiite, but a follower of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky?

Thanks to Allah for His infinite Mercies, who guided His slave to the path of Truth, love and gate way to Jannah.

Ya Allah, as You guided me to know this path, I pray You also guide others who are ignorant of this truth.









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British Columbia, a major global hub for tech companies, is looking to woo more and more global capital and is keen on inviting Indian tech giants and talent into the Canadian province, says a senior minister of the province.

"We have a really attractive offer for companies. Please understand that Canada is more welcoming than our neighbours in North America. Canada is also a welcoming country for immigrants with skills unlike most of the developed countries," says Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology.

The minister told a visiting IANS correspondent that the province has a unique combination of good business environment and infrastructure, healthy system and strong educational institutions and, above all, inventiveness that make up for a sound base for encouraging talent and industry.

He said British Columbia has established a 100 million Canadian dollar venture capital fund to invest in emerging technology companies across multiple sectors, including Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Digital Media, Clean Tech and Life Science/Healthcare.

India-based Zee Studios International have plans to set shop in BC employing about 100 employees, Ralston informed.

The tech and innovation sector in British Columbia has grown rapidly over the past 10 years, transforming its economy in ways few could have predicted.

Ralston said the transformation is evident in the increase of technology jobs in British Columbia from over 60,000 in 2002 to more than 1,10,000 now.

"Today British Columbia is home to globally-recognised talent, trained at international renowned post-secondary institutions and some of the most successful and innovative companies in the industry.

"It's a sector that accounts for 10,200 companies and approximately 28.9 billion dollars in revenue. For a province of less than five million, these are significant numbers," the minister informed.

According to Ralston, the tech sector was growing rapidly and many countries have discovered British Columbia.

"We need investment and capital. Secondly, on our side, we are developing more talent. There are 4,000 seats in colleges and universities. With them, we will make sure the business environment is right," he said.

The government of British Columbia has recently appointed an Information Commissioner -- a senior public affairs official to liaise with the federal government and Canadian representatives abroad like in Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh.

"Innovate BC has an expanded mandate in British Columbia and globally," the minister added.

Asked about attracting Indian investment and talent, Ralston said: "We are looking for typically higher skill and knowledge here. We have programmes for experienced entrepreneurs. India has a great reputation in the information technology sector and we are excited about attracting the Indian talent".

Vancouver has a great start-up environment and they can come and develop here as well as for markets outside, he added.

"We are completing more housing for students, more rapid transit throughout the region so that it is easier to commute. Public health system and transport is also our focus," the minister noted.

British Columbia has also set up an Immigrant Employment Council (IEC) for attracting global talent.

A report prepared for it by the Association for Canadian Studies (ACS) says that British Columbia is Canada's leader in tech and has one of the fastest growing tech eco-systems in the world.

However, it feels the current supply cannot meet the industry's growing demands for tech talent.

By 2021, the report, estimates an anticipated shortfall of over 30,000 skilled individuals to fill tech-related jobs in the province.

(V.S. Chandrasekar is in Vancouver on an invitation from Government of British Columbia. He can be reached at chandru.v@ians.in)

--IANS

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Speed craze without discipline is proving a major killer on Uttar Pradesh's two expressways. While the Yamuna Expressway has taken nearly a thousand lives since 2012, the Agra-Lucknow Expressway has recorded over 100 deaths.

With nearly seven lakh vehicles using the new Agra-Lucknow Expressway, reducing travel time to just five hours, the authorities have failed to come up with a fool-proof mechanism to check speeding.

According to an RTI filed by K.C. Jain, Secretary of the Agra Development Foundation, "in nine months, there were 853 accidents and 100 deaths".

It is estimated that within a year, one crore vehicles will start using the expressway, remitting Rs 200 crore as toll tax.

The 302-km Agra-Lucknow Expressway, a project of the Akhilesh Yadav government, was opened on December 23, 2016. Toll tax was imposed from January 19, 2018.

While the Expressway is becoming popular, the departments concerned have not yet provided policing or ambulance facilities.

"Petrol pump, car mechanics or puncture shops are non-existent. It is one long desolate grey strip through a never ending wasteland," said a frequent user of the expressway, Sudhier Gupta.

Originally the Agra-Lucknow Expressway was designed for a maximum speed of 120 km per hour with automatic traffic management systems aimed at reducing road accidents.

The six-lane expressway, expandable to eight lanes, includes four rail over bridges, 13 major bridges, 57 minor bridges, 74 vehicular underpasses, 148 pedestrian underpasses and nine flyovers.

The road was built in a record time of 23 months at a cost of Rs 15,000 crore. The expressway spans 10 districts, 236 villages and 3,500 hectares of land.

It connects Agra and Lucknow via Shikohabad, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya, Kannauj, Kanpur Nagar, Unnao and Hardoi. It passes through four National and two state highways and over five rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, Isan, Sai and Kalyani).

The state government had promised that the expressway would have a series of development centres, agricultural mandis, schools, ITIs, rest houses, petrol pumps, service centres and public amenities. But till date there has been no progress in this direction.

--IANS

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The Gujjar Aarakshan Andolan Samiti has called off its proposed agitation scheduled on May 23 after prolonged discussions with the Rajasthan government, it was announced on Sunday.

Following the talks on Saturday, the two parties reached a 16-point agreement and soon after, Samiti leader Col Kirori Singh Bainsla (retd) announced the protest had been called off.

State minister Rajendra Rathore said that discussions with Gujjar leaders lasted for 10 hours, in two different segments.

He said that the pending demands of Gujjars will be resolved within a set time period and to ensure timely redressal, Additional Chief Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment, J.C. Mohanti has been deputed as nodal offer to monitor the process at regular intervals.

Talking to IANS, Samiti leader Himmat Singh said the government has given its consent for the sub-division of the OBC quota as demanded by the community.

"We have been fighting for our rights since the last 13 years and are quite optimistic this time that our demands will be met. However, if they remain unresolved even after the deadline, we will protest against the government during the coming assembly elections," he added.

The agreement, a copy of which is with IANS, mentions that the Justice Rohini Commission, formed by the Central government for classification of OBCs, will invite Rajasthan and four other states - Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh - on June 4 to discuss this issue and will submit its report soon.

"The state government will study the recommendations given by the commission and will eventually implement it accordingly," says the agreement.

The government also gave its consent to give one per cent reservation from December 9, 2016 to December 21, 2017 in government recruitments.

It was also decided that all criminal cases filed against Gujjars during agitation will be withdrawn.

The meeting was attended by state Ministers Arun Chaturvedi and Hem Singh Bhadana, Additional Chief Secretary Deepal Upreti and many other senior officials.

--IANS

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Homeless beggars, ragpickers and labourers sitting with plates on a mat are waiting under a flyover. As the clock strikes 12.30 pm, a slim man appears on the scene and starts serving hot rice and dal.

Dabeerpura flyover in the old city has been witnessing this every day since 2012 and not a single day goes without the hungry gathering there for lunch or the man not serving them food. Meet Syed Osman Azhar Maqsusi, who works with unflinching zeal to satiate the hunger of the needy with apt slogan 'hunger has no religion'.

As someone who lost his father at the age of four and who himself experienced the pangs of hunger, Azhar understands their pangs and is ready to do whatever possible to alleviate their suffering.

It was a chance encounter with a homeless woman near the same flyover six years ago which motivated him to launch the free food programme. "Lakshmi was crying due to hunger. I arranged food for her and decided to do everything within my limited means to remove the hunger of as many people as possible," recalled the 36-year-old to IANS.

Initially, his wife used to cook the food at home and he used to bring the same to flyover for serving the needy. Later, he started cooking under the flyover to save the cost on transportation.

"It started with 30-35 people and today more than 150 people are being provided food here," said Azhar, who now runs the Sani Welfare Foundation and has hired two cooks.

Three years ago, he extended this work to Gandhi Hospital, the biggest government-run facility in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad. A van of the foundation transports food for 150-200 people every day.

The Foundation along with NGOs is also running daily food programmes in Bengaluru, Guwahati, Raichur and Tandur.

Azhar is happy that the work which he started alone has motivated many individuals and organizations. "Today you can see many people distributing free food among the needy at various places in the city," says Azhar with a sense of achievement.

He, however, believes that his dream will come true only when hunger is eliminated from this country and the world. "There should be nothing called hunger," says Azhar.

He runs a Plaster-of-Paris unit near Dabeerpura and spends a few hours every morning and evening there. "The rest of the time I spend in arranging food at both the places," said Azhar, who is helped by his brother, his cousin and a couple of volunteers on weekends.

As Azhar sat in his shop, a donor arrived with three bags of rice on his two-wheeler and Azhar himself unloaded the bags.

Last month, he was invited by actor Salman Khan to Mumbai for an event of his foundation "Being Human". Selected as one of the six real-life heroes from across the country, Azhar had conversation and photoshoot with the actor. The social worker was earlier on a show 'Aaj ki raat hai zindagi' hosted by Amitabh Bacchan. Various organizations have also honoured him.

Azhar, however, remained down to earth. "I don't have an office or staff. There is no change in my lifestyle."

He doesn't collect funds. "If people come with donations in the form of rice and dal, I accept it. I don't accept cash unless the donor is not in a position to bring rice or dal," he said.

Third among the four siblings, he dropped out of school when he was in fifth standard and started working as a labourer.

"We used to live in my grandfather's house. He also had a big family to look after. We used to get food once a day and sometimes even that was not available. But whatever may be the situation, we should remain thankful to the almighty Allah."

For Azhar, the biggest inspiration is his mother, who struggled to bring them up. He believes that Allah is arranging food for the hungry and the needy through him.

"It doesn't matter who is coming to eat. All I know is they are hungry. It's in their destiny. Dane dane pe likha hai khane wale ka naam (Every crumb you get to eat has your name on it)," adds Azhar.

(The weekly feature series is part of a positive-journalism project of IANS and the Frank Islam Foundation. Mohammed Shafeeq can be contacted at m.shafeeq@ians.in)

--IANS

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Three Indian naval ships will make a port call in Vietnam under the ongoing operational deployment of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet to SouthEast Asia and NorthWest Pacific region, officials said on Sunday.

INS Sahyadri, INS Shakti and INS Kamorta under the command of Eastern Fleet chief Rear Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi will be at Tien Sa Port, Danang, from May 21 to 25.

"On completion of the harbour phase, both the Indian Navy and Vietnam Peoples' Navy would be undertaking an exercise," said an official statement from the Defence Ministry.

The Ministry added that the current visit seeks to enhance maritime cooperation between the two Navies and will further bolster the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries and contribute to security and stability in the region.

"India-Vietnam relations have been strengthened in recent years due to a vibrant economic relationship and growing convergence on security issues," the statement added.

The Indian Defence Minister is scheduled to visit Vietnam in June and the Chief of General Staff of Vietnam People's Army and the Commander-in Chief of Vietnam People's Navy are scheduled to visit India later this year.

--IANS

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Political sympathy from Europe with Iran's nuclear deal is "not enough" and they should take more "practical steps" to guarantee Iran's economic interests from the deal, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said here on Sunday.

"With the exit of the US from the nuclear agreement, expectations from the the European Union (EU) to preserve the achievements of the deal are high," Zarif made the remarks in a meeting with the visiting EU's Energy Chief Miguel Arias Canete, Xinhua reported.

"Under the current circumstances, political support of Europe to the nuke deal is not sufficient," Zarif said.

"EU should take further practical steps to continue economic cooperation with Iran," he said, adding that "EU should boost investments in Iran."

The Iranian minister called for OPEC member states to remain united in their upcoming decision to secure members' interests and market stability.

He expressed doubt that Europe's commitment to implementing the deal, known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is in contradiction with the withdrawal of major European companies from Iran's projects after the US pulled out.

US President Donald Trump decided on May 8 to quit Iran's nuclear deal and vowed to re-impose sanctions, including oil embargo, on Tehran.

Canete said Saturday that "we will have to ask for (sanction) waivers, for carve-outs for the (European) companies that make investments."

Besides, Salehi said that he discussed reapplying European law of "the blocking statute" with Canete on Saturday.

Canete arrived in Tehran on Friday for a two-day visit to reassure Iran that the EU wants to keep open trade and cooperation with Iran despite the US decision to pull out.

Iran pushes the EU for the revival of "the blocking statute" which is a 1996 regulation that prohibits EU companies and courts from complying with foreign sanctions laws and stipulates that no foreign court judgments based on these laws have any effect in the EU.

--IANS

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Actress Kalki Koechlin says adapting environmentally conscious fashion can make the world a better place.

"I grew up in an environment which is sustainable and eco-friendly in Auroville. I grew up with basic ethic of buying products which are sustainable," Kalki told IANS in a recorded response.

"A lot of clothes which I wear are organic. Fashion is a big way through which we can change the environment... (We can change the world) by being environmentally conscious in our fashion statements and all our products," she added.

The actress, who was speaking on the sidelines of Blue Carpet event, hosted by Sony BBC Earth for "Blue Planet II: One Ocean and The Deep", feels that going organic is the way to go forward.

"If we start buying more organic products even for the household which are less harmful, it makes a huge difference."

Kalki, who has featured in "Dev.D", "Shaitan", "Shanghai" and "Margarita with a Straw", says families are like "mini countries with mini politics".

"If you cannot figure out stuff in your family, don't expect figuring out stuff in your country and the rest of the world," she said.

The actress also praised "Blue Planet II: One Ocean and The Deep". Narrated by ace British broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough, "Blue Planet II" released in 48 PVR screens in 22 cities on May 18.

"Blue Planet II" is shot over 1,406 days with 125 expeditions across 39 countries and tells unique, untold stories of the ocean's most astonishing creatures that will take your breath away.

"It gives us perspective in our life... There is a lot more going on this planet than we realise. We need to be more conscious if we want to survive."

--IANS

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Delhi police arrested a man for killing a teenaged girl after she demanded her salary from him that he collected from her employer in west Delhi, police said on Sunday.

Police said the accused Manjeet Kareketa, 30, is a native of Jharkhand and stayed in a rented accommodation in Bhooton Wali Gali in Nangloi.

"Kareketa was arrested on a tip off from Nangloi. During questioning, he confessed that he killed the deceased identified as Soni Kumari, 16, chopped her body with the help of his associates and later threw it in an open drain," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajender Singh Sagar said.

"During interrogation, Kareketa said he along with his accomplices, Sahu and Gauri used to lure poor teenaged girls from Jharkhand with attractive job placement offers in Delhi. In Delhi he placed them as maids. The gang did the same with Soni Kumari," he said.

"Kareketa used to collect the salary of Soni Kumari to keep her under his control. After a year the deceased demanded her money so that she could return in Jharkhand. He tried to pacify her initially, but when she insisted he killed her," the officer added.

Sagar said, the incident was reported to police on May 4 when some children playing near the drain in Rao Vihar, spotted a human leg floating in it. They informed some locals who called the police.

"During investigation, a chopped body of a girl later identified as Soni Kumari was found packed in a bag. Police teams examined all CCTV footage and inspected more than 200 houses located near the spot to identify the deceased and nab the accused," Sagar said.

"During the probe, one of tenants later identified as Kareketa was found to be missing from Bhooton Wali Gali in Nangloi since the day of the murder. He was the prime suspect in the probe," the officer said.

--IANS

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A man and a teenager were stabbed, in two separate but similar incidents, by a group of unknown assailants as they were returning home on early Sunday, police said.

Both the cases were reported from south Delhi.

In the first case, Zubaid Hayat, 17, a resident of Jasola in Sarita Vihar, was returning his home after prayers during the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan when he was attacked.

"Having offered prayer at a mosque, Hayat was returning to his residence when some unknown youth stopped him and started beating him. When Hayat resisted, they stabbed him two times before escaping from the spot," a senior police officer said.

"Some locals informed us about attack on Hayat. We informed the local police following which he was admitted to the AIIMS trauma centre," Asmat, a relative of Hayat, told IANS.

In a similar case reported from south Delhi's Tughlakabad area, a 45-year-old man returning from his office was stabbed by some assailants early on Sunday.

Feroze Khan was on the way to his residence when he was stabbed by unknown attackers after they picked up a fight with him.

"I was informed by police from AIIMS trauma centre that my uncle was stabbed by someone and he is undergoing treatment there. When we rushed to trauma centre, we found that he suffered three stab wounds," his nephew Amir told IANS.

The police officer said that from the initial probe, it appears both the incidents are similar.

"Prima facie it was found that victims were stabbed by attackers during a confrontation when they resisted their snatching attempts. We are examining CCTV footage to ascertain the identities of accused persons," the officer added.

--IANS

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The Congress on Sunday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, following a tragedy earlier this week in which 18 persons were killed and termed him a "servant of politics", not of people.

Talking to reporters here, Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill also called upon Modi to initiate a probe into the allegations that some BJP leaders had sought to lure Congress and JD-S legislators ahead of Saturday's trust vote in the Karnataka assembly.

Referring to Tuesday's tragedy in Varanasi, he said: "PM only hears the sound of clapping and not people in pain.... He does not get time to visit his people."

Recalling Modi's remarks in the aftermath of a flyover collapse in West Bengal that the disaster was God's message to people to save West Bengal from its ruling Trinamool Congress, Shergill said that he should now "understand if the collapse of portion of the flyover in Varanasi is a message and to whom".

"Modi displays so much passion in the election campaign. Why can't he show concern for people's pain. PM can find time all around the year for election strategy but not even few hours for a tragedy in his own constituency.

"The PM is guilty of betraying his own constituency and alienating his own people in this hour of grief. He is not a servant of people, he is servant of politics," Shergill said.

Referring to Yeddyurappa stepping down as Karnataka Chief Minister ahead of his floor test, he said people saw "loktantra (democracy)" winning over "Moditantra" and Yeddyurappa was "no martyr" but "a corrupt politician".

"We hope the Prime Minister will order an investigation into the naked dance of corruption which their MLAs were indulging in for bribing and breaking the Congress and JD-S MLAs," he said.

--IANS

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The cause of death of two people, ostensibly suffering from fever, in Kozhikode has now been confirmed to be due to the Nipah virus (NiV), spread by fruit bats and causing severe disease in both animals and humans, a top official said on Sunday.

Kerala Health Secretary Rajiv Sadanandan told IANS that they have now got the confirmation from the National Institute of Virology, Pune.

'A central team of the Indian Council of Medical Research is arriving at Kozhikode tomorrow (Monday). There is no reason for any panic at all, as this can be managed and we have already started our work towards that. There was a similar issue in Bangladesh and it has been managed well. We have already informed the Centre about this,' he said.

While three members of a family at Perambara in Kozhikode died within weeks after what seemed to be common fever aggravated quickly, two more family members were being treated at the Medical College hospital and one of them has also tested positive. Two more deaths, due to fever, were reported from Kozhikode on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, state Health Minister K.K. Shailaja said the cause of death of the three family members was being ascertained.

'The samples were first sent to a laboratory in Manipal and it suggested that it was a rare virus... after that for detailed tests, the samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology and the results are awaited...," she told media at Kochi.

Transmission of Nipah virus takes place through direct contact with infected bats, pigs, or from other NiV-infected people and people have been also cautioned that they should not consume fruits that have fallen on to the ground.

--IANS

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Two Muslim youth were badly beaten up by villagers in this Madhya Pradesh village on accusation of slaughtering a cow, leading to the death of one of them, police said on Sunday. Four accused have been arrested.

According to police, the incident happened in Amgaar village of the district on Friday morning when the village residents caught the two youth, identified as Siraj and Shakeel, with a quantity of meat. Suspecting it to be beef, they accused the duo of cow-slaughter.

A crowd soon gathered at the spot and the two youth were beaten up with sticks.

They were taken to the local district hospital where Siraj succumbed to his injuries while Shakeel was referred to Jabalpur for treatment, Badera police station Inspector Rajendra Pathak told IANS.

Pathak also said that it was yet to be ascertained which meat the two were actually carrying and samples would be sent to a Hyderabad lab for identification. Meanwhile, two sacks of meat have been seized.

He said four people have been taken into custody for the crime and further investigations were underway.

There was tension in the village following the incident and additional police force has been deployed there, said Pathak, adding the situation was now fully under control.

--IANS

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President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday was accorded a ceremonial reception on his arrival in the Himachal Pradesh capital on a four-day holiday.

He was given a guard of honour at the Kalyani helipad near here. Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and his cabinet colleague Mohinder Singh received him.

Official sources said Kovind would stay at The Retreat, the President's summer holiday resort, just 15 km uphill from Shimla where Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's daughter Priyanka Vadra is constructing a cottage.

Built in 1850, The Retreat was once the summer residence of the Viceroys when this hill town was the summer capital of British India.

This is Kovind's first visit to the hill state after becoming the President.

"I hope your stay in Shimla will be pleasant. You should guide us for taking Himachal Pradesh to its new heights," the Chief Minister tweeted.

In the evening, the President will be attending a cultural programme and banquet hosted in his honour by Acharya Devvrat in Shimla, an official told IANS.

During his visit, the President will address the Ninth convocation of Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Nauni in Solan town on Monday.

The next day, he will address a civic reception hosted by the government in Shimla.

A day before his departure on May 24, the President will host a reception for state's senior dignitaries.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bihar-based Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) on Sunday launched its "Halla Bol, Darwaza Khol" campaign aimed at advocating the cause of inclusiveness in the Indian judiciary system and creating awareness about the issue.

"RLSP has always stood by the disadvantaged sections of the society and this campaign is also in the same light," said RLSP General Secretary Madhaw Anand at the launch of the nationwide campaign at the Constitution Club here.

Holding justice should not only be delivered, but should be seen as getting delivered, he said: "The current collegium system of appointment has led to nepotism and exclusion of marginalized sections of society. This has to change."

Present on the occasion were party chief and Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha, retired Supreme Court Justice Bisheshwar Prasad Singh, constitutional expert Subhash Kashyap, former Delhi High Court judge Mool Chand Garg, among others.

Justice Singh said that appointment of the judges is decided by the President after discussion with the Chief Justice of India, and sought a way to make the process more transparent.

"Indian judicial system is passing through testing times. While on one hand, there are challenges like huge pendency of cases, delay in delivery of justice, alleged lack of transparency on the other hand, there is immense scope for reforms which will increase common people's faith in Indian judicial system," he said.

RLSP also called for an initiative to bring in reform to the judiciary through removal of collegium system and establishment of an All India Judicial Service for appointment and selection of judges.

Kashyap said that the appointment are not done according to the Constitution, and accused the judiciary of trying to change it.

Kushwaha said that lack of inclusiveness in the judicial system raises concerns.

"The low representation of economically backward classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other backward classes, women and other disadvantaged groups in Indian judiciary leads to perceived lack of faith of these sections of society in the judicial system which does not augur well for the institution," he said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Russian man who allegedly masturbated in front of his Indian woman co-passenger on an international flight has been arrested, Delhi Police said on Sunday.

The accused, identified as Krishna Ridzhal, was travelling from Istanbul to Delhi on Turkish Airlines flight TK-716, which landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) at 4.45 a.m.

"As soon as the flight landed at IGI airport, the victim informed the police control room about the incident and also alerted airport security officers," said a senior police officer.

A quick response team of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) immediately reached the spot and apprehended the accused.

During the probe, officials learned the accused, sitting next to her on the flight, had unzipped his trouser and started masturbating in front of her.

The woman had complained to the crew and the accused was shifted to another seat.

According to the Delhi Police official, their team reached the spot and the accused was handed over to them by the CISF. Both the victim and accused were taken to the IGI airport police station, where the woman's statement was recorded.

An FIR was registered against Ridzhal under section 509 of the Indian Penal Code and he was arrested him, the officer added.

--IANS

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A team led by an Indian-origin scientist from Sandia National Laboratories in California has demonstrated a new technology based on bio-engineered bacteria that can make it economically feasible to produce chemicals from renewable plant sources.

The technology converts tough plant matter, called lignin, for wider use of the energy source and making it cost competitive.

"For years, we have been researching cost-effective ways to break down lignin and convert it into valuable platform chemicals," Sandia bioengineer Seema Singh said.

"We applied our understanding of natural lignin degraders to E. coli because that bacterium grows fast and can survive harsh industrial processes," she added in the work published in the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America".

Lignin is the component of plant cell walls that gives them their incredible strength. It is brimming with energy but getting to that energy is so costly and complex that the resulting biofuel can't compete economically with other forms of transportation energy.

Once broken down, lignin has other gifts to give in the form of valuable platform chemicals that can be converted into nylon, plastics, pharmaceuticals and other valuable products.

Singh and her team have solved three problems with turning lignin into platform chemicals: cost, toxicity and speed.

Engineering solutions like these, which overcome toxicity and efficiency issues have the potential to make biofuel production economically viable.

"Now we can work on producing greater quantities of platform chemicals, engineering pathways to new end products, and considering microbial hosts other than E. coli," Singh said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ahead of his visit to the Russian city of Sochi for an informal summit with President Vladimir Putin on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the talks will help further strengthen bilateral ties.

"Greetings to the friendly people of Russia. I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow (Monday) and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him," Modi said in a statement prior to his departure.

"Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia," he stated.

The Prime Minister's visit comes after National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale visited Moscow earlier this month to discuss a way out of the US sanctions on Russian firms.

The sanctions against Russian oligarchs and companies, including Rosoboronexport, the state-owned Russian weapons trading company, has raised concerns in India about a possible impact on India's military buys from Moscow.

An External Affairs Ministry release said Modi's visit to Russia will be an important occasion for him and Putin to exchange views on international matters in a broad and long-term perspective in order to further strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnership.

"Both leaders will discuss their respective national developmental priorities and bilateral matters," the statement said.

It said the informal summit was in keeping with the tradition of regular consultations between India and Russia at the highest level.

Putin is also expected to visit India later this year for the annual bilateral summit.

Russia and Japan are the only two countries with which India holds annual bilateral summits.

Modi's visit to Russia also comes just after Putin won a fourth term in office in March this year after remaining in power for almost two decades. Modi and Putin last met in Russia last year.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The toll from Friday's Boeing 737 crash in Cuba, close to Havana's Jose Marti International Airport, has risen to 110, officials said.

Transportation Minister Abel Izquierdo told a press conference on Saturday that of the 110 dead, 99 were Cubans, 11 foreigners including 6 Mexican crew members, 2 Argentines, 1 Mexican and 2 temporary foreign residents, Xinhua news agency reported.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Saturday visited the survivors and relatives of the victims the crash.

The Cubana airlines flight on Friday plummeted to the ground and burst into flames.

The Boeing 737, which was rented from Mexican airline Damojh, was carrying 113 people at the time of the accident, Yzquierdo said.

Diaz-Canel visited the three women who survived, but were in serious condition and receiving treatment at the Calixto Garcia Hospital in Havana, according to a national television news broadcast.

The President also met with the relatives of the victims as they arrived at the Forensics Institute in Havana to help identify their loved ones.

Authorities are investigating what went wrong with the domestic flight, which crashed shortly after taking off from Havana's main airport on its way to the eastern province of Holguin.

The Cuban government arranged for the relatives to stay at a hotel, as most came to Havana from Holguin, around 700 km from Havana.

Flags were flying at half mast on Saturday as part of two days of mourning following the worst air disaster in Cuba in three decades.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In wake of the uncovering of the sensational carcass meat racket in West Bengal, a truck load of stale chicken and eggs was seized from the state's West Midnapore district, police said on Sunday.

The seizure took place on Saturday night after local residents in Mandirbazar in West Midnapore complained of a foul smell coming from pick-up vehicle in the area.

"Four-five big containers filled with raw chicken and eggs were seized from the pick up truck yesterday (Saturday) night. The material was in a poor condition and emitted a stale smell," said an officer from district police control room.

"The seized items have been sent for tests," the officer, adding that the vehicle's driver however managed to flee from the spot.

Police said a group of locals first started searching the truck as foul smell was coming from it and informed the police after they found the containers.

The locals then ransacked the vehicle and blocked the road for almost an hour demanding action against the culprits.

According to the officer, it seemed that the items were to be supplied to local hotels and a probe was on.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Yemen's Houthi rebels fired a ballistic missile towards a military radar camp in Saudi Arabia's southern border city of Khamis Mushait, the media reported.

The Houthis said the missile hit the military target accurately on Saturday, Xinhua cited Houthi-controlled Saba news agency.

Saudi Arabia has been leading an Arab military coalition against the Houthis in support of the Yemeni exiled government over the last three years.

Border cities in Saudi Arabia have been the most targeted in such missile attacks, with the majority said to have been intercepted.

On Tuesday, the Houthi rebels fired a ballistic missile at the King Faisal Military Base in the southern Saudi city of Jazan, but the Saudi-led coalition forces said the missile was intercepted.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said he will proclaim the 2018 election date at the end of May.

Addressing a rally on Saturday in Mutare, Manicaland province, marking the start of the ruling ZANU-PF election campaign, the president said the party will intensify its campaigning once the election date is proclaimed, Xinhua reported.

According to the country's constitution, the elections must be held between July 21 and August 21.

Zimbabwe's parliament last week passed the Electoral Amendment Bill which now awaits presidential assent to become law.

The bill seeks to give legal effect to the bio-metric voter registration system that was done by the national electoral body for the first time.

As political parties gear up for the polls, ZANU-PF has finished selecting its candidates while the main opposition party the MDC Alliance is still to conclude candidate selection.

President Mnangagwa, who took over from former president Robert Mugabe in November last year, will fight it out with the youthful leader of MDC Alliance Nelson Chamisa in the presidential poll.

As the nation edges towards the polls, voters' roll inspection opened on May 19 and will run until May 29.

About 5.4 million people in Zimbabwe are registered to vote in the elections.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Undaunted by the BJPs good showing in Karnataka, its estranged ally Shiv Sena, by putting up its own candidate, is seeking to make the Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll on May 28 a keen affair, virtually daring Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and sending signals to his bosses in Delhi that the politics of marginalisation will not be tolerated. The Senas surprise move, months after declaring that henceforth it would not contest polls in alliance with the BJP, apparently ...

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A 19-year-old youth has been arrested for allegedly molesting a Delhi-based media professional in south Mumbai's Colaba area, a senior police official said today.

The incident took place at midnight on Wednesday when the 25-year-old woman was returning to the hotel where she was staying, police said.

The woman had lodged a complaint with Colaba police that a person on a bike had touched her inappropriately, while she was on her way to her hotel, and had sped away.

Police today said that the youth, identified as Luv Kule, was tracked down yesterday night to his residence in Cuffe Parade, near Colaba, following which he was placed under arrest.

An official said that Kule has told police that his motorcycle had slipped and this caused him to accidentally touch the complainant.

"Kule has been booked under relevant sections of the IPC for molestation. Further investigations are underway," 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.)
Around 280 people have taken ill after drinking contaminated water in some parts of Sarni city in Madhya Pradesh's Betul district, a local health official said today.

"Between yesterday night and today afternoon, around 280 people have come here complaining of vomiting and loose motion after drinking contaminated water," said Patakheda Community Health Centre Officer Dr Shailendra Sahu.

He added that no one among them was critically ill.

He informed that water was supplied to the affected areas by the Sarni municipality while storage tanks in some of the areas was maintained by Western Coalfields Limited.

He said that medical personnel from WCL as well the district hospital were camping in the area to treat the victims.

Former BSP MLA Kishore Samrite called for a thorough investigation into the issue and said that his party would organise a demonstration if the state government failed to provide clean drinking water to the people of Sobhapur colony.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ahead of BJP national president



Amit Shah's visit to the state today, an RTI activist and leader of a farmers' body, Akhil Gogoi, along with his supporters was taken into custody here for protesting against Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016, a police officer said.

Shah is scheduled to attend the third conclave of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) in the state capital later in the day.

Several Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) members, headed by Gogoi, gathered in different parts of city this morning to wave black flags at the BJP leader as a mark of protest over the proposed Bill, the officer said.

The bill, among other things, proposes to reduce the aggregate period of residential qualification for the process of citizenship by naturalisation of the concerned persons from 11 years to six years.

The KMSS had been launching widespread campaigns in the regions to garner support against the move.

Gogoi, who was arrested near Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra where Shah is scheduled to attend the meeting, said his supporters had been holding a peaceful protest in the state capital.

"It is our democratic right to protest, the police are behaving in a high-handed manner," he told reporters before boarding the police van.

The KMSS leader also appealed to the people to continue their protest "peacefully" without getting "provoked".

"The Bill is dangerous and harmful to the indigenous people of the state and we will continue our protest to ensure that it is not passed by Parliament," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With the election process in Karnataka coming to a close, Telangana would be one of the focus states for BJP and the party was gearing up for the polls in 2019, state BJP president K Laxman has said.

Legislative Assembly polls in Telangana would be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections in 2019.

"Recently, a meeting was held in Delhi under the leadership of president Amit Shah ji. He focused on Telangana. He clearly told that now elections are over in the states which are bound to take place. Now, the focus will be on Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa," he told PTI here.

Shah is likely to visit Telangana next month to assess the political situation and plan for the elections, he said.

Laxman said the BJP is organisationally strong in the state and that it will adopt the model of constituting 'Panna Pramukhs' at polling booth level to strengthen itself in the state.

'Panna Pramukhs' is a successful model followed by the BJP in different states in which the incharge of a 'Panna' (literal meaning page) reaches out to the voters' families who are part of his list.

"As far as 'Panna Pramukhs' are concerned, out of 119 assembly constituencies, nearly 40-50 assemblies the 'Panna Pramukh' exercise is over. Rest of the assemblies also, we will finish within one or two months...," he said.

The party is taking other steps as well to boost its organisational strength in the state.

BJP would go to the people highlighting the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government, the funds given by Centre to Telangana in areas like highways, railway projects, Ujwala (free gas connections scheme), he said.

It would also highlight the alleged failure of TRS government in Telangana to keep its promises, including employment generation, providing two bedroom houses to poor and distribution of three acres of land to Dalits, he added.

The BJP leader said the party would come out with a clear manifesto for various sections, including SCs, backward classes and youth after holding discussions with all sections of society in the state.

BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav, Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Bihar Minister Mangal Pandey have been given charge of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana and they would visit the state, he noted.

At the time of elections, the party's central leadership would focus on the states where it is not in power as the respective Chief Ministers would lead the party in states where it is in power, he added.

The three-day-old BJP government in Karnataka had collapsed yesterday, minutes before the scheduled trust vote, with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa resigning in a tame anticlimax to what promised to be on the edge of seat political thriller.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ahead of his swearing-in as the Karnataka chief minister, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy will meet Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi tomorrow to discuss the modalities of government formation.

Clarifying that no discussion has taken place so far on the allocation of ministerial berths, Kumaraswamy termed reports on the power-sharing formula of 30 months each between the parties as "bogus".

"I'm visiting New Delhi tomorrow...I will meet Congress President Rahul Gandhi and the party's senior leader Sonia Gandhi," he told reporters here.

Based on the outcome of discussions with them, a decision will be taken on the number of Congress and JD(S) MLAs who will become ministers, Kumaraswamy added.

B S Yeddyurappa had yesterday stepped down as the chief minister without facing the floor test in the state assembly as the BJP fell short of numbers, following which Kumaraswamy met Governor Vajubhai Vala, and said he had been invited to form the government.

The May 12 Karnataka assembly polls threw up a hung assembly, with the BJP emerging as the single largest party with 104 seats.

While making it clear that there have been no discussions yet on the portfolio allocation, Kumaraswamy requested the media not to create confusion among the public and MLAs with such "speculative" reports.

He also asserted that within 24 hours of taking oath, he would prove the majority on the floor of the House.

"Mostly on Wednesday there will be oath-taking ceremony after that on Thursday we will complete the process of Speaker's election and trust vote," he added.

After meeting the governor, Kumaraswamy had yesterday said the swearing-in ceremony would take place tentatively between 12 noon and 1.50 pm at Kanteerava stadium on May 21.

But, later he announced that the event would be held on May 23 as May 21 happens to be the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The venue of the swearing-in is also likely to be changed, with party sources now saying it is likely to take place at Vidhana Soudha (the seat of the state legislature).

However, Kumaraswamy said he had spoken to the Chief Secretary and other senior officials about it and they would take a call on the venue.

Kumaraswamy today met his father and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda at his residence and later visited the hotel where JD(S) MLAs are camping and held a meeting with them.

Meanwhile, the JD(S) leader is scheduled to visit a temple at Srirangam in neighbouring Tamil Nadu today.

Asked about reports on power-sharing formula of 30 months each that is being worked out with the Congress, Kumaraswamy said, "No such talks have taken place."



On reports about parleys with Congress leaders regarding elections in Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Jayanagar assembly constituencies, Kumarasamy described it as "bogus".

"It is a bogus ..No such discussions have taken place. Wining Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Jayanagara is a necessity. Till now, no such discussions have happened," he said.

While polling was deferred in Rajarajeshwari Nagar constituency over allegations of electoral malpractice, election to Jayanagar seat was countermanded following the death of the BJP candidate.

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Actor Alyssa Milano has revealed that she suffered from her "first anxiety attack" after she gave birth to her first son, Milo in 2011.

The 45-year-old actor has opened up about her brush with generalised anxiety disorder, which she claims was most likely triggered by "postpartum depression".

"In 2011, two years after suffering a miscarriage, I learned that I was pregnant with my first son, Milo - and it was a dream. My miscarriage was heartbreaking, but this pregnancy was beautiful: I did not experience morning sickness; I went to prenatal yoga five times a week; I walked two miles a day; and I took naps in the afternoon.

"Following this idyllic image of motherhood, I wrote a strict birth plan: no induction of labour, no pain medication and no C-sections. I equated a natural birth to my value as a woman and as a mother - and I was determined not to stray from that course," Milano wrote in an op-ed for Time magazine on account of Mental Health Awareness Week.

The "Charmed" alum said she suffered from complications 10 days before her due date and despite her plans, the doctors had to try to induce labour.

"I was forced to take an epidural, and I eventually delivered my beautiful son (after 18 hours of labour and three and a half hours of pushing) via C-section. And then, with my darling son in my hands, I was in excruciating pain not only from my C-section but also, from my milk coming in.

"That first night, after we returned from the hospital, I suffered my first anxiety attack. I felt like I had already disappointed my child. I felt like I failed as a mother, since I was not able to give birth vaginally or nourish him with the breast milk that had not come in yet. My heart raced. My stomach seized up. I felt like I was dying," she said.

Milano said she recovered but Milo spiked a very high fever and had a febrile seizure in her arms a few months later.

She felt "paralysing anxiety" reared its head again but she urged herself to keep her nerves intact as she was getting back to work.

"As we began filming, my anxiety worsened. I began to develop irrational and obsessive fears. Like many working moms, I was overwhelmed by guilt for leaving my son during work hours, and like many others who suffer from anxiety, my pain was not taken seriously."



The actor eventually sought professional psychiatric help.

"One early morning, I went to the emergency room at 2:00 AM, asked for a psychiatrist and got help. I felt as though I had no choice: I asked to be committed; I stayed in a public psychiatric ward for three days.

"At last, I began to feel as if my pain was recognized, but it wasn't easy."



Milano said initially some doctors and even her colleagues did not understand her mental condition as she did not "look sick".

She said she continues to face her illness with bravery, through help and the strength to recover.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two young engineers of Assam are set to address the parking woes of car owners in and around Guwahati and other cities of the northeastern region with their mobile application.

The app, 'ParkingRhino', plans to manage both on-street and off-street parking in the state capital and other towns of Assam such as Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Tezpur, by providing real-time information to drivers, its co-founder Tridib Konwar said.

"We have started our market research and lead generation for other northeastern states and plan to digitize more than 400 parking locations in the region through this platform," Konwar, who is also the CEO of the start-up, explained.

Bogged by inefficient system of parking vehicles in their work city Bengaluru, Konwar and his fellow Assam Engineering College alumini, Mriganka Deka, launched the app in 2016, but the focus shifted towards the North East after it secured seed funds from the 'Ideation' programme last year.

Assam-based Numaligarh Refinery Limited had launched 'Ideation' last year to promote start-ups in the northeast and selected ParkingRhino along with two other firms for funding their projects.

"The Ideation programme has encouraged us to launch our operation in Guwahati," Konwar said.

"We introduced smart technology for GMC (Guwahati Municipal Corporation) parking locations on Guwahati-Shillong Road and the Assam State Zoo. If everything works well, we will cover more than 50 parking locations in the region in the next three months," he said.

The major problem in the parking management system in the North East is keeping a track of manual tickets, he said.

"We want to digitize all locations using ParkingRhino management mobile application to ensure a transparent transaction for both citizens and the governments," Konwar said.

ParkingRhino is currently serving 15 cities in India along with two cities in Philippines, he said, adding that they have plans to launch the app in a few South-East Asian countries in the next six months.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least 11 people died in Indonesia when a truck carrying sugar smashed into several motorcycles and houses today, an official said.

The truck was heading downhill in the district of Brebes in Central Java province on its way to the capital Jakarta when it failed to brake, according to the local disaster agency. It tried to stop by swerving left but instead hit a car, 13 motorbikes and seven houses.

"So far eleven people died and 11 others are wounded," said agency official Sarwa Permana, adding that the injured have been taken to hospital.

The fate of the driver is unclear.

Transport accidents are not uncommon in the archipelago nation, where buses, trains and even planes are often old and badly maintained.

In February, at least 27 people died and 16 others were injured when a bus carrying domestic tourists crashed in West Java province.

In July last year 10 people including an Austrian tourist and a 12-year-old child died when a bus travelling from resort island Bali to the town of Malang in East Java hit the back of a fertilizer truck, killing the sleeping passengers.

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The escort vehicle of a top Aurangabad district official was attacked by sand mafia in the district today, police said.

Superintendent of Police Satya Prakash said the sand mafia attacked the escort vehicle of District Magistrate Rahul Ranjan Mahiwal near Tejpura village under Daudnagar police station area of the district.

Acting on a tip-off that illegal sand mining was going on from Sone river in and around Tejpura village, Mahiwal went to the spot and directed the police to seize three sand laden tractors from the directive, the SP said.

When the cops went to seize the three tractors, sand mafia henchmen attacked the policemen in which three constables received minor injuries, the SP said adding they were treated at a nearby hospital.

One of the attackers has been arrested in this regard.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Farmers, who are often at the receiving end of unpredictable weather, will now get detailed information about the climatic conditions in their area, thus allowing them better crop management and damage prevention.

This is going to be possible as the Maharashtra government has commissioned 2,060 automatic weather stations (AWS) in as many revenue circles, to provide real time weather-related information to farmers up to the village level.

"The idea was to create a decentralised system that would provide accurate weather related information right up to the village level," Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told PTI.

As the current weather systems provide a consolidated information on weather of a whole region, one cannot exactly predict the climate change at a local level, he said.

For instance, at times there is rain in one village and the adjoining village is dry, he said.

"In the AWS, we will get exact information right up to the village level. Based on the information, farmers will know if there was going to be rain, hailstorm...so they can take precautionary measures," he explained.

"Farming is climate-based. Due to increasing instances of weather fluctuations in the last few years, natural calamities like unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms have caused huge monetary losses to farmers," he noted.

The AWS have been set up in association with weather forecast firm Skymet, under the public private partnership (PPP) mode.

There are currently eight major weather forecast providing systems in the state that provide general information related to atmospheric conditions, Fadnavis said.

However, these automatic weather stations will be helpful in measuring the winddirection and speed, air temperature, relative humidity, the amount of rainfall, and provide the information to farmers at a local level, he said.

The commissioned AWS are already providing real time weather-related information every 10 minutes which is being collected at the College of Agriculture in Pune.

"We will soon start disseminating this information to farmers so that precautionary measures can be taken," he said.

Since the AWS have been installed at the revenue circle level, information will be provided to farmers at a local level.

For example, if there is a possibility of unseasonal rainfall in Jalgaon district, a farmer in Nashik has no use of it. Therefore, specific information will be taken out from the data stored centrally at the Pune-based college and forwarded to the area and farmers concerned, the chief minister said.

State agriculture minister Pandurang Fundkarsaid the government is already running an 'M-Kisan' advisory system wherein around 50 lakh farmers, whose mobile numbers are registered, get general weather information.

However, there are over 1.17 crore farmers in the state. Apart from the 50 lakh registered cultivators, the others do not have access to this system, he said.

"Thus, we also have a proposal from Skymet to install digital LED screens in panchayat offices, from where farmers can get information," Fundkar said.

Apart from this, he said, the section agriculture officers will be given a login ID and password for their district websites, so that they can upload information and also issue warnings to farmersthrough gram panchayat offices.

Brijesh Singh, the director general of the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR), said the AWS will provideinformation upto the village level.

"Since one weather station will be installed for an area of around 12 sq kms, the micro-level weather forecasts will be possible," Singh said.

The government plans to use the data provided by the AWS to prepare location-specific agriculture advisories, better disaster management, design crop insurance schemes and make a weather database bank, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
State-owned Bank of Baroda today said it has consolidated all its operational activities at a shared service center (SSC), which employs over 2,000 people, at Gujarat's GIFT City.

Operational services such as retail loan processing, deposit account opening, forex transactions, call center, among others have been migrated to the SSC.

"The SSC employs more than 2,000 staff, making Bank of Baroda one of the largest employers in the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar region," the lender said in a statement.

The bank said it has taken 20,000 sq, ft of office space in GIFT City, making it the first India bank to actually move a lots operations to the smart city. Some other banks have already opened branches and representative offices there.

The bank has been on a journey of rapid transformation in its services and processes over the last two years.

Part of the transformation in processes was the idea to move the operations at the branch level to a centralised facility. This frees space at the branches for the bank to conduct sales and after sales services to customers, the bank noted.

GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) is an integrated development on 886 acres of land with 62 million square feet of built-up area which includes office space, residential, schools and hospitals. It also has a dedicated multi-services special economic zone (SEZ) for international operations for the services sector. The SEZ also has a status of India's first IFSC ( International Financial Services Centre).

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The much-awaited "Bastariya" Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) comprising recruits from naxal-hit districts in the state will be commissioned into service tomorrow, with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh attending its passing out parade in Ambikapur district.

The new battalion, numbered 241, was named Bastariya because it included recruits from Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, and Sukma districts, a CRPF official said today.

Another special feature of the battalion was the number of women recruits which, at 33 per cent, was according to the policy of the government, he said.

Rajnath Singh today arrived in Surguja district on a two-day visit to the state.

His chopper landed on Ambikapur PG College ground this evening from where he travelled to the CRPF Training Center in KP Ajirma village and took part in the Sainik Sammelan programme, the official said.

CRPF Director General RR Bhatnagar, CRPF IG (Raipur sector) Sanjay Arora and other senior paramilitary officials were present on the occasion.

The official said Singh would attend the passing out parade at 9 am before flying to state capital Raipur.

Singh would chair a review meeting on Left Wing Extremism (LWE) at Chief Minster Raman Singh's official residence with state officials in Raipur, he said.

The home minister would leave for Delhi at around 2:45 pm from the Swami Vivekanand airport in Raipur, the official added.

"The much-awaited Bastariya Battalion will be ready for anti-naxal operations in south Bastar after its commissioning into service tomorrow. It consists of recruits from Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, and Sukma districts," he said.

This special unit had around 750 recruits, the official said, adding that another remarkable feature of the battalion was the representation of women according to the 33 per cent reservation policy of the government.

Though the sanctioned strength of the battalion is 743, a total of 739 candidates were selected in the first phase through a special recruitment drive held between October 2016 and January 2017 in the Bastar region.

"Finally, a total of 534 candidates, including 189 women recruits, underwent a specialised 44-week training at ATC Bilaspur and ATC Ambikapur spanning," he said.

These personnel would be deployed in the core areas of Chhattisgarh to fight Maoists alongside other units and CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) battalions to add more teeth to anti-Maoist operations, he said.

To give a fair chance to aspirants during the recruitment, certain parameters like height, chest (for men), and weight were relaxed, the official said.

Even though the battalion is set to be commissioned tomorrow, naxals struck today in Dantewada district blowing up a police vehicle. Seven police personnel were killed in the attack.

Police sources believe the attack was in retaliation to the recent encounters in Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), Malkangiri (Odisha) and Bijapur (Chhattisgarh), where Maoists suffered major casualties.

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Thandie Newton says being the first "dark-skinned woman" in a leading role in a "Star Wars" film is both a "great and awful" feeling.

The 45-year-old actor, who stars as in "Solo: A Star Wars Story" as Val Beckett, says it is high time that diversity and inclusion increased in cinema across the globe.

"I am the first dark-skinned woman in a lead role in the 'Star Wars' legacy, which is both great, that it is finally a correction, and awful, that it's taken this long," Newton told The Guardian.

The actor plays the wife of Tobias, (Woody Harrelson), Han Solo's mentor and a member of his crew in the much-anticipated film.

"Even Lupita Nyong'o's character was CGI" - relating to the character of Maz Kanata in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens", she adds.

Newton has two film scripts of her own in development and plans to direct both herself - one story is set in the US, while the other one in the UK.

Both, she describes as "very personal human stories".

"I really want to get to the f**king core of why we do what we do. I certainly don't think that I know, but I love stories that are really trying to find out," she says.

Newton says both the films will feature female protagonists.

"I am obsessed with the female experience. I don't actually think I could write as a man. And that is everything we have in cinema; that is how our identities have been fed back to us from a male perspective," she says.

"Solo: A Star Wars Story" will be released on May 24 in the UK and on May 25 in the US.

The Ron Howard-directed origin story stars Alden Ehrenreich as the young Han Solo, the role immortalised by Harrison Ford. Donald Glover plays Lando Calrissian, "Game of Thrones" star Emilia Clarke and Paul Bettany also star.

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West Bengal Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee today accused the BJP of fuelling communalism in the state and using muscle power in

The BJP believes in the of muscle power and has been orchestrating clashes between groups, Mukherjee told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.

"They only practise the of beating up those opposed to them. The BJP has been pursuing this brand of politics ever since the party started getting a toehold in the state," Mukherjee said.

Countering the senior Trinamool Congress leader's allegations, the BJP state unit president Dilip Ghosh said, the Trinamool Congress always tries to "usurp power by using musclemen".

He said the state government should take the responsibility of the killings that took place during the recently held panchayat polls.

"There had been many deaths in the previous panchayat polls also," Ghosh said.

"Can the BJP be blamed for the bloodshed for those incidents in the past?" Ghosh asked.

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Italian star Asia Argento, one of Harvey Weinstein's first accusers, delivered a fiery speech about the disgraced Hollywood producer and issued a warning to sexual predators during the closing ceremony at the Cannes Film Festival.

"In 1997, I was raped by Harvey Weinstein here at Cannes," the actor said before presenting the Best Actress Award.

"I was 21 years old. This festival was his hunting ground. I want to make a prediction: Harvey Weinstein will never be welcomed here ever again."



Argento added, "He will live in disgrace, shunned by a film community that once embraced him and covered up for his crimes."



She continued by pointing out that Weinstein was not the only predator in the industry and ended her speech with a message that offenders will no longer be able to get away with inappropriate behaviour.

"And even tonight, sitting among you, there are those who still have to be held accountable for their conduct against women. For behaviour that does not belong in this industry, does not belong in any industry or any workplace. You know who you are. You do not belong in this industry. But most importantly, we know who you are, and we're not going to allow you to get away with it any longer."



Argento first revealed that she had been raped by Weinstein in The New Yorker expose about the Weinstein Company producer's history of sexual assault. Argento also admitted that an attempted rape scene in her 2000 film "Scarlet Diva" was based on the incident.

Following Argento's speech and the presentation of the award, this year's Cannes jury president Cate Blanchett said, "It is hard to stand as a woman".

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The ongoing census has indicated the presence of tigers in Goa's Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, thus giving a boost to the demand for declaring it as a dedicated reserve for the striped animal.

As per the All India Tiger Estimation, which began in Goa on May 1, "tiger pugmarks, scats and scratches" were found during the week-long (first phase) field survey in the sanctuary. The survey was still on.

Some images of tigers were also captured in cameras installed in the sanctuary, located in the Sattari taluka of North Goa district, a senior forest official said.

The surveys since 2002 have indicated the presence of tigers in the Mhadei region, consisting of forested border areas of Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

But, the successive Goa governments have been a bit reluctant in declaring the area as a 'tiger reserve'.

The recent survey and camera images again indicate that the region could be a favourable habitat for tigers, say officials.

"During the field survey, we came across evidences like pugmarks, tiger scats and scratches. We are sending the same to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for analysis," Goa Conservator of Forest (wildlife) Dr Anil Kumar told PTI.

The analysis will help in ascertaining if it is a regular tiger species or a new one, he said.

"We have got pictures of tigers in our camera traps installed in the sanctuary. It is very good sign," Kumar said.

The Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, that spans across about 208 sq kms in the Western Ghats -- declared as the protected area in 1999 -- is contiguous to the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and the Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve in Karnataka.

The state forest department had first detected the presence of tigers in the Mhadei area in 2002.

The 2010 census had also recorded the presence of five tigers in the coastal state's forest areas.

As a result, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had described the Goa stretch of Western Ghats as an important tiger corridor between Anshi-Dandeli tiger reserve and the Sahyadri mountain range.

The forest officials found tiger pug marks in Mhadei area again in 2011, during the wildlife census conducted with the help of Dehradun-based WII.

In 2013, the forest department installed hi-tech cameras to record the images and a tigress was spotted in the Mhadei area.

Last year, the camera images showed a big cat family - including a tiger, tigress and three cubs.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Ajai Saxena said Goa is atigerrange state, but no area has officially been declared as a tiger reserve.

"During the lasttigercensus in 2014, there was no direct evidence with us, but in 2016 and 2017 the camera traps provided us direct sightings," he said.

The forest department will soon be coming up with a detail map, chalking out the core areas in the Western Ghats region that could be declared as a tiger reserve, he said.

"The ongoing tiger census will help us in our plan, in a big way," he added.

Nature enthusiasts have for long been demanding the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary to be declared as a tiger reserve.

Renowned environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar claimed that the presence of tigers in Mhadei region is a well established fact. "Only the government is not ready to accept it."



The ongoing census will help in further strengthening the demand to declare the area as a tiger reserve, said Kerkar, who is also a member of the National Wildlife Board.

Notably, sanctuaries are meant for protection of the wildlife in general, while the reserves - which have 'core' and 'buffer' (peripheral) areas - are specific to certain animal species.

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Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police S P Vaid today expressed hope that the Centre's decision to halt anti-militancy operations in the state during the holy month of Ramzan would have a positive impact on everyone including those sponsoring terrorism.

Vaid also expressed confidence that the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas, starting next month, would pass off peacefully.

I hope this (unilateral ceasefire) initiative of the government of India will have a positive effect on everyone including the forces that are sponsoring terrorism, the DGP told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

On May 16, the Centre announced that security forces would not launch any operation in the state during the holy month of Ramzan but they reserved the right to retaliate, if attacked.

Replying to a question about the initiative at a time when the Amarnath yatra was round the corner and Pakistan and its proxies were trying to escalate violence to undermine the effort, the police chief said he was sure that the two-month-long yatra, scheduled to begin on June 28, would pass off peacefully.

This initiative has been taken in the holy month of Ramzan, and (Amarnath) yatra is also as auspicious as Ramzan. I am sure it will pass off peacefully, he said.

He said, The most important is what Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said yesterday that let the youth join their families and build strong Jammu and Kashmir and strong India.

Vaid said the holy month of Ramzan is for everyone and I think Pakistan should also observe it (by giving up violence).

On the rejection of the ceasefire initiative by Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, he said, "That is their statement...We will do what we feel is correct.

Meanwhile, the DGP said that about 3,000 students from 48 government and private schools would take part in a three-day Clean Tawi-Clean Jammu campaign which is beginning here tomorrow.

An initiative of the Police Wives Welfare Association (PWWA), the DGP said the campaign would see various state and central government departments including Jammu Municipal Corporation and Jammu Development Authority becoming part of it.

"Many people have extended their support to the campaign aimed at making Jammu one of the cleanest cities of the country," Vaid said, adding the main highlights of the campaign are a walk for the Tawi river, cultural programmes, painting competition, and lectures on waste management.

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has begun large-scale mining operations on its side of the border with Pradesh where a huge trove of gold, silver and other precious minerals valued at about US 60 billion has been found, a media report said today.

The mine project is being undertaken in Lhunze county under Chinese control adjacent to the Indian border, the Hong Kong-based South Morning Post reported.

claims Pradesh as part of southern Tibet.

Projecting the mining operations as part of China's move to take over Pradesh, the report said "people familiar with the project say the mines are part of an ambitious plan by Beijing to reclaim South Tibet".

"China's moves to lay claim to the region's natural resources while rapidly building up infrastructure could turn it into 'another South China Sea' they said," it said.

The Post report with inputs from local officials, Chinese geologists as well as strategic experts comes less than a month after the first ever informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping that was aimed at cooling tensions to avert incidents like the Dokalam military standoff last year.

The 73-day standoff marked a new low in bilateral ties.

Lhunze was in the news last October, just about two months after Dokalam, when Xi in a rare gesture replied to correspondence from a herding family in Lhunze County underscoring Beijing's claim to the area.

The family is based in Yumai, China's smallest town in terms of population located close to Arunachal Pradesh.

Xi thanked the father and his two daughters for their loyalty and contributions to China, and also urged the people of Lhunze to "set down roots" to develop the area for the interest.

The Post report said although mining has been going on in the world's highest mountain range for thousands of years, the challenge of accessing the remote terrain and concerns about environmental damage had until now limited the extent of the activities.

But the unprecedented heavy investment by the Chinese government to build roads and other infrastructure in the area has made travel easy.

Most of the precious minerals which include rare earths used to make hi-tech products are hidden under Lhunze county, the report said.

By the end of last year, the scale of mining activity in Lhunze had surpassed that of all other areas in Tibet, it said.

People have poured into the area so fast that even local government officials could not provide a precise count for the current population, it said.

"Enormous, deep tunnels have been dug into the mountains along the military confrontation line, allowing thousands of tonnes of ore to be loaded and transported out by trucks daily, along roads built through every village," it said.

Extensive power lines and communication networks have been established, while construction is under way on an airport that can handle passenger jets, it said.

With more mines being dug in Lhunze and surroundings, a county official told the Post that more than 80 per cent of the county government's tax income came from mining.

The mines would also lead to a situation akin to "another South China Sea" arising out of the world's highest mountain range, it said.

Zheng Youye, a professor at the China University of Geosciences in Beijing and the lead scientist for a Beijing-funded northern Himalayan minerals survey, confirmed to the Post that a series of discoveries in recent years put the potential value of ores under Lhunze and the nearby area at 370 billion yuan (USD 58 billion).

"This is just a preliminary estimate. More surveys are underway," he said.

There could be more big discoveries as Chinese researchers learn more about the area. With strong financial backing from the government, they have already amassed extensive data on the region.

According to Zheng, the new-found ores could tip the balance of power between China and India in the Himalayas.

He said Chinese troops withdrew in the 1962 war from the areas in Arunachal Pradesh as they had no people to hold the territory.

The new mining activities would lead to a rapid and significant increase in the Chinese population in the Himalayas, Zheng said, which would provide stable, long-term support for any diplomatic or military operations aimed at gradually driving Indian forces out of territory claimed by China.

"This is similar to what has happened in the South China Sea" where Beijing has asserted its claim to much of the contested waters by building artificial islands and increasing its naval activity, he said.

Hao Xiaoguang, a researcher with the Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Wuhan, Hubei who specialises in India-China issues said Beijing was likely to take the same approach to the Himalayas as in the South China Sea.

As China's economic, geopolitical and military strength continues to increase, "it is only a matter of time before South Tibet returns to Chinese control," Hao claimed.

"What China (has) achieved today in the South China Sea was almost unthinkable a decade ago. I am optimistic (about) what will happen in the Himalayas in the coming years because President Xi has made it clear that 'not a single inch of our land will be or can be ceded from China', which definitely includes South Tibet," he said.

But Hao said the Lhunze mining boom would not be expanded to other areas due to environmental reasons. In Lhunze, some of the newcomers are still acclimatising. The area is already teeming with people from different parts of China.

Weng Qingzhen, who owns a Sichuan restaurant in the county, said she moved there less than two months ago after friends and relatives told her about the mining boom.
Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha today said the collegium system for selection of judges of high courts and the Supreme Court lacked transparency and was a "black spot" on Indian democracy, and called for more representation of people belonging to SC, ST, Dalit communities in the higher judiciary.

According to the Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, the appointments to the higher judiciary are done in "opaqueness" and not in a democratic manner.

"The gates are closed for ST/ST and Dalits and even meritorious students who are willing to become judges. We want the gates to be opened," said the leader of the Bihar-based Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), an ally of the BJP.

Launching a campaign on the issue here, he alleged that under the collegium system, people were indulging in nepotism and judges were only concerned about choosing their "successors".

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind, he has said if a tea stall vendor can become a prime minister and a son from a fishing community can become the president of the country, why the weaker sections are being deprived from getting their rights.

"The collegium system in its present form is a black spot on Indian democracy," he said, underlining that it was up to the court to stem the rot in the system and ensure "transparency and "inclusiveness".

The NDA government had passed the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act but it was struck down by the Supreme Court, Khuswaha lamented.

The low representation of people belonging to ST, ST and OBC communities as well as women and other disadvantaged groups in the Indian judiciary leads to a perceived lack of faith among these sections in the judicial system which does not augur well for the institution, he said.

He said the campaign launched by his party on the issue was not an agenda of any single party, nor a vote bank politics.

Raising his concern over the functioning of the collegium system, leading constitutional expert Subhash Kashyap said the decision of the Supreme Court to stuck down NJAC was "unconstitutional".

"There is no country in the world where Supreme Court judges chose their own brother judges," Kashyap said at the event.

He said even B R Ambedkar had said he would not trust the future chief justices of India in matters of appointment as they could, as normal human being would, be susceptible to "prejudices".

Even in matters of removal of judges for "misbehaviour" and "incapacity", the Supreme Court has reservations. "They talk of impeachment for removal of judges though the Constitution has no such provision," he said.

Kashyap voiced strong opposition to judges taking up jobs after retirement, maintaining that it hampers the "independence of judiciary".

He referred to reports which suggested that 80 per cent of the judges across the country are relatives of sitting judges.

"There is much inbreeding in the system and you talk of transparency in the judiciary," he said as he hit out at retired judge of the Supreme Court Bisheshwar Prasad Singh who earlier spoke at the event.

Justice Singh said that the appointment process was transparent.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today voiced the hope his talks with President Vladimir Putin would further strengthen the "special and privileged" strategic partnership between India and Russia.

In a series of tweets -- in Russian and then in English -- on the eve of his visit to Russia, Modi said he looked forward to his meeting with Putin.

"Greetings to the friendly people of Russia. I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him," Modi tweeted.

During their informal summit in the Russian city of Sochi on Monday, the two leaders will primarily focus on global and regional issues, including the impact of the US decision to withdraw from a nuclear deal with Iran.

"Am confident the talks with President Putin will further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia," Modi said in another tweet.

Official sources said the two leaders would meet for 4-6 hours for the "agendaless" talks where deliberations on bilateral issues were likely to be limited.

They said the issues on the table might include the economic impact on India and Russia in the wake of the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal, the situation in Afghanistan and Syria, the threat of terrorism and matters relating to the upcoming SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) and BRICS summits.

The sources said the possible impact of the US sanctions against Russia under the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) on Indo-Russia defence cooperation may also figure during the talks between Modi and Putin.

India is not going to allow its defence engagement with Russia to be dictated by any other country, the sources said, adding New Delhi has been lobbying with the Trump administration on the issue.

The aim of the informal summit is to use the friendship and trust between the two countries to create convergence on key global and regional issues, the sources said.

The two leaders may also deliberate on extending the Indo-Russia civil nuclear cooperation to third countries, possible areas for cooperation for the International North-South Transport Corridor project, India's engagement with the five-nation Eurasian Economic Union and the situation in the Korean peninsula.

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Opposition Congress and INLD



today launched a scathing attack on the Khattar led BJP government alleging every section was fed up with its "misrule".

In separate conferences here, Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda and INLD's Abhay Singh Chautala targeted the state government over a host of issues including those on farmers, employees, youth and players.

Hooda said Manohar Lal Khattar government's Bhavantar Bharpayee Yojana, launched to protect the growers in the event of crash in prices, had failed to yield results.

He said recently farmers at many places had been forced to throw their tomato crops on roads or give them to the 'Gaushalas'.

"The government did not come to the rescue of tomato farmers when prices crashed. They have not got any benefit under this Yojana," the former chief minister claimed.

On the players' issue, he said: "The government first cancelled the awards ceremony and afterwards has been coming out with contradictory statements regarding honouring them. They are not clear which policy they have to follow and players are being disrespected".

He was also asked about the state government suspending Haryana Staff Selection Commission chairman B B Bharti after a row over an objectionable question pertaining to Brahmins, in an examination conducted by the board.

Hooda said there was no provision to suspend HSSC chairman and the government should either dismiss him or ask him to resign.

He said, moreover, the state government too should be held equally responsible as it was not a mere mistake in a question paper but an insult to the entire Brahmin community.

Hooda also asked the government to immediately resolve the issue of ongoing strike by the sanitation workers.

"While this government keeps talking so much about Swachh Bharat and Swachh Haryana, it is making no efforts to end the 10-day old strike which has resulted in heaps of garbage being piled up and inconvenienced the citizens" he stated.

Meanwhile, INLD's senior leader Abhay Singh Chatuala, while addressing another conference, demanded the Khattar government issue a white paper on the five foreign trips undertaken by the Chief Minister and those part of his entourage on different occasions giving full details.

Chautala said that while the government has claimed that investments worth over Rs 7 lakh crore had fructified as a result of MoUs signed with various governments and other agencies during these trips, the white paper should detail how much revenue has actually been garnered out of these investments.

Chautala, who is Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, also said that the Chief Minister had claimed that lot of wasteful expenditure has been incurred as part of hospitality expenses during Hooda's tenure.

"..then it is the responsibility of the present government to tell what steps are being taken to reclaim that money," he added.

However, while reacting to this, Hooda said, "if people come to meet the Chief Minister (during his time), it is his responsibility to offer them a cup of tea and snacks.

" But everyone knows that nobody comes to meet him (Khattar). If they have their way, the present government would even set up a Commission of Inquiry to go into how much tea and biscuits had been consumed on the hospitality that was extended".

On criticism by Hooda to INLD-BSP's ongoing "Jail Bharo Andolan" on SYL canal issue, and his dubbing it as "Bus Bharo Andolan", Chautala said,"those coming from five star culture will not understand our agitation.

"Our leaders and workers have been courting arrest and authorities let us off in the evening saying they do not have any place to keep us in jails".

Hooda had said that INLD's "Jail Bharo Andolan" on SYL was limited to getting on to the buses, courting arrest and getting released in the evening.

"Had they been serious, they would have actually gone to jail on this issue," Hooda said.

On the developments in Karnataka, both Hooda and Chautala said B S Yedurappa's resignation had thoroughly exposed the BJP, which allegedly wanted to encourage horse trading despite knowing they did not have numbers on their side to cobble up a majority.

Replying to another question, Chautala said Mayawati-led third front will come into existence and the BSP supremo will be the country's next prime minister after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress leaders in Karnataka will leave for Delhi tomorrow to discuss with the high command, the modalities related to government formation in the state with coalition partner the JD(S).

"Our CLP leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, myself and senior leader D K Shivakumar will leave for Delhi tomorrow and hold talks with Rahul Gandhi (Congress President) and Sonia Gandhi about modalities of government formation," State Congress President G Parameshwara told reporters here.

To a question on allocation of portfolios between the coalition partners, he said "until things are discussed tomorrow, everything is speculation."



JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy will also be in Delhi tomorrow ahead of his May 23 swearing-in as Karnataka Chief Minister, to meet Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to discuss the modalities of government formation.

Siddaramaiah, Parameshwara and other senior Congress leaders today met party MLAs camped at a city hotel and reportedly discussed the way ahead for the party in the process of government formation.

Amid allegations of poaching attempts by BJP ahead of the trust vote yesterday,Congress and JD(S) had kept its MLAs at separate hotels in the city, after returning from Hyderabad.

Shivakumar said "we have asked our party legislators to remain together here as its a matter of one or two days more.. they have agreed to be here."



He said the high command would take a decision on portfolios and 'other things.'Meanwhile, with the date for the swearing-in of the coalition government fast approaching, hectic parleys are on within the Congress for ministerial berths, especially for the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

Though Congress sources hinted that Parameshwara, as a Dalit leader, was front runner for the post, reports suggest there is growing demand from party leaders in north Karnataka that the position be given to a Lingayat from the region, as the Chief Minister's post is held by a Vokkaliga from the southern part of the state.

Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha, the apex body of Veerashaiva-Lingayat faith, has demanded that the Congress high command appoint its national President Shamanur Shivashankarappa as Deputy Chief Minister, and through this, reduce 'dissatisfaction' among Veerashaiva-Lingayats.

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Companies are offering 10-25 per cent increase in variable pay as incentive to retain and attract talents, especially in the IT, FMCG, e-commerce, BFSI and telecom sectors, according to experts.

"We see an increase ranging from 10-25 per cent during the last 2-3 years. Today for some companies, the variable component is nearly 25 per cent of the fixed salary for employees at junior-mid level," TeamLease Services Head of North Business Mayur Saraswat told PTI here.

This growth in variable component reflects 10-20 per cent on the gross salary, he added.

Companies in sectors like IT, Information Technology Enabled Services (ITeS), FMCG, e-commerce, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) and Telecom are increasing variable pay component as a proportion of employee salary to incentivise performance.

"Historically, companies were used to the concept of having fixed pay. But now, with markets getting matured and complex with competition, companies believe talent is one of the key factor for success. To attract and retain talent, one would need to have a culture of high performance as well as incentivising performance," Saraswat said.

Echoing a similar view, Michael Page India MD Nicolas Dumoulin said domestic companies are now increasingly including the variable pay component in employee's salary packages.

"Therefore, the size of the variable pay is larger when it comes to local companies, with an approximate of 20-30 per cent bonuses being offered," he added.

He said, MNCs have always offered this element to their employees across the globe, therefore, they continue to offer this but the extent of compensations have not drastically increased.

Dumoulin said, well-established companies in FMCG and banking, healthcare and life sciences, chemicals, building materials and sales driven roles have started introducing this aspect.

However, Dumoulin said, the variable pay component is not the most effective method to retain or attract talent as it is a one-off amount that employees get, especially for those in a support function role.

Whereas, for results-driven and executive roles, this benefit is a constructive retention tool as employees recognise that their variable pay component can be influenced by their performance, he added.

Apart from the variable pay component, professionals are eager to work with organisations that allow them to take on different roles in the corporation, offer international working opportunities and have flexible working hours, he pointed out.

Meanwhile, GlobalHunt Managing Director Sunil Goel said, variable pay comes as a supplement and opportunity to benefit the resources when company does well and wins lot of projects or business opportunities where employees becomes as direct or indirect stakeholders for good times.

"We have seen in most of the new-age businesses like startup's, technology, BFSI, retail, e-Commerce, chemical, even in FMCG sectors are following this trend but at the same time industries like real-estate and telecom, which is going through consolidation, phase have been able to keep their fix cost as low with not so high variable payout as per the business performance," he added.

Since the fixed component is not increasing more than 10-11 per cent, Goel said the variable pay-outs are reflecting or elevating the gross salary up to 30-40 per cent higher.

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The network of Common Service Centres (CSCs), which act as access points for delivery of digital services, are set to be expanded to 2.50 lakh gram panchayats by the year-end, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said today.

Prasad showcased Dhanauri Kalan village in Gautam Budh Nagar (UP) as the sixth digital village in the country, and said that the CSC programmet has transformed into a movement of change bringing services like banking, pensions, digital literacy and telemedicine to rural and remote villages through electronic infrastructure.

"CSCs are working in 1.8 lakh gram panchayats and very soon it will reach 2.5 lakh gram panchayats by end of the year," Prasad said addressing an event to showcase a host of digital services that will now be available in the digital village.

In all, as many as 2.91 CSCs operate in the country today.

Positioned as strategic cornerstones of Digital India programme, the CSC model has adopted six villages in the country in the pilot phase.

"About 700 digital villages will be established by the year end," Prasad told reporters here.

DigiGaon or Digital Village is conceptualised as a connected village where citizens can avail various e-Services of the Central Government, state Governments and private players in a rural and remote villages in the country.

These DigiGaons are projected to be change agents, promoting rural entrepreneurship and building rural capacities and livelihoods through community participation and collective action. The digital villages have been equipped with solar lighting facility in their community center, LED assembly unit, sanitary napkin unit (with active participation on Asha and Anganwadi workers) and Wi-fi choupal (rural Wi-Fi infrastructure and a slew of suitable applications).

These villages would also have the regular CSC services like banking, health, education, financial services, and a host of other services.

In the initial phase villages Piyala and Dayalpur (in Haryana), Chandankiyari East and Shivbabudih (in Jharkhand) and Dhanauri Kalan and Sultanpur (in Uttar Pradesh) have been chosen for the pilot project.

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FMCG firm Dabur India has planned to invest Rs 250-300 crore in capacity expansion this fiscal year, and is looking for acquisitions in the domestic market going forward, top company officials said.

"We are going in for brownfield expansion to increase capacity this year. We will have approximately Rs 250-300 crore capex (capital expenditure) for the current year going forward in FY19," Dabur India chief financial officer Lalit Malik said at an investor concall following announcement of the company's March-quarter results recently.

The company has just done a couple of acquisitions in South Africa, and is looking at doing something "substantial" in India going forward, the company's chief executive officer, Sunil Duggal, told analysts.

"...we are still looking at some targets but nothing is really coming out of it. Our intent in terms of M&A remains completely intact. We still have over Rs 2,000 crore of cash in the pocket and it will be built up during this year as well. So I think we do have the ability and the resources to do acquisitions even of a large size," he said.

The FMCG major had last month completed acquisitions of two South Africa-based firms D&A Cosmetics Proprietary and Atlanta Body & Health Products Proprietary through its subsidiary.

The company had last year announced that it will acquire the two personal care products companies for a total cash consideration of 50 million rands (about Rs 25 crore).

Duggal also informed that the company is focusing on international business, as it offers higher margins.

"We would not expand in the domestic business, expansion will come from international, so the blended margins may look better," he said, adding the company should be able to protect domestic margins, but he does not see any great possibility of increasing the same.

Dabur India reported a 19.04 per cent increase in consolidated net profit at Rs 397.18 crore in the March quarter, against Rs 333.65 crore in the same year-ago period.

Total income grew 6.38 per cent to Rs 2,106.15 crore, compared with Rs 1,979.72 crore.

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Dharamshala, a hill city surrounded by dense cedar forests on the edge of the Himalayas, is facing acute drinking water shortage as the tourist season is about to begin this summer.

A district headquarter since 1845, Dharamshala is one of the major tourist destinations for people wanting to escape the intense heat-waves that sweep northern India, including the national capital Delhi, during the peak summer months.

The drinking water shortage prompted Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to say yesterday that irrigation and water supply projects and schemes have been given priority by his government. He said Rs 2,572 crore was earmarked in the state budget for early completion of these programmes.

During the British rule, the Bhagsunath fresh water spring supplied water to Dharamshala and the hill city used to get uninterrupted water supply until the 1960s. Later, the government arranged drinking water from Gaj Khad river, which is a source of glacial waters of the Dhauladhar ranges.

Residents say the city had sufficient water supply until 2005-06. But as the population grew and tourist arrivals increased, the pressure on water supply lines also rose manifold.

It is now rather difficult to get food cooked with limited water supply, residents say. Hoteliers say visitors often complain they do not get enough water for their daily chores, and this has negatively impacted their business.

Many public toilets in the city had to be shut due to water shortage.

Vishal Bakshi, an official of the Irrigation and Public Health department of the state government, said water supply has decreased from the sources and the department was not getting enough water at the moment.

"(But) it will improve soon," Bakshi assured.

The IPH department has planned and implemented several schemes to ensure adequate supply of drinking water in Dharamshala.

A mega project was sanctioned for this after the city was declared the second municipal corporation of Himachal Pradesh after Shimla a few years ago.

On Friday, Chief Minister Thakur said the Rs 2,100-crore project would "provide world standard basic amenities to the residents of the city as well as tourists visiting the place."



He said this while reviewing the progress of 'Smart City Project Dharamshala'. He said augmentation and automation at source and plant for water supply schemes had been completed by spending Rs 29.73 crore.

But Dharamshala is still facing its worst water crises.

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Former chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh are on the move, busy house-hunting or shifting, after being asked to vacate their government accommodation following Supreme Court orders.

The Estate Department had issued notices to six former chief ministers -- Narayan Dutt Tiwari, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Kalyan Singh, Mayawati, Rajnath Singh and Akhilesh Yadav -- to vacate official bungalows in compliance with the court orders.

They currently occupy prime government properties in the high-security VVIP zone in Lucknow.

While Mulayam Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav occupy bungalows on the posh Vikramaditya Marg, Mayawati and Tiwari resides in a government bungalow on Mall Avenue. Home Minister Rajnath Singh's bungalow is at 4 Kalidas Marg next to the residence of the chief minister.

While Rajnath Singh had written to the department that he would be shifting in his own house, former chief ministers Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav were depending on SP MP Sanjay Seth, a known builder, to search for a house for them.

Rajnath Singh, a local MP, is going to live in his residence, on 200 square metre plot, at 3/206 Vipul Khand in Gomti Nagar, where last minute preparations like white washing and arrangements for security personnel are underway to welcome his family.

The notice could not be served to Tiwari as there was no responsible person available at his Mall Avenue residence and it was forwarded to him at other addresses, an Estate Department official said.

Mulayam Yadav, the Samajwadi Party founder, had met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath last week and given him a letter suggesting that 4 and 5 Vikramaditya Marg allotted to his son Akhilesh and himself be allocated to the leader of the opposition in the Assembly and the Legislative Council respectively.

While Ram Govind Chowdhury is the leader of opposition in the Assembly and Amhad Hasad is leader of opposition in Legislative Council. Both are trusted Samajwadi Party leaders.

Though the chief minister forwarded the letter to the estate officer, no decision had been taken on it yet.

"We have received Mulayam Yadav's letter but nothing has been decided on it. We have sent notices on May 17 to all former CMs following a SC order to vacate their houses in next 15 days," a senior officer of the Estate Department said.

According to SP leaders, Seth has been entrusted with the task of finding a new "suitable" house by Mulayam Yadav, while his son, Akhilesh Yadav, is on a tour of Madhya Pradesh. He is returning this evening.

As for former chief minister Kalyan Singh, there has been no communication from him but he is also likely to vacate the official accommodation, a source close the BJP leader said.

His grandson, Sandeep Singh, already has a government bungalow as he is a minister in the state government.

BSP chief Mayawati has received the notice but has not yet given any intimation about her future plans, the official said.

The apex court had early this month directed all former chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh to vacate their government bungalows.

The top court's order came on a PIL filed by NGO Lok Prahari following an amendment passed by the UP Assembly which allowed all the former chief ministers to occupy government bungalows for lifetime.

The apex court had on May 7 struck down the amendment to the legislation which allowed them to retain government accommodation even after demitting office, saying it violated the concept of equality.

The bench had said the amendment was "arbitrary, discriminatory" and violated the concept of equality and added that once such persons demit public office, there is nothing to distinguish them from the common man.

The NGO had challenged the amendments made by the erstwhile Akhilesh Yadav government to the UP Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1981.

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Its first batch of farm exports comprise yellow sweet potato, purple sweet potato, dragon fruit, dried fruits, and rice paper.

It follows joint efforts by the supermarket and farmers in provinces of Lam Dong and Binh Thuan and other places to meet the quality requirements of business partners.

Phidsanu Pongwatana, Managing Director of MM Mega Market Vietnam, said: As soon as we got the export licence, we moved quickly to understand the needs of our business partners in Thailand and look for domestic goods with a competitive edge that we can supply.

This does not only offer a richly diversified and competitive source of supply to the Big C system in Thailand, but can also help Vietnamese farmers bring their quality agricultural products to other countries in the region.

While dragon fruit is the main item in the consignment, it also has more than 45 tonnes of sweet potatoes.

The purchasing division in Thailand has said Vietnamese agricultural products have unique advantages, especially sweet potatoes, whose supply is reliable and offers high quality and safety standards.

Vietnamese farm products are therefore likely to see large orders and for long terms.

In addition to steady orders of over 100 tonnes a month, we are also working on exporting an average of 50 tonnes of frozen catfish filet a month, Pongwatana said.

He said the potential for Vietnamese exports looked great because of the 700-plus malls and supermarket distribution channel of Big C.

MM Mega Market Vietnams export strategy is built on a professional platform system and direct interaction with farmers to create a quality and diverse source of supply.

The company has three hubs, which it calls "platforms": for fruits and vegetables in Da Lat, for fish in Can Tho, and for pork in Dong Nai. A fruit hub is taking shape in Ben Tre.

These facilities, which also include warehouses, not only supply the companys 19-store domestic distribution system but also help provide quality products for exports.

Besides exporting, MM also provides technical assistance and market research to local exporters trying to reach the Thai market.

It helped export more than 1,200 tonnes of dragon fruit and several other agricultural products last year./.
Four persons died while six others were hospitalised after consuming spurious liquor, police said today.

Superintendent of Police Ratan Kant Pandey said, "The incident took place in Marauli village. The four persons had consumed the spurious liquor yesterday, and their death was reported today."



The four complained of nausea and blurred vision after consuming the spurious liquor.

"The symptoms suggested they had consumed spurious liquor," the SP said.

Police said nearly half a dozen villagers have been admitted to various hospitals including Lala Lajpat Rai (LLR) Hospital in Kanpur and district hospital in Kanpur Dehat.

The SP said one person has been arrested in this regard and investigation is on.

Police teams have been constituted to nab the culprits including Shyam Balak, who has been named in the FIR lodged with the rural police.

District Magistrate of Kanpur Dehat, Rakesh Singh has ordered a magisterial probe into the matter, an official said.

Samples of liquor have been collected and sent for testing.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced financial assistance of Rs two lakh each to the kin of the deceased, an official statement issued in Lucknow said.

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Union Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot today asked officials in Rajasthan to approach the Centre for opening hostels for students belonging to the SC/ST categories in districts emerging as hub.

Gehlot, the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, made the pitch while reviewing the implementation of various social welfare schemes in Rajasthan.

He told the officers concerned in the state to forward proposals to the central government for opening hostels for students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) categories in districts which are emerging as educational hub, according to a state government release.

"These hostels will help the students get more facilities along with the studies," Gehlot said, noting that Rajasthan has performed well as compared to other states in terms of construction of hostels for SC and ST students.

The minister said that some of the social welfare schemes run by the state government are so good that the Centre is also planning to start new programmes on their lines, according to the release.

Rajasthan's Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Arun Chaturvedi briefed Gehlot on the state government's schemes and informed him that online application system for the schemes has been put in place to bring transparency in the process.

Department's Additional Chief Secretary J C Mohanty and Director Sumit Sharma, among other officers, were present during the review meeting.

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Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) today registered its protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 before BJP president Amit Shah and urged the Centre not to go ahead with the Bill as it is a threat to the indigenous people and violates the clauses of Assam Accord.

The AGP is an ally of the BJP government in Assam.

AGP president and Agriculture Minister Atul Bora urged the BJP president at the third meet of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) here to take the sentiments of the local people into consideration and ensure the Bill is not passed.

A series of protests have rocked Assam over the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016, with locals fearing it would breach the clauses of the Assam Accord which states that all the illegal foreigners who came to the state after 1971 from Bangladesh, irrespective of their religion, have to be deported.

The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to make illegal migrants belonging to six communities -- Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians -- eligible for Indian citizenship after six years of residence in the country.

"We are strongly opposed to the Bill as it violates the clauses of the Assam Accord which was signed after six years of agitation in which 855 people had sacrificed their lives," Bora said.

The Assam Accord is the fruit of the six-year Assam agitation and we cannot let its clauses be violated, he said.

If the Bill is passed, it will '"threaten the identity of the indigenous people, change the demographic pattern of the state and there should be no division on the basis of religion", he pointed out.

"We hope Amit Shah-ji will realise the gravity of the situation that will result following the passing of the Bill, understand the sentiments of the people and not proceed with it in the interest of the indigenous population," he added.

Shah, however, made no mention of the Bill during his address at the NEDA convention.

Earlier in the day, KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi and his supporters were taken into custody while they were protesting against the Bill and was observing a 'Black Day' in protest against Shah's visit.

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Bill had recently visited Guwahati and Silchar to conduct public hearings on the views of public, political organisations and different organisations about the proposed amendment.

There has been strong protests against the Bill in the Brahmaputra Valley as it was feared that it would lead to widespread influx of Hindu Bangladeshis, thereby changing the demographic pattern of the state.

On the other hand, the Bill has been welcomed in the Barak Valley where it is alleged that many Hindu Bangladeshis have settled since the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.

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The GOC of the Army's Eastern Command Lt Gen Abhay Krishna today visited forward areas along Indo-Myanmar border and assessed Assam Rifles' operations there, Defence sources said here.

A visit by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to the Spear Corps Zone did not, however, materialise "due to unforeseen technical contingencies," a Defence release said.

Lt Gen Krishna, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, visited forward post at Lungwa along the international border between the two countries in Nagaland and the Assam Rifles sector headquarter at Tuensang as part of his visit to the Spear Corps Zone, the press release said.

Lt Gen Krishna, who also interacted with the locals at these places, was briefed "on ongoing operations by Assam Rifles commanders responsible for border management operations on the ground."



The commander, who was accompanied by General Officer Commanding of Spear Corps Lt Gen Gopal R, expressed satisfaction with the work being done by the Assam Rifles troops.

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BJP President Amit Shah today said improved relations with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan under Prime Minister Narendra Modi would transform the economy of the northeastern region, leading to higher growth.

"The Prime Minister's initiative to sign the Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh will lead to development in the region and within five to ten years the ports in the neighbouring country will carry goods produced in the northeast," he said.

The agreement will also open the Bangladesh market for products manufactured in the North East, the party president said.

Shah was addressing the third conclave of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) here, attended by six chief ministers of the region.

He charged that Assam and some states of the region, which had one of the highest growth rates in country during independence, had gone down drastically during the Congress rule, Shah said.

"It is Modi-ji who gave prime importance to the region, analysed and understood the problems and evolved ways to bring about development.

"If the states follow the measures initiated by the prime minister, there can be positive results and the North East can achieve a very high growth rate," he said.

During the last four years, the prime minister has taken measures to bring peace in the region, solve border disputes between nations and states and ensure corruption-free governments in the region.

"Modi has improved relations with Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar leading to peace in the region, secured the 5,000-kilometre long international border and initiated the Act East Policy, leading to greater economic ties with South East Asian countries," the BJP president said.

The NEDA, which comprises BJP and its allies in the region, has a big role to play in the implementation of the Act East Policy and transform the economy of the region, the BJP leader said.

"The people of the region have realised that it is the BJP government under the prime minister who can bring about development and transform the region," he said.

Earlier during Congress rule, corruption was rampant in the North East but now BJP and its allies have ensured that the region has moved away from "briefcase to development and will soon emerge as a large contributor to the nation's economy," Shah said.

The BJP government has taken special initiative to increase air, rail, road and IT connectivity in the North East.

The government has sanctioned 5300 km of road construction and road connectivity with Myanmar and Thailand has started, he said adding broad guage conversion is almost complete.

He said several initiaves to improve air connectivity in the region has been taken.

The prime minister has also ensured that bamboo be declared a grass so that the people in the region can earn their livelihood and the paper-making industry can benefit.

Shah accused successive Congress governments at the Centre of neglecting the North East and only using its elected representatives to ensure majority in Parliament.

But, he said the "BJP, both under Atal Behari Vajpayee and Modji, has acknowledged their rights and their importance in the national mainstream."



"NEDA has been formed not just as a political alliance but also as a geo-cultural alliance.

It is obvious that when political parties come together, there will be political alliances but we have come together to unite people, their language, heritage and culture inspite of their diversity," he added.

There are 217 tribes and 185 languages spoken in the region and "they are not our burden but our strength. The NEDA will strive to unite them and help develop the region."



The NEDA will also soon launch its youth and women's wing, the party president added.

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The has asked the Centre and states to expedite setting up of appellate authorities for aggrieved entities to appeal against orders of the Authority for Advance Rulings (AAR).

With AARs in different states started giving rulings since March, it has become imperative for the Centre as well as states to set up the Appellate Authority for Advance Ruling (AAAR), an official said.

"The Secretariat of the has shot off letters to the states as well as the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and (CBIC) to nominate members to the AAAR on an urgent basis so that they can start functioning," the official told PTI.

So far only 12 states, including West Bengal, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, have issued notifications for setting up AAARs. However, these have not become operational as the members have not yet been appointed.

As per the State GST law, the appellate authority will have two members-- the Chief Commissioner of Central tax as designated by CBIC and the Commissioner of State tax.

The appellate authority has been mandated to pass order within 90 days of the filing of appeal.

Under the GST (Goods and Services Tax) law, an aggrieved party can file an appeal against the order of the AAR within a period of 30 days, which may be further extended by a month.

As per the law, all states are required to set up at least one AAR for seeking advance ruling over GST levy and one appellate authority to hear appeals against the AAR order.

According to experts, the business entities, which are aggrieved by the decision of AAR, currently do not have any remedy in the absence of an appellate authority.

Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP Partner (Indirect Tax) M S Mani said businesses will not be able to file appeals against advance rulings unless the appellate authority is set up in every state.

"The recent increase in AAR decisions needs to be matched by a quick constitution of the appellate authority in all states. The constitution of the AAAR should also be on the lines of the CESTAT (Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal) and other appellate bodies and should not comprise only of tax officials, in order to achieve the objectives laid out for the AAAR," Mani said.

AMRG & Associates Partner Rajat Mohan said an inimitable feature of GST AAAR is that it is headed by a Chief Commissioner of Central tax and a Commissioner of State tax, such inequality in positions could imbalance the decision making authority towards the senior member.

"AAAR also faces the same impediments as AARs do, as decision-making body consists of two revenue officers only and no representation found on the bench from any officer from legal background thereby posing a severe disadvantage to taxpayers," Mohan said.
The finance ministry has mooted a proposal to transfer operational control of India Infrastructure Finance Corporation Limited (IIFCL) to Department of Economic Affairs as its nature of funding has changed.

Currently, IIFCL is under administrative control of Department of Financial Services, which also controls public sector banks and financial institutions.

"There is a Cabinet announcement that we will use this for funding the strategic and socially justifiable projects. That requires some restructuring of IIFCL," a senior finance ministry official told PTI.

"Since this kind of investment is basically is in the ambit of economic affairs, therefore this proposal is there to transfer the IIFCL to the Department of Economic Affairs," the official said.

The proposal to this effect was made in the Budget 2018-19.

"My ministry will leverage the India Infrastructure Finance Corporation Limited (IIFCL) to help finance major infrastructure projects, including investments in educational and health infrastructure, on strategic and larger societal benefit considerations," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said in the Budget speech.

Besides, the finance ministry has made a Budget proposal of Rs 100 crore capital infusion during the current fiscal, keeping in view the business programme and capital requirement.

IIFCL, a wholly-owned Government of India company, was set up in 2006 to provide long-term finance to viable infrastructure projects through a special purpose vehicle.

The sectors eligible for financial assistance from IIFCL are as per the harmonised list of infrastructure sub-sectors as approved by the government and as amended from time to time. These broadly include transportation, energy, water, sanitation, communication, social and commercial infrastructure as per the government mandate.

IIFCL has been registered as a NBFC-ND-IFC with RBI since September 2013.

The authorised and paid up capital of the company as on March 31, 2017 stood at Rs 6,000 crore and Rs 4,002 crore, respectively.

On a standalone basis, till March 31, 2017, IIFCL made cumulative gross sanctions of Rs 77,431 crore to 442 projects under direct lending and cumulative disbursements of Rs 55,966 crore. This include disbursements of Rs 6,256 crore under refinance and Rs 14,856 crore under Takeout Finance.

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Women in India are eager for the global media to cover more stories of sexual violence "survivors" who have been able to rebuild their lives as a more positive perspective, according to a new research-based project.

A new radio documentary titled 'BBC She: Badlein Nazariya (Change your viewpoint)' to be aired by BBC Hindi next week is based on conversations with young women from universities across India.

It found that women feel that media reports on brutal details of cases of sexual violence amplify the atmosphere of fear surrounding the issue rather than helping to resolve it.

As part of the special project, the UK-based organisation's Indian language services reached out to young women to find out what they want from media.

"BBC She is an inspiring project not only because of the great stories it brought up but also because it allowed us to listen so closely to women and to understand what they think of the way media cover subjects that matter to them," said Juliana Iootty, BBC World Service Asia Region Editor.

Led by the organisation's Delhi-based Women Affairs Journalist Divya Arya, the team spoke with young women at universities in six cities -- Patna, Vishakhapatnam, Coimbatore, Nagpur, Rajkot and Jalandhar -- in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati and Punjabi.

Arya, who anchored all six interactions at the universities, observes that women were clearly seeking "answers".

"They want us to show examples where police and judiciary have brought about speedy and effective investigation and justice, where rebellion has not led to a violent end and where perpetrators have had to suffer or pay the cost of their crimes," she said.

Far from wanting the media to paint a rosy picture where none exists, they seek in the coverage hope and positive examples that would help "open up" their lives rather than "restrict" them.

One students said: "The social boycott of rapists, the punishment they receive should be highlighted so it deters others from committing the crime. The media should not focus on what the woman was wearing or what she was doing (as they ask) their questions".

Women told that continuous, wall-to-wall coverage of rape discourages affected families who don't want victims' identities to be revealed from reporting such cases to the police. Although Indian law mandates that the identity of a rape victim be protected, women at the Magadh Mahila College in Patna believed that it wasn't always the case.

This emphasis on moving the focus of the coverage away from the victim was echoed by many other participants.

The women also expressed a similar observation about media coverage of not only rape but any other violence against women, saying that media limited themselves to reiterating the problem rather than focusing on what was being done or could be done to combat it.

The university students involved in the project insisted that highlighting positive or constructive examples could be more effective in bringing change, and that media did not do enough of that.

They shared their wish lists of themes they want media to report on. These include sexual harassment, often referred to as "eve-teasing" in India and cyber-stalking, substance abuse, gender-discriminatory rituals and barriers in accessing government schemes.

They also said they wanted more stories about women entrepreneurs.

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The Delhi Police said today that it has arrested four men for allegedly running an IPL betting racket in northeast Delhi's Gokalpuri area.

The police had received information that a few people were running the racket from Chand Bagh area. The police then began gathering more information before raiding the house from where the gang was operating.

Yesterday, the police raided the house in Chand Bagh area and found the accused jotting down bets on the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals, Atul Kumar Thakur, deputy commissioner of police (northeast), said.

The four accused - Rajesh Sharma (48), Azad (39), Arif alias Soni (24) and Mohd Salman (28) - were watching the match "live" on a big LCD screen in the house, Thakur said.

Eight mobile phones, an LCD TV, a laptop computer, two registers and slips were being used for betting. A stake amount of Rs 30,000 was also recovered from their possession, the DCP said.

During interrogation, the accused revealed that to earn easy money they started betting on IPL matches. They used to watch "live" IPL matches and note down bets using mobile phones. The cash was collected in advance as token money, he added.

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Iraq's Muqtada al-Sadr, the maverick Shiite cleric whose political coalition beat out Iran's favored candidates to come in first in national elections, says he wants to form a government that puts Iraqis first.

The electoral commission announced early yesterday that the militant-turned-populist preacher, who has long spoken out against both Iranian and US influence in Iraq, had defeated his establishment rivals.

Al-Sadr who is remembered for leading an insurgency against U.S. forces after the 2003 invasion did not run for a seat himself and is unlikely to become prime minister, but will command a significant number of seats and has already begun informal talks about government formation.

Salah al-Obeidi, a spokesman for al-Sadr's Sa'eroun political bloc, told The Associated Press that Iraq's sovereignty was going to be the new government's "guiding principle." "We warn any other country that wants to involve itself in Iraqi politics not to cross the Iraqi people," he said.

However, even as al-Sadr is in position to nominate a prime minister and set the political agenda for the next four years, he will find his choices limited by Iran. The Middle East's pre-eminent Shiite power has a direct line with some of Iraq's most powerful politicians, and it is trying to rally them as a bloc to undercut al-Sadr.

Al-Sadr's rise threatens Iran's claim to speak on behalf of Iraq's Shiite majority, a precedent that could fuel independent Shiite movements elsewhere. Also at stake are top ministerial posts political appointments that are a source of patronage and police and military power.

Al-Sadr himself has kept a relatively low public profile. But in a public relations move that appeared to be directed at Iran, he appeared on Thursday with rival cleric Ammar al-Hakim, who has drifted away from Iran's orbit in recent years, to say the two men share similar visions for the next government.

Tehran has dispatched its top regional military commander, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, to pull together a coalition to counterbalance al-Sadr, according to an Iraqi Shiite militia commander who is familiar with the meetings.

"Iran won't accept the creation of a Shiite bloc that is a threat to its interests. It's a red line," said the commander, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions.

Al-Sadr's relationship with Iran is a complicated one. Though he has maintained close ties with Iran's political and religious leadership, in recent years he has denounced the flow of Iranian munitions to Shiite militias in Iraq, all the while maintaining his own so-called Peace Brigades in the holy city of Samarra, north of Baghdad.

Al-Sadr's former Mehdi Army militia, which spearheaded an insurgency against the U.S., clashed violently with the Iran-backed Badr Organization last decade.

The militias plugged the gaps left by Iraq's army as soldiers deserted their posts in the face of the Islamic State group's lightning campaign in the summer of 2014. With direction from Iran's Revolutionary Guard, they turned the tide against the initial advance. In the years that followed, the militias coordinating with U.S.-backed Iraqi ground forces slowly pushed IS fighters back. Iraq declared victory over the group last year.

Al-Sadr has said he wants the militias absorbed into the national security forces, a move Iran would find difficult to accept.

Iran is also rankled by al-Sadr's recent overtures to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which are locked in proxy wars with Tehran in Syria and Yemen. Al-Sadr met with the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi in August, leading Iran's hard-line Keyhan newspaper to accuse al-Sadr of "selling himself" to the house of Saud.

It is unlikely al-Sadr can pull together a governing coalition without Iran-aligned political groups, which have the votes to form their own alliance that could challenge al-Sadr's right to name a prime minister.

An electoral alliance of the militias called Fatah, headed by Hadi al-Amiri, the commander of the Badr Organization, won just seven seats fewer than al-Sadr's bloc. Sa'eroun won 54 seats in Iraq's 329-seat national assembly, a far cry from the 165 required to claim a majority.

The militias control the powerful Interior Ministry in the outgoing government and will expect a similar position of influence in the new one. Al-Sadr seems inclined to woo incumbent Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is seen as a centrist when it comes to Iranian and U.S. interests, and who appears to be wavering between al-Sadr and al-Amiri.

But Tehran still holds considerable sway with al-Abadi's al-Nasr bloc, which includes several Iran-aligned figures, including one newly minted deputy who has come under U.S. sanctions for allegedly financing Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Iran's political allies in Iraq will try to pressure those figures into deserting al-Abadi and collapsing an al-Sadr alliance if the formulation is not to Tehran's liking, said a Western diplomat who has been speaking to the sides involved.

The diplomat spoke on the condition of anonymity because of media regulations.

That gives Iran and al-Abadi leverage over al-Sadr to moderate his positions on the militias and Iran.

Hanging above the talks is the implied threat by all sides to mobilize their followers and militias if they feel they are being shortchanged. The collective effect could be to push al-Sadr's bloc toward a broader governing coalition that would dilute his reform agenda.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)




Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong said that the event is part of important activities to take place in Japan in 2018 in celebration of the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

Besides Tokyo, the Vietnam Festival will be organised in other localities across Japan, including Fukuoka, Aichi, Osaka, Kanagawa, and Saitama, within this year, Cuong added.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda expressed his delight at the development of the two countries relations, while hoping that the friendship will be strengthened to meet aspirations.

Deputy head of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association Motoyoshi Ryoikichi told the Vietnam News Agency that the bilateral ties are in a flourishing period.

There are around 240,000 Vietnamese people living in Japan, a tenfold increase compared with the figure five years ago.

The Vietnam festival was first held in Japan in September 2008, becoming the biggest-ever festival of Vietnam held in the country, attracting 150,000 visitors in just three days.

Since then, the festival has been organised annually and become the largest cultural exchange event between the two countries.

This years event has 120 pavilions, including 60 cuisine ones, and 50 others introducing the image of Vietnamese land and people and Vietnamese goods, along with art performances.

The two-day festival is expected to attract over 150,000 visitors./.
: Actor and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan today hit out at the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) saying it had failed on all fronts, including securing special category status for Andhra Pradesh.

On the SCS issue, it was only the Jana Sena that had been 'sincerely' fighting for the cause whereas Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had done countless flip-flops, he said, addressing a public meeting at Itchapuram in the district.

"One day he says there is no use of SCS and then says it is not a panacea. But now he demands SCS since we have been consistently fighting for it," Kalyan said.

The Jana Sena leader also charged that Naidu was not able to get anything done from the centre because of his 'fear' of the BJP.

"Why does he fear the BJP so much...Only God knows the secret," he said adding Naidu was now blaming the centre for everything only to cover up his 'failures.'



Kalyan said he had supported the TDP-BJP combine in the 2014 assembly elections in the hope that they would do good to the state that had just been divided.

The TDP came to power in 2014 only with the active support of Jana Sena, he added.

"However, our hopes were belied. Chandrababu Naidu, who claims to have a rich political experience of four decades, completely failed the people of the state. He only succeeded in making AP the second most corrupt state in the country," he alleged.

He charged that the TDP government had failed on all fronts, except in corruption.

"Sand mafia is ruling the roost in the state while public money is being lavishly splurged by the powers-that- be," he said.

The Chief Minister had been globe-trotting on the pretext of signing MoUs worth lakhs of crores of rupees but in reality nothing has come to the state so far, the Jana Sena chief alleged.

Kalyan was also critical of the YSR Congress saying it failed to be an effective opposition.

He said the party will contest in all the 175 seats in next year's Assembly elections and hoped to come to power.

"I apologise for not having contested the 2014 elections but in 2019 we will contest all the 175 seats and come to power. It will be a people's government that will usher in a new era of change," Kalyan added.

Earlier, Kalyan launched the "Jana Sena Porata Yatra" from Kaviti in the district.

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Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan today met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here during which they discussed the political situation in the country in the light of post-poll developments in Karnataka.

The 40-minute luncheon meeting held at Bolgatty palace was also attended by CPI(M) Kerala secretariat member P Rajeev, sources said.

They discussed the prevailing political situation in the country, particularly in view of the developments in Karnataka, where "secular parties" joined hands to prevent the BJP from assuming power, the sources added.

Emerging from the meeting, Haasan, the Makkal Needhi Maiam founder, said he met the senior CPI(M) leader to invite him to a programme to be organised by his party in Coimbatore in mid-June.

Plans for the programme would be charted out based on the availability of the Kerala chief minister, he said.

Talking to reporters, Haasan hailed the CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala, which completed two years in office.

The actor, who launched his party earlier this year, had met the Kerala chief minister in Thiruvananthapuram last year.

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A day after BJP leader B S



Yeddyurappa stepped down as Karnataka chief minister without facing a floor test in the Assembly, actor Rajinikanth today said the development in the neighbouring state was a victory for democracy.

"According to the Constitution, majority should be proved in the assembly, the Congress-JD(S) is going to do it, and I see this as a victory for democracy," he told reporters in reply to a question on the assembly elections in Karnataka and its outcome.

Dubbing as "farcical" the time of 15 days given by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala to Yeddyurappa to prove his majority, the Tamil superstar, who is set to enter politics, said that it should not have been done.

"Hats off to the Supreme Court which gave a good ruling," he said, apparently referring to the apex court asking the BJP to take the floor test to prove its majority in the House on Saturday.

After a meeting with the women's wing functionaries of Rajini Makkal Mandram (Rajini people's forum), the actor said the verdict of the Supreme Court on the Cauvery issue should be implemented in letter and spirit.

Asked what he felt the Congress-JD(S) coalition should do on the river water issue as the alliance would assume power shortly, he said, "Whatever the Supreme Court has said must be implemented and it is their (Karnataka's) duty."



"It is my humble opinion that it will be good if the control over the dams (in Karnataka) is with the (proposed) Cauvery authority," he said.

Anticipating "government intervention" in the authority that has been mooted, he said, "Let us see what happens in due course."



To a query if his frequent meetings with functionaries were as per the plan for the launch of his party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, he said, "It can be said that is the plan... we will be ready."



There was a huge response from women followers and it made him very happy, he said, adding that "success is sure" for his upcoming political innings since women in large numbers supported him.

The 67-year-old political aspirant said women would be given priority in his party.

To a report which stated that support for him was strong in about 150 constituencies in Tamil Nadu, he said, "If that report is true I am happy.

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The Delhi Minorities Commission (DMC) has issued notices to the police and a resident welfare association (RWA) here, seeking reports about the alleged assault on a Kashmiri woman and her relatives earlier this month.

The commission's chairman, Zafarul Islam Khan, said notices have been issued in the recent incident in southeast Delhi's Siddhartha Extension to the police and the locality's RWA.

On May 10 night, the victims, including four women, were allegedly surrounded and roughed up by a mob of around 30 to 40 people.

A police case was registered following a complaint from one of the women.

The police also registered a case against the victims' family members on a complaint by residents of the locality.

Khan, during his visit to the area, met the victims and locals, and also spoke to the police officer concerned.

A video of the incident had surfaced leading to reaction from different quarters.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had spoken to her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal about the incident.

The woman in her complainant had alleged that they were targeted because of their Kashmiri origin.

The Delhi Police Commissioner, however, had told the Home secretary that the incident was a local issue involving feeding of dogs and was not related to origin of the woman.

Khan said the RWA members have been directed to desist from making unfounded allegations against the woman.

Four men -- Kalyan, a security guard, and three locals, SN Pandey, RK Chopra and Anil Lath -- were arrested by the police on the basis of the CCTV footage collected from the area in connection with the incident.

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The signature of Vishal Jangotra, an accused in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in in January, does not match the one which he claimed to have signed in an exam attendance sheet in Meerut to claim he was not at the crime scene, according to a report of forensic experts.

The report by the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL), detailing this conclusion, has been submitted to the crime branch of and Kashmir police, according to officials in the probe team.

The crime branch, meanwhile, issued notices to all the three friends of Vishal for appearing before it for questioning tomorrow after the gave a go ahead on May 17 for their further examination.

The officials said the report has stated that Vishal had not put the signature on the attendance sheet and it was done by someone else.

Vishal, one of the eight accused arrested in the case for raping and murdering the girl from the minority nomadic community, had claimed that he was in Meerut and had never visited when the crime was committed. He had also told the investigators that he had signed the attendance sheet before the examination on January 15.

The crime branch had sent the attendance sheet to CFSL for having an opinion as the probe indicated that the signatures appeared to have been made by some friend of Vishal as his train from to Meerut was late and he had reached Meerut after the examination was over, officials said.

The "Questioner of Examined Documents" (QED), who is an expert on examination of handwriting samples, opined that the signatures on the attendance sheet did not match with that of Vishal, son of Sanji Ram, the alleged mastermind of the murder, the officials said.

The crime branch has already expanded its investigations into the gang rape and murder case to nail the people who had signed an attendance register on behalf of Vishal at the Meerut college.

Police wanted to again question his three friends -- Sachin, Neeraj and Sahil -- but they had approached the earlier this month alleging harassment by the crime branch.

The apex court on May 17 refused to come to their rescue and directed them to appear before the crime branch but said in its order that "a relative of each of the witnesses shall be allowed to accompany him, but the said relative shall not enter into the investigation room. However, he shall remain at a reasonably visible distance."



While making this concession, the apex court made it clear that these directions "should not remotely be inferred that there is any kind of harassment by the investigating agency".

The officials said that the three would be questioned tomorrow and all the directions of the apex court would be adhered to.

The officials suspected that someone from the university had allowed Vishal to write his answer sheet after the examination was over on January 15 as his train had reached late from The officials also alleged that the accused had deliberately visited an ATM and was seen looking at the camera to create an alibi for himself.

In its charge sheet, the crime branch had mentioned that some officials of the university had allegedly received "huge amount at kickback from accused Sanji Ram".

"The aspect needs further investigation as records are to be collected from concerned college and university....after conducting further investigation supplementary charge sheet will shall follow," the charge sheet had said.

Vishal is among eight people who have been charge sheeted by the crime branch in the rape and murder of the girl. The charge sheet also claimed that Sanji Ram, who has been termed as the main conspirator, had planned the kidnapping of the girl only to drive away nomads from the region.

The crime branch has alleged in the charge sheet that Vishal had tried to create an alibi of his absence from the crime scene by allegedly "resorting to manipulation of records and creation of false evidence with the connivance and assistance of his father Sanji Ram".

Vishal, who is pursuing his bachelor of agriculture course from a college in Meerut, has been charged by the crime branch of raping and helping in the murder of the minor girl along with a juvenile (main accused and a relative of Sanji Ram) and special police officer Deepak Khajuria alias Deepu. The girl was kidnapped on January 10 and her body was recovered on January 17. She was murdered on January 14 and her body had been dumped in the jungles.

The juvenile, whose bail plea has been rejected by the concerned court last month, is the main accused in the kidnapping and sexually assaulting the girl.

The crime branch had put its investigations on hold and was awaiting an order of which had been petitioned by the victim's side for shifting the trial from Kathua and the accused side pleading for handing over the investigation to the CBI.

In its May 7 order, the apex court said "the pivotal fact around which the controversy centres is the abduction, rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl. An FIR was lodged at Hiranagar Police Station, Kathua...The investigating agency, namely, the Crime Branch, which took over the investigation on January 22, 2018, from the local police has already filed the charge sheet on April, 9 in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kathua in the State of Jammu and Kashmir".

However, the court did not say anything about handing over the case to the CBI and transferred the case to District and Sessions judge at Pathankot in Punjab, 30 km from Kathua.
Kerala is targeting up to 15 per cent growth in number of tourist arrivals in 2018 as it undertakes a slew of initiatives to hard sell the state as a preferred tourist destination, a senior government official said.

Kerala witnessed overall growth of 10.94 per cent in number of tourist arrivals to the state in 2017. Domestic tourists rose by 11.39 per cent, while the number of foreign tourists rose by 5.1 per cent for the year.

"We are looking at an overall growth of up to 15 per cent in total number of tourist arrivals to the state in 2018. We are looking at a growth of 15 per cent rise in domestic tourists and 10 per cent rise in foreign tourist arrivals," Kerala Tourism Director P Balakiran told PTI.

The state has framed an action plan under the Tourism Policy, which was published last year to project Kerala as a 365 days destination, he added.

"Earlier we were predominantly a winter destination, now we want to make it a year long destination. Secondly now most tourists come to South Kerala circuit... we want to start a new tourism circuit in North Kerala," Balakiran said.

Another strategy that the Kerala Tourism is planning to undertake is to promote the state as an adventure and activity destination as now it is mainly seen as a leisure destination, he added.

"We are also betting big time on MICE tourism," Balakiran said.

On being asked about the main source states for domestic visitors to Kerala, he added traditionally they have been Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, AP, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal.

"But Kerala has been getting very high growth from three new source markets -- Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh," Balakiran said.

On the international source markets, he said traditionally they have been countries in Western Europe such as the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Ireland.

"Of late, we have seen tremendous growth from three different areas -- the US and Canada, the Middle East and South East Asia," Balakiran said.

About the initiatives the government is taking, Balakiran said: "We do aggressive marketing internationally and in India through road shows, participation in trade fairs. We also do familiarisation trips, and marketing through TV, radio and digital mediums."



The state has developed several action and water-based activities for the adventure enthusiasts including trekking, paragliding, river rafting, kayaking and river cruising, he added.

Tourism sector constitutes around 10 per cent of Kerala's GDP and contributes around 11.19 per cent to the direct employment in the state.

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Joining issue with actor Rajinikanth over his comments on release of Cauvery water by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy today invited him to come to the state and see the situation for himself, after which he would change his stand.

"If there is water in Karnataka it is possible for us to give them water. I request Rajinikanth, please come and see the situation in our dams, what has happened to our farmers. After seeing that, if you (Rajinikanth) still want water, let's discuss," Kumaraswamy said.

He was responding to a question about the reported statement by the actor-politician in Chennai asking the new government in Karnataka to release to Tamil Nadu its share of Cauvery river water as mandated by the Supreme Court verdict.

"... on seeing the situation here, I think he (Rajinikanth) will change his stand," the JD(S) leader told reporters here.

Kumaraswamy is all set to take over as the Karnataka Chief Minister on May 23.

As the leader of Congress-JD(S) joint legislature party, he was yesterday invited by Governor Vajubhai Vala to form the government, following the fall of three-day-old BJP government with the resignation of B S Yeddyurappa as Chief Minister.

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Sri Lanka's Finance Minister today came down heavily on the family of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, accusing it of trying to grab power once again by misleading the public.

Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the brother of the former strongman, may contest the next presidential election due in 2020.

He was the powerful defence ministry secretary during his brother Mahinda's nearly 10-year rule which was ended by President Maithripala Sirisena.

Gotabhaya last week gave a public policy lecture seen as an attempt to announce his candidature. Mahinda cannot run to be the president again.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said: "Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who could be considered as the most corrupt and dangerous public officer ever appointed in this country is now talking like a child after rebirth".

"Instead of proving his innocence before courts against such charges, he has retained lawyers to obtain anticipatory bail. It is crystal clear that Rajapaksa siblings have been endeavouring to grab ruling power once again by misleading the public," he alleged in a statement.

Samaraweera has alleged that Gotabhaya was responsible for attacking journalists and disappearing them while engaging in other corrupt deals.

He charged that Gotabhaya was responsible for the international isolation of Sri Lanka based on human rights accountability.

The next presidential election must be called by November 2019. Since Mahinda is disqualified to run for a third term, three of his brothers Gotabhaya, Basil and Chamal are thought to be in the fray.

Gotabhaya's action to crush the LTTE's 30-year military campaign has made him a favourite among the Sinhala majority.

However, he is a dual American and Sri Lankan national which will be an obstacle to contest unless he renounced the US citizenship.

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A six-member committee, constituted by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal earlier this month, is likely to regulate the installation of CCTV cameras in private and government buildings in the national capital, a source has said.

The committee, headed by Delhi Principal Secretary (Home) Manoj Parida, is currently in the process of preparing the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the installation and monitoring of CCTV cameras across the city.

Parida is likely to convene a second meeting of the panel next week. The first meeting was held on May 11, ignoring the Delhi government's objection. The AAP dispensation has termed the committee as "illegal and unconstitutional".

A senior government official said that the committee was also working on modalities for the installation of CCTV cameras in private buildings to ensure that privacy of any individual was not "disturbed".

"The committee is seeking suggestions from experts and all stakeholders to prepare common framework for installation and monitoring of CCTV cameras in the city.

"In other countries, there are common SOP for CCTV cameras. The government will ensure that the privacy of any individual is not disturbed due to CCTV cameras installed in private and government buildings," the official said.

According to the order setting terms and reference of the committee, the use of surveillance camera system should not be permitted to become a "tool to violate" privacy of individuals which is considered to be a fundamental right.

The panel is likely to submit its report to the Lt Governor on June 8.

Recently, Delhi PWD Minister Satyendar Jain had expressed concern about the possible framework for private buildings to install CCTV cameras.

It comes at a time when the AAP dispensation is planning to install around 1.46 lakh CCTV cameras in about 1,000 schools run by the Delhi government.

Recently, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his cabinet colleagues and AAP MLAs sat on a dharna near the Lieutenant Governor's office, requesting him not to stall the government's ambitious CCTV project at the "behest of BJP" through the committee.

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Director Luc Besson, known for movies like "Leon: The Professional," and "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets", has been reported to police on an accusation of raping a woman in France.

The complaint was filed by a young female actor at a Paris police station on Friday.

The actor, who worked with Besson on two films, told Variety that the incident, which she described as a "violent sexual assault," happened on May 10, following a meeting with the filmmaker at the Bristol Hotel near the Champs Elysees in Paris.

Besson has "flatly" denied the allegations.

His attorney said in a statement: "Mr Besson fell from his chair when he learned of these accusations, which he flatly denies."



French police are reportedly investigating the claim, and Besson has not been formally charged.

French radio station Europe 1 was the first to report the filing of the complaint.

Besson is currently working on "Anna", a film starring Russian actress Sasha Lane in the title role, as well as Helen Mirren and Cillian Murphy.

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In the late leaders hometown at Sen village, Kim Lien commune, Nam Dan district of the central province of Nghe An, the Le hoi Lang Sen (Sen Village Festival) took place from May 16th-19th to express the local peoples love and respect for the leader.

The festival, which is held every year on the occasion of the Presidents birthday, included diverse activities such as the screening of documentary films and a photo exhibition on the President, and a singing contest involving 600 artists.

Meanwhile at the Nha Rong port in Ho Chi Minh City, where Ho Chi Minh boarded a ship to begin his journey to seek a way to savage the country in 1911, an exhibition was held, showcasing nearly 200 photos and documents highlighting President Ho Chi Minhs role in patriotic emulation movements.

The President issued an appeal on patriotic emulation on June 11th, 1948, starting long-term and large-scale emulation drives across the fields in the cause of national construction and defence.

It gave visitors an insight of the current patriotic emulation campaigns in association with the campaign to study and follow President Ho Chi Minhs moral example.

The exhibition also introduced Ho Chi Minh Citys achievements and outstanding figures throughout patriotic emulation movements.

Also on May 19th, nearly 13,000 people paid tribute to the late President at Duc Thanh school historical relic site at Ho Chi Minh Museum in the south central province of Binh Thuan. President Ho Chi Minh, known as Nguyen Tat Thanh then, spent about one year teaching at Duc Thanh school from 1910 to early 1911.

More than 120 photos and items were displayed at the museum to highlight the Ho Chi Minh ideology on revolutionary ethics along with exemplary models in the campaign on studying and following the late leaders moral example.

At the same time, in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, an exhibition of 50 posters on patriotic emulation campaigns was open to visitors in Hue city. The posters were chosen from 492 works of 204 painters across the country sent to a contest on the occasion of the 70-year of President Ho Chi Minhs call for patriotic emulation in 1948.

President Ho Chi Minh (1890-1969), was the founder of the Communist Party of Vietnam. He laid the foundation and led the Vietnamese revolution to victory in the 20th century with the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945./.
An 18-year-old girl and a man were gunned down allegedly by her brother in the name of "honour" in Pakistan's Sindh province, police said today.

The two were shot dead with a Kalashnikov automatic rifle in Jacobabad city yesterday, Dawn reported.

The suspect committed the crime over suspicion of an illicit relationship between his sister and his 20-year-old close relative Allah Bakhsh Dahani, senior police officer Jan Muhammad Soomro said.

Police registered a murder case and arrested him.

The suspect confessed that he killed them for "honour", police said.

His father and an unknown person were also named in the case.

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

Eight cases of "honour killings" were registered in Jacobabad - the highest in any district of Sindh over the nine months up to March, the report quoted a recent government study.

A total of 1,643 cases of various types of violent acts - from honour killing to custody of children and maintenance - have been filed by women across the province since July last year, the report added.

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A Maoist leader has been arrested from Aurangabad district of Bihar during a police raid, a senior officer said.

Acting on a tip-off, a special police team nabbed the self-styled commander of CPI(Maoist) yesterday near a brick kiln in the district, Superintendent of Police Satya Prakash said.

"We received information that around a dozen Maoists, under the leadership of their leader Vipin Sharma, have gathered in the area for a meeting. Three special teams were immediately constituted to carry out the raid. One of the teams managed to arrest the Maoist leader," he said, adding that the other rebels managed to escape into a nearby forest.

The arrested leftwing extremist has been identified as Sarju Ram, a resident of Banahi village in Pouthu police station area of the district, the SP said.

Ram, a history-sheeter, has several criminal cases filed against him in Goh and Bandeya police stations.

A country-made carbine, a modifier, two live cartridges and Rs 880 in cash were recovered from the Maoist leader's possession, the officer added.

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A Mumbai-based jeweller, who created a hijack scare onboard a Jet Airways flight in October last year, has become the first person to be put on the 'National No Fly List', eight months after it was unveiled.

Incidentally, he was also the first to be booked under the stringent Anti-Hijacking Act which had replaced the vintage law of 1982.

Birju Kishore Salla (37) was arrested in October last year by the crime branch following the emergency landing made by the Mumbai-Delhi Jet Airways plane at the Ahmedabad airport after the pilot was alerted about a note about hijackers and a bomb which was found in the plane's washroom by a cabin crew.

"Mr Salla, the guy who had created the hijack scare in a Jet Airways flight last year, is the first person to be put on the no fly list," a senior DGCA official said confirming the development.

The then Union Civil Aviation Minister, Ashok Gajapathi Raju, had advised airlines to put him on the no-fly list, in addition to other statutory criminal action.

Under the revised civil aviation requirement (CAR), a passenger can be considered to be placed under three categories of unruly behaviour, with category three bearing the harshest punishement.

Salla has been placed under the third category.

It says that if a passenger's behaviour is considered life threatening like affecting the safety of the aircraft then he or she can be banned for up to two years or more.

Unruly behaviour is probed by an internal committee set up by every domestic airline under the chairmanship of a retired District and Sessions judge.

Its members are from different scheduled airlines and passenger associations, consumer associations and retired officials of the consumer dispute redressal forum.

Salla is a multi-millionaire jeweller having his office in the Zaveri Bazar area of Mumbai and a flat in a posh locality of the metropolis.

The note, placed by Salla, stated that there were hijackers and a bomb in the cargo area.

He had confessed to preparing the note, hoping the threat could make Jet Airways close operation in Delhi and his girlfriend, who works in the airlines Delhi office, comes back to Mumbai.

According to the crime branch, the note was a printed note in Urdu and English, asking that the plane be flown straight to POK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir). It ended with the words, "Allah is Great". The reference to POK made investigators suspicious because Pakistan-based terrorists call the area 'Azad Kashmir'.

According to the DGCA, it is the responsibility of Jet Airways now to inform other airlines about the grounding of this particular passenger under the CAR. The DGCA will continue to maintain database of such passengers.

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Experts in water conservation from across the country will deliberate on ways to rejuvenate the Krishnariver at the maiden national convention of the Indian Water Council (IWC) here on May 22.

The 'National Convention on Rejuvenation of the Krishna River', IWC's first event, will see participation of over 300 delegates of government organisations from various states and NGOs, including Rajendra Singh, known as 'Waterman of India', Telangana Water Resources Development Corporation Chairman V Prakash Rao told reporters here.

The Indian Water Council was formed last month in Rajasthan.

Rao said the state government has started an initiative to rejuvenate the river by involving government organisations from Krishna river basin states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana and several NGOs.

"There are plans to take up several works in the next 10 years to rejuvenate the river and the convention is the first step towards this," he said.

Delegates would deliberate on various issues and chalk out an action plan to take the matter forward, he said.

Among focus areas for discussions would be arresting flow of pollutants into the river, creating awareness among farmers to avoid taking up paddy crop, besides issues of over extraction and encroachments, Prakash said.

"There are plans for afforestation and to set up committees in villages to create awareness among people and farmers on ways to recharge ground water along Krishna and do all this by involvingdifferent organisations, including NGOs like Indian Water Council, Walk for Water, Jal Biradari," he added.

Telangana Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao will address the inaugural session, while state IT and Industries Minister K T Rama Rao will speak at the concluding session.

Prakash said efforts are on to apply for membership of the World Water Council. Once it was done, Telangana would be the first state in India to become its member, he said.

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Rafael Nadal closed in on an eighth Rome Masters title as he dismissed old rival Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 to reach the final for a record-extending 10th time.

The Spanish top seed will meet second-seeded holder Alexander Zverev, a 7-6 (15/13) 7-5 winner over Australian Open finalist Marin Cilic yesterday.

His impressive win over Djokovic will give Nadal added confidence ahead of the French Open, where he has won a record 10 titles.

Nadal, still unbeaten in semi-finals at the Foro Italico, unleashed a trademark clay-court attack after winning a tight first set lasting well over an hour in his 51st meeting with old rival Djokovic.

"I need to be able to play my best tomorrow," Nadal said of his Sunday final.

"I'm very happy with my game. It all worked for me, the tactics, the shots."



"To play against Novak you always have to play at the limit of your game with a high intensity and understand well the tactics you want to play."



The 31-year-old world number two cut the deficit in his head-to-head series with Djokovic to 26-25 since they first faced off in 2006.

But the Serb complained afterwards about poor scheduling which affected his preparation, playing a late-afternoon quarter-final on Friday before returning to court on yesterday mid-afternoon.

"I don't want to seem like I'm complaining about losing the match because of the schedule. But having to end at night and coming back to play early in the day affects a lot," he said.

"Nobody has ever, ever reached me in my entire career to ask me about what I think would be the best scheduling. I don't think that is fair, we will address it in the next players' council."



Djokovic has rediscovered his form this week after months of elbow injury problems, including an operation earlier this year.

He can also feel his confidence increasing.

"I don't think there was that much of a difference, which is great for me. Winning the tie-break was for him a great wind in his back.

"Rafa was just better in the important moments, played the better shots. He deserved to win "I haven't had many breaks in the last period, so I'm pleased by how I've played in the last days. I hope Roland Garros can be the continuation."



Nadal now stands 10-8 over Djokovic in semi-finals, with the pair having played each other at all four Grand Slam tournaments, the ATP Finals, Davis Cup, the Olympic Games along with eight of the nine Masters 1000 events.

Nadal took 73 minutes to win the opening set after leading 5-2.

But to take the early lead, the top seed had to avoid being reeled in by Djokovic.

Djokovic, a four-time Rome winner and former world number one, battled back to 5-5 with a break of the Spaniard before the set went to a tie-break, which Nadal took on the first of two set points with a backhand winner down the line.

Nadal earned a 2-1 lead in the second set with another break of Djokovic and never lost control.

The top seed kept his nose ahead until the end, winning on his second match point as he fired another untouchable backhand.

Zverev will aim for an upset of Nadal as well as a claycourt Masters double after winning Madrid last weekend.

The 21-year-old German will be playing his fifth final in the last 10 Masters events -- he won Rome and Montreal in 2017 and played the Miami final this season.

Yesterday's win over Cilic extended his current win streak to 13 matches while he has 30 match wins in total in 2018.

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There is a need to implement stringent guidelines for treatment and monitoring of waste discharged from pharmaceutical industries, experts have said and asserted that plants are not adequately equipped to treat antibiotic content in the discharges.

According to them, surveillance and monitoring of these plants is virtually non-existent.

The experts have said that the government urgently needs to adopt an anti-microbial resistance(AMR)-centric approach to waste management by treating active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) as a "critical" chemical contaminant and that the existing laws need to be strengthened to introduce proper environmental standards.

According to Banwari Lal, Senior Director, The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI), pharmaceutical wastes are generated during manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and formulations.

In 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration approved about 10,000 pharmaceuticals with up to 3,000 ingredients for usage and are regularly applied by humans. Most common sources of pharmaceutical wastes into environment include disposal by patients and hospitals, livestock feed additives, agricultural wastes due to veterinary use, API and formulation industries, he said.

Extensive usage and improper disposal of pharmaceutical drugs cause spreading of multi-drug resistant microbes, he noted.

In India, effluent generated from these industries are treated as per the pharmaceutical waste water discharge guidelines prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

He said the current standards unfortunately do not include antibiotic residues, and thus they are not monitored in the pharmaceutical industry effluent while there is also no consensus guidelines on the antibiotic residue discharge limits in industrial waste even outside India.

"There is a need to implement stringent guidelines in treatment and monitoring of waste discharge from pharmaceutical industries. Best available technology including advanced next generation methods need to be adopted by pharmaceutical industries to tackle the pharmaceutical waste management issue," Lal said.

He pointed out that companies should ensure that every level of the antibiotics supply chain must priorities environmental management.

"In particular, the factories supplying intermediates or APIs must be required to prove that they are committed to clean production throughout the manufacturing process.

"Moreover, pharmaceutical companies need to work with governments to encourage and support a tougher stance on law enforcement in developing counties," he said.

Rajeshwari Sinha, programme officer, food safety and toxins programme, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said that the Indian Environment Ministry classifies pharmaceutical manufacturing as a "red category" activity, due to the hazardous nature of the waste produced.

This is in sharp contrast to the drive to boost the Indian bulk drug industry by establishing manufacturing zones since 2015, she said.

The Indian pharmaceutical industry is the fastest growing segment in the economy and globally contributes to 80 per cent of the drugs produced, alongside China.

"There is increasing evidence from multiple studies conducted by several researchers as well as entities like Nordea that have recently explored the impacts of pollution from pharmaceutical production sites and supply chains on India's burgeoning AMR problem, vis--vis the creation of 'hotspots', especially around manufacturing sites pharmaceutical hubs like Hyderabad (Telangana)," Sinha said.

She said the existing waste treatment plants are not adequately equipped to adequately treat the antibiotic content in the discharges.

"Surveillance and monitoring of these plants is virtually non-existent. The current effluent standards do not consider active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) as contaminants and remain limited to chemical contaminants like heavy metals.

"However, with the release of the Indian Strategic National Action Plan on AMR, there is increased momentum. The environment regulators are working on addressing this issue," she said.

The Indian government urgently needs to adopt an AMR-centric approach to waste management by treating APIs as a critical chemical contaminant, she said.

"The existing laws need to be strengthened to introduce proper environmental standards and ensure that there is no-very limited presence of any APIs in effluent. Small-scale manufacturers must be supported in the installation and implementation of environmentally sound waste treatment and disposal processes.

"Those with high-end treatment plants must be strictly monitored and the state pollution control boards must conduct surveillance of antibiotic residues in effluent. Related data must be made publicly available in order to increase awareness around the severe health and environmental impacts of pharmaceutical pollution," she added.

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Nepal will close the Indian Embassy's field office in the near future as it has "outlived its purpose", Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli has said.

India was permitted to set up the temporary field office in 2008 to issue passes to vehicles for plying on Indian roads in the bordering regions after Koshi floods severely damaged a 17-km stretch of the east-west highway.

Initially set up in the eastern Sunsari district, it was later shifted to the nearby Biratnagar city, about 375 kms from here, along the Koshi Highway.

Speaking at the first parliamentary party meeting of the newly-formed Nepal Communist Party here, party's co-chairman Oli said The office would be removed as it had "outlived its purpose".

After repair of the damaged portion of the highway, Nepal had asked India to shut down the camp office but the Indian side did not comply.

The Indian flag was hoisted on the office building while India started distributing scholarships and got involved in various social activities using the facility, the Kathmandu Post reported.

India in 2014 sought the government's permission to establish a Consulate General Office in Biratnagar by upgrading the field office, the report said.

The Nepali government had tried to remove the field office six years ago when then Maoist leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha was the foreign minister.

In 2011, then Baburam Bhattarai-led government issued two diplomatic notes to New Delhi seeking removal of the office, according to officials.

"The prime minister's statement suggests that there is no need for such field offices in a small country," Communist Party of Nepal leader Janardan Sharma was quoted as saying by the Post.

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Former US Secretary of State John Kerry today warned that "true civil discourse" is under threat around the world while speaking to graduates at NYU Abu Dhabi, an event that the school blocked journalists from filming.

While obliquely criticising President Donald Trump, Kerry did not mention the 2015 Iran nuclear deal he secured with other world powers, an accord of which Trump now has pulled America out.

It likely was courtesy to his hosts in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, which long opposed the deal as not going far enough to limit Iran's power in the greater Mideast. Kerry shared the stage with Emirati Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash, who long had led the UAE's criticism of the deal.

"True civil discourse is also under threat all around the planet, eroding rights alongside trust," Kerry said. "Certainly in my country, our has become almost all accusatory and all bombastic."



While never naming Trump, Kerry began his remarks by saying: "Given what's going on today, I'm glad to be invited anywhere folks." He quickly added that the US "needs to build partnerships and cannot turn its back on the world."



Andrew Hamilton, president of New York University, also made a point to criticize "disturbing trends of anti-intellectualism and anti-factualism" in the world.

NYU Abu Dhabi invited reporters to cover Kerry's speech, then just before the ceremony said journalists from The Associated Press and others could not film his full remarks. They said the school would offer video that it would editorially control after the event.

A university spokeswoman, Kate Chandler, said it was the school's decision.

Staffers for Kerry said they had no part in the organization of the event. The school allowed an AP photographer and writer to attend Kerry's full speech.

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One former Haryana chief minister was cooling his heels in jail, while another is set to land in prison, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said, in a veiled attack on his predecessor Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Khattar made the remark during a function organised to mark the Maharana Pratap Jayanti at Safidon in Jind district, according to an official release.

"While one former chief minister (Om Prakash Chautala) is cooling his heels in jail (in the teachers recruitment scam), another ex-chief minister is set to go to jail," he said, without naming Congress leader Hooda.

Yesterday also, while speaking at a function here, Khattar had trained guns on Hooda over various alleged scams that took place during the Congress tenure and have been unearthed now.

"Some scams committed during the Congress regime are now coming to light through the Supreme Court and the high court," he had claimed.

The Chief Minister today said that since the inception of Haryana, various governments were formed in the state but none could claim that they stayed away from corruption.

"In sharp contrast, during the three-and-a-half years of the present government, there have been no allegations of any scandals against any minister or MLA... I can say confidently that the present government has uplifted the living standards of the people and made efforts to change the direction of the society for the better," he said.

Later interacting with the villagers of Munak in Karnal district, Khattar said the responsibility for implementing the Swaminathan Commission report rested with former Chief Minister Hooda, who was then chairman of the working group of Chief Ministers on agriculture production, set up on agriculture.

"But he (Hooda) did not do anything during his time and kept pretending to be a leader of the farmers," Khattar said, adding his government has worked for the farmers during the last three-and-a-half years.

"The self proclaimed farmers leader never thought of doubling the income of farmers. On the other hand, we have implemented Bhwantar Yojana to save the farmers from damage to their crops, and told them 'ghaata sarkar ka, fayda kisan ka' (under the scheme all loss would be borne by the state, and all profit will rest with farmers)," he added.

He said the state government would complete all development works which had been announced.

The money provided for the works should be spent appropriately and with caution, he said, warning strict action over misuse of funds.

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A faction of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) is planning to revive the agitation for reservations for the Patel community in Gujarat by taking out an over 3,000-km march.

The "Patidar Anamat Andolan Shaheed Yatra" is also a way to pay homage to fourteen persons who "sacrificed their lives for the community" during the 2015 agitation, PAAS convener Dilip Sabva said today.

The PAAS faction represented by him is a "social organisation and not a political one", and only those who want to raise concerning the community will be invited for the march, he said.

Hardik Patel, who led PAAS's agitation in 2015, was not involved in organising the march, but he has been invited, Sabva said.

The yatra will start from Unjha in Mehsana district on June 24 and wind its way through 97 towns in the state before ending at Kagvad near Rajkot, he said.

It will feature statues of fourteen "martyrs".

"We are starting from Unjha as it is the home of Uniya Mata, the community's family deity," Sabva said.

"We want to ensure that sacrifices of the men of our community do not go to waste. We also want to renew the demand for reservations which hasn't been met by the state government," he said.

"One of our main demands is that government withdraw FIRs against people from the community (filed during the earlier agitation). The government made tall promises, but still many people continue to do the rounds of courts," Sabva said.

All Patidar leaders, except those who joined the ruling BJP before the last year's Assembly elections, were invited to join in the yatra, he said.

The PAAS also aims to set a record of the distance covered during the march, and plans to invite observers from Guinness Book of Records, he said.

It will observe August 26 as 'martyrs' day', he said.

A rally organised by the PAAS in Ahmedabad on August 26, 2015 for demanding reservations in education and jobs had turned violent. The violence spread across the state, claiming 14 lives.

Following the agitation, the government formed a commission to give educational and financial benefits to the community in the unreserved category.

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>>> Ministry opens investigation into Grabs acquisition of Uber

Accordingly, the Ministry of Industry and Trades agency will investigate the case in accordance with the provisions of Vietnamese competition regulations. The formal investigation period is 180 days from the issuance of the investigation decision. In cases of necessity, a 60-day extension period would be launched but may not exceed two periods.

Upon the conclusion of the official investigation, the VCA will transfer the case file to the Vietnam Competition Council for handling under local regulations.

Earlier on Wednesday, the VCA issued a formal notice announcing the end of a preliminary investigation over the acquisition, in which the agency announced that it had found signs of violations in the case.

Since the launch of the initial investigation in mid-April, the VCA has worked with investigated parties to collect the relevant market information from specialised associations and State management agencies.

The preliminary investigation has verified the contents related to the investigated parties, the relevant market, and the combined market share of both Grab and Uber in Vietnam. Preliminary results showed that the combined market share exceeds 50%, meaning the case has shown signs of violation of the regulations on economic concentration defined in Section 3 of Chapter II under the under the countrys Law on Competition 2004.

The results of the preliminary investigation have led to the VCAs Friday decision on a formal investigation as stipulated in Item 2, Article 88 of the 2004 Competition Law.

On March 26, Grab announced its purchase of Ubers operations in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. Later, Uber Vietnam stated that the company officially stopped operations and closed all offices in the country from 11:59 pm on April 8, which means the transaction between Grab and Uber had already been completed in Vietnam.
Pakistan will raise the issue of India's alleged violation of the Indus Waters Treaty with the World Bank, a media report said today, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 330 MW Kishanganga hydroelectric project in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry told media that a four-member delegation led by Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Ashtar Ausaf Ali is in Washington to hold talks with the president of World Bank, Radio Pakistan reported.

He said that the issue of construction of the Kishanganga Dam will be discussed in the meeting.

Prime Minister Modi yesterday inaugurated the Kishanganga hydroelectric power plant, amid protests from Pakistan which claims that the project on a river flowing into Pakistan will disrupt water supplies.

Pakistan's Foreign Office on Friday voiced concern over the inauguration of the hydroelectric project, saying inauguration without resolution of dispute between the two countries will tantamount to violation of the Indus Waters 1960 that regulates the use of waters in the shared rivers.

Islamabad had been raising objections over the design of the hydel project, saying it is not in line with the criteria laid down under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) between the two countries. But, India says the project design was well within parameters of the treaty.

The project, located at Bandipore in North Kashmir, envisages diversion of water of Kishan Ganga river to underground power house through a 23.25-km-long head race tunnel to generate 1713 million units per annum.

The Kishanganga project was started in 2007 but on May 17, 2010, Pakistan moved for international arbitration against India under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty.

The Hague-based International Court of Arbitration allowed India in 2013 to go ahead with construction of the project in North Kashmir and upheld India's right under the bilateral Indus Waters Treaty to divert waters from the Kishanganga for power generation in Jammu and Kashmir. The international court, however, decided that India shall release a minimum flow of nine cubic metres per second into the Kishanganga river (known as Neelam in Pakistan) at all times to maintain environmental flows.

Pakistan is building a 969 MW Neelum-Jhelum hydroelectric project downstream.

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Pakistan's Punjab province government has released Rs 20 million to renovate a Krishna temple in Rawalpindi city and expand it to accommodate more Hindu worshippers on festivals and religious occasions, a media report said today.

Krishna temple is the only functioning Hindu temple in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. There are two prayers held at the temple every day - one in the morning and one in the evening - which are attended by six or seven people.

Mohammad Asif, the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Deputy Administrator, said the government has released Rs 20 million to reconstruct the temple at the request of a Member of Provincial Assembly, Dawn reported.

He said reconstruction work would begin soon. A team has visited the site and pointed out a plan to start work. The main room where idols are kept will be sealed until reconstruction ends, the paper said.

"Once reconstructed, the temple will be able to accommodate more people," Asif was quoted as saying by the paper.

The official said the temple could accommodate the local Hindu community from the twin cities and nearby areas.

The small temple was built by Kanji Mal and Ujagar Mal Ram Rachpal in 1897 to serve people in nearby areas. However, after partition the street temple in Saddar became the only place of worship for Rawalpindi's Hindus.

The temple was reopened after partition in 1949; it was operated by local Hindus before being handed over to the ETPB in 1970. Until the 1980s, even diplomats living in Islamabad visited the temple to pray.

Local Hindus have said the temple's area should be expanded.

Jag Mohan Arora said the temple courtyard, which can only accommodate 100 or so people, should be expanded, and shops next to the temple that the ETPB has leased to local traders should be retrieved to expand the front of the building.

"At present the front of the temple is very small. The ETPB should vacate nearby shops that have been rented," Arora said.

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Pakistan's top civil and military leaders have decided to give greater administrative and financial authority to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the region through which the controversial USD 50 billion China- Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes.

During a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) - the top civil and military body - Sartaj Aziz, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan, yesterday briefed the Committee on the and reform proposals, an official statement said.

The meeting chaired by Prime Minister reviewed these proposals and after detailed deliberations, a consensus was reached on the "devolution of greater administrative authority and financial powers" to the government and the government, according to the statement.

The details of administrative and financial reform have not been shared so far.

However, there was also consensus over retention of the and Councils as advisory bodies; and the grant of a five-year tax holiday to Gilgit-Baltistan so as to create adequate incentives for the development of the region and bring it at par with the other areas of

Gilgit-Baltistan is treated as a separate geographical entity by Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh are four provinces of Pakistan.

India has termed as "entirely unacceptable" any possible attempt by Pakistan to declare the Gilgit-Baltistan region, bordering the disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as the fifth province. India has protested to China over the CPEC which goes through Gilgit-Baltistan region.

It is believed that China's concerns about the unsettled status of Gilgit-Baltistan prompted Pakistan to change its status.

Earlier media reports had said that Pakistan plans to elevate the constitutional status of the region to provide legal cover to the CPEC.

The NSC also endorsed that FATA shall be merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa along with the introduction of the administrative and judicial institutional structures and laws of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the statement said.

The Committee directed the concerned ministries to work out the constitutional, legal and administrative modalities for the merger in consultation with all parties in the Parliament.

The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Defence & Foreign Affairs Khurram Dastgir Khan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval and Air forces, ISI chief and other senior civil and military officials.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas returned to hospital today with a high fever after having undergone ear surgery last week, a source familiar with his condition said.

The source who spoke on condition of anonymity did not provide further details on the condition of the 83-year-old, who was at the Istishari Arab Hospital in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.

It was the third time he was in hospital in a week.

On Tuesday, Abbas underwent what was called a minor ear surgery. Late Saturday, he returned to hospital for further tests and was released after about 30 minutes later.

Official agency WAFA said the test results had been "excellent". Abbas was however back in hospital on Sunday around mid-morning and was still there in the afternoon, according to the source.

A statement on WAFA on Sunday afternoon, quoting the hospital director, said tests results were "good" and Abbas's health was "reassuring". His health is the subject of regular speculation, with no clear successor identified. In February, Abbas underwent what was then described as routine medical tests in the United States.

Abbas won a four-year term as president in 2005, but he has remained in office in the absence of elections.

His Fatah party remains deeply divided from Islamist movement Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip.

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The Congress today launched a scathing attack on the BJP for allegedly attempting horse-trading in Karnataka and demanded that Prime Minster Narendra Modi order a probe into efforts made by his party leaders to bribe and induce Congress and JD(S) legislators ahead of yesterday's trust vote.

"We hope the prime minister will order an investigation into the naked dance of corruption which his party MLAs were indulging in...

"The prime minister should prove his commitment to fighting corruption by launching an investigation into those MLAs who openly called Congress and JD(S) MLAs and offered bribes with an intention to break the rock solid coalition of the Congress and the JD(S)," Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill told reporters here.

The opposition attack came a day B S Yeddyurappa stepped down as the Karnataka chief minister without facing a Supreme Court-mandated trust vote.

According to Shergill, the Congress would work with its partners as had been earlier said by party president Rahul Gandhi to stitch a coalition to make the "central government free from BJP" and free from hate

"The truth is in 2014, a slogan in India was 'ghar ghar Modi'. In 2019, the Congress will ensure it is 'bye bye Modi'. Today, we are making friends and NDA is making enemies," he said.

Claiming that the government had looted the country of Rs 10 lakh crore by raising excise duty on diesel and petrol, Shergill said the "loot" was used to poach MLAs in Karnataka.

"The petrol taxes are ultimately going into a bottomless pit, a bottomless well called BJP to fund their operations to hijack governments, topple democracy and crush democracy," he alleged.

Shergill also took a dig at the central government over the spiralling prices of petroleum products, saying the benefit that the government extended to the people by not raising the prices during the Karnataka elections, should be extended throughout the year so that people get "all year-round relief from it".

"If the prime minister can put a control on the escalation of fuel prices for self-interest, for the sake of polls in Karnataka, why can't he control the fuel prices all year around for the sake of public interest. That means fuel prices is only an election tool for the prime minister," he said.

Referring to the bridge collapse tragedy in Varanasi which claimed 18 lives, he said the prime minister not going to his constituency to express his solidarity showed he was not bothered about incidents which did not give him electoral benefits.

"Modi is not the real son of Varanasi. He is a heartless, stepson of Varanasi who forgot his own people when they needed him the most. He could be part of the wedding celebration of former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif but could not go to Varanasi," the Congress leaders said.

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has expressed his "deepest condolences" to the family and friends of Sabika Sheikh, a Pakistani exchange student who was killed in the tragic shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas.

"Sabika was in the United States on the State Department-sponsored Youth Exchange and Study programme, helping to build ties between the United States and her native Pakistan," Pompeo said.

"Sabika's death and that of the other victims is heartbreaking and will be mourned deeply both here in the United States, and in Pakistan," the Secretary of State said in a statement.

On Friday, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 17, walked into Santa Fe High School in Texas armed with guns and explosives and opened fire at students, killing 10 people, including Sheikh.

Pagourtzis has been charged with capital murder and aggravated assault of a police officer.

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The success of the Congress-JD(S) alliance in outpacing the BJP in Karnataka elections bodes well for opposition unity, with a chorus of regional voices hailing the Grand Old Party's decision to play second fiddle to a smaller outfit in the southern state.

Congratulatory messages poured in from the regions soon after BJP's BS Yeddyurappa, unable to garner the numbers required for a simple majority in the state Assembly, bowed out as chief minister, paving the way for a JD(S)-Congress government.

The Congress party's decision to allow the Janata Dal (Secular) to take the lead in the state by installing its chief minister was applauded by many leaders, with NCP chief Sharad Pawar describing the role of the Congress as a sensible one.

But while Pawar congratulated Congress president Rahul Gandhi for ousting the BJP, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, among the first to call the developments a victory of the regional front, did not mention Gandhi in her message.

Democracy wins. Congratulations Karnataka. Congratulations Deve Gowda ji, Kumaraswamy ji, Congress and others. Victory of the regional front', she said.

The sub-text was clear: some regional leaders would not allow the Congress take the lead in forming a broad platform of the opposition.

While an opposition leader felt the Congress would need to play a more gracious role in a grand alliance before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to keep the BJP and RSS out, senior CPI leader D Raja said the question of who would lead the front should be kept open.

Gandhi had ruffled some opposition feathers when, on the eve of the Karnataka elections, he had positioned himself as a prime ministerial candidate for the next LS polls if his party did well.

Raja, however, stressed the issue of who would be prime minister in 2019 should be discussed at a later stage.

"The instant focus should be defeating the BJP," he said.

What is clear is that the Congress understands the need to keep regional parties happy -- which explains why it agreed to be the junior partner in the Karnataka government led by HD Kumaraswamy of the JD(S).

In his statement after the fall of the BJP, Gandhi lauded JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda for the coalition's victory.

"The opposition will unite and coordinate to defeat the BJP," Gandhi said.

But this may require more give and take than the Congress is used to.

"Congress President Rahul Gandhi is the most appropriate person to lead the country, party communications head Randeep Surjewala told PTI, though he did not elaborate.

That said, the Karnataka developments sounded a clarion call for opposition unity.

From the DMK's MK Stalin and Loktantrik Janata Dal's Sharad Yadav to TDP's N Chandrababu Naidu, RJD's Tejwaswi Yadav and TRS's K Chandrashekhar Rao, every regional leader urged non-BJP forces to align to defeat the BJP.

May this herald the coming together of secular parties, said Stalin.

Naidu, who worked to defeat the BJP in the Telugu-speaking belt of Karnataka, said, "It is a proud day for all of us.

The May 12 election over and done with, all eyes are now on how the Congress plays its role as the central pole of opposition unity.

In Karnataka, the party acted strategically and swiftly to win over the JD(S) with the offer of the chief ministerial post, and sacrificed its own space for larger political gains.

But the move is also being seen as a sign of the party's decline in the state.

That its seats went down from 122 in 2013 to 78 could be read as Gandhi's failure to steer the party to a majority, despite hectic campaigning and addressing 85 small and big rallies over three months.

This was the first state election after Gandhi became Congress president in mid-December, and the party wanted to pull out all the stops to form a government.

This explains the party's offer of unconditional support to the JD(S), which, with its 37 seats, clinched the deal for it.

Opposition leaders said Congress would have to show the same openness and flexibility going forward and ensure it gave space to other parties, even if it wanted to lead the front.

Congress should give space to regional parties and there should be more give and take to help bring everyone together on one common platform," senior NCP leader Tariq Anwar, a former Congressman, said.

It should target a "consensual government" with regional parties based on a policy of give and take, he said.

"Then only will a good national alliance be formed to counter the BJP in 2019," Anwar told PTI.

The NCP leader, however, batted for the Congress retaining the top post saying past experiences of giving the post to regional players had not yielded results.

"A bigger party should be the centre of any coalition government and should take the number one position. This would be better," he said adding that the target should be to defeat the BJP.

But Raja of the CPI, while terming Karnataka a "positive development", stressed that the Congress had to be "realistic and flexible".

"This situation demands a broader coalition of all democratic forces. Congress party must be realistic and flexible in its approach to regional parties and democratic forces. It should be more accommodating," Raja said.

The equations are changing. How far the Congress goes in accommodating its allies may determine how far the BJP will go in 2019.

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President Ram Nath Kovind today exhorted scientists and students to work towards finding solutions to challenges such as climate change and water scarcity, while underscoring that science and technology must continue to play a role in nation building.

Kovind, who was addressing the 7th convocation of the Indian Institute of Science and Research (IISER) here, also encouraged students, who graduated today, to become entrepreneurs and asked them to give back to society, especially to the less privileged.

"The purpose of scientific research is threefold. First, science and technology must continue to play a role in nation building. As our nation evolves and our society changes, are needs too are transformed. Yet, science and technology will always be required to find answers to developmental questions," he said.

"Today, the questions before us range from battling climate change to providing low-cost, but effective, healthcare solutions. And, from helping our farmers overcome productivity and water-scarcity challenges to building sustainable cities and houses that are socially inclusive and provide a life of dignity to the last family in the last mohalla. The IISER network must immerse itself in these tasks," the president said.

Noting that science and technology have a symbiotic relationship with business and industry, Kovind said science and commerce can do a lot together.

"Product invention and process innovation; converting the learning of the lab into commercially viable products; using technology to promote efficiency, enterprise and employment, there is so much science and commerce can do together.

"The combination of research institutions, technology start-ups incubated in campuses, and a knowledge-based business culture can be transformational. Silicon valley in California (in the US) and Bengaluru in India are two examples of this. IISER must strive to play a similar role in Mohali and neighbouring cities," he said.

Kovind said institutions of scientific and research were important for innovation and expanding frontiers of knowledge.

"This is the fundamental and to my mind, most critical value of scientific research. It is to keep alive the instinct of curiosity that is at the root of our civilisation. The history of science tells us, this route requires patience. But, it can lead to unexpected and dramatic leaps in human imagination," he said.

"I urge those graduating today, as well as others studying at IISER, to keep these three motivations in mind as they climb higher. In their own way, these three motivations of science and research will help you to serve fellow citizens, to serve society and country, and to serve the larger cause of humanity," Kovind said.

Punjab has a long history of technocrats who ventured into successful businesses, the president said.

"Those who are graduating today, too, should consider the path of entrepreneurship, and of becoming job and wealth creators as so many great scientists and technologists have done," he said.

"This is a day to cherish and show gratitude to your parents and families, who have helped you through this process. You must not forget the rest of society, fellow citizens, hardworking taxpayers, government agencies, and so many other stakeholders who have supported your alma mater and contributed to your education," Kovind said.

The president lauded the academic performance of graduating woman students.

"Going through the list of the 152 students, who are graduating today by getting undergraduate and master's degrees or PhDs, I find that 66 are girl students. That is a little over 40 per cent.

"However, both the gold medals for academic performance have gone to girl students. Three of the four awards for academic excellence have been won by girl students," Kovind said.

"It is my privilege to travel to convocations across the country. I find this commendable performance of our young women, of our society's daughters, to be something of a national trend. They are consistently outscoring their male counterparts. This is a step forward in the cause of gender equity and in making India a developed society," he said.

Noting that IISER is one of India's foremost destinations for students interested in science, Kovind said, "The institute is well on its way to fulfilling its mandate of promoting and providing facilities for basic science research and integrating these with the needs of India."



"This is one of the most exciting and promising urban agglomerations in our country. In parallel, IISER Mohali is also drawing inspiration from the rich tradition of basic and applied scientific research in Punjab. This legacy goes back to the period before Independence, when Punjab was one of India's earliest centres of scientific knowledge production and training," he said.

"This legacy also provides us some excellent examples of how collaboration between scientific researchers and technologists on one side, and the larger developmental process on the other, contributed to nation building," Kovind said.

"We can't forget the technologists who did the groundwork for large projects such as the Bhakra Nangal project. It was agricultural scientists and universities in Punjab that provided the basis for enhanced food productivity and the Green Revolution.

"Today, Mohali is a hub for the knowledge economy, information technology, biotechnology and bio-informatics and related fields. It is critical that we see IISER as not just a standalone institution, but as the fulcrum of an entire ecosystem," he said.

On the occasion, the governors of Punjab and Haryana were also present.

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Three people were killed after earth caved in on them while they went into a sandpit to collect bricks at Shrihwala village here, police said.

The incident took place last evening when two labourers went inside the sandpit to collect some bricks, they said.

Three villagers tried to rescue the labourers, but they also got trapped, they said.

Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Guruharsahai, Charandeep Singh said five earth moving machines were pressed into service during a rescue operation, in which over 20 BSF personnel were involved.

He said after three hours, five of them were taken out of the pit.

Three people, whose condition was serious, were immediately taken to a hospital where they were declared brought dead, police said.

The deceased were identified as Simranjit Singh and Sandeep Singh, both residents of Alike Jhugge village, and Harjit Singh alias Sewak of Shrihwala, they said.

Jaswinder Singh and Lakhan Singh, residents of Jhoke Mohre village, were injured in the incident, police said.

The SDM said an ex gratia of Rs 1 lakh will be given to the kin of the deceased from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

Deputy Commissioner, Ferozepur, Ramvir granted an amount of Rs 25,000 to each family as immediate relief.

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Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh wants a dialogue with Maoists and believes most thorny issues including Naxalism can be resolved through development.

In an interview to PTI/Bhasha, a day before five Chhattisgarh Police personnel were killed and two others injured when Naxals blew up their vehicle in Dantewada district, Singh said his government would be ready for talks with the Maoists if their leaders took take part in the meeting.

"We are ready for a dialogue with the top leadership of Naxals but it should include their politburo members then only some conclusive talks can take place," he said.

Singh, who is touring the state under a programme called 'Vikas Yatra', said the Centre and state government were making efforts to bring development to Naxal-affected areas.

Efforts were also on to strengthen communication networks in these areas and to bring people into the mainstream through development, he said.

National and state highways are being constructed which have led to a fall in Naxal activities, the chief minister said.

In the 2013 Assembly elections, Singh said, "The Congress had won more seats in Naxal-hit Bastar region but this time we will get much better results."



He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last month launched a phase of Ayushman Bharat -National Health Protection Scheme from Bijapur district of Bastar region.

The chief minister claimed there were no challenges before Prime Minister Modi because the "artificial unity" of the opposition parties would crumble due to their "infighting".

"No challenges appear to be there for PM Modi right now. The Congress is trying to exist in Karnataka with the help of crutches.

"Today, the opposition is displaying its artificial unity. This artificial unity will crumble due to infighting," Singh said.

The Congress has been restricted to just 10 per cent area of the country and now appears to be a regional party, the CM said.

On the upcoming Chhattisgarh election, he said BJP President Amit Shah has given a target of "65 plus" seats of the 91-seat Assembly to the party.

"We have confidence over our development work. We will achieve the target and form a government for the fourth consecutive time in the state after the elections," he said.

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The event was organised to celebrate the 45th founding anniversary of the two countries diplomatic relations (1973-2018).

According to Ta Duc Minh, Trade Counsellor and head of the Vietnamese Embassys Trade Office, the country has currently shipped dragon fruits, mango and banana to Japan, with all of the fruits meeting Japanese food safety requirements.

Last year, Vietnam exported 2,500 - 3,000 tonnes of banana and more than 1,500 tonnes of dragon fruits to Japan.

Vietnamese firms are advised to ensure food safety and quality, Minh said, adding the export of agricultural products to Japan is also an opportunity for Vietnams farm produce to access other foreign markets.

Hidekatsu Ishikawa, President of Vient Co. Ltd, said in 2017, his company imported an average of about 200 containers of fruits from Vietnam worth up to JPY500 million (US$4.6 million) to Japan, adding that Vient wants to introduce other high-quality fruits of Vietnam to Japans consumers.

He pointed out that Vietnam should work to improve logistics services to reduce transportation time.

The two countries are negotiating for the export of Vietnams lychee to Japan.


Noting that the world is at a critical stage in combatting climate change, Minister Harsh Vardhan said today that the response of the developed nations to tackle the issue is still "not adequate".

He said this in his intervention at the 26th BASIC Ministerial Meeting of Ministers in Durban. The grouping is a bloc of four countries - Brazil, South Africa, India and China - formed by an agreement on November 28, 2009.

"We are at a very critical stage, both in our efforts to combat climate change and in negotiations. There is an evident need for greater action and we find that the response of the developed countries is still not adequate," Vardhan said.

He stressed that developed nations take the lead in terms of mitigation and providing means of implementation to developing countries.

"While we talk about our actions, it is equally important to emphasise that the ambition of the developing countries needs to be supported and sustained, predictable and adequate finance, technology and capacity-building support to be provided by the developed countries," the minister said.

He told his counterparts from BASIC countries and Michal Kurtyka of Poland, who will take over as next president of Conference of Parties (COP-24), that India has shown the vision and the political will to act.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision is to ensure sustainable development while protecting the most vulnerable from the effects of climate change.

Later at a press conference, Vardhan said the BASIC group has decided to preserve the integrity of the historic Paris Agreement, including the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and equity.

Vardhan reiterated his appeal for joint efforts to create a societal movement in combating climate change through "Green Good Deeds".

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A sum of Rs 941.61 crore has been approved for a project, under the National River Conservation Plan, to clean Tapi river that flows past Surat city, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said today.

Speaking at Sarthana in Surat today, Rupani said that the first phase of the river's clean-up will cost Rs 408.28 crore, 70 per cent of which will be borne by the Union government.

The state government will provide 20 per cent of the cost while the Surat Municipal Corporation will chip in with the rest of the amount, Rupani informed.

Tapi river rises near Multai in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh and after traversing a length of 214 kilometres in Gujarat, it joins the Arabian sea in Gulf of Cambay after flowing past Surat city.

The state government's Information department, in a statement issued today, said that a total of 3.25 lakh labourers were employed under MNREGA in connection with works under the "Jal Sanchay" initiative that started across the state on May 1.

The water conservation campaign aims to remove 11,000 lakh cubic feet of silt from 13,000 ponds, check dams and reservoirs apart from rejuvenating 32 rivers and their tributaries.

Calling it the greatest water conservation drive ever undertaken in India, Rupani asked religious leaders, NGOs, businessmen and citizens to participate in it.

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A Russian man was apprehended at the Delhi airport today after an Indian woman alleged that he had masturbated sitting beside her on board a flight from Istanbul, officials said.

The security control room at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport was informed in the early hours today that there was an "unruly passenger" on board a Turkish airline flight approaching Delhi.

Personnel of the CISF, which guards the airport, reached the flight (TK-716) upon landing and were informed that the Indian woman had, in the meantime, made a distress call to the Delhi Police alleging sexual harassment by a co-passenger.

"It was learnt that the male passenger, a Russian, was sitting next to the woman in the flight and allegedly unzipped his trouser and started masturbating in front of her," a senior official said.

When the woman complained to the cabin crew, the male passenger was shifted to another seat, he said.

The man was later handed over to the Delhi Police, which also reached the Terminal-III area of the airport. He has been booked under Section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the IPC, police said.

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The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today accused the ruling Congress of misusing government machinery in Shahkot, where Assembly bypoll is scheduled to be held on May 28, and urged the poll panel to take a serious view of the "violation" of model code of conduct.

It alleged that the state government was putting pressure on SAD workers to vote for the Congress candidate.

"The ruling Congress in Punjab is openly misusing government machinery to put pressure on SAD supporters," party spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema alleged.

In a letter to the Election Commission, he claimed that many sarpanches in the Shahkot Assembly Constituency told him that local BDPO's were threatening them them to either vote for the ruling party or face strict departmental action and registration of false cases by the Vigilance department.

"The presidents and members of different cooperative societies have complained of similar harassment by an officer of the cooperative department," Cheema said.

"Even today, a team of electricity department raided the house of our Sarpanch Sohan Singh of Village Mulewal Khehra in Shahkot Assembly Constituency after he refused to join Congress party. The raiding party disconnected the power supply of the house and took away the old meter without giving any reason while warning him of dire consequences if he failed to support the Congress candidate," he wrote.

Cheema accused state power minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar of camping in the same village to supervise the election campaign of the Congress candidate.

SAD spokesperson also alleged that police officials in that constituency were being pressured to compel their families to support ruling party.

"Keeping in view all these factors we want to reiterate that the ECI should immediately take a serious view of all these violations of model code of conduct," he said, adding, "Since the ruling party is hell bent on rigging the election an independent team may be appointed by the ECI from Delhi to stop it. Simple deployment of observers will not help."



Cheema demanded that paramilitary forces be deployed immediately throughout the Constituency and videography of all polling booths be conducted.

Shahkot bypoll was necessitated following the death of sitting MLA Ajit Singh Kohar.

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Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has sought support from the people to "defeat" LTTE's ideology, warning that the now defunct Tamil separatist group's "agents" are still working to create an independent state nine years after the end of the brutal three-decade long civil war.

Speaking at a ceremony in Colombo yesterday to mark the ninth anniversary of the war, Sirisena said although the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) had been defeated militarily, its ideology and agents are very much alive.

"We have defeated the LTTE physically and militarily but their ideology has not died. Their agents in the diaspora in the LTTE's international network are very much alive," he said.

"They are still working to create their Eelam (separate Tamil state) dream," he said.

He said the LTTE was still challenging the Sri Lanka government, referring to a demonstration held against him by the group's sympathisers in London.

While the government and the military commemorated the fallen soldiers at the heroes' day in the south of the island, the Tamils in the north commemorated their war dead.

On Friday, around 5,000 people took part in the commemorative ceremony held at Mullaivaikkal in the Mullaithivu district, the scene of the final battle between the Lankan troops and the LTTE.

Except Northern Chief Minister C V Wigneswaran, no other Tamil politician had participated in the event.

Wigneswaran has declared that May 18 must be identified as Tamil genocide day in the coming years.

Tamils claim tens of thousands of civilians were killed in the final phase of the battle, a charge that is denied by the Lankan Army.

Government forces killed the LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran on May 18, 2009 after a brutal military crackdown, putting an end to the 37-year long conflict, which claimed at least 1,00,000 lives.

According to UN figures, up to 40,000 civilians were killed by security forces during former president Mahinda Rajapaksas regime that brought an end to the conflict.

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Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today said the increase in fuel prices was due to reduced production of oil in Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and hike in crude oil price in the international market.

Petrol prices today touched a record high of Rs 76.24 per litre and diesel climbed to its highest-ever level of Rs 67.57 as the oil PSUs passed on four weeks of relentless rise in international oil prices to consumers.

Noting that people, especially the middle-class, have to suffer due to price hike of oil, the minister said the government would try to work out a solution soon to deal with the situation.

"It's not in our hand. There is less production of oil in OPEC countries. The government will soon come out with a solution," he told reporters here.

Pradhan, however, did not spell out the details.

Stressing the need for stable and moderate oil prices, he said the surging fuel prices have negative impact on consumers and the Indian economy.

With global crude prices soaring, the minister has already pressed OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia to keep prices stable and moderate, saying that spike in rates would have a negative impact on Indian consumers as well as on the economy.

Pradhan had conveyed India's concerns when Saudi Arabian Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid Al-Falih called him recently.

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Subsequently JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy too favoured bilateral talks to solve the issue.DMK working M K on Monday batted for 'cordial ties' with the new government which will assume power in and asked the AIADMK regime to work for a solution to the Cauvery issue through talks.

Cordial ties should be created with the new government and a solution hammered out through talks, said at a function at Nagapattinam district





"Though we have got a legal victory, water to the necessary extent should be received and farmers should be provided with that," he said.

If farmers were not provided with water for irrigation, DMK would steer protests to get it, he said.

He said that during the previous DMK regime, former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had got Cauvery water for through his 'friendly attitude' with his counterparts.

"Thalaivar (leader) Kalaignar fulfilled everything by establishing friendly ties with neighbouring States."



DMK, meanwhile, said its leader has been invited by the JDS top leadership to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of party leader Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister on May 23.

At Tiruchirapalli, Kumaraswamy said he favoured talks to solve the Cauvery issue amicably and assured his full cooperation to on the matter.

"Through bilateral talks it is better to solve it, because there are some problems from both sides," he said and referred to farmers from both Karnataka and facing a distress situation.

"We have to solve it, we have to live together, for that let us see, I am going to give full coperation to solve this problem amicably," he told reporters here.

Asked if the order on the Cauvery issue would be obeyed by his state, he said, "definitely everybody has to obey, not only my government."



He said for the last three years, all reservoirs were "empty in our state also," and due to that there was 'some problem between both states."



The JDS leader, who arrived at Tiruchirapalli on a visit to the Lord Ranganathaswamy temple at nearby Srirangam, said "I think Lord Ranga will give sufficient rainfall."



With copious showers, he hoped all reservoirs would be full and "then there is no problem between us.


Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover took centre-stage as newly-wed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, headed to their wedding reception in Windsor.

A silver-blue classic 1960s Jaguar E-Type, remodelled into Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) electric-powered Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero, was waiting for Harry last evening to drive his new wife to Frogmore House for an intimate wedding reception for 200 friends and family being hosted by his father Prince Charles.

The car bore a special registration number in honour of the royal wedding E190518 marking the date of their wedding.

With the tag line of "the most beautiful electric car in the world", the vehicle symbolised the couple's eco-friendly side.

"Our aim with Concept Zero is to give Classic Jaguars a sustainable future in changing environmental and economic conditions," said Tim Hannig, Director of Jaguar Land Rover Classic.

As she stepped out hand-in-hand with Harry in a formal suit, Markle had changed into a white Stella McCartney halter-neck silk crepe gown and Aquazzura shoes with baby blue soles for the black-tie reception.

In a break from tradition, she gave a speech at the event to thank her father-in-law the Prince of Wales for stepping into the role of walking her down the aisle at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle earlier in the day after her own father Thomas Markle was a no-show due to health reasons.

The 36-year-old former actress also wore a special wedding gift from her new husband in memory of his mother Princess Diana an emerald-cut aquamarine ring which belonged to the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra, one of Markle's close friends invited to the wedding, took to social media to post a special tribute to the new bride and congratulate the newly-weds.

In an emotional Instagram post alongside a series of images of the new couple, she wrote, "Every once in a while there is a moment when time stands still... That happened today...You, my friend, were the epitome of grace, love and beauty.

"Every choice made at this wedding by you both will go down in history, not just because it was your wedding but because this incredible wedding stood for change and hope. Both things that the world needs desperately. Thank you for being the perfect picture of all things good," she wrote.

The 33-year-old actress, now famous in Hollywood for her role as Agent Alex Parish in 'Quantico', changed her lavender Vivian Westwood suit from earlier in the day to a golden Dior gown for the evening reception.

After performing some of his classics at the lunch reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at St George's Hall in Windsor Castle soon after the wedding ceremony at the chapel, pop star Elton John paid tribute to the couple on Twitter, quoting the poet Maya Angelou: "Love recognises no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination, full of hope".

The highlight of the Queen's reception was John singing his hits 'Your Song' and 'Tiny Dancer', both of which he had previously sung at a benefit concert for Diana organised by Prince Harry and Prince William in honour of their mother in 2007.

William, his brother's best man at the wedding ceremony, later struck a poignant note in memory of their mother during his speech at the evening reception. The couple had selected celebrity DJ Sam Totolee to get the guests dancing into the night.

They have put off their honeymoon for now and plan to spend some time in the UK before a getaway.

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Two charge sheets have been filed against 15 people in connection with the killings of Shiv Sena's Punjab-based leaders Satpal Sharma and Durga Prasad Gupta by operatives of terror group Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), the NIA said today.

The charge sheets were filed in a special court in Mohali yesterday in under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Arms Act, the National Investigation Agency said.

Sharma and his son Kumar, who were followers of Dera Sacha Sauda, were killed on February 25 last year at 'Naam Charcha Ghar' in Jageda area in Ludhiana, while Gupta was shot dead on April 23, 2016 in Khanna, also in Ludhiana.

The NIA said during investigation it was found that killings of Sharma, his son and Gupta were part of a trans-national conspiracy hatched by the senior leadership of the KLF.

"Eight incidents of killings or attempted killings were executed as part of this conspiracy between January, 2016 and October, 2017 in Punjab," it said, adding a charge sheet was filed in this connection earlier this month.

"The objective of the conspiracy was to destabilise the law and order situation in Punjab and to revive the fledgling terrorism in the state," the agency said.

The conspiracy had its foot-prints in several countries including Pakistan, the UK, Australia, France, Italy and the UAE, the NIA said.

"As part of the conspiracy, large amounts of funds were supplied through Italy, Australia and the UK to the perpetrators of the killings -- Hardeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh.

"These funds were used by them to purchase weapons for executing the killings and other logistics," it said.

The conspiracy included recruitment and training of Hardeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh in Italy, Dubai and the UA, the agency said.

The NIA said while Singh is the permanent resident of Italy, Ramandeep Singh belongs to Ludhiana.

"Both these persons were trained by one Gursharanbir Singh, a UK national. Another UK national, Jagtar Singh Johal, who has been arrested in the case, was involved in the funding of the conspiracy," it said.

The NIA said day-to-day coordination of the conspiracy was done by Pakistan-based Harmeet Singh alias 'PhD'.

The charge sheets were based on the evidences collected from oral, documentary, material and electronic sources, it said.

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Grief-stricken families in southwestern Texas gathered in churches throughout Santa Fe today seeking spiritual succor following a massacre at the town's high school, the nation's latest mass shooting.

As federal investigators search for a motive in the assault by a student who murdered eight of his classmates and two teachers, and wounded 13 others, the first funeral service for one of the victims -- an exchange student from Pakistan -- was set for later in the afternoon.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott attended a service at the Arcadia First Baptist Church just down the road from Santa Fe High School, where students and residents have placed flowers, messages and stuffed animals in honor of those who died there.

"We're here to support you," Abbott told members of the congregation in exchanges before the service.

"Anything you guys need, let us know. God bless you." Abbott took time to talk with and hug several survivors of the shooting, and parents, and urged them to remain strong.

"I'm just glad he wants to worship together (with us.) It's important that after a tragic event like this we just come together and worship," said Santa Fe 10th grader Joshua Stevens, 15.

As services began, interim Pastor Jerald Watkins offered prayers to the roughly 500 congregants.

"Lord, sometimes we forget you're even here," he said, as worshippers bowed their heads and nodded.

"It's time like this when all of us realize how fragile our lives really are." - 'Harden' schools -



As southeast Texas grieved, the political talk shifted towards how to better protect citizens and facilities like schools in a country where guns have become an inextricable part of the fabric of American life.

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick made the case for boosting security at schools, something US President Donald Trump advocated after a shooting in Parkland, Florida left 17 people dead.

"We need armed teachers -- trained, of course, not just anyone who has a gun, trained how to handle active shooters in the schools," Patrick told CNN. "We need to harden the target. We need to get down to one or two entrances into our schools," he added.

Monica Bracknell, 18, said she and other seniors were allowed in to the school Saturday to retrieve their belongings, and were "shaken up" by the condition of the hallways and classrooms.

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The exhibits include widespread logos from popular agencies, corporations and cultural events, including the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, Vietnam Railway, the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group, the Hue Festival 2018, and the national campaign to promote tourism in 2011  2020 period, among others.

A workshop was held on the morning of May 19, featuring talks by painters and designers on logo design, as well as the challenges facing logo designers in the era of the fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0).

The organising board also announced a book on Logo Vietnam 2018 on the occasion.

The event will run until May 25 at Exhibition House, 16 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem district.
The Tourism Ministry has proposed lifting restrictions on foreigners travelling to Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Sikkim, Minister K J Alphons has said.

Foreigners now need special permits such as a Protected Areas Permit (PAP) and Restricted Areas Permit (RAP) to be able to travel in these areas.

"The ministry has proposed opening up the Northeast for tourists. In the last six months the government has opened up many restricted areas and if the plan in the Northeast works, then many more border areas can be opened up," Alphons told PTI.

The ministry proposed this on May 17 at a meeting with senior Home Affairs and Defence Ministry officials.

Any change would be subject to the approval of the ministries because the issue related to India's security, he said.

"The states too need to be consulted and as of now we cannot give a deadline for this. However, over the past six months we have been working very fast on this," Alphons said.

The Tourism Ministry, he added, was also planning to propose that travel restrictions be removed from border areas in Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

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One-third of the world's protected areas - created to stem the loss of biodiversity - is under intense human pressure from processes including road building, grazing, and urbanisation, a study has found.

The results suggest these areas are not as well guarded as once thought, a reality check for nations striving to meet commitments on biodiversity loss under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), by creating protected lands.

The last global assessment of the impacts of human activity within protected areas was in 1992, a time since which the global extent of protected areas has roughly doubled in size.

However, the assessment in 1992 did not account for the presence of roads and navigable waterways, among other manmade elements.

In a new study by researchers from University of Queensland in Australia sought to more thoroughly assess the current state of protected areas.

They analysed a global map that combines data on built environments, intensive agriculture, pasture lands, human population density, nighttime lights, roads, railways, and navigable waterways.

They report that, as a global average, 33 per cent of protected land is under intense human pressure, while 42 per cent of it free of any measurable human pressure.

In terms of designated pockets of protected land, only 10 per cent of lands were completely free of human activity, but most of these regions are in remote areas of high-latitude nations, such as Russia and Canada.

Protected areas designated after 1993 have a lower level of intense human pressure within their borders than those previously designated.

Researchers suggest that this may indicate that more recently designated areas were targeted as protected spaces because they were recognised as being under low human pressure.

Scientists found no relationship between the degree of human pressure and a number of conservation categories. They also suggest that some protected areas could be better categorised to restrict human activity.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three persons are feared drowned after they went for a swim in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Dabhari village in Olpad taluka in Gujarat's Surat district, police said today.

The three were part of a group of seven persons, all natives of Bhind district in Madhya Pradesh, who work as cooks at a residential school in Narthan village nearby, Olpad police station inspector D N Khant said.

"The seven had gone swimming today. Three of them ventured deep into the sea and started drowning. A rescue team from the city fire department as well as the police are searching for their bodies," Khant said.

He identified the three as Ajay Lodhi (19), Parimal Lodhi (21) and Rajesh Lodhi (21).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump today said that he would ask the Department of Justice to look into whether his 2016 election campaign was infiltrated or surveilled.

Trump was apparently reacting to a pair of reports from the New York Times and the Washington Post this week that the FBI sent an informant to talk to Trump campaign advisers after the bureau found evidence the campaign had suspicious contacts with Russia in the early stages of the Russia investigation.

The informant, an academic who both publications declined to identify, made contact with George Papadopoulos and Carter Page and, according to the Post, Sam Clovis in 2016. Trump and his allies have claimed the informant was a spy.

I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes - and if any such demands or requests



US lawmakers have been demanding documents about this informant from the FBI, which has been denied so far on the argument that the documents would imperil both the source's anonymity and safety.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a jolt to the AAP, its two leaders H S Walia and C D Singh Kamboj today joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) along with their supporters ahead of the Shahkot Assembly bypoll scheduled to be held on May 28.

Both of them joined the SAD the presence of party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Welcoming Kamboj into the party fold, Badal said the senior leader was known for his statesmanlike conduct and strategic thinking, and with his joining, the SAD would be strengthened not only in Doaba belt, but also in entire Punjab.

Kamboj had been the president of BSP's Punjab unit and had also contested elections twice from Shahkot on Congress ticket. He quit Congress and joined AAP in 2015 and was the party spokesperson, besides being the president of the Kamboj Mahasabha.

On the occasion, Kamboj said he joined the SAD to ensure the defeat of Congress' Hardev Singh Laadi in the Assembly bye-election.

Detailing how Laadi had "insulted" the Kamboj community after his 2017 Assembly election loss, he said, "The community is very upset with him."



"In fact, people with dubious reputation like Laadi are being rewarded with party tickets. This shows the moral bankruptcy of the Congress," Kamboj alleged.

Earlier, AAP leader H S Walia, who had contested 2017 Assembly polls from Jalandhar Cantonment seat, also joined SAD.

Walia said he was joining the SAD due to its "pro-people" policies as well as the party's desire to take all sections of society with it.

"I earlier joined AAP because it professed idealism. However I slowly realised that the party had become thoroughly corrupt and was not concerned about Punjabis and their problems. Moreover, AAP is being run from Delhi by Arvind Kejriwal who does not give any weightage to the local leadership," Walia alleged.

Welcoming Walia into the party fold, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said the youth leader had made a name for himself in a short period of time and would be an asset for the SAD in Jalandhar district.

Walia would be duly adjusted in the party organisation and would be given important duties, he was quoted as saying in a release.

The SAD president said the manner in which both the Congress and the AAP leaders were joining the SAD was indicative of the functioning of the Congress government as well as complete disillusionment with the Aam Aadmi Party.

Badal said political leaders usually changed parties towards the fag end of any government's tenure, but presently leaders were "leaving the Congress in droves" because the party had "lost all appeal among the masses" after reneging on promises made to the people.

Notably, on May 17, senior Congress leader and former home minister Brij Bhupinder Singh Lalli had joined the SAD.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two resident doctors including a woman were allegedly beaten up by a patient's relatives at the state-run J J Hospital this morning, police said.

While police registered a case against five persons and arrested four of them, the incident prompted the resident doctors at the hospital to go on a day-long strike.

The incident took place in the morning when Zaida Sanaullah Sheikh (45), a resident of Mumbra who was being treated for a gall bladder ailment, died.

Her family members alleged that it was due to negligence on the doctors' part, and beat up Dr Atish Parikh and a woman doctor who were on duty, a police official said.

They also allegedly ransacked the ward. CCTV footage of the incident went viral on social media.

Police arrested four members of Sheikh's family, including a woman, for the alleged assault. One person was absconding.

A case under IPC sections 353 (assault on public servant), 324 (causing hurt by dangerous weapons) and Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Service Act, 2010 was registered.

The arrested accused were identified as Mohd Altaf Anulahak Shaikh (32), Sony Sanahullah Shah (23), Rihan Sanaullah Shah (22) and Salima Khatun Sanaullah Shah (20).

All four were sent in judicial custody till May 31 by a local court.

After the incident, resident doctors at the hospital announced a day-long strike in protest.

The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) alleged that despite repeated requests, there was no adequate security at the hospital.

MARD chief Dr Sarang Donarkar, in a letter to the Dean of J J Hospital, alleged that the number of security guards has been reduced to half.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The outcome of Karnataka assembly polls has underlined the need for the opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh to prevent a split in the anti-BJP vote in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, party leaders said.

Opposition parties like the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Congress argue that that it was a division in the anti-BJP vote that allowed the saffron party to emerge as the single largest party in Karnataka.

"There is a strong need to chalk out a strategy to ensure that the anti-BJP votes do not get divided to give it (BJP) any advantage in the coming elections," SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary told PTI here.

Elections now have to be fought strategically, he said.

That success can be achieved through unity has been proved very well in Gorakhpur and Phoolpur, where the SP wrested the seats from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party with the help of the BSP, Chaudhary said.

Airing similar views, Congress spokesman Dwijendra Tripathi said going by the Karnataka results, it has become all the more important to go to the polls unitedly to not only win elections but also to save the constitutional bodies.

"What is most important today is to keep the BJP out of power and save the Constitution," Tripathi said.

While reacting to the Karnataka results, BSP president Mayawati said the Congress should not repeat the mistake it committed while campaigning in Muslim-dominated areas, terming the Janata Dal (Secular) as the 'B-team' of the BJP.

This, she suggested, had helped the BJP win those seats.

"It is my suggestion to the Congress not to use such language in the future which could help the BJP and the RSS in future elections," Mayawati had said.

Rashtriya Lok Dal spokesman Anil Dubey said his party was always of the opinion that all like-minded non-BJP parties should come on one platform to stop the BJP.

"The lesson to learn from the Karnataka election is that only a collective opposition can check the BJP and the past record proves this point," Ramesh Dixit, political analyst and former head of the political science department at Lucknow University, said.

In the context of the coming Lok Sabha elections, he suggested it was for the Congress with its pan-India reach and the ambition to form government in Delhi to reach out to the smaller parties with a strong base in different parts of the country.

The Congress has to learn from the BJP how it entered into an alliance with the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party and the Apna Dal for the UP assembly polls despite its government being comfortably placed at the Centre, Dixit said.

Leaders who urge opposition unity draw attention to the past two elections in UP where the BJP won convincing victories even though the collective vote share of the non-BJP parties was bigger.

In the last assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh in 2017, the saffron party posted a landslide victory bagging 325 of the 403 seats, with a vote share of 41.35 per cent.

In comparison, the SP which was reduced to 54 seats from 224 in the previous aAssembly election got 28.07 per cent of the vote. The BSP came down to 19 seats from 80, getting 22.23 per cent votes.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, BJP won 71 out of 80 seats with its alliance partner the Apna Dal getting two more, beating the opposition parties hands down.

The BJP got 42.63 per cent votes and the Apna Dal 1.01 per cent.

In comparison, the SP won a mere five seats with 22.35 per cent votes in 2014. The BSP polled 19.77 per cent votes but drew a blank. The Congress got two seats with a 7.53 per cent vote share.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Even as the recently announced national wind-solar hybrid policy is expected to boost renewable power generation, setting up adequate number of evacuation network will be critical, experts say.

Under the new policy, the government intends to auction wind-solar hybrid projects on tariff based competitive bidding, and these can be set up anywhere across the country depending on feasibility and land availability with bidders.

"Consistent forecasts from analysts suggest that the country will face major grid integration issues in the coming years if evacuation infrastructure is not improved at the same rate as renewables capacity additions," Vijay Khandwekar, head-module mounting structure business, solar projects, Tata International, told PTI.

The government has set an ambitious target of achieving 175 gw of renewable capacity by 2022, of which solar would be 100 gw, and the rest 60 gw would be wind.

The installed capacities of 20 gw of solar and 35 gw of wind at present, however, is far from the combined target of 160 gw.

Rating agency Icra in its recent report had said that the adequate evacuation network availability would be critical for new hybrid projects as well as for hybridisation of existing wind or solar projects, given the higher generation profile expected.

According to PwC, the country has been developing solar-wind hybrid projects since the past five years, with an installed capacity of 20 gw.

Amit Kumar, partner-clean energy, PwC India told PTI that the challenges expected while integrating solarwind hybrid systems would include producing the power of high quality and reliability, which needs to be synchronised with local grid.

"Issues of dispatching the variable energy shall also arise; which have to be dealt at the load dispatch centres," he said.

As per the policy, the tariff would be initially feed-in tariff. It would be very low since evacuation infrastructure would be shared. However, the policy also mentions competitive bidding, which might keep the tariffs in check, according to PwC.

The policy also promotes usage of battery storage in hybrid projects for optimising the output and reduces the invariability.

Kumar said this would not only reduce the variability of solar and wind technologies, but would also provide higher energy outputs for the given capacities; thus ensuring availability of firm power for a particular period of time.

At the state level, Andhra had issued its draft solar wind hybrid policy in 2016, which clearly earmarks extensive efforts for promoting this technology.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After the Wuhan summit last month, there is greater comprehension about strategic and over-arching issues between the leadership of India and China, Indian Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale has said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met in April in an unprecedented two-day 'heart-to-heart' summit in the central Chinese city of Wuhan to "solidify" the India-China relationship after the Dokalam military standoff last year.

Today, especially after the Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping, where our two leaders had several hours of heart-to-heart discussions, specially on strategic and over-arching issues, there is a much greater comprehension of each other amongst the leadership of our countries, Bambawale said yesterday.

Troops of India and China were locked in a 73-day standoff in Dokalam after the Indian side stopped the construction of a road by the Chinese army in the disputed area.

Addressing a meeting to commemorate the 157th birth anniversary of India's poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore at the Indian Embassy here, he said Tagore was fascinated by China and its ancient civilisation.

Tagore was one of the earliest modern thinkers of India who understood and comprehended the benefits of mutual understanding and cooperative partnership between India and China, the two great civilisations of Asia, he said.

I believe that our job at events like this one today is to expand friendship and understanding between the people of India and China, he said.

Through our efforts to remember Tagore, we are doing our little bit for enhancing understanding and trust between our people. This will stand both our countries in good stead and will contribute in making the 21st century an Asian century, he said.

A large number of Tagore fans specially students of Peking University, which the poet visited during one of his two visits to China in 1924 and 1929, attended the meeting where some of them also sang his poetry in Chinese. A dance performance was also held.

His first visit is described, both in China as well as in India, as a major event in the literary circles of the two countries, Bambawale said.

This visit to China left a very strong impression on Rabindranath Tagore, and he made friendships here, especially with the young Chinese poet Xu Zhimo, who was his official translator during the trip, he said.

Upon his return to India, he established the world famous Cheena Bhawan at Shantiniketan with the idea that it would be a bridge for intellectual exchanges between our two countries. He appointed Professor Tan Yunshan as the first Director of Cheena Bhawan, who in turn did yeoman service for closer understanding between India and China," he said.

Professor Dong Youchen of Centre for South Asian Studies of the Beijing Foreign Studies University made an elaborate presentation about the impact made by Tagore and his poetry on China.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Ginger Gibson and David LawderWASHINGTON (Reuters) - China has agreed to significantly increase its purchases of U.S. goods and services, the two countries said on Saturday, but made no mention of a $200 billion target the White House had touted earlier.Beijing and Washington agreed they would keep talking aboutmeasures under which China would import more energy andagricultural commodities from the United States to close the$335 billion annual U.S. goods and services trade deficit withChina.A joint statement issued at the conclusion of intensivetrade talks in Washington did not indicate ...
Tri Ton and Tinh Bien districts, An Giang province, are home to a large number of Khmer people in Vietnam. The costumes of the Khmer people in An Giang are divided into daily costumes and costumes for celebrations.

The Khmer are famous for Tkat and Batik dying techniques which produce shiny black silk and cotton fabrics.

In their daily lives, Khmer women wear colourful collarless silk shirts which are embroidered with motifs of oval inlays, flowers and stripes. The dresses are a mixed sarong, a 3.5 metre long and one metre wide piece of delicately embroidered cloth, which is wrapped around the upper leg and the rest slipped between the two legs to make a short and bulging pants.

The traditional costume of Khmer men is a sarong, a long piece of delicately embroidered cloth. They also often wear a combination of sarongs and black blouses.

The elegance of the Khmer peoples traditional costumes are vividly represented at festivals and wedding celebrations. At weddings, Khmer people wear their most beautiful costumes. Female guests at the wedding are dressed in costumes in flamboyant colours: green, red, purple, and yellow.

The bride often wears a red or lotus pink gown and a short, sleeveless top. The gown and the top are closefitting thanks to a metal belt. The bride ties a golden silk scarf from her shoulder to her hip.

The bride also puts on a tower-shaped hat decorated as a beautiful crown with sparkling beads or embroidered flowers.

The groom wears a red Hol dress and long sleeved blouse. He ties a white scarf across his body and wears a knife on his belt as a symbol of protection for the bride.
By Yuka Obayashi and Ritsuko ShimizuTOKYO (Reuters) - Strong global demand has helped cushion the impact on Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp of new U.S. import duties, but Japan's top steelmaker remains worried Washington's trade barriers could lead to a glut in Asia, its much bigger market.Japan is among the top 10 steel exporters to the United States which in March began imposing a 25 percent tariff on steel imports, aimed at curbing purchases from China."There has been no major impact from the U.S. tariffs thanks to solid global demand," Nippon Steel Executive Vice President Katsuhiro ...
OGDEN, Utah (AP)  A group of Utah teenagers has convinced state lawmakers to adopt a resolution that recognizes the consequences of climate change and encourages the reduction of emissions.

Seven of the students met with Republican Gov. Gary Herbert on Wednesday for a ceremonial signing of the resolution, the Standard-Examiner reported .

The main message of the resolution is that economic viability and environmental stewardship arent different things, said Mishka Banuri, a junior at West High School in Salt Lake City.

The resolution, which is a formal statement and not a law, observes that the impacts of climate change affects Utah residents and calls for the use of sound science to understand the causes. It also encourages the reduction of emissions while calling for innovation to grow the economy.

Piper Christian, a senior at Logan High School, said she got involved in an effort to lobby conservative lawmakers two years ago after learning about state legislation that debated climate change science.

In beginning an effort for a resolution, Christian said they were told it would be a lost cause.

But as students, we believe through respectful dialogue and unwavering persistence we could convince our representatives to look past politics and come together on shared priorities in support of our resolution, Christian said.

The students gained the support of Republican Rep. Rebecca Edwards, who helped them draft the resolution last year. The resolution failed to move out of committee in 2017, but Edwards said she encouraged the teen to keep working.

This year, the resolution had lawmakers support. It moved through the state Senate with all but three votes, and it moved the House with nearly 70 percent of members giving approval.

Its gratifying to see that next generation come up and to see their influence, Edwards said. And it leaves me with a tremendous sense of optimism for the future.

Students have the power to create positive change not just in Utah but across the country, Christian said.

We are proud to lead the student movement for improving environmental policies and hope other students, both in Utah and other states, can use this resolution as a stepping-stone to keep making changes, Christian said.



Information from: Standard-Examiner, http://www.standard.net
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong said that the event is part of important activities to take place in Japan in 2018 in celebration of the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

Besides Tokyo, the Vietnam Festival will be organised in other localities across Japan, including Fukuoka, Aichi, Osaka, Kanagawa, and Saitama, within this year, Cuong added.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda expressed his delight at the development of the two countries relations, while hoping that the friendship will be strengthened to meet aspirations.

Deputy head of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association Motoyoshi Ryoikichi told the Vietnam News Agency that the bilateral ties are in a flourishing period.

There are around 240,000 Vietnamese people living in Japan, a tenfold increase compared with the figure five years ago.

The Vietnam festival was first held in Japan in September 2008, becoming the biggest-ever festival of Vietnam held in the country, attracting 150,000 visitors in just three days.

Since then, the festival has been organised annually and become the largest cultural exchange event between the two countries.

This years event has 120 pavilions, including 60 cuisine ones, and 50 others introducing the image of Vietnamese land and people and Vietnamese goods, along with art performances.

The two-day festival is expected to attract over 150,000 visitors.
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Deputy Mayor of Bangem Screen capture

A group of armed men suspected to be Ambazonia fighters have kidnapped the Mayor of Bangem Council, Ekuh Simon and his deputy, Enongene Epie Manga. The two men are accused by the fighters of trying to convince youths in Kupe Muanenguba Division to take part in May 20 celebrations.

In two separate videos circulating on social media, the two men are seen sitting on the floor in a forest, with hands tied behind their backs with guns pointing at them.

The men separately said they were being held because they were caught distributing May 20 gadgets to youths in the Division in an attempt to convince them take part in the 46th National Day celebrations.

Adjoint au Maire de Bangem (c) Facebook

They were abducted in the village of Ndibsi, in Bangem subdivision and their lives in on the balance as the abductors have asked that no one from Bangem should take part in the March Past else the men will be killed

Elsewhere, there have sporadic gunshots in Batibo and Belo Subdivisions in Momo and Boyo Divisions in the North West region.

Maire de Bangem (c) Facebook

Soldiers on their way to Bamenda were attacked along the Bali-Batibo Bridge while those in Belo came face-to-face with Ambazonia fighters in a fierce shootout.

It has been a tense week in prelude to todays National Day after Activists fighting to create the State of Ambazonia threatened to kill anyone who takes part in the event in the two English speaking regions on Cameroon.

But some institutions like the Buea national Advance School of Public works has threatened to dismiss any student who will not take part in the parade.
Population drinking palm oil W. Musa

The people of Bamenda, chief town of the North West region, and surrounding towns were plunged into an all night palm oil drinking exercise after news of the explosion of gas in Lake Awing, found in Santa Subdivision spread like wild fire in the dry season.

The news, whose author is not known, till now described as fake was circulated around 3am on social media and just within a while got the entire town and villages in a palm oil drinking spree after friends, families made calls urging their love ones to take precautions by drinking palm oil.

The mad rush for palm oil was ecstatic and those who didnt have had to knock doors of their neighbors for some.

Men, women and children took litres of the liquid; while others drank like beer; some simply rob on their nostrils and mouth, in an attempt to prevent suffocation from a possible gas spread from the Lake.

Locals said the incident which took place in Lake Nyos was a lesson and whether true or false, they had to take the first step by applying what could be a preventive method.

At dawn, many persons who wanted to know the truth behind the Lake Awing gas explosion trooped to the site located miles away from town with main road passing through GTC Santa, they discovered that the lake was still calm and fresh, contrary to what was spread on social media.

The Lake Guard told visitors that it was as calm as women of Nso dynasty maintaining that he has been all night around the Lake and has heard nothing about the explosion.

CIN got in contact with a visitor Theophilous Tume who doubles as a tourist guard and he confirmed that there was no such thing as gas explosion at the Lake.

The news of a possible gas explosion comes days after Ambazonia Activists debunked claims by Ministry of Public Health that Moneky Pox virus has been discovered in Njikwa, Momo Division and Akwaya, Manyu Division, in the North West and South West regions respectively.

The Activists say there might be an attempt by government to plant chemicals in the Lake.The government has not made any statement on these allegations.
| BY Kim Shaw |

Nick Russo has joined DDB Sydney as managing partner on Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

Russo was most recently group head at M&C Saatchi for 10 years leading the Lexus business. He has a range of other high-level experience across telcos, FMCG and retail.

Russo said hes passionate about building relationships and delivering creative excellence with solid business outcomes: The opportunity to work at DDB Sydney on Volkswagen was a no brainer. An iconic agency, and an iconic brand.

Im looking forward to helping drive Volkswagen to great sales results, and cutting through in really competitive markets with some stand out creative.

I jumped at the chance to work with the DDB Sydney crew, particularly with Ben (Welsh, DDB CCO) again because we share a passion for great work, and work that works, he said.

DDB Sydney has a long history with Volkswagen, first winning the Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles business in Australia in 2001, and then the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (CV) and Skoda accounts in 2015.

Volkswagen CVs most famous campaign via DDB Sydney was the 2016 The Naked Ute Amarok campaign, which picked up a bunch of awards including a Silver Cannes Lion. This was followed up by the Mad Max-inspired Korama work for the Amarok V6.

I was a big fan of The Naked Ute and its success, and Im looking forward to seeing what we can do with the Amarok in the future. Commercial Vehicles is such an exciting segment. There are so many established utes to take on, we want to continue to shake things up and prove that what people call a posh ute is actually a very serious player, Russo said.
For years now, a woman whose hair is now white has been seen around there since she was still young. When the tree was small, she watered it and cared for it. When the tree was in full bloom, she came to look at it and often brought some branches home. She calls it the milk flower tree.

In the mid-Autumn Festival this year, she was seen going together with a young girl to see the milk flower tree. The girl bore some features of a Western girl, with a high nose and white skin, but her eyes and hair were as black as those of the Vietnamese. She spoke fluent Vietnamese. Different from the other years when she came and watched in silence the flowers on the tree, she was smiling and looking at the girl with love in her eye. She slowly answered the girls repeated questions.

Grandma, why is it called the milk flower? And why is there only this one in the middle of all these ancient khaya and tamarind trees?

She was astounded at the question; her eyes welled up in tears, looking to the past...

*****

At the head of the alley, near the corner of Pasteur-Dien Bien Phu Road, there is a lovely villa with a trellis of antigone flowers which bloom pink all year round. The house owner was a doctor in charge of the surgery department of Cho Ray Hospital. He studied medicine in France. He had a beautiful daughter who was ready to help anyone in need.

In the Spring of Mau Than Lunar year in 1968, Saigon was quiet, indescribably tranquil, with lunar New Year festival (Tet) days around the corner, even though markets were in hustle and bustle, bars and pubs and dance halls were filled to capacity with the American GIs and Saigon soldiers. Fire crackers were allowed to be set off on the eve of the Lunar New Year. The whole of Saigon seemed ready to explode amid the fire crackers welcoming the New Year. Out of the blue, gunfire was heard all over the streets in central Saigon, in the key offices of the Saigon administration like Tan Airport, the Police General Office, the Saigon Radio Station, the US Embassy, the Independence Palace and so on. A Lunar New Years Eve night had shocked the US and the world, sent horror to the American GIs fighting in Vietnam. That the US Embassy, previously thought to be impregnable, was occupied by Viet Cong (Vietnamese communists) stunned the White House and the world. The fighting got even fiercer in the later days of Tet. A see-saw battle happened in every street. Eventually, the liberation fighters were unable to hold the occupied positions due to late reinforcements. Many units of the Liberation Army had to split into smaller units and they lost communications in Saigon.

At the corner of Pasteur-Dien Bien Phu Road, there was usually a small post guarded by a squad of the Saigon army; yet, on the night of the Lunar New Year, it was heavily guarded by a company of hundreds of soldiers with the support of three armoured cars to block the road. A Liberation Army unit had launched an assault onto this post in an attempt to open this road so that the liberation fighters could be able to advance deeper into the centre of Saigon to reinforce the fighters at the US Embassy, the Independence Palace, the Radio Station and other areas. All the houses around were shut. The doctors villa was also closed. But it was noisy inside. They had a guest, a special guest at that: It was a Viet Cong fighter. He was unconscious with blood smeared all over his body.

Immediately after hearing the gunfire at the crossroad near their house, the father and daughter had followed the fighting on the terrace. During the night, they had seen three liberation fighters fighting against the powerful firepower of the Saigon army. In the end, two of them had died and the third was heavily wounded. They saw him crawling slowly into a bush at the back door of their house. Without delay, the father and daughter went downstairs and opened the back door. The girl helped the Viet Cong soldier into the house, while the father tried to erase all traces of him. Then, a field operation room was quickly set up in the bunker inside the kitchen, which had already existed when he bought the villa. The doctor raced with time to save the Viet Cong man, while his daughter was in the house in case the Saigon troops came to question them about the missing Viet Cong.

Five days had gone by without having found the Viet Cong fighter, the Saigon soldiers had guarded everywhere and searched everyone passing by, as they believed that this Viet Cong could not have escaped. They were in great doubt about the house of the doctor, but he was a famous man who had saved a lot of lives in the city, even the lives of Saigon soldiers relatives. So they felt hesitant.

A week later, this Viet Cong soldier came to. He opened slowly his eyes and vaguely saw a beautiful girl and heard a sweet voice of a Southerner. Whats wrong with my body? Where am I now? - he thought. With great efforts, he spurted out a few words:

Where.. where am I?

Oh, my word, youre conscious  the girls voice was as smooth as silk.

He felt a little bit stronger. He asked the girl in a weak broken voice of a Northerner:

Where am I now?

The girl said slowly:

Youre in my house; youve been unconscious for the last few days. My father is a doctor and he has treated you. And whats your name?

My name is Long. Where is my knapsack?

My name is Ha. Dont worry about it. Everything has been saved. Your gun has been carefully hidden

Please, would you do me a favour to open the knapsack or else the small tree inside it will die?

What tree will die?  The girl asked, running to the corner of the room to fetch the knapsack. She saw some green leaves cropping out of it. She took it out and found that it had been wrapped in a bag. She gave it to him.

This tree?

Yes, it is. Its the milk flower tree. How lucky, you are still green, my dear tree!

With great care given to him by the doctor and his daughter, the young liberation soldier, as heavily wounded as he was, was recovering fast. He learned that the girl was 20 years old and a student in the medical school. Her father was a doctor who had studied in France. She had beautiful eyes. She also knew that he was 20 years old and a student of Hanoi Polytechnic University. He had fought in the Southern battlefield for three years. His house was located in an ancient street of Hanoi. Its name was Quan Su Street. His maternal grandmothers house was in the flower village of Ngoc Ha. Even though he was still bandaged, he looked handsome and robust. Through his stories about Hanoi and the North, the girl discovered that all the propaganda launched by the Saigon administration to smear the North was fake. Hanoi with 36 ancient streets looked amazing in her minds eyes. And she asked him a lot about the milk flower and its scent. She wondered if this flower was associated with a girl in Hanoi, so he had to bring it along with him. As if he had guessed her mind, he looked at her, smiling:

This is a small bag of seeds my grandmother gave to me before I hit the road to the South. She told me to sow these seeds in the South just in case I could not return, she could find me by going to find these milk flower trees in the South. I have gone through almost all the regions in the South and this time in Saigon, I have only one seed left, so I germinated the seed and thought I would cultivate the tree in Saigon where I fought. Milk flowers bloom in autumn, around mid-Autumn Festival. It has a strong, but warm scent.

Suddenly, the girl asked:

Have you ever gone with a girl under these milk flower trees?

Not yet.

But what youve described makes me disbelieve you..

It gives me the same feeling of each time I walked around Thien Quang Lake on Nguyen Du Street. The flower has an unforgettable scent. The more you inhale it, the sicker you will get, you know!

The girl smiled, looking far away as if she was wishing to be in Hanoi together with him. Suddenly, she blushed. The stories he had told made her feel ever closer to Hanoi.

Twenty days had gone by. The wound had healed and the Viet Cong man recovered. After he told her how to contact his liaison, the girl contacted his men who came to take him back to the rear. Only half a day left before he had to say good-bye to the girl. The young people felt greatly for each other during these days.

They sat by their sides in silence. He took her hands, looking deep into her eyes. They exchanged looks as if they wanted to keep the image in their head forever. And as if unable to stand the moment, they kissed each other. Time seemed to stay still.

Wait for me when the milk flower season sets in!

*********

On April 30, 1975, Saigon was liberated.

The girl became the doctor of a military unit. After the Viet Cong soldier had left the house of the doctor for some time, the girl also left for the revolutionary resistance area. The house now had a six-year-old boy. His father was not there. His name was Long Ha.

One day, the girl transplanted the milk flower tree in the corner of Pasteur-Dien Bien Phu Road where that wounded Viet Cong soldier had lain the other year. She watered it every day; she cared for it with great concern. When she was asked about the tree, she answered that it was the milk flower tree of a liberation soldier from Hanoi. When the first flowers were in bloom, she picked one branch of flowers and put it on the altar where beside the photos of her father and mother, there was a photo of the soldier.

She looked for and found the grave of that soldier at the Mien Dong Cemetery. She burnt incense and prayed: My dear, I have been waiting for you for a long time. Our son has now grown up. The milk flower tree has now grown so big and bloomed. Do come back with us along the scent of the flower. I will go to Hanoi and look for the house where your maternal grandmother stayed and tell her all about our love in Saigon.

Year after year, the milk flower tree has been standing there for half a century. The girl in that Mau Than lunar year is now old. Today, she took her granddaughter to see the milk flower tree. Her father Long Ha had gone to study medicine in France and married a French girl. This was the first time the girl came to see her paternal grandmother and was told about the grandmothers love story with a liberation soldier who was now sitting on the altar.
Born to a family of patriots in a rich traditional revolutionary land, the young man Nguyen Tat Thanh decided to go abroad at the age of 21 to find a way to salvage his country after witnessing the pain of a country under colonial rule. With a burning desire for independence and freedom for the nation and a prosperous contented life for the Vietnamese people, he travelled all over the world to work and study the reality of the struggles of oppressed peoples and the nature of capitalism. The difficult journey led him to Marxism-Leninism as a historical necessity, which helped him to recognise that it was the only road for the struggle for national liberation, class freedom and liberating the people.

In the revolution, the premise was to have a revolutionary party attached to the Marxist-Leninist ideology. Thus, he prepared all of the conditions and founded, trained, organised and led the Communist Party of Vietnam to carry out its glorious historical mission. Under the leadership of the Party, the Vietnamese revolution triumphed over numerous difficulties and challenges to earn glorious achievements. It was the August Revolution in 1945 to establish the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the first people-owned state in the history of the nation. It was the victory of the resistance war against the French colonialists, culminating in the Dien Bien Phu Victory. It was the victory of the anti-American war, ending in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign in April 1975 to reunite the divided nation. The liberated Vietnam has followed socialism since then and carried out the comprehensive Doi Moi (renovation) that has brought about a range of significant achievements with historic significance.

Throughout a wholly pure and upright life, he only had one desire, the ultimate desire to make our nation independent, all people have food and clothing, and everyone is educated. President Ho Chi Minh dedicated his life to the revolution, wholeheartedly serving the Fatherland and the people. His name and career will shine forever, highlighting the history of the thousand years of national construction and defence and will remain forever in the hearts of the Vietnamese people. He not only left a great revolutionary achievement, but also gave future generations a valuable legacy, that is the Ho Chi Minh era with his noble ideology, ethics and lifestyle. His name is closely linked to the progressive and peaceful movement of mankind.

This year, Vietnam commemorates the 128th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh with the joy and trust from the Party officials, Party members and the people regarding the achievements after half a term of the 12th Party Congress. In 2017, the second year of implementing the 12th Party Congresss Resolution, for the first time in many years, Vietnam fulfilled all of the 13 planned targets. GDP growth was at 6.81%, which is a high level compared to other countries in the region and around the world. After ten years, GDP in the first quarter of 2018 re-established a record again, reaching 7.38%, far exceeding the corresponding figure of 5.15% same period last year. The Party building and reorganisation has gained positive results, reinforcing the people's trust in the Party and the regime. Vietnam has never had as high a position of prestige in the international arena as today.

The country is celebrating the 128th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh in the midst of the seventh session of the 12th Party Central Committee, which ended with important contents reached on strengthening the governing staff at all levels and on the reform of the salary and social insurance policies. This is also the time for the preparation of the fifth session of the 14th National Assembly that will discuss and decide many important issues.

To celebrate the birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, more than ever, the whole Party, people, army, as well as each Party organisation, organs and units, should turn the sentiment and gratitude towards the beloved president into concrete works. Each Party organisation and party member, especially the leaders, should further promote their roles and responsibilities in studying President Ho Chi Minhs thoughts, morality and lifestyle in each action to prevent the recession of political thought and morals to wholeheartedly serve the people; while at the same time, to thoroughly implement and formulate action programmes to effectively realise the resolutions of the seventh plenum of the 12th Party Central Committee, in association with other resolutions of the Party, towards streamlined organisation, efficient operations and strong innovative staff. The focus should be laid on breakthroughs in concretising policies on salary and social insurance reforms in order to ensure the best interests of officials, civil servants and labourers to create new motivation in their work.

In commemorating the 128th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh in the national comprehensive and synchronous renovation and international integration, amidst the intertwined opportunities, advantages and challenges, the whole Party, army and people are willing to unite to build a strong Party in association with caring for national socio-economic development in order to turn Vietnam into a stronger and more beautiful country as was President Ho Chi Minhs wish.
Photo: Contributed West Kelowna

Highway 97 is bumper-to-bumper as commuters try and navigate around town this long weekend.

"Highway 97 from West Kelowna to Kelowna is backed up as far as the eye can see," a Castanet viewer wrote in.

"A city truck was on the bridge with its arrow light on. It's only a single lane of traffic going through at a snails pace," they added.

With the heavy flow of traffic commuters should leave ample time to get to their destination.
Photo: Contributed

Join our wine writer, Allison Markin, every week for a wine review complete with food and music pairings. Featuring Okanagan and Canadian wines, with an occasional international bottle, Castanet celebrates the bottles of our Valley and the diversity of the Canadian wine industry and influences from around the world. For current availability and pricing, consult the winery. Unless indicated, international selections are generally available at government liquor stores or private wine shops.

Wine: Pinot Blanc, 2017

Winery: Kraze Legz Winery at Skaha Vineyard, Okanagan Falls

Why drink it? Not quite in OK Falls, but at a site overlooking Skaha Lake, Kraze Legz quietly wins awards regularly for their wines, including a recent win at the Cascadia International Wine Competition for this Pinot Blanc. Made with care, hand harvesting followed by fermentation in stainless steel brings out crisp, clean notes of melon and pineapple on the nose with a bit of lemon. You might compare this to an unoaked Chardonnay, but this wine is lighter and brighter, with refreshing, almost mouthwatering acidity. Nice minerality with flavours of stone fruits.

Price: $21

Pair with: Fresh pasta with a light seafood cream sauce, grilled swordfish or trout with a bit of fennel for flavour, chickpea salad with fresh zucchini dressed simply with lemon and olive oil, or even a tuna sandwich with lemon mayo and a side of fresh veggies.

Music pairing: Maggie May by Rod Stewart

Have a wine to suggest? Email Allison at [email protected]
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Mexican Ambassador to Vietnam Sara Valdes Bolano emphasised that the Honorary Consuls Office is important in boosting the bilateral relationship between Mexico and Vietnam, including the ties in trade, investment, culture and tourism.

She underlined the potential for cooperation between the two countries, and urged the Honorary Consul to work as a bridge connecting localities of Mexico and Ho Chi Minh City, while supporting Mexican citizens in the Vietnamese city in consular matters.

Vu Minh Anh, a Vietnamese German entrepreneur, said the top priority during his term is to promote trade links and cultural-tourism exchanges between Mexican localities and Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular.

According to the citys Department of External Affairs, there are around 120 Mexico citizens residing in Vietnam, half of them in Ho Chi Minh City.

Annual two-way trade between Vietnam and Mexico averages US$5 billion. Each year over 9,500 Mexicans visit Vietnam, while around 5,000 Vietnamese tourists take tours to Mexico.
>>> President Ho Chi Minhs first visit to Russia recalled in St. Petersburg

>>> HCM City, St. Petersburg hold substantial cooperation potential

During the tour, Nhan was introduced to advanced wastewater treatment technologies which are friendly to the environment, and clean water and wastewater management of St. Petersburg city.

He showed his interest in the operation of the State Unitary Enterprise Vodokanal of St. Petersburg which is in charge of treating 98.5% of waste and wastewater of the city.

The Secretary also spoke highly of community activities to raise public awareness, especially that of young people, of effective water use and water and environmental protection through the establishment of the Youth Environmental Centre and The Universe of Water Museum complex.

Water management is one of the four main cooperation fields of a roadmap on bilateral cooperation for 2018-2020 signed by HCM City and St Petersburg on May 17.

Earlier on the occasion of the 313th founding anniversary of the Baltic Fleet, the leader of Ho Chi Minh City visited the Aurora cruiser which is the symbol of the October Revolution. The ship fired a deafening warning shot launching an attack on the Winter Palace in Petrograd on November 7, 1917.

He also attended a ceremony to mark 95 years from the date President Ho Chi Minh first arrived in Petrograd, and the late Presidents 128th birthday (May 19, 1890).
Here is the latest jail booking report from Hamilton County:

ALMONTE, SALUD CANCINO

4090 AUBURN HILLS DRIVE OOLTEWAH, 37363

Age at Arrest: 37 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) UND

---

BAILEY, SHERRY ELIZABETH

8421 CAN RD SODDY DAISY, 37379

Age at Arrest: 57 years old

Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy

THEFT OF PROPERTY

---

BAUM, PRESTON JOSEPH

279 SOUTH JENKINS RD CHICKAMAUGA, 30707

Age at Arrest: 21 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

FAILURE TO YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY

STOP SIGN VIOLATION

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

---

BROOKS, MACHANA LYNN

1316 LOVELADY LEWIS RD SODDY DAISY, 37379

Age at Arrest: 36 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

---

BRYSON, CATHY DARLENE

610 MERRIAM ST CHATTANOOGA, 374053444

Age at Arrest: 43 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

---

CANTRELL, MICHAEL LEE

HOMLESS HARRISON, 37341

Age at Arrest: 45 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

AGGRAVATED BURGLARY (OCCUPIED HABITATION)

RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS

---

CARRINGTON, TRISTON L

7197 FLAGRARGG DRIVE OOLTAWA, 37363

Age at Arrest: 34 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

---

CECIL, KELLY DANIELLE

HOMELESS LIVING IN CAR ROCK SPRINGS, 30736

Age at Arrest: 37 years old

Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy

POSSESSION OF A FIREARM IN THE COMMISSION/FELONY

SALES AND DELIVERY OF METHAMPHETAMINE

POSSESSION OF OXYCODONE FOR RESALE

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA (SIMPLE)

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHENALIA

---

CHAMBERS, MARK DEWAYNE

5731 HWY 153 HIXSON, 37343

Age at Arrest: 41 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

DRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC, VIOLATION

DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE

---

DILLARD, HENRY DAVIS

3103 6TH AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37407

Age at Arrest: 35 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

---

EDMISTON, CONNIE RAY

1610 CHIPPEWA AVE CLEVELAND, 37211

Age at Arrest: 60 years old

Arresting Agency: Tenn Highway Patrol

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHE

---

FRANCISCO, JEANETTE C

2194 MAGGIE FARMER ROAD CEDAR HILL, 37032

Age at Arrest: 26 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

CRIMINAL SIMULATION

---

FREEMAN, JENNIFER DELORES

609 CASTLE DR CHATTANOOGA, 37411

Age at Arrest: 39 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

THEFT UNDER $1,000

---

FURMAN, KIMBERLY MEGAN

8675 SNOWHILL ROAD OOLTAWAH, 37363

Age at Arrest: 26 years old

Arresting Agency: Red Bank

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

---

GARRICK, JOHN HOUSTON

5506 WOODLAWN DRIVE CHATTANOOGA, 37411

Age at Arrest: 28 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

---

GOSSETT, MICHAEL TIMOTHY

1728 SUNCREST LN HIXSON, 37343

Age at Arrest: 56 years old

Arresting Agency: Red Bank

PUBLI INTOXICATION

---

GRAHAM, GARRICK COLE

621 MEMORIAL DR CHATTANOOGA, 37415

Age at Arrest: 22 years old

Arresting Agency: Red Bank

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

---

HEWITT, JONATHAN K

6823 IVANWOOD DRIVE HIXSON, 37343

Age at Arrest: 19 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

PUBLIC INTOXICATION

DRINKING UNDER AGE/SELL ALCOHOL TO MINOR

---

HOGH, RACHEL RENEE

4670 PRESERVE DR CHATTANOOGA, 37416

Age at Arrest: 20 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

---

HORTON, ADAM LAMAR

2316 BAILEY AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37404

Age at Arrest: 45 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

---

HORTON, JAWAN EUGENE

1401 E 47TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 374073211

Age at Arrest: 25 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

STOP SIGN VIOLATION

---

HUDSON, CHARLES EDWARD

6860 LEE HWY, APT 225 CHATTANOOGA, 37421

Age at Arrest: 54 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

911 VIOLATION (IMPROPER USE)

---

HUDSON, DWIGHT AUSTIN

5711 HIGH STREET OOLTEWAH, 37363

Age at Arrest: 24 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

---

HUDSON, GREGORY DEWAYNE

4105 DAYTON BLVD CHATTANOOGA, 374157100

Age at Arrest: 55 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

PUBLIC INTOXICATION

---

JOHNSON, WORLIE D

432 WATER STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37410

Age at Arrest: 55 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

---

KEBERDLE, CARL FREDRICK

8606 DAISY DALLAS RD HIXSON, 37343

Age at Arrest: 50 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINE

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

OPEN CONTAINER LAW

---

KEITH, KAULIN KINTREL

1949 NORTHPOINT BLVD, APT 137 CHATTANOOGA, 37343

Age at Arrest: 24 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

---

LEASTER, CHARLETTE DENISE

2419 N CREST RD CHATTANOOGA, 37406

Age at Arrest: 43 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

MISUSE OF EVIDENCES OF REGISTRATION

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

---

LEWIS, SIDNEY W

6045 HIGHWAY 27 CHATTANOOGA, 37405

Age at Arrest: 23 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINE

RECKLESS DRIVING

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

OPEN CONTAINER LAW

---

MARTIN, KENTRELL ANTOINE

9105 GLOUSTER LN CHATTANOOGA, 37416

Age at Arrest: 31 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

DOMESTIC ASSAULT/AGGRAVATED

---

MASSEY, CECILIA DRUSILLA

8420 OAK DR CHATTANOOGA, 37412

Age at Arrest: 54 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

PUBLIC INTOXICATION

---

MCDANIEL, DEVIN ANTONE

1136 CODY LN SODDY DAISY, 37379

Age at Arrest: 39 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

---

MCDONALD, ROBERT ALLEN

301 GLENWOOD DR CHATTANOOGA, 37404

Age at Arrest: 20 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE 2ND OFFENSE

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE

---

MILLER, DENA DIANE

1509 THRASHER PIKE HIXSON, 37343

Age at Arrest: 31 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

---

MONSON, MARK EVERETTE

802 MISSISSIPPI AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37405

Age at Arrest: 32 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga

DOMESTIC VANDALISM UNDER $1,000

---

MORRIS, ADAM STEPHEN

8126 SAVANNAH HILLS DR OOLTEWAH, 37363

Age at Arrest: 33 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DOMESTIC ASSAULT)

---

MORRIS, ELI COOPER

63 GLADE RD ROSSVILLE, 30741

Age at Arrest: 34 years old

Arresting Agency: Tenn Highway Patrol

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

---

MORRISON, CHRISTOPHER SHANE

1316 LOVELADY LEWIS SODDY DAISY, 37379

Age at Arrest: 41 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

---

NEWMAN, JEFFERY TAYLOR

3518 MARTIN ROAD CHATTANOOGA, 37415

Age at Arrest: 33 years old

Arresting Agency: Tenn Highway Patrol

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

---

PHIMMACHACK, EMILY

9309 SEASONS DRIVE CHATTANOOGA, 37421

Age at Arrest: 22 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE-MARIJUANA

REGISTRATION, EXPIRED

---

RAMSEY, THOMAS S

106 D STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37405

Age at Arrest: 37 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (CONSPIRACY TO POSSESS METH

---

REEL, DEBORAH LE

1012 MISSION AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37406

Age at Arrest: 63 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

IMPLIED CONSENT LAW - DRIVERS

---

RIDEN, WILLIAM CARSON

6218 CHAMPION ROAD CHATTANOOGA, 37416

Age at Arrest: 30 years old

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County

FAILURE TO APPEAR

POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL.

OR MANUFACTURING)POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA---SCHOONMAKER, CRYSTAL GAIL4025 OAKWOOD DR APT 427 CHATTANOOGA, 37416Age at Arrest: 37 years oldArresting Agency: Hamilton CountyDOMESTIC ASSAULT---SINIARD, CRAIG EUGENE1 E 11TH ST APT 415 CHATTANOOGA, 37406Age at Arrest: 54 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaTHEFT OF PROPERTY OVER $1,000---SPRALLING, LASHONDA DUNTA4020 KIRKLAND AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37410Age at Arrest: 28 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaDOMESTIC ASSAULT---STAGNER, JAMES B37 N MAIN STREET SPRINGFIELD, 37172Age at Arrest: 28 years oldArresting Agency: Hamilton CountyLEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT (PARKED VEHICLE)TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS VIOLATIONPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIAEVADING ARRESTCRIMINAL SIMULATION---STOKES, TAMETRA NETAY500 WEST MLK BLVD APT 812 CHATTANOOGA, 37402Age at Arrest: 38 years oldArresting Agency: ChattanoogaTRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS VIOLATIONDRIVING ON REVOKED LICENSEFINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY---STRICKLAND, DONNIE LEBRON757 HAGGARD RD RINGGOLD, 30736Age at Arrest: 44 years oldArresting Agency: Hamilton CountyDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSEVIOLATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICEFINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITYREGISTRATION, EXPIREDUNLAWFUL REMOVAL OF REGISTRATION PLATEUNLAWFUL REMOVAL OF REGISTRATION PLATE---WEAVER, JAMES ANDREW118 PINE ST CHATTANOOGA, 37379Age at Arrest: 21 years oldArresting Agency: Hamilton CountySIMPLE POSSESSION OF MARIJUANAPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIAREGISTRATION, IMPROPER DISPLAY OF PLATES---WHITESIDE, JARRIUS725 WHITEMORE LN CHATTANOOGA, 37411Age at Arrest: 24 years oldArresting Agency: Hamilton CountyDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE---YOUNG, WILLIAM JOSEPH4314 NORCROSS RD HIXSON, 37543Age at Arrest: 36 years oldArresting Agency: Red BankBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

Here are the mug shots:

ALMONTE, SALUD CANCINO

Age at Arrest: 37

Date of Birth: 08/07/1980

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) UND BAILEY, SHERRY ELIZABETH

Age at Arrest: 57

Date of Birth: 06/15/1960

Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY BAUM, PRESTON JOSEPH

Age at Arrest: 21

Date of Birth: 07/25/1996

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

FAILURE TO YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY

STOP SIGN VIOLATION

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE BROOKS, MACHANA LYNN

Age at Arrest: 36

Date of Birth: 06/05/1981

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA BRYSON, CATHY DARLENE

Age at Arrest: 43

Date of Birth: 11/28/1974

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA CANTRELL, MICHAEL LEE

Age at Arrest: 45

Date of Birth: 01/03/1973

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED BURGLARY (OCCUPIED HABITATION)

RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS CARRINGTON, TRISTON L

Age at Arrest: 34

Date of Birth: 10/24/1983

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE CECIL, KELLY DANIELLE

Age at Arrest: 37

Date of Birth: 08/18/1980

Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF A FIREARM IN THE COMMISSION/FELONY

SALES AND DELIVERY OF METHAMPHETAMINE

POSSESSION OF OXYCODONE FOR RESALE

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA (SIMPLE)

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHENALIA CHAMBERS, MARK DEWAYNE

Age at Arrest: 41

Date of Birth: 11/22/1976

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

DRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC, VIOLATION

DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE DILLARD, HENRY DAVIS

Age at Arrest: 35

Date of Birth: 06/21/1982

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

EDMISTON, CONNIE RAY

Age at Arrest: 60

Date of Birth: 07/26/1957

Arresting Agency: Tenn Highway Patrol



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHE FRANCISCO, JEANETTE C

Age at Arrest: 26

Date of Birth: 04/14/1992

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

CRIMINAL SIMULATION FREEMAN, JENNIFER DELORES

Age at Arrest: 39

Date of Birth: 06/21/1978

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

THEFT UNDER $1,000 FURMAN, KIMBERLY MEGAN

Age at Arrest: 26

Date of Birth: 12/24/1991

Arresting Agency: Red Bank



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

GARRICK, JOHN HOUSTON

Age at Arrest: 28

Date of Birth: 01/19/1990

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

GOSSETT, MICHAEL TIMOTHY

Age at Arrest: 56

Date of Birth: 08/03/1961

Arresting Agency: Red Bank



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

PUBLI INTOXICATION GRAHAM, GARRICK COLE

Age at Arrest: 22

Date of Birth: 07/20/1995

Arresting Agency: Red Bank



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT HEWITT, JONATHAN K

Age at Arrest: 19

Date of Birth: 10/10/1998

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

PUBLIC INTOXICATION

DRINKING UNDER AGE/SELL ALCOHOL TO MINOR HOGH, RACHEL RENEE

Age at Arrest: 20

Date of Birth: 04/06/1998

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT HORTON, ADAM LAMAR

Age at Arrest: 45

Date of Birth: 03/27/1973

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

HORTON, JAWAN EUGENE

Age at Arrest: 25

Date of Birth: 11/08/1992

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

STOP SIGN VIOLATION HUDSON, CHARLES EDWARD

Age at Arrest: 54

Date of Birth: 04/11/1964

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

911 VIOLATION (IMPROPER USE) HUDSON, DWIGHT AUSTIN

Age at Arrest: 24

Date of Birth: 07/06/1993

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT JOHNSON, WORLIE D

Age at Arrest: 55

Date of Birth: 02/26/1963

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT KEITH, KAULIN KINTREL

Age at Arrest: 24

Date of Birth: 10/04/1993

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT LEASTER, CHARLETTE DENISE

Age at Arrest: 43

Date of Birth: 12/02/1974

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

MISUSE OF EVIDENCES OF REGISTRATION

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LEWIS, SIDNEY W

Age at Arrest: 23

Date of Birth: 03/11/1995

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINE

RECKLESS DRIVING

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

OPEN CONTAINER LAW MARTIN, KENTRELL ANTOINE

Age at Arrest: 31

Date of Birth: 11/06/1986

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT/AGGRAVATED MASSEY, CECILIA DRUSILLA

Age at Arrest: 54

Date of Birth: 10/11/1963

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

PUBLIC INTOXICATION MCDANIEL, DEVIN ANTONE

Age at Arrest: 39

Date of Birth: 07/22/1978

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

MCDONALD, ROBERT ALLEN

Age at Arrest: 20

Date of Birth: 12/22/1997

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE 2ND OFFENSE

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE MONSON, MARK EVERETTE

Age at Arrest: 32

Date of Birth: 04/19/1986

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC VANDALISM UNDER $1,000 MORRIS, ADAM STEPHEN

Age at Arrest: 33

Date of Birth: 08/08/1984

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DOMESTIC ASSAULT) MORRIS, ELI COOPER

Age at Arrest: 34

Date of Birth: 11/02/1983

Arresting Agency: Tenn Highway Patrol



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE MORRISON, CHRISTOPHER SHANE

Age at Arrest: 41

Date of Birth: 07/31/1976

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA NEWMAN, JEFFERY TAYLOR

Age at Arrest: 33

Date of Birth: 05/17/1985

Arresting Agency: Tenn Highway Patrol



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE PHIMMACHACK, EMILY

Age at Arrest: 22

Date of Birth: 03/27/1996

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE-MARIJUANA

REGISTRATION, EXPIRED RAMSEY, THOMAS S

Age at Arrest: 37

Date of Birth: 01/23/1981

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (CONSPIRACY TO POSSESS METH REEL, DEBORAH LE

Age at Arrest: 63

Date of Birth: 05/31/1954

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

FAILURE TO APPEAR RIDEN, WILLIAM CARSON

Age at Arrest: 30

Date of Birth: 02/09/1988

Arresting Agency: Hamilton County



Last Date of Arrest: 05/19/2018

Charge(s):

FAILURE TO APPEAR

POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING)

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
Under Texas's Driver Responsibility Program, the state penalizes drivers with surcharges after they've accumulated a certain number of points on their license. A spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety said about 1.4 million people had their driving privileges suspended for nonpayment of fees. In addition, about 296,000 drivers couldn't renew their licenses after failing to appear in court to answer a citation or failing to pay a fine, the spokesman said. (The state does not differentiate between "failure to appear" and "failure to pay.")
"You thought I was going to forget to surprise you on your birthday? You are crazy!" he said. "If your man isn't making you feel special today, I will. If your man ain't giving you what you need today, I will. ...When it's your birthday, all bets are off. You're 60, baby, that's gross but I love you."
She should be willing to change her smoking habits (i.e., always smoke outside), and to have the interior of her house thoroughly cleaned. She should wear a jacket or shirt over her clothes when she smokes (and perhaps cotton gloves), and remove it before she comes inside. Baby-sitting should happen in your home until she is able to thoroughly detox her own.
At the meetings during his recent working visit to Namibia, the Deputy FM recalled valuable support of the Namibian Government and people for Vietnams struggle for national liberation in the past, and hoped the country will successfully assume the position of presidency of the Southern African Development Community.

He also affirmed Vietnams support for the 4th National Development Programme of Namibian President Hage Geingob.

The two sides stressed the need to boost economic links on a par with the political relations between the two countries.

They agreed to further push connection between the two countries chambers of commerce, and push exchange of goods, especially those of strength such as beef, cattle meat, minerals of Namibia; and agricultural machinery, fertilizer, textiles, machinery components, and telephone of Vietnam.

The Namibian side expressed their desire to attract Vietnams investment and cooperate with the Southeast Asian nation in tourism , energy, cotton growing and processing, breeding, and technical vocational training.

Namibia pledged to soon ratify the agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders signed between the two countries in 2013.

Nam took the occasion to hand over a letter of President Tran Dai Quang to Hage Geingob, which suggested Namibia support Vietnam's candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council in 2020-2021 tenure.

The Namibian side promised to consider its support for Vietnam in the next years election for the seat.

The two sides compared their notes of regional and international issues of common concern, and agreed on the importance of international law, dialogue and peaceful settlement of disputes.

The Vietnamese official also informed the Namibian side of the history of disputes in the East Sea, recent relevant developments, and viewpoints of concerned parties.
Prosecutors said Spears and two other associates began arguing with another group inside Avenue23 in Bellwood about 1 a.m. on Jan. 8. Members of both groups began shoving and Spears group left the club, prosecutors said, then waited for the others to exit.
When asked about gun regulation, he said the responsibility starts at home and suggested that a crime may have been committed if the shooter in Santa Fe was able to take possession of his father's firearms. "Gun control starts at home - accountability for gun owners," he said. "We need the best background checks we have. We need to be very sensible about this."
National security adviser John Bolton listens as President Donald Trump speaks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the Oval Office on May 17, 2018. Bolton is one of the aides with whom Trump has been at odds of late. (Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post)
In his tweets, Trump asserted, without evidence, that investigations into his campaign's connections with Russia have cost taxpayers nearly $20 million and suggested that it is a politically motivated effort to undermine his presidency. The president said Democrats were in charge of the probe, even though Mueller, a Republican, was appointed head of the FBI by President George W. Bush, a Republican, in 2001:
He was born in Concord, Mass., and grew up on the East Coast. He was about 9 years old when he and his family settled in New York City. He went to Collegiate High School there before going on to the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1965.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf posted an unprecedented warning on her Twitter account Feb. 24, saying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were preparing raids in the San Francisco Bay Area and reminding people of their rights under California's sanctuary law. (Ben Margot / AP)
The settlement of the Czechoslovakian problem, which has now been achieved is, in my view, only the prelude to a larger settlement in which all Europe may find peace. This morning I had another talk with the German Chancellor, Herr Hitler, and here is the paper which bears his name upon it as well as mine. Some of you, perhaps, have already heard what it contains but I would just like to read it to you: We regard the agreement signed last night and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement as symbolic of the desire of our two peoples never to go to war with one another again. 
Other governments have been able to reduce drug prices by negotiating directly with the drug companies. Yet President Donald Trump wants to penalize these governments by requiring that they pay higher prices  adding to the revenue growth of the drug companies. It is foolish to think that these revenues will be offset to reduce U.S. drug prices. Wall Street seems to agree as the drug company stock prices rallied on the reform news.
John Moskal, the chairman of the Burr Ridge Veterans Committee, presented the Patriot Award to Chuck Bosko, who is an accredited officer for the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. Moskal said the award was started in 2013 and is given to people for the work they do for veterans. Bosco was honored for his work to help veterans obtain benefits.
The Rotarians rented another truck to take the bikes from Nortons house to the Community House. And the night before delivery, they double-checked that the bicycles were ready to go, so after the families took them home, the children could get right on and start riding.
In their speeches at the event, delegates from Ho Chi Minh City, central Khanh Hoa province, and northern Hai Phong city of Vietnam, and those from St. Petersburg authority and the Ho Chi Minh Institute of St. Peterburg State University recalled President Ho Chi Minhs journey to seek for the path for national salvation.

They highlighted the event 95 years ago as President Ho Chi Minh visited Russia, which laid a foundation for the friendship between Vietnam and Russia.

Participant stressed Ho Chi Minh's ideology and its value.

The same day, the Vietnamese official visited St. Peterburg State University.

During a meeting with Director of St. Peterburg State University Nikolay Mikhaylovich Kropachev, Nhan spoke highly of successes made by the educational institution in training, and thanked St. Petersburgs authority in general and the university in particular for their remarkable contributions to training thousands of Vietnamese personnel.

He appreciated the important role played by the director in proactively establishing the Ho Chi Minh Institute - the only research institute on President Ho Chi Minh outside Vietnam.

Despite differences in socio-economic conditions, Russia and Vietnam have always considered education as the top priority in their development strategy, Nhan stressed, noting that strengths in the training of basic and application science such information technology, and health of the university are also the areas that HCM City is interested in.

He expressed his belief that on the basis of the newly-signed cooperation roadmap in 2018-2020 between HCM City and St. Petersburg, the two sides education link will be a highlight and pillar of their cooperation in the future.

For his part, Kropachev hoped to promote collaborative activities in the field of education between the two sides, especially in training Vietnam studies and Vietnamese language.

After the working session, the Vietnamese official witnessed the signing of cooperation agreement between St. Peterburg State University and National University - Ho Chi Minh City, which mainly focuses on exchange of lecturers and students; organisation of academic activities; experience sharing in higher-education administration; cooperation in scientific research, training Vietnam studies and Vietnamese language for Russian students, and teaching Russian language for Vietnamese students.

Nhan is on a working visit to Russia from May 16-21.

Previously, he attended a ceremony hosted by St. Petersburg authority to celebrate the 95th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minhs first visit to Russia.

He has also attended programmes to enhance friendship between HCM City and St. Petersburg.


Everyone at the party wore a special hat called a fascinator specifically ordered for the occasion, and some even splurged on new pajamas, slippers, manicures and pedicures. The women said they would have gotten up early to watch the wedding live on their own, and nearly all said they had done just that to enjoy the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
China said on Saturday good progress was being made on negotiations with the Tanzanian government on the 10 billion U.S. dollars Bagamoyo mega port and special economic zone, paving way for the long-delayed construction work to begin.

"Negotiations between the governments of China and Tanzania on the Bagamoyo port project are progressing well. This is a huge and important project in our bilateral cooperation," Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Wang Ke told journalists in Dar es Salaam during a visit to the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

"Tanzanian and Chinese governments have consulted widely on this project. I hope that we will be able to reach agreement on relevant contracts so we can start this project as soon as possible to benefit the people of Tanzania," she added.

The initial framework agreement for the Bagamoyo port was signed way back in 2013, but progress has been slow in concluding a final agreement for the major investment undertaking.

The state-run China Merchants Holdings International (CMHI) and Oman's State General Reserve Fund (SGRF) are teaming up with the Tanzanian government to invest in what is expected to become one of the biggest ports in Africa.

The World Bank said in 2016 that inefficiencies at the Dar es Salaam port cost Tanzania and its neighbors up to 2.6 billion U.S. dollars a year.

Government officials said the envisaged Bagamoyo port would be able to handle mega-ships -- with a container vessel size of 8,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) -- after the first phase was completed, with room for expansion.

The whole project including roads, railways and the economic zone is expected to take 10 years to complete, but it was unclear in how many phases it will be carried out.

Former President Jakaya Kikwete officiated at a groundbreaking ceremony for the project in October 2015 in the final weeks and days of his presidency and vowed that construction of phase I of the project would be completed in three years.

But three years down the line, construction work is yet to start, amid suggestions that President John Magufuli's government has decided to shelve the project and instead focus on the expansion and modernization of the Dar es Salaam port.




French high-end department store Galeries Lafayette will open its second China store in Shanghai by the end of this year.

Covering 23,100 square meters, the store will be located in the L+MALL in the commercial center of Lujiazui in Pudong District, according to Shanghai Lujiazui Group. China's first Galeries Lafayette store opened in Beijing in 2013.

The Shanghai store will be different from that of Paris and Beijing. Besides luxury brands, the store will introduce some new brands to Chinese consumers, including niche designer brands from Europe, according to Galeries Lafayette (China).

According to a report by Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, a total of 226 brands opened their first stores in Shanghai in 2017.

By 2020, Lujiazui is expected to become a world famous commercial center integrating business, tourism, and shopping, and boasting a high concentration and sales volume of international high-end brands, said Xin Yaqin, head of the commerce commission of Shanghai Pudong New Area.




China's economic expansion into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will benefit more countries and may grow in the years to come, said an expert on Middle East-focused venture capital who attended an international conference in Beijing on May 19.



Entitled "Innovation Trip to Beijing and Tianjin," the technological innovation event drew its curtains at a closing ceremony held by the Qadisha Group in Beijing. The program "Qadisha Bridging Innovation Platform" was also launched at the ceremony, with an aim to provide more opportunities for Chinese companies to invest in tech startups.

"There still are huge untapped opportunities for international players to enter the MENA," said Rabih Khoury, managing partner of Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), adding that funding and technological support from China are widely welcomed by tech firms in MENA.

He pointed out that the MENA has a total population of 400 million, 60 percent of which is under the age of 30. The GDP of the 19 countries in the region has reached three trillion dollars, which presents a large potential market for deeper corporation.

Since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, China has been committed to enhancing cooperation on innovation with countries along the route. Currently, 19 countries along the route are from the MENA region, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the total.

Souheil Ali Hassan, strategy advisor at Advention Business Partners, mentioned in his speech that the MENA region boasts various advantages for consumption capability, infrastructure construction and policy support, presenting more opportunities for Chinese companies to access the local market.

Souheil also shed light on the three major promising areas that can strengthen collaboration between China and the MENA region, including freight logistics, e-commerce and an entrepreneurship sharing platform.

In 2017, China's R&D spending reached 2.08 percent of GDP. The number of in-force Chinese patents issued in China passed the million mark, and the value of technology transactions exceeded one trillion yuan. The contribution of scientific and technological progress to economic growth rose to 56.2 percent, and innovation's role in powering development grew markedly.

In the coming five years, China will focus on the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, which consists of the Science and Technology People-to-People Exchange Initiative, the Joint Laboratory Initiative, the Science Park Cooperation Initiative and the Technology Transfer Initiative

During the closing ceremony, Chenyi Law Firm, WTS Consulting, Beijing Returners Incubator Association for Science and Technology and other Chinese companies and organizations also signed cooperation agreements with Qadisha Group in a bid to better provide services for future financial and technological exchange.

Bai Xianyue, managing partner of Lantai Partners (Tianjin), signs cooperation agreements with Qadisha Group in Beijing on May 19. [Photo by Cui Can/China.org.cn]

Bai Xianyue, managing partner of Lantai Partners (Tianjin), expressed his confidence in future cooperation between China and the MENA countries.

"It will be a promising transition to an innovation-led development model under the Belt and Road Initiative. And we will strive for an expanded cooperation by tapping potentials on wider areas."




When the snow started to melt after swirling down in the early spring, the land covered under the white facade gradually returned to its original appearance.







However, the change of seasons did not bring as much joy to the 3,100 residents of Fujia Wopu village of Ningcheng county in northern China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region as it did for others. The acrid smell of six unprocessed landfills in the county became increasingly unbearable when the snow thawed.









"I am longing so much to play outdoors, but the field makes me feel dizzy and nauseated," said Yuan Yuqi, a local boy aged eight.





In front of Yuan's home extends a field of 400 square meters filled with an enormous amount of garbage, including plastic bags, cow dung and even dead swine. Local residents are forced to put up with the pungent odors and innumerable flies, especially on hot days.





According to Ni Shujuan, Yuan's grandmother, people began dumping rubbish in the area seven to eight years ago when it was still a pit. However, the rubbish has been left untreated, which has consequently devastated the environment in the village.





The polluted land near Yuan's family is not an isolated case. Nearly 20 villages in the county are surrounded by similar landfills, where the rubbish has taken up not only the land but also ponds and rivers.

"The rubbish has spread everywhere in the village, frustrating not only the residents, but also the cattle," said Zhou Guoyu, a man from a village named Mazhan Chengzi. "The goats cannot put on weight while grazing plastic, and, more seriously, they will die from it," he complained.





However, what's more frustrating is that the rubbish that has sprawled into the Laoha River, a major river in the county.





"Who cares about the pollution in the river?" a resident surnamed Hai said while unloading waste from his tricycle.





When there is a sanitary inspection from higher authorities, other villages will surreptitiously transport their rubbish there, Hai added.





Rubbish has been piling up since 2014, when the Ningcheng county government asked all villages to gather rubbish at specified sites for centralized treatment. However, the rubbish was usually left untreated for months, and sometimes even for years.





Village officials insisted that the rubbish was left untreated because of funding shortage. "We are already 300,000 yuan (US$47,318) in debt, and the residents are unwilling to pay the money needed to clear out the garbage," said Wang Fengshan, head of Fujia Wopu village.





Beyond the rubbish, the extensive use of plastic mulch in farms makes the fragile ecosystem even worse, as the material is difficult to dissolve.





Crushed under tractors, the mulch is cut into pieces by the spinning blades. As a consequence, pieces of the mulch can be spotted flying in the air, hanging on branches, or buried under the soil, gradually causing the farmlands to lose fertility.





Some farmers chose to burn it, unleashing considerable pollution in the air and creating fire hazards.





Despite the damage that the mulch may cause in the long run, local resident are reluctant to abandon it for fear of rising labor and costs.





The devastated environment in Ningcheng county is only one example of China's rural dilemmas. Scholars and government officials have rendered proposals recently to create a more eco-friendly countryside.





Han Chengfu, a research fellow from the Inner Mongolian Academy of Social Sciences, said these villages should be financed to clear out the existing rubbish and employ cleaners regularly to deal with new garbage.





He also suggested the villages to try their best to seek economic growth, so as to have sufficient fund for such public projects.





Hai Zhenhua, the Party chief of Gangyingzi village, said the residents should sort their rubbish before having it sent to designated garbage plants for eco-friendly processing.





Yin Xuefeng, associate professor from the School of Environment and Resources at Inner Mongolia University, said that more efforts should be made to develop more eco-friendly mulch at lower costs and to promote a wide use of it.








Chinese President Xi Jinping said the country will fight a good battle against pollution and push ecological civilization to a new level during a tone-setting meeting on environmental protection ending Saturday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, speaks during a tone-setting meeting on environmental protection in Beijing, capital of China. The two-day national conference ended on May 19, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

China will push for coordination between economic and social development and ecological civilization, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said when addressing the two-day national conference.

Xi said the country will channel more energy into promoting ecological civilization and resolving environmental problems, backed by the political advantages of the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC and the socialist system, as well as the achievements made during the 40 years of reform and opening-up.

Building an ecological civilization is of fundamental importance for the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, Xi said, noting that a great deal of work has been done since the 18th CPC National Congress to bring profound and historical changes regarding ecological and environment protection.

China has started to conduct central environmental inspections, carried out guidelines to control air, water and soil pollution, published its own plans to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and is implementing a national plan to tackle the climate change.

Despite overall improvement in China's ecological environment, Xi said the progress was not made in a firm manner.

The building of ecological civilization has entered a critical period, a period that requires more quality ecological goods to meet people's ever-growing demands for a beautiful environment, and a period when China is capable of addressing prominent ecological and environment issues, he said.

With the Chinese economy transitioning from high-speed growth to high-quality development, Xi said there will be conventional and unconventional challenges and difficulties. "We must bite the bullet and overcome them," he said.

Key principles

Xi said ecology and environment are closely connected with people's well-being, urging works to be done to meet public expectations by stepping up the building of ecological civilization and providing more quality ecological products.

Xi said China must abide by the following principles to push forward ecological civilization in a new era:

-- Ensuring harmony between human and nature. China must stick to the policy of putting conservation and protection first, and mainly relying on the natural recovery of the environment.

-- Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. China must pursue the vision of innovative, coordinated, green and open development that is for everyone, accelerate forming spatial patterns, industrial structures, production and living modes that are resource-saving and environmental-friendly, and provide time and space for the natural ecology to rehabilitate.

-- Sound ecological environment is the most inclusive benefits to people's wellbeing. Priority should be given to addressing prominent environmental problems that are harmful to people's health in order to keep up with people's ever-growing needs for a better environment.

-- Mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, and grasslands are a life community. The building of ecological civilization must take all factors into consideration with good overall plans and multiple measures.

-- Protecting the environment requires the best institutional arrangements and the strictest rule of law. Institutional innovations must be accelerated and enforcement of laws and regulations must be strengthened.

-- Working together on global ecological civilization construction and getting deeply involved in global environmental governance to come up with a worldwide solution for environmental protection and sustainable development, while guiding international cooperation to tackle climate change.

New efforts

Xi stressed that China should accelerate the construction of an ecological civilization system and the fostering of an ecological culture that values ecology and environment.

The nation must speed up the construction of the ecological civilization system, to ensure that by 2035, there will be a fundamental improvement in the quality of the environment, and the goal of building a Beautiful China will be basically attained.

Xi called for comprehensive efforts to promote green development, which is not only an inevitable requirement to develop a modernized high-quality economy but also a fundamental solution to tackle pollution.

Key emphases of the work, he said, shall be adjusting economic structure and energy structure, optimizing the layout of the development of territorial space, improving the industrial layout in different regions and river valleys, fostering and expanding industries concerning energy conservation,environment protection, clean production and clean energy, encouraging simple, moderate, green, and low-carbon ways of life.

He said that prominent environmental problems shall be tackled firstly as they concern the people's wellbeing.

The top priority is winning the battle against air pollution to return the blue sky to the people, Xi said, calling for concerted efforts to basically eliminate heavy pollution days.

Action plan for the prevention and control of water pollution must be advanced to ensure the safety of drinking water, and black and odorous water shall be rarely seen in cities.

Comprehensive efforts must be taken to implement the action plan concerning the prevention and control of soil pollution, while key regions and sectors and major pollutants shall be targeted and the restoration of polluted soil shall be intensified so that people can have peace of mind about the food they eat and the place they live in.

Consistent efforts shall be made to improve rural living environments and preserve beautiful idyllic scenery in Chinese villages.

Xi called for effective prevention of ecological and environmental risks, as ecological and environmental security is an important part of national security, as well as an important guarantee to achieve sustainable and healthy development of the Chinese economy and society.

Ecological risk management shall become a regular practice while a whole-process and multi-level risk prevention system shall be put into place, he said.

Xi urged improved environmental governance, saying that China will make full use of market means, improve resources and environment pricing mechanisms, and strengthen support for public-private partnership projects.

Technological research will receive more support, and countermeasure study for major ecological and environmental issues will be initiated.

China will also push forward building a fair, reasonable and win-win global climate governance system in promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Xi stressed the importance of strengthening the party's leadership in the urgent and tough battle against pollution.

Major leaders of local party committees and governments shall be held responsible for environmental protection in their own administrative regions, Xi said. A scientific and reasonable evaluation system will be established to assess the performance of officials, and those damaging the environment will be held accountable.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also made a speech during the meeting.

Li emphasized the need to earnestly study and understand the speech made by President Xi Jinping.

He said that efforts must be made in line with the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to develop a system for building an ecological civilization, strengthen institutional building and the rule of law, and fight a good battle against pollution.

Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the concluding speech.

Han also emphasized the need to thoroughly understand the speech made by President Xi Jinping, urging local governments and relevant departments to make detailed plans and take feasible measures to implement the instructions of the meeting.

Also attending the meeting were several other members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee -- Wang Yang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Wang Huning, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and Zhao Leji, secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.




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Seven crested ibis chicks have hatched in the Qianhu Wetlands in northwest China's Shaanxi Province since April 28, the nature reserve said.

The population of the endangered bird species, once believed to be extinct in China, has been growing in recent years thanks to decades of conservation.

Captive-bred ibis were released into the Qianhu Wetlands in Baoji city in September 2014. About 30 crested ibis have been observed in the reserve recently.

To ensure the safety of the ibis chicks, the reserve has taken multiple measures including dispatching rangers to prevent human interference.

Crested ibis are found in China, Japan, Russia, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The current population exceeds 2,600 in China, including about 1,800 in the wild.

About 2,000 crested ibis live in in Shaanxi Province. Their habitat stretches around 14,000 square kilometers.




Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli troops after a protest marking the Nakba Day at Hawara checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus, on May 15, 2018. The Palestinians on Tuesday marked the Nakba Day, or "the Day of Catastrophe," to demand their rights of return to homes occupied by Israel in the 1948 war. (Xinhua/Nidal Eshtayeh)

The latest killing of more than 60 Palestinians and injuries to more than 2,000 has prompted an international outcry against the brutal use of live munitions to target civilians.

The violence coincided with the controversial step of moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Israel has squarely blamed Hamas for the bloodshed, while the U.S. has defended its ally by saying that Israel has a right to protect itself.

Yet how can anybody agree with these justifications? A crowd of stone-throwing youth cannot pose any lethal threat to the state of Israel. Hence, the killings equate to a gross human rights violation against the Palestinians, and are not acceptable to the rest of the world.

Even the myth of "clashes" between Palestinians and Israeli forces is not to be believed. Where are the clashes? We see men in jeans plummeting to the ground from deadly bullets fired from a distance by the Israeli army. There is no physical contact between the army and the protestors.

The place where the Gazan have often gathered to demonstrate against the occupation of their land is separated by a buffer zone. On the other side of that safe zone, Israeli tanks and snipers are perched in position to take on the protestors.

There are no clashes. There are slogans and slingshots from one side, and tear gas shells and bullets from the other side. The people at the receiving end are not criminals but simply people who are demanding an independent, viable and contiguous state to exist side-by-side with Israel.

At the highest level, the Palestinians already accepted in 1993 the right of the Jewish people to have a state with pre-1967 war borders. The same was endorsed by the international community and the UN.

Hamas cannot reverse the decision of Palestinian people to have their own state in return for their acceptance of a Jewish state. After decades of fighting and protests, the Palestinians and their leaders came to the conclusion that the two-state solution was the only wise option in the given circumstances.

So who or what is the hurdle to realizing the two-state solution?

Most Israeli men and women and their leaders have also accepted the idea, and will take it whenever the option is offered to them. But more hard-line Israelis and leaders like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu want an Israel from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean, in return for a nominal and sub-divided Palestine.

Such a state of Palestine would not be able to exercise even the most fundamental functions without Israel's support and patronage. It is better to have no country than to have a truncated one that would be anything but an independent state.

To say that the Palestinians are a "hurdle to peace" is another myth -- and a highly misleading one. How can a dispossessed, divided, powerless and stateless people be a hurdle? They would be more than happy if meaningful talks were organized, and they could achieve what the international community has already promised them.

It is not easy to keep protesting for more than 70 years. It is not easy to let your teenage sons and daughter take on an army which has the license to shoot at will. Ask the mothers and fathers who have taken the dead bodies of their loved ones to their graves.

The international community should ask Israel to hold negotiations and implement the UN resolutions on the two-state solution. The state of Israel should be held accountable for the delay and for the deadly violence.

Donald Trump should be questioned over condoning crimes against civilians, especially because it was the untimely shifting of the embassy that promoted the latest violence. The move has changed nothing except taking away the last fig leaf that an American leader could have used to pose as a peace broker in the region.

The new situation demands that countries like China and Russia, and entities like the EU, come forward to calm the unrest and play an active role in bringing about a lasting solution to this long-standing problem.

Sajjad Malik is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SajjadMalik.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa (L) meets with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Lisbon, Portugal, May 18, 2018. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa met here Friday with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

During their meeting, Costa said Portugal and China enjoy close political relations, high level of mutual trust and fruitful cooperation in economy and trade, energy, culture and education, setting an example of cooperation for countries worldwide.

Portugal hopes to promote the relationship between the two countries to a new high by defining key points of the bilateral cooperation in the future, he said.

Lisbon attaches great importance to China and sees it as a preferable partnership for cooperation, Costa said, adding that Portugal speaks highly of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and the important role the Asian country has played in major international issues.

Costa said that Portugal is willing to take its own advantage and join China in expanding the third-party markets in Latin America and Africa and start cooperation with China in ocean area.

The prime minister also expressed his hopes that both sides can further strengthen their communication and cooperation on multilateral occasions.

For his part, Wang said China sees Portugal as a reliable friend and thinks highly of its constructive role in promoting a healthy development in the China-Europe relationship.

Wang said next year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Portugal, adding that China is willing to have a closer exchange with Portugal in order to lay a more solid foundation for the future development of bilateral relations.

Wang also said that China appreciates Portugal's support for the Belt and Road Initiative, adding that Portugal is a natural partner of China for the joint construction under the initiative as the European country locates where the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road meet.

Wang said China is highly appreciative over Portugal's favorable policy towards Chinese investment and is willing to encourage more Chinese businesses to invest in Portugal.

The Chinese official added that he hoped Portugal will continue to play an active and constructive role in promoting the development of relations between China and Europe.
>>> Achievements of Rencontres du Vietnam over the past 25 years

>>> Vietnam welcomes two Nobel laureates for scientific conference

>>> 200 international delegates join conference on science and development in Vietnam

It is always acknowledged that the results of scientific research are important and useful for society. However, scientists often dont have the opportunity to participate in discussions to address major issues and rarely have a say in policy development.

Prof. Tran Thanh Van, the founder of the scientific association called Rencontres du Vietnam (Meeting Vietnam), said that, to solve this problem, it is necessary to establish a bridge connecting scientists, politicians, diplomats, businessmen and policymakers. Since his associations inception in 1993, Van has brought thousands of famous scientists to Vietnam from around the world over the past few years.

An international scientific conference entitled "Science for Development" was held earlier this month in Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province, as part of the 14th Meeting Vietnam programme. The event was considered as a practical and long-lasting bridge for connections.

At the international workshop, scientists came together to share their experience in their countries on the issues raised through questions such as: at what level can scientists make an early intervention on policy-makers' decision-making processes regarding important social measures? Or how should scientists provide more complete information on the fourth Industrial Revolutionary? What are the positive effects and risks that it can bring to the future of humanity? And how does science, based on its research and findings, contribute to promoting dialogue and peace, in order to be able to influence development?

Gerard't Hooft, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist in 1999, put forward a message which stressed the importance of education in bringing science closer to social development policies. Starting with education is the only way to build up and develop the foundation for science, while creating the right understanding and attitudes towards science.

Although Hoofts research activities are only in the field of theoretical physics, he stated that theory is not a repetition of what has taken place in the past but must be drawn from scientific experiments. He said he was always amazed at the results from the laboratories. Any place in the world can build a lab but in order to have good laboratories, there must be professional people and nothing is better for such good staff than a good educational foundation.

Many scientific events took place at the 14th Meeting Vietnam programme this year. (Photo: NDO)

Scientist Frederick Bordry, from the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), said that science advances the boundaries of understanding, and science is beyond the boundaries of nations to reach the global arena. Science has a clear goal, aiming to promote health and education and raise the living standard for people. For that reason, he also praised the provision of scientific training for children. According to him, the purpose of scientific research is ultimately for peace and development.

Professor Finn Kydland, a co-recipient of the 2004 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics, shared the same view with Bordry when stating that research has showed that children need to be provided with early access to science. The issue is related to social policy: in countries where children have better conditions of care and good health, they will better absorb education. As a circular movement, when studying inequality in incomes in countries around the world, Kydland found that low-income countries are less developed nations. This issue is also sourced from policy: the more stable the policy, the more investment and social welfare there will be. Institutional instability and a lack of transparency often have a negative impact on economic development. In countries with a low level of GDP, children naturally have little access to good care and education.

One of the most important functions of scientific research is to provide warnings. However, not only in underdeveloped countries or developing countries, even in developed countries, the voices of scientists are rarely heard. According to Annick Suzor-Weiner, Emeritus Professor at the University of Paris-Sud (Paris 11), France, the reason is because the voices of short-term economic benefits is often considered more important than the voice of the scientists, as the results of scientific research are often regarded as far-sighted, without immediate effects.

At the workshop, scientists raised the questions: How can we "guide" the government so that they do not ignore the important issues gained from scientific researches? What is the next step of the discussion? What can scientists do for Vietnam? What projects can they participate in Vietnam?

And finally, it was unsurprising to hear the statistics provided by scientist Michel Jarraud, former Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organisation, saying up to four billion people will be affected by ice melting on the Himalayas. Along with that, the governance is not easy, for example, the migration is likely to pose unmanageable problems for governments. Likewise, for issues related to climate change, such as sea level rise, or nuclear weapon-related decisions, it would be wrong if we consider them to be unfamiliar stories that are not related to the life of all of us.
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Cao Jianming (R), vice-chairperson of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, meets with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic in Zagreb, Croatia, on May 17, 2018. China is willing to further cooperation with Croatia through the Belt and Road Initiative and "16+1" mechanism between China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, said Cao Jianming during his visit to Croatia. (Xinhua/Gao Lei)

China is willing to further cooperation with Croatia through the Belt and Road Initiative and "16+1" mechanism between China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, said Cao Jianming, vice-chairperson of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, during his visit to Croatia.

Cao visited the southeastern European country from Wednesday to Saturday, during which he met with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and deputy speaker of Croatian parliament Zeljko Reiner.

According to Cao, Croatia is China's good friend and partner in the European Union (EU), and the relations between the two countries have seen healthy and steady development in recent years.

He noted that over the years, the two countries had consolidated political trust and achieved significant results from major infrastructure project cooperation, as well as more frequent people-to-people and local exchanges.

Croatian officials also expressed their intention to enhance ties with China and to find common interests in the integration of the Belt and Road Initiative and the "Three Seas Initiative", a joint idea proposed by Croatian and Polish presidents in order to strengthen ties among countries between the Black, Baltic and Adriatic Seas. It brings together 12 countries in Central and Eastern Europe as well as the Balkans, including Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania and Austria.

Both sides agreed to further communication and cooperation between their legislative bodies, which in turn will contribute to the development of bilateral relations.
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Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (R) meets with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Lisbon, Portugal, May 18, 2018. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has said that Portugal firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China since its commencement.

Rebelo de Sousa made the remarks while meeting visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Presidential Palace in Lisbon on Friday.

While conveying his warmest regards to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Rebelo de Sousa said that Portugal attaches great importance to China and believes that Portugal is one of the European countries which understands China best.

There is always consensus over Portugal's cooperation with China among both ruling and opposition parties, he said.

The president said that the relations between Portugal and China have been developing very smoothly and the economic cooperation between the two countries in recent years has been enhanced to a very high level, something unique in European countries.

Portugal and China enjoy the benefit of a profound friendship and the common vision of strengthening mutual cooperation, said the president, adding that Portugal is willing to make joint efforts with China and forge ahead along the road of mutual cooperation.

Rebelo de Sousa said Portugal has been supporting the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi since its very commencement.

Portugal, with its finest ports in Europe, is willing to take this advantage and strengthen cooperation with China and further push forward the construction under the Belt and Road Initiative, he added.

The president said that Portugal is open to Chinese investment and anticipates Chinese businesses to increase their investment in all domains, including strategic industries such as finance, energy, transportation, ports and electric vehicles in particular.

He added that Portugal is also willing to strengthen the cooperation with China in third-party markets by starting programs in Africa and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Wang conveyed Xi's sincere regards to Rebelo de Sousa.

Wang said that Portugal has great potential for development with its long history and favorable geographic location.

China treats Portugal as an important partner for joint construction under the Belt and Road Initiative and to discuss and sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation as soon as possible, Wang said, adding with it both sides will make efforts in opening up new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation by linking each other's developmental strategies.

Wang said that China is highly appreciative that Portugal is accommodative towards China's investment and is willing to make joint efforts with Portugal in promoting the level of mutual investment and views the cooperation in investment between China and Portugal as a model of cooperation between countries to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results in a highly efficient, orderly and sustainable way.

He said China is willing to strengthen cooperations with Portugal in important fields such as sea ports which are the major concerns of Portugal, and actively explore the ways of starting third-party cooperation.
Addressing the launching ceremony, head of the Representative Office Chu Quang Hoa said that the Australian state is now home to nearly 100 Vietnamese scientists.

Hoa stated that the club aims to gather Overseas Vietnamese scientists in New South Wales and connect them with the intellectual community at home for mutual professional support and promoting cooperation, contributing to the sustainable development of the Vietnamese economy.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese Consul General in New South Wales Trinh Duc Hai stressed the significance of scientific research exchange and technology transfer between Vietnam and Australia in the process of building the bilateral strategic partnership.

As Vietnam is conducting modernization following the trend of the fourth industrial revolution, and building a startup ecosystem, the OV intellectuals in Australia and New South Wales state in particular constitute one of the important factors to facilitate the process, he held.

He said that the club is also a bridge for knowledge and technology transfer to youngsters in Vietnam.

At the launching ceremony, the Representative Office of the Ministry of Science and Technology in New South Wales introduced an online science-technology information bank at website www.khoahoctot.vn, which is expected to help connect members of the club and their peers at home.
Golden State Coalition Denounces Deviant Behavior of Man in Los Angeles Denny's Restaurant Ladies' Room

Contact: Dr. Wiley S. Drake, Chaplain, 714-865-8132; Douglas V. Gibbs, Media Director, 951 219 3975; both with Golden State Coalition

LOS ANGELES, May 20, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- Golden State Coalition (GSC) US Congressional Candidate Jazmina Saavedra -- running for office in the US House of Representatives 44th District of California -- was confronted by a startling situation Tuesday.

There was a man in the ladies' room of a Los Angeles area Denny's Restaurant.

The hue and cry rising from cultural Marxists in the national media -- upon learning Ms. Saavedra objected to a man in the ladies' room -- puts the lie to a bizarre, quote "progressive" unquote, agenda which purports to be inclusive. No woman or girl should ever be forced by the state, restaurant owners or others, to accommodate the confusion or mental state of culturally deviant persons -- at the expense of women's security and privacy.

Incredibly, Denny's Restaurants issued an apology to the deviant man, completely ignoring the serious security issue for Jazmina Saavedra and other female patrons of their chain of 2,100 restaurants worldwide.

"The Golden State Coalition categorically rejects the political notion that women should suffer exposure to potential physical risk from deviant men in public places, because the State of California, Denny's or cultural fringe elements deem their deconstruction agenda for American society paramount," said GSC Chaplain Dr. Wiley S. Drake. "America needs revival of our traditional God-fearing values, not revision," concluded Chaplain Drake.

The Golden State Coalition is a group of Godly, conservative candidates for public office in California, asserting traditional American culture, by first recovering the reins of power from overreaching cultural Marxists in Sacramento and Washington, DC.
A delegation of senior officials from Ho Chi Minh City offered incense and flowers at the Ho Chi Minh Museums city branch and Ho Chi Minh Statue in the southern city on Saturday.

The delegation, led by Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam, Vice Secretary of the municipal Party Committee and Chairwoman of the municipal Peoples Council, included leaders of the municipal Party Committee, Peoples Council, Peoples Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front. Former Party and State leaders, representatives from departments, sectors and localities, and local people also joined the event.

They took a moment to remember the life and career of the late President, who devoted his life to national liberation and worked tirelessly for peace and progress around the world.

On the occasion, individuals, organisations, and agencies in Ho Chi Minh City paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the Ho Chi Minh Museums city branch and his statue.

The museum also opened a special exhibition entitled "President Ho Chi Minh with the patriotic emulation movement," featuring 160 documents and pictures reflecting the late leader 's great role in initiating, organising, and encouraging the entire people to participate in the patriotic emulation movements.

On the same day, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union honoured its outstanding members by bestowing the "Outstanding Youth following Uncle Ho" badge to 336 youth members across the country.

The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union honour its outstanding members by presenting the "Outstanding Youth following Uncle Ho" badge to 336 youth members across the country at the Ho Chi Minh Museums city branch and Ho Chi Minh Statue in the southern city on Saturday. (Photo: NDO)

*Also on Saturday, the local leaders in Dong Nai province offered flowers and incense to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh at the Tran Bien Temple of Literature.

Delegates enjoyed an exhibition at the Temple of Literature, featuring 80 documentary photos on President Ho Chi Minhs life and revolutionary career. A tree planting festival was also launched on this occasion.

* The same day, Lam Dong province launched the a tree planting festival with more than 2,000 trees planted at a local police training centre in Ward 7 of Da Lat city.

Lam Dong province launches a tree planting festival with more than 2,000 trees planted on the occasion of President Ho Chi Minhs 128th birthday. (Photo: NDO)

* Meanwhile, in France, a range of meaningful activities were held to commemorate the 128th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2018), offering a chance for the Vietnamese community in the European country to express their gratitude to the late leader, as well as helping French friends to convey their sentiments to one of the worlds famous cultural celebrities and heroes of national liberation.

On May 18, representatives from Vietnamese offices in France and the local Vietnamese community paid homage to Uncle Ho at the Vietnamese Embassy in Paris.

Representatives from Vietnamese offices in France and the local Vietnamese community pay homage to Uncle Ho at the Vietnamese Embassy in Paris on May 18. (Photo: NDO)

They laid flowers in front of the House number 9, lane Compoint, district 17, Paris, where President Ho Chi Minh stayed from 1921 to 1923.

A ceremony to celebrate his birthday was also held at the Ho Chi Minh Space in the Museum of Living History in Montreuil, Paris's eastern suburbs. For many years since its inauguration on May 19, 2005, the place has witnessed a number of activities to honour and express sentiments for President Ho Chi Minh, a symbol of friendship between the people of Vietnam and France.

Paying tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at Montreau Park in Montreuil. (Photo: NDO)

On May 17, an exhibition featuring materials and images related to the life and activities of President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese revolutionary patriots opened at the headquarters of the Vietnamese Association in France in Paris. The documents and images were collected by the association from the France National Archives in the south of France.

* On May 18, the Vietnamese Consulate General in Vladivostok, Russia in collaboration with the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association and the Vietnamese Association in Primorye to celebrate Uncle Ho's birthday at the Versaille Hotel, where the president stayed during his three visits to Vladivostok.

Offering flowers to late President Ho Chi Minh at the Vietnamese Consulate General in Vladivostok, Russia, May 18. (Photo: NDO)

Participants laid flowers in front of President Ho Chi Minh's portrait and listened to Russian students of Vietnamese as they read popular poems from the Presidents collection namely "Diary in prison," as well as songs praising President Ho Chi Minh.

At the ceremony, the organisers presented awards to students participating in the 16th Vietnamese Language Contest, an annual competition for Russian students studying Vietnamese in Vladivostok.
Dung made his statement while attending the 15th ASEAN - Russia Senior Officials' Meeting in Moscow on May 17 and 18.

Speaking on behalf of ASEAN member countries on farming and energy cooperation between the bloc and Russia, the Vietnamese official said both sides are interested in the sectors which have potential for partnership.

With its strength in terms of technology, Russia can strengthen affiliations with ASEAN in gas and oil, electricity, atomic energy for civilian use and renewable energy, and energy security.

Concerning agriculture, he said both sides should facilitate the trade of produce of their strength, such as Russias meat, butter, and temperate climate fruit, and ASEAN countries tropical fruit, nuts, tea and coffee.

Dung recommended ASEAN firms invest in Russias agricultural processing industry, following the examples of Vietnams TH True Milk company and Thailands CP Foods.

Talking about regional and international affairs, Dung underscored positive changes but acknowledged potential security risks, including the East Sea issue.

He called on ASEAN and Russia to boost engagements at ASEAN-chaired frameworks and make efforts to build an open, transparent and rule-based regional architecture.

He mentioned ASEAN and Chinas efforts in conducting result-oriented negotiation for an effective and legal binding Code of Conduct in the East Sea, and expressed the hope that Russia will work with ASEAN in handling challenges to regional peace and stability.

Delegates at the 15th ASEAN - Russia Senior Officials' Meeting in Moscow on May 17 and 18. (Photo courtesy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

At the meeting, ASEAN member countries and Russia noted with satisfaction positive developments in bilateral cooperation, particularly the outcomes of implementing the ASEAN - Russia Action Plan for 2016 - 2020.

They reiterated the importance of their progressive and comprehensive partnership and agreed to bolster joint efforts to elevate the ties to a strategic partnership.

Russia said that ASEAN is among the most successful regional blocs and affirmed its support for the blocs central role in the region. The Russian side pledged to involve deeper in ASEAN mechanisms, like the East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum, and ASEAN Plus Defence Ministers Meeting.

The ASEAN side said they believe in Russias consistent diplomatic policy toward the Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia, and welcome the countrys contribution to peace, stability and cooperation in the region.

The sides agreed to enhance their coordination at ASEAN-led frameworks and forums and build mutual trust to address emerging challenges.

They said they will stimulate affiliation in a number of sectors, including trade-investment, regional connectivity, infrastructure development, tourism, education, people-to-people exchange, and anti-terrorism.

As such, they planned to organise the ASEAN - Russia Youth Summit in Philippines this year as well as a business dialogue and ASEAN - Russia education forum as part of the Eastern Economic Forum in Russias Vladivostok in September.

Courses in Russia on capacity building for the prevention of terrorism, drug and cybercrime, which train security officers in ASEAN, were also scheduled to take place.
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the complete review - fiction

Convenience Store Woman



by

Murata Sayaka



general information | review summaries | our review | links | about the author

Japanese title: 

Translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori

Akutagawa Prize, 2016

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Our Assessment:



B+ : enjoyably and effectively oddball

See our review for fuller assessment.

From the Reviews :

"(U)napologetically deadpan yet enticingly comic (.....) Its not flawless: Shiraha seems to be more of a plot enabler than fully realised character and, though Muratas gloriously nutty deadpan prose and even more nuttily likable narrator are irresistible, Id have liked more on her latent psychopathic streak. (...) But these are minor quibbles and perhaps even missing the point. For its the novels cumulative, idiosyncratic poetry that lingers, attaining a weird, fluorescent kind of beauty all of its own." - Julie Myerson, The Guardian





"For readers who are less familiar with Japan, Murata conjures it in all its fascinating otherness, while giving us a protagonist whose tussle with accepting who she is while trying to fit in is universally familiar." - Emily Rhodes, The Guardian





"The social critique can be heavy-handed, especially in talks between Keiko and Shiraha. But then, writing from personal experience and with a novelists keen observation, Murata shines in describing the setting -- the "pristine aquarium" -- that is Keikos sole link to existence. In smooth, lucid prose, the convenience store comes to life in its inner workings and sounds" - Nicolas Gattig, The Japan Times





" Convenience Store Woman is short, and it casts a fluorescent spell. Like a convenience store, it is chilly; it makes you wish you had brought a sweater. At the same time, its the kind of performance that leaves you considering the difference between exploring interesting topics and actually being interesting. (...) I have mixed feelings about Convenience Store Woman , but there is no doubt that it is a thrifty and offbeat exploration of what we must each leave behind to participate in the world." - Dwight Garner, The New York Times





is short, and it casts a fluorescent spell. Like a convenience store, it is chilly; it makes you wish you had brought a sweater. At the same time, its the kind of performance that leaves you considering the difference between exploring interesting topics and actually being interesting. (...) I have mixed feelings about , but there is no doubt that it is a thrifty and offbeat exploration of what we must each leave behind to participate in the world." - "Muratas smart and sly novel, her English-language debut, is a critique of the expectations and restrictions placed on single women in their 30s. This is a moving, funny, and unsettling story about how to be a "functioning adult" in todays world." - Publishers Weekly





" Convenience Store Woman may seem like a light and easy summer read about a Japanese shopgirl, but is actually a cutting commentary on the pressure society puts on its citizens, particularly single women." - Joyce Lau, South China Morning Post





may seem like a light and easy summer read about a Japanese shopgirl, but is actually a cutting commentary on the pressure society puts on its citizens, particularly single women." - "Kein Wort zu viel und keins zu wenig. Sayaka Muratas Die Ladenhuterin ist ein kleiner, gnadenloser Roman, der ohne jedes Mysterium auskommt und gerade deshalb vollig ratselhaft bleibt." - Ronald Duker, Die Zeit

Please note that these ratings solely represent the complete review 's biased interpretation and subjective opinion of the actual reviews and do not claim to accurately reflect or represent the views of the reviewers. Similarly the illustrative quotes chosen here are merely those the complete review subjectively believes represent the tenor and judgment of the review as a whole. We acknowledge (and remind and warn you) that they may, in fact, be entirely unrepresentative of the actual reviews by any other measure.



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The complete review 's Review :

The convenience store woman of the title is narrator Keiko Furukura, a thirty-six-year-old woman who has made a career out of what most see as a temporary job. For eighteen years now she has worked at the same store, ever since it opened -- without regret.

Keiko has always seemed a bit off: her actions and reactions might be called (all too) practical, but to everyone around her they seem shocking; people don't think the way she does -- and she has long recognized that that pegs her as an outsider. (She's got herself better under control now, and doesn't just blurt out or act in a given situation, but considering that when her sister fusses over her crying baby Keiko still eyes the cake knife they've just been using and observes (to herself, and the reader): "if it was just a matter of making him quiet, it would be easy enough", her mind still obviously works in the same old way.)

Keiko's practical and (reasonably) understanding younger sister has been helpful over the years, giving her advice on how to act in certain situations, and Keiko has also become adept at mimicry (so adept that she knows to temper her imitation, copying elements without mirroring completely): if she can't be herself, she can try to fit in and be like others by modeling her behavior on theirs. And so:

My present self is formed almost completely of the people around me. I am currently made up of 30 percent Mrs. Izumi, 30 percent Sugawara, 20 percent the manager, and the rest absorbed from past colleagues

A convenience store is a forcibly normalized environment where foreign matter is immediately eliminated.

Deep down I wanted some kind of change. Any change, whether good or bad, would be better than the state of impasse I was in now.

I'm a man, so I can still make a comeback, but there's no hope for you, is there, Furukura ?

He doesn't do anything. He did say he had a dream to set up his own business, but it seems to have been all talk. He just loafs about at home.

It's the first time I've kept an animal at home, so it feels like having a pet, you see.

- M.A.Orthofer, 20 May 2018

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:

See Index of Japanese literature

Index of Akutagawa Prize-winning works under review

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About the Author :

Japanese author Murata Sayaka () was born in 1979.

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Egypt's Chairman for the Supreme Council for Media Regulation says the series "contains no violations"

Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned on Saturday Egypt's Ambassador to Khartoum Osama Shaltout to voice Sudan's objection to an Egyptian Ramadan television series which it claims promotes "stereotypes regarding accusations of terrorism against Egyptians living or visiting Sudan," according to a statement by the Sudanese Foreign Ministry.

The drama serial, entitled Abu Omar Al-Masri, airs on privately-owned channel On-E and features armed Islamic terrorist groups who have been receiving training in Sudan.

The Sudanese FM said that its embassy in Cairo lodged a formal complaint to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry and handed a copy to the Egyptian Ambassador to Khartoum on 16 May, requesting Egyptian authorities take the "appropriate decision."

On-E issued a statement on Sunday to stress that the serial did not intend to single out the Sudan.

"The makers of the Al-Masry series understand well the importance of art in bringing people together and do not aim to provoke any crises," On-E's statement read.

"They also understand the importance of Egyptian-Sudanese relations and the crucial strategic partnership between the two countries," it concluded.

The series was originally a novel written by author, diplomat and academic Ezzedine Choukri Fishere and stars a number of Arab actors including Ahmed Ezz, Arwa Gouda, Manzer Reyahna and many others.

On Sunday Egypt's Chairman for the Supreme Council for Media Regulation Makram Mohamed Ahmad said during a meeting that the "serial is clear and contains no violations."

But the Sudanese Foreign Ministry insists that Egyptian satellite airing of the show "degrades relations for the two brotherly peoples of the two countries, especially for Egyptians living in Sudan," the statement read.

"This offensive series of Egyptian citizens coming and residing in Sudan [illegally] is a vain attempt to strike at the confidence and paralyze communication between the two brotherly peoples," it continued.

Some of the show has been filmed in the Sudan, as made clear by the appearance of Sudanese license plates in some scenes.

The Sudanese FM pointed out that these license plates are "a sovereign symbol which may not be dealt with without having obtained the consent of the appropriate Sudanese authorities."

"There is a great deal of security coordination between the military, security and police agencies in the two countries according to the agreement between them, which does not allow any activity or hostile acts from any country towards the other," the statement read.

During a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in mid-May in Addis Ababa, then-acting Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdallah Idriss asked his Egyptian counterpart to stop any attempts to tamper with Sudanese-Egyptian relations.

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Smothers (inset) and Chicago police personnel at the scene of his arrest in October 2016.

A man who shot three people and threatened two cops with a firearm in Lakeview has reached a plea deal that will have him out of prison less than two years from now.

Ricky Smothers, 23, pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and two counts of aggravated assault of a police officer with a firearm in exchange for a seven-year prison sentence. With credit for 552 days spent in jail awaiting trial and Illinois standard 50% sentence reduction for anticipated good behavior, Smothers will be paroled on March 13, 2020, according to state records. Judge William Hooks approved the deal.

Early on October 29, 2016, Smothers shot three people outside of a house party in the 2900 block of North Sheffield, according to charges. He then threatened the cops who chased him into an alley behind the 1000 block of West Oakdale moments later.

Two men and a woman, all in their 20s, suffered minor injuries from gunshot wounds to their lower extremities.

I heard six shots, a woman who lived nearby told CWBChicago at the time. There was a guy on the ground surrounded by police screaming for a while before an ambulance came. Police found the other two shooting victims nearby.

Smothers was sentenced to four years total for the three shootings plus a consecutive three years for assaulting police.

21 Years For Beating, Mugging Long-Time Lakeview Resident

Askew | Illinois Dept of Corrections

A man who helped beat up and rob a 63-year-old world-renowned expert on ancient Egypt in Lakeview two years ago has been sentenced to 21-years in prison.

Juan Askew, 20, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and was found guilty in a bench trial of armed robbery, unlawful restraint, and aggravated battery in a public place. Judge Joseph Claps oversaw the trial and sentencing. Askew is scheduled to be paroled on December 31, 2026.

On the afternoon of July 10, 2016, Askew and 21-year-old gang member David Shabazz tackled the victim, beat him, and robbed him at gunpoint near the victims home in the 1000 block of West Barry, prosecutors said. Witnesses told CWBChicago at the time that the victim was bleeding after being knocked to the ground, kicked and punched by the two men.

Shabazz reached a plea deal last summer that gave him a 13-year sentence for his role in the attack. He was ordered to serve at least 85% of his sentence and is scheduled to be paroled on January 1, 2026.

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